The Bankster by Ravi Subramanian!!!

            It often happens that you hear an author's name continuously by the bunch of good readers but still you never get a chance to pick up their book and read. Same happened with me in the case of Ravi Subramanian. I have heard his name a lot but never got a chance to read his book because none of my friends are into reading habit. And even if they are, they are either interested in foreign authors or Indian chick lit. No one reads such intellectual and interesting books. :-) Finally, I got my hand on The Bankster- latest release of Mr. Ravi Subramanian- an alumnus of IIM Bangalore, has spent two decades working his way up the ladder of power in the amazingly exciting and adrenaline-pumping world of global banks in India. It is but natural that his stories are set against the backdrop of the financial services industry. He lives in Mumbai with his wife Dharini and daughter Anusha. In 2008, he won the Golden Quill Readers Choice award for his debut novel, If God was a Banker. Recently, I missed an event in Mumbai- The Economist Awards where the author won the Popular Choice Award for his book- The Incredible Banker. Awesome CV! :-) 

            The synopsis of the book- THE BANKSTER says: Bankers build their careers on trust, or so everyone thinks, till a series of murders threaten to destroy the reputation that the Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) has built over the years. Who is behind these killings, and what is their motive? When Karan Panjabi, press reporter and ex-banker, digs deeper, he realizes that he has stumbled upon a global conspiracy with far reaching ramifications a secret that could not only destroy the bank but also cast a shadow on the entire nation. With only thirty-six hours at his disposal, he must fight the clock and trust no one if he is to stay alive and uncover the truth.

             Ravi Subramanian does not need any review, that is what I personally feel. When an author starts writing into a genre which never got the amount of respect before, but got once he landed with his masterpieces, he should be kept in a different category to which no one can criticize. :-) But as the universal law says, positive and negative are in equal amount, one has to place their views on God too. :-) The language that the author has used in the book is very easy to understand. Though the initial pages has some vocabulary for which I had to run to dictionary but after few pages, the language is kept simple until the end. Though, authors get descriptive at times, boring sometimes and stretches the story, I loved some sequences for which I'll always remember this book for. Reading the author for the first time, I now know the mistake I have committed for not reading his previous successful works. 

             When the word "thriller" is used, it itself says that all the interesting matters are left for the last pages and you are made to get confused and irritated for rest of the pages. :-) The same follows here. Though the initial chapters of the book generates interest but it dies once all the murders that are plotted in the story are done. After that, the book gets too boring for a long time until the character of Karan enters to investigate and unfold the whole thing within few hours. The humour quotient is too less but everything that is attached to Zinaida made me laugh. You know I'm naughty. :-) Initially when Vikram fools Nikhil and Divya with the flat is another amazing part. Haha. Zinaida's entrance in the book is the most crazy thing. The first scene after the murder when Karan tells about the possibility of the incident being a murder and not suicide amazed me. Some portions where intellectualism is used to solve the case made me know why the writer is so renowned. 

             The biggest problem with the book is too many characters and not even one being described so that it can remain with you after the book ends. The climax is not as hardcore as you expect it to be. It's as if a fresher is been made to sit in the placement cell and recruiters are taking him on with confusing questions. The 50-60 pages in the middle of the book were too boring to handle. Too many sequences going on simultaneously is very interesting to read but I wanted all of them to be connected as if a screenplay of the movie is being written. But still, I want to compliment author for it. It's not easy to signify so many parallel sub-plots in a plot that needs such sub-plots to add special effects. In the end, I would like to say that Ravi Subramanian deserves all the fame that he has. I would rate this book 3.5/5. 

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com . Participate now to get free books!

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

The METH by Tanmay Kulshrestha!!!

           Reading two novels in a day is the best productive day for me. Once I read 4 novels in a span of 24 hours. That day still remains unforgettable and memorable for me. I need to experience something of that kind but I am seriously saying, this academics being the only option to survive in this world is a very bad idea. Whoever created it would not have been a fan of reading books. If he would have known power of reading good books and novels, he would have made a course where our job would have been just to read books and give a review as an examination. :-) At least somewhere I would have ranked favorably. Haha! After Durjoy Datta's latest, I have finished reading Tanmay Kulshrestha's "The METH" which also has the tagline of "...when a lie takes away a life". This book was initially self-published by the author but lately the charge was taken up by Mahaveer Publishers- one of those publications who love publishing debutantes. 

TANMAY KULSHRESTHA: is as different as can be from the popular image of other authors. He is a natural gentleman who lives austerely, litters his conversation with fellow mates and sails with young and ambitious friends to professional and delightful harbours where sky is the limit. Tanmay is currently pursuing his B.Tech in Information Technology from KIIT University and is set to graduate in 2014. Right from his school days, he had flair to write and pen down his feelings and expressions. This dream has today come alive in the form of 'The METH' - When a lie takes away a life..!! Being an Engineer who has now become an author, Tanmay's personality demarcates the truthfulness within him. He has much more in his bags than just drafters, dreams and documents..!! His good points cannot be enumerated as he has plenty of them. Many a times, Tanmay has turned out to be a perfect mentor, motivator and guide to a number of his fellow mates, friends and colleagues. Amongst all these, Tanmay is also a motivational speaker..!!

SYNOPSIS: The Meth -When a Lie Takes Away a Life Overview

It is a tale about Arush and Trisha, who though they love each other, fall victim to the snares of the 'METHAMPHETAMINE', the bond of love may be as strong as they wish it to be, but nothing or no one can withstand the buffeting of the craving for this drug. It is a fact that nobody will deny. It has been the ruination of innumerable lives and continues to be. Most live in denial by lying....hence the punch line that 'a lie takes away a life'. The people who embark on a course of this drug abuse are bound to cause ruination of families, of partners and most importantly, life itself. The message is strong, unambiguous and very powerful. The Meth is the cry against any more loss of life due to 'METHAMPHETAMINE', especially students, and is a remarkable way to launch the campaign, so that no student can fall prey to this drug.

