On cart: Economy, sports, food & drama (IANS books this week)

New Delhi, April 28 (IANS) Exercise the intellect with an inspiring cache of books this weekend. Browse with IANS...

1.Book: 'The Blue Sweater'; Written by Jacqueline Novogratz; Published by Harper Collins-India; Priced Rs.399 (India Edition)

The book is the inspiring story of a woman, who gave up a career in international banking to spend her life understanding global poverty and finding powerful new ways of tackling it. It all started in Virginia, with the blue sweater, a gift that quickly became her prized possession - until the day she outgrew it and gave it away. Eleven years later, in Africa she spotted a young boy wearing that very sweater, with her name still on the tag inside. That the sweater had come all the way to Rwanda was evidence of how we are all connected - how our daily actions, and inaction, touch people across the globe - people we may never know or meet.

2.Book: 'Sachin: A Hundred Hundreds Now'; Written by V. Krishnaswamy; Published by Harper Collins; Priced Rs.250

On 16 March, 2012, at Mirpur near Dhaka, after opening the innings for India, Sachin nudged the ball to behind square leg in the forty-fourth over to cross the final barrier: a hundred centuries in international cricket. In this account of the master batsman's incredible journey, sportswriter V. Krishnaswamy takes us through every hundred, every peak scaled on Sachin's way to the top. Alongside, he captures for us glimpses of the fast changing world around Sachin and the two sportsmen whose lives and achievements in some ways mirror the Little Master's: world chess champion Viswanathan Anand and tennis superstar Leander Paes. It has an introduction by former India captain Rahul Dravid and a foreword by Sachin and coach Ramakant Achrekar.

3.Book: 'Flavors First: An Indian Chef's Culinary Journey'; Written by Vikas Khanna; Published by Penguin-India; Priced Rs.1,190

Savory and rich, sweet and fiery, smoky and tangy - the recipes of Flavors First are full of unexpected tastes. The dishes listed by Khanna, a celebrity master chef of Indian origin, ranges from contemporary and global with spins on tradition. They include strange fusions like the Masala-Honey Cornish Hen, Wonton Crisps with Tamarind Chutney and Pineapple, and Chai Creme Brulee. The book begins with a comprehensive, easy-to-follow spice and ingredient glossary, a foundation for recreating your favorite Indian dishes at home. The chapters are devoted to every aspect of a complete Indian meal, including easy handmade breads, a variety of chutneys, appetizers perfect for parties, slow-cooked curries, tender stews, desserts and cool refreshing drinks.

4.Book: 'PRANKZz: A Psychological Thriller'; Written by Harish Sharma; Published by Rupa & Co; Priced Rs.188

Six medical students find themselves in the same study group, hand-picked by the dean of the college to become the best doctors of their batch. Yet, rather than becoming friendly, their personalities clash and they divide into factions, playing pranks on one another... pranks that escalate and begin to traverse dangerous grounds. When one of the pranks has disastrous consequences, all things change. But will the 'pranking' ever end? With one surprising twist after the other, the story is as gripping as it is astonishing. The writer unravels a skin of intense rivalry with unexpected outcomes.

5.Book: 'Delhi OMG'; Written by Vinod Nair; Published by Om Books International; Priced Rs.195

'Delhi OMG!' traces the journey of Dinesh, a middle-class offspring as he meanders through life and the city of 'Dilli' in his struggle for survival. The journey takes him through the many signature spots in the city, exposing the underbelly and presenting a side which is rarely seen. The loss of innocence riddled with myriad splashes of contrasting, funny and often contradictory shades, this tale attempts to expose the superficiality that lies beneath, in a way that is shocking, real, hard-hitting and humorous. Consumed as Delhiites are in their world of make-belief and maximising their returns, with each one trying to be what they are not, Dinesh discovers that the city allows one to revel in their belief of having actually succeeded. But have they, really? Welcome to Delhi... as we think we know it!