-
Book Review: Lights! Wedding! Ludhiana! by Jas Kohli
‘Lights! Wedding! Ludhiana!’Author: Jas KohliPublisher: Rupa PublicationRating: 4/5 Jas Kohli has always entertained me with his close-to-reality narrative and smooth language. In ‘Lights! Wedding! Ludhiana!’, too, he brings forth a story full of extravaganza, pomp and show. Amidst these exaggerated moments, life rolls the dice for Rahejas and things turn topsy-turvy. Invited to an ostentatiously costly and luxurious wedding, Reeti, the profligate wife, starts spending her days and nights planning for being the showstopper at someone else’s wedding. Meanwhile, her simple yet fabulist husband spends his time saving the environment and living a simple life. The winds change their course when the couple’s son uncovers an unexpected truth about his…
-
Book Review: Demons and Demonesses of Hindu Mythology by Priya Narayanan
Demons and DemonessesAuthor: Priya NarayananPublisher: Rupa PublicationRating: 4/5 Since our childhood, we have been hearing stories involving asuras, rakshasas and other forms of evil spirits. Most often their bad qualities were projected in every story and as children, we were taught how these demons and demonesses were always ‘bad’. Demons and Demonesses brings forth the demons and demonesses from mythology in a different light. The author deftly highlights the intelligence, wit and circumstances that formed these beings who were always misjudged. Present from time immemorial, asuras and rakshasas were never known for their positive qualities. In this book, the author cherry picks 17 demons and demonesses and throws light on…
-
Book Review: Become Your Best Self Right Now
Become Your Best Self Right NowAuthor: Multiple AuthorsPublisher: Aleph Book CompanyRating: 4/5 At some point in our life, we often tend to rely on other sources for inspiration and guidance. Super Gurus are woodwork angels who come to the rescue when everything else seems gloomy. Their words of wisdom and life lessons have helped many people but not everyone has the privilege to reach out to the gurus. In those cases, the books come in handy. Become Your Best Self Right Now is a compilation of 31 selected chapters from 31 different books that have been written by some of the most well-known super gurus like Jay Shetty, Steven Covey,…
-
Book Review: The Violence in Our Bones by Neera Chandhoke
The Violence in Our BonesAuthor: Neera ChandhokePublisher: Aleph Book CompanyRating: 4.5/5 Using irony throughout the narrative, The Violence in Our Bones pierces through our conscience as the author manages to navigate through the various heinous crimes that take place every minute of our existence in various parts of our country. However much we deny their plausibility or refrain from discussing these issues, we cannot run away from how these actions define the image of our nation. Bold, explosive yet true to the core, The Violence in Our Bones explores the intentions behind various crimes that take place in our country. Often such crimes are kept under the wraps by influential…
-
Book Review: You Tell Me by Sonia Chauhan
You Tell MeAuthor: Sonia ChauhanPublisher: Kalamos Literary ServicesRating: 4/5 This 60-page long book delivered much more than I expected. You Tell Me is a contemporary romance that deceives the readers into believing in a cliched climax but digresses from the expected path the moment the readers begin forming opinions of their own. Such an impressive literary feat! You Tell Me revolves around the ambiguous meeting between Nishaat and Madhav, two individuals who seem so much in love yet are married to other people. The short story explores the confusion and hesitation that accompany love. While both the protagonists are attracted towards the prospect of marrying each other because they gel…
-
Book Review: Meghna by Devika Das
MeghnaAuthor: Devika DasPublisher: Blue Rose PublishersRating: 3/5 Meghna is an interesting take on the lives of creators and entertainers who spend a significant number of years behind the camera. Their truth lies behind the facade of glam and show. Seldom do commonfolk get a chance to empathize or even sympathize with celebrities who spend most of their time wearing a mask that they own. Meghna focuses on the life of an actress, Meghna, who gave 30 precious years of her life to theatre and delivered some of the best performances. Paddling through the troublesome waters, Meghna’s life is brought into light when a journalist decides to interview her and bring…
-
Book Review: Indigo Sun by Rupa Bhullar
Indigo SunAuthor: Rupa BhullarPublisher: Rupa PublicationRating: 2.5/5 After having given Rupa Bhullar’s When the Wildflowers Bloom a try, it was difficult to come to grips with the fact that Indigo Sun is her work too. Indigo Sun was published in 2018. It describes the transformative journey of a young NRI, Maya. Set in Rajasthan, the story explores the pathos of life, the beautiful odyssey of a few strangers who become friends for life and the eventual jaunt towards finding a purpose. The story pans around the life of Maya and her quest to find herself during her solo travel to Rajasthan. She meets a few people who help her realign…
-
Book Review: A Time Outside This Time by Amitava Kumar
A Time Outside This TimeAuthor: Amitava KumarPublisher: Aleph Book CompanyRating: 4/5 A Time Outside This Time is an intelligent display of linking the events in real life with the threads of imagination only to present a potpourri of information mixed with satire and truth! The story pans around the lives of people who reeled under the aftermath of the pandemic. Using the fictional character of Satya, the author tries to allude to the prevailing circumstances in the world. Sadly, the references made by Satya allude to people, places and situations that seem like a far cry from reality. The plot is taut. Satya deftly expresses his displeasure with the elections,…
-
Book Review: The Lifestyle Diet by Dr Rohini Patil
The Lifestyle DietAuthor: Dr Rohini PatilPublisher: Haper CollinsRating: 3/5 The Lifestyle Diet by Dr Rohini Patil is a self-help book that collates the experience and expertise of Dr Rohini Patil in form of a DIY guide to help one lose weight and come out of the limbo of the sedentary lifestyle. With proper planning, a consistent approach towards portion control and developing habits of gratitude and mental peace acquisition, each individual can become healthy without being caught in the web of fad diets and misleading advertisements. The Lifestyle Diet is a comprehensive guide that has been divided into three sections. The first section highlights the importance of understanding one’s body…
-
Book Review: Alipura by Gyan Chaturvedi (Translated by Salim Yusufji)
AlipuraAuthor: Gyan ChaturvediPublisher: JuggernautRating: 3.5/5 Set in the backdrop of Alipura in the Jhansi district of India, Alipura is a brilliantly translated version of the original Baramasi by Gyan Chaturvedi. Even though the English version lacks the flavour that the original must have had because of the language, it still easily manages to pass the muster because of its alluring narrative, use of local dialect as much as possible and use of satire through descriptions and words that spew black clouds of revulsion in our society. Alipura is a story of an Indian family which is rooted in the culture and the traditions that help the members remain eligible to…
