Category: Book review

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Review of When I grow up by Jon Hales

BLURB:

It’s the question which has stumped little kids and big kids for years, but, when her class is asked to come up with an answer, Annie has some unique ideas of her own.

How about Alien Hunter? Or Master Ice Cream Taster?

When she struggles to choose just one job, her teacher has some surprising advice for her.

Beautifully illustrated, expertly rhymed, with a poignant message about the importance of imagination, following our dreams and not being afraid to change our minds, this captivating picture book will delight again and again.

MY REVIEW:

When I grow up is a lovely book that brings out a little girl’s numerous choices of what she wants to become. The books starts with little Annie describing her Teacher Mr.Dove. She says he would say “Lazies and Jellymen’. He gives the class an assignment to write on what they want to become. They all start thinking and writing them.

Annie looks around to see what her friends come up with. One wants to be a fire fighter, one wants to be a baker and one an entrepreneur.

So when she thinks of her choices, she comes up with many. Say a master ice-cream taster, president of universe, alien hunter and a deep sea explorer. She explains what she would be doing becoming them.

Thinking of all this she missed writing it on paper. So when Mr.Dove is right in front of her staring at a blank paper, he tells her that it’s alright that she couldn’t settle on one choice. He comforts her by saying that he is also in the same state. He is a teacher but could become a painter or an actor after retiring.

So he asks her to write it down in a rhyme and submit it tomorrow. Annie settles in her room and starts writing as ‘When I grow up’. When she gets her paper back after submission she notices that Mr. Dove had indeed appreciated her rhyme and would want her to become an alien Hunter.

The book ends on a lovely note where she asks the reader what they want to become when they grow up. Yes, in Mr. Dove’s tone ‘Lazies and Jellymen’. And she hurries to catch aliens.

The illustrations by Paula are perfect depicting Annie’s imagination. The narration is easy to grasp. It makes you wonder how kids come up with so much imagination. Author has come up with a thought provoking subject that kindles every child’s imagination on what they would want to become.

The book is recommended for ages 4 and above but is good to look at pictures for children aged 3.

The book also helps them understand that it is natural to dream of more than one career or aspiration and we should never let go of our dreams and follow them seriously. The book would bring about a different perspective when being read to the child at different ages.

The book is rightly named “When I Grow up’ which is same as the poem Annie wrote.

MY RATINGS:

Cover: 4/5

Plot: 4/5

Writing and presentation: 4/5

Title: 4/5

Overall: 4.5/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Jon Hales

Artist. Musician. Brewer. Designer. Footballer. Author.

These are all things that Jon has dreamed of being paid to do at some point in his life (with varying degrees of connection to reality).

During his time as a kindergarten teacher, Jon loved reading stories to his students and found it fascinating to see which ones they connected with above all others.

He dreamed of crafting THOSE stories. The ones that kids picked up first every time. The ones they bugged their teachers / parents / caregivers to read to them over and over again. The ones that adults didn’t mind reading one hundred times because they enjoyed the wordplay or loved the illustrations. The ones that contained positive, inclusive messages that didn’t get in the way of the pure enjoyment of reading.

It’s early days but Jon hopes he’s on the right path to that goal. In any case, it’s becoming increasing unlikely he’s going to be called to play up front for England.

This book was received from theAuthor, in exchange for an honest review.

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Review of Zetta, the poinsettia

BLURB:

Follow the tale of Zetta, once a lonely poinsettia who discovers her worth outside the holiday season

  • Uplifting story in verse
  • Powerful lessons on sympathy, self-worth, and hope
  • BONUS ONE: Page to color at the back of the book
  • BONUS TWO: Fun facts about the poinsettia plant

MY REVIEW:

This lovely book is about Zetta, the poinsettia plant. Zetta feels lonely in the shop and longs to be held and be in company. She then is taken to a warm home where children on holiday are ready for celebrations.

As each day passed, with so much of celebration around, Zetta enjoyed being joyful during the holiday season. There were crackling sounds of gift wrappers, sipping sound of hot chocolate and slipper sounds.

But suddenly one day everything vanished and things were being put away. Zetta was puzzled but she was strong, alive and full of love. She was worried that she would be out away just like the tree. But she believed that there was a reason to be.

