Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Self-Help

Shh! Sidepiece Be Quiet by Victoria Kirby

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Title: Shh! Sidepiece Be Quiet

Author: Victoria Kirby

Paperback: 70 pages

Publisher: Bookwhip (19 November 2018)

Language: English

My review

“Love yourself if no one else will love you. Self-love is such an important factor in life. Without selflove how will you know how to love someone that you say that you love or have deep feelings for.”

Shh! Sidepiece be quiet can be described in a line as a complete relationship advice package. The content of this book took me by surprise. When I first came across the title and the cover, I never thought about this type of content. The author has penned down all most all the aspects of adult relationships. She talks from the viewpoint of a woman in the beginning. But after that, it explores through different perspectives.

I liked the way she presented the details of every bit of life we have. She has mixed her life too throughout this book. Often the author came up with a humorous touch to break monotonous narration. But throughout these odd 70 something pages, you can’t find a single piece of word which is not worth mentioning. Through these short read, the author talks about everything a woman needs to know, no secrets are safe from her. The author not only talks about mere adult relationships but also the challenges of a single mother and the importance of self-love. Knowing where we’re standing in a relationship is an important thing. Failing to know, will obviously lead to a miserable life.

The brutal honesty of the author surprises me sometimes. I have never read this kind of honest words from an author. You need only some one or two hours to complete this book, but that time is immense useful.

Rating: 4/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors

Ladies Coupé by Anita Nair

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Title: Ladies Coupé

Author: Anita Nair

Paperback: 228 pages

Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd (22 June 2015)

Language: English

Synopsis

The story of a woman’s search for strength and independence.

Meet Akhilandeshwari, Akhila for short: forty-five and single, an income-tax clerk, and a woman who has never been allowed to live her own life – always the daughter, the sister, the aunt, the provider.

Until the day she gets herself a one-way ticket to the seaside town of Kanyakumari, gloriously alone for the first time in her life and determined to break free of all that her conservative Tamil brahmin life has bound her to.

In the intimate atmosphere of the ladies coupé which she shares with five other women, Akhila gets to know her fellow travellers:

Janaki, pampered wife and confused mother;

Margaret Shanti, a chemistry teacher married to the poetry of elements and an insensitive tyrant too self-absorbed to recognize her needs;

Prabha Devi, the perfect daughter and wife, transformed for life by a glimpse of a swimming pool;

Fourteen-year-old Sheela, with her ability to perceive what others cannot;

And Marikolanthu, whose innocence was destroyed by one night of lust.

As she listens to the women’s stories, Akhila is drawn into the most private moments of their lives, seeking in them a solution to the question that has been with her all her life: Can a woman stay single and be happy, or does a woman need a man to feel complete?

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Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors, Science Fiction, Thriller

Captain Elephant: The Mystery of the Bomb by Aseem Mahajan

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Book title: Captain Elephant: The Mystery of the Bomb
Author: Aseem Mahajan
Publisher: Petals

Blurb

Mayas Tondlulu is born with a medical condition due to which his parents are extra careful with him. Mayas is precious and they did everything possible to make sure that his health would not suffer because of their carelessness. After living an overly protected life Mayas discovers that he has a special ability and his alter ego “Captain Elephant” is born, but he soon invites trouble for himself and is wanted by the police of Pinzoora city at the tender age of 10! At the same time the dreaded terrorist Popananda escapes from prison and threatens Pinzoora with a nuclear bomb. He warns people against leaving the town. The only clue he gives is a riddle that haunts everyone. Panic grips Pinzoora. Masks fall and hidden skeletons come out. During this adversity when everyone fails, it is upto Captain Elephant to face the ruthless Popananda and unravel the murky mystery that will change the history of mankind and Pinzoora forever. What is the meaning of the riddle? What is the dark mystery looming over Pinzoora?

