Tag: Book Review

Book Review-Suhani by Turia

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Suhani is a book by Indian author Turia based in Mumbai. She is a publicist by profession. An avid reader, she is fond of traveling, day dreaming and writing poetry in her free time. Day dreaming is a new one for me. Before I go on to the book I was more curious about the name Turia and ventured to find out about the meaning of the name. Turia they say is a Tahiti name meaning the name of a princess. Other descriptions say Turia is someone very capable and in control of life which Turia sure seems to be.
Let me start with giving you an extract from this beautifully penned book:

The Sadhu looked into the eyes of the pilgrim who had travelled from far to meet him.Such powerful eyes thought the pilgrim

The Sadhu must have read that in his eyes.

The Sadhu smiled and thought,In your eyes I can see the lives you have lived,the journeys you have made,the people you have loved and those you have lost,the tales you told and those that you didn’t,do not look into my eyes,for in your eyes I see the stories you have lived,when I see you they become part of me……..

“Everyone is part of the same story”,thought the Sadhu……after all life is a story……told and retold so many times,in so many worlds and so many lives.

header

This to me really forms the essence of this book.
The book traces the story of Suhani a tea vendor on the ghats of Ganges in the holy city of Benares who goes through the most unholy of experiences while growing up as on orphan,the repeated sexual abuse by her Uncle.
The quite dignity with which she still carries herself while pursuing her love for Abstract paintings is just commendable.Her limitations and despair come through beautifully.
One day her life takes a huge turn with the advent of Kabir and his undying selfless love for Suhani.
From hereon very skillfully the author brings about the love between the two and the courage Suhani is able to bring to surface because of Kabir.
How she embarks on a new journey bringing forth the all new Suhani is for you to find out.
What I liked is the undercurrent of true,undying,unwavering love between the two protagonists.

Highly recommended. Go grab your copy.

Available on Amazon- Price Rs 510(paperback)

Book Review: When Arya Fell Through The Fault

Posted on by Sunil Malhotra

This is a book by Reenita Malhotra Hora who is an award winning broadcast journalist,Ayurveda clinician and author of books on Ayurveda and Finance.
Operation Mom:How I Got my Mother a Life and Man her debut fiction novel has been widely acclaimed and recognized as a must-read young adult book written by an Indian author.

story-20130827120549-f3540003-jpg
When Arya Fell Through The Fault is her second release in this genre.Reenita anchors a popular morning programme on Hongkong’s RTHK Radio 3.Her weekend storytelling show,Asian Threads won her a Gold Trophy at the New York festivals International Radio Programmes Awards.

51hqaa838xl-_sx322_bo1204203200_
A native of Mumbai,she currently lives in Hongkong with her family.
The book essentially is the growing up tale of a twelve year old Arya a “Brownie” from San Francisco who is continuously ridiculed by his schoolmates be it for his color to his ethnic traditional food.
The boy has been brought up at home on traditional,fascinating and magical mythological stories by his ever cheerful Mom more precisely the Ramayan.
It is a tale of a typical child who is ridiculed by one and all and his endeavor by any means to get rid of the Brownie image by any means
His frustrations and trials and turbulations are aptly described.
In the eagerness to be accepted by others he takes to the path of evil despite his mothers stern warnings.
It so happens that he becomes the cause of a severe accident which leaves his mother in a state of coma.
The one thing Arya holds on to dearly is his mothers copy of the Ramayana.
From hereon the author very cleverly juxtaposes the young Aryas fight against evil through the characters of the Ramayana.
Does good prevail over evil,Is Arya able to save her Mom while fighting his own demons makes for a very interesting read.
Grab a copy and get ready to be transported to the glorious era of Ramayana.
Fascinating Read.
Highly recommended.

