Book Review- Secrets, Sins & Struggles by Kamini Kusum

BOOK DETAILS-
Book Name- Secrets, Sins & Struggles: The Journey of Five Women
Author- Kamini Kusum
Genre- Anthology/ Fiction
Publisher- Zobra Books
Pages- 210
Price- ₹199

BLURB- : A collection of five tales,Secrets,Sins & Struggles is about the lives and loves of five women, tracing their long, eventful journeys that are anything but linear.

Meet Pooja, a teenager forced into the flesh trade but determined to escape and get justice. Shrawani who dreams of becoming a bureaucrat despite all the trials life throws her way.

Avni who is torn between her childhood friend and her brand-new boyfriend.

Harsha who is trapped in a loveless arranged marriage while still being haunted by thoughts of her forsaken lover.

Geshna who falls head over heels for a high school sweetheart only to find her own life shrinking to accommodate his.

These stories are about the odds stacked against women in their path to love and success.

They are also about hope that the next turn will lead to the happiness and success they all long for.

REVIEW-  Secrets, Sins & Struggle is collection of Five stories which focuses on journey and ups and downs in the life of 5 female protagonists in each story. This book touches your heart with a rather simple writing and powerful plot.

I received this book from Kalamos Literary Services in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Book Title and Cover-
Book title is catchy and apt with the content. Cover is appropriate but could be improved in next edition. Blurb is short and discloses the content.

Language and Narration-
Language of the book is simple with smooth narration , you can read the book in one sitting in 2-3 hours.

Characterization-
Though all the stories are of 50 or something pages, Kamini artistically portrays her characters. I liked that the  author kept character development upto main protagonists only as the stories revolves only around them.

Storyline and Plot-
All the five stories are different from each other but follow the same theme that is all the protagonists fight with averse conditions to change their lives.
All five stories are fast paced. I liked the powerful storytelling skills which binds all the readers with the book.

Drawbacks-
1. Stories were little predictable.
2. Author could have made stories emotionally strong for a more gripping read.

RATINGS-
Book Title and Cover- 3/5
Language and Narration- 4/5
Characterization- 4/5
Storyline and Plot- 3.5/5

Final Rating- 4/5

Over all, Secrets, Sins & Struggles is one of the few novels which revolves around female characters only. With fast paced and gripping stories, it inspires you to fight for yourself. 

Book Review- Colourful Notions by Mohit Goyal

Book Details-
Book Name- Colourful Notions The Roadtrippers 1.0
Author- Mohit Goyal
Genre-Fiction
Publisher-Srishti Publications
Pages-194
Price- ₹175

BLURB- Would you give up your high-paying job and comfortable personal life to drive ten thousand kilometers across India? Just for fun!

Three twenty-somethings dare to do just that! While the two guys take turns to drive, the girl gives voice-over as they record their entire journey on a handycam.

Ab, Sasha and Unnati are ordinary youngsters, rendered special by the feat they accomplish. As they recount their adventures, I crave to live their journey all the more. They look at each other with a glint in their eyes, as if refurbishing those memories, as they narrate their spooky time at Bhangarh Fort, strange escapades at Wagah Border and Sundarbans, car breakdowns, wild animals, near-death experiences and highway robbers! It's nothing less than crazy.

I doubted if I'd ever have the gumption to create such experiences. So I did the next best thing - I penned a book about them, and their roadtrip.

Colorful Notions is a journey of three young hearts on the Indian terrain and into the inner recesses of their souls, giving a new perspective to relationships, love and life.

REVIEW- Colorful Notions is a travelogue which not only covers the places given in the book but also covers the changes in characters as the road trip continues, which makes this book even more relatable and interesting.

Book Title and Cover- The book's title is interesting. The word Roadrippers alone was enough for me to pick this book up. The cover is appropriate with the content and suits the title. The blurb is short and up to the mark.

Language and Narration- The language used in the book is simple. Its narration is decent and the overall storytelling skills of the author kept me hooked on the book. All the places are well described, which leaves the readers visualizing all the places the characters were going. I also liked the short yet intriguing chapter names, which increased the curiosity about the next place.

Characterization- Abhay, Sashank and Unnati are the three main characters of the book. Abhay is the director, producer and cameraman of their short story. Sashank is Abhay's best friend and a hardcore foodie. Unnati is the voice cover of the short film. She is Sashank's girlfriend.

I liked the way the author described the transformations within the characters as the road trip continued. It was interesting to read Abhay's past and Sashank-Unnati's mushy romance which added flavors to the story.

Theme- Though the main theme of story is Travel and Adventure, it also includes Friendship and Romance.

Storyline and Plot- The story starts with the characters seeking permission for the road trip from their family, with the help of each other. It was fun to read and relatable. The story continues with the adventures and few troubles on the road trip. In 75 days, Abhay, Sashank and Unnati travel almost all over India. It was fun to read the picturesque details of all the places. I loved the interaction the trippers had with locals.

