Did I Really Do All This? by Vijay Raman (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

  

31^st Book of 2024

I am almost in the last leg of completing my reading challenge of 36 which is making me pick up some interesting books before I take a break of a week or two at the end of this year. This made me pick up a non-fiction this time named “Did I Really Do All This?” written by Late. Vijay Raman. The book published by Rupa Publications in around 250-pages comes with a tagline “Memoirs of a gentleman cop who dared to be different”. The author who lived a life being a cop serving the nation lost his life in the last phases of writing this book. The rest of the book was completed by his wife, Veena Raman, who has ensured that we don’t feel the difference at all while reading.

 

From the outside, we view all the policemen just as security personnels walking on the streets in their uniform. Very rarely do we get a chance to talk with them and understand how challenging their life could be. Books are a great medium for us to read about them and learn what goes behind the scenes in keeping us safe and crimes in check. It is wonderful initiative of people like Vijay Raman who are coming forward and reiterating their life in such forms for us to get familiar with their tough working lifestyle.

 

The book starts with his initial days where he tries to get into IAS service but lands up into IPS. His resolution to get his medical test clear by restricting his salt intake talks about his commitment right from the formative years. Vijay Raman’s narration style is very friendly and while reading you can feel a very senior retired person telling you all about himself to read between the lines and learn the said and unsaid life lessons from it.

 

This book wouldn’t have been interesting if Vijay would have been associated only with police functioning of a similar nature or at the same location. What makes his journey and this book incredible and memorable are the different kind of challenges he took in his tenure. Right from encountering a long wanted Paan Singh Tomar, making other harmful and dangerous dacoits like Phoolan Devi, Malkhan Singh etc. surrender, breaking Guinness world record of driving maximum kilometers in minimum duration, protecting four different Prime Ministers being in their first circle of security force, being deployed near the location of Bhopal Gas tragedy, making the Indian border secure by installing wall and wires, Vyapam case, how he ensured that Ghazi Baba, the mastermind behind 2001 parliament attack was killed etc. – all these different tasks associated with one Supercop is hard to believe and amazing to read.

 

Vijay has told all these stories in the right proportion by directly moving to the next story before the one starts boring the readers. I liked how he didn’t let emotions get into him and get biased with one tale over others. The chapter on his driving adventure which made him register his name in Guinness world record is a very uniquely written chapter where you will enjoy it more like a fiction story. Vijay has ensured that he adds humour as well wherever required which keeps the mood relaxed despite reading such stressful encounters of the author.

 

It's obvious for anyone to get a bit obsessed with themselves after achieving so many fates but it shows quite often in Vijay’s writing. He has kept self-admiration going on in almost every 3^rd page which can annoy some readers. This is evident from the title and tagline of the book itself. It is filled with self-appreciation. Secondly, I wished author could have talked about his family life and members in details as well. He just introduces his family and doesn’t discuss about them at all. In the first half, there are still few sections where he talks about his communication with his wife through letters or calls etc. but nothing after that.

 

There are fillers in between where Veena Raman has also scribbled few words for her husband or told some incidents from her perspective. It was a great fun reading her version as well. The photographs featured in between the chapters make us explore Vijay Raman a bit more closely and understand how he looked or aged during the particular milestone of his life. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book. I give it 4.5 stars out of 5.

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Quills: The Hungry Little Porcupine by Shibani Alter (Book Review: 4*/5) !!!

  

30^th Book of 2024

After reading 3 books back-to-back by Stephen Alter, I finally got a chance to pick up the book written by his daughter, Shibani Alter was well. The name of the book is “Quills: The Hungry Little Porcupine” which is published by Aleph in around 30-pages. The book has almost the same aesthetics as the books written by Stephen in the same section for Aleph publications. The illustrations adding up to the story are created by Shruti Hemani.

 

Shibani has narrated this story in a very simple flow wherein the same loop repeats as the group of animal friends keeps getting increased one by one. Starting with a porcupine who has left his home in search of food gets scared every time he feels leopard is around him and ends up meeting one of his friends. The set of animals introduced in the story are pig, money, mongoose and goat.

 

The authoress has ensured that she helps the young readers understand the nature of each of the animal and their different skillsets using which they move to the distinct places for survival. Similarly, they bring back different kinds of food produced of different type of plants and lands. She has shown intelligence and presence of mind while scripting the story. The main feature of porcupine which is its quills which hides one of its important features that it can use to protect against harmful animals is revealed in the climax.

 

Overall, this is a well written simple story which the young readers would love to read repeatedly and share with their friends. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

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If You Were a Tiger Cub by Stephen Alter (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

  

29^th Book of 2024

Stephen Alter is one of the very matured authors who know how to infuse the adult-based philosophies in a children book without making it difficult to understand. This is the 3^rd children book I had read by him in just 2 days and I must say with each book I could sense his intention while creating the stories. This time I read “If you were a Tiger Cub” which has been published by Aleph in 30-pages. The book also consists of illustrations created by Mohit Suneja.

 

In If You Were a Tiger Cub, the author takes readers on an enchanting journey through the vibrant Indian jungle, where each creature is brought to life with vivid detail and unique traits. A playful tiger cub sets off on an adventurous exploration, encountering the jungle's diverse inhabitants. A sleek leopard moves silently through the undergrowth, while a hornbill perches high among the branches of a fig tree. Beyond a screen of bamboo, the majestic elephant makes a quiet yet commanding appearance.

