Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 19

When Love Came Calling by Preeti Shenoy- Review

Does it take time to love someone?
Does it take time to know someone?
Does staying together for a while connect you forever?
Does distance for a while separate you forever?
Can our family be mean to us and simultaneously love us?

"When love came calling" by Preeti Shenoy ends with these four questions popping up in the reader's mind. It is the tale of Aarush and Puja. Aarush, born and brought up in the UK, and Puja, born and brought up in Kerala, India, have the least chances to meet but yet they met in the remote woods of Wayanad. Their attraction towards each other is immediate. The impulsive Puja and systematic Aarush falls for each other madly, helplessly. An unfortunate incident brings there farther physically and closer romantically. Puja is ready to go to any extent to be with Aarush. Is Aarush ready?
The first half of the book is a tad disappointing as the fast development of the relationship was not convincingly depicted. The development of the connection was abrupt. But the author has justified this approach with the second half of the book. 

What all questions the reader has while reading the first half is answered in the second half.

While the readers would be disappointed to see the author going to the same league of the quintessential romance authors, she hits back with the classic Preeti Shenoy style in the second half. Perspective is the USP of the book. The plot and the characters travel with perspectives.
The narration is also the classic Preeti Style by giving the first person narrative of different characters in different chapters.
The book could definitely have been better considering the fact that it is from the author of Life is What You Make It and Wake Up Life is Calling.

The Self Help Bookie Wook by Deepak Kaul Book Review

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Can a book entice and repulse you simultaneously?

We live in a digital era. Social media has invaded our lives and privacy so much so that we have not real relations left. It is the tale of every millenial, or 90's kid who tries to keep up with the current surge of the virtual paraphernalia.

The Self Help Bookie Wook, By Deepak Kaul calls out meaninglessness of the social media pretence. Right from getting affected by someone's comment in a Whatsapp Chat, getting frustrated with the failed relations in Dating Apps, to the Corporate Politics, author deals with everything that could possible affect our lives of late. The fact that the book gets the reader engrossed in it, with its candour is undebatable but the fact that the author tries to impose his predilection towards the ' pseudo morality' cannot be ignored either.

Author's questions about the baselessness and lack of depth of social media realtions hit the bulls eye. The second half of the book is dedicated the mass of employees who are entagled in the corporate jugglery. Author gives some upright ideas which could be effective if implemented in the right dimension.

BUT WHAT WENT WRONG?

Author's perspective abour, love, sex, and relations are skewed or stuck in a yester century. The rest of the review would be in first person as this is a subject which varies for different individuals. We cannot generalise. The same generalisation is what rubbed me the wrong way. He says it is impossible to love only a single person in their life. WRONG. Those who have interacted with me in any point of my life would know that I have never been attracted to ANY MAN other than the one I fell in love with. Yes it is possible!

Author has taken an example from Lust stories to indicate the ideal visual to masturbate with! Watching porn is like pouring acid in your brain! And he says that sex toys are a big NO! Dating apps are a plague in the current scenario. Author vehemently criticises the ones who follow Priyanka Chopra and Priya warrier. He compares earting meat to murder. AREN'T THESE A CHOICE? If someone wants to indulge in any of these, why don't they? Didn't men/women get cheated and abused in relations outside dating apps? Isn't watching porn better than trying it out forcibly over another woman?

I get the author's point here that the current generation has wavered from the real focus in their life due to all these. There is a tendency to compare one's own life with the projected lives of the social media stars. But predilection towards " everything is good in the old generation" ideology could be avoided, especially since the book is good overall.

Barring a part of the first chapter with these skewed ideas, the book deserves a 5 star. Special mention to the idea of 'running in the open without shoes'. That is something we all should try out. Author has given me several ideas which I will be implementing in future but yes, I am disappointed with the judgemental attitude shown in some areals.

MY VERDICT

A MIXED BAG. FILTER SOME AND TAKE THE REST. DON'T APPROACH IT AS A SELF HELP BOOK

In the Land of Lovers - By Sakoon Singh- Book Review

'From the land of lovers' - the name indicates that it is a love story. It wouldn't be a lie to term this as a love story but it is not an out and out love story. The love in the story travels between the alleys of pain, history, partition, losses and an impeccable piece of literature. 

Meditative, rooted in location yet filtered through nostalgia, in the land of the lovers is a masterfully woven fable with interlocking tales that explore struggle, loss, longing and love with brilliant insight and luminous prose.

