Book Review: Afsaane (Ameya Bondre)

Pages: 191

Genre: Fiction, Short stories

Read: Mar 2020

Synopsis:

A sky-blue paper bird glued to a mirror. A handmade book on music to be gifted. A pair of mud-brown tea cups without handles. A shelf to hoard dying memories. A little home tucked away in a remote village. A haunting voice after boarding an empty bus… The images on the cover belong to people whose stories are packed in this book: A man who meets his lost friend in a new world. A seeker who resists everyone to reach an unwanted place. Lovers that separate, only to find some hope. A failed artist who finds another voice. A new entrant in a home who creates turmoil. A cheated girl who makes a desperate call. A shattered man who pegs on a sudden dreamy trip. With eleven stories of unrequited love, hope, acceptance, heart breaks or just needs, ‘Afsaane’ will tug at your heartstrings and open windows to people that experience unusual situations in far too usual lives.

Review:

Afsaane in a collection of short stories written by Ameya Bondre.

Each story was touching and thoughtfully written. They explored a variety of emotions including love, loneliness, betrayal etc. My personal favorite was Dreams and A Healthy Home.

I read this book throughout the week with picking up a couple of stories everyday. Each one managed to leave its mark on me.

I liked the writing style of the author. It was precise and upto the point, making the stories short and enjoyable, with no dragging whatsoever. The narrative was light and easy to read.

Speaking about the book cover, it brought out nostalgia in me. And the title is surely apt.

To the readers of short stories, I recommend this one. You will not be disappointed.

Final verdict:

Afsaane by Ameya Bondre gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Book Review: Victims for sale (Nish Amarnath)

Pages: 317

Genre: Fiction, Thriller

Read: Mar 2020

Synopsis:

Sandy Raman, stringer for the BBC, lives as a paying guest with the Sawants, a regular, quiet, Indian family. Or so she thought. Until she woke up to a woman with a knife … and a dark secret. It is only after she runs a sting operation on a home for the differently abled that Sandy makes a connection between an institute acting as a front for something sinister and the strange family she lives with. Chasing the truth up a trail of brutal murders, Sandy must evade the grasping clutches of a thriving sex racket and expose the predators before her time runs out.

Review:

Victims for sale is a thriller with the protagonist Sandy working in media industry. As the story progresses, she find some undeniable truth about her surroundings.

The entire setting was remarkable and thought out. The storyline was amazing. Author’s narration style was descriptive, which I really like. And I seemed to like the main character.

Through this book, you would also get a glimpse into this corruption fed industry. The author has touched upon important social issues through this one. Clearly, a lot of thinking was done while writing this book.

And the ending is gonna make you jump. It was an absolute pleasure to read this triller. It was most definitely a page turning read which turned out to a perfect read on weekend.

Recommending it to all fast paced action lovers out there!

Final verdict:

Victims for sale by Nish Amarnath gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Book Review: Curse of suspicion (Dr. Sujay Kantawala)

Pages: 266

Genre: Fiction, Thriller

Read: Feb 2020

Description:

Duryodhana, a middle aged lawyer, suspects his wife of cheating and wants to kill her. So he employs a snake handler to place a venomous snake in his wife’s bed. But the cops arrest his teenaged son who can communicate with snakes. Will the son carry the blame for his father’s crime or go scot free?.

Review

This is the story of Duryodhana, a lawyer, and his suspicion on her wife being adulterous. In his rage, he plans to kill his wife.

There is so much drama in the story, which is what I expected from looking at the cover of the book and its title as well.

author gives you a glimpse in the mind of Duryodhana to see how he plans and plots the murder. It was fun.

The language used by the author is crisp and fluid, making it an easy read. Narration is pretty gripping which made me read the book in one sitting.

One part of the book I didn’t appreciate much was that the son could talk to snakes. I found it unnecessary.

Overall an interesting read.

