It's All About Books!!!

Monday, 27 July 2015

Ajay Yadav: "I wanted to allot a new genre FICTION + NON FICTION but they didn't agree" (Interview)!!!

Dr. Ajay Yadav is a recent debutante with his book "From Where I See". People are liking the views presented by the author on various issues. I asked many difficult questions to him but he still managed to answer everyone of them and clearing the air over many doubts I raised even my review of his book. Do experience the frankness of the author in the interview.

1. Hello Mr. Ajay Yadav, how does it feel after becoming a writer now?

It’s really great to see your book published and been liked by so many readers. For me it’s not only a book, it’s a dream for setting a utopian world. At least now I have a platform to spread my message.

2. Tell us something about your new book “From Where I See”.

I just won’t call it as book alone, it’s a revolution. It’s a journey towards an ideal world where we all dream to live in. It is my sincere effort to find out the root causes and probable remedies of intrapersonal, interpersonal, inter-social, inter-religious or inter-country conflicts. It is an exploration of hundreds of most controversial yet pertinent questions. And this all I have tried to achieve through a story background of murder mystery.

3. What actually inspired you to write this book?

Since my childhood I had been an analytical thinker. I observed that there are always two sides of the curtain; our fears, prejudices, fixed notions and attitude of accepting what’s served as platter does not let us peep on that side often letting the winners to manipulate the historical facts. Injustice, human exploitation, dishonesty and lawlessness had never been tolerable to me. Nothing has grieved me more than hatred towards each other. Why at every level, whether it’s intrapersonal, interpersonal, inter-social, inter-religious or inter-country we are conflicted? I started to think; finding the cause for these conflicts became my passion. I started to dream of a society free of these conflicts, an honest utopian society.

There are 2 types of people in this world. First, who are sensitive to their own needs and own desires; their life revolves around ‘me’ only. Second, who are sensitive to the needs of others; their concern is ‘we’, we as a society, as a country, as a world and most importantly as humans. Unfortunately! I belong to the second category. This sensitivity, desire to show the other side of curtain and desire to change the world to establish utopian society were the motivating factors for me to take such a bold decision. There is no weapon stronger than a pen in brining revolution so I decided to pen down.

4. Weren’t you scared to pick up the topics that even politicians do not dare to speak these days?

Politicians have an ulterior motive of not displeasing their vote banks. My motive is just to bring the change. If everyone takes a back seat then how will the change take place?

5. Why didn’t you choose a non-fictional way to speak your views rather than going fictionally? Like Chetan Bhagat did for “What Young India Wants”.

This book deals with very complicated issues/conflicts of the society which without a story would have attracted only intellectuals and thinkers while understanding these issues is the requirement of the society as a whole. Therefore, to widen the base of the readers, I interwoven interesting fiction story of murder mystery.

6. Even though the book discusses various topics, its back cover claims it to be religious genre in fiction category. Why so?

This book deals with so many issues that it was very difficult to define a genre for this book. You won’t believe Abilash that for the very same reason it was delayed for 2 months. I was simply asking the concerned authorities to allot a new genre FICTION+NON FICTION but they didn’t agree. Then I asked them to allot fiction+ religion + politics +philosophy, for which they also didn’t agree. A book can’t have multiple genre was their explanation. In India, you know the change is so difficult that finally I have to settle with fiction/religion.

7. Whose idea was of cover page? It actually represents the idea on which the book is based.

It was from publisher side

8. What is the next book you are writing? Can we have an overview of it?

Right now I am writing a medical book. After finishing this work I will focus on literature book but this time a much lighter one!!! (most probably a laughter one)

9. Where do you see yourself as a writer after 5 years?

You never know. Fate on any artist is decided by the audience.

10. Any word for your readers who are picking your book and liking it.

Thanks from the bottom of my heart. Just one request to the readers- if you have liked it and agree with me then please propagate because we all have to put a joint effort to build a road towards the utopian world.

Saturday, 25 July 2015

From Where I See by Ajay Yadav (Book review-3.5*/5) !!!

I woke up last night completing my 38th book of 2015:- "From Where I See" written by the debutante, Mr. Ajay Yadav. The cover page of the book and the title itself confirms that it's about seeing the same thing two different perspective. After reading the foreword and author's note in the starting, it was clear that author is going to put forward his point of view. It needs a lot of guts to write a controversial and debatable book like this which picks up some topics that people don't really believe in writing until and unless they aren't a celebrity reporter with lots of support. Mr. Ajay Yadav should be complimented for speaking about diverse topics and allowing his readers to gain some knowledge out of this reading experience. For once it seemed as if I am reading few of those historical books which discusses about truth that are never discussed in their original forms.

