Book Review : Anya's Lyric by Nikhil Kumar

Book- Anya’s Lyric

Author- Nikhil Kumar

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

Pages- 180

Price- 564


Blurb-

“I was born on the 29th of February. It was perhaps fitting that I was born on a date that follows a specific albeit unnatural routine.

I was the child of a divergent day, a day that shattered the carefully planned routines of my parents, and was born because of one man’s inability to read.

I was named after a word that meant “different” in my language.

My name is Anya, and this is my story.


Title and Cover-

Both the essentialities have been taken good care of. The cover and the name both are attention seekers. With some great hue and a radiant image of the girl who is shown as a powerful figure, the cover is definitely a wonderful compilation of Anya and her life’s proceedings.


Review-

Anya’s Lyric is like a mirror to different realties that hit our nerves in the day to day movements. I found the book really to the point and striking because there were no efforts done by the author to impress the readers. The turn in the events and the way the story was made fluent due to a girl who is different from the rest is really worth seeing.

What is catchy and interesting to note is the striking blurb and the way things are used to come to the required part in the story where Anya is born in unnatural circumstances on an unnatural day. Well the analogy to this is quite literarily sound. Because it is a story of a girl who was different from the world.

I liked the concept of using the characters as there significant and noticeable marks and traits. It was Anya’s Lyric and it had to something umm, unnatural and less general I guess. I really liked the way the author has remarked the inabilities in the girl Anya by showing the people in the book in a different and provoking manner.

The different tales that were used to connect the story to reach the zenith worked in higher terms because everything came out to be so perfectly knitted that there were no loop holes left to doubt the story at any corner.

The story of the girl who left her home and the fever of her tale that continued even in the midst really touched me. I liked the part of the little pet of Anya and how her fears were used to show the intimacy she shared with the pet. I loved the part of the old magician. The full life circle that his tale showed was marvellous.

Also I liked the chain snatchers part and how his small act changed a lot of things in Anya’s life. Every act somehow created a space in her life and such relations which were getting drawn automatically was really interesting and making me high.

The intimate scenes that were shown between different characters were to the point and naked in all senses. It didn’t show power or cowardice of anyone in particular (sarcastically or in general); it showed deeper fragrances without any hint of plasticity. It takes guts to say what has been penned here and I am so glad I read something of that kind.

Summing Up- The book was a great sarcastic account at places to show what is really behind the cloak. The small topics that were brought up were so serene that I almost felt like a part of the book. Only and only a little more brushing was needed here and there to make the tale a whole lot smoother and shiny, in order to reach a wider set of audience.


Eye-catchers-

• “They had everything they needed and nothing they wanted, which was a fairly acceptable way to lead lives.”


Turn-on’s-

• Thought provoking ideas and stories.

• Great characters.


Turn-off’s-

• A little less clarity.


Recommendation-

Every great story need abundant readers. I can strongly recommend it to anyone irrespective of their likeness.


About the author-

Nikhil Kumar is a 32 year old advertising professional from Bangalore. Anya’s Lyric is his fourth book. His first book was “Untitled”, a collection of 25 short stories published in 2006, "Simran" in 2009, “Where are my pants?” in 2015. Nikhil has maintained a blog called MirrorCracked since 2001.


Connect with the author-

• Twitter- @nkkmr


Buy the book-

• Amazon Link-

https://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/153030721X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1475254895&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=anya%27s+lyric

Book Review : A Window Seat by Vishala Katta

Book- A Window Seat

Author- Vishala Katta

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- Frog Books- An imprint of Leadstart Publishing

Pages- 251

Price- 250


Blurb-

A dying man has made the trains his second home to find some peace after he got some shocking news. He is only connected to his Thatha; otherwise no one knows his whereabouts.

A newly wedded bride whose only dream is to reach Mumbai but there are a lot of hurdles in between that she needs to cross before becoming a big name.

A boy who is finding something which he has lost long back, and with him resides only his faith of finding something good one day.

What happens when they meet and experience something extraordinary? Will they reach where they are supposed to?



Title-

The title was somewhat related to the lives of all the three leads, Hari, Kuhu and Stalin. What role a window seat plays in their lives is what the story all about. In Kuhu’s life the window seat that make her peep in the life which she always wanted for herself is what make her adrenaline rush higher than before. I found the title really fascinating and apt.



Cover-

A beautiful cover with all the essential elements the book has. I loved the faded image of the man through which one can see a train and that shows how a journey having a person in common makes some lives really meaningful. The colour scheme, the background images are marvellous.



Characters-

I loved the characters of the book because they were the common man with a very basic and limited wisdom which they pass on different generations and thus we see doomsday. A great mirror is shown in the book to all the readers that what is right to preach and what is not. People with half knowledge like Panditji often brain washes the people who know nothing at all and there is where the things take drastic turn.

