Namita Das's Blog, page 74

Murder At Daisy Apartments by Shabnam Minwalla

After a long time, I picked up a YA novel to read. Honestly, I was a bit disappointed and bored at the start. It was slow and seemed a lot like a lockdown saga. The murder happens after 45% of the book is done.
The only part I liked in the initial half was the buildup of Baman’s character, who knew the dirty secrets of all the residents.

Later on, the story catches speed. Nandini, the 15-year-old protagonist who is also a great observer, has noted some threads to the Baman Marker murder case. Her sound thinking helps her solve it, and you would be shocked to find out who the murderer is.

The writing style is simple and engaging. Quickly go through the first half. The second half is where the real drama is; trust me, you won’t be disappointed.

Available on Amazon Kindle Edition and Paperback.

Escape Routes by Aparna Das Sadhukhan

Eight stories, each offers a distinct flavour that will leave you wanting more.

The stories are so well-written that they instantly connect with you. I am sure as you read, at least one of the stories or characters will make you feel, “This is me.” Being a Bengali, I could relate to many of the characters as if I had personally known them.

It is a short and breezy read. Do give it a try.

Available on Amazon Kindle Edition.

Chandrakanta by Babu Devkinandan Khatri (Author), Deepti L. Sharma (Translator)

This is an exciting translation of the classic fiction – Chandrakanta. Readers who cannot enjoy the original because of language barrier should undoubtedly try this translated version.

All my childhood memories are afresh now. I remember watching this famous show on TV along with my family. As I read the book, I could recall moments like Kroorsingh’s Aykoo or my mother’s intense dislike for Virendrasingh for multiple reasons, one that he gives up quickly fainting every time and also for his attraction towards Bankanya. I also googled the cast pictures because I was so much in love with the lead character Shikha Swaroop back then and still am. Also, while doing so, I realised one of my favourite actors Late Irfan Khan, had played the role of Badrinath.

I am so glad I read this book.

Available on Amazon Kindle Edition.

Bitter Sweet Coffee by Shefali Arora

Love can make you do things you never even thought of.

Similar was the case with Abhimanyu, aka Abby in this story. In fell in love with Amanda at the first sight and longed to be with her, they never spoke yet he couldn’t get her out of his head. He didn’t care about his family and expenses and studies, he just wanted to be with Amanda.

The ending is so amorous, you can feel the thrill of the music. This story has a scope to become a full-fledged novel in the future, with Amanda’s back story and Abby’s unexplained feelings. And! oh, how can you forget the villain of this story Aafreen? She can add so much flavor to the novel.

Available on Amazon Kindle Edition.

Djinn Patrol on the Purple Line by Deepa Anappara

Brilliant narration. The harsh realities of the people living in slums are shown candidly. The plot was exciting and engaging, but it felt dragging after 45% of the book. Some conversations and descriptions seemed unnecessary.

The three main characters, Jai, Faiz and Pari, seemed greatly inspired by the Harry Potter lead trio. Pari, the intelligent Hermione. Jai, the naïve Ron. Faiz, the serious Harry, also has a similar scar. The story sounds hopeful as it progresses, but the ending is dark. Nothing you expect if you read from the child’s point of view. I have a lump in my throat even as I write this. My heart goes to every parent and sibling who has suffered this pain.

A few things I didn’t enjoy in this book are the constant use of Hindi. By the end of the book, I was getting irked at the mention of ekdum and hi-fi. Secondly, the communal aspect seemed forced at times. It seemed ok between and went with the plot but just forcibly pushing it every now and then felt like a forced bias. Lastly, the title has no relevance to the story, and the first chapter has no relation to the rest of the book. The mentions of Mental, Junction Rani and the smog had no significance. I was expecting some prominent link between the Purple train line and the missing children. The ending was abruptly brought in.

Give it a read if you wish to read something on Slumdog’s lines. Don’t expect anything of djinns or ghosts. There are none.

Some noteworthy lines from the book.

