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jainandsdiary's Reviews (310)
Reading and writing have always been a thing that affects me personally. Both are the source of nourishment for me and each other as well.
"Read well, write well." These were the words of the English Teacher of Ruskin Bond and this advice was the one which he took and never regretted, as mentioned in the introduction of the book. And having the same title, this book is all about how keeping the writing simple, and clear and about the things surrounding you gives life to words. And through this collection, Mr. Bond shares a few of his stories, poems, and experiences which could encourage the readers to write.
Mr. Bond's writing is synonymous with comfort, for me. The way his words calm me, makes me smile, give me a reason to be happy, make me cherish the little things in life, and be grateful for what I have is something that I admire and am thankful for.
There are so many stories in this collection, which I re-read, for how calming they were. Being connected with nature and its surroundings, they account for few of the rawest emotions and feelings.
This was my fifth book by Mr. Bond and I have never read his poetry before this book begins with two poems, and I cherished them so much, re-read them and love their beauty and simplicity of them. There were a few poems in between and end as well, and after reading them, I'm highly interested in reading more of his poems. Also, this one is my favourite collection from all the ones that I have read to date.
Go for it to cherish the beauty around yourself, go for it to find comfort, go for it when you need a friend, go for it to find little joy in life, and go for it to read some of the most touching, heartwarming, and engaging stories and poems. I will give it 5/5 stars.
"Read well, write well." These were the words of the English Teacher of Ruskin Bond and this advice was the one which he took and never regretted, as mentioned in the introduction of the book. And having the same title, this book is all about how keeping the writing simple, and clear and about the things surrounding you gives life to words. And through this collection, Mr. Bond shares a few of his stories, poems, and experiences which could encourage the readers to write.
Mr. Bond's writing is synonymous with comfort, for me. The way his words calm me, makes me smile, give me a reason to be happy, make me cherish the little things in life, and be grateful for what I have is something that I admire and am thankful for.
There are so many stories in this collection, which I re-read, for how calming they were. Being connected with nature and its surroundings, they account for few of the rawest emotions and feelings.
This was my fifth book by Mr. Bond and I have never read his poetry before this book begins with two poems, and I cherished them so much, re-read them and love their beauty and simplicity of them. There were a few poems in between and end as well, and after reading them, I'm highly interested in reading more of his poems. Also, this one is my favourite collection from all the ones that I have read to date.
Go for it to cherish the beauty around yourself, go for it to find comfort, go for it when you need a friend, go for it to find little joy in life, and go for it to read some of the most touching, heartwarming, and engaging stories and poems. I will give it 5/5 stars.
It was a very easy and light read for me and came at the best time when I was not able to read much and so, finishing it in a day felt nice. Although the book was very filmy and gave Bollywood vibes, it was fun.
Detailed review
Detailed review
उम्दा लेखन और एक ऐसी कहानी, जो काफ़ी कम शब्दों में बहुत कुछ कह जाती है।
Book: Goagram
Author: Bina Nayak
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Pages: 274
Goagram by Bina Nayak is a contemporary fiction that shows the side of social media and influencers. When the fashion designer Madhur Chopra, aka Maddie, escapes from COVID-infected Delhi to Goa to find the backdrop for her vlogs, she wasn't expecting to get a friend in her landlady, Mrs Coutinho, apart from the fame that comes from social media. But when fame comes with a horrifying experience that shatters her digital dreams, would she be able to find herself along with her dreams? Read the book to find out.
This book intrigued me because of the title and the description. With its intriguing writing style and fast pace, the book could be easily finished in a day.
Being divided into three parts, the book shows the journey of Maddie from coming to Goa, getting used to the place, and eventually finding her home there, with a lot of twists and turns in between. The second part was something that shows the bond between Maddie and Mrs Coutinho, and it was the highlight for me in this book. The author tried to show a different version of Goa through the story, which is quite unlike the one shown in movies and videos, which was interesting to read.
But apart from that, the book didn't have much impact on me. There could have been more character development in Maddie, which, if supported by her childhood a little, could have given a lot about her, her ambitions and profession, her relationship with her parents, and eventually her as an influencer and a person. I also felt that some issues that were raised in the book could have been handled more sensitively. The book and the narrative become irritating at times and fail to leave a deep impact. Overall, this book was something that didn't resonate with me. Go for it and check out if it works for you.
Author: Bina Nayak
Genre: Contemporary Fiction
Publisher: HarperCollins India
Pages: 274
Goagram by Bina Nayak is a contemporary fiction that shows the side of social media and influencers. When the fashion designer Madhur Chopra, aka Maddie, escapes from COVID-infected Delhi to Goa to find the backdrop for her vlogs, she wasn't expecting to get a friend in her landlady, Mrs Coutinho, apart from the fame that comes from social media. But when fame comes with a horrifying experience that shatters her digital dreams, would she be able to find herself along with her dreams? Read the book to find out.
