THE OTHER SIDE: Book Review

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Book Review - Is It Maya?

Is It Maya? By Saikat Baksi is a crime thriller which is inspired by a real life event. The book is published by Frog Books of Leadstart Corp. I have received this book from Readers Cosmos as part of their Book Review Program.

Cover: Cover is covered with hint of crime and a women face probably depicting Maya the protagonist in the novel. It creates excitement which is much necessary to create thrill about this book.

Plot: Maya Mukhija a media tycoon and wife of another high profile personality David Mukhija is arrested by Mumbai Police for the murder of her sister whom police believed to be her daughter Veena. The high profile case was dealt by commissioner himself. Vivek a senior journalist who secretly love Maya from the childhood also interested in the case and believes that Maya is not the killer. Police on the other hand has received photographs of Maya disposing of Veena's body in the Raigarh forest. Emails which were send by Veena after her death also emerged from Maya's computer, she was also appeared to hate her relation with Ritvik son of David from his first marriage. All evidences pointed towards her. Her mysterious life history was also against her. Will police find more evidence to convict her? Will Vivek able to save her as he did previously for her without her knowledge? The plot full of twists and turns leads to a shocking climax.

Highs: The theme inspired by real life events which are still fresh in readers mind make it a worth read. Author has beautifully weaved the plot taking that event in mind and giving it a believable climax. Narration is also interesting and with right pace. The twists and turns in the plot always keeps you at the edge of your seat and made this an unputdownable read.

Lows: There is nothing to called as low but I feel flashbacks at some points stall pacy narrative and the fact that it is inspired from real life make it non-original plot.

Verdict: If you are fan of crime thrillers then you can't miss this one. It is how crime fictions should be written.

Rating: I would give it 4/5.

Book Review - One Indian Girl

One Indian Girl is written by the most famous English Indian writer of India Chetan Bhagat. It is published by Rupa Publications. He has written this book from a girl's perspective and give us an inside into the Indian society's psyche.

Cover: Girl in wedding attire on the cover gives the hint of the setting of the book i.e Radhika's (protagonist) wedding. The city landscape at the cover edge and beach setting with couples holding hands gives us the glimpse of her life moments as told in this book. It is a simple nice cover.

Plot: Radhika is present with her family in Goa for her destination wedding waiting for groom's family to come. Brijesh Gulati is the groom whom she has met through a matrimonial site. During her wedding preparations she received call from Debu her ex-boyfriend from New York days who wanted to come to Goa to rectify his mistakes and marry her. Neel whom she dated in Hong Kong also called her with the similar intentions. Both of them arrived at her wedding and request to leave the marriage and marry her. She remembers her life in last four years in flashbacks and what happened to these relations. Meanwhile she is also bonding with Brijesh. She was confused about her decision. Her life is puzzled between these three men in her life. What has happened to her relations? Whom she marry? What she finally decides? All these questions are answered in this book filled with Indian masalas.

Hits: The theme to tell a tale through a girl's perspective by a male writer is interesting and I must say he has done a good job as far as presentation is concerned. He writes in easy and familiar language which always make his books easy to read. The characters are like-able many of whom you can recognize from your surroundings. It's an easy to appeal to the audience book.

Misses: Predictability makes this book uninteresting to me. From the start it was easy to guess what coming up next and the climax is also dull. Since his book is turning into movies his writing is becoming film friendly or easy to adept in a film. I noticed influence of many Hindi movies like Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya, Wedding Pulao, etc. His characters also looked like coming out from Imtiaz Ali movies. Interesting but not exciting.

Verdict: It's a one time read you can use to pass your time.

Rating: I would give it 2/5.

Book Review: The ABC Murders

The ABC Murders is written by Agatha Christie and is published by Harper Collins India. This is my fifth Agatha Christie novel. I have bought this one from the Amazon.in. Its a serial killer mystery and from one of the cases of detective Hercule Poirot.

Cover and Plot: The cover is simple giving hint of murders with marks of gun shots on alphabets ABC and blood spots on the cover page.

Hercule Poirot received a printed letter challenging him to stop the murder at Andover on 21st of that month. Poirot informed the police but didn't take this letter seriously thinking it as a hoax. But murder did happen in Andover of Mrs Ascher. Police arrested her husband for the murder but Poirot believed it was done by someone else someone who has send him the letter. His doubt confirmed when he received another letter warning him of killing at Bexhill on sea on 25th. In spite police arrangements a girl named Betty Barnand was strangulated at the beach. Poirot and police again failed to track the murderer and then the third letter came and third murder happened of Carmichael Clarke in Cruston. Poirot observed that killer is killing alphabetically and leaving ABC railway guide at the murder scene but not any connection among his victims.

