Book Review: Jambudvipa

Historical fiction is one of the genres that has developed at speed because of the talented writers and their writing efforts. With the right flavor of mythology, the work becomes a reading experience that the readers enjoy from the moment they lay their hands on the book. Every work is a magnum opus in itself and has a thorough potential to keep readers attracted and engrossed in the narrative from cover to cover. Arpit Bharat’s debut work, “Jambudvipa: The drift of Bodhidharma,” is an example that be quoted to be never forgotten in this regard. Bharat’s work is a product of the author’s thorough research and ability to mould historical content in the frame of fiction and present it to the readers gracefully and fascinatingly.

As “Jambudvipa” begins, the readers can find the traces of history and the events that have influenced human civilization and what bears the fragment of history effortlessly. On this canvas, Bharat develops characters that are blended with characteristics of both fiction and reality, and the frequent narrative shifts make sure that they stand out as individual personalities. Every event described leaves lasting impressions on the readers’ minds, and the presence of an omniscient narrator also brushes up the readers' facts. Through his debut work, Bharat gives a potent introduction of his skills as a writer and as his ability to form fictional content out of facts and information available to him.

The readers who are interested in reading fictional work with a blend of history and mythology can pick Bharat’s “Jambudvipa” without any second thoughts and be assured of the promising writer that he would be even for his future work. Along with a well-constructed plot that develops at its own pace, the readers are also likely to find the impressive growth of the character of Vasantsena and also witness how she is a clear example of a round character. With frequent references to characters created in other mythological books, Bharat’s work stands next to the greats who already are the spearheads of this genre in literary writing.

Book Review: The Demons of Jaitraya

Indian mythology and epics are rich with diversity and many loopholes for artists to create marvels and write works that would spark the readers' interest right from their titles. “The Demons of Jaitraya” by Shubira Prasad is an example that can be mentioned here. As intense as the title, equally exceptional is the book cover. The readers are instantly attracted to the book and are prompted to read it at once.

Prasad constructs a world that is an offspring of the post-Ramayan war scenario. The characters are shown to live their lives in the present day, and with a touch of destiny, they acquire their destined roles when the time calls for it. The readers get engrossed in “The Demons of Jaitraya” the moment they begin reading the prologue. Prasad’s style is characteristic of the dreaminess of the plot and making the readers more and more enthusiastic. It also has an air of divinity that pervades the atmosphere of the book from the first page itself. She resorts to frequent shifts of narratives and swings the dialogues between the first and third person as per the requirement of the text. This frequent change of narratives also shifts the positions of the readers where at one time they are directly involved in the action, and the next moment, they are distant.

“The Demons of Jaitraya” is likely to appeal instantly to people who are fond of mythological reading and also those who intend to venture into this booming genre of Indian literary writing. Prasad creates a unique space for herself due to the language that she uses and the patience with which she builds the fabric of the book. She takes time in building up the characters and also share minute details that would otherwise slip from the observation of the readers. The lives of people, how things change for the better, how these changes bring out the necessary changes in human beings, and how time chisels the hidden qualities of human beings would be some of the basic observations of the readers. Apart from this, another observable characteristic of the work is the naming of the chapters. Prasad keeps the titles short and crisp, and even if they say everything, there is a lot hidden to be unveiled. It also shows the research and homework the author did before giving words to her thoughts. The readers are likely to remain engaged throughout the book and would only want to keep coming back to reread the book. 

Book Review: Unmarry Me

Human emotions have always been a complex realm of exploration and explaining for even specialists in the field. Many writers have attempted to give words to the most complex feelings, and in the process, they created marvels that can never be forgotten. “Unmarry Me” by Vani Kabir is a book perhaps one of its kind, which focuses on life being merely a combination of black and white and everything else oscillating somewhere in between it. The cover of the book is an accurate introduction to this thought.

As simple as the title sounds, equally complicated are the different states of mind that the author has explored in the book. Somewhere in between writing poetry, she creates a poetic style of her own, which sometimes takes the shape of prose or merely a few lines. This book is like a counseling session that presents challenging situations every person may have gone through and can instantly relate to. To solidify her thoughts about strength and courage, the author uses illustrations that only depict that nothing is unconquerable; the only requirement is of the desire and intention to make better things happen. Many people are unable to give words or express the emotional states they have. This book can be beneficial to them and can counsel them through the healing process. Hence, there is no need to recommend “Unmarry Me” to any particular category of readers. Even readers of non-fiction can try reading this book due to the honesty it shows and dares to show the reality on the face of it.

Book Review: Magical Mythology

Indian epics and myths have such a richness that artists find loopholes here and there to explore their creative abilities and artistic talents, which leads to the creation of a whole new foundation based on the basic structure. One such marvel of creation of Stuti Gupta’s book “Magical Mythology: Fascinating Stories of Epic Characters.” Although the author’s intention may have been to create a universe that was meant for children, it has a thorough potential of involving adults and grown-up readers with the same zeal.

Along with engaging stories that set the imagination of a reader to fire, the author has dexterously used ample illustrations, and at the end of the stories, there is a one liner which can be called, ‘moral of the story.’ Gupta’s work comes after 2 of her other books, and here, she displays the maturity in handling the content that ensures that the work to become popular among all readers.

Book Review: Midnight Writers

When “Tottel’s Miscellany” was published, no one could have thought the form it would take after more than 450 years of its publication. Yet, as times have changed, the universality of human expression has not changed and continues to be reflected in the modern work of “Midnight Writers: A Collection of the Finest Poetry, ” which is edited and compiled by Muskan Srivastava. This anthology has given young writers a platform to showcase their talents and abilities of crafting works that give a powerful description of the many things that go on in a person’s mind.

“Midnight Writers” features poets who display a variety of emotions and states of turmoil that a human goes through, and even if the majority of poets are young, they still display their talents which would only blossom into better and better writings as they continue to write in the future. From the soothing sight of the cover to the last pages of activities set, the collection comes across as a work having the potential to give a relaxing experience to the mind.

In the collection of 81 poems, “Dusk To Dawn,” by Priya Kulkarni, “The Waves and I” by Sehaf Haq, “Unrequited Love,” “Divorce” by Laiba Sohail, “Adoration” by Kristina Kerber, “Graveyard to Heaven” by Ruchika Sharma, “The Unknown Path” by Deeksha Raina are just a handful of poems that can only give a brief idea to what the collection has in store for the readers. There are numerous other poems that explore a variety of content and strike the right chord with the emotions of the readers every now and then. In their attempt of exploration, the poems share the reality on the face of it. Such verses include “Cry” by Kunika Rawlani, “I Wish To Create a Monster” by Christian Scully, “Women” by Madhurya Kommuri, “The Woman” by Deeksha Raina and many others.

True of its title, “Midnight Writers” is about the musings and thoughts that could only occur when a person is in a pensive mode in a time when there silence all around, or “far from the madding crowd” as Thomas Gray would call it. Srivastava has chosen the poems and placed them one after the other with care and attention to details. This makes the work of a fine quality and gives it the potential to give a good reading experience to poetry lovers. The simplicity of language and the crispness of thoughts are the other salient features of the collection. The volume is likely to find instant favor and interest of the readers who like reading meditative poetry born out of deep, reflective, and raw thoughts.

