Life Version 2

#quote You determine how you want to spend your moments, which ultimately shape your life. Every moment brings in front of you new challenges, and opens up new opportunities. You have total control over your future and you can mould it the way you want. You can build on your strengths and improvise on your weaknesses, enabling you to conquer unattained heights. Remember, the end will come whenever it has to come. No one has ever escaped the clutches of death. So, why be afraid of death?

Review Life Version 2

Have you ever read a story that is multi layered. A story that has individual tales that later converge to form a bigger story. Reading Life Version 2 was a different yet overwhelming experience. It's just not a story but it has some important life lessons and theology through which one can simplify the life complexities. The story starts with a business tycoon in epicenter of a successful business empire. Mr. Deshmukh a person with sheer conviction and extraordinary hardwork created an empire with around 4500 crores annual turnover. His story is from rags to riches and yet he has maintained a balance and humble personality. He has a great family and who understands his life choices and abide by his principles. The story has all the possible elements that can make it intricate and appealing from larger than life characters to business rivalry to unprecedented future revelation that has the potential to alter the courses of Mr. Deshmukh's life. From a astrological prediction that jeopardies Deshmukh's life and we're he comes to terms with his death and beautiful description of dilemma of a person who is aware of his time on earth. Suhas Imandar's storytelling is relevant and compelling, tells us how a person should lead his life fruitful and live with utmost dignity. Loved this one for its plot and beautiful characterization. Also the contrast and depth in Mr. Deshmukh's character, his transition and acceptance of death is amazingly described. If I write any more I would be a spoilsport.

A Quest Called Life

The Greatest Loss

The greatest loss is not when you lose a job, Lose a loved one, Lose a match, Lose out on that important contract that could have changed your life, Lose a game of lottery, In fact, the greatest loss is when you lose your dignity, Lose your self-respect, Lose your values to fit into the society, Be unique. Be different, Because there never was and will never be anyone like you.

A Quest Called Life is a short breeze read. It takes maximum of an hour and leave you with a pleasant smile. The book covers vivid life experiences narrated through poem. The language is simple yet the poems leave a casting spell on its readers. I usually read poems after a few fictional reads to change my reading like and mood. Quest called life dealt with some of the phase of life with utmost ease and lyrical satisfaction. Loved the writers take and stance on multiple occasions. He metamorphically compare experiences with object in personified way. For instance  "The first laughter, Like the pleasant sound of a waterfall. As a new day dawned upon, A new star was born." Such phrases are soothing to read and helps it readers to transcend in lyrically modified world. The writer covers various important and relevant issues in one's life such as from first love to heart break. From achieving success to scumbling to failure and yet he manages to be positive every time. He also talks about people who are important in our life's and about first life experiences such as travel and happiness. It was overall a good read and left me overwhelmed. Leaving you with a passage in the end. 

PositiviTEA: Take a bowl of emptiness, Add a cup of clear ideas, Sprinkle the powder of joy, Add the bitterness of your obstacles, Pour a cup of peace, Add the sweetness of your memories, Let it simmer away till all the flavors combine, And voila! A strong PoistiviTEA is ready to make you fresh as a blossoming flower.

The Second Chance

 

#quote ‘Material happiness is always transient’. All the pleasures and luxuries of this material world have a shelf life. The outer beauty of a man or a woman fades away when they get old. The strength of a body builder withers away with age. So, how can one be proud of something, which one cannot possess forever?

Review

When Radhe Shyam Colony in Delhi was celebrating excellent results of three 10th graders little did they know they were meant to do great things. When they were asked for future aspirations there answer did surprise plenty and made sad a few. One wanted to be a lawyer other one a journalist and the third one a doctor. There conviction and firmness regarding their goal was affirmative. Years passed by and they did eventually charter their way towards there aim. They all wanted to uplift the poor be their voice and lend support to the needful. But reality is bitter and when it hits it hits hard. They did pass the respective fields with excellent results but their initial struggle showcase the struggle of every deserving candidates who misses opportunity not because he is not capable but because system doesn't let them. Eventually the ends meet and they start their endeavors towards bright and prosperous future. The writer beautifully describes there dilemma and highlights their conviction. There journey is eloquently narrated and it seems playable to me. There modest background and the struggle makes story more entertaining. All three get hands-on experience of the evil side of there profession and there comprising there inner conscious was not easy but yet when power and money pumps in from all directions only the brave let survive there inner conscious. All the three friends indulged in mischievous ways and in return earned hefty money. The journalist blackmailed the influential, the lawyer save the culprits and the doctor exploited the sick. The book second chance gives an insight of all what is wrong with these profession. The second half of the book is gripping when the friends encounter there school teacher and change of heart takes place. The real trouble for them begins when they decided to forego evil and start practicing the principles and oath of there respective jobs. The book tactfully uses the existing incidents to weave book around it like the hospitalization of jay Lalita, Kedarnath catastrophe media house mal practice. The book is entertaining and it's a easy read. Though my favorite portion was there encounter with Swami ji at Kedarnath rescue camp where they were shown the right path. The Kedarnath catastrophe is also intelligently described. Yes there are some flaws but at times a good story like this one needs to be read.