She was then placed near the kitchen window along with other plants where she would grow of the minimal sunlight along with other plants. She was not lonely any more.

When she grew up, she was placed in a nigger pot and brought outdoor. She would get more sunlight. She edged the front door growing bigger. But she always kept in mind whether or not it was holiday season she would always reach toward light. For she believes that there is always a reason to be.

This book brings you so much of positivity and self-esteem through the story of Zetta. The once lonely flower who longed for company also believed that there is a reason to be.

The illustrations are adorable and bring in so much energy and magic when you look at them. This book is a sure winner among the kids and among parents to help them teach the values to kids. The idea of making the plant a protagonist and having told the story from her point of view is a brilliant thought.

The book sure is to put a smile on every face and would be a great gifting option. I love the fact that the book comes with facts about the plant, so would be of great help for people (like me) who do not know that such a plant exists. Also it comes with a page to color at the back of the book so you get a wonderful story and also an activity as a reward for your kid. The cover gives you so much joy and I’m sure the book would definitely stock out soon in the shops, given that nobody would cross without picking it up. Next time you think of gifting your child, this book is a great option and sure is a memorable one.

BOOK DETAILS:

  • ISBN-13: 9780998536262
  • ISBN-10: 0998536261
  • Publisher: Sweetbeet Books
  • Publish Date: November 2018
  • Page Count: 34
  • Reading Level: Ages 4-8

MY RATINGS:

Title: 4/5

Plot: 4.5/5

Cover: 4/5

Writing and presentation: 4.5/5

Overall: 4.5/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Alma is the award-winning author of picture books for children published by Sweetbeet Books. In Alma Hammond’s ‘Travel with Me’ series, children will meet creatures she encountered while traveling. The stories celebrate friendship, diversity, respect for nature, and acceptance of others and self. Each book includes fun facts about the animals, culture, and geography of a particular location. All of Alma’s children’s books are written to entertain both the adult and child, and are inspired by fascinating discoveries about life. When adults express excitement about a book while reading it to a child, its magic!

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Review of the boy who grew a forest

BLURB:

As a boy, Jadav Payeng was distressed by the destruction deforestation and erosion was causing on his island home in India’s Brahmaputra River. So he began planting trees. What began as a small thicket of bamboo, grew over the years into 1,300 acre forest filled with native plants and animals. The Boy Who Grew a Forest tells the inspiring true story of Payeng–and reminds us all of the difference a single person with a big idea can make.

MY REVIEW:

The author, Sophia tells you an inspiring story of Jadav “Molai” Payeng. Jadav is a teenager from the Majuli Island- which is one of the world’s largest river island located in Brahmaputra. So what sort of story is this about Jadav that made him an inspiration to many people? Do you believe that even kids get inspired reading this book.

Prone to seasonal flooding and erosion, the Majuli Island witnessed the death of thousands of snakes in flooded water on barren sandbars. Heartbroken and depressed, Jadav approached the elders in the village for a way to bring back the greenery and wildlife back on the island.

He is given twenty bamboo saplings which he planted. He took really good care of them by watering them regularly and also devised a watering system. But did that stop the river from flooding? No. SO he had bring in earthworms, termites to make the soil richer. He even brought back seeds from neighboring places to cultivate varied vegetation.

He came across many hurdles- men wanting to harvest for homes, elephant from farms to feed on crops, hunters approaching for fur. But how did Jadav manage. Yes, he had a solution for every problem that came up. He grew some for harvesting, fruit trees to feed elephants and protected wildlife from hunter.

What initially started as 10 acre became 20…then 30…40 and is now a 1300 acre forest named after him as Molai. If you can compare the reality, it is larger than 900 football grounds. He is known as the forest man, who single handedly created the forest. In fact it’s rightly said if I mention he created an ecosystem to support the animals and also continue growing and maintaining the forest.

If this effort by a teenager could make a better place for living why not us. If a single man could create a 1300 acre forest, why not us. A small difference that we make is going to bring in a bigger change and provide the future generation with a greener place with rich wildlife. Why don’t we make this change come true?