Book Review: The Facade

The literary genres of mystery and thriller are perhaps the only two genres that can give a rush of a variety of emotions in the readers at the same time. They can not help but feel multiple emotions at the same and also have nail-biting moments that would not just give them chills but also keep them rooted and fixed to the books they read. One such anthology replete with such experiences and powerful content is “The Facade,” edited and compiled by Rashi Aggarwal. The title is short, crisp, and precisely describes the content that is to follow.

The anthology features young, talented, and promising writers who showcase their potential to become literary giants in the coming times. Their style of writing and narration takes the readers’ minds on a spin, and they are unable to keep their hands off the book even for a moment. The authors opt to keep the stories short, but even in limited space, they pack all possible ideas to involve the readers are close as they can. 

The anthology features 19 stories but they are more than enough to raise the imagination of the readers to higher levels when almost every story is left on a note of suspense with deliberately left loose threads here and there. This is one of the features that adds to the charm of “The Facade,” and introduces the readers to the different sides and stories of life that may have otherwise been left unsaid. Some stories like the three parts of “Turning of Abigail Frost” by Shel Henderson make sure that the readers find themselves biting their nails and being lost in wonderland trying to understand the baffling situations they are put into. Other such powerful tales include “The Façade” by Rashi Aggarwal, “The Last Move” by Suraj Singh Sisodia, “Cheating” by Dr. Anurag Awasthi and many others. The editor has carefully chosen the stories and placed them one after the other with prudence. Readers who are fond of works giving them chills down their spines should take “The Facade,” for reading.

Book Review: The Forgotten Sagas

History, mythology, and fantasy are the genres in literary writing that can never lose favor among writers or readers. The present time is where everyone shares a rich history of myths, legends, and events that shaped the fragment of today. As there was not a much-written record of many things in the earlier days, it becomes everyone’s duty to protect that heritage and preserve it for future generations. A team of young writers does this effort in this direction in Trisha Saxena’s edited and complied anthology, “The Forgotten Sagas: Tales of Verses of Aeons.”

The title has been chosen very wisely as from here that the readers are prepared to read and know many facts, myths, and legendary tales that otherwise they may be unaware of. Saxena places the contributions of the young writers in a skillful manner. By the time the readers complete the first few presentations of the first section, they are in the grip of the text as a whole and cannot keep “The Forgotten Sagas” away. Stories like “Nacheli- The Bare Truth” by Manoj Vaz, “Limitless” by Aruna Parandhama, “The Kingdom of Sheraghati” by Prajwal Shukla, and others lay the foundation stone of the series of sagas that may have been forgotten over time, but due to the efforts of the young writers, they may rise from the ashes like a phoenix only to remain in the memory of the readers. Other than these, “The Forgotten Sagas” features a lot of work not just in prose but has the presence of poetic works here and there. All of them have uniqueness and style of their own, but to name a few that the readers would hold on to include “Greek Mystique” by Udita Pendse, “The Unsent Letters” by Dia Mehta, Belle by Rhea Sethi, and many others. Other vital works in this regard that are worth mentioning include “The One” by Arjun Naik, “The Unfolded Myth” by Afreen Fatima, “The Lost Lessons” by Swadha Agrawal, and others. The readers would have their personal favorites as they read through. 

“The Forgotten Sagas” is one of the few books that can be re-read by readers time and again, whether in the form of a bedtime story or a tea-time partner. Every prose or poetic piece is a universe in itself and makes the readers want to know more about what the writers are writing about. They may have heard of them here and there, but the author’s contributions may help them join the dots of unknown facts. The cherry on the top is the language and the narrative technique that has been used. This makes it easier for the readers to understand the text, remain entertained and interested at the same time. The readers are likely to find a lot of captivating and striking content that will hold the readers’ attention and make them aware of the hidden facts and stories, which may be the life and blood of the places and towns they have not visited.

Book Review: Little Occult Affairs

Every person has a story to share, and the diversity of their exposure and experiences is what differentiates one story from the other. When collected together, these stories become fragments of a bigger whole and add up to become a memorable experience for the readers. This is the charm of the anthology “Little Occult Affairs: Untold Mysteries Unfold,” edited and compiled by Yash Runwal. Runwal, through his prudence and favor to the darker elements of life, handpicks 25 stories that are a product of meditative minds who think and feel different things the same way.

The stories have diverse themes and feature the talents of the young writers in a comprehensive yet concise form. The exploration of the darker elements where life is not all about the fairytale pieces makes the anthology a work of maturity and holds more relevance for the present time. The readers get to read the reality in its raw form and face it the way it is. There is the presence of a variety of themes that show the other side of the human world which includes crime, negativities, dark sides of people, and the extents to which they can go to harm others. The editor keeps the work diverse, and yet there are common elements that the readers can trace. But that does not let any work become similar to any other. 

Stories like “The New Bride” by Kuldeep C, “The Almirah Ghost” by Midhun Harilal, “Soulonosis” by Sachin Shanbhag, “Dead or Alive?” by Nayanika Chatterjee, and perhaps all others are distinct from one another yet match each other. Every story bears the impressions of the young minds and their way of perceiving all they have witnessed or heard of. These stories are merely an introduction to the budding writers who would blossom at an individual level as they grow and attain worldly experience. The coordination and the manner in which Runwal has made efforts is reflected in the stories that he picks and features in the book. 

The language used in “Little Occult Affairs” is also friendly to the understanding of an average reader, and every reader is bound to have a profound impact on their minds after finishing the anthology. The readers who like reading short stories can try reading this anthology where they would get to hear the thoughts of different minds focusing on the same themes. Even if the stories are short, sometimes, the characters built by the authors are also compelling and individualistic. These are only some of the features that make this anthology a recommended reading for all those who want to try reading something new and fresh.

Book Review: In Search of a New Home

Children are receptive to everything they see and quick to learn. Above that, they are highly inquisitive by nature and want to know just everything. This is the reason that whatever they learn in the early stages of life gets imprinted in their minds for the rest of their lives. Most importantly, all that becomes their strongest memory and keep recalling things when they grow up or have some free time. Children’s books are written keeping this fact in mind, and that is why they are made colorful with lots of illustrations. Dr. Smita Chandrashekarappa writes her book, “In Search Of a New Home In Space,” keeping all these facts and features in mind. The book serves as an adventurous and thrilling experience for young readers and a good story to become a memory of their childhood. The broad feature of the plot is the journey to the unknown and unseen realms of the universe, which most of us have only heard about or seen in books. “In Search Of a New Home In Space” may also prove helpful in enhancing the understanding of young children about space and related basic facts.