 

The sharp call of a sambar deer serves as a sudden warning, urging careful observation—its swift departure reminds readers of its wariness. In a dimly lit cave, a swirling cluster of bats dangles from the ceiling, and a shaggy, fearsome sloth bear arrives, its powerful claws on display. Beneath the forest canopy, the jungle’s secrets unfold: tiny creatures scurry near a towering termite mound, while the roots of a sprawling banyan tree shelter hidden marvels. Through this poetic lens, the author paints a rich tapestry of the jungle, showcasing the beauty and distinct personalities of its wild residents.

 

Stephen wonderfully entertains his readers by making them imagine their life as a tiger cub. One hypothetical version of tiger cub that he mentions, he helps us feel relatable by explaining her relationship with her mother and two brothers. She tells how her brothers put less efforts in good task as compared to her whereas she can be called a tiger baby with good habits. Similarly, author also mentions how even she is dependent upon her brothers at times. The relationship between a mother and child is also given equal prominence and role of a mother is nicely depicted.

 

By the end of the book, I loved how author involves a human being in the story without having highlighted it specifically. That was such a great section to read and relate. Overall, this book is a good empathetical work which makes you feel more compassionate and related to the world of animals. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

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How the Cobra Got His Spectacles by Stephen Alter (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

  

28^th Book of 2024

In India, we have multiple legends for any of the cultural aspect, festival, events etc. The positive thing about it is that we never debate or discuss about it but optimistically accept it considering it to be truth. Based on this concept, Stephen Alter has written this amazing short story named “How the Cobra got his Spectacles” which has been published by Aleph.

 

This 30-pages book discusses the Indian cobra’s regal hood which has a mark shaped like a pair of round spectacles. Author gets deeply into this concept and tries to creates a legend around it with a story that has a great message to it. First of all, the book starts with a introduction explaining about the breed and its special mark keeping it non-fiction. Then author dives down into the story and creates a wonderful tale about the relationship of an old hermit and a young naga.

 

Stephen has very intelligently helped us understand the complete characteristic of snakes. Unlike another book, A Little Lost Elephant, which has many animals mentioned but none explained in details, this book covers snake extensively and helps the readers connect with its personality. Even when the character of monkey enters the story, the nastiness of the animal is nicely displayed through its act of stealing the spectacles.

 

The whole flashback story/dream of the king etc. is nicely narrated which makes us believe it to be a reality. The ending is phenomenal which makes the readers learn that one who does good shall always be blessed by others and elders. Similarly, your good deed shall always be remembered for ages. Overall, the book has been nicely conceptualized and story has been told in a very realistic manner. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

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How the Greedy Crane Was Killed by the Clever Crab by Meena Arora Nayak (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

  

27^th Book of 2024

If there is one collection of short stories that everyone remember from their childhood is – it’s none other than Panchatantra. The Panchatantra is an ancient Indian collection of interrelated animal fables in Sanskrit verse and prose, arranged within a frame story. It’s intent of making children learn about animals as well as our culture through stories are dominant in all its short stories. I just read a book which has two of their short stories retold by Meena Arora Nayak in a book published by Aleph in around 32 pages.

 

The two stories included are “How the greedy crane was killed by the clever crab” and “The Tale of the Fearful Rakshasa Vikala”. The first story about the crane and crab is such a great story to have chosen by the author as it teaches a very important lesson about life. It is as much effective for adults as it is for children. Once the suspense gets unfolded wherein crane’s harmful intention and act gets revealed, the way story takes turn and teaches the lesson about how anyone looking innocent and concern can’t be trusted on face value.

 

It also talks about the difference between a friend and an enemy. Also, how there can be an enemy in the form of a friend who might be close to us but must be planning things against us. This particular story has some tough words which might make the readers pick up the dictionary and learn a new word. I liked how author also mentions about our ancient methods of nakshatra and planetary movements which impacts the life on Earth. This tells how the ancient principles weren’t superstitious but scientific and logical as well.

 

The second story about Vikala is a light-tale which speaks about how a misunderstanding makes an evil person dig his own grave without having anyone else punish him. This teaches the reader how having wrong intention and doing wrong acts shall punish us later if not sooner. The concept of Karma is indirectly shared with the young readers to get an idea about how one shouldn’t trouble anyone as someday you shall be troubled as well. The involvement of animals in this story is also magically handled.

 

Overall, both these stories are impactful and retold in a beautiful manner. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

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A Little Lost Elephant by Stephen Alter (Book Review: 3.5*/5) !!!

  26^th Book of 2024

To ease off my reading marathon, I thought of getting nostalgic and read the books I would have read if I was 5-years old. This made me pick up few children books written by Stephen Alter. I started with the book “A Little Lost Elephant” which is a 40-pages book telling the story of a baby elephant who has got separated from his mother. He is marching throughout the jungle to find his mother back. In this path of search, he has to go through multiple challenges and survive against them.

 

Stephen has very intelligently included this aspect in his book which shall inculcate the behavior of fighting against all odds whenever you feel lost at life to meet your final goal you are anticipating to reach. Similarly, he makes the reader empathize with the protagonist which helps one to feel the pain of others as well. The illustrations in the book helps the readers to imagine the aesthetics in which the story has been based upon.

 

The author also tries the readers to get introduced with many animals such as leopard, jackals, woodpecker, civet, kittens, python, cobra, crocodile, mynah, peacock, grasshoppers, sloth bear, gaur, bull, chital deer etc. The story also tries to help us understand how elephant reacts upon meeting each of these animals. Similarly, the protagonist remembers what his mother used to do when she met with the dangerous animals and copies that to save himself. This teaches the skill of observation.