The illustrations were very supportive to the narration. You can really see the story come alive when you read the book. The story is environmentally themed and sure is to inspire your kid to look up to someone who also saves the world in a different way.

Sophia and Kayla have unitedly worked for the mission of creating a book for young readers to read, inspire, empower, protect and care. Certain things could be learnt by seeing, hearing or feeling. This idea of bringing in inspiration through a book to young readers is commendable.

The end note of the author telling us to plant a seed and we never know what it would become is what which makes all the difference. I’m sure that each kid/parent who reads the book would want to do their part to save the greenery and the mission of the author is accomplished.

BOOK DETAILS:

  • Format:Kindle Edition
  • File Size:47044 KB
  • Print Length:32 pages
  • Publisher:Sleeping Bear Press (15 April 2019)
  • Sold by:Amazon Asia-Pacific Holdings Private Limited
  • Language:English
  • ASIN:B07F3B4RVZ

MY RATINGS:

Title: 4/5

Cover: 4.5/5

Plot: 4.5/5

Writing and Presentation: 4.5/5

Overall: 4.5/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sophia Gholz is a children’s book author, music lover, magic seeker, and avid reader.

As a child, Sophia was a passionate reader and artist. When not reading or drawing, she could be found at the farm riding horses or out causing mischief with her brothers.

As a grown up, Sophia is still an avid reader, art fanatic, and mischief-maker. When she’s not writing, you can find Sophia on Twitter, in her cave (aka office) or running around after the kids, dogs or any combination of the two.

Sophia grew up in Florida, went to art school in California, and met her husband in Manhattan. She’s now enjoying life by the beach with her family.

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Review of Jay jay and his island adventures

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Jay-Jay is no ordinary bus.
His journey is full of play.
He is a Playbus, he brings fun and adventure to the children wherever they are.
A safe place to play where children can use their imagintion and explore.
Once a real bus his story has been told in many schools.
“We wish he was still here,” the children say. “We would love to go inside!”
Well you can and he is, even if only in fictional form, his story goes on.
The real Playbus proved so popular that the idea was copied by many other play projects.
Always bright and colourful, they stood out from the rest and knowing they were different, the children and other users would come along to look inside and explore to find out what was on offer.
The real Jay-Jay ras much loved and fondly remembered.
His fictional story continues.

MY REVIEW

I loved reading the first book and was looking forward to read this.

This book is about Jay jay’s adventure to an island. This time he goes to meet kids on an island. The joy of meeting children in a new place and making them happy gave him a very good feeling.

But to get to the island he has to Go by a ferry boat. And the sight of it was not comfortable for him. He started feeling sick. But he had to overcome all this to get to the kids. The thrill and joy the kids get when they see Jay Jay is what mattered most to him.

He initially had a bump trying to get on the ferry and upon arrival at the island the driver inspected it and found to be a minimal repair. The children started flocking the bus and were very excited to see a double decker .

They had loads of toys and books to play with. They enjoyed pretending to be pirates and took memorable pictures. Jay jay stayed on the island for a week and returned back wondering what his next adventure would be.

The cover is super colourful and the illustrations are very good and could make any child happy. The narration is simple and requires no help that children could read on their own.

BOOK DETAILS

Format: Kindle

Pages : 44

MY RATINGS

Cover 4.5/5

Plot 4/5

Writing and presentation 4/5

Title 4/5

Overall 4.5/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sue Wickstead is a teacher and an author and has currently written six children’s picture books with a bus theme. In addition, she has also written a photographic history book about the real bus behind her story writing. Her bus stories are about a playbus. Have you ever been on a Playbus? When Sue’s two children were young, they attended a playgroup on a bus, but not an ordinary bus taking you on a journey, exciting though this is, but a Playbus stuffed full of toys to capture their imagination! For over 20 years, alongside her teaching career, she worked with the charity, the Bewbush Playbus Association. As part of the committee she painted the bus, worked in the groups, helped raise the profile of the project and its work and was part of the team involved in raising funds to replace the old bus with a newer vehicle. This led her to write a photographic history book about it. `It really was a fun journey to be involved in’, said Sue. The bus really got into her blood and became a work of the heart. Having written the history book Sue soon found that many children had never been on a bus before, let alone a `Playbus’ and they wanted to know more. So, she decided to write a fictional tale, his number plate JJK261, gave him his name. `Jay-Jay the Supersonic Bus,’ came out in print in 2014. It is the story behind the original project and is his journey from a scrap-yard to being changed into a playbus for children to play in. From Fact to fiction the bus journey continues. This story has now been followed by five more picture books. `A Spooky Tale’ and `The Christmas Play Rehearsal’ do indeed have a bus connection as well as links to her teaching journey. Sue has undertaken events and author bookings and loves to share her stories, she is also proud to be `a patron of reading’. The books have all received 5-star awards from ‘Readers Favourite’. .

