Book Review: Where Rainbow Meets the Sky by Vidhi Duggal

Book: Where Rainbow meets the Sky
Author: Vidhi Duggal
Genre: Romance Novella | Fiction
Format: PDF
Pages: 62

Sweet and refreshing like the morning dew on rose petals

"Where Rainbow meets the Sky" is a sweet romance novella by Vidhi Duggal. It tells the story of Rahul, Mehek, and a dreamcatcher. The author has used the dreamcatcher not as a mere object, but as one of the protagonists of the story. The dreamcatcher in the cover and the title of the book are significant. It's only after reading the story we understand why the author has chosen the title "Where Rainbow meets the sky".

Rahul, a rich and handsome guy from Delhi goes on a vacation to Manali with his friends. He works as a model. He meets Mehek in Manali who has a huge crush on him after noticing his poster outside a shop. The crush metamorphoses into love during their vacation in Manali.

Mehek is pursuing journalism and lives in Bombay. She gives her address and phone number to Rahul before leaving Manali. Rahul gifts a blue dreamcatcher to Mehek and buys a similar dreamcatcher for him. 

Once they leave Manali, they are out of touch. Despite trying his level best, Rahul is unable to reach Mehek on her number and her address. Feeling betrayed, Rahul goes into a self-destruction mode until his friends help him regain sanity. It is only after 20 years that Rahul meets Mehek accidentally.

Both Rahul and Mehek are single. 

Both of them have the dreamcatcher. 

Will they reunite? 

Why did Mehek betray Rahul? 

What is Mehek's side of the story?

How important is a closure?

Why some people cannot be forgotten, even after 20 years?

To know these answers, you have to read this short and sweet novella. 

I loved the character sketch of both Rahul and Mehek. I loved the way the author has treated the dreamcatcher as the main character of the story. The last chapter was very beautifully written that answers all the questions and leaves the reader satisfied.  

Although it is a romance novella, it has a very unconventional and philosophical ending that makes you think. I liked the freshness of the story and the profound dialogues in the last chapter. 

"Where Rainbow meets the Sky" is a sweet and refreshing story like the morning dew on rose petals. 

If you are looking for a delightful quick read, download your free copy right away at:

https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/where-rainbow-meets-the-sky-by-vidhi-duggal/

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: Vitamin H (Volume 1) by Abhishek Thakkar

Book: Vitamin H: Volume 1

Author: Abhishek Thakkar

Genre: Non-fiction | Self-Help

Format: Kindle eBook

Pages: 128

Price: 140 INR

Blurb: Filled with capsules of optimism and hope, Vitamin H is a collection of thoughts, suggestions and advice for the young at heart to nurture their minds and refresh their spirit. It aims to elevate the lives of people by fostering inner confidence and strengthening their faith. In a turbulent and chaotic world, people are in dire need of words of motivation and inspiration. Vitamin H provides the much needed therapy which will successfully cure the diseases such as negativity, pessimism, cynicism and envy. It will awaken the dreamer within you and help you achieve the seemingly impossible.

Capsules of Daily Inspiration for a wonderful life ahead!

During these distressing times, I feel extremely lucky to have come across this wonderful non-fiction book by Abhishek Thakkar. Vitamin H is a book of 111 inspirational and motivational quotes that can inject hope in the hopeless, faith in the skeptics and happiness in the despondent.

Each quote is like a ray of sunshine that can inspire anyone to be a better and a more confident person. The cover of the book captures its essence beautifully. You can read each quote in the morning with your cup of tea/coffee to feel motivated throughout the day. 

The 'H' in Vitamin H can stand for Happiness, Hope, Harmony, Holiness, Healing, Heartwarming, Helpful, Heaven, Health, or Heroism.

The author has touched upon various subjects and philosophies while penning down this book. The author's intention in serving others to become a better human being is palpable. The author emphasizes on mind mastery by dropping useless comparisons that results in insecurities.  He talks at length about the utility of history in everyone's life. One of my favorite quotes has to be: 

"History is not about cramming the birth dates of rulers. It is about how the kings and queens got knocked down, picked themselves up and how valiantly they fought with valor, courage and determination to succeed."

The author talks about the difference between material consciousness (body consciousness) and Krishna/Christ consciousness (soul consciousness). The author's love for Mother Nature can be seen in some of the quotes that will definitely inspire the readers to live in harmony with Nature.

Some of the quotes in the book captures the teachings of Bhagawad Gita (Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga), Upanishads (Vedanta) and Bible in such a way that anyone can understand and implement these precious teachings in their lives. In one quote, the author has talked about Prometheus and Karna in the same breath while emphasizing on the message that problems aim to strengthen our willpower. Brilliantly done!

Another thing which I loved about Vitamin H is the acknowledgement of women's contribution in society. There is a beautiful quote in the book which says how society is like a bird without wings without women's participation.

The author reminds the readers to cherish their uniqueness and find the Divine within. The author emphasizes on the importance of self-counselling, acceptance, vision with action, seeking the truth, radiating love and light, reading good literature, and being resilient at the face of adversities. Sharing another quote that injected me with zest and confidence to pursue my dreams against all odds: 

"Every instance we push ourselves up, we model the behavior of an eagle and soar above the obstacles that cloud our map of possibilities. Model the winning attitude of an eagle today and rise above the previous benchmarks set by you."

Each and every quote left an everlasting imprint on my heart. I would like to congratulate the author for penning down such a beautiful, inspiring book filled with wisdom and light. The author's knowledge of a wide range of subjects and philosophies at such a young age is extremely praiseworthy. I highly recommended this book to everyone! I am going with 5 stars. 

Take a capsule of Vitamin H everyday to feel rejuvenated and inspired.

Grab your copy now!

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