Book Review - Panorama - A collection of short stories

Author – Shilpi Chaklanobis

Publisher – Notion Press

Pages – 134

Price -  Rs. 150

First Impressions

I am a big fan of short stories, so the plain cover that revealed nothing about the book could hold my attention for few seconds only. Like a child, I was eager to dive into the world of stories, when these words on the back cover caught my attention...

"Often laced with an element of introspection, the stories are sure to change the way you see the world around you..."

My View

There is something magical about short stories collection that entice the reader in me. Whether I am in a mood to read or not, a short story collection is something that is bound to lift my spirits on a dull day. It was on such a dull, rainy day that Panorama arrived to uplift my mood. 

The stories even though poles apart are weaved with a common thread of emotions. Touching different aspects and emotions of life, each story strikes a chord with the reader's heart. Wok  is a story that speaks of innocence, sacrifice and love. The powerful story of a single mother, her challenges, sacrifices and love for her little one got my eyes moist. If you ever had a pet and you loved "Marley & Me", the story "Peanut" is for you. The devotion towards his master is more important for a pet than his own life, and  this tragic story proves this. "The Thirst" tells the story of a daughter whose thirst for her mother's love blinds her of her own interests. Whether she finally gets the love she's been looking is for you to find out. Sometimes, all it takes is an incident to change our perspective and wash away the mind blocks society has built up and "Selective Secularism" narrates one such incident. "Bribe" introduces  us to the mental tug of war between a father and a husband. The father wants to be his daughter's favourite. But, does the demanding husband understand the silent sacrifices made by his wife? "Forever" is the story of ambitions, love, compromises and revelations. Life doesn't always give us a second chance, especially when it comes to relationships. "The Wait" shakes us with its powerful narrative; a dutiful wife's endless search and hope for the deceitful husband who abandoned her. Her innocence charms and her dutiful nature surprises the readers. A story of devotion, diligence and deceit that shakes our conscience. When a natural calamity strikes, all we do is extend our sympathies and perhaps some donations. However, little do we know the harsh reality of children who have been orphaned in such calamities. "The second Tsunami" is such a heart warming tale of tragedy, hunger, love and survival. Does hunger come above a sister's love for her brother? "The Example" forces us to reconsider the definition of success and achievements. Is real success all about accolades or about making a difference in someone's life? "The Meeting" is a wonderful story that explains the changing dynamics of friendship when money crawls in between. On the land of Sudama and Krishna, will Payal get the same love and recognition from her rich friend Ria as she used to when they both shared the middle class status? Children often fail to notice the sacrifices of their mother, especially when she is a working mother. "Mirage" tells about such a relationship between a mother and daughter. Selfish, busy and a bad wife is all that Khushi thinks of her mother, a single parent, until one day an old cupboard reveals a shocking secret. "Destiny" is a chilling story of beliefs, destiny and the unexplained powers of the universe. Fortune tellers can tell our future but can we change our destiny if we know the impending risk in advance? "The Untimely Death" is a story set in the unforgettable year "1984" when Indira Gandhi's assassination changed the lives of many families overnight. Unaware of the political dynamics that govern the fate of cities, an innocent school girl discovers the world around her totally changed in the wake of 1984 riots. Often, we sacrifice our personal space to feed our ambitions.  In the story, "Before It's Too Late" Arnab discovers the importance of family time after reaching the pinnacle of his career. However, to his surprise, the same family who earlier craved for his presence had conveniently filled the void with materialistic comforts and friends. While money can buy almost everything, can it buy back the precious moments that could have been spent with family? The last story "The Sealed Wish" is a story of love, tragedy and coincidences that challenge a mother who has lost her husband and daughter. 

Powerful and thought provoking, these are the stories of people around us, of their hopes, feelings and circumstances. Each story is refreshingly different from the other, and hints at important lessons life teaches us. 

A brilliant work from a debut author! A perfect book to give you company on a rainy afternoon with a hot cup of chai. 

Hope to see the book made into a motion picture someday....

Thumbs Up

• Powerful narrative. Each story strikes an instant connection with the reader.

• Versatility of stories.

