Purrfectly Ridiculous Tales by Karina Pandya

 How I came across this book?  I invited a friend over home for Holi, and she turned out to be the author of this wonderful book. 

She surprised me with a copy of her book and I was speechless. How cool is that!! 

Cats are in vogue and her book is primarily about having them as pets. 

They are smart, can defeat people with their adroit skills hidden behind their meow!! 

The author is clearly in love with cats and loves giving them the podium, to uplift her own spirits and feel the feelings of a parent. Her words flood the book with what a mother could do for her child and gives the reader that feeling - how the art of parenting can bring meaning and pleasures into ones life - where you realize the moments are valuable above all. 

The era we live in, embraces loneliness as a trend spreading all over. With live-in relationships, situationship and so on -- the author gives a reader an insight about an alternate way of leading a life - without children. By treating your pets as if you don't need any other in their life. This is an unspoken message. 

Other than that, I found this book to be a pseudo biography. There is nothing more intriguing and gripping for a reader except a pseudo biography. With everyone wanting their life story getting out there, this genre is shelved and lies unexplored. I think the writer has been smart enough to add this genre in her list of publications. 

With that said, I wish the author - all the best!! 

May you touch the skies with your work and receive the praise and love. 

The Servant by Erica Berquist

After a really long time, I opened this book to read. That too, I read it, because the editor of this book, spoke really highly and said it is a rare creation and worthy of not just being read but also receiving some form of recognition. 

Once I started reading the book, I simply couldn't put the book down. I'd read the book before sleeping, and I know how I forced myself to stay awake to simply see what the next page, next chapter, next occurrence in the would be. 

The book held my breath till the last page. It had empathy, hardships, crime, theft, love, infatuation, family, rivalry and so much more. I hadn't expected the book to be written with such a fluency that I had trouble in understanding what was going on. 

The language was simple, the use of words was just apt and the writer captured the emotions of the moment gracefully. Best of all, was the ending - now I don't want to give a spoiler here - but I'll at least say I'd wish I came across reading more books that had the poise with which the book ended. 

 

Sparks Before The Fire

Today, unlike my usual posts, am going to be talking about my own book 

published by a person, I admire a lot - Suzanne Eaton, Owner of Airlift Publishing

 

Before I jump right in, guys a fair disclaimer, self-love is unhealthy ;)

So, watz this bhuk al about, eh ?? 

This book puts together thoughtfully penned anecdotes. They are fragments which miraculously make sense independently as well as when each of them are put together as one whole book, through an invisible connection that simply gifts the reader with qualities such as unity, honesty, loyalty amongst many more. 

Replace your habit of reading newspapers in the morning when you wake up with a single minute read of this book and a practice of applying them someway in your life and commence the day. It'll save your time and keep your mind healthy. 

Alrie, alright... where does this stuff come to you [as in me :) ] .. dah! ya do yoga or follow a guru or something?? 

So, that's a very good question. Well frankly it comes from the voice within. you know, my intellect, prompts me to PICK A PEN (like a command of sorts) and I do and the ink starts poring onto the paper. Am like - wow!! When am done. Of course, everyone has an inner conscious. so do I. I've nurtured it to grow and guide me, when my senses seem to play mischief and hostile environment, neighbors , friends or family etc seem to deceive. 

My inner voice is my guru, my yoga or meditation. 

Why should others get this book, whats so special about it that we won't get in another? I'd might as well choose a #1 Bestseller? 

I guess, your language itself shows that I've developed some interest. your voice is no longer drooling. so, obviously there is some substance in it. And if I reveal everything here, what'll you do after getting the book :) 

Answering your question - there will be books pressing principles to your chest claiming that if you make it your guru mantra your life will change for the better, they'll conceal the reasoning and concepts behind those principles. This book does no such thing. 

It'll present thoughts on various subjects, at some places giving the reasoning behind, ideas which I do not conceal or keep secret. It'll equip you to understand and make your own decisions. There is a mix of a lot of things in the book. 

Each of the piece is a drop of water from the ocean. The ocean aka title of other books - which you can get to get more insight in that particular topic. 