          Tanmay is obviously a writer who wants to bring a change in society through his writing. He may have seen something during his Engineering days that led him to speak on the consumption of drugs by youth in his debut novel itself. Though I would like to suggest the author to improve his language a bit more. He has a beautiful thought process but because of lack of reading habits or I must say, grammar and language too, he couldn't speak exactly what he has in his heart. As I am myself a writer who wrote miserably, I can easily understand what writer wants to convey and what he couldn't because of lack in grammar. Mr. Tanmay, read more books and I can surely say that you will come up with a surprising element in your next. 

            The first chapter has an excellent language. I was too happy to read it. It was written as great journalists write. But just after that, author has written in the same manner as few young authors write these days, often. The story starts with a great story of how a boy scores in examination and move out of his home in a quest to study from a great institute from where no one has ever studied in his home town. Finally, he finds a good friendship in Trisha and the saga of friendship starts. The whole segment is beautiful described. But the conversations that both of them have with each other are so childish that I wanted to skip them all. But later the description of personal experiences of the protagonist after consuming Meth is described fine up to an extent. I am happy as writer hasn't dragged story after 150th page. I liked the way he directly came to the Post Script part where he tells all the information related to Meth and how it causes destruction to a human body. 

           In all, I would give the book- 2.5/5. .5 extra for the message that the writer has tried to spread.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Till the Last Breath by Durjoy Datta!!!

             Being honest to self is the best that one can do with himself. I am no different. Though last time I reviewed Durjoy Datta's book and got landed up in an unwanted controversy of which I am still guilty of, I am again reviewing his latest book after fighting all my dilemmas. First, I thought of just reading the book and not reviewing. Then I thought "For whom do I review?" Obviously, it's for my Blog readers first and then the author if he wants to take something from the review to improve himself. No, I am not a boss to tell but sometimes a weaker element can also give a lesson to the one who is mighty and powerful. Because my review has no sense as this book has already got its 35,000 copies sold till date. I thought if I won't review I may be called coward which has no sense. If I would review I may again be called a Publicity-seeker, which again is senseless. So finally I thought I'll review the book because Durjoy has been one of my favorite writers though he disappointed me with his 6th book- "If it's not forever...". Let people say what they want to, I seriously don't care. If I like a book, I would review it to let my readers also buy and read it to get an experience. 

              With his 7th and the latest book- "Till The Last Breath", Durjoy Datta has almost transformed himself as a writer. Remove the name "Durjoy Datta" from the book and you won't identify if it's the same person who has written the last 6 books. You would certainly guess the mysterious writer as Preeti Shenoy, Novoneel, Ravinder Singh etc but certainly not Durjoy Datta. I am once again proud of him in the same way as I was after reading "Now that you're rich" and "You were my crush...". This book does not have a fancy title like his previous books. This book does not have a bright and sexy cover page. This book, surprisingly, shockingly, does not have any sex sequence. WOW! With this, Durjoy Datta has proved that he can write an unforgettable book without including a bit of sex in it. Respect! With age, Durjoy has also shown maturity in his writing skills this time. Not for a moment would you feel as if story is fictitious. It is inspiring, transitional, motivational, a guide, philosophy, theory etc. Durjoy, you better write books without any co-writer. :-)

               The whole story line is based in a hospital ward. Keeping this as a base, writing 237 page novel isn't a joke or a game. One needs to have a sense of writing, creativity, story-formation to make it interesting up to the end. Though initially, I felt it hard when the connection of each character was shown with each other but later when I got it embedded in my mind for next few hours, I got the real fun of reading the book. After 50th page or something, I don't remember if there was a single moment that I didn't have tear in my eyes. Though all the characters are in depression, you can't say that the book is depressing because every chapter is a message in itself. The life given to each character signifies some or the other traits of human behaviour. With it, directly or indirectly, author also tells how can one get out of the bad and unwanted traits and how can the most required and wanted traits can be possessed and followed even in the moments of challenges and controversies. :-) Excellent! 

             For the characters- Pihu and Dushyant, I would say you have bought 100 times more memories and feelings than the over-rated Deb and Avantika. Your stories, pasts, current situations, the way you struggled for the last breath, waited for it, cried in loneliness, made others love you even after this and many other activities that you kept yourself involved in even after being on bed continuously for days has bought too many changes in my outlook towards life. You will be forever remembered. For the character of Zarah, I have deep sympathy. But I am happy the way you ended all the problems of life with smile and move-on theory. Arman, if some day I would be a patient, I would love to have a kind doctor like you. No, not the way you behaved with Dushyant but the way you treated Pihu. Disclaimer: I am not inviting for a gay love story. :-) Kajal, you teach how wrong decisions can end up isolating us from the loved ones. I hope I would never take a wrong decision like you and end up losing everyone I love. For the parents of Pihu, it happens. For the parents of Dushyant, please tell other parents that child is not always as bad as he/she seems to be. 

              The pain of patients, the hard decisions of doctors to save patients, the trauma of those who love the one who is patient and still accepting the truth that they are just a few-days guest and the incomplete LOVE that comes in between patient and that one person is so perfectly described by the author that I would say "Till the Last Breath" is a perfect book considering these points. With the story line that guarantees not a single smile, Durjoy Datta has still managed to make me laugh at moments and smile continuously at others. There are many terrifying moments in the book while there are some very lightning moments too. I am not describing any of them because I want you to read the book. The biggest drawback of the book is the worst quality of pages. The initial books that I ordered of Grapevine Publication had milky-white pages while this one has surely disappointed me. Please work on it, publishers. In the end, I would give the book- 4.5/5.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Dongri To Dubai by S. Hussain Zaidi!!!