• Writing style that lives up to the standards of a perfect short story.

My Rating - 

4.5/5

About The Author

Shilpi Chaklanobis hails from the beautiful city of Kanpur and has spent the majority of her adult life in Delhi. She currently heads  the Digital Marketing division at an MNC. The amalgamation of her years spent amongst the quiet, calm streets of a small city and the hustle and bustle of a metropolitan like Delhi has lent her a unique perspective towards life. She aims to translate her experience and understanding of human relationships into stories that not only move people but also resonate with them. She believes that the beauty of a story lies within its ability to be interpreted by the reader in the way they desire as is evident from her writing. Apart from writing, she spends her time time devouring books by the dozen. This is her first endeavour as a writer and her writing not only shows promise, but also has a sense of sensitivity that compels you to think about the lives you touch every day.

I received the book from the author for an honest review. You can buy "Panorama" from Flipkart and Amazon

Book Review - The First Storyteller

Author – Varun Gwalani

Publisher – Frog Books

Pages – 208

Price -  Rs. 225

First Impressions

The Skiros immediately attracted my attention. Was it a symbol standing pretty in the middle of a forest? Or a gateway to a mystical world? I didn't know. I kept looking at it for several minutes, playing my little guessing game. There was something mysterious about it, something magical that I had to find out. I jumped in to know about the magical world of the first storyteller.

My View

I don't know if I should be calling this a book review. For it's hard to do justice to this amazing display of creativity by Varun Gwalani. I hadn't read his first book. However, looking at the blurb, a part of me could relate to the protagonist and I immediately wanted to read more. 

Still wanna get an idea about the plot? Well, this is the story of a storyteller (no, we don't know his name). Living in a coastal village, all he had was the power of his stories which only his mentor, the old storyteller understood. After his mentor's demise, he began to feel a vacuum inside, for he was living in a world which didn't embrace his ideas. The storyteller had thoughts free like a bird, vast as a sky and fresh as the rain. However, the people around him loved to lead their lives the same way, day after day. They had rules that nobody challenged and monotony was glorified in the name of consistency. It is not a surprise then that the storyteller stood in the village as an odd one out, and was often mocked at for his silly, insane thoughts. 

When the river flows against us, we have two options - either to surrender and go with the flow, or to fight our way up. His ideas were succumbing to the disrespect of the people around him. He had no new stories to tell. Not willing to give in to those who never understood him, the storyteller decided it was time to ditch the people who only gave him hatred. Thus began his journey through the Skiro into the mystical forest, a journey to discover life, discover himself. He knew he might never come back. But at least it was better than not trying at all.

More than being an escape from people and places, it was an escape from the mental block that attack most creative people. Just like the journey of life, the forest too gave him an easy option to give up and settle for less. But, in his battle with the demons of his mind, the storyteller had to risk and strive for what he set out for.

The journey that transforms and rejuvenates him also brings him face to face with his fears, apprehensions and mental block. Whether the storyteller overcame these and how, and whether he was able to return from the forest is for the readers to find out.

As I delved deep into the story, I realised this is not just the story of the story teller. This is the story of each one of us, for we all might have felt stuck in the "status quo" at some point in our lives. Like the storyteller, we too are travellers in the forest of life, embarking upon our specific journeys. While giving up is the easiest option, we have to keep moving ahead, for only then can we overcome the roadblocks. We too, like the storyteller encounter demons of our fears, the fairies of emotions, distractions that try to entangle and hold us. However, faith, confidence and focus can have us carve out our path in this forest. Once the distractions are fought over, the mind is cleansed, confident and open for seeds of fresh thoughts to be planted.

The book is like a painting, each person will relate to something and will have a different takeaway from the other one. However, it is a one of its kind story that you don't get to read everyday. So, grab the book and discover your own path!

Thumbs Up

• Unique and powerful narration
• A story everyone can relate to, something tough to achieve in fiction
• The story maintains its grip on the reader right till the last page

But then, Umm...

Few editorial errors and misprints could have been avoided. 

The story takes time to build up the momentum and requires attention, so someone looking for a light read fiction may not be the target reader.