This book intrigued me because of the title and the description. With its intriguing writing style and fast pace, the book could be easily finished in a day.
Being divided into three parts, the book shows the journey of Maddie from coming to Goa, getting used to the place, and eventually finding her home there, with a lot of twists and turns in between. The second part was something that shows the bond between Maddie and Mrs Coutinho, and it was the highlight for me in this book. The author tried to show a different version of Goa through the story, which is quite unlike the one shown in movies and videos, which was interesting to read.
But apart from that, the book didn't have much impact on me. There could have been more character development in Maddie, which, if supported by her childhood a little, could have given a lot about her, her ambitions and profession, her relationship with her parents, and eventually her as an influencer and a person. I also felt that some issues that were raised in the book could have been handled more sensitively. The book and the narrative become irritating at times and fail to leave a deep impact. Overall, this book was something that didn't resonate with me. Go for it and check out if it works for you.
Book: The Royal Heist
Author: Alisha Kay
Genre: Romance
Format: E-book
Pages: 221
The Royal Heist by Alisha Kay is a royal romantic comedy having the grumpy sunshine trope. When the grumpy Maharaja of Savanur His Highness Jaidev Raisingh is left with nothing but to marry the local MP Suryakant Pandhare's daughter to save his ancestral home from the government. But his plan takes a turn when her wedding planner Naina Gulati comes into the picture. Naina, the family member of the legendary thieves, whose new target is to make history by stealing the Savanur necklace, and Niana is the chosen one to execute it to be out of their family business which simply means carrying out a theft to be out of its business! And the wedding planner was a perfect cover-up for it until the entry of the bridegroom. What happens when their goal of saving their family and heritage is intervened by a new profound love?
Although it was my only 4th book by the author, I can say from what I have read till now that it was a classic Alisha Kay book - a fun, fast-paced, intriguing read having a little spice that supports the story with the pinch of drama and entertainment and characters which make you fall in love with them and their story.
The characters of Naina and Jaidev are quite fascinating, and with the inclusion of wedding planning and the chaos, it gives a plethora of entertaining moments that make the story interesting. And like in some of her previous works as well, I love the moments when the character makes alterations with "His Highness" and gives it a very innovative, creative and humourous touch.
The burden of heritage, expectations, social status and the past of their own and the family on both the characters give more layers and dimensions to their character development, and having family members who are more of a bunch of irritating characters makes that more compelling.
The characters are relatable in various instances which makes it more engaging. Although I would have loved to see more interactions of the characters and more heartfelt moments, it was overall a book worth reading that could be enjoyed by anyone who wants to read a fun, light-hearted, comfortable, engaging read that could be easily finished in a day.
Author: Alisha Kay
Genre: Romance
Format: E-book
Pages: 221
The Royal Heist by Alisha Kay is a royal romantic comedy having the grumpy sunshine trope. When the grumpy Maharaja of Savanur His Highness Jaidev Raisingh is left with nothing but to marry the local MP Suryakant Pandhare's daughter to save his ancestral home from the government. But his plan takes a turn when her wedding planner Naina Gulati comes into the picture. Naina, the family member of the legendary thieves, whose new target is to make history by stealing the Savanur necklace, and Niana is the chosen one to execute it to be out of their family business which simply means carrying out a theft to be out of its business! And the wedding planner was a perfect cover-up for it until the entry of the bridegroom. What happens when their goal of saving their family and heritage is intervened by a new profound love?
Although it was my only 4th book by the author, I can say from what I have read till now that it was a classic Alisha Kay book - a fun, fast-paced, intriguing read having a little spice that supports the story with the pinch of drama and entertainment and characters which make you fall in love with them and their story.
The characters of Naina and Jaidev are quite fascinating, and with the inclusion of wedding planning and the chaos, it gives a plethora of entertaining moments that make the story interesting. And like in some of her previous works as well, I love the moments when the character makes alterations with "His Highness" and gives it a very innovative, creative and humourous touch.
The burden of heritage, expectations, social status and the past of their own and the family on both the characters give more layers and dimensions to their character development, and having family members who are more of a bunch of irritating characters makes that more compelling.
The characters are relatable in various instances which makes it more engaging. Although I would have loved to see more interactions of the characters and more heartfelt moments, it was overall a book worth reading that could be enjoyed by anyone who wants to read a fun, light-hearted, comfortable, engaging read that could be easily finished in a day.