Hastings suggested to call those associated with the victims to form a group to discuss these murders to point out any similarities or clue which they have missed earlier. Police on the other hand found another murder at Doncaster but here the ABC sequence broke as the one who killed has name different from alphabet D. Someone also spotted the murderer which gave police clue about his identity. Will he was caught at this time? Was he the murderer? Did Hercule Poirot has something else in mind? The great detective deduction reveals a thrilling climax.

Review: The narrative was not as impressive as I have found in other Agatha Christie thrillers. I felt the pace reduced at many points. But the story was interesting and gripping. All murders were unconnected which made it difficult to guess the motive of the murderer which keep you hooked till the end. Suddenly a dull thriller came alive during the climax when Poirot revealed his deductions which startled everyone.

Verdict: Another Unputdownable thriller from Agatha Christie.

Rating: I would give it 3/5.

Book Review: Peril At End House

Peril At End House is written by renowned suspense thriller writer Agatha Christie. It is from series which featured detective Hercule Poiret. The book I bought from Amazon.in is published by Harper Collins. It is among the ten best detective novel of Agatha Christie according to an online survey.

Cover and Plot: I think cover is not significant in this novel since it has changed several times in various editions since the time of its publishing. So lets talk about the plot.
Hercule Poiret is on a holiday on the Cornish Riviera where he met a girl Nick Buckley. While talking with her he discovered that someone has fired a bullet on her which has struck on her hat. On inquiry from her she describes her recent accidental brushes with death which alarmed Hercule Poiret that someone is behind her life. He started investigation to find out the reason for these attacks. He investigate everyone i.e her friends Fredrica Rice, Commander Challanger, Mr Lazarus, her neighbor Crofts and her cousin Charles Vyse. He also advised her to call someone to accompany her for her safety so she called Maggie Buckley her cousin to live with her.

Someone again tried to kill Nick but Maggie get killed because she was wearing her shawl. Now the case of attempt to murder became the case of murder. Hercule Poiret curse himself for not being alert enough to prevent that innocent death. He send Nick to nursing home for safety and no one allowed to meet her but again she was poisoned there. Will she survive this time. Who was behind all these attacks and what was the motive behind these murder attempts. Hercule Poiret deduce every angle to reach a logical conclusion which surprised the readers.

Review: Last year I became fan of Agatha Christie and read her four novels since then. This one was also interestingly weaved to bind the readers to the book. Though the narrative become slow in between the overall impact is of a fast paced suspense thriller with an surprising ending. The climax part is well build and add the drama to the narrative. I recommend you to read it at a time when you needn't have to put it down for some other work because its a kind of book you will read in one go.

Verdict: An unputdownable suspense thriller which you must read.

Rating: I would give it 4/5.

Book Review - Anya's Lyric

Anya's Lyric is written by Nikhil Kumar. It is a story about the journey of a girl with learning disability to find peace from the chaos of her life. I have received this book as a part of Book Review Program by Readers Cosmos.

Cover: Beautiful cover design. It is artistic and gives you a glimpse of scattered life of a girl in the form of leaves falling from the tree. The girl I imagine depicts Anya whose story is told in the book.

Plot: A girl is born to a postman with one hand as a result of love making with his wife on the day he lost his job for failing to deliver a letter because of his inability to read the address correctly. They named her Anya meaning different. She was a special child who understands things differently. When she was just eight years old, her father the man with the one hand discovered adultery of her mother and killed her. The story then has small stories or incidents experienced by her on course of her journey with her father. At the age of sixteen her father died and she fell on the trap of a prostitute racket. How she escape from there and how the chaos of her life ended makes the climax of the story.

Highs: I like the idea of not naming any character because the story is going on with the perspective of Anya who is slow in learning and has disability. The chapters written in an engrossing way. The confused state of mind of Anya is developed well with the story in a lyrical way.

Lows: The unconnected chapters creates confusion and it became really difficult to figure out what is happening in a particular chapter when something else has happened in the previous one. The story has no twist and turns. It is just a recollection of thoughts by the character named Anya. If we take book as a complete story you feel bored.

Verdict: Read to know how a male writer describes thoughts from a female's perspective.

Rating: I will give it 2/5.

Book Review : With Blue Ink of The Oceans

With Blue Ink of The Oceans is a poetry book by Anu Joshy. It is published by Virgin Leaf Books of Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. I have received this book from publishers. This collection of poems is a candid mirror that she holds against her soul and the society.

Cover: Cover seems simple to me. I think the ocean and the girls face are trying to depict the oceanic expressions expressed in this book. The idea of keeping it simple is good but covering the bigger area with the image would make cover more interesting.

