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

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

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

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

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

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!! 

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA – VEERU!!! 

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

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

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

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

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

Thanks.

ABHILASH RUHELA - VEERU!!!