Final verdict:

Curse of suspicion by Dr. Sujay Kantawala gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Book Review: Traveller – Inceptio

Pages: 432

Genre: Fiction

Read: Feb 2020

Synopsis:

If you were sent 1000 years into the past, would you survive? Traveller Inceptio describes how the Transporter is accidentally invented and becomes public knowledge when it sends a subject 1000 years into the past. A Special Forces team of Travellers is then selected and trained with the intent to send them to Saxon England to explore what could be a very dangerous period of history. From the beaches of Australia, to the forests of Saxon England, Traveller Inceptio reveals how Travellers discover they need a lot more than technology to survive the trials of early 11th-century life. An English-born Australian, Rob Shackleford, has lived in New Zealand and Papua New Guinea, with a varied career that has included customs officer, scuba instructor, college teacher and roles in too many places. With degrees in arts and business, he is mad keen on travel, scuba diving, family history, martial arts, astronomy and playing djembe and congas. Rob is a father of two and lives on the Gold Coast.

Review:

Traveller Inceptio is a mixture of science fiction and historical fiction. It covers a very interesting topic of time travel with three dimensional creatures. A time machine is created unintentionally and the story is set thousand years in the past.

The story of this book is really engaging. The plot is super interesting. It’s such a page turner, I couldn’t put it down and finished reading it in two sittings. There is a lot of detail being put in the book which shows the amount of research done by the author. The language used by the author is simple and the narrative is fluid.

Though I’m not much of a science fiction fan, but I liked reading this book. I would recommend picking this up if you’re into science fiction. You’re gonna love it.

Final verdict:

Traveller – Inceptio gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Book Review: Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman

Pages: 317

Genre: Fiction, Murder mystery

Read: Feb 2020

Synopsis:

A beautiful woman is found brutally murdered in her bed. The usual suspects are arrested by the Police until an odd-ball amateur sleuth starts to investigate. Something about the murder does not sit right with him. To start with, the victim – Rupali, a regular housewife living in marital bliss. But is that the truth? Why would someone murder her and why did she meet such a gruesome end? Who, in reality, was she? Introducing Major Bartaman Bhowmick, Southern Command of the Indian Army. Peace-time army life and supportive seniors allow Major Bhowmick to indulge in his hobby and passion – crime detection. His sharp investigative talents are highly valued by his cousin, an ACP in Pune. Robin Chowdhury is a city crime reporter, whose combination of keen intellect, attractive looks and affinity for all things tech, makes her a great sidekick for the Major. This book is as much about Rupali’s astounding story as her murder and Major Bhowmick and Robin’s investigation into the murder with its surprising conclusion.

Review:

This is a suspense thriller with Bartaman Bhowmick as a detective who is trying to solve the murder mystery of a housewife, who is killed on her own bed. When Bartaman and Robin gets involved, new pictures get embedded in the frame of this story.

I liked that there are parallel timelines going on in the story. It made the book more interesting. The characters in the book feel real. There were so many twists and turns throughout the book. This was a page turner and I really enjoyed reading this.

narration is apt and the language is simple to read. I finished reading this in one sitting. I recommend this to anyone who is into murder mysteries.

Final verdict:

Bhoot Bhavish Bartaman gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Book Review: I do not belong to any religion my religion belongs to me (Aza Garcia)

Pages: 221

Genre: Spiritual fiction

Read: Feb 2020

Synopsis:

He appears from nowhere, an unknown forty-six-year-old, clad in jeans, t-shirt, and sneakers and breaks the internet. His name is Satya Sharan. The author, Aza Garcia, happens to meet him on a flight and is swept into a tumultuous journey through Tel Aviv, New York and Mumbai, bewildered by her growing love for him.
Claiming that he does not belong to any religion and that his religion belongs to him, Satya has devised a framework for individualizing religions. He wants people to shun religious institutions yet retain their faiths, renounce the public display of religion, and continue their beliefs in the privacy of their homes. He envisages that temples, churches, and synagogues, will be transformed into religion neutral places of learning, understanding, and sharing.
Satya has what it takes to be a religious leader but doesn’t wear flowing robes. He answers questions on meditation and enlightenment but claims he is not a teacher. He appears to be able to dispense divinity but does not talk about God. He does not want people to follow him yet wishes they subscribe to his insane idea.
He is what he is. An enigma. A Don Quixote who is trying to slay the religious dragons. A guru who doesn’t want to be a guru.
Will he succeed? Will Aza’s love for him blossom into something tangible and beautiful?

