Chaos

Chaos

In Romance, Sexuality And Fidelity

Author : Raksha Bharadia

Publisher : Rupa Publication

Pages : 218

Format : Paperback

Price : 295/-  INR

Buy : Amazon/Flipkart

Rating : 5/5 Stars

Blurb : 

Most urban couples today experience some amount of chaos in their interpersonal relationships— whether it be in the struggle to keep the erotic spark alive, trying to balance between the need for intimacy and personal space or in handling the new-age demon called boredom! Long-established patterns of married life are breaking down in a new India where gender equality and individualism have blurred the domestic division of labour and leadership, often resulting in ego clashes between partners. Technological advancements such as birth control, IVF, paternity tests etc., open up options but bring along accompanying complications. It is the same with the Internet and social media. Old rules of couple relationship—both explicit and implicit—do not fit well anymore; new rules are still not in place. In such a scenario, this book seeks to understand the little equations that go to make up a long-term relationship, thereby throwing light on the steps that, if not well managed, lead to chaos for both partners. Some of the questions addressed here are: Why do we feel the need to guard our partner’s sexuality? Why does boredom set in, in most long-term relationships? Why do affairs begin and is it really about sex or love at all? And many more such, that deal with the nitty-gritty of day-to-day sharing of the physical, emotional and sexual space between couples. By the end of this book, you may just revisit all that you have been taking for granted!

Review :

An incredible well written and readable book. This book was such a great read I could not put it down. Author Raksha Bharadia  covered the topic of Romance, Sexuality and Fidelity in depth and her research is simply fascinating. Author takes the reader on an interesting narrative journey. What I personally gained most was an opportunity to reflect on something typically taken for granted what can reasonably be expected to ourselves and our partners in our relationship and the importance of communicating on a subject that is typically left unspoken and forbidden. The coverpage and title of the book is apt to the content of the book. The language of the book is simple and easy to understand. I realise that many people will only read the first and last paragraph of a review, so read this for yourself and make your mind up. What you might find is, if you are willing to accept it, that you may start noticing some of the practices unfold in your own life Or some even reflect similarities of some of the anecdote with your own experience. Highly recommend.

** This review is a part of the Blogchatter book review program **

https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review-program-from-blogchatter/

The Sinners

The Sinners

Author : Sourabh Mukherjee

Publisher : Sristhi Publishers

Pages : 191

Price : 199/- INR

Format : Paperback

Buy : Amazon India

Rating : 5/5 Stars

Blurb : 

Vikram Oberoi is found dead in his penthouse. A few hours ago, his involvement in a sex scandal in NexGen Technologies made headlines across the world. Who is behind the sinister conspiracy that destroyed Vikram Oberoi, the philandering India Head of NexGen? Rivals within and outside the firm? One of his many jilted lovers or the miffed wife? A mysterious conspirator laying out honey traps to sabotage his plans? Or, is it the ghost of a sinful past that continues to haunt the Oberois? The Sinners is a fast-paced thriller with a shocking twist that unravels against the backdrop of corporate warfare, illicit relationships and ruthless seduction games.

Review :

I read The Sinners over a weekend and for the last 50 or so pages could not put it down. The author creates an immersive, cinematic world, inhabiting a series of characters in a way that feels deeply candid and real. It is excellent thriller but it is the internal monologue of each characters that drew me in the most. The book revolves around Vikram Oberoi  (The Boss).The story revolves around corporate office involving everyone of the office. Author Sourabh Mukherjee has done a great job here. The book is very gripping and writing is flawless. Well  absolutely love the colourfully cover page title of the book is apt to the story and compell you to pick it up. The characters are all wonderful and flawed in various interesting ways. Language of the book is simple and easy to understand. Well written and quick read book. Definitely worth picking up. Highly recommend!