RATINGS-
Book Title and Cover- 3.5/5
Language and Narration- 4/5
Characterization- 3.5/5
Storyline and Plot-3.5/5

Overall Colourful Notions is interesting book to read if you're bored reading simple romantic tales.

Book Review- Thank You Love by Ayush Gupta

BOOK DETAILS-
Book Name- Thank You Love...
'Taking love beyond words'
Author- Ayush Gupta
Genre- Fiction/ Romance Fiction
Publisher- Half Baked Beans
Pages- 120
Price- ₹175

BLURB- “Thank You Love” “…yes, I said, everything in life is uncertain, and it speaks the same.”

All human energy comes from that one thought. All the pain that we bear and the joys that we celebrate are the results of our thoughts at any moment. Strange isn’t it?

When Akshita was making her choices, Rayan made his. He refused to get over her and chose to own her absence in his heart and mind.

Thank You Love describes how sitting on the floor in silence changed the world of “Rayan”. He realized that love is not something that happens between two people; instead it’s an enduring quality within people. He realized that love is not something that you do, but is the way you are.

He re-moulds one of the most important event of his life into a spark, re-channelizes it and heads towards something that would later change the course of his life.

REVIEW- Thank You Love is a debut novel by Ayush Gupta where author not only talks about Romance between Rayan and Akshita (protagonists) but author also covers the Post break up pain and how to fight with it. I received this book from Arudha in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Book Title and Cover-  Book Title is interesting and instantly captivates readers' attention.
Cover is rather satisfying to look at, however it could be improved in the next edition. Blurb is interesting and discloses what the content is.

Language and Narration- Language used is rather simple and easy to comprehend. Narration skills of author are amazing. Pace of the book is moderate.

Characterization- All the characters are well crafted. The character development and their changing priorities are handled artistically.

Theme- This book covers Teenage Love, Break Up, Pain and Self Healing.

Storyline and  plot- Story starts with intriguing prologue where Rayan narrates his story to a stranger.
After Prologue I started losing interest in the book due to exaggeration and over- sensitivity of Rayan. However, story starts to get impressive after the mid section.

I loved the chapter where author details about the chakras.
It was enlightening to read about how to help ourselves after break up. Story ends with appropriate climax.

RATING-
Book Title and Cover- 2.5/5
Language and Narration- 3.5/5
Characterization- 2.5/5
Storyline and Plot- 3/5
Overall Rating- 3/5

All in all, Thank You Love is teenage love and break up tale which also covers few life lessons. Pick this book it you're into teenage love books.

Book Review- The Three Wise Monkeys by Jeet Gian

Book Name- The Three Wise Monkeys
Author- Jeet Gian
Publisher- Leadstart Publications
Genre- Humour Fiction
Pages- 400
Price- ₹299

BLURB- The trio Amar, Akbar and Anthony had no clue whatsoever about their goddammit indecisive-careers-and-indefinite-struggles.
And that was because they were born with the Peter Pan Syndrome and were simple enough to be tricked by anyone, including their mystifying girlfriends—Meghna, Farah and Sarah.
And as is the fate of all morons, they were drawn into trouble—deep trouble—of hiding crores of rupees of black money in secret offshore companies.
Will their mistake of turning a blind eye to the philosophy of ‘See no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil’ cost them their careers and put them in prison?
Or
Will Lady Luck change their fortunes forever?

REVIEW- Three Wise Monkeys is a light hearted novel which is a  perfect blend of humour and puns. This book is for you if you're looking for funny read.

Book Title and Cover- The book title is apt and is itself a pun slyly suggesting us about the content. The cover is catchy and at the same time relatable with the content. Blurb is  short and interesting.
All in all, the book easily captures our attention.

Language and Narration- Language of the book is simple yet lucid. All the chapters are short and crisp. Third person narrative is fitting. Narrative style of the author is amazing and he keeps his readers hooked to the book.

Theme- The theme of this book is Friendship, Love, Lust, Struggle and Social Evils.

Characterization- Amar, Akbar and Anthony, the three protagonists are simple ,plain and well crafted. Their witty attitude for every situation is fun to read. Supporting characters added fun to the book.

Storyline and Plot- Plot of this book is well written with lot of subplots. There was a freshness in the novel which kept me hooked to the book. The humour content of the book is high and it makes you laugh your lungs out.

Middle portion of the book is well written and shows the humor level at its best.
However, the climax was not upto the mark and could have been better.

RATINGS-
Book Cover and Title- 4/5
Language and Narration- 4/5
Characterization- 3.5/5
Storyline and Plot- 4/5

Overall Rating- 4/5

Overall The Three Wise Monkeys is a funny book with a pinch of Bollywood Masala. Though climax was not upto mark, the book is still an enjoyable read.

