Turn back time!!

Sometimes I wish I could turn back time
and bring back the glory days of mine. 
Each moment was like a golden dime

and each clap was like a church bell chime. 

Sometimes I wish I could turn back time
to cheer the success with a glass of wine. 
Each moment was like a golden dime
and appreciation made me feel on cloud nine. 

Sometimes I wish I could turn back time
and earn the trust of people who whine.
Each moment was like a golden dime
and I was not afraid to cross the danger line.

Sometimes I wish I could turn back time
and see the cheerful faces along with mine.
Each moment was like a golden dime
but I just faltered near the finishing line.

Sigh!! I do wish to get back that time.

Review: The Redeemers by Suresh Taneja

It's a society which everybody dreams of. It's a future where each and every person wants to enjoy all the riches of the life with minimum hassles. It's a long fight to achieve the dream of a developed nation. But somebody needs to take the first step. Author Suresh Taneja in his debut novel "The Redeemers" talks about the future of India. So whether the future portrayed and painted by the author is a good enough picture or is it a hazy one? Let's find out. 

One bizarre vacation marked a turning point in the lives of four teenage friends. It dawned upon them that corruption and malpractices had become rampant and deeply ingrained in our culture. They felt anguished and shocked at the shameful state of affairs. They pledged to redeem and change the destiny of the country. They had only two weeks of vacation left to take some big initiatives. The pressure on them was immense. Status quo or failure was not an option for them. Read the inspirational story of a unique movement masterminded by youngsters through innovative ideas and creative thinking. Not a single family could escape from its unrelenting onslaught. It was a rewarding outcome for their persistence and hard work, as they nostalgically recall in 2030.

The cover page shows four people celebrating some kind of success. They are rejoicing over something big. The title gives more of a sci-fi feel to it. The blurb talks about the futuristic India. It's about India in 2030. It's not a college love story rather it's an inspirational story as mentioned by the author in the blurb. It's a good blurb but it won't feel connected with the title. 

The story is set in future i.e 2030 where India has transformed into a superpower and is rendering help to U.S as four people recall old times which led to these changes. It's about a gang called G4 which comprises of Yuvika, Akshay, Vikram & Manisha. They have survived the odds to tell the tale to their kids about how India went by all these changes and became a superior nation in comparison to others. It's all discussed on a vacation to U.S. 

The story is the brainchild of careful observations, meticulous working on facts and figures, observing the patterns of people in India and most of all it's about corruption, the corrupt, the scams, administration and it's loopholes. It's been narrated through the eyes of 4 determined children who set out to change the world with a movement which has power, the will and the sacrifice required in order to awaken the youth to take the mantle in their hands and root out the evils which have made the strong foundations of our country weak. It's a story of redemption, pride, honor and respect. It's full of ideas which can very much lay the foundations of a strong nation. The future has been carved out brilliantly by the author. The ideas and the movements have been connected well enough to rattle the brains of the readers. Conversations and one on one interviews with politicians and media are an asset in the book. Characters have been carved out well with respect to the sensitivity of the subject. Media's role has been highlighted well too. 

This book might not suit the taste of the readers because of it's unconventional theme. It's the first  step towards creating awareness among people about their misleading surroundings. Some readers might find the terms G4 & G6 annoying too.   Kolkatta is not the correct spelling. It's Kolkata. 

It's a brilliant attempt by the author towards highlighting the problems of the nation. We can't deny the facts and accusations. He has made us feel we all are part of this system and we all need to work together in order to sustain the democracy we achieved after a long struggle. It's the future whose glimpses can be seen in the book. There's a change coming and it starts from this book: a brilliant mixture of fiction and reality. The message is loud and clear. If you want to be the change get ready to walk on a path of struggle, obstacles and surely one day success will dance on your fingertips.

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5. 

Review: Gay- A Word for Happiness by Naresh Uniyal

Which is the shortest book on the planet in terms of pages and still it had the power to enchant the readers. Every book is probably more than 100 pages and detailing is a must in all the books. Author Naresh Uniyal in his debut book "Gay-A Word for Happiness" has defied all the set standards and published a book in under 70 pages. So are these 70 pages worth reading or it's waste of time and money? Let's check it out. 

Aditya Khanna has the perfect life, working as a software engineer in Delhi and in love with Priya. One night, he meets Rahul, an NRI from the US, who happens to be following him for his safety on the streets of Delhi and eventually they become good friends.
But Aditya’s life changes after Rahul’s entry into his life. Priya starts doubting about his sexual preference. Aditya tries to resist the charms of Rahul before it’s too late. His attempt to avoid Rahul fails all the time and this creates misunderstandings between the couple.
The worst comes for Aditya when Priya leaves him. Let’s find out, will Priya come back in Aditya’s life? What will Rahul do about his feelings for Aditya?