My Rating - 

4/5

I got the book for an honest review from LeadStart Publishing

Book Review - Rambles Into Sacred Realms

Author – Krish V Krishnan

Publisher – Inkhorn Publishing India

Pages – 208

Price - Rs. 1980

First Impressions

If art and history fascinates you as much as it does me, the sight of Acropolis on the cover will hold you for few minutes. There it is, in its full glory enticing readers to discover many more treasures hidden inside the book, in pen and paint.

My View

I must confess, the main reason why I picked up this book was my outdoor painting classes. Each morning, we would sit outside in the park and try to capture the tree in front of us in varied mediums - first pencil, then watercolour. So lost I would be in the detailing that often, these sessions left me with neck pain sitting still in one position, trying to capture the particular shade, before sun decided to play spoilsport by shifting it's position!

In the process I learnt that art is the best way to immortalise any subject in our heart. "We can take a picture" you may say. But will it be able to keep afresh the perspective in your mind, long after? Will you be able to make that very emotion timeless? The answer is a No. Three years later, I still remember each crack, each crevice and the branch to the T, for I captured them in my heart through watercolour!

And that's what fascinated me about this unique book. You may have read travelogues with fascinating travel stories; picture books that transport us to places in no time; art books showcasing masterpieces. But have you ever witnessed something that is an amalgamation of these all? This is the very factor that makes this book stand apart from your regular travel books.

The author has captured thirty years of travel to arcane centres of worship, that don't feature in a regular tourist's itinerary. The painstaking efforts and determination is evident as we read about near escapes, adventures and uncomfortable situations. From being suspected of kidnapping his own son across the Israel-Jordan border, to being grilled by a suspicious Sri Lankan immigration officer, nothing could deter Krish's canvass and brushes.

No travelogue is incomplete without references to culture and people. However, the book offers us an artist's impression of the same, keeping us engrossed in imagination. 

Each work of art captures the very essence of the place. You will feel the goosebumps looking at "Victim of a sacrifice" from Belize, shouting of Mayan ruthlessness; feel the heat looking at to the fury of vent at the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park; feel the sound of sacred chants in your ears looking at Manikarna Ghat in watercolour; witness the embodiment of resilience at Bethlehem; marvel at the magnificent world of Pharaohs at Giza; feel the legends come alive at Greece!

While reading the book, the reader often finds himself lost in admiring the artwork and has to be quickly reminded that it is a travel book. 

The author has tastefully explained every location, every masterpiece. This is not just a book to be read. This is an experience to be felt.

A must read!

Why it is a thumbs up from me -

• There is detailed explanation of artwork and choice of media, much to an art lover's delight. 

• Travel tips have been provided at the end of each chapter

• The choice of offbeat locations that speak of civilisations make the book stand apart. 

• Passion flows in words, with unique and vivid descriptions.

• The author's meticulous research reflects in the detailed background for each place, which helps to transport us into that  very era, imagining life in that very setting.

• Do I have to still say, I am in awe of all the Artwork in the book!

About the author

An artist and a traveller, Krish focuses on landscapes and ancient monuments, using a variety of techniques, including scratchboards, watercolours, and acrylic mediums. Over the last thirty years, he has participated in several group and solo exhibitions and several of his artwork have won art awards. An alumnus of IIT and Harvard Business School, Krish heads a global outfit, that sees him shifting gears between Thai, Hindi, Thinglish, Hinglish and English.

Having lived in or visited over 60 countries and published over 500 articles on travel and humour in various newspapers across the world, this is Krish's first book.

My Rating

4.5/5

This review is for WritersMelon.

Book Review - Wasted In Engineering

Author – Prabhu Swaminathan

Publisher – NotionPress

Pages – 172

Price - Rs. 180

First Impressions

Since I avoid looking at the back cover blurb for this section, when I looked at the cover, I thought it to be nothing more than just another 5 point someone. A light fiction based at an engineering college. Little did I know the pages inside would take me down the memory lane.