             A fun that lies in reading a book can not be even imagined by those who just think of reading a book. Let a book be a Fiction story or a Non-fictional narration, if the book is good, you are bout to land into a world that is as new to you as to anyone else. And exploring a new world with a road that no one knows will turn where is another fun. I have just finished reading one of my last books of 2012 as my exams are approaching and I'm planning to halt this addiction to novels. :-) Though it's going to be hard but a decision made is decision accomplished. "Dongri To Dubai- Six Decades of The Mumbai Mafia" is my latest read. It took me 4 days to complete it because of regular college but now as I have finished the book, I'm regretting. I want to start it again and enjoy the journey of reading the book once again. Some book shouldn't end, they should be written in such a way that you keep on reading them in loop. :-) A terrific work by S. Hussain Zaidi- a Mumbai based journalist, a veteran of investigative, crime and terror reporting in Mumbai media. He has worked for the Asian Age, the Mumbai Mirror, Mid-day, and the Indian Express. His previous books include bestsellers like Black Friday and the Mafia Queens of Mumbai. Zaidi is also associate producer for the HBO movie, Terror in Mumbai, based on the 26/11 terror strikes. 

            Dongri to Dubai is the first ever attempt to chronicle the history of the Mumbai mafia. It is the story of notorious gangsters like Haji Mastan, Karim Lala, Varadarajan Mudaliar, Chhota Rajan, Abu Salem, but above all, it is the story of a young man who went astray despite having a father in the police force. Dawood Ibrahim was initiated into crime as a pawn in the hands of the Mumbai police and went on to wipe out the competition and eventually became the Mumbai police’s own nemesis. The narrative encompasses several milestones in the history of crime in India, from the rise of the Pathans, formation of the Dawood gang, the first ever supari, mafia’s nefarious role in Bollywood, Dawood’s move to Karachi, and Pakistan’s subsequent alleged role in sheltering one of the most wanted persons in the world. This story is primarily about how a boy from Dongri became a don in Dubai, and captures his bravado, cunningness, focus, ambition, and lust for power in a gripping narrative. The meticulously researched book provides an in-depth and comprehensive account of the mafia’s games of supremacy and internecine warfare.

             A book based on the history of Mumbai Mafia's 60 years of power and authority tends a reader to expect an out of world experience while reading it. And the expectation rises once you see the cover page twinkling with the face of Dawood Ibrahim. A man who is still in memories of all. A man who is kind of brand ambassador of Dubai for Indians. And the book has been written making him the hero of it. Right from the moment Dawood enters the story, book rises to a different level. You just can't miss a single word of this book by thinking of something else. Initially, when Haji Mastan, Varda bhai, Karim Lala's emergence is narrated, it makes you love these Dons. You start considering them as legends. But as soon as Dawood enters into the surreal narration, you wish to flow with the story till the latest page of the book. Not for a moment will you feel that the book should be finished. And that's a sign of a good book.

              The extreme research and proper usage of words make the book what it deserved to. The several years that Mr. Zaidi took in scripting this book shows the result quite clearly. Though the dates aren't mentioned repetitively, you tend to get lost in between of the story. Author should have mentioned the incidents with the dates or years regularly. That would have made this story more interesting with an imaginary timeline. :-) The rise of every gang, its leader and their enmity with other gangs and then their fall is narrated so wonderfully that for a moment you wish to have time machine to go back to that era of Mumbai, stand on the road and witness all the fights and feud that happened. You wish to be one of them and fight among the gangs. :-) The childhood of Dawood, his relation with his father, brothers, sisters, friends, gang members etc are mentioned with extreme care. One needs gut to write a book about the most wanted criminal with utter honesty. The pinch of fiction that author has added periodically interests you more. The last 50 pages, that is the climax of the book is handled very neatly by the author because till then all the fights and collisions ends which is the USP of the book. So it could have been the worst part of the book but Mr. Zaida has ensured that he ends the story with the same intensity with which he carried the whole book with. The conversations that are mentioned makes you laugh. The usage of Hindi makes it more effective. 

            Some drawbacks- Less mention of dates on regular basis confuses us. Some incidents of which author hasn't given details about. That makes it hard for us to progress with the story. The decline of some men and after-effects isn't stated as it should have been. Dawood's relation with some people is just described in a sentence or two while we wish to read more about his personal relations too. That should have been descriptive too. Once Dawood lands in Dubai, the initial days in Dubai is the worst description by Mr. Zaidi. But overall, I would say a book that everyone should read if you are interested in knowing about Dawood Ibrahim, his emergence and his life. Author has surely raised the level of Non-fiction with his latest work. I would rate the book 4.5 out of 5. 

  THANKS.

  ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Love @ Internet by Rajeev Ranjan!!!

            I have just completed reading Rajeev Ranjan's 2nd novel- "Love @ Internet". In May 2012, I read his first work- "A Splash of love". The book is one of my favorites. And after seeing the cover page of Love @ Internet, I was excited about it. I had lots of expectations from Rajeev Ranjan. But unfortunately, he has been unsuccessful in creating the same magic that he did with his first book. Though that book had several grammar and spelling errors but still it won my heart while this one is error-free but still I didn't connect with it. It's the second work by Rajeev Ranjan who is a Graduate in Physics from University of Delhi in 1996, then he pursued Post Graduation again in Physics and turned into an Indian Coast Guard. No, he is not a young author like others who are on the board these days. :-) So girls, chill.

             The synopsis of the book says- How much has internet changed our lives How much has chatting changed the way we interact with others Have you ever tried finding your soul-mate through this medium Is it normal to do that? This novel tries answering all that through a beautiful story. Besides, it also touches some of the emotions that cross our lives. Set up in late nineties it talks about the time when the internet had just arrived on the scene; when people had just seen mobiles; when STD booths had long queues. The novel is also a transition of life with changing ways of communication and attempts to find whether it affects the notions of love anyway. 

