Book review : Adultery

Book: Adultery

Author: Paulo Coelho

Publisher: Random House

Price: 299 INR

ISBN: 9788184006094

Blurb:  Linda is in her thirties and is facing a crisis mentally and emotionally. She begins to question the void that was growing in her, the mundane, predictable days of her life. Although her life seemed perfect in everybody’s eyes – a contented marriage, adorable children and a successful career - she feels a keen sense of emptiness and displeasure. But it all drastically changes when she meets a prosperous politician who happens to be her high-school boyfriend from years ago. As Linda revives the passion that was absent in her life, she would have to make a life-altering choice.

My rating: 4/5

My review:  

Being a huge fan of Paulo Coelho, I always expect a lot from his books and I am thankfully never disappointed. However while reading this book, I felt that it is not a book for all. Only those people who are able to introspect while reading, who understand the profound meaning in books and people who are patient should try this book. 

The story starts with the lady, Linda who is strangely unhappy with her more than perfect life. She feels she is slipping gradually into the abyss of depression for no specific reason.  Her husband loves her and she also loves her husband. They have two children and Linda has a lucrative job of a journalist in a leading tabloid of Geneva. Yet she feels her life is dull and captivated in the shackles of monotony. 

In the course of her job, she goes to interview a politician who happens to be her high school boyfriend. When the politician tells her how unhappy he is in his married life, Linda feels that she can see her reflection in him. They indulge in adultery.

However the book is not only about adultery. It is about how fickle a human mind can be. It explains beautifully how an angel and a monster both dwells in a human mind. It is upto you whether the angel/demon will dominate the other. 

A person has to get lost totally in order to discover oneself. The book narrates the tale of Linda's self-discovery after running through pebbles and inferno, commiting deeds she could never imagine in her nightmare.

The narration is wonderful. Readers can feel that they can hear the protagonist talking infront of them. The last few pages of the book is sure to enlighten the readers. The place where Linda goes for paragliding enchants me completely as she feels her soul getting enlightened. The readers may also feel totally lost, just like the protagonist while leafing through the pages of the book. That is perhaps a flaw of the book and so I said that only people who are patient enough should read the book.

It will compel you to introspect and some words of the book wil surely stay with you after you have completed it. . This is actually a book of self-discovery. I really liked it,

You can get the book  here

Book Review: Private India

Book: Private India

Authors: Ashwin Sanghi and James Patterson

Price: 350 INR

ISBN: 978-0099586395

Blurb: In Mumbai seemingly unconnected people are dying, strangled in a chilling ritual and with strange objects carefully arranged with the corpses.

For Santosh Wagh, head of Private India, the Mumbai branch of the world’s finest investigation agency, it's a race against time to stop the killer striking again.

In a city of over thirteen million, he has his work cut out at the best of times but this case has him battling Mumbai's biggest ganglord and a godman who isn't all he seems.

And then he discovers there may be an even greater danger facing Private India. Hidden in the shadows is someone who could destroy the whole organization along with thousands of innocent Mumbai citizens.

My rating: 4.5/5

My review:

When two great mystery writers collaborate for writing a book, you can be sure that this book will be no ordinary experience. Private India is one such book that you can pick up without having an ounce of doubt.

The attractive cover of the book along with the intriguing blurb tantalizes readers to dive into the book. And as you dive in the book, the very first chapter captivates you.

The story begins with the murder of a doctor, Kanya Jaiyen in Marine Bay Plaza Hotel. The Hotel asks Private India, the biggest investigative agency to solve the case. The team of Private India constitutes of Santosh Wagh: head of Private India, Nisha Gandhe: an attractive investigator, Mubeen: the medical examiner and Hari: the technology geek. ACP Rupesh Desai assists Private India in this case.

Soon, one by one murders of women keeps happening in Mumbai and the object common to their murder is a yellow garrote with which the victims are strangulated to death. The corpses are left with uncanny and dissimilar objects like lotus, rosary, half one rupee coin, doll etc. The objects perplex Santosh Wagh to extremity until he starts connecting the dots and then tries to reach closer to the killer.

The way Private India solves the case is amazingly witty and interesting. Especially the juncture where Santosh Wagh connects the dots (read: uncanny objects) is brilliant. It will surely give the readers an adrenaline rush. Similarly, the way Private India finally traces the killer is amazing. No one can guess who the killer is until they reach towards the end of the book. Readers will suspect many people in between reading the book. The book is marvelously scripted in this regard.

There are some chapters where we find the killer’s soliloquy. Those chapters will give the readers some extra thrill.

The main characters of the book are finely etched. Santosh’s character is sketched with the perfect hues. We see him as a painfully intelligent investigator who has a tormenting past that haunts him every now and then. Santosh Wagh’s intelligence will surely blow the minds of readers. Nisha’s character of a brave and fearless investigator is sketched well too. Same goes for the characters of Hari, Mubeen, Jack Morgan and Rupesh.