The book still amazes me, by how I managed to link every piece with an invisible string as ONE. 

That's fantabulous, where can I get the book ? 

The ISBN of the book is 979-8-89546-589-9  = use this ISBN on Barnes and Noble to get the book. 

You can also find it on other bookselling websites. 

Publishers website also lists the book - www.airliftpublishing.com 

Otherwise, you can get it directly from me. If you wish to place a bulk order, contact me directly and I'll process it for you. 

I'll head for them right away !!!! 

The Friendless God by S. Anuradha

The author was recommended by R.N. Bhaskar, a reputed journalist I met at Bhopal in February 2023. 

R.N. Bhaskar is known for having published a biography of Gautam Adani. 

It is interesting to note that the book mentions the 'First Edition' was published in 2017, just in case anybody deludes themselves to believe it comes at a time just when Ayodhya Ram Mandir is being talked about with the clock ticking for the time of its inaugural on the 22nd January 2024. 

The author identifies herself as a Historian and Financial Journalist, which rather disappointed me, after reading the book. As I found meagre research work or grounded facts. 

The title of the book, the Friendless God, creates a tremor but when your eyes read the sub title, that's where it all begins - the journey to explore what the book has to say. 

Staunch denial of the author, in their attempt to appear realistic, that anti- asceticism - made the story very hard to understand, one wondered what was going on, who or what was the writer talking about and the narration is very vague. Conclusively, in fact, the staunch denial has brought out, that which the writer is seemingly wanting to bury, ever more brightly. 

The characters - Raman, Vaidehi and Kodanda are very shallow. There is a lot of potential in each one of them, that has not been dug into and for a writer who claims is a historian and a financial journalist, in the back cover of the book - I'd only say it reflects poorly on the author. 

The plot is like a tidal wave, not moving forward and only repeats itself over and over again, except at one place where Kodanda runs away. So, without there being proper writing techniques applied, it becomes very dull and predictive. However, the bright side of this is, that even if a reader leaves the book for 10-15 days, when they open the book they find it easy to pick up from where they left. 

I'd like to put a personal thought provoking note to the author here - 

If the West are known for the Practicality and Money, The East have been known for the Ethics and Value. Interestingly, a Doctor will validate it, by saying the left brain is logical whilst the right brain is mystical. Just as the left is depicted as masculine (The Sun), right as feminine (the Moon). Both play a part in maintaining a balance, the world cannot exist without the other. 

-----

The book doesn't need to and may not change what it wants to convey at all, let me make this clear. The writer needs to either overcome their blocks or hire a good editor or a ghostwriter. They need to pump in more concrete reasoning behind the scenes. After all its an historian writing the book, not a baby neglecting forced feeding. Just That much work, will give a cutting-edge touch to the book. 

Until such time, I wouldn't recommend this book. 

So, lets say ... even if the author accidentally ended up reaching the book to the descendants of Lord Ram himself, then the author will not realize it. Such tragedies may also happen with the author. 

New York Wakes To Culture by Karina Pandya

 If you seek to pick up a light read just before you're about to board the plane to New York then this'll make a good title to be added to your hand baggage. Fortunately, I was recently allowed 9kgs of excess baggage that comprised of 'just books' . 

But, ... that's beside the point - this book is a very engaging read right from the word 'Go'. 

Even as a travelogue, it serves as a good reference book to make you get the feel of what the city is like. 

I've known the writer for plenty -many years, to safely say she's evolved and her writing speaks for itself. 

If you are unsure whether the writer is worth your time, then take a leap of faith - the book only demands 

- 30 minutes out a speed reader 

-  two dedicated hours of a long distance traveler 

- and gifts two nights full of sleep (out of a slow reader), where you visit NYC in your dream - since its the second last thing you'd do before sleeping - the last thing probably being switching the lights out ... 

To cut the long story short - GO, GET THE BOOK, TODAY!!! 

Bombay Hangovers By Rochelle Potkar

 

After a yearlong search, I finally found a collectible that I'd like to showcase in my blog. 

I bought a signed copy from the author, in an event, where I reached just on time to learn that the book was the first attempt at short stories, by the writer. The buzz in and around the author sold more and more copies. 