Content: The book contains 55 poems from poetess' pen starting from 'Disowning Sorrows' and ending with 'Walking Into Ruins'. Poems are written in prose, conversational manner and rhyme. These poems expresses honesty of the poet in every emotion she portrayed through poems. The poems are of varied length and discovers love, society, self , friendship , etc in a totally different way.

Comment: The poems are as if someone has showing you the mirror to introspect or to question various thing in society, relations and in self. The poems have depth which in some poems is difficult to understand by a common reader. The clear thoughts and command on writing is impressive. I like the way they are presented but feels there should be less poems and few poems which can stay with me even after putting down the book.' Forgotten Ancestry, Faces, Ghosts, When My Heart Speaks, When You Lie, A Fish Without A Bait, Sweet Lover, Measuring Sorrows, Haunt Me Not, Eclipse and Bittersweet' are some of the poems which I enjoyed. Pictures could have enhanced the book and make it look more eye grabbing.

Verdict: Nice one time read with many enjoyable poems.

Rating: I would like to give 2.5/5.

The Story of a Suicide

The Story of Suicide

The Story of Suicide is a book or rather an e-book written by Sriram Ayer having illustrations by Ghana. It is a gripping novel that tells the stories of Hari, Charu, Sam and Mani, whose lives are interconnected in a web of love, passion, revenge and deceit.

Plot: Hari his parents and his sister were excited for his admission in KIT, Chennai. They all went from Bangalore to Chennai to drop him in his hostel room where he met his room partner Sam. Sam was a technology geek from rich background having a dream to develop unique software. He was disturbed due to a broken relationship before coming to the campus but was feeling good after helping Charu(his senior in college) and Alex Sir in saving Mani's life who tried to commit suicide in his hostel room. Mani's life was saved and Charu came closer to Sam.

Hari gradually found himself attracted to Mani for his friendly behavior he always craved in his life. He even shared his painful childhood memories with him which he never shared with anyone not even his sister Anju. The feeling of friendship soon turned to love when they both admit being homosexuals. Sam on the other hand started liking Charu forgetting his past relationship. Charu also found him interesting but his hate for men always came in between their relationship. She didn't want to be a commodity to use and throw which complicated their relationship to an extend which forced Sam to take an unimaginable step. Sam's action unfolded the sequence of events which changed the life of not only his and Charu but also of Hari-Mani.

Comment: The story deals with the life and complications of today's youth. The imagery created with dream sequences is powerful which enthralled the reader with accompanying illustrations. This illustrations also helps reader to understand story better. The simple language and flow of the story makes it an engrossing read. The end I feel is abrupt which left the story incomplete in a way but story raises questions required to think and such ending gives that possibility. It takes time in building the characters and the connection with them ends suddenly with the climax.

*****

The frustrations, pains experienced by characters are what most of us feel when we are sad or broken. I can relate to the part of book where Charu is judged for her behavior. We usually see or hear people labeling girls with demeaning words for what they do or how they behave in their life while our criteria of judging the boys is usually different. Opinions about homosexuals too are narrow in our society, people considered it as a disease which requires medical treatment. Personal choice don't matter in our rotten tradition.

Life is wonderful which need to be experienced to the fullest. I think one reach to the point of ending his/her life when started to think about the consequences of our some actions not acceptable to family or society. But remember nothing is more important than your life. In the course of life we all manage to get something or the other which is good for us without following the usual paths lay down by our society. A point in life comes where neither money, nor love and not even your status is important but what matters is self happiness. Don't give up until you reach that point and after reaching there life and death holds no value neither are the things which you think are necessary to have and have pressurized you all your life.

The story of suicide opens you for the realities of life and strengthen you to cope with every problem comes your way. You can read the full story at : The Story of a Suicide.

This post is written for The Story of a Suicide an IndiChange initiative by Indiblogger.

Book Review : Tell Me Your Real Story

Tell Me Your Real Story is a poetry book by Savita Nair. It is published by Virgin Leaf Books of Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. I have received this book from publishers. This is a collection of poems on living, loving and losing.

Cover: Impressive cover, I liked such pictures and I have posted it on my Instagram account also. The talking eyes visible from the tresses of hair covering most of the face of the lady on the cover connected you to the book at once. It assures you for a ride on reading some beautiful poems.

Content: The book contains 57 poems from poetess' pen starting from 'I Believe You're Not There' to That's The Spirit'. Poems are written in both prose and rhyme. They covers almost all emotions like love, romance, pain of separation, spiritualism, happiness, sadness, etc. Some poems are small and ends in half the page while some covers the page or go to next pages also.