The title is a double meaning concept: one meaning linked to happiness of a person which co incidentally is the tagline of the book too and other a sensitive subject in our country. It's a bright appearance for a book which is a treat for the eyes. The blurb talks about the other side of the Gay where Aditya Khanna is caught on a wrong foot. The blurb is an exciting prospect in respect to the length of the book. 


The story revolves around Aditya Khanna who one night happens to find a gay in the shadows and saves him from deserted situation of the city and ends up on the wrong side when he befriends Rahul. It becomes a headache for him, his love life, his mother, his friend and he becomes the talk of the town because he always is found on the wrong side of the situation. Priya leaves him, Rahul falls in love with him and rest is history. 

There has never ever a story been written in 70 pages with all the humor. It touches both the aspects of the book's title and with an astounding mix of little bit suspense and a completely baffling end for the readers. The situations have been mastered and penned down beautifully. Readers won't be devoid of humors. It's a story to be remembered for it's sensitivity and appeal. The characters like Raghav a friend cum enemy, Priya an innocent girl, Aditya the lead protagonist always at the wrong place on a wrong time & not to forget typical punjabi mother Mrs. Khanna & the gay Rahul who manages to raise some eyebrows while he's on the move are enough to make it a simple yet powerful story. 

The only downside in the story is the editing in the first few pages with a few spelling mistakes. The Pappu Uncle chapter is not at all required in the story. 

The book has turned the tide in its favor and is an amazing concept by the author. It's a must read for all kinds of readers and the way it has been folded up in such less pages. It'll lighten up the mood with is witty conversations and humorous confrontations and the end is an icing on the cake for the readers. It's a book which is light on read and heavy on content. It's balanced to perfection. 

RATINGS: 

4 OUT OF 5.  

Review: Complete/Convenient by Ketan Bhagat

Have you ever heard of unusual stories? Stories which are just written without any purpose or with some purpose. Some of them manage to entertain readers and some of them falter. Author Ketan Bhagat in his debut novel 'Complete/Convenient" has put together an unusual story with many unusual things lined up for the readers. So how much this "unusual" clicks with the readers? Let's find out.  

Complete / Convenient: There Is More To Men Than Bromance depicts a very strange contrast between India and other countries. It talks of developed countries, where the worries of everyday life like the chaotic traffic, the rush to complete work, the suffocating corruption and red tapism are virtually absent. A land where life is simpler, faster and gives one time for other luxuries.
The author explores the plot in the backdrop of the charming story of Kabir. Kabir has earned a promotion with great perseverance and care, one that takes him to Sydney. Kabir and his new wife enjoy the scintillating life Sydney has to offer. Ketan Bhagat describes the beautiful city well and carves the adventures of the lead character in detail. He details how Kabir leads a kingly life punctuated regularly with the relaxing experience of spending time on beaches. Bhagat describes the sweet romance, bitter office issues, and the picturesque landscape that dots the horizon.
The author quite subtly goes into the stage when Kabir starts missing his homeland, its nitty gritties and the slight unease of its crowded streets. Despite all the professional success and the new friends, he cannot let go of the memory of his homeland. Complete / Convenient: There Is More To Men Than Bromance compares the emotions of the NRIs and the Indians who reside in India. He points out the contrast in the way each section leads their life and how they envy each other because of that.

The title itself is unusual. The tagline is a mystery. The cover page depicts few beautiful sights of places around the world. One cannot deduce a just explanation to the title until you are done with the story. The blurb is unusually lengthy and talks about developed countries and it's charms and also about human emotions which are to be experienced through Kabir's eyes. The way it has been put up is also unusual. 

The story starts off from India with love in the air between Kabir & Myra and their careers on high. The respective families are convinced for their wedding and what follows after that is a status shock for both the families. Their altercations, silent snubs, disapprovals, arguments, typical show offs is the flavor of the story until Kabir is posted to Sydney. Then it's all about life in Sydney and his Satyamev stint and the the moral values which he realizes along with time. It's about feeling that love with your parents, never forgetting your responsibility, being patient with your wife and in laws and lots more. It's a family entertainment with some NRI tadka in it. 

It's an unusually long story. It has flavors of Delhi, fun & frolic of two families, their lifestyles, their exchanges and an ever charged up characters like Mama Ji and Kabir's mother. A silent and understanding father in Kabir's dad and Myra's father. A typical show off  and a middle class family problems. Ever nagging relatives, numerous family advises, love of Myra & Kabir and a trip to Sydney and a western culture shock too with some dirty office politics towards the end. In addition to all of this disagreement between Myra & her mother in law, forgotten ties, helpful friends like Ramesh and office commitments and Myra's constant rant about Kabir's ignorance towards her and her hatred towards his mother. It's all been put together in the story. Vishy will play a major role in Kabir's life. It's a fun filled story with humor at few places. A nice little surprise towards the end will lighten up the mood of the readers. 