I don't remember the last time in 5 years when I'd gotten myself groomed in a parlor and paid attention to myself, only to attend a book reading event - but when I reached there - the feeling was earthy. 

The cover design of the book most certainly captures the heart of the city. It visually exposes the look and feel of the city to the world out there. It is brilliant and should probably be chosen as a nomination for such a great cover design. The orange color is wow. 

Stories in the book are written, keeping the belief systems of the writer, intact. The author carries with herself a responsibility and she fulfills her duty through this book. If you're amongst those who carries a nametag of being a staunch anti-feminist or perhaps a realist or maybe a modernist, then I'd say to you - that this book is for those who can dowse their beliefs they hold dear with conviction and proof - through stories written therein. 

If you're looking for fluency or something that would take you by surprise, then this ain't the best read for you. This book will drill your innocence which seeks protection and isn't exposed as much as this book is. 

My verdict is that the book is an excellent go by the author. I'd recommend you listen to her videos first or read her interviews before you choose to read her book. 

The City Of Good Death by Priyanka Champaneri

 

Someone recommended this book to me. 

In the first place, I find it difficult to decide which book to read and then, whether I must read it once I make that decision zeroing in on the title. The hesitation in my thoughts were there before I started reading the book. There was little insight exposed about the plot except that its based in the holy city of Banaras. 

This is the authors' debut added to my reluctance. However, the language was simple. The word scape was ethnically molded. The story ran slow. Despite having finished more than half the book, I was yet to establish answers to the most basic questions about the plot. It was then, I started to believe - perhaps this book is the prequel to the main plot which may open up in the next book. Even when I finished reading the book, I wondered whether the entire story was all about what I call 'an emotional hairpin'. An attachment to a emotional moment in one's life or to people. 

The cover design is beautiful. The parrots and the visual diffuses a yogic feel. Yellow color though is the color of Haldi, which was quite contradictory to what the story was about. 

One thing I absolutely despised was the attempt to debunk Indian customs, beliefs and practices as "Superstition". I always prophet it is the ignorance of people who devalue Indian practices. Those people have not bothered to have studied Indian scriptures, to know the reason behind every belief, custom and practices which exist. The science behind which supersedes everything they may have ever learned. 

'The pots.. ' was really not funny. There is much anger there. The spirits in Banaras are real. As real as the existence of our ancestors who are worshipped in our puja. The Garuda Puran sheds more knowledge into it, when it is organized right after someone passes away. They should not be mocked or misused for the benefit of a plot. The author was not able to deal with it well, she brought it out but couldn't resolve it due to her half knowledge. 

The good thing about the book is, the writer is able to keep the reader going. A person reads on, irrespective. 

The characterization is on the surface. The transformations in characters, which makes the reader see the different colors of a character over time has lot of scope. 

With this I end my review and wish the author best of luck!! 

Journey From Guwahati to Macchiwara

 So, its been a while I wrote a blog post, never mind but this book deserves a word. I admire persistence and determination in a person above all. When I read the name of the book, I had a curiosity within me, whats a life of a banker like? As I drove through the book I found bites from the lives of many people, I had to make many assumptions in order to understand the whole idea about why that story was there in the book. My expectation was to get a sneak peak into the life of a banker, all the stories in the book had everything but that. Most importantly, the title of the book misled me. 

However, the good part about the book is that the language is very simple. A person who spent their life in service will relate with the feelings of the author. The take away are memories, which probably a person not belonging to the service class community will never have an opportunity to collect. 

Most importantly, its the first book of the author, and an amateur writers first book I know is never his/her best work, its the second book which kicks off. I suggest the writer looks up characterization to refine his work. 

The cover design of the book is interesting and intriguing. The designer whoever that is, needs to be given the credit in the book, he'll get lots of work. He/she has done a great job. I'm familiar with the publishing house, Notion Press publishes good work - and this one is no exception. 

Fifty Shades of Grey -The Trilogy by E L James

This one I'm writing is more like telling my blog, Yes darling am very much here.I haven't forgotten you, forsaken you or lost you - YET.