            L@I is the story of protagonist- Rohit who misses his first opportunity at love with Tina. She leaves his colony where he used to interact with her through eyes and smile through their respective balconies. But later on, he gets to know about the medium of Internet through which people can get in touch with opposite gender easily. Where everyone is available for a relationship. And he tries his hand on it. He fails initially but later it gives transition to his life. Though he keeps failing again and again but as its said "All well that ends well", Rohit finally achieves the unexpected. To know what unexpected does he get in the end, go get the book. :-) 

           Initially, the book starts with a kind of biography-feel. But later on it loses the touch of the initial pages. I would have been more happier if the author would have kept the whole story written in the same manner as the initial pages are. Secondly, in his first book, author has narrated the story without much conversations while in this book he has inserted lots of conversation. Though they are realistic but it becomes boring after a while. And the conversations are written in paragraph format instead of keeping the dialogues under inverted commas. But again Rajeev Ranjan manages to showcase his talent of connecting the last few pages of the book with its initial pages. Some sentences are beautifully formed. It makes you read them twice. For other that irritates you, author should go for an editing in the second print. The e-mails that are written by Rohit to respective girls are another best parts of the book.  The chapters where his mother and brother speaks about Rohit is also another feature of the novel. The target audience of this book is young boys/girls belonging in the age group of 13 to 20. Anyone between this age might enjoy the book. But my message to Rajeev Ranjan is- I wanted it to be more special than your first book. I hope your 3rd will make me forget your first one. ;-) I would rate this book 2/5. 

  Thanks.

  ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

100th BOOK REVIEW- ROBIN SHARMA's The Secret Letters of The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari!!!

699th BLOG POST -->>

            I still remember my comeback into this world of book reading- The first time that I picked "Who will cry when you die?" by Robin Sharma from Nashik Railway Station's wheeler store(in 2008). I used to read too many books in my childhood out of which most of them used to be magazines. But after passing my 8th std, mere parr lag gaye and I refrained myself from doing any intellectual activity. :-) In 11th std, I picked up this book again because I was in depression and I wanted to die anytime soon. The title interested me. But the outcome of the book turned out to be quite different than what I thought while picking it up. I got many secrets of living a happy life. I now wanted to experiment all the suggestions that the author gave in the book. For that, I had to live, not die. :-) And after experimenting those things in life, I got a reason to live. Since then, I started considering Robin Sharma as my Guru. He came as a Godly figure in life who motivated me with his thoughts and suggestions. Then I went for The Monk who Sold his Ferrari- the biggest masterpiece from the author. And fortunately, that book transformed my personality and whole purpose of life. After that, I went to Big Bazaar and purchased all his books. And after reading them, the positivism, fearlessness, enthusiasm etc that has got permanently embedded in my personality is inseparable. 

          I have just finished reading Robin Sharma's latest motivational book- "The Secret Letters of the Monk Who Sold His Ferrari". Initially, I thought that it's about the letters Robin Sharma has received from the people who experienced the transformation in themselves after reading TMWSHF but no, this book is million times greater than my initial assumption. :-) Robin Sharma has crafted this book very differently. He has kept Julian- his favorite character in the book who still plays the role of the person who went to Himalaya and returned back after attaining wisdom and secrets of life from the monks and sages living there. And then doing the same what monks/sages did with him- Sharing the knowledge with others who have lost faith in life and enthusiasm in living. But this time, the book is not a sort of conversation that it has been every time Julian-based story is being written. It's about the journey of a man(Jonathan) through which he learns some principles of life. Before moving to the journey, he was frustrated with the life but once he gets all the principles, he gets excited to return back to his life and fix his unsettled job, unstable marriage and disappointed son. :-) 

             With Jonathan who learns the principle on the journey to which Julian sends him, even we get to learn all the principles. The talismans that is to be collected by Jonathan from different people residing in different areas of the world take us to the exploration of many beautiful spots/countries/cities existing in the world. It also gives us a sudden push for traveling to places that can teach us the serenity of life and exploration. The messages that Jonathan got with each Talisman makes us think about our own life and implementing the same with us. I got excited with each sentence of the book. Reading Robin Sharma's book is the most peaceful odyssey of my life. I can never forget the experience I had while reading all his previous books- may be 10 or something. The only one left to be read is- A Leader With No Title that I can pick up lately this month before the arrival of exam so that I get motivated yet again and study to my best. :-) Robin Sharma's books aren't meant to be read just once for the sake of reading it, but to be kept in our shelf and read whenever we feel angry, tired, sad, depressed, exasperated about life. 

            I don't think that any of the Sharma's book need a review. And I am not even eligible to review his book. But because I want those people to pick it up who are not content with their life. They will surely learn how wonderful life is and even if it's not, how can we live it wonderfully. Yes! And I found nothing better to write for my 699th POST than Robin Sharma's book and its effect on me and millions of people. Paulo Coelho, another revolutioniar in the league of Sharma's is also his fan. So friends, please read this book, you will surely thank me after experiencing the journey of reading this book and it's after effects in your life.

 Thanks.

  ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Nick of Time by Komal Mehta!!!

            Reading Love Stories back to back can surely frustrate me to the zenith. But when the stories are from two different kind of writers, the reader within me gives the widest smile possible. I have just completed KOMAL MEHTA's "Nick of Time". The 240 pages book is published by one of the greatest publication- PENGUIN BOOKS. I haven't read much books by Penguin hence I was pretty excited to read this one. The book also has the tagline "Right One Wrong Time". Komal Mehta has always suffered from an overactive imagination and thinks she is good at making up stories. She has been working in the movie marketing field for the past 3 years and has worked for Reliance Big Entertainment and Havas Worldwide(EURO RSCG / MPG India) in the past. Currently she works with Pradeep Guha’s film marketing agency Culture Brandz in Mumbai. Nick of Time is her first novel. And let me tell you my personal view- She looks charming and beautiful. I have checked her image on the back cover almost at every turn of page. :-) My apology for this confession, Komal mam. But this is what your book is all about- Making confessions, right? :-) 

            NICK OF TIME is a story about three characters- Alehya, Vicky and Shagun. Alehya returns to Chandigarh after knowing about her childhood's best friend, Shagun's marriage. She is excited to meet the person with whom her friend is marrying. She is also excited to meet and have lots of conversation with her as it had been 7 years since they met last time. But when she comes to know it's Vicky who she is getting married to, she gets disappointed. She always hated the guy, right from her childhood. She always found him weird and irritating. And she discloses this to Shagun, she doesn't get surprised. She had already planned about making both of them accept each other as Friends. But.... 3 weeks to marriage and Alehya-Vicky spending all the time with each other on Shagun's insistence creates some magical transformation in the plot of the story. As the wedding draws near, the three grapple with issues of love, confusion and guilt to discover what their hearts truly desire. They have to make life-altering decisions in the NICK OF TIME! 

