Author Interview: Sunil Mishra, author of Transit Lounge

‘Transit Lounge’ is a contemporary book consisting of short incidents, observations and reflections while travelling to 30 countries across six different continents during the last 15 years.

The book is a personal account of travels to places in Africa (Nigeria, Ghana, Egypt and Mauritius), South America (Venezuela and Argentina), Asia (China, Iran, Kuwait, UAE, Singapore, Indonesia, Sri Lanka, Malaysia and Thailand), Europe (UK, France, Italy, Netherlands, Germany, Denmark, Belgium, Georgia, Turkey, Croatia and Romania), USA, Australia and New Zealand.

It was interesting to observe all these diverse cultures and people from an Indian perspective. The book is a compilation of small incidents and events during such travels; it includes losing an air ticket, dealing with difficult custom officials or getting mugged in a prime location in a foreign country."

Sunil is a software professional with over two decades of experience in the field of banking technology. Currently he is working with Infosys in India. He has earlier worked with McKinsey, Accenture and I-flex solutions. His work required extensive travelling to various parts of the world and this constituted the basis of his current book. He travelled to more than 30 countries across six continents and engaged with senior managements in different client organizations. He believes that there has been a remarkable change in perception about India over last 15 years.

Sunil is an MBA from IIM-Lucknow and holds a B.Tech from IIT(ISM), Dhanbad. He completed his schooling in Bokaro Steel City, a relatively small town in Jharkhand, India. Sunil has avid interest in writing and has actively blogged on various platforms in the area of banking technology, consulting, leadership and changing role of media in the digital world.

When did you first realize that you wanted to be a writer/a storyteller?

I used to write personal notes of individual travels, anything that I would find interesting. As I started blogging about some of these travels, I received positive reviews from my friends and well-wishers. It is then that the idea of collating this and publishing it as a book occurred to me. I am extremely thankful to my friends who helped me overcome the initial hesitation and inertia to write this book.

What motivates you to write and where does your inspiration come from?

Writing is a learning process in itself I think. It happens as part of creative reflection on events and incidents around us. There is a joy in writing that I believe most authors are inspired by. I wanted to capture the learnings that I had from these travels.

What opportunities have being an author presented you with and share those memories? (i.e. travel, friends, events, speaking, etc...)

Being an Author has given me opportunity of sharing my experience through multiple events like Radio interviews, newspaper articles etc. I have been invited in some of the literary events as speaker. It has also given me opportunity to meet some of the eminent personalities like Sri Sri Ravishankar, Nandan Nilekani and Sudha Murthy. 

What field or genre would you classify your book(s) and what attracted you to write in that field or genre?

My book is a travel memoir. Transit Lounge is a contemporary book consisting of short incidents, observations and reflections while travelling to 30 countries across six different continents during the last 15 years. The book has lot of interesting incidents as well learning about different cultures and countries.

What do you do if inspiration strikes in an inconvenient place like (car, restaurant, bathroom/shower, etc..) and how do you capture that moment before it gets away from you?

I think ideation for any book is a slow process, for me it was mostly recollection of the events and incidents during the travel. I used to write at times in the travel lounges or also in the flights.  It has been a great learning experience for me as well.

How do you think you have evolved as a person/author because of your writing and do you believe your writing has helped others, how/why?

The book has helped me reflect on my own experience and put them in as coherent learnings about people, places and cultures. It has helped me relive those beautiful experiences. I feel very happy when some of the reviewers share that the book has helped them understand the world better. Some of them have also said it could be a guide for Indian travelers.

Do you believe there is value in a review? Do you believe they are under rated, over rated, or don’t matter at all?

I do believe there is great value in the review. When you are writing a book, you get so absorbed in the same that a neutral perspective is lost. The reviews provide great commentary on how the things can be improved. I read each review with lot of interest and attention.

What is your biggest fear about having a book published?