Ironically, the book seems to be alluring the same vibes! I just finished reading the third book and the first thought after I put the book down was - its time I revisited my blog.

OKAY! So firstly my journey with the series has been - first watching the movies one after the other and THEN reading the books. My review about the movies was that its "decent" - hell, ya. Now I leave it for you to decide whether that is a compliment or an insult. It is a very good representation of the book but it does leave a lot of sub plots they reveal unanswered and the viewer is left with a bundle of questions in their head - which are actually easily answered by logic - if they have any.

The books on the other hand is written well. The writer had to go ' beyond reason' in a lot of places for her to synchronize the stories as told by Ana = as told by Christian.

She has tried to come close to creating a parallel to Kama Sutra book of love. To those of you who have not read that book, Kama Sutra is much more than just a reference text for educational purposes - it has a story which compliments well with the variety of acts. Seems like EL James studied that book to showcase what runs the story that compliments the sexual acts the duo get into.

Ana's spontaneous acts contradicts Christian's planned controlled acts. Ana's need to fly(figure of speech) against Christian's need to keep firmly grounded in all his actions.... Ana's absolute disinterest in Money against Christian's absolute Monetary power. 

She has not been very creative with the antagonist part. In fact, they hardly have much role to play. Its interesting to see an author bring out the protagonists so strongly without having antagonists. That is a rare feat.

The detail to every second that she has managed to display is applaudable. The lust displayed in the book is definitely noticeable whereby it seems as if the author is more like penning down her desires and dreams even if it is at the cost of sacrificing the rhythmic flow of the story. There are So many places where putting in sex - just does not make any sense whatsoever.

One may be fooled to believe the book is Ana's story but the truth is its Christian's story all along not only in the basic trilogy but also the parallel one she is writing of the story being retold from Christian's perspective. Its all about -

- Finding your identity.
and 
- Self Esteem.

Ana is just a fabricated by product to make the story happen.


On that thought - I think - I will end this review!! 

Musical Marvels of Self By Dr. Ujjwala Kakaria and Rumpa Ray Ghosh

The book was gifted to me by the author in one of my Poets Choice Poetry Book Club meetings, held at Poetry Love and Cheesecake Cafe, Juhu in Mumbai. The journey from the moment the book came to me and the moment I opened its first page was long - as we both, myself and the book, prepared ourselves to engage into sharing each others thoughts and emotions. 

The book, being a medium of the voices of two separate individuals. Me, the reader, being at the receiving end of it and yet mutely, without using words, conversing with the book about my experiences as I voyaged onwards into the pages till the very end,.... was exciting. 

Dr. Ujjwala Kakarla's poems gave me a whiff of the winds of Hyderabad. The pages I found most interesting were Pg number 10, 12 and 15. 

Rumpa Ghosh's pen spoke of a child learning to hold the pen and fascinated by its nib and structure and color and the way she held the pen, exploring every nook and corner of the art of writing. What I liked about her work was the Tanka section and to be more specific - Trust , the poem on page 98. 

The cover page of the book is intriguing. It is an ignition to invite the readers curious mind as to what 'marvels' exist in the book which I am unaware about? The color scheme is un-earthy and contradicting life. The feel of it being a dry desert gives quite a feeler about solitude in the essence from which the poems might be coming. After all it is related to the 'SELF' .

In a nutshell, the poems are not born in this book via experimentation. They are drilled in the psychology of the authors via life's experiences. With respect and gratitude to them for sharing it with me - 

I crave leave from this review and bring it to an end. 

The Live Well Diet

The first and most important thing you should know is you need to trust the book more than your own thoughts and feelings, for the simple reason being, you are physically the way you are because of those thoughts and feelings you’ve trusted for so long – and probably now its time you trusted an external source.

When you set a business plan, there are number of milestones before you reach the final destination. Similarly, before you set off you need to prepare yourself for the first milestone – and remember there is no first and last failure and most importantly its not ok to extend the time limit set to reach that milestone just a little bit. Its only a book after all – you can read it, set the diet chart, bring the ingredients, instruct your cook and even go to the extent of following the plan to the last word – but if you have secret indulgences happening alongside the plan then I suppose very soon you’ll loose control and throw the book into the trash can.

