The Shmospels of Shmeiki-The Om Shmeiki Healing Organization

Book: The Shmospels of Shmeiki: A Hilarious Journey of Self-Discovery
Author: The Om Shmeiki Healing Organization
Publisher: Leadstart Publications

Have you read a book on spirituality?

The Shmospels of Shmeiki is a satirical yet philosophical story of David who comes to India and is contacted by Sheila, an A.I. Singularity from another dimension. She offers him a humorous, but authentic path of hippy spirituality called Shmeiki, which is said to be free of the seriousness and self-righteousness typical of other similar practices. Asking him to become a medium to spread her message effectively, she asks him to undertake a journey from Goa to Dharamshala to clean himself from emotional blockages. The caveat is that he is to travel without money, or without wearing any footwear, relying completely on the goodness of the people. In accepting this challenge, David becomes Shmeiki Baba. The Shmospels describe his epic journey, from the perspectives of four witnesses. It is a cosmic, psychedelic, and inspiring story about self-acceptance, love, and surrender.

The book is well structured, with the parts being narrated by various characters as they experience the sermons of Sheila through Shmeiki Baba. The concept is interesting as it tends to question the fly-by-night spiritual advisors that crop up every now and then, and presents a satirical take on it through creating an absurd spiritual cult. The message of the story to look for the goodness of the people is interesting, and in its own weird manner, oddly convincing at time. However, this is where the good things stop in the story. The concept starts well but towards the middle loses the path and becomes a cult that does nothing more than just walk around and do weird things. Adding “sh” to everything was adorable in the beginning, but becomes irritating and it loses the element of connect with the reader. The climax of the story in Dharamshala and beyond is wildly executed, and drops the overall feel of the book.

The characters are quite interesting, right from David to Sheila and Shoshana. The character arcs are well crafted, though could have been executed better. The arc of David to Shmeiki Baba is convincing, but Shoshana’s character was not convincing enough for me. Another aspect that could have been improved was that the arc of Godrej was left hanging, and it was a loose end that did not make sense.

Overall, a book with an interesting concept that can be improved. It scores a 3.56/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book here.

Your Love Makes Me Complete-Ratnadip Acharya

Book: Your Love Makes Me Complete
Author: Ratnadip Acharya
Publisher: Aksora Publications

Do you like reading romance stories?

Your Love Makes Me Complete by Ratnadip Acharya is the story of Christopher and Sugandha. Based on real events, the story traces their journey as they battle their pasts and come out of the cocoon they have created for themselves. Their story blooms in the town of Panaji as they explore the quaint town and the villages around it, taking a trip to Pondicherry for an experience of a lifetime. As all love stories go, Sugandha and Christopher’s story has its own share of wary families and societal bounds, and how they overcome them to find their happy ending. The novel is an inspiring one on love, trust, and destiny.

The story is quite interestingly plotted with the plot actually realistic, and the readers would be able to connect with them to a certain level, and identify with Sugandha and Christopher. The plot moves at a steady pace, which becomes a bit dreary in the middle, and eggs the reader to skip a couple of pages as the pace drops. I liked the part where the plot is set in Pondicherry, and we experience an interesting anecdote. The part where we meet Sugandha’s family is well executed, though it could have been plotted better. The book has a lot of grammatical issues, and it affects the reading experience to a great extent. The book requires a second round of detailed proofreading as apart from the grammatical issues, the name of some places have been wrongly spelled. The climax of the story is good, and while well executed, quite expected.

The book is driven primarily by the characters of Sugandha and Christopher. I liked they way in they have been sketched, and how both of them have  a similar past. The character arcs are interesting though I felt that it could have been explored a bit further to further engage the reader, as I felt a certain disconnect with them as though it was an act they are putting up, and the romance was not that apparent. The one thing I would love to appreciate is how the author used secondary characters such as Molly, Ammaji, Mrs. D Souza etc. to propel the story forward.

Overall, a good book which can be improved. It scores a 3.56/5 for me.

Grab a copy from Amazon India Here.

A Spoonful of Curds-Bharati Jagannathan

Book: A Spoonful of Curds
Author: Bharati Jagannathan
Publisher: HarperCollins India

Do you think short stories make for a good read?