The book is primarily literary fiction. The plot can be narrated in a single line- Nanaki, who lost her parents at a young age, was brought up by her grandparents who had to flee during partition. She studies, grows up to be an artist, meets Himmat, falls in love and they together fight the double standards in the beaurocracy. The plot is as simple but he author author has woven a complete book , page by page with literary finesse.The characters come out live in front of the readers with their isiosyncrasies so real that ther readers would be engrossed in their meaningless actions.
Every instance is depicted with the imagery that holds the reader to the words that flow out. It is not an easy read. If someone approaches the book lightly, just to go through the plot, it would be a disappointing piece. The book is celarly targeting the readers who are specific about the literary value of what they read. 
The life of Nanaki's grandparents during the lockdown has been picked out of reality without losing the crux. The horror of partition has been depicted without losing the authenticity but the same has been acconplished alongside the details of the personal life of her Nanaji and Beeji. The realationship between Nanaki and Himmat was not given ample space to develop. Their fight againt the rotten beaurocracy was also subdued under the imagery of what is happening around them. The book could have been lengthier with a much developed romance.
My Verdict:

We have heard about prose poetry. But I would say that this book is poetic prose. It took me two weeks to read this 232 page long book as I used, read and re-read the same page over and over.

The Machine is Learning by Tanuj Solanki - Review

Globalization and mechanization have changed the lives of people forever. Through a low process, the machines have replaced human beings in different walks of life. We rarely do we know the process behind the transformation.

The Theme

The machine is learning depicts the introduction of AI in the entry-level job of an insurance company. The readers are enlightened with the nitty-gritty of insurance firms through the first-person narration of Saransh. The author has deftly portrayed as to how the customers who approach the firm to surrender the policies are maneuvered into withdrawing the application without stepping on their toes.

The Plot

The first quarter of the book is exclusively reserved for the detailed account of the insurance companies, which in turn makes the book monotonous and gives the impression of a non-fiction book.

Further, the readers are introduced to the personal life of Saransh. He meets Jyoti through a dating App. Their clash in ideologies makes further plot interesting. Jyoti's disapproval about the introduction of new technology takes it to the next level.

Characters

The author has taken care in giving ample space into character development, without explicitly citing the idiosyncrasies. Each character has an individuality and the author has dealt with them without prejudice.

Summary

The book is a brutally honest account of the clandestine affairs of the insurance companies and corporate firms at large. It is recommended to everyone who wants a fictional adaptation of corporate reality.

Finding Your Seat At The Table By Tebogo Mofokeng

 

Having a job is the ultimate aim for the majority of the students. Most of the hem would be focused on what they need but very few know how to. Author Teboho Mofokeng lays out a detailed and systematic way of approaching your career. Right from creating a career roadmap to every step in developing your career, you can get everything in this book.

The author has brought up several neglected aspects of career development. For instance- The importance of reskilling. Often people ignore the importance of reskilling after being employed in a well-paying job. But a decade or so later, the skill set will get obsolete and that's when they realize that their services are no longer necessary and need to learn more. Mostly it would be too late by then.

Blurb Says: Finding your seat at the requires that you play to your strengths and build on the skills required to lead and inspire change once you are at the table.

The author points out the four Ps that are imperative in improving your career. 

1. Positive

2. Personal

3. Possible

4. Prioritized.

The author points out the importance of SMART goals. SMART is an acronym. The details about the same are given in the book. Author discourses the further aspects like happiness in your career.

Career is not about just working on yourself. Furthermore, in the advanced stages of your career, you need to have a team that works. Subsequently, the author lays out the qualities of a leader. 

 Summarily, the author gives you a checklist and pointer to look at from the beginning of your career through retirement. Having this book will surely help you out in situations of dilemma.

The book is recommended to everyone who wants to build a career, who has started a career, and who is at the senior level of the career.

Ready for the world- Charmeljun Gallardo Review Book 39

YA fiction is a genre that is generally wrapped up in less than 200 pages and get done with. The notion is that young adults aka teenagers would not care to read more and in-depth. But often our teenagers have proved us wrong with their choice of books and the size of the same. Ready for the world series is a different approach from the prejudistic version as the book is a series.

All that Brandon Delacruz wants is a chance. A chance to drive, a chance to be one of the cool kids, and a chance at a girlfriend before he starts the 10th grade.