The book has a fast-paced story that is easy for children to remember and they also get their scientific facts and knowledge clear through this search for a home. The featuring of the character of an alien as a character creates a spark in the imagination of young readers from the cover itself. The colorful cover and the featuring of an alien traveling in a space ships prompts the young readers to get their hands on the book at once and read what the book has to say. After that, they are taken on a journey where, through the alien, they get to explore different planets in the solar system and also get familiar with the atmospheric conditions on them. It may not be easy to remember these little details for the young ones. Still, they will surely memorize by heart in the second or third reading if appropriately narrated with the necessary changes in speaking style, essential illustrations, their involvement, etc. The children are likely to have an enjoyable experience within the four walls and would feel like they have traveled space through one book. In this time, when children are not going to school, their hyperactive minds can be kept engaged and productive with the help of such books. Dr. Chandrashekarappa’s effort in this direction is praiseworthy. 

“In Search Of a New Home In Space” is recommended to all parents who intend to make their children aware of the world around them and make facts permanent in their minds by the usage of appropriate materials. Reading such books is bound to provide a solid foundation for the future education of children. At the same time, the book can be enjoyed by all elders while teaching scientific facts to their children. The book is short, as per the need of children, it has fewer words, as per their retention power, it has more pictures, keeping in mind their cognitive abilities. Scientifically, it matches the abilities of children which makes it a recommended reading. Overall, “In Search Of a New Home In Space” is a recommended book for everyone old or young. Grown-up readers may also find this book of their interest and pick it up for the young ones in their family. This book is also suggested to parents who want to initiate their children into the world of reading so that they can develop the habit of reading for a strong foundation for their future.

Book Review: God: The Best Friend and Guide

Generally, everyone is so caught up with life and challenges it brings and in the race to get better, to be faster than others, and to excel in their respective fields, everyone tends to appreciate the little things of life. As times have changed, and there has been a boom in technology which has revolutionized human lives, it has added fuel to the stress levels of people, and as a result their primary targets are the satisfaction of their material needs. In his book, “God, The Best Friend and Guide: A Monk’s Journey Into The Corporate World”, Jaydip Das talks about this fact, and it forms the base of the book.

The cover of the book clearly depicts a monk who looks at the sky scrappers which are symbolic of city life, and the corporate world. The title for a moment, may mislead the readers, and they may interpret the book to be about religion, and the religious aspect of God. But it is on reading that they realize the life changing book “God, The Best Friend and Guide” can be. 

Through his first person account, the unnamed narrator (the author) recounts his life from his early school-days when his interest in the lives of mystics and spirituality developed. With a very strong and sharp memory, the narrator recalls every incident, person and every little episode that influenced and shaped his life which contributed in making him the person he is at present. He also recalls and tries to trace how the smallest events, meetings, and accidents mold his perspective of life from the beginning to the present day.

“God, The Best Friend and Guide” shows how God is present around everyone and can show His presence through any medium, whether it is living or non-living. Also, Das clearly conveys the message that it is hard work that actually pays off, and there is just no substitute of it. Throughout the book, the readers get to see how much hard work the narrator does. It may be one sided travel of 3 hours or putting his heart to studying, the narrator does not give up or back off anywhere. This is perhaps the most positive messages the book conveys and leaves a strong impact on the mind of the reader.

The narrative style used by the author is also commendable. He keeps Ganga as a representative of the present day humans who have lost their touch with spirituality and have lost themselves in the pursuit of satisfying their materialistic needs. Ganga as a person is inquisitive, attentive, and eager to hear and learn from the experience of the narrator.

Nowhere does the author suggest to renounce the world and become an ascetic or hermit as in the long run he does realize how important money is in the life of a person. But he suggests that a person should not forget to cater to the needs of the soul and try to see the beauty in little things and try to understand what the universe is trying to say. According to the author, there is a message in every little movement of the universe which happens around the person.

In “God, The Best Friend and Guide” the narrator comes across as a person who is industrious, eager to learn, loving towards his family, an obedient disciple of his Guru and at the same time always looking at the bright side of life. He does have his moments of sadness and negative feelings but that does not shake his faith in all his learning and his belief in the spiritual power. As a person, he comes out to be a strong man of character, integrity and high principles.

“God, The Best Friend and Guide” is an important read for the present generation of readers and even non readers. Some may categorise the book as motivational literature but that would be equal to doing injustice to the deeper and stronger messages the book conveys. At the same time, the book cannot be limited only to the readers belonging to the corporate world or the aspirants of it, but to all students who dream of a better life, and a good future. Due to the universal nature of the book, it is bound to be on the shelves of coming generations as spirituality is not something that can be restricted to any one generation, or it would lose it applicability in any time. The true essence of spirituality was shared by thinkers and mystics long ago as the author mentions and people of not just India but the western countries also are going back to the teachings of the same thinkers. If their teachings have been applicable generations, it is very certain that they would not lose applicability owing to the universal nature and unchanging psychology of human beings.

Book Review: GIG Economy in India Rising

No one in their wildest imagination would have thought of the present-day situation where the world faces the pandemic of COVID-19. If nothing else, this pandemic has undoubtedly increased the importance of money as only those who have it can survive through. In the end, everyone would agree that even though money is not everything, yet it is everything in the current scenario. How competitive and cut-throat time will be in the future is only a matter of guesswork. In such a time, Amitava Ghosh’s work, “GIG Economy In India Rising,” becomes a reading of significance for every single individual who hopes to develop better opportunities for himself in the future.

Many readers may not be aware of the concept of the GIG Economy, but as the author stresses, it is the need of the hour. Ghosh also hints that GIG Economy would emerge as the system on which the foundation of the future is likely to lay on. Since the future is based on a strong foundation in the present, this book becomes an essential work for reading. The author begins the book with an introduction, where he clears the basic concept of the GIG Economy. He also stresses the importance of the book and how important it is. He invites the readers to go through the book and have a view of what the author thinks of the future.

The cover of the book and the images on the exterior give a fair idea of the book not being any academic book meant for students. The introduction by the author does the rest of the job effortlessly.

Considering the “GIG Economy” as a mere document of a different kind of economic system which is in its nascent stages would not mean doing complete justice to the message of the book. The subtitle of the book, “Take a Step Ahead, Discover Work-Life Balance, As Social Security is in Creation,” gives a clear idea about the aspects the author is going to cover in his book and how wide the dimensions of the book are.

Ghosh keeps the language of his book lucid and straightforward for every reader to understand. The things he talks about in the book are quite specific, concise, and focused. The readers understand his points and agree to them too. Through the twelve chapters he has written, the author tries to clear every possible question a reader could have in mind. He begins by building up the concepts from the very basics of the rise of the GIG and the reasons behind it. He talks about how technology became an impetus in catalyzing and revolutionizing the money earning systems. He also talks about how the GIG Economy has impacted worldwide and how it had been progressing in India before the novel pandemic. Also, in the next chapter, he talks about how this is the emerging future of the country, how ther is anxiety among people regarding it, how it is a tool for job creation, and how this can work through even in the recession brought because of the pandemic. The readers who may feel unhappy with their monetary issues may find this book of importance. They may understand many things and may find their knowledge enriched by the reading of “GIG Economy”

Ghosh keeps the chapters short, but the ideas he conveys are powerful, profound, and pragmatic. At the same time, he also talks about the code of social security, which is in its infancy stage and may develop in the coming time. In light of this, he shares his vision in the closing chapters named “Synoptic view - Code on Social Security Bill 2020” and “India’s New Law in Conception on Social Security 2020”.

