Of legends, emotions, fandom and a soldier s autobiography (IANS Books This Weekend)

New Delhi May 5 (IANS) Embark on a journey with a real estate magnate living in the two worlds of reality and myth that blend as he seeks the answer to his existence; glance through different emotions and thoughts that are relatable to everyone. Also know how some kinds of engagement with fans succeed and some backfire; read a highly motivating autobiography of a soldier who can inspire youth who dare to dream big.

That s what IANS bookshelf has on offer this weekend. Read on!

1. Book: The Legend of Karna; Author: Karan Vir; Publisher: Frog Books; Pages: 227; Price: 299
Karan vir Oberoi a real-estate magnate living in New York has recurrent dreams of someone who looks like an ancient warrior clad in golden armour and wearing golden earrings. He feels a deep bond with the warrior but the dreams remain a mystery to him. After miraculously surviving an assassination attempt Oberoi is determined to seek answers. His quest for truth leads him back to his homeland India where his true destiny awaits him.

Karna the legendary hero from the Mahabharata is considered one of the most valiant and generous kings of his era. He defied social customs and traditions to achieve immortal glory by his virtues and skills. He became a king and trusted friend of Duroyadhana -- the crown prince of Hastinapur.

Embark on a journey with Oberoi as the two worlds blend and as he seeks the answer to his existence. Will history repeat itself or will Oberoi choose to venture into uncharted territory? Unravel the mystery. Read the legend!

2. Book: Seeds of Pomegranate; Authors: Irfan Nabi and Nilosree; Publisher: Half Baked Beans; Pages: 48; Price: 150
Seeds of Pomegranate very intriguingly brings across writings about dashes of love half-promises and memories laced with infatuation fleeting moments of desire and incompleteness.

The trails of these are thought to be long-entombed by the sand clock: A glance through the blurred maze of delirium. Nameless yet familiar.

With around 50 small writings juxtaposed with pictures about simple things in life the book offers to the readers a nice way to pass time. It also touches the complex thoughts and ideas running through the mind of an individual but the narration is extraordinarily simple and readable.

3. Book: Super Fandom; Author: Zoe Fraade Blanar and Aaron M. Glazer; Publisher: Hachette; Pages: 318; Price: 499
Fans create they engage they discuss. From comics to clothing the boundaries between fans and creators are blurring. This is the new fandom-based economy: A convergence of brand owner and brand consumer. Fan pressures hold more clout than ever before as audiences demand a say in shaping the future of the things they love.

In Super Fandom Blanar and Glazer explain this new era of symbiosis. For producers it can mean a golden opportunity: Brands such as Polaroid and Surge preserved by the passion of a handful of nostalgic fans can now count on an articulate creative and above all loyal audience. Yet the new economy has its own risks. It s also easier than ever for companies to lose their audience s trust as Valve did when it tried to introduce a paid mode system for its Skyrim video game.

Examining key cases that span a wide range of consumer markets the writers explain why some kinds of engagement with fans succeed and some backfire. Throughout the authors delve into the history sociology and psychology of fandom.

4. Book: Broken Crayons Can Still Colour; Author: Rakesh Walia; Publisher: Notion Press; Pages: 143; Price: 199
Captain Rakesh Walia s autobiography Broken Crayons Can Still Colour is a highly motivating book and a must-read for youth who dare to dream big. An extremely absorbing and gripping narrative of his personal life the book is difficult to put down once you start reading it.

Captain as he is fondly called has an amazing personality and a pleasant demeanour with no trace of his traumatic childhood experiences.

What makes the difference betweem success and failure? Is it one s individual temperatment the DNA or mere focus?

This book will answer all your questions.

--IANS
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