              Komal Mehta is surely a writer whom I would love to read in future too. She has magical writing skills. She makes you get into the journey of the story. For a moment, I myself started thinking as if the whole plot is being played with me and I got tensed at many places. :-) She has great sense of humour which keeps the interest in the book alive. Even when the book turns monotonous in between, her unique description of things made me read the part interestingly too. One writer whom I found similar to Komal Mehta is- Varsha Dixit in her debut novel-"Right Fit Wrong Shoe". Though that book didn't satisfy me much, this has surely entertained me throughout. 

             The initial pages when Alehya and Vicky doesn't pacify with each other gives a curiosity to know what happened further in the story. Because synopsis of the book makes it clear that both of them falls for each other later. And when the whole series of the awaited moments begin, the book goes to a very different level. It takes you to a totally different world of love-getting-over-all-the-fears-and-confusions. It becomes entertaining to read about the marriage preparation of Vicky-Shagun at one end while the development of romance between Vicky-Alehya at another end. The love scenarios that authoress has inserted in the book are original. I have always believed that reading too many similar stories isn't an irritation if all of them are being treated in different ways. And I am quite blithe to say that Komal Mehta has given a totally new face to the story that is so common in our Bollywood movies and TV serials. She has treated it in her own way that makes you excited to turn the pages. 

            The dilemma that each character gets into the book after the conversation of Alekhya and Shagun with mehendi in their hands is the real moment when I fell in love with the book. Every thing that is written after that scene touched my heart directly. It says so much about the different traits of human beings. It makes hard for us to characterize any of the three characters as wrong, traitor or exploited. Every one of them seems to be right according to the scenario that took place with their life. But still knowing the fact that one of them will have to sacrifice gives goosebumps to you almost at every thought of them that is mentioned in the pre-climax and climax pages. The book tells about how one hears to his/her heart and goes in whatever direction life then takes to. How one confesses what one has gone through and brings a transformation towards happiness in life. How one does not get selfish even when one knows that he'll have to sacrifice for a friend or a love-partner. There are many such elements that I noticed while reading the book, but I won't talk of all otherwise you'll lose all the excitement of picking up the book from the bookstore near you. :-)

           Coming to the drawbacks, first I would like to criticize the COVER PAGE of the book with all my heart. It is seriously very dull. Even the face of the girls doesn't match with the description of Alehya and Shagun in the book. The cover page's design is so yellowish that you might consider the book as a decade old. I am disappointed. I hope with next print, the cover page is changed to something bright and lovely. Then, as Chandigarh is mentioned so many times by the authoress while describing the plot of the story in synopsis and sneak peeks, she should have mentioned some places from Chandigarh in the book. The city doesn't get the treatment in the story that it gets in synopsis. And as the book is about marriage, many traditions should have been mentioned in an exciting manner but authoress has again ignored doing any of this. Else, every thing related to the story is COOL. I would rate the book 3.75/5. I recommend it to all who are wanting to read a different tale of love, confusion and destiny. GO FOR IT.

  Thanks.

   ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Journey of Two Hearts! by Anuj Tiwari!!!

           It's a sad fact that every reader's favorite publication- SRISHTI isn't doing well these days. The number of claims against it has kept readers little away from it. The biggest drawback has been the editing of the books. No reader wants to read a book that is full of mistakes and grammatical errors. Initially, people ignored some of the mistakes but recently everyone observed the amount of mistakes a book from Srishti Publication contains. It is again a shocking element that no book of Srishti has got the tag of BESTSELLER since a year. Again, distribution was a concern. Recently I have seen Srishti books in Crossword and Landmark stores that means this drawback has been rectified. I hope the Publication house recuperates soon. I didn't ignore the latest release by Srishti- Anuj Tiwari's "Journey of Two Hearts! -will be cherished forever". Anuj Tiwari is a debutante residing in Mumbai and working in one of the leading IT companies. One of the most grounded author in the contemporary period. 

             Journey of Two Hearts is about the protagonist- Anuj who gets into friendship with a girl- Pakhi through a scenario that his friend created. He kept talking for months through mobile conversations without meeting her. Finally, they decide to meet. The meeting turns out to be more romantic than they expected. It took time for Anuj to build the relation of Friendship into love. But once when he does, he finds bliss in the odyssey of this beautiful relationship. Being away from Pakhi for most of the times, his love for her kept growing up every minute. But some misunderstanding bought some cracks in their beautiful saga of love. Did Anuj win her or let his love go? To get the answer to this- go get the book. :-)

             Anuj Tiwari started scripting his love story right from the first day when he came in contact with his girlfriend. Later, when a tragedy took place with him, his parents asked him to at least try for getting the book published as he has already written it. He gave a thought and the JOURNEY OF TWO HEARTS! released on 5th September, 2012. As this was written as a personal story never to be shared with anyone except the author's muse, I did find some flaws in the narration. There are many sentences which Anuj Tiwari has written in a very shortcut form. He should have avoided that. But the different fonts, cases and sizes that he has used for bringing special effects in the book is commendable. Writer has kept the chapters short which can help you read this book in breaks. It's a short love story without any unwanted details. 

            The first chapter of the book is interesting. The initial conversations between both the protagonist is also something that makes you excited to know about the future of the story. The way they get into the relationship of love is also a beautiful part. The intimate and love-making scenes are described beautifully. As the story is true, author has been successful in bringing up emotions through his writing. The pre-climax is better than the climax. After reading the pre-climax, I was expecting climax to be some kind of an epic but author failed to impress me there. But I can easily claim that the pre-climax is the best part of the book. As the story is true, author has not created any kind of too fictional elements. Hence, you might remember Ravinder Singh's I too had a love story and Sudeep Nagarkar's Few Things Left Unsaid while reading the book.