Here and there, Ghosh also gives illustrations and diagrams to share the data and facts with the readers to provide them with an ocular and concrete idea of his thoughts. The presentation of facts adds weight to his efforts, and diagramtic form makes it more interesting and inviting for the readers. All these factors make his work more strong and recommended. 

This book is one of the few books that every reader should read. Whether a fiction lover or a fan of non-fiction, it does not matter. Also, readers of every possible age should not have second thoughts before taking up this book for reading. This is so because the only aim and purpose of this book are to come as a handy opportunity for all those who want to make their lives better. As it has always been said that knowledge is the road to power, this book has a plethora of not just knowledge but significant facts and information. In this manner, the book becomes a comprehensive guide to the developing concept of the GIG Economy. Also, it gives ideas to readers to become job providers instead of job seekers.

Book Review: Ellie and Orin Prophecy

Since earlier times, adults, as well as children, get fascinated by the tales of the unknown, myths, or the realms they have not visited. Due to the imaginative elements, such stories invoke the interest of perhaps all kinds of readers and listeners right from the beginning.  One such story that has the potential to reach out to as many readers is Gagan Saini’s “Ellie and Orin Prophecy.” Saini’s work, right from the beginning, carries the air of suspense and mystery. The beauty of the book is that despite the author shares every possible detail, there remains something unsaid. The readers can sense it very well which leads to a rise in their curiosity levels keeping them in the grip of the story until the very last words. Other than this, well-developed, realistic characters with situations and stories close to life trigger the interest of the readers in no time.

“Ellie and Orin Prophecy” features all the ingredients to create an exciting mixture for the readers and give them a thrilling experience as they read through the book. For once, the text may seem a little long, but the manner of narration and the series of events is enough for any reader to overlook is this fact. There is the mention of fairies, fairyland, the reach of fairies in the human world and their interaction, the good and the evil powers, etc. All this is more than enough to make the book a package deal for children and adolescents and a thing of attraction for grown-up readers.

Stories with fairies and mythical characters like unicorns have always been a strong attraction among storytellers and listeners. Saini’s book has an amalgamation of all elements and what gives uniqueness to the story is the manner in which he narrates it to the readers. He takes the construction of the plot in a linear fashion and keeps the protagonist in highlight. In the initial stages, he keeps the action quite close to earth and life on earth, and as the plot progresses, he gives small twists to transfer the readers to the lands which have not been visited by anyone so far. Among all this, the young protagonist, Ellie, lives through in her human form, and as time and situation call for it, destiny makes her face her real self at the right time.

“Ellie and Orin Prophecy” has the potential to keep the readers in the hold of the book as they read through and the carefully planned sequence of events does the rest of the work. Even though the readers may attempt guessing how things would unfold yet, the author surprises them every time. This is one of the few things that remains the charm of the book until the end.

Apart from this, the author also talks about other issues that the readers can only decipher when they read between the lines. The manner in which he narrates the incidents in Ellie’s school makes her situation relatable for the readers. The biased and more or less corrupt system and its innocent victims find explicit mention in the story. He even hints about how these incidents can affect young minds and scar them for life. All this is mentioned briefly, it is enough for the readers to understand what the author is hinting towards. The undying faith of Ellie’s grandmother in her grandchildren is also a thing of beauty in the text. The grandmother is an epitome of strength, courage, bravery, and positivity, who has unshakeable faith, which instills confidence in her grandchildren. The attitude of the grandmother gives a strong message to the older readers of having faith in their children in whatever they do and encourage them to get better.

Saini takes his raw material from the stories everyone may have heard or read about at some point of time. But he gives it a modern look by placing it in the contemporary present-day world, which makes it more closely relatable for many. All readers, young and old, can try reading “Ellie and Orin Prophecy” not just for its carefully packed events but also a simple language and well cut out lively characters. The plot progress is also well-paced, and the readers do not lose track of any circumstances. It would also be advisable to read the book with concentration as some earlier events find small references in the latter part of the book. Parents who want to encourage their children and develop their interest in reading can also find this book as a recommendation. Or, they could find this book a potential reading like a bedtime story. Overall, it can be said that Saini’s work is remarkable in its creativity and has all qualities to leave a lasting impression on the minds of the readers long after they have finished reading the book.

Book Review: My Letters To My Daughters

More than anything else, the legacy that the elders leave for the younger generations becomes a treasure for the younger ones and one of the reasons for them to look up to them. All their experiences, ways of working and their mistakes become important life lessons for the younger generations which help them to avoid all those and learn from them at the same time. In the light of this, Curfina Kimkhovah has attempted to leave her life’s legacy in her life’s work, “My Letters to My Daughters”. As simple as the title may seem, the work has a lot more depth and a lot more to say than it may seem to be on the surface. For once on reading the title, the readers are reminded of W.B. Yeats’ classic poem, “A Prayer for My Daughter”. However, Kimkhovah’s work bears the effect of modernity, and an easy differentiation would be of its being in the prose form. Most importantly, the readers may observe how far women have come where the address to their children is by them and they are not merely mute spectators. 

The book begins with an attractive colorful cover which gives the feeling of one generation transferring a letter to another generation which pretty much matches the subject content of the title. Thereafter, the author begins her book with the thought of the circumstances that led to her taking the decision of writing “My Letters to My Daughters” which is very personal for her. But, she makes sure to have the readers on board when she says that this book can be read by every daughter and the lessons shared by the author can be applied by all in their lives. Only on reading the book, the readers find out that the book is not merely restricted to the female gender rather all people, young and old, can read this book and apply the lessons that the author shares in it.

The author tries to draw examples from all the things she sees around her. Whether it is something abstract, or from nature or just anything, she goes beyond limits to illustrate her points to make things clearer and make them sound more sensible. Off and on, she keeps reminding the readers that all she is writing is on a personal level by addressing her daughters. This makes sure that the daughters reading would feel close and connected to the author and even more closer to the words she has written. Work with such nature where a parent is intending to address their offspring has been written quite less. That gives the work the status of unique and exceptional in its own way.

Every reader, old or young, should read “My Letters to My Daughters” which leaves not just a legacy from one generation to another but also has the potential to become a guide to many who have lost their way in life and may be straying from their paths. With a language intending to reach out readers of all kinds, the author sometimes tends to divert from the subject mentioned in the title and the readers forget that the book is mainly a set of letters, but she also manages to bring the readers back to where they began and they recollect what the book is about. A few readers may mistake the book to be in Samuel Richardson’s epistolary form of writing, but the letters are more of a metaphor instead of being an actual letter as Richardson’s work had. The letters are an epitome of the experiences of the author and all that she has learnt in her life while bringing up her children. 

Categorizing the book as a part of motivational literature would not be entirely wrong, as the hidden or intended message of the author is more or less to motivate the readers so that they can also make a difference in their lives as Cara does in her life. While on a motivational spree, there are a lot of important lessons to learn which some readers may be acquainted with or may not be. Overall, the book has something or the other to offer to all readers. All mothers who have something or the other to teach their daughters but have no time to present it in writing form can share this work with them so that their children also are not short of any learning and can try implementing the life changing lessons as mentioned by the author. 