People Places Memories

 

#quote Her understanding, humane, generous and tolerant nature always went far beyond the limitations of her circumstance. Without ever having read a book on psychology, she was a born psychologist. She had an intuitive, wonderful way in dealing with people, both grown-ups and children.

You seldom come across a book that takes you on a journey through time. People Places and Memories is one such book. The book can be divided into two parts 1st one where the writer narrates his different life experiences and he at length talks about people who touched his and his family's life in one way or the other. The first half is indeed filled with Wit humor and some great insight to post independence India. How life was for a foreigner in independent India. He takes us on a journey through different places spanning different eras from Delhi to Shimla to Patiala. I loved reading the part of his stay with Patiala royalty and his adventures with them. I have to admit the author did meet with some of the highly influential people in India. The subtle details make the reading experience more enjoyable and the photographs enhance the overall reading experience. His adventure and education in Germany were quite a tale and a delightful read and his encounter with parsi brothers reflects the Wit and Humor he envied. 

While the second part is what you should never miss. I was amazed by Hedwig's character in the first part but in the second part I couldn't get over the integrity and resilience her character shows in troubling times in Germany. This is a great insight and a beautiful and realistic narration of events leading to 2nd world war. How Hitler have been manipulating masses for genocide and creating a rift and divide in German society. Her journey as a teacher and the challenges she overcome is phenomenal. I did have a resilient teacher in school and can easily correlate with the boy’s attitude and the inseparable bond between them. She writes about how difficult it was for any German who criticized Hitler to survive in Germany, you would be robbed of your belongings and thrown in concentration camps. Yes, she did survive that too. Her travel from Germany. To India is a story to read and experience the firsthand experience of sea travel during those times. She did take us on a time travel and her description of India is so true and free of any prejudice and perception. She open heartedly accepts and embraces the opportunities she has. I have been spell bound by her subtle nuances and minute details of her Stories. She is equally humorous and her comic time is impeccable even in torrid times.

The Girl Next Dooor

 

Why do people born in the 90's share an unspeakable bond and vibe amongst each other? the 90's was an era where technology was a distant dream. People had a few materialistic possessions yet they were happy. We found happiness amongst each other now we seek happiness amongst things. The Girl Next Door is a beautiful romantic story set on the premises of pandemic. The author Arpit tactfully uses the pandemic and a family in distress to create a likeable story. Ishaan the most popular rj call quits to pursue his dream and take some time off his mundane monotonous life. A sudden turn of events and a viral outbreak brings the world to standstill. Ishan travels to his hometown on constant persistence from his separated parents 

He has been away from his family for the past 15 years due to a feud still lamenting and on his life choices and decisions. Arpit writes diligently about the family of Four where everyone hates each other and the mere thought of one incident in the past still haunts them. The family dynamics and emotional connect is described well. Well the story is beyond this; Ishaan accidentally notices a girl dancing on her terrace under the moonlight. He is gob smacked by her ethereal beauty and simplicity and decided to make her aware of his feelings in an old-fashioned way. Ruhi was amazed to see Ishaan’s presence of mind and his aura. They mutually decide to chase their love the 90's way. Ishaan's charismatic personality and Ruhi simplicity make them fall for each other. The book is filled with subtle nuances and beautiful romantic description. Arpit's description of love is profound and likeable. The book is an easy read and entertaining. The book had immense potential and yet I am still puzzled why it was rushed in the last part. Nakul's involvement in aqua virus and the sudden closure disappointed me a bit.  There are loose ends and the end could have been absolutely amazing. Despite all these hurdles the brewing romance is likeable and realistic. Love the 90's soul and kudos to Arpit for letting us revisit good old days.

Wild Card 3

 

 

There are books that leaves you with a pleasant smile at the end. There are books that come across like a cool breeze and pass by leaving its lingering effect. Wild Card 3 is such a book that leaves you entertained yet leaves you with equal number of questions.

Wild card 3 is third book from the Sports fiction. Wild card is about how different individuals excelling their inner discomfort and disbelief to achieve greatness which might not be about winning the grand slam always. Wild Card 3 made me aware of the challenges and hardships a Paralympic or a differently abled sports person faces. I have always been empathetic towards differently abled and yet there were things I had no idea existed. Kudos to Asfiya Rehman and Chetan Soni for bringing this book to light. Roshni is a blessed daughter of a former grand slam winner who has sacrificed his successful career of take care of a differently abled daughter. Being a single parent is difficult yet he does an outstanding job. The story is likable and the characters are beautifully crafted. If you have friends like these there is nothing in this world that is unachievable. The book talks about the struggle and challenges our society poses to a differently abled. We as citizens and as organization have yet to feel the need and importance of facilities that can cater the needs of differently abled citizens. Roshni is naturally gifted Tennis player and secretly watches games, she aided by her parent’s friends starts training and is improving tremendously. The book charts her journey to the Wimbledon grand slam and talks about various aspects of sporting events and players. The sports fiction is weaved around the emotional dynamic of family and friends and is a delightful read. This is overall a good read considering its plot and crisp storyline. There are a few things that could have been better but thumbs-up for writing on trivial issue.

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

 

Fairness doesn't govern life and death, if it did, no good person would have died young.

