It's All About Books!!!

Friday, 3 May 2019

Rain Drops and Caterpillars by Anuradha Prasad (Book Review: 3.75*/5) !!!

These days it’s tough for an anthology or the book with short stories to match with the count of audience that a full-fledged novel is able to attract. But if an anthology is good, it gets taker as much as a bestselling novel gets. I just completed reading the 3^rd book written by Anuradha Prasad named “Rain Drops and Caterpillars” which is a compilation of six short stories. The first 2 books were full-fledged stories by the authoress but this time she chose to showcase her skills in writing strong and powerful short stories and let me tell you, she manages to impress her readers as much as she did it with her one-story books.

Author has kept name of each story on an action or emotion dealt by a human being and every story justifies its respective title. Each story even after being short of around 30-50 pages each makes you feel that you have read a complete book in the end of every story. The characters are developed very neatly as you can relate with most of them even when author had less time to talk about their background and make them familiar to you. The best part is that along with the movement of the story, the characters are developed which doesn’t stretch the story for this reason as many authors end up developing characters only for some time before introducing us to the theme of the story.

Author has talked about so many things through her stories that even after having quite social topics in few of them, you won’t find them preachy even for once. The topic varies from parents supporting a deaf child with all the possible love – to - a homosexual person searching and finding acceptance for himself in the society – to - a housewife facing physical abuse in one marriage to verbal abuse in second - to - the relationship between human beings and dogs – to - a widow of an Army officer trying to move on the same steps - to - a man fighting the trauma of realizing that he has been fooled by someone in love and left alone to fight with his loneliness in a lone country.

Author has tried very well to put up the compilation of the stories such that you don’t find any two stories sound or based on the similar concept or background. The way author narrates each story in a slow pace makes you raise your brows initially as to how will the story bring twists and turns within the span of 30-40 pages but still, author manages to bring varieties in each story. The end of every story is appropriate except the one which is based on verbal abuse as it ends suddenly without the masala climax that the reader was expecting throughout. My personal favourite has been the last story as its emotions are too intense and passionate. The way the story ends also gives the book a befitting ending.

Talking about the drawbacks, I felt author ended up describing few places in the story so much that you want to skip those segments and move to the next paragraph. The conversations that are handled between characters are not exactly how people communicate which makes some parts look artificial. The stories could have been edited well with more twists and turns rather than over description of emotions – the way it has been done with the chapter on human-animal love. Overall, the book is a nice light read which you can read while traveling or before sleeping or gift to your loved ones on special occasions as the cover page of the book is also very beautiful and attractive. Just as I scored the author 3.75* out of 5 each for her last two books, this one also gets the same rating. After Novoneel Chakraborty, Anuradha Prasad is the only author whom I have found consistent with each book. I am again waiting for Anuradha’s full-fledged novel again.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA

Thursday, 2 May 2019

Flowers on the Path by Sadhguru (Book Review: 3.25*/5) !!!

Sadhguru’s books are always enlightening and carries something which stays with you for life and becomes useful in keeping you calm in tough times. Recently, I read his latest release named “Flowers on the Path” which is a short book of just 170 pages. The book is more on general stuffs than being out and out a spiritual book. This one is quite different than what I have read till now by the modern world guru. The book is written in three different segments- Everyday Flowers, Flowers on the Path and Flowers of the Beyond.

As in Sadhguru’s own profound style, he calmly explains us how we have made our daily lifestyle troublesome due to the small races we become a part of. How people are confused among themselves and keep on establishing small happiness’s out of someone else’ loss is what Sadhguru tries to focus upon. Sadhguru talks about the importance of health, aligning the energies, being secular and sacred, how to keep children afresh and energized and free of any biases, the importance of women in society etc.

Later on, in the book, Sadhguru starts establishing the spiritual logic gradually in the minds of his readers. He starts mentioning the importance of Yoga, sitting at one place silently, the power of concentration, the role of a Guru in your life, the Genuity of prayer, how human has accumulated everything from this Earth and how we are nothing except the soul within us etc.

Sadhguru’s style of writing helps the reader to understand the concepts and logic at their own pace. Every chapter is not of more than 3-4 pages. He doesn’t use touch vocabulary to sound very intellectual or philosophical but keeps things simple. This is his specialty which has also made his videos and blogs popular. He starts any book describing the small acts we keep ourselves engaged in and then leaves a small conceptual benefit of yoga and meditation and ends the book there for you to think about yourself and life thereafter and think about being in peace rather than messing up your mind with unwanted stuffs. I give Flowers on the Path 3.25 stars out of 5 as it is just a normal book with not that much of an insight which can bring extreme changes in your life. But it shall surely sow the seeds of spirituality somewhere in the way you think.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA

Life In The Sunshine by T. Sathish (Book Review- 3.5*/5) !!!