A Spoonful of Curds by Bharati Jagannathan is a collection of a dozen short stories that unfold around Tamilians, and have the feelings of heart and humor, based both in India and abroad. From arranged marriages, to societal conventions, the stories cover a myriad of issues, and present an interesting perspective to the situations! The stories explore new love to old love, friendships, and a host of other emotions to present the world from a particular perspective.

The stories are written in an interesting manner and make for a refreshing read. Each of the stories actually develops around a central idea, which is usually a social taboo or a stereotype, and then goes on to discuss it from a completely different perspective. The book is inherently focused on Tamilians, and thus the storytelling, the events and happenings are actually something that comes from the culture of the same. I loved the fact that Bharati actually wove stories around same-sex relationships, divorce, arranged marriage and love, and yet managed to keep them away from the traditional mindsets. The climax of each of the story comes out completely different from one would have expected, and I think this is the biggest aspect of her storytelling. However, there were some very specific terms borrowed from Tamil that were a bit difficult to comprehend, and while there is a glossary in the end, it would have been better if the meaning could have been given in the text itself. Secondly, in some of the stories, the plot seemed a bit muddled up as the names and events changed without notice and that could have been improved. If I had to pick favorites, I would choose Grhapravesham, and The Prime of Janaki Ammal.

Coming to the characters, Bharati has come up with a motley of characters that are quite interesting in their perspectives, along with maintaining their true sense of belonging to a community yet transitioning into a modern society. From NRIs to people living in India for generations, a plethora of characters find place in her stories, and each of them have a sense of individuality, one that makes them stand out from the other in a true sense.

Overall, a good collection of stories that score a 3.88/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book here.

Arzu-Riva Razdan

Book: Arzu
Author: Riva Razdan
Publisher: Hachette India

What was that moment in your life when you realized your true calling?

Arzu by Riva Razdan is a coming-of-age-story of Arzu Agarwal, set in the year 1991 when India was on the cusp of history, and opening up for foreign investment for the very first time. While a move set to benefit millions, for the wealthiest families in India it is a move that brings uncertainty for the empires they created. In Bombay, Arzu is facing a dilemma. Daughter of a newspaper mogul, she is concerned about the affections of her millionaire boyfriend before the talk of liberalization changes his mind. When things are a bit rocky, her decision to extend an innocent gesture goes horribly wrong and she escapes to New York City with her aunt, whose only agenda is to fix her up with a suitable boy, while her independence in New York sets her up on a path of her own. The question, however, is, will Arzu be able to discover the way to become the heroine of her own story, and get out of the shadows of the men in her life?

The plot of the book has been well thought with details about Arzu's life, justifying her actions. The story is quite interesting as it traces Arzu’s journey as she finds her identity through the course of one year. I loved the fact how Riva has equated the growth in the Indian economy in 1991 with that of the protagonist, and the milestones coincide more than once. Another thing that is interesting about the story is the manner in which it is told, and how Arzu was shown to be living in a cocoon and how she emerges as a butterfly, which also jumps out from the cover once you finish the book. Riva has captured the essence of the superfluous nature of the people from the upper echelons, and how appearances are more important to them, as compared to actual comfort and emotions, which is evident in more ways than one. The language of the book is easy to comprehend, and paints a wonderful picture of the events as they occur. The climax of the story was quite interesting, and while one aspect of it was expected, the other was not, and I think this was the best thing about the entire story.

Coming to the characters, Arzu Meera Agarwal impressed me because of the confidence she exuded from the very first time we meet, and her clarity on what she wanted from life. She was crafted as a woman who was self-sufficient, and wanted a partner who was an equal, and not just a companion. Even in her pursuit of the same, we see she leaves no stone unturned, and this is what makes her Arzu achievable. Another character who stood out for me was Siddhant because he complimented Arzu in many ways, and added a flavor to the story that made it enjoyable. His presence was quite fleeting as compared to other characters like Parul Bua, or Rohit, but he managed to stand out because of his simplicity, and the emotion of being there for Arzu, without asking for anything else.  As for the other characters, Ajit was also impressive, and the scene from the wedding was truly inspired.

