Life is always aimless unless you love it by Ratnadip Acharya!!!

             Some books take a long time to be read. This does not happen with me usually but this time I have been under the scanner of many things happening all around me where I have been the sole person carrying everything. Hence this part of life slowed down. With my reading speed, I read 3 books of 250 pages in a day while this 216 pages book took 8 days. Happens! This is just another book by Srishti Publications that I ended up reading. It is always fun to read Srishti books as I am used to their cover pages, page quality, fonts, line spacing, printing style etc. I just love reading them because I feel as if I have already read the book. This time I read "Life is always aimless" which also has the tag line "Unless you love it". The debutante author of the book is Ratnadip Acharya who is a well-trained street magician and has performed street magic at many parts of the country. Graduated from NIT, Jamshedpur as a electrical engineer Ratnadip stays in Mumbai. He loves travelling and his fa- vourite destination is the Himalaya and its foothills where he has spent many days of his life. Over the years he learnt many esoteric spiritual practices which are very close to his heart. Writing fiction is his passion for many years. He had contributed many inspiring write ups in different collections of chicken soup for the soul. His short stories were appreciated by many readers in India and abroad.

            The synopsis of the book says: Do we you really know how much courage is required to listen to our own heart? 

Meet Akash, an young engineer, who dreams of becoming a writer. But all his works meet with is rejection from publisher. Will he ever be rewarded for listening to his heart? 

Smitten by wanderlust, adventurous Sandip does not care much about career, marriage or making a family. How will life treat him for listening to his heart? 

Possessor of a charming personality, Chirag, has a deep perchant for women. But deep down the motherless Chirag is temibly lonely. What is in store for this vulnerable young man? 

Maria Fernandez is a lonely and a less-than- looking young girl who firmly believes that possossing a tender heart is enough to make her world beautiful. Will ruthless life shatter her belief? 

As their life got seamlessly inter-wined with many others they realized that Life is Always Aimless .... Unless You Love it. 

               Coming to the author, I would say Ratnadip Acharya is someone whom you can expect to write good philosophical books. The way he has handled the title of the book throughout his story is something that should be commended. Though I feel that much more could have been done with the book but whatever is been done is no less than a good book. I love reading such stuffs as it lets us know that some decisions are not on our choices but what life chooses for us. And it gives confidence and relief to lead the future life. I hope author keeps writing such work always as its better than any love story that are been written under the same Publication house with which he is been published. 

               The initial pages of the book are slow. It didn't create any enthusiasm in me to carry forward but once when the book reached its medieval, the story started progressing. The trauma of the characters were beautifully scripted and made us feel the dilemma they are in. Some parts of the book such as favoring the old woman, the story of a poor boy in the pre-climax of the book etc. are the USPs of the book. Because such parts did make me feel about how one can lead life as. The character of Maria shows how one knows that he/she cannot achieve what he/she wants to but still keeps all the hope alive. Her character shows the confidence that one needs to have in spite of disbelief. Akash's character shows as to how one needs to keep trying in spite of rejection and failure. Chirag's character tells the pain one has when he is inexperienced with the love of a mother. And in quest to that, the way he leads his life is another thought-provoking part. Sandip's character, unfortunately, didn't make me much happy. All credit goes to the character of Maria. 

             As I said, the drawback of the book is its slow start and lack of humour. Even when the book is written on a serious topic, author should have inserted some humour. He kept the book too focused on the subject. Though the book is lovable in some parts of it but some parts are speed breaker to the story. In a book of 216 pages, I don't expect such breakers. Else, I would say that the book is based on characters. I will not say that it is a very good book but I won't even say that miss it. You can give it a chance. Hence, 3/5 ratings. I would love to read more philosophical works by Ratnadip Acharya.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

The Secret Wish List by Preeti Shenoy!!!

             Some times, time does not favour and you get stuck in reading a book that could have got completed in just 3-4 hours. This book was bought for my friend to gift it to her on Birth day but later I decided to keep it for myself. "The Secret Wish List"- A Book of 260 pages published by "Westland Publishers". The authoress Preeti Shenoy who has written yet another amazing story needs no introduction. But there's something very funny and amusing about her journey as a writer is the shuffling of Publishers every time she comes up with a new book. Her first book was with Srishti Publications, then with Random House India and finally, this one with Westland Publication. Haha! 

