Amina Thajudeen Book Review, supernatural, Thriller

THE TRIALS OF CHAUKHANDI by JASMINE YAMMANI | Review

Honor Killing is a global disease where cultural norms and principles are claimed to be violated by a female relative who dares… And the price… a death sentence. A victim could be hacked, stoned, burned at the stake, or buried alive. Different regions around the world have their choice of how they want to deal with this problem. But the result remains the same.
The Trials of Chaukhandi is a story of a girl who becomes a witness to one such crime.
Meher is not your average free thinker and feminist. She is courageous and independent, but her personality just added a new twist. She now has the power to see visions and can time travel.
A Pakistani born American, who visits her birthplace for a summer vacation, she suddenly finds herself a witness to a crime, testing her peaceful life, and questioning the meaning of life, her ultimate strengths, a sudden introduction into the world of supernatural and her faith.
An intoxicating tale of trials, tribulations and finally retributive justice set amidst the great deserts of Baluchistan province and the historical landmarks of Sind province of Pakistan. “The Trials of Chaukhandi” deals with issues in the blood and bones of many ancient cultural rituals and are still alive and thriving in today’s space age.

Title: THE TRIALS OF CHAUKHANDI

Author: JASMINE YAMMANI

Pages: 120

My review

What I really liked about the story is the liberal approach of the author. The story has a strong protagonist. She is someone who finds her strength in her faith. Faith is a solution to her in times of distress. But she is strong enough to stand for her ideals. The story uncovers the true face of a religious nation. This is an accurate portrayal of how people had supplemented patriarchy with the religion and bent the rules for their selfishness. Honor killings are the measure of deterioration of a society. This topic needs to be addressed. By choosing this subject for a novel, the author has raised her voice against this heinous crime.

The story is written in a very engaging manner. All the scenes are explained with attention to the details. The words captured the essence of the scenes, especially the scenes of kidnapping and murder in the beginning. The descriptions of this cold-hearted crime gave me a chill in the spine. The merciless behaviors of people are portrayed very convincingly. The whole story was following a single incident. The mystery was adding up from the beginning and everything that happened later resolves these mysteries.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction

Your Brain Kids Edition : The Engine to Your Body by Tracy Markley

In Your Brain, The Engine to Your Body – Kids Edition, kids will learn some simple fun things about their brain and how to stay healthy as they have fun with fun illustrations. It is easy to read and understand. A healthy brain helps have a healthy body. The brain is the engine to the body. This can be read alone or with teachers or parents. Tracy also wrote an adult version of this book to help teens and adults learn more about the health and care of their brain. Enjoy the fun illustrations as you learn more about your brain. Exercise, staying hydrated and good nutrition helps the brain to stay healthy as we grow up.

Title: Your Brain Kids Edition : The Engine to Your Body

Author: Tracy Markley

Pages:13

My review

The kids version of Our brain by Tracy Markley is a little package of fun, knowledge, and beautiful illustrations. Written in an interactive style, the author simplifies every bit of knowledge. This book teaches everything a child needs to know about the brain.
The author takes special care to not stuff the content with more complex ideas and scientific illustration. It is more about building better habits that make positive effects on our brain. It encourages our children to get active, eat more vegetables, laugh with family and friends, drink more water etc.

I must say the author has good knowledge of child psychology as well as on physiology. Because the book is carefully curated and written from a child’s point of view. This is undoubtedly one of the best books in this category

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction

Stroke Recovery: Leg Stability and Walking Gait by Tracy Markley | Review

In Stroke Recovery Leg Stability and Walking Gait, Tracy brings, hope knowledge, and exercises that can assist a survivor in the healing the leg, foot drop, hyperextended knee and walking gait. She had included anatomy illustrations and exercises in this book. In many cases stroke survivors do not receive enough physical therapy to help them reach the full potential in their stroke recovery. This will leave many stroke survivors seeking help from other sources, such as personal trainers, Pilates teachers, and other professionals in the fitness industry. This book is filled with important information to help a survivor while in physical therapy as well as to help guide in their continued recovery when physical therapy has ended. This is also a great learning source for fitness and physical therapy professionals. Tracy teaches the importance of having a strong core, spine, and back muscles to maintain proper posture. Proper posture is essential to build and maintain the correct positioning of the hips and pelvic girdle. This is essential for the legs to become in balance and strength for safe and functional movement. The hip joint (ball and socket) moves in several directions. You will learn exercises and tips to correct posture and to regain leg strength, movements and walking gait.