Ready for the world is a series clearly for teenagers. Brandon qualified himself to drive a car but his first attempt itself proves to be a disaster, that he is prohibited from driving the car. Nonetheless, he manages to be outside with his friend Josh and meets Ally. A brief moment with Ally has an unprecedented and undeniable impact on his heart. While he nurtures his romantic desire with Ally, a tragic incident shocks him. Will he continue meeting her after the incident? How will the relationship proceed?

The plot, subplots, and characters give the sign that the author is invariably targeting early teens. Brandon's foray into the new world will surely excite the teenagers. The anecdotes of Brandon's trips with Josh could incite the nostalgia in the grown ups. The dialogues are lively and the characters are crafted effortlessly.

Nonetheless, the plot as such is too light and unilateral. It could be lightly read over a coffee but doesn't contribute much into the perspective of the readers. I loved how Brandon's family has come through. The respect for each other and Brandon sneaking out and later telling them the truth is remarkably close to reality. Kids will lie to their parents no matter what but if they are forced by their conscience to tell the truth at least later on, it is a good message to the readers.

The book is recommended to the readers who don't want to stress themselves with complicated plots and unnecessary melodrama.

Lockdown Kaleidoscope by Samata Dey

To encourage the talent of little kids needs a good heart and selfless talent. Samata Dey, through her blog IndiaCafe conducted a short story/ poetry competition for little kids. She has collated them and published a book.
Thus came Lockdown Kaleidoscope.
The talent of little kids is incredible. Readers get to see some breathtaking pieces of literature. The perspective these kids have at such a young age,surprised me.

The effort taken in collecting them and professionally putting them together is commendable. The professional look itself is the highlight of the book.
While we are miffed about the poor editing of many so called best sellers, the editor of this book has nailed it.
Overall it is a collection of cute and some matured pieces of literature by the little writers .

Ready for the world- Spotlight

About The Book Series

Ready For The World - Driver’s Education:
All Brandon Delacruz is asking out of his young life is popularity, riches, and the girl of his dreams. But what he does have are good grades, a ten-speed bicycle, and his two lifelong friends, Josh and Ally, at his side. And together, they’ll navigate their way through the rigors of high school life.
But unlike high school, real life doesn’t come with study guides. Brandon realizes that the girl he’s always dreamed about has been there all along. And as he untangles his feelings for Ally, something tragic happens to her family that changes everything. Now, Brandon will spend the rest of the year balancing his romantic feelings for Ally and his life-long friendship with her while also dealing with tough teachers, classes, and toughest of all, meeting the Filipino parental standards.
Brandon will learn that the world moves pretty fast, whether he’s ready or not.
Ready For The World – Superstar:
He has the girl, the grades, and now, a calling. Brandon Delacruz is going to write the next great novel and he isn’t even sixteen yet. It looks like 1987 is going to be his best year ever.
But his best year quickly turns into his most confusing. Because instead of one special girl in his life, there are two. There’s Ally, his childhood friend, and first love who has turned into the biggest enigma in his life. And then there’s Rachel, a brash and beautiful girl that’s as good a photographer as she is a pool player.
Brandon will learn that life can’t be easily rewritten or edited like a novel. But like mystery novels, things in life aren’t always what they seem. Like comedic books, life is often funny and hilarious. And like the best love stories, life has its share of twists and turns, ups and downs, that are filled with beauty, grace, and sometimes heartbreak.
Purchase Links
Ready For The World: Driver’s Education

Amazon India | AmazonUSA

Ready For The World: Superstar

Amazon India | AmazonUSA

Book Excerpt from Ready For The World: Superstar

The rat-a-tat-tat of my typewriter was as soothing as waves crashing on the beach. Every keystroke meant another letter, word, or sentence on the page. Every whoosh of the rollers meant another layer added to what I called The Leaning Tower of Paper. Hey, it‘s a working title. My ideas flowed so fast I should‘ve had a radar gun on me. I was in, what athletes like to call, The Zone.

It was in early January 1987 when I realized that it was my destiny to be a writer. I was good at it, I liked doing it, and when I wasn’t writing, I found myself thinking about it. Taking hold of your destiny when you‘re six months shy of your sixteenth birthday is no easy task. For one thing, you have school five days a week with homework assignments every night. If you play a sport, belong in a club, or play an instrument, then that takes up more of your time. When you finally do get home, your Mom and Dad hand you a long list of chores. It‘s not like when you‘re an adult and you have way more time to fulfill your destiny. It‘s way harder when you‘re a teenager.

