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Book Review: Teen Trilogy by Monisha Gumber
Teen Trilogy: Three Graphic Novels in OneAuthor: Monisha K. GumberPublisher: Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd.Rating: 3.5/5 Teen Trilogy is a collection of three books by Monisha Gumber that entail the pathos associated with teenage years. Having read Sick of Being Healthy and Dying to Live, it didn’t come as a surprise that the third book, Dolly Won’t Play, was also as interesting as the other two books. Kudos to the fabulous illustrations and the resonating narrative that has the calibre to hook the readers throughout the reading experience. The main theme of the stories revolves around self-love and acceptance. Since the characters generally reel under peer pressure and insecurity complex, the…
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Sherni: The Subtle Art of Using Symbolism #Review
Scriptwriting is an art that involves a lot of expunging of thoughts, ideas and words alike. With the current attention span of people not lasting for more than a few seconds, it is difficult to stick to a concise plot without exploring different shades of all the major characters in a book or a movie. It is a tedious job to tap the mental schema of the audience in a limited time and use word association to intrigue their brain cells and trigger parallel thinking. I never had any doubts about Bollywood’s capability in showcasing the best plots in form of movies and web series but I always doubted the…
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Book Review: Long Short Stories by Chetan Soni
Long Short StoriesAuthor: Chetan SoniPublisher: Half Baked BeansRating: 3/5 Short stories are my all-time favourites because of the brilliant writing and concise plotting. It is like a cherry on the cake when writers are able to tap the mental schema of the readers with fewer words. Long Short Stories is an anthology of five stories that evoke a confluence of emotions in your heart as you come across the characters that are laced with varied shades and unexpected endings. However, the charm and the skill to make the readers do a double-take are missing in this book. These five short stories revolve around the lives of several troubled characters who…
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Book Review: Chasing Sunsets by Vaibhav Dange
Chasing SunsetsPoet: Vaibhav DangePublisher: Self-publishedRating: 3/5 Poetry is that form of expression that invites thoughts without any inhibitions. Hence, it’s easier to express the most difficult thoughts in fewer words! That depth of thought is beautifully reflected in some of the poems in Chasing Sunsets. Based on the concept of duality of nature and the existence of a void that provides the necessary calm, this collection of short poems promises to soothe one’s mind and cater to the soul as well. Divided into four sections, Chasing Sunsets focuses on the emotions that come along with love and heartbreak. Using literary devices like antithesis, irony and metaphors, the poet makes an…
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Book Review: The Therapist by B. A. Paris
The TherapistAuthor: B.A. ParisPublisher: HQ (an imprint of Harper Collins)Rating: 3.5/5 When Alice comes to The Circle to look for the life she has always dreamt of, she is unaware of the secrets that the walls of her house hold. Not only the house but also the people in The Circle behave like the thief in the night! ‘Mum’s the word’ is what Alice is told every time her brain cells trigger an array of thoughts. There’s no one she can trust other than the dead and there’s no one to share her misery. What unfolds before the readers is a conspicuous chase to find whodunit! The Therapist by B.…
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Book Review: Rukmini by Saiswaroopa Iyer
RukminiAuthor: Saiswaroopa IyerPublisher: Rupa PublicationsRating: 4.5/5 With a magnificent cover and an intriguing plotline, Rukmini is mythological fiction that is based on the life of one of the fiercest and bold women of that time, Rukmini, Krishna’s wife. Rukmini is a character in mythology who is seldom spoken about or discussed. Her indomitable spirit is praised yet her choices are questioned and critically judged. This book presents the readers with an account of what transpired behind so many decisions that Rukmini took right from the one of eloping with Krishna and standing by his side at times of trouble. Even though Rukmini’s marriage with Krishna was on the cards, her…
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Book Review: The Art of Writing by Peter Yang
The Art of WritingAuthor: Peter YangPublishers: TCK PublishingRating: 4/5 Writing is an art and for a piece of art to be acknowledged and valued, it needs to pass the muster. Peter Yang introduces the readers to the basic nuances of writing that determine if the written material is worth getting the necessary attention. The points are basic and common yet the way he goes on to explain the value of each of them is what makes the difference. The book comprises several principles of writing. To begin with, economy (with respect to the words used) occupies the first place. Writing precise and lucid text often gives an impression that the…
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Army of the Dead: All Sizzle and No Steak! #Review
The Army of the Dead is another Snyder movie that has become the talk of the town owing to its brave cinematography and experimentation with the digital gears. The movie is about a heist that is set amidst a zombie apocalypse. The premise is not new yet there are certain aspects that successfully capture the attention of the viewers and provide much-needed relief. With a new take on the appearance, behaviour and purpose of the zombies, The Army of the Dead establishes its intention right in the very first scene. Hence, the opening and the closing become statement scenes of the movie and the viewers are not left disoriented amidst…
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Mare of Easttown: A Calculable Yet Compelling Thriller #Review
When Kate Winslet leads the story to the finish line, who can question the credibility of the plot? Starring in Mare of Easttown, Kate Winslet delivers a promising and convincing performance that not only evokes empathy but also sympathy for her character. Well-crafted and well-executed, Mare of Easttown is my new favourite thriller series. The story is set in a small town, Easttown, where everyone knows their neighbour and doesn’t shy away from sharing their apprehensions with others. Mare, a divorced detective, lives with her mother, her grandson and her daughter. Battling with a tumultuous past and deprived of any peace of mind, she devotes her time to solving cases…
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Book Review: Happy Sexy Millionaire by Steven Bartlett
Happy Sexy MillionaireAuthor: Steven BartlettPublisher: Hachette IndiaRating: 4/5 Success is defined differently for every individual. Hence, even if you read several books on how to achieve contentment in life and be blissfully happy, there are chances that you might not be able to implement all the principles correctly. In a way, those are just suggestions that might or might not help you climb the ladder of peace. Therefore, Happy Sexy Millionaire is one such book loaded with anecdotes and personal experiences that act as alternative pathways which can lead to satisfaction and happiness. Happy Sexy Millionaire has an interesting layout and lucid language. The author calls this book his intervention…