Book: First Loves, Last Loves
Author: Ruskin Bond
Genre: Anthology/Short Stories
Publisher: Rupa Publication
Pages: 120
First Loves, Last Loves by Ruskin Bond is a collection of 12 stories(actually 11, read the review ahead to know why
Author: Ruskin Bond
Genre: Anthology/Short Stories
Publisher: Rupa Publication
Pages: 120
First Loves, Last Loves by Ruskin Bond is a collection of 12 stories(actually 11, read the review ahead to know why
I Won't Wash My Hair by Aparna Kapur, illustrated by Ogin Nayam is the story of Divya, who in the absence of her parents—who have gone away to Kolkata for two weeks didn't want to wash her hair. And her wish gets fulfilled as she is living with her Aunt and her dog who is as unaware and uninterested as Divya would have liked. And thus, she refuses to wash her hair. Her hairs are filled with paintbrushes, pencils, peanuts, and whatnot, but she is enjoying her time by learning multiple things. But for how long would she be able to avoid washing her hair? Read the book to find out.
In this short book having less than 50 pages, the author has beautifully captured the attention of the readers. There was so much humour and fun and moments that one will remember for a long time for sure. The incidents in school with Ameena Ma'am are iconic and entertaining.
In the end, there is a learning activity for children about adjectives which will make them understand and learn it in a fun way. The illustrations by Ogin Nayam are stunning and give a very calming visual appeal to the book.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and it would be a fun read for the children. I'm sure parents will have a hard time and will be in a dilemma after reading this book with their children
In this short book having less than 50 pages, the author has beautifully captured the attention of the readers. There was so much humour and fun and moments that one will remember for a long time for sure. The incidents in school with Ameena Ma'am are iconic and entertaining.
In the end, there is a learning activity for children about adjectives which will make them understand and learn it in a fun way. The illustrations by Ogin Nayam are stunning and give a very calming visual appeal to the book.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book and it would be a fun read for the children. I'm sure parents will have a hard time and will be in a dilemma after reading this book with their children
Start Living Again by Saranya Umakanthan is a contemporary romance fiction. It shows the story of Ananya, a girl who lost everything she had in a single day, her residence, her certificates, her job, her friends, and her motivation to achieve her dreams — the motivation that her been her identity. After losing everything she had, she met Anshik – the one who saw the ignite in her eyes from her dreams earlier – and here comes an unexpected reunion. But can heartbreak and shattered dreams lead to a new path of success and happiness? Can the destiny be rewritten? Read the book to find out the answers.
I have read "One Day, Life Will Change", the debut book by the author and I could see similarities in the structure of the story, storytelling, character development, and writing between the two.
Each chapter in the book starts with a quote that goes well with the story and is relatable and motivational. The relationship of Ananya and Anshik with their parents is described very well and is very real, which can be observed in and around our lives.
The difference in the dynamics of each protagonist with their siblings gives another contrasting, yet real depiction of the range the relationship covers, from being close and supportive to discouraging and obstructive.
The author's attempt to show every work as an important work, without attaching it with shame and guilt stands out and it felt good to see that.
But apart from this, the protagonist's relationship with each other did not have much impact on me. There were a few moments in the book where I felt that things became a little problematic and there was glorification of such moments, and it put me off. Also, no matter what Anshik's intention was with the relationship with Ananya, it gives a wrong perception that one cannot be in a relationship with someone because they aren't successful and one's relationship might affect their path of success. And though I didn't enjoy the book, there are elements that will be loved and cherished by the readers.
I have read "One Day, Life Will Change", the debut book by the author and I could see similarities in the structure of the story, storytelling, character development, and writing between the two.
Each chapter in the book starts with a quote that goes well with the story and is relatable and motivational. The relationship of Ananya and Anshik with their parents is described very well and is very real, which can be observed in and around our lives.
The difference in the dynamics of each protagonist with their siblings gives another contrasting, yet real depiction of the range the relationship covers, from being close and supportive to discouraging and obstructive.
The author's attempt to show every work as an important work, without attaching it with shame and guilt stands out and it felt good to see that.
But apart from this, the protagonist's relationship with each other did not have much impact on me. There were a few moments in the book where I felt that things became a little problematic and there was glorification of such moments, and it put me off. Also, no matter what Anshik's intention was with the relationship with Ananya, it gives a wrong perception that one cannot be in a relationship with someone because they aren't successful and one's relationship might affect their path of success. And though I didn't enjoy the book, there are elements that will be loved and cherished by the readers.
I remember that in school, we used to have "Thought Of The Day" as one of the activities in the school assembly, a thing that we all look forward to in the morning that can make all of us motivated and excited. But after school, it eventually ended and likewise the thrill of the daily dose of motivation. And thus, with the book Amazing Quotes, Prakash Bojja is trying to fill that void.
Amazing Quotes: Quotes That Change Life by Prakash Bojja is a collection of more than 500 quotes, each offering a different perspective on our daily lives. The quotes come from various themes of life and can help a person look forward to it.
