Books and Musings

  There are some books you don’t just readyou experience them. Memory Stains on Banarasi Dupatta by Antra Dubey is one such novel that lingers long after the last page, much like the fading fragrance of agarbattis on the Ganga ghats of Banaras. As a reader who loves stories steeped in history, culture, and emotions, this book spoke to me on multiple levels. It isn’t just a romance. It is a delicate weaving of memory, trauma, healing, and the timeless spirit of Banaras. The Story – Where History Meets Emotions At the heart of the novel is Maya, a reserved history professor whose life is defined by silence and solitude. She carries a painful past buried so deep that no one can touch it. That is, until Swadesh, an art professor with an uncanny ability to see through her walls, enters her world. Forced to work together on a research project, Maya and Swadesh find themselves spending more time on the ghats of Banaras. Slowly, the city becomes a witness to their growing bond, an intima...

  A chilling review of The Manor by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi—an atmospheric gothic horror rooted in Indian folklore, grief, and psychological suspense. When I picked up The Manor by Heena Rathore-Pardeshi, I expected a good gothic horror novel. What I didn’t expect was to feel like the walls were closing in on me while I read. This book doesn’t just tell a haunted house story, it breathes it. It’s steeped in Indian folklore, rich with psychological suspense, and wrapped in the kind of slow-burn horror that stays with you long after you’ve turned the last page. From the first chapter, I was pulled into Leela Jamwal’s world, a woman returning to her ancestral manor on the monsoon-drenched Konkan coast to grieve and protect her younger brother. It all felt so vivid: the smell of wet earth, the rhythmic pounding of rain, and the oppressive stillness of the old house. But very quickly, I realized the Manor wasn’t just a setting, it was a character. The walls hummed, the mirrors seemed to...

  📘BOOK: Seth the Last Skywalker 📘AUTHOR: Cecil Holt 📘GENRE: Suspense Thriller Fiction 📝RATING: 3.9/5 ✒️MY TAKE: 🌌I found this book emotionally appealing and had a mesmerizing experience from beginning to end. The writing style was refreshingly straightforward yet captivating, which made the story flow effortlessly. The suspense kept building, and the emotional depth pulled me in, making it difficult to put the book down. 🌌What truly impressed me was how the author managed to weave so much emotion into the narrative without ever feeling forced. The story unfolded in a way that was both thrilling and heartfelt, making it an easy yet impactful read. It struck a perfect balance between excitement and tenderness. 🌌This book is a true standout. The author’s ability to keep readers hooked with a well-paced, emotionally charged storyline is exceptional. The unique way the story was told makes it a book you’ll want to talk about long after finishing it.  ⚡️I felt that certain p...

 BOOK: Cathay Combat - Book Two of the Crimson Tribune Saga Series AUTHOR: Christina Fanelli GENRE: Fantasy Thriller Fiction RATING: Storyline: 4.1/5 Literature: 4/5 MY TAKE: Cathay Combat: Book Two of the Crimson Tribune Saga by Christina Fanelli seamlessly blends the turbulence of the COVID-19 pandemic with the lives of its returning characters—Tracy, Rush, Benji, Rita, and Darla—offering a compelling follow-up to the adventures of the first book. While the characters once found themselves in a fantastical world, they now face a new, much more grounded reality: the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and the societal upheavals it brought with it. The novel dives into the challenges each character encounters as their lives adjust to this new normal. Tracy’s arc stands out with shocking discoveries about China, giving the story an international edge and adding layers to her personal journey. Meanwhile, Benji’s day-to-day struggles as a facility engineer in a local hospital feel...

📙BOOK: Watch Love Run 📙AUTHOR: David Colgate Mcknight 📙GENRE: Contemporary Fiction  📝RATING: 4.1/5 ✒️MY TAKE: 📚Watch Love Run by David Colgate Mcknight will take you on a heartfelt journey interspersed with love, faith, and life’s unpredictable challenges. The story is told with a clarity and depth that draws you to the core, making the emotions and experiences feel incredibly raw and real.  📚I would like to commend the author’s writing style which is eloquent yet comprehensible, capturing the essence of the characters’ journey in a way that resonates with readers. The narrative is beautifully paced, allowing the story to unfold naturally while keeping you fully engaged. 📚The exploration of faith and redemption adds a profound layer to the story, making it more than just a romance. The spiritual awakening that the characters experience is depicted with sincerity and insight, offering readers a chance to reflect on their own beliefs. The themes of love, hope, and belief ...

📙BOOK: Risen from the Ashes 📙AUTHOR: Jeffrey Kershaw 📙GENRE: Suspense Thriller 📝RATING: ⚡️Storyline: 3.9/5 ⚡️Literature: 4/5 ✒️MY TAKE: 🌟A Thriller with Brilliant Storytelling! Risen from the Ashes by Jeffrey Kershaw is a must-read for anyone who loves a good thriller. From the very beginning, I was drawn into the surreal world created by the author.  The story is filled with edgy suspense and clever twists that kept me hooked to my seat. The author’s writing is engaging and fluid, making for an enjoyable reading experience. What sets this book apart is the way the plot is intricately woven, creating a complex and compelling narrative without meandering into too much details that could have slowed the plot. The characters are well-developed, and the suspense is maintained throughout, making it difficult to put the book down.  Risen from the Ashes by Jeffrey Kershaw is a brilliant example of exceptional storytelling and suspense. If you’re looking for a thrilling read that...