My Review

The story revolves around the protagonist, Mayas, who was born in the small Indian island Pinzoora, with a physical disorder. Mayas were born with his heart placed at his rear. The story covers the incidents that Mayas has been facing in a certain time. Due to this special condition, Mayas has been restricted by his parents from his childhood. They are always determined to protect him from his condition. But all these restrictions are often mocked by his classmates from time to time. They are also quite jealous of his certain privileges. This makes Mayas to became independent in his life and to live his life according to his terms.

Suddenly he finds out that, his disorder is not a curse like he thinks in most of his life but a boon. Next thing, we saw is how a superhero is born and became useful to the entire city. Mayas, the Captain elephant with supernatural powers, proves his power when there’s a massive terrorist attack in his city Pinzoora.

I believe every children’s book ever written is also for all adults. Because there is always a child within our mind. I often pick up children’s book as a change of genre. In fact I’m quite fond of them. This book also never disappoints me. Because it is all that I expected from the cover, title, and blurb.

The plot is really unique, and the author made a really commendable approach in creating this. Because creating a superhero from nowhere needed a great extent of creativity. Also creating an absolute fiction background demands much more skill than writing in other genres.

The first part of the story revolves around describing the medical condition of Mayas and the difficulties he faces in school and everywhere. After the superhero is born, the story picks up pace and energy and describe the terrorist attack by the dreaded terrorist named Popananda, and how Captain Elephant has saved the city from the bomb attack.

There were a limited number of characters and the author builds every character beautifully. The narration is really good. The author also gives a touch of humor from time to time. This also makes the narration really interesting.

The climax was a little disappointed in nature because it was abrupt and lacks explanation at some points.

Altogether, this is a good superhero novel which is built excellently.

Rating: 4/5

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors

Something I Never Told You by Shravya Bhinder

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Book title: Something I Never Told You

Author: Shravya Bhinder

Paperback: 256 pages

Publisher: Penguin Publishers

Blurb

“ She was gone, again; and I failed again and could not tell her how much I loved her.” 
Ronnie’s fate gives him a second chance with Adira. His one-sided love story moves at a faster pace this time but instead of becoming his lover; she chooses to become his friend instead. 
He needs a mentor and Rajbir steps in just in time. 
Something I never told you is a transforming tale of love, determination, belief and finding one’s strengths. 

My Review

‘Something I Never Told You’ is the love story of Raunak and Adira. The plot is very simple and quite predictable. But despite this predictability, the narrative skill of the author is playing a huge role throughout the book.  This is a story of a one-sided love of protagonist Raunak, who is unable to express his feelings to Adira. They are separated at some point but destiny gives him a second chance to pursue his love. This plot is thickened using some other characters, some with villainous nature and a love guru.

“Sometimes I wonder if you and I are the same person. We are a little broken, quite messed up and in love with the idea of love.”

The language is simple and the story is well written. A simple story, but written to connect the present and past of Raunak. This style is impressed me a lot. The author has developed all characters really well by giving adequate depth to them. Each of them has a quite unique personality. This helps to provide an extension of freshness to the plot.

The story is not quite fresh, as it feels like a Bollywood movie after some time. But in my experience, it is natural. Every romance story is predictable and always have a touch of Bollywood. Because that’s how romance films are weaved in and around our daily life. Every romance lover will like this book because everyone has some secret crush at some or another point in their life and most of us are failed to express our feelings. This reality is mixed with the story very well.

“True love never dies. It sleeps Silently in aching hearts and wakes up on lonely nights”

I like the cover very much because it gives a perfect background for a love story. The title is also something which describes the story in one line.

Altogether, this is a very quick and easy read and anyone who need a quick way-out of daily life, this is the best option.

Rating: 3.5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors

Have You Stopped LOVING? by Cauveri

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Title: Have you stopped loving?

