It’s Never Too Late by Priyanka Baranwal: A Review

Name: It’s Never Too Late… To win the battle against your biggest enemy: Fear

Author: Priyanka Baranwal

Publisher: Srishti Publishers & Distributers

Back cover says - In a nation where most women are taught to be submissive atevery stage in life, Maya stands out. In a society that finds fault in women for heinous crimes like rape, Maya stands up.

Maya and Rajat fall in love while they study at IIT Kanpur; their daughter Sejal only makes the bond stronger even after years of marriage. Life is almost perfect when two petty criminals decide to make her fairytale life a tale of horror and fear with their intention of molesting her.

Will she be able to fight her fate while Rajat is away and save herself and her five-year-old? Will she be able to undo all stereotypes and face the male-dominated society after that fateful night? Will Rajat stand up with her as she decides to battle her fears andtake the culprits to their just punishment?

It’s Never Too Late is a story of every woman who decides to fight her fears and even destiny; of every human who chooses the right over the easy; of every wife who shoulders all responsibilities of the house; and of every mother who is unwavering in her resolve to ensure that her daughter grows up in a safer world.

On the name and the cover:
The cover looks sober and very well suits the book. Headlines of papers, pictures of women and a happy family picture, makes this cover a head-turner. Wasim Helal, the cover designer has done his part of job efficiently. 

‘To win the battle against your biggest enemy: Fear’ – the tag line of the book says everything about the story. After completing the book, readers will appreciate the effort of the author to choose such an appropriate name and tag line for this work.

On the narrating style:
The author has chosen direct narrating style for telling her story, and has done proper justice to that. The way the author portrayed each and every scene with well crafted words, will make every reader glued to the book. This should be the way to write a debut novel.

On the story-line:
After reading the Author’s Note and the back blurb any reader would expect an intense story inside; but to my surprise, the first half of the book was only narrating the love story of Maya and Rajat. The story starts with Maya walking down her memory lane, by recollecting her IIT days where she had fallen in love with her present husband, Rajat.  The author manages to keep that part interesting by her narrating style and by the shuffle between the past and present. From the second part the book started to show its true colors. When the fateful day came in Maya’s life and how she fought back to save her family was a breathtaking read.  I could very easily say that the end will make every reader feel good for picking up this piece of art.

+ Point: The narrative style and the incident that took place at the second half of the book is the USP                 of the book.

- Point:  A few editing errors and the first half of the book can be the downfall of the book.

My favorite Line: I have saved us. (After reading this line I had tears in my eyes)

B+

A+ (Excellent)    A (Very Good)      B+ (Good)      B (Average)     C (Below Average)

I Played a Game with LIfe by S. Richardson: A Review

Name: I played a game with Life

Author: S. Richardson

Publisher: Parlance Publishers PVT. LTD.

Back cover says: SAM, a typical guy, living life happy and carefree, but has an ambition that far exceeds what a normal Chennai boy can aspire to. Encountering ‘Life’ itself in a dream, he’s convinced into playing a game with it. A game that ends when Life's travails get so hard that Sam is pushed to tears.

A girl enters Sam’s life. The moment he sets eyes on her he knows she’s going to play hard to get, but sparks do indeed fly between them, taken into a world of romance. 

When everything looked like its going according to the plan, it just wasn't. This is when Life starts pressing down on Sam. Though Sam’s attitude about living life is to be happy and cool, he finds himself being tested.

Circumstances push him into a world of discomfort and guilt. Amidst such emotional turmoil, he manages to grip on to hope. 

Sam is expected to worry, complain, and give up. One event after another set him on edge to make him shed that tear which veritably ends Life's game. 

Does he win the game with Life, or will he spiral into what so many people who've given up the fight have fallen into? You simply need to be part of his life to find out.

On the name and the cover:
At a glance this book looks good. A soothing cover with the perfect color combination. I love the font used on the cover. The cover quality and the paper quality are also remarkable. A job well done by Jimmy Eric, as the author said it does added a lot of value to the book.
Few books are there where readers could find the reason behind the name at the end or while redaing the book, but after reading the prologue every reader will know why this name is choosen for this work.

