Rakhi Jayashankar's Blog, page 83

Review of My elementary life by Amit

Name                -  My elementary lifeAuthor                  - AmitPublisher              - Leadstart PublishingNumber of Pages - 79Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - Paperback Price                     - 160
Buy books from AmazonRating : 4.0

BlurbMy elementary life portrays the vivid facets of life; love, agony, anguish, dreams, depression, cherishing a past, to feel want of, seeking enlightenment & everything else. It is a feat of little imagination, but compassion & taut, and as honest as life is. Uncertain & propulsive.
My Review
My elementary life is a collection of poems that are deep in thought, palpability  and philosophical articulation. Unlike most poems reviewed recently, this collection possess depth, which makes the book stand out.  Most of the poems are free verses but the  poetic musings possess an inherent tune and rhythm. Author proves that a poem can be enchanting even without brimrul of figures of speech.

Most of the poems reflect a sad past inebriated with loss, love, passion  and despair of the poet or a fictional protagonist. Poet tries to gain enlightenment through the protector of the universe. The book definitely possess the power to incite the cerebral pulses. Some are contemplative, some are straight and simple.

I recommend the book to the readers who are looking for a poetry collection which is tangible yet deep.
Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
Amit in this superb poetry collection "My elementary life" blends together the romantic spontaneity and lucidity of style. The subtle power and intense imagination in these poems will certainly appeal to all readers. No doubt, the wealth of imagination and deeply inspired poetic fancy in these poems are quite remarkable.

Review of Scarlet Nights by Mayur Patel

Name                - Scarlet Nights Author                  - Mayur PatelPublisher              - Half Baked BeansNumber of Pages - 240Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - Paperback Price                     - 250Buy books from AmazonRating : 3.5
BlurbSmart, sexy and confident, Malvika Chauhan lives an enviably perfect life in Mumbai. She has a flourishing career, a loving boyfriend and a promising future. Spiteful, fearless and mysterious, Margrita lives on the extreme ends. Self-merriment is the only thing that matters to her. Destiny plays wicked and brings the two women face to face with each other. While Malvika knows nothing about Margrita, Margrita is well-aware of the hidden secrets of Malvika's past. Malvika's life turns sour as she struggles against the insufferable circumstances inflicted upon her by Margrita. It's a situation she cannot escape. If the hidden secrets get disclosed, Malvika will be finished. She will lose every precious thing she has... her career, her prestige, her love... 'Scarlet Nights' is a haunting tale of the unfathomable depths inside the human psyche.
My Review
A voyage through the deeper crevices of mind, Scarlet nights is a Psychological thriller. The plot starts with the life of Malvika Chauhan, who leads a trouble free, exciting and perfect life. Her days become nights and nights full of nightmares when she starts to have blackouts for hours, unable to do what she did in the meanwhile. Only person who could help her is Margarita. Once Malvika meets Margarita, instead of detangling the secrets, her life becomes messier. 

Author has taken great care in maintaining the suspense element throughout the story. Nevertheless, the connection between Malvika and Margarita becomes more or less obvious in the initial chapters itself. The idiosyncrasies of Malvika and the give and take between the two women seems exaggerated in between but author has justified it in the last chapters. Since it is a thriller, I am unable to disclose more. It might end up as a spoiler.
Major complaint I have is about the narration, especially in the initial chapters. While dealing with such serious and deep subjects the narration could have been more regimented. The title Scarlet nights seems perfect in the first half but towards the second half the color Scarlet loses its significance. The cover image is good and reflects the whole mood of the book.
Hardcore Sydney Sheldon lovers might find the book dragging since the book has lot of similarities with 'Tell me your dreams' by the author but lacks pace. Nevertheless in comparison with the thrillers by Indian authors, the book definitely stands out.I recommend the book to all Psychological thriller lovers. 

Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

About the author

Mayur Patel has studied Civil Engineering. He has worked as a civil engineer and an Interior Designer. He was a part of an orchestra as a singer some years back. At present he works in a Newspaper as a sub-editor. 
His first book ‘Vivek and I’ was a work of romance and was published by Penguin Books India. He writes Novels, Short Stories and Columns in Gujarati, too. 
Besides writing, he enjoys a wide variety of activities like reading, gardening, singing, watching movies and playing badminton. Travelling is an addiction which enables him to bring life to his writing. 
The author lives in Valsad, India with his family. He can be contacted at markmayur@gmail.com. 