Well, the downside of the book is that in the middle of the book, so many characters are introduced that readers may feel a little lost. But that phase doesn't last long, the book quickly grips and engages again. Apart from this, there are no flaws in the book.

Private India is an unputdownable thriller. The pages of the book turn themselves. Highly recommended!

Just a suggestion to readers: Try to read it at a go. That will help you savor this mystery thriller much more!

You can buy this book from http://www.amazon.in/Private-India-Ashwin-Sanghi/dp/0099586398/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409079162&sr=1-1&keywords=private+india

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Book Review: An Audience with Lama

Book : An Audience with Lama

Author: Abhilash

Publisher: Venkatesh Publisher

Price: 100 INR

ISBN: 9789350675

Blurb: In August 2010 the city of Leh was ravaged by a cloud burst. Amidst the destructive facet of mother nature we also witnessed true grit from the survivors. One of the survivors who grappled onto life was Abhilash. He recorded anecdotes and messages of fellow survivors and weaved them into a tantalizing narrative. 

A story that expanses a road trip across the picturesque landscape of Khardung La, laced with mystic spiritualism of Tibet. Aptly titled "AN AUDIENCE WITH LAMA" This piece of biographical fiction coupled with real life events makes a perfect anytime read.

My rating: 3.7/5

My review:  First of all, I must congratulate the author for writing a beautiful book that is a blend of adventure and spirituality. The story begins with ten strangers spending a night on a secluded roof, with apprehension that death may visit them any moment. Leh is galloped by a gigantic flood and destiny brings these ten survivors together. They spend the entire night talking about each other's life, their fears, their flaws and insecurities. When these ten survivors face their demons together, they learn to see their life in a new perspective.

All the characters are different from each other, yet very interesting and relatable. The character that I found the most interesting is the character of Hrijan. The ending is beautiful. Readers will be content when they will finally draw the connection between the prologue and the ending.  The landscapes described in the book will make you fall in love with the places. While leafing through the pages, I literally felt that I have also traveled to Manali, Keylong and Leh with the narrator.

On the downside, some portions of the book were a little dragged. Another drawback that I found in the book is that it becomes difficult to understand who is talking among the ten characters. With proper and frequent change of paragraphs, this problem could have been avoided. 

The author has done a decent job in this book. This book is recommended for people who love spiritual fictions and books on journey of rediscovering oneself.

You can buy the book online at: http://www.amazon.in/An-Audience-With-Lama-Abhilash/dp/9350675609/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1407382770&sr=8-1&keywords=an+audience+with+lama

Book Review: Metro Diaries - Seventeen LOVE Classics

Book : Metro Diaries-Seventeen LOVE classics

Author: Namrata

Published by: Amazon

Kindle Price: 60 INR

Blurb: From London Society of Poets' Author - Namrata, comes the first book as a collection of urban romance short stories.

Have you loved someone? "Metro Diaries" will revive your innermost feelings and imbibe in you the magic of love.
What happens when Abhimanyu Singh, a champion volley ball player, has to make a choice between his love and his dreams? When an ideal student, a perfect son, and a hardworking employee like Abhimanyu gets the opportunity to build up his career at the cost of his love, does he give up on his dreams for his love or does he sacrifice his love for his career? Read 'Love thy Dreams' and sixteen other heart-throbbing stories...
Touching, amusing and deeply moving, Metro Diaries-Seventeen Love Classics are seventeen tales that will hold you from start till end.

My rating: 4/5

My review: Metro Diaries is a collection of 17 short stories, all of which revolves around the beautiful feeling called love. Every story is sketched in a different color that expresses love. While reading the book, at least one or two stories will surely remind you of some incidents or that special person of your life. The other stories will inspire you, make you smile, cry and wonder about so many facets of love. Here is my take on the 17 stories of this book.

1. Once in a life-time: The perfect story to start the book with. It gives you the feeling that you are in for a romantic dive. This is the story of a girl, Nitya whose failed relationship has made her build walls around her heart which a guy called Ansh successfully breaks by the depth of his love. The words that Ansh tell Nitya touches the heart. Extremely romantic!

2. Then, now and forever: A very soulful story. The letter that Ron's grandpa had written for his grandma years back redefines love for Ron. After reading this story, you will be in smiles.

3. Love thy dreams: This is a story about how a girl supports the guy to pursue his dreams at any cost and at the end, the guy wants to fulfill the dream of marrying the girl.

4.The Wait: A girl falls in love with her best friend but her love remains unrequited and disrespected due to the norms of the society. A different story which has a heartbreaking ending.

