Shadow of Life

  It is a Covid lockdown story which revolves around a father-son duo. The book depicts several stages of their relationship, from their initial lack of communication to their eventual warming up to each other. It is a simple story that touches my heart and gives me mixed emotions of happiness and grief. We all had such moments during lockdown where we found our lost love towards our family and loved ones. For some, it has been a nightmare. Yet, for some, it represented a glimmer of optimism that transformed their life. This story gives confidence that everything is attainable with equal efforts from all sides. Here, the father unveils a few secrets about his life that he has not shared with anybody, not even his wife. And this secret reconciles the bond between them. Sometimes, someone who fears judgement holds so much inside that they worsen the situation. When expressing their fears is all they need to do to release themselves. It is a lovely book that encourages you to be more ...

This book is about two teenage girls, Serena and Poppy, who are interconnected with each other by a person who acts as their lover but is a paedophile. It was a little tricky to read this book at first because of the graphic narrative of things, but I think it is necessary to understand the gravity of the situation. When things are not good, what one believes to be true love might turn into a nightmare. But what do young children understand about how the world functions and the types of people they will encounter as they get older? The story starts with the current life of both Serena and Poppy. One is living a regular life, and one is in prison. Nobody knows what actually happened, but overnight they became the culprit rather than victims. As the story progresses, they talk about these incidents interchangeably with their present life, which gives you a glimpse of what happened to them. When one is in love while the other person is using that love to feed their carnivorous impulses,...

It is a sequel to PS I Love You.  If you have loved that one, then you will also enjoy this. In contrast to the first book, which was about Holly receiving letters from her late husband and completing the task assigned, this one describes what happens after those letters. It gives you a reality check of things. Despite everything, how difficult it is for people to move on once their loved one has passed away. Some people might not show it much, but their pain is still acute. In this book, you are able to comprehend both the letter's writer's and the recipient's points of view. After Holly gives an interview on how she handled her husband's death, strangers pursue her to get more information. It was tough to reopen those wounds again years later, but they also gave hope to certain people. Holly, however, experiences it as a terrible nightmare. She nevertheless battles her demons once more. It's natural to assume that someone's intentions while writing a letter ar...

This book offers guidance on how to extend your perspective while evaluating yourself and those around you, which I found to be quite engaging and beneficial. The book describes two types of mindset - fixed and growth and; how it affects our future or decisions. There can be many things that you believe people are doing incorrectly, but when you examine yourself, you see that you are just as guilty. It assists you in determining what we might do correctly to adopt a growth mindset rather than a fixed mindset. It has chapters based on the viewpoints of entrepreneurs, students, athletes, parents, teachers, and couples. So this book is for everyone. Also, it focuses on praising the work than talent. Moreover, it emphasises the value of labour rather than skill. The book awakens you to the fact that self-development can only happen when you consciously work to become a better version of yourself and break harmful habits. You need to become conscious of your actions, and this book precisely...

This is a larger-than-life kind of book. Where you trade between one character to another or one story to another seamlessly. You don't even feel the need to go back to the other end. You enjoy what is presented to you. Well! At times you despise it too. As per my understanding, the story revolves around three main themes - Relationships, Abuse/Trauma, and Depression. You can find some ideas or opinions interchangeably in these. Character names - Jude, Willem, JB, Malcom, Andy, Harold, Julia and Richard Depression If you have ever read anything Depression, then you just know the tip of the iceberg. This book takes you down on a deeper level and shows you what is underneath the iceberg. Now, you might not be ready for it but it has been shoved at your face. You have to have it despite its uneasiness. I took a break from time to time to grasp the story in a much better way. A person can excel in his career but the ghosts of the past won't let you live in peace. Some incidents are...

It is a compilation of poems with four key themes: being, nature, universe and love. Each theme is further explored from a number of perspectives. The writing style is simple and catchy. One doesn't have to struggle much with the underlying meaning. Some poems will boost your morale, and some will tell you to enjoy the moment in the present. It's up to you how you want to proceed with this journey. There were many favourite poems, yet some didn't work for me. The poetry with Being and Nature as their topics spoke to me more. The author has written so beautifully that you want to finish it in one sitting. Yet, just like with coffee, each drink should be consumed slowly. To fully understand the feelings behind each theme, I thus advise reading each section separately. It is a good book for people who like reading poetry now and then. Rating - 3.5/5 Genre - Poetry

