Book Review : Lifeline by Chetan Maheshwari

 

Book: Lifeline

Author: Chetan Maheshwari

Genre: Romance

Format: Paperback

Pages: 178

Price: 225 INR

A story that will inspire you to reach your highest potential!

“Lifeline” by Chetan Maheshwari tells the story of three working professionals –Teesha, Akhil, and Rati.

In the first half of the book, the author takes time to develop these three characters so that readers can feel invested in their journeys. Akhil and Teesha were childhood school friends who met after many years. Akhil is a consultant, whereas Teesha is a marketing professional. While Akhil had to take responsibility at a young age, Teesha is battling the scars of her previous relationship. They find love and comfort in each other.

Akhil’s sister, Rati is a single mother and freelance web developer. Ostracized by society for having a child out of wedlock, her life is challenging. What makes Rati a fascinating character is her determination to change the tides of her life. When she finds the doors have closed in front of her, she decides to launch a mobile application. This brilliant idea of Rati not only changes her life but also the lives of Akhil and Teesha.

The book deals with various themes such as office politics, startups, love, and family. I am amazed at how the author has successfully managed to deal with all the themes in a 178-pages book. The story is extremely fast-paced and can be read in a single sitting. The short length of the chapters works very well for the book.

The idea of the startup in the book is quite interesting. The second half of the book deals with the startup. I liked the planning and execution of the idea. Readers planning to start something of their own will definitely get motivated by it.

I liked how Rati’s challenging life inspired Teesha to create something that will ease the pain of everyone who has been dealing with some challenges or mishaps in life. Women supporting women always bring a smile to my face. Therefore, I cherished the equation that Teesha and Rati shared.

Another thing I loved about the book is how it ended. The mention of the pandemic in relation to the startup gave a realistic touch to the story. I wish the book was better edited as I found a couple of grammatical and punctuation errors. 

Overall, "Lifeline" is a motivating book that will inspire you to reach your highest potential. 

Grab your copy here!

Book Review: Five Petals by Chinmayee Gayatree Sahu

Book: Five Petals
Author: Chinmayee Gayatree Sahu
Genre: Fiction | Short Stories
Format: PDF
Pages: 31

Five Stories of Five different flavors for a perfect monsoon read!

'Five Petals' by Chinmayee Gayatree Sahu is a collection of 5 short stories that will intrigue and entertain you till the last page. I loved the unique name and the vibrant cover of the book. 

The book begins with "Life: A Roller coaster ride" that at first, seems to be a college romance but turns out to be a story that says a lot about the unpredictable nature of life. The story illustrates what true love and friendship is. 

The next story "Quarantined with Family" is relevant and interesting. It talks about how we often take our family for granted while chasing our goals and ambitions. 

The third story "Dream or Nightmare" is a perfect read for thriller and mystery lovers. I loved the way the author has sketched the story with enough twists and turns to keep the reader on his/her toes. The revelation left me speechless. 

The fourth story, "Neetu and Aja" is a sweet and touching story of a granddaughter and grandfather. This story will make you nostalgic about your grandparents. The letter at the end of the story was very moving.

The author concludes the book with a romantic story of a resilient couple in their mid fifties "Beyond Borders" that will warm your hearts and make you believe in the power of true love. 

I enjoyed savoring all the five petals on a beautiful monsoon evening with a cup of tea. The strength of the author lies in her skillful characterization and gripping narration. In every story, there was at least one character that stayed with me after I finished reading the book. All the five stories are very different from each other and that shows the author's versatility. 

I would highly recommend the book to readers who love reading romance, drama and thrillers. You can easily finish the book in one sitting. So grab a cup of tea or coffee and savor the five petals (stories) this monsoon. 

You can download your free copy of the book here: https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/five-petals-by-chinmayee-gayatree-sahu/

(Free for a very limited time)

Book Review: Blossoms and Foliages by Daisy Bala

Book: Blossoms and Foliages: A Bouquet of Poems
Author: Daisy Bala
Genre: Poetry
Format:PDF
Pages: 67

A Delicious Poetic Buffet for Nature Lovers

Blossoms and Foliages by Daisy Bala is a beautiful bouquet of Nature poems. The book starts with an amazing quote of Vincent Van Gogh:

"If you truly love Nature, you will find beauty everywhere."

The poet intends to make her readers fall in love with the everyday marvels of Nature that we so often take for granted. And I must say she has done a fabulous job. Now every time, you will see raindrops on leaves, sunset in a beach, or a rosebud, you will have the inclination to admire them longer. 

The words that the poet has used are delicious and appealing. The first two poems, "The Blushing Bud" and "The Chiming Bluebells" made me fall in love with the poet's imagination and her ability yo convey it through words. 

"Pink rosy blush

Aromatic, aesthetically pleasing

Attracting pollinators.

The flirtatious bumblebee,

Buzzing around the beguiling beauty!

How beautifully and aesthetically the poet has described the beloved-lover relationship between a blushing rose and a bumblebee!

"It is an indulgent bluebell spread

Promising chiming good times ahead."

William Wordsworth wrote "Daffodils" when he was mesmerized by an array of daffodils blooming in the field. Daisy's poem on bluebells made me remember one of my favorite poet Wordsworth's "Daffodils". 

The poet has also used the backdrop of Nature to pen down some philosophical poems such as "Walk your Path", "The Clarity" and "The Calming Effect". 

Walking on the beach barefoot, soaking in the beauty of Nature symbolizes Oneness with the Universe. It is indeed a great form of meditation. I loved these lines in "The Calming Effect":

"The sun, the sand and the spume

Mildly meditate me, relieving my anxiety

The grains beneath my toes

Exfoliate my thinking"

Being a Nature lover, the book "Blossoms and Foliages" made my heart sing with delight. I loved the imagery and the other figures of speech that the poet has skillfully used in her poems. It is a feel-good book that makes us realize we all have the gifts of Nature to savor every day. Isn't that a blessing? Read the book now to feel it. 

Highly recommended to poetry and nature lovers!

You can download your free copy of the book here: https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/blossoms-and-foliages-by-daisy-bala/

(Free for a limited time)

Book Review: Dots & Streaks by Ellora Mishra

Book: Dots & Streaks

Author: Ellora Mishra

Genre: Poetry 

Format: PDF

Pages: 104

Philosophical and artistic, the verses linger like the petrichor!

Dots & Streaks by Ellora Mishra can be called an artist's delight. Being a poet and having an artistic temperament, the book delighted me not only with the verses but also the photographs that the author has incorporated in the book. Dots & Streaks is a bouquet of fragrant poems, photographs, and prose pieces. 

The book has a welcome note from Life that says:

Word me 

Into verses

Or capture me 

In images endear.

The book starts with the profound poem "Time" that is so beautiful that I read it thrice. Have you ever felt like pausing time so that your loved ones can stay with you forever? I am sure all of us have, at some point in our lives. And this poem captures those feelings effortlessly.

"I am time, the one and only life's epitome

And now you know just like life, I'm but a palindrome."

The second poem in the collection "Just at the Bent" is a melancholic tale of separation and longing that touched my heart.

"So I shall continue to stand here

As long as I can

And let the silence remain

As the only sound between us."

The poet has composed many poems keeping the current situation of Lockdown and Covid-19 in mind. Apocalypse, Quintessential, and Social Distancing compel you to think about the present scenario from various perspectives. 

The strength of the poet is compelling the readers to think about various aspects of life. "Ego of the Candle" is one of the best poems in this collection. It is a dialogue between the candle flame and the candlestick (both basking in their pride) before the last moment when they hold on to each other. The poem teaches us that only cooperation and not competition can give us peace in life.

Another poem "Life as we know it" is an interesting dialogue between a tree, a bird, and a lamp post. The poet illustrates the saying "The Grass is always greener on the other side" through this philosophical poem. "That jigsaw puzzle" shows us how with the passage of time, the meaning of things changes. Among the prose pieces, "Debris" stands out. It is a thought-provoking piece about a soul's final destination. 

The beautiful photographs before each poem add a lot of beauty to the book. I would like to ask the poet whether the poems were inspired by the photographs or vice versa. Either way, the book pleases, delights, caresses, heals, and makes you contemplate. Philosophical and artistic, Dots & Streaks by Ellora Mishra linger in your mind like the petrichor, long after you have finished reading the book. 

Highly recommended to lovers of poetry and philosophy!

You can download a free copy of the book right away at 

https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/dots-and-streaks-by-ellora-mishra/

Book Review: Unlocked by Sonia Dogra

Book: Unlocked: Historical Tales in Verse

Author: Sonia Dogra

Genre: Poetry | History

Format: PDF

Pages: 134

Blurb: Is history your Waterloo? No more!

The anthem ‘History is Boring’ is now passé.
Here is a collection of historical tales about rebellious dancers and whiskeys; mysterious burials and missing keys; lost medals and quarantines and all you could only imagine to be.
Presenting twenty-five delectable stories from the past that you may never have heard of before.
What’s more? They are sassy and classy; easy and breezy; terse and very much in verse!

An enjoyable poetic ride in the fascinating land of history

Sonia Dogra's "Unlocked: Historical Tales in Verse" is an exquisite collection of 25 selected historical tales in the form of verse. The author dedicates the book to all children who grew up wondering why they were even taught history in school. In the prologue, there is an enjoyable poem called "From History with Love" that gives a warm embrace to all the readers embarking on the poetic ride. This poem from History sets the mood and tone of the book perfectly. 

The book is divided into 2 sections: The Famous and the Infamous and Epoch Making Episodes. The author introduces us to Adolf Hitler's abusive childhood in the very first poem, leaving us to contemplate how the course of history would have changed if only Hitler had a normal childhood or was send to the psychoanalyst, Sigmund Freud's therapy at the right time. This poem stayed with me long after I finished reading it as it provided great food for thought. We are so quick to judge the villains of the yesteryears. If only we knew the circumstances that led to their personality! The author's powerful words coupled with extensive research made me pause and think even after I finished reading the book. 

There are poems from Mahatma Gandhi, Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Genghis Khan, Mukhammad Ali's life that bewitched me with wonder. The author has chosen incidents that are not often mentioned in history textbooks, thereby making the book so interesting. 

Another poem that I absolutely loved in "The Famous and the Infamous" section is "A Nose that Poked History". The author has weaved a delightful poem on Cleopatra's nose. 

"It was the nose, says he

That cast its magical spell,

On the great men of Rome

Who for the queen fell."

Another such poem is El Barbudo the Bearded One. The author's sense of humor and rhyming lines created magic in these two poems. 

The author has weaved poems on the bravery of unknown women who had contributed to the freedom struggle. The poem on the Cawnpore Courtesans helped me know about the contribution of these brave courtesans in Mahatma Gandhi's noncooperation movement. The poem "Virangana, the Valiant Women" acquainted me with some valiant female warriors of India about whom we hardly know. 

The section "Epoch making episodes" starts with the poem "The Harrowed Line" which is about the heartwrenching India Pakistan partition. This poem is one of my favorites for the agony, pathos, and hard-hitting reality that it portrays. The bruises of partition keep haunting people even after all these years. And the author has done complete justice to it. 

"Neat lines supposedly drawn on maps

Unharmoniously amputate

People and lands."

"Nobody was ever held to account for the inferno that flared

The truth is that politics

Never did care."

There are poems on the Hiroshima Nagasaki bombings, fascinating tales of second world war, the missing key that led to the devastating fate of Titanic and so much more. There is a very relatable poem on "Quarantine" that gives an account of all the times when the human race had to battle an epidemic. 

The author concludes by saying that reading history can help us know how to serve humanity and know the mistakes that should never be repeated. The intention with which the author has penned down this book is praiseworthy. Kudos to the extensive research conducted by the author! The book is informative, enriching, and enjoyable. The cover does complete justice to the book. The author has also given a lot of thought to the layout and presentation of the book.

"Unlocked" is a book that you can return again and again to drown yourself in the aroma of history. Each time, it will make you think, enrich you with knowledge, and perhaps make you a better person too. Recommended to both poetry and history lovers!  

You can download a free copy of the book at https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/unlocked-by-sonia-dogra/

The book review has been written as part of the Blogchatter Book Review Program

Book Review: #JustRomance

Book: #JustRomance

Author: Jyoti Arora

Genre: Romance | Short Stories

Format: Kindle eBook

Pages: 373

Price: 120 INR

Just Romance by Jyoti Arora is a collection of 7 contemporary love stories that will surely plant a smile on your face. All the stories have happy and heartwarming endings, although the setting and background of the characters are vastly different. The love stories begin with a romantic verse that works as music. The pretty cover of the book sets the tone for the book. 

The first story "Drunk on Love" is about the love story of a conservative girl, Anjali seeking freedom in a new city and a rebellious bartender, Rajat. I liked the tenderness of the story and the innocence of Anjali. 

The second story "Miles Apart" is about a long-distance relationship between Vaibhav and Nethra. Although I did not enjoy much this particular story due to the girl's nature, I liked the following quote:

"The path of love seldom is smooth. When it stretches across vast distances, the road becomes even more full of cracks and potholes."

The third story "O Teri" is one of my favorites from this collection. It tells the story of Preet, an owner of an ad agency who is compelled by her mother to meet Paramjeet for marriage. The ambitious Preet rejects Paramjeet although she is attracted to him. There is a thriller element in this story that kept me on my toes. I also liked the character sketch of Preet and Paramjeet that helped me empathize with both the characters. 

"And a heart, once it is touched by the power of love, becomes a mighty force -unconquerable, ungovernable, unrelenting."

The fourth story "Dance of Fantasy" is an interesting blend of fantasy, romance, and thriller. It tells the love story of a simple girl, Mahi and a filmstar, Prajwal. The way the celebrity crush develops into a romance is endearing. And the thriller angle makes the story a memorable one. 

The fifth and sixth story "Tarini" and "I guess I love you" are pretty pleasant, but they didn't leave an impression on my mind. 

The last story of the book "It's in the Books" is my favorite story of the collection. I really liked how the author had developed the characters and the plot within a short word limit. It tells the story of Akul who is indecisive and gets bored with everything. He falls in love with a timid and tormented girl, Vidya. They become an alchemist for each other and grows together in love. The glue of their relationship is books. It's a beautiful love story that I thoroughly enjoyed reading. 

Overall, #JustRomance is a breezy and lighthearted read. If you want to read something sweet and romantic, just pick this one. You won't be disappointed!

I am going with 3.7 out of 5

#JustRomance is like cotton candy in a fair that you would love to relish to your heart's delight!

Grab your copy now!

Book Review: Syra's Secret

Book: Syra's Secret

Author: Revathi Raj Iyer

Publisher: Become Shakespeare

Genre: Short Stories

Pages: 193

Price: 249 INR

Thrilling and thought-provoking!

Syra's Secret is a collection of 14 diverse short stories. Some of them are thrilling, whereas some others are philosophical and thought-provoking. Reading the subtitle of the book "Expect the unexpected", I envisioned each story to be a thriller. However, that is not the case with Syra's Secret as there are many stories that do not thrill you, but rather take you on a contemplation mode. 

Detailed analysis

The book starts with "Girl from Siliguri" which is the best story of the collection in my opinion. Right from the first line, the story grips you and keeps you wonder about the mystery. Nothing is as it seems. It is only in the last two paragraphs that you can connect the dots. 

The second story, "Syra's Secret" is another well-crafted story on the theme of online dating. Just like the earlier story, the author uses the first paragraph to grab the reader's interest. I completely enjoyed reading Syra's Secret as it depicts the bitter reality of internet dating, along with thrilling readers. 

The third story, "Charmi" is written in a clever way. You need to keep on reading in order to peel the layers and understand the plot. Centered on the protagonist Charmi, it is a compelling story about courage and justice.

The next two stories "Messenger" and "Mango Tree" do not try to thrill. In an endearing tone, they try to make the reader think about the choices of life. 

"Anonymous Caller" is another story that kept me on my toes. Viren gets calls from a mysterious woman claiming to be his wife. No one can track the mysterious caller. I enjoyed guessing who the caller can be along with the protagonist. 

The story "Village Hotel" will compel readers to think about karma and destiny. Beautifully written, it is another of my favorites from the collection. "Turmoil" is another thriller that perplexes the readers until one reaches the climax. 

Final Words 

I enjoyed the stories that were thrilling more than the ones that were contemplative. I loved the author's style of writing where she hooks you to the story from the very first line. As you turn the pages, you are given one piece of the puzzle. It was a delight reading the stories filled with suspense and mystery I am going with 4 stars. Recommended to everyone who loves reading short stories with a punch of thrill. 

Grab a copy of the book now!

Book Review: Insta Women #BlogchatterEbook

Robert Browning, the famous Victorian poet popularized dramatic monologues. I remember reading Porphyria's Lover by Browning in my post graduation and getting totally enthralled by it. So, when I came across the book Insta Women written by Nupur Maskara whose subtitle says dramatic monologues by drama queens, I knew I have to read this one. And I am glad I picked the book. 

Overview

Insta Women is a collection of dramatic monologues by famous women written by Nupur Maskara. The book is divided into 6 sections:

• Indian Queens with Steam
• Herstorical Women
• Feisty Feminist
• Working Women with Verve
• Sassy Sports Women
• Artistes who lived their art

I enjoyed reading each section because it was a pleasure to come across some wonderful women from mythology, history, art, sports, and science who have shaped our worldview and status as women today.

Detailed Analysis

The book starts with one of my favorite characters, Draupadi's monologue. This is the only monologue in the book that is written in rhymed lines. The rest of the monologues are written in free verse. The bold monologue shows Draupadi's rage and sarcasm. I loved the lines when she says:

"Karna calls me characterless for having five

husbands. Did I ask for them, that bee-hive?"

The next poem that I liked in the Indian Queens section is Noorjahan's monologue. It beautifully shows the pain, rage, strength, and vulnerability of the charismatic queen. I liked the way Noorjahan ended her monologue by the following lines:

"Finally, a lady of leisure

Architecture gave me pleasure

My monuments are my legacies

They don't let me down

Unlike miserable men."

I also enjoyed reading the monologues of Hazrat Mahal and Bandit Queen. In the next section called "Herstorical women", there were monologues by Theodore, empress of Eastern Roman empire, Nzinga of Angola, and Khutulun, the Mongol warrior princess. 

The author has researched about each woman and portrayed their story in such a way that it felt the historical characters are right in front of me, talking to me and motivating me. Kudos to the author for blending history and poetry with such ease. 

The third section called "Feisty Feminists" is undoubtedly my favourite. The women in this section talk about how much they struggled to give women the status of equality. The monologues are about their battle to get women the right to vote, the right to hold property, and the right to get custody. This section has powerful monologues by feminists such as author Caroline Norton, Ernestine Rose, Susan Anthony, Betty Freiden, and Gloria Steinem. 

Quoting some lines from the monologue by Ernestine Rose:

"Life and death

Pleasure and Pain

Recognize no sex."

Lucy Stone's assertiveness is rightly portrayed in the following lines:

"I refused to pay tax

Till I could vote:

"Women today will never know

At what price their right to free speech

Has been earned."

The fourth section is about monologues of working women who had to struggle due to their gender. Agnodice, the physician had to disguise as a man because the law did not allow women to practice medicine. Mary Lyon, the educationist opened a school for girls where author Emily Dickinson studied. Emmy Nother, the mathematician kept on excelling in maths although it was considered un-ladylike.

The fifth section is about monologues of sportswomen like Annie Edson Taylor and Marie Marvingt. The sixth section is about monologues of artists such as Artemesia Gentileschi, the painter and Mademoiselle La Maupin, the opera maestro. I loved the following lines spoken by Artemesia Gentileschi:

"I chose to paint women

Someone had to

A man wasn't going to show us

The way we were. would he?"

Final Words

I absolutely enjoyed reading the book. Knowing about the fascinating and courageous stories of such powerful women was indeed a treat. It also made me realize how much the woman of the past had fought for our liberty and equality. We should never take it for granted. I loved the author's choice and command of her subject. The poems flowed effortlessly, pulling me deep within each monologue. Highly recommended to every woman! Read it whenever you feel low or need some motivation in life. 

Insta Women is like watching a theatre where the characters come alive in front of you, luring you to enter their fascinating world. 

You can download a copy of the book from: https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/nupur-maskaras-insta-women/

The book review has been written as part of the Blogchatter Book Review Program

Book Review: Empowered women empower women #BlogchatterEbook

I read "Empowered women empower women" a few days back but even after a week, the real-life stories of the book refuse to leave me. The cover of the book perfectly matches the theme and the title can be a great slogan for 21st-century women.

Overview

"Empowered women empower women" by Roma Gupta Sinha is a powerful book that must be read by all girls and women. Men should also read the book to understand a woman better. The book consists of 26 chapters on ordinary women with extraordinary will power and courage. The author has shared the stories of these women to raise awareness about women empowerment and women power. 

Detailed Analysis

The 1st chapter of the book is the author's heartwarming ode to her mother. The emotionally rich chapter helps readers to look at the author from close quarters. The next chapter is the story of Saranya and how she stood on her feet despite several adversities. The author rightly says that women empowerment should start at home. I loved this particular quote from the chapter:

"If a woman willingly decides that she has to break free from the shackles of patriarchy, from all the adversities of life and fulfill her dreams, becoming both financially and emotionally independent, no one can stop her."

There is a heartwarming chapter about a husband encouraging his wife to pursue her goals. Another chapter talked about an underprivileged girl's journey towards fulfilling her dreams. The author illustrates it through the powerful quote:

"Fearlessly march towards your goals. No one can help you the way you yourself can."

One chapter is on raising empowered daughters. Another chapter is about a woman who conquered her weakness of not being fluent at English. The author rightly says that English doesn't empower a woman. It is just a language, but a woman's will to overcome all obstacles is what empowers her.

I would like to mention another story where the author has laid emphasis on the importance of having sound physical and mental health else independence would lose all its meaning for a woman. There is another story where the author has shown that when women support each other, empires can be built. 

Finally, I loved the last chapter where the author has shared her own story. Roma's battle with endometriosis and how her work keeps her sane is extremely inspiring. The author concludes saying, 

"Each one of us should work until our last breath because it gives meaning to our lives."

Final Words

The author has talked about each woman with overflowing love, pride, and compassion. She has talked about many important and sensitive issues that women go through in this book. The tone, language, and editing of the book were really good. Highly recommended!

"Empowered women empower women" is like a rainbow after the rain. Colorful, beautiful, motivating and healing!

You can download a copy of the book from https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/roma-gupta-sinhas-empowered-women-empower-women/

The book review has been written as part of the Blogchatter Book Review Program

Book Review: 26 Stories from Mom's Diary #BlogchattereBook

Last weekend, I read Roopali's endearing book "26 Stories from Mom's Diary". The cover of the book does complete justice to the content. Written in the form of fiction, it can be a great self-help book for parents. 

Overview

The protagonist of the book is Asha, a homemaker and mother to two kids. She is happily married to Raj. The book revolves around various incidents in Asha's life. We get to meet various interesting characters through Asha such as a social worker, a person obsessed with selfies, a selfless teacher, and a yogini. 

The best thing that I liked about the book is that it exudes plenty of positive vibes. Written in an endearing tone, the author does not try to be didactic. The chapter titles are interesting and intrigued me when I started reading the book. 

Detailed analysis

The book starts with a chapter that deals with the subject of adoption. The subject has been carefully dealt with and throws light on how society reacts to it, especially when the couple already have a biological child and choose to adopt the second child. The obsession with having a fair child and  a male child is also subtly shown. The author has successfully depicted the ills of the Indian society, while at the same time highlighting how adoption can benefit society. 

