Book Review - Bargad Ka Ped - Waqt Ke Pher Se Phere Lekar Kuch Lamhein Talashne Nikla

We have made a resolution to read at least 20% of our books/pages in the regional language/mother tongue. Under this agenda, we always look out for some good books in Gujarati & Hindi languages. Things that made us go for "Bargad Ka Ped".

• Wonderful cover page/artwork
• Collection of poems & short stories
• Short in content

I wanted to take this book in the first week of January itself, but I received the courier late. Still, we are able to take it in the first month of the year and we are happy about it.

As I have mentioned the book is a collection of around 50+ poems & a few short narrations. Even these narrations are poetic & it would be hard not to call them poems. The topic and theme of poems varied. Most of them are based on memories. They are about parents, home town/village, friends, lost time, childhood. A major portion of poems are around love (or I would say lost love)

My personal favorites are

• Jao Tum - Which discussed breakup of a couple
• Gumsum - A lover recalls his last moments with his partner spent in darkness
• Saath Sapne Dekhe The - Discussed harsh reality when some people in friendship or love uses others for their personal goals
• Woh Char Log - A taunt on gossiping nature of society, which pulls us down most of the time

Each poem depicts its story in a different context. Though the book is short in content it is very rich in context. The word usage is also simple if you have studied Hindi in school and if you are keeping track of Hindi shows, you can easily read the book without a dictionary. Yes, you need to read it with full concentration as it is not a story. It is a poetry book.

The only complain would be the last 8-10 2 liners poems, the author could have reframed them and given as full poems.

Talking about ratings

1. Cover - 5/5
2. Content - 3/5
3. Context - 4/5
4. Overall - 4/5

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book Review "Ambling Indian Diaries" by Aina Rao

A vibrant, colourful and dramatic cover that literally depicts a typical day in an Indian city, and a colophon that promises quirky, thought provoking take on various social norms and issues, I set my expectations high for this book.

“Ambling Indian diaries” is a diary of a wimpy youngster living the corporate tumultuous millennial Indian life who resorts to dark humour, satire, hypocrisy to engage us with her (probably true) life experiences. 

Book Blurb

This unusual take on India offers a neverseen- before view of the country through the eyes of the Ambling Indian - a new generation aam aurat. This delicious mix of laughter, spice and nuggets of reflection to savour, delights the mind. We meet people just like us and experience hilarious happenings through the 31 stories woven together with one common thread - India's journey. Watch the Ambling Indian rewire the IIT syllabi, struggle with taxes, celebrate a pink valentine's day and plunge into the hoi polloi of Indian politics, journalism, modern offices, IIMs, weddings, cities and Bollywood. These intriguing stories cast Mangoman, Kofee Johar, Dr. Rupee Rajan and Runny Singh, among many other unforgettable characters. Challenges merge with the joy, agony and ecstacy of life in India. We are left bemused by this marvellous nation with its unique amalgamation of cultures and thought. Be prepared to go on a rollicking fun ride and discover India that puzzles, amuses, excites and provokes thought, through the mirror of the Ambling Indian Aina, an IIT and IIM graduate, who in the process, discovers an unknown side to herself too.

From the very start, the author makes us dive in into the chaotic streets of Bengaluru and her life as a reporter. She takes swipes from politicians(Mangoman Party) to Show business (Koffee Johar) and gives us a peek of what she does, what she actually thinks and the frustration in between. Using cryptic and pointing names such as Mr. Chatu(the sycophant), Runny Singh (her boyfriend with commitment issues) she makes sure that we get the character description from the name itself. Be it the reckless driving or the marital problems of her autorickshaw driver Jamal or social issues like scams, education the author explores it all using witty jibes throughout this book.

The book is written in first person narrative. At the start of every chapter there is a child like pencil drawing that gives us a hint of what’s to come. The chapters are short, sweet and non-related. The book is mostly written in a light vein but there are some dark parts which feel forced, misplaced and disconnected. There were a lot of favourite relatable moments especially from “Big and Bad Data” and “On Coaching Classes and IIT” to name a few.

Personally, I felt that the there was a huge potential in the content, but required a good editing. Every taken swing or satire pinches a bit but fails to drive the point home, as we move from one chapter to next. With more depth and clarity it would had actually had matched the expectations that the cover sets.

For Aina Rao’s maiden simple humorous banter, my overall rating would be 3/5.