For every individual who thinks of him as waste, lonely and insignificant should read this book. There is no life insignificant, not even the miniscule of the species. All life intersects and leaves an impact on others. Death doesn’t just take someone it misses someone else and in the small distance between being taken and being missed lives are changed. Threw out life, have there been any situation where you have no idea why a certain result occurred?  Do you think there are any events from your past that didn’t have a big impact on your life, that potentially had a big impact on other person’s life? We normally tend to see and live life in our own perspective yet our decision directly or indirectly shapes the future of a few individuals. This book has the crux of life and teaches the idea of death, life and life’s unanswered questions. Mitch Albom writes a fantastic story that will change everything you have ever thought about life, death and the meaning of life when we were alive.

Plot: Eddie is a wounded war veteran, an old man who lives an average life in solitude. His job is fixing rides in an amusement park. On his 83^rd birthday a tragic incident takes place when he is killed trying to save a little girl from a falling cart. He awakes in the afterlife and has to meet five different people explaining his life. With these five different people we dig deep into Eddie’s life from childhood to his end and learn the significance of each person and their impact on his life. These vivid individuals teach Eddie 5 important life lessons and how it shaped Eddie’s life. This is a classic Mitch Albom story, when Important life lessons are taught in an unconventional yet entertaining manner. The Five People You Meet in Heaven is a beautiful story and its effect on me is heartbreaking and heartwarming in equal measures.

Sea Prayer

 

Sea Prayer -Khaled Hosseini

“My dear Martin, in the long summer of childhood, when I was a boy the age you are now, your uncles and I spread our mattress on the roof of your grandfather’s farmhouse outside of Homs.”
― Khaled Hosseini, Sea Prayer

Sea Prayer is about the plight of a refugee family seeking refuge and is left to fend on the mercy of sea and gods for survival. This is a beautifully written book and the illustrations are exemplary and increases the reading experience. Sea Prayer is about everything that can go wrong in society. How millions suffer because of the chosen few. Sea Prayer tells us how humanity and human existence is going to cease because of our sheer foolishness. The ordeal of millions is a pleasure of few. The fight for Religious and Racial supremacy is leading us all towards an infinite abyss. The war for territorial gain and natural resources have left the citizen broken bleeding and empty handed without an iota of mercy is saddening. Khaled Hosseini is a mastery story teller when it comes to migration and its pain. His verses describe the pain of a father beautifully where he is uncertain of the future ahead yet he assures and entrust his son of the better days ahead. Though the book tells us about the Syrian refuge but half of Middle East and Africa is under civil war.

Impelled to write this story by the haunting image of young Alan Kurdi, the three-year-old Syrian boy whose body washed upon the beach in Turkey in September 2015, Hosseini hopes to pay tribute to the millions of families, like Kurdi's, who have been splintered and forced from home by war and persecution.

8 pm- An apolitical love story by Fazle Karim

 

8 pm An Apolitical Love Story is a political satire narrated in accordance with Rahul’s ordeal. The book briefly conveys all the major political developments happening in Indian political and social establishment, the policies and events that have made news and left an impact on citizens directly or indirectly. Rahul’s life tragedies and incidents are largely based around government policies. At majority of instances these subtle nuances is utterly humorous while a few are repetitive. Fazle Karim blends fact fiction and humor to create a humorous read.

8 pm is an odd love story, odd in the sense of its narration and its final outcome. The book is about Rahul’s insecurities in life. It is about how Rahul is beaten in love twice and that to by the same person- irony but true. The betrayal he faced in love and then a failed marriage made him insecure and less reliant on people even if they were true and genuine. This book has some great moments from college life and first kiss and heartbreak. Rahul’s character is beautifully portrayed his arrogance and his attributes all seems genuine. 8 pm is an entertaining read and the side characters leave a remarkable impact on the story. The story lacked closure for me and there a few unanswered questions, guess writer wants us to assume the fate of other characters. I would have love to read more of Rasna …..

DIVYASTRA

 

Quote: - The single greatest cause of happiness is gratitude

Divyastra is a different kind of storytelling, a read that is not going to leave you exhausted will rather leave you elated. The book starts with a promising note, A hall full of listeners spectators comprising of students, professors, delegates, scientists, military personals all eager to listen Dr. Vyas a physics Nobel Laurate speaking of “Future of Weaponry”. Dr. Vyas’s lecture is entertaining and enlightening and gives a different perspective and approach to Indian Mythology and Vedic science. His lecture resembles a class of theology and ancient war craft. The book parallelly narrates the story of Shankar who is disappointed with his life and its outcome. He lives a mediocre life working in BPO and still in pursuit of finding his identity. A sudden news of his father’s accident and his visit to Gopalpur turns his life around for good. Though he ends up loosing his father to discover himself. For me the highlight of Divyastra is the stories narrated by his grandfather, they are captivating and gives us a closure to Dr. Vyas’s lecture and takes us towards the real story. Namish tactfully converges both the parallel plots to one and the convergence is excruciating and enticing. The book Divyastra is an intriguing read crafted by Namish Tanna. The book is divided in smaller chapters which makes it a convenient read and shows its relevance with the storyline. This was a fast yet fulfilling read.

Jean Angel – Atul mohite

Quote: “Between the battle of emotion and reason,what wins? Reason.”