It’s not much, but Mental wasn’t a rich man, so he didn’t become a rich ghost.They decided that only a man who was Mental could be half-good in this crooked world.Our gods are too busy to hear our prayers, but ghosts – ghosts have nothing to do but wait and wander, wander and wait, and they are always listening to our words because they are bored and that’s one way to pass the time.It’s no different from what gods ask people to do for them, except most ghosts don’t want us to fast or light lamps or write their names over and over again in a notebook.We need ghosts more than anyone else maybe, because we are railway-station boys without parents and homes. If we are still here, it’s only because we know how to summon ghosts at will.Papa likes to say that this room has everything we need for our happiness to grow. He means me and Didi and Ma, and not the TV, which is the best thing we own.Then I run out as fast as I can because inside that house sadness sticks to me like a shirt damp with sweat on a hot summer’s day.Always a melancholic man, his father, knee-deep in debt, waited for certain ruin with the patience of a heron standing still in murky water.If you die when you’re still a child, is your life whole or half or zero?The lucky ones are those who can grow old pretending they have some control over their lives, but even they will realise at some point that everything is uncertain, bound to disappear forever. We are just specks of dust in this world, glimmering for a moment in the sunlight, and then disappearing into nothing. You have to learn to make your peace with that.’

Available on Amazon Kindle Edition, Audiobook, Hardcover, and Paperback.

Being A Mother by Deepika Priya

I am a mother to a 5-year-old and I could resonate with every line of this book.

I almost relived the whole of my pregnancy, delivery, post-delivery stages, and then the next five years. Every single emotion a mother goes through is so well-described in the poems.

By the end of the book, I had started dreading the fact that, one day my son will leave me and settle on his own. He would not need me anymore and I don’t think I am ready yet to accept this. I would be happy to see my son a grown successful man but till then let me go and hug him and kiss him and shower him with innumerable kisses. Let me hold him in my arms just till then.

Available on Amazon Kindle Edition.

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz

Two fifteen-year-olds, struggling to find their authentic selves, in this big universe. Indeed, they search for secrets, their own realities, and their place in this universe.

It’s a straightforward story, the plot doesn’t have any surprising twists. It’s just going on, as you read you might even feel you are watching Dante and Ari and their story, which is happening in front of you. The poetic style of writing added to the surge of emotions. It will make you cry, it will make you laugh, it will make you angry, it will fill you with joy, and it will make you fall in love.

This book is a big recommendation to teens, not just for the LGBTQ+ communities but for every growing child, they have to read this. To know that everyone is struggling like them and they just need to give others, especially their parents a chance to understand what’s going on in their minds.

One key takeaway for me was – communication. Talk, speak up about what’s going on, however silly you think you feel just speak. Let others know, don’t shy away that they won’t understand, you never know you might just be helping someone who is struggling to open up.

Some noteworthy lines from the book –

I got to thinking that poems were like people. Some people you got right off the bat. Some people you just didn’t get—and never would get.That afternoon, I learned two new words. “Inscrutable.” And “friend.” Words were different when they lived inside of you.I could be something and nothing at the same time. I could be necessary and also invisible. Everyone would need me and no one would be able to see me.I bet you could sometimes find all of the mysteries of the universe in someone’s hand.“I love swimming,” he said again. He was quiet for a little while. And then he said, “I love swimming—and you.”He was still experimenting with kissing girls even though he said he’d rather be kissing boys.Another secret of the universe: Sometimes pain was like a storm that came out of nowhere. The clearest summer morning could end in a downpour. Could end in lightning and thunder.“There are worse things in the world than a boy who likes to kiss other boys.”To be careful with people and with words was a rare and beautiful thing.All this time I had been trying to figure out the secrets of the universe, the secrets of my own body, of my own heart. All of the answers had always been so close and yet I had always fought them without even knowing it. From the minute I’d met Dante, I had fallen in love with him. I just didn’t let myself know it, think it, feel it. My father was right. And it was true what my mother said. We all fight our own private wars.

