Books with title The Leap

The newest entry in the library of science fiction novels about Mars written over the last century and a quarter is different from the usual gadget-driven or pure fantasy fare. In here the characters are real, fully developed human beings with all the complexities and contradictions that accompany their humanity. Through them, the author explores some significant questions about the mysteries of life. Is it only an explorer like Columbus who is on the lookout for the unexplored? Aren’t we all seeking something unknown to us? Most of us, reluctant to leave our comfort zone, suppress the appetite. Although this hunger keeps gnawing our insides, hurting us continuously, we pretend to be jubilant and content. However, a few are unable to maintain the facade. They become restless, nervous, and edgy. The world calls them crazy. Unable to resist the pull, they finally break open the cocoon and transform into a beautiful butterfly with sturdy wings that carries them to heavenly orchards, where the nectar of wisdom is sweeter than ever. Moreover, it’s not just the outer journey that transpires. An inner pilgrimage runs parallel to the outer sojourn that ultimately leads us to our higher self. However, for this journey to take place, we must first allow ourselves to hit the road to nowhere. Are we ready for the leap, or shall we wait for a disaster to strike first?

After her best friend, Max, drowns, Charlie Fletcher is overwhelmed with shock and grief. When she attempts to explain what happened that day at the Mill Pond, no one believes her. The doctors and her mother think she may be hallucinating, or worse-crazy. Even her sympathetic brother can't understand what is happening to her. Charlie nearly died trying to save Max and as an aftermath to this terrifying experience, Charlie begins to have incredibly vivid dreams, where she sees Max walking far in the distance in a strange land. She tries to catch up, but she can never reach him. Sleep soon becomes her only passion. But one night, after waking up from a dream with cuts and bruises, she realizes that her nighttime excursions are real. She alone has the power to hunt for Max. And she knows he's out there somewhere. To save him, she'll follow his trail wherever it goes-even beyond the limits of this world.

Is it only an explorer like Columbus who is on the lookout for the unexplored? Aren’t we all seeking something unknown to us? Most of us, reluctant to leave our comfort zone, suppress the appetite. Although this hunger keeps gnawing our insides, hurting us continuously, we pretend to be jubilant and content. However, a few are unable to maintain the facade. They become restless, nervous, and edgy. The world calls them crazy. Unable to resist the pull, they finally break open the cocoon and transform into a beautiful butterfly with sturdy wings that carries them to heavenly orchards, where the nectar of wisdom is sweeter than ever. Moreover, it’s not just the outer journey that transpires. An inner pilgrimage runs parallel to the outer sojourn that ultimately leads us to our greater self. But for this journey to take place, we must first allow ourselves to hit the road to nowhere. Are we ready to take the leap, or shall we wait for a disaster to strike first? The newest entry in the library of science fiction novels about Mars written over the last century and a quarter is by Indian author Nita Bajoria. I highly recommend this interesting novel if for no other reason, then that it is different from the usual gadget-driven, technology-obsessed, or pure fantasy fare that is, in my view, all too common in science fiction today. MS Bajoria’s characters are real, fully developed human beings with all the complexities and contradictions that accompany their humanity. The reader will enjoy meeting them. -Doug Turnbull, Award-winning science fiction author, USA

We’re not supposed to trust others. Look at the headlines. Read the blogs. Study the survey data. It seems that everyone is wary, that everyone is just looking out for themselves. But a sense of social trust and togetherness can be restored.In The Leap, bestselling author Ulrich Boser shows how the emerging research on trust can improve our lives, rebuild our economy, and strengthen society. As part of this engaging and deeply reported narrative, Boser visits a radio soap opera in Rwanda that aims to restore the country’s broken trust, profiles the man who brought honesty to one of the most corrupt cities in Latin America, and explains how a college dropout managed to con his way into American high society. Boser even goes skydiving to see if the experience will increase his levels of oxytocin, the so-called “trust hormone.”A powerful mix of hard science and compelling storytelling, The Leap explores how we trust, why we trust, and what we can all do to deepen social trust. The book includes insightful policy recommendations along with surprising new data on the state of social trust in America today.