 

The book is hardcover hence it won’t get spoiled when the young readers would read it. They might get overwhelmed with the mention of many animals thrown back-to-back in the story which I believe author could have avoided. He must have mentioned only few animals but introduced all their characteristics with the readers. Overall, the book is interesting and you can gift it to young readers. I give it 3.5 stars out of 5.

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The Grip of Greed by Naveen Kundra (Book Review: 4.5*/5)!!!

  

25^th Book of 2024

It is always interesting to read books from the authors who return after their 1^st book as the Book industry isn’t polite with every author. It is always great to see the 1^st time authors becoming a regular in the shelfs of the bookstores. One such notifications that I received from Amazon was about the book release by the author, Naveen Kundra, whom I had first read in 2021. It didn’t take me a minute in ordering his 2^nd book named “The Grip of Greed” published by Srishti Publication in around 225-pages.

 

Literally speaking, it just took me few hours and a single sitting to go through the whole book with an anticipation of what’ll happen next. I love how Naveen writes where he doesn’t mention thriller anywhere in the introduction or synopsis of the book but the moment you are done reading the first 10 pages of the book, it becomes a perfect page-turner where you aren’t allowed to move anymore but know what will happen in the end. As mentioned by the author in the introduction, the book is a tale of power, ego clashes, revenge and the murky world of politics.

 

From the story point of view, it sounds simple as there are two women, Tanvi and Soundarya, who are against each other but I really liked the backdrop set-up by the author where both of them are going through their lowest points in life. This makes them do some really nasty and unnecessary things including a killing set-up as well. Reading the way author has characterized both the women personalities is commendable. Both are strong, ambitious, similar to each other yet very different. This tells how strongly human psyche has been studied and utilized by the author while developing both the protagonists.

 

Naveen Kundra uses the characters working for politics or government services very intelligently and despite them being a side or supporting characters, their involvement in the story works as a catalyst. Also, I love the way he develops these characters using real-life references which keeps the readers interested in solving the puzzle if this is based on a real-life incident or a fictional work. This time, he has used the characters of a Chief Minister and Journalist wittily and how their support aggravates the game of the main protagonists is fun to read.

 

Similarly, he adds an angle of entrepreneurship, business and the dirty connection they have to make with other people in power is phenomenal. It opens our eyes about the society we are living in where everyone is right and wrong at the same time. The relationship of people with money is also explored in different ways which makes us think about the level up to which we can droop down for multiplying our wealth. There are many such moments in the story.

 

Naveen has kept the chapters short which makes it easy for the readers to grasp the story and still read it with fast pace. The story really becomes fast-paced in the pre-climax and climax and it’s fun to read how all the characters come together to bring the exciting end to the story. Overall, this is a fun read which you can pick on any weekend and finish in one-go. I give this book 4.5 stars out of 5.

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Chhath by Ekisha Singh (Book Review: 3.75*/5)!!!

  

24^th Book of 2024

I am glad that our youth is transforming and giving the respect to Indian traditions and festivals. There was a time when it had become scary as it felt that all the culture shall die down eventually seeing the Western traditions being adopted by the new generation. As the youth is getting inclined towards religion, they are moving towards reading and knowing about it as well. Surprisingly, such books are being written by youth themselves. I have just finished reading a book titled “Chhath” written by Ekisha Singh who is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree herself. This book published by Rupa publications also has a tagline that says “Worshipping the Sun, celebrating Nature”.

 

Chhath is a very prominent festival celebrated around 6^th day after Diwali – mostly in the Eastern part of India as well as Nepal. Author helps us understand what is Chhath as a festival and how it is celebrated across India these days. She tries to delve into the ancient past and gives us several legends based on which the festival is considered prominent and being celebrated era after era. She throws light upon the fact that it was considered auspicious and effective even in the era of Ramayan and Mahabharat where it is believed that Draupadi, Karna and even Lord Rama has participated in the Chhath rituals for their well-being.

 

I had only heard about Chhath as a festival celebrated in Bihar where women worship Sun by getting into the river or any water body nearby. I didn’t know a word more than that. I am quite surprised that someone could write 200 pages on this festival. This book is definitely insightful as after reading it, you would know as much about it as the people following it and in most of the cases, even more than them. Author has definitely been associated with the festival and her research around it is also evident in all the chapters that she has structured.

 

Author gives proper explanation of the four-day festival where she further explains how they are classified with different rituals namely Nahay Khay, Kharna, Sandhya Arghya and Bihaniya Arghya. She gives information on the procedures people go through by keeping long-fasting session of almost 36 hours and how they worship Sun both starting from Sunset on 3^rd day and Sunrise on the 4^th day signifying that after every darkness, there is always a new fresh start.

 

She explains how the festival aligns with nature, harmony, science, planetary positions, harvesting time, health benefits etc. She also mentions the fact that it brings people of all class and segments of society together on the same pedestal even if its about preparing the prasad/food together or praying together in the same water body without any discrimination. It was wonderful reading the parallel culture being followed in different parts of the world where Sun is worshipped almost with the same importance as in Chhath.

 

Ekisha also helps us understand the relationship of Surya Dev, Chhati Maiyya and other prominent Sanatan God and Goddesses associated with this festival. In the 2^nd half of the book, authoress gets deeper and helps us understand different rituals from point of view of fasting, offering, puja site, Vedic chanting, folk singing, processions and other cultural activities. In the last part of the book, she explains the scientific benefits of participating in this chapter from the aspects of improving circadian rhythm, increasing Vitamin D, relaxing digestive system, detoxifying etc.