The book has multiple characters, which makes it very difficult to follow. However, once everyone has been introduced, everything begins to make sense. Set amid Edinburgh Festival makes the story more happening as every character has a specific role in the festival. It is fascinating to see how they unexpectedly cross paths. The book starts with Tess Goodwin, who works in the Main office, then moves on to other characters like Albert Deussuin, Angelique Pascal, Rene Brownlow, Gavin, etc. The best thing is each character has a unique gift and struggles to overcome, yet it’s interesting to see how they work together to support one another. Initially, you might be put off, but if you give it some time, you’ll get hooked. I believe each character represents us in some or the other way. When I first started reading this book, I didn’t have high expectations, but by the time I finished it, I was happy with how well-structured it was. If you are planning to read a light book, go for it. Ratin...

There are 30 short stories in the book that focuses on women of different age and background. Each narrative brings out something different. The underlining themes are sexism, racism, toxic masculinity, the feeling of loneliness, undermining one's worth, gender politics, and so much more. Some stories might look weird, some are hilarious, and then some effects you deeply. While reading, you will feel yourself connecting to many stories, so there is this feeling of being connected to other individuals in some way, and you won't feel alone. I felt the book is not blaming anyone per se but how women are perceived, in general, despite doing double the work. Women need to demonstrate their abilities more, especially in fields where they are underappreciated by males. Each story has a deeper meaning since it uses humour to illuminate serious subjects. I adore the vasectomy situation when a man wants one but the hospital's female staff members who uphold the law deny it because it...

While some books keep you interested regardless of the plot, others demand your attention. Then, some show you the mirror and don't differentiate between good and evil. It keeps everything as it is to make you understand what is right or wrong, for you, not for anybody else. This book made me look into myself, my bad habits, my traits where I excel and also those where I can do well. I believe the purpose of reading matters while reading self-help or motivational literature. It is like attending a class where you want to learn something or pass the time. You can only learn about things when you are will take action. So, this book might mean different things to different people. I loved how it taught me to examine my behaviour and rearrange some aspects of my life to address the problem. As is often remarked, all it takes to find a solution is to alter our perspective on the situation. And for that, we need to keep our minds open. Whenever we struggle, one thing occupies our mind so...

It is a book about three characters, Ruhi, Aisha and Tejas. Their lives are interconnected as they work in a publishing house. The book begins on a positive note, discussing the inner workings of publishing houses and the lives of editors, authors and social media administrators. As the title suggests, the book discusses the issues adults face daily. Like anxiety, body-shaming issues, manipulation, coming to terms with our unhealthy eating habits and accepting ourselves, being under the constant pressure of doing things right because of our parents, writer's block, not knowing how to come up with a solution to the mistakes we have made without even realising. It also talks about adult relationships where we forget a few clashes and support each other when it is needed. Not necessarily, being friends, but being a good acquaintance. Also, I found it interesting to observe human behaviour in certain circumstances and reflect on how we behave emotionally rather than being rational abou...

When you hear the word "Sugar bread," what comes to your mind? For me, it was some sugar sprinkled on the bread, just like how my brother and I used to eat during our childhood days. Having something sweet to eat back then was a privilege, and this was a perfect replacement. We don't make it often now, but we still love sugar paranthas. See, I also told you a tale about myself behind this. Similarly, this book is all about mini-stories that involve food. It gives off a warm and fuzzy vibe, where everything looks straightforward, but it isn't. When we witness our elders spending their lives in the same way day in and day out, we tend to assume that adult life is the best. Everything appears to be perfect, but things change once we put ourselves in their shoes. There are moments in our life that change for the better or good we don't get to know at the moment, but they leave us so vulnerable that it becomes difficult to make sense of anything. Here, the mother alway...

Covid - It changed how we looked at life and people. It changed the world. I believe it made us more emphatic. On a small scale, every person has gone through a difficult phase, but if looking at it as a whole, the problems look complex. They can't be solved without proper planning and resources, and the government has tried to do as much as it can. This book intrigued me because I wanted to know more about how the government dealt with the Covid situation. The book talks about both the first wave and the second wave. It gives you a first-hand experience of things that happened when we were sitting in our homes and waiting for this pandemic to get over. The advances government took and the resistance they faced is all there in the book. It was interesting to know how our officials planned everything to cope with the Covid crisis. Had it not been the case, it would have been a scary sight even with the first wave itself.  The narration is simple and to the point. Though it is non-fi...

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...