              Coming to the story of "The Secret Wish List"- At sixteen, Diksha like any girl her age, finds her life revolving around school, boys and endless hours of fun with her best friend. But one day, all that changes. What starts as an innocent crush explodes into something far beyond her control. Eighteen years later, she finds herself at the crossroads of life. Urged by a twist of events, a wish list is born. But can a wish list help her piece back her life together? Will she succumb to the tangled mess of an extramarital relationship? The Secret Wish List is a captivating, engrossing, racy tale about following your heart, chasing your dreams and the meaning of friendship. To know more, read the book. 

             Coming to the author, there's no doubt that Preeti Shenoy is the best female author in the genre in which she writes. Every time she drafts a story, it comes up with a message and lots of learning. A girl/married woman reading it will always find a way out of her problems and a boy/husband reading it will always learn to respect women. And she does it with an entertaining manner rather than keeping the story too intense or up-to-the-point. She knows what to put where in the book which directly touches the heart of the readers. As the authoress herself is a married woman, she understands the plight of married women and hence, they would love reading her books more than anyone else. But what's interesting is that even youths like me loves reading her book. It does not have any age barrier. But I would like to demand Preeti Shenoy to write a happy married life of a woman in her next book as she is getting stereotyped as "one who writes only depressing tales of married women".

             Coming to the good parts of book according to me- Initially, when the book begins, the way she keeps on shuffling between both the periods of story is too interesting. The school life of Diksha isn't kept too cheesy like other authors. Even that's interesting to read. Then her equation with Sandeep, her husband is described perfectly. I was able to imagine each and every sequence as it seems to be real and not a single part seems to be filmy and exaggerated. Her son, Abhay is my favorite character in the book. I just loved reading his conversations with his parents. I want my kid to be like him. :-) The scene when she meets Vibha and the concept of Wish List is revealed in the book is a perfect part. Even I felt that there should be something that every married person should make to keep himself/herself aspiring and motivated. And once her childhood friends come back in her life, the real fun in the story starts. As we sympathize with the protagonist, we start loving the way she breaks all the confinements and does what she always wants to. 

             All the moments in the book is worth appraising. But I won't talk about them as many Spoilers might come out and a Review looks nice when its short. The only problem that I find is the one I mentioned above- Too depressing story. Hence, I would ask authoress to please write something cheery next time. I would love to read an opposite version from you. :-) I would rate- 4/5. Yes, get the book. And in the end, Cover Designer of this book should be felicitated with something special. What an incredible work by him/her. 

 Thanks.

  ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Let's Talk Money by Akhil Khanna!!!

             Good to see a special number "777" being touched and experienced. It's always a special day whenever I get to write such posts with unique numbers. But unfortunately, I am not talking on a topic but reviewing a book. As I promised all my readers that I will come up with some good books' review, I am just not procrastinating a bit. I want to keep reading until I get stuck with college duties. Tonight, I am not reviewing yet-another-fiction but a Non-fiction book named "Let's talk money" which also has the tagline of "Road to Riches Made Easy" that is published by Times Group Books. Book is authored by Akhil Khanna who has successfully pursued the degree of MBA with specialization in the field of Financial Management at the University of Sheffield, U.K in the year 1992. He spent the next eight years working for three organizations in India, two Indian reputed companies and the third a Korean Multinational. During his corporate career, he looked after a wide range of finance related activities in the companies ranging from Working and Term Financing Arrangements, Forex Management and Risk Hedging, Corporate MIS Reporting, Budgeting etc. 

                Coming to the book- "Let's Talk Money", I will share its synopsis as its a cut-to-cut summary about what the book is:

 Warren Buffett has two rules. Rule No. 1: Never lose money. Rule No. 2: Never forget Rule No. 1. Let me add a Rule No. 3: Know how to apply Rule No. 1. For, neither our upbringing nor our education gives money any significant place. Money is the least discussed topic within a family. Formal education about it is absent. The aim of this book is to help people from non-financial background to become aware of the world of money. In a simple, jargon-free language, it tries to acquaint us with this world — the various options one has of investing and the things one should bear in mind while choosing an option. We come to know of the complexities of the global investment climate we live in today and the dangers to our investments. Remember: It is not important what one earns; true wealth is what one manages to keep.