 

The book is knowledgeable and must be read by everyone wanting to know about this festival. It’s written in very easy language which helps us in completing it within a single sitting itself. From the drawbacks point of view, I must say that author has repeated many concepts and information multiple times which makes it irritating to read almost the same thing in every chapter. This book could have been easily summed in 100 pages. The editor must have helped the young author in structuring the book better and making it crisp. Secondly, I feel that authoress could have gone deeper into the scientific aspect of the festival the way articles are written on Mahashivratri and Ekadashi where the planetary angles etc. are described in detail.

 

Overall, this is a great attempt by the author on such a critical topic where you can’t make mistake of writing unverified facts or tales. I give this book 3.75 stars out of 5.

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7 Lessons of Karm Yoga by Richa Tilokani (Book Review: 4*/5) !!!

  

23^rd Book of 2024

I remember reading a book by Dale Carnegie when I begun my career named “How to enjoy your life and your job” because people had scared me so much that I won’t be able to manage my personal life once the professional commitments would kick in. Definitely, as we say about “Self-help” books, it did help me initially as few of its teachings stayed somewhere in my subconscious mind. After almost 9 years of work experience, I felt that I need to read another book to get new lessons based on our ancient culture which made me pick up Richa Tilokani’s book “7 Lessons of Karm Yoga”. This 200-pages book published by Rupa also comes up with a tagline that says “Mindset management for Work-Life success”.

 

Richa starts the book explaining us about Karm Yoga as an overview before diving into the details. She helps us understand the three gunas and understand in which of the three we fall in. It helps us get clarity regarding the level at which we stand and where we must aspire to reach. The way she explained Rajo, tamo and sattva gun from modern work-related concepts really made me decipher where do I fall and in what quotient is each of them imbibed in my personality.

 

Authoress has studied the ancient texts very devotedly which can be sensed from her research and the types of quotes and references she uses throughout. The book has many Sanskrit quotes with their respective translation and explanation by the author. She has majorly taken reference from Bhagavad Gita as one of its major sections is based on Karm Yoga. She doesn’t restrict her only till Gita but also used Ved and Upanishad quotes to explain the pointers. She even shares us great words said or written by esteemed personalities like Nelson Mandela, Gandhi etc.

 

 Richa has given practical wisdom and ensures that some of the concepts which authors generally use As-It-Is from the ancient texts that further confuses the readers are explained well. For e.g. there’s a whole section on Desires where Richa clarifies that desires as a concept aren’t wrong completely. We must be aware about the kind of desires we are keeping while preparing our professional goals. Along with giving us professional advices, in the very beginning itself, author tells how important is keeping ourselves physically and mentally fit to create a good base for our professional careers.

 

Like Maslow’s hierarchical model, even author starts giving us her 7 lessons in a similar manner where she explains how our leadership must be based upon good foundation and with time, how we should work upon in refining them rather than trying to follow all the seven principles at once and fail miserably.

 

There are key takeaway sections which helps us note the major points separately. Similarly, author has nicely divided chapters into multiple sections/sub-sections and explaining them with multiple bullet points etc. to make it easier for us to understand the concepts well without getting confused.

 

Overall, the book can be completed in two to three sitting though I would advice to read it slowly and try to implement the small lessons in daily office lives. I am glad authors are using the ancient wisdom and trying to deliver them in modern context to make it easier for us to comprehend and create actionable out of them. I will give this book 4 stars out of 5.

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A Glimpse of the Future by Mayank Manohar (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

  

22^nd Book of 2024

I remember reading Shadow of the Past published by FingerPrint publication exactly 5 years back and I had rated it more than 4 stars – quite much as I wouldn’t rate romantic books that highly because all of them sounded the same. After reading the amazing climax written by the author, Mayank Manohar, I had written the following in my review-

"Talking about the climax, the last paragraph is too open for you to be surprised and shocked for some time. I just couldn’t believe what I read which made me read the paragraph multiple times which made me realize that it’s an open ending and there’s a chance we can find its sequel soon. I would request author to bring it out soon as the way he is writing romance right from his 1st book itself is very promising and I would like to read him more."

 

Finally, after 5 years, author took the story ahead and published the 2^nd part of it named “A Glimpse of the Future” which also has the tagline that says “A journey of redemption and resilience”. I must say that the book exactly matches the vibes with its tagline because the way the characterization of Rehan moves on from where it ended in the first book, it’s all about his patience and expectations that sets the future of his life. Author tries to take us deep into the mindset of the person who has lost his first girlfriend and ended up ruining his relationship with his 2^nd girlfriend as well. Obviously, he is going through a lot mentally and it has come to a stage where he has to visit a rehab center as well to get back to his zone.

 

Author has very nicely narrated the whole section where Rehan meets with his ex-girlfriend again and gets a chance to revive his relationship. Reading about his past about how the relationship arc went through its ups and downs during the 2^nd innings makes this book interesting to read. The book is written in two timelines which are just couple of years apart but it tells about two versions of the protagonist- firstly, what happened with him in the past and secondly, where he is currently in his life due to his past which makes the book exciting as it’s not all-and-all a romance and break-up story but also about the mindset, philosophy and mental health a person has to go through after a big life-transforming event in their life.