Comment: I like the ideas in the poem and their presentation. The simple and easy to understand words makes you easily connect with the poems. ' I Believe You're Not There', Tell Me Your Real Story, Let's Do This, Sold, When I Let You In, To The Heroes, almost all the poems are worth reading not once but many times for the flavor of reading they give to the readers. But I thing there should be less poems around twenty to thirty with some pictures depicting the ideas of poems or related to them that would make reading experience better.

Verdict: Must read to feel these poems which take you to a poetic journey worth to remember for longer time.

Rating: I would like to give 3.5/5.

Book Review : Six Degrees

Six Degrees is a collection of three stories written by the top three teams of BlogAdda’s Game of Blogs a contest in which about 300 bloggers collaborated to write stories with certain sets of characters and conditions. I also participated in this with my team. I have received this book for being part of the BlogAdda’s Book Review Program and the book is published by Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. These three stories bring you three different scenarios experienced by the same set of characters which creates an amazing reading experience.

Cover: I am still confused about the title ‘Six Degrees’ and how it relates with the stories but I like the cover design having so many faces perhaps indicating towards all the participating bloggers in the Game of Blogs.

Plot: The book contains three stories by three different teams namely The Awakening by Team By Lanes, Entangled Lives by Team Potliwale Baba and Missing – A Journey Within By Team Tete-A-Ten. Here is the look at the content of this stories:

1.The Awakening – By Team By Lines: The Awakening is a science fiction story where the given characters namely Shekhar Dutta, Tara Dutta, Roohi Dutta, Cyrus Daruwala, Jenifer Joseph and Aryan Ahuja are living in a world under threat from the attack of the Aliens. What is the connection of Dutta family with this Alien invasion? Why Cyrus came in Tara’s life to disturb her happy family life with Shekhar and Roohi? How and why earth’s existence is in danger? These questions get an answer in this fast paced thrilling story.

2.Entangled Lives – By Team Potliwale Baba: This story is a murder mystery. The murder of Dutta’s maid in their house brings the needle of suspicion on all present in their home at that time including Cyrus and Jenifer. Interestingly all of them have purpose to kill her. How inspector Java solves this crime makes it an interesting read.

3.Missing – A Journey Within – By Team Tete-a-Ten: Missing Roohi and her discovery uncover the things missing in lives of each character. How the lost love, the lost faith and the lost friendship return in their lives covers the content of the story.

Hits: All three stories are totally different from each other. The Awakening and Entangled Lives gives little time to readers to divert their attention. I also liked the writing style of Missing. All stories hold you tight on your seats which make this book unputdownable. Out of these three ‘The Awakening’ is my favorite for combining Ancient Mysteries with the modern world. Characters and situations are believable which make them easy to connect to our lives.

Misses: I think the book needs a good editor specially ‘Missing’. All stories are not new and their treatment is also not different from previously released works (Books or TV). Some parts appear factually wrong in all three stories although they are almost unnoticeable if you don’t emphasize on logic and facts. Missing appears to me a disconnected story to the theme because story becomes more of added characters then those given by the BlogAdda.

Verdict: It is an interesting read and must give this book a try.

Rating: I would give it 3/5.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Book Review : Thousand Unspoken Thoughts

Thousand Unspoken Thoughts is a poetry book written by Prerna Khatri who is an Advocate by profession. The book is published by Virgin Leaf Books of Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. I have received this book from the publishers.

Cover: Cover is simple, the feather and ink-pot on it looked like waiting to write these unspoken thoughts. I think the cover is suitable for this kind of book.

Content: This book is a collection of prose poems without written in any particular form or rhyme scheme. There are 50 of such prose poems making us aware of the thoughts of poetess Prerna Khatri. The poetess's dreams,aspirations,imaginations,thoughts,messages,reality check, etc are woven in this 97 pages book.

Comment: I liked the thought behind many prose like 'On Change, Freedom In Chains, In Conversation with the Devil, Reflections, Let There Be Light and many more other poems. Some poems are straight and I didn't find any artistic imagery, poetic scheme or any thing like that which make reading poems different from paragraph or prose reading. If the poems were characterized by themes or thoughts the readers's understanding of the idea behind the poem would be more clear. Thoughts as the poetess called them looks impressive but up to an extent and doesn't leave an impact on your minds once you are over with the book.

Verdict: Read in one go book. Small so munch it in free time.

Rating: I would give 2/5.

You can buy it from Amazon.

Book Review : Come Rhyme With Me

Come Rhyme With Me is written by Mary Kunte and published by Virgin Leaf Books of Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. Its a collection of poem written in simple rhyme. I have received this book from the publishers.

Cover : By seeing the cover you got the feel that book has poems for children. I like the cover design because it is simple yet catchy for the readers.