Apart from adoption, the author has chosen to talk about important issues that parents face on a daily basis. In one chapter, the author has revealed how to tackle fierce and aggressive kids. There is one chapter where the bond between grandmother and grandchildren is beautifully shown. I really enjoyed reading that chapter for the warmth and love it exuded. It reminded me of the love that I received from my grandmother. 

Apart from discussing parenting, the author has also chosen to show how Asha, the mom protagonist is as a person. She is an understanding wife who knows to keep calm during moments of conflict with her husband.  Her matured outlook is refreshing to read about. There is a chapter where Asha reveals that she keeps a diary where she notes down the hilarious moments of life so that she can go back to it whenever she feels despondent. As a neighbor, Asha is helpful and compassionate. She tries to help her neighbors and fellow parents whenever she gets an opportunity. This makes the reader form a heart to heart connection with the protagonist. 

The book explores the subject of different parenting styles and whether test scores define a child. These are important and relevant topics that need a good amount of contemplation. One of the chapters I really enjoyed reading is where the author has talked about raising daughters not just as a princess, but as warriors. 

Final Words

The editing of the book could have been better as there were a handful of spelling mistakes which disturbed the pace of reading. However, the intention of the author to help other parents stood out. The book is relatable, interesting, and endearing. Filled with warm and cozy moments, you will not only enjoy but also learn a few valuable things from it.

26 stories from Mom's Diary is like a box of assorted nuts - Healthy, delicious, and nutritious! 

Grab your free copy at https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/roopali-kadams-26-stories-from-moms-diary/

The book review has been written as part of the Blogchatter Book Review Program

Book Review: Perfect Love (5.5 Ways to a lasting relationship)

Book: Perfect Love 

Author: Shubha Vilas

Publisher: Westland Books

Genre: Non-Fiction | Self-Help

Pages: 203

Price: 350 INR

Blurb:

Happily ever afters are easier said than done. How do we choose the right partner, and how do we sustain that relationship so it lasts a lifetime?

Spiritual life coach Shubha Vilas tells you how, with the help of six beautiful love stories from the scriptures. Nala and Damayanti, Krishna and Rukmini, Shakuntala and Dushyanta, Udayana and Vasavadatta, Satyavan and Savitri, Draupadi and the five Pandava brothers—these are accounts we may have heard many a time but have not had an opportunity to understand in such depth and detail, and with such empathy.

But why 5.5 ways and not 6? Because the sixth way is a half-truth, which can be twisted either way.

Combining powerful story-telling with deep philosophical truths, Perfect Love is a treasure trove of scriptural wisdom for the modern age.

An enriching and personal guide for having healthy relationships

"Perfect Love" by Shubha Vilas is a book that has plenty to offer its readers. It does not only teach how to have a long lasting relationship with your partner but makes you feel good about the world that you live in. In this digital world, we often feel that maintaining relationships have become tougher, but reading this book will change your perspective. 

Through 6 classic Vedic stories, the author has imparted his knowledge in maintaining relationships. In Nala and Damyanti's story, the author has shown the importance of forgiveness in a relationship. He says that tolerate first and then forgive. Mistakes are committed by human beings. Even a person with the best qualities can commit an unbelievable mistake. If the relationship is important, you must learn to forgive. 

"Forgiveness comes between bitterness and betterness.

The ability to forgive a mistake is always greater than the rigidity to hold a grudge." ~Page 29

The second story is about Krishna and Rukmini. It is one of my favorite stories in this collection. I loved the way the author has narrated this story. It was a treat to read Rukmini's letter to Krishna. Through this story, the author shows the importance of expressing your love. When a person uses the right words to express his or her love, it strengthens the relationship. 

"Words play with the ball of emotions in the playground of our hearts in the game of love. Choose words well to win the game of love." ~ Page 56

The third story is about Dushyant and Shakuntala, where the importance of trusting your partner is shown. In the story of Udayana and Vasavadatta, the author has shown that good times in a relationship help tide over bad times. Therefore, it is extremely important to spend quality time with your partner. 