Apart from prologue and epilogue there are 17 chapters in a 74-page book that makes the reading experience easy and it lets the reader get a grip of the story. JeanAngel falls under the category of fantasy and story revolves around 3 kingdoms but mainly focuses on Zesia. Zesia was ruled by a tyrant ruler king Robert who exploited his own people and killed them for no reason. His strict rules of controlling citizens were terrifying. A noble fearless man who did not care of repercussions spoke his heart out against king Robert, he announced about the child of prophecy who will be born and liberate people from Robert’s oppression. The story is based around this prophecy. The story is character driven and some good characters are portrayed in Atul’s storytelling. The only problem I had was abrupt names of some characters in  English while some Hindi made me feel tad disconnected at times. Though I get Atul Mohite’s perspective of inducing vivid culture and racial variety in storyline. The most fascinating character is of Jean-“The child of Prophecy”. He is mature beyond his age. He shows composure and understanding that speaks volume of his character. The storytelling is crisp and engaging yet there were few occasions when it felt rushed. It is quite entertaining when Jean narrates his dreams and when he communicates with angel seeking knowledge and wisdom. Jean is focused and progresses gradually towards his destiny of liberating Zesia and killing Robert. This is the first part of the book and was sad with an abrupt ending on cliffhanger. It is recommended for beginners as its language is easy and the book is a fun read. Though there are few mistakes in editing but it can be overlooked    

Dolly won’t Play-Monisha K Gumber

In recent days I have read three different books by Monisha each of them vivid and significant. Yet Dolly won’t play is a heart wrenching and tormenting tale. Monisha’s work in Dolly won’t play is poignant in describing the ordeals a girl child faces if her parents are emotionally unavailable or not aware of her difficulties. The book serves as an example of a larger problem and clearly states the need of awareness in both parents and children. This book is written in free verse and consists of poetry and some amazing art. The art work in the book are amazing and they enhance readers experience and shed some light on Dolly’s state of mind and her share of fear and anxiety. Dolly our protagonist and the book vividly describe her life its challenges pain agony and humiliation yet she fights them bravely. The book is divided in four parts.

1.      Growing up pains

2.      Love is in the air

3.      Coming of age

4.      Closure

I normally don’t like to give spoilers as it decreases readers interest’s and they create a prejudice evidently losing the connect. Dolly’s parents are going through a rough patch in their relationship and she suffers a lot because of ignorance and lack of emotional availability. When she was kid, she faced some challenges while communicating in school and was diagnosed with ADHD syndrome. She faced discrimination and humiliation in school and hate and disgrace from her father. She is longing for some love and care which she found from her uncle her mom’s friend. She was elated by his presence and felt special by all the love and care he possessed and was heart broken when he moved abroad. With time and some knowledge, she realized it was not love he showed rather he was comprising her modesty and took advantage for her loneliness. He has physically and mentally tormented her to core and beyond repair. The different part of book describes of her struggle for survival and how she overcomes her fear and childhood trauma. In all this chaos Dolly shines as an individual and thrives against all the odds. She is a phoenix who rises from ashes to be born again.

INDRADHANUSH:

Indradhanush is an amazing brief read, the book has some really good stories drawn out of life and realistic character by Gainandra Kumar Bhagel. The highlight of this book is its language written in hindi that is largely spoken by the masses in India. The title of the book Indradhanush is appropriate given as it contains 7 vivid stories and they converge together to form a rainbow. Gainandra Kumar Bhagel’s narration is realistic but very engaging and humorous. Bhagel’s storytelling is different entertaining and has some life lessons and values plus plenty of imagination incorporated in his stories. Gainandra’s observation helps him draw parallel from real life scenario and make stories of them.

FIRST- if u feel defeated deflated turn to your parents become a child again and you would regain confidence and feel like a champion again. A child never fails in the eyes of his parents. This story is full of family values and parenting technique.

Kabra and Jackie- This story is born out of observation and writer find 2 dogs from his locality as an inspiration. Writer outlines traits of personality and character of these 2 dogs and frame 2 basic rules of friendship. this story is humorous and entertaining.

Shapit Katha- This story resembles as if it is an inception through which a character from story takes place of a person from real life and the real-life character gets trapped in the book.

Comics and Bhikari- This short story is based on a railway platform and its chaos where a young boy eager to buy a comics find a boy helpless and begging. Boy donates rs 10 and let go of his desire to buy the book later finds out the beggar purchasing tobacco through the donated money.

Makan no. 401- Describes a supernatural occurrence and the reaction of the fellow flat mates.

Generations gap- Generation gap narrates the difference and fallout between a father and son and later both of them reuniting and sorting out their differences.

Sunsaiba sun: this story talks about a boy who acquires the power to understand the language to different creatures and animals for a brief time and this brings utter chaos and amusement in his life.

Indradhanush is assorted collection of vivid stories.