On the story-line:
The writer very efficiently written the prologue which perfectly created the urge between readers to know what happens next. The story unfolds around Sam John, how he met the love of his life, what he had done to chase his dreams, how much he sacrificed for his dream and at the end sacrificed the dream. Then he realize, now his dream is following him.

On the narrating style: 

This writer has taken this book to a new height by his fresh narrative style. Direct narrating style is a tough thing to choose for a debut writer. But this writer not only chose that but done proper justice to that. Any reader can look forward to the way the writer added humor to the book by his wonderful story-telling style.

+ Point: The writer’s fresh narrative style.

- Point:  The frequent chapter division spoils the mood of the book.

My favorite line: Martin Desire what? (Every time I read the name, this line automatically came in my mind.)

 B+

A+ (Excellent)     A (Very Good)      B+ (Good)      B (Average)      C (Below Average) 

MOM is like a GOD

In childhood, we said "MOM is mine, MOM is mine",

And now we are saying "MOM is yours, MOM is yours".

In childhood, we can't live without MOM,

And now, we do not want her.

When someone scolds us, our mom fights with them,

During our turn, we scold our mom.

When something happens to us, she take care of us,

And when something happens to her, we send them to

"Old - Age Home's"

In our whole life we hurted her,

But in return we got blessings from her.

She always prays for our happiness, she doesn't care about

herself,

But we are playing with her feelings.

In our life god gifted us many things, but the precious

gift is MOM.

We have to respect our mom and treat her as a GOD.

And don't send your god to "Old - Age Home's".

I lose everything, when I see you.

I want to say to you,

The 3 diamond words,

That I LOVE YOU.

But I fear that if you reject,

My heart will break

And my dreams too.

I also fear that, if you accept it,

Then I will lose my focus,

And always I think about you.

In the absence of you,

I feel to tell those words,

When you come near me,

I just fear to tell,

Because by seeing you,

I lose my voice as well as focus.

For me you are like my dream girl,

To whom I can purpose in my dreams,

To whom I can dance and hug in my dreams.

 

I love her, but she loves you.

I love her like my god,

But you use her like a thing.

She loves you and I love her.

You always hurt her,

But I always try to keep her happy.

You always play with her feelings,

But I care for her feelings.

You love her appearance,

But I love her soul.

You always make her feel un-comfort,

Even I and she are friends, but I make her feel comfort.

You hug her just to enjoy,

But I hug her to make her strong.

You hold her hands to show that,

You both are lovers,

But I hold her hand to show that,

I am always with her.

I always love her,

Even though she loves you.

Being a friend I will do my best,

To make her always happy.

I will give everything,

What she needs.

My heart gates are always opened for her.

I still LOVE you

Like others I too loved,

Like others we had a lot of fun,

Like others we fought,

We shared our feelings, thoughts

And like others we cared for each other,

But when the time came,

To prove our love,

You went off by telling that,

You will return soon,

I waited and waited for you,

The world told me that,

You cheated me.

At last I came to know,

That you cheated me.

I replied to the world,

That you are in danger,

I told a lie to save you,

from the world.

I always want to make you happy,

even though you hurt me,

because i love you so much,

And one day you will realize,

my love, my pain, my absence.

You went But memories are with Me

You left me alone and went off,

you left our memories with me,

you left the love feeling with me,

you left the things with me,

to make myself feel like a hell,

Every day every moment,

our memories asking me that you come,

my heart ask me when i will smile,

my eye ask me when i will see you,

But my lips never ask me anything,

it always pronounce you name.

My hands want to hold you forever,

My ears always want to hear you,

My hug is always waiting for you,

My heart will always be for you,

My memories always start,

And ends with you.

                                                    Written by Pk Priyanka

 Priyanka Kumari is a girl from Hyderabad. She was born on 13the November 1995 and now a first year student of engineering in mechanical group in Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology in Hyderabad. Priyanka also works as a writer in Bhavishya News Chanel in Hyderabad.