Available on Amazon

Price: Rs 125/-

Rating: 4/5 stars

S.O.A.R Success Over Adversity Reigns- Book Review

Posted on by Sunil Malhotra

51XrWef8VYL._SX320_BO1,204,203,200_

This is the second book by the author Abir Mukherjee who is an IT professional based in U.S.A.
The backdrop of the book is related to the IT industry.The three protagonists who come together in the book namely Uday, Adhyayan and Rajasekaran take you through a roller coaster journey of friendship, love, ambition and deceit.
The story rests on Uday’s dream of making it big. He hits upon a brilliant idea and leaves his job to pursue his dream. He ropes in his two friends Adhyayan aka Adi and Rajasekaran aka Raja to join him.
The three embark upon the journey which takes them through disappointments and trials and turbulations and breakups.
Then comes a huge shock as Uday gets embroiled in a case of cheating and is arrested.
Hearing the news Adi and Raja leave everything to be at his side forgetting the differences they had in the past.
The ensuing married life of Adi which suffers immensely due to the project and the new found love of Raja make a compelling parallel story.
Will Uday be cleared of the controversy, Will Adi’s married life get back on track and will Raja be able to marry his love, an outcaste marriage?
Grab a copy and find out. The book surely has some editing errors and could have been better in that area, nevertheless it makes a very interesting read for sure.

About the Author:

8185940

Abir Mukherjee was born and brought up in Bardhaman, a small town of West Bengal. He is currently based in U.S.A having completed more than 8 years as an IT Professional. He has completed his B.E. in computer science and engineering in 2005 and started working in different software MNCs. ‘S.O.A.R’ is his second novel.Blackbuck Publication has published his first novel, ‘As Life Has No Undo’. He loves to sketch and write in his spare time. He writes to entertain people, not to teach them how to live life, how to be successful in life or any other philosophical lessons

Book Price: Rs 175/- available on Amazon

Rating: 4/5

Chef Ranveer Brar Launches His Maiden Book “Come Into My Kitchen” At Junglee Billee

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

Being a foodie, exploring different cuisines becomes the most natural things to do and meeting a celebrity chef is always like a dream come true. And very recently it happened to me when one of the most popular celebrity chefs Ranveer Brar launched his maiden book “Come Into My Kitchen”. The launch was very exclusive for a selected few and I consider myself lucky to have been invited for such an event. All this happened because the venue for the launch was a very happening place in the heart of South Delhi, Junglee Billee in GK1, whose head chef Pawan Bisht is a close friend. He personally invited me for the event, and though it was a working day but I could neither ignore Pawan’s invite and nor the opportunity of meeting Chef Ranveer Brar in person.

13653494_559979807460434_3283737989569287316_o

13669126_559979640793784_7355379845097753643_n

As I reached the place, Ranveer was casually standing and interacting with those present. Instantly he came across as a very warm and down to earth person. I asked him about his book, to which he replied” This book reflects me as a person; I have shared recipes which are close to my heart and which I prepare in my kitchen. I have also shared my knowledge regarding the process of making food, for my readers to understand taste, food presentation etc. in a simple way and I hope they enjoy reading it”.

13692777_559980967460318_3701824010388003612_o

He also gave me a personalized autographed copy of his book and I just loved it.

image2

IMG_5499

The ambience of Junglee Billee always adds a lot of value to events and this was no different. Finger licking good food was served along with Red Wine Sangrias; the weather too was just perfect, light drizzle with cool breeze. I relished some of the delicacies prepared by Pawan, and especially loved the Prawn Canopies and Chicken Tikka. I loved the way the tikka was presented in a cutting chai glass.

IMG_4603

IMG_4608

IMG_4613

IMG_4614

IMG_4615 IMG_4619

IMG_4622

After a hearty chat with Ranveer Brar and enjoying good food and wine, I came back home happy with the book in my hand to be shared with another chef in my home, my mom.

Both me and my mom have enjoyed reading the book, the book encapsulates Ranveer’s life from his early childhood days to becoming a celebrity chef and has collection of most amazing recipes and also as mentioned by Ranveer, an insight into the entire process of food and tasting. The images used in the book tempt you to actually get up and try making that dish there and then.

IMG_5500

IMG_5501

IMG_5502

IMG_5503

IMG_5504
Most of the recipes are easy and can be prepared in our kitchens without worrying too much about the fancy ingredients. I am sharing one of the recipes that I personally loved and I am sure you too would try it.
Also don’t forget to get yourself a copy of this amazing book by Chef Ranveer Brar, “Come Into My Kitchen”.

