Wednesday, 27 February 2013

Book Review: Words of Smiths



Author: Various
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Pages: 122
Price: Rs.200
Publisher: All About Books Global
ISBN Number: 9788192569017

When I find people of my age writing and getting their names in print- I feel encouraged. I hope even all these published writers, and poets did feel the same- once in their lifetime. Any kind of contest is like a lucky draw for me. We send our entries and watch out with great hopes- “I will be selected and I will win.” But few get lucky. So I must congratulate all those who have made it in this contest organized by Wizkonect team.

Thursday, 17 January 2013

Book Review: Love Across the Borders




Love across the BordersPublisher: All about Books Global

ISBN-10:
81-925690-0-0

No. of Pages:
250

Format: Paperback

Language: English

 
 
 
 



About the book:

I am looking at my bookshelf. Twilight, Dimpy Dairies- my collection… Dad’s Hardy Boys and Ma- Nancy Drew- I inherited not only their habit to push up the spectacles up their broad nose- but also their library and the addictive reading habit. It is not until that I felt I should start writing as well that my teacher told me I need to read a lot first. (Phew, as if my personnel 300 some books were insufficient!!)

The target “reading a lot” made me pull up and start analyzing books at random. And that is how I came across Sudam Chadra Panigrahi’s “Love Across The Borders”.

Sunday, 2 December 2012

Book Review: Grit, Guts and Gallantry



Book: Grit, Guts and Gallantry

Author: Colonel Mahip Chadha

ISBN: 8129117010

ISBN-13: 978-8129117014
Binding: Paperback
Publishing Date: 2010
Publisher: Rupa & Co
Number of Pages: 237 pages
Language: English


About the Book:


Colonel, I believed are frightening people- Don’t laugh at me- the books and movies I have watched gave me such a terrifying idea. So when I was asked to review “Grit, Guts and Gallantry”- I was jittery. I had asked my chief- “Why me?”- The reply- “You are a puny hearted boy- your mom will be proud- you are going to apply for NDA- after finishing the book!”-She winked and busied herself.

Thursday, 29 November 2012

Book review: 45 days in a cancer hospital



Publisher: Leadstart Publishing

ISBN-13: 9789381576823

ISBN-10: 9381576823

No. of Pages: 298

Format: Paperback

Language: English





About the Book:
Life gets serious –but only during debatable conversations- and cancer is no way a topic I am comfortable at discussing! Perhaps, simple language, the scent of suspense and the air of a jam packed thriller kept persuading me- as I read Alka Dimri Saklani’s new book- 45 days in a cancer hospital. Recently- I have grown out of the teenage books- Twilight and Harry Potter seem strangers on my shelf. This transition is not easy-. I pacified my fluttering beliefs- I should trust Ashritha’s instincts. Not my love interest- Animesh enjoys the lion share of her destiny. And readers Ashritha and Animesh are not my friends. They are the lead characters of 45 days in a cancer hospital.

The novel is about a well known writer voluntarily staying at a cancer hospital for 45 days- with a strong and noble intention. She wants to write her novel based on the miseries faced by cancer patients staying at Dr Chatterjee’s Umeed Hospital. Now this Doctor had lost his mother years ago. The unfortunate lady was diagnosed with bone cancer. But the worst fact was- her unloving husband did little to save her. My psychology teacher would say this doctor might be suffering from Oedipus complex- because he can’t forgive his fate. He has renounced almost all desires of human life- and has dedicated himself to his profession. He is complex because he sees a reflection of his mother in all his bone cancer patients and is very possessive about them. To justify his obsessive behavior- he keeps a diary- a medium of one way conversation with his late mother.

The hospital is not a clean haven. Something uncanny is taking place- patients are dying- nurses are leaving their jobs never to return. Being a writer Ashritha is curious and with some tips from Animesh- a CBI officer she starts investigating. There are too many shady characters to speak of- but Dr. Amin is a man of heart – though wrongly accused. I find 45 days a novel that documents the tragedies that take place in the Medical world. Some of the cases discussed is heart wrenching indeed- especially of Pinky and Saurabh. I find Shyamlal and the gate keeper unfit for their posts. Real menace! The story is well framed- you have days and room numbers as chapter headings and sub headings. The cover is simple- a blood pink crab- the zodiac symbol of cancer diagonally placed. The blurb keeps most of its promises- though at places Alka was quite predictable- a flaw for any suspense writer. In 5 point I can give this otherwise entertaining writer 3.5. 

Tuesday, 2 October 2012

2 States’: The Story of My Marriage- Book Review


Book: 2 States: The Story of My Marriage
Author: Chetan Bhagat
ISBN: 8129115301
ISBN-13: 9788129115300,978-8129115300
Binding: Paperback
Publishing Date: 2009
Publisher: Rupa & Co
Edition: 4thEdition
Number of Pages: 268
Language: English
Where To Buy: Flipkart





Undoubtedly Chetan Bhagat is a known name amongst English writers in India. We have already read his three previous books; with the last one published a year ago. Bhagat’s books are generally light-hearted and easy to read kind with least usage of jargons, which I think are the main reasons of his great popularity, mostly amongst the youngsters. Three of his previous books are Five Point Someone, One Night at a Call Centre and 3 Mistakes in My Life. Through this book, Chetan Bhagat has partly portrayed the real life moments of his life and marriage. The 269 pages book deals with the love story of Ananya and Krish.

Monday, 1 October 2012

Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat: Book Review



Book: Revolution 2020
Author: Chetan Bhagat

ISBN: 

8129118807


ISBN-13: 

9788129118806

978-8129118806


Binding: Paperback
Published: 2011
Publisher: Rupa ad Co
Pages: 296
Language: English









The latest novel of Chetan Bhagat has collected mixed reactions from the readers. The story is based on a love triangle and the thriving corruption in the education sector, where the education system has become a mere business and a source for money making. Especially in the fields of high profile exams and trainings for example, IIT, CAT, JEE, etc. The essential elements of Chetan Bhagat’s novels are present yet again in this novel. The protagonists are young and either from IIT or IIM. 

Monday, 17 September 2012

Book Review: Mumbaistan by Piyush Jha


Mumbaistan by acclaimed director turned writer Piyush Jha is a crime thriller that is set to captivate the readers. The book is set in the city of dreams where one step here and there can send you tumbling down a pit so dark and deep that there is no way back. Mumbaistan is a gripping book presenting the readers with a trio of tales all set in the city of Mumbai.