Bahir

Bahir is a convoluted tale narrating the ordeal of Sawera. Sawera born in a conservative Muslim family in Pakistan and is adopted and separated from her mother by birth. The child was named Sawera as she was considered as dawn for her new family and her father moved to Saudi Arabia for better future prospect and later rest of the family joined him in his quest for prosperous future. This book is brutal and honest effort to narrate Sawera’s struggle for survival. Monisha K’s storytelling is crisp and she moves you with her poignant and persuasive retelling of plight of a migrant family. Sawera is let down by almost every people around her and always find herself in middle of a crisis. 1^st being neglected and physically abused by her mother as escape to her frustration and anger. Sawera has been brought up in an orthodox Muslim family and had to abide by tough rules and regulation. Sawera has grown up to a beautiful 17 year with sexual desires. She has always regretted her life choices 1^st being expelled from a prestigious school because of a love letter and later caught red-handed trying to sneak a male accomplice in her room. Her life takes a complete turnaround when she is married to a distant cousin in Pakistan who is heart broken and suicidal. He exploits her for his sexual needs and results in a marriage with no emotion and feelings. Sawera is left gasping for some air and belongingness and gives birth to 3 children while suffering physical and sexual abuse. She moves to Saudi to take care of her ailing mother while being pregnant and a bleeding heart. Bahir is an earnest effort by Monisha to bring the plight of a migrant lady who is sexually exploited multiple times, who is physically and mentally tormented for mere survival and existence.  It also let us mull on the difficulties and challenges a honest migrant faces just to survive with some dignity. Though Sawera’s never ending struggle and hardship makes the story emotionally exhausting yet Sawera’s positivity and hope will guide you through the story. An unputdownable and crisp story will satisfy your desire as a reader. Monisha has definitely a winner in Bahir.

https://www.amazon.in/BAHIR-MONISHA-K-GUMBER/dp/B07CHKDPK4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2BXL8T3U9LO7M&dchild=1&keywords=bahir&qid=1590859251&s=books&sprefix=bahir%2Caps%2C439&sr=1-1

Sick of Being Healthy

Sick of being healthy is a story of a teenage girl and her insecurities and challenges she faces growing up. Protagonist Tara is brought up in an army family and is schooled in army influence. It is expected of her to be in an ideal punctual and disciplined kid. But Tara is a regular girl with her own share of problems and being overweight lies on top of the list of problems.  Monisha K’s book Sick of Being Healthy narrates the story of every other teenage girl and gives us an insight of the challenges and they all have some story to tell. Monisha has diligently about some of the biggest and less talked about teenage insecurities prevailing in Indian society. This book is humorous and has its share of serious moments. When the book talks about challenges it also provides with solution which are not only relevant but also realistic. Through Tara Kapoor Monisha touches almost all the circumstances and incidents a young girl faces either Tara facing them or her friends or her sister. Tara is overweight and an average student who is expected to perform at par with other meritorious students. She fancies a young lad but he is in relationship with her BFF. The humor in this book is subtle yet prominent and so is Tata’s personality a vibrant young girl with thought of her own. She gets obsessed in shedding some weight quick before farewell so that she can cast an aura and spell with her new curvy lean figure but fails miserably and fells sick. The story touches various aspects such as sex education, teenage crush and infatuation, depression, expectation and inferiority, cyber identity and bullying and last but not least loneliness.

The book is super easy and fun to read the language is simple and clipart and diary entries make it more interesting but the highlights are Tara’s passage for school newsletter. A good book and some valuable life lesson for growing teenagers.

A humorous read which will leave you in splits.

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B01KA6ZIXW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The Oath of The Vayuputras

Book II ended with Shiva and Kali reaching Panchavati tactfully crossing treacherous Dandak forest and they take refuge in a school. The biggest reveal of the trilogy unravels when they discover Brahspati alive and teaching students.

Book III- Shiva is elated to see Brahspati at the Naga capital of Panchavati. Brahspati narrates the truth behind explosion at mount Mandar and the ordeal related to soamras and the ill effect it causes on people. Somras is the reason of depleting river Saraswathi and the birth of Naga babies. Somras causes cell multiplication and genetic mutation that leads to deformation and outgrowth. Shiva travels to hidden city of Ujjain to meet Gopal the chief of Vasudev pandit. It is here he is made aware of the Vayuputra Council an ancient tribe left by previous Mahadev lord Rudra where they train members of the tribe as Neelkantha to oppress the evil whenever it rises. And Shiva is also made aware of his genetic linage routing to the sacred tribe and how his uncle has been training hm since childhood for this role. A war on Meluha is declared and people are urged not to intake somras. The loyalties are decided the allies changed and the battle strategies are drawn. Shiva loses a battle and postpone the attack on Meluha and leave for Pariha to seek forbidden Brahmastra to threaten the Meluhan’s for peace.  With much persuasion and convincing the vayuputra council that Shiva is the real Neelkantha they give him Pashupatiastra that destroy a specific target rather than annihilating everything. In a bid to assassinate Shiva a peace treaty is organized by Daksha which is attended by Sati in Shiva’s absence and gets assassinated in confusion.

Though the book disappointed me with its end. Immortals of Meluha and Secret of Naga built a great prologue for the Third instalment yet Tripathi some how failed to capitalized and conceptualized he end. There were few loose ends all over the 1^st two instalments and he did try and fix majority of it but doing so the charisma faded. He tried to immortalize the legend but sought scientific reason for every phenomenon and attribute nothing to supernatural possibility.

The Secret of the Nagas

The 1^st book Immortals of Meluha built an atmosphere for an epic tale. A story unravelling truth that are beyond expectation and conflicts that could have been averted. Book I ended with tribal Shiva aka Neelkanth declaring and winning war on Chandravanshi to avenge the death of his friend Brahspati. The chandravanshi princess Anandmayi explaining the legend of Neelkanth and his act of liberating Chandravansi’s from cruel and evil Suryavanshi’s. this revelation perplexed Shiva and is utterly distressed.