Review of Mango Chutney by Harsh Snehanshu

Name                - Mango ChutneyAuthor                  - Harsh SnehanshuPublisher              - Rumour BooksNumber of Pages - 224Publishing Year   - 2014Edition                  - Paperback 
Price                     - 125
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Rating : 3.0

Blurb
In the sleepy rural town of Bikramganj, a halwai named Lachhuman recieves a letter from an unseen Lakshmi. A thousand kilometres away in Delhi, a woman waits an eternity for her birth certificate. In the sweltering heat of Chennai, a girl finds solace in her grandfather's shirt. The stakes are high on the Euro rail on its way to Budapest where two Austrians try to trick an Indian woman at a card game. Back home in Vizag, an egg is being poarched to perfection. Mango Chutney, true to its name, is potpourri of quality short-fiction by some of India's finest writers. Compiled and edited by bestselling author, Harsh Snehanshu, these stories, with just the right amount of sugar and tang, shall provoke, tickle and above all, linger your mind
My ReviewMango chutney is a collection of 27 short stories. The stories are one different from the other. Each author has set a bench mark of his own. Unlike other short story collections, I am unable to pick my favourite since all are equally good. Harsh Snehanshu has done a great job in compilation. 
More need not be said about narration since the author are all legends themselves. The title is the highlight of the book. As the name suggests, the stories are a mix of spicy, tangy, salty, sweet, al  the flavours in one. Just like a Mango chutney.
There are very few instances when stories we read haunts us but here each and every story haunts us and we end up having a mix of emotions. Some of the stories could have ended well but I'm not pin pointing them since it did not obliterate the quality.
I recommend the book to all readers who want to have a book worthy of its price
Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
Harsh Snehanshu is Twenty-five but looks older. After graduating from IIT in 2011, he invested a year each on entrepreneurship, pan-India travel, and Young India Fellowship- a prestigious one-year fellowshipin the liberal arts. During 2012-13, he travelled solo across the country on a shoestring budget, sleeping wherever there was space and eating whatever was available, dicovering India and a bit of himself. His fascination for stories and abundence of gray hair are result of this wanderlust and reflection. The author of Because Shit Happened: What Not To Do In A Start-up! and the best selling Kanav-Tanya trilogy, Harsh is a profilic Freelance Writer, having been published in The Caravan, The Hindu, Tehelka along others. Currently an exchange student at Sciences Po, Paris at their School of Urban Affairs, Harsh is working on his forthcoming travel memoir. Mango Chutney is his fifth book.

Review of Cents and Non-Cents by Mohammed Saif

Name                -  Cents and Non-centsAuthor                  - Mohammed SaifPublisher              - Leadstart PublishingNumber of Pages - 264Publishing Year   - 2015Edition                  - Paperback Price                     - 202
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Rating : 3.5

BlurbWhat is the root cause of inflation? For millennia, the waywardness of inflation has vexed economists and financial experts alike yet neither individuals nor nations have succeeded in coming to grips with it. Across the world the common man is bewildered and exasperated by this baffling phenomenon and left holding the short end of the stick. No matter what the remedial measures adopted by experts, Inflation will just not be Tamed. Written by a non-economist in a style readily comprehensible by lay, this book delves into the world of money, commerce, banking and finance to wring out the shocking truth about inflation. These pages will indelibly alter the reader’s perception of money and leave the worlds of banking and economics shaken and stirred.
My Review
Money value falls, inflation  affects Nation's economic security, foreign investment required, RBI changes interest rates etc are bits of news we come across. Very few have taken the pain to know what is happening  and why in detail. Even fewer understand it. We always blame the government for commodity price hike or any price hike for that matter. 
Mohammed Saif, in his book Cents and non-cents addresses the nemesis of inflation in a simpler language enabling the laymen comprehend the issue.
The initial part of the book is about Mirth a mythical land. Authors shows how inhabitants of myth evolved economically from barter system to the present scenario. While the story is interesting as an introduction, towards the second half of the book when the discussion becomes serious, mirth becomes a distraction forcing the reader skip a few pages.
The book is a mix of text book material and a fictional account. Author introduces the terms Break Even Domino Effect, Interest Multiplier Effect, Reverse Robinhood effect etc with the readers. The methodology of narrationis such that any person without any knowledge of accounting and finance can understand the point. Author tries to put forth the fact that interest is an evil and the problems related to inflation can be nullified by an interest free society. While he convincingly put forth his argument, the feasibility of the same is doubtful. 
 Instead of writing a book which looks like a journal, author has presented an easily comprehensive yet informative book.
Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
Mohammed Saiful Islam is a graduate in Pure Sciences. He then studied Chartered Accountancy before taking up a career in banking. His predilection for academic pursuits steered him towards assignments as diverse as Industrial Engineering, Business Management,Information Technology and Enterprise Risk Management. This extensive exposure has added value to this book. Saif has travelled extensively and lived in many places across India. Post-retirement he has taken up writing as a full-time occupation.

