Book Review of 'One Hundred Names'

 Book- One Hundred Names

Author- Cecelia Ahern

Pages- 471

BLURB:

As a journalist, she's spent the past few years chasing the big scoops- no matter the consequences. when she makes a terrible mistake, she finds herself mired in scandal, her career implodes and her personal relationships are tested to the limits.

Kitty's final chance lies with a list of names, left to her by her late mentor and boss, Constance. it becomes the most important assignment of her career: to write the story behind the one hundred names as a tribute. As she tracks down the people on list to work out what connects them, Kitty meets some extraordinary people.

Can these strangers' stories help her finally understand her own?

 

MY TAKE ON THE BOOK:

The book begins with Constance's death (she died of breast cancer). Constance ran the magazine 'ETCETERA' which was quite popular. 

What made the title of the book is perhaps a hundred names that were in the envelope Kitty got. Kitty was very close to Constance and that was the reason she wanted to take up the story for a tribute to Constance. But the fact what lies in it was not known to Kitty. 

Journalism is perhaps one of the most delicate professions where one wrong story can ruin your life. one wrong story can make your life hell (Why I am telling this is because there's something related to it when you read the book and that you will know when you read it) 

Among the one hundred names, Kitty interviewed six of them where she got to know the story of each one’s life, struggles, ambition, regrets and more.

Ambrose Nolan, a fascinating woman who dedicates her life to capturing the essence of beauty. she dedicates her life to celebrating butterflies; on her conservation site she helps to create new life but in her museum, she also celebrates the life of those that have been and gone.

Eva Wu, a woman who was given a Pandora's Box filled with hope at a time in her life when she felt like there was none, and because of that was blessed with the gift of bringing hope into other people's lives through her company 'Dedicated' she is more than a personal shopper. she gives the greatest gift of all- not what people think that they want, but gifts that people never even know they need at all until they receive them and realise they were incomplete without.

Jedrek Vysotski, a husband, father and a courageous man, who wanted to prove the world that he was able to achieve something, that he was worth something, that he could stand out from the crowd even when he felt the world was telling him he couldn't. Jedreka and his friend Achar successfully completed a task that will ensure they are in Guinness Worl Records, where it will be forever in print that they are men of extraordinary talent. and for Jedrek it's a proof that he is a man of worth.

Bridget Murphy (Birdie), a woman with unfinished business who turned eighty-five years old and collected a bet she'd made over sixty years ago with a man, with an entire town, who believed she would never live to see this day. she is one of the sweetest, gentlest and most inspiring woman Kitty have ever met and has shared a story of true survival, survival that has been rewarded not just financially but most importantly by being fruitful, by being surrounded by people who she loves and who love her and there is nothing boring about that. She at the age of eighteen made a bet and that bet paid off, and it's a lesson we can all learn from.

Mary-Rose Godfrey, carer and proposee, a girl who gives so much and for it receives a proposal at least once a week. (Sam is the guy. They have known each other since they were six, they were friends all through the school and they have been best friends since they were kids. But it has some twists in it and for that you have to read the book yourself. *wink) Mary-Rose's mother sadly suffered from a stroke that made one side of her body paralysed and that was how she was introduced to the sick she goes to the hospitals to do hair, make-up and sometimes nails and through this simple acts she is like a beacon of light to the people who ask for her. But what she doesn't know is that it's her and not what she does that lights up the room. its the conversation she brings, her mere presence has the ability to heal people. 

Archie Hamilton's beloved daughter, Rebecca, was murdered before her sixteenth birthday. Archie what most fathers would do, protected his daughter by seeking out the man who took her life, and took the law in his hands. For which he spent years in prison but emerged with an entirely new outlook on life.

The best part for me in the book was the trip on Birdie's eighty-fifth birthday (the most interesting part)

There are so many fascinating, amazing people out there with their stories to tell that they don't even know are interesting. The stories are endless and so are hope and prayers. 

   

P.S.- This book isn’t just a book. It’s a piece of work that has been marvellously structured and delivered. So, grab this book and read it when you have time.

Overall rating: 4/5 

 

you can get the book from the following link:

https://www.amazon.in/One-Hundred-Names-Cecelia-Ahern/dp/0007350481

THE LETTER

Sitting idle, Varsha opened up her diary and started re-living her past. It was when she decided to write a letter. A letter after a long time. She takes up her pen and paper and started to scribble her thoughts for him... 

Hey, it’s me again. 😊

Hope you’re doing well. Enjoying your life. It has been quite some time I’ve sent you a letter, isn’t it? I know that you like reading letters and you know that I love to write one. So probably, the equation is balanced.

How’re things going at your side? Quite a busy person you are.

I won’t lie to you, that you’re the first person I’ve ever written and posted a letter to (or even be it giving letters hand to hand). 

Do you know? Today the day went so fast... it was morning when I was just doing some of my works and when I am writing you this, it’s already night. Is it same with you too? 

You know every time I wrote a letter to you, I so wished to see your reaction while receiving it. I wish I could be there with you, probably things would have been different then.

I wanted to read out the things I’ve written for you, I wanted to show you the things for you I’ve stored and preserved. I just wanted to feel your presence… 

Yesterday, while I was turning the pages of my diary, I came across the page where I wrote about the places we’ve met. The time we’ve spent and so many other things…    

Your birthday was the day we met for the very first time (I know you’d remember it but I want to keep myself reminded about this over and over again). You know, it feels good to remember the good old days. But somewhere it’s not about the good things only, it’s about all the things, the mistakes, the achievements, the regrets, the failures, success and everything.

I still recall those days, waking you up at morning, hearing your sleepy voice and your good morning wish (smiling at the thought). Do you remember telling me once that you actually use to sleep again after answering my call sometimes? All these time I thought maybe you woke up but it was the other way round. I laughed that day thinking how stupid I was thinking you’d wake up with just one call. But whatever be it, I don’t mind calling you and hearing your sleepy voice either. 😊

The other day I was listening to songs from my playlist when ‘Wildfire’ started playing, the one by Seafret. 🎶 That was when I recalled you telling me once that it was your favourite. Is it still your favourite? Or has it changed? 

So many things have changed over the period of time. So. Many. Things. I would probably like to share it when we meet again the next time… 

Till then can you tell me what’s your favourite now?  

Will be waiting for your reply. 😉

Also, there’s something I’ve written for you ;) Let me know if you like it...

IF 👀

And, if I was asked to write something about you?

I would probably write about your smile. 

The one that’s still there in my mind. 

The curve that squeezes your eyes small. 

Making you look even cuter.

And, if I was asked to write something about you?

I would probably write about your hair, 

The one that keeps falling on your forehead 

that even you fail to manage

howsoever you make it.

And, if I was asked to share a secret about you?

I would probably share about the wishes that really count for you

The good luck that matters to you more.

And the satisfaction you feel 

when someone cares for your exams being with you.

And, if I was asked about your favourite colour, 

I won’t hesitate to answer it with ‘black and white’

Because that’s what I feel would be your answer. 

The one that I asked you years ago and still remember 

not knowing if it’s still your favourite. 

And, if I could tell you something through this poem,

I would probably tell you how much you mean to me

The thing that you probably know 

Knowing your favourites,

I wonder if I could be your favourite!

Yours

Only letter sender :) 

Book Review of 'MY EX'

Book- My Ex
Author- Ravinder Singh and Ruchi Kokcha
Format- e-book

BLURB:

Years ago, Ishita broke Vinay's heart. Now, fate has brought them together again. For a long time, Vinay has asked himself the same questions over and over again- why did she leave him? what went wrong? was their love not strong enough? Now, he has a chance to find the answers he's been searching for. But is he ready to face the truth?

MY TAKE ON THE BOOK:

Well,  I bought this book because I was totally out of any paperbacks I could hop onto. 

To begin with the book, I would like to tell you that this is really a very short read which would not even take you half an hour to finish. 

The book has two protagonist, Vinay and Ishika, and revolves around just the two of them without any fuzz. 

It started with Vinay suddenly noticing Ishika at the railway station after eight long years of their break up. Ishika was still the same to Vinay, he still loved her the way he used to eight years back. The same. 

He kept starring at her from a distance recalling the past days that came flashing before his eyes. He was twenty-six at that time and Ishika was twenty-nine. There was a lot of pressure on him from his family that made him hold a basket full of burden. 

'Why did things ended the way it did?' he thought to himself. He deserved a closure which he probably didn't get. May be that's the reason he kept on thinking starring at her for quite a long time. 

Afraid of getting noticed by Ishika he turned back and started to move away so that he won't get noticed by her, staring at her. But fate probably had some other choice. 

Somebody patted on his shoulder when he was waiting for his train to arrive. He turned back and it was her. The same Ishika whom he have loved endlessly. 

They met after they bumped each other at the railway station,  

It was then, when Ishika told Vinay that she have moved back from Kolkata since her father wasn't  doing well and that she has a daughter (a donor), and is a single mother who was happy with the life she was living. 

 Vinay still wanted her in his life and kind of requested her to not leave him, he promised that he would keep Ishika and her daughter happy and would shower with all the happiness he could.

Ishika turned her back and told him that she is self-sufficient and did't want anyone in her life. 

Vinay was left broken again as he left for his home.

With this, the story ended.

What I didn't understand is that-
Why did Ishika ask Vinay to meet her if she didn't wanted him in her life? Why did she give a false hope when she knew she couldn't let anyone in, in her life? Why did she come back to break him once again?

Since it's a short story, it can't be questioned too. But in my point of view, the story lacks it's completeness.


P.S.- It's a quick read and you can probably read it anywhere and anytime you feel like reading.


Overall rating- 3.5/5


You can get this book from the below mentioned link:
https://www.amazon.in/My-Ex-Ravinder-Singh-ebook/dp/B08939DNKF

Book Review of 'NOTHING FOR YOU MY DEAR...Still I Love You'

BOOK : NOTHING FOR YOU MY DEAR…Still I Love You

AUHTOR: ARPIT DUGAR

PAGES: 183

BLURB:

Avinash, the young protagonist of the story is not really keen on getting married. But he agrees to look at the prospective brides as he does not want to disappoint his parents. One such girl he gets to meet is Neha. Avinash honestly admits to Neha that he is not interested in marriage. When she asks him for the reason behind his decision, he recounts his past. He remembers Lisha, a beautiful girl he had fallen in love with during college. He also remembers how he and his friend were mistaken for a crime, caught by the cops and then spared. While narrating the story, the author also describes some beautiful places in Jaipur and Dehradun. What happened to Avinash’s college love story? Will he now end up marrying Neha?

MY TAKE ON THE BOOK:

I read it for the second time and kind of thought I need to put up a review for this beautiful book. The first time I read this book, it was in paperback format while on my second read, I read it from kindle.

Avinash, portrayed in the story as a rich, handsome and descent guy was being forced by his parents to get married. Avinash was been obliged by his mother to pick Neha from the beauty parlor. He can't refuse his mother and went for it. In their way to home, Avinash disclosed honestly the fact that he doesn't want to marry anyone. When being asked by Neha why he do not wanted to marry, he tells her a story.

This book is a roller coaster of emotions that would surely take a toll on you.

It takes you though the story Avinash tells Neha in the car. Avinash takes her to a flashback journey of his college days and the girl he loved head over heels.

He starts telling about his life right from the beginning. From his childhood. He told her about Lisha, with whom he played many pranks. He told almost everything he could have told.

I loved the part in the book where Avinash and his friends go out for a walk after midnight and steal litchis for fun and then get caught up by the cops who were investigating a rape case that has taken place at the very same spot the boys were found. 

Avinash, a pretty simple guy described in the book gets into trouble every time even when he isn’t responsible for it. Once he was taken by the police, in another scene it was shown that he was rusticated from the college. In one or the other way he is time and again surrounded with problems.

The larger portion of the book is the conversation between Neha and Avinash.

The story Avnish was telling Neha, was quite predictable (may be because I read it for the second time and I kind of know what was going on). The shock was the Sarojini Nagar blast that changed everything.

Did Avinash marry Neha after that?

What happened to the girl Avinash loved?  Where was Lisa? This you will find when you read the book.

The cartoon characters printed at the beginning of some of the chapters are eye-catchy and in some way, help in describing what the author intended to in that scene. 

The thing which I learned reading the book is, nothing is permanent. The ones you love may not love you back, but it’s better to be honest. The ones you love may love you even much more than you can think, but, may be time isn’t right at that moment.

Love comes our way, sometimes we ignore it and the other times it is just lost within the thin air. 

   

The things I disliked in this book is- firstly, use of too many hindi phrases (which makes the content weak) and secondly, the cover of the book (It could have been better).

P.S.- I liked the book and would suggest others to read it too. But again, my taste of books might not be the same with you.

Overall rating- 3/5

Book Review Of 'And the Mountains Echoed'

Book: And the Mountains Echoed

Author: Khaled Hosseini

Pages: 466

BLURB:

Ten-year-old Abdullah would do anything for his younger sister. In life of poverty and struggle, with no mother to care for them, Pari is the only person who brings Abdullah happiness. For her, he will trade his only pair of shoes to give her a feather for her treasured collection. When their father sets off with Pari across the desert to Kabul in search of work, Abdullah is determined not to be separated form her. neither brother nor sister knows what this fateful journey will bring them.

And the Mountains Echoed is a deeply moving epic heartache, hope and, above all, the unbreakable bonds of love.

MY TAKE ON THE BOOK:

I had this book with me since a long time, but this lockdown period made me take hold of this book.

And I don’t know how and why I escaped myself from reading this book for so long that was just lying on my table. I know everyone loves Khaled Hosseini’s work and this beautiful story ‘And the Mountains Echoed’ is just an amazing work of his.

Looking at the cover, my first impression was that there would be mountains and maybe, the story was portrayed in a place where beautiful landscapes are shown, rivers are flowing and you know, everything going smoothly and all.

But when you go deep into the story, it’s not what you think. The story is portrayed at Kabul, a land covered with deserts. And nothing goes smoothly, the attacks on Afghanistan, the bullets, the untimely death and tragedies are evident in the book.

There was a letter, rather I would say a long letter, which was given to Mr. Markos by Nabi who was the chauffer and care taker of Mr. Suleiman Wahdati. The letter which was mentioned was only to be read after the death of Nabi. The letter was enclosed with the will of the property that was in the name of ‘Pari’.

Nabi was Abdullah and Pari’s uncle. While delivering Pari, they have lost their mother. Nabi always tried to be attentive to them, especially to Abdullah, who most seemed to need it. Once a month, Mr. Wahdati generously let him borrow his car, and he would drive down to Shadbagh, his native village to visit Parwana and her husband Saboor. He offer to take Abdullah and Pari rides in the car, to make them feel that they are not alone.

Later on, Pari and Abdullah who shared unbreakable bond were separated when Pari was left with Nila to spend the rest of her life on the insistence of Nabi who worked at their place.  

Nila was a poet. Her poems defied tradition. They followed no preset meter or rhyming pattern. Nor did they deal with the usual things, trees, and spring flowers and bulbul birds. Nila wrote about love, and by love its not about Sufi yearnings of Rumi but instead physical love. 

Mr. Wahdati (Nila’s husband) suffers from stroke and become bed ridden. It was Nabi who took care of him. After Mr. Wahdati’s bed ridden condition, Nila took Pari along with her and moved to France leaving everything behind.

Nabi mentioned everything in the letter which made Markos think really hard. Markos was a plastic surgeon who came to Kabul to serve the mankind and lived with Nabi in his house along with some other people who were with him to help in uplifting the situations of Kabul at that time. 

Thalia(who began living with Markos and his mother in a small island of Tinos), a girl who has disfigured face from the childhood due to the attack of a dog, hides her disfigured face with a veil for the sake of her extremely beautiful mother. Who was later abandoned by her mother for her disfigurement. And later on, she refuses to correct the disfigurement when even Markos urges for it because she think this is her identity.

 Later on, the story is concluded with a bitter sweet ending where Abdullah’s daughter Pari, brings a guest to her home for her father who was none other than his own sister Pari. They were separated during their childhood which was a tragic one.

And before Abdullah was diagnosed with Alzheimers, he gives his sister the box he kept safe, the box with the collected feathers in myriads of colours, especially the peacock feather with that big eye and the write up along with them.

I really enjoyed reading this book and after reading this book, I am sure I am never going to remove this from the list of my favourite ones.

P.S.- Suggesting everyone to read this particular book. It is truly an amazing story. And I am sure after reading this book you will thank me for suggesting it to you.

Overall rating: 4.7/5

Book Review Of 'Life is What you Make It'

BOOK- LIFE IS WHAT YOU MAKE IT

AUTHOR- PREETI SHENOY

PAGES-224

BLURB-

Life is what you make it is based on a love story that has been set in India in the 90’s. it has been described by the readers as a book potraying how love, hope and determination can together win over even the destiny. It is a gripping tale of a few significant years of the protagonist’s life.

The novel revolves around a woman in her 20s, Ankita, who has a past haunting her like a nightmare. As she grows up from adolescence to a woman in her mid 20s, she wades through different situations, engages in affairs with a couple of guys and is set-back by her parents refusal to accept her situation.

As a result of non-stop upheavals in her life, Ankita develops bipolar disorder at one point of time.

The story revolves around Ankita’s struggles, determination, her decisions and her faith in self. The book beautifully describes how she gets acquainted with her bipolar disorder, how she decides to help her own self and how she battles these situations all by herself.

MY TAKE ON THE BOOK-

What attracted me the most is the title of the book. The title made me eager to try and read this book. I was in class IX, I still remember. One of our teachers told us to write a review on a book and that was when I first wrote my book review. Although it was a long time back, I feel happy recalling those days. And this was the first book I wrote a review on ‘Life is what you make it’.

The story is set in the time of 90’s and moves around two cities.

The protagonist Ankita is in her 20’s who seems to have issues from the past that haunts her present. The prologue starts with Ankita sitting on a chair outside the doctor’s office.

The story begins with flashback and there are letters being exchanged between Ankita and Vaibhav. As the story moves on it becomes more clear that Ankita’s parents are one of those typical Indian parents who are strict and doesn’t approve their girls being in the group of boys or doesn’t approve any guy calling at home. But somehow Ankita and Vaibhav kept in touch.

Abhi the guy who she met at an inter-collegiate event begins to woo her. Later they remained in contact though calls and messages and sometime meeting each other. Ankita didn’t tell Vaibhav about Abhi and neither did she told Abhi about Vaibhav. Pretending Vaibhav all is well.

Later with Ankita getting into MBA in different city, she refused Abhi and his plea to stay in touch.

(Only if she had told him that she would be in contact, may be Abhi would have survived. What I hated the most in this story is Ankita’s feelings toward Abhi. Abhi was just being helpless ‘coz Ankita was leaving the city soon and may be it happens. At times we become weak, we become empty to see the person drifting away from us, there’s a void which makes the heart heavy with the guilt of nothingness. He just asked her to be in contact but she was a rock. She didn’t reply and turned him off. That caused all the troubles and may be that was the reason Abhi was found dead in the beach the next morning. The waves bringing his body close to the shore.)

The story goes from one city to another when Ankita with all her hard work and determination makes it to her dream of MBA. But perhaps life had some other plan for her. she ended up being in a mental hospital.

This event followed a big mark on her because she knew Abhi and loved him at some point of time. Why Abhi died nobody knew but the reason of Abhi’s death was evident to Ankita.

She moved on to the next city with a broken heart and when every thing was going good, her parents found out the ‘love letters’ and turn on her. In front of her they burnt the letters, from this, a huge bunch of emotions filled her heart and thereon her problems arises. She begins to miss he classes and college. She finds herself in a disturbing situation partly due to her fault and partly due to destiny.

Read the story to know more about Ankita, Abhi and Vaibhav. How did she managed herself with the episodes of mania and depression is beautifully written in the book.

P.S.-  it is the story of Ankita’s illness and her fight with it. It is a story of will power and establishes that even destiny can be overcome by determination. It is a story of love and more a story of hope.

You won’t regret reading this book. J

Overall Rating- 4/5

Book Review of 'Brahmahatya'

BOOK- BRAHMAHATYA
AUTHOR- RAJIV MITTAL
FORMAT- E-BOOK

BLURB-

A story of revenge and redemption and deeds shaped by forces that humans believe they have defined through mythology and scriptures but still struggle to understand.

A woman employee of a retirement home is shocked to discover that a new resident is in fact the son impersonating his father. The son is seeking revenge. She, by her past actions, is unwittingly complicit in his being there and now tries to thwart his peculiar plans. A senile woman-resident and an enigmatic founder offer him sage advice. The samudra manthan (a major episode in Hindu mythology), a slightly dim secretary and a sinister boss play their part in ensuring justice is finally served but in an unexpected manner.


MY TAKE ON THE BOOK-

“Brahmahatya” as the title reveals it is the act of killing a Brahmin.

Ravi Narasimhan referred to as Ravi in the content is the son Naru sir (generally used in the book)

Ravi works in Dubai and is the only descendant of his family. His father is a lone man staying in an apartment connected to his son through a mobile phone. His father was quite old and remained ill most of the time. The hospitalization of his father brought Ravi Narasimhan back to his hometown Chennai from Dubai. After reaching his hometown, he went directly to meet his father. His father’s condition was unstable and meanwhile, he needed to go back Dubai soon to attend a meeting. Since time was less, he thought of enrolling his father in a retirement home so that someone would be there for taking care of his father along with helping him in certain activities.

He got information about GMR, which was a retiring home, from a doctor who was treating his father. He tried to enroll his father there, but to his fate, the admission of his father in GMR wasn’t possible because of some medical regimen. His father wasn’t stable and that was the reason he had to take his steps back from GMR.

With the last hope, he went to “Blessing” which was yet an old age home where old people are taken care of. Somehow Ravi did his father’s admission there and went back to Dubai for his work.

One day, a sudden call from “Blessing” gave the news of his father’s death.

Ravi was fired from his job. And on that very day, he received a parcel informing that his father’s admission is approved by the committee of GMR.

Ravi was lost and didn’t know what to do.

Dr. Chari was the person who refused the admission of his father in the medical ground at GMR due to which he blamed Dr. Chari for the demise of his father.

Bhavna was a nurse at GMR, who used to take care of the people admitted in GMR. It was due to the fault of Dr. Chari, her daughter, Laxmi was born with cerebral palsy, which ruined her family and her husband.

Ravi, with no hope in life, acted the role of his father and took admission in GMR.

Mr. Kasturi was the founder of GMR, who was also a regular visitor in Ravi’s room. Kasturi handed over a book to Ravi which once was given by someone to him. What was that book about? To know more, read the book.

P.S.-The story has many turns and twists which eventually keeps a person engrossed in the story.

What happened at the climax was totally different from the initial chapters. Go through the book to resolve the tangled mystery in the book.

Overall rating- 4/5