Book II begins with Shiva rushing to save Sati from a Naga attack where the Naga manages to escape leaving behind coins with strange engravings. Further investigation reveals the coin belongs to king Chandraketu the ruler of land of Branga. Shiva and Sati travel to Kashi to discover more of Naga people. The description of Kashi in this book is magnificent and it is here when 1^st time the reference of lord Rudra takes place. Shiva is accompanied by chief Parvateshwar who get mortally injured trying to pacify a riot, he is cured by a miracle medicine that is found only in Panchavati. As the journey of Shiva continues towards the forbidden land and forest the story intensifies and takes readers by surprise. The story revealing friends as foes and foes are true alliance and accomplice. The gripping revelation of Naga people and story from their perspective is a delight to read. I was happy sad angry all at same time. The truth ok Kali and Ganesh is surreal and outlines Amish’s craft of blending mythology and imagination with ease. Shiva travels to Panchavati under the guidance of Kali, who knows how to reach the capital through the treacherous Dandak Forest. The end of the book has a surprise that will change the course of story.

 Myths are nothing but jumbled memories of a true past. A past buried under mounds of earth and ignorance

The Immortals of Meluha

Having grown up reading and watching the likes of LOR, HP and various other series there was always a void and a temptation to read some original series written in India. Read something that is grand and builds an edifice for bigger better and mammoth of books for future. I wouldn’t compare The Immortals of Meluha with LOR or HP yet it is path breaking in numerous ways for Indian publishing industry and generations of writers to come. Amish has intelligently crafted a story blending the great Indian mythology history and his imagination to conceptualize an absolute page turner.

This is a story of a simple man becoming the destroyer of evils. The story begins at mount Kailash where Shiva resided with his tribe in peace from generations yet in near future, they have been threatened by continuous conflict with pakratis. Shiva is forced to take refuge and to migrate to Meluha for the sake of his people the Gunas. Meluha is a perfect empire created by Lord Ram. Meluha is a suryavanshi kingdom governed by the principles of lord Ram. Meluhan’s are anxiously waiting for the fulfillment of a prophecy were Neelkantha would rise and liberate them and guide them to overcome the constant conflict with chandravanshi’s and Naga’s. Shiva reaches Meluha with his gunas to find Meluha fascinating and near perfect and are administered with a dose of standard medicine. Gunas woke up with high fever and sweating but Shiva with a blue throat. Meluhan’s pronounce Shiva as Neelkantha the saviour and is taken to the capital city of Devagiri. It is here were the plot intensifies and create a platform for an elaborate towards a greater conspiracy and complexities.

Immortals of Meluha is fast paced and narrates Indian mythology in a completely unique way.

Into the Wild

Oh, how one wishes sometimes to escape from the meaning less dullness of human eloquence. From all the sublime phrases to take refuge in nature, apparently so inarticulate, or in the wordlessness of long, grinding labor, of sound sleep, of true music, or of a human understanding rendered speechless by emotion!

Like everyone else I came to know about Chris McCandless through 2007 Sean Penn Movie Into the Wild. Movie left me amazed and baffled for multiple reasons and the urge to know more about Chris (Alex Supertramp) was obvious. Research landed me to Jon Krakauer’s book of the same name- Into the wild. The major difference between the movie and book was Jon trying to draw parallel between his and Chris’s life, the book also includes some travel anecdote from few other travelers. One good thing that came out of book was establishing Chris’s character and convinced reader that he was not some stupid kid arrogantly seeking adventure in difficult places.

Now I can’t review Into the Wild without comparing it from our usual life choices. Chris is well educated from a privileged background and intellectually and morally superior than many individuals. There was occasion in college and early 20’s when I felt like leaving everything and go on a journey to discover myself and learn new things. Chris’s journey is more of self-realization discovery and learning the art of survival. Two years of his journey through picturesque America is delight to read and watch. It takes humongous courage and some foolishness to denounce all kinds of material possession in search of spiritual peace.

The Lowland

Jhumpa Lahiri is an admired writer and her work is phenomenal when emotional quotient and characterization is considered. Her book namesake perfectly captures the plight of Indian migrant and his struggle for keeping his family and values together. The Lowland is a tale of complex characters spread across three generation in the family. It is a tale of differences and their struggle of identity; Lowland is high on emotional quotient and distress in parts it is agonizing and some you sympathize with its characters. Jhumpa is a master storyteller when it comes of weaving stories out of individual characters, she poses some evident questions and social circumstances under which few characters crumble and a few thrive.

Lowland starts on a promising note of chirpy and jovial brothers who are inseparable. The pre independence and post-independence era is beautifully described from the eyes of these brothers and the story builds up with growing brothers. Their ideologies are challenged growing up and it shapes their due course of future. Subhash leaves for US for higher studies and delves in continuing his research while Udayan embraces the Naxalite movement and find soulmate in Gauri and eventually get married. Through Udayan Jhumpa narrates the communist movement and the Naxal influence in Bengal politics in 1960’s. Jhumpa’s eye for detailing is surreal and she describes the student movement and political situation realistically. By the beginning of Subhash’s 3^rd year, he comes to know about Udayan’s death. Subhash visit home to find Gauri living with his parents. How one individual alive or dead can alter the lives of others and be the reason of their emotional distress. This is a story of regret mistakes and selfishness of others. Subhash’s character is woven with absolute brilliance, his calm demeanor and persistence make his character likeable yet he suffers the most. At times I felt emotionally exhausted reading this book and felt anguish with Gauri’s character who has never been grateful to Subhash for all the sacrifices he makes and walks out of his life one day with even telling him but the trauma and emotional distress she suffers is unmatchable. In the end everyone has their share of happiness or rather peace.

