It's All About Books!!!

Sunday, 20 December 2015

You're Trending In My Dreams by Sudeep Nagarkar (Book Review-1*/5) !!!

Sudeep Nagarkar is now 6 books old in his writing career of 4 years with his latest release "You're trending in my dreams" which has already hit the Bestseller chart and has become his one of the best openings in terms of pre-order and initial sales. Penguin Random House had added many romantic writers in their list of annual releases some 3 years back and since then, each author co mes out with a novel every year. It has become more about marketing propaganda than quality for which these big publication houses are known for. Sudeep Nagarkar had improved with time as a writer and he had finally started writing mature stories based on youth but I think the target given by publishing house to complete the book by a particular deadline are making these authors write a story in a go without giving much research and time to overthink and make it better. YTIMD is the big example of the same. It stands no where even if compared to Sudeep's first book as a writer where he has scribbled his own story without much creative inputs.

The ratings that I have given to Sudeep Nagarkar in order of his releases are as follows: 3, 2.5, 3.5, 4.5, 3.25 which shows that he had almost become stably good in his performance with each book but I am very scared to even talk about his new release as I never believed it could be so plain with no great story, no memorable characters, no great twists and turns and no great climax which can either make you emotional or shocked or glad. It is very childish and written similarly as a junior college student writes his personal diary with few poems, few philosophical sentences which are cliche and known to everyone, talks on how girls are treated like an object etc. I have always liked an ability about Sudeep of picking up a location and doing pure justice with it and also describing the youth as similar as possible as they really actually are. This time he picked up Navi Mumbai and didn't discuss it quite well and also, the characters aren't built keeping the location in mind. It looks as if it's about the crowd from Lower Parel or Churchgate and not from Navi Mumbai where boys and girls still aren't that modern to share a room together.

Initially, the book picks well and the way it starts, it seems as if Sudeep is going to deliver another great story but the way it becomes quite obvious after a point of time, it starts irritating a fan in you. Finally, the main twist arrives and the book does get better but again, how easily the whole issue is handled becomes the drowning point of this story. I didn't feel as if Sudeep have written this story. Seriously! As I have discussed above, I feel publishers should give time to these writers who are actually making Indian youth read month after month rather than giving them targets like releasing a book every 8th month or so. Give the author plenty of time to research, prepare, write, edit, write, edit and finally review his work, share it with his close friends, get their reviews, again edit the story and build the final manuscript. I give this book just 1 star and I wish Sudeep bounces back with his next book as a fan in me is largely disappointed this time. I am waiting for one of my favorite authors to write better than his best work till date.

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Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Sunday, 13 December 2015

The Bestseller She Wrote by Ravi Subramanian (Book Review: 4*/5) !!!

There can be nothing better than spending your weekend with a book. But when it's a book by one of your favorite authors, it becomes more special. I read Ravi Subramanian's latest book "The Bestseller She Wrote". This is his 4th book that I have read though he has 8 books under his name. I was really excited for this release as it was related with the literary world of India which I have been following very closely from last 6 years. And when it's written by Ravi Subramanian, you know that he is going to talk about some realities under the name of fiction which will make you feel connected with the characters and the story. And it happened ditto. The cover of the book is very unique and beautiful and it is great to know that the book is also under the process adapting it into a movie.

TBSW is a story about how a girl who aspires to be a writer meets India's most famous author. They meeting becomes a regularity and the married author starts falling for this young girl. But she is more concerned about her book to get published and turned into a bestseller with the help of this author who has himself written 4 bestsellers back to back each breaking record of the previous one. This is the basic plot which leads to many scenarios and leads to several twists and turns and finally in the climax, like every book of Ravi Subramanian, you are left alone for shocks and surprises.

Ravi Subramanian is an amazing thriller writer and his books start doing magic right from the first page itself. Talking about this particular book, I felt as if Ravi chose an easy way to tell his story with an intention of making it a light read for another mass of audience which do not read the genre he writes. For the whole first half, it felt as if someone else is writing it for Ravi S. Though in between of some chapters, author have kept dropping hints of something being wrong with the doings of few characters but it still does not give you any thrill until the second half begins when his marriage starts getting affected because of his extra-marital exploration.

Ravi Subramanian have integrated his story very well with many real-life incidents of famous Indian authors which keeps you interested if you have been in touch with the literary world lately. You start relating with the characters very soon and see your own favorite author in the lead character and you even start imagining other not-so-famous authors in the character of Shreya. The whole process of how a person writes a manuscript till how the book launches in a big event, everything is perfectly described by Ravi. And the way story unfolds in the end, it makes you happy that you have finally witnessed the excellence of Ravi Subramanian once again. The most unexpected person turns out to be the ill-wisher of everyone.