From the major characters I liked Stalin, Kuhu and Hari and from the minor characters I loved Kuhu’s man and his mother. These characters were hilarious and very precisely penned. I also liked the man who was travelling with the three leads and narrated the story of the ghost. He was a piece totally. And the water guy Stalin met at the station was also a very important character who was genuinely interested in helping and not just to make money out of people like Stalin who was over helpful. I think the author has balanced things quite well.



Narration-

The narration was simple third person narrative. The author kept the things straight. The stories were handled singly and then they were merged for better movement. I liked the pauses and dialogues, they were very easy to grasp. The language was also simple and easy.



Review-

Not every day you receive a book which has all the elements in its pages to show some extraordinary traits. Well, “A window seat” is one such book where I could feel a lot of things in just a single go. I was fascinated by the three different stories that had something in common which made them collide and start a new venture to experience something very different.

A small kid, a married lady and a wanderer are following their dreams but don’t know the way. The idea was superbly crafted by the author and she kept the essence alive till the last page. Dreams are not uncommon but the path surely is. The book made a mark in my heart because it was close to reality. There were no extra efforts done by author to show how they reached the goals. It was a journey about how they started. And that is the beauty of this book.

From the start I was sure of reading something different and this was proved right by the revolutionary ideas of the main lead Stalin. He was a man of great worth but uneasy mind. I found him to be lost in his journey.

The fact that he was able to draw attention towards him wherever he went is really worth noting. The scene where he shut up the man who thought he knew a lot was a high point. Dialogues, facts and frenzy were all delivered with great effect by Stalin.

At some points I found the tale and him to be a little Paranormal but later I realized that the man was really on his toes to fill his life with some meaning and such out of the box concept make people a little paranoid about the stability of one’s mind. I found this aspect really nice.

When he was on the stairs, addressing a few bunch of people about what is a good omen and what is not, I found in him the revolution that we need in the present scenario. He preached the right end but the author very smartly showed what happens in general, without making the lead over power.

If we talk about the life of the girl then we see an upgraded version of a village girl, Kuhu. The author hasn’t hesitated about penning a character that isn’t shameful about her physical intimacy and desires. I loved the girl very much because she was so powerful and focussed that I sometimes found her a little stronger then the others.

She was subjected to my rage when all she thought was about her but then at the other point I found her brave to do that. And a credit for that goes to our author. She has crafted feminism without even bragging about it. And that's where the beauty lies, when you say a lot even without saying anything.

Her selfishness was her asset. But that is not all. She is still that little girl who is in the dilemma due to her upbringing and the thoughts filled in her from the very start. And this was shown largely when she meets the man of her life again. Her feeling are clear but the two types of thoughts that are running in her mind shows the picture of our country widely.

And the last character Hari, the small boy who is on a quest at this early age proves to be a very powerful tool to connect the dots. Without him neither Stalin could have founded what he was in need of neither Kuhu could have reached the zenith.

I loved the ending particularly because there was no end in particular.

Summing up- A window seat is a great novel dealing with the dreams and quests of three people who didn’t even knew each other but prove to be greatest asset in finding new meanings to their lives. A lot was said in the little incidents and a lot was shown by meagre imageries. A book worth cherishing.



Eye-catchers-

• “...the loner you look at someone’s eyes, the more sincere your soul is.”

• “And she would love to be a man. At least, she would have her freedom.”



Turn-on’s-

• I loved the journey that was commenced.

• The different people and their fixed frame of mind were shown fully to make us realize the real condition.

• The incident of a lady ghost.

• Right amount of different genre mixed to form a great product.



Recommendation-

This book can be anyone’s venture in finding out what destiny can do in a person’s life.



About the author-

Vishala Katta writes about the untold stories that ordinary people carry on their shoulders. She finds extreme gleeful childlike pleasure in conversations with strangers. Originally, an engineer, she set out to pursue her love for Communications at Mudra Institute of Communication, (MICA) Ahmedabad.



Connect with the author-

• Twitter- @vishala_katta

• Email- i.vishalakatta@gmail.com



Buy the book-

• Amazon Link-

https://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/935201619X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474467261&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=a+window+seat+by+Vishala+Katta

Book Review : The Secret of God’s Son by Usha Narayanan

Book- The Secret of God’s Son

Author- Usha Narayanan

Genre- Fiction (Mythology)

Publisher- Penguin Metro Reads

Pages- 246

Price- 299


Blurb-

Pradyumna is in grief due to Gandhari’s curse. He tries his best to fulfil her only wish that can nullify the curse. But the pathway crosses Hell.