Jhumpa’s story telling is subtle yet the story is slow dull at places but characters vivid.

Birthday Girl

You have almost all the books of a writer yet you don’t seem to start reading anywhere anytime soon. I have most of the book written by Haruki Murakami yet I don’t find courage to read them, merely because the hype around him and his work is surreal and unprecedented and I don’t want to get disappointed. For someone like me Birthday Girl is the best book to delve into Murakami world. This book is 42-page affair that fits in your palm with bold printed letters and takes about 30 minutes of you time.

This short story was published to celebrate Murakami’s 70^th birthday. On a rainy Tokyo night, a waitress is stuck in an old and famous Italian Restaurant working overtime instead of it being he 20^th birthday. An edifice is built around a mystique character the restaurant owner as no one is actually aware of who or what is he, an oddly different gentleman who is hard to satisfy. Due to sudden change of events waitress is to deliver dinner to the restaurant owner and the conversation takes place. The conversation between both of them is satisfying and really elating, as if you are waiting for something magical to happen. Murakami’s book has subtle nuance that makes them unique and he invest highly in his characters. There are occasions when it seems you understood but you don’t, it has to be this way-typical Murakami…

“No matter how far they go, people can never be anything but themselves”.

The Girl with All the Gifts

M R Carey

This book was published in the year 2014 in UK by orbit books and subsequently in India by Hachette. M R Carey is an established writer who has his stamp on both DC and Marvel world. The book “The Girl with All the Gifts” grew out of a short story “Iphigenia in Aulis” for US anthology and consecutively the movie screenplay with same name.

Certainly, one of the most original books that I have read in recent past. The plot Zombie is not that unique though the presentation scale and approach to Zombie infection is definitely unique. By now one must feel that we have seen the latitude and longitude of zombie culture but this book will present a different perspective. It is genius of the author to explore some of the uncharted territories and establish a niche. The premise of this novel is cleverly and genuinely plotted. This book is fast paced thriller bit dark and gore in parts odd 400 pages yet a certain page turner. The characters are complex yet lovable and reading this is visually appealing. The description is surreal and takes you into an imaginative world post a fungal infection that has wiped most of the population and both humans and zombies thrive for survival.

The book opens up in a strange classroom ever. After zombie apocalypse in England some infected have for reason unknown been turned into zombie yet have also retain their human intelligence. Melanie is definitely more gifted amongst others; she and her other classmates are strapped in chairs for the safety of teachers. Children’s are made to go through lessons and read stories so that the scientist can figure out how and what makes them different. Melanie is not aware of what she is and why she is there. She is skeptical that her classmates disappear in lab and never come back. One day all of this change as a few survived the sudden zombie ambush on secret facility. Amidst all this chaos they have to travel to another secure facility with Melanie in captivity and Melanie has to decide weather she is human of humans are her food.

Chilling and it takes hold of you till the last page.

Pan’s Labyrinth

When in 2007 I first saw a Spanish movie Pan’s Labyrinth was amazed and blown away by class screenplay and storytelling. My tryst with foreign language movie began here. So, when decade later when ace director writer #guillermodeltoro decides to pen down Pan’s Labyrinth into a book the opportunity can’t be missed. A cult classic movie conceptualized in a book is an alluring offer. Guillermo del Toro’s story telling is different and his inclination to fantasies fairies and magic is evident from his work.

Pan’s Labyrinth is a dark fantasy drama horror tale the story is dark twisted whimsical. It is dark and magical beyond imagination. The story takes place in Spain during summer of 1944 five years after Spanish Civil War. The narrative intertwines the real world with magical world centered on an overgrown abandoned labyrinth and mysterious creatures. Ofelia a 10-year-old girl with whom these creatures communicate and guide her way out of a tumultuous life. She has lost her father and her mother is sick and pregnant and they are made to travel to forest land by her step father a Spanish captain. Her stepdad captain Vidal is cruel and thinks will liberate the revolutionaries out of their miseries. The story switches between Spanish revolution and Ofelia’s mystic world were the creatures are assigned to guide her way into labyrinth and out of her miseries.

Ofelia is asked to perform some task to prove she is a worthy enough so that the faun can rescue her and her mother. The story takes dramatic turn and is gripping to core. The book is visually appealing and the effect of mystic world is not lost in transition.

The most anticipated book of the year cannot disappoint you !!!!

Three Thousand Stitches

Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives.

The book Three Thousand Stitches is written by Sudha Murty a person who has immense knowledge and wisdom under her belt. Reading 3000 Stitches was an enthralling experience, the book covers pragmatic situation and her storytelling is poignant. This book feature 11 short stories, some from her personal life experience while few from people she met and remaining from her philanthropy days from Infosys Foundations.