You’ll probably not even realize that it isn’t the book which isn’t worthy – its you who is not of living the book!!

The writer of this book is a person who is extremely passionate about food. Generally, when one says this, the first thing the reader perceives is – “Oh! The person must be very obese and know all the goody-goody food joints in the city or in the country or the world” … Well!!! SURPRISE, the truth is precisely the opposite of that. The person is so passionate about food that he/she knows exactly how much to have, what to have and when to have – in such a manner that one leads a happy, healthy and fulfilling life. THIS BOOK CAN DO THAT FOR YOU.

I wrote a poem in honor of this book : It’s a Haiku –

Long Live Well ALL!! 

Solitude And Other Obsessions

As the book ends its journey with me I begin to re-evaluate all those moments which held me tight as though the words hissed or screamed for love beyond the confines of the pages they were stationed.

The 1st poem of every poet was always the best. Be it - Captured Moments by Uma Sudhindra, True But Strange by Binod Panda, The Fraternal Bond by Trupti Kalamdani, The Majestic Giant by Dr. Shruti Arabatti or Solitude by Saurin Desai.

But what touched me was The End by Dr. Shruti, This _____ is Mine by Saurin
These poems were pillars of evidence to prove a point Im working on which I wish to make about my observations about the world thats evolving.

Ive hinted about it in my e-magazine, click here : Poets Choice Zine to read more on it.

I wish the poets in this book all the best and welcome them on my platform which is meant for poets anytime they like.

It was a good read .. by the way great artwork showcase by Shripad Bhalerao. Each sketch is thought provoking and emanates a story, a poem of it own.

Banaras And The Other By Ashwani Kumar

There is nothing lecherous about it(the book)... in fact Banaras is famed to be the city of salvation - where people come to die. I met Ashwani Kumar sir and his fun-loving personality coupled with his zestful frivolity immediately brought a connect.

His soul drives the wheels around(in the book) in different directions as it strives in search of meaning, it takes past nuances of great men and history and mythology and many such other works to derive and gain a sense of contentment and peace.

As I open the trench of knowledge, I'm embraced by the winds - influential and seductive as they appear to be, seem to tempt me to dip into the ocean and experience the impressions that Banaras has made on the poets senses and expressions.
In his book, Banaras and The Other - I not only visited Vara Nashi but also learnt the soul of the poem - " Anatomy of Baranassey" depicts a melodious Karuna - inflicted upon a life having smelt, seen, heard, touched and tasted the vibes of zillion deaths.
The morbid reality, which the city thrives upon that people from all over the world go there to die - to attain moksha - created (a serene polished illusion in the minds of visitors to the city ignorant about) the scars of undoable marks upon its inhabitants - one of which perhaps has been the poet.

Its beautiful!!
I learnt a lot from the " Saturn in the Sixth House" to the meaning of the words like perineum to waning moon 14th night of the Waning Moon to "spewed lies, more lies - until they became cobalt truths."

The quotes in the blank pages in this book is very thought provoking.

The poems breathe life into you as their groundedness bleeds out moments frozen that are 'dead' todayand yet due to the desirous hearts wanting that those moments be never forgotten create history books merely for awareness.

The phrase " Spat a mouthful of tobacco" was eye catching on page 17.

The "spirit" in the Lemonade B**ch (poem)

The thought fragrating mixed cultures and blurred identities in the "Second Portrait" is commendable.

The poems have a very vivid visual narrative too that turns the ignition of visual memory on.

Eye catchy as the visuals describe a ' moon lit darkness' with a ' hunt for dragonflies' in The Last Poem.

I adore the thought of " researching the DNA of our parents" the thought behind these words is very sharp in many selves.

Superb poem as it ended with  - I resembled you, I me and my many selves.

I learnt a new word today called Palaeontology, a branch of science studying fossils to learn about history of life on Earth.

A beautiful dedication made to Alan and Ghalib Khurdi, may their memories remain timeless within the pages of the book.

The feelings a reader voyages through whilst reading the poems in the book truly puts them into your element or your element into them.