REVIEW of Tagged by M.Kaarthika Santosh

Name                - Tagged Author                  - M. Kaarthika SanthoshPublisher              - Half Baked BeansNumber of Pages - 160Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - Paperback Price                     - 150
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Rating : 3.0

BlurbAstute, nimble witted, strong-willed and handsome SaiPrabhu falls head over heels for the gorgeous Preethi Kapoor. What should have been a cakewalk for this girls' heartthrob turns to be a bed of thorns, because the catch is, Sai and Preethi have never met! How Sai approaches the love of his life strategically, despite being a stranger to her is revealed in an interesting and gripping narration filled with lots of twists and turns. Is it even possible in your wildest dreams to impress and woo a girl who neither knows anything about you nor has anything in common with you? Moreover, how to handle these girls who are always beyond guys' understanding? And the ultimate question... Will Sai win the girl who stole his heart?


My ReviewThere has always been high demand for YA Romance in India. If we check the top ten best sellers, at least five of them will be romance, that too teen romance. So, is there a formula for bestselling romance? If there us is one, this book has definitely applied it. Is the story a puppy romance?  Yes. Is it unrealistic? No. Is it filmy? To an extend.

Thankfully the protagonists are matured, settled people instead  of the regular formula of teens, dodging their studies. Another welcoming fact is that boozing, getting stoned and such paraphernalia are not given much importance. Films or not, while falling in love, many tend to get filmy to impress their partner. That way, Sai- protagonist's attitude and actions are justifiable.

The story lacked depth. It's an easy breezy book with vernacular narration. Narrative style could have been switched to third person since the protagonist bragging about oneself saying 'I looked like a super cool dude and my friend looked like he just jumped out of bed' sounded narcissistic. While the blurb is compelling, the cover page could have been better. For a debutante, authoress has done a decent job.

I recommend  the book to the mass of readers who like uncomplicated love stories which could be finished in a day
Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review of violet is the colour of my heart by Jinia Mukherjee

Name                - Violet is the the color of my heart Author                  - Jinia MukherjeePublisher              - Lifi PublicationsNumber of Pages - 156Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - Paperback Price                     - 200
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Rating : 3.5

BlurbIn Violet is the color of my heart, Jinia Mukerjee captures complex human emotions emanating from everyday experiences and relationships. Most of the stories are set against the backdrop of France. They articulate strong diasporic voices, particularly of women and children, their longings for love and acceptance, their emotions and sensitivities around issues of multiculturalism, exile and, ultimately, their resilience. One finds in them impulses that transcend all realms of cultural diversity and at once speak across continents. A keen observer of subtleties in human behaviour, Mukerjee's treatment of her themes is intensely visual, the personality of each of her characters woven in several layers. Her elegant prose infuses humour and emotion into the stories, effortlessly drawing readers into their compelling worlds.


My ReviewViolet is the colour of my heart is a collection of heart melting short stories. The stories are divided into three parts- Canvas, sketches and fresco.Canvas has four stories, one different from the other. The four stories are gems, forcing the reader to hook to the book forever. Sketches has five stories. The five stories are the anecdotes of the life of a mother with two girls with diverse characters. As the name suggests, the stories are a collection of sketches which are funny, and at the same time thought evoking. They portray how the protagonist manages her children during nerve racking situations like getting one's child's hands between hinges, a bead getting into the child's ears, the child trying to jump from the terrace in an attempt to fly etc. Fresco has five highly emotional and tragic stories.

ss possess great talent in her narrative ability. The similes and metaphors used in the stories gives the feel of poetic rendition in the prose. The character build up is done with finesse. My favorite section is Canvas. Authores has painted several emotional realms in the four stories. Love, loss, loneliness, pain, pleasure; several emotions found their way through the reader's hearts. 