There are some forces which can dissolve the ethics and righteousness in the people. Pradyumna is trying very hard to keep the ideals of Gita handy for many more years to come. But the combat is not going to be easy.

What happens when the evil forces are getting an upper hand? Will Pradyumna be able to save the Yadu clan and his grandson who is there last hope?


Title-

I really loved the tricky title. There is no resemblance to the title in an easy and plaintive way. It starts making sense when the last few chapters arrive and the mystery which unfolds is of very high quality, no doubt. The essence of the good and bad we do is brought up in a very vast manner. And showing the simple things which is heard from the elders in such a celebrating manner was really delightful.


Cover-

I found Pradyumna leading the story in all manners but as we know that the base is Krishna. I liked the Mor-Pankh, I liked the dark background, which resembled the whole tale in a wider manner but I surely wanted something more, a little bit of Pradyumna maybe, or Maya or maybe a battleground. The cover was serene but a little plain as compare to the story.


Characters-

There were characters in abundance and my God what variety. I felt I have a lot of minds to read and play with. The characters were new for me and they were not at all boring or extra radiant at the same time. They were simple characters with some extra powers and very important tasks in hands to complete.

I simply loved Pradyumna for whatever he did and in whatever phase he was stuck. I loved him in the Yamlok, I loved him when he adored Maya, and I loved him when he cried for her, I loved his love for his father, I loved his heroism, and I loved his extra powers.

From other major characters I loved Maya of course. She was a true mirror of a woman, she was powerful, supportive and aggressive and not to forget lovable and caring. The part of the book where she summoned women in the courtroom showed her excellence at par.

I liked Kali because he was a very strong antagonist and the last speech he gave of course showed that how the evil persists in the world.

From the minor characters I loved Ajaya. All the Maya created by him was mysterious and superb. Also I liked, Koka and Vikoka, I loved there powers mainly, Alakshmi and all the illusions she created, Hasmukha and his unmatched friendship and Vikarna for his heroic deeds.


Narration-

There is nothing much to say about the narrative powers of the author. I could travel with the words and feel the fire through the incidents. All the major movements in the story were given a lot of emphasis and the minute detailing with all the names and Godly figures of different phases were shown with utter brilliance. I loved the fact that there were pauses before any major movement too. Loved the chapter names, they were not phrases but a collective abbreviation of what is about to come.


Review-

Who thought that there was a story even after the Pandavs defeated the Kauravs? After the rage of Bheem I thought that the fire of redemption was all done but some books brings incidents of different dimension altogether. The Secret of God’s Son has touched a magnificent phase of Krishna’s life. It is my first book in the series.

Frankly I didn’t even know who Pradyumna and Samba were and after reading the book I didn’t feel like I haven’t even heard of them. With powerful imageries and a great balance of evil and good the book reached the vantage point with some great accolades in its hand in the form of peerless narration, exuberating characters and a traditional yet fancy tale of a great warrior.

In the start of this great saga I was perplexed with all the new names and incidents because I had never heard any of them. I was prepared for reading another Mahabharata in a twisted way but that shore was left long back by the author; she was rowing to reach another end.

The mist cleared with the incident of Vikarna’s doom. The aura of this superficial journey of Pradyumna was embossed with pearls. And that was the very point that the book really became engrossing. I really enjoyed the scenes that were portrayed to show Yama’s palace and his workers who were matching the level of fury and rage when one thinks about this ruckus in general.

Further I liked how things progressed in a genuine manner and not just for the sake of completion. The pauses which the author took in between the heavy tale to narrate some folklore were very gripping and interesting. The management was crossing the limits of perfection.

The middle portion of the book was ecstatic and quite fun to read. There were really dark and mysterious corners in the chapters which were glorifying the story and enhancing the good characters. I knew that with the addition of Kali, the story is about to reach some other tangent. And I was not disappointed.

There were drastic changes in the surroundings and the most crucial part was the images which Krishna sees of his old days. It transported me back to the time of Krishna and Yashoda’s mischievous life in Vrindavan. I could feel the folly easily. I could understand the change in times with ease and most of all I could feel the pain of Krishna.

There is one more noteworthy fact that the author treated even Shiva and Krishna as simple characters. She hasn’t done any extravagant touch-up here and there to show there mystic powers. There traits as Destroyer and Preserver were shown respectively, but a parallel line drawn by her was never getting intersected by other details.

The dialogues exchanged between Balrama and Krishna was really touchy and the minute details hidden behind all that happens thereafter places an extra cherry on everything.