 

Mayank makes this book sound like an autobiographical account where we get to read many entries such as diary scribbles where the protagonist writes what’s going in his mind. I felt like re-reading these pages. Then there are multiple sections wherein every sentence is quote-worthy and you feel like highlighting/noting each one of them. Not even once does Mayank gets carried away by the concept of his book and become preachy about mental health. It’s all explained only through the character’s pain and rehab stories.

 

The small catalysts that add up to one’s mental shift such as anxiety, helplessness, failure, rejection, hopelessness etc. are nicely conveyed. Author further tries to explain to his audience and clarify the fact that even after rehab, a person might end up in darkness for a long period of time. He keeps it evident that it doesn’t transform you immediately but things settle down gradually for someone who has gone through mental health issues.

 

In the last few pages, Manohar gives a glimpse into how two people who have walked a similar path in their respective lives related to heartbreaks and mental issues can understand each other through better communication and come together for a better life. Author has used this book to mention and explain every possibility that can lead a person towards a better future after a bad past or present. I am glad that this book shall connect with people who have been into isolation once and talked a lot with themselves. They’ll understand the big monologues where Rehan talks with himself quite often.

 

Overall, this book despite being 300-pages long keeps you invested. I must say that author could have edited it more to bring it down to 240-odd pages as it also become tiring to read the similar state of mind of the protagonist for a very long time. But yes, the book is a hopeful story and Mayank’s writing has only got better with time. I give this book 4.25* out of 5. It is as good as its first part. You can still directly read this book without having to read both the book to understand the story. Author has managed it very well. Go, get it!

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Affairs of Deception by Rakesh Kumar Singh (Book Review: 4.25*/5) !!!

 

21^st Book of 2024

Reading a murder mystery or a suspense book is always the best experience for any reader as the story moves in a very fast paced and keeps us on our toes. Another aspect to it is that we know the way it must be written where the investigators shall be given the main space whereas the people close to the victim shall be given second preference with almost all of them under suspicion. I am glad to have read this book “Affairs of Deception” written by a very experienced author – Rakesh Kumar Singh.

 

The book has treated the murder-mystery as a normal fiction story unlike the above-mentioned template. While reading the book, it doesn’t give you the feeling of reading a thriller. In fact, by middle of the book, you’ll even forget about any murders that has happened in the initial pages. Though the first few pages of the book are difficult due to multiple characters being introduced one after another which makes it hard for us to remember them. I had to create a mind map diagram in my notes which made my task easier. Also, the first 5-10 pages sound like a typical thriller but the way Rakesh changes the tone of the book transforms the whole narrative itself.

 

The characters are nicely created. I am glad to say that author doesn’t forget any of his characters in any of the chapters. Almost all of them are given their share of space so evenly that you might start feeling any of them as the protagonist. The arc of each character is beautifully narrated as we get used to their personalities and their change of decisions. Most of them are gray in nature where they are right and wrong in certain respective aspects but yet you can’t support or defy them completely. Rakesh Kumar Singh is a great story-teller and knows how to use the props in the book well.

 

As the author himself is from government service working with Central Reserve Police Force, he has used his knowledge well in describing the nature of work of people involved in services, politics, business and so on. Their relationship with their family and how they can end up getting submerged into the game of power, greed, lies, lust and crime is described aptly. Even when author talks about the modern-day marriage problems of extra-marital affairs or lust-based actions, he writes them giving so much attention that you don’t treat those sections as just another romantic or love-making section but treat them as an important event in the book. I liked how author treats this taboo-based topics without making them sound a pure criminal act.

 

The book has been divided in short chapters which makes it easy to complete in one or two sittings. The pre-climax set-up is amazing and makes you enjoy the last portion of the book equally. Just in the climax, a random person ends up as the criminal which makes it a bit disappointing because as a reader you keep on raising your fingers among the main characters hence it upsets when a not-so-relevant character turns out to be the criminal. Anyway, the book is a great page-turner and even if you remove the thriller aspect, the story is a nice-to-read work. I would rate this book 4.25* out of 5.

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Party to a Crime by Rohithari Rajan (Book Review: 3.5*/5) !!!

  

20^th Book of 2024

After reading couple of non-fictions, it was obvious that I will be picking up a fiction to enjoy a story. I got my hands upon a murder-mystery published by Rupa Publications and it didn’t take me twice to start reading it. I just completed reading Rohithari Rajan’s 285-pages novel named “Party to a Crime”. It’s a murder mystery based upon the death of a young entrepreneur and startup founder, Karan. The news has become the sensation and hence the investigation is paced upon to identify the murderer as soon as possible to provide the answer to the nation.

 

The book has been planned and drafted very well. I must say that the idea of telling the whole investigation set-up not from the Investigators’ angle but from the multiple suspects’ angle gave the book its high that it needed. It was fun reading how the four characters named in the synopsis of the book tells their version of their history with Karan, their involvement on the party night, what they did before and after the party etc. It is fun reading their versions as it seems we are reading short stories where the characters are interconnected with each other.

 

The book is narrated in a very friendly manner with short chapters which clearly makes it easy for readers to complete the whole book within one or two sittings despite it being of almost 300 pages. I still believe that author could have easily sliced the book by 50-pages. Few sections were definitely stretched and unwanted scenes are detailed which makes it boring to read the investigators’ expressions and thoughts between the interesting twists and turns being shared by the suspects. Similarly, the conversations with the characters sound very bland at times with no expressions whatsoever. Even when the death is revealed to them, their normal response irritates the excited reader within you who was expecting a reaction.

