Why Not Me?-Anubhav Agrawal

Book: Why Not Me?
Author: Anubhav Agrawal
Publisher: HarperCollins India

Have you ever come across a story of unrequited love?

Why Not Me? A Feeling of Millions by Anubhav Agrawal is his own story in which he narrates his tryst with his love for Zoya, and how they met online in the age when Facebook has just come to India and people were transitioning from Orkut. We see how Facebook messages turned to text messages and how feelings matured between them. From being friends, to being in a relationship, the book traces Anubhav’s journey from falling in love as a young man, to the point where he realizes that Zoya leaving him was the best gift ever. It is a book that chronicles the journey of a person who finds love, but more importantly, understands the true meaning of love, and how a broken heart can make you a stronger person.

The book is based on the true story of Anubhav’s life and tells us the story of how as a student he craved for a romantic relationship. The book also explores the transition that the 90s generation made from Orkut to Facebook, and how that changed the way we look at relationships. The book also explores the basic tenet that young adults face when they look for relationships, and Anubhav has touched upon the idea of young love and the mistakes that one does in it. The storytelling is good with the emotions well detailed, and Anubhav’s perspective on the events are quite interesting. He has shown his journey with Zoya through some major milestones. While it cannot be said for all people, this story will resonate with a lot of people who have faced or lived through such a situation, and might prove to be an interesting perspective on their situation. I loved the fact that Anubhav has detailed on friendships and family as an important aspect of one’s life.

Anubhav’s character is well detailed and his emotions are well-penned. I loved the way his character matures through the book and displays a range of emotions. His actions do not seem far-fetched, and the basis of the story does seem realistic.

With an interesting perspective, the book scores a 3.75/5 from me.

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Blogchatter #TBRChallenge: My Target

I plan to read 75 books this year as a part of the TBR Challenge by BlogChatter! Do keep an eye out for my reviews!

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The Boundaries of Sanity-Mira Saraf

Book: The Boundaries of Sanity
Author: Mira Saraf
Publisher: Readomania

Which is the best psychological thriller you have read?

The Boundaries of Sanity by Mira Saraf is a collection of 5 short stories which explores the limits to which 5 distinctly imperfect people can go to as they battle their demons-guilt, anxiety, alcoholism, and others. Each of them faces a situation they have created themselves, and how they cope with it. In Solitary Confinement, we see Mrinalini facing her demons in a setting she would have never imagined herself in. Spilling Over the Edges tells us the story of a woman, wracked with guilt as she considers her emotions as she comes to terms with her life, and imagines the consequences until reality hits her. In Senseless Worries, Tanya finds herself on the wrong side of the day as she lives her life with a throbbing arm, and with a possible chronic disease. The Mirage is a chilly tale that tells us how things that seem real, can be unreal, until the other shoe drops. The Storyteller is a perfect story that closes the book with a story that transcends time, yet feels eerily real.

The stories in the book are very well crafted and the title of the book justifies each of the 5 stories that make up this book. Mira has taken five very different situations and characters to drive home the point that sanity is truly a state of mind we control, and that an external locus of control is just a part of that illusion. From a lonely island, to the hustle-bustle of the lanes of old Delhi, the locations differ, but they play a very crucial role in the unfolding of events in the book. Despite being a collection of short stories, the details are explained to the core, with the texture of the coconut to the carved elephant, and the routine of an obsessive husband. The storytelling is quite imaginative, and as the story moves, the reader is pushed into a trance, so much so that he/she becomes a part of the narrative, living it. If I had to pick my favorite from the lot, it would have to be The Storyteller for the simple fact that I could relate to it. The climax of each story was unexpected, well-crafted, and well-executed.

Coming to the characters, each of the story had a distinct character, who had their own secrets and demons. Each of them was very detailed, and had their own quirks that made them unique as well as interesting. There were just enough characters to move the stories, and no fillers were introduced, which was something truly commendable.

Overall, the book is a definite recommendation from me with a rating of 4.13/5 from me.

Grab a copy of the book here.

The Numinous Personage-Rukhsar Shafi

Book: The Numinous Personage
Author: Rukhsar Shafi
Publisher: Pblishing.com

What is the best fantasy book you have read?