IMG_5506

IMG_5507

IMG_4610

Her Resurrection- Book Review

Her Resurrection- Book Review

Posted on by Sunil Malhotra

her-resurrection-cover

The book has been very aptly dedicated to Jyoti Singh and all the innumerable victims of sexual violence.
It takes you through the tragic journey of Maya,the protagonist of this highly moving and poignant tale.
The author has beautifully captured the ethos and pain of Maya tracing her journey from a young eight year child,a burden,as referred to by her father. From child sex abuse to the rape of a teenaged Maya.The hatred and ridicule of the Society which still considers women as the weaker sex to be lorded over and abused by the so called superior species of man, this book discovers many shades of her persona, beautifully captured in words.
The centre of her strength through these early disasters in life of Maya is her mother who installs a sense of purpose in her.
Maya from a remote village who despite all opposition sets out to realise her dream of education.
The journey takes her to Mumbai where she is forced into prostitution and her subsequent getaway from a brothel to further deceit and abuse at the hands of men to her eventually overcoming her utmost desire to kill herself and redeem and reclaim her dignity form the crux of this moving story. The book literally showcases the cruelty that our society has to offer especially when it come stop rape victims and women involved in flesh trade. But it also shows the power and strengths that every woman possesses and the fact that she can overcome any challenges life throws at her and emerge as true winners.
A very beautifully penned story capturing the pain, the grief and the undying underlying grit of Maya. Its a tale of survival and reclamation of one’s own identity.
A must read.
Grab your copy today.

Available on Amazon

Price Rs 150/-

Book Review- Once in a Lifetime;Happens Again

Posted on by Sunil Malhotra

once-in-a-lifetime-happens-again

The book is co authored by Mr Ashish Kumar Mall and Ms Lovely Kumari both third year students at KIIT University,Bhubneshwar.While Ashish is pursuing Electronics Engineering Lovely is a Computer Science Engineering student.
The one word the book after reading evokes is Nostalgia.
One can very easily relate to the hero of the book Ashwin and his best friend Ankita.
The book traces the teenhood journey of Ashwin. The adolescent age when one is constantly ready to fall in love at the slightest chance. Each girl who passes your path seems a Princess and the one you happen to get close to a queen.
Those teenhood infatuations,friendship,love,breakups,love lost,new love found makes for an interesting read.
I think most everyone will be able to connect with the situations and lead characters of the book be it Aswin his friend Mitu and the three girls mainly involved Ankita,Bhawana and Ria.
You will find an interesting twist at the end of the book.
Go ahead grab a copy and re visit your teens.

Price: Rs 169, available on Amazon

 

Book Review- The Soft Target

Posted on by Sunil Malhotra

51jXT0WZw0L._SX311_BO1,204,203,200_

The book traces the life of the lead protagonist Mohan.
Born in the Village of Bolangir,Odisha to very timid parents who have literally struggled through life.Mohan is blessed with intelligence beyond his young age but at the same time he is cursed with a rarest of rare disease.He is mind is hyper active bordering on genius.But what the mind dictates his tongue cannot relate.Let me give you a small example here.You ask Mohan How are you? His reply would be The Sun is shining bright.But despite this handicap he was a brilliant student topping in the school as well as state level. His parents were worried and garnering all their savings take him to Madras for treatment.The Doctor there is really at wits end and tells them that there is no remedy for this rare ailment but advises the parents to give him psychiatric counseling.
As they return to their village Mohans resolve to excel gets stronger.
He loses his parents in an accident and blames God for everything in his life.
But he challenges God that he will no longer be his soft target and to negate his one weakness he is determined to excel in academics.
From here on the author very skillfully takes you through to Mohans journey from a village to the prestigious IIT Bombay where three other protagonists join him by coincidence and how they form a formidable friendship.
The trials and turbulations at IIT and subsequent success for the four and then the murder and political intrigue in which Mohan gets involved lead to an absolutely fascinating tale.

A perfect weekend read.

Price: Rs 249/- and available on Amazon

 

The Ribbon Trap-Book Review

Posted on by Sunil Malhotra

37af39_898169606f9a40b0be61ce3835492607

The Ribbon Trap is the first publication of its Author Shine Syamaladevi born in a small village in Kerala.Himself an avid reader and a daydreamer he got the opportunity to travel across the nation on various official appointments.