Priyanka loves to write and her pen name is Pk Priyanka. She wants to bring peace in our society by her writing. She always likes to help the people who are in need. She started writing form 6^th standard. Her first poems were published in the book of ANTHOLOGY – I am poetry in USA.

Maharaja in Denims by Khushwant Singh: A Review

‘Maharaja in Denims’ by Khushwant Singh, the cover perfectly supports the content of the book. The way this book has been presented to its readers, it surely grabs the spot light. After reading the blurb I can very easily say that this book has something very interesting to offer.

The back cover says – Chandigarh: a modern city with all the trappings of the uber-rich – snazzy SUVs, glitzy homes and fast-paced, decadent lifestyles.

Hari and Suzanne: a young, lusty, college-going couple. While living the life of a normal teenager, Hari starts getting flashes of his past life – which tell him he’s an incarnation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, the mighty founder of the Sikh empire two hundred years ago. And when Suzanne attempts to decode Hari’s past life through regression, their lives change forever as many shocking past lives are discovered!

Interwoven throughout the unfolding of Hari and Suzanne’s present-day story are vignettes of Ranjit Singh’s life and loves, valour and conquest. When Suzanne helps Hari uncover the secrets of his past life, they stumble upon people and incidents that link the present day to the turbulent and disturbing history of Punjab.

The intense story moves to England and then to Mumbai, with an astonishing revelation at the end, which is set in the future and yet, has a deep historical resonance. A modern tale, Maharaja in Denims is moving, bold and racy.

Let me start from the cover, a talwar holding boy wearing a denim jean under the gown of a Maharaja, perfectly reflects that the main protagonist Hari Sandhu is not just a rich guy but the reincarnation of Maharaja Ranjit Singh. The soothing yellow back ground with the combination of black makes this book an automatic choice for readers. A job well done by the cover designer, Wasim Helal.

After opening the book, the wonderful font and the quality of the paper will raise readers urge to read the book. The book surprisingly starts with a love-making scene and from the very first page of the book, it starts to become interesting. The story unfolds around Hari, when he started blabbering about the sher-e-punjab Ranjit Singh in the history class, even on his first date with the psychology student Suzanne. The writer has very efficiently distributed the chapters in such a way that any reader can’t suppress the immediate urge to read the next chapter.

It is the story of what how Hari’s and Suzanne’s life is turned when the images of his past life keeps coming and going in Hari’s mind at starts to lay more impact on their lives. At times, readers could find this book a bit stretched when the writer was describing the history of Maharaja Ranjit Singh, but this writer’s wonderful narrative style makes up for this.

The very well described theories of reincarnation, acts as the cherry on the cake. The writer has chosen his words wisely, which added to the glamour of the book. The surprise elements and the unexpected end makes this book a must read for all book lovers. I would like to give it a 4.25 out of 5.

Moonlit Matinee - And love takes over: A Review

‘Moonlit Matinee – And love takes over’ the name has perfectly complemented the cover. Any reader can easily pick this book by its wonderful cover. After reading the blurb and the foreword by Nandita Bose any reader can imagine the wonderful journey they are going to have throughout the book.

The back cover says – Welcome this ‘season of Love’ with never before effort by thirteen resplendent writers to pen most fascinating love scripts. Cheer the feeling of love with ‘Moonlit Matinee’ and love takes over. It is an unparalleled concept and the blend of Anecdotes, Sonnet, Lyrics and Ballad. This curbs the tale of Lust, Hatred, Sacrifice and Revenge in Relationship but finally it’s Love which ultimately overshadows everything.

Bon Voyage by Harshita Srivastava
First of all I would like to congratulate the compiler for putting this story on the beginning. A wonderfully written story of Khushi and Akash, which will make every reader smile till the end. The simple narrating style of this story gives this book a perfect start.

