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Monday, 12 June 2017
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.
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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
Wednesday, 17 May 2017
It Ain't College, It's War! (Book 1 of
'It Ain't' Trilogy) by Subhodeep Mukherjee
Publication Year- 2017
Publication- Notion Press
Genre- Fiction
Pages- 386
Format- Paperback/Kindle
Blurb
What happens when an engineering college fresher:
• confronts his violent seniors on the first day of ragging?
• tries to woo a beautiful senior who has a nasty boyfriend?
• is heart-broken when his past causes his break-up with the girl he loves?
• goes boozing for the first time?
• is involved in a bloody inter-hostel rivalry with dire consequences?
In his debut novel, It Ain't College, It's War! (Book 1 of the It Ain't trilogy), Subhodeep Mukherjee tells the story of Rahul Arora, an outspoken Delhi boy with a devil-may-care attitude that always gets him in trouble.
Amidst the politically charged atmosphere of his college and his many adventures, Rahul seeks true love, friendship and a job. Will he manage to find balance in his life? Will he make peace with his teachers, classmates, seniors and father and find what he is looking for or will his attitude get the better of him?
Loosely based on true events and also touching on various social issues, this book explores the meaning of love, friendship and career as seen through the eyes of the narrator and protagonist, Rahul Arora.
• confronts his violent seniors on the first day of ragging?
• tries to woo a beautiful senior who has a nasty boyfriend?
• is heart-broken when his past causes his break-up with the girl he loves?
• goes boozing for the first time?
• is involved in a bloody inter-hostel rivalry with dire consequences?
In his debut novel, It Ain't College, It's War! (Book 1 of the It Ain't trilogy), Subhodeep Mukherjee tells the story of Rahul Arora, an outspoken Delhi boy with a devil-may-care attitude that always gets him in trouble.
Amidst the politically charged atmosphere of his college and his many adventures, Rahul seeks true love, friendship and a job. Will he manage to find balance in his life? Will he make peace with his teachers, classmates, seniors and father and find what he is looking for or will his attitude get the better of him?
Loosely based on true events and also touching on various social issues, this book explores the meaning of love, friendship and career as seen through the eyes of the narrator and protagonist, Rahul Arora.
My Review
Listening to engineering
college spicy stories is one of my favorite topics maybe because I am very keen
to know what actually happens. Does what’s shown in the movies are true? Or
really the colleges are haunted? And how can we skip the main tagline attached-
ragging. One of my friends mentioned me about this very book and I couldn’t say
no to it. I’m really thankful to author for sending me a copy of this book.
It’s Ain’t a
College, It’s a war is a story of a boy named Rahul Arora who gets through into
a government medical college in New Delhi. Rahul who has set of doldrums roommates
and later face encounter with the college hostel head and faced the worst in
his first ragging tasks. Book is
actually a story which reflects a pure engineering college story which includes
ragging, love, rejection, hating the plot against rival hostlers and much more.
Rahul who’s the protagonist has tried to entertains his readers in many way,
succeed in few and got monotonous at times.
Rahul who was one sour eye for everyone in the
college but later turn to be favorite of many. I’m many youngsters can relate
to Rahul. I like his character building. I really like hostel names which were
kept after great scientists and then I really enjoyed part struggled faced by fresher’s
to their fresher party where they were treated
nicely.
Overall book is
one time read, you can read it in free
time.
I would rate the
first installment of the book 3/5 stars, expecting to read the sequel who would
be really amazing.
Reviewed by
Aditi Srivastava
Les Just Not
Be Only Friendz(1) by Vikash Sharma
Publication Year- 2017
Publication- Creative Keeda Publications
Genre- Fiction
Pages- 275
Format- Paperback/Kindle
 |
| @bibliophile_teddy |
Blurb
Les jus not be only friendz (1) is based on relationships and
various phases of a graduate student’s life. The novel is set in Noida (NCR) in
the time-period of 2009 - 2011.