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Review of Circus folk and village freaks

BLURB

Meet the beautiful people of the Circus, and the freaks who live in the Village next to them. Mangled, jangled, misunderstood, all find place in the rich tapestry of this book.

Siamese twins separate to lose half a heart each, and find snake-man and tiger-taming lovers. A man bitten by a crocodile becomes a God, and a Devadasi woos the entire countryside with her culinary artistry.

Fates intertwined lead sometimes to tragedy, sometimes happy summits of fame. A clown finds his place in Hollywood and mute animals break unspeakable chains. A twisted man falls in love with a mirror and a white man is unmade by the Indian sun.

In this book are tales for every season and every reason. Tales of human depravity that take innocent lives, and of a murderers’ insanity that follows, a fitting revenge by nature, red in tooth and claw.

These stories are told in the form of narrative poems in rhyming couplets.

Look inside and you will find, you have been to this Village. Surely, you have been to this Circus too.

MY REVIEW

A book telling you stories in the form of poetry in the current trend is indeed refreshing. Not many people have a liking for poetry reading, since it is not easy to understand the inner meaning of what is being put out in words. But this book is different with about 18 tales in the form of poetry.

The book is about the inmates of the circus and villagers from around. The villagers at times become the inmates of the circus.

Each one of the tale has a moral to tell you. They leave a mark in you to make you think of it. The stories presented makes you want to do a comparison of the circus we live in and contemplate.

The cover of the book is yet another gem. It looks so colorful and vibrant that makes you want to pick the book up immediately and read.

The narration in poetic form is very good. Some are direct, some have inner meanings. This is my first time one reading a book of this kind and I enjoyed reading it. Kudos to the author for coming up with such a thought.

BOOK DETAILS

Published by : Viswakarma publications

Format : hardcover

Length : 156

MY RATINGS

Plot : 4/5

Title :4/5

Cover : 5/5

Writing and presentation :4/5

Overall :4.5/5

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Review of Ganesha

BLURB
On the trail of Ganesha, the Afro-Asian calf, born by a quirk of fate and in the most improbable of circumstances in the wilds of East Africa in 1943. Then begins his journey to the Southern wilds of India and his fight for survival in those new wilds.
Born on the same day as Ganesha in a rural hamlet of Southern India is Maari, who goes on to become one of the most dreaded poachers India has ever known.
And know how their fates inevitably cross over the decades during which there are profound changes in both the political and ecological landscape of India.

MY REVIEW

I’d never imagined that the protagonist of my current read would be an elephant. What a great thought and a different one. That really made heads turn when the book came out.

Ganesha is a hybrid ( afro Asian) elephant who loses his mahout in a storm and is stuck in an island. Poacher Maari portrays the way into darkness and shows the wicked world of wildlife mafia. The evil face of poaching is portrayed well when Maari fights off his own battle. Ganesha is friends with one eye who keeps Ganesha company till the end.

The book brings out the depiction of life and death of the elephant Ganesha. The book beautifully brings out the relationship between animals and humans and how far it does affect the former when they lose a close one. The sensitive feeling of the animals has been brought out in a commendable way.

The narration is just perfect setting the stage for the whole plot to unfold. The plot is crisp and does not go to unwanted detailing. The psyche of the animals is well explained and goes to prove that they are more socially behaved than the humans.

It was a varied out of box thought of making the animal a protagonist. I enjoyed reading the book. The cover is simple and does give you an outright picture of what you would be reading about.

