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Monday, 12 June 2017
Rubaroo by Priyanka Bansal

Publication- Ayan Prakashan
Format- Hardcover
Genre- Hindi Poetry




My Review

लेखिका ने समाज के हर वर्ग, हर समस्याओं को उठाया है| अपने मन से की व्यथा को बहुत  अच्छी तरह से दर्शाया| समाज का हर हिस्सा जिससे हैमारे समाज का निर्माण होता सबका खिंचा हैं जसे किन्नर, पिता, घर, फूटपाथ,  दादी, आत्मा अन्य सबकी नीयत बतायी हैं| 

हर जगह नारी को ममता बाताया गया है पर ' पीता' केवीता में एक पुरुूष कि मन केि व्यथा का बाड़ा हीी मार्मिक ढंग से चित्रण किया गया है।

'अब बोलती नहीँ दादी' कविता में घर में बुजुर्गों केि खाली जागह का एहसास करया गयाा है।

वहीं दूसरी ओर 'ना, नर मैंं नरी' जसी कविता के मध्यम से समाजमें किन्नर का भी एक महत्वपूर्ण सथान बताया है।

आत्मा जसी कविता के द्वारा बदलती हुई परिचय दिया है। 

फिर से बच्चे के द्वरा दिल की हालत के बारे में बताया है कि बचपन और दिल मे कितना सामंजस्य हैं।

फुटपाथ के माध्यम के द्वारा निर्धान वर्ग कि ओर ध्यान आकर्षित किया है।

आम इंसान के द्वारा इस भिड़ भरि दुनिया मे आम इंसान ने अपनी पहचान खो दिया है।

कवित्री अपनी कविताओं मैं जीवन के हर पहलू  की तरफ ध्यान दर्शने मै सफ़ल हुई है, कहीं पंक्तियों का क्रम टूटा नज़र आता है। इसके बावजूद पद्य गद्य सा प्रतीत हो रा है
लेकिन इसके बावजूद कवियो अंतर मन को छू जाती है और हमे सोचने पर विवश करती हैं।  आज समाज मैं जैसे अश्लीलता और फूहड़पन से बनी रचना करते हैं लेखन का सत्र गिरता जा रहा है वही लेखिका ने समाज को ही नही अपने लेखन के द्वाराा लेखों केो भी अच्छी प्रेरित किया है। अच्छी कोशीश करि हैं लेखन  कार्य जाारी रखे।



Reviewed by Aditi Srivastava
 Rafflesia by Gautam

Published Year- 2017
Publication- Leadstart Publications
Genre- Fiction
Pages- 396
Format- Paperback/Kindle



                                                                          




                                                                                 Synopsis     



"Rafflesia: The Banished Princess"

The curtains draw up. Lights are dimmed. The musical is about to begin. As the beautiful princess descends on stage, the mythical creatures from her kingdom come alive. Flickers of brilliant colours
blaze across as mesmerizing music pulsates from one corner of the theatre to the other. A fairy tale is about to unfold…


As young children, we often come across things that stay in our hearts forever. For Appu, it is a fairy tale about a beautiful princess. He lives with her in a world filled with the magical creatures from her kingdom until the real world beckons. A reluctant Appu steps into it as a striking young man and struggles to find his place.

What follows is an evocative tale of love and loss, friendship and betrayal, as the story travels through the snow-peaked mountains of Arunachal to the golden deserts of Jaisalmer, the tulip gardens of

Holland to the lush greens of Kerala. Does Appu find what he had set out for? The answer lies in Rafflesia — The Banished Princess because in her story, lay his!"




                                                                           My Review

We all read books and there are characters which we fall for, what will happen if you realize that your love has no ending but you can’t get off that fictional character and due to which you messes your life. Rafflesia is a story of one such tale where Apu falls for Rafflesia(fictional character) and remain baffled in his life, that’s what blurb says but I didn’t find such connection anywhere in the book.