33f568_7816098bbb814a84840cb5d8ac620a0e

The journeys across fuel led his passion and resulted in this, his first book a true labour of love .
The Ribbon Trap is a poignant love story of Krishnaprem and Smita.
The author beautifully captures the undying love of both right from the very young age of school going mates.
The journey from childhood to adulthood is very beautifully sketched amidst an array of emotions.
The ever changing life has one constant,their unwavering love for each other.
No hesitancy or doubts creep into their love even when they are staying apart in different cities due to work related postings.
As they grow so does their love for each other.
Then as destiny would have it Smita is pulled into a game of deceit and murder.
Embroiled in the falsely implicated case she goes through living hell only on the unwavering strength of her love for Krishnaprem to whom she wants to return.
Krishnaprem is also with her and for her all through the horrendous turn of events in a backdrop of political intrigue,police brutality,and shockIng betrayal from certain very close individuals.
I again stress the beautiful and undying love for each other for me is the underlying strength of the story.
Well worth the read. Commendable first attempt.

Book Price: Rs 256/-

Available on Amazon

 

Rukhsat the Departure- Book Review

Posted on by Sunil Malhotra

27507853

This is the book by the author Sujit Bannerjee a certified healer and a professional in the tourism industry.
A very commendable effort.
He has taken the Alphabets from A to Z and given us twenty six short stories.
Some stand alone some intertwined which really take you by surprise.
I had to at times go back to the earlier story linked together to really get to the related content. Another novel way of presentation. The author has a simple straightforward narrative most of the way. But I found the opening story Abhimanyu a little profound but aesthetically captured.
The nuances of the thought process of an unborn child visualizing history is very well put together.
The collection of other stories takes you through a wide range of emotions. Some of the standout ones for me were Devesh the Confession and Yasmin Bai and the Letter Box.
I would definetely recommend it.Go for it friends. Really worth a read.

Rating-3.5/5

Price: Rs 250 Paperback

Available on: Amazon

About the Author, From the Author

Born to Bengali parents in Lucknow, I grew up in Patna where I finished my post-graduation in Psychology and ended up becoming a tour operator instead of a Psychologist! Which was
good since a Bengali born in UP and reared in Bihar does not make a great Psychologist! Am I now glad to be in tourism? It has taken me all over the world including places you would have never heard of. Eh? How about Tlacotalpan? It’s in Mexico.

Destiny had other plans as well so I became a reluctant healer. A crazy Shaman in Mexico set the ball rolling and it has rolled all the way to Delhi. Today I both heal as well as read Tarot cards. My wife thinks I am mad. My friends think I am weird. I guess I am both.

My first story was published in a magazine when I was seventeen. The Editor made such a hash of it that I stopped sending out my stories but I continued writing. Then I broke my heart and started writing poems; first in Hindi and then in English. All personal collection. They still remain personal. I do shudder when I read some of them! Then the short stories came back and written over two years – now is a collection.

14611826

Book Review- The Claim by Sanjay Bordia

Posted on by Aditi Malhotra

51stOMFwfdL._SX311_BO1,204,203,200_

The Claim is a very interesting and gripping story relating to an attempt to swindle an insurance company.
A claim of rupees ten crore is raised by a father on the accidental death of one of his twin sons.
The company in keeping with the prescribed norms and it’s own image needs to settle the claim in a reasonable span of time
The usual steps to corroborate the genuineness of the claim are put in process thereby bringing in the team of their best Mohan and his two assistants.
The huge amount of sum insured also needs thorough scrutiny. All relevant documents pertaining to the claim are gathered and studied.Certain early investigations create a doubt in the minds of the core team.
This forms the crux of the story.
Therein the author takes you through a roller coaster ride of thrill intrigue mystery and murder in a most rivetting way unfolding the plot slowly keeping you in it right to the end.
The author very cleverly juxtaposes the past and present scenario. Also intertwined are some very interesting sub plots.
A must read for all.Go for it.You will not put the book down till you finish it.

Rating: 3.5

Available on Amazon

Price: Rs 225/-

About the Author:

sanjay bordia

Sanjay is a Chartered Accountant by qualification and works in an Indian MNC.

Reading and writing held the top two positions on his hobby list.Sanjay lives in Mumbai with his wife and daughter.

He has won several awards in the writing competitions. Major among them are-

  • First Prize in incident writing contest of Honda Activa Scooter
  • First Prize in incident writing contest of Hindustan Unilever Limited