When I started writing this book, I did not quite know the publishing process. As is true for many first time authors, I had numerous rejections. I did not quite succeed in 2009 when I tried publishing and almost dropped the idea. This time I was fortunate to get a good publisher. Like all authors, my fear is the same – rejection from publishers.

Give us a fun fact about your book(s)?

The book being a memoir has lot of anecdotes. One incident I recall was our business presentations in Tehran. An English translator was hard to find. The best we could find was a local partner, who spoke good English but was a veterinary doctor by profession. He would translate every word after I spoke and he would take at least thrice as much time and a lot more sentences to explain. After sometime, I got suspicious if he was only translating what I was saying or adding his own story. It was tough for him to explain banking terms being a veterinary doctor. Every time he brought a book of English dictionary for our presentations and meetings. He would refer to them during meetings as well. He took some 15 minutes to explain "interest" and I was told he used some medical terms to explain that.

If you had the chance to get one message out there to reach readers all over the world, what would that message be?

"The world is a book, and those who don't travel only read one page." – St. Augustine

Another one on traveler versus tourist – "The traveler sees what he sees. The tourist sees what he has come to see." -  G.K. Chesterton

My attempt to write the book has been to capture the traveler’s account, I enjoyed writing it and I hope it is equally liked by the readers.

Do you view writing as a career, labor of love, hobby, creative outlet, therapy, or something else?

I write mostly as a hobby with creative outlet and not as a career. Most of the authors would candidly admit that there is very little chance of making any money from it (not from your first book at least) - they write for the joy of writing and that itself is a great reward, though intangible.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

For the first time writer, getting over the initial hesitation is the most important thing.

My learning has been that write like no one will ever read and edit like everyone is going to read. Don’t edit when you are writing first few pages, just write and write regularly.

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Thank you, Sunil for this amazing interview! I wish you success for all your future works. Keep writing!

Book Review: Mothering a Muslim by Nazia Erum

Title: Mothering A Muslim
Author: Nazia Erum
Publisher: Juggernaut

Nazia Erum runs a fashion start-up, and is the mother of an adorable little girl. But from the day Myra was born, she found herself asking questions she didn't have answers for. It began with her daughter's name – should Nazia choose a traditional Islamic name or a more non-religious sounding one so that her daughter couldn't be identified as a Muslim? Nazia was not the only modern middle-class Muslim asking this question. Soon she discovered that finding the right name for Myra was the least of her worries. Talking to over 100 children and their parents across 12 cities, what Nazia uncovers is deeply troubling. She heard stories of rampant bullying of Muslim children in many of the country's top schools, of six-year-olds being hit by their classmates because of their faith, of religious segregation in classrooms and of anxious Muslim parents across the country who monitor their children's dress, speech and actions to protect them. In Mothering a Muslim, she finally lifts the veil on this taboo subject, one that is spoken of only in whispers. Urgent, gripping and heartbreaking, this is essential reading for every Indian.

Bigotry — the intolerance, fear, and hatred of those different from ourselves — is a common occurrence in the world even today. It is, however, considered wrong almost universally because it robs others of their rights as human beings through discrimination and persecution. And among all forms of bigotry, it is religious bigotry that is by far the most common. Due to religious bigotry people are willing to kill each other even in a secular country like ours. I wonder what it is like in countries where they have a national religion!

The most worrying aspect of this ‘epidemic’ is that it has spread its vile roots even in the innocent yards of schools. Kids, who have no actual idea of what religion is, hurl abuses at each other and sometimes even get physical based on religious differences. Set amidst this backdrop, Nazia Erum’s ‘Mothering a Muslim’ explores the thoughts and dilemmas of a community that finds itself embattled in India’s current political climate. It raises questions and examines bullying in the so-called secular, liberal posh schools of Delhi NCR and elsewhere.

Religion has always been a sensitive issue in our country. Not very long ago we witnessed partitions based on the fault lines of religious sentiments. Was it right? That is not the question we need to ask ourselves any more. Was it enough to purge our religious notions? – is what we need to understand.