           The major drawback of the book is the same that many authors from Srishti shares- Author hasn't given any special characterization to other characters of the book. Parents are just special appearances while they should have been a major part of the story. Even the third character- Arpan should have been drafted properly. Author keeps on talking only about the protagonists throughout which turns out to be boring sometimes. While I would say that the poems in the book were inserted at the right moments. As the first attempt, I would rate this book somewhere in between 2.75 and 3. It is specially for the first time readers, Indian romance writers' fans and the people belonging between the age group of 17 to 23. 

  Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Karl, aaj aur kal by Cyrus Broacha!!!

             If you remember, I reviewed Cyrus Broacha's The Average Indian Male few weeks ago. I was so excited about reading this guy's books that I ordered both of them together. And after reading the first one, I was too disappointed. That made me read some other novels before jumping on the second one by him. And finally I have completed his 2nd novel- a Fiction funny story- "Karl, aaj aur kal" published by Random House publication. The book hasn't done even mediocre business in the market. And why would it do? Who wants to read a fiction story by a man like Cyrus Broacha. A non-fiction humour-full book is expected and can be read. But a fiction by him seems to be the biggest mistake of Random House Publication. Though the book is not that boring too. But it is not even interesting. Some parts of the book, or I must say 40% of the book did make me laugh out loud. The imaginations that Cyrus has scripted in this book is seriously funny. Not everyone can think the way he did while writing this kind of a story. But as the humour part keeps on continuing in the same temperament throughout the book, it turns out to be monotonous after a while. I had the same complaint from Cyrus with his first non-fiction too. 

              Initially, the book has some very difficult English. It is hard to understand some of the sentences. Later, he has used many words that goes above head. It is not possible to open dictionary for each word while reading a 230 page fiction. It would be better to pick a true literature-oriented writer if that's the purpose of reading a book- LEARNING NEW WORDS. But that is just for creating an impression initially. Later, Cyrus hasn't used any such words that can make you feel terrible about having the book in your hand. I can say it with all the audacity that it would be no surprise to me if some of you may say after this review that we were unable to complete it. Yes, the book frustrates. Though the story keeps on traveling among different environments but still the interest keeps on declining with each page. And I would also blame Random House for that. Who publishes a book in such a traditional manner? It's just that the words are printed on a paper without any design, watermark or anything of that sort. It's printing, font and everything is such that you might feel after a while that you are reading about the History of India or Russian Revolution. At least, for such genres, a publication should prefer fonts like Comic Sans etc that can generate interest. 

              I would say- SKIP THE BOOK. I would rate it just 2.5. Some of you may ask why even 2.5- for the only reason that 40% of the book did make me laugh out loud. YES!!!

Synopsis:

‘God once told me life is absurd. How else can two boys land up in America and not find any girls?’ Karl and Kunal are just two ordinary Mumbai boys who like ordinary things: bunking class, films, food and pornography. Intent on attaining stardom they fly off to the legendary Lee Strasburg Acting Studio to sharpen their craft in acting and in chasing girls. They fail on both counts but come back with a jackpot: their maiden movie role. In Bollywood, they meet Yusuf Khan, who at forty-six is still the undisputed king of college romance. Being losers doesn’t get in their way and soon the trio become a hit team, churning out blockbuster after blockbuster. Before they know it, Karl and Kunal get their own spot boys, the defining moment in every Bollywood actor’s life, feature in an TV commercial with Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi, and are even invited to meet Bill Clinton on his visit to India. But all this is not enough for Karl, who knows that it’s really politics which is the ultimate destination for all ‘great’ actors. As Pajama Party’s nominee from south Mumbai, Karl makes his debut as a politician. Will he hit the boxoffice again? A novel about celebrities, Bollywood and politics, Karl, aaj aur kal is a hilarious novel from India’s best known funny man.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

How About A Sin Tonight? by Novoneel Chakraborty!!!

           After knowing the negative reviews of the recently released- HEROINE, I made it evident to myself that I'm not going for it. But as I was excited for the movie before its release, I had an urge of experiencing something similar. Undoubtedly, I picked up a book from my shelf- "How About A Sin Tonight?" by one of the favorites- NOVONEEL CHAKRABORTY. The book is based on the people related to the world of glamour, television, advertisements and Bollywood. This is the third book of the author after his first two released by Srishti Publication- A Thing Beyond Forever and That Kiss in the Rain. But as most of the Bestselling authors of Srishti, even Novoneel moved to Random House Publication for his 3rd novel. And as expected, the hoopla created around this book was enough to give a boost to the sales. I haven't heard of it getting vindicated into Bestselling List yet but I am sure that it's getting into it very soon. 

           The synopsis of the book is perfectly written, hence pasting as it is: "In the biggest casting coup of the Hindi film industry, five top stars are signed up for a new movie: Shahraan—a living legend still lamenting the loss of his first love; Reva and Neev—newcomers allied in a common journey; Nishani—the celebrity kid who must avenge her father’s untimely death; and Kaash—the actor harbouring a secret love from his past. As their intimately intertwined personal stories take centre stage, the industry’s underbelly is left exposed for all to see. By the time the curtain draws to a close, the gossip-hungry media has enough fodder on its plate to last a lifetime.

            Novoneel Chakraborty, bestselling author of A Thing beyond Forever and That Kiss in the Rain, unveils the grime behind the glitz, the insecurities and compromises, in a world where aspirants come prepared to strike a Faustian bargain. A beguiling tale of love, ambition, jealousy, and betrayal, How About a Sin Tonight? will leave you asking for more."