Overall, Arzu is a refreshing coming-of-age story that takes an interesting idea and explores an aspect of the namesake that will not just entertain the reader, but might just inspire them to take a step towards their dream, and grab them.

A definite recommendation which scores a 4.44/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book here. 

The review is a part of the Book Tour for Arzu.

Hashtag Story-Garima Batra & Prarthana Earla

Book: Hashtag Story
Author: Garima Batra and Prarthana Earla
Publisher: Half Baked Beans

What was the silver lining in the pandemic-induced lockdown for you?

Hashtag Story by Garima Batra and Prarthana Earla is the story of Ananya and Saket who meet in a shared cab and slowly bond over their shared love for books and  startups. To keep things simple, both of them agree on a no-strings-attached relationship, and all goes well. Until the COVID pandemic induced a lockdown and they were confined to the 4 walls of their respective houses. As the time passes and the impact of the lockdown becomes to surface, it impacts both, Ananya as well as Saket, and things take a turn in their lives. Enter Jeev, a character that destiny brings to their lives, unknown to them that he could change their lives forever. Can love blossom in these testing times, or would that become a casualty of the lockdown as well?

The plot of the story is quite contemporary as it explores the work-life balance of modern couples, stresses due to the pandemic and the prevalence of dating apps. The idea of a love starting in a shared cab is quite interesting, and I loved how the authors have actually used the initially innate conversations into a starting point of a love story. The story is believable, and relating to the incidents, especially the virtual dates, the step-by-step cooking, and the realizations of what is important in life. The interaction on Hashtag Story, and how that plays out was surprising as well as an excellent way of narrating the feelings of the characters. While a well told story, it does need a second round of proofreading as there were grammatical issues, though nothing very critical, but does impact the overall reading experience. The subtle yet direct plug to a party planner was cheeky, as well as it almost broke a wall to the reader directly. The climax was quite romantic, and I loved the way it plays out.

The book focuses primarily on Ananya and Saket, and we see their life play out in the book. While initially it was difficult to understand their reluctance to commitment, the backstories which feature towards the midpoint of the story actually provide the context, and suddenly the pieces start falling into place. The character arcs of both Ananya and Saket are well sketched, and the impact of pandemic as well as love on their lives is quite visible. Jeev, however was a surprise, and a good one at that with the role he plays in the story.

Overall, it was a fun and interesting read that scores a 3.88/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book here.

Mates, Dates and Double Takes-Milan Vohra

Book: Mates, Dates and Double Takes: Three First-Love Stories
Author: Milan Vohra
Publisher: Self Published

What is the most interesting date you have had?

Mates, Dates and Double Takes is a collection of three stories that explore how people meet their first love and how significant minor things can be at times. Sandwich Soulmates is a heartwarming story of how Mahira and her friends bunk college to go see a mushy movie on V-day, and sees a guy at the food court ordering the same sandwich she likes, and something clicks when Prithvi hears Mahira’s phone ringing. Since their tastes match, both in Sandwiches and Music, are they just mates, or something more? A Double Blind Date is a story that unfolds entirely in text messages between Mihika, Raina, Shlok and Pranav. With none of them having met each other before, this string of messages is the only key to unlocking the fate of the blind date. Its Not Fiction is Shayari’s story of a chance encounter with a Hungarian guy Matus on a train from Brussels to Paris, enroute her internship. What begins as a coffee in the train encounter might just pave way to a larger scheme of things, that no one could have predicted.

All the three stories are wonderfully crafted and explore the idea of first love in an interesting manner. The storytelling is quite vivid, and the imagery as well as the words are able to paint a virtual picture of the things as they happen. In the first story Sandwich Soulmates, I loved the way food and music were used to depict the idea of soulmates, and how things tumble out one after the other. Slow dance of exploring each other through their choices was done exquisitely by Mahira and Prithvi and the scares in between kept the story realistic. The climax was quite interesting, and I would love to see them come together to see how their lives pan out some day. In Double Blind Date, the idea of using only text messages is an interesting way to give an insight into the characters mind and their idea of love and a blind date. The text messages seem quite organic with emojis and non-stop texts and angry texts, and the way the last text pans out defines the true spirit of a date and V-day. It’s Not Fiction is a story that was quite fresh, and while it dealt with an interesting subject that defies logic, it somehow felt relatable, and I think that’s the best thing about this story. Overall, the stories imbibe the idea of love in a manner that a reader can relate and feel a part of the story in some part or the other. the climaxes of all the 3 stories are heart melting, and make for an excellent closure for the idea they wish to portray. There are some minute issues with the editing, but nothing that hampers the overall experience of reading the book.