Islamophobia has seeped into the very corridors of our schools and homes and this is what Erum tries to tell the masses through her book. She uncovers a deeply disturbing picture of what it means to grow up as a Muslim in India. She has provided a set of guidelines for parents and teachers on what steps they can take if their child/ward is being subjected to communal bullying.

Erum also writes about how many Muslim parents, including herself, have developed inherent fears about their kids being singled out because of how their name sounds like. The most striking part of her book is when she goes beyond the trials of raising a child whose identity is Muslim. She brings up a key dilemma of being Muslim that seems to plague the community causing an internal crisis of identity.

To some the book may come across as a one-sided monologue where the sentiments of non-Muslim mothers are not being taken into consideration. There’s always two sides of a story — ours and theirs. But shouldn’t we, as educated people, start saying a single story with a mutual voice? It’d be good to be just ‘humans’ and not labeled as anything else. Erum has tried to say just that through her book and it applies to everyone. 

A worthwhile read all things considered!    

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in 

Promotion Tour: Julia Donaldson, Author of The Gruffalo And Friends

About the Author

Julia Donaldson is the outrageously talented, prize-winning author of some of the world's best-loved children's books, including modern classics The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, which together have sold over 17 million copies worldwide, and the hugely successful What the Ladybird Heard adventures. Julia also writes fiction, including the Princess Mirror-Belle books illustrated by Lydia Monks, as well as poems, plays and songs - and her brilliant live shows are always in demand. She was Childrens Laureate 2011-13 and has been honoured with an MBE for Services to Literature. Julia and her husband Malcolm divide their time between West Sussex and Edinburgh.

About the Book

This is a rhyming story of a mouse and a monster. Little mouse goes for a walk in a dangerous forest. To scare off his enemies he invents tales of a fantastical creature called the Gruffalo. So imagine his surprise when he meets the real Gruffalo.

Forthcoming Events

Join Julia Donaldson, the number one bestselling author, for an enjoyable and lively hour of songs, stories and audience participation based on her much-loved picture books. Creator of some of the world’s most lovable children's books such as The Gruffalo and The Gruffalo's Child, Room on the Broom, What the Ladybird Heard, A Squash and a Squeeze, Monkey Puzzle....,

Watch Julia bring them live on the stage.

Julia Donaldson will be joined by The Gruffalo!!

For more information please visit: www.gruffalo.com/events

Book Review: Tree Bears Witness by Sharath Komarraju

Title: Tree Bears Witness

Author: Sharath Komarraju

Publisher: Westland

Sharath Komarraju’s ‘Tree Bears Witness’ is the second book in the Birbal Mystery series. However, this novel easily stands alone without the first-time reader of the series having to worry about missing out on the first book.

Set in the golden age of the Mughals, the novel revolves around the royal court of Agra. There’s political intrigue, personal enmities, and hidden rivalries and everyone is a suspect until proven otherwise in the court of Akbar the Great.

The plot is set with the royal marriage having taken place and Akbar returning to his palace with his newly wedded wife and princess of the Rajput Empire, Jodha. She has brought with her a royal retinue. The days should have followed in celebrations but sadly Sujjamal, Jodha’s brother, is found murdered in the palace gardens. The murder has taken place at a spot between two mango trees in a garden and the two guards, who are eyewitnesses, have conflicting versions of what could have happened. With his honour and reputation at stake, Akbar asks his trusted advisor Birbal to solve the mystery.

Nicely edged characters, perfectly choreographed events, and clipped narration make this otherwise linear plot a good read, interesting even. This whodunit never becomes boring and the reader would definitely follow Birbal’s investigation with bated breath until he draws the curtain on the probe at the end of the novel. There are times when it becomes evident who the culprit may be. But at the end it doesn’t matter much because the execution of the investigation itself is interesting to follow.

Komarraju has managed a perfect novel for lovers of classic mysteries who’d like to watch a clever and introspective detective solve a tricky puzzle.