The stories are subjective and especially in the last part, filled to the brim with an overdose of tragedy. Towards the end the overall feeling of the stories seemed repetitive. The background of the stories are set mainly in Darjeeling, France, Nice etc, where presumably the authoress hailed, with a collage of culture and lifestyle.

Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author


Jinia Mukerjee’s short stories focus on the unobserved, unexpressed and often unheeded nuances of human emotions and relationships. Born in Kolkata, and trained as a Clinical Psychologist from University of Kolkata and Macquarie University, Sydney, Australia, she was involved in the rehabilitation of mentally disadvantaged women in India, after which she worked as a Research Clinical Psychologist in Australia.
In the south of France, where she lives for the past 14 years, Jinia has worked as a psychotherapist, a lecturer in organisational behaviour in business schools, and is currently pursuing a doctoral fellowship in Management Science. Jinia’s short fictions and poetries have been published in Sahitya Academy’s journal Indian Literature, The Statesman’s festival and weekly editions, while her mental health awareness-raising articles have been published in magazines in France and Australia.
Jinia has also co-authored an award-winning Italian book on the politics, aesthetics and the semiotics of the female body that was critically acclaimed and prominently featured in Elle.

Review of What I didn't expect when I was expecting Tina Trikha

Name                -What I didn't expect when I was expecting 

Author                  - Trina Trikha
Publisher              - Rupa Publications
Number of Pages - 186
Publishing Year   - 2016
Edition                  - Paperback 
Price                     - 175
Buy books from Amazon,  Flipkart Rating : 5.0
BlurbAs a career-driven professional, things were fairly organized and predictable in this woman’s life—that is, until she became a mother. What I Didn’t Expect When I Was Expecting chronicles a mom’s tempestuous journey, as she raises three children, moves continents and handles the demands of a high-pressure job. 
What follow are rollicking anecdotes—of a mother, teetering on the brink of sleep-deprivation-induced-delirium, picking up new survival skills. These include strengthening her reflexes to dodge food projectiles; learning the art of controlling weak bladder muscles; and remaining sober during children’s birthday parties. Along the way, we’re also witness to her comical (albeit failed) attempts at becoming a ‘tiger mom’! What I Didn’t Expect When I Was Expecting highlights a mother’s struggle as she strives to strike a balance between her children and her career by ‘leaning in’ without toppling over.
My Review'Motherhood is the most blissful and happiest experience.' Whoever said this would not have a child of their own. While it's an undeniable fact the no other experience can replace parenthood albeit the bliss is accompanied by several nightmares. While a first time dad/mom gets themselves ready for the parenthood, they might not have the faintest idea that what they expected was quite different from what they experienced in reality. 'What I didn't expect when I was expecting' is the real life experience of a mother of not one, not two but three.

Every chapter can be easily related. The matter of the book is similar to 'I made a booboo' by Shivangi Sharma but still I would like to count this as a separate book. The main difference is that the book gives an account of what happens when kids grow up and also deal with their siblings. This one is the most entertaining among the parenting series but is low on the informative side. As a mother of three myself, I could relate to every incident in the book. The book is a reality check for the wannabe moms. While portraying the terror of handling your kids, authoress simultaneously portrayed the content one feels when we start loving someone unconditionally. 

Authoress did not make any attempt to portray herself as a patient mom who exclusively  mollycoddles their kids, no matter what they did. Tina is a representative of the mass of moms including me, who feels jealous when their kids are more attached to anyone but them, and could not keep themselves from yelling at the naughty sweeties. After all the yelling and screaming like an ogre, they end up feeling the pang of guilt. This is just so real. The anecdote on teen handling is priceless.

The cover image is the most attractive feature. The image of three hellions making the house upside down while their parents come flying on a skateboard is stupendous. One would jump to grab a copy of the book on seeing just the cover. A perfect blurb adds cherry to the cake.

