Wabi Sabi by Nobuo Suzuki (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

  

3rd Book of 2026

Whenever life is not very pleasant, I try picking up a self-help book because there is always one or a couple of insights that make it easier to move forward through tough phases. Sometimes, even if the ideas are not new, a book presents them differently, bringing the same old advice into a more productive and implementable perspective. Reading “Wabi Sabi” by the Japanese author Nobuo Suzuki did exactly that for me. This 160-pages hardover book takes us deep into one of the Japanese Zen philosophies, which also forms the title of the book, meaning “The Wisdom in Imperfection.” The book carries a foreword by none other than Hector Garcia, the co-author of another famous Japanese bestseller, Ikigai.

 

The author explains the individual meanings of the words Wabi and Sabi, and what they represent when considered together. Taking us through different interpretations, Nobuo emphasizes that it is about finding wisdom and beauty in incompleteness, imperfection, the unfinished, and the impermanent. The book is divided into three sections—The Philosophy of Wabi Sabi, Wabi Sabi in Art, and Wabi Sabi as a Way of Life.

 

In the first section, the author introduces Zen philosophy and Wabi Sabi briefly before delving deeper. One chapter explains why we should not be too hard on ourselves while chasing perfection, as the world conditions us to believe that perfection is the ultimate goal. It highlights how, when we begin to accept our own imperfections, we also learn to accept the imperfections of others. In doing so, the world becomes slightly more bearable and empathetic.

 

The author further discusses relationships, explaining how expectations can often lead to disappointment. Everyone is living life according to their own timeline and vision; comparison and expectation only complicate relationships unnecessarily.

 

In the chapter on drawing inspiration from nature, the author explains how nature is endless and rarely perfectly finished. Even ancient palaces often have a corner left incomplete. The foam of the sea forms and dissolves endlessly. The idea of a “proper ending” is largely a human construct, and it is often the source of our inner turmoil.

 

The second section is dedicated to Japanese art and aesthetics, where creations are not always made with the intention of being perfectly finished. Instead, broken parts, recycled elements, and purposeful incompleteness are embraced to create something unique. Within this section, the chapter on melancholy stood out for me. The author beautifully explains why melancholy is an indispensable emotion and how it can exist without necessarily leading to depression or loneliness. Nobuo also highlights how people today often suppress melancholic feelings through medication. He gently guides us toward understanding how creativity, calmness, and even happiness can emerge by embracing Wabi Sabi principles.

 

In the third section, the author shifts towards practical implementation. He provides examples and tabular formats that contrast how things are commonly perceived versus how they could be approached through Wabi Sabi. The example of a broken bucket and the story of a painter who never saw his work as genius—even at the age of 110—illustrate how imperfection can lead to excellence. It reinforces the idea of focusing on personal growth rather than comparison.

 

The chapters on creating space through minimalism may sound like common advice, but the step-by-step guidance on decluttering both externally and internally makes it actionable. The author also references modern habits—constantly checking emails, scrolling social media, rushing towards our phones—instead of spending time in silence or with nature.

 

The book contains beautiful black-and-white and coloured glossy images, reinforcing how imperfection can be just as beautiful as something seemingly perfect. Each chapter ends with a poetic “Meditation” section. There are numerous lines that feel deeply reflective, even if they are not presented as typical motivational quotes.

 

Talking about drawbacks, I felt the author could have provided clearer guidance on how to maintain a Wabi Sabi mindset when professional and personal expectations constantly demand urgency and deadlines. Living this philosophy in a fast-paced environment is challenging. Additionally, including more real-life examples of public figures who embraced imperfection and turned it into success could have strengthened the practical aspect. For most of the book, the narrative leans more towards philosophy than implementation, placing it in the same segment it subtly critiques in other self-help books.

 

Overall, Wabi Sabi feels like a meditation in itself—best read when life feels chaotic and cluttered. It resonates deeply in such moments; otherwise, it may come across as just another philosophical self-help book rooted in spirituality. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5. Thanks to my sister-in-law for gifting it to me.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Pune Junction by Pranay Bhalerao (Book Review: 3.25*/5) !!!

  

2^nd Book of 2026

There is always an excitement in reading one of your favourite authors trying a new genre. I remember feeling the same excitement when Chetan Bhagat, Ashwin Sanghi, and Amish Tripathi experimented with non-fiction, and I experienced a similar feeling when I saw Pranay’s update on social media about his attempt at a love story. I have finally finished reading his latest book, “Pune Junction,” which is around 270 pages long. It felt refreshing to read him writing a soft, emotional story after having read his dark and action-packed duologies and trilogies like The Lost World and The Kavaach series respectively.

 

Pranay’s writing style has been kept simple to cater to Gen-Z and young school- and college-going readers who do not enjoy complicated storytelling. This is a light read in terms of storyline and works perfectly as a travel companion or a relaxing weekend read. Pranay has structured the chapters interestingly—even though the timelines do not switch this time, the voice of narration does, as the story is told in the first person alternatively. The two main protagonists, Parth and Rucha, keep narrating their versions of the same storyline, with slight progression each time, which helps the reader move smoothly into the next scene.

 

The author has nicely created the setup of how a fresh college graduate enters the corporate world and finds everything new and different from his previous life. The way he describes the room of a bachelor employee, the habit of saving colleagues’ contacts names with company references, the new addiction to coffee, and how older employees prefer stepping outside the campus for tea or coffee despite free options at work—all these details feel relatable and authentic.