War is always the most important part in such stories. The sorcery involved in this particular war was something worth reading. Let it be Pradyumna hearing the conversation of the devils or Maya saving everything here and there or Ajaya’s fiery battle with Alakshmi and not to forget the realization of Pradyumna and the final combat, everything was par excellence.

And finally the great long speech by Pradyumna, it felt I am also in the midst of all the people who are disturbed and want some solace.

Summing up- The book is something different and totally worth a try. It has everything which the books written today lack. A precise portion of everything is well maintained by the author and I thoroughly enjoyed the new tales of post Mahabharata.

Eye-catchers-

• “We are bound by our destiny, living out our lives inside a circle formed by a snake holding its tail in its mouth.”

• “...kama did not mean lust but compassion for all life.”

• “...our greatest enemies are, in fact, the doubts that live within us.”

• “...they knew that without demons, mankind will not need Gods either. Nor will they follow the righteous path.”

• “...it is what you make of your life that determines whether you are a destroyer or a redeemer. Your destiny depends on whether you choose hate or love.”


Turn-on’s-

• A balanced approach.

• Great imageries.

• A nice blend of sorcery along with magnificence of Godly images.

• The love between Maya and Pradyumna and the last section when he explains the requisite points to Lord Ganesha.


Recommendation-

No matter you are a mythology lover or not, this book is a must read for literature lovers and also those who are bored of common storylines and mundane messages.


About the author-

Usha Narayanan had a successful career in advertising, radio and corporate communications before becoming a full-time writer. She is the author of several books, including The Madras Mangler, a suspense thriller, and Love, Lies and Layoffs, a light–hearted office romance. The secret of god’s son is the sequel to her bestselling book, Pradyumna, Son of Krishna, which was published in 2015.


Connect with the author-

• Twitter- @writerusha

• www.facebook.com/writerusha


Buy the book-

• Amazon Link-
https://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/0143424173/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474461859&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=the+secret+of+gods+son+by+usha&dpPl=1&dpID=51jkwuHCQtL&ref=plSrch

Book Review : The Fence: Stories from HBB workshop

Book- The Fence: Stories from HBB workshop

Genre- Fiction (Short Stories)

Publisher- Half Baked Beans



Blurb-

The Fence is a collection of short stories compiled and edited at a workshop conducted by Half baked Beans in Mumbai.



Review-

“The Fence” is the collection of eight stories that allow you to travel like a hippie and adore the different realms of the society, people and surroundings. Every story had some magic in them, positive or negative. With great illustrations on the cover, the book becomes catchy and demands attention.

Ilustrado’s Eulogy is a very serene tale. A letter without any particular addressee, a reader without any interest and the beautiful tale of a girl, the mixture was deadly. The story was soft paced and I could feel every bit of what was narrated. There was a different panache in it that lingers ones attention.

The other woman made me laugh in my mind. The imageries were well balanced and everything helped the tale to move like a real life picture. I liked the ironical behaviour of the characters but the transformations in the ending were surreal and thank God for that. What I liked about the story is the uniqueness.

The Smartphone is a very crucial and toxic tale. On one hand I was so happy with the advancements, with the new areas that the lady was exploring and at the other shore I saw the debris. The quality of this particular tale is the management of different hues. I liked to see the crests and troughs giving company to a very mundane thought.

Resignation to Heaven and Love is everything were the stories which didn’t appeal much to me. I found them really okayish. And that is because at some instances in the former tale I was so lost in finding the correct meaning and feeling of the story that I lost my interest in the first few pages itself. A little bit refining could have helped the tale to match the level of others. It might also be the case that I couldn’t decode the meaning properly.

Love is everything didn’t have extra appeal. It was as normal as the coming of dawn and dusk. The story moved, moved and ended. Just like that, without creating extra tingles.

Runaway was a nice tale of realization but I have mix views of the story. At one end I liked all the proceedings but it became really heard after one point of time, not completely though. There was a great need of something new, something extra that could have lifted the whole concept a bit more.

Cashmere, I need Cashmere is my favourite story out of the whole lot and that is because it had things surpassing every other tale. It wasn’t showing just one emotion or substance, it had a whole bundle of love, affection, hatred, envy, inferiority and a beautifully appearing guilt. It was the effect of the story maybe that the characters of this tale were my favourite ones from all the others. I liked the pair of daughters, the old man and also his wife who was not even present in the story, physically. The story felt down to earth yet touching the sky due to such vivid colours. I loved the start and was totally in awe after reading the end. Well done author.

And "what she wanted", the last story of the book was my second favourite because I love the world of fiction and the way it is used in order to relate it to someone’s life is marvellous. It was one of a kind experience for me to inhale such things. I felt connected to the lady because her pain is everybody’s pain in general at one point of time in his/her life.