Title: Stroke Recovery: Leg Stability and Walking Gait

Author: Tracy Markley

Pages: 172

My review

Stroke Recovery: Leg stability and walking gait is a comprehensive guide dealing the subject holistically. Stroke recovery is a difficult and complex process. I had zero knowledge on this issue before. Because it was not a matter of concern in my life. But when my father suffered a stroke, I began to search for more information.

Stroke recovery is a long process and a highly demanding one. It cannot be treated just like any other diseases. Recovery is an emotionally and physically draining process, not only for the survivor, but also for the family members. This book was a boon in this matter.

The author has explained every minute detail and covered A-Z issues. This one book is enough for practical and theoretical purpose. The book is structured in a way that, it progresses from basic to advanced. At first, details about a joint are explained and then the exercises are introduced. The author has given due importance to the safety too. I find this is extremely helpful, because survivors are prone to accidents and injuries. Although the book addresses stroke survivors primarily, I find this a lot helpful to correct my posture and improve my exercise schedule. This also can be used as a professional study guide on human anatomy.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, non-fiction

Your Brain: The Engine of Your Body, A Fitness Trainer’s Guide to Brain Health by Tracy Markley | Review

Tracy teaches importance tips to help you keep a healthy brain as part of you daily health plan. This book is for all ages from kids to adult. Tracy explains important facts from scientific studies to how the brain and mind work. She shares why it is important to properly hydrate and nourish the brain and body. She includes information on Neurons, White and Grey Matter and more. She shares why physical activities, proper hydration and nutrition affect your brain’s current and future health. This book can be considered an anti-aging book for your brain. This is a fabulous resource for all ages, including students, fitness fanatics and athletes. This book is for those who just want to learn more about the brain, as well as for those who may be facing neurological challenges, brain injuries, or are in stroke recovery. Tracy also includes nutritional tips and physical and mind exercises. This book also comes in a Children’s (Kid’s) Edition.

Title: Your Brain: The Engine of Your Body, A Fitness Trainer’s Guide to Brain Health

Author: Tracy Markley

Pages: 74

My review

Your Brain by Tracy Markley is an A-Z book on this subject. I’m always curious to know more about the brain. Because it controls everything in our body. It runs every biological and physical mechanisms, coordinates our senses, and administers countless processes. It is undoubtedly the most important part of our body. We are more conscious about our heart and its wellbeing. But the brain deserves more than this honor. This book opens to that pathway.
I was searching for a book that is not written for academic purposes but in layman’s terms. This one is a perfect fit for this equation. The author simplified every information and presented it in a very engaging manner.  She doesn’t forget to blend fun with facts too.  Every concept is explained using real-life examples. This helped me to retain and remember them and most importantly apply them consistently. The best part of this book is information about taking care of our brain on a day-to-day basis. It presents practical tips to keep a healthy brain amidst my hectic work schedules. This small book is a must-read for everyone.

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

Success Transformation Accelerator: 21 Day Blueprint by Dr. Alok Chandra| Review

Do you wish to achieve the successful life that you have always dreamed of by learning from the best? Would you like to reach the zenith of your career or profession but need expert guidance? If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, keep reading …..
Let’s face it. Most, if not all, of us dream of leading successful lives. However, only a few are able to achieve it. It is no accident. The majority who do not attain greatness, do not have the essential guidance on what they need to do. The people who make it do so by learning from the best, leaving no stone unturned, and become exemplary professionals and excellent people. The rest do not realize their full potential and some keep dreaming for their entire lives.

After meeting with and studying great individuals, the author possesses a deep knowledge of what you need to materialize success in your life at breakneck speed. Therefore, this book was written to be extremely effective and simple to follow.

Title: Success Transformation Accelerator: 21 Day Blueprint

Author: Dr. Alok Chandra

Pages: 307

My review

Success is the only thing that is unquenchable in many minds. Sadly many of them never achieve what they want in life. I was always curious about achieving success and greatness in life. I admired people who have the grit to achieve their dreams. What is the secret code for success? Is there any hidden formula for achieving it? These questions lead my way to this book.