Review:

This is a spiritual-fiction book with a mix of spirituality. The book starts when the author meets Satya Sharan on a flight. And when they begin to talk, Satya unfolds various aspects of religion, spirituality, faith while sharing his experiences throughout his life. He is a guru, but not a guru. Kind of like a modern day saint.

Through this book the author has tried to impart an important message to the readers. That if you have enough courage, you can choose your own religion.

The writing style of the author is really good. The narration style is impeccable.

I found the book a bit complicated to go through. It’s a but controversial. But it makes you think, which is a good thing. If you’re looking for a spiritual philosophical read, then go for it.

Final verdict:

I do not belong to any religion my religion belongs to me by Aza Garcia gets 3.5 out of 5 stars from me.

Book Review: One for sorrow two for joy

Pages: 157

Genre: Fiction

Read: Feb 2020

Synopsis:

Three themes bind this collection of eight stories: women, around whom the stories are built, Goa, in which the stories are set, and the popular rhyme, One for sorrow, two for joy, which is used as an anchor; each story, in turn, reflecting the emotions or objects referred to in successive lines of the rhyme. Sorrow and joy, girls and boys, silver and gold, secrets, food, drink, wishes, kisses and messages – these are the stuff that stories have been made of since they were told at the dawn of humankind in huddles around campfires. And this is the stuff these stories are also made of. Though authentically Goan, these tales speak universally to all. Told with wit and subtle humour, each has an interesting twist at the end, to give the reader an “ah-ha” moment in the final paragraphs.

Review:

This book is a collection of short stories of varied feelings ranging from love, hatred, faith etc. Each story has a lesson. And each story will make you feel in a different way.

The basic premise is set in Goa. The author has also used humor here and there to make it more interesting. It was a roller coaster of emotions.

author has used simple language to make the stories more relatable to his audience.

It was a light and simple read. I finished reading it in one sitting. And did not get bored even for a moment. Recommended to readers who are fond of short stories.

Final verdict:

One for sorrow two for joy gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Book Review: Words matter – The language that girls need to speak

Pages: 176

Genre: Non-fiction

Read: Feb 2020

Synopsis:

Words matter. Some more than others.

Have you ever felt that some words colour your world without giving you a choice? In colours that create a context that don’t give you the freedom to exist or express on your terms.

That ends now. This book is a compilation of forty words that help the reader to choose their vocabulary in a way that allows them to redefine how human beings are treated. With equality. And with respect.

Our sisters, wives and mothers have suffered consequences of a language that has been fed into our minds since we were born. Those in relationships with them have suffered repercussions of the narratives these words have created. Let us make sure the same doesn’t happen to our daughters.

Essential reading for boys, girls and every human being who believes in human dignity.

‘This book should be the bible for women and a guideline for men’

– Dr.Jija M.HariSingh

Former Director General of Police,

Bangalore.

‘This book breaks down often complex topics to its core by using illustrations and poems. It is so powerful, you can’t help but feel the impact of these words deep within. Every woman needs this book to nurture the little girl inside of her.  This book is for every person who would like to understand true equality.’

 Bhairavi Prakash

Amani Social Innovation Management Fellow and the

Founder of Mithra Trust

‘I could experience every word in this book. The book spoke to me like a friend’

Shilpa 8th grade student,

Studying in a government aided school in Bangalore

“Every book you buy, contributes to the education of the girl child,as part of the proceeds will fund the HopeWords Foundation.”

Review:

This book is a self help read of a different kind. Starting from the book title and cover to the words captured by the authors, this book was a delight to read. The book is divided into 40 different chapters focusing on important words like dream, anger, love etc. And the authors encourage to stand for ourselves and raise their voice.

The theme and concept of this book is so different. With the use of simple language and effective narration, the authors have imparted wisdom through his words. I particularly like the flow of the book. There were poems and illustrations throughout the book. I took my time with this book and read it slowly. I recommend this to everyone out there.

Also, every book you buy contributes to the education of the girl child, as part of the proceeds will fund the HopeWords Foundation.

Final verdict:

Words matter – The language that girls need to speak gets 4.5 out of 5 stars from me.

Book Review: Freedom – Human trafficking and encounter with soul

Pages: 244

Genre: Fiction

Read: Feb 2020

Synopsis:

HUMAN TRAFFICKING:
She is unique.
She is spiritual.
She is powerful.
To become a detective was her passion.
Honey is working with the most famous and intelligent detective in her city. Through a quirk of fate, she ends up investigating a case of human trafficking. Her interactions with the victims are thrilling and terrifying. Working on this case she comes to know how deep, barbaric and inhumane the web of powerful people is. Will she be able to solve this case? Can her spirituality help her make sense of this dark world?
ENCOUNTER WITH SOUL:
Rasbeen is intelligent, smart and ambitious. She has dreams to fulfill, but her father has something else in mind for her. His negative pressure and attitude hold power over her life.
Will she be able to survive?
One day, she has an encounter with her soul.
Can the soul lift her from her deathbed and make her a confident girl?

Review:

The first part of the book is ‘Freedom’. This is the story of Honey and Monica and the horrors of human trafficking. The author has focused on such an important issue. And it’s important to raise awareness regarding the same.

The second part of the book is ‘Encounter with soul’ which is a story of Rasbeen. The woman protagonist in this story has really touched my heart. She is sassy and smart. And not just any other teenager. She is fighting for her dreams. I think many will relate to her story.

The author has used simple language to touch the hearts of the readers. His narration is effective. I would suggest this book to everyone out there.

Final verdict:

Freedom – Human trafficking and encounter with soul gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.

Book Review: 5 minutes (Vrinda Singh)

Pages: 196

Genre: Fiction

Read: Jan 2020

Synopsis:
Pooja was a girl, but also the wildest of all animals, and was very precious to her mother. Her mistakes were kept in check by her father, who taught her the tough lessons of life in just 5 minutes. She was born with glitter in her veins, which would attract anyone in 5 minutes. Her innocence was killing, her beauty was enchanting, and her brains were bewitching; still, she was hated and ignored. Digging in the dirt, she got trapped in love with a man 18 years elder to her. Meetings of 5 minutes cost her decades of life. This book is a short journey of the most independent, most adventurous and most responsible girl of the 21st century, struggling with the old beliefs of Indian society and her commitments to be an ideal daughter, an ideal lover, and an ideal friend. It contains the most thrilling and adrenaline pumping narrative based on true events.

Review:

5 minutes by Vrinda Singh is the story of Pooja and revolves around her feelings of love and hatred. The author will take you through her entire life journey from teenager to adult, and how she develops as a person. It shows her struggle with the society’ expectations and her juggle between being a good daughter and an ideal lover. This is much more than a love story.

The language used by the author is easy to read. The author has an intriguing way of storytelling. He will capture your attention from the beginning. The characters are developed well over the story. I can so much relate to Pooja who is the main character. I had very few friends growing up due to my reserved nature.

This is a really sweet story and many will be able to relate to it. Being a short read, you can wrap it up in one sitting. A must read for romance lovers!

Final verdict:

5 minutes by Vrinda Singh gets 4 out of 5 stars from me.