The book should have been kept shorter by 100 pages approx. It has been dragged too much especially with the office politics and Nadia's character. Too many office parties and too much importance to Parry & Nanak & others has taken the charm away from the story. Sydney part of the story is marred by repetitive things happening and the story is completely out of sorts there. The personal and professional life and the the comparison of lifestyle of two countries has been jumbled up too haphazardly which might confuse the readers.  

Overall it's a good NRI outing story but overstretched too much with office being the central point of the story. Human emotions and values have been handled well in parts towards the end and in the initial chapters of the book. It's an unusual story which might delight a few and might turn off a few. The glimpses of a developed country will look good only up to some pages and then become a burden for the readers. 

It had an unusual potential to do well in terms of the plot but falls flat on expectations. It has a purpose which has not been served well. 

RATINGS: 

2 OUT OF 5. 

Review: Till We Meet Again by Leema Dhar

Unspoken words, shy people, untold moments are part of some love stories. They just have some sense of calm in them. Author Leema Dhar has tried to present a story where unspoken words will overpower the spoken expressions. Sometimes silence is the best tool to convey your feelings. So is this silence in her novel " Till We Meet Again" enough to overcome the senses of readers? Let's find out. 

Suddenly, an arm wrapped my shoulder. I was about to jump off the sink giving a long loud shriek, but he held my mouth with his palm. He tucked my hair behind the ears, gently kissed my forehead brushing his soft lips on the drops of water which Id not dried off. Then kissed me on the cheek again and softly murmured, Its me. The one you were thinking of
Nishi's story begins with a Stolen Kiss. She's quiet, doesn't like to express much. Kunal, the cynic, is also tough minded and an introvert. She has not confessed and doesn't have regrets. She'd touched and felt him. If love is insanity, well an asylum was the place for her, for she is truly and completely insane for his love. Who says your heart should beat when you fall in love?
Come on, get up, go and make promises and fulfill your wildest dreams. Remember, there are a billion out there and one of them is for you. . Run to him, hug and say what your heart feels because lifes too short and theres so little time to unravel your part of mystery.

The title is touchy and the cover page has a beautiful girl standing against a bright sun leaning on a tree with a big hat in her hand. Readers in the first glance won't be able to make out whether the girl is somewhere connected the story or not. It's bit confusing considering her expressions. The blurb is an unusual one which no one might have ever come across. It starts off with a moment experienced by two people and then talk about Nishi and Kunal. It's a good summation for a book. 

The story revolves around Nishi and her unspoken love for Kunal whom she starts loving after a poem is accidentally discovered by her friend Vedika in her lab file. Sparks fly around but Kunal who is an introvert and a shy person never obliges it openly. Nishi goes along with the flow sometimes fooled by his actions and sometimes mesmerized by his gestures and in the end it all comes down to one single moment which brings her life to a standstill. 

The story is like an art movie with a slow pace. The second half has interesting parts in it where family matters are concerned, unity has been shown, emotions are at a high and love is exchanged in certain subtle ways. It's the end which is the soul of the entire story and the epilogue which will choke the readers for a minute or two. The poems are another added attraction in the whole book. 

It takes time to build an entire scenario for love to happen and sparks to fly and the lead protagonists take a back seat in the first half of the story to Vedika & Rishabh's love story. Not enough exchanges are there between Nishi & Kunal. Family has taken too much priority in the story in the second half. Kunal's character is a bit too hazy at times. It doesn't syncs in completely with Nishi's character. 

The author has tried to infuse a new style depicting love where female plays a more dominating part than man but the man gets his due a bit late in the story. If the family melodrama could have been a little less the story wouldn't have gone off track. It's the last few bits which will justify the title and it's meaning. An attempt not so exemplary but has enough in it to connect with the readers for sometime.  The concept is good but the execution lacks intensity. 

RATINGS: 

3 OUT OF 5. 

Review: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie

Since the introduction of Detective Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle the world was waiting for a character equivalent to it to come up in the picture. Agatha Christie had a reply to it by making one of her own. This time it's Detective Hercules Poirot in the Poirot Series and the book is called " The Murder of Roger Ackroyd". So is the newest detective in this genre witty enough to match the calibre of Sherlock Holmes or it's a just a general fiction character? Let's find out. 