BOOK DETAILS

  • Publication date: 21 Apr 2019
  • Format : Kindle edition
  • Length: 191 pages
  • Publisher: Half Baked Beans
  • Language: English
  • ASIN: B07QWLPPF2

MY RATINGS

Plot : 4/5

Writing and presentation : 4/5

Cover : 3.5/5

Title : 4/5

Overall :4/5

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Book blitz – Her Prince charming

HER PRINCE CHARMING

(Prequel to The Malhotra Bride)

by

Sundari Venkatraman



BLURB


It’s instantaneous attraction when Tanuja Bhatia from Delhi meets Raj Malhotra from Bombay at the Bombay Central Station.


The mutual attraction soon blossoms into love over the next couple of meetings. 


Tanuja and her simple father fail to see the crisis brewing in their own home. Her not-so-nice stepmother Gurinder is totally against the idea of Tanuja meeting her Prince Charming which would make her step-sister Harpreet seriously envious. By the way, Harpreet’s main aim in life is to simply make her half-sister miserable. 


While Raj’s parents and Tanuja’s father try to arrange a marriage between the two with a help of a mutual friend, the evil stepmother comes up with a plan of her own—to marry her stepdaughter off to Sonu, a good-for-nothing idiot. 


Can Her Prince Charming lift Tanuja out of this life of drudgery and boredom and give her the happiness she deserves?


*A prequel to THE MALHOTRA BRIDE, this book is also available in paperback in India.


Read an Excerpt:

Tanuja stood at the entrance to
the bogie, guarding the luggage as the train slowed down to enter Bombay
Central Station, excitement in her heart as her eyes devoured the sights. It
had been a long time since the Bhatia family had gone on a holiday, all
together. It had always been her stepmother and her half-sisters who went on
bi-annual trips, leaving Tanuja and her father at home. But, of course, both of
them appreciated the peaceful times while the other three were gone. In fact,
Tanuja considered those interludes the best holidays ever.

Just before the train stopped,
she caught sight of a tall man in pristine white trousers and half-shirt, holding
a placard which read, ‘Talveer Bhatia’. Her charcoal black eyes went wide when
they met the dark brown of the man’s bold gaze, a soft blush tainting her
cheeks before she turned away to address her father who was standing behind the
three suitcases. “Papa, the car driver’s here, I think. See that man over
there,” she pointed a slim index finger in the direction of the man as her
father craned his neck to look out, “he’s holding a cardboard placard with your
name on it.”

Talveer nodded his head at his eldest
daughter, a soft smile on his tired face. “Let’s get the luggage out,” he said,
watching Tanuja get off on to the platform. The father-daughter duo shook their
heads at the porters who offered to take their luggage as Talveer handed the
suitcases one-by-one to Tanuja.

“Have you got all the suitcases
out?” asked Gurinder in her usual harsh voice, a frown on her face as she
glared at her step-daughter and husband.

“Yes, aunty,” said Tanuja, taking
the large bag that Gurinder was holding in her hands, before helping her out of
the train.

Harpreet and Jaspreet giggled as
they watched their plump mother struggle to step down onto the platform, not
bothering to help her. They each held a tote bag carrying their make-up
articles and other fancy stuff which they naively believed were absolute
necessities in Bombay.

Talveer lifted his head to see
Raj Malhotra walking in their direction with the placard, waving to him. “I’m
Talveer Bhatia. Are you the driver who has come to pick us up from Malhotra
Cabs?”

“Yes sir. My name is Raj,” said
Raj, shaking Talveer’s hand, forgetting that drivers may be considered too
menial to shake hands with customers who hired cars from their company, his
gaze taking in the family of five even as it lingered for a few seconds longer on
Tanuja’s beautiful face.

Gurinder glared at him. “You are
the driver who will be driving us to Mahabaleshwar?”

“Haanji ma’am.”

“Apni aukat mein raho. What’s with the shaking hands? Can’t you do a
namaste? Kyunji,” as she frowningly glanced at her husband, “can’t you tell
the man that instead of shaking his hand?”

Tanuja felt highly embarrassed by
Gurinder’s harsh words. What was wrong if the man had shaken her father’s hand?
Why did her stepmother have to shout for such a trivial thing?