As a debutant author, Gautam has really impressed me with his writing style. One will not able to put down the book because the way he narrates whereas lack of plot building will sadden the readers.





Story starts curiosity of children going back to home but the tower on the way always catches their attention. Apu who is the protagonist is totally different from what we read in other books. Apu was shy, socially backward and introvert. He didn’t have anything to flaunt excepts his simplicity and a humble heart. Apu who belongs to poor family has always seen and learned to accept his faith. Later in his childhood he gets accustomed with book which became price possession for him- Rafflesia.

Plot moves between past and present where author narrated early life of Apu and his current life where he was still same. There were many characters in the book but it won’t create trouble in distinguishing. Another character I enjoyed reading was Rahul, Apu’s childhood friend. Rahul who belonged to an affluent family has everything but sooner life played his cards,  he was abandon by upheavals of life and searched for solance in Apu. 

Book title and cover could have justified if author could have worked with the central theme of the book but I still like the cover, beautiful and elegant. Blurb astray too but author writing style will sooth readers.

Overall i would recommend book to those who wants to try on a story of a real life character falling for a fictional. Book could be a light Sunday brunch.

I would rate 3/5 stars to Rafflesia and would be looking forward to read more work in future.

The book is provided by Arudha Club in exchange of genuine review.

Reviewed by Aditi Srivastava 
Wednesday, 7 June 2017

Highway Man by J. Alchem


Published Year: 2017
Publication: Sold by Amazon
Genre: Fiction/Short Stories
Pages: 68    
Format: Kindle






                                                                           Synopsis

The whole world is upside down. People are walking in the sky with the ground moving above their heads. And the reason is simple; a bestselling author is in love. But why the whole world is inverted? What's so special about this love? Or worse?

A man throws his masculine brain and heart aside and fixes a feminine one there. And the reason is simple; he wants to live the life of his lover, for 24 hours. But why does he want to do that? What's the need?

A man, neatly dressed in a suit, is playing with his bowler hat, on a highway at dawn. And the reason is simple; he needs a lift. But why does he need a lift? What's his purpose?

    
                                                                        My Review


Highway Man is a collection of three beautiful short stories, ‘Catherine, Sidzy, for-a-day  and Highway Man” which are accentuatingly put to dazzle its readers. Catherine a laconic story of an author who got trapped in his own imagination. Story actually reveals how our own creativity becomes boisterous and another instance it can turn you pretenses of your imagination. Catherine was my favorite and it took me few minutes to start with another.

Sidzy, for-a-day  was a tale of girl and her beloved husband which was no less than like reading a tale from Disney collection. After finishing the first one, the story was warm read.

Last which steal my attention was Highway Man. Rohan and ayaan has lost their priceless position in a car accident, everything turned doldrums and monotonous for them until one fortunate day they met Jihan and everything changed. Sometime you need to look around and get yourself motivation. Instead of dwelling into past moving on turned into a right choice sometimes. I just don’t know my how to express why and what made me fall in love with this story.

Coming back to book title and cover they both are apt I wish I own a paperback edition of this book someday. Language was crisp and really very amusing. A page turner. Each story is different from the previous one.

Overall I would rate it 4.5/5 stars.  Wait, did I say I’m going back to read it again? Then please excuse me.


Reviewed by Aditi Srivastava
 Compensate The Past by Mohammad Israf

Published Year- 2017
Publications- Good Times Books Pvt. Ltd.
Genre- Fiction
Pages- 137
Format- Paperback/Kindle




                                                                                   Synopsis

"Everyone has to experience emotions in life. Those emotions are socio-economic which teach us lessons to do something extraordinary just to Compensate the Past.
 Past plays a crucial role in everyone's life, Rajat learns those lessons which induce him to see the world from emotional point of view. He wants an indemnity for his past.
Meanwhile he falls in love with Taniya. It pumps up zeal for emotions to do something for the society as love makes you strong enough to confront all the barriers coming in the path.
On a turn of life, he has to balance himself between love and social responsibility, both put Rajat's entire life on stake.
Will he be able to get his love?
 Will he be able to compensate his past?"