This is the voice of an extremely successful person. This blueprint presents the common success traits extracted from highly successful people as well as the author’s life. This book demystifies all myths around success. It demolishes all doubts.

The book begins with a chapter on luck. What a way to start a book about success! Because we all are in one way or another, ties success with luck. The more we fail, the more we blame luck or rely on it. But luck does not deserve any importance in success. This powerful tool has many chapters like this which establishes the author’s arguments, undoubtedly.

This is clearly a success accelerator. The author cites experiences from his own and from his students and mentees to support this. These experiences are narrated as raw and unadulterated. We can see and interpret how the author has defined his goals and draw a blueprint to reach those goals. But the important thing about making blueprint is they are useless without action. The last section of this book teaches us how to keep going amidst all odds. Loved the content as well as its presentation.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fantacy, Science Fiction, Thriller

The Next Step by Adrian Siska | Review

The story revolves around Adam Moore, the son of groundbreaking innovators and founders of the leading company in the android industry based in San Francisco. It’s the second half of the 21st century and androids have become a part of the every day’s routine in all aspects of life.

Take on an epic journey throughout Adam’s life from his childhood to his adult years to find out what will be the next step in the evolution of androids. You will witness a fascinating story about love and the ultimate fight for happiness.

Title: The Next Step

Author: Adrian Siska

Pages: 241

My review

The Next Step by Adrian Siska is a beautifully written sci-fi thriller. The premise of android technology and artificial intelligence is not a distant idea now. But I was curious to find out what will be the next step. What will be our immediate future?

I am always looking forward to this kind of stories. I’m curious to explore the extent of imagination and innovation that an author can create through their sci-fi books. For me getting lost in this new world is very easy. Every impossible idea becomes possible because of our imagination. The extend of control over our brain determines the height of craziness in the idea. The modern world is built on this capability. We are already familiar with the power of artificial intelligence and its possibilities. But what will be the next step in this field? What will be the next impossible?

I must say the author has created a very good answer for this question. It is not a mind-blowing idea because it is only “the next step”, the next possibility. The story is more realistic in this sense. It is believable. The characters are developed very well over time. Almost ninety percent of the story revolves around Adam Moore. His emotions, pain, friendship, love, intelligence are explored throughout the story. It was heartwarming to see how Adam has picked up the pieces of his broken life and create another beautiful family amidst conspiracy and deception. The bond he has with Kim is so special. This relationship has been grown beyond limits over the years. We can witness how she becomes an integral part of his identity. That’s why he was determined to surpass his limits. He is a true warrior.

The brilliance of this story lies in the attention to details. The author has included every problem that may arise with the spread of automation. It was scary to know these. But it is the future.

A brilliant work indeed.

Rating:5/5

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Poems, poetry, Quotes, Self-Help

White Knuckle by Steven Bruce|Review

Bruce’s debut poetry collection, an autobiographical report on the reality of life in a poverty-stricken, drug and violence-fuelled environment, is a gut-wrenching composition of grief, loss, and abandonment at an early age.

This powerful book is brutal, tragic, and moving: an essential read.

Title: White Knuckle

Author: Steven Bruce

Pages: 100

My review

Raw, brutal and honest.


These poems drag us from our comfort zone and suddenly throw to a rollercoaster of emotions. The highs and lows are filled with misery. There is no middle ground. The suffering is real. The unpolished edges of these words will scratch our mind. This is an in-depth essay unravelling through complex human emotions. Their beauty lies in their unadulterated voice. We can feel the white knuckle against our face in each poem. It hurts because it is meant to be.

Broken dreams, pain, anger, abuse, frustration, death, greed, hunger… everything is poured through words. But these are not like any other poems. Because amidst this crushing pain, they all have one common feature- a hidden sense of survival. These are not served with the sugar-coating of hope. Rather, they all have a pinch of survival instinct in every line.

Pain is the greatest lesson. We don’t remember happiness but we remember every pain we had. It opens a new path for redemption. We can witness that redemption here.

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Children's books, Fantacy, Thriller

Bubba in Phantom Weenie : A fun Halloween mystery adventure with our Dachshund friends! by Greg LeFrancis

This spooktacular story follows our three weenie dog friends, Bubba, Hannah, and Amber, and their bird buddy, Yellow Boy through a fantastic Halloween night full of tall tales and trickery which in turn teaches one dog a lesson about stealing. A book for children ages 5 and up.

