More Spooky Stories-Tanushree & Ajoy Podder

Book: More Spooky Stories
Author: Tanushree & Ajoy Podder
Illustrations: Sucharita Sengupta Suri
Publisher: HarperCollins India

Do you like your horror stories short or long?

The taxi races through the wilderness in the darkness ... Uday Sengupta is returning to his uncle's sprawling house in Bastar after a long time. As Uday picks his way through the dense foliage to reach the bungalow, a power outage plunges the place into darkness. Uday is greeted by the old retainer and makes his way to the dining hall where his uncle and his old friends are celebrating a reunion. The twelve friends are in a boisterous mood. They decide to recount their supernatural experiences to entertain the gathering. One by one, they start narrating their experiences as Uday joins them ... More sinister, more creepy, more spine-chilling, more eerie, 'More Spooky Stories' is even more spooky than the first, the bestselling 'Spooky Stories'!

More Spooky Stories is a wonderful collection of 12 horror stories that explore various aspects of the genre. The stories are wonderfully written and each one of them manages to give you the chills. The idea to weave the dozen stories the way the authors do is quite interesting and the climax, while easy to guess, is wonderfully penned. The authors have explored some interesting local stories and woven a plot around it, which adds a dash of truth to the stories, once you decide to google a couple. The storytelling is quite interesting, and while there is an element of eeriness in the stories, there is no part where the horror seems over the top. Right from the tea garden to the haunter carrier ship, the locations the authors have chosen are normal and spooky at the same time. If I had to pick favorites, the ones that stood out for me were The Creepy Doll, The Airport, The Birthday Girl and The Scholarly Spectre. A couple of things that could have been improved would be the primary story because apart from being a common thread, it didn’t provide the sort of chill the others had. Another interesting aspect of the story would have been if the storytellers would have identified themselves a bit more.

With just the right mix of spookiness, intrigue and storytelling, this is a book I would definitely recommend to the fans of the genre. The book scores a 4.5/5 for me.

I got my copy at Kunzum Books, Vasant Vihar and am reading it as a part of the Kunzum Year of Reading 2023.

Get your copy from your nearest bookstore or Amazon India.

The Freedom Manifesto-Karan Bajaj

Book: The Freedom Manifesto
Author: Karan Bajaj
Publisher: HarperCollins India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Have you ever thought of quitting your regular job and start something of your own?

In 2019, Karan Bajaj quit his job as Discovery India’s head to start WhiteHat Jr with the mission of making every kid a creator in this world. At the time, everyone thought Karan was reckless to give up a high-flying corporate career at the age of forty, but eighteen months later, WhiteHat Jr was acquired by BYJU’s for $300 million. On the surface, it was one of the fastest startup-to-exit journeys in India, but the seeds of this were planted a decade ago when Karan first decided to create his own set of life rules. In The Freedom Manifesto, Karan reveals these secrets to help you transform your life. From diet and routine to startups and investing, these seven unconventional rules will set you free, not just financially, but also to reveal your best self.

The book is a great read as to how one can plan their financials to lead a life that is fulfilling. Karan draws from his experiences and presents a clear and concise summary of various techniques one can use to achieve financial freedom and take an exit from the corporate highway into passion lane. With the seven rules he highlights in the book, each of them has been detailed and presented with examples which helps the reader understand and figure out a plan to implement the same in their lives. The best thing about the book is that it is not preachy at any point. The explanations are simple and Karan presents logical connections to arrive at the point he is presenting. The first part of the book explores the way to strengthen your foundation before you take the plunge, almost like packing a parachute and a spare before you take the plunge off the cliff.

The second part of the book is basically a cheat sheet to navigate a parachute in the air before you hit the ground. The seven start up kits he has given are a wonderful set of information for anyone looking to explore their entrepreneurial side and start off on their own. The tips and information he provides would be invaluable for any founder. Presenting the mistakes he made and the lessons he learnt is a wonderful manner to learn the tricks of the trade. He provides information on valuation, hiring the right people, raising funds etc., in a way that you can understand and relate to.

Overall, a book I would recommend to everyone as it would help you plan your life a bit better. The book scores a 4.69/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book from your nearest bookstore or on Amazon India.

The Book of Bihari Literature-Abhay K

Book: The Book of Bihari Literature
Editor: Abhay K
Publisher: HarperCollins India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you like reading vernacular literature?

The Book of Bihari Literature is a vibrant collection of writings-poems, essays, stories-that have flowed from the pens of the great poets, thinkers and writers across millennia, who were born or lived in what is modern-day Bihar. A family is unable to decide whether a parrot who has landed in its garden is a Hindu or a Muslim. A courtesan loses her ancestral mirror to rioters. The family that now possesses it finds itself transformed. Mutta celebrates her freedom from domestic drudgery. Vatsyayana hands you the keys to sexual bliss. Hira Dom berates the caste system. Over the centuries, many great empires and kingdoms took root in Bihar and, along with advancements in mathematics, astronomy, philosophy, science and statecraft, they produced exemplary works of literature. This book makes accessible to English-speaking readers the bounty of Bihari literature, and brings to the fore works in neglected languages by ancient philosophers and celebrated contemporary authors alike.