Summing up- The fence is a great collection of short stories, with topics ranging from love to hatred, from kin to friends. From all the stories “Cashmere, I need Cashmere” and “What she wanted” were my favourite.



Eye-catchers-

• “The heart to heart talk between friends has lost in the oasis of virtual reality.”



Buy the book-

• Amazon link-
https://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9384315389/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474095657&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40&keywords=the+fence+half+baked+beans&dpPl=1&dpID=51cwMHI2wwL&ref=plSrch

Book Review : The Reengineers by Indu Muralidharan

Book- The Reengineers

Author- Indu Muralidharan

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- HarperCollins Publishers


Blurb-

Chinmay is all set to free himself from the worldly affairs. He finds solace in the old library with his friends Anu and Sabi. There life was monotonous until one day when they have to escape.

The Seekers School is not in its full form after some people decides to change the shape of the administrative wing and the modus operandi.

What happens when Chinmay and his friends are stuck at a place and its whereabouts are unknown to them? Will they remain in mental despair or will things change shape?



Title and Cover-

The title and cover were both were meaningful and far-sighted. I loved the colours, tones and richness of the cover. It is definitely eye catchy and also it says a lot without any extravagant detailing done.



Characters-

There were characters from two phases and I loved all of them. They were crazy, humorous, deep, dark, mysterious etc-etc. I liked the balancing that was done in order to bring in front both negative and positive characters so that some phrases become clear and impactful.

From the major characters I liked Chinmay and Siddhartha. The analogy maintained between them was superbly penned.

From the minor characters Sabi, Professor, Govind, Roshan, Nivedita etc were some of the characters which keep helping the major characters to move ahead. And I loved their movements, talks and traits.



Narration-

The first person narration was not bland at all. The story seemed more lifelike with that. I liked the change of speakers with the movement of the story. I felt that the number of chapters could have extended because a lot was said in just one go.



Review-

At first I thought that “The Reengineers” is about the gloominess that some students would face or are facing in their lives. But Indu Murlidharan really surprised me as I preceeded ahead. I was not at all ready for a book like this and after completing it I was certain that my time is invested at a very worthy place. Such was the beauty of the book.

The book started at a normal pace and a larger space was given to the readers to know the three friends who are somehow travelling in the same boat which has traversed from different shores. A deeper analysis was done at one point and other to showcase the mind-set of Chinmay, Sabi and Anu.

All three of them had an enormous amount of pain within themselves and it was well portrayed. I could connect with them and their depression without any efforts.

Twists and turns are the lifeline of any book and this particular book has loads of such surprises. The first turn that came in the book was enough to tell me that something big is on the way. I was perplexed just like Chinmay and others.

I loved the advancements thereafter. There were so many important aspects and teachings that were shown by different characters. The whole aura that was created of a secluded place offering numerous courses was ecstatic to experience. I liked the sarcastic imageries.

Further there were some particular places where I was enjoying the richness of the book. The letters written by the Siddhartha were my favourite. They had so much to say in just few words. Also the different type of people which he explained was serene and meaningful. The conversation between Chinmay and the Professor was the cherry on the top. Who can think of such an ending? Kudos author.

Summing up- The novel started at a very different note and ended up in a totally different dimension. I was dumbstruck to know the ending and the proceedings that lead me to such spectacular ending which was just smooth, interesting and not at all hasty, allowing each and every difficult turn of events to be grasped with ease. The book came as a surprise package for me. A fantastic read.



Eye-catchers-

• “It was so quiet that has a pin dared to drop in that room, the silence would have swallowed the sound.”

• “Depression is a cruel malady. It can paralyse your mind and leave you vulnerable and helpless, messing you up within although you may appear healthy to the world.”

• “The bigger your goal and the higher your targets, the greater will be the chance of things going wrong.”

• “You can change your fate any way you like. You only need to know that you can do it.”



Turn-on’s-

• The different levels at which the book went to entertain the readers.

• Wide variety of characters of different hue and persona.

• Smooth flow.

• Deep analysis shown inside the story and its perfect blending with the moving picture.



Recommendation-

Well this book can be read by all those who are fed up of their lives and who are trying to find answers in the self help books. Also fiction lovers can pick it for some different angles mixed up to form such complex yet easy going compound.



About the author-

Indu Muralidharan grew up in Madras, in a small house with a large library. She counts a number of characters from classic English novels among her early friends. Her obsessive love of fiction led her to delve deep into meta-fiction, reading and writing stories about books, writers and writing process, which she believes helps her to better understand the nature of reality.