Book Review- City Times and Other Poems by Vihang A. Naik

Book Name- City Times And Other Poems
Author- Vihang Naik
Genre- Poetry/ Anthology
Publisher- Author House
Pages- 83
Price- ₹224

BLURB- Vihang A. Naik throws light on the life of a city in all its shades, glory and misery in his City Times and Other Poems. It is an anthology of his intuitive and philosophical poems. The Poems are divided in 6 segmentsi.e. 'Love Song of a Journey Man' is more or less an inner travelogue, The segments, for instance, 'Mirrored Man' is about the other chimeras in the city .The people in the city are capricious like the walk of a crab or the colours of a chameleon. While, ‘The Path of Wisdom' is about the beginning of meditation and knowledge. 'At the Shore' records the poet's sense of futility, memory, pain, exile and alienation at the shore of life. The title of this collection is also the heading for the last of its six sections, in which the city is unfolded as a market place, as a heaven for underdogs, and as a seed bed of change and is observed at evening, at mid-night, by moon light and through fog and haze

REVIEW- City Times and Other Poems is a poetry book written by Vihang A. Naik.It is easily one of the best poetry book of 2016. Vihang uses 'City' as the central motif of the book and uses many metaphors to describe the various emotions. All the poems are written in a way that readers can easily connect with the book and hence, the city.

Language used by author is expressive yet connecting. Vihang has succeeded in creating emotions by blending various emotions. All the poems are crisp and short with deep meaning.

My best picks for this collection are :
‘You revealed the edge’
‘Time’
‘Man as he is, folly’
‘He is different behind’
‘Say what all you can’
‘Illusion’
‘At the shore’
‘After Innocence’
‘City voice’
‘Midnight city’

From the first poem itself, Vihang gives an insight on his flavor and charm. His representation of city life coupled with different experiences is worth spending your time upon.

All in all, City Times And Other Poems is a beautiful work in poetry section and one of the few anthologies which you should not miss.

Book Review- The God Factor For Success And Contentment by Nitin Srivastava

AUTHOR: Nitin Srivastava
PUBLISHER: Pothi
COST paperback/E-book: INR 170/80

VERDICT- The God Factor For success And Contentment serves you an inspirational book with the touch of spirituality. It brings out many issues in such manner that readers will find this book inspiring yet interesting enough to be glued with the book.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Nitin Srivastava is an engineer and right now he is working as an Assistant professor at an engineering college. Since childhood he has had an interest in writing. He has a thirst for writing which  can only be quenched by writing and expressing his thoughts. When he decided to be an engineer he had to leave behind his love for writing and follow a different path.
But now after achieving his desired career he has returned back to writing. He loves and enjoys writing about spirituality. According to him spirituality is his basic quest. The God Factor for Success and Contentment is a result of this quest. He wishes to inspire his students on the path of spirituality. Readers can connect with him on
http://facebook.com/nitinsri@rediffmail.com

ABOUT THE BOOK-God Factor For Success And Contentment is self-help/ inspirational book with no main plot but author uses many short stories to discuss the new ideas. Short stories used in this book are diverse and helps readers to get along with the content. With this book Nitin focuses on  the new way of thinking the same things that happen with us. The spirituality in this book does motivate his readers.

REVIEW-God Factor For Success And Contentment is Self Help book which draws inspiration and new way of thinking. Writing style of Author is impressive and holds the attention of readers. Language is simple yet lucid. Ideas and stories used by author inspire us to think beyond our limited and restricted thoughts. All the stories and life situations are relatable and thus attracts readers. Cover is beautiful and appropriate with the content of the book.

HIGHLIGHT-This book forces you to think in a new way with the touch of spirituality. I would recommend this book to readers who want to read inspiring yet interesting book.

Book Review- 8 Days A Week by Niraj Satnalika

Book Name- 8 days a week
Author- Niraj satnalika 
Genre- Drama, Fiction 
Publisher- Half Baked Beans
Pages- 120
Price- 200 INR

BLURB- Niraj Satnalika- investment manager turned writer takes a sneak peak in the world of sales - a department which makes business possible through his second novel Rohan aka Ron was super excited to join sales department in a leading financial services company post his amazing 2 months internship experience. Just like a drug peddler, Rohan peddled with complex financial products ranging insurance to credit cards to mutual funds. However, little did he know that his life as a sales person would change his professional and personal life for the better and worse. Read on to unfold the mystery. .

REVIEW- 8 days a week is hilarious story of sales manager penned down by Niraj Satnalika. This book skillfully takes on the ups and downs faced by sales officers.

Book Cover and Title- Both Cover and Title gives hints about the story. Cover is beautiful and catches the attention of readers. Blurb gives us proper information about the content. Overall First Impression of our book is catchy and demands attention of readers.

Language and Narration- Language of this book is simple yet engaging. Author has beautifully used the hindi verses to add humour content. Narrating style is decent and engages readers with the book.

Storyline and Plot- This book serves us simple yet unique plot with hilarious storyline. Every page is filled with humor which makes this book an interesting read. Hindi verses used are hilarious.

Overall 8 days a week is hilarious book which ensures entertainment.

RATINGS-
Book Cover and Title- 3.5/5
Language and Narration-4/5
Storyline and Plot- 3.5/5

Final Rating- 3.5/5