Author: Cauveri

Paperback: 209 pages

Publisher: Blue Rose Publishers

Language: English

Blurb

One of the greatest titles in the world is to be called a ‘parent’ and one of the biggest blessings in the world is to have parents whom we call ‘MOM ’and DAD’. It gives me immense bliss to present you an entirely personal, emotional, heart melting and successful journey of Sharda. As the name suggests she is neither a master’s degree holder nor a Ph.D. holder but again as the name suggests she has reached out as a Doctorate holder for her tremendous achievements throughout her life. She gives an urgent message of her eternal strength to raise her voice against the provocation women face. But the way she was betrayed, deceived, cheated emotionally by her own kids is actually the pulse of this book. Lady of letters, Cauveri gauges the substandard and unacceptable state of affairs and circumstances which leads our society towards anguish and dejection of the holy and immortal souls called parents in her debut novel. She tried to hold tight the missing link between parents and their progeny.

My review

Have you stopped loving? is an emotional journey of the protagonist  Sharda from an ambitious small-town girl to a strong-willed woman who diminishes her obstacles with her hard work. The story gives the limelight to a not-so-discussed issue among the parents and their children. Here Sharda is a self-made woman who is highly respected in the society because of her commendable hard work. Despite her professional success, her children questions her ways, owing to the luring of some others.

I always think that the relationship and emotional connection between every mother and their children are immortal and beyond the description. Being a mother is the most challenging job because this status never lost even after you die. This unexplainable connection between every mother and her child is built upon trust and unconditional love. Woman are lucky because they can experience this state from their mother and also can set an example to their children by becoming a mother herself. With all these responsibilities, being a working woman is not easy.

Here in this story, we can see a woman who is the mother of three children and after their birth, she actually started chasing her dreams. Just like everyone, she also has a dream to be an educated and successful woman and obviously, she is disappointed when they are denied. But when she got a small chance she woke up and worked for it. She has done everything possible to balance her job and motherhood and even became successful in both.

But even though upbringing has certain effects on one’s mentality, it never is enough to predict a person completely. Time to time, people became puppets, in the hands of some other cunning people because of their delusions of love towards them. This is the true evil and this makes everyone forget their past and forcing them to live in the present and future. But the total dismissal of one’s past will eventually lead them to ultimate failure.

This story is a light-hearted family drama. It is not a story revolves around a single challenge but around numerous small problems facing by a family. This gives a touch of reality to this plot. The plot is snitched through numerous daily-life problems faced by Sharda and her family over the years.

The number of characters is low which is perfect for a small family drama. The author focused on these limited characters and their development.

I liked the way the author incorporated her view on woman-empowerment and education from the first page to the last. Often the work-place became the hide-out of Sharda from her personal problems. The way, the author encourages girl child to take their education seriously is worth mentioning.

The author has also given space to discuss dowry, low-income and practically all other problems faced by a woman. This is a good initiative.

I always love black and white covers and this cover also never disappoints me. From the title, it is evident that it is a woman-drama.

I liked the character of Abha and how she turns thing around at the climax. Her self-made personality is a good example. She made mistakes and she paid them. But with her confidence, she rectifies her life.

The language is simple and easily complete the reading within two sitting.

Overall, this is a good weekend read with a powerful message.

Rating: 4/5

 

 

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors, Indian Mythology, Science Fiction

The Code Of Manavas: Beyond The Realm by Arpit Bakshi

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“The earth and the human race as we knew it have ceased to exist.
Bhoomidium, discovered by Krishna, healed the unstable core of Bhoomi during the last apocalypse. It has transformed Man to Manavas and Kali-Yug into Swarnim-Yug.
The year is 2050.2.0000001 and the Manavas are divided into two states, Madhavpur and Ayudhpur.
Krishna sees another apocalypse around the corner and he has a way out – an alternate universe, which can be reached by travelling through Omechta realm.
Can he save his race this time?”

My review

The Code of Manavas: Beyond The Realm is the first book of the Maha Vishnu trilogy written by Arpit Bakshi. The plot of this book is crafted in the combination of two unlikely genres, Indian Mythology, and Science fiction. Often the stories written on these genres are perfect entertainers because it is very difficult to build a story compared to other genres. The difficulty is because it demands much more research and knowledge along with creativity. Also without good storytelling skills, the plot may slip away or become weak. This story is the best example of the fusion of these genres. The author has done a commendable job to create a story with a strong backbone.