Check out the spotlight of the book for more details of the book-

http://thesubtlebraiding.blogspot.in/2016/04/spotlight-reengineers-by-indu.html



Connect with the author-

• Twitter- @induauthor



Buy the book-

• Amazon link-

http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9350297299/ref=mp_s_a_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1474052034&sr=8-1-fkmr0&pi=AC_SX118_SY170_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=the+reengineers+by+indu

Book Review : Figmented Reality by Zuko

Book- Figmented Reality

Author- Zuko

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- Frog Books- An imprint of Leadstart Publishing

Pages- 157

Price- 150



Blurb-

Addiction blurs our hold on reality; people say. But what if addiction becomes our reality? Siddhartha had a fair few addictions in his wake. The challenge now was to differentiate between the ideal world and the real world. Will Siddhartha be able to overcome his addictions and find true love? Or is it just another addiction?



Title and Cover-

Well the title and cover are the breath of book. Both starts making sense after one completes the book. I was very impressed by both the elements. The black-grey contrast with blurred image was like the sugary icing on the dry cake.



Characters-

There was a great need of more characters in the story. The story was becoming really bland with just four to five characters. It seemed like a stretched version of a short story.

I liked Veena and the narrator, because I thought they were the ones which kept the story intact.



Narration-

I liked the narration very much. There was a human which I was reading because the author gave a very wide area for a reader to explore.



Review-

Figmented Reality is a very different and analytical book in some ways. Well, when I started I wasn’t sure that as to what I am about to read. But as the story progressed things started engulfing me in a tight grip, as if demanding extra attention.

The dialogues that the author has decided to showcase have helped the story in larger way because there wasn’t much matter in the story but the conversations kept the things moving.

I liked the different kinds of relationships shown in the book. There was a subtle amount of everything and it gave a wider insight to the whole drama. The confusions which the lead experience when he comes in contact with the lady whom he admires is really nice to inspect. The author didn’t try to show a simple moving admiration and love concept, there was much more to everything.

The story was moving perfectly in the beginning and also in the middle. There were nice situations and twists. Also the speeches that were penned in the start of every chapter were really meaningful and serene.

What went wrong are the last chapters and the showdown. The surprises were great but I think that the author has just laid forward the suspense just like that. There were some clues left in the middle of the story but they were not that impactful. If and only if the author could try to show these elements of suspense in the whole novel bit by bit, things could have reached another level.

Also I felt that there was lack in minute detailing. There were some facts which the author has mentioned in the book which have no specific relation to the story or the characters. I never want to read the details blandly; I like to explore them through the actions, speeches of the characters. A little more work on that was needed.

Summing up- The novel had a great concept. The characters and situations were made a little dark and mysterious as per the requirement but a lot of detailing and extra usage of surprise elements was required to make the book a happening read.



Eye-catchers-

• “In moments between life and death, we might not remember every moment we are proud of but we certainly will remember moments we regret.”

• “Our brain produces moments that seem so realistic that we no longer want to live it in real life.”



Turn-on’s-

• Conversations, making things livelier.

• The darkness prevailing on every page.

• Interesting characters.



Turn-off’s-

• Things were laid out in a hurry.

• There was a great need of more details because some facts were just piled on without any specific justification.



Buy the book-

• Amazon link-
http://www.amazon.in/Figmented-Reality-Zuko/dp/9352016165/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473942746&sr=8-1&keywords=figmented+reality+by+zuko

Book Review : Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right by Varsha Dixit

Book- Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right

Author- Varsha Dixit

Genre- Fiction

Publisher- Rupa Publication

Price- 195

Pages- 278



Blurb-

Gayatri is trying to find meaning of her life. With her father’s constant pressure, she has lost the real pathway that can lead her to her dreams.

Viraj is at the peak of his career and it’s always his way in the office. But something happens and he has to mould his methods due to some reasons.

What happens when people start interfering in each other’s lives sometimes for good and sometimes for inducing troubles? Will the quest to find the perfect road come to an end?



Title and Cover-

The title is as fascinating as the name of the other two books of the series. No comments on that. The cover on the other hand was very extravagant. With elements which were infused in the tale can be seen on the cover and what else can celebrate the essence of love then red colour and cute hearts. The two leads were shown in full form and there nature can be seen in their postures and facial expressions. I simply loved both the title and the cover.



Characters-

The characters placed a cherry on the top. There were so many and they were so lively that it felt I knew them for a long time.

From all the major characters I loved Gayatri, Viraj, Nandini and Sneha. They all were very opinionated and strong. They were connecting well with me and were definitely complimenting the moving tale.

From the minor characters I liked Sana, Gayatri’s father and Viraj’s mother. These characters made the book reach the zenith. They had a very strong influence on the story in a great way.



Narration-

The narration was smooth, chapters were easy to understand and they were named well too. The tale could have been monotonous but the narration took the things to another level. It was on a perfect path, nothing less, nothing more, just perfect.