Emptiness by Pulkit Gupta
A sweet story with a fresh narrating style makes this story one of the best of its series. The mesmerizing tale of Rachit and Radhika will keep readers spell-bound. Thumbs up to Pulkit Gupta for his story telling skills.

Rasgulla by Abhishek ‘Atul’
The captivating plot of the story will make every reader realize how much a girl have to face, when it comes to marriage. The simple narrating style forces the readers to ignore the downfall of the story.

Wish You Were Here by Ila Garg
A well written story by Ila Garg. Any reader can easily visualize the whole scenario played by Aakash and Vaani. A perfect love story with an unexpected ending.

The Rosemary Letters by Ashish Sharma
It is a story written in a poetic form, a ballad. The story unfolds with its every word. A unique way to show the devotion of Meera to Lord Baanke Bihari.

All I Want Is You by Sonia Kundra Singh
A perfect name for this story. A simple love story of an Army man Abhimanyu and Devyani and how the love of theirs helps them to overcome the complications.

The Love Story by Harpreet Makkar
The story of two lovers and how destiny brings them together. Nice story line but can be narrated in a better way.

The Gift by Ishita Bhown
After facing couples of obstacles, Jiah found Raj. The way the author described the support of Raj is something any reader can look forward to. A wonderful storyline with the perfect ending.

Bollywood Affair’s by Ayaan Basu
This story is definitely going to be one of the best of its series. A different story with matured narrative style. The story unfolds how Farzin and Nishant meet, fall in love and their struggles. Any reader can easily say that Ayaan has done a wonderful job with this story.

Flavoured Smoke by Pratham Devang
This story starts when Aviral and Aisha finds each other after five years, accidentally in an unexpected place. The end is interesting, I think readers going to love the end.

Lyrics of Lavish Rain by Rachna Sheth
Rain is the best thing that can make any atmosphere romantic and the poet perfectly described the feeling of a rain in the form of a ballad. A wonderful composition.

Cupid’s Arrow, Bull’s Eye by Siddhartha Yadav
This story starts with a very good perception but the end could have been better. A triangle love story with a predictable end, though the narrative style is good.

Ehsaas – The Feeling by Pulkit Gupta
Once again Pulkit’s mesmerizing narrating style and hear-touching plot can make any reader glued to the story. The story perfectly supports the name.

An Ode to Relationship by Nandini Garg
This poem at the end makes this book complete. The poet efficiently described different natures of love. This poem makes any reader close this book in a good note.

This book is perfectly edited by Harshita Srivastava and efficiently compiled by Pulkit Gupta. My three favorite stories from the book are from writers Ayaan Basu, Ishita Bhown and Pulkit Gupta (in no specific order). Overall it is a 3.5 on 5 for me.

A Phase Unknown - Woman A Tribute : A Review

First of all, I would like to congratulate Shreyashi Phukon for initiating such a wonderful concept. Efficiently edited and compiled by Sharanya Bhattacharya & Nilesh Gowardhan makes this 16 heart whelming woman oriented stories and poems a perfect show stealer.

The back cover says – I WAS NOT BORN, I came as a Blessing, and you tried to murder me before even letting me see this amazing world. I grew up to Dream, Aspire and Achieve, and you Raped them with my body and soul. I became your wife to Support and Beautify your lives and you Burnt me alive for not filling your room with money. I gave you life, praying for your happiness and success but got tears of helplessness and aloofness in return… Yes, I was a woman, who was born to be Loved, yet got Ditched, Sacrificed and Isolated to Smile, Move On and Forgive. Let’s celebrate the unknown phase of my voyage through a unique amalgamation of 16 stories and poems, dedicated to every “HER” for being a “WOMAN”.

After reading the blurb and the foreword by Vinod Pardhi any reader can surely feel the urge to read the book. Let me start with first write up…

ON WOMEN’S DAY! By Titiksha Singhal

A perfect start to the book. I would like to give thumbs up to the compilers for putting this poem at the very beginning. This poem perfectly narrates the present condition of a woman in our society. The name sounds perfect for this poem. As a debutante author, Titiksha has done a commendable job.

