Life In The Sunshine

Life In The Sunshine

Autobiography of an Unknown Cricketer.

Author : T. Sathish
Publisher : Notion Press
Pages : 211
Price : 221/- INR
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb :

"Sat, Sam, and Trib (a.k.a Triple sundae gang) are teenagers and they love cricket. They spend most of their time watching and playing the sport they love. They dream of making their living in the sport.

When they are not playing the game, they put on their thinking cap and come up with alternate versions of important matches or provide parodic answers to questions that have plagued cricket fans over the years.

However, fate intervenes in their idyllic life. On 18th April 1986, Javed Miandad hits Chetan Sharma for a six in Sharjah and leaves their cricket viewing life in tatters. The after-effects of this fateful event, continue to haunt them for many years.

Their problems don't end there.

Sat fails to graduate from school level cricket to state-level cricket. He is heartbroken by the loss of his dreams and faces a mini identity crisis.

How do the boys solve their problems?

Will the boys ever recover from that Javed Miandad incident?

Will Sat get his mojo back?

Come, join the heartwarming ride and find out the answers, as Sat takes you through his nostalgic memories of the sport and narrates his coming of age story, which is deeply influenced by the sport!"
Review :

A swift entertaining and informative reminder of the Wonder of the 80's and 90's cricket for fans of the game. This book is a work of passion above anything else. The book is a absorbing read for anyone who follows cricket. The story revolves around three friends Sam, Tribe and Sat. Who lives in the same society. All they want to do is play the game for India. Author T.Sathish weaves the narrative around 80's and 90's cricket beautifully and link them with the lives of three central characters convincingly and beautifully. The language of the book is simple and easy to read. Title and cover page of the book is apt to the story. I have enjoyed this book very much. Book is very original. A must read book. Highly recommend.

Of Aakash And Aarti

Of Aakash And Aarti

Author : Dr. Govind Sharma
Publisher : Notion Press
Pages : 194
Price : 200/- INR
Buy : Amazon/ Flipkart
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb :

A compelling, heart-touching story of a drug addict.

Aakash has so much emotional pain inside him that he can breathe only because of the escape that comes from the hits of smack. He looks for succor in his school sweetheart Aarti but she opts for the fast lane to come out of her impecunious situation in life. She manipulates the top industrialist Basant Somani into a relationship entirely on her terms. The industrialist's wife Rajeshwari Devi is a kind-hearted woman of religious mindset who makes several attempts at cleaning up the mess from Aakash 's life, but he fails her every time. The turn of events takes Aakash and Aarti to Haridwar where they rediscover their emotional connection but Aakash has already gone too far down the road of addiction. Can Aarti bring him back?

Review :

The author has the amazing ability to look at the real issues.

Even though this book is aimed at teens. It is a very good book that actually deals with a lot of things that teenagers and even adults struggle with. Teen age is the age of immaturity so many of them like Aakash and Aarti follow the wrong ways like drugs and affairs. The author Dr.Govind Sharma writes characters you feel and root for in the book. Though the title and cover is not that unique, blurb of the book compel you to pick it up. Language of the book is simple and easy to read. Overall I liked this book. If you are looking for a quick summer read. This would be a good pick.

Beast

Beast

Author : Krishna Udayasankar
Publisher : Ebury Press. An Imprint of        Penguin Random House
Pages : 326
Price : 399/- INR
Buy : Penguin.co.in
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb :
'It was always the same dream, a dream that began with darkness and blood.'
When Assistant Commissioner of Police Aditi Kashyap is called upon to solve a gruesome triple homicide in a Mumbai suburb, she is dragged into the terrifying world of the Saimhas -- werelions -- who have lived alongside humans, hiding amongst them, since ancient times.
Faced with the unbelievable, Aditi has no choice but to join hands with Prithvi, an Enforcer called in to hunt down this seemingly otherworldly murderer.
But can Prithvi overcome the nightmarish burdens of his dark and violent past to unravel the mystery hidden deep within this secret world of werelions? Can he be trusted to save lives, or will he choose to serve a different, more powerful, master?
As a greater conspiracy unfolds and they very survival of humankind is placed under threat, Aditi and Prithvi must race through the dark underbelly of Mumbai -- from quiet suburbs to gritty brothels, from forgotten colonial tunnels to the lights and glamour of the inner city -- in search of a dangerous truth.
In search of a monster.
Review :

This book is definitely worth considering.

Beast is  fast paced almost like watching a movie. The plot was very clever and well written and it was also very lively. The story revolve  around Aditi Kashyap ( Assistant Commissioner of police ) and Prithvi. Aditi Kashyap called upon to solve the triple homicide in Mumbai Suburb. Aditi is dragged into the world of Saimhas (werelions) hiding amongst human since ancient times. Aditi join hand with Prithvi to hunt down the murderer. Book is worth reading to find out where will these investigation lead ? The characters are strong. This book is a page Turner from start to finish. The beautiful cover page and title of the story sets the tone for a brilliant epic story.  Krishna Udayasankar delivers great action and has woven a solid world here. The language of the book is easy to understand. Overall a great read. Highly recommend.

Saffron Swords

Saffron Swords
Centuries of Indic resistance to Invaders

Author : Manoshi Sinha Rawal
Publisher : Garuda Prakashan
Pages :258
Price : 399/- INR
Buy : Garuda Prakashan
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Blurb :
How much do we know about the valorous saga of our ancestors from the east to west, north to south of Bharat? Unfortunately very little! Were we always defeated? It is a BIG No! But we have been projected as losers! During the last 1300 years, our ancestors across the country put up a brave resistance against invaders, first against Islamic invasion and rule and later the British. Hundreds and thousands of our warriors won battles and many fought until their last breath defending the motherland.

Indian History text books have hardly glorified these real warriors of the soil. We have grown up reading more about the glories of our invaders. A nation’s citizens, who are ignorant about the brave feats of their ancestors, tend to deviate away from their roots, historicity, and their sense of belongingness for the motherland. Saffron Swords that contains 52 tales of valor, is a tribute to the unsung warriors of India, both men and women, from the last 1300 years. This book is the first in its series.

Review :
Exceptional stories of heroism and courage !!
I don't have adequate words to praise this book well enough. This book is a collection accounts of extraordinary people  who laid down their lives for our country. The book is well researched and kudos to the author for writing on extraordinary people and freedom fighters of India who are lost in Oblivion.  The book is fast paced and easy to read. Cover page and title of the book compel you to pick it up . This is rarity among books. Book is clearly and engagingly written.A must have book on your bookshelf. Highly recommend.

Ganesha

Ganesha
An Afro- Asian Story

Author : DR SYD K
Publisher : Half Baked Beans
Pages : 191
Price : 63/- INR
Format : Kindle
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb :
On the trail of Ganesha, the Afro-Asian calf, born by a quirk of fate and in the most improbable of circumstances in the wilds of East Africa in 1943. Then begins his journey to the Southern wilds of India and his fight for survival in those new wilds. 

Born on the same day as Ganesha in a rural hamlet of Southern India is Maari, who goes on to become one of the most dreaded poachers India has ever known. 

And know how their fates inevitably cross over the decades during which there are profound changes in both the political and ecological landscape of India.

Review :

This is my first book where protagonist and antagonist both are animals. The story is told from Ganesha's perspective.  Who happens to be an elephant. This story is a bitter sweet sentimental to the extreme and almost childlike in it's simplicity. What i really like about the DR SYD K writing is you could really get the feel of the characters being that they are elephant. Ganesha an Afro- Asian elephant. Who was born in Africa and transported to India as all the members of his herd died. Met  one-eyed and Dundubhi in India. I don't want to reveal much about the story. Read the book to unlock the story. The language of the book is simple. Cover page and title is apt to the story. This is a powerful book with many messages. A must read. Highly recommend.

Demons Of Time

Demons Of Time

Race To The 7th Sunset

Author : Varun Sayal
Publisher : Self Published
Pages : 218
Price : 279/- INR
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb:

A time-traveling hero armed with a necromancy spell travels from 3057 BC to 2024 AD chasing a dark shadow from his past. He has only seven days before the apocalypse becomes inevitable.

3077 BC.Ancient India. A young child Tej and his mother were rescued from the atrocities of Kumbh, a demon of time. Their savior Rigu, a well-known sage, captured Kumbh inside a time-prison. Twenty years later, Tej's scars have healed, but the fire of revenge burns inside him, unabated.

Rigu reveals to Tej that Kumbh has escaped his time-prison and plans to decimate human life on a global scale. Tej has a chance to satiate his thirst for vengeance, but he must travel five thousand years into the future to the year 2024 AD and re-capture the demon. He races against time as he has only seven days, after which Kumbh will be invincible.

Time Travel meets Demonic Possession in this Hindu mythology inspired sci-fi thriller.

Review :

Demons of time is a striking and beautiful book.

Keep your mind and heart open when you open the book. It's a really a great piece of work. It's written in such an inspiring way, that it felt as if I am watching a movie. The description by author Varun Sayal wrote of every incident makes you feel that it is all real. The story revolve around Tej, Kumbh, Vetri and Guru. Tej and his mother was blocked by Kumbh and Vetri. Guru Rigu saved them and locked Kumbh and Vetri in a time prison. Read the book for to unlock the story. The language of the book is simple. Cover of the book compel you to give it a try and title is apt to the story. Book kept me hooked page to page.  A must read book. Highly recommend.

Boundless

Boundless

Author : Natasha Malpani Oswal
Publisher : The Write Place
Pages: 66
Price : 249/- INR
Buy: TheWritePlace.in
Rating : 5/5 Stars

Blurb :
Indian women are taught to put others before themselves from an early age. This book aims to change that. Boundless is a powerfully honest collection of poems that encourage a young India to find its own identity. The last ten years for the poet, Natasha Malpani Oswal, have been a journey in experimentation and self-discovery. Natasha has tried to capture her exploration of the idea of home and identity over this timeframe through these poems.
Review :
Beautifully crafted words. I Had Goosebumps.

Absolutely perfect !! My favorite poetry book. Definitely going to read once again soon. The book is divided into five parts.

Falling
Recovery
Belonging
Escape
Discovery

Besides the beautiful writings there are black and white images to accompany the poems and this collection just feels really polished well put together.
The cover of the book is unique and compel you to pick it up. Title is apt to the content of the book. Highly recommend.

Trapped

Trapped

Discover Yourself And Reinvent Your Life

Author : Rajat Chakraborty
Publisher : Author's Ink Publication s
Pages : 181
Price : 250/-
Buy : Amazon India
Rating : 3/5 Stars

Blurb :
Difficulties and hurdles are inevitable. Minor setbacks, major failures, degrees of struggle vary from person to person - no two are alike. When you find yourself questioning your strengths, that’s when you are faced with one major question - “Do I put my head down and try harder, do I seek help, or do I concede that I’m not meant to be doing this?”

This book is dedicated to the bright young minds who are confused or in doubt about taking the next step. It helps increase your self-awareness, and find the key to unlocking your true potential.
Review :
I did not really have any expectations going into this book. I read it very quickly in one day and I enjoyed it overall but it was nothing spectacular.
I liked the first part of the book the most
later on too many names and too many stories which made the book a little bit boring.Overall a nice book and indeed it inspire reader to turn to practical world as a way  to coping it up with the extremities and challenges of life.