Review-

The third book in the series is my first read and I was not certain if I would be able to connect with the characters well. But thanks to the author, she has managed to bring all the important details from her previous book in the present one to make the reading a worthy experience. In the very start a perfect characterization was done and every person was handled with care in the introductory section itself.

I loved the fact that the author didn’t jump on the story directly but allowed the characters to breathe for a while and let their readers know that what they are up to and what can be expected from them. It gave a very large mirror to inspect things closely in the long run.

Further the story was appealing no doubt. There were incidents of bravery, rage, envy and what not. I liked the way the story moved, step by step; peculiarly, baby steps. Yes I felt that the story was moving a little slower at times. The incidents were dragged a bit where the necessity was not felt.

The advancements in the lives of different characters are smooth and I didn’t feel any negligence on the part of author.

The best part was the way an incident with Gayatri was portrayed. I felt that the pros and cons were shown at large by the author. She was shown to be at a vulnerable spot after what she experienced and also how that helped her in the long run to connect with the people around her in one way or the other.

Story was a mixture of aspirations and reality which Gayatri faced. The way things moved in her life must be analyzed by the readers and they must think hardly about the way decisions were taken and how everything combined to form a perfect stage for celebration. I think in a way the author has perfected the art of sending a message in lesser words and more of actions.

When there are highs, lows are also in the way. The story was going good until everything was laid in front. All the suspense was over and then came some more chapters which I felt were lowering the whole episode. I didn’t find them to be interesting as compared to the rest of the story. There elimination couldn’t have made any difference.

Summing up- Rightfully Wrong Wrongfully Right was a great book with light amount of everything, love, jealousy, friendship, brotherhood, courage etc, packed in a good form. Varsha Dixit has done full justice to the story but no doubt some eliminations would have saved the repo of the book. Nevertheless, the book was a light read with a nice balance of all the things making it a complete package for rejuvenating oneself.

Eye-catchers-

• “...he took off his glasses and placed them on the chair. A look through them and one would find that they had no power.”

• “Nothing or no one owns your brilliance except you.”

• “Gayatri’s expression was part fierce, like a warrior itching to run into the battle, and part frustrated, like a passenger waiting for a train that was running 365 days late.”



Turn-on’s-

• Easy and smooth writing.

• No hitches, no hasty moves.

• Great characters, very vivid and highly energetic.



Turn-off’s-

• Last few chapters seemed out of place.

• There were lesser amount of shocks and turns making it a simple tale without many surprises.



Recommendation-

Romance lovers can pick the book without much delay and second thoughts. Light entertainment guaranteed.



About the author-

Varsha dixit is the author of bestselling novels, “Right Fit Wrong Shoes”, “Xcess Baggage”, “Wrong Means Right End” and “Only Wheat Not White”. She worked in the Indian television industry before moving to the US with her family. Varsha actively interacts with readers through her website and Facebook author page.

Check the spotlight for more details of the book and the author-




Connect with the author-

• www.varshadixit.com

• Twitter- @Varsha20



Buy the book-

• Amazon Link- http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/8129141973/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1473316184&sr=8-1π=AC_SX118_SY170_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=rightfully+wrong+Wrongfully+right+by+Varsha+Dixit

Book Blitz : The Broken Home by LOPAMUDRA BANERJEE

THE BROKEN HOME

English Translation of 

Rabindranath Tagore's 

Nastanirh

by

LOPAMUDRA BANERJEE

Blurb

The Broken Home (Nastanirh), the novella, takes place in late 19th-century Bengal and explores the lives of the aristocratic Bengali gentry who were part of the Indian Renaissance. Within the peripheries of such a distinct, culturally liberal society, the world of Charulata, Bhupati and Amal unfolds. Charu, the dreamy, melancholic young woman dreams of an idyllic literary world where she and her brother-in-law Amal, a budding writer would remain two discreet, indispensable entities. However, Amal’s estrangement destroys her creative passions and creates an ocean of turmoil in her life that turns her marital world upside down. Her husband, Bhupati, despite his liberal ideas, is blind to her loneliness and dissatisfaction. It is only with the appearance of his cousin, Amal, in their lives, who incites passionate feelings in Charu, that Bhupati realizes what he has lost.

Nastanirh is the basis for the noted film, Charulata (1964), by Satyajit Ray. 

Grab your copy @

Amazon.in | Amazon.com

About the Author

Lopamudra Banerjee is a writer, poet and translator, currently based in Dallas, USA. She is the co-editor of ‘Defiant Dreams: Tales of Everyday Divas’, published by Readomania in collaboration with Incredible Women of India. Her unpublished memoir Thwarted Escape has been First Place Category Winner at the Journey Awards 2014 hosted by Chanticleer Reviews and Media LLC. She is also the Creative Editor of Incredible Women of India and a resident editor with Readomania.