 

The way investigations take place where it’s being done on different days where each day opens a new layer of story keeps us hooked to the book. It helps keeping the book become a perfect page-turner. The story just doesn’t describe about the party scenes but about the human nature as well because the purpose why each of them could have been involved in this crime has a tendency and trait attached to their personality.

 

Author has described the whole party scene very descriptively which helps the readers visualize how the whole venue must be and even the party happenings as well. Rohithari never sounds like a new author at any junction of this book. His writing capabilities are amazing. In the pre-climax, the way he starts unfolding the whole thing amazes the readers by his presence of mind. His thoughtfulness in writing and crafting this story tells about his writing and imaginative skills.

 

I just felt that the climax could have been more happening. I felt that author tried writing this book as a script for an OTT series getting inspired by the new thrillers available on these video platforms. It felt like I am watching it as a series rather than a novel. It could have been better if there was a better conversation with the guilty at the end of the book. Similarly, I felt that the investigation part has no meaning in the story at all as the investigators just doesn’t do anything great to solve this mystery. It’s just the author’s narration that brings us to the answer of the whole puzzle. I wish author could have handled this part well.

 

Overall, this is definitely a great book to enjoy on a weekend at home. You will not miss going out at all. I give this book 3.5 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Become An Achiever Right Now by Aleph Book Company (Book Review: 4*/5)!!!

  

19^th Book of 2024

I like the concept of publishing the anthology which picks up the relevant chapters from the bestseller books of the popular authors. Aleph Publications regularly publishes such books where there’s a theme to the book which consists of the chapters from popular books which helps us get the gist of what the book tries to convey us. I have completed reading “Become An Achiever Right Now” which is a short anthology consisting of the non-fictional chapters from self-help and motivational books. The book is a part of the series called “A masterclass from the Supergurus”. It consists of the chapters written by the prominent authors like Dale Carnegie, James Allen, Kahlil Gibran, Napoleon Hill etc.

 

Achieving greatness is not just about talent or luck; it requires boldness, resilience, and an extraordinary work ethic. While many successful individuals share these foundational traits, what truly sets them apart is their ability to think strategically, adapt to challenges, and create a path unique to their vision. In Become an Achiever Right Now, renowned self-help experts, philosophers, poets, and writers—whose words have impacted millions—uncover the principles that drive extraordinary success. Through their insights, readers will learn practical methods for reaching their goals, even while navigating the everyday hurdles and setbacks that life inevitably presents. This guide is more than just inspiration; it's a toolkit for turning ambition into reality by embracing both the triumphs and trials along the way.

 

There are few chapters with which I was really able to resonate. I am mentioning few of them below:

• The Dale Carnegie's theory of remembering names is such a small advice but the impact it can make is beautifully explained.
• The chapter on enthusiasm is amazing where author tries to explain how it must be generated from within rather than people's reaction. He also signifies how convicted people might be quiet but they have ample amount of excitement within them.
• The James Allen chapter in the start of session two is such a good reminder dat we are the parents of our thoughts and how we only create states and conditions in our life as we attract what our thoughts are.
• Orison Swett Marden speaks of how just manifestations wont bring results but a perseverance to bring them into realities will eventually convert things for us.
• A chapter before, another author very intelligently depicts how sun puts d same amount of energy on everything or how every drop in ocean has the same power of chemistry in it. Similarly, we should have the same passion for evrything we do or desire.
• Dale Carnegie's another chapter on criticism comes like a fresh breeze and motivated me like no other chapter until then. I am in just awe of this writer who uses real life examples to prove his philosophies.
• William George Jordan explains how consecration, concentration, conquest and conscience can make a man experience the real happiness which no one can take away from him/her.
• Few poems in between keep the book interesting with short fillers.

 

From the drawback perspectives, I can only say that few of the chapters are written in a bit tough language which few young readers might find hard to understand and grasp. Rest, this is a great book to gift your young friends below 35. I rate this book 4 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

You Can Get It Done by Liisa Kyle (Book Review: 4*/5) !!!

  

18th Book of 2024

I remember reading a book by Jan Yager named “How to finish everything you start” which obviously talked about how we can ensure that we just don’t end up starting a lot of things but not completing most of them. Thankfully, after couple of years, I got to read a book almost on the same topic named “You can get it done” written by Liisa Kyle who’s a PhD holder. This 136-pages book published by Aleph also has a tagline- “Choose what to do, plan, start, stay on track, overcome obstacles and finish”.

 

Liisa’s writing style is very friendly which makes this book readable for everyone right from school to senior citizens. She has divided the book in small chapters which makes it easy for the readers to read the whole book in a single sitting or continue reading a chapter every day and finish it gradually in 10 days. I read the hardcover version and it is very portable to carry while traveling. In the initial chapters, Liisa helps us understand how she has structured her book and it is something I have read for the first time. She mentions different stages where we are stuck in our journey of starting something to quitting it and helps us navigate directly to the chapter which shall provide resolution to our current problem in the process.

 

This makes this book of a great utility value. It’s not only about reading the theoretical knowledge but understanding the direct application of it. The book starts with the concept of a Plodder or Burster which helps us understand our approach towards a particular task. Author motivates us here telling that we can be both depending on various tasks hence even if we aren’t on track for few, we need not get disappointed. This tells about the empathy value that author has added in her writing.