            I will seriously appreciate Mr. Akhil Khanna for writing such a rich book. By seeing the cover page of the book and the name of the Publisher, Times Group Books, I didn't think that this book can be interesting and so entertaining. I thought that it would be something that will talk about money in some jargon and such keywords that will make me sleep. But fortunately, it taught me a lot. Akhil Khanna has made it sure that every person who is not from the Finance and Economics background can understand the book. As the synopsis says that he is trying to let people know how not to lose money, this book surely teaches us all the details in a very simple and understandable language in just 176 pages. 

             Right from the First Chapter- Money to last chapter- World Financial Crisis 2008, book keeps us teaching something or the else. The good thing about the book is that it discusses both the sides. When we invest money in something, it tells us what do we gain by doing it and how does the company in which we invested makes profit through it. Then it also tells when to invest in an organization and when not. It also tells as to what factors influence in growth of money and downfall of it. It tells when not to think about doubling the money. It tells how to buy shares and when to sell them off. How to judge a company while being involved in this business of Stock Market. ETC. 

              Another good thing about the author is the real life examples that he has mentioned in the book. Rather than giving Case Studies and making this a textbook, he has given certain interesting examples- some of them real while some of them fictionally built. Then, as the book starts becoming monotonous, author has given Chapter 9th- "Invest In Happiness" which is a very happy and serene read. I loved the idea of author to include such a chapter in this highly topic-oriented book. Author's confidence in his subject can be easily seen with the way every sentence is been written. He has made whole finance and economics so easy for all the laymen who would be reading this book. I, who is totally naive in this field, a Science student, liked this book and never got bored then I can assure that anyone of you can deal with it. And I recommend this to all of you as once you'll read this book, you'll find it easy to invest and use your money that you earn with hard-work and passion. I am not giving any Ratings to this book as this piece of work needs to be kept with ourselves without any reviews.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

"Uff Ye Emotions" Preview!!!

I have already shared this Cover Page of  "Uff Ye Emotions" where my Short Story "A Date with Fate" is Publishing

This is how your favorite Blogger is been promoted!!! :-)

To Pre-order the book "Uff Ye Emotions", Click Any of the two Links given below.

Available at HOMESHOP18 for Rs. 90

Available at FLIPKART for Rs. 97

Meet Other Authors who are getting published with me in "Uff ye Emotions"

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

       

ARRANGED LOVE by Parul A Mittal!!!

774th BLOG POST -->>

            The 6th book of this year is done reading in a single sitting. This is what happens when you get your hands on a very interesting and heart-gripping book. Even when I am suffering with epic-kind-of-stomach-pain, it was hard for me to go to sleep/rest by keeping this book aside without turning the last page of it. :-) Finally, I am done. "Arranged Love" which also has the tagline of "Can it get more complicated?" published by Penguin Books. The cover page of book is soothing and once you'll be done reading it, you will realize that it matches perfectly with the story. This is 2nd book of Bestseller Authoress- PARUL MITTAL whose first book is famous by name "Heartbreaks and Dreams" which is story of Girls @ IIT. Parul Mittal has mentioned it during her first book's release that she turned writer just to tell the story of IIT from a girl's view after her batchmate- Chetan Bhagat got Super Success by writing about the same from a boy's view. And I disliked her first book extremely. With this book, she has categorized herself in those section of authors who got fame by Srishti Publication but opted a Major Publication House instead of Srishti for 2nd venture. :-) And I am happy to tell all that I have loved reading "Arranged Love".

               Coming to the story[I am not writing it in my language as Synopsis is exactly what the book is about without any mirch-masala added]- Suhaani is enjoying her independent status in the US and her sexy Indian American boyfriend, when suddenly she loses her job to recession. And she's forced to move back to India where her father has selected a 'boy' for her from his guitar class. Suhaani doesn't know how to tell her Internet-savvy dad and Farmville-addict mother that she's not interested in an arranged match, especially to an IlTian. She decides to dislike the guy. Except that he's not too thrilled about her either. Even when they end up working together, Suhaani decides she will not fall for this guy. But before she can turn him down, he rejects her! Find out what happens next in this racy comedy of relationships that is Arranged Love!