The IPL season is going on and everyone who loves Cricket is in frenzy of the Cricketing updates daily regarding who won and lost and how much everyone earned on their respective Dreams 11 contest. It is always exciting to be associated with this Sport as the connection with it begins right since our childhood and stays until we die. Let how much Football, Kabaddi or WWE innovate with their stuffs but nothing can beat Cricket in India. Being a reader, it is always an exciting experience to read any book on Cricket. This time I got my hands upon a fiction book named “Life In The Sunshine” which is written by the author, T. Sathish. The book has the tagline which says “Autobiography of an Unknown Cricketer”. The cover page of the book is very beautiful where a local boy is shown hitting a ball on a beach side where the Sun can be seen rising.

The book is about how not everyone who loves Cricket or wishes to be a Cricketer in their childhood just because they want to be like their childhood hero- Gavaskar, Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dhoni, Kapil Dev etc. ends up becoming a National or renowned Cricketer. There are many stories in this country which has ended up on other side where the person never got an opportunity to play on a respectable stage and scale. Such people end up ruining their life as after a certain age, they can’t even get back to their basic academics again due to lack of motivation and commitment.

In a very lighter note, Author has discussed the passion which Indian youth carries with them throughout their age to be a Cricketer and even if they get back to their 9 to 5 job, a part of their heart keeps beating for an opportunity to get associated with Cricket some or the other way. The 1^st half of the book is more on the commentary on the real Cricket matches played by Indian Cricket Team since 1983 World Cup tournament and you are impressed with the author’s narration but there’s a doubt about how this book is a fictional story when author is regularly describing real matches. But then the book takes shift in the middle and talks about the characters and it is when you start relating with them and their struggle.

I liked the maturity with which Author has portrayed Cricket in this book. There is worshiping of every remarkable Cricketer evenly rather than focusing only on Sachin or Gavaskar prominently as many authors end up doing to impress the readers. Author has taken the efforts to mention the players and Team’s total for the matches which are mentioned in the story. The India vs Pakistan tales are written in a totally different perspective where the Author projects how Pakistan keeps on winning against India and making the protagonists of the story feel humiliated against an anti-national character.

Author has also taken a philosophical path in the book where the protagonists learns from the Sports and implements those lessons in his life to moot his mindset and performance. There is also a small romantic touch given in the story which keeps you interested. The last segment of the book is more about the protagonist himself being involved in a small Cricket tournament out of which he learns a lot which stays with his life long after even when he is a 9 to 5 slave now. Author has talked about many social issues related with Cricket in the book about how not everyone can proceed ahead getting selected on every level and should have a back-up plan or realize their potential after a point of time and switch the way they wish to be associated with Cricket or start focusing on what can bring bread and butter in their life along with being a Cricket fan not missing a single match.

Overall, the book is a light read which shall make you excited for the journey of the protagonist and climax is just very well narrated that shall ensure you turn the last page with a smile on your face and energy in your body. The final match of the tournament is described so aptly that I could imagine the whole thing happening in front of my eyes. I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5. This book is recommended mainly to people in age group 10-30.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA

Monday, 29 April 2019

Demons of Time by Varun Sayal (Book Review- 4*/5) !!!

There are not many books which are written in a fantasy world which really impresses the reader. It takes a lot of back-end work for the author to ensure that the world he creates is not only easier for him to understand but also makes the journey of his readers entertaining and thrilling. Varun Sayal has done the same with his first book in the Time Travelers series named “Demons of Time”. The book also has the tagline of “Race to the 7^th Sunset” which is actually based on the theme of the story. Whenever Time traveling becomes the core of any story, it becomes very difficult for the readers to maintain timelines and understand the aspect of each and every world that the author creates with his imagination.

This book begins from 3077 BC and is written in quite relevance to India with even the characters’ names based on Indian culture and tradition which makes you feel at ease as soon as you start reading the book. The cover-page does make it look quite Western but the book reflects complete Indian-ness and makes you excited for how author is going to show India and World in the future years. Author has played a wonderful game (in a good sense 😉) by traveling the characters from 3077 BC to at most 2024 which for us is just within a decade kind of future from today. This makes it more exciting to know how these old Sanskrit-based characters are going to play their part in this technologically advanced world.

Another thing which author has taken care is to keep as less characters as possible so that readers can easily go through the story without finding it hard to go back and remember which character they had missed among ample of them. The important characters such as the protagonist Tej, Rigu, Kumbh, Vetri, Manika, Gajendra are very well developed as you can actually understand their mindset and character. Even the other small and supporting characters are nicely described.