The novel tells the story of a young, average performer and simple middle-class guy, who in desperate bid to not join his father's profession of selling mechanical spare parts in a small town, comes to Delhi after graduation to study in a Film school, hoping to make it big and become successful in a short time span.
Aakash opts to stay with his old school friend Dhiru and his trouble making friends, who were perusing engineering from Noida. Before he could sink with the feel of Delhi NCR, he falls for a girl named Neha and finds him swept away by love and varied emotions. Dhiru does not like the progress in Aakash and Neha's blooming relationship and consistently tries to act as second fiddle.
In order to save his friendship with Dhiru and in seeking Neha’s love, Aakash goes through various troublesome phases, which test him over time and eventually changes him from a shy and simple person to a completely different kind.
The novel tells the story of a young, average performer and simple middle-class guy, who in desperate bid to not join his father's profession of selling mechanical spare parts in a small town, comes to Delhi after graduation to study in a Film school, hoping to make it big and become successful in a short time span.
Aakash opts to stay with his old school friend Dhiru and his trouble making friends, who were perusing engineering from Noida. Before he could sink with the feel of Delhi NCR, he falls for a girl named Neha and finds him swept away by love and varied emotions. Dhiru does not like the progress in Aakash and Neha's blooming relationship and consistently tries to act as second fiddle.
In order to save his friendship with Dhiru and in seeking Neha’s love, Aakash goes through various troublesome phases, which test him over time and eventually changes him from a shy and simple person to a completely different kind.
Towards the end, in order to prove his true love to Neha, Aakash accidentally ends up doing something that he had never dreamed of. The incident terribly jeopardizes their relationship. Will they ever get back to each other?
No, It’s not entirely a romantic story of panic stricken Aakash and confusedly demanding Neha,
But,
Yes. It’s an amalgamation of intricate relationships, set in modern times, focusing towards the trials and tribulations of average, but true lovers. It’s an endearing tale of veritable friendship and love in its ever changing colors.
Les Just Not Be Only Friendz
is a story of a boy named Akash, who's depressed with his graduation results
decided to opt Mass Communication in Noida city just in hope that he would not
screw his parents money and his own life. He moved to his old school friend
place and from there the real story beings. Delhi lifestyles, people and how
everyone among his friend circle is carefree and cool with their current state
whereas he got to double check himself again and again just to make sure he
won't run into troubles this time. Everything was perfect in his life and then
Neha walked into light. He fall for her in the first place and secretly planned
a future with her. Will things work out? For that you got to the first
installment and waits for second.
Book title and cover matches with the plot but somewhere story didn't make up to the level. Book could have been completed within 100 pages or more but it stretched to 276 which makes it monotonous. Narration of the book was even slow and curiosity pushed me to read further to find out where Akash love story would lead. Apart from that few errors like grammatical and editing mistakes could have be rectified. Another part which I dislike was the Hindi conversation used in the books and slags language hidden between 'beep'.
Author has tried to entertain the readers while opening up his life to everyone and makes me laugh while reading. Pinch of romance added was okay while I don't get along with some characters.
Overall the book is one time read.
I would rate 2.5/5 stars. I hope to see improvements in the next installments.
Book title and cover matches with the plot but somewhere story didn't make up to the level. Book could have been completed within 100 pages or more but it stretched to 276 which makes it monotonous. Narration of the book was even slow and curiosity pushed me to read further to find out where Akash love story would lead. Apart from that few errors like grammatical and editing mistakes could have be rectified. Another part which I dislike was the Hindi conversation used in the books and slags language hidden between 'beep'.
Author has tried to entertain the readers while opening up his life to everyone and makes me laugh while reading. Pinch of romance added was okay while I don't get along with some characters.
Overall the book is one time read.
I would rate 2.5/5 stars. I hope to see improvements in the next installments.
Reviewed by Aditi Srivastava
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