Before her father could open his
mouth, the driver said, “I’m sorry, ma’am. Please forgive me. It won’t happen
again.” 

Gurinder looked the man up and
down before ordering, “Chalo, take
all the suitcases and let’s go to the waiting room.”

Without asking a question, Raj lifted
two heavy suitcases in both his hands before turning in the direction of the
first-class waiting room. Tanuja bent down to take the third one, giving him a
shy nod, a small smile touching her lips. Her mouth had the appearance of a
rosebud to the man who walked ahead of her.

It took the Bhatia family about
an hour to get ready. Raj waited patiently as he read the day’s newspaper
before Talveer walked out from the men’s waiting room. Tanuja was the first to
get ready and she also walked out to the platform on seeing her father. She
couldn’t help being fascinated by the handsome driver as she studied him from
the corner of her eyes from time to time, not saying anything while she watched
her father chat with him.

“I am also from Delhi, Talveerji,” said Raj, answering the other man
when asked.

Talveer smiled widely. “I did
wonder about the accent,” he said, patting the younger man on his shoulder.

They chatted some more about
their hometown but mainly in Hindi. “If you are educated, how come you are
working as a driver?” There was curiosity in Talveer’s dark gaze as he looked
up at the driver who towered over him by many inches.

Raj was careful enough to speak
English exactly the way his drivers spoke. Shrugging, he said, “I am setting up
my own business.” Okay, it was a slight variation from the truth as his garment
factory was already set up and running smoothly. But he couldn’t very well tell
the client that. “In the meanwhile, this is a good way to make money, without
having to work under someone.” It was with difficulty that he managed to keep
his gaze on Talveer Bhatia and not let it stray to the young woman who, he
presumed, must be the man’s daughter. She was simply too beautiful for words.

Talveer nodded his head
vigorously, thoroughly approving of the other man’s sentiments. “So what
business are you setting up?”

“Manufacturing of garments,
Talveerji.” No, he had no plans to
tell them the magnitude of his business, that he had invested almost ten lakh
rupees and only twenty percent of the total had been raised through a bank
loan. The rest was entirely from his own savings. Raj had slogged from the day
he arrived in Bombay five years ago. He had refused to use his father’s money
and had earned his own money starting from scratch. He had led a comfortable
life but it wasn’t half as luxurious as the one he was used to at his home in
Delhi. He had converted all the leftover money to gold. When he began
purchasing gold in 1971, six months after he moved to Bombay, the price for ten
grams had been less than Rs. 200. Over the last five years, the price had risen
dramatically to Rs. 540. He had also persuaded his father to buy small
bungalows in Mahabaleshwar and Matheran.

So, at the age of twenty-six,
where a lot of young boys are still whiling away their time, Raj had set up his
very own garment unit. And there was also the flat that he had purchased in
Matunga, where he lived now.

Talveer nodded, even as his eyes
kept turning towards the women’s waiting room, wondering about his wife and
daughters. He looked at his eldest born and said, “Tanu, why don’t you go and
find out if everyone is ready?”

“Theek hai, Papa,” said Tanuja in a soft voice before walking
towards the waiting room, her steps dragging. As if the three of them would
care.

“Madam, it would be nice if you
could tell them that we have to travel for eight hours before reaching our
destination.” Raj called out to Tanuja’s retreating back.

She stopped in her tracks,
wondering if she had heard right. Had he called her ‘madam’? She turned around
with a smile, her cheeks dimpling when her gaze caught his dark one, a dark
wing-shaped eyebrow raised in query. “Were you talking to me?”

“Ji! It will take us eight hours to reach Mahabaleshwar,” said Raj,
looking into her black gaze and rapidly found himself drowning in them, unable
to stop the answering smile on his face.

Why was he addressing her as if
she was fifty years old? Tanuja realised that she didn’t like it at all. But
then, she didn’t want to say anything in front of her father. She nodded her
head before turning away from him to continue towards the waiting room door.

After ensuring her father’s gaze
was turned away from him, Raj looked at her retreating figure encased in a salwar kameez which faithfully hugged
her slender body. She could have passed off for an apsara from heaven, he thought. 