The Numinous Personage by Rukhsar Shafi is based in Beaumont Valley where some strange events have started occurring. Jenay Lambert was living a perfect life until her mother remarries. And things started happening in the town. Her bestfriend’s boyfriend disappears, and a new boy with golden eyes comes to town. As the truth starts unravelling, she realizes that it is just the beginning and secrets start tumbling out from the annals of history.

The plot of the book is quite promising with mythical creatures, romance, and teenagers. The concept of the book is well thought of, with a fantasy series in the making. The problem in the book is that a lot of filler has been used, and the actual story starts forming only after almost half the book is over. This creates a blurry plotline and hence the experience gets diluted. The events in the book could have been better sketched which could have explained the Celtic mythology and their significance in the book. There are some grammatical issues in the book as well, which again dilute the overall experience of the book. The climax is quite pacy, and while I felt it was a bit knee-jerk and confusing, it does establish the book and I hope that the further books are better.

The characters in the book are almost half-sketched with their backstories not very clear the manner in which they are told. Jen and Ace, according to me, were the best sketched in terms of detailing and the story of why they do the things they do. The same cannot be said for the others, though. Shay, Grace, Peter, etc. had a great potential, and that could have been explored a bit to strengthen the storyline as well. The mythical creatures make fleeting appearances, though that should have come in the forefront.

Overall, a good book that could have been better. It scores a 3/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book here.

Happiness (The Birthright)-Jasmin Thakar

Book: Happiness-The Birthright
Author: Jasmin Thakar
Publisher: Notion Press

Happiness-The Birthright by Jasmin Thakar is a fictional story that tells us the story of Muskan who has suffered a great tragedy in her childhood, and hadn’t spoken to anyone in the last 7 years. Focusing on the life of the 16-year-old, the book takes us on a journey of searching for a meaning in one’s life and her quest of finding happiness and the meaning of true self.

The storytelling in the book is quite impressive with a lot of details provided. The book has a preface in which an idea how to consume the book has been provided and that is something quite unique about it. The language of the book is simple, and easy to consume, and the message that the author wants to put across is very well received. The pace of the story was good in the beginning with one-act-a-day practice, which somehow gets mixed up in the middle, however that is not much of a flaw, considering the overall plot construction. The concept has been well thought, and well executed. I would have loved to see one more character’s perspective in the story if that could have been done so as to reinforce the point a bit more. Another thing that could have been improved if a summary of the message could have been put in the end, and that would have improved the transfer of the message more.

I loved the way the character of Muskan and Khushi has been traced through the book, and a proper context is present. The author has focused more on the message, than the characters, and that is something that tells the reader that the story is more important.

Overall, a very well-done book that scores a 3.63/5 for me.

Get a copy of the book here.

Excess Baggage-Richa S. Mukherjee

Book: Excess Baggage
Author: Richa S. Mukherjee
Publisher: HarperCollins India & Black Ink

Have you ever taken a solo trip?

Excess Baggage by Richa S. Mukherjee is a story of discovering one’s own self, and the value of relationships in life. Lately, things have been going wrong in Anviksha Punjabi’s life. She has almost ended her second marriage, barely has any friends, and gets into major trouble at work. Adding to this, she lives with her sexagenarian mother, who is overbearing to a fault. On the edge of a breakdown, she takes a decision to take a trip to discover herself across Europe. However, like all things in Anviksha’s life, this one also turns into something unexpected when her mother insists on tagging along! With an unlikely pair travelling across Europe filled with nudists, past that comes face to face in the unlikeliest of places, and a British dog named Bhindi, this trip turns into a life altering experience for the two of them.  

