Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help, Uncategorized

Catering Your Way to Financial Independence by Manvir Singh Anand| Book review

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Title: Catering Your Way to Financial Independence

Author: Manvir Singh Anand

Review

Catering Your Way to Financial independence by Manvir Singh Anand is a complete guide for a beginner to understand and start their own catering business. The Covid-19 crisis has retarded the growth of many businesses and due to that fact, many people are looking for a career change. This is a complete guide for everyone who has a remote idea to start a catering business in the near future.

The primary purpose of non-fiction books is to convey knowledge as much as possible. But I rarely seen a book like this. It has everything you need. Each chapter is dedicated to a particular part of the business. The author explains almost all aspects such as planning, sales, menu preparation, operation, management, funding, and safety precautions due to Covid. Also, a helpful Q&A session is included at the end.

Must read for every like-minded person. This book can add value to your life for sure.

Rating:4/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Indian Authors, Memoirs, Motivational Quotes, non-fiction, Self-Help

Jobless in Jumeirah by Rohit Bhagat| Book review

 

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Title: Jobless in Jumeirah

Author: Rohit Bhagat

Pages:159

Jobless in Jumeirah by Rohit Bhagat is a much closer to the real-life portrayal of a job-seeker. Just like as mentioned in the cover page, this is a lyrical tribute to the job-seeking fables in the glittering sands of Dubai. The middle-east is the age-old haven for every man in the world. People migrate and sweat in this sand to give colors to their dreams. Just like the protagonist in the book, many are working and living their life in this land of glittering sands.

We all know how painstaking is the process of getting hired for a fresh out graduate. After months of sleepless and restless efforts, one gets hold of a job. But what will happen if we lost our only source of income, that precious job suddenly in a day? We have to go all around this painful process once again.

This is the realistic tale of that pain. Someone who has been living in all comforts all his life, this is a new challenge. A challenge where success only matters. The process of acclimatizing to the reality is a very slow process. This challenge will drain our mental and physical health. We will learn the value of friendships, professional relationships, and faith on the way. Most importantly we can analyze and explore the unknown emotions of our own self.

The portrayal of job hunting and rejection is so much realistic in this book. The author has penned down every emotions and phases that can possibly occur over the course of job hunting. The book is truly a lyrical treat because of the choice of words.

It is structured as a memoir with small poems in between. Overall it is good short read expressing pure human emotions very accurately.

Rating:4/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Science Fiction, Young-Adult

Gypsy Flower by Diana Dawn|Book review

Title: Gypsy Flower: Book 4 of Whispering Willows series

Author: Diana Dawn

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Blurb

Snow is willing to risk everything to find the sister she never knew she had, even her new happy life in the Willows. Leaving her true love behind in search of her family, her plans are to bring her sister back to the Willows with her. But will her journey into the mirror bring her the outcome she desires…will she find her sister, or will she again face the witch, her stepmother Margurite? ‘Gypsy Flower’ is the fourth book in the Whispering Willows series.

Review

Gypsy Flower by Diana Dawn is the fourth installment of the Whispering Willows series. I have been following the story from the very beginning and was eager to know what happens next, when I took this one to read. Princess snow embarks a journey to find her long-lost sister at any cost. The path was unknown. She had absolutely no clues about her sister’s whereabouts at first. But slowly everything clears. She finds clues on the way. But this quest is just the beginning. The entire world of Princess Snow took a turn through this journey. As the author is revealing more and more at times, the story is becoming more mysterious. Just like other installments, she ends the story at a cliff hanger. But I must say this ending has a hint of unpredictability more than other books. Making readers dying to know what happens next!

The relationship between Snow and Mitch also getting interesting here. The author has given much depth to Snow’s character through all these books. A gradual evolution of her character is evident from beginning to now. A maturity in character and relationship is expected from her as a protagonist and she is a perfect blend of all emotions. The author has taken much time to unravel the sacred bond between sisters in the middle. But she was careful to not lose the pace. She is not giving away many details. I think this adds up mystery here and there. Many of the characters in Willows are suspicious from the beginning. Here in this part too, their mysteries are growing chapter by chapter.

