It's All About Books!!!: October 2016

Friday, 28 October 2016

23½ Ways to Make A Girl Fall For You by Cyrus Broacha (Book Review: 3*/5) !!!

Reading a humorous book is always a stress-buster and when it's written by someone witty like Cyrus Broacha or Twinkle Khanna, the excitement to read those witty lines make you turn page after page so quickly that you end up finishing the read within 3-4 hours. The same happened with me when I picked up Cyrus Broacha's latest release "23 & 1/2 Ways to Make a Girl Fall For You". Though this is not one of the best works of Cyrus but as he is known for being that agony uncle who gives advise to anyone who is not able to find love or date a girl, this book is a must-read.

The book is full of letters that normal Indian guys have sent to Cyrus for asking a tip, suggestion or asking to motivate them about how to propose or approach a girl. Cyrus knows that it's hard to explain the Indian men that the girl will never say YES to them so rather than giving a challenging response, Cyrus starts sympathizing with the readers in his reply. And that's where the fun begins. Also when in few cases he gives advise and let the man know that he is not wrong on his part, that becomes more hilarious. The references that Cyrus gives in his reply of other topics and situations is damn hilarious and this is what makes this guy special. Right from his BAKRA days to now, the guy have not stopped impressing us.

In few letters, I did feel that the letters to Cyrus sounded really fake because of their length and the way the grown up guys showed innocence. Cyrus should have scripted those letters with little more reality than doing it just for humorous purpose. This is the only problem that I had from this book where the letters were as long as 2 and a half pages sometimes. It became exhaustive then to continue reading that letter as you already know the end result of it. Also, in some of the responses, Cyrus did sound as if he was trying to be humourous and it wasn't coming it to him naturally. Otherwise, this book should be read in breaks because the letters and the reply becomes monotonous for the readers after sometime and you will stop enjoying it in the middle of it. I give this book 3 stars out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!

Monday, 24 October 2016

The Talent Sutra by Devdutt Pattanaik (Book Review- 4.75*/5) !!!

Devdutt Pattanaik is a legend. Period! I have read many books on mythology and several other books based on how the incidents mentioned in mythology can be referred for the challenges we face in modern times- either at personal front or professional life. But the kind of explanation that Pattanaik provides in simple words with the right incidents is unbelievable. The pictorial representation or summation of the whole chapter is so particularly designed that after seeing it, you won't ever forget what you read in that piece. I am just done reading his latest release "The Talent Sutra: An Indian Approach to Learning" and it is as perfect as his other books.

The book basically tells us about how we run behind Lakshmi forgetting that Saraswati is more important if we want Lakshmi to come itself towards our destiny. The book tells about how by self-realization, analysis and imagination, we can go on to build our talent, nurture relationships, run an organization by keeping everyone happy. Several exampls are given how a person thinks only about himself at a managerial post and faces chaos. But as soon as he starts giving important to his colleagues, sub-ordinates and employees, he starts getting the result that he always aimed for. The author also focuses on the power of being patient and understanding the human emotions even in a corporate world as a company/organization falls when the resources are considered just as machine and only work is expected out of them.

The book is definitely full of sutras and the 120 pages is full of such knowledge along with an example of the modern times that it makes it more relevant. In the end of the book, the words used in the book is explained which are of Sanskrit source so that the user can understand the purpose of usage of these words. The book is divided in 4 parts and each of them is treated very well and you can explain how each step of the process can be executed in our work life. Overall, this book will surely stand on top as one of the best books by the author. I rate it 4.75* out of 5.

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Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Sunday, 23 October 2016

19th Akshauhini by Haribakth/Vaishnavi (Book Review-3.75*/5) !!!

These days many writers are publishing books based on Gita or their own version of Gita. It is good to see such books doing good in Bestseller's List because this generation needs to know about the Indian mythology and there is no better way than reading such books which are written in simple and friendly language. The latest book that I have read based on Gita is "19th Akshauhini" which the author calls it as an explanation of algorithm of the Gita. The book is written by the father-daughter duo- Haribakth and Vaishnavi. The author have tried to answer many questions that he feels people want to know.