Sharath Komarraju is an author of fiction and nonfiction based in Bengaluru, India. His best known work (to date) is the Hastinapur series, in which he speaks into the silences of the Mahabharata story through the voices of the epic’s many women characters. His first novel, Murder in Amaravati, was longlisted for the Commonwealth Book Prize, 2013.

Once a software engineer, he now tells stories full-time. When he is not writing or reading, he can be found watching cricket on television, talking to his wife, or munching on the nearest chocolate bar.

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I'd like to thank the publisher for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in

Book Review: The Liar's Weave by Tashan Mehta

Title: The Liar's Weave

Author: Tashan Mehta

Publisher: Juggernaut Books

Review

Tashan Mehta’s debut is about a Parsi boy who’s born without a future. What’s that, you ask? Let me break it down for you. The protagonist of the novel, Zahan Merchant, is a naïve boy from the Parsi community of 1920 India whose future is uncertain and unpredictable. What’s new here? Well, Zahan’s world is different from ours and not knowing one’s future there is unheard of.

Mehta spins an alternate history of our world as we know. In her version, birth charts are real and one’s life is mapped out in the stars. Except — of course — for the protagonist, whose future couldn’t be determined as the most noted astrologist of that time couldn’t read his birth chart. It’s a cosmic mistake, so the gods compensate for it by giving Zahan an unusual power: the ability to change reality with his lies. Is it then a blessing or a curse? That you’ll need to find out on your own for if Zahan lies, he creates reality.

As seasoned readers, we all know that the consequences of magic can be wondrous, yet heartbreaking. So when Zahan sets out on his adventures armed with his unique ability along with his friend Porthos, he is drawn into a secret forest full of ill-fated people and his power becomes more dangerous to him and those he loves.

While reading Mehta I couldn’t stop myself from drawing parallels between her novel and that of Salman Rushdie’s ‘Midnight’s Children.’ For one, both the novels have been written against the backdrop of India’s struggle for independence. Then there’s the shadowy and talismanic tone with perfect pacing and alluring imagery that is employed in both the books which simply can’t be ignored. Whether this is Mehta’s conscious choice or not will become clear with her subsequent works. But for now she has done a decent job.

Mehta’s language is stylised, giving her work a refreshing flavour. However, at times it becomes cumbersome and is confusing. The novel ultimately challenges both patience and comprehension with events and characters taking too long to come together. But if one can overcome this tiny bump, the story itself has something novel to offer.

Buy Link

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About the Author

Tashan Mehta was awarded the Sangam House Writer’s Residency in 2015, and has been longlisted for the TFA prize for fiction for two years. Her writing has appeared in literary journals such as OUT OF PRINT and NOTES, an Oxbridge publication. The Liar’s Weave is her first novel.

I'd like to thank the author for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in  and Juggernaut.in

Book Review: The Double X Factor by Pratap Nair

Title: The Couble X Factor

Author: Pratap Nair

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

About the Book

99 stories of incredible women from India.

Featuring Zia Mody, Chanda Kochhar, Mary Kom, Neerja Bhanot, Anita Dongre and others

99 daughters of India who dared to be different

From Rani Lakshmibai and Indira Gandhi to Chanda Kocchar and Mary Kom, The Double-X Factor explores the lives and times of 99 exceptional achievers who challenged the gender barrier and rose to fame. 

Indian history is replete with instances of women’s valour, fortitude, courage, self-sacrifice and leadership in times of crisis. Some of them have turned into folklore and many of them have been immortalized in movies. Most of all, these women have left a great and indelible impact on several generations. Be it politics, arts, entertainment, sports or business, they carved a niche in every sphere that was once considered a male domain. Today, they have become role models to a nation of 1.34 billion, of which almost half is female. 