Talking about the drawbacks- I would again say that the first half is particularly very slow and not been written in the same language in which Ravi writes. There is not much happening in first half except one character continuously compelling the other person to publish her book and it becomes repetitive and boring after a point of time. Also the book isn't one of the best thrillers over all except what happens in the climax. And this is exactly half good of what Ravi Subramanian have himself written before. If this book would have been by a debutante, I would have easily given it 4.5 stars but because it's written by someone who have only gotten better with each book of his, I am giving it 4 stars. It is a great book which surely deserves 4 stars just that it doesn't look like one written by THE GREAT RAVI SUBRAMANIAN himself. He has set very high standards for himself to achieve. :-)

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I am reviewing ‘The Bestseller She Wrote’ by Ravi Subramanian as a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

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ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Tuesday, 10 November 2015

You are the Best Wife by Ajay K Pandey (Book Review-3*/5) !!!

It seemed as if an era had passed since I read a book by Srishti which was based on a true love story until I picked up Ajay K Pandey’s debut book- “You are the best wife”. Author claims that it’s his and his wife, Bhavna’s true love story about their love and marriage. The back cover of the book also claims that all the proceeds from this book will be donated through Bhavna Charitable Trust (an initiative by author’s wife’s parents). Well, coming back to the book, it’s written with pure emotions and love. In every sentence whenever author described love for his wife shows his innocence and devotion. This book is from the genre which Srishti used to publish some 3-4 years ago consisting of a love story with little involvement of friends in it. Fortunately, this book doesn’t involve unwanted sex and intimate scenes. Author have kept the content as decent as possible from his end.

Coming to Ajay’s writing style, it’s very impressive that his command on English language is fine even when he never aspired to be a writer. As this is his debut work, in few sentences, the struggle for sentence formation is visible but still his command is better than few bestseller writers. He has used simple words which makes this book a good companion while traveling. This book is more about how two lovers who have fallen in love are in struggle to get their parents’ approval for their marriage. Through the story, author have tried to show the problems couples deal during inter-caste marriages. This book can be called poor man’s “2 States”.

The first half of the book tells about how the protagonist’s college life begins with ragging and new friendships. Suddenly it switches to how the protagonist finds a girl attractive and woos her with his style. Afterwards, the book moves towards another dimension when parents get involved and from here, the struggle that both the lead characters go through is discussed. I wished if author could have entered some humour, the book would have become more interesting to read. It’s not that he haven’t tried but its ineffective most of the times. Author have concentrated more towards keeping this book as real as possible but he should have fictionalized little more to add masala and made it a dramatic story.

Anyways, the second half deals with what happens in their life after marriage. Author describes how the same girl starts stating her point of view which interjects with his lifestyle and the small clashes start taking place. Later on, book moves towards serious note and I recalled another book by Srishti and Ravinder Singh- “I too had a love story”. Author have described how the protagonist’s life suddenly changes and the difficulty he faces. Overall, the book is a light read which you can finish in a single sitting of 3-4 hours. It’s an average stuff- neither very good nor bad. You can surely gift this one to your partner this Valentine Day. I give this attempt 3 stars out of 5. It’s for romantic folks out there.

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ABHILASH RUHELA – VEERU!!!

Sunday, 8 November 2015

1000 Kilograms of Goa by Rohan Govenkar (Book Review-4*/5) !!!

It was almost after 15 days that I picked a book to read as finally I realized that the countdown has begun for the year to finish and I am still left with 6 books of my target 60. And I picked up debutante, Rohan Govenkar's "1000 Kilograms of Goa". I found the title quite weird and unusual and therefore thought of giving it a read. Also the name of a debut author always catches my attention. I love reading work of a person with whom I have no attachment as a reader and thus getting surprised. Well, occasionally! Sometimes I end up getting shocked. And I can proudly claim that my last phase of reading journey of this year got a good start with this book which is such a great thrilling experience that it doesn't allow you blink even once for 230 pages of only fun, amazement, suspense, twist and turns, romance and everything done in a greatly balanced way.

Rohan has a very authentic skill of writing which makes him arrange words in his own way and serves a new reading experience for the readers interested in reading Indian authors. The characterization of each one in this book is perfectly done as it was very essential otherwise it would have become half-baked failed dish. I also loved how the author kept the romance as just another angle to the book rather than romanticizing the basic plot of this story. The magic starts right from the first conversation between the friends when a piece of history is shared in the best written form. After that, it becomes more exciting when you realize that the mission gets accomplished almost half way in the book. But what happens after that makes this book not an ordinary thriller but more than that and something which becomes recommendable.