Reading translations and collection of stories sourced from the vernacular is always a wonderful experience. Abhay has sourced some excellent pieces of work across the languages. The book is a mix of stories and poems that give you different flavors as you go through it. The choice of the pieces of work he’s included in the book cover a variety of regional languages as well as type of work. The thing that worked for me was the fact that each piece is unique, and since there are a variety of authors and translators, each story presents itself in a unique manner. The idea to bring forth stories from the treasure trove of Bihari literature is commendable. What didn’t work for me was the fact that since the stories are quite short, the collection becomes quite long, and personally, the book was not engaging enough to keep me hooked to keep turning the pages. The language of the book is simple and easy to understand. While the idea is good, the translations individually felt flat for most of the stories and the emotions that were supposed to come out, didn’t jump out. Overall, the collection is unique and for a reader who loves to read short stories and poems, it would be a wonderful read.

The book is recommended for anyone looking to read a collection of translated vernacular works. The book scores a 4.06/5 for me.

Get your copy of the book from a bookstore near you or from Amazon India.

Dark Star-Ranbir Sidhu

Book: Dark Star
Author: Ranbir Sidhu
Publisher: Context (Westland Books)

Do you ever wish to go back in time and change things?

Dark Star by Ranbir Sidhu tells us the story of an old woman who lies in bed in Punjab, dreaming of an India before Partition. One day she will walk again, and when she does, she tells herself, she will walk all the way to Delhi, she will tell the men who rule India what she really thinks.

There are many books that tell the story of the partition of India, and each of them is heart wrenching. This story is told from the perspective of a woman who went through it as a young woman and all through the present time, Ranbir comments on the society as the woman journeys through time. As you read through the woman’s musings about the past, present and the future, and about family and life, there are passages that would resonate with you irrespective of your age or beliefs. The narration that Ranbir has used is interesting, and while I was initially a bit dazed with the format, the storytelling grows on you and once you’ve figured out the tone, the visualization is quite deep and you are transported into the world the old woman is painting. You start feeling the pain, and listening to the sounds and the sounds that the husband is making. Right from the horrors of the partition to the current political scenario, the old woman’s perspective is refreshing and eye opening. The book relies heavily on the audio-visual impact it creates, and there are passages that need you to read between the lines.

I would highly recommend the book if you like to read something that is written in a non-conventional manner, and you enjoy a book that needs to be savored, rather than devoured. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

I got my copy at the amazing Faqirchand Booksellers, Khan Market.

Get your copy from your nearest bookstore or on Amazon India.

Happy Endings-Minita Sanghvi

Book: Happy Endings
Author: Minita Sanghvi
Publisher: HarperCollins India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you think you can walk away from your first love?

Happy Endings by Minita Sanghvi explores the story of Krish and Mahi. Krish is the latest 'it' thing. The Indian-export, award-winning lesbian author, who is being actively pursued by Bollywood's darling Karan Raichand for movie rights to her Booker nominated book. But her past catches up to her on the 14-hour flight back to India when she's seated next to Mahi, the woman who broke her heart ten years ago. Mahi, now Mahek Singh, is India's #1 actress and Karan's biggest star. As old memories and anger resurface, Mahi and Krish have to contend with Bollywood glamour, interfering relatives, crazy fans, and zealous best friends, all of which complicates their already star-crossed relationship. Traversing the past, present and a hopeful future, can Krish move beyond her heartbreak? Will Mahi have to choose between her career and her love all over again? Or will a second chance finally lead to happiness?

The book has an interesting storyline that explores the story of a love that faces trials and tribulations of society and yet endures it. The storytelling is impressive and the author manages to keep the reader hooked till the very end, and I loved the fact that the story has a cinema angle to it because the book reads almost like a movie. The idea of taking up a lesbian relationship and exploring how people react to it, and using that to set up the climax of the story was impressive. What worked me for was the idea of love and the pain of longing that was quite powerful in the story, and the love between Mahi and Krish was just wonderfully penned. There are moments where the story did feel as if it was being a bit slow, but it does catchup towards the end. The climax was executed nicely, though I felt that the last part of the story became a tad bit over dramatic. Another thing that needs to be improved in the story is the editing and proofreading because there are errors in the typesetting that hamper the flow while reading.

Minita’s characters are powerful and I loved the fact that she creates a good pair of Krish and Mahi, each of whom is a powerful character individually, but as the story conveys, together they paint a wonderful picture of two people in love. I loved the character of Krish’s mother and how she is a wonderful anchor for not just Krish, but the other characters in the story as well. I felt that Allie’s character was not explored much, and that could have added a nice flavor to the overall plot. Karan’s character is crucial to the story and his quips made the story interesting, however I felt that his role in the climax was added as an afterthought.

Overall, this is a lovely story of love, relationships and acceptance that spans time. The book scores a 4/5 for me.

Get your copy of the book on Amazon India or your nearest bookstore!