I loved the plot very much purely because of its uniqueness. How often you can see the mythological characters blended in the science world?

The creativity of the author has to be mentioned. For the first 40 pages, the author took his time to explain the new world, he crafted. Then only the true struggle was started. This is very much an unlikely skill because often the story becomes weak because it will lack the details of the background at the beginning. This is carefully avoided by explaining the new world at first. Through this, the author can take the reader their present to the future which he created rather smoothly.

The cover is excellently designed giving the glimpse of the story. The characters are uniquely named after many prominent mythological characters such as Krishna, Raghav, Gopal, Meera, Mohan, Vasu, Shyam etc. This is a very unique thought that I found interesting. From the title, it is evident that this is a Maha Vishnu trilogy, so the author named the characters according to that.

Being the first book of a trilogy, this book has an important role. It has to set a stage for crafting the remaining two stories. The Code of Manavas leaves the reader in a cliffhanger giving a perfect opportunity to the remaining two books.

I like the science fiction genre because they always offer something new to learn along with a beautiful story. This story also never disappointed me on this.

Overall, this is a nice read and takes away the reader from our present to the future for some time.

Rating: 4.5/5

I received a copy of this book through the BOOK GENIE REVIEW PROGRAM.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors

Bestseller by Ahmed Faiyaz

Title: Bestseller
Author: Ahmed Faiyaz
Publishers: Rupa Publications
Print Length: 196 pages

Blurb: Akshay Saxena, an out of work editor of a defunct literary magazine in the UK, is told to move to India for a year to help shore up the value of Kalim, an ailing Indian publisher.
Akshay finds himself in a job where he has to do the impossible. Angus Lee, the new owner of Thomson Lee Books, wants at least five bestsellers in the coming year, failing which the business would be wound up.
He has to find a way of making a success out of books he would never publish or would never even read. To complicate things further, he has to contend with motley crew of has-beens and misfits working for the publishing house as well as wannabe writers, dealing with their follies and derisive tactics, and battle his own affections for Zorah Kalim, the impulsive daughter of his former boss.
Will he succeed in bringing out that one ‘bestseller’ from his publishing house? And what about his own life and love in office? Find out in this riveting read.

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My Review

The story revolves around Akshay Saxena, who is recently returned to India after he has been fired from his job in the UK. He joins ailing Kalim publications as an editor in a mission to revive its fortunes. As an editor, he is thrown to an almost an impossible challenge of producing 5 best sellers in a year. Gradually this challenge changes Akshay from an honest editor to a manipulative and cunning editor who is determined to achieve his goals. How and what transforms him back to being a honest one is the backbone of the plot.

This book really gives an insight into the drama behind publishing books. How they are manipulating books to make them well-intended bestsellers, deserving or not.
This is a very interesting book solely because of its plot. The author has picked up a subject which is almost untouched for years. Using his remarkable ability to craft good stories, he turned this plot into an engaging one. This “bestseller” has the ability to become a bestseller. It is quite an irony that a book which is dealing with writing and publishing become a “bestseller”. The thing which got me fascinated is, how brilliantly he crafted a story out of this unique background.

Though this is short-read, I’m satisfied because the novel is crisp and not in one point it became flat and unenthusiastic. The intent of the author to make this a fast-paced story is indeed to make the book more engaging. The narration is good because it gives the reader a complete visualization of the scenes. If the background is carved this good, a story based on it will come handy. The story also has some hints on real-life publicity stunts that we’re all familiar with like celebrity-who-writes-the-autobiography and a banker who is now broke and writes inspirational books etc.

I believe the  primary aim of a book is to provide entertainment as far as laymen concerned. In that sense, this is one of the best book released in 2018. The author has given a sarcastic touch all over the story to make it much more interesting. I found this is a growing trend in India, telling a story in the capsule of humor. I like this capsule because it breaks monotonous narration in many books.