Since the work is the debut of Kimkhovah, the readers can expect a lot more fictional or non-fictional content which would be filled with her experiences and acquired wisdom to serve as a guiding light to readers of not just the present day but also the times ahead.

Book Review: Complete Darkness

The future and life in it are fascinating for all readers, and writers show their artistic talent by sharing their vision of the future in their works. In this showcase of future life, what holds a reader's interest is the ingredients an author uses to create a new mixture. In his “Complete Darkness,” Matt Adcock uses a unique style of writing with an appropriate fusion of oxymoronic elements and has the readers in the grip of the text from the beginning. 

The title gives a minor hint of the content that is to follow, but Tom Wade’s foreword gives the readers a fair idea of “Complete Darkness” being a product of the meditative musings of Adcock and not something created out of thin air. Broadly, the book can be classified in the category of science fiction, but other than that, there is the presence of constituents like dystopia, biblical references, and vision of the future. The presence of the theological aspect is fascinating, which literally goes hand in hand with the science fiction background that the author keeps. This gives an introduction to the insightfulness of Adcock’s artistic side and his ability to control the complexities of two opposite subjects balanced and doing justice to both. At the same time, the dystopian component seems to be a step ahead of the Orwellian idea where Adcock bears the influence of the technological boom and the awareness of rapidly changing human lives.

The presence of footnotes in “Complete Darkness” gives the book further depth and gives the readers an understanding of how well researched the novel is. In addition to science-fiction and dystopian literature lovers, Adcock's action-packed work is recommended to all those readers who like to be on their toes and getting surprised by the twists a text can bring anytime. 

Book Review: Yelllow: The Verses of hurting and healing

Writing is the most powerful way to express oneself. It becomes all the more powerful when the author uses poetry form to express themselves. The same powerful expression is seen in Urja Joshi’s work, “Yellow: The Verses of Hurting and Healing.” The title of the book says a lot about it, yet the author keeps some meanings hidden, which can only be found out when the readers go through the verses. It is not necessary that there can be only one manner in which a person can get hurt, but whoever goes through a tough time can read this attempt of Joshi and see the effects her words have.

The poet gives a brief introduction to the work in the beginning. She clearly states that it is,

“a book written and illustrated by author, which is for everyone. for those who believe in love and compassion and for those who don't. those who have healed and those who are still in process.”

This is an indication of the fact that the book is not just a straight set of verses that the author has composed but rather a collection of words that are likely to have a profound effect on the lives of the readers. Joshi may have used lesser words on every page in her verses, but her thoughts are strong and speak to the readers without any diversions.

To concretize her ideas, the author uses ample illustrations in “Yellow: The Verses of Hurting and Healing.” These images may be simple in their making, but they are necessary to make the readers understand the thoughts of the poet more closely. They also help the readers in connecting with the ideas in a more tangible way. To keep the readers connected throughout, the poet does not use any extraordinary language too. There is the ripeness of emotion, and it is conveyed through lesser and easy to understand words. 

The readers are already prepared that “Yellow” will be more like a journey that will make them sail through the phases of hurting and healing. What conspires in the process of hurting and how an individual is affected by it, the author explores it all in her verses. Her style of writing is not much like what readers would find these days; instead, the poet takes a form of writing where she uses fewer words to convey development in the life of a person. 

The version presented by the author may be from the viewpoint of a woman, but restricting the thoughts only to a woman would not be fair. The incidents and happenings that the author narrates are something that could occur in anyone’s life, whether it is a man or a woman. More or less, every person has gone through tough times where they have been hurt and are going through or have gone through the process of healing. Therefore, recommending “Yellow: The Verses of Hurting and Healing.”to be read by all those who are going through ups and downs in life would not be wrong. At the same time, they would also get a share in the wisdom that the author has acquired through her experience or by the observation of others. But in short, it can be concluded that there will something to learn for one reader or the other once they take this book in their hands.

This is what makes “Yellow: The Verses of Hurting and Healing” a recommended reading for not just the younger generation but those who are grown up and mature too. The healing process is not something that can happen overnight. But, with the reading of “Yellow: The Verses of Hurting and Healing,” the process may get some speed. The experience that the readers would go through would be no less than rising from the ashes like a phoenix where the author shares the secrets of healing and getting better with each passing day.

Book Review: Age was just a number

Books with plots featuring romance and love are one of the most preferred when it comes to reading and equally favored when it comes to writing. It because of the manner in which things are narrated which brings a smile to the readers’ face and give them a relaxing and a memorable experience which makes this genre gaining so much favor. Shaheen Kazi in her book, “Age Was Just a Number” brings a book to the readers which is not just packed with romance but at the same time, it also features a variety of emotions a person has in their life which include humor, sadness and maturity. This is what makes the readers laugh and cry and also feel sad for the characters and as a result, fall in love with the book and get attached to it.

Through the character of Sameera, the author shows how on moment in life can change the entire canvas for good and how, avoiding or running away from it is impossible. The author captures more than a decade of Sameera’s life, in which the readers see her growing up from a teenage cheeky brat whose smallest acts also make the reader’s smile and laugh along and see her growing up through her lonely years into a smart, mature woman who learns things more or less, the hard way. “Age Was Just a Number” as the title suggests, is somewhere about the game of age numbers playing a havoc in the lives of the characters and how situations change, the numbers change but individuals do not. The author begins the book with a note of sadness and the readers do know already that something is not right.

Even though Sameera tells her story in a very animated and lively manner, how things fall into place and how events happen with her, the readers always feel that air of sadness as they read through the initial stages of the book. She has light hearted arguments with her mother just like any other teenager. This as a character, gives her instant life of her own. The readers more feel like actually hearing those things aloud instead of reading them in framework of the book. With this, Kazi works on several themes which develop simultaneously. These include the importance of age, purity of love, importance of family ties, friendship, making the right choices, recognizing one’s importance in the eyes of the others and many more in addition to these. 

The readers agree more with what Harpreet, Sameera’s best friend says. She is like the voice of wisdom who says what the readers think. But again, Sameera is like any regular girl who does the same things that girls in that situation do. The character of James represents shrewdness combined with stupidity. He may have said a lot of things in the story, but his actions are always under the radar of suspicion of the readers. He also shows the practical side of life. He is grown up and mature but that maturity does not pay off in the decisions he makes and the manner in which he treats people. The manner in which karma gets him is something that the readers may have always wanted but could not anticipate or predict happening. The falling apart of the Rodrigues’ family shows the unpredictability of life and how things can change without any prior knowledge. 