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program

Durga (Devi Duology #1)-Kevin Missal

Book: Durga (Devi Duology #1)
Author: Kevin Missal
Publisher: Simon & Schuster India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

One king. A group of incorrigible women. Nine nights. The demon-king, Manisha, rules Jambudvipa with an iron fist. He wears the horns of a buffalo and has the will of a bull. With allies far and wide, his kingdom—usurped from the Aryas—is prosperous. All seems aboveboard. But Jambudvipa’s underbelly rots. Teeming with crime, sin, and greed, the city and its people are not what they seem. Most of all, Manisha himself. With his iron fist comes immense cruelty, horrific violence… He must be stopped. A girl wronged never forgets. Especially one made to witness her parents’ murder. And revenge, cold and sweet, will be taken. But Durga’s fight is far greater. And she needs allies. Luckily for her, women across professions are willing to fight the fight—a princess’ companion, a maid, a mercenary, a pirate. Alongside her. For her. For themselves. And they have nine nights. For men and women in this ruthless world, salvation lies in this plan.

Kevin has reimagined this story of victory of good over evil in his unique manner. The storytelling is imaginative, and even though the plot moves at multiple places, the reader never loses the storyline. The story written wonderfully with brilliant spy craft, double agents and assassinations being just a small part of the story. I liked how the author has woven the idea of Navratri into the story and how that forms the core of the story. Kevin also beautifully incorporates the symbols of the Devi into the story. Kevin has created some powerful characters in this story and the idea of the oppressed rising up once empowered has been wonderfully built into the story. My favorite part of the story was how the first scene of the story and the last came together. The climax of the story was been written beautifully and brings the story to a wonderful close, specially leaving with just enough for the sequel.

The characters in the story have been created with nice depth and each of the characters has a wonderful nuance that reflects in the story. Right from Shaila to Airavati, the nine women had their own stories and each of them had an independent story arc that culminated into this detailed storyline. Kevin’s characters have a fire in them that shines out of the depths of the chaos that reigns in Mahisha’s kingdom once the women lit the match. Kevin’s image of Manisha is very similar to the epics, but he still recreates him in his own unique manner that impresses you.

Overall, this story is quite interesting and with the symbols of power recreated, it is a wonderful beginning to the duology. The book scores a 4.69/5 for me.

Get your copy of the book from your nearest bookstore or Amazon India.

Mahagatha: 100 Tales from the Puranas-Satyarth Nayak

Book: Mahagatha: 100 Tales from the Puranas
Author: Satyarth Nayak
Publisher: HarperCollins India

I was provided a media copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Do you remember the stories from the mythology that we used to hear as kids?

The Puranas of Hinduism are a universe of wisdom, embodying a fundamental quest for answers that makes them forever relevant. Now, for the first time, 100 of the greatest mythological tales from these ancient texts have been handpicked and compiled into an epic illustrated edition. Besides popular legends of devas, asuras, sages and kings, Satyarth Nayak has dug up lesser-known stories, like the one where Vishnu is beheaded or where Saraswati curses Lakshmi or where Harishchandra tricks Varuna. Nayak also recounts these 100 tales in a unique chronological format, beginning with Creation in Satya Yuga and ending with the advent of Kali Yuga. Using Puranic markers, he constructs a narrative that travels through the four yugas, offering continuous and organic action. In such a reading, it is revealed that these stories are not isolated events but linked to each other in the grand scheme of things. That every occurrence has a past and a future. A cause and effect. An interconnected cycle of karma and karma-phal. Delving into the minds of gods, demons and humans alike, Mahagatha seeks a deeper understanding of their motivations. The timelessness of their impulses speaks across the aeons to readers of today. Written in lively prose with charming illustrations, these 100 tales will entertain and enlighten, and make you connect the dots of Hindu mythology like never before.

Mahagatha: 100 Tales from the Puranas is a wonderful selection of stories from the Puranas that follow a wonderful pattern of time and I loved how each story wove into the next just like a string of pearls. The 100 stories Satyarth has chosen are quite interesting and keeping the theme of cause-effect intact, we see that happen time and again, across places, across yugas. Satyarth’s voice is engaging and telling the age-old stories in his own voice, the reader is transported into the world of the stories and you can actually see the tales unfold in front of your own eyes. Starting from the very beginning, the point where the world began to the very beginning of the Kali Yuga, the stories span across ages. Having listened to the stories as a child, I could recall them as clearly as I heard them as a kid, and this is one thing that does astonish me is the fact that despite different people telling them, the essence remains the same, and in some cases the story is exactly I heard it, bringing back fond memories.

Apart from the stories and the storytelling, what makes the book stand apart are the illustrations that adorn the pages along with the stories. Each of those illustrations complement the stories perfectly, and as a reader one would really appreciate the visuals as you journey through the book. If I had to pick my favourite out of all the ones, it would be the one on the cover, and the image of Ardhnarishwara is quite powerful, and it imprints in your mind.

This book is a definite recommendation for anyone who loves reading mythology and is a fan of short stories. The book scores a 4.75/5 for me.

Get your copy of the book from your nearest bookstore or on Amazon India.