As with every parenting book, this is also targeted mainly at the parents and wannabe parents. But I would recommend the book to children especially teenagers to know your parents better.
Reviewed for the publisher
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
Tina Trikha is a mother of three school-going children. She has lived and worked in India, Hong Kong and the United States and presently calls Mumbai her home. She holds degrees from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the Wharton School of Business and finds those particularly useful when trying to teach multiplication to her children.

Review of the youngster who became a spy

Name                -The youngster who became a spy 

Author                  - Sanjay B Tari

Publisher              - Leadstart Publishing

Number of Pages - 195

Publishing Year   - 2016
Edition                  - Paperback 

Price                     - 199
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Rating : 3.0
Blurb
The book is a thriller, set in the 3rd and 4th Century AD, about a youngster who navigates his way through to the upper echelons of the state's administration through determination. The newly acquired territory of Kaunse, in the ancient kingdom is at the crossroads of conspiracy. Deepo, a dynamic youngster, who is a typical citizen, rises to the occasion of spying for his beloved kingdom. His effort, skill, dedication, and an uncanny ability to survive and thrive in the utmost inhospitable conditions, save the kingdom from disaster on more than two occasions. The visionary emperor alters the way of thinking of the common man and in the process enriches the entire administrative machinery. The spy, the emperor, or his advisors are unaware about the threats to their kingdom. A certain turn of events over a period, causes uneasiness within the empire. A thrilling training of spies, their tests, a meticulously planned intelligence operation, and chase, and finally the search of the unknown follows.

My ReviewWriting a historical fiction requires a lot of hard work, research and precision. A historical fictional thriller is even more difficult since author has to maintain the suspense while going with the timeline and happenings then.

The youngster who became a spy is such an attempt. Author has tried to club the history with fiction while maintaining the suspense. The first half of the story is about how the protagonist- Deepo becomes the king's trustee. Despite the historical background, author failed to bring forth precision in the narration demographically and chronologically. A lot of sequences where in Deepo's family sit together for tete-a-tete seems like a filler, which oozes out the flavour of the genre itself. Neither history nor suspense helps the reader cling to the first half of the book.
Nevertheless, the author got the grip of the story towards the second half. Deepo's venture as a spy is interesting and gripping. Author could incite anxiety in the readers towards the ends of the story. 
Major let down of the story is narration. The book is recommended for the readers searching for a simple and easy read especially  early teens.
Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author
 Sanjay B. Tari, after having completed his B.Com and ACA, now works as a Finance Controller at Sharq Investment Company, Kuwait. The author has interest in reading historical books, biographies, autobiographies, philosophical books and fictions. He is also interested in watching different forms of art performances. Writing is an important medium through which one can at a certain level influence the society around. Although fictional, the stories are a source of inspirations for youngsters and/or administrations and the subjects they handle. This subtle message, and inspiring various people and institutions for the benefit of the society as a whole inspired the author to write. He has contributed articles to the, ‘The Chartered Accountant Journal’ and ‘Newsletter of the MMK (Maharashtra Mandal)’. ‘The Youngster who became a Spy’ is his debut novel.

Review of My last love story by Falguni Kothari

Book Name         - My last love story
Author                  - Falguni Kothari
Publisher              - Read out Loud
Number of Pages - 294
Publishing Year   - 2016
Edition                  - Paperback
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Rating : 4.5

Blurb


I, Simeen Desai, am tired of making lemonade with the lemons life has handed me. 

Love is meant to heal wounds. 
Love was meant to make my world sparkle and spin. 
Love has ripped my life apart and shattered my soul. 

I love my husband, and he loves me. 
But Nirvaan is dying. 
I love my husband. I want to make him happy. 
But he is asking for the impossible. 

I don’t want a baby. 
I don’t want to make nice with Zayaan. 
I don’t want another chance at another love story. 


