Book Review: When Cupid Struck Its Arrow

Book: When Cupid Struck Its Arrow

Compilers: Bernard D'sa || Shonali Dey

Publisher: Raindrops Publishing

Genre: Poetry

Price: 114 INR

Blurb:  "When Cupid Struck its Arrow "is an international anthology of love poems compiled up by Bernard D'sa and Shonali Dey. The book has 21 eloquent poets across the globe venting out their heart-rending verses. As the title itself depicts the intensity of love, passion and magical spell, the book contains. Smooth-flowing verses in the book directly hits your heart. Bollywood actor "Aamir Khan" reviews "When Cupid Struck its Arrow "as a peppy collection of passionate love poems- A perfect book to gift your beloved one! So what are you waiting for? Grab a copy & Let the Cupid hit you soon.... 

My Rating: 3/5

My Review: 

"When Cupid Struck Its Arrow" is definitely a pleasant read. The 21 poems that comprise this anthology will surely strike a chord with the readers who are in love or who adores the feeling called love. 

Love is innocence. Love is peaceful. Love is pleasure. Love is pain. Love is a beauty. Love is a melody. The blend of several flavors of love together create this poetry book which can be relished by every romantic heart.Some of the poems talk about the innocence of love, some others talk about longing and passion whereas some others talk about the pain of love.

The book begins with the poem called "The scent of silence" which is definitely one of the best poems of the book. Profound and heart wrenching, this poem perfectly sets the mood to delve deeper into the poetry book. Here are some of the verses of the poem:

Songs help me somehow

Because they know how I am feeling now.

Ray of happiness whispers in the form of death

An old friend it is who seeks my permission.

But I close the door

And emotions flood my core.

Some of the poems in this book are sweet and simple whereas some poems have a lot of depth that will provoke the readers to give it another read such as "Reflections" and "I will find you". Some poems such as "Mystic hang-on" and "Love that keeps me alive" will fill the heart of readers with joy and romance. Here are some of the delightful verses of the poem "Mystic hang-on"

And then...

Before the twilight

Our whimsical dreams came 

real in a glance

The muses of our naive love-story

Danced in eternal trance

Although the theme of the book is love, it has various flavours which will surely amaze the readers.The two compliers have done a fabulous job in selecting the poems which are versatile.  On the flip side, the book has a few editing and proofreading mistakes and some of the poems are a little too simple for my taste. Nevertheless, it's a good, enjoyable and delightful book that celebrates love.

You can buy the book here

Book Review: The Gang of Wonder Kids

 

Book : The Gang Of Wonder Kids

Author: Shetall Ramsinghani

Publisher: Patridge Publishing

Pages: 140

Price: 299 INR

Blurb:  The book is written keeping thoughts of transition period of kids from a phase of a child entering into the phase of an adolescent which is quiet tender age in which a child can easily loose direction.

The author has tried her best to help them to follow the right path with her stories. She has tried embedding values, love for grandparents and family life with being brave and helpful to everyone in day to day life.

My Rating: 3/5

My Review:

Writing a children's book in a manner that it doesn't get preachy and yet delivers the moral lessons that are important for a child's growth deftly is not an easy task and the author, Shetall Ramsinghani has done a commendable job in this regard. The book is targetted for children of more than eight years age but even an adult would enjoy reading the stories because of their simplicity, innocence and because of the adorable characters in the book.

The children who has inspired the characters of the book are so endearing that you can relate to all of them. The book has a beautiful innocence and feel-good vibe to it. Each and every story included in the book has a moral in its deep core and at the same time, the author has garnished them perfectly with adventure and sweetness. 

The stories that I found most interesting and adventurous are "The ring of the golden bell", "Magical Jungle" and "Naina and her trip to Manipur".

In the simple yet beautiful stories of the book, the author has written about the importance of meditation, the importance and value of a pet, loving parents and grand parents unconditionally and about the power of positive thinking and positive deeds. Therefore, the children who would be exposed to the book can learn a lot of things from the book which would be instrumental for his or her growth.

On the flipside, the book has plenty of editing and proofreading mistakes which hinders the flow of smooth reading. This is the reason I am deducting 1 full marks from my rating. I wish the next edition of the book is made free from the editing and proofreading mistakes.