I taste the playfulness of life, smell the frivolity in the words and I hear the living beats of your heart distinctly as my eyes read and browse further on.

The movement named 'Femen' is very provocative and interesting to hear about as people make their own life's purpose this one certainly goes back timelessly back to the ancient days.

Most of the poems in the book are of 'past time' thus setting the undertone as seemingly factual and incontrovertible.

There is a motley of lot of things put together in the book. The good part I'm pointing at is- it does not drill into or let the reader stay or even for a moment attach themselves to a belief or feeling.

'Eating Fathers Flesh' rebels a notion into a poem with life nuances that are dews of momentary experience.


With this I come to the end of my review. 

The Catcher In the Rye By J.D. Salinger

So, what the hell!! I must've lost it to go by the 'words' of other people to actually sort of even waste my time reading this holy crap. Now, first of all, the thing is the 'buzz' about the book is far better than the book itself. I mean come on, is Penguin really short of good manuscripts or did the editor fall in love with the ADHD language and call it a 'big sellout' ..

Actually the thing about this book is that its become passe as the concepts in the book are obsolete in today's world. So for one thing, it ended up missing the bus of being called " Timeless" coz if anyone reads it in todays era not knowing the book was published in 1951 will surely spell - YACKY .. all over the amazon reviews.

Now, you can't expect all my reviews in this blog to blab positive stuff, there is something about my life that is very valuable to me above all and I'm sure its the same with others so I'd rather save that valuable element .. its called TIME.. this book spells crap to a completely new grade. I mean come on, I've got better things on my plate to do.. if the writer can't keep me interested and glued to the book the author has not just lost me as a reader but a whole lot out there who I would've gone upto and recommended the book to.

Except the unusual aspect about the protagonist being kicked out thrice everything was so  picky that I literally pushed myself to read on for a while, optimistic, things would get better but then finally I decided to drop it and watch the movie that was made of it someday when I'm feeling upto it. Perhaps the movie would instigate me to read where I left off from in the future.

The book is freaking slow, well thats ok you know, it really is!! As long as you keep out the dumb things that are as good as not stringing in to lead on anywhere except simply just stalling the movement of the story with words, expressions, emotions and all the tosh that one's psyche can pump out of their system.

One thing that the book is good with is atleast it defines the framework within which it is operating, in other words it captures the heart of the time and thoughts of the bodies which existed then quite well.

I swear!! I really found the facts that came up about the protagonist very interesting and I was really pumped with the curiosity to KNOW what he makes out of it and fish into his 'sense of being' but somewhere down the line the writer just grinds it for too long into you, wherein after a point you decide - OK! So now lets move on to the next book and let this piece of shit fizzle away coz .. Goddamit!! Whats the whole point the author is trying to make?? Perhaps what the character went through was quite extraordinary in his time but now its a universal phenomenon. It ain't anything elusive that one would actually invest into reading it.

Is the author sort of challenging the reader.. can you get till the end of this book??

I think I've given a fair idea about the book to those of you who were highly recommended but paused a moment to look up some reviews on the pages filled and bound that they hold in their hands or were thinking of holding in their hands.

Now you've received a fair warning, you choose whether you'd like to grapple with the risk.

ALL THE BEST !!

Eternity And A Day

The first most striking aspect about the book is its presentation.. its done in a way which is sensitive to the moods of a reader, realizing the ability ( testing their patience)  of a reader to dwell on a single page - depending on the thoughts that that page is carrying the burden of.

The cover design, pardon me, for my nonchalance in leaping into the book directly before commenting on the cover -  is so perfect that drove me ecstatic to see what lied within without a moment wasted.

The title of the book : Eternity And A Day - when I read it - came across exactly the opposite of what the poet meant as he verbally expressed its meaning inside. Where the author implies to add a day  after eternity has passed... to me, it came across as - a comparative where ... eternity conflicts with a day as though a day can hold within itself eternity and vice versa. 

I simply finished the book in full within an hour literally. I think the poet mutely expresses his respect for the readers time and values it heavily. He understands his poems are such that they simply need a touch, that's all, for the essence of his thoughts and motives to spread afar.