“Age was just a number” harps on the idea of the fact that it is not necessary that any particular age can define when things can happen in life. It is only the human mind that decides when they should happen, but natural designs have no such boundaries. The narrative is mainly in the hands of Sameera. She is the one who narrates her tales of fun, moments of enjoyment and times of sadness. All these things bring her much closer to the readers as a characters and they can see through her actions yet overlook them due to her genuine and sweet nature. They cry with her in her sufferings because of James, get desperate as she does, wait with her for the right time, face the same dilemma as she does, but at the same time, they cannot predict how she would handle her situation when there will a change or an unexpected entry of her old flame. Rehan is the projection of the perfect timing in life, of the fact that things happen when anyone can least expect or perhaps has no expectations at all. But as soon as he enters the narrative, the readers know that time for Sameera have changed for good. Despite this, the author does keep an element of surprise for the readers and unveils it on the exact time when it was needed. Readers who are looking for a light hearted read which has the package of romance and many other things should go for reading Shaheen Kazi’s “Age Was Just a Number”.

Book Review: Brick, Cement and Dotcom

Life is a journey of learning for everyone. People who step out of their comfort zones or think beyond mainstream or try work in a unique direction for others experience more challenging and unpredictable situations. This experience becomes a treasure for the coming generations or people who look up to those who thought beyond the mainstream. One such example in this regard is Deep Malhotra’s “Brick, Cement and Dotcom: The Unspoken Dark Realities of Entrepreneurship.” As the author says, the term entrepreneur in itself sounds glamourous; this is indisputable. But as it is said, there are two sides to a coin; and Malhotra intends to show the readers the other side of the coin honestly and fearlessly.

The author keeps the book in the first person, sincerely reporting the events as they occurred, and lets the readers decide and infer based on their observations. In addition to this, the post scripts at the end of the chapters make the readers understand the author at a personal level and bring them closer to him without their realizing it. This technique's usage makes the book more of a heart to heart conversation rather than merely words scribbled on paper. Simultaneously, “Brick, Cement and Dotcom” gives essential life lessons to the readers and those who may dream of becoming entrepreneurs. The author also shows the transition phase from the times of late 90s to the stage when technology was in its boom phase. Through this, the author depicts the changing circumstances of the many who would have faced the situations he faced.

Malhotra keeps the chapters mostly short and keeps the readers connected to the text throughout. He gives brief names to the chapters, but the depth that they carry is a lot more. Although the book is written on a personal note, the author's story can be a story of many. Even if “Brick, Cement and Dotcom” mainly revolves around the dynamics of entrepreneurship, the reading base cannot be restricted to any particular set of readers. This book is open to reading for all people, whether they read fiction or non-fiction, as it not only unveils the truths of life and also inspires them to work towards achieving what is unthinkable for others and have what the author says, “a happy ending”.

Book Review: Janaka and Ashtavakra

Indian mythological literature is known for its diversity of characters. This diversity of characters leaves loopholes here and there for writers to explore stories from different viewpoints and perspectives. Ashraf Karayath has made the same attempt in his work, “Janaka and Ashtavakra: A Journey Beyond.” In his concise yet detailed writing, he explores the power of wisdom that can help any person get through any situation. He takes the readers on a journey into the time of kings and queens and gives them the taste of royalty through his words. In response, the readers take a plunge into the narrative and travel to the lands described in mythology.

The author has the readers in the grip of the narrative right from the opening of the text. He begins the book in a very unexpected manner, which steals the attention of the readers effortlessly. As the plot progresses, the plot swings between different families, and here and there, the author uses the flashback technique to make sure the readers cannot keep the book away from them. He develops strong and individual characters who speak for themselves, and the author does not seem to be pulling strings anywhere. The book's division into 4 parts with a prologue and epilogue helps the readers have better clarity over the text and makes the reading experience an unforgettable one for them.

The story the author chooses to tell may be known to many, but what makes it interesting is the manner in which he builds with the raw material. The plot has swiftness, yet it remains steady for the readers to hold every event that occurs. “Janaka and Ashtavakra” is a novel that may be spiritual and philosophical in nature, yet the readers cannot ignore the modern relevance of the ideas it shares. Janaka's prudence gives a life lesson to the readers, and he wins their hearts with his insightfulness. Ashtavakra, on the other hand, has all the characteristics of a young teenager, but the wisdom he displays is beyond his years.

This is one of the few books bound to get every kind of reader interested and make them want to read it till the end. At the same time, it can be read by people of all age groups. Teenagers will like it because of Ashtavakra, and grown-ups will fee interested because of the presence of Janaka. 

Book Review: Miss Call

A literary work is true to its times when it showcases the problems and issues of the time in which it is being written. Indian literature has seen different phases, and today's literature is far different than the one written in the pre or post-independence era. Hardik P. Patel's "Miss Call" as a title may convey just the surface-level details, but it is only by reading that the readers can see how many issues and themes the author depicts effortlessly in his compact and condensed work.

The cover of the book may disturb the mind of the readers for once. That is the author's technique to brainstorm their minds and open their thinking to read new themes and vital issues. Thereafter, as the author begins narrating the story through the protagonist, Jay's eyes, it makes the book unputdownable for the reader. Through his 19-year-old life and times he has seen, he tells the readers how life can change for any person unknowingly. 

The notable aspect of "Miss Call" is that neither the author nor the protagonist interferes in the formation of the reader's perception. The readers comprehend and understand how all factors together impact an individual's personality and how these individuals behave when as a part of society. They leave it to their understanding to observe, interpret, and incur. Such work can always be collected as a souvenir for the times ahead. 

Apart from this, the subjects that the author handles are appreciable. On the short novel's canvas, Patel explores various themes like presumptuous human behavior, teenage years in a person's life, how impressionable their mind is in that time, and. Other than this, the readers may find other ideas when they try to read between the lines. These include family and their support, friends, how far they stand with a person, how harmful half knowledge can be, and society's attitude towards a person who is not a proven criminal. One of the very critical issues the author raises is the issue of parenting. How important parenting is in a child's life and how instrumental it is in developing an individual's personality is what everyone is well aware of, yet it is crucial to remember. Patel also shares the idea that scores and degrees are consequential but other than that, focusing on a person's emotional, social, and psychological development can never be overlooked.

"Miss Call" is a recommended reading for all readers, young or old. The fact that the book is short and crisp opens it to a wider reading public. As a character, Jay keeps the readers engaged and updated with all that happens in his life. He is an example of a gentleman of the present day who is far more realistic than the constructed artificial images, as depicted in movies or fairytales.

Apart from this, the author's narrative style and his subject for "Miss Call" is powerful enough to give the readers an unforgettable experience where they not only comprehend the story but also use their intellect to understand the message Patel has tried to share.

Book Review: One Within

Perhaps among all human emotions, the most powerful emotion that humans experience in their lifetime is the emotion of love. Whether it is from parents to children or vice versa or siblings or partners, it shows up in the strongest form when the right person is with them. Authors have been portraying the development of the chemistry and the emotion of love for ages and yet it continues to be the most written about theme due to its pervasiveness. The same is apparent in Bobby George’s creation, “One Within”. The title may for once seem simple and catchy for readers to remember at once, this is one of the major attractions when it comes to reading.