 

The characterization of both protagonists is well communicated. You get a clear glimpse of how anxious, nervous, and excited Parth is, while Rucha comes across as confident, ambitious, and a dreamer. Their initial interactions and subsequent dates are handled with restraint, without forcing unnecessary steamy scenes into the narrative. This shows Pranay’s confidence as a writer, as he avoids adding artificial elements merely to spice up the story. He works with a simple plot and builds the narration around it effectively. However, while reading the love story, you may be reminded of films like Saiyaara or Aashiqui 2, especially in the last one-third of the book where the setup feels quite similar. I personally wished the author had chosen a different direction, as it reduces the sense of freshness and makes it feel like another familiar love story.

 

While reading, I initially wondered why Pune as a city was repeatedly being brought into the conversations between the characters, but then it struck me that the title itself is based on the city. The author’s love for Pune is evident in the way he begins the journey from Shaniwar Wada and takes readers through different locations. However, I felt he could have explored the city more deeply by mentioning local cuisines and popular couple hotspots. That would have made the city feel more organically integrated into the love story rather than slightly forced in certain sections.

 

Talking about the drawbacks, I feel the simple storyline could have been comfortably wrapped up within 230–250 pages and did not necessarily require the current length. The author also needs to invest more in proofreading, as I noticed several typos and grammatical errors this time—something quite different from his earlier books, which were more polished. It felt as if the book went to print in a hurry. As mentioned earlier, the final section resembles several Bollywood films and books with similar storylines, making the ending somewhat predictable. I would rate this book 3.25 stars out of 5. Definitely not Pranay’s best work, but I am sure he will bounce back strongly with his next one. Do read it if you enjoy sweet and simple love stories.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Salman Khan: The Sultan of Bollywood by Mohar Basu (Book Review: 4.75*/5) !!!

  

1st Book of 2026

1st Book of 2026

I remember going to the market with my mother every time we found a Salman Khan song from a new movie playing somewhere. We had an entire collection of cassettes featuring almost every movie Salman was part of during the 1990s and early 2000s. We still frown upon the day we had to give away that entire collection because CDs replaced cassettes and we could no longer find a cassette player in the market. With time, favourite actors changed, but the soft corner for my very first favourite actor still sits right at the front. Surprisingly, last year we even got to experience watching Salman Khan live on The Great Kapil Show sets, which felt like a dream coming true—one that we hadn’t even imagined dreaming about.

I had a wonderful start to my 2026 reading journey by picking up one of the finest biographies written on Salman Khan by Mohar Basu—the same author who won the Crossword Popular Choice Award last year for her debut biography on Shah Rukh Khan. To begin with, the entire package of the book—the hardbound cover, the embossed golden title, the printing quality, and Salman’s photograph on the cover—makes it extremely tempting to pick up the moment you enter a bookstore. I have kept it displayed on my study table for over a month now, simply because of the aura it carries.

Mohar Basu has structured this biography very intelligently to ensure it doesn’t read like a conventional life story. She does not follow a linear narrative starting from birth and moving chronologically forward. Instead, she picks defining moments and personality traits of Salman Khan and explores them in depth. With every chapter, she attempts to decode why Salman Khan is unlike any other Bollywood star and what truly makes him unique.

What stands out is that the author never appears biased in her narration, which makes her writing credible and compelling. She does not attempt to whitewash Salman’s personality; rather, she tries to understand—along with the reader—why he continues to be forgiven repeatedly and given chances unlike most public figures. She maintains a balanced approach while covering both his filmography and personal life.

Her chapter design reflects her deep understanding of reader engagement, especially in a book that runs over 300 pages. The narrative keeps you hooked without ever making you feel saturated. In fact, when I reached the last 50 pages, I slowed down intentionally just to spend more time with the writing. In IT, we talk about UX (User Experience), and in marketing, CX (Customer Experience). I genuinely believe Mohar Basu has introduced a new concept—RX, or Reader Experience—which she consistently prioritises throughout this book.

She takes us deep into the making and impact of Salman’s most important films such as Maine Pyar Kiya, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Wanted, Dabangg, Ek Tha Tiger, and Bajrangi Bhaijaan. The behind-the-scenes insights add freshness even to films we believe we already know everything about. Adjusting box-office collections for inflation further helps readers understand the true scale of Salman’s success and rising stardom.

The author frequently references her interactions with Salman Khan’s fans across the globe, sharing their personal stories of his impact on their lives. She also transparently acknowledges books, articles, and interviews she has referred to. I was glad to have already read the three books she frequently cites—Khantastic, The Three Khans, and Being Salman—which perhaps also proves how big a Bollywood lover I am—haha!

One generally assumes that any book on Salman Khan will heavily focus on his relationship with Aishwarya Rai. While that has been true in many accounts, Mohar Basu smartly limits this discussion, presenting essential facts without overindulgence. She articulately covers how Salman’s image suffered due to controversies and court cases without sensationalising them.

She dedicates chapters to his bodybuilding journey, which changed Bollywood’s perception of male physiques, and to his philanthropic work—highlighting how Being Human was simply a structured extension of values he practised since childhood.

What makes the book even more engaging is that the author occasionally lets her emotions as a Salman fan surface, making the narrative conversational and intimate—like discussing a shared admiration with a close friend. This book will remain a definitive reference for understanding why Salman Khan continues to inspire forgiveness, loyalty, and fascination. As they say, you may love him or hate him, but you cannot ignore him—and Mohar Basu’s research proves there is no better example of that statement than Salman Khan.

Overall, this book took me through nostalgia, excitement, emotion, curiosity, concern, inspiration, and amazement—sometimes all within a few pages. This explains why Mohar Basu’s books continue to sell despite their premium pricing. I give this book no less than 4.75 stars out of 5. It is a true page-turner. Right after finishing this review, I am picking up her biography on Shah Rukh Khan, and I sincerely hope she writes on other Bollywood personalities like Amitabh Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, and Hrithik Roshan as well.

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WRITING BUDDHA