Ajay Yadav's writing is very simple in spite of topic that he chose to write upon. He wanted people to look at the world from a perspective from which he looks and therefore, he kept everything easy for readers to grasp this book. Generally, when authors attempt such stuffs, they make it enough complicated that only people with great English prefer picking it up. But this book is written for all. Anyone from age 10 to 80 can read it. That's the specialty of the book. The research author have undergone to come up with this book is easily visible in each sentence that he have written. Few sentences are cheesier when the conversation between the protagonist and Shurti takes place. That's when I felt that author should have got the book edited and made few sentences crispier.

From Where I See discusses different parameters on each topic that author feels is the need to discuss in current society norms. The best effort can be seen in the topic of religion, India's and world's history and the blind following for certain leaders despite knowing their real truth. Some facts are really surprising and you will be blank after reading them. Initially, the point of views of author looked immature but as the book grows upon you, you start seeing things with an open mind without judging the author. Few points are definitely debatable and that's where the author wins. His purpose of making people debate regarding these topics becomes successful.

Coming to the drawbacks of this book:- Book's back cover calls it a Fiction/Religious genre. I felt it's misleading. It's more non-fiction than fiction. The reader who must have picked it up considering fiction would have felt cheated. The suspense initially is interesting but in the end the way it ends isn't something for which author should have presented it in the form of thriller. He should have gone the non-fictional way and represented his thoughts in the form of chapters. As I said above, I found some sentences cheesier at times when the characters were talking with each other.

But in the end, I would say that I liked reading some great facts mentioned by the author. I got to know what my history books and newspapers never discussed. Author have written his philosophies and conclusion in italic font which is good as whenever you want to go through the main points of the book, you can directly read the italics and skip the rest of the things. I give the book 3.5* out of 5. It could have been easily 4* if it was a non-fictional book. And thanks to Mr. Ajay Yadav for the knowledge.

Thanks

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Shikha Kaul: "Refreshingly new story unlike the usual college romance stuff" (Interview) !!!

Shikha Kaul is a debutante who is winning hearts with her new book: "Hidden Husband". We got a great chance to talk with her and this is one of the best interviews we had. Do read to know what Shikha Kaul feels about her new writing career.

1. Hello Mrs. Shikha, how does it feel after finally becoming a writer?

Hi Abhilash, I am yet to absorb the feeling that I am indeed an author now. It feels great. It was only a year back when I started penning down my first book ‘Hidden Husband’ and it feels proud to finally hold my book.

2. What changes do you feel in life since the release of your book?

I have changed as a person. Every author I suppose looks at things differently. Now, I think more, visualise more and somehow feel I can read people’s minds better.

And certainly I am loving the respect, recognition and love of my friends and readers, and this industry as a whole which is completely new to me. I really look forward to this new chapter of my life with full enthusiasm and devotion.

3. Tell us something about your first novel- Hidden Husband?

As the title suggests, I wish my readers to pick up the book and know what’s hidden there.

It’s a love story with a difference, which talks about the negativities of Indian society when it comes to differences in castes and religions. How Aisha and Raghav, the protagonists, struggle to keep their love alive through all challenges and how their lives eventually take a turn. It’s an amazing roller-coaster ride which will keep the readers hooked from the beginning till the end.

4. How much time did it take you to write this book?

It took me 6 months to finish writing the entire manuscript and then the hunt for publishers began.

5. What inspired you to create the character of Aisha? Does it have any relation with anyone’s true story?

The character of Aisha is actually inspired by not just one but two people I have known in my life. And also the character’s thought processes resembles me. She is very much like me.

6. The final decision of your character in the book is quite practical than emotional or filmy. Weren‘t you afraid that love story lovers might write you off?

It’s actually the contrast. People are loving the book and I am getting excellent reviews. Readers are finding it as a refreshingly new story unlike the usual college romance stuff. This promises to touch everyone’s heart.

It’s because of the practical nature of all characters that everyone would relate to this book somehow or the other. You just can’t keep the book down till you finish reading it till the end. And most of them who have read it already expect me to come up with a sequel, although I have no such plans.

I know the climax kept them desiring for more.

7. How has been your association with Gargi Publishers? How did you find them first of all?

I met Gargi Publishers for the first time in World Book Fair this year in February and then there was no looking back. I had just finished writing the manuscript then. It has been a wonderful experience so far with them and I look forward to working with them on my next book too which is still in the making.