The kind of twists and turns that takes place in the first half of the book when Tej is told about his own reality and the way he needs to go to future to save a mass killing gives the book a powerful start. Then the way in the future, the character of Ravi is utilized for Tej’s campaign is what gives this book an acceleration in the second half. His conversations with the intelligence department, colleagues etc. are very entertaining and the way he uses his mind in this new environment and the way he learns the new technology etc. is nice to read and go through the journey of a character along with the time leap. Another thing I would like to mention is that the whole journey of time traveling right from preparation to getting to the target is of just 7 days but still the steadiness in the story-telling speaks a lot about the writing skills of the writer.

The author ensures that he gives reasons and logics to everything he is talking about but also takes care that he doesn’t become too technical to make it hard for readers to comprehend why the certain activities are taking place. The explanation of physical concepts is done in a very easy language which makes this book one of the recommended books if you want to get into other tough books from the same genre. I liked the narration of the story as author choses to talk about everything in equal quantity- hate, love, betrayal, magic, physics, emotions, happiness, sorrow, anger, time-traveling events, relationships, etc. The book before ending throws another twist with an edge of emotion to it which makes us excited for the 2^nd book in the Time Travelers series. I wish author keeps all the upcoming books in the similar pattern- simple yet thrilling. I give this book 4 star out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA

Sunday, 14 April 2019

Finding Utopia by Ruhee Advani (Book Review: 3.25*/5) !!!

There are few books which can’t be judged on the same parameters as others because of the way they are presented and written. How can you judge a book of 50 pages with an average size of book with 250 pages, right? This Sunday, I completed reading a book named “Finding Utopia” written by a young authoress named, Ruhee Advani. This book is of around 50 pages which is written in a format of a play which has around 3 different acts with distinct themes.

Ruhee has very cleverly kept this book short with an interesting concept for youngster which speaks about the trauma and confusion they go through when they are in their teens and about to pass-out from college. The insecurities of the children about their present and future, their questions about life, their fear about what they are doing is morally right or wrong is all discussed in this book in a very lighter note.

The 1^st act speaks about how Juhi’s friends are discussing about her state of mind which is not going great and seems if she has lost her way. Then a great conversation between Juhi and Arjun is kept in the focus where this stranger gives answers to all the questions Juhi had about life, herself and circumstances which were disturbing her mind.

The 2^nd act is very short where the realization of all what the stranger Arjun discussed with Juhi is discussed. The 2^nd act describes about Juhi’s life getting back on the way as her inner thoughts are stable and she has got all the answers she was searching for.

The 3^rd act is about Juhi sharing her experiences with her parents where she gets to understand a new dimension of life where you need to search for your soulmate in a person who has capabilities to change and transform your life. The way book ends with a romantic angle to the whole act is a sweet and perfect way how this book could have ended. Overall, this book is a good light read of 30-45 minutes in between of thick books that we are usually indulged in. I give this one 3.25* out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA

The Last Avatar: Age of Kalki 1 by Vishwas Mudagal (Book Review: 4.75*/5) !!!

I sat in the flight for the first time just 4 years back and post that I had the experience of flying for 8 times. I saw people reading and working on their laptops but I loved watching the world from feet above through my window seat. I used to think how these people end up reading something when they can also enjoy clouds like me. Last weekend, I had gone to Delhi from Mumbai due to some assignment and because of having books at my end pending for reviews, I thought of finally reading in the flight and utilizing the 2 hours in the sky. I picked up “The Last Avatar: Age of Kalki 1” written by one of my favourite authors, Vishwas Mudagal, and I would like to thank the author for making my flying experience better than all the flights I had before.

I must say that since I read his 1^st book, I was waiting for his 2^nd book desperately and seeing a book from an altogether different theme surprised me. Vishwas is an entrepreneur in the technological space and I never knew he possessed interest in history and mythology. The book is all about the blend between his domain expertise of technology with history, mythology and even future. There are many books which have been written on the concept of the Last Avatar of Lord Vishnu, Kalki who shall come on Earth whenever needed on the planet but I must say this is the easiest book written till date which shall let you enjoy this book lightly without getting too much confused between timelines, characters, situations, fantastical world etc.

The book starts with an unwarranted nuclear test that China conducts which shocks everyone in the world. The case gets escalated right up till President of USA. Later on, book discusses how there is difference of opinions even within China where the Government is not happy with what a person has done just for his personal satisfaction. Finally, we get introduced with characters- Shen and Nushen who belongs to Homo Supernus because of which they have some extra super-powers than human beings. Nushen, throughout the storyline of the book becomes my favourite because of the way she supports Neel, who is believed to be the next avatar of Vishnu- Kalki.