Review

For millions of years the fairer sex has been considered the weaker sex. However, defying all the odds, women have left a great and indelible impact on several generations with their act and benevolence. Be it politics, arts, entertainment, sports or business, they have carved a niche in every sphere that was once considered a male domain. Sometimes they have been hailed for their courage while other times they have been spurned for the same. But they have endured and held fast to their strength. And today, they have become role models to a nation of 1.34 billion, of which almost half is female. 

This small but ambitious book profiles 99 such Indian women who stood the test of time and dared to make a difference. The volume offers a definitive, indispensable sampling of women in top form throughout the ages who challenged the gender barrier and rose to fame. Each of the woman hails from a different background but what they have in common is a mission to penetrate the fog of uncertainty to discover a successful path. For them it all began with a dream that just won’t quit.

Most of the biographies concentrate on women who have persevered to do work that gives them satisfaction for reasons both personal and altruistic. Commendably, biographical information extends way back from Rani Lakshmibai to present day achievers like Mary Kom.

The profiles are engaging and readers will likely be inspired to investigate these fascinating women further. In an informative style, Nair highlights the lives and times of these feisty females. He aims to inspire his audience because inspiration can come from any place and at any time.

To all those looking for some much needed motivation, this is the book to pick up. Read and dare to do the different.

About the Author

Pratap Nair is the founder of FEI Cargo, a logistics company. Shailaja Nair Foundation – FEI’s CSR arm – was established to help women and children come up in life.

Buy Link

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I'd like to thank the author for letting me review the book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

* I received a review copy from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

** Picture courtesy: Amazon.in 

Book Blast: Vishwamitra by Dr Vineet Aggarwal

Vishwamitra by Dr. Vineet Aggarwal

Indian Mythological Fiction

~ Book Blitz ~

11^th August, 2017

When Satyavati, wife of Rishi Ruchik, exchanges with her mother the magic potion for bearing a child, they change not just their children’s destiny, but also the history of mankind. Born of this mix up is Vishwamitra, the son of a Kshatriya, who strives to become a Brahmarishi—the ultimate and most powerful of all Gurus.

Vishwamitra is the powerful story of a brave but stubborn, haughty yet compassionate, visionary king of Aryavarta who not only acquires material wealth through military conquests but also becomes one of the most well-known sages of all times.

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5 lesser known facts about Vishwamitra

Almost everyone would have heard the name of Vishwamitra and some may even know of his dalliance with Menaka, or the role he played in the Ramayan but even those who are familiar with his name, may not know these five things about him:

1. Vishwamitra was born a Kshatriya prince and he reached the status of Brahmarishi, the highest possible rank for a Brahmin only through his tremendous effort!
2. He is the discoverer of the Gayatri Mantra that is spoken by millions of Hindus even today all over the globe! 
3. He is associated with two major Avatars of Lord Vishnu - Parshuram, the 6th incarnation was his grand-nephew while he himself became the Guru of Shri Raam, the 7th incarnation.
4. Vishwamitra’s daughter Shakuntala gave birth to Bharat, the King who gave India its official name – Bhaarat.
5. He is credited with the remarkable feat of creating actual star systems purely on the basis of his mystical powers & the stars he created can still be seen in the southern hemisphere as the Crux. 

About the Author

Dr. Vineet Aggarwal is described by many as a doctor by qualification, manager by profession and artist by temperament. Born in a family of doctors, he successfully completed an initial stint with the family occupation before deciding to venture into pharmaceutical management and currently pursues writing and photography as a passion.

He is the author of popular online blogs ‘Decode Hindu Mythology’ and ‘Fraternity Against Terrorism and Extremism’ and the author of books ‘Vishwamitra – The Man who dared to challenge the Gods’ and ‘The Legend of Parshu-Raam’

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Book Review: The Four Patriots by Sumit Agarwal

Title: The Four Patriots

Author: Sumit Agarwal

Publisher: Rupa Publications

Review:

Sumit Agarwal’s ‘The Four Patriot’ starts with a vision of India in the year 2023. A new era has dawned and the old, crumbling country has finally emerged as Naya Bharat with vast changes. But there are forces who want to chain her down, who wish to see the country groveling in the dust again. Amidst this backdrop, the story propels and we are siphoned off to the past, to the year 2006, from where the journey initiated.