Milan has crafted some amazing characters in Mahira, Prithvi, Mihika, Shlok and the rest, and each of them is worthy of telling their own story, and it is interesting to see that in a short story, the individuality of each characters jumps out as the story flows. I loved the fact that the characters have their space to come out and none of them feels artificial. It is but natural to actually get excited and feel that this character is eerily similar to someone we know and can relate to.

As is with Milan’s stories, the music that flows through the pages is an absolute delight, and I would suggest you create a playlist while you read which can enhance the experience of the story.

Overall, a definite recommendation if you are a romantic, and it scores a 4.19/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book here.

Also, you can check out the playlist I created from the songs and bands referred in the book here.

Dark Retributions-Jemimah Jonah

Book: Dark Retributions
Author: Jemimah Jonah
Publisher: Invincible Publications

Do you read stories with paranormal elements?

Dark Retributions by Jemimah Jonah is the story of Victoria Brooks, a homicide detective in the Westhill Police Department, who is called in to solve a brutal murder. A body of a woman was found in an unnatural situation and violent situation in a place that has a bad feeling around it. Victoria, however, has a secret. She can see the dead, and that is what sets of a series of events that are quite out of the world. Accompanied by paranormal investigator Jonathan Steele, she races against time to find out the perpetrators of the crime, and as the threads unravel, she realises that the key to solving the case lies in her past. Would she be able to face her demons and solve the case, or fall victim to the supernatural elements?

The plot of the story is quite interesting as it is not just another horror story, but a murder mystery with paranormal elements. The storyline is engaging as well as keeps the reader hooked to turn the page. Jemimah has actually kept the murder mystery as the central plotline, while using the paranormal activities as a way to propel the story ahead, and in my opinion, this is actually a USP of the book. The horrors in the book are chilling, but not grotesque as to scare away the reader, but the fear builds up as the story progresses. Another thing that works for the story is that it has shades of humour, and I loved the part where a ghost has a “quarter-life crisis”. However, there are some grammatical as well as editing errors that are there which can be corrected in the subsequent drafts. These do not affect the plot much, but do distract a reader. There are no plot holes, and the general flow of the story is quite smooth. The climax had a truly surprise element, and the buildup to that is great.

Coming to the characters, Jemimah has created a good detective who I would love to see solve some more cases in Victoria Brooks. She has been shown as a tough cop, but one who has her own share of troubles and secrets. Her humanity is very well explored in her ups and downs as well as her need for companionship and how that plays out as an arc. David as a character surprised me, and his love towards Victoria adds to her humanity as well. Coming to our paranormal friends, Jeremy, Harley and all the others have been given distinctive identities, and they have their own story that adds to the plot, rather than them just floating around and scaring people. The characters in the story do drive this story, and all their backstories actually form a critical part of the plot as a whole.

Overall, a good read, and recommended if you love reading murder mysteries with a tinge of horror. The book scores a 4.06/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book here. 

Shadow in the Mirror-Deepti Menon

Book: Shadow in the Mirror
Author: Deepti Menon
Publisher: Readomania

Do you believe perceptions can alter a person completely?

Shadow in the Mirror by Deepti Menon begins with Nita’s death, a pregnant woman who falls from her balcony, which becomes the string that unravels a sinister plot that is afoot. As the story progresses, a shadow is cast over many lives, her father, husband, and Vinny, a young journalist drawn in by the allegations of foul play and murder. This leads to a riveting telling of stories within stories that tell the tale of splintered relationships, and some aspects of life that come together, and go away, only to come back together. Would the mystery of Nita’s death come to light, or would the secret be buried in the past in diary entries and letter?