             Parul Mittal's first novel disappointed me a lot because I just found a simple narration about her college's life in it and I felt that she didn't have that flick of writing. But I am totally surprised to see her in a totally new Avatar in this book. Now I know how Penguin accepted her honorably. :-) All the female authoress (mostly those are married) opts to write about Arranged vs Love Story based Fiction because they give their best shot in it. Mrs. Parul has done the same. She has finally touched the nerves of what people wants from an Author with a Biography like hers. :-) The way she has connected the story by keeping the protagonist of "Arranged Love"- Suhaani the younger cousin of the protagonist of "Heartbreaks and Dreams"- Tanu is something that is a BIG WOW!!! Hats Off! The whole story right from 1st page to 232nd is interesting and not a single page bores you. I can easily claim that I will look forward to future works of Parul Mittal.

               Coming to the review- The first five pages itself notifies that the book is going to be fast paced and entertaining. Suhani's interaction with her sister Tanu as soon as she comes back to India is surprisingly entertaining. The introduction of her childhood friend- Neha is also naughty and witty. Then, her conversation with her parents especially with mother is funny and typical Indian Mother-Unmarried Daughter talk. :-) Her mother's addiction towards Farmville is funnily narrated which is really fun to read. Haha. Also, later on her mother spying the account of Suhaani's boyfriend- Jay is god damn funny. Its amusing to imagine a mother stalking her daughter's boyfriend's Facebook profile. :-) Rejection moment with Deepak is wonderfully scripted. The real story begins from there. The way Jay keeps a normal gesture while bombarding minor bombs over her through conversation that keeps on screwing her mind is another good part of the book. 

               The way Authoress has described the feeling of a girl for boy's physique is what I would appreciate because in India, it is always shown as if only boys are physically attracted while girls are quite controlled. But this book gives a real insight. Second- As some of the recent events like movies, songs etc are mentioned, it refreshes our mind because we feel as if all the characters are true and living somewhere near us. :-) Third- One Liners in the book are funny. Some of them really made me laugh.

             Coming to the drawbacks- Jay's character is boring and does not entertain. Even when Author shows that Suhaani is in love with him, all the events described with him right from start is just about lust, physical attraction and love-making. That's something off-track. Then, when the word "nipple-hardening" is used for the first time, I liked it but later on when authoress kept on talking about hardening of nipples, it irritated. Even males don't talk about erection for so many times in their book. It should have been avoided. That's all. 

             Overall, I would rate this book 3.75/5. I would have given it more if I would not have read other stories related to the same topic from female authors. And Yes, this book is a WRITTEN version of the movie "NAMASTEY LONDON". Almost. :-) Go, get the book. It's worth.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

Pre-order my First Published Story "Uff Ye Emotions"!!!

             The day I got a call from Vinit Bansal sir and he asked me to write a Story for an upcoming Anthology by Mahaveer Publishers, I was very skeptic as to what should I do- Make an entry with a Short story in the Publishing industry or wait and finally come with a Full Novel. But then I remembered the sayings of Super Human Beings that we shouldn't let Opportunities go from our hands as it does not come every day. We have also heard how Shahrukh Khan rejected Slumdog Millionaire but Anil Kapoor accepted it and walked Red carpets in Oscars. :-) Hence, I didn't want to commit such a mistake. I wasn't pretty excited about this venture until I saw my Name on the Back Cover Page an hour ago. :-)

              Friends, all of you have stayed with me for last 1272 days in this journey of blogging. Many of you always pinged me for writing a Novel as you felt that I will write something very different and artistic. Though its taking time, I am up with this 5000-words Love Story titled "A Date with Fate" which is part of this Anthology- "Uff Ye Emotions". This will give me a rehearsal as to how to come up with my novel in market and react to all that happens during this session of getting accepted, published, reviewed and I don't know what what.. I have just begun my Journey. Finally, your Blogger is a Published Author though of a short story but this will at least give you a belief that I will come up with my novel too. :-) 

            "Uff Ye Emotions" will be publishing on 10th February(estimated time), 2013. Till then, you can Pre-order it on Flipkart and Homeshop18 in just Rs. 90. The book will be delivered at your home and you can pay the money to the delivery boy. I hope I will get a lot of support from all of you so that my journey will get a boost and my future will get stabilized. I want to deliver a lot through writing. I hope I will. It's all in hands of all of you now. I am sharing the links below. Do take care. I am feeling short of words tonight. Little choked. I will talk in detail the day I'll hold the book in my hands. :-) This is still a Secret at home. I hope it remains to be so. I want my parents to directly touch their son's work. I hope they'll feel proud of me. 

Buy "Uff Ye Emotions" from Homeshop18 in just Rs. 90 CASH ON DELIVERY Available.

Buy "Uff Ye Emotions" from FLIPKART in just Rs. 88 CASH ON DELIVERY Available.

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU

A Maverick Heart: Between love and life by Ravindra Shukla!!!

            It becomes hard to pick and finish a book of almost 400 pages when you are used to reading books of 225-250 pages from a long while. The 5th book that I picked this year is "A Maverick heart: Between love and life" published by Leadstart Publishers. Book is of 383 pages and it is seriously very lengthy. I would recommend everyone to read it only when you are totally free from all the other stuffs of your life like college, office, family responsibilities etc. The best environment to read this book is while journeying in train or bus. It will be an excellent read then. The book was been selected by Penguin Publishers but because of some issues, author turned over to Leadstart. An unfortunate step but then, such mistake happens in a debut novel. The author Ravindra Shukla is an Engineering graduate from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay. He has been working in IT software technology. He has worked with PWC and IBM in USA for 15+ years. It is surprising to know that we have an author from IIT and not from Srishti Publications. :-) A rare of the rarest moment. Haha!

              Coming to the story of A Maverick Heart- It is the story of three young kids- Rahul, Neerav and Richita. All of them belongs to different family backgrounds with different approaches yet very close and affectionate towards each other. But life has some different plans for them. Their logic, practicality, emotions clashes against each other and all them get parted away. Being in the same IIT campus, meeting each other and befriending, they feel that their life is perfect. They love their college life a lot until Richita's family intervenes. Rahul's logic makes it difficult for everyone to stay with him. Later, all of them lands into corporate world and ends up in the realm of the social-political world. The book covers almost a journey of decade- 1996 to 2004. To know how the story moves forward, get the book and read it yourself. 

              Ravindra Shukla has a very fluent and good English. Yes, I get very few opportunities where I get to say that I got to learn something from author's language and this, fortunately, lands up in this good category. He has not used same sentences and emotions to express the events that we get to witness in almost every book. He has his own unique style which makes it evident that the author has talent to write. The way he has embedded lots of issues in a single story is appreciable. I got to learn so much from those parts. IIT's stories are abundant in market but still this is featured in its own artistic way. I can easily say that I will pick Ravindra Shukla's work next time I'll see it in market. 

              Coming to the review- The coverage of almost 10 years of all the three characters in the book is the reason why this book is good. Even when there are lots of characters in the book initially- Rahul, his mother, Richita, her parents, Roy's, Neerav, professors etc, author has succeeded in defining everyone's character uniquely that attaches us to each one of them. My favorite character of the book has been of Richita's because it is too real to be called a fictional character. :-) 

              The letter by Dr. Deen Dayal initially is so natural. The interaction of children with professors in a party-kind-of-gathering is amazing. I loved reading the part. Rahul and Richita's romance in the IIT campus is fine and mature. It isn't kept under the clouds of love making and sex but in determination and passion. The sketching part is sweet. The cheering part during Sporting ceremony is also a beautiful concept. The way Rahul and Richita has to part their ways later on in the story tells us what realistic world is and how some people have to take such decisions because of the situation. Richita's reaction to Rahul's last letter is emotional even when its expressed in just two sentences. Neerav and Richita's conversation in the Interactive session is very refreshing. Again, Deepak's coverage in the story is appreciable.

             The USP of this book is the conversations that are described between any characters at any point of time. Each one of them carries a philosophy and knowledge with a pinch of wit and wisdom in it. I just want to frame all the conversations and place them on walls of my house and read them every morning. They are so good. Not in any other book did I find such wisdom in conversations. Even if you don't have time to read the book, go through its conversation, you will learn a lot. :-) The climax of the book is some thing that satisfied me a lot because as the whole story kept on going with lots of sacrifices in every character's life, I was skeptic about the climax. 

              Coming to the drawbacks- As the 2/3rd part of the story is based in America, I found it hard to connect myself with the environment. Even the whole business processes and cities' names didn't excite me. Just because the characterization is deep, I kept on reading the book. Yeren's involvement in the story didn't create any magic and it could have been done without including her in the book. But because author wanted to show how the mentality of Americans and Indians differ, he used the character. Then, the lots of economy and politics that is discussed in the book is sometimes good but sometimes over descriptive. That's all. 

               In all, I would say that the book is different with an outstanding genre but still there was something missing because of which I am not giving it 4. I will rate it 3.75 out of 5. Go get the book. 

 Thanks.

 ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU