Hello, I am Bhavesh Mehta.

Raised at one of the holiest cities of Hindus- Ujjain, a considerable part of my

childhood was spent around temples and in the vicinity of holy men. Apart from these trivialities , I am an
MBA with an Engineering Background (cliche) who aspires to be an Entomologist (not cliche). At present
I am surviving in Mumbai and is working as a Senior Consultant with just another IT Service firm

Q&A:
1. When and How did you get into reading for pleasure?

I still remember the narration of that first Tinkle comic by my mother to my 4 year old self while I sat in
her lap toying with a red coloured mini truck. Thereafter, the spree was followed by plethora of different
types of colourful books ranging from Tinkle to Archie and a bit of DC.

In my teens, I was exposed to Amar Chitra Katha and many different books of GeetaPress Gorakhpur
Publication that lead to development of interest in History and Religions. Discovery Channel can be
thanked for arousing curiosity in Cosmology and Entomology while Cartoon Network is responsible for
introducing me to Japanese Mangas and Graphic Novels. 

2.  Do you have a reading ritual? if yes What is it?

I usually read two or three books at a time. One Fiction and one or more Non-Fiction. I believe
that not all books can be read at the same time of the day. Fiction and story books can generally
be considered as simpler literature and they does not require your complete absorption in the
material. So they can be picked up at any time of the day irrespective of the situation you are in. I
try to read fiction at night before going to bed for half an hour at-least. Sometimes when the book
is at its inception or when a major plot twist is around the corner then this time could extend to
late night as well. But well that’s another bibliophile crisis.

During the day time when I am in my office or when travelling by public transport I usually opt
for Non-Fiction. These books will require rereading of some paragraphs or mugging up some
concept so that you can remember and recall them when needed. Depending of the type of book
that I am reading even highlighting and noting down of important points maybe needed.

3. Whose on your auto-buy authors list and why? 

Neil Gaiman. I have read almost everything that my master has written till now and has a
proud collection of 9 of his novels. He somehow takes me back to my childhood days when
life was filled with innocence and the quest for mystery. I like Gaiman for the fact that his
books though filled with fantastic and incredible events never tries to preach anything and are
usually a light read that leaves a feel good feeling when they finally ends.

4.Your go to mantra for overcoming a reading slump?

I reread my favourite childhood books – Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy, Huck Finn or Agatha
Christie. They usually take me back to the right track, the path towards reading.

5.an unpopular bookish opinion you have – 

I don’t like the craze that many Bookstagrammers are into present to read the next best
popular bestseller that makes it way to the stands. In the present age of social media
marketing many mediocre books end up becoming famous not because of their content but
because of the money they put in the promotion on social media.
6. Your favorite bookish merchandise?

I am a simple old school reader who is maybe a bit older for using bookmarks..:)

7. What's a trope you like to see in books?

I think Indian Mythology and Folklore has not been explored to its full extent. Just like
mythology inspired Harry Potter, LOTR and Game of Thrones, India is still waiting for an
Author that can create gripping multi volume stories using the asset that we have. (And
please, the thing that Amish Tripathi has conceptualized isn’t mythology.)

8. Top 3 favorite  books and why?

If on a Winter’s Night a Traveler by Italo Calvino – This book is the epitome of randomness.
On a boring day, I can flip it pages and can start reading it from anywhere and there is no
way it still won’t be interesting even though I would have read it 10s of times.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman – For its bland for Mythology with Fantasy. Although
it is a book that is probably meant for children but still I enjoy it as a grown up kid.

The Gene by Siddharth Mukherjee – This book introduced me to Genetics. Curiosity that it
generated lead me to research about functioning of Brain (Phantom in the Brain, The Brain-
Story of You), life in old age (Being Mortal) and what happens when we die. (Secret life of
Cadavers)

9. What are your bookish pet peeves?

I don’t like to keep Books on the ground or bring them anywhere near feet. Somehow the
childhood teaching that Books are an abode where Gods reside still stays in me.

10. Who is your  favorite fictional character? why?

Well Since I also read Graphic Novels - Death from Sandman series. Although she appears
for only a brief period in the book but her depiction as a beautiful kind girl is incredible
considering the fact that generally death is presented as a hideous or no personality entity in
books.

11. Current favorite  literary quote?

“I shall die here. Every last inch of me shall perish. Except one. An inch. It's small and it's fragile and it's
the only thing in the world worth having. we must never lose it, or sell it, or give it away. We must never
let them take it from us.”
― Alan Moore, V for Vendtetta

Recommendations:
1.Your last 5 star read and why
a. Being Mortal by Atul Gawande
b. Millennium Trilogy by Steig Larrson
c. A Gentlemen in Moscow by Amor Towles
d. Field Guide to Getting Lost by Rebecca Solnit
e. Factfulness by Hans Rosling

2. Three regional books (Indian authors) 

a. Adventures of Professor Shonku by Satyajit Ray for the mix of Sci-Fi and puns.
b. Yuganta by Irawati Karve for understanding the stories of Mahabharat in a comprehensive
way.
c. Meghdoot by Kalidas for it beautiful description of ancient India woven in a romantic
story.

3. Three books from your fav genre 

Since my favorite Genre is Children Fiction that is meant for Adults

a. Hitchhikers Guide to Galaxy by Douglas Adams
b. The Little Prince by Antoinne de Saint Exupery
c. Adventures of Huckelberry Finn by Mark Twain

4. three underrated  book (hidden gems acc to you) and why these books?

a. Serious Men by Manu Joseph
b. That Long Silence by Shashi Deshpande
c. Number9Dream by David Mitchell
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I highly suggest you don't repeat any of your book recommendations if possible.

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Please  also send me a link to your bookish accounts
1. Goodreads : https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/5055213-bhavesh-mehta
2. Instagram : @books.and.trivia

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Will await your reply.

Thanks
Monica :D