The cover of the book gives the vibe of an interesting tale of love which the author is set to unveil. The interest of the readers gains spark when they read the small punch lines mentioned here and there on the cover. That promises the book to be an easy “grab and read” kind of work. The manner in which the author has refrained from giving titles or proper names to chapters and kept them in the category of books is also an innovative approach which was perhaps last seen in Dickens’ “Hard Times”. George creates and constructs the narrative mainly around two characters and how their lives unfold. Other characters remain more as a supportive cast and help in developing the lives of the protagonists. The beginning of the story with a land to be sold makes the readers reminisce Anton Chekhov’s “The Cherry Orchard” however, the nature and theme of Chekhov’s drama is entirely different from “One Within”.

The interesting thing to note is how the narrator takes up the building of himself and his love interest, Rini. He narrates details about her in such a manner that the imagination of the readers is triggered right away in an instant. They are held to the book till the end because of this skill especially. Side by side, the readers also understand the narrator as a person and his overall personality. The theme may sound cliché to some readers, yet the mature depiction and the attempt to portray the realities of life is what makes “One Within” a promising book for most readers. It reinforces the idea of life not being a bed of roses. Literature should bear the essence of realities of life so that the readers can learn something from it. George’s work meets that criteria effortlessly.

Readers who are looking for work with a fine portrayal of humans and the stronger experience of emotions can try reading “One Within”. But with the twists that the author gives, he removes the book from sounding like a mere fairytale and rather pushes it closer to life. In the present time, readers prefer to read more realistic and true to life elements instead of far-fetched, impossible things and George takes care of that stylistically. This is one of the other supporting factors in making the book a reading of interest for readers. 

The manner in which the author builds up the plot and constructs the story further is smooth and the fluidity is maintained throughout the narrative. The readers do not lose track or feel bored for a moment. Rather, they remain glued to the book and are held on by the thoughts of what could happen further. All this together, makes sure that the readers experience, tension, thrill and moments where they find themselves smiling as per the placement of the author. With a language meant to cater to the needs of all possible readers, the author manages to open the book for reading by all. Therefore, suggesting the book to be read by all would not be wrong. In addition to one dominant theme, there are other sub-themes that also develop as the narrative progresses. Young or old, “One Within” has something or the other in store for all kinds of readers. 

Book Review: Someone’s Rejection Can Make Your Life

Relations and emotions form the core of literature in the present day. The only difference is of approach which comes with age. Shivangi Yadav’s Amazon best seller, “Someone’s Rejection Can Make Your Life” can be an example that can be mentioned in this regard. As the title indicates, the novel has a clear intention of showing the bright side in a rejection which simply means that it is not the end of the world.

On the surface level, the book has the smooth sailing story of Arshi but on reading between the lines, the readers can understand that Yadav talks about a dominant issue among teenagers due to their hormonal changes and how the events at this point of time can influence their entire life altogether. Arshi is more or less a representative of today’s internet generation who live half of their lives in the virtual world of social media and Bollywood films. But at the same time, she also slips in the factor of parenting and what the marvels of correct parenting can be.

The novel has already become a popular among readers as it was released on 22 August 2020 and within 3 days, it became #1 amazon bestseller. This is due to the fact that “Someone’s Rejection Can Make Your Life” is less of a book and more of a guide for teenagers as to how to deal with rejections in life and handle the critical situations in relationships. The author very artistically also brings home the fact that a person’s parents can see the better for them and would only advice the right things although, their manner of conveying it may not be acceptable. In the long run, their decisions are proven right due to their experience and wisdom.

The author also tries to suggest that whatever happens in a person’s life may be heartbreaking in that moment but it is left on time, it is proven to be the right thing for the same person. This book cannot be restricted to the ones going through a bad time but other young readers can also read the book due to not just the simplicity of language or the easily relatable character of Arshi, but also because they may face the same situations in their lives as they grow older and if nothing else, they would get to know of the different shades of the world in “Someone’s Rejection Can Make Your Life”.

Book Review: Art of Staying Young while growing old

Human life is such where things are decided for every stage in advance. From childhood to old age, the works and responsibilities are more or less decided as per the age and all that needs to be done in that time. But it is old age when things change and mostly, people find themselves free and idle. But they are such a workaholic throughout their lives that being without work makes them uncomfortable. To cater to the needs of all those Dinesh Sahay brings his book, “Art of Staying Young while Growing Old”. The book may be a short reading, but it is a comprehensive guide to all those who want their life to remain purposeful and meaningful even in their later years. Since very less has been written about the activities that can be done in the later years that makes the book more important and unique one for its category. In the light of this, suggesting this book to every person would be doing true justice to the value of the book and the hard work of the author.

The cover of the book has the sight of a peaceful happy family which gives a positive vibe to the reader. Such kinds of covers enforce the universality of the book without letting the reading audience to get limited. The author begins his book with a basic thought of how things and situations go through in life and how on turning old, a person faces the time when they do not have much eventful stuff to do. This, as per the author is also something that many fear as to what they would do in the old age years. Thereafter, the author shares the things that the people can do in a very simple and pragmatic manner. These things include a proper routine cycle from waking up to going to bed which has a list of things that a person can do to make their days as busy as earlier and much more healthier than then. The 17 short chapters are a package for a readers which are a collection of wisdom and knowledge accumulated by the author through his experience by trying and testing those techniques on himself. This reinforces their practicality and also assuring the readers who would be reading the book with high hopes

An interesting thing to note here is that the suggestions that the author gives are not something that can be restricted to any particular age or assume that they are only meant for people who have retired. The author gives ideas of waking up and sleeping on time, practicing yoga etc. which is something that even younger people can implement in their lives and take the benefits of it in their ripe years. This widens the appeal of the book and all the people, young or old, can read and follow whatever things are suitable and manageable for them. The author has kept the titles of the chapters in a very smart manner and the readers can understand and decide which one to read first according to their interest. Even by reading the titles, the readers get an idea of what the chapters would be about and that is enough to raise their interest levels. The fact that “Art of Staying Young while Growing Old” is quite short is likely to make it popular among people easily as that is one of its strongest factors in reaching out to the readers. To add on, the book also features pictures here and there which altogether attracts the readers more. At the same time, there are places where important things have been highlighted to facilitate reading as readers can go back to reading the book time and again and refer to those important lines and facts whenever needed.

With this, the author also gives guidelines for a healthy life and how people can take better care of their health for a comfortable longer life. He keeps the language simple and easy for all kinds of readers to understand and the ideas that he shares are also quick and easy to apply. Another notable thing is the manner in which the author directly speaks to the readers. Sahay addresses the readers many times directly which brings him closer to the readers and the readers are able to relate with him at a personal level. Every reader, whether young or old, should read “Art of Staying Young while Growing Old” not just to facilitate himself or herself but also the elder members of their family who look for ways to keep themselves engaged and busy even after their retirement on in their later years and as the author says in the introduction, the book is likely to inspire them to bring a “360-degree change in their lives”.

Book Review: My Dearest Husband

On the surface reading of the title, “My Dearest Husband” by Shivam Jayant may seem to be a simple story where a wife is addressing the husband. But from the beginning itself, the readers know that the title is not a direct but an indirect addressing by the wife to her husband.