Available on Amazon Kindle Edition, Hardcover and Paperback.

The Neighbor War by Katie Bailey

It is a cute love story – the trope is old and reused: Frenemies to lovers. Yet, I would say appealing.

If you love cosy romance, this book is for you. It is the second in the Atlanta series better story than the first one, but at specific points, it was dragging. The misunderstandings during their initial phase seemed forced, and in the end, I assumed it would be the same old – girl leaves because she misunderstood, and the boy chases her in his boss’s Ferrari. But to my surprise, it was different. The couple’s maturity was utterly unexpected, considering the misunderstandings and Courtney’s insecurities depicted throughout. That part, in the end, is the show stealer for me.

Some cute lines from the book –

The first time I laid eyes on Courtney Turner, my first thought was “I’m going to marry that girl someday.”But, the funny thing is, despite how hard I try not to think about her, the woman lives in my head rent-free. Right next to the “Hide yo’ kids, hide yo’ wife” video.I stick to romance books, live vicariously through the heroines on my Kindle.There’s just one bed.
Of course there’s just one bed. I’m a romance reader, I know this.
I should have known this.“Because you are the opposite of ugly, but your stance on animal ugliness is the cutest thing ever.” Aiden smiles softly.All of our usual feisty back and forth is now backed with the stark realization that, for two days straight, I’ve been dying to grab her and kiss her.The thing is, though, every human is made up of both heart and mind. And, when these are at war, there can be no peace. No true growth.
I want to live life with another imperfect human by my side. I want something real, a relationship that actually means something. Yes, it might be hard sometimes, but I want to be with someone who challenges me, who inspires me to do better. Be better. And, in turn, I want to inspire them.
I want stormy and chaotic and jumbled and difficult and entirely illogical. Because falling in love might not be logical, but it’s worth it.
I don’t want perfect.
I want Courtney.“Love isn’t just about finding the right person, Aiden. It’s about being the best you can be for that person, choosing them every single day when you wake up. Love isn’t just a feeling, it’s a decision. Your father and I decided long ago to love each other better, every day.”“You’ve taught me so much, Court, and I know I still have a lot to learn. But I promise, if you trust me with your heart, I’ll take care of it like it’s the most precious thing on this earth. I’ll never use or abuse it, or make you feel like you’re not good or worthy enough. I love you for all the things that make you who you are, not in spite of them. All of your imperfections are perfect to me, because they’re what make you perfect for me.”

Available on Amazon Kindle Edition.

New Book Alert!!! Reset. Restart. Resume

Hello, My Fantastic Readers,

All your support and love have kept me going and encouraged me to write more stories. Overcoming inhibitions, I have finally decided to self-publish an e-book on Amazon KDP.

For starters, I have published one shortie.

It’s a story about a new mother, Rachna, who is unhappy with her life and decisions. Her best friend Devi understands it’s a phase of postpartum depression. She tries to soothe and comfort Rachna, but Rachna only seems to regret her own life while she compares how much fun Devi’s life is – as a travel blogger, getting to visit new places while learning healing practices like Reiki. Rachna desires to go back in her past, reset it and restart living as per her choices. Choices that will make her life exciting.

Will Rachna be able to change her past?
Will she fulfil her dreams?
Or will she make more mistakes leading to another troubled life?
What happens to her baby?
Where is Jay, her husband in her new life?

If your mind is ticking with questions, read this short story and discover the secret. I hope it will entertain you like my previous books and blog stories. Click here or on the link below to download your copy now. It is free for Kindle Unlimited subscribers.

A Piece of Your Mind for Peace of Mind by Manali Desai

There are 45 freestyle poems, each telling you something profound.

A person like me who doesn’t understand poetry could connect with the writings in this book because they were all feelings and emotions spoken straight from the heart. I loved the small illustrations at the end of each poem. The cherry on the cake: is the feeling mentioned at the poem’s start. It set the mood for reading ahead.

Available on Amazon Kindle Edition.