-
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…
-
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…
-
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.…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
Book Review: Teaching a Horse to Sing by Delshad Karanjia
Teaching a Horse to SingAuthor: Delshad KaranjiaPublisher: Aleph Book CompanyRating: 5/5 Characters like Akbar-Birbal, Vikram-Vetal, Krishnadeva Raya and Tenali Raman have always had enough occasions to teach strong morals using their witty instinct and humour. Their stories hold a special place in our heart even now as an adult. Hence, when I got ‘Teaching ahorse to Sing’ for review, I was overwhelmed at the opportunity of walking down the memory lane and relishing the old gems once again. The book is a compilation of 150 stories that have been divided into three sections: The Misadventures of Mullah Nasruddin, An Emperor and His Wise Wazir and The Lore of Common Sense.…
-
Book Review: The Untold Tales by Paras Binny
The Untold Tales: Love and Other DemonsAuthor: Paras BinnyPublisher: Lab Academia PublishersRating: 3/5 It has been very well said that adversity makes men while prosperity makes monsters. Based on a similar theme, ‘The Untold Tales’ is a collection of short stories that bring out the best and the worst in humans more by choice than by accident. As long as men are taking the dose of happiness and comfort, the monster remains dormant but the moment circumstances change, the monster is unleashed. Right from thoughts to actions, everything changes. Thus, these stories have the calibre to make the readers do a double-take! A perfect blend of emotions, actions and consequences,…
-
Book Review: That Night by Nidhi Upadhyay
That NightAuthor: Nidhi UpadhyayPublisher: Penguin PublishersRating:3/5 Weaving a paranormal account into a thriller is no ordinary feat. Hence, when I first chanced upon the blurb of ‘That Night’, its relation with the occult and the element of surprise seemed quite promising. Revolving around the lives of four friends who end up playing a game of Ouija one night and the death of one of the participants the same night, this story is a total roller coaster ride, for it never gives you a chance to predict what happens. This quality just won me over. Katherine, Anjali, Natasha and Riya were busy in their own personal struggles when someone from the…
-
Book Review: Stoned by Gautam Mayekar
StonedAuthor: Gautam MayekarPublisher: Half Baked BeansRating: 3/5 Stoned is a creative work of fiction that utilizes elements from what’s happening around us. The author deftly uses the current situation at hand to use names that might just hit the target right. The story is about a young engineer who is considered to be talking/ communicating from the future and trying to make an attempt at establishing contact and saving the city. He is ostensibly stuck within a time machine while his sidekick, Mohit, tries to provide him aid. The story is a fast-paced sci-fi thriller that offers too much to digest. It has too many knots to be tied and…
