In these stories there is an interweaving of the past and the present while the main characters -women are seemingly engaged in some ordinary pursuit of daily life. As in The Long Journey where Kamala is traveling by rail, or in the case of Nirmala in The Corner Laundromat, Asha waiting to pick up her child outside school in Blessing From Above, Uma commuting to work in Silicon Valley in Suburban Mona Lisa; the small betrayals or infidelities in their lives, whether real or imagined, and their effort in surmounting these form the main theme of this collection. The stories are short and precise and written in a compelling narrative voice that draws the reader in. There are no boundaries here, whether it be the U.S. or India, they all celebrate women's lives-their trials and tribulations and the heartfelt messages of soul and survival. "Vasanthi Victor's stories are infused with tastes and textures of India. Her ability to transform the mundane and ordinary with her words drew me into her stories and I stayed with her characters through their sorrows, their dreams and their victories." -Amulya Malladi, author of A Breath of Fresh Air and The Mango Season "The surprises emerge when we realize the skill with which she is able to portray the wide range of characters in her stories short and precise and the narrative voice is fascinating These are the kinds of stories that may become the stitches that keep our lives seamed together." -from the foreword by Roshni Rustomji-Kerns, author of The Braided Tongue, editor of Living In America and other anthologies

Who can suppress excitement at the first sighting of looming monsoon clouds? Who can deny the joyful prospect of relief from the unrelenting heat of an Indian summer? The season draws every corner of our vast, diverse country together—regardless of what we call it, how we deal with it or where we live, we all understand the monsoon. In this anthology, Juhi Sinha celebrates the monsoon with monsoon recipes and festivals from different parts of the country, and fiction and poetry both modern and historical. With Khushwant Singh, Ruskin Bond and Rabindranath Tagore; the Meghaduta, the Ramayana and the Rig Veda; and, of course, Alexander Frater, this book is the perfect medley to bring the rains alive anytime and anywhere.

Another magical saga by the author of Of Marriageable Age. How many of us think as adults we've lost the vitality of childhood? And how many manage to find it again? This is Rita Maraj's dilemma. Living in a ramshackle house in Georgetown, leader of the local neighbourhood gang, Rita collects people like she does dogs, cats, ants, and even an unwanted police horse. But then her father remarries: her stepmother is determined to tidy up house, husband and stepdaughter, and move into respectable society. Rita's charm and liveliness become compressed by the pressure to conform, and the duty to find a suitable husband. But then a messenger arrives, searching for a possible heir to the distant family estates. Suddenly liberated, and determined to search for her roots, Rita's sense of adventure is reawakened first by the formidable personage of her distant relative, but even more by the tragedies of her long lost, romantic cousin. Her early life -- saving half the wildlife of her neighbourhood -- is only preparation for the destiny that awaits her. Dramatic and vivid, moving and exotic, Peacocks Dancing is a captivating story, a joy to read.

"The novel opens up uncomfortable questions about the biological and social, lack and love and reform and rebellion-to which there are no easy answers. Dance O' Peacock is a truly engaging account of a woman's search for love, meaning and calling a search for herself." - Dr. Sharmila Rege, Director, KSP Women's Studies Centre, University of Poona, Pune "Dance O'Peacock is the story of Neelam, an intelligent and independent woman. She struggles hard to get rid of the oppressing tradition of taboos. To find solace and to build up inner strength, she puts relationships at stake and rigorously strives for emotional and intellectual freedom; where she can have every right to nurture the weltanschauung of her own. Neelam's voice against the tradition and history, that have thrown her into such a predicament, could be termed feminist." - Dr. Khursheed Alam, Urdu writer

The darling, dancing Flora is back, and this time she's found two new friends: a pair of peacocks! But amidst the fanning feathers and mirrored movements, Flora realizes that the push and pull between three friends can be a delicate dance. Will this trio find a way to get back in step? In the third book featuring Flora and her feathered friends, Molly Idle's gorgeous art combines with clever flaps to reveal that no matter the challenges, true friends will always find a way to dance, leap, and soar—together.

As one of the earliest art forms of humanity, dance has its roots in all kinds of activities and is deeply ingrained in human social life.

The section dedicated to owls unfolds the mysteries of these nocturnal predators, examining their specialized adaptations for silent flight, keen nocturnal vision, and exceptional hearing. Readers gain insight into the various owl species worldwide, each with its own set of features and behaviors, showcasing the diversity within this enigmatic bird family. Shifting the focus to ostriches, the book explores the intriguing world of flightless birds renowned for their impressive speed and powerful legs. Readers discover the adaptive features that make ostriches uniquely suited to their environments, from their large, powerful eyes to their strong, agile limbs. The book also explores the social dynamics and survival strategies of these flightless giants, enriching the reader's appreciation for the avian diversity present on our planet.