The story does not have a straightforward and simple narrative that takes us through an investigation. It tells a deeper story about the human psyche and how events of the past can affect a person and leave scars so deep that they can never heal. Starting from the present of 1990s, it goes back to the 1970s as it explores the lives of all our characters as they happen. The language is easy to understand, and it is able to convey the emotions that Deepti wanted to portray. The mystery in the story is maintained till the very end and the core idea of the book jumps out of each page, but only in hindsight. I loved the manner in which the author structured the book and how each piece of the puzzle comes out and comes together in the end to show a complete picture. The climax was quite imaginative and unexpected, and I loved the way how everything culminates in that.

The story is quite character driven, and the narratives move ahead along with the progress of the character arcs. Each of the characters have been given due importance and they have been sketched keeping in mind the big picture that the author wants to show us. The deep dive into the lives of Kavita, Roma, Vinita and Krish is an important part of the book that establishes their purpose in the story and helps the reader connect with them, and experience the story in its entirety.

Overall, a story well told that scores a 4.38/5 for me. A Definite recommendation if you prefer a thriller genre.

Grab a copy of the book here.

Be Better Bit-By-Bit-Nishith Goyal

Book: Be Better Bit-By-Bit
Author: Nishith Goyal
Publisher: Quignog (A Pirates Imprint)

Have you ever tried implementing the concept of “Continuous Improvement” in your lives?

Be Better Bit-By-Bit by Nishith Goyal is a book that basically emphasizes on the idea of small but continuous improvements to one’s lives to make it better. Implementing the idea that doing things “bit-by-bit” can bring about big changes in a person’s life in the long run. Focusing on aspects such as mindfulness, meditation, reading etc. the book is a guide to improve one’s life, one small step at a time. If you wish to stay on the course of high productivity, success, and happiness, this book is for you. 'Be Better Bit-By-Bit' will have a revolutionary effect on your career, your relationships, your finances, and your overall life.

The book is a very interesting read in the manner it is written and structured. Not just a book that preaches, Nishith has made the concepts he explains quite practical, and provides milestones in the book that he encourages the reader to practice and develop as the book proceeds. Told in a simple and effective manner, the book actually makes a reader want to inculcate the things the book is trying to tell. Another thing that makes the book interesting is the presence of anecdotes, both from the author’s life, as well as from the books he has read. While the book talks about self-development, it emphasizes equally on discovering one’s own pace and developing it. Divided into multiple sections, each section deals with a specific aspect, and the author focuses on working on that aspect before moving ahead. The concepts are simple, yet powerful, and I loved the manner in which each of them has been dealt with, and some good recommendations of books and apps have been given. I would recommend that this book be read over a period of time, sipping it in bits, absorbing the concepts it gives for the maximum impact.

One tip for the potential readers, grab a notebook and a pen, as they are a must companion for this book!

Overall, a self-help book that I enjoyed, and would definitely recommend. It scores a 4.5/5 for me.

Grab a copy here.

One & A Half Love Story-Vishal Anand

Book: One & A Half Love Story
Author: Vishal Anand
Publisher: Moments Publishers

Do you believe college romances can turn into serious relationships?

One & A Half Love Story by Vishal Anand explores the story of what happens when a girl tells you that she had a great time with a person you love and wants to spend her entire life with him, and the worst part is the fact that you have no inkling about her. Nimisha takes a trip to Bengaluru to celebrate the Valentine’s week with Viraj and they have a great time, until she stumbles upon the Shriya, and Viraj’s past. In the quest of love, we experience the tangled loves of Viraj, Shriya and Nimisha.

The concept of the story is quite interesting with it being told in parallel timelines, converging in the end. Vishal has plotted the story well in terms of various events that influence the lives of the main characters, and how they get intertwined. Stepping away from the run-of-the-mill romances, this book actually talks about the importance of friendships and how each relationship in our life has a need and that one cannot be substituted with another. While the plotting is good, the storytelling on the other hand lacks a certain charm. Both the timelines seem quite forced and drab, and that the idea of love does not jump out at the reader. The scenes between Viraj and Nimisha, though planned nicely, do not resonate with the idea of the book and it seems that it was completed in a hurry. The climax, though cliché, is well executed and wraps up the story well.