8. What are you writing next? Can we get an overview of it?

My next book is a murder mystery. A billionaire from Mumbai and a simple girl from Thailand who claims to be his daughter. A year later, she is found killed.

I would not like to reveal much about the story but it has all the aspects of being a bestseller covering many people and professions- media, police, CBI, politics, law, love, emotions and much more. It’s not inspired by anyone though.

It is taking me longer to pen it down as involves lot of research and studying about various professions to ensure I bring about a piece closest to what prevails in reality.

9. Any words for your readers who are picking up your book and liking the same.

I feel honoured to know that my book is loved and appreciated by all ages. The sole purpose of this book is to let people understand that life should be lived as it comes.

Live life like Aisha!

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Soumyadeep Koley: "Book involved several months of tireless research" (Interview) !!!

Soumyadeep Koley's debut novel- Her Resurrection has not been released yet and we got a wonderful opportunity to interview him. He believes in giving short answers and therefore, you will like reading this interview.

• Hello Soumyadeep, how has been life after becoming a writer? What changes do you find around you?

Since my book hasn't yet released officially, the change is still subtle at this moment.

• Tell us something about your debut novel, HER RESURRECTION.

The book is about a woman with a backbone of steel and heart of gold, forged from the flames of hell.

• We have heard that you have been part of fighting for elimination of crime against women. Tell us something about that.

To be honest, as of yet, I have hardly done anything substantial to eliminate crime against women. But what I can share is I have counseled survivors from different parts of India and abroad, and put forward my efforts through unique mystical and metaphysical techniques to ease their pain and trauma.

• Wasn’t it hard for you to write few scenes that are very violent and criminal?

I believe it's the duty of an author to portray life as realistically as possible. Else, literature becomes superfluous. Of course penning down some scenes was difficult and needed a whole lot of research and experience. But what’s more difficult was listening to the first-hand experiences of such viciousness from survivors themselves, and still maintaining a professional aura during counselling.

• What research did you went through before writing a book on such a topic which needs thorough research and surveys?

Writing the book involved several months of tireless research. I traveled a lot for two years, read a lot, heard a lot of heartbreaking stories directly from survivors.

• How has been your association with Gargi Publishers till now? How did you come to know about them?

I came to know about Gargi Publishers by virtue of their strong social presence in different platforms. Till now, experience with Gargi Publishers is wonderful. Mr. Pulkit Gupta is professional, and a very nice person to work with.

• Tell us something about your next work.

It’s still in the conceptualizing phase, and will go through many reincarnations, before I come up with something notable to share. Shedding some light on its theme, I can say it would be a serious and social one.

• Where do you see yourself as a writer after 5 years from now?

I aspire to reach out to more and more readers to convey my messages, while entertaining them, and also enlightening them at the same time. Five years from now, I hope to count my success with the number of smiles I’d put on faces.

• Any words for your readers who are reading and liking your book.

First of all, it’s my great honour that you’ve chosen to read my book, because without you, an author is incomplete.

How much the world might be wreathed in depravity, it’s still a beautiful place to live in, because of people who love, who care. The world doesn’t need to be saved. It just needs to be loved. Be the one who loves, who cares.

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Friday, 24 July 2015

Her Resurrection by Soumyadeep Koley (Book Review-3.25*/5) !!!

I am just done reading 2nd book in continuity that's been released by Gargi Publication. I am happy to find that both of their new releases have been above average- something that you find less in books released by self-publishing mediums. Soumyadeep Koley, a debutante, have written a challenging book named "Her Resurrection" which carries the tagline- "A Survivor's journey of Emancipation, Reclamation and Redemption". It was very obvious by the cover page and synopsis that it's a tale of a girl who must have been raped and how she coped with it in her future life. It actually appeared to be the same what was predicted. But the way author have handled the whole story shows how clean his approach has been towards how women are treated in India and he makes sure that he chose right words to describe their plight.

Soumyadeep Koley's writing style is simple- neither very good nor bad. It's written so that people of any age can read it easily. The words that he chose to describe few scenes impressed me a lot. He didn't philosophized the situations as many authors tend to do when they speak about depressing story of victims. He just wanted to speak a story that looks real and practical but yet delivers a big message to all the girls who find themselves held by society's opinion of themselves. Any girl who must have gone through violence, rape or molestation will find a motivation through this tale. This book could have become boring considering its main plot but author have beautifully managed the interest of his readers even when it goes for almost 260 pages. Amazing!