Apart from the third book, the author has given more importance to the life and people of Willows in this book. It was a heart-warming part to read. With the introduction of new characters, once again the lives of Willows were picking up their lost rhythm.

I read in a single stretch because just like other installments, the narration is impeccable. I’m eagerly waiting to read the next one!

Rating:5/5
Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Thriller, Young-Adult

Mirror, Mirror by Diana Dawn|Book review

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Title: Mirror, Mirror: Book 3 of Whispering Willows series

Author: Diana Dawn

Pages: 98

Blurb

Snow has settled into her new life in the magical Whispering Willows. But now that Snow and her “Prince Charming” have found each other, they must still face obstacles to their happiness together. With the help of a new dwarf friend…who may have secrets of his own, Snow must battle the witch and uncover the mysteries of the magic mirror in the mine. ‘Mirror, Mirror’ is the third book in the Whispering Willows series.

Review

Mirror, Mirror by Diana Dawn is the third installment of Whispering Willows series. In this book, the journey of Princess Snow from unknown to known continues. I have read the first two books in this series. So I had a fair idea about the story and the storytelling capabilities of the author. After reading this installment, I must say I admire more her, for bringing this book series to this world.
Diana picks up the story from where she ended the second book. It was ended in a cliffhanger, so the first chapter was the explanation of that suspense. After unveiling some secrets and suspense, she again reunited Snow and Mitch. I really liked the part where Mitch was devastated in the loss of Snow and his determination to find her at any cost. Besides the protagonists, I felt that the author gave much space to other characters in this book. Ben, Max, Eddy…all are supporting the story well. Also, the much-awaited Royal wedding was one of my favorite parts too.

After calming the storm, the author again ended this book at a cliffhanger. But in this time the twist was unpredictable. I was expecting a re-entry of the evil stepmother, but she gave me another surprise at the end.

The narration was flawless. The author connected all the characters well and drove a fast-paced story beautifully. The scenes were depicted vividly allowing the readers to get connected with the emotions of characters and the plot. The climax was enough for me to pick up the next book of this series.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction, Self-Help

Nostradamus speaks again by Elisabeth Jorgensen|Book review

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Title: Nostradamus speaks again: Heaven paradise

Author: Elisabeth Jorgensen

Pages: 160

Blurb

NOSTRADAMUS speaks AGAIN TM
This book IS NOT what you THINK
Its about WHO YOU BELIEVE IN
Nostradamus Speaks AgainTM is a manuscript in book form as we would like to call it that not only reveals the innermost complicated human nature, but also the complicated time we are now approaching in no time at all! We would like the reader of this profound and not yet to come message to understand that nothing but ourselves are the message, and that is why this book never has come out beforehand. You the reader will go through a profound and deep transformation after reading such a message! Not only you, but the entire world will now call upon Your Time!
Messages to follow in this book of ALL KIND.
LIVE OUT YOUR LIFE NOW!
SEE US AS ONE
BE YOURSELF
PROTECTION!
RIGHT AWAY
WILL COME
THROUGH THIS WONDERFUL BOOK OF LOVE LIGHT AND
CHERISH FRUITS OF ALL KIND AND THEN WE WILL LET YOU
THE READER DECIDE WHETHER ITS NOW OR EVER NOW BEFORE TIME.
Bring out your best ever for
NOW/SEE US SOON AGAIN!
SAI RAM

Review

Nostradamus Speaks Again by Elisabeth Jorgensen is a life-changing book indeed. I have read many spiritual books over the past two years. But I never came close to something like this one. The author is someone who was in pursuit of inner peace for many years and she achieved it at last. From that acquired wisdom, she is trying to guide us to that eternal joy.

As I read through, the pleasure I felt was immense. I can’t even describe that feeling through words. We all are in some kind of sadness in our life. Our goals, our wishes are somewhat pulling us away from what we call us peace. The truth path that we’ve to seek to get rid of these pain is love. The path which is not easy as we think at the beginning. To know love is to gain an understanding of the creator of this world, God.