 

Initially itself, at a segment, author asks us to leave the book and identify our issue with the task completion for a week and then come back to understand further. I liked reading this unique way of engaging readers with the book in a passive manner. Every chapter is full of activities which are real fun.

 

I enjoyed reading the section where author tries explaining how morning time has more energy as well as creativity due to the uniqueness of this phase where we have just got up experiencing dreams which gives wings to our imagination. This is a totally new concept about morning times and what a way to introduce it to us.

 

In the vision board chapter, author tries to help the reader group who have not even identified what tasks to get involved in. Author explains the process in stepwise manner which is so exciting to understand how a human being can identify the work of their interest and joy. Amazing!

 

As mentioned above, again at a middle junction in the book, author mentioned how we can get back to our project rather than continuing to read the book as the sole reason for picking it is to understand how to work on our project and finish it. Haha! At this point, she tells which chapters to target ahead in the book in terms of how we are doing with our tasks that we have started monitoring since we started reading this book.

 

In the last chapters, author describes different kinds of inner enemies sitting within us who gets activated at different trigger points. She also provides amazing solutions to help us kill those inner enemies and proceed ahead with our goals.

 

Talking about the drawbacks, I felt that the book is written getting inspired by the new Agile methodology under which corporate world has started working. It makes us start something, review it in between and accordingly quit few irrelevant tasks and ensure other important ones get finished by the end of the sprint cycle. I wished if author could have focused more upon the personal goals along with professional perspective as well. She tries to specify the personal elements as well but the solutions sound similar to the ones which are effective in the professional setup. Author also ends up repeating several concepts in different chapters which makes it boring at times to read the same thing twice or thrice.

 

Overall, this book is surely a good booster for us when we get stuck in a phase where we are unable to pursue whatever we started doing. I give this book 4 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

High-Functioning Anxiety by Dr. Lalitaa Suglani (Book Review: 4*/5) !!!

  

17^th Book of 2024

We have found many articles and stories asking us to concentrate more upon our mental health and give it priority just like we give to our physical health. Unfortunately, not many institutions/public figures walk the talk. I am glad that one of the publication houses I follow, Hay House India, regularly publishes books which are based upon the topics related to our mental health. I read their previous book which was about self-love and this time, I read a book which is about anxiety. “High functioning anxiety” is written by Dr. Lalitaa Suglani in around 225 pages which also comes up with the tagline- “A 5-step guide to calming the inner panic and thriving”.

 

Lalitaa introduces us to the concept of High functioning anxiety which is not like regular anxiety but a different purview wherein people experience anxiety while still being able to function well in their daily lives. People with high-functioning anxiety may appear successful and well-accomplished, but they may also be struggling with internal feelings of stress, self-doubt, and fear. This made me curious to read further as most of us go through such phase where we process normally but we always feel anxious within.

 

The initial chapters are a different experience to read as author introduces us with various types of HFAs wherein she explains how some childhood experiences and treatments transform a certain kind of our attitude which starts defining our personality. The chapters help us relate with several types as we can associate them with us. Author also clarifies that we can be completely one of them or a combination of multiple types. In further chapters, she tries to mix up two HFA types and explains how we might be struggling with such personality traits. These writings help us understand the concepts well and evaluate how we have been processing ourselves until now.

 

In one of the sections, Lalitaa explains Maslow’s hierarchy of needs in such a way that even after knowing about it previously, it felt like knowing it in an easier and better way. Author highlights upon the fact how we are always striving to please people and become favourites by killing our inner desires. She throws upon the light to the fact that we should be concentrating upon our real self and lead the path to self-awareness.

 

Author has nicely divided the 5 chapters where she concentrates on each of the 5 steps before moving on to the next. Each chapter consists of case studies, author’s personal experiences, self-reflection questions for us, setting the boundary section etc. which helps us understand the topics rather than just reading blindly. There’s one concept of the “Wheel of Life” in the latter part of the book which nicely divides our life in different sections and help us understand how to give weightage and priority to each of them than missing one of these important elements of life.

 

In the end, author ends the book giving us few reference points to follow in order to overcome the High functioning anxiety. Reading the last step and chapter gives a relief as mostly the book is about the problems thriving within us whereas the last pages give us positivity and hope that we can push ourselves out of this zone.

 

Talking about the drawbacks, I must say that author has explained each concept a lot which could have been summed up in a better way by reducing the length of each chapter. The case studies and examples used are repetitive which starts becoming a painful experience to read time and again. The chapters have so many sections and their respective sub-sections that I have ended up missing the flow couple of times. Author could have structured the sections within the chapters in a better manner.

 

Overall, this book is insightful and helps us understand how we can treat the anxiety within us which is gradually taking us towards mental health issues. I would give this book 4 stars out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Time to Come Home by Damini Grover (Book Review: 4.5*/5) !!!

  

16^th Book of 2024

There are many self-help books which tells us about multiple things to fix which ends up being ineffective as we tend to forget most of the pointers. There are rarely any books which focus on one aspect of many things we need to do which can itself help us solve many critical issues we are facing in our life. There’s one such book which happened to be beneficial in this aspect which I have just completed reading – “Time To Come Home” written by Damini Grover. This book published by Hay House India in around 275-pages also has a tagline- “Sowing the Seeds of Self-Love for Lasting Happiness”.

 

As the tagline is self-explanatory, the book talks about the benefits of bringing in the aspect and quality of self-love in our attitude and daily lives to ensure that we give prominence to ourselves before anyone else. Damini just doesn’t pick self-love out of many qualities that we must possess to chase happiness. She starts the book by helping the readers understand why self-love is important and how we end up becoming a confused and lost personality by keeping ourselves last in the last of our priority list always.