I attended the book launch too of the poet. It was at Thackers in Mumbai on 29th October 2017 Sunday  and was eloquently done gracing the guests with an enjoyable evening with exchange of muses.. his mother who is a singer also performed melodiously in the show despite her sore throat.

I'd like to quote few excerpts of the book :

"Man aches when he learns -
he is a slave to nature

A mere vessel in the scheme of eternity... "

Expresses the poets surrender wherein elsewhere in the book he himself speaks of -
one knows grief due to having tasted laughter and joy in the lap of sorrow.

Another  such quote is  -

"woman is the best thing that happened to man.
she speaks and soon,
how soon he forgets the boredom of work
and takes pleasure in gazing at cows"

this one taps the wit of the drunken poet who uses a simile, wherein,
he is associating a woman to a cow.

hats off to Kartikey for gauging the flow of the emotions within the reader
 and inserting perks of jokes
to keep the reader going..

Few other words that will string a chord within you can be found on page - 52, 54, and 58.


With this I end this review and wish the poet the very best!!

Can Love Happen Twice?

I'd been meaning to read this book for a while now. However, what it basically does is shares a diary of an ordinary person from North India. Lots and lots of cliche things happening in this book. Deals with attachment issues of not just the character playing lead role in the book but even the writer faces attachment issues as there are many places where the writer leaves dialogs and situations, unexplained, where he assumes its just so obvious what comes next that he would not NEED to put it in words and thus -
leaves a reader confused about what happened next. ITs a BIG drawback on the authors part to be frank to leave the reader unattended and floating in the air of possibilities of what really happened.

Escapism in the writers writing style is clear, where he slides through many circumstances without giving a detailed account. The purpose behind writing this book is more egoistic than anything else. The purpose needed to be enriched and made deep before starting off writing this novel.

Let me ask this question to the writer  - Do you think you created a happy ending for the book? Do you think you resolved all the issues you brought up or created causes for in the book?

My guess is, you think its a happy ending. A 'perfect ending' .... but the fact is its a 'imperfect ending' to the book.

A lot of places one finds some fresh seeds being sown in the plot but they are then forgotten as if the writer is throwing ideas, sowing them and then walking away or on in your words to another direction, as though pulled by bliss of the next moment forgetting the baby you had just sown moments back.
The reader sees this and finds it irritating to read the novel in some places when they clearly see the
" WRITER does not value his own words." 
The only reason I completed this book is because am aware that when I begin reading a book and finish it come what may. Does the author really think people are going to continue reading the novel after receiving such jerk offs in regular intervals. They may continue once at most thrice but then many people will give a poor rating and move on leaving the book half read - MY POINT IS - there needs to be a turning point in the story to drive the reader to explore further. Like previously said -the purpose needs to be enriched.

By the way, I just played a song on Youtube recently which goes well with the moral of this book. 

Check it out here : Ruk Jaana Nahi Tu Kahi Haar Ke

Btw, there's one more thing in the book that catches the eye - the target audience the author has kept are just Indians. Clearly so, because, when you open the book to read there are so many Hindi conjunctions and expressions and dialogs which no foreign reader will be able to understand and yes, its a big assumption to think they'd atleast know that the language except English used here is Hindi because those who are unable to identify what a language written is saying also do not know the name of the language which is saying it.

I wish the author all the best with the book.
I've been very generous with this book by putting it for display in a 'Little Free Library' my Cooperative Housing Society created outside on my suggestion. Books get exchanged from this library frequently.

Chandna by Sunny Chandel

I would like to pen a poem of mine over here, its a cinquain :


That Love
Of Poetry
Digs the inner recess
Of my mind to explore and learn
And rest.


The book is the fruit of the drive and spirit the poet is innately gifted with. It expresses a pool of emotions with the groundedness of thought very predominant.

It captures the emotions and dreams with such simplicity that a reader finds themselves in the small town environment where fresh feelings and freedom blooms into something beautiful.

The cover design is simple and straight forward.

The book is not officially published and is simply a record of the work the writer has collected, which makes it somewhat a private journal. That is also a blessing in disguise for the poet as that gives him a better first timer opening. It is not available anywhere online for purchase.