5. A secret revealed: This is the story of a girl who fought with her identity all her life until someone showered her with unconditional love. 

6. A promise of a life-time: This is a beautiful love story of two individuals who studied in the same college. Their unspoken love metamorphosed into a relationship after they met on a friend's wedding and the guy finally proposed the girl. A feel-good story that will make you smile and the poem at the end of this story is exceptionally romantic.

7.Will you?: A conversation between a boy and a girl after the boy proposes her. The promises mentioned in this story are heart-warming.

8. Love Beyond Words: One of my favorite story in this book. The letter in this story moved me to tears, Exceptionally written; every word soaked in the magic of love. The quotes of Paulo Coelho are well placed in the story which enhances its magic further.

9. Imperfectly Perfect: Another gem of this book. The approach to this story is very realistic. People often wince when they see a beautiful girl with an average guy and vice versa but love is from the heart and the soul. This thing is beautifully expressed in the story and the metaphor used in the story about a poet and his poem will surely mesmerize the readers.

10. A thing called love: This story captures the pain of unrequited and unanswered love beautifully. This is a story about a girl madly in love with a guy who is cocooned by his dreams.

11. The Sole Soul Mate: Sweetest story of the book. The story is about how Nishani, Sahil's best friend explained him the meaning of soul mates and he realizes that she is his soul mate. The metaphor used is awesome.

12. The Yellowed Diary: Words of a girl dipped in pathos are trapped in her diary. The anguish of the girl is beautifully captured.

13. You, me and love: Another of my favorite story of this book. This story is exceptionally romantic and will make you want to fall in love. The line of this story "No..she isn't my soul mate. She is my soul...the one who keeps me alive." gave me goosebumps.

14. Unlocked: A simple story about how a guy who kept his relationship concealed from all decides to unlock it finally. The poem at the end is beautiful.

15. Memories: Very soulful story. The way memories associated with a photograph has been described brings tears to the eyes.

16. A message of love: The girl in the story finds an anonymous letter inside a book she purchased. That letter made her realize the value of love. Beautiful narration.

17. Her: A simple and sweet story about a boy madly in love with a girl.

The collection of stories in this book is marvelous. Special mention for story no. 8, 9, 11, 12, 13 and 15. Readers won't feel bored even for a second and will yearn to fall in love all over again after reading the stories of this book. There are a few editing glitches in the book which could have been improved. The poems used after most of the stories are the best part of this book. 

Highly recommended for all the romantic souls out there!

You can buy this book at: http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/B00LK5GU9E/ref=x_gr_w_bb?ie=UTF8&tag=goodreads_in-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=9325&creativeASIN=B00LK5GU9E&SubscriptionId=1MGPYB6YW3HWK55XCGG2

Book Review: When Only Love Remains

Book: When Only Love Remains

Author: Durjoy Datta

Publisher: Penguin Metro Reads

Price: 175 INR

ISBN: 9780143422648

Blurb: I've imagined this in my head so many times. I've always thought about what I would say; What I would do and how it would all turn out to be. And every time I would remove some detail...

She's a flight attendant—young, bright and living her dream. He's a heartbroken singer on his way to becoming big.

She's an ardent fan of his. He can't imagine why and yet seems to find comfort in her words.

It's the first time they are together and in their hearts both are wishing, hoping and praying that the night would never end. That the time they are spending together lasts and lasts...

In the world of imperfection, there is always someone just right for you.

My Rating: 4/5

My Review:  "When only love remains" is an intense romantic story which portrays the beauty of love and hope marvelously. It is often said that waiting is another name for love and this story captures the pain of waiting with magical deftness.

The story starts with Avanti, a flight attendant whose only respite from an irritating ex boy friend and a troubled childhood are the songs of Devrat. She has been listening to Devrat's songs since the age of 12 and got a strange sort of tranquility in them. Devrat is a struggling singer who is totally oblivious of Avanti's existence. On one fateful day, they meet at one of Devrat's music show and energy flows between them rapidly. They don't run short of words and feels if only they could pause the night forever. Both Devrat and Avanti feels secured and beautiful in each other's presence. The story gets more interesting from that night onward.

The author has brilliantly crafted the emotions of Avanti and Devrat in this book. Even the side characters such as Avanti's father and grandmother's emotions are captured so brilliantly. The character of Avanti is beautifully sketched with the perfect hues. Readers will be bound to fall in love with the character of Avanti. The way Avanti waits and pines for Devrat will move the emotional readers to tears.  The ending of the book is a beautiful surprise that will draw a big smile on the reader's face.

On the downside, people who are not great fan of love stories may find the pace of the book slow. The pace of the book is moderate because the author has given importance in the detailing of every emotions and pain that Avanti and Devrat goes through. There is also a name goof-up where Avanti is written as Avantika. 