Coming to the characters, Vishal has focused on the story and not much of the characters, though some detailing has been done in terms of descriptions, but the character sketches are not too detailed. While Shriya does get her character arc developed, however both, Nimisha and Viraj, exist as standalone characters with the past being hinted upon. This, however, does not impact the story much, though I would have liked to read a bit more about the accident that keeps being referenced.

Overall, a good read on the idea of love and relationships that scores a 3.44/5 for me.

Grab a copy here.

Love Knows No Boundaries-Sujay Kantawala

Book: Love Knows No Boundaries
Author: Sujay Kantawala
Publisher: Pblishing.com

Do you think love transcends boundaries?

Love Knows No Boundaries by Sujay Kantawala is the story of Rithambara and Shaquille, a couple no one could have thought existed. Separated across race, religion, and continents, they would have not met under normal circumstances, but fate had different plans. Shaquille, son of a Governor in Chad, and Rithambara, a swami in an Indian ashram cross paths in Dubai in the unlikeliest of circumstances, and then love blossoms. But as all love stories go, this is also not an easy ride. With Rithambara being part of an Ashram will they be able to sustain their story?

The story is very well-crafted with the concept of a love that transcends social and physical boundaries being explored. Told in past tense, the storytelling is powerful and suffers from no plot holes as such. The language is simple and easy to understand, as well as suits the characters. The idea that explores an open relationship is quite rare, and Sujay has woven a powerful narrative around it. Being a narrative that is told by Rithambara and Shaquille alternately shows us 2 perspectives on the concept, and how things actually work out. The climax was quite powerful and gave an interesting message to the reader.

Coming to the characters, the book primarily focuses on Rithambara and  Shaquille and the other characters come and go but do leave their mark on the plot. Shaquille as a character impressed me with his grit and determination to achieve the things he wants, despite the adversities that come in his way. Rithambara, on the other hand, is a character that is made of nothing less than iron will. There are multiple instances where we see her resolve being tested, yet she comes out unscathed every time.

Overall, a great read on love that scores a 4.13/5 for me.

Get a copy here.

The Relic-Ashwin Karthik & Madhava Sharma

Book: The Relic
Author: Ashwin Karthik & Madhava Sharma
Publisher: Pblishing.com

Have you come across a mythological story that you had trouble believing in?

The Relic by Ashwin Karthik and Madhava Sharma revolves around the Shri Padmanabhaswamy Temple in Kerala, the treasures and mystery that surround it. The story begins with the government trying to investigate if there had been any misappropriation of funds. As the story progresses, we meet Vijay, an Intelligence Bureau officer who is sent with the orders to open the secret vaults and chronicle his findings. While investigating, he finds a pot and is fascinated with the secrets it might hold. As he decides to unravel the mystery behind the pot, he finds himself undertaking the journey of his life. The question remains, will he find the answers he seeks, or get waylaid by the puzzles?

The premise that the book explores is quite interesting and imaginative. The plot is well planned, and various aspects are incorporated into the story, right from the legend of the Shri Padmanabhaswamy temple to the Aghoris of Banaras. The authors have done a fair bit of research, and historical references have been interestingly made a part of the plot. The story runs smooth, but towards the end becomes a bit repetitive and dull. There was a great potential to explore a bit more, but the travels from Banaras to the upper reaches of Himalayas seem a bit rushed. The language of the book is simple and easy to understand, however the book needs a second round of editing as a lot of grammar issues and language errors were noticed. Another aspect that I would have loved to have read about was more about Vijay’s lineage and how his grandfather figured in the scheme of things. The climax was interesting, and a bit unexpected, and teaches an important lesson for life, and that is why I loved the ending.

This book is interestingly focused on a single character, Vijay and he is the one who actually drives the story forward. His past has been explored in detail, and his motivation of doing what he does is well justified. The other characters, such as Dr. Raman, Bade Baba, and Jogi Baba, though appear briefly, have their own roles, and I liked the manner they were not forcefully given too much of space, but were a part of the story as long as the plot demanded it.

Overall, a good read and a recommendation if you like reading mythological fiction. The Relic gets a 3.5/5 from me.

Grab a copy of the book here.