Content : Book contains poems written by poetess in different style and forms. It has twenty poems of VERSE & RHYME style, four poems in ACROSTIC POEMS category, eight poems for RICTAMETER, twelve HAIKU, one ONOMATOPOEIA style poem and four songs. In short it has almost all style of poems for the readers neatly arranged without creating any confusion for readers. It also describes what a particular type of poem stands for making it easy to understand for the readers.

Comment : I like the idea of compiling different styles of poem in this poetry book. The poems written in simple rhyme have social messages, natural beauty, emotional bonds, imaginative situations and poetess's different thoughts expressed in a page, few sentences as in Rictameter or few lines as in Haiku. I liked many poems like Anger, Night, Life, Cornucopia, Alone, Bombay, Daughter, Sunset, Jai Hind My India, etc. Poetess's thoughts were clearly presentable and understandable. But these poems are too simple and flat for those who demand deep meanings, allegory, metaphors or sufi touch in the poems. There is no such poem which made you think about it. I would also prefer some pictures with poems perhaps this would increase reading pleasure.

Verdict : There is no harm in reading it. Its short and you can read it in one go.

Rating : I would give it 2.5/5

You can buy it from Amazon

Book Review : Shades of Life - Colors

Shades of Life - Colors is an anthology edited by Saravana Kumar Murugan and published by Shades Publication. It has total of 38 poems and stories by 38 writers and poets depicting different shades of life. My story 'The Unanswered Letters' (page no.141) is also part of the book but my involvement with the book will not in anyway influence my work as the reviewer of this book.

Cover: Colorful cover suits the title of the book. Presence of butterflies reminds you of life cycle associated with it from larvae to cocoon to butterfly thus implies shades of life. Full marks to the cover, it ignite your interest for the book.

Content: The book contains stories and poems from different writers and poets which are not arranged in any particular manner. Compiler has tried to put as many shades of life as possible through these collections of poems and stories. You can experience many shades of life in the pages of this book from dark shades to light shades to colorful shades which means their is sadness,happiness,calmness,joyous and different kind of other moments to touch the chords of your heart. These stories and poems travels different destinations,emotions and surroundings.

Highs: Most of the stories selected for the anthology are simple and somewhere near to the real life. Poems are also easy to understand and not the kind which passes above your head. Different writers have different narrative style which enhances reader's reading experience. You will surely like to read these mix of poems and stories in a single book.

Lows: I think the book is lengthy, there should be less stories and poems in it. I also found many stories just plain instances without any twists and turns, as the number of such stories increased my interest for the book decreased. I also feel the lack of theme in story selection. Many stories depict similar shades of life.

Verdict: Nice leisurely read but not a kind to relieve you from boredom.

Rating: I would give it 2.5/5

The book is available on amazon.in.

Book Review : The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

The Murder of Roger Ackroyd is written by the queen of thriller Agatha Christie. This Harper Collins published book is a murder mystery. This one of a kind thriller suspense saga has a jaw-dropping effect once you know the identity of the killer. It is voted as the best case of detective Hercule Poirot.

Cover : The cover of the edition which I have read has an image of an old style telephone which indicates to an important clue of the case which you will know while reading the book. The cover could be better with some more images but for suspense the less is better on the cover.

Content : Dr Sheppard who was also the narrator of the book called by Mr Roger Ackroyd a rich and influential man of King's Abbott to discuss something with him a day after the suicide of Mrs Ferrars with whom Ackroyd wanted to marry. He in his study after the dinner told Dr Sheppard that Mrs Ferrars had poisoned her husband one year ago and someone who knew her secret was blackmailing her for the same. During this conversation Mr Ackroyd received an evening mail from Mrs Ferrars which she had written to him probably disclosing name of the blackmailer. Ackroyd requested doctor to leave without telling him the name of the blackmailer since he wanted to deal with the issue himself. Dr Sheppard on his return to home received a phone call from Ackroyd's butler Parker about the death of Roger Ackroyd. He told this to her sister Caroline and left for Roger's home. Roger Ackroyd was stabbed with a knife in his study and everyone including police for circumstantial evidence believed that Roger Ackroyd was killed by Captain Ralph Paton who was Roger's stepson. Flora niece of Roger Ackroyd who was engaged to Paton knew that Hercule Poirot was leaving in their locality by hiding his real identity. She approached him for the case since she believed Paton was innocent.

Hercule Poirot's investigation brought all inmates of Roger's house i.e Flora, her mother, Raymond (Roger's secretary), Major Blunt (friend),Parker(butler), Miss Russel (housekeeper), Ursula Bourne (parlor maid) under suspicion by highlighting their false alibi or for hiding a secret. The case which looked so simple from starting became a complicated puzzle. Poirot eliminate each suspect one by one to reveal the identity of real killer.