The cover is truly amazing, Rupa publications have done a good job in designing it.

Overall, it is a very good engaging story to all the readers who are curious to know what is going on behind in the publishing industry.

Rating: 4.5/5

Purchase here: Amazon

 

 

 

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Indian Authors, Poems

Unlocked Silences by Mukhpreet Khurana

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Title: Unlocked Silences

Author: Mukhpreet Khurana

Publishers: Notion press

Blurb: Unlocked Silences is a collection of abstracts, poems and excerpts written on tissue papers over a couple of years. It is a dive deep into the circles of emotion, empathy, acceptance, healing and insights into a different perspective towards life. In the voice of a budding adolescent, the book cascades into day-to day-shortcomings, carved into poetry and at the same time, embraces you in silence and stillness of thought. The book is an attempt to connect with the reader, to reflect upon them, unbiased and together and embrace a new beginning. With simplified use of grammar and vocabulary, this book seeks nothing but the companionship of all. With this debut book, the author aims to connect to one and to all in the message and purpose of existence, the aid of spirituality and an ode to a beautiful journey called life.

My Review

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“…Take the fall, for once and for all…

Know that you need nothing,

You need no one;

Lay in peace, sometimes

Lay in endless pain,

Celebrate every gain, dear one,

Thank every effort that went in vain….

I remember my flaws by a dominating perfection,

I remember life as a journey to be celebrated…”

 -The journey (Unlocked Silences) Mukhpreet Khurana

Unlocked Silences is a collection of poems, abstracts, and excerpts by Mukhpreet Khurana. I can’t start this review without praising the cover. It is unique and beautiful. Black and white combination is one of my favorite because it basically represents the tantrums of our own minds.  A book should be like that, bringing whiteness in the darkness. This color combination makes perfect sense with the title.

Every writer has struggled with their creativity. The unanswered questions and turmoil of emotions will be the cause to sprout creativity. So this is the breaking of silences. But this is not a mere breaking, it is unlocking. The author may have thought that this is an unlocking of his thoughts and he has to spread them in this world. Like that, this collection contains his thoughts ranging from healing, motivation, positivity to embracing fears.

This is actually like a rollercoaster ride, sometimes high, sometimes low. I think this is purely a reflection of the human mind including all our lives. All the lines are written with a meaning to reinstate belief in oneself and the rest will follow.

These deeper ideas are expressed through simple and smooth language but yet succeeded in producing an influence on one’s own mind. This book offers a path of healing, from hatred to peace.

Somehow, some lines are seem to be repeated, but it is aligned with the flow, so it never bothers the reader much. I felt this is like a walk of all the ill-emotions in our mind which keeps inner peace away, to the wisdom of our own mind.
I think this is a book for everyone because it is a collection of thought-provoking, light, and easy lines written to address one’s inner-self.

Rating 4/5

I received a copy of this book through the BOOK GENIE REVIEW PROGRAM

 

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Indian Authors

I am Always Here With You by Himanshu Rai

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Title – I Am Always Here With You
Author – Himanshu Rai
Genre – Romance Fiction
Publisher – Srishti Publishers & Distributors

Blurb: Kartik fell in love with Ashima the very first time he saw her. She was everything he had ever imagined in his dream girl, his Angel. As their friendship bloomed into deep love, culminating into marriage, he became her Teddy, her confidant and an eternal support. But in trying to be with her, Kartik made a choice that broke his father’s heart and hopes. As Kartik and Ashima gear up to step into the next phase of their relationship, life seems like an overload of joy and love. He is confident his love for Ashima will win over all odds, even his father. Little did he know that things were going to change drastically, forever. Why does Ashima marry someone else? Why does Kartik accept it silently? And why is life so unpredictable? This is a story of deep love that knows no bounds, relationships that break all barriers, and a promise – I am
Always Here with You.