Jayant creates the narrative in which he makes the wife the mouthpiece and through her eyes he shows the status and position of women in the modern independent India. Although he keeps the background of Bihar but somewhere, the readers can agree that the story and instances presented in the text could be the story of any girl living anywhere. The issues that the author discusses are central to the lives of most of the women and making a woman his mouthpiece shows the character crafting skills of the author. At the same time, the author also shows his understanding of the female psychology over the years as she grows from a teenager to a woman. 

The speaking of words through the form of a diary also speaks at length of the plight of speech of women. Rather than sharing with anyone in a vocal manner, the protagonist found it safer to keep her thoughts in written form. 

Readers who are looking for a reading of a twisted and eye opening reality check can read “My Dearest Husband”. Short as it may be, it can be read by readers of all kinds.

Book Review: Unbloc

Success today has become an aspiration for all and a desire of everyone. No one in this time wants to settle for anything less and work for the better of themselves. The most important role in success is of the thoughts a person has and the way they think and see things. “Unbloc” by Satish Kataria is one of the few most important books that focusses on the development of proper thoughts for a person to achieve their dreams instead of being a roadmap to success. 

“Unbloc” is inspired from the experience of the author which makes the book more of a testimony to how thoughts should be. To add on the weight of the book, there are additional “Bonus Leanings” from the succesful personalities of the present time which include Vijay Shekhar Sharma, Anurag Batra, Sairee Chahal and Sasha Mirchandani. So the readers get to learn things through the expriences of not just one person but five.

As the author says, “Entrepreneurship is 1% about money and 99% about the mindset”, this statement remains in the air throughout the reading of the book. The author takes a pragmatic approach to explain the effects of thoughts in channeling a person towards success.

As the author suggess in the foreword, the readers can decide what they want to read from the contents on their own because every chapter is a universe in itself. The language in which the author writes is according to the understanding of all types of readers. “Unbloc” is packed substances for “inner coding” and the readers are likely to have a good learning experience on their road to success.

Book Review: Not Half Girl friend 3x girlfriend

Some books are short and yet they are impactful. “Not Half Girl friend, 3x Girl Friend” by Rosa Das may be a short 18 page story but there are certain issues which are inescapable from the observation of the readers.

The title is pretty much suggestive of the plot and at the same time misleading too. Hence, the readers are drawn to read this less than an hour reading in one sitting.

The author keeps the plot swift and full of action and the story bears a thorough reflection of the modern day city culture and student life. The other issues that the author raises through the steamy plot include the difference of semi-urban and urban life, parenting, objectification of women, carnal needs being the basic instinct and the blaming of cities for spoiling small town folk. In between all this, the author also hints at the issue of maturity and the timing of doing things in life. The readers who are into erotica reading should try reading this book. But since the plot is quite focussed on students on their life or rather one event in one student’s life, college students may find this book of their interest.

Book Review: Mokshaa

Literature and the forms of writing have been developed mainly by the male folk and  the portrayal of women been has also come from the pen of male writers. But some situations and predicaments can only be understood and described by women themselves. One of the finest examples in this regard is Haritha Sivakumar’s novel, “Mokshaa”.

Both the title and the cover of the book keep the readers in suspense and they can hardly even guess what the book could be about. This is one of the first factors that catches the attention of the readers and they are able to think of the plot only when they read the subtitle. 

Even then, as they begin the story, the prologue only serves to highten their interest and make them wonder as to what would be the events that would follow further. As the story develops further, the readers get to learn and understand the issues of a woman from the point of view of a woman and written by a woman too. Sivakumar develops the powerful character of Mokshaa who not only becomes an instant favourite among the readers but her impact is such that the readers start seeing things the way she sees and also understand her viewpoint closely. The author keeps the development of the plot at a fine pace and the readers engaged throughout without letting them lose track even for a single moment. 

Sivakumar’s writing on women and the issue of prenatal depression is something that can keep “Mokshaa” in the canon on Indian literary writing. The readers who want to read somepowerful content which could make them think should try reading “Mokshaa” for not just its fineness of plot and characters but also for the issues that the author has discussed. 

Book Review: Wild World

There was a time when Rudyard Kipling had taken the readers on the flight of his imagination in “The Jungle Book”. In this, a modern relfection of Kipling can be seen in “Wild Wold: The Adventures of Bali and Bhola” by Deepak Arora. For once, it may seem to be inspired by Kipling but reading, the book clearly assumes an individuality of its own and keeps the readers fixed. 

The readers are attracted to the substance of the book from the very cover and are well aware that they are in for something interesting. The story may be in the fable form, yet there is the presence of humans or human activities here and there. That provides the element of modernity and the touch of the present. The readers get a clear view of how human activities have affected animal lives. This makes the reading of the open to readers of all ages. Since the book has pictures here and there, young children are likely to enjoy it. Parents who want to develop reading habits in their children and go for this book and can try reading it themselves too.

Book Review: Binge and Nothingness

As times have changed, so has the lifestyle of people. As a result, the problems and situations they face prevail but are slightly different with the changing time. Juan Kaius’, “Binge and Nothingness” is an embodiment of the spirit of the present time and a thorough representation of the situation of the modern day youth.

The fact that the story features a 25 year old does fair justice to its generation but his story maybe the story of any 30 year old too. The author maintains the Camus like starkness of reality and the existentialist crisis that a person with a lifestyle relying heavily on fulfiling himself through external pleasures has. All the circumstances presented make the story directly relatable for a majority of readers as the author makes the reality hit the head and heart with the strongest impact. The book is short, but the impact casted on readers is way beyond in terms of time.

The book features not just the manner in which the author observes and explains things but also how he keeps the facts in their raw form without any tampering or subduing them. Readers of the present generation who have the courage to face things the way they are should read “Binge and Nothingness” as it strikes the right chord with the present day generation flawlessly and effortlessly. 

Book Review: Yours Truly

From the cover itself, “Yours Truly” by Anandarupa Chakrabarti presents itself as a soothing sight, as an image of relaxation for all readers. The readers are ready to read this personal form of writing by the author which strikes the right chord everytime a reader reads through.

As the author mentions, “Yours Truly” is specifically written for the present tough times when life is uncertain and nothing is assured. The book may seem to be written in the form of poetry, but above everything, it is more of a collection of letters. This makes the address of the poet even more personal and reaches much closer to the reader. As Chakrabarti begins every chapter, she starts with a powerful quote or saying which relates to the content she would talk about on the following page. This adds weight to her writing and also shows how well read the author herself is. All readers who are looking for a short light reading can try reading this book.

Book Review: The Final Weekend

When life is about to change, everyone wants to take a leap into the past and relive what they will be missing out in the coming future. “The Final Weekend: A Stoned Tale” by Neal Cassidy is a reflection of this thought. The novel, being told through the eyes of the characters themselves gives the plot a unique hold which keeps the readers interested in the lives of the characters at a personal level. Due to this technique, the characters come across as more realistic and may also be relatable for many.

How they decide for a weekend getaway and the events that happen in that span of time is basically what the book is about. Despite the length of the book being a little longer than usual book lengths these days, the readers remain interested throughout and keep observing the behaviours of the characters through their actions and their words. All readers who want to understand the states of mind of people who are oving from one phase to another and at the same time want to get the flavour of comedy and humor should try reading “The Final Weekend”.