Excess Baggage is a very different kind of a story that explores an interesting relationship. As Richa notes in the book as well, the mother-daughter relationship is usually not a tumultuous one, and that is what this makes the story quite engaging. The storyline is simple but explores a multitude of topics and has a liberal sprinkling comments on societal taboos and stereotypes. With Anviksha and Smita, we get to see two perspectives on similar situations, more than once. The backstory of the friction unveils slowly, and it was quite interesting to see that each of the characters has their own baggage of the past, and hence the title is very suited. The storytelling is something that has become almost a signature of Richa’s with some moments in the book that’ll make you laugh till the stomach hurts, all the while driving a point home. The first part of the book is quite pacy and is quite fast, the latter part becomes a bit slow and heavy with emotions as things start coming together. The book is quite well researched and there are a few scenes that have actual sources and footnotes. The climax is good and something that made me smile.

Coming to the characters, and the soul of this story. Richa has brought together an unlikely set of characters and some of the craziest ones. Starting with the Punjabis, who are not Punjabis, Anviksha as a character impressed me with the different layers that she possesses and the internal battles she is fighting. It was quite easy to relate to her, and I think she was an interesting representation of the people of that demographic today. Smita, with her overbearing yet protective nature, was the representation of the classic Indian mother who will say what she wants to her kid, but will bite the head off any outsider trying to cast aspersions on her offspring. With packets of home-cooked food being carried, and the emotional blackmail, it was very amusing to see the character come to life. Aakash as a character was interesting, though we see mostly of him through texts, but was an integral part of the story. Peter, Tully Masi, Preeti and the extended family were the icing on the cake and just made the story alive with their antics, and how I can I forget the amusingly named Mutton and Bhindi, two names for pets I have never come across, and probably won’t again.

Overall, Excess Baggage is a story of love, emotions, relationships, and how history which might seem to be some useless excess baggage being tagged along, is something to be cherished, and is something which makes us what we are today.

The story scores a 4/5 for me.

Grab a copy of the book here.

Tick-Tock, We’re 30 -Milan Vohra

Book: Tick-Tock, We’re 30
Author: Milan Vohra
Publisher: Westland Books

Do you think reunions are a good idea to relive the heydays?

Tick-Tock, We’re 30 by Milan Vohra is the story of Lara Bagai who is about to turn thirty, and her old gang is planning to meet as per a pact they made when they were in their twenties. The catch in this reunion is another pact that Lara made one tipsy evening with Nishad, that is to marry each other if both of them were single till the time they turned thirty. To avoid giving him the satisfaction that he was right about Ranndeep being wrong for her, she plans something crazy, and so Perzaan, a Turkish dude enters the picture. As the weeklong celebrations of the past begin, we see audacious hook-ups and crazy things happening, all building up to Lara’s birthday. With late night drives to karaoke and some crazy stuff, it’s almost impossible to predict who ends up with whom, and most importantly, does the gang still stick together after what happens?

TTWT is an interesting book, one that explores relationships and friendships to the core. A group of friends coming together to celebrate a milestone years later might seem very mundane, but the way things pan out make the things extremely interesting. Milan has told the story in a very relevant voice, with simple language, and emphasizing accents and situations, adding to the flavour of the storyline. The sub-plots of the book be it Daniel-Maneka, or the curious case of Reeti, each of them have been given due importance despite the main story being about Lara and her birthday week. With extreme details of Tommy, the Dog, or the Pajama wala uncle, and Aunty Nair’s scenes, the story is very well written, and it has both serious, as well as humorous moments. With comedy of errors by various characters, and also some very heady decisions, TTWT is an interesting book. The climax of the book is quite filmy, and with reference to the book, quite fitting, in the way things unfolded.

TTWT is what is because of the ensemble cast that is a part of the SN Gang. Lara as a person was very well sketched, with her clear hatred for a set of people almost dripping from her. Her love-hate relationship with Nishad was quite interesting and I enjoyed the arc it develops over the book. Maneka as a character was a very catchy, and the way it develops with each member of the gang slowly was a revelation and something that adds a lot of flavour to the story. Nishad, with his very gentlemanly nature, was a study in himself, and reading him till the last page to predict his actions was utterly impossible, and almost everything predicted went down the drain.

Overall, a good book if you are looking to relive your days of being together with your gang, and I am pretty sure that it will excite you to plan a reunion.

The book scores a 4.19/5 from me.

P.S. Take a note of all the songs from page one of the book. It makes for a great playlist.

Grab a copy of the book here.