Shetall has done a wonderful work and her book can be a beautiful gift that parents can give to their children.

You can buy the book here

Book Review: The Activist and the Capitalist

 

Book: The Activist and The Capitalist: An Unlikely Love Story

Author: Vibha Batra

Publisher: Indireads

Pages: 208

Price: 150 INR

Genre: Fiction, Romance

Blurb: “I’m not drunk – just a litt-le high.”

On a magical moonlit night, Jai and Anusha meet and fall in love. When they meet again however, they discover that Jai is the crass capitalist developing Rasa Vihar, the heritage building that Anusha and her NGO are fighting to protect. Inevitably they clash, with neither willing to concede to the other. The problem is that although publicly they are enemies, in private, they are wildly attracted to each other. – but when secrets and betrayals enter the equation – things really begin to get out of control.

Will the Activist and the Capitalist ever be able to find common ground?

An exciting love story, set in Chennai from the best-selling author of Sweet Sixteen.

My Rating: 3.5/5

My Review: 

The Activist and the Capitalist is a beautiful romantic tale between Jai, a capitalist and Anusha, an activist. It is based on the old age concept of "opposites attract". Jai and Anusha are as different from each other as chalk and cheese. They fight, argue and clash, but there is a mysterious force at play which brings them back to each other time and again. 

They met each other for the first time at a beach in unusal circumstances, one night.They separated and meet each other again after a long time when both of them are pitted against each other. The reason is Rasa Vihar, the heritage building which Anusha is trying to protect from Jai, the capitalist.

Both the characters of Jai and Anusha are beautifully sketched. Although Jai is a business tycoon, the way he cares and takes out time for the lady he loves will surely charm the readers. I found the scenes of the cup cake stall extremely delightful. Anusha is sweet, real and charming. She is an introvert who doesn't feel comfortable in opening up to people due to some ugly incidents in her past. However, all her guards seem to fall off when she is with Jai.

The chemistry between Jai and Anusha is sizzling, charming and endearing. Their sweet conversations as well as their heated arguments are a treat to read. The narration of the book is so beautiful that you can read it in one go. Very fast paced, humorous and romantic, this romance novella is a charmer.

However, I felt there were some loose ends in the book, especially before the climax, which hindered the flow of the story. Nevertheless, the climax is saccharine enough to make you forget about all the loose ends.

Recommended to all romance lovers. If you like to read romance, then read this unlikely love story between Jai, the hotshot capitalist and Anusha, the firebrand activist.

Buy the book here

Book Review: Hurry Om Hari

Book: Hurry Om Hari

Author: Parul Tyagi

Publisher: Half Baked Beans

Pages: 130

Price: 175 INR

Blurb: "Hurry up or be left out!"

Haven't we all heard this at least thousand times in our lives? (Okay you must have heard more.) The point is we are all in a hurry to make something. Be it careers, relationships, excuses, success, cover ups, babies, lives.

Om and Hari.

Their dreams may be at the far ends of a rope, their journeys may be markedly different from each other's but their desire is common - to make it on their own!

What makes this even more tedious is their race against time in doing so. They are the dreamers, the strugglers, the under dogs, the go getters, the nerve wreckers, the charmers and....... they are You!

 

My Rating: 3.75/5

 

My Review:

 

It's not that often that you come across two fictitious characters in a book who seem so endearing, likeable and relatable that you cannot help falling in love with them as you read the book. Well, one such book is Hurry Om Hari and the characters I am talking about is Om and Harini.

 

The story begins with Om and Harini who are compelled to meet each other by their families so that they can know, like and eventually marry each other. Although Om and Harini are markedly different from each other, the thing that binds them is their individual dreams which are locked inside the innermost chambers of their heart. Both of them act as catalyst in reaching each other's dreams and hence their most difficult journey starts...the journey towards their individual dreams.

The author has used these beautiful lines to describe the bond between Hari and Om:

Love is not always about finding the person who completes you and then living a life that is fulfilled and perfect. Love could also be about two people's journey in exploring on the way what they didn't know existed, which they haven't yet experienced and being instrumental in each other's exploration of one's own self. 