This book is highly recommended to people who love reading beautiful love stories. It will make you smile, cry and fall in love. Definitely one of the best works of Durjoy Datta.

You can buy the book online at : http://www.amazon.in/When-Only-Remains-Durjoy-Datta/dp/0143422642/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1406132625&sr=1-1&keywords=when+only+love+remains

Book Review: The Fault in our Stars

Book: The Fault in our Stars

Author: John Green

Publisher: Penguin

Price: 399 INR

ISBN: 9780141345659

Blurb: Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten.

My Rating: 5/5 

My Review: Firstly, I really curse myself for having read this book so late. What a gem I was missing! But then, better late than never. Before watching the movie, I resolved to read the book first. And after finishing it about 30 minutes back, I am lost in a whirlpool of emotions. There is this striking pain in my heart which is accompanied with sheer wonderment. "So dawn goes down to the day...Nothing gold can stay." ~This is a quote that talks volumes about the beautiful, delicious and divine love between Hazel and Augustus.
The story begins with Hazel, a terminal cancer patient who is clinically depressed and is clueless about the direction her life is heading. Her life takes a surprising turn when she meets Augustus Waters in a cancer support group. Hazel learns that Augustus is also a fellow cancer survivor. Augustus changes Hazel’s life in a beautiful way and falls madly in love with her. However in the beginning, Hazel tries hard to not fall in love with Augustus as she fears that death may come any moment. She does not want to be grenade and cause more sadness to Augustus. Hazel's recommends her favorite book “ An Imperial Affliction” to Augustus which talks about cancer. Augustus gets fond of the book too and both Hazel and Augustus wishes to know what happened after the book ends as it ends abruptly, mid sentence. Augustus wants to satiate Hazel's curiosity and arranges a trip to Amsterdam so that they can meet the author of “An Imperial Affliction” and talk directly to him about the fate of the characters after the book ends. That trip to Amsterdam changes their life forever.Readers will be bound to fall in love with this couple. Readers would desperately wish that if only the monster called cancer was not constantly against the couple, they could have a perfect, beautiful love story. This book has that magical power to touch the most intrinsic chords of the human heart. John Green has handled such a sensitive subject like cancer survivors falling in love with magical deftness.The book not only narrates the pain of a cancer survivor but celebrates life from every aspect. Green inspires the readers to grab the maximum from their life and celebrate the value of life every single day. 
The book is embellished with beautiful quotes and magical moments.
This is a book that will be liked even by people who has a reading phobia. Recommended to every living soul on the planet.

Buy the book online at: http://www.flipkart.com/fault-our-stars/p/itmdxd5vbxf3jm5s?q=Fault+In+Our+Stars&as=on&as-show=on&otracker=start&as-pos=p_1&pid=9780141345659

Book review~~ Brida

Book: Brida

Author: Paulo Coelho

Publisher: Harper Collins

Price: 350 INR

ISBN: 9780007278596

Blurb of the book: Brida, a young Irish girl, and her quest for knowledge. She has long been interested in various aspects of magic but is searching for something more. Her search leads her to people of great wisdom, who begin to teach Brida about the spiritual world. She meets a wise man who dwells in a forest, who teaches her about overcoming her fears and trusting in the goodness of the world, and a woman who teaches her how to dance to the music of the world, and how to pray to the moon. As Brida seeks her destiny, she struggles to find a balance between her relationships and her desire to become a witch.

This enthralling novel incorporates themes that fans of Paulo Coelho will recognize and treasure. It is a tale of love, passion, mystery, and spirituality from the master storyteller.

My rating: 3.5/5

My review: 

Paulo Coelho is one of my favourite authors and I have found his books "Alchemist" and "Eleven minutes" entrancing and life-changing. Reading the blurb of Brida, I felt it's going to be my next favorite but the book disappointed me a little. Some parts of the book are written beautifully. There are some magical moments in the book when Wicca tells Brida about soul mates, when Brida and the Magus spend time with each other knowing they are each other's soul mates, the story Brida's mother narrates her when Brida asks her if she has ever been in love with two people at the same time. However, there are some complicated parts including the rituals of the Tradition of the Moon which seems to go over our head and which comprise the maximum part of the book. The climax when the Magus tells Brida to go back to Lonis and they part ways did touch my heart. His parting words, "I will always remember you, and you will remember me, just as we will remember the evening, the rain on the windows, and all the things that we'll always have because we cannot possess them" were quite painful. Overall it is an enriching read but quite complicated in some places.

A book that will stay for a very long time in the reader's heart.

You can buy the book online at: http://www.flipkart.com/brida/p/itmdxnjmbm3s25sw?q=Brida&as=on&as-show=on&otracker=start&as-pos=p_1&pid=9780007278596