Her poems, stories and essays have appeared at numerous literary journals and anthologies, both in India and the US.  She is a regular contributor for Café Dissensus, Different Truths, Readomania.com. She has received the Reuel International Award 2016 for translation also a Certificate of Merit as part of the Reuel International Award 2015 for Writing and Literature. 

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Book Review : Panorama by Shilpi Chaklanobis

Book- Panorama: A collection of short stories

Author- Shilpi Chaklanobis

Genre- Fiction (Short stories)

Publisher- Notion Press

Price- 150

Pages- 134



Blurb-

Panorama is a book containing fifteen stories of varied emotions and situations. Some relationships between a mother and daughter, an inner conflict in the mind of a professor, the gap between two friends etc are some of the thoughts that the author has brought in the book.



Title and Cover-

The title and cover can surely be loved after completing the book. The book this time compliments the other factors. The simplicity of the book is well matched with the name of the book and the serene background which is shown in the cover. With beautiful colours, everything is working in good way to make things better.



Characters-

There were few characters which were mysterious, beautiful and worth remembering. I can surely pick Rani, Vimala, Roma, Prabha, Swati, Kamla, Padma, Payal, Arnab and Martha. The characters were brought to life by the way author has weaved a story around their lives.



Review-

Fifteen great stories with mind blowing concept, I haven’t felt the same for any short story collection in a very long time. I can’t pick any one favourite story because all were complimenting the book in a really larger sum.

I was impressed at the very start with the story like “Wok”. It was so deep and down to earth that I almost felt an ache in my heart after I read the end. The characters, their conversations and the mood that the author was able to create were really beautiful. So many emotions were brought in front in few pages.

“The Thirst” made me a bit anxious for the lead. I so wanted the end to change but I knew that the essence could have only been brought in front due to this magnificent and well thought of climax. I really liked all the facts which the people like our main lead face. There is always this dilemma in them; this hope inside that everything is not that bad. This dilemma was well penned.

The story “Forever” is engrossed in my mind deeply. It was not any different love story but there was something in it that made it beyond any normal lines of worthiness. With a lot of serenity the author put in front the images of longing and gaps that comes in between different sort of relationships with time.

“The Wait” shows the real face of India in depth. I was touched by the simplicity of Kamla. She brings in front the sarcastic flow of our values. The end was unacceptable and that is the cherry on the top too. It can make you think deeply that which path you need to follow ahead, the one which is your own creation or the one that is made for you by others.

After this comes this dreadful story “The Second Tsunami”. It was one of a kind story and one of the best in the book. The transitions in the relationship of the two kids made me feel high. A well thought and well executed story.

“The Example” and “The Meeting” showed two different things at length. Firstly, the need of self satisfaction and secondly, the changes that the time can bring. You can never know how and why things change. Sometimes it’s for good and sometimes for the worse. Both the stories were very deep and analytical.

The author was at her best in “Mirage”. There was a lot of detailing in explaining the relationships and the way they progress from two point of views.

“Destiny” “The untimely death” and "Before it’s too late” were continuing the same legacy and were superb in their own way.

The author started well and ended magnificently with the story “The sealed wish”. I loved the way the story progressed and the intuitions, the magic were brought nicely in the story.

Summing up- The book was a great collection of short stories, ranging from emotions, relationship and lifetime lessons. From all the stories “Bribe”, “The sealed wish”, “Wok”, “The meeting” etc were some of my favourite ones.



Eye-catchers-

• “...the dust can only cover your memories for some time but the feelings that lay buried beneath them remain the same, forever.”

• “In the process of winning the race of life, he had forgotten the basic rule of living. You have to catch the spring before it’s too late. You cannot expect the freshness and aroma from a flower after it’s dried.”



Turn-on’s-

• A different concept and set of emotions in the stories.

• Great to the point stories with balanced starting and climax



Recommendation-

A wonderful collection of short stories the author has penned. Every story is better than the previous one. I can highly recommend it to avid readers.



About the author-

Shilpi Chaklanobis hails from the beautiful city of Kanpur and has spent the majority of her adult life in Delhi. She currently heads the digital marketing division at an MNC. She aims to translate her experiences and understanding of human relationships in to stories that not only move people but also resonate with them. This is her first endeavour as a writer.



Buy the book-

• Amazon Link- http://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/9352069668/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1472713265&sr=8-1π=SY200_QL40&keywords=panorama+by+shilpi&dpPl=1&dpID=41dB10%2BAimL&ref=plSrch