                                                                    My Review

How many of you ever thought to implement whatever you were taught in school or in university/college? I guess most of you will say NO. We keep learning things but fail to implement them because we are taught there is life other than bookish knowledge what if I tell about one such book in which author has utilized his knowledge he learnt in a B-School(Business School).

Compensate The Past is one such book I find really very amusing and entertaining. I really loved the concept developed for this book and it had worked. After reading so many books based on engineering I don’t find reason why they didn’t sooth me but here I got a reason and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Compensate which means in recognitions of loss and here in the story means narrator or say protagonist who suffered loss in past or things which has never worked that time he mended in the present.





Story starts with a train journey where Rajat Rai narrated his incidents of life but they won’t make you monotonous but will make you stick to the edge where you’re sitting. Rajat explains how he hard life is and how and what we should do for things w didn’t get in past. Whatever your past is; you have ability to make it a new version or more upgraded. Book dwells into a management boy life and how he makes the best use of available resources. Author has added pinch of laughter and romance which is very neatly fit into the book.
I really enjoyed reading Rajat’s section, he was hard working and ambitious and he knows where to put full stop to those diversions which hinders his path. I personally enjoyed reading CSR and women self help group part mentioned in the books I’m so keen to experience them in my classes.  

Book is fast paced and will be completed in a single sitting but will leave readers wondering how they must use their capabilities to achieve their dreams and ambitions. Book title and cover is very apt, it goes with story line. Language is simple and readable, won’t make readers hunch over dictionary.

For management student like me would really enjoy this book but I won’t be specific because anyone can read this. A good Sunday read.

I would rate 4/5 and I’m looking forward to read more from the author. And I would like to thanks author for choosing me giveaway winner.



Reviewed by Aditi Srivastava


Friday, 2 June 2017
Book Review : Wasted in Engineering Story of India’s Youth by Prabhu Swaminathan

Published Year- 2014
Publication-  Notionpress             
Genre- Non-fiction
Pages- 172
Format- Paperback/Kindle        

 

                                                                Synopsis      

            
'Engineering padicha nalla future - If you study engineering, you will have a good future.' This is a claim often repeated to children and teenagers by parents and teachers in many parts of India. But only those who have gone through an engineering college life know that it's not completely true. 

There is a difference between calling yourself as an engineering graduate and an engineer. India produces millions of engineering graduates like you and me but only very few of us are actual engineers. Many of us just graduate with an engineering degree, with an artistic dream in mind. 

What do you think is the difference between engineers in many countries around the world and engineers from India? In other countries, if David Pascal studied electrical engineering in college, few years later you can find him working as an electrical engineer. In India, if Ram Krishnamurthy studied electrical engineering, few years later you can find him working in a completely irrelevant field like software coding, banking, photography and even movie directing. 

This book is not about the few engineering students in your class who love engineering. I don't hate them. In fact, I am very jealous that they study what they love. This book is about the majority of engineering graduates whose lives are wasted in engineering and is intended to tell you why you should make an attempt in pursuing your real passion, instead of being suffocated under the weight of an engineering degree. 

This is a story of India's Youth. 

Welcome to India, the land of Wasted Engineers.


                                                                   My Review

Did you see I just mentioned this book is also available in Kindle format but let me tell you even if you have it in your Kindle app you will not stop yourself buying a paperback version. Since the day I received this book and I started reading I couldn’t stop myself spreading a word about it. Wasted in Engineering is based on engineering myths we all have but book will be beneficially to a non- engineer also.

Wasted in Engineering by Prabhu Swaminathan is a true account of author himself, he explained 360◦ view of  engineering starting from when a child is born to where an engineer end up after his studies. This book actually reminds me a poem which was in my school circular, over the years that poem remains my favorite,  The Road Not Taken by  Robert Frost. Just like it was mentioned in the poem that we can’t walk to two paths similarly the book justifies how we cannot choose between two career paths, one which we like other which our parents ask. 