My review

Love is eternal. No matter how far two people are, it will stay the same in their heart. No distance matter in love. Like that, this is a beautiful love story from the author Himanshu Rai with a genuine touch of reality. The story is 100% true to the beautiful cover of this book. The title and cover are apt for this romance fiction.

There is a magic in these words “I am always here with you”. It is not pronounced from the mouth, but from the heart. Irrespective of age, these words can bring very delicate emotion in human beings, which is love.

This is the journey of a couple Ashima and Kartik, how they met, how their friendship sprouted and how their love unfolds. Kartik, who has fallen in love with Ashima at the very first sight and he considers her as his dream girl, an Angel. Also, Ashima finds his Teddy in Kartik as her strong support and confidante. True love is bound them so hard that Kartik marries Ashima against his father’s wishes, whom he considers as his hero. Everything was going smoothly in their life and soon they will be blessed with a baby. But life is not that dreamy in reality. Their seemingly perfect life gets a twist and turns soon after. How their life is changed so drastically?

What makes Ashima marry someone else?

The rest of the story unfolds to answer these questions.

The author captures every emotion in a relationship and describes them from the heart. I think every love story should be written like this, that it should be told from the heart, not from the mind.  This is a short read and one can easily read it in a single sitting or feel the rain of love in a short time.

Another best part of the book is the description of parental relationships. The author narrates in a very good manner how these relationships that we are bound by birth affects one’s life and decisions. Also, the story has a beautiful ending which the author has written with a touch of reality, satisfying every romance genre lovers. I believe every reader can relate this story some or other parts with their lives because of the beautiful storytelling by the author.

This is a good romance read, which never disappoints any romance-fiction lovers.

Rating: 4/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Thriller

Tarikshir: The Awakening by Khayaal Patel

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Name: Tarikshir The Awakening
Author; Khayaal Patel
Publisher: Westland Books  2018.

I received a copy of this book through the BOOK GENIE REVIEW PROGRAM

Tarikshir: The Awakening by Khayaal Patel is a rare genre novel which is a mix of historical fiction, mythology, thriller, fantasy, and horror. First thing first. I have to praise the cover design first. Whoever picks this book at first, will surely be curious about the mysterious cover design. This makes every reader turn the pages to find it out.

The story was written as a mythological fiction at the beginning, but the tone quickly drifts into historical fiction after sometimes. After that, it changes between various interesting genres such as mystery, fantasy, and horror. This will make it a sure pick for all age groups.

In this novel, the author has connected two entirely different time periods which are Ramayana Period and another which is of the beginning of British rule in India. The hardness of writing historical fiction is you have to research a large amount to fill all the loopholes in history before connecting various historical events to frame a story. Throughout this novel, this wonderful effort of the author to craft an accurate historical fiction is evident.

The story begins in the Ramayana period, at the castle of Ravana where a Vanar Valikesh, of Hanuman’s vanarsena, finds a beautiful but dangerous gem in Ravana’s palace. It is the key to Tarikshir’s awakening. Tarikshir is the name of a dark entity which resides in the castle of Ravana. The dark shadow of this mysterious creature has created high-end suspense throughout the story and this is the main factor which causes readers would be hooked to the end of the story. Tarikshir has been hidden for years and his one true desire is to come alive and wreak havoc in the world.

The story then switches to the year 1826 where the Kingdom of Devangarh is under threat from the British India Army and their king Raja Ravindra decides to fight for their honor instead of bowing down. Suddenly the king is assassinated and Rudra- the young prince sets on a path to unravel the mystery behind his father’s death and other mysterious deaths happening all over the kingdom in the dilemma of ever-increasing threat of invasion from Britishers. The rest of the story answers the fate of Rudra and how all these events are connected. The end part of the story is well written to make sense of all the incidents from the beginning and it is unpredictable.

The language used is simple. The flow of the story is straight. Almost every scene is described to each inch which will be enough to form a clear visualization of the plot. If you are a reader who enjoys historical fiction, this will be sure-shot read.
Overall, the way of storytelling and plotting characters made this novel a good read.

 

Rating 4/5