Grab your copy @



About the author



Sundari Venkatraman is an indie author who has 42 titles (38 books and 4 collections) to her name, all Top 100 Bestsellers on Amazon India, Amazon USA, Amazon UK, Amazon Canada and Amazon Australia in both romance as well as Asian Drama categories. Her latest hot romances have all been on #1 Bestseller slot in Amazon India for over a month.


Even as a kid, Sundari absolutely loved the ‘lived happily ever after’ syndrome as she grew up reading all the fairy tales she could lay her hands on, Phantom comics, Mandrake comics and the like. It was always about good triumphing over evil and a happy end. 


Soon, into her teens, Sundari switched her attention from fairy tales to Mills & Boon. While she loved reading both of these, she kept visualising what would have happened if there were similar situations happening in India; to a local hero and heroine. Her imagination took flight and she always lived in a rosy cocoon of romance over the years. 


Then came the writing – a true bolt out of the blue! And Sundari Venkatraman has never looked back.

Click here to check out all the titles by the author…

You can stalk her @

      

        

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Review of wake up life is calling

BLURB

What if your mind is your greatest enemy?

What if you were living your worst nightmare?

How would you cope?

Ankita has fought a mental disorder, been through hell, and survived two suicide attempts. Now in Mumbai, surrounded by her loving and supportive parents, everything seems idyllic. She is not on medication. She is in a college she loves, studying her dream subject: Creative Writing. At last leading a ‘normal life’, she immerses herself in every bit of it.

Underneath the surface, however, there is trouble brewing. A book she discovers in her college library draws her in, consumes her and sends her into a terrifying darkness that twists and tears her apart. To make matters worse, a past boyfriend resurfaces, throwing her into further turmoil.

Can she escape her thoughts? Will Ankita survive the ordeal a second time around? What does life have in store for her?

Preeti Shenoy’s compelling sequel to the iconic bestseller Life is What You Make It chronicles the resilience of the human mind and the immense power of positive thinking. The gripping narrative demonstrates with gentle wisdom how by changing our thoughts, we can change our life itself.

MY REVIEW

Life is what you make it ends with Ankita diagnosed with bipolar disorder and together with the help of her parents and NIMH , she tries to get back.

The book is a serious read and is not for someone who looks forward to get the feeling of joy thinking about the characters. The books provides great morale of self confidence to those who feel dejected and think of ending their life.

She starts a new life in Mumbai as she takes up a creative writing course. Joining her as buddies are Janki and Parul. It all starts when her friend from school comes back and at the same time she borrows a book that gives a clear picture of suicide.

What happens later ? Does she complete the course, what happens to her after her friend comes back, what triggers inside her after reading the book is the rest of the story.

The characters have been portrayed very well. Especially that of Mrs. Hayden, whose flashback and her current life gives you more strength. The visual exercises that she teaches Ankita are more of a learning for us that we can impart into our lives.

The narration is good and simple to understand. I would definitely say this is a comeback for Preeti.

The cover is vibrant and gives you a feeling of freshness or something like a great start.

Ankita, the protagonist is firm and smart though she was being emotional. Her strength of having the thought to come out of her situation without medication is appreciable.

The concept of Ankita making life notes is another positive aspect of the book. The plot being simple has been put forth in such a way that it conveys a powerful message.

BOOK DETAILS

Publisher : Srishti publishers and distributors

ISBN 10 :9387022609

ISBN 13: 978-9387022607

MY RATINGS

Title:4/5

Cover :4/5

Writing and presentation:4/5

Plot:4/5

Overall :4/5

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Preeti Shenoy is the bestselling author of Life is What You Make It and eleven other titles. Her books have been translated into several Indian and foreign languages. She is among the highest-selling authors in India. She is also a speaker, columnist, and artist. Preeti has been featured on BBC, Conde Nast, Verve, India Today and all other major media.