The story is beautifully crafted and it allows you to think even when it becomes fast pacy sometimes. The locations are nicely described as it allows your imagination to build the same in your thoughts which makes it more easy for you to follow the story weaved into it. The breaking into the mansion scene and the way it is handled by the friends is nicely written. I wish to read that part once again. The second half is what does justice to the first half of the book as it takes the story to another level. And the anti-climax is beautifully done. As drawback, I only felt that the last part is little overdone by the author to prove the book morally and politically correct but it wasn't needed and he should have closed the story little early rather than giving a whole chapter to what the main protagonist did. Rest, it's all fine. Go and get this book. I give the effort 4 stars out of 5 and I strongly recommend the same.

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ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Tuesday, 27 October 2015

LitFestX- Global Literature Platform- 23rd Oct to 1st Nov!!!

4 days have already past but I would like to inform all of you about this magical Literature Fest which is currently taking place named- LitFestX. It is a new age global literature platform.

LitFestx brings to you an entirely Virtual, Social & Interactive Literary Festival!

Your favourite authors, writers, thought leaders your way! On mobile, tab, pc.

LitFestx is an initiative by LEAPVAULT!- The same group which also initiated India's first ever Non-fiction Fest.

I am personally promoting this literature fest because I have only associated myself with their Non-fiction fest which I found something unique and new. Similarly, LitFestX is the first initiative which is helping the readers hear their favorite authors speak on Youtube, Google Hangout rather than physically traveling somewhere to do the same. They can also ask questions during the live event and hear their author answering to their query. The good thing as of now is that because it's happening for the first time, not many people are participating which can help you in getting the answer of your question from your favorite celebrity very easily.

The fest shall go on till 1st November and until then, there are many more sessions with many more incredible personalities.

To follow the schedule and sessions--> CLICK HERE to access the official website of the Festival.

My best wishes to Kumaar Bagrodia!

Thanks!

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

LitFestX- Global Literature Platform- 23rd Oct to 1st Nov!!!

4 days have already past but I would like to inform all of you about this magical Literature Fest which is currently taking place named- LitFestX. It is a new age global literature platform.

LitFestx brings to you an entirely Virtual, Social & Interactive Literary Festival!

Your favourite authors, writers, thought leaders your way! On mobile, tab, pc.

LitFestx is an initiative by LEAPVAULT!- The same group which also initiated India's first ever Non-fiction Fest.

The fest shall go on till 1st November and until then, there are many more sessions with many more incredible personalities.

To follow the schedule and sessions--> CLICK HERE to access the official website of the Festival.

My best wishes to Kumaar Bagrodia!

Thanks!

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!

Saturday, 24 October 2015

Manhattan Malhotras by K.N. Mystique (Book Review-4.25*/5) !!!

I am just done reading another e-book of this year- Manhattan Malhotras written by K. N. Mystique. The book is released only in the digital format so you won't be able to purchase it's paperback version though it deserves to be put across the shelves in all the bookstores of India. As a debutante, Mystique have definitely impressed his readers with the kind of story he have chosen to tell in his first book itself. Though the book's basic characters are those who are almost in their teenage but still the kind of situations, scenarios and conditions they are facing makes this book a worthy read even for the good grown-up adults. And I would also recommend this book to the parents specifically. The author should be surely complimented of beautifully weaving the magic in this book which very carefully talks about the various problems that a teenager has to face because of their parents unintentionally.

Mystique's writing style is very simple and the sentence formations are also very short and crisp. Any beginner would love this book as his first because of the simplicity with which the author tells his story. To keep the story short, author have not described the conversations with the expressions of the characters and have directly mentioned the sentences only. Initially, I felt that it's a bad idea but later on, I found it deserving because over-description would have only added pages to the book rather than anything potential which would have improved the story line.

The best part of the books have been its characters- I do not have words to tell how amazingly author have portrayed that you find yourself attached with each one of them. The extremely good work is done with the main characters- Neha, Naisha, Tara, Raynaa, Aarav, Rohan etc. Because of the characterization, this book is whatever it is because a book becomes memorable only with good characters otherwise it's just another story to read and forget.

The climax is little filmy as everything starts settling down for each one of them but still, it makes the whole odyssey of reading this book much better. Coming to the drawbacks, the first one that I would like to point out is the alignment. The whole book is published without proper justification which makes the whole experience of reading little irritable. Coming to the story, I wished if author could have started the book little better than it is so that the effect could have been felt right from the first page itself because the story starts getting better only after 30-50 pages. Rest, it's a book which is worth reading and I give it 4.25* out of 5. GO FOR IT!

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ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!