The book is divided into two sections. While the first section tells the story of the four protagonists who are the four pillars of Naya Bharat and of their tribulations, the second section is all about the transformation of our beloved country. Rising above and beyond the catchphrase — “is desh ka kuch nahin ho sakta” — which seems to be the latest trend among the youth, the protagonists — Varun, Salman, Raghav and Aditya — embark on their journey to revolutionize the nation, seeking purpose and adventure.

Sumit’s use of multiple perspectives adds movement and richness to the novel but sometimes the device muddles the narrative. The book has pleasant propulsion as the thriller-esque plot churns along.

Loaded with action and driven by men of admirable qualities, this adventure is a great escape from reality. I’d recommend it to all those looking for a tightly knit neat package. 

About the Author:

Sumit Agarwal, MD, MLA Group of Industies, Kanpur is the founder of an NGO Prerna. He also founded Kasauti, a consortium of NGOs to aid clean and answerable politics. Apart from the fact that his first book “The Four Patriots” is being published by one of the leading publishing houses in the country, the story has already been adopted for a movie by a leading production house.

Sumit is also a music composer, lyricist, singer and writer. Two of his songs have been aired on MTV Indies this year. His music videos can be viewed on his Youtube Channel, Sumit Agarwal, or on his website www.sumitagarwal.net. An adept multi-tasker, he is a speaker on topics related to nation building, work life balance and multi-tasking.

Contact:

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Praise for the book:

1. Really amazing treatment of a subject which is our country’s need of the moment. Thrilling to the core, a must read. —Abhijeet Bhattacharya (Renowned Singer)

 2. It is heartening to know about “The Four Patriots” which inspires the youth and I’m confident that you will continue with this. —Akhilesh Yadav (Hon’ble CM Uttar Pradesh)

3. If you want India to become “Sone ki chiriya” again, then you must read this book and participate in the development of the country. —Om Puri (Veteran Film Actor)

4. Superb…bringing out realities of our times. I am sure this will be a hit for youth to guide them for a bright future in a brighter India. —C.M. Bhandari (Former Indian Ambassador to Cambodia, UAE, Poland & Lithuania. Yoga Author & Yog Guru)

5. A must read for people who love their country. —Bharat Kapoor (Film Actor)

6. It’s an amazing book, providing lots of insight into the prevailing condition in our country. It’s very spontaneous; it also shows that if you seek despair, you get despair but if you seek hope. There is definitely one. —Rakesh Bedi (Renowned TV Actor, Shrimaan Shrimati / Yeh Jo Hai Zindagi)

7. The country whose fate has not changed despite the J.P. and Anna Andolans. An eye opener, an inspiring and sumptuous read. All the best with lots of wishes. —Avtar Gill (Veteran TV Actor)

8. “The novel leaves the reader with a heightened sense of patriotism. It is an enthralling read.” —Saba Mahmood Bashir, (Author of I Swallowed the Moon: The Poetry of Gulzar)

Buy Link:

Amazon

* I received a review copy from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Book Review - Fizz by Kannan

Title: Fizz

Author: Kannan

Pages: 240

Price: 195.00 INR

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing Private Ltd. 

About the book

“Peace and Violence complement one another and both are undermined without the presence of the other.

Insecurity inspired by violence and devastation provides a business opportunity to those who live by selling killing machinery.

When the war of thousand cuts could not bring India to the negotiating table, let alone concede defeat, Pakistan’s ISI immediately grabs the opportunity to nuke India.

However, the common legacy shared by both countries had many Indians in Pakistan who played a vital role in its establishment.”