My View

Being an engineer, like most of his friends, papa too secretly wished to see his daughter follow his footsteps. While I was never pressurised to follow a particular field of study, when I look back and reflect, I realise the conditioned affinity towards science stream was hinted at fulfilling this dream. I on the other hand, had harboured a different set of dreams altogether and engineering came nowhere close. Finally, when the IIT JEE forms were out, my parents were shocked at my decision not to appear for the exam. Despite several futile attempts, papa finally applied for me to appear for the Delhi College Of Engineering entrance test, hoping for a miracle. But so crystal clear was I in my mind that I knew the outcome of the exam even before entering the examination hall!

Years later when I read this wonderful and unique book from Prabhu, I knew what would have happened to me had I not put my foot down that day. 

The book made all the more sense to me, due to the recent Board exam results and many instances of Kota suicides. No matter how much relevance career counselling and child psychology is given, for majority of Indian parents, their child's career is a way to fulfilment of their own ambitions. Prabhu's book gives the perspective of a child who has been mercilessly burdened under his parents' ambitions. I loved book for its raw honesty. One gets a flavour of rebellion from the first page itself, where the author thanks his parents, teachers and relatives for messing up his life by making him study engineering. 

"Engineering padicha nalla future" (If you study engineering, you will have a good future) is an emotion parents echo unanimously across the length and breadth of the country. Just the language changes. The mentality remains same, to brainwash kids into pursuing engineering which is is considered the gateway to money and success, atleast amongst majority of parents.

Nostalgia surrounds us as we set out to witness the arduous journey of the child who couldn't say No to his parents' pushy demands. Prabhu beautifully captures each stage of the journey, right from the time of choosing stream after class 10th, to the choice of college, and the readers are more than happy to go with the flow. We go "me too" when he talks about the parents' favouritism for the science stream; feel angry for students who waste engineering seat when they are cut out to be future sportsmen/women or harbour dreams of a premier school MBA; smile at the efforts on reading the well curated list of engineering students who went on to become future authors, musicians, actors, even politicians. 

While taking us through his journey, the author questions the norms at each stage, a must read for parents and teachers since more often than not, they are the decision makers of a child's future and not the child himself. 

The book is a must read for all engineering aspirants, for it gives a sneak peak into the hype behind the BE degree - the flaws in college rules, coping up with engineering syllabus etc. But if you are thinking its just a prospectus about general life at engineering colleges, you are gravely mistaken. For, the second half is all about remedial actions - What to do if you are already stuck with a course that isn't of your choice? How to cope up and still chase your dreams without denting your parents' aspirations? There is problem, symptoms and remedy too!

The final sections are a must read for all parents and teachers for the author talks about the changes required in educations system, from the perspective of a student, the one who ACTUALLY studies the course and whose life is shaped by the choice of career.

In case you are a student all inspired to ditch the degree for your passions, the author is ready with his experience giving the real not so rosy picture. There are also case studies of famous and not so famous people who didn't let engineering eclipse their long term dreams in life.

At many instances, the narrative sounded so much like Rancho (Amir Khan's character in the movie 3 idiots). One feels like having a conversation with the author and nodding in affirmation after every chapter.

Why it is a thumbs up from me -

• This book is a must read for all engineering aspirants, for it shows both sides of the coin, covering all aspects of the life of an engineering student.
• If you are already stuck with engineering, there are ways to cope up and make the most out of what is left.
• Author's emphasis on application based curriculum (he gives various examples and suggestions for effective implementation)
• The language is simple and one can glide through book in no time

But then, ummm...

The last few pages begin to smell of preachiness. But then, students reading the book need it, don't they?

About the author

Prabhu studied electrical engineering in one of the leading engineering colleges in his state but like many of you he never pursued a career in engineering. He ran a news analysis website for few years earlier while working for a technology consulting firm. He took part in the Jagriti Yatra, during his college days and now he works for a national auditing organisation in a financial position. His first job, however, was at a bookstore where he worked to pay for his arrear re-evaluation and to read books for free. He also holds a diploma in journalism and this is Prabhu's first book. He lives in Chennai.

My Rating

4.5/5

I received the book from the author for an honest review.

Book Review - False Ceilings

Author – Amit Sharma

Publisher – Lifi

Genre – Fiction

Pages – 256

Price - Rs. 295

First Impressions

An old Almirah sits in a room, as if holding some secret. Its lone companion is a classic radio, who perhaps knows the secret but is forbidden to reveal it. Since I knew the story was based in Dalhousie, the hills on the cover were no surprise. The cover gave me an impression of something very mysterious inside, which I could only discover by reading ahead.

My View 

False Ceilings is not just a story, it is a saga of a curse passed from generation to generation. The story begins with an eccentric Aaryan pondering over the If-Else statement and drawing parallels with life. Thereafter, we set on a roller coaster ride with each chapter introducing a new character and its miseries. From the 1920's the story suddenly changes gears and brings us to the 2060's. But we are so lost keeping up with the overload of new characters that the shift between centuries is the last thing bothering us.

Most of the story revolves around Shakuntala, with whom the mystery begins its torturous game. Of all the characters in the book, Shakuntala has had the most eventful life, that shows her the best and worst of everything and gives a message that nothing is permanent - be it affluence or misery. Born to wealthy parents in Dalhousie, Shakuntala has everything but love. Her grandmother dreams of a male grandchild and her mother burdened by the pressure of producing a male child, always sees Shakuntala as a source of her misery. The only solace in Shakuntala's life is her father's unbounded love, which too is short-lived as the curse engulfs him. Trying to gather her life and move on, Shakuntala discovers true love in Manohar (Manu). Dressed as a bride, as she is about to begin her new journey, the curse presents itself to her, wrapped in a yellow cloth. While she decides to leave the past behind her, she is oblivious to the fact that she has already packed the curse with her, which is going to travel with her all through her life and even affect her descendants. Ironically, Shakuntala ends up becoming like her grandmother who was the main culprit behind her family's doom. 

The curse, which could have been a cure to the miseries of many characters passes many hands. Its power is such that no character is able to survive the revelation, leaving the readers guessing about the mystery wrapped in the yellow cloth. 

Aaryan is most disturbed character, next to Shakuntala. A childhood painted by unpleasant memories of 1984 riots and constant tension between his parents and grandparents transforms him into an unsocial and a workaholic person, as if trying to burn away his life. His unusual end therefore, does not come as a surprise.

There is a strange similarity in the lives of the couples. What seems like the ideal relationship initially gets corroded over a period of time. Generation after generation, we see the same story repeating itself. All that remains after a life and relationship wasted is an Almirah and the secret in its false ceiling, waiting to be passed on. 

The story is like a Jigsaw puzzle, presenting the readers with the various pieces and towards the end, making it all clear. Does the secret finally cease to haunt the family? Does someone break the spell? Grab the book and find the answers.

What I loved 

• The unique narrative, which is uncommon for a debut. The author effortlessly oscillates the story between past and future without losing the grip on the story. Some readers may find the story confusing in the beginning, for the first few chapters introduce characters without  explaining the relationships between them. It is only towards the end that the jigsaw is solved and the readers take a sigh of relief. 

• Despite being a debut, the characters are well shaped up and manage to strike a chord with the readers.

• The book boasts of some amazing descriptions - be it the picturesque Dalhousie or the mad rush of Delhi. While the story takes us through generations, many important historic events too are retold, like the 1984 riots and the 1947 partition.  The author's impression of life in 2060's with its well imagined technology is impressive. The narration is so realistic that when the book is over, one feels having traveled through time.

What could have been better

• While the story is gripping, the overdose of characters in the first few chapters may make many readers lose interest. In order to keep track of the story I kept on drawing a sort of family tree on the last page, which helped me relate the characters. The puzzle is solved only for patient readers in the last few chapters when the relationships between various characters are revealed.

• Few typos could have been best avoided.

My Rating 
3/5

This review is for Writersmelon

Time to even it out!

Life post baby, for me has been a hands full affair. As a working woman, the juggle between office, household chores and baby's needs often left me drained at the end of the day. 

All parents would agree that with a small baby, laundry is not limited to a weekend only affair. Every day when I return from work, the house welcomes me with an excited baby and a huge pile of dirty laundry. So, after a quick chai, I would get ready for the daily date with my washing machine.

My Hubby however, has a very different schedule. Evenings post work for him are for relaxation and spending time with the baby. "When both of us are working, why are household chores my baby and just an option for my hubby?" I often wondered. 

Around the same time, I came to know about the #LaundryGoesOddEven activity. Already desperate to even out my burden, this seemed like a the perfect chance & I immediately enrolled. 

My hubby was surprised when after a few days, the Ariel packet arrived for the #LaundryGoesOddEven activity. But I also realised that getting him on for the game wasn't an easy task. After all, which man would want to do away with their leisure time? The Odd Even happening on Delhi roads gave me the idea & I told him that while #OddEven can help reduce pollution in Delhi, #OddEven in laundry might just get some fairness at the home front. 

So, it was decided that I would do the laundry on even days while on odd days, hubby would offload me and take care of the laundry. 

With the odds and evens settled, I eagerly await every alternate day, when i would have some free time while hubby would play my cooperative partner in #OddEven.

And it has been a win win situation for me. The evenings that just rushed with the laundry are now giving me a chance to explore myself. I can -

• Read a book

• Listen to music & relax my mind

• Spend quality time with my baby

• Take a quick nap and recharge my batteries

We women like to take the entire load on ourselves. However, sharing the load would not only reinforce gender equality, but also set the right example for future generations. 

I am taking part in the #LaundryGoesOddEven Challenge by Ariel India at BlogAdda

Book Review - What I Didn’t Expect When I Was Expecting

First Impressions

Being a new mom, I found familiarity in the title of the book. From the moment the little one has arrived, our life is nothing short of a roller coaster ride! When one kid is driving us crazy, imagine how happening would be a house with three kids, having their own set of demands and tantrums! The parents having a roller coaster ride then, makes for the apt cover. Looking at the cute little kids enjoying their play with the controls made me all smiles! After all, as parents our moves are directed by the whims and fancies of our little angels!

My Review

Motherhood is one of the best aspects in a woman’s life. The sheer joy those two pink lines announcing the good news bring is incomparable with any other accomplishment. The moment the parents to be realise the stork is coming, they involuntarily go into the dreaming mode – of holding their baby in their arms, singing songs, playtime and lots of cuddles! Nine months seem a long duration and eagerness to hold the little one in our arms steps up, as each week passes.

But, with motherhood comes an overdose of changes. Battling the morning sickness, weight gain and mood swings, when the mother finally clears the D day finishing line, she is welcomed by sleepless nights, cranky baby and many changes that nobody seems to understand. She wonders if this what she actually signed up for.

What I Didn’t Expect When I Was Expecting is such a heartfelt account of Tina’s sweet and sour experiences with motherhood. Tina beautifully captures the major milestones in a mother’s life step by step, which makes it easy for the readers to go with the flow. Right from discovering the good news, to the challenges of each trimester; from the anxieties and excitement during a scan, to the preparation for the baby’s arrival; from the day you first hold your baby, to handling a toddler, the book has it all. Reading about Tina’s experiences as a new mom, I ...Continue reading

Book Review - You Raise Me Up

Author – Arjun Hemmady

Publisher – Leadstart

Genre – Fiction

Pages – 363

Price - Rs. 325

Sneak Preview from the cover

Aalok Sharma, a 27-year old chartered accountant, meets the vivacious and beautiful Priyanka Mehra, on a flight from Delhi to Mumbai. They are instantly attracted to each other, though completely opposition nature. However, something is holding Aalok back. Will this thing throw a spanner in their love story? Or will he be able to overcome his demons

First Impressions

A confused guy lost in the thoughts of a girl on the cover gets the readers guessing. Is he smitten by this girl? Is she the cause of the troubled expression? Even the title couldn't provide any direction. With mixed thoughts (I avoid reading the summary on the back cover, for its fun trying to make wild guesses by merely looking at the book cover), I knew the only option was to get reading.

My view

When the author of a romantic fiction mentions he has never been any relationship, or worse still; has never ever read a romantic novel, the reader gets skeptical. It's like writing a book on medicine without having any knowledge of the trade! I wondered why was the author risking his debut with an absolutely unknown genre. Either he put this disclaimer to reassure his parents, or was weaving a story based on his perceptions (sounds too risky); for it is tough to write about relationships without having experienced even one! 

But, sometimes writing without pre conceived notions help provide a fresh outlook to an otherwise predictable story.

When the story begins with a shy and simple Aalok meeting a confident and extrovert Priyanka on a flight, I could instantly make out that the author was not lying in his introduction. The way Priyanka started the conversation with Aalok was a bit hard to chew.  Right at beginning of the story itself, I got a favour of Delhi v/s Mumbai (Aalok was from Mumbai while Priyanka from Delhi). 

Also, I didn't know one could identify a CA, if a person is silent and carries Economic Times in his bag! Oh! I love reading debuts and the fearless experimentations and expressions! 

Aalok's character is well shaped up throughout the book. Intelligent, sincere, sensitive, caring, loving, he has all the qualities a girl looks for in her ideal man. When it comes to giving freedom in his relationships, Aalok goes a bit too far; which is why one finds him dominated by women throughout the story. However, it is Priyanka who often surprises the readers with her unexpected moves. On one hand, while on the flight, she made a bold first move at Aalok, in the scene that immediately follows, she tries to portray herself as the conservative and reserved girl from another city.

But, this is just the trailer. There are many surprises from Priyanka's end for the readers. 

When Priyanka discovers there is no reservation for her in the hotel, she offered to spend a night at Aalok's house. I mean, weren't there any other hotels in the town? And one remembers that just 2 pages back, madam expressed her concern about travelling alone with a stranger.

But some people are in fact like that - unpredictable, spontaneous and straight forward. As one moves forward, Priyanka's actions continue to surprise. She gallops her way into Aalok's life and often, the reader suspects her actions as calculated moved towards something dangerous. As Aalok's sister once mentions, Priyanka surely is a drama queen!

Aalok though, almost reminded me of the Shahid Kapur of "Jab We Met"

Just when one starts enjoying the funny incidents in Aalok and Priyanka's cute love story comes a twist in the tale. Aalok has a past which holds him back to take things forward with Priyanka, who by now is head over heels with him. Worse, Aalok conceals from Priyanka the fact that he was once married. And thus begins the long flashback of Aalok's past, Tanvi his first love, their triumphs and failures.

It is here that the story falls prey to drags. What seems like a small flashback just refuses to get over. By the time one is through reading about Aalok's bitter experiences with his first marriage, the tired mind says "Priyanka who? What was she doing when we read about her last?" Finally, when the readers get a hang of what's going on, one finds Aalok stuck between his first love Tanvi, and Priyanka who gave Aalok a fresh lease of life when his life had lost its meaning.

But life still goes on. And when one reads the last page, there is a smile of appreciation both for Aalok and the author - Aalok, for being level headed and sticking to his strong value system even in times of strong emotional dilemma; the author for giving an ending that is uninfluenced by what usually sells. 

Another character that is shaped up beautifully is Aalok's sister Isha. She is the kid sister every brother would love to have - loving, caring, protective, intelligent. In her the naive Aalok finds the perfect friend, philosopher and guide. 

The author with his straight forwardness has a lot of potential and perhaps with a bit more reading of the romance genre, the next book will surely rock! If you are good with skimming, you will find the book a quick and enjoyable read. I would recommend the book for it's fresh outlook towards relationships.

My rating - 2.25/5

What I loved 

• The narrative is funny and characters well shaped up, especially Aalok and Isha. Isha the mischievous yet sensible kid sister beautifully compliments the honest, sincere and straight forward Aalok.

• The story strikes a chord with the youth with the excitement and challenges of love usually faced in relationships.

• The book gives a very strong message against alcoholism and how badly it can corrode one's life.

What could have been better

• The narrative about Aalok's past drags badly and the reader is forced to skim through to know what finally happens in his present. A little scissor work on the elaborate dialogues would have helped.

• When you are writing your debut, typos and grammatical errors can be such a spoilsport. Pg 154 (Do you what they'll start thinking?; Pg 204 (Hey about we have a cup of coffee); pg 220 (Do you What? This guy is so good)

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