Book begins how school play major roles in choosing students for science and commerce stream, how parents give us only one option to opt and how discrimination happens in an engineering college right from the time of admission to the end of the semester. He explained briefly about special quotas offered along with reservation, he too focused on how we should separate what we see in movie about an engineering college to the real one.

He also explains myths which is very common and very reason to do engineering in India is six digits salary and author breaks that myths too. Next he talks about a real campus life, the professors, marking scheme based on how student behaves to them.

In the poem, at the end poets lament for not choosing the most travelled road but in book author gave us positive hopes and various illustrations how we can too choose the path which we like even after completing engineering degree. Book is a guide to school going students who still thinks key to luxury life is doing engineering , to parents who thinks what their neighbor say if they came to know that their son/daughter are non engineer, teachers who evaluate students on the basis of marks and neglect the scientific aptitude of any student, still who are doing engineering you guys still start working on your real dream rather than running into a rat race  and above all those every youth who is an engineer or not give yourself some time and thin what you always wanted to do. I’ve figured out what I wants to do. What about you? 

Coming back to book title which just amazing and catchy, book cover is very well designed. Narration of the book was literally amazing step by step everything was explained. Language was smooth and easy to comprehend. 

Wait? Are you still asking me to recommend you personally. Damn! Just go and grab it.

I am so thrilled to rate it 4.5/5 stars. I’m still in it’s hangover. Yes, I’ m a non engineer and I know what I want to do. Thank you Prabhu Sir.


Reviewed by Aditi Srivastava
Book Review- Demons In My Mind by Aashish Gupta

Published Year- 2017
Publication- Notionpress
Genre-Fiction
Pages- 317
Format- Paperback/Kindle

@bibliophile_teddy

                                                              Synopsis


Is your mind under your control?Dakshesh, an old man in Sirubari village suffering from cancer, wishes to be released from excruciating pain. His journey takes him to the three monks, known for miraculous healing and life transformation. He discovers they are no saints, but hardened criminals. The three monks - Rizwan, Murli, Joseph - narrate stories of unprecedented savagery that would make even the most cold-hearted criminals look down with shame. 

The dark stories of the three monks leave Dakshesh gasping, but there is something about their dishonourable lives that relieves Dakshesh from his pain.


                                                            My Review


Demons In My Mind is less a fiction but more a crime psychological book which will play with your mind. When you read the blurb and compared it with that of the book you will be flabbergasted to draw the line between two. Blurb which states man who is on verge of dying and has his last wish to meet the three monks who lives in the laps of mountains. But that not happened after initial chapters. Book takes turns into dark, malign to your mind and chugging in your throat I regret reading in mid night, it disturbed me whole night(positive punch as a part of author works).


@bibliophile_teddy


Book begins where a man who was on last stage of cancer and had very few weeks left with him, he decided to devote his last days meeting and learning about life from three monks but soon everything turned out to be very dark. I earlier thought it would be some spiritual but no it is not.  A simple story splits into three stories of monks. Each story was different from the other and with each story you would feel something quandary inside your own mind. You would be forced to think is there any demon lying or sleeping inside you. Three great monks but who knows they were once the most heinous and sabotage for society once. A generous boy who loved his parents beyond any limits end up killing them, an artist who became a rapist and a lover who turn into a torturer and all three were victims of their own mind.

It took me two days to finish the book and later I found myself in the state of quivering and I couldn’t help but all day night I was drone into the story only.

Book narration was good and unexpected because not for a second you will be able to make a guess. Book is indeed page tuner. Writing style was good, author used both prose and poetry which makes the book attractive. Title was catchy and matches the story line whereas book cover too justify it only the blurb wasn’t clear.

Overall the book was a good read. I would rate it 3.5/5 stars.


Reviewed by Aditi Srivastava