This book truly is of ordinary people and their extra ordinary lives. The title of the book is taken from the first short story Three Thousand Stitches. This story is of persistence and dedication Sudha ji showed to uplift the life of some 3000 odd Devadasi’s trapped in the menace of sex trade. Her constant persuasion and Infosys foundation initiative she improved the lives of devadasi and their children. Devadasi evolved from pittance to independent income and later started a bank to support their community. This story is profoundly moving and highlights Sudha Ji’s dedication.

Similarly, there is a story of how she defied and convinced her parents for letting her peruse engineering a male dominant field. She become 1^st of many girls studying engineering from her college. She has also written about the difficulties and challenges she encounter while studying and how tactfully she solved them all. The story Three handful of water talks about minimalism and giving up desire for achieving peace and tranquility in life.

All the stories have significant life lessons and great way to learn.

A good read!!

For One More Day

Ever since I finished reading Tuesdays with Morrie I understood the hype around it and can easily place it among my top 10 reads. But the problem that starts with one good book is expectation a want for such exemplary book again and it seems for me Mitch Albom can do any wrong.

If you had the chance to spend one more day with some one you lost what would you do? What would you talk about?

Chick Benetto down with his luck ex baseball player gets just that. One night he decides to end his life and his mom shows up to spend the day with him except she died 8 years ago.

For one more day is about contemplation about grief and about revisiting the old mistakes one commits that drastically alter his life. He gets an opportunity to relive some precious moments of his life which he could have spent with his mom. His moms talk and helps Chick revisit some old mistakes he made and life choice that changed his life.  He realizes how insignificant and inconsiderate he has been with his mom. he walks over some painful and some beautiful moments of his life to realize the hardship his mom faced for the upbringing of Chick and his sister. This book has some painful experience and you might get angry with Chick’s attitude but in the end, you would end up sympathizing.

Chick’s character is so relatable, he is all of us at some point of time arrogant unsure and easily motivated. Mitch Albom always gives us life lesson through stories, stories that are relatable and reflects the importance of family.

The Accidental Further Adventure Of The 100 Year Old Man

The story line of The Accidental further adventure of 100 years old man starts right from where the story of the 100 years old man who climbed out of the window and disappeared ended. The characters are same and so is their mischief and bad luck. Apart from the existing characters this storyline proceeds with some present political magnets of the world. #jonasjonasson has witfully conceived this book. This book as its predecessor is through funny and a great piece of satire. Allan travels across the globe and hasn’t lost the spark. He is brutal and still hates the politicians. This book is pretty relevant in current political situation and morons in power resulting in political imbalance and rift (PRE COVID-19 era). Jonas jonasson doesn’t mince his words he is brutal with punctuations.

Allan is in Indonesia and is running out of money acquired from previous adventure. He is gearing up to celebrate his 101^st birthday and is gifted with an iPad (he is obsessed). Allan decides to take hot air balloon ride for his birthday adventure and the tragedy strikes. The balloon lifts without the operator and Allan and his accomplice are free flying on the mercy of wind. Hours later they drop in ocean without gas. They are rescued by a north Korean ship carrying enriched uranium assuming them be to be a US spies. Allan sneaks his way out of North Korea to US to Germany and to Sweden meeting every prominent leader. His encounter with each one of them is utterly hilarious. Later Allan travels to Africa and yet again he finds himself in middle of a global crisis which only he can avert. This genre of comedy is highly recommended as it makes you laugh hard without actually hurting anyone’s Sentiments.

Kudos to Swedish writers and Swedish comedy, more power to you guys.

innocent-ism

Written by Suhasini Malde

Translated and adapted by Dr. Priydarshini Nitin Gokhale.

This book has a different story line and prominently features 2 major things.

1.    An insight to Autism helps build a greater understanding and awareness. This book also quotes real life experiences, examples and in depth talks about the learning process involved in an autistic child. The book explains about the taboo and social stigma associated with autism.

2.    Follows the life of an average looking yet brilliant student Suhas born in a middle-class family, her struggles and her persistence ton outwit difficult circumstances.

Innocent-ism closeness to reality is what makes it a fascinating read. It is story of Suhasini Malde’s struggle and survival and her contribution to the society. I have always been intrigued to read women centric stories and their extraordinary quest in achieving milestones. Suhas was bought up in a middle-class Nagpur family with dreams of making big one day and achieving all that she aspired for. The story narrates the discrimination a girl faces in our society. 1^st discriminated on being a girl then discrimination on her complexion. In spite of being an exemplary student she was judged for her looks and was even shammed by her family. But her sheer hard work determination and aspiration helped her overcome every obstacle she faced. As the story progresses, we further delve deep into her life. Her architecture classes her life in Mumbai and her love interest and her married life. The book painfully describes the plight of working women and the obstacles she faces in an orthodox family. Suhas’s life has just been an uphill drive with never ending course obstacles yet with determination she succeeds in the end. Other half of the book talks about suhas trying to conceive but destiny had other plans and she did start 1^st of its kind autistic school in India. The hurdles she faced and various life lessons she learned. Innocent-ism is an amazing tale of survival and existence and then giving back to the underprivileged. More power to Suhasini and pioneers like her.

https://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B086416TNX/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_d_asin_title_o05?ie=UTF8&psc=1