Chats With God's In Underwear

Chats With God In Underwear

Author : Eduardo Chapunoff

Publisher : Self Published

Pages : 183

Price : 207 INR

Format : Kindle

Buy : Amazon India

Rating : 5/5 Stars

Blurb :

God decides to visit the Earth disguised as a regular man and holds (among other terrestrial activities) inquisitive dialogues with religious personalities (catholic priest, evangelist pastor, agnostic philosopher, Buddhist and Islam representatives) The conversations deal with life conflicts, happiness and faith and explores religious questions. He selected a psychologist who will be his "close friend" and will share wit him a number of experiences, some of them displaying humorous situations. Some chapters deal with God taming a horse, another doing aerial acrobatics, visiting a gym where he picks up 500 Kg weight with no difficulty whatsoever and nobody ever knows that they are dealing with the Supreme. In another chapter he plays Chopin impromptu as a virtuoso and also attends an Argentine Night Club where he dances a tango as a foremost expert. After leaving the Restaurant Club He and his friends are assaulted by a band of criminal. Again, his identity remains secret except for the man (a psychologist) who shares all of these experiences with Him.The last two chapters deal with an unprecedented conversation between God and his friend and they explore questions of deep spiritual issues and values and the last chapter describes his departure which takes place with an intense emotional farewell.

Review :

This is the best book I have read in years. It required a bit of concentration at first place but once I realized what was happening I was hooked. Chats with God in underwear is a book I will refer to time and time again for inspiration a lift higher and a reality check. Author brings the God himself to earth as God ( Rogelio). He hold a dialogue with religious personalities. Buddhist , an evangelist pastor, an agnostic philosopher, a Muslim religious leaders and a Catholic priest.  The character of John is brilliantly written. The book had a great flow and energy. It was a pleasure to read. The language of the book is simple and easy to understand. The book is quick read that had me coming back for more. Some truly groundbreaking insight into the religion and humanity. I would highly recommend this fascinating piece of literature.

Immortal

Immortal

Author : Krishna Udayasankar

Publisher : Penguin India

Pages : 246

Price : 399/- INR

Format : Paperback

Buy : Amazon India

Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb :

Professor Bharadvaj is more than just another whisky-loving, gun-toting historian-for-hire. Behind the assumed identity of a cynical academic is a man who has walked the earth for scores of years. He is Asvatthama-the cursed immortal, the man who cannot die.

When Professor Bharadvaj is approached by the enigmatic Maya Jervois to search for a historical artefact unlike any other, he is reluctant to pursue it. The object in question, the Vajra, is rumoured to possess incredible alchemical powers, but the Professor does not believe it exists. After all, he has spent many lifetimes-and identities-searching for it, in a bid to unearth the secret to his unending life.
Yet, as the evidence of the Vajra's existence becomes increasingly compelling, the professor is plunged into an adrenaline-fuelled adventure that takes him from the labyrinthine passages beneath the Somnath temple to the legendary home of the siddhas in the Nilgiris, and finally into the deserts of Pakistan to solve a confounding puzzle left behind by the ancients.
But who is behind the dangerous mercenaries trying to thwart his discoveries at every step? And is the professor-a legendary warrior in a long-ago life-cursed to walk the path of death and bloodshed forever?

Review :

Oh ! What a book i say. Spell Binding and refreshing. Fast paced , gripping and wonderfully written. This novel makes a great read. Book is definitely a compulsive page turner. Kudos to the author Krishna Udayasankar the way she blends the mythology with fiction in a contemporary style is simply awesome. The book revolves around Professor Bharadwaj ( also known as ASVATTHMA )who was approached by Maya Jervois to search for Vajra which possess alchemical power. The language of the book is simple and easy to read. The cover page and the title of the book is apt to the story. I cannot say enough good things about the book. A wonderful book with a great plot and a fair share of twists and turn. A must read book. Highly recommend.

SPIES, LIES & RED TAPE

Spies, Lies & Red Tape

A Spy Military-Political Fiction Thriller Based On The India Subcontinent

Author : Amit Bagaria

Publisher : Notion Press

Pages : 190

Price : 139/- INR

Format : Kindle

Buy : Amazon India

Rating : 5/5 Stars

Blurb :

 The Gang of Six were clinching their fists under the 21-seater oval teak table in the PMO in New Delhi. How could their Prime Minister speak to them like that? How does the Constitution of India allow such people, with just 35 seats out of 543 in the Lok Sabha, to become the PM?

The Indian PM's aircraft took off from Islamabad Airport at 7:45 am IST and was scheduled to land at the Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) in New Delhi at 9:10 am IST. When the aircraft started deviating from its scheduled route, there was panic at the IGIA air traffic control tower. By 9:15 am IST, the aircraft was seen heading south, when it became out of range of the radars at IGIA. Had the PM's aircraft been hijacked? Was it headed to Sri Lanka or the Maldives?

The defence minister, external affairs minister and the NSA had accompanied the PM to Islamabad. In their absence, the best men to contact the Indian Air Force Chief were the cabinet secretary or the defence secretary. Both men tried to get hold of him, but to no avail. He was not answering his office or mobile phone. They tried the Vice Chief and got no response either. What in hell was going on?

By 9:45 am IST, Indian Army soldiers in battle gear began arriving in army trucks at North and South Block, and at various other ministry buildings spread across Lutyens' Delhi. Hundreds of soldiers also arrived at the residences of the union ministers in the 28.7 km2 Lutyens Bungalow Zone.

At 9:45 pm Pakistan Time, about five hours after the Indian generals had finished the press conference in New Delhi and about two hours after millions had started demonstrating on roads across fifty-plus Indian cities, Prime Minister Irfan Khan chaired a meeting of Pakistan's National Security Council. A plan of action was framed.

Review :

Phenomenal, from start to finish.

What a terrific book! So compelling and intriguing. This book has so many things, Slow burn of thriller, loyalty to country, politics and international relations. A great book from the Brilliant writer Amit Bagaria. Best book I have read this year and you should probably read it. Highly recommend !

The Curse Of Nader Shah

The Curse Of Nader Shah

Rise And Fall Of A Tyrant

Author : Sutapa Basu

Publisher : Readomania

Pages : 278

Price : 295/- INR

Format : Paperback

Buy : Amazon India

Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb : 

What happens when a megalomaniac builds aspirations of being a world conqueror? Son of a humble shepherd from the remote northern mountains of Persia, his colossal ambition and bold strategy catapulted nader qoli Shah from a soldier to the Shah of Persia. However, nader Shah’s downfall was carefully orchestrated from the day he ascended the throne of Persia. As he compelled his Army to undertake punishing campaigns, squeezed the nation economy to starvation, and piled up mutilated bodies, even his loyal companions rose against him. They all wanted him gone but one of them wanted it the most. Who played him like a game of chess, drove him to insanity, and became his nemesis?.

Review: 

Author Sutapa Basu holds her reader spellbound through a sweeping narration. The book leave the reader amused at the sheer brilliance of the writer. With unbelievable amount of research and detailing author set the perfect example of how to blend fiction and history and make it  informative, interesting  and gripping. Excellent book on Nader Shah whose intelligent use of strategy made him supreme of Persia and demonic and tyrannical madness lead him into the grave. Language of the book is simple and easy to understand. The coverpage and title of the book is apt to the content and compel you to pick it up. A must read book. Highly recommend.

** This review is a part of the Blogchatter book review program **

https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review-program-from-blogchatter/

A Useful Death

A Useful Death

Author : Sriram Chellapilla

Publisher : Westland Books

Pages : 410

Price : 399/- INR

Format : Paperback

Buy : Amazon India

Rating : 4/5 Stars

Blurb : 

Aspiring actress Priya is dead. It’s a suicide, and rumour has it that Anil, son of politician and former Telugu-movie superstar Mohan Krishna, drove her to it. Just another film-industry scandal? Or something bigger, much bigger?

Partha, hired by Mohan Krishna’s family to handle the crisis, thinks so. Why won’t such a powerful father defend his son, Partha wonders. Is there an intra-family war? Whose interests are playing out in the media and on social media? Is a political game afoot or is this all connected to Mohan Krishna’s own dubious past? And why are student unions getting involved?

Even as Partha and his associates, Seema and Harish, confront the ethics of being involved in a war with no heroes, they are drawn into a dangerous hunt. They must negotiate a tangled and vicious world to answer one question: a young woman is dead—to whom is her death useful?

Review :

This was a fabulous read with a great storyline and fantastic characters. I love crime thrillers and this was no exception. I will definitely read more from the author. I really enjoyed the story with lots of action that move right along.  Author Sriram Chellapilla tells a good story here with strong sense of place and centrality of landscape and pursuit of dependent on landscape of plot. Characters are well developed (Mohan Krishnan , Partha ). The language of the book is simple . The cover page and title of the book compel you to pick it up. Definitely a good solid read. Highly recommend.