The book is divided into three parts- The spiritual part, the mundane part and the last one is the pictorial presentation of dialogues through which a reader can easily understand the concepts. Author have tried to explain how Gita is relevant in today's world even after 5300 years. Many examples and situations are discussed through which Gita's credibility has been proved. Many myths have been busted by the author through explanation of difficult terms and breaking them down for a layman to understand how certain rules have been created.

Author have also widely tried to prove how God have not been wrong in cases where we easily get off by giving the example of that one mistake committed by God. There are many perspectives of a scenario being discussed and also how there are alternatives to the primary one is told to the readers. I, personally, found the first and the last part of the book very reader-friendly and interesting. The middle section of the book becomes little boring. Also, I didn't find few topics relevant to be included in this book.

The research behind writing this book is clearly visible in the way author have given the references and practical examples. I also liked the tabular representation in between of the chapters where the questions and their respective answers are shared with the readers. There are many questions that will get answered for you through this book so it's definitely one of the good books based on Gita and explanation of how it can be followed in our modern world. I have little complaint with the publisher for publishing this book in such a large size. It has made it so heavy that reader will find it hard to carry with him while traveling or reading while lying on the bed. Also, the price of the book is on the higher side. This might act as a blockage for this book towards its journey of becoming a Bestseller. I give this book 3.75* out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Saturday, 22 October 2016

It's All in the Planets by Preeti Shenoy (Book Review- 4*/5) !!!

Preeti Shenoy is one of my favorite authors and I make sure that I have her book with me on the first day of its release itself; though I missed her last book which was her first attempt at non-fiction but I am sure that I'll read it soon enough. I am just done reading her latest release named "It's All in the Planet's". By the cover page and the title of the book, I had wrongly assumed that it's another non-fiction by her but after I read the synopsis did I realize that yes, Ms. Shenoy is back with her forte- FICTION. The book is indeed a treat for her fans as it speaks of love, relationships, human emotions and several circumstances a human being goes through in this thing called LIFE. Through this book, she is also wanting us to believe in DESTINY and that everything is not in our hands. We should leave somethings to happen according to its own course.

The book is written in a very simple language. Yet again, Preeti have tried writing as first person for two different protagonists in alternate chapters which makes it more interesting reading the same story from two different perspectives. Though I felt that many scenes are repeated as both the characters narrate the same part in first 1-2 paragraphs. What I liked about this book is the way author have treated the same plot which every Indian romance-genre authors write in a very special manner making it look like something mature. If only every writer had this talent.

The characters are very well described by the author and you can relate with each one of them. The character of Nidhi is so simple yet charming that you want to meet her. Aniket's desperation to impress his girlfriend so that she doesn't leave him is also handled well in first half. The relationship between Nidhi and her step-mom, Tara, is very well portrayed. The way how Aniket's orthodox father changes his mindset in the ending also looks genuine. The good thing about the book is that it breaks so many stereotypes in such a simple manner that never sounds preachy or forcible.

Talking about the drawbacks, I didn't find story much based on the theme and title of the novel that all is in the planet's. Initially, the horoscope that is shared before each chapter is written in the same language as they are printed in papers and magazines but in the second half, it is written in such a manner that it sounds fake because of it's direct reference to the character's circumstance. The climax isn't very movable though it does everything you wanted to happen in the end but still, it felt incomplete. But still, this book is a light read and makes you think in many scenes. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Thursday, 20 October 2016

The Girl of my Dreams by Durjoy Datta (Book Review- 3.75*/5) !!!

I love the timing of Durjoy Datta's books' releases. As soon as you start feeling that it has been a long time since you read his last book, you come to know that next one is about to be released. And Durjoy Datta's novels have that feeling which makes you nostalgic about your days when you started reading Indian authors initially and liked reading love stories which seemed realistic. Not many authors have come out of that zone of writing the typical love stories except few and Durjoy is definitely one out of them. He has grown as an author immensely in his last 3-4 books and now in his latest one named "The Girl of my Dreams", Durjoy Datta have tried thriller and let me tell you, he has passed with good marks.