The chemistry of Nushen and Neel is so wonderfully described that the whole segment when they run away from China’s capture is entertaining and chilling to read. The flashback of Neel with Arya and Tiger is also an interesting read. The secret that gets unveiled with that backstory has another big part to play in the book. The character of Jian who is basically the antagonist of this book is mentioned as someone having immense power to make the nuclear test at his will, capture anyone from anywhere, make famous Chinese actress his slave under his recluse. The segments where his difficult decisions etc. are narrated are also described in a great manner as you can feel his strength, horribleness, hatred, divisiveness, lustiness, betrayal etc. The characterization of each and every character is done with perfectness as you can completely imagine how they look and what they are like.

I liked how author manages to discuss something as complex as concept of secret society named The Rudras so easily making it understandable to everyone. The author also manages to discuss something as terrorising as ISIS in the form of terrorist group- Invisible Hand in the book which manages to attack the Indian Parliament having the top ministers in the building at the time of bombing. Talking about the climax, this is one of the best climaxes I have read from books that still have parts to go for the story to end. This book ends with something which doesn’t let this part of book feel as incomplete but yet makes you thrilled and desperate for the further part of the tale.

Closing the review, I must talk about the cover page which has this larger-than-life sci-fi version of Lord Hanuman’s image. The cover page because of this looks spectacular and makes the reader astonished as to how Lord Hanuman is related with the last avatar of Kalki but I must tell you, this is not just an image made for cover concept but is also the base of the war in the story. Do read this book to find out about it and Vanar Sena’s importance. I give this book 4.75* out of 5 for the incredible writing, flawless narration, seamless execution of complex concepts, action-packed scenes explained with words that helps you in imagining everything in front of your eyes easily and with all of this, still assuring that the book discusses above love and relationships incessantly. Kudos!

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!!

Friday, 12 April 2019

The Ramayana Secret by Anurag Chandra (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

There are few authors who blow your mind with their first book itself. One of such books written by a debutante author, Anurag Chandra, which I completed reading this weekend is “The Ramayana Secret”. I generally write review of any book just after completing it but this one, unfortunately, I wrote after 7 days but still the book is afresh in my mind. In all these days since I completed it, I discussed its version of Ramayana with many of my friends and uncle-aunties and all of them are surprised and astonished with the version Author has based his Ramayana upon.

To start with, the cover page of the book, the synopsis mentioned in the backcover and the overall presentation and publishing quality is spectacular where the first fight to grab reader’s attention is won. Secondly, whenever there is a book with several characters and relationships among them, I always have to maintain a note separately where I keep on drawing the tree as per the hierarchy. This is one of the few books where I have been able to find a nicely drawn family tree with all the major characters of the book defined properly. This helped a lot in the initial chapters of the book where the characters keep on getting introduced.

I have read many books based on Ramayana but what I have liked basically about Anurag is his approach towards writing this book in the age of trilogy. Though the book can surely have its 2^nd part but atleast the way whole Ramayana is covered in 220-odd pages is compliment-worthy. Also, the small chapters make it easy for you to go through the book in a single sitting without getting bored. The narration is very powerful and beholds you like any great book. The characterizations are done with very limited words hence there is not much investment author has done in this department but still manages to make some of the characters as your favorite such as Lakshmana, Vibhisana, Ravana’s son etc.

The many myths that author has tried to bust with his version of Ramayana is applaudable. The relationship of Sita and Ravana is the major one that will make this book a talking point. Then the concept of inner and outer world is nicely explained in the initial chapters. The background of Lord Rama’s ancestor regarding what they couldn’t do for inner world is nicely described. The whole segment of Surpanakha and why Ravana actually took Sita away to keep her as a hostage is again a new something in this book. Similarly, Kaikeyi and her role is mentioned quite differently.

There are few parts I would like to mention which made me interested in reading this book:- The way justice is made to Sage Gautam and Ahilya by Rama is nicely narrated. Rama’s advice to Bharat is one of the powerful segment in the book. I liked the way whole Lanka sequence is narrated regarding Ravana being egoistic and not listening to anyone in his family. How even his family had members who tried to stop him from doing wrong kept the war segment interesting. The Bali and Sugriva section is also narrated well. The whole Hanumana’s visit to Lanka’s section is beautifully written. The end of the book becomes very emotional with Sita leaving Rama and then Luv and Kush segment made me even more sentimental. The discussion on how the Ramayana got wrote in a different manner for the world gives this book the kind of ending it needed.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and I wish Anurag Chandra come up with such short mythological and philosophical stuffs at least once in a year with a book. I give this one 4.5* out of 5.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA!!!