             I have both the recent books of Novoneel at my home but I never picked them up because of lack of time. But after reading the third by him, I am excited about the first two which are everyone's favorite. The kind of narration that Novoneel has used in the book right from the first sentence till the last, keeps you excited. I just kept on reading, reading and reading. Even when the story went slow paced at times, the narration and the sentences formation kept me intrigued into it. And thus I want to read more from the author. So the first two books, you are coming out from the shelf very soon. :-)

             The book is spread around many characters- each with different shade and background. Because author has mentioned every actor's source before coming into the field, it makes you feel that you are watching the life story of each one of them right from their birth. The way every character's struggle has been shown for entering into the field that gives fame within few hours is perfectly described. Little research of the author can be easily seen because these are the details which aren't common but still an existence in this industry. The initial pages of the book are the most beautiful part of it- The moments of pure love between Shahraan and Mehfil. I just wanted to read it till the 283rd-last page of the book but unfortunately it ended quite earlier for other stories to come and play their parts. But fortunately, the way in which author has fast forwarded decades while narrating the story shows the unique plethora of writing skills that he possesses. 

              Actually, I haven't noted the beautiful moments while reading the book because the whole book is written in a single flow with many messages being delivered in between. Some words in italic does touch our heart while some not in italic also leave the same kind of an expression on us. But the letter that Mehfil writes for Shahraan is something that made me cry, literally. Then, Shahraan's journey towards being the best actor of the Bollywood is something that fascinated me. Every time the female characters had to compromise with their bodies being placed in front of the producers/directors/powerful people of the industry, I got goosebumps imagining the situations that these girls have to go through to achieve their dream/ambition. The pre-climax scene where a male and female character gets into a physical fight is another goosebumps-giving-scene. The another best part of the narration is the scene describing love-making and sexual moments. :-) The biggest boring part of the book were the unlimited letters by Kaash is the second half. The second half of the book does bring some extremely good parts of the book but it is too stretched. The book could have easily kept shorter by 50 pages. I rate the story and narration- 3.5 but to the many philosophical messages that author gives while narrating, I give .25 more. So finally- 3.75/5. 

  Thanks.

   ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer!!!

Book:

Book: Curfewed Night

Author: Basharat Peer

ISBN: 8184000901

ISBN-13: 9788184000900, 978-8184000900

Binding: Paperback

Publishing Date: 2009

Publisher: Random House India

Number of Pages: 256

Language: English

Author:

Basharat Peer was born in Kashmir in 1977. He studied political science at Aligarh Muslim University and journalism at Columbia University. He has worked as a reporter at Rediff and Tehelka and has written for various publications including the Guardian, Financial Times, New Statesman and Foreign Affairs, where he was assistant editor. He is currently based in New York.

Synopsis:

Basharat Peer was a teenager when the separatist movement exploded in Kashmir in 1989. Over the following years countless young men, seduced by the romance of the militant, fuelled by feelings of injustice, crossed over the Line of Control to train in Pakistani army camps. Peer was sent off to boarding school in Aligarh to keep out of trouble. He finished college and became a journalist in Delhi. But Kashmir—angrier, more violent, more hopeless—was never far away.

In 2003, the young journalist left his job and returned to his homeland to search out the stories and the people which had haunted him. In Curfewed Night he draws a harrowing portrait of Kashmir and its people. Here are stories of a young man’s initiation into a Pakistani training camp; a mother who watches her son forced to hold an exploding bomb; a poet who finds religion when his entire family is killed. Of politicians living in refurbished torture chambers and former militants dreaming of discotheques; of idyllic villages rigged with landmines, temples which have become army bunkers, and ancient sufi shrines decapitated in bomb blasts. And here is finally the old story of the return home—and the discovery that there may not be any redemption in it.

Lyrical, spare, gutwrenching and intimate, Curfewed Night is a stunning book and an unforgettable portrait of Kashmir in war.

Review:

             Basharat Peer has attempted a topic that needs an attention of all the Indians who aren't living in Jammu and Kashmir. The situations there are always talked of. But not many of us know how Kashmir itself is. What actually goes in there. We haveread about it through newspapers but reading about it in 230+ pages is an experience that'll take away all the smile from your face. A story that's provoking, hurtful, shocking, outrageous, sad etc. I need not say much about how effective the book is as it's already a Winner of the Vodafone Crossword Non-Fiction category. More over this, the great Khushwant Singh says it's beautifully written, brutally honest and deeply hurtful. 

           Yes, the incidents that are being mentioned in the book does gives you goosebumps. As I have also faced some similar situation, I related to the emotions of the author who has jotted down his whole life, almost. The sudden deaths of people around you for the only reason that they wanted to stand with their innocent views rages you. Then, the militants and soldiers killing people randomly for their own benefits is something that should not be taken lightly. The book got published in 2008. But reading it now, after reading many articles related to Kashmir's current situation, I can say that Basharat Peer's Curfewed Night will always remain to be truthful for the situation of Kashmir at any point of time. He tells initially how Kashmiris aren't involved much in politics. Then he tells how they get involved into the things that could have been avoided. Then he tells how young boys got into wars. How they wanted to pick up the gun and shower bullets into everyone whom they felt were the enemies. And then, he tells about his own journey in Delhi where he researched about the people from Kashmir and other related stories. The first half gives many new elements. Later the book becomes monotonous. The second half seems to be too much stretched. But the second part itself gives many secret out. The book ends on a good note. It's definitely one-time read. A non-fiction can't be written with more innocence and honesty. 

  Thanks.

   ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

THE KRISHNA KEY by ASHWIN SANGHI!!!

             Finally, I am back after the most wonderful adventure I had of my life. The only adventure that I have done while sitting within the four walls of my bedroom. Nothing can be more better than watching a good movie that takes you in its own world and reading a novel that takes you again in its own respective world in the time span of few hours. Yesterday, I went for BARFI! a movie that took me to the era of 1970s. And since yesterday, I am reading this book which I have finished just now that took me to the events that happened 5000 years ago. Currently, I feel as if I am the most content person in the world having two great experiences in two consecutive days. Ok, let's break the code- I am done reading 464-paged novel- THE KRISHNA KEY by the author Ashwin Sanghi. Author got his first book- Rozabal Line self-published. His second book- Chanakya's Chant emerged out to be the surprising bestseller of the time. And his third book- THE KRISHNA KEY released just a fortnight ago and it landed up in Bestseller's List at No. 1 in its first week itself. Mark my words, this book is going to be in the Bestsellers for at least a year. 

Synopsis:

"Five thousand years ago, there came to earth a magical being called Krishna, who brought about innumerable miracles for the good of mankind. Humanity despaired of its fate if the Blue God were to die but was reassured that he would return in a fresh avatar when needed in the eventual Dark Age—the Kaliyug. 

In modern times, a poor little rich boy grows up believing that he is that final avatar. 

Only, he is a serial killer.

In this heart-stopping tale, the arrival of a murderer who executes his gruesome and brilliantly thought-out schemes in the name of God is the first clue to a sinister conspiracy to expose an ancient secret—Krishna’s priceless legacy to mankind.

Historian Ravi Mohan Saini must breathlessly dash from the submerged remains of Dwarka and the mysterious lingam of Somnath to the icy heights of Mount Kailash, in a quest to discover the cryptic location of Krishna’s most prized possession. From the sand-washed ruins of Kalibangan to a Vrindavan temple destroyed by Aurangzeb, Saini must also delve into antiquity to prevent a gross miscarriage of justice. Ashwin Sanghi brings you yet another exhaustively researched whopper of a plot, while providing an incredible alternative interpretation of the Vedic Age that will be relished by conspiracy buffs and thriller-addicts alike."

               Ashwin Sanghi has been read for the first time by me. Before this I went to take his Chanakya's Chant and by mistakenly bought Corporate Chanakya. :-) But after reading this one, I am surprised, amused and amazed to see the amount of research that he has gone through before working on a book that has such amount of information, knowledge, content, matter etc related to the history of India, other countries, religions, epics etc. The narration is the best part of the book. This is the first time that I have seen an Indian author writing a 400+ pages book and managing to make it a DEFINITE PAGE TURNER. :-) After crossing 300th page, I got irritated with my speed of reading. I wanted to reach climax as soon as possible but I had to travel more 160 pages. And seriously, every page asked me to devote all my time to it. It is not a book that you would love to read quickly just to finish it. But you would want to keep reading it till a Reader within you is alive. And a True Reader even dies reading. :-) 

              Initially, the book is hard to understand. But after some 50-70 odd pages, you get into the year's best thriller's feel. :-) The way Lord Krishna is being talked initially develops a lot of interest in you. Even you want to know whether he exist-ed or it's just a myth. Throughout, every statement that is made regarding the invention that India has done is proven with all the logic and justification. And this is the high points of the book. Every page is specifically written to share some deep knowledge that most of us do not have. Every time a God is being talked, author has taken care of sentiments. But sometimes, he has crossed all the limits to prove that its India which is origin of almost all the useful inventions. At times, when other religions are mentioned of being derived from Hinduism, it makes you feel threatened because it clearly states that someone would create controversies using those parts of the book. How other foreign languages are derived from Sanskrit is a pride moment. How inventions of 0 and other trigonometric and mathematical equation has been done by Indians is another wonderful thing to know. Importance of the numbers 9, 3, 5, 108, 18 etc develops curiosity because we always take every number as just numbers. The way Hinduism's OM and Islam's 786 are related to each other makes you go crazy about the OMG FACTS. 

               The Taj Mahal part in the last few pages is the best read. And the way climax is handled brings a wide, broad smile on your face. And you ask yourself,"Will the author write the sequel to this one?" even when the book ends successfully with the last sentence. I have just mentioned few WOW moments of the book. There are many thrilling, surprising and threatening moments. I would say- GO FOR IT. It's just for Rs. 250. On Online portals, you'll get it for just 150-170. PLEASE, read this. You won't find any other book as entertaining as this in next few days. Now, I would be reading Chanakya's Chant very soon. Ashwin Sanghi, all the respect goes to you.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

The moonlit Pilgrimage by Dr. Sasiprabha Ps!!!

684th BLOG POST -->>

            I have finished reading Dr. Sasiprabha Ps's "The Moonlit Pilgrimage". The 148-pages book is published by Power Publishers. It's about an eternal love saga which is written in a very decent and author's very own style. The narration is fine with wonderful at some places while weak at some. Authoress Sasiprabha was born in Kerala. She is 25 years old. Currently, she is pursuing her internship at Govt. Ayurveda College, Trivandrum, Kerala. Whenever you see the prefix "Dr" before anyone's name. You already begin respecting the personality without knowing about what they really are. Thus as I began reading this book, I was sure that I might find some good narration if not story. And it happened quite the same. 

             Authoress does have the skill to write. The poems in the beginning and even during the phase of the story are beautiful. As per my information, authoress is basically a poet. And hence, you'll find the whole narration of the story as a poem is being written in an elaborated form. The way sentences have been structured shows that authoress is trying to develop an image that she is well and good in Literary English. Few sentences and imaginations do take your breathe away but few sentences are just cliche. At some places, you fail to understand what actually authoress is trying to convey. 

          About the Book(as described in the synopsis) :My pen is given to the soul of an young woman who journeys down her memory lane in an attempt to discover the true meaning of the most sought after thing known to human kind-love. She journeys on with a man for whom she thinks she has lost her self-yet a futile loss.Thus she is trying to find out the core and meaning of the paradox of their love. Its her pilgrimage along the ways lit by the moon light of romance.

             For the story, I would like to tell that it's a love story that everyone writes these days but the narration makes it far better than a simple love story. Authoress has inserted all her knowledge regarding science, nature, space and I don't know what what while describing her emotions in the book. If this a true story of hers, I would say- Interesting. If not, I would say- Creativity at her level best. But still, there's a room for improvement. With her 2nd book, I expect that I'll find bar raising up. And to the readers, I will recommend this book for the narration and the way sentences are being crafted throughout. 

  Thanks.

   ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU