Shadow of Life

Isn't it dangerous when you read a book written 76 years ago, and it still stands true? It was scary reading this book and knowing how falling into the footsteps of wicked people can reverse a situation. It is crucial to take note of our conscience and be aware of circumstances around us. To have knowledge about the economy, in general, is a boon that we take lightly. Also, half-knowledge is dangerous as people can cook up stories and force you to think what they are saying is true by sugar-coating facts. It shows us how a corrupt leader can ruin the productivity of the people and make them think they are not working up to their 100% capacity. It also showed the difference between autocratic and democratic economies. In one, you get to select the person and voice your opinion, whereas, in another, the leader elects himself and makes you believe it was a unanimous decision. In this book, the farm was taken over by the animals and Pigs, who think they are the smartest, become the lea...

I was very excited to read this book because this was supposed to tell me the journey of a person trying to be himself and find his place in the world where being LGBTQI+ is a crime. Things might have improved for them in the modern world, but this wasn't the case previously. So, no matter how hard you try to understand, you will never know their suffering. You can only be empathetic. While reading the book, I felt like my friend was trying to tell me his story. I have read reviews where people said it felt repetitive. But I felt like I could listen to his story over and over because, after all, isn't that what we do when someone is trying to share their grief or joy. They tend to repeat a few things and emphasize some moments more than others. The sole reason for me to read this book was to know my friend better and understand how difficult things were/are for him. It might not be the same, but I got a glimpse of everything. This book was too personal, as the author has poured...

Poetry books are always beautiful because they speak more with fewer words. To grasp the underlying meaning, you need to reach the depth of the expressions. They make you feel things that you have forgotten about and make you forget those that you don't want to remember. Poetry is a wordplay where you like some and love some a little more than the others. Lullabies take you to places from where you do not want to come back. I really loved a few pieces of poetry. They spoke to me in a language which I'm unable to express. Some were too distant for me to reach. It might be because of the way I approached them or never had that kind of experience to get those. It is a combination of poetry and excerpts. I have always loved Lang Leav's posts. Hence, the book came with a familiar aura of wishful emotions. If you are a connoisseur of poetry, you should definitely try it. It might not be best, but it will provide you with something useful. Rating - 3.5/5 Genre - Poetry

It was an interesting read as it puts across the concept of good and evil in a person. It is like good and bad both are part of the same coin. So every person has both sides of a coin. For some, goodness is on the heavier side, whereas for some, evil takes over everything else. How you balance it or maintain it depends on you and your willpower. This book is a perfect example of this. It shows how for the smaller gains, we become greedy and let our evil side rule to get some attention or please our ego. But in the longer run, all these things become petty and make us terrible human beings. Even if we want to become better, it becomes hard to let go of our habits. It also shows how our ego plays with us and how we become a slave to it. The relationship between Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde is like two inseparable friends who don't like each other but can't stay without each other. On a bigger scale, you need to keep your emotions in check and never give a free hand to greed. Because onc...

Some books make you feel so many emotions in a short period of time. They are like those friends who you always admire despite their shortcomings, who you love unconditionally. There is nothing wrong with them, and even if there is, you would easily forgive them because they are the epitome of happiness for you. Though this book talks about pain and suffering, even that feels like a melody to my ears. I witness so many beautiful moments in between where I see how we humans crave for few bondings. When a daughter leaves a house, she takes along so many memories with her of the house and the family. To separate herself from that part of life is the toughest part, and on top of it, if your family refuses to accept your new relationship, she is heartbroken. It happened with Rukmini. Her family has cast her out. Here, you will get to see the bond of a girl with each family member; be it her father, mother, brother or uncle. Each bond is precious in its own way, and any issue with any of the...

It is the final book in the series with some action-packed sequence that will make you hold your seat tight. It was fun reading this one. I really enjoyed the first one, A Flight of Broken Wings, but it topped that as well.  It takes further the connection between ariels and humans. You will see how things have changed over a while, for better or worse. The main characters are Ruban (Human) and Shwaan (Ariel). They don't like each other. But as the story moves forward, you can see two strangers becoming best of friends. The best part I liked in the book is anybody alive has a conscience. So no matter what, there will be a part of them that will always root for what is right. Here, you will see a different side of Ruban, where in the first book, he was strict and a no-nonsense man. In this one, he is more empathetic and understanding but looks irritated most of the time. Shwaan is the coolest guy in the town. He has various conspiracy theories that always work in his favour. If you ...

The book starts with a story of two couples who are trying to cope with the modern lifestyle. They want to pursue their dreams but end up doing something else in order to sustain themselves. Later, it shows the journey of a person who has nothing, but with the help of his hard work and luck, becomes rich and famous. Then how his lineage turns out is covered in the book. As the story progressed, I felt the title of the protagonist also changed from one person to another. It was so seamless that I stopped bothering about the previous one, but I could feel their presence throughout. The book revolves around waste management and how it can affect our environment if we won't start taking a step toward reducing waste. It gives you a feel of a dystopian novel where everything is going wrong. You get a glimpse of the amount of waste we are creating at an individual level. And how industries and the developed countries try to take advantage of it by dumping everything to small and developin...

I’m unable to make up my mind about this book. The way it begins gives you an uncanny feeling. When you are halfway through it, you understand it better. But what happens afterwards grips you. It doesn’t let you move from your place. In the beginning, I was trying to make out what was going on, but in the end, I was shocked. It was not like it wasn’t obvious, yet it gave an eerie feeling thinking about all that happened with The Protagonist, Giovanni and Hella. Giovanni’s character was straightforward, yet there was so much depth in it. On the other hand, The Protagonist was sharp but a little insensitive. I was rolling my eyes at his replies all the time. The choices he made were not peculiar but weren’t good as well. But, I guess there are some choices in our life that are difficult. So talking about them is like addressing them, and we might not be in a position to do that at that specific moment. Thus, it makes sense. But nothing good came out for Giovanni in it. He lost everything...

Sometimes you dislike your present team because you have a prejudice against them because of their backgrounds. They don’t need to be who we think they are. They can be the opposite version of it, and once you get the hang of working with people, you might start liking them despite everything. Also, with the right company, your drawback starts feeling like your strength. So, sometimes you have to be cold-hearted to survive in the world even when your conscience says otherwise. The story starts from where they left last, and this time it was interesting knowing their background well and their potential to do things. Where Six of Crows was revolved around a heist, Crooked Kingdom is all about an auction. When we think about such themes, we are like, what more can happen. But wait! There is a lot that is cooking, and more food is yet to come. You might not like all the dishes, but some are going to blow your mind. Wylan and Inej are my favourites in this book. They are the ones who I was ...

I'm finding it hard to talk about this book because there are so many emotions weaving inside that it is becoming tough to keep a hold on one. The story tells you different scenarios, each one weird from another. Weird because people don't do such things. Though some do things on a whim, this felt a little extra, with a perfect amount of crispiness in it. The protagonist is at such a phase in life where everything looks in vain, but there is hope, too. If you are letting go of one thing, another is ready for you to grab it, yet it depends on how you take that situation or behave under such circumstances. It shows the relationship we share with our parents. How we are close to one parent more and despise the other for some of their weird habits. It doesn't mean we don't love them, but we do not accept/agree with their habits. For some, this becomes a reason to stay distant, and by the time we realise the reason behind said behaviour or habits, aeons have passed. It also ...

  Not every book speaks to you the way you want it to. Some might indulge you for a while, and later you get bored. Some start slow in the beginning but talk to the point afterwards. Some will make you feel jealous, whereas some might want you to put yourself first. This book points out the faults, the outcomes and then what should be the course of action. There are situations/ circumstances in our life where we tend to become blind whenever a problem happens. At times, it is our fighting mechanism, but most often, it is opposite to what we want ourselves to believe. In the name of love, we let go of some important things and principles which become a curse in the latter part of our life. I’m sure nobody would like to witness oneself at such a crossroads. It is the story of Tara, whose husband, Tej, never leaves a chance to demean her and always makes her feel small. He takes credit for everything she does to make her feel inconsequential. Whenever Tara points out the issues, he ac...

There are moments when you just want to ask questions and sit beside your friend. You want someone to answer them for you even if you know the answers yourselves. When the answers come from someone you are close to, they look much easier to deal with than before. They make more sense whenever you fail to convince yourself. Such is the magic of good friends and companionship. This book is all about it. You will read all about love, kindness, tenderness, and courage. The book revolves around The Boy, The Mole, The Fox and The Horse, as the title suggests. First, the boy meets the mole, and later they meet Fox. As the journey goes on, they ask each other questions which are simple but thought-provoking. You would want to sit and think about answers that you would have given or hoped for after you are done reading. It will make you wonder how sometimes the simplest of things have the most impact. My favourite quote from the book is when the boy asks, “What is the bravest thing you’ve e...

  I don’t know what to make of this book as it left me with so many things to think about regarding the scenarios/situations I read. Also, if it falls into the romance genre, I can only find revenge and desperation to prove the other person wrong. The book is tricky as it has a story within a story. But after some time, it becomes easy to identify one from another, and it doesn’t feel like a chore. I found it hard to understand what is going on at the beginning.  Also, the gothic parts were very few and were not scary at all. They added little to the story; I feel. I felt something would come out of it, but found nothing. There are two main characters, Heathcliff and Catherine, and both were just okay. I didn’t like Heathcliff at all. His traits were brutal and harsh. Despite that, I was always looking forward to what he is up to next. On the other hand, Catherine is too sweet and gullible (not the Catherine you are thinking about, though). The book has a theme of love, frie...

Not everyone dwells in small talks. It comes naturally to some but quite a task for others. This book is a kind of small-talk where you talk about mundane stuff, then jump on to serious matter, then come back to gossip about your neighbour next door. You will feel a sense of belongingness and might detach somewhere to maintain a distance from all things negative. But how long can you hide behind your yellow umbrella? You have to come out and take things as they are. There are six essays in the book that talks about different issues or incidents from your day-to-day life and then compare them with how things have changed after lockdown. The author has explained very well here how perspectives take shape after the occurrence of few incidents. Each story differs from one another and is beautiful in its own way. It took me time to get accustomed to the style. I started reading this book at the beginning of April but left it in between. Then by the end, I felt I’m comfortable enough and i...

                                            It is a book that will take you to places and circumstances that once upon a time were your humble abode. Now things have changed and, we have moved forward in life where things or people that matter live far away. The poems were deep. One has to focus on what he is trying to say, else you'll lose the plot. I enjoyed some and, some were out of my reach. I feel I should go back to those again in the latter part of life to understand them better. Not merely reading it, but feeling them as well will only make me closer to the truth. Even though I didn't get few poems, I wish to read them again. It happens very rarely when I feel like re-reading a book. So, if it is happening, that means it has left an impact on me. Like every other poetry book, go slow with this. My favourites from this book are – Can’t, This Room, In Touch, Day and Nig...

  It is a contemporary poetry book that includes themes of feminism, abuse, mental health, bullying and accepting your flaws. It also features fairytales that are rewritten, representing the face of a powerful woman, empowering them through her words. The Author talks about issues in a simple yet impactful manner. The topics discussed in the book feel close to heart; some, you might have felt during your life, whereas some, you have heard often. It evokes empathy towards women who have gone through a tough time. This book focuses on self-love, and it is one of my favourite things to do these days. It was a delightful experience reading this book. I felt as if someone is pushing me to feel positive and better. Good vibes were all around after a while. Don’t you feel better when one of your friends sits by your side and says things that you already know yet cannot implement? But when they are spoken out loud, some actions need to be taken to change things. It portrays the exact sen...

This book is a masterpiece. I was hooked to it from the beginning to the end. Ten murders! Oh! How beautifully the story has been entangled without giving an ounce of additional information but keeping the facts intact. Would you like to taste a recipe so perfect that it keeps you drooling even after you are done eating and your stomach is full? This is it. The story is over. Now, you want more of something like this where you work your brain along with the detective. But wait! There is no detective. It is happening in the purview of someone. For starters, the reader is the one. Who is the other person? You got to read the book for that! Ten people on an island! Ten people who are distinct in every possible way! Yet, they are connected somehow. You will like the characters as each brings out the best in others. It is hard to guess the murderer in the end because everything has been portrayed so neatly you can’t put a finger on one person. The story is simple and easy to follow but wi...

We despise our present life when we feel it is becoming monotonous. As nothing new is happening and you feel stuck, but even in this space, a zillion things happen which we cannot observe. This book feels like one. If you look at it from a third person's perspective, nothing much is happening. The protagonist also feels the same way for a while, I believe. The change lies in the Spring Garden and how the environment and nearby area have changed around it over a few years. If you are going to look for a story in this book, you will find none. What you will get instead is the tidbits of the people who are obsessed with this Garden. How can a single object become everything for someone? You might feel weird at some point and wonder what is happening. Well, ain't we feel the same when we are frustrated? This book doesn't come with a sense of belongingness. Instead, it compels you to observe and choose a course of action.   The barrenness of the city life can be perceived ea...

Faith makes you do things that look unreasonable yet act like a balm to your injuries. Now, coupled with sound conviction over something, faith resorts to things that blinds your vision where wrong things look right and vice-versa. It is then you act and put your faith into action. There are many characters in the book. Each one of them has been given proper space to grow. Also, their background has been well crafted. Like the author's previous book, there is a parallel story going on in this as well. It somehow reminded me of the Movie 'Ludo', where you can't miss a single detail as it becomes confusing to connect the dots at the end. It is a fast-paced mystery-thriller book, and I enjoyed knowing how certain events turned out to be. Though, some incidents are there which are heinous and disgusting. You might not want to move further past those, but given the things that happen, in India, I cannot rule them out. People who are hardcore feminist might have a problem wit...

It was a strange book but had a good story. The ending looked abrupt to me, not like leaving you in the middle of nowhere but more of giving you expectations to have more eventually yet ended up bland. Perhaps the meaning or rationale is left with the readers. I had a fair idea that what would happen in the end, but despite that, something was missing. The story revolves around Lennie and George, who are inseparable. George is intelligent, Lennie is dumb. George has the mind, Lennie has strength. Their equation is fascinating as they keep looking out for each other for their own needs and desires. You might feel they are doing it out of an obligation, but then you won't feel the same after a while. It is just like you do things which you despise for the people who are close to you. Such things make little sense to outsiders, but your inner circle can correctly guess your intentions. Also, the title didn't make sense to me. I was trying to relate it with the incidents in the boo...

It is an actual story of a refugee family, who landed in the US on the day when Donald Trump won the election. It shows the life of people who come from other countries in the hope of living a better life, but end up having a difficult one where they struggle with the new place and new policies. Their life was horrible where they were living earlier because nobody would leave their own country just like that unless they have a life threat. But coming to a new place comes with its own set of solutions and problems. People who are resident of the said country might feel that refugees are taking up their rightful space, but one should not forget that they had no other option and one should be compassionate enough to help them whenever needed. We only see the privileges they are getting and overlook the hardship. Here, the family came from Jordan and they were grateful for the house they were provided. But they have to become self-independent in 4 months, which isn't a simple task beca...

Shall I call it beautiful or ugly? Distressing or comforting? I’m unable to put a finger at one emotion because it takes you through a journey of emotions where at one moment you feel cheerful after a while, you become confused, then stand in awe of the beauty of human conscience. It is not an easy read. It will pinch your nerves and will make you breathless; choke you so that you become lifeless but leave an iota of hope to move forward. Susan, the protagonist, is an Iranian woman who lives in Erbil and is a casualty case in the face of war. Why do I say that? Because the life of a woman in middle East war zone areas means nothing. They treat women like slaves, and it is their fault that they are born as a woman. She is a part of a caravan where strangers become acquaintance on whom you depend for your life. Not everyone will be pleasant and empathetic, but some might teach you how to be kind. This book evokes emotions will full force and shuts them up with equal measure. I took a...

  The story revolves around two sisters: Mary and Constance. They live in a house where nobody visits, and they hoard food items as if many people live in the house, but they are only three. The protagonist is Mary Katherine, and it’s hard to form an opinion about her. Most of the time, I liked her and conformed with her thinking, but as I read further something didn’t feel right. Yet, I could not put my finger on it. In the book, there were many instances where you wanted to make things right, but by the end, you questioned your choices. Despite knowing the suspense, you want more from the story and don’t want to stop there. From the beginning, the characters were eccentric, which resulted in a love-hate relationship with them. I like the way the story is shaped, as it keeps you on your toes. Also, the ending felt abstract as it leaves the reader a lot to ponder upon things. I didn’t know that it is gothic fiction. But after reading a few pages, I understood it has a dark theme....

It's the last book in the time traveller series. I have enjoyed the previous two books and this one too is at par. A few new characters were brought forward this time, which made the story interesting; on one hand, nobody can find Tej and on the other hand, an AI is on its way to destroy the world. After a while, Tej comes backs to earth and this time he has become more powerful and knows how to control his powers efficiently. The characters are well built, and I loved how Tej's character has grown until now. The story building is too good as it keeps you hooked and you wouldn't want to put it down until you reach the end. The time-travelling experience is quite amazing and looks seamless. Generally, I don't read mythology but in it, there is a perfect blend of sci-fi and mythology which makes it more fascinating. This book can be read in one go, and people who love sci-fi and want to explore something new and exciting should go for it. I would like to thank the author ...

It is a sequel to The Exact Opposite of Okay. This book is full of humour, and you will instantly start liking the protagonist. I saw characters growing in their thought process from the previous book to this. Betty, the grandmother, is my favourite character. She is quirky, weird, modern, and classy. The theme revolves around slut-shaming and revenge porn wherein someone uploads your nude on social media to get back at you to take revenge. This book talks about friendships and relations. How sometimes your one step makes everything so twisted and dark that it becomes hard to come out of it? How that makes it difficult for you to get back to your old self because you cannot undo what has been done? You need to assess the person's intent, even if they are the closest once you have been. If you sense malice, you need to stay away from them despite your history because self-respect should come above everything else. There is always a cause behind everything, but sometimes people turn ...

It's a story in the form of poetry that talks about a Queen, who is kind, smart and daring, but her life changes as soon as she gets married. I really liked the theme of the book and the subject it touches upon as it talks about the struggle of women. If you take the theme and compare it with any other female, it will look so familiar that you would agree to every aspect. Once you will start, you will take a break only after you have completed it. Even then, it will make you wanting more. I would recommend it to people who like reading fantasy, poetry and fairytales. I would like to thank the author for providing the ebook. Rating - 3.5/5 Genre - Poetry