SHE By Raviraj Ramavarapu

The fresh narrating style and the gripping storyline could keep any reader glued to the book. The beginning could have been better but the end of the story forced the readers to ignore the drawbacks of this story. The writers’ well chosen words reflect his grip on the language.

MY AFFAIR WITH THE HOOKER By Mahua Ray
A wonderful story with a perfect description style. I love the way the writer portrays the character of ‘Chhamiya’. The way the writer has described the main protagonist’s emotions, add to the glamour of the story. This story is definitely going to be one of the best of its series.

WITH LOVE… YOUR MOM By Riitik Babbar
This story has created an impact on readers with its beautiful and emotional tale. It will bring a smile on every reader’s face and will make reader’s cry till the end. The way the writer has written the write-up in the form of a letter seems captivating to a reader. Keep up the good work.

ENDEAVOUR By Ayushi Sharma
A unique storyline is chosen by the writer. The humiliation faced by a Taliban woman is definitely a touching tale. The narrating style is very much in the trend now. A few well-chosen words and a few more descriptive scenes could take this story to new height.

THE UNBORN By Saket
A nice topic chosen by the poet. This poem wonderfully describes the feeling of an unborn, the unsaid word of an unborn. A must read poem for every reader who wants to hear the scream of an unborn.

MY MOM STRONGEST By Dipti Pathare
A simple yet mesmerizing tale of love. Every reader is going to read this story with a smile glued to their face and at the end the readers will realize how efficiently the writer had portrayed every phase of a woman’s life. The writer’s attractive story telling skills makes this story a pure page-turner.

DAUGHTER’S FATE By Pranav Shree
A perfect name for a story like this. From this story all readers can realize how it feels to be a daughter in a men dominating world. The strong narrating style and wonderfully written poems make this story beautiful.

SHE IS WILD By Dr. Sasiprabha PS
This story is come to me a bolt of fresh air. A wonderfully described story, with a perfect ending to it. At times, readers like indirect morals rather than direct ones and this story justifies the statement. By reading every lines of this story, readers can easily figure out that this story is from an experienced writer. Looking forward to read some more of such kind of story from the writer.

I CAN BE A DEVIL TOO By Vinod Pardhi
From the beginning to the end this story is a fast paced one. The story could have been decorated in a better way by improving the standard of language used in it, though readers can look forward to the twist at the end.

BEING WOMAN By Priyanka Choudhury
The simple story perfectly matches the simple name. Apart from being the most short story of the book, this story definitely has something big to offer. At times, I feel this story has been written in a hurry.

SHATTERED DREAMS By Nilesh Gowardhan
With the help of his excellent writing style, any writer can turn a regular plot into an interesting one. This writer’s flaw-less writing style can make readers overlook the drawback of the plot. Any reader can fall in love with the way the writer narrated the story.

HAUNTING… PARANOIA… NEW BEGINNING By Shreyashi R Phukon
In this story the writer very efficiently described how much pain a rape victim has to suffer and brought forward a unique point that would make any reader think. The story seems a bit stretched so if it would have been a bit faster, it could have kept the reader more hooked.

WOUNDED WINGS, WAILING WOMEN By Devanshu
The name of the poem had increase the expectation for every reader and after reading the poem I can very well say that the poet had stood up to the expectation. A wonderful tribute to the infamous rape victim.

WHAT SHOULD I DO, I WANT TO LIVE By Ragini Singh
The simple narrating style of this writer can make any reader engrossed in this story. The story has a nice start but the end was not that satisfactory which might turn out to be one of the downfalls of the story.

AN INDEED CREATION By Shweta Kesari
The poet very nicely described various phases of a woman. This poem perfectly ends the book. Kudos to the poet for such a meaningful creation.

I think the story of DR. SASIPRABHA PS and of RIITIK BABBAR’s and the poem of TITIKSHA SINGHAL’s are undoubtedly the best any reader can get from this book. Overall I would like to rate this book 4 out of 5.