When Strangers Meet.. By K.Hari Kumar

 

A story that makes us believe in destiny, choosing between the paths of our dreams and their expectations. 

The story revolves around Pathan (a small tea stall owner, his innocent six years old child who dreams of having a tea shop at the mall, the family facing challenges and still the belief- Allah rewrites fate of the determined…), Jai (an arrogant youngster who wants to go for an education and career of his choice against his father’s who wants him to become an engineer) & Iyer, and their sudden encounter at the metro station on a fateful day.

Iyer, a tam-brahm who had dreams to live, leaves his family behind to fulfill his reverie. And during the pursuit life takes him through the crests and troughs, his homeless nights, menial jobs and breakdown, nothing could bring him back to his father. Mostly because of his ego, he parted with everything, everyone. Whether it was his arrogance or fear that stopped him, and what would happen next kept this story pacy.

The story is very well narrated, Hari is indeed a storyteller his book can keep one involved all throughout the 170 pages of pure fiction, no college romance, no making out stuff, no f*** phrases, still a wonderful piece of intellect. A light-hearted drama with a heavy tint of suspense that captures father-son relationships from the viewpoints of three different strata of society. The best one that I picked of late... well done Hari, waiting for your next.

Simple English and the use of Tamil in between, and the well explained difference between the various sects of southern India (at least I got to know only through his book). I would recommend this as a wonderful weekend read.

 

The Homing Pigeons by Siddhartha Bahri

Not Just another story, but the one to steal your heart…

Just not because it comes from Siddhartha Bahri, but the reason is… there could have been many Aditya(s) but this pigeon spoke it out.

Circumstances and of course uncertainties give birth to the profound professions after a lot of research though, but our protagonist Aditya just enters one when he exits a pub…  A gigolo is definitely a term for fancies but they are human too…

Life… that’s what we call, needs to be lived more than the morals, societal influences or anything else! And thus ‘Life was just perfect again, even though Aditya was obsessed with work and money.’( though most of it came from where it should not have)

Coming to the story, it’s about two people, from different places and different background meet at a tender age, and then they have their own destinies… but as they say The Homing pigeons always come back to their mates… Aditya and Radhika make us believe them.

Simple, involving and catchy, this book is one level up… it’s not describing sex or soft porn… its actually describing the other unseen aspects of why things happen or can happen… 

“Most complications occur when the vocabulary is enhanced to include words like guilt, morals and cheating… ignorance is definitely more blissful” says Sid rightly.

The restructuring, the consequences and further coming out of those might have been an experience for all the recession hits of the scary 2008, I have witnessed many around, but bringing out something like this is a work of a genius.

From the plot, to simplicity… and words to design of the cover page… this book tempts. I am glad that I read this one.  Will recommend this to all those who like to read… I won’t rate it… I bet anyone who reads this would fall in love with Life again. 

because every raindrop is a HOPE…

because every raindrop is a HOPE… comes from two debutants, Mansi Sharma and Sankalp Kohli.

This story is not just another college romance, it’s a story about dreams, life, love, lust, betrayals, fate, and finally hope!

The protagonist Raj is a contemporary youth who has treated life a little on the lighter side, he has fallen in love and moved out of it, first time because of coincidences he lost the love of his life, and second time because of his own foolishness, his frustration leads him into seclusion.

 This book contains every aspect of youth, college ragging to lusty one night stands, from drugs to cheating, from friendship to being left alone… a lot of incidences well knit in the form of experiences of a youngster.

The verses brings out the poetic bent of the Authors, and the experiences that have been penned down from the incidences which a person may face even in a normal life makes the story erotic, though it lacks romance even when they have so many love stories weaved together.

A little hint of the supernatural incidences adds up to the belief in hope, in spite of all the ups and downs in the protagonist’s life, the optimistic approach towards life makes this read recommendable…

You love, You lose, still you Live…

A good attempt by the authors, though the work could have been presented in a little better way… this can be a good pick while traveling.

I will rate this book 3/5. 

Spicy Bites of Biryani- by Ashwina Garg.

Spicy bites of Biryani- (has got nothing to do with the recipe ;) ) the book is just about screwing up your life yourself… and then getting the best when you expect the least.

The story traces the lives of four, thirty something friends - simple yet catchy language, well researched writing based on not-to-technical but an easy flowing everyday life,  and that it could be the story of the people living in neighbouhood who may face the  ups and downs depending upon the people around, friends, family, in-laws, colleagues, ex-es… it keeps the reader involved.  

The female protagonist Aditi, is a girl with whom any present day urban girl can relate. Anyone and everyone may want to be like her, only if one has the guts… she is bold enough to be herself publically which others may dream of being… under covers.

Sanjay, the millionaire protagonist also is good enough to convey the message that money isn’t everything honey… there’s something more to life…

It’s a story about a relationship and not fortunes or reputations; it has something to do with one’s desires and one’s existence as a true-self.

A fairytale feeling does emerge at times… for the normal human beings do have grudges and complaints but, our protagonists are too good to be real.

The first time author was very well able to maintain the fine line of difference between soft p**n and romance and I would love to term this as one of the most romantic stories from the budding contemporary authors. I could happily give up on my four hours of sleep at night just to finish this up in one go…

I would recommend this as a must read for all those who prefer a light reading… Go Grab your Copy…