The rain fell like Niagara Falls outside. Jacob worried that at any minute the giant window would shatter and send shards all over his room. The leaves on the giant oak tree in his yard that hadn‘t fallen in the downpour blew away in the howling wind. His unlucky neighbors caught in the rainstorm scurried for shelter. Their makeshift umbrellas of magazines and newspapers dissolved away in their hands. Jacob‘s ears perked up as thunder echoed in the distance.

Jacob imagined Lindsay‘s car pulling up to her darkened driveway. He would grab his coat and step outside. He‘d hurdle the chain-link fence surrounding his yard. Lindsay would be there waiting for him, flashing that brilliant smile of hers that he knew so well. He imagined walking up to her, standing face to face, with each of them feeling the heat of each other‘s breath…

Of course, that was when my phone rang and I dropped out of The Zone. Normally, I would have pulled the phone out of the wall. But after a quick glance at the clock, I picked up the receiver before the first ring even finished. “Right on time,“ I said.

“How‘d you know it was me?“ Ally asked.

“Because you are nothing if not punctual.“

“Am I that predictable?“

“I prefer to say reliable,“ I said. “It makes you sound more put together.“

Ally and I talked on the phone every night at the same time since she left for vacation. Our, I guess I‘d call it a relationship, had moved along great. Better than great. We weren‘t having those awkward pauses and silences like other people did. We talked like we always did: about the Lakers, about neither of us being ready to go back to school, and about life.

She cleared her throat. “How‘s the book coming along?“

I banged my elbow against the typewriter and the “Z“ key popped off. “Hold on,“ I said as I grabbed the Super Glue. “I‘m listening, I swear.“

“You sound busy,“ she said.

I held the phone with my shoulder and tried not to glue it there. “No, no. Tell me about your vacation. How‘s the weather? Did you go skiing?“

“Cold,“ she said. “And no, I‘m not up for it.“

“Why? Did you break your leg or something?“ I laughed. When she was silent on her end, I tossed the glue down. “Oh God, did you break your leg or something?“

Ally let out a soft chuckle. “No, I‘m packing for home.“

“Cutting the trip short?“

“My dad has some things to do here and Vince wanted to get a little more skiing in,“ she said. “It‘ll just be me.“

A drop of sweat fell onto my glasses. “So, you‘re coming home...by yourself?“

“Uh-huh.“

I cleared my throat. “Um...when?“

“Wednesday,“ she said.

I dug through my hamper for my best dress shirt and saw the giant smear of mustard across the front. “I can pick you up at the airport. I mean, if you want.“

“I couldn‘t ask you to do that,“ she said. “I can just catch the bus home or take a taxi...“

“Ally,” I said. “I’d be happy to help. Don’t worry about it.” I scrambled for a blank sheet that I wasn‘t going to turn into a paper airplane. “What time is your flight?“

“Five o‘clock.“

“Airline?“

“TWA. Flight 1789.“

“Got it,“ I underlined the flight info and circled it twice. “Why are you coming home so early? I mean, I‘m happy you are, but I was curious.“

It was silent on her end. “I want to see you.”

A church choir belted out the “Hallelujah“ chorus in my head. “You do?“

“Yes,“ she said.

“Wow,“ I said. I strummed my fingers on the typewriter as my mind raced with images of Ally in a slinky red dress. “I… I guess I‘ll see you soon.“ I winced as I heard the crack in my voice.

“Brandon?“

“Yeah?“

The line crackled and hummed. “Nothing,“ she said. “I‘ll see you Wednesday.“

“See you then,“ I said. We said our goodbyes and hung up. I felt my heartbeat thumping in my ears. Did I actually hear what I heard?

*****

“She actually said that?“ Josh asked. “Alyson Paige McCartney actually told you, Brandon Jo-Jo Delacruz...“

“That‘s not my middle name,“ I interrupted.

“‘I want to see you,’“ he said. “She used those exact words.“

“Yes,“ I said as I tried not to have the biggest smile on my face. But in my head, I was bouncing up and down like a pogo stick.

Josh smiled. “You realize what this means, don‘t you? You need to step it up.”

“Totally step it up,“ Robbie said.

I took off my hat and scratched my head. “Step up what?“

“My God, do you brush your hair with a fork?“ Robbie asked.

I quickly put my hat back on. “Is it really that bad?”

