Wednesday 10 September 2014

Digs, Dogs and Drama - Book Review

Title: Digs, Dogs and Drama
Author: Rachna Singh
Publisher: White Tarantula
ISBN: 9384180092
Number of Pages: 248
Price: 240 [INR]
Genre: Humour

Blurb on the Book:

Digs, Dogs and Drama is a humorous book in the genre of anecdotal humour. It is compiled like a diary of fun: each chapter an independent blob of humour. The neighbour's dog. The dramatic ultrasound scan. The wedding reception. Aloo parathas versus curd rice. 100% shuddh Indian. Events. Happenings. Experiences. Just day-to-day stuff.

Traffic Jam? Angry boss? Ruined Haircut? Power cut? Need instant cheering up? Any chapter will do. Rasam? Burger? Rangoli? Bollywood action? Want a desi smile? Start from anywhere in this book. You won't be able to put it down.

My Review:

Digs, Dogs and Drama is a collection of short stories, each based on day-to-day experiences. What makes this interesting is that these experiences are of the author! With a total of 46 independent chapters, each with a punch of humour, the book can be read in any order.

The author's sense of humour is something I liked a lot. She looks the same world with a different angle, finding humour in mundane activities. The book has stories from Weddings, PTA meetings to dogs, photo shoots and Bollywood! The first dose of humour begins when the author writes "No animals or editors were harmed in the writing of this book" I instantly developed a liking to her sense of humour.

One more plus point was the chapters being short and independent. I used to read them during travelling to and from college and just like that I was done with it. I enjoyed reading it. In some chapters, the humour just flowed easily where in some, it seemed like the author was trying a little hard to make it sound funny. The language is fluid and conversational and engages the reader. It is like reading someone's diary.

All in all, the book makes a good read. Pick it up and enjoy the little anecdotes.

My Rating: 4/5 Stars!

PS: This review is a part of Book review program hosted by Write Tribe.

Until the next review,
Keep Reading :)

Love,
Swathi :)

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Monday 8 September 2014

The Devil's Gate: An Impossible Journey - Book Review

Title: The Devil's Gate: An Impossible Journey
Author: Deepak Kripal
Publisher: Frog Books
ISBN: 9789383562060
Number of Pages: 248
Price: 175 [INR]
Genre: Thriller

Blurb on the Book:

Sidelined by man, animals turned to demons.

Plundered by humans of their habitats, animals take a drastic step when they decide to send a team of a cat named as Katy and a dog named as Dug, to an invisible island known, as the Island of 'Five Hundred Graves'. The island becomes visible only for a short time on the night of the full moon.

Legend has it that the island is inhabited by the demons. Katy and Dug are supposed to negotiate a deal with the demons, convincing them to allow the animals inhibit the island. Majority of the animal community believe that tinkering with the other world could bring their wrath to the animals. The team is sent to the island nevertheless.

But, can a deal with the dead be materialized?

Are there really demons on the island? Is there any conspiracy involved?

Will Katy and Dug be able to negotiate, or will survival remain their only question in the deadly island?

My Review:

The book is about Katy, the cat and Dug, the dog travelling to a mysterious island to negotiate with the demons. But there is much more to the story than just negotiating with the demons. The island is full of demons fighting to possess a living body, monsters who are designed to kill and mysteries that will demand Katy and her team to display extreme courage, even if it means risking their lives or even death! Will they be able to cross all these hurdles and succeed in their mission?

When I read the blurb, I developed an instant interest in the book as supernatural stories have always been my cup of tea. But I was fairly disappointed, for the first few chapters didn't quite hold my interest. The plot kind of seemed to drag on with too much explanation. And the ending is something that leaves you puzzled. There is no conclusion; only a mystery that hangs in the air even after you finish the novel.

But after the first few chapters, the book became interesting again as the adventures of Katy and Dug begin in the Island of 'Five Hundred Graves'. Once you get over your initial shock of the highly developed intelligence of these animals, you will start enjoying the book to some extent. The plot gets interesting from here. The imagination of the author to think beyond the ordinary is something I liked a lot. Also his ability in providing minor details about this unseen land is also quite appreciable.

There were many quotes which I liked and here are few of them:

  • Playing with danger is a child's play. Real game starts when the danger starts playing with you.
  • When others develop an aversion to your version, you are probably going in the right direction.
  • Bravery without sword is like slavery without lord.
  • Even the smallest creature can cause your downfall if you are driven by power and arrogance rather than by your mind and heart.
All in all, the book was OK with a subtle message about how human ways have forced animals to take the extreme step! I will suggest this book for those who love mild super natural stories, most probably for teens!

My Rating: 3/5 Stars!

Until the next review,
Keep Reading :)

Love,
Swathi :)

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Friday 5 September 2014

India Was One - Book Review

Title: India Was One
Author: An Indian
Publisher: Create Space
ISBN: 1450543332
Number of Pages: 370
Price: $14.95
Genre: Realistic Fiction

Blurb on the Book:

...Suddenly, he saw something shiny at the bottom of the abyss. He squinted his eyes to see what it was. He ran back to his binoculars and turned them to see what it was. Sharp barbed wires that separated the two mountains came into focus. He had come as far as he could in his country. But she was standing in another country.

He was in South India and she was in North India...

Have you ever imagined India being divided into two countries? What happens to the millions of Indians who are from South India but are now residing in North India? Kaahi and Jai were two such people who got trapped in this situation. Everything was going smoothly for them and suddenly, their world turned upside down.

How will they get together? Will India become one again?

Take an exciting journey with them from their college days in Mumbai to their life in the US and back to India when they find out that India is divided.

My Review:

The story is about five college students, whose friendship blooms with regular meet at canteen during breaks. Of these, Jai and Kaahi fall for each other. They get married once they graduate and the story is about their life in India and abroad, where Jai works for his father's company. All is well until the civil unrest breaks out in India, forcing Jai and Kaahi to separate as they have to travel to their own India, now divided into North India and South India! The story advances about how their life changes with this.

The hangouts and the fun moments with friends was something I liked. The book brings out most of the aspects of India like our reaction during a Indo-Pak cricket match. The narration and the set up during these moments is apt. Also the narration about the feelings of Indians when India is divided and they are forced to separate from their dear ones is also something that touches the readers. The terrorist attack and the brave solider's reaction, gives you goosebumps as it reminds you the terrorist attack on Taj!

Though the story was good, there were certain things I didn't like. Especially the extra details provided in every chapter, like a paragraph on Gujrathis, Tamilians etc was something I didn't think was needed. The pace of the story is slow until the chapter when the news of civil unrest in India. After that the story flows effortlessly and it's hard to put down the book. 

I loved the illustrations at the beginning of each chapter. The last chapter is something that gives us a lot to ponder on. What does being an Indian really mean? Is it a religion, custom or a state of mind? This chapter is sets us to thinking.

All in all, the book makes a good read. I would recommend it for those who love to read about India, its culture and traditions.

My Rating: 3.5/5 stars!

Until the next review,
Keep Reading :)

Love,
Swathi :)

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