"To align with one another, two people need to have deep, meaningful, soul-searching conversations." ~Page 135

The fifth story is about Satyavan and Savitri. It is my another favorite story in this collection. Through Savitri, the author has shown the importance of determination to stay together in a relationship. 

"Do not underestimate the role of determination in a relationship. Ordinary relationships transform into extraordinary bonds when ordinary people show extraordinary determination." ~Page 148

The sixth story is about Draupadi and the Pandavas. Just like Satyabhama, I also wondered how Draupadi had a peaceful married life, despite having five husbands. This story shows that positive conditions can help a relationship blossom, whereas negative conditions can make a relationship wither away with time. 

"Positive conditions are like a rainbow that unites the rainbow with the sun. Negative conditions are like lightning that divides even the sky." ~ Page 190

"Perfect Love" is a book that will enlighten you, one story at a time. All the six stories have thrill and adventure, apart from romance. The book is embellished with plenty of beautiful and enriching quotes. The writing is refined and the editing is perfect. I am going with 4.5 and would love to recommend this book to everyone as it is filled with wisdom. 

I got a review copy from the author for an honest review. The opinions are my own.

Book Review: The Diary on the Fifth Floor

Book: The Diary on the Fifth Floor

Author: Raisha Lalwani

Publisher: Rupa Publications
Genre: Fiction| Philosophy

Price: 295 INR

Pages: 167

Blurb:

A woman leaves her infant at home but finds her on a busy street in an unexpected turn of events.
Another woman wakes up in a flight hours later, befuddled, in the strangest circumstance.
A fascinating tale of a twenty-five-year-old woman that takes hold of us from the moment she enters the fifth floor of a hospital; more precisely, the psychiatric ward. Visibly terrified, she clutches at her clothbound diary, caught in the horns of a terrible dilemma—whether or not to hand over the diary to the doctor. She fears that she will be declared insane if her tangled web of thoughts unspooling in dark mysterious stories is read by the dissecting eye of a doctor.
What does this diary contain? As the novel progresses, we are drawn into characters and stories that are toe-curling, strange and haunting in their raw intensity. What is the story of this woman? What secrets lie in the pages of her diary? And most importantly, what happens on the fifth floor?

A philosophical book that anyone can relate to

"The Diary on the Fifth Floor" is a philosophical book that deals with questions that all of us have contemplated about, at some point in our own lives. 

There is a beautiful quote in the prologue of the book that captures the essence of the novel:

The choices we make define the kind 

Of people we then become.

The main question here is:

Do we like who we have become?

The book starts with the protagonist, Savannah Khanna paying a visit to a renowned psychiatrist of her city, Rama Berry because she feels she is extremely depressed. The reason for her depression is the insensitivity, cruelty, and selfishness that exists in the world. She cannot come to terms with why people are so cruel and insensitive. 

She writes on her diary about the things that she witnesses every day. She thinks that people need to know that their words hurt and their actions have consequences. Savannah gives her diary to her doctor so that the latter can help her. As Rama Berry reads Savannah's diary entries, we understand the mind and the heart of the protagonist. 

The diary entries are a collection of short stories of unfortunate incidents. Some of them have happened to the protagonist, whereas others have happened to people close to her.  All the stories have one thing in common. They show the shallow and superficial mindset of people. External appearance matter more than anything else and updating Facebook status is more important than grieving the death of a family member. Trust is a misused word and selfishness has no limits. 

The way Rama Berry helps Savannah trace the silver lining behind the dark clouds is very touching. I liked the bonding of the doctor and the patient. All of us can learn something fruitful from the sessions. However, the ending of the book made me unhappy as I was really rooting for the protagonist. 

However, the unconventional plot and the brave writing made it a very special book that I read this year. If you have ever wondered what's wrong with the world and why people are so selfish, you must read this book. You will relate to it a lot and at the same time, learn how to cope with it. 

Highly recommended. I am going with 4 stars. 

The book review is in association with Vinfluencers. Check out the video review on my YouTube Channel.