Through this book, the author is drawing two parallel paths of love. But in the end they both converge to one, which is inevitable.

Recommended.

Rating:5/5

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Fiction, Young-Adult

Forget Me Not by Diana Dawn|Review

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Title: Forget me not: Book-2 of Whispering Willow series

Author: Diana Dawn

Pages:119

Forget me not by Diana Dawn is the second installment of her 7-book Whispering Willow series. From the first book of this series, “Fallen snow” she has created an enchanted world of magic and fantasy for the retelling of an age-old fairytale. The first book ended in a perfect cliffhanger and I was eagerly waiting to read the next one. This one picks up the story from exactly where she ended in the last book without any glitch.

The story of Princess Snow is getting many more twists and turns in this part. The major change I felt when reading was the transformation of Snow’s character. She was portrayed as naive, innocent, and someone who is living in fantasies. But here the author gave a new dimension to her character. Although she is as much as innocent as in the first book, but now she has gained much confidence and added some maturity to her decisions. The author is trying to create depth for her characters here.

I personally liked the love sequences of Mitch and Snow. Their love deepens and they’re becoming soul-mates here. Sit back and enjoy their journey which is progressing to mutual trust and understanding. Dawn opens this book with a fast-paced narration to bring a thriller mood to the story. Then everything calms down and a slow ride of romance starts. In the end, again the fast-paced action sequences came into play. Thus she ends the story on a high note.

From my perspective, to drive readers through a large book series, this kind of fabulous writing skill is necessary. I felt that all main characters are multilayered and she scratched only the surface. This alone adds some unpredictable sense to the  story. I have absolutely no idea where she is heading with this story. Diana is mounting suspense through her flawless narration. I’m hopelessly thinking that she may reveal something. But again she draws curtain at a cliffhanger. Read and enjoy!

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Travel memoir, Travelogue

A brown man in Russia: Lessons learned on the Trans-Siberian by Vijay Menon|Review

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Title: A brown man in Russia: Lessons learned on the Trans-Siberian 

Author: Vijay Menon

Pages: 232

The world is fighting against a pandemic. People are tied to their homes for an unpredictable period. As a travel enthusiast, it is a dreadful period which no one wants to remember. But books can rescue anyone from any danger. Travel memoirs are one of my favorite genres because thry let me travel without leaving my home. I adore them. From the title itself, we can deduce that this is a journey of a brown man to Russia via trans-Siberian.
From the first page itself the author is calling the readers to join this journey with him. His parents were keen to inculcate an unconditional love for travel in him from a very young age. He was a 5-year-old boy who received National Geographic magazine as a Christmas gift. Here he is now planning to travel across Russia through Trans-Siberian railway to Mongolia to celebrate Christmas along with his Duke friends and this too in the heart of winter! The journey was not smooth, it has its ups and downs. But the author has managed to tell a travel story with a pinch of humor.

His unquenching thirst for adventure is the most striking part of this memoir. Perhaps it is the core that drives this story alone. But you can’t blend adventure with unpreparedness. It was something that I didn’t approve of. As a traveler it is essential to know and prepare for your journey especially if you are going to a totally strange country. But if I think about this from a new perspective, I can find some sort of adventure in it. Vijay’s struggle in Russia with language and people might be a lesson for some and adventure for some others. Anyway he managed to narrate his experience flawlessly.
I believe that only the writing skill can rescue an author in a travel memoir. The ability to narrate travel experiences without losing their underlying emotions, let alone drive the story. Apart from the portrayal of the scenic beauty of Russia through words, I liked the element of honesty and friendship he has. They made this journey even more sweater. If a reader can give his undivided focus to this memoir, then he could experience a beautiful journey with these friends through Trans-Siberian to enjoy a Mongolian Christmas.