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REVIEW OF THE SLEEPLESS BEAUTY

BLURB

THE WEST GAVE THE WORLD ‘THE SLEEPING BEAUTY’.
NOW, FROM THE EAST, COMES ANOTHER CHARMING AND EXCITING FAIRY TALE – ‘THE SLEEPLESS BEAUTY’!!
In a small kingdom somewhere in the Himalayas, the beautiful young Princess Ramya cannot sleep. It all started soon after her mother, the queen, passed away, when the princess was only twelve. Her father, the king, tries everything to make his little princess sleep, but nothing works. The princess develops such an inability to sleep that she becomes known in her kingdom and far beyond as the Sleepless Beauty.
The king wishes Princess Ramya to marry and take over the reins of government, but the princess is determined not to marry till such time as her sleep is restored. Eventually, the king announces a competition whereby whichever prince succeeds in getting Princess Ramya to sleep will win her hand. Meanwhile deadly foes of the kingdom wait and watch in the wings, planning to launch a surprise attack. This exciting, romantic tale, with comic interludes, will appeal to readers of all ages.

MY REVIEW

The book is a very short read and I completed it during a cab journey that took an hour. It sure did keep me engaging.

From the cover, it appears like a children’s folktale. But this can definitely give joy to adult readers as well.

The book talks about family, emotion and love.

Situated in the Himalayas, the kingdom of Bhangra is ruled by King Bhoj and queen Mohini. They give birth to a lovely daughter, Ramya. Mohini passes away when Ramya is 12.

Bent in sadness, and lack of concentration Ramya fails to sleep and had become a trait explaining her. The princess who never sleeps. King is very worried about the situation. His daughter has everything except sleep. So he announces a competition wherein he invites Princes to make her sleep.

The ending is definitely not predictable. I was thinking of a situation and it did not end that way.

The cover supports the plot and the true feel of the fairytale genre.

The simple writing style and cute nuances taken care makes you go aww. The importance of love is portrayed very well.

The characterisation is done very well, especially that of Princess Ramya and Prince X ( I am not revealing the name). To know how the princess slept please go purchase yourself a copy of the book.

BOOK DETAILS

Format : Kindle edition

Pages : 90

ASIN : B07PFVYLT6

MY RATINGS

Plot 4/5

Writing and presentation 4/5

Title 4/5

Cover 4/5

Overall 4.5/5

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Review of Urban insanity

BLURB

In this urban life, where each day can drive us insane, we crave sanity, tranquility and yearn to achieve it. You can only attain the code to live your life by keeping your mind, heart and soul as sorted as much possible. Only then your mind and your physical being can feel the essence of living. When you relate to someone like you, you resonate to life and to the craziness that life has brought you to. We have made simplicity extinct and complexities exist with our jumbled minds. So let’s open this jumble with Urban Insanity.

‘A few realities are bitter and the rest are too sweet. To those things that are priceless in life, we shall never take them for granted.

MY REVIEW

The book contains a collection of short chapters each talking about different aspects of life like karma, culture, relationship, and life goals.

Each story talks about a single aspect and is explained with a story. The quotes by the author are really very good and apt for the current trend of life.

The book speaks about the culture of urban life and what impacts does it impose on us human beings.

Though the book has very few number of pages, I took a lot of time to read and understand the author’s message that was to be conveyed.

Self introspection, gender stereotypes and the discussions surrounding the topics make a book quite an interesting read. The illustrations and quotes are cute. Listing down a favourite below.

I thought I am where I imagined,

But then I dreamt more.

The author’s POV on certain places is genuine and acceptable.

The language is simple and is easy for anyone to read. There are no complexities in understanding what the author is trying to convey.

The comparisons that the author used were seriously out of box marriage with a cocoon and life with Bombay sandwich.

If you are looking for a self- help book touching modern thinkings this should be your go-to book.

BOOK DETAILS

Publisher : Notion press, Inc.

Pages : 144

MY RATINGS

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Saheba Atal is a business scholar, spiritual learner, and an innovative thinker. She studied at the University of Delhi and pursued her Masters’ degree at the University of Wollongong, Dubai. She is a promoter of positive, practical thinking and the progression of the mind to higher levels. Being an avid traveller, she has learned and observed many cultures and sub-cultures of the eastern and western world closely.

She is studying Anthropology and Sociology along with her Ph.D. in Consumer Behaviour.
The idea of this book culminated through the emotions that we as social beings go through with the ups and downs in life which surprises our emotional and mental capabilities and capacities many a times.