 

The author is gifted in story telling. She has managed to create two lovable characters, Om and Hari which is the strength of the book. Once you start reading the book, you won't feel like putting it down. All the other characters in the book such as Harini's Dad and Mom, Om's Dad, Bobby Bhabhi and Om's friends have their unique traits which make the story so interesting. The book is fast paced and there is not a single dull moment in the 130 page book.

 

Harini's intense passion for her dreams and Om's charming personality make them so endearing. The way they support each other's dreams, motivate each other from time to time and bring out the best in each other is extremely heartwarming.  

 

On the downside, I felt the climax was a little rushed. Apart from that, there were no flaws in the book. The title of the book is indeed very catchy and the dollops of humor sprinkled throughout the book makes it a perfect read for a lazy weekend.

Highly recommended to anyone who is looking for a quick read.

You can buy the book here

Book Review: Sweet Temptations

Book: Sweet Temptations

Author: Meena Nair | Bernard Dsa

Genre: Poetry

Publisher: Raindrops Company

Price: 160 INR

My Rating: 3/5

My Review:

"Sweet Temptations" is a journey which you would definitely like to take with your beloved. Romance and poetry has always blend beautifully and the poets, Meena Nair and Bernard Dsa took special care to ensure that their readers get tempted by their verses.

All the poems in this book unravel the deep love, passion, insatiable longing and the other physical aspects of love. With the magic of words, the poets have managed to create a beautiful world in each of their poems. "His muse", "Tips and tricks", "Something sweet that I love you", "Bare Essentials" and "Ultimate Submission" are some of the best poems of the book. Some poems are so picturesque that you can feel that you are able to see two lovers lost in love through the verses.

To undress for you is like dressing in your attire

Oh! How much I had wished to embrace your desire

Well, perhaps we were meant to be together

Like a moon and star shining forever.

Some poems are short and sweet, overflowing with love and warmth whereas some other poems are intensely sensuous. 

The love of my lover has united my roving soul

Together we make love as my passion overwhelms

We satisfy the yearnings of the other

And together we move into a motionless journey.

The poems would surely ingnite love and passion for the person you love truly. The beautiful poems are accompanied by a couple of amazing sketches and some of the best love quotes which makes the book all the more romantic. It is definitely a perfect gift for your loved one. 

On the downside, there are a couple of editing mistakes in the book which are a turn-off. Somewhere in the middle, you might get a feeling that the poems are slight repititive. Apart from these, the little poetry book is a wonderful read.

Recommended to all poetry lovers whose idea of romance is poetry!

You can buy the book here

Book Review: The Essence of Eternal Happiness

Book: The Essence of Eternal Happiness

Compiler: Bernard D'sa & Shonali Dey

Genre: Poetry

Publisher: Raindrops Company

Pages:100

Price: 160 INR

My rating: 4/5

My review: 

The title of the book and the cover has a beautiful tranquility to it. Anyone holding the book will think if he or she can really know the meaning of eternal happiness by reading the book. And honestly speaking, the pages of the book will really teach you the art of living and the true meaning of happiness. 

The compilers of the book have done a commendable job in selecting 27 poets from different corners of the world who have weaved magic with their pen. Each and every poet has a new definition and a new hue of happiness which made the book so colorful. Optimism, peace, love, freedom, hope and reminiscence are some of the colors of happiness which are depicted in the form of some beautiful poems in this book.

Th poems such as "Journey of Eternal Happiness", "Promise of the Messiah", "Bliss", "Wake up seed" and "Monday Blues" are bound to make you sanguine and positive.

The another name of optimism is hope. The beauty of hope is demonstrated perfectly in the poems such as "Where I want to be" and "Freedom at last".

When I read the poems "To be or not to be", "Once eternity and I" and "Freedom at last", "Word of soul" and "My journey" I was totally spell bound. These are the poems about attaining freedom and peace which are an integral part of eternal happiness.

There are some poems in this collection which painted reality in the perfect shade such as "To time and fate", "The Perennial Abyss", "Essence of Life", "The Red Apple", "I am not me", and "Crossing Over". All these poems leave the reader with an array of thoughts within.

There are some beautiful poems on relationships and love as well in this book such as "Mother my first love", "When I saw you", "Me and you", "An eternal bliss from heaven", "Those beautiful eyes" and "O-mate your love I breathe".