Review

Kannan’s ‘Fizz’ is a political thriller spanning not just countries, but continents. The book covers a vast expanse starting from US to Switzerland to Peru to India to Pakistan to China to Afghanistan to many other countries. The plot revolves around terrorism and how every individual and every nation deals with it. The story starts with Syed Ashraf Pasha planning a deadly mission with his friend Borg. The idea behind the mission is to shake India and the entire world but not letting the blame land on themselves in any way. Enters Qadar Khan, father of Pak nukes. Together they plan to have a nuclear blast somewhere in Afghanistan near Pakistan border to shake the tectonic plates underneath the Himalaya. Instead of what has been planned, the mission goes sideways and new developments, unforeseen and misapprehended, takes the readers into the depths of world politics.

New characters and complex situations stretch the canvas significantly. This is when the book starts to feel a little confusing. Barring this flaw, the plot is good indeed. It is racy and packed with all sorts of thrill to keep the reader engrossed in the story. You need to read the novel to know how various nations responded to the purported nuclear attack intended to destabilize South Asia. It also answers the most important question, who actually detonates the device and what happens in the aftermath.

About the author

Kannan was born in a Tamil migrant family from Palakkad, Kerala. Born and brought up in Kanigiri, Andhra Pradesh, he spent his childhood climbing the mountain formed from single rock and swimming in the wells used for agriculture. He became an engineer and is employed by an Aluminium manufacturer. He lives in Mumbai with his wife and son and leads a regular and boring life - which is why he started writing fiction. A person with strong opinions but no expectations from life, he became a spiritual atheist after witnessing the aftermath of the Latur earthquake. He spends his time mostly listening to music and playing chess online. He can be reached at rkpthegod@gmail.com

I'd like to thank the author for letting me review his book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading!

Book Review - Operation India One by Shiv Kumar

Title: Operation India One

Author: Shiv Kumar

Pages: 349

Price: 295.00 INR

Publisher: Om Books International

Review

Shiv Kumar’s ‘Operation India One’ is a political fiction set in the hinterlands of Bhagatpur, Bihar. It is not your run-of-the-mill story. The first thing that popped in my mind about the book was the word ‘no-nonsense’ while checking out the cover. It was further confirmed when I read the ‘author’s note.’ Mr. Kumar has started off his novel with a very powerful quote by Bertolt Brecht, “The worst illiterate is the political illiterate.” I being one of these people felt the need to change my position. Reading the book, as such, is my first step.

The story starts off with dedicated police officer, ACP Gautam Dhaliwal, taking it upon himself to root out the MAF, a major Naxal organization based in a remote village as part of the central government backed Operation India One. As his investigations progresses, however, he unmasks the official facade of development that he had set out to defend, an ugly nexus of unscrupulous politicians, bureaucrats and businessmen feeding off the oppression of the underprivileged. Torn between his commitment to the Indian State and the sympathy he begins to feel for the distressed people of Bhagatpur, and the terrorists’ supposed fight for the people’s rights, an agonized ACP Dhaliwal is forced to rethink his earlier views on the meaning of an individual’s responsibility towards fellow countrymen. While he pursues the terrorists, Nisha Kuswaha is determined to help her fellow villagers while trying to solve the murder of her father. On the other extreme is Charulata who is fighting to free her leader and lover Geerish Marandi from the government’s clutches.

Shiv Kumar’s style is racy with the words flowing fluidly just like the blood that he spills in this Bollywood-style novel. Albeit this, the presence of too many characters and similar sounding party names makes it for a cumbersome read. I had to keep going back the pages to decipher who was who. But let that not deter you from enjoying the plot itself.

About the author

Shiv Kumar works as Commercial Tax Officer for the government of Bihar. He was an engineer with a public sector company for nine years. He has travelled extensively throughout India during the course of his work. He is passionate about reading and writing. He prefers to delve into subjects concerning socio-political realities of contemporary India. Among other interests, Shiv Kumar is fond of travel writing, thriller and crime fiction.