Overall Verdict:- Simple, funny, relatable but could be better

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book on Fictional work of a Publishing House trying to bring - Bestseller

It is true that if you keep seeing something every day, you will get attached to it or at least your opinion of the same will change over time. The same thing happened to us, though we liked the cover & blurb of the book, we didn't choose it in the first go, due to heavy workload. But as we started seeing this book in our bookish social timeline, we started regrating the decision. It was WrittersMelon who gave us the second chance to read this book & we would like to thank them for providing us the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Book 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.

"Bestseller" is a story of bringing best selling books by a dying publishing house. The protagonist of our story is Akshay, who was working in a UK based publishing house. His life changed when he was fired by his company, he had to come to India and join Kalim Publishing house. He was given the task of bringing at least 5 best selling title within a year. He was assigned small team of odd natured people for this task. Fired from the previous organization, Akshay wanted to prove himself, so he found the challenging task attractive. But finding best selling title needed a good script, which was somewhat overlooked by the company in past. So Akshay had to clear that image of publishing house as well. Also, many authors were trying to capture Akshay's attention to get their work to publish among 5 best selling titles. See whether Akshay would be able to solve the problem of his employer with his personal happiness as well.

Coming to writing style, the overall tone of the book is humorous & slightly satirical. Though I have worked with good-publishing houses in the the capacity of a book reviewer. I was not fully aware of the life of people working with publishers. The author has nicely portrayed issues that arises in publishing industry. Light language & use of funfilled events make reading expereince interesting. The book has potential to finish in 1-2 sittings. I finished it in 3 sittings though. Though book is short in size, the author has done justice to all major characters. Finally a short book that you can take on your trip or book date. :)

Ratings

1. Cover - 4/5
2. Concept - 4/5
3. Characters - 3.5/5
4. Overall - 3.75/5

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

We would like to thank WritersMelon for providing us the review copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Discussion with Kavita Devgan - an Expert Dietician & a Best-selling Author

It was a pleasure for us to host an interview with Kavita Devgan a celebrity dietician & the best selling author on our blog. We have reviewed both of her books on our blog "Ultimate Grandmother Hacks" & "Don't Diet". She has delivered the most complex topics in the least boring manner. So without wasting time let us have a round of Q&A for which you all are waiting.

When did you start a career as Dietician? Did you have thought about working in this line from your teenage?

Well, my dad wanted me to become a doctor and I even took up bio in plus two because of that (and also because i enjoyed the subject). He was really really keen but by the time i finished my 12th class I had made up my mind not to study medicine. I wasn't very clear about what I really wanted to pursue but somehow I was totally clear that i did not see myself as a doctor. So even though dad tried to convince me, i resisted and finally got my way. Luckily i am like this: once i make up my mind I stick to it. So then I decided to study HomeScience (hons) with specialisation in nutrition in Delhi University as I found that more interesting than other science streams like botony or zoology. And thank God for that as it was love at first lesson for me. I realised the potential of prevention, and was sure this is what i wanted to practice and teach. What also helped was that I was naturally / maybe genetically a healthy eater (thanks to mom's efforts), so i was a good fit. I followed up my graduation with a specialisation in Dietitics and Public health nutrition an then an internship at Safdarjung Hospital later I was a qualified Dietician, ready to practice. And now I have been practising for almost 25 years and been writing on health for 20.

When did you think of coming into writing as well? Any specific incident which made you write?

I was always writing, ever since I remember. But earlier it was mostly fiction (short stories, poetry etc). When my son was born, I took a break from practice for a year and began writing more regularly. As by then I had subject matter expertise plus lots and lots of practical experience via the people I had counselled for health gain and weight loss, I started writing in the health genre and luckily found many takers in the media for it. Then on, for many years writing took front seat and my clinical practice was put on the back foot. Now I practice a healthy balance of both, and like it like this.The fact that I can through my writing take my idea and the rules of healthy living (that I believe work) and also the latest researches in the field to thousands of people at  one go is a huge motivator, and this is precisely why I began writing. Also the thrill of seeming my byline… that is unparalleled. Yes even after so many years of writing.

The recipes mentioned in books tell us your expertise for cooking as well. So tell us how do you manage work (at home & office/clinic) & writing both. We feel writing requires a good amount of effort, what about you?