Comment : It was not the kind of story which gripped you right from the start. I felt the author has stretched the point to bring detective Hercule Poirot in the plot but after his coming the story was a roller coaster ride of twists and suspense. Story was nicely carry forwarded from there. The drama created in many scenes transported the reader inside the story. It was difficult to guess the identity of the killer, though I guessed it with my experience in such mysteries. The author has progressed nicely with the story and finished it with an amazing climax.

Verdict : I definitely recommend it for its startling revelation about the killer's identity and for the suspense it has maintained till the end.

Rating : I would give it 4/5.

I have bought it from amazon.in you too can buy from there.

Book Review : Pandora's Box

Pandora's Box is debut novel of Tushar Sen a banker in Mumbai. The book is published by Frog Books of Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd and I have received it from the author. It is a collection of 21 short stories all filled with the element of surprises to grip the readers.

Cover: Cover is simple. It has not the attraction neither it is imaginative but it is not bad also. It shows colors coming out of a box which is probably Pandora's Box.

Plot: The book contains 21 stories which deals with different subjects. Some stories revolved around or involve some known personalities of history and explore conspiracy theories around them. It has story about Apollo 11 moon mission, Saddam Hussain's CIA connection, Moldof, secret army of Indian Prime Minister and so on. All stories are connected with the element of surprises.

Highs: The stories are strongest point of the book. The way they are narrated make them more interesting. Jaw dropping climax left you mesmerized over author's imagination and writing abilities. Characters whether real or fictional portrayed in a believable manner. The stories which are related to some real characters provokes your thoughts and left you thinking what would have happen if these conspiracy theories were true?

Lows: As such there is nothing which is unlikable but after reading few stories writer becomes predictable and you can guess the surprise ending coming your way at least I guessed them. Some stories like one related to moon landing, Saddam Hussain's CIA connection, Modolf, etc becomes confusing for readers if they are ignorant of these characters and stories related to them.

Verdict: Go grab your copy for a journey to spine chilling narratives and jaw dropping climaxes.

Rating: I would give it 3.5/5.

Book Review : Ishq Mein Shahar Hona

Book Review : Ishq Mein Shahar Hona.

Ishq Mein Shahar Hona is written by famous NDTV Hindi News Anchor and Presenter Ravish Kumar. The book is published by Sarthak an initiative of Rajkamal Publication. In this book he has shared his feelings and experiences about a city in form of short stories or Laghu Prem Kahaniyan (Laprek). Vikram Nayak's art work for each story has enhanced stories for the readers. It is ironical that I am reviewing a Hindi book in English but I want to tell English readers to know about this experiment in Hindi genre. Moreover some English readers do understand Hindi but don't know what to read in it. This book is a good read for such readers.

Cover: Vikram Nayak's cover design reveals the Shahar (city) i.e Delhi which author has explored in this book. Delhi's monuments are visible in it. A couple walking on the road is an indication of lovers exploring this city in love with a different perspective. I like the title most it was the title which attracted me towards this book.

Content: The stories are divided into seven sections with varied number of stories in each sections related to that particular section. These are small stories of hundred or so words which gives you a hint of particular situation or surrounding to convey the story and the love in it. The writer's introduction of book is also interesting and gives you an idea what was in his mind while writing this book. These stories let you know how people become a city in love for love.

Comment: The author wants to emphasize on the point that there is no place for love in our cities yet those in love found their secret spaces to express themselves to each other in corners, in rallies, in monuments, in buses or on bike rides. I like the way how author has weaved shahar(city) in these stories. Stories are too small to be called even as short stories, they are for me situations which give readers liberty to imagine stories with these characters. Shortness left you bewildered in understanding some stories. But most of the stories are nice which reminds you of people you see everywhere in your cities. Vikram Nayak's illustrations for each story adds value and depth in them and are essential part of this book. The simplicity in language is the strength of this book.

Verdict: Must read to know How people become the city itself in love.

Rating: I would give it 3.5/5.

Book Review : The Game of Life - Stolen Hope

Ramayana The Game of Life - Stolen Hope is the third book of The Game of Life series by Shubha Vilas. The book is published by Jaico Books. I have received this book from author who has also penned a beautiful personal message for me along with his signature. This book starts with Rama, Lakshmana and Sita's years in exile and ends with Sita's kidnap by King of Lanka Ravana. Read Review of Book -2 Here : The Game of Life - Shattered Dreams.

Cover : Cover depicts Rama's encounter with Jatayu. Jatayu who has an important role to play in this book appears apt to me on cover but featuring Sita's kidnapping on cover would have been better idea. Perhaps he has maintained the series's cover continuity to feature Rama on cover.