Book links

1.       https://www.facebook.com/operationindiaone

2.       https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17154652-operation-india-one

3.       http://ombooksinternational.com/Operation-India-One_43.html#

4.       http://www.flipkart.com/operation-india-one-english/p/itme9zwam5fy5xyc?pid=9789383202249

5.       http://www.amazon.in/Operation-India-One-Shiv-Kumar-ebook/dp/B013I688QK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440063818&sr=8-1&keywords=operation+india+one

6.       http://www.amazon.com/Operation-India-One-Shiv-Kumar-ebook/dp/B013I688QK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1440065453&sr=8-1&keywords=operation+india+one

7.       http://www.infibeam.com/Books/operation-india-one-shiv-kumar/9789383202249.html#variantId=P-M-B-9789383202249

I'd like to thank author Shiv Kumar for letting me review his book. I do hope you end up liking the book when you read it. Thank you so much for stopping by, and happy reading! 

Book Review - Milan (A Wedding Story) by Simi K. Rao

Title: Milan (A Wedding Story)
Author: Simi k. Rao
Pages: 162
Price: INR 132.00
Publisher: Kando Books

Blurb

When a daughter turns marriageable age, what should a responsible father do? Easy--wed her to the most suitable boy who comes knocking on the door. Jai Bharadwaj, Mili's father and owner of The Serenity Tea Estate in the idyllic Nilgiris would've probably liked to do the same, but being who he was, he had to ask her first. What would she say?

Review

‘Milan (A Wedding Story)’ by Simi K. Rao is fun to read, light and easy to understand: a chic lit through and through.  Reading it reminded me of all the romances I used to guzzle down as a teenager. Back then I didn’t worry about the writer; I just picked up any book printed by Mills and Boon. The books used to be lighthearted romances, full of human side of things and with an almost linear story-line involving a girl and a boy who fell irrevocably in love and had a happily-ever-after. There was usually a lot of information about the food, clothing and different destinations. ’Milan’ fits into that category very snugly.

The story opens with Mili Bharadwaj, the heroine, who’s back home after completing her graduation in music and has no idea about the future that awaits her. Enters Ahaan Kapoor, the hero, with a marriage proposal that the family is only too happy to accept. Mili has certain reservations initially since he’s the same guy she used to bicker with during their schooldays. Of course, he’s no longer the nerd he used to be. He’s all suave and irresistible with a prestigious job. Unbeknownst to Mili, he has harbored a crush for her for as long as he can remember. She doesn’t take long to fall head over heels for him either. Then starts their sugary courtship up until they get married and beyond.

‘Milan’ follows the old school but routine charm of a Bollywood romance seen one too many times. Indian marriages are known to be over-the-top, sometimes outlandish and generally maddening. Ms Rao has given a walk-through of this experience in detail. The last few pages give it a ‘guidebook’ feel. She has even included few recipes! Clearly it’s for the benefit of the overseas reader, who I presume are her target audience.

After reading cover to cover I felt that the only drawback is that the story is sweet to a fault. The sweetness almost choked me. Another fact that irked me is the use of ‘adjectives.’ They adorn almost every other sentence. That said, the book is everything a person seeks when in need of a diversion from boring journeys or idle thoughts.

About the Author

Simi K. Rao was born and grew up in both northern and southern India before relocating to the U.S., where she has lived for several years. She is the author of multicultural contemporary romantic fiction.
The inspiration for her books and other creative projects comes from her own experience with cross-cultural traditions, lifestyles and familial relationships, as well as stories and anecdotes collected from friends, family and acquaintances.
Rao enjoys exploring the dynamics of contemporary American culture blended with Indian customs and heritage to reflect the challenges and opportunities many Indian-American women face in real life.
Much of Rao's down time is devoted to creative pursuits, including writing fiction, poetry and photography. She is an avid traveler and has visited many locations around the world.
A practicing physician, Rao lives in Denver with her family. Her published works include Inconvenient Relations and The Accidental Wife. She is currently at work on her next release.

Book Links

Amazon

Contact the Author

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