Books and Musings

BOOK: Unraveling Adolescence  AUTHOR: Anutsek Pathak GENRE: Non-Fiction, Self Help Memoir RATING: Content: 4.5/5 Language: 4/5 📝MY TAKE: First of all, I was flabbergasted when I realize that this book, 'Unraveling Adolescence' which has nuanced and matured content, has been written by a teenager. This 16-chapter book elucidates on the typical slices of adolescence phases and emotions that are undergone by a teenager.  🕓Starting from leaving home for a better education, to discussing favouritism in schools, and the nuances of Indian parenting, this book took me down the nostalgic memory lane as I recollected and related to similar instances during my adolescent years. 🕒Adolescence is a confusing juxtaposition of adulthood and innocence. From being an impressionable child to transitioning into adulthood, takes a physical and mental toll. Teenagers often find themselves face-to-face with uncertain emotions and act on impulse. The author has captured each and every essence of a...

  Love is a Verb encompasses the trials and tribulation of maintaining a relationship after you have enjoyed your honeymoon period.  🕒This story is set in the 1960s era when being in love was tougher than falling in love. 🕓Manav is your quintessentially disciplined boy who is serious about his career and has his fair share of challenges. 🕝Enter Madhu, who is like a breath of fresh air and brought some colours to the life of Manav. 🥇I commend the author for crafting a realistic image of a relationship which is far from a rosy picture. The author has built a concrete plot justifying his title that Love is indeed a Verb which signifies physical or mental action. Love is more than the butterflies in the stomach or the abstract feeling of attraction. 🥇Any reader would relate to the challenges faced by Manav and Madhu who were navigating through long distance relationship and familial expectations.  🥇I also liked the subtle cultural background induced by the author in thi...

  BOOK: The Girl Who Reset The Cyberworld AUTHOR: Cliff Ratza GENRE: Thriller Fiction RATING: Storyline- 4/5 Literature- 4/5 Cliff Ratza's "The Girl Who Reset the Cyberworld" unfolds as a thrilling cyber saga that takes readers on a literary adventure through the complexities of technology and the resilience of the human spirit. Picking up from the first book, the narrative propels Electra into a world where high-stakes projects collide with personal struggles. Ratza's narrative prowess is evident in the seamless integration of technological intricacies with the emotional depth of the characters. As Electra embarks on global quests, from NASA Mission Control to the perilous landscapes of Africa, readers are treated to a narrative that is both intellectually stimulating and emotionally engaging. Featured at the 75th Frankfurter Buchmesse and the New York Library Association 2023, this cyber saga stands as a testament to Ratza's ability to craft a compelling story t...

  BOOK: The Nigerian Mafia Mumbai AUTHOR: Onyeka Nwelue GENRE: Contemporary Fiction RATING: Storyline: 4.1/5 Literature: 4/5 "The Nigerian Mafia Mumbai" by Onyeka Nwelue is an emotional rollercoaster that took me on a captivating journey. The novel introduces us to Uche Mbadiegwu, a Nollywood actor who ventures from Lagos to Mumbai in pursuit of his Bollywood dreams. What I loved most about this book was its ability to stir a multitude of feelings within me. Nwelue's portrayal of Uche's aspirations and struggles is incredibly moving. I found myself cheering for this ambitious character and his quest to make a mark in the glitzy world of Bollywood. His determination and resilience are nothing short of inspiring. The entry of Periwinkle into Uche's life adds a layer of mystery and intrigue that keeps the reader engaged. The emotional connections between the characters are vividly depicted, making it easy to become emotionally invested in their stories. The book also...

  BOOK: Meet Me In Milan AUTHOR: KD Sherrinford GENRE: Fiction, Suspense Thriller RATING: Storyline: 4/5 Literature: 4.5/5 MY TAKE: I was absolutely exhilarated by the fact that I would get an opportunity to read a story with Sherlock and Irene Adler as central characters having romantic interests. When I read the Sherlock Holmes volume  penned by Arthur Conan Doyle, I was immediately in awe of the feisty lady named Irene Adler who could take on the great Sherlock Holmes purely with her wit and intellectualism. What added to the unique flavour was the fact that the perceptively romantically indifferent Sherlock started having feelings for a woman because her personality and intelligence was big turn-on. I jumped at the prospect of reading any form of genre revolving around Sherlock and Irene and the author, KD Sherrinford, lived up to my mental hype and expectation with this book befitting the mystery of 2 great investigators. In "Meet Me In Milan" by KD Sherrinford, we witne...

📙BOOK: Unchain My Chain 📘AUTHOR: Sharika Esther Sharma 📗GENRE: Contemporary Fiction  📝RATING: ⚡️Storyline: 3.9/5 ⚡️Literature: 4.2/5 📖PLOT: 4 strong and independent women who are braving the oddities of the world on regular basis are subjected to their insecurities bred in their own mind. 🦋Alya, a successful Bollywood starlet, frets over the idea of losing the top spot. 🦋Malini, a privileged individual, is navigating her way after marrying lower down the station in terms of money. 🦋Reena, an enterprising and assertive woman, is plagued by her looks and marriage prospects.  🦋Eisha is superficially happy after marrying into a rich family only to realize that life is not bed of roses. ✒️VERDICT: 🌟I am a sucker for stories having self-assured femme fatale line up. I loved the way the author accorded proper justice to each character bringing out their flaws as well as their self-realization. I liked the way the author gave space to each character to develop without making...

  BOOK: I Write Since You Exist AUTHOR: Suraj Prakash Behera GENRE: Poetry & Short Stories RATING: 4/5 MY TAKE: I Write Since You Exist is an ode to the tenacity of human soul which can brave the rough waters of emotional fluctuations and survive on the thread of hope. The poems penned down by the author felt like a tribute and an acknowledgement to each sentiment which captures the human mind. Some of the poems like ‘Love’s Enchantment Under the Moon’ and ‘A Dance of Radiance’ can melt the hearts of the romantic readers to feel a sense of longing and intimacy. The author also delved into various aspects pertaining to motherhood, corporate lifestyle, and the power of human spirit which is very hard to break. I was pleasantly surprised by the poetic tribute paid by the author to the theme of Game of Thrones which has a dedicated section. It was such a delight to immerse myself in the poem singing paeans of Arya Stark. “Life is an application, an application that you nourish and ...