Reccommended for every travel enthusiasts out there.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, historical fiction, Memoirs

Slaves, Masters and Traders: Historical Fiction by H. Ann Ackroyd|Review

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Title: Slaves,Masters and Traders: Historical Fiction

Author: H. Ann Ackroyd

Pages: 546

“Slaves, Masters, and Traders: Historical fiction by H. Ann Ackroyd is a novel which is written in the background of true events of the slave trade which was prevailed in the 18th century.  Slave trade was one of the most disastrous events in the history of mankind. It was an unjustifiable crime by all means. If we look back to history, we may encounter that the slave trade was done by the noblemen of the society. The Africans were dragged from their home and transported to faraway lands to be a slave for the rest of their lives. The people who are born free in their native land were captured, abused, and forced to work and serve without any justice. Through this book you can relive these events. It is a story that has to be told over and over. Because it is the living evidence of the extend of racism in people’s minds.

I always love to read historical fiction books because they are always the perfect blend of creativity and history. This one also didn’t disappoint me. The book is comparatively thick because the author has narrated the story in-depth through these pages. These kinds of large books need a compelling narrative and unputdownable story to successfully lead the reader through these pages. In my opinion, this kind of beautiful narrative alone can drive the story. The author is narrating three main storylines in parallel. Three different backgrounds, three different cultures, and very different humans too. It was a perfect pleasure to delve into a historical fiction book that is sailing through smooth storylines.

From the story of black tribal family to the life of a black slave family and their masters in Lousiana, it was a journey that a reader can cherish in their whole life. The book is also a treasure of insights from history. A reader can learn many things through this book along with a heartfelt story.

Another highlight of the story is character built-up. Strong characters can only drive the story forward. Here, the characters are created to perfectly blend with the storyline. Each and every character is unique and attention-grabbing. Again the beauty of powerful writing skills.

Recommended for every reader who likes to read historical fiction.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Motivational Quotes, non-fiction, Self-Help

“The Potter and the Clay: Hard pressed on every side but not destroyed” by Ellis Lucas|Review

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Title: The Potter and the Clay: Hard pressed on every side but not destroyed

Author: Ellis Lucas

Pages: 198

“The Potter and the Clay” is an autobiographical book written by Ellis Lucas who turned his life all around through his faith in Jesus. This is a powerful testimony of a man who went through every hardship one can felt in a lifetime and managed to find the light at the end of the tunnel.

This is not a typical motivation book you might see in the market. The story he is telling through these pages is real. We can literally feel the pain that he was gone through. He was at the utmost point of despair. At the endpoint of his life, he found the love of Jesus. This reinvention gave him a rejuvenated and renovated path of life.

This testimony is not only inspiring but also compelling us to believe in God. He assures that we will reborn on the day, we let Jesus come into our life. Such a peaceful yet powerful narration of the life!

This is a captivating read indeed. The words are connected through emotions. The chapters are flowing through his life events without any flaws.

A must-read.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Motivational Quotes, non-fiction, Self-Help

Wanted by Ellis Lucas|Review

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Title: Wanted

Author: Ellis Lucas

Pages: 228

Faith is a gift, some people are born with it, some will achieve it someday. But it is our fate that either we find it or not. The path of self-healing starts with belief. The best knowledge I gained from this book is how faith can heal any mind, whether it is torn or not. “Wanted” is a book of enlightenment. It is the torchbearer of hope and love. Ellis has penned down an amazing testimony of his life. His transformation is something that cannot be described through words. He led the most disastrous life and at the ultimate point of despair, he found the hope, the healing, the life.

He begins the book by giving a glimpse of his own life. His life itself is most inspiring. Throughout the 15 chapters in the book, he is reinstating only one most important point, why you are the most wanted by Jesus, how you can find the path of self-realization and happiness. The author has used a very different kind of writing style. He structured the journey of self-realization through these 15 chapters, from finding Jesus to healing your mind. These perfectly organized ideas are enough for a human to embark a change on their mind. A change which can lead you to enlightenment.

The one thing I felt when reading is the pure joy. Ellis is the happiest man who dedicated his life to helping people in need. So his inner joy flows through his words. Where there is innocence there will be happiness. I can literally felt it throughout the book. I found a bible inside this book. The author used numerous bible verses to explain human nature and behaviors. Every chapter ends with invaluable insights.

This is one of the greatest reads I have ever read. It has the power of inspiration and enlightenment. I totally recommend this one.

Rating:5/5