Yes there’s a lot to juggle, but I like it like this. The best part is that this way I don’t have a typical day. It changes depending on whether its my writing day, clinic practice day, or a day when I have a speaking assignment penciled in. It usually begins the same way every day though: with lots of water first thing in the morning and then a cup of ginger (lots of) and pepper tea. Another constant is that on most days I manage to sneak in some writing too - as that’s almost a soul necessity for me.

So tell us about your book "Don't Diet"&"Ultimate Grandmother Hacks”?

My first book Don’t Diet! 50 habits of thin people grew out of my interactions during my weight management practice. It is a compilation of lessons I learnt (what works and what doesn’t) from my clients. I believe that the only sustainable way to gain health and prevent Illness is by changing our habits. So I have listed the ones I believe (and have seen) work.

Ultimate Grandmother hacks is a compilation of habits that I have grown up with and consider super healthy. The book compiles time-tested food habits to help us develop a cohesive healthy lifestyle and rediscover the joy in eating. It lists the many nuggets of wisdom and discusses the various foods and habits that our parents and grandparents followed that are still relevant today. I basically did not want us and the next generations to forget them, hence the book. That was the motivation behind the book.

Any specific thing that you would like to share with us?

Never think short term, always keep the long term goal of health in focus. You only get one body (like one life), so don’t be responsible with it. Focus on nutrition and the weight loss will happen naturally. And yes please go back to the traditional way of eating.

 

Follow Kavita Devgan on 

• Twitter - https://twitter.com/Kavitadevgan
• Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Kavitadevgan
• Instagram - https://instagram.com/Kavitadevgan
• Ultimate Grandmother Hacks https://amzn.to/2AlLFas  
• Don't Diet! 50 Habits Of Thin People https://amzn.to/2BxQtcs

Enter into the World of Tantric - Anantya Tantrist Mystery - Cult of Chaos by Shweta Taneja - Book Review

The Matsya Curse (Anantya Tantrist Mystery #2) by Shweta Taneja was reviewed by us almost a year back. Later on, we got the copy of "Cult of Chaos (Anantya Tantrist Mystery)". Yes, you heard me correct, we read & reviewed part-2 without reading previous one. There is 95% of independence between two volumes. Unfortunately, we were not able to take part-1 on priority, which made book the victim of bug called "Shelved" just like the 2nd page of Google. But we cannot do that injustice for a long time, so this Diwali we renamed that 2nd page as the 1st page and all those pending books became our priority.

Book Blurb

The tantriks are now overground. They have their own council, police and justice systems. The White clan, Kaula, has emerged as the most powerful: their men are recognized tantriks, women intimate collaborators.

Then there is Anantya Tantrist, who has rejected the Kaula path. She is powerful and lives life by her own strict moral code. Who needs official seals anyway? When the world goes to hell in a handcart, badges and honours aren't going to save the day.

Incidentally, hell and chaos is just where the world is headed. In Delhi, little girls are being sacrificed in a tantrik ritual. A desperate daeva is trying to blackmail Anantya. Someone is trying to call up the God of Chaos. A three-headed giant cobra turns up in old Delhi. The White and Red tantriks are facing off, and there is one or more Black tantric brewing some dangerous shakti. As Anantya struggles to stop the madness, the supernatural underworld - peopled with creatures humanoid, barely human and inhuman - comes alive in all its bloody, gory glory

 

As this is the first part of the series, the book started with an introduction (not plain paragraph & paragraph of details, it is in story format only) of the separate underground world of tantric. The world of Tantric was divided into 3 sects, who prefer & follow their own rituals. A governing body was in place to make sure things would be in control. Then there were all mythic creatures like Dasyus, Danava, Ghost, Rakshasas and what not. Among that world our protagonist, Anantya, lived life on her own terms. She was living away from her clan reasons known to her. To survive she started working as a Tantric Detective & helps CBI to solve cases associated with black magic. This is where our story starts when she was working on the case. Things started revealing gory truth that can destroy the human world. It was linked to her past so deep that she needed to fight on emotional front as well as the physical front. Read the book to know more.

Coming to our take from the book, it has the potential to start "Cult of Anantya" among readers. It is sad that Indian film/tv industry is not able to take benefits of such wonderfully written books. Yes, you heard me right, the book is capable enough for adaption for the screen. Characters, plot & visualization shows deep research rather than just another bedtime-story or on-the-spot-made-up-story. As I have already read 2nd part, I cannot say waiting for it but yes 3rd part may be equally interesting. The best part is the way storytelling merged with a fictional description of people & places. The cover art is also interesting enough to leave an impression for a long time.