Her Resurrection is a typical victim's story in the beginning and the time until Maya is trapped in the brothel. Few scenes regarding initial eve-teasing, gang-rape and experience in brothel makes you enough angry to go and beat the shit out of boys making girls suffer almost daily in their lives. Those scenes are terrifically written and lets you understand the emotions of girls who are victim to these gender inequality issue happening in almost every country. Though I feel that the author could have undergone more research before writing this book but still as a debut work, it's quite insightful.

The real fun in reading begins when the protagonist reaches Rajasthan. Author have given this story a different range since then. Though I felt that few co-incidences mentioned in the book about how she bangs into people she left behind all of a sudden are unimpressive and naive. The anti-climax is little dramatic which could have been avoided but still, the book holds emotional value and therefore, I give it 3.25* out of 5. Do gift it to someone whom you know have suffered something like this. And to author, my request would be to write a fun novel next time and show us another dimension to his writing. :-)

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Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Thursday, 23 July 2015

Hidden Husband by Shikha Kaul (Book Review- 3.5*/5) !!!

I am done reading Gargi Publisher's one of the latest release- debutante Shikha Kaul's "Hidden Husband". The book also carries a tag line- "Some secrets never leave you". The cover page of the book is so beautifully made that it will tempt you to pick up the book. The same happened with me. I had very big expectations from the book considering its whole representation and synopsis but I found the book little above par. Shikha Kaul's writing style is simple and it will not make you reach out for your dictionary even once. Her characters are also memorable and you will find connecting with each of them very easily. Her approach of writing this book by keeping things simple and realistic can be easily deciphered but it also limited the author's imagination.

The book starts wonderfully and asks you to sit and dwell into the story. Few early pages are really page-turners and you want to read the story as fast as you can to know what will happen to the new developing love story. Suddenly, author takes you to a flashback and surprises you with facts about the protagonist which confuses you how can then a new love story is about to start in the present. When the author comes back to the present, it is again where the book flies high and your interest gets generated again. Author have written the initial part and anti-climax and climax very beautifully which shows her real talent. Unfortunately, the same flick couldn't be found in the 2nd part of the flashback that is the core part of the book.

Shikha Kaul's characters and their dilemma somewhere makes you remember Preeti Shenoy's characters. This impressed me a lot as you couldn't point any of the characters and claim that he/she is wrong or villain of the book.

Coming to the drawbacks:- I found the flashback stretched and felt that author could have easily cut it short by almost 30-40 pages. Yes, that's how much stretched I found it. Also, few things are repetitive which makes you lose your interest in the later stages. The over description of few things irritates the reader. Also, author discusses few current affairs and her take about it through the voice of her protagonist. As they had nothing to do with the plot of the story, I found it totally irrelevant. The book could have been easily wrapped up in 200 pages. Overall, I will give the book- 3.5* out of 5 and I am pretty sure that author is about to get better with each of her book as she has the quality that will make readers feel connected with her.

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Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Tuesday, 21 July 2015

The Unbreakable Law by Pragat Kasana (Book Review- 4*/5) !!!

I have read my first book published by PepperScript which is the debut work of Pragat Kasana. Unlike other authors, this author has little social media following already because of his interesting tweets and this ensures me that his book shall do well in coming future. The cover page of the book is beautiful and it will surely grasp eyes of few readers. Fortunately, the book is a perfect page-turner and a book that can be read in one go. I picked it up last evening and kept reading it till 4.30 AM in morning. It's just 200 pages thick but takes a lot of time for you to grasp as most of the names and places are named by the author himself; because the book belongs to the fantasy fiction genre.

Pragat Kasana's writing style is very fluid and he has good command over the language. He divides the chapters perfectly so that you do not get cluttered in the long fantasy story that it is. I liked the author's idea of mentioning main characters initially itself which many authors fail to do so. I made a hierarchy tree according to the description of the characters which helped me understand the story better. The characterizations are wonderfully created by the author and even after you complete the book, you will think about couple of them. Even the unusual animals and creatures that the author have described are powerfully portrayed and you can imagine them easily. As a debutante, I feel Pragat have hit at the right place.

Author have tried to put in some philosophy intelligently without being preachy. He wittily tells how sadness, anger and stress of a person can benefit the people who are looking for their failures. He amazingly builds a great scenario and shows how a father cares for his son even when they do not meet each other since the child's birth. Author also manages to say how even good people go a wrong way to attain some power which can make them look stronger and right in society. Also he speaks about how historical facts are distorted according to who wins the war and future generations get to know only about how their forefathers were right and everyone were wrong. I liked how the book is ended with a cool climax. But I want author to write something else next time rather than writing sequel to this book. :-) I give 4 stars out of 5 to this book for its originality and creativity.

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!