Roger Ackroyd knew too much. He knew that the woman he loved had poisoned her brutal first husband. He suspected also that someone had been blackmailing her. Now, tragically, came the news that she had taken her own life with a drug overdose.
But the evening post brought Roger one last fatal scrap of information. Unfortunately, before he could finish the letter, he was stabbed to death…

The cover with a black telephone is a clear sign of something mysterious. The blurb is a mysterious one too. It talks about Roger Ackroyd the man in the picture about whom the story is all about. It gives a complete feel of a mystery story in making. A perfect blurb and a twisted darkened cover is enough to arouse the curiosity of the readers.

The story is is about Roger Ackroyd who knows few facts about Mrs. Ferrers whom he loves a lot and also knows that somebody is blackmailing her but she decides to end her life in order to end this menace and grief stricken Mr. Ackroyd receives an anonymous letter which states the name of the blackmailer but before he could unveil the mystery he dies too. Then comes Dr. Sheppard and the retired famous detective Hercules Poirot who come in the picture and decide to take the case to its end.

The story is an absolute cracker in terms of twists and turns. The no. of suspects in Roger Ackroyd's murder and the the misleading statements of his family members will take the story to a whole new level. Everytime Hercules Poirot will find a trace which will make the story more compelling and confusing. It's unputdownable till the end. The surprise element towards the end is just the perfect setup one needs in a detective fiction novel.

The characters right from Hercules Poirot whose uncanny methods and menacing questioning and calm as a saint with a curious eye to pick up the details are exemplary. Along with the suspicious Parker, the money minded step son and few other family members and the helpful doctor and his chirpy and equally enthusiastic sister about the case will make the story more gripping.

It's devoid of any flaws. It's the advent of Hercules Poirot in the detective fiction scene. It's a story which will fool the readers and then enthrall them at the same time with the minutest details and smooth narration and a surprising end.

RATINGS:

5 OUT OF 5.  

Review: I Loved too much... He loved too Many by Shikha Sharma

Not all love stories have an ideal journey. In fact most of them suffer from some kind of an obstruction at some point of time. Authors around the world always try to highlight this certain break in their books. Author Shikha Sharma in her debut book " I Loved too much.. He loved too many" has also tried to put across the cons of ignoring some important aspects in love. Is she successful in putting it across the readers or not will be answered in the next few paragraphs? 

Love- isn't it something that all of us chase at some points in our lives?
When she said 'I love you', she meant it forever.
When he said 'I love you', even he meant it forever
But is that enough for a happy ending?
But do love stories even end at all?
Love is a four lettered word, but so is lust so how could one find the difference between the two?
How can one know that it is love this time and not just another relationship?
How can someone seek true love at the time when just a minor tiff results in changing of facebook status as 'complicated' or even 'single'?
Join Lavishka and Tanmay in the journey of their quest for love, their fulfillment of desires and their discovery of their inhibited self and unveil the answers. 

The title is impressive and tells you a lot about what's going to be the story in a very precise manner. It's about a person who just gave his/her heart and soul and in return didn't get what was expected. The background shows a boy kissing a girl on her forehead and it gives a lovey dovey kind of a feeling to the readers. The blurb talks about love between two people and then certain aspects which might test the strength of the relationship of two people namely Lavishka & Tanmay. It's a good summation with a lot of questions to be pondered about and once you read it, every piece of this love puzzle will fall in place. 

The story is about Lavishka & Tanmay how they fall in love with each other and then romance is all in the air with all the craziest things they do together in order to strengthen the bonds of their relationship. But why is Lavishka sad and aloof in her present as she pours out her past in front of few people. Why Tanmay suddenly walks way from such a healthy and blossoming relationship and then comes back again after 4 years in order to win her trust back and get Lavishka back in her life? What happens in the end? Does Lavishka accepts Tanmay back or she permanently closes her heart's door towards any such advances? These are the questions that will be answered in the story. 

The story is a flat read. It emphasizes too much on the extravagant lifestyle and the make outs and the sex sessions of Tanmay & Lavishka. The first half of the story explores the materialistic and lustful endeavors of both the protagonists. The second half is marred by the political agendas of our nation which are nowhere in sync with the story. A lot of charm is lost between the materialistic pleasures and political scenarios in the book. The use of expletives is another turn off in the book even describing the good times in the love story. 

The only saving grace in the book is the friendship of Lavishka & her friend Akku. Akku's character has been portrayed to perfection. A small surprise i.e a slight twist towards the end is the only saving grace in the plot which will spice up the story a little bit. 

A title which is not justified anywhere in the story nor in the blurb and too much emphasis on describing the sexual escapades of the protagonists and political agendas of our nation takes the plot in an unknown direction. A lot is left to be desired from the story and it didn't come out good in terms of the expectations. A predictable end to the story will not help the reader's cause.   

RATINGS:

2 OUT OF 5.