The only issue is a little bit slow paced at multiple places.

Ratings

1. Cover - 5/5
2. Concept - 5/5
3. Characters - 4/5
4. Overall - 4.5/5

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Mythological Fiction - Ganga The Constant Goddess by Anuja Chandramouli

Anuja's word sorcery has mesmerized us since we have read Shakti two years back. To prove our devotion towards the author, we have our precious possession. Out of 9 books that Anuja has published we have 7 books with us, only missing guys are "Rani Padmavati" & Kamadeva. We are hopeful that they will be added to our shelf with their siblings soon. 

Book Blurb

Believed to be the liquid manifestation of Shakti and the nurturer of the three worlds with her life-sustaining waters, Goddess Ganga is the epitome of beauty and purity, famous for her indomitable spirit and boundless charm. Renowned as a devoted daughter, a caring mother, a passionate lover, and a merciful saviour, she is here to absorb and absolve us of our sins. A constant goddess, she is part of the Indian ethos, revered, and loved across the ages.

The exquisite epic that is Ganga’s story, from her miraculous origins, her sojourn in the heavens, her poignant relationships with the divine trinity, the birth of her sons—Bhishma and Kartikeya, and her descent into a wicked world that is not worthy of her, is dazzlingly told by Anuja Chandramouli. Without this Goddess, life as we know it will be over, for her righteous retribution will be terrifying.

This book is a vibrant retelling of the story of Ganga, who has the power to save us all and bestow the precious gift of moksha, embracing saints and sinners alike with her all-encompassing compassion.

We were on our vacation when we saw first communication about Anuja's latest release which is "Ganga - The Constant Goddess" The first thing we did after coming back got the copy. The only reason for a slight delay in the review was our resolve of finishing all review copies this year & bring 30+ copies in single digit number.

I think I have discussed too much about other things, talking about Ganga - the book. Being a Hindu (Spent childhood in Indian) raised in 1990-200 when TV shows were more mythological, I have seen many serials around Ganga's descend on earth, her marriage with Shantanu and at the max as the sister of Paravati. She was always part of the story. Never been the main character, so what you know about Ganga before & after. Those who have read Vedic literature may answer you but how many people can take that serious literature for just one character, as our literature is full of many such Gods. Anuja has done this task easy for us. She has taken the support of Mythology & penned down her fiction work Ganga. You may know some stories in parts but this book is a compilation of many such tales in Anuja's words in a fictional format. Starting from Himvan's daughter to other tales.

There are two things which are common across Anuja's work. A deep emotional portrayal of the main character and the poetic flow. Both have their own pros & cons. Emotional parts are essential & it attracts a reader to know more but excess is also dangerous as it can take readers away. Anuja has kept the balance between two. Coming to poetic flow her stories are never in the same flow. At places it is slow & at places, it will rush you through. The book is bit slower overall. Finally her mastery over words, it always makes me refer dictionary ( :) )

In an all a worthy read. Ratings

1. Cover - 4.5/5
2. Concept - 3.5/5
3. Characer - 4/5
4. Overall - 4/5

Book can be found at Amazon & Flipkart

Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads

Book Review - Reaching for Kloud 9 - Foreword by Ruskin Bond

The first thing that took our attention while checking this book was "Ruskin Bond". Though we considered ourself bookworm, we haven't read a single book by him till now. So we started exploring what the book is all about. Later on, we came to know that the book was foreward by Ruskin Bond. As the book was a collection of short stories, we gladly took it.

As given in the description, this book contains short stories written by a student from class 7 to class 12. These were the winner of competition help from 2015 to 2017. Later on, they were personally guided by Sir Ruskin Bond. So the quality of the stories is bound to be good.

As it is a collection of short stories, I don't have the liberty to discuss about the plot. But I can share a few stories that I liked

1. The Tree House
2. The Return Gift 
3. An unreciprocated wish
4. A day to Remember

As each story is written by a different person, you will find uniqueness from one plot to another. You will also find a different narration style in each story. You will feel that each story is written with clear thought-process. I think attempts like this should keep happening in India to bring literature glory in back. I will give 5 out of 5 stars for each story.

Book can be found at Amazon
Review from other readers can be found at GoodReads