He bridged his fingers and held them in front of his face. “Brandon, you‘re a six and a half or a seven on your best day. But Ally‘s tall, gorgeous, athletic, and has that half-Filipino, half-white complexion. She‘s like, a ten. You are way, way out of your league here. If you want to be with an angel, you gotta learn how to fly.“

“Hold on a second, if I‘m a seven...“

“Six and a half,“ he said as he stared at my head. “Remind me to give you my hairdresser’s business card later.”

“If I‘m a seven, then what are you?“

“Hey! I‘m not saying that I‘m perfect! I‘m like an eight...and a half.“

“Out of what?“ I asked. “A hundred?“

Josh put his hand on my shoulder and squeezed. “You know you and Ally are my best friends in the world, right? I‘m pulling for you two crazy kids. So believe me when I say this: if you want this to be the best night of your life, do not, under any circumstances, be yourself.“

“Excuse me?“ I asked.

“He‘s right,“ Robbie said.

“You have to be an even better version of yourself,“ Josh said. “A version that Ally‘s never seen. You want her to think of you as a man and not the kid from down the block. You gotta look the part, sound the part, and hell, you gotta smellthe part!“

“Get a bottle of Polo Cologne. Or Drakkar. And for God‘s sake, no Old Spice,“ Robbie said as he flapped his tie at me. “You should come by my store. Our coats are 25% off. With my 20% discount, that‘s like 45%!“

“I see that math tutor you got has done wonders for you,“ I said.

“Look, B,“ Josh said. “We‘re not asking you to change everything.“

“Just the things that matter,“ Robbie said. “Your hair, clothes, and personality.“

Clearly, their idea of pep talk was tossing a drowning man an anchor. But I guess wearing a sweatshirt with coffee stains doesn’t make the best of impressions. “Fine,“ I said. “What do you idiots have in mind?“

About the Author

Charmeljun Gallardo is a former Radiologist and author. His first book is Ready for the World young adult book series. He graduated from San Francisco State University with a Creative Writing degree in 1996. He is a writer, photography enthusiast, sports fan, movie geek, stroke survivor, and an adventurous foodie. He lives in San Diego, California with his wife and son.

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Chimera Retribution by Abhinav Singh - Book Review

The dystopian novels have been proven right these days. Whatsoever be the conspiracy behind it, we should. give it to the author for writing a piece that came true word by word. Chimera Retribution is surely one such craft.
A team that indulges in Archeological research discover a sarcophagus of a humanoid. The reality behind the creature will disengage the basis of human evolution that we have been learning so far. The precise moment of this discovery witnesses the attack of the team of which only Vishakha is spared. Vishaka, the special woman, is chased but something magical about her, keeps protecting the girl. Further the reader see a thrilling, suspenseful plot which surely give adrenalin rush to the readers.
The author has weaved an incredible piece of literature around the scientific facts. For instance, Entropy-simply put- the tendency of matter to remain in disorder, debunks the evolution theory because as per entropy, human beings cannot get into a state of order post the big bang without an external force.
Such brilliant and riveting facts are substantiated without boring the reader as the pace of the plot is maintained throughout. Nonetheless, there is a drop in the place towards the second half of the book but fortunately it gains back the momentum after a couple of pages. The length of the book could have been reduced to avoid this.
Author's bravado in calling out some of the religious illusion is debatable. The acceptance of the same depends on the perspective of the readers. The book cover could have been better. Though the image of the serpent like being goes with the theme of the book, the background deserves more detailing.
Overall it is recommended to all mystery, thriller, Sci fi lovers.

THE HEART ASKS PLEASURE FIRST by Karuna Ezara Parikh: Cover Reveal

THE HEART ASKS PLEASURE FIRST by Karuna Ezara Parikh: Cover Reveal

An extraordinary tale of love in a world being torn asunder.

It is 2001 and Daya and Aaftab have just met in a park in Cardiff. She is studying ballet and he is practising in a law firm. She falls madly in love. He does, but he also cannot, because he is Muslim and there are certain rules.

Set in a world of students, Karuna Ezara Parikh sets up a dazzling framework of impossible, forbidden love, difficult joyous friendship, as she delves into migration, Islamophobia and jihad in the wake of a cataclysmic terror event that will have dangerous ramifications the world over.

Brilliantly crafted, this magical first novel reveals with great power and grace both the agony and the ecstasy of being human.