Each and every poem in this collection has a unique taste to it. It made me have slight gooselflesh when I read "A halcyon companion". It made me think when I read "An artist". It made my heart wrench when I read "Child Labour". It made me feel divine and peaceful when I read "Radha Krishna the definition above love". It left me with a saccharine feeling when I read "Connoisseur of Aroma" and "My favorite pen".

All the poems are praise worthy but out of all the 27 poems, if I have to select only one favorite, then it will be "To Time and Fate". This poem has tremendous depth, a beautiful message and a wonderful structure. I couldn't resist myself from reading this poem more than one time.

Here are some lines of this poem:

Like a growing plant I stand

Feeling thy sun and wind in sand

Hey time thou made me calm

O' Fate, Thou art hidden in palm.

Recommended to anyone who loves to read poetry or who wants to search a little happiness and peace through words.

You can buy the book here

Book Review: My Clingy Girlfriend

Book: My Clingy Girlfriend

Author: Madhuri Banerjee

Publisher: Westland

Price: 295 INR

Pages: 249

Blurb:

What is a clingy girlfriend?

A clingy girlfriend will go through your phone.
She will destroy the contact numbers of every other girl on your phone.
She will delete your Facebook profile.
And will give you forty-five missed calls in the sixty minutes you put your phone on silent for an office presentation.
A clingy girlfriend will say:
'Carry two sets of fully charged mobile batteries so you can be in touch with me. Always.'
'In my dream, you were flirting with some other girl and then ended up in bed. Dreams are a manifestation of some act that is carried out in daily life. Are you cheating on me?'
'You have issues. You need to get therapy. Are you cheating on me?'
And the worst one: 'Why aren't we married yet?'
Obrokranti Banerjee's girlfriend ticks all of these and more. Caught between wanting to break up and the fear that he'll never find another girlfriend if he does, Obrokranti finds himself doing things he never imagined: watching Shah Rukh Khan movies, having to fast with her on karva chauth and perhaps worst of all, having his girlfriend join him on a boys night out!
Bestselling author Madhuri Banerjee brings to you an uproariously howl-arious account of a simple Bengali boy in Mumbai who copes, mopes and hopes to find logic and reasoning with his clingy girlfriend. It's writing Madhuri's never done before and promises to change her name if you don't laugh at least five times while reading this book!
You know you have one too. This is your story. My Clingy Girlfriend.

My Rating: 3/5

My Review: 

When I read the blurb of this book, a huge grin appeared on my face. I thought it to be an absolutely hilarious book and yes, it truly is. I couldn't control laughing every fifteen minutes when I was reading the book. It has plenty of funny moments which can easily lighten up a dull day.

However, there is no story in this book. You can predict what you can expect next by reading the blurb. The book is like a man's diary who has an excessive possessive and clingy girlfriend. The book gives an account of the daily troubles that the man, Obrokranti has to face because of his girlfriend, Radha.

His girlfriend stays in his house in Mumbai, eats up all his money and tries to control him in every possible manner. She is not at all independent, has no friends and hardly talks to her family who lives in Pune. She doesn't let him enter his own house when she is angry at him and doubts him even when he is talking to his cousin sister. Despite all the torture, Obrokranti, the protagonist doesn't break up with her. No, not because he loves her, but because he is afraid that he will never find a girlfriend and never have sex again in life. Also, because he wants to outdo his cousin, Shubir who has plenty of women flocking to him. Most of the chapters of the book tell how Obrokranti deals with his clingy girlfriend who makes sure that his life is always in stress. 

The narration is witty, humorous and entertaining. It is the narration that made me hooked to the book till the end. It must have been challenging for the author to write about a messy relationship from a man's point of view and she has done a commendable job in this respect.

The hilarious guides included in the book also makes it an interesting read such as "Five Ways to get out of discussing marriage", "Five ways to be a good lover" etc. 

The character of the protagonist and his girlfriend did not appeal to me. I couldn't relate to the characters, especially that of Radha. Moreover, the book had a weak and predictable storyline. However, the hilarious moments and the wonderful narration ensured that I had a good time reading the book.

Recommended for people who want to read some light-hearted fiction. 

P.S. If you have a clingy girlfriend or a clingy boyfriend, then you should definitely pick up this book at once. Trust me!

You can buy the book here