 

Damini’s writing skill is such that it made me tough to believe that the book has been executed by an Indian author. She has a writing style which is global that makes it relatable for readers across the world. She has chosen very friendly language to make us delve into the concept and apply it in our lives. She is a counselling psychologist herself but doesn’t complicate things by adding jargons related to several theories and chemical reactions happening within us. She keeps things simple to help readers understand how they can understand the missing patterns in their behaviour and start correcting them gradually to achieve long-lasting happiness.

 

Damini takes the readers through the journey in a manner that it never bores you. She has included many conversations between a psychologist and the person seeking therapy which helps us understand the mindset of the victim and relate with it. We tend to understand how we are also facing issues that one of these communicators are. It helps us concentrate more in these sections where we find things which signifies our own status quo. Similarly, there are many stories/incidents mentioned by the authoress that helps us understand the concepts well.

 

Rather than just providing theoretical insights, Damini also includes written exercises after important chapters that helps us recollect our thoughts and revaluate our approach and provide answers as to how we are going to improve those aspects immediately. These exercises are mind-juggling and helps us get into the groove and apply the actionable. It provides us the clear path to walk upon to achieve the ever-aspiring happiness.

 

There is a section where authoress mentions how even after knowing everything and being certified psychologist, even she falls into this trap now and then but she makes regular habit to get out of it by following the mentioned steps. She helps us understand how we need to treat a lot of personality issues that we have acquired from our childhood and experiences. She throws light on concepts such as reparenting where we need to nurture values again in our core system in a new way to lead a better life. She introduces us with concepts on how we can embrace gratitude and forgiveness, follow affirmations rightly, cultivate the art of authenticity and follow the journey even after achieving the goal.

 

Overall, this is a great book which is enough interesting for you to finish in few sittings yet I would suggest to go slow to grasp the beauty of it. I give this book 4.5* out of 5.

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WRITING BUDDHA

Aunties of Vasant Kunj by Anuradha Marwah (Book Review: 4*/5) !!!

  

15^th Book of 2024

Fiction is my favorite yet somehow; I always get into non-fiction but I regularly miss it even when non-fiction provides me the comfort it does when the days aren’t going well. Luckily, I got my hands upon a wonderful fiction this time named “Aunties of Vasant Kunj” written by Anuradha Marwah. This 300-pages book published by Rupa Publications is author’s 4^th release and her experience is evident in every paragraph. Talking about the cover page first, the way the designer has captured the essence of all the characters in the book by embedding related accessories is a witty work indeed.

 

Author has very nicely crafted the book which is based in a six-months’ time-frame describing the lives of three different female energies where each of them are different from the other two. Keeping Shailaja as the main protagonist, Anuradha ensures that she still gives equal importance to Nilima and Dini. Writing a book on 3 characters where each one of them have their own space is something which has been nicely handled. The way their background is provided through story-telling makes the reader understand and visualize each one of them quite clearly.

 

Anuradha has also based the characters in similar conditions but deriving from different types of situations. At one point, authoress makes it clear to us that all three have been derived out of her own life experiences which makes it even more interesting in terms on how she has broken down her tale in three different parallel stories. I enjoyed reading their individual lives in the beginning and the process in which all three of them meet each other.

 

The arc through which all the characters travel engages us throughout the story and we want to see how they move further. Definitely, most of the turns that comes in the story are predictable and old but yet the narration keeps you hooked. Not only the main characters but authoress tries to keep even the other supporting characters say something important. They are not there just to fill the spot. Either the maid, mother-in-law or daughter – everyone has something particular to say through their conversations with the main characters.

 

Written by a female based on all the female characters gives an impression that the book shall be pro-woke-feminism but thankfully, it is not so. The characters are flawed and even if their ego doesn’t let them believe it, authoress speaks it boldly to the reader. Even when Dini’s character is itself one of women activist’s yet you won’t get uncomfortable reading it because other characters around her makes her realize that this is not how it works in practical life. Sections of the book speaks on the role of father in children life, proper closure in relationship from both the ends, not going ahead with court cases against men just for the sake of it etc. I am glad authoress chose this path rather than making the book impressionable only to the woke generation.

 

We are generally habitual of reading books based on girls who are in their 20s or early 30s but here, we get an insight on how the lifestyle of women in their 40s must be. It is wonderful reading the way they have to deal with relationships, job, divorces, marriage, in-laws, kids, neighborhood, societies, judgment etc. There’s a section where two characters lose their job at the same time and the way the same scenario is treated differently and the different lessons provided with the respective cases is phenomenal. Similarly, the challenges faced by a homemaker is also given deserving prominence in the book.

 

There’s a large part of the book where Buddhism is discussed and even when it consists of humorous sections, Anuradha has ensured that she doesn’t end up disrespecting the religion in any manner. She has handled it with maturity. Similarly, she ensures that if she has mentioned a locale in the title of the book- Vasant Kunj, she makes it informative for the readers to understand how is the life in such areas where people fight for water issues and electricity usage every morning and night. Anuradha has used her wit and sense of humor to make it a funny and engaging read throughout. The only issue I have is with the length of the book. It could have been down by 50 pages easily.

 

Overall, this is an interesting read which you’ll enjoy with smile and laughs in between. I give the book 4 stars out of 5.

 

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WRITING BUDDHA