The Girl of my Dreams is about the protagonist Daman who is facing challenges in his life after surviving a deadly car accident. His girlfriend, Shreyasi, was with him in the car and he feels that because he was driving that day, he is guilty of her death. Now he has a new girlfriend, Avni, who is not very happy in a relationship because Daman is a writer and he names his virtual girlfriend as Shreyasi even after Avni asking him to use her name several times. The whole thing becomes chaotic and difficult for all the characters in the book when Shreyasi comes back in the story. Everyone is confused that she was dead then how could she return back in flesh and blood. And from here onwards, the curiosity of the reader starts growing with each page.

The characterization of Durjoy has always been mind-blowing and even in this book, each and every character is so well developed and defined and you can actually imagine them. Right from Daman’s confused character, Sumit’s helpful one, Shreyasi’s destructive nature to Avni’s composed one- every character has been given justice. Even Jayanti’s and Karthik’s character is beautiful portrayed and not treated as side characters in the book. The first half is exciting as you want to know what thrilling events are about to happen in the story and as Shreyasi’s character enters once, the book takes a different turn altogether. The 2nd half is well-written describing the struggle of Daman and Avni against the evil play of Shreyasi. As a reader, even you are in panic while turning each page. The segment where the car is been burned is one of the most terrific parts of this story.

The climax is also nicely closed and does not let you feel that in the name of thriller, you have been given a plain story to read. It feels as if a good romantic thriller has been gifted to you after a long time by an Indian author. I got a feel while reading this book as if I am reading a Novoneel Chakraborty’s book. Talking about the drawbacks, I felt that climax could have been little more hot and spicy as not much happens in the end. Also, not much is explained in the end about behavior of Daman at different point of time throughout the story. There were many things that were not justified in the climax which makes you feel little incomplete. Except that, The Girl Of My Dreams is a treat for Durjoy Datta’s fans. I give this book 3.75* out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA – VEERU!!!

Wednesday, 5 October 2016

One Indian Girl by Chetan Bhagat (Book Review-3.75*/5) !!!

CHETAN BHAGAT- A name that urged Indians to read more than a decade ago. I started reading novels after knowing about the humorous contents his books has. And after that I make sure that I read his books the first day after its release before someone else starts giving the review. Generally people believe in giving negative reviews to his book to prove themselves intellectual, literati or whatever! The last book that made me feel that it's the Chetan Bhagat I know was 2 States. Revolution 20-20 and Half Girlfriend couldn't impress me because I felt that I was reading a movie script than a fiction novel. This time he has come up with a book in female voice named "One Indian Girl". I was doubtful about this one too as I believed that it would be too feminist to digest. But fortunately, I am enough impressed with the story and felt that I read a book written by one of my favorite authors.

The story is about a girl who is quite feminist and does not believe in getting pulled down by her parents or anyone just because she is a girl. She makes it sure that she does things which she feels is right without worrying about anyone else. She also have to hear about how she is doing things which are okay with boys but she shouldn't do it being a girl. But she is what not many girls in India are. She has a great job out of India. She earns what 10 average men cannot earn collectively in India. She has more than one relationship which is not digestible in Indian culture. And story of such courageous and successful Indian girl makes this book a phenomenal read.

Chetan Bhagat have not tried to preach much feminism which is the plus point of the book. The story is very well handled right from the prologue. As is the case with many stories, even this one gets better when the story goes back in flashback. The characterization by CB is spot-on once again. The character of Radhika is very well crafted and the writing style of CB does not allow you to think that its not been written by a girl. Yes, I agree that few sentences are provocative as they are kind of general statements which not many girls would think while being intimate with someone or dressing themselves for a party. And I am pretty sure that CB-haters are going to pick up these sentences against him to pull this book down which has already broken Pre-ordering record on Amazon.

The book has not been stretched anywhere. The second flashback is not as good as the first one and it has a reason because the affair is with a person of another class itself. The climax is little filmy but has an appropriate ending. I was little unsure about what decision will the girl take in the end but the feminist point is well handled in the end and the final decision of the girl only makes you smile in the end of the book. Talking about the drawbacks I would say that too much insight of the protagonist's job has been discussed which becomes irritating after a point of time. As I said above, at few places, CB has not justified a girl's point of view correctly which looks quite fake and attention-seeking. Also, the humour is again missing just like the last two books for which CB has become popular. Overall, I give this book 3.75* out of 5. It can surely be read once.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!