There are a few words that are repetitive which gives a smooth serene feeling to the book. It also expresses the love of the author towards those few words when he is penning a new poem. Repetitive use of words in different places in varied perspectives stresses an emphasis on those words for a reader making the reader realize a better purpose beyond what the words intend to achieve. This skill is very seductive and enriching, it makes a reader enjoy the book more.


The language of the book is in Hindi.

With this I wish the author all the best for his book!!

Songs of a Ruin By Scottshak

ISBN : 9781946641304 

This is a poetry book published by Notion Press. 

It is always a soulful experience to dive into another's baggage of feelings. This one takes you to moments which describes a phase in a persons' life which one always holds dear and spends time remembering in latter years. These are times of confusion and mixed feelings where a person is high on curiosity, questioning every aspect of life that went by and that is is follow onwards. 

There is a motley emotional flow here, where the reader is swung to awaken and thrown into another emotion the moment a person starts enjoying and going deep into feeling a particular emotion. It is difficult to time the moment right and this book achieves that. 

The cover design looks like a guitar is disparaged by a storm or crushed into a scintilla. The title appears to warn the reader that what one is about to read is brambles left over where once a forest farm existed. 

some of the poems I liked include : 

1. Tears of Earth

2. Curses of a Faineant Lover

3. If You Were Everything 

There were poems which I liked and then there were poems I didn't understand. There wasn't anything in between.At the outset, I was on a lookout of a theme or message that the book might be putting across but I think there is none. The book is simply a compilation of work which the poet has experienced or penned down and wishes to share with the world. 

Having known the poet briefly, I'd add a personal touch by saying the poet has voyaged a long journey before being labelled as a published author. His path was strewn with many obstacles that his emotions triumphed over  which were kept shunned in a treasure chest but now that they are out they seek solace, acceptable, appreciation and love.  

The work gone behind the first book is most crucial. Sometimes, the extra time that goes before entering into a new stream  may appear harsh and brutal and frustrating and impossible and extremely challenging but in the end - it pays a lot more than the counterpart. 

The book overall is a good read. 

To encourage the poet, click on this link and purchase their book : 

http://www.amazon.in/Songs-Ruin-Scottshak/dp/1946641308/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1489053102&sr=8-1&keywords=songs+of+a+ruin

Into My Heart By Kartikey Sehgal

The hard work which pores through the writers' pen and transcends through the readers heart, elevating the interpreters' sense of vision, to a level where there is no higher place to be or go - is extremely clairvoyant in these pages. 

The reader enjoys getting mesmerized by the sheer selection which the poet has made.  Above all, the writer inspires the reader to such lengths that they, even if its for a mere second, will have this thought cross their mind - "I too should pen a poem, perhaps!" 

I ask all my friends and followers to go ahead, pick this up and elude themselves into being sensitized for those few moments for the journey this book will take thee. 

Link to the book :https://www.amazon.in/Into-My-Heart-Kartikey-Sehgal-ebook/dp/B01N9WFWYO?_encoding=UTF8&deviceType=desktop&keywords=Into%20my%20heart&qid=1488461207&redirect=true&ref_=sr_1_1&sr=8-1#customerReviews

Cocktail by Vikram Karve

Tonight I'm going to review a book which, though has a very senior person by age, is a debut book. It is written with the playfulness of a blissful child who simply seems to be enjoying indulging into nuances of romance.

This book must be read one story at a time. It isn't meant to be read whole and soul in a single date that you fix with this book.

Each story dives your spirit into the life of a salaried employ. Pen strokes seem to be using the wand(pen), gesturing motions as though conducting an orchestra of music.

Two other thoughts drove past as I gulped down the contents like a eager prey.

1. Characteristics of doggedness. The stories expose it with excessive use of meaningless phrases and expressions.

2. Slice of the same fruit. Each story is like a slice. So if u eat the next slice, it more or less taste the same.

The writer is brave to have published the book. Many people whom I know with similar personalities as him, have drowned themselves engaging themselves into diffidence totally limitless.

With that said I come to the end of this review.