***WARNING*** 
Weepers, keep tissues handy.
My Review

Delving into the deepest emotional strings of a reader’s heart is an art. Falguni Kothari proved that she has mastered the act through her book My Last Story. From soul warrior to My last loves story, there is a huge variation in the genre as well as narration. The story revolves around three best friends Simeen, Nirvaan, and Zayaan collectively called awesome threesome. Simeen, who had been madly in love with Zayaan ends up being Nirvaan’s wife. But, nothing changes the formula of friendship between them. How did it happen is something needs to be seen through the story. Good things always come with an expiry date. Her beautiful relation with Nirvaan gets affected when the news of his Brain Tumor reaches them. Dying Nirvaan make it more difficult for Simeen with his Titanic Wishlist.A tragic yet happy story is a highly emotional drama. It would be difficult for anyone with a spouse or lover, or a loving heart to hold one’s tears. It would not be a exaggeration if she is called Indian Nicholas Sparks. The title of the story could have been different though. When I saw the title, I was expecting a filmy puppy love story but was surprised with the depth of the relations.The story challenges the rotten quasi-morality. Read the story with an open heart and you will thank yourself for grabbing the book. With an exemplary narration, better editing, attractive cover and strong based story line, authoress came out in flying colors. Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author Falguni Kothari is a New York-based hybrid author, and an amateur Latin and Ballroom dance silver medalist with a semi-professional background in Indian Classical dance. She writes in a variety of genres sewn together by the colorful and cultural threads of her South Asian heritage and expat experiences. When not writing or dancing, she fools around on all manner of social media and loves to connect with readers.
My Last Love Story is her fourth novel.

Review of Divine Sonnnets by Santanu Halder

Name         -Divine Sonnets and other poemsAuthor                  - Santanu HalderNumber of Pages - 74Publishing Year   - 2016Edition                  - Paperback Price                     - 170

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Rating : 3.5

Blurb
Divine Sonnets and Other Poems is my second anthology of poems which record my humble attempt to voyage into an enlightened land of spirituality where shines brightly the divine light of God. In the first part of these poems I sincerely endeavoured to capture those celestial glimpses through my simple humble hymns to the Almighty. I do not know how much I become successful, (Do I need it at all?) but yes! I tried to connect with Him. Herein lies the path that will lead me to self-purification, self-rectification. Actually these honest poetic utterances of mine act as a kind of vehicle through which I can free my soul and let it fly towards the divine direction
My Review

Heartfelt words flowing through the soul of a writer are always an edifying experience for the reader. Divine sonnets and other poems are a collection of musical extract of words. The poems are divided into there sections. First section is a collection of divine poems. Poet’s piousness is depicted in this section. The sonnets are not mere 14 line poems. Poet successfully imbibed enchanting rhymes in the sonnets. Though written in simple words, author’s prayers will surely reach the readers. Poet finds god in everything around him. ‘Dawn’ and ‘celestial light’ are my favorite in this section.Second section is a collection of love poems. Though rich in love and passion, the poems are more like teen love poems. Nevertheless, ‘There is no remedy for love’ and ‘Poem to my better half on Valentine’s day’ shows the warmth and depth of emotions.The third section named other poems is my favorite. Each poem in this section is different from the other and provides a cryptic bliss of words to the readers. ‘Village Sreepally’ and ‘River of life’ are dedication to the land where the poet was born and his soul resides. ‘My poetic word as weapon’ , ‘Life goes on’ and ‘Fisherman’ are my favorite in this section.

Reviewed for the publisherDisclosure of Material Connection: I received this book as a complimentary copy in exchange for a honest review. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
About the author

Born and brought up in Bongaon, a tiny terminal town, 75 kms away from the City of Joy, Kolkata, Santanu Halder is a bilingual poet, teacher, editor, translator, interviewer, critic, and an award winning citizen journalist(merinews). He lives besides the bank of river Ichhamati, a trans-boundary river which flows through India and Bangladesh and also forms the boundary between the two countries. The gentle flow of Ichhamati allures him to unleash his poetic wings. He is a lifetime member of the Guild of Indian English Writers Editors and Critics and the founder editor of Ichhamati Review and Student's English World monthly international Print Magazine. His poems have found a place in several national and International journals like Episteme, The Criterion, Contemporary Vibes, Writers Editors Critics, UK Poetry Library (UK), Brain Wrixon Books (Canada), and Our Poetry Corner (UK). His poems also got high recommendation in Destiny Poets UK (an International Community of Poets). He has attended seminars and poetry festivals and read his poems in the different parts of our country. His maiden poetry book "Bonsaied Rhapsodies" was published in 2013 and had been reviewed extensively.