Plot: Rama, Sita and Lakshmana were spending their exile days happily in the forest. Lakshmana did his best to serve his worshiped brother and sister-in-law. They met various sages and helped them in getting rid from demons and monsters. They also met celebrated sage Agastya and learned about his legends from one of his disciples. Finally they set in the domain of Panchavati where they met Jatayu a giant bird who was guardian of that part of jungle. He was also the friend of their father and requested them to give pleasure to guard them from sitting high up the mountain. The part of the forest they were living came in the territory of Ravana and hence ruled by the demons. Suparnakha ,Ravan's sister spotted their dwelling place and fell for Rama and Lakshmana which lead to Rama's deadly fight with demons. Will they survive the onslaught of thousands of demon forces? How Ravana came and kidnap Sita? All these questions are answered in this wonderful book.

Highs : As I mentioned in my review of the second book the author has recorded the incidents as a true devotee and he has done a wonderful job. His footnotes and explanations of some scenarios give readers detailed insight into these events and helped reader to understand relevance of Ramayana in modern times. The language is simple and soft. The narration take you deeper into the minds of the characters and help you to know the reasons of their particular action. I also liked the back stories of sage Agastya, its incorporation in the plot makes it more interesting.

Lows: It is difficult to criticize such works but I found this part a bit slow in narration at certain points. The story get stable in those points. The Sita's character is not highlighted much and her perspective on issues is missing in this book.

Verdict : A must read for all those who want to understand Ramayana better and for its relevance in today's time.

Rating: I would give it 4/5.

Book Review : Rukhsat - The Departure

Rukhsat - The Departure is written by Sujit Banerjee and published by Frog Books of Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. I have received this book from Meera of ratnibbles.blogspot.in. The debut book of author is a collection of twenty six stories each starting with a name from an alphabet of English language, twenty six alphabets hence twenty six stories.

Cover : Both cover and title were attention grabbing and because of title and cover I got interested in reviewing this book. A tree whose leaves are coming down giving the feeling of loss and departure. Full marks for the cover and title a Urdu name for a English book is a nice idea.

Plot : Book comprises twenty six stories, each starting with a letter of English alphabet and representing a name starting with A for 'Abhimanyu - The Beginning' to Z for 'Zayan - The smell of Green Apples'. Abhimanyu is a story of unborn child and Zayan is the story of a man who has died. Stories starting from birth and ending with death covering life in between. There are stories from an illegitimate child, a unhappy marriage, gay sex encounter of strangers, a prostitute, a street child to a forgetful man, a lost child, etc. All stories bound with the common thread of sadness of incompleteness in life.

Highs : The concept is the hero of this book. The wide variety of characters gives a unique attribute to each story. The language is simple and easily understandable. Some stories are told with two different perspectives which gives you glimpse of psyche of both the characters in that particular situation which I think makes reading interesting in those parts.

Lows : Only some stories are interesting and there is none I found which leave an everlasting impact on readers. The sadness, remorse, emptiness in characters' life was almost similar and after ten or twelve stories you started losing interest in the book. Emotions related to sexual desires are dominant in most of the stories. Author failed to create variety in stories in spite having liberty of varied characters. There is a depressing undertone in all stories.

Verdict : A well conceptualized book worth a one time read in free time.

Rating : A would give it 2/5.

Book Review : And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None is the best thriller novel of all time. It was written by none other than the queen of thriller Agatha Christie. This Harper Collins published book is a suspense novel in which you remain puzzled till the end about identity of the killer.

Cover : The cover of the paperback which I have read was ordinary and didn't excite me at all but I have also seen some other edition's cover which were more interesting and intriguing.

Content : Ten people from different places belonging to different backgrounds and who were totally strangers to each other were lured to come on Soldiers Island on invitation from Mrs and Mr U.N.Owen. Each one ranging from a judge to a doctor from a police constable to a military general, a governess and others were tempted on island on promise of either summer holidays or meeting old friends, a job and things like that. These eight people along with two servants were unaware of whereabouts of their hosts Mrs. and Mr. Owen. On reaching this island they received a message through a gramophone player about some crimes related to their pasts. Each one of them was accused with murders of someone and the voice in the gramophone warned them of dire consequences. They all get frightened to hear this gramophone record and it was a then first death happened. As the time passed each one of them died according to an old nursery rhyme 'Ten Little Soldiers'. After four deaths when they found that they were the only inhabitant of this island they realized that one of them was a killer, they started doubting each other but killings didn't stop and one by one they all died till there were none.