Title: Bubba in Phantom Weenie : A fun Halloween mystery adventure with our Dachshund friends! (Bubba and Friends Book Series 1)

Author: Greg LeFrancis

Pages:

My review

A perfect story for this Halloween!

Bubba in Phantom weenie is the celebration of this Halloween season. Written in the background of Halloween celebrations, this story is about three friends, Bubba, Hannah and Yellow boy. Their enthusiasm to celebrate the most awaited season is quickly intervened by another pirate dog, Amber. She tricks them for her selfishness. The three friends, together recover from the pitfall and celebrate the season happily at the end.

The beautiful story is accompanied with colourful illustration. The vibrant illustrations can strike a chord of imagination for sure. The author has made a small mystery thriller through very less pages and words. The story is written in a way to create curiosity to know what will happen next. In the climax, a valuable message of honesty and sincerity is also delivered. Loved the illustrations and story!

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Children's books, Young-Adult

My Best Pal: The Awesome Ethan by Karlene Stewart| Review

My Best Pal is the heartwarming story of a young boy who enjoys the company of his teddy bear Ethan. They go everywhere, and do everything together; until one day there is a big change, and nothing is the same anymore.

Title: My Best Pal: The Awesome Ethan

Author: Karlene Stewart

Pages: 34

My review

My Best Pal: The Awesome Ethan is a beautifully illustrated carefully crafted story. It is all about Jason and Ethan and their friendship. Jason was a very lonely boy before the arrival of Ethan. He was bullied and teased by other children in his school. But when he met Ethan, his entire life changed. He wants a friend who accept him and not judge him instead. He found his true companion in Ethan.

I loved this story. The full-size illustrations are the first thing that caught my eyes. But the author has penned a full story along with them. She carefully incorporated values such as care, acceptance, love and friendship in the story. This helps to inculcate these priceless emotions in my child from his young age. I believe these qualities will create a permanent effect on his behaviour. They will also help him to thrive in future.

The biggest message from the story is the acceptance. In a world filled with racism and divides, inclusiveness is an important lesson to teach our children. Our happiness depends on our thoughts and action. We can find happiness in every difficult situation with the right mindset. Loved this message!

Amina Thajudeen Book Review, Fiction, Thriller

Brooklyn’s Song by Sydney Arrison| Book review

Brooklyn Pierce has just witnessed an attempted assassination, and Detective Song Kai and his partner, Detective Mattice Blake, are on the case.

But as the story progresses, sparks begin to develop between Brooklyn and Song, providing the reader with a storyline overflowing with sensuality, compassion and romance amidst the onset of drama, tension, suspicion, deception and murder and an explosive ending, which you will never see coming.

Title: Brooklyn’s Song

Author: Sydney Arrison

Pages:272

My review

Brooklyn’s song is carefully woven, beautifully crafted crime thriller. The story opens with the introduction lead character, Brooklyn Pierce, a teacher and philanthropist. Her father Sage Pierce, a self-made billionaire is the first elected African American Governor of New York. Brooklyn witnessed the attempted assassination of her father and his fiancé in the announcement ceremony for seeking next term. A gruelling investigation leading by detective Song Kai is underway. With the culprit freely roaming in public, can Brooklyn go back to her normal life? What will be the outcome of the investigation?

Crime thrillers always hold high interest in my reading list. We are following the detective and the whole story is seeing through his perspective. How he analyses and put each piece of the puzzle to solve a larger mystery determines the course of the story. This single point of view itself creates suspense. In this crime drama, we can experience everything, a heartwarming romance, love, family bond, betrayal, heartbreak and greed. Every little piece of emotion is carefully included and woven together with perfect moments in the story. The story quickly gets its pace from the second chapter itself. The author takes just enough time to introduce the lead characters. The mysteries are suddenly unveiled and the plot gets twists and turns at regular intervals. The narration is simple and free-flowing. We can easily follow the narratives of Brooklyn and Song. What makes this thriller a perfect one is there are no loose ends left at the end. Every mystery is solved and the puzzle is cracked in the climax. Even the author included a beautiful epilogue too to bring completeness to the story.