The quotes will help to make us work towards our goals and become a better version of ourselves. Many quotes in the book are something that many of us might have heard here or there at some point in our lives. This collection provides a way to present them in a single place and use them as a single point of reference whenever one feels the need for it.
However, I felt that many quotes conveyed the same meaning and were written in different words, and thus could have been avoided or replaced with some other quotes. And like with any other thing, it's possible to disagree with some quotes as the perspective towards life comes from own experiences, and it needs to be different. So, read them with subjectivity and openness for new perspectives towards life.
Overall, it's a beautiful collection of quotes that serves as a one point source for the quotes for day-to-day life and would be enjoyed by readers who feel the need for the same.
Amazing Quotes: Quotes That Change Life by Prakash Bojja is a collection of more than 500 quotes, each offering a different perspective on our daily lives. The quotes come from various themes of life and can help a person look forward to it.
The quotes will help to make us work towards our goals and become a better version of ourselves. Many quotes in the book are something that many of us might have heard here or there at some point in our lives. This collection provides a way to present them in a single place and use them as a single point of reference whenever one feels the need for it.
However, I felt that many quotes conveyed the same meaning and were written in different words, and thus could have been avoided or replaced with some other quotes. And like with any other thing, it's possible to disagree with some quotes as the perspective towards life comes from own experiences, and it needs to be different. So, read them with subjectivity and openness for new perspectives towards life.
Overall, it's a beautiful collection of quotes that serves as a one point source for the quotes for day-to-day life and would be enjoyed by readers who feel the need for the same.
"There are a thousand ways of lovemaking, that's why the world sustains, bomb after genocide after tsunami after meteorite, because people smile diffusing nuclear energy. Fissions of the heart. Fusions of desire."
Coins In River by Rochelle Potkar is a collection of 78 poems, divided into 9 parts. With themes as diverse as politics, love, relationships, womanhood and much more, giving voice to the unheard, unrecognized, untendered, under-appreciated words, feelings, emotions and people.
In the Preface of the book, the author said — "I often think of poetry as light and sound. We can’t perceive all the light on the spectrum, nor hear all the sounds: infrasonic, ultrasonic. So too, not all art is within grasp, but over time it just might be within understanding – a sign of our evolution and tastes." — And it aligns perfectly with what I thought about this collection. A collection having poems about topics as diverse as one can think of with metaphors and regional words, that can make one smile, reflect, frustrate, anger and work upon. But at the same time, just like with sound and light, there were so many poems in this collection that I was not able to perceive, decipher and understand and I wish that over time, I would be able to do that. The writing is complex and it needs time to understand, a time that I want to give it in the future as well.
Though the one I understood, I fell in love with them. There is a unique voice and perspective in the poet's narration, and it connects deeply. The illustrated poems that come once in a while in between were my favourite and they said a lot without saying much.
There are many poems in the collection that have arisen because of some real-life incidents, and one needs to know that to be able to appreciate it, and once it's done, the words create magic, or I should say mortification, as that's the case in so many poems, my favourite being "Sew" that talks the incident that took place in Khairlanji and thereafter.
Overall, this is a collection that demands time, a time that depends on a person-to-person basis - while some would be able to understand them completely, some will require more time, and I find myself with the latter ones.
"Should I send you a dream because
all words
have offloaded from the last freight truck...?"
Coins In River by Rochelle Potkar is a collection of 78 poems, divided into 9 parts. With themes as diverse as politics, love, relationships, womanhood and much more, giving voice to the unheard, unrecognized, untendered, under-appreciated words, feelings, emotions and people.
In the Preface of the book, the author said — "I often think of poetry as light and sound. We can’t perceive all the light on the spectrum, nor hear all the sounds: infrasonic, ultrasonic. So too, not all art is within grasp, but over time it just might be within understanding – a sign of our evolution and tastes." — And it aligns perfectly with what I thought about this collection. A collection having poems about topics as diverse as one can think of with metaphors and regional words, that can make one smile, reflect, frustrate, anger and work upon. But at the same time, just like with sound and light, there were so many poems in this collection that I was not able to perceive, decipher and understand and I wish that over time, I would be able to do that. The writing is complex and it needs time to understand, a time that I want to give it in the future as well.
Though the one I understood, I fell in love with them. There is a unique voice and perspective in the poet's narration, and it connects deeply. The illustrated poems that come once in a while in between were my favourite and they said a lot without saying much.
There are many poems in the collection that have arisen because of some real-life incidents, and one needs to know that to be able to appreciate it, and once it's done, the words create magic, or I should say mortification, as that's the case in so many poems, my favourite being "Sew" that talks the incident that took place in Khairlanji and thereafter.
Overall, this is a collection that demands time, a time that depends on a person-to-person basis - while some would be able to understand them completely, some will require more time, and I find myself with the latter ones.
"Should I send you a dream because
all words
have offloaded from the last freight truck...?"