Comment : First of all I must stand up and clap for conceptualize this story. It was difficult to write such a book and Agatha Christie herself regarded this book as her difficult book ever. The suspense starts right from the first page with the mention of story about the ownership of the Soldiers Island later the plot thickens and tightly took you into its grip and then you left with only one option to finish it quickly. There was no single dull moment in this book. Some may find it difficult to understand for interwoven plots but with the flow of the narration all things seems clear and understandable. I finished reading it in two nights (3 hours each night). The killer is not guessable till the last page. A letter in the epilogue open the lid of suspense from the plot which bold over your imagination. A superb thriller with suspense story, gripping narration and an out of the box revelation.

Verdict : If you loves thriller then what are you waiting for? Go grab your copy today.

Rating : I would give it 5/5.

Book Review : Story of Tublu

Story of Tublu is written by Jahid Akhtar and it is his first book. It is published by Lifi Publications and I have received this author signed copy from the author. In his words this book is an amazing journey called life.

Cover : Cover is simple and nice. A boy and a girl in first half of the cover page depicts a childhood love kind of thing which is true for the story and the city landscape in the lower half looks like Berlin where story ends. Thus cover shows the start and end and their life is inside the book. Full marks for the cover.

Plot: Tanmay aka Tublu a three year old boy left his village with his father Bipin after the Brahmaputra river floods. They went to a faraway land to meet Mr Sharma for some job and shelter after learning about him from an acquaintance. Mr Sharma ran the biggest public school in that area and was a helpful person. He appointed Bipin as his driver and gave them place to live in their backyard. Here Tublu meet Sujata aka Maina Sharma who was Mr Sharma's daughter. With age his likeness for Maina grew strong but he never expressed his feelings. On Paplu's suggestion (son of Mr Sharma) Tublu was admitted in Mr Sharma's school for better future where he joined in Maina's class. Days passed and they came in college. They needed to be apart for their career choices and it was there in the college where Maina met Ikram her senior. They started loving each other. Tublu was shattered after hearing this news but he was happy for Maina's happiness. Story takes curious turns with Mr Sharma's sudden death, Maina's unwanted separation from Ikram and her forceful marriage with Suraj. The journey of Tublu's life moves on in different directions with different people coming and going out from his life and after a rough phase comes a sweet ending.

Highs : This is a simple story as if we are reading about some real happenings of some real characters. Characters are believable which we can easily see in real life.

Lows : The story is clumsy. Author have jumped from one scene to another without finishing the previous act in the story. He looked lost in language also, it seems he was thinking in some other language and writing it down in English. Repeated use of words like 'earlier', apprehensive','mesmerizing', 'also','very', 'even', lately etcetera ruined reading experience. Some characters and scenes were inserted unnecessarily without there proper role in enhancing the story or in impacting the protagonist's life. I am sorry if I am too harsh but I have to be honest with my work. The story failed in leaving a positive impact on readers.

Verdict : If you wish to read a simple, uninteresting life story than you can pick this book. A story which was going here and there without reaching anywhere.

Rating : I would give it 1.5/5.

Author wrote interesting memoirs in his blog Flashbacks.

Book Review : Monkeys, Motorcycles and Misadventures

Monkeys, Motorcycles and Misadventures is a travelogue written by Harsha and published by Frog Books of Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. It is a non fiction and I have received this book as part of book review program of Reader's Cosmos.

Cover : I didn't like the cover much as it not indicate to an adventures journey. Hanuman's picture is connected to the content along with other animals shown in the picture but it somehow fail to ignite curiosity to read.

Content: The book is about narrator's dream to follow Lord Hanuman's path which He took in search of Sita(according to Ramayana) from Hampi, Karnataka to Mahendragiri near Nagarcoil, Tamil Nadu and to Sri Lanka. He started this journey with his friends Sri and Sam his best friends who also accompanied him in his previous tours. This book is an account of this journey, their experience and author's retaining faith in humanity and God.

Comments: When I applied for reviewing this book I thought it would be interesting anecdotes of authors journey to Hanuman path but sadly it failed to impress me. The description of places is like reading a boring tour guide without any interesting tales to involve the readers to this book. There are instances in this book which have potential to be interesting but the writing style make them just plain description of events without any humor and adventure. At times it became difficult to continue further reading but since I have to review it I painfully read it till the last page. Although the Sri Lanka journey part was bit interesting than the first half of the book. I like many quotes given in the book and some conversations between author and his friends were also interesting but overall impact of the book is one word - Boring. Non-fictions should be engrossing with interesting anecdotes, humor or stories.

Verdict: Don't read if you are not interested in following the path taken by Hanauman to reach Sita through author because I am sure the path would be interesting otherwise. Read for some knowledge of places in South India and Sri Lanka.

Rating: I would only give it 1/5.

"This book review is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program and Blog Tours. To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com"