Review of 'Black Roses'

Book: Black Roses

By: Anwar Hardin

Blurb:

African American Woman who grew up in the Colony of Tulsa, Oklahoma. She was to be Wed in a couple weeks, but a tragedy struck the Colony.The Story of the 1921 Massacre of Tulsa of Pain, Lost and Love.

Review:

I was suggested this book by a friend of mine and I would really say that it deserves to be read by many. At first I thought the book is about pain and emotions as the black rose symbolises pain and death.

The story kept me engaged from the beginning till the end and the writing style was amazing. The character of Rose and Franklin was very well developed. Each and every event was explained so well that I was stuck with it's imagination. The love of Rose and Franklin and how the death of Franklin changed the life of Rose and the massacre of Tulsa everything went up with the flow of the book. 

Though the book was short (a novella it is) but it was intriguing. The title was well suited as per the story and the beautiful cover added to it's beauty.

Overall an amazing book to read!!

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Author Interview

Author Interview of Pramudith D. Rupasinghe

1. Please tell us a little bit about you.

I can describe myself in a few words if you ask about my personal life. But if you ask me to talk about my profession, it is complicated. I am almost doing everything, and everywhere. 

Between every long chapter, there is a long sweaty run. I run a lot wherever I am. It is the starter of my day.

Running is the bridge between my personal life and professional life. And writing is my passion.

I have been working as a humanitarian diplomat for the last 18 years in different parts of the world, working in both natural disaster and conflict contexts, including the Global Ebola Response in West Africa. However, I started my writing career in 2016, very recently- almost 6 years ago. I have been writing a lot of unpublished stuff before early 2016. In 2016, I published my debut semi-fiction “Footprints in Obscurity”. In November I published “Behind the Eclipse ''.  Upon publishing “Behind the Eclipse'' I started getting more and more international attention. My latest piece of writing came out in 2018, Bayan, a story set in the North-Eastern tip of Ukraine, then the Soviet Union.

2. I read your book Bayan and there's something that stuck my mind that why did you choose this particular story to write.

The idea of writing Bayan came to my mind after meeting Ivan in Okhtyrka, in Sumy Oblast, Ukraine, it was in early 2015 and we have chatted a few times, I was charmed by the landscape of the country, wondered by the architecture and rich culture, retouched by the warmth and wisdom of its people, marvelled by the proud history of the country, and saddened by the socio-political dynamics of the country leading to a calamity. Then see the people of Ivans age-sons and daughters of parents who were WWII victims, who had lived their good old day's un soviet union, and faced the fall of the USSR overnight in 1991, and lost everything they earned over years. Today they are battling with modern democratic, capitalistic society to which they are complete aliens. The story depicts the strive of those ageing people through its main character, Ivan Nikolaevich. Bayan old soviet instrument- with hard buttons and heavy body, symbolises the fallen-USSR, and its Ethan of life. Its played by Ivan whenever he is sad, happy and indifferent, in an era where there are easy to play lighter accordions are in available. It is his companion who knows his rhythm and would never judge his feeble melodies. Bayan depicts besides its several sub-themes and sociopolitical dynamics of Ukraine in its backdrop, ageing in changing times. That is relevant not only to those who are in Eastern block but also to people of the other parts of the earth.

3. You have written many novels. Amongst them, which story is closely related to you? If any.

First of all, I can't deny that a little bit of me is there in each story I write. It happens to every author. We, as authors choose a story, at least there is a liking in us for some subject matter, a story, or a character. Every book I have written, something related to me could be found—that could be consciously done, or unconscious. However, Behind the Eclipse, a story set in West Africa during the time of the Ebola epidemic in 2013-2016 seems relevant to what we all face today. Almost seven years ago, there was a time we had to maintain physical distance, perform ritualistic hand-washing, and stay home. And Behind the Eclipse talks about a time like today highlighting the irreversible transformation of West Africa, and the unparalleled resilience of the human.

4. What are you working on currently? Any new novel. If yes please share something about it.

Currently, I am working on another novel, a story set in Bangladesh, about the world’s largest open brothel- Kandopora in Tegali district in Bangladesh. I was beefy in Bangladesh early this year and finished the first draft of the manuscript in Cox Bazar, Bangladesh. Now the second draft is ready for beta readers. 

Hopefully, my readers around the world wil l have the opportunity to have a copy within this year.

5. A message for your readers and budding writers.

The publishing world has become more and more competitive recently, and perseverance has become as important as your skills today. Believe in yourself, your writing, and be perseverant. 

Ernest Hemingway has set a good example; writing a story and getting it published is just the beginning. There is no shortcut, you need to roll up your sleeves and take your story to your readers.

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Review of "The overseas fabulous pinay"

Book: The Overseas Fabulous Pinay

By: Donna Avellana Künzler

Blurb:

The Overseas Fabulous Pinay is a comprehensive, easy-to-read and light-hearted handbook written especially for professional Filipino women.

Have you ever wondered what it takes for someone to live abroad? If you are moving overseas, do you know how to plan your move? Where do you start? And if you are already living abroad, how can you make your life more meaningful and fun?

If you are seeking answers to any of the questions above, this book is for you!  

The book draws from the author’s learnings and personal experience from years of living overseas across three continents, four countries and five cities.

It is full of guidance and practical tips to survive life abroad while being confident, sophisticated and responsible--the embodiment of an Overseas Fabulous Pinay. From planning an overseas move to integrating in one’s host country, it answers burning questions such as:

⁃ What survival skills do you need to learn before moving abroad?

⁃ What do you need to know and prepare before your move?

⁃ What do you need to prioritize within the first six months of arriving in your destination?

⁃ How do you beat homesickness?

⁃ What are the five rules that will help you succeed professionally abroad?

⁃ How do you make friends in a foreign country?

⁃ What are the six practical questions to make you more financially conscious?

⁃ What is the secret formula to help you integrate in your host country?

⁃ How can you continue enjoying life abroad?

And much more!

Review:

The Overseas Fabulous Pinay is a comprehensive handbook that explains how a person can tackle up with the challenges that one faces when they move abroad, away from family and friends to a new place.

The book contains answers to the most asked questions that revolve around one's mind while they settle abroad.

The author has penned down the words from her own experiences and the hardships she faced in life. Her experience with 3 continents, four countries and five cities have been blended together to frame such a wonderful handbook that can be a guiding light for many.

The book seems to be intriguing for a person who has actually travelled or is about to move abroad. The words can be found relatable to ones life.

The major issue we face is homesickness and it takes time to move over it. The language used by the author is lucid. 

The book is a short read but an informative one.

It was a one go read for me and I really found it helpful.

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Review of "Bayan"

Book: Bayan

By: Pramudith D. Rupasinghe

Blurb:

In the serene tempo of classical Soviet literature charmingly merged into modernity, Bayan is a unique blend from among the work of Pramudith D Rupasinghe.

Bayan begins in the sunny Ukrainian summer and ends with a hidden, deeply meaningful message. It is not only the story of a strange, bearded old man who finds solace and a soulmate of sorts, in a traditional string instrument, while facing a common narrative of his era; it is a commentary on life, and a celebration of the ultimate coming of age.

It juxtaposes the failure of physical strength and faculties to the accumulation of immense emotional fortitude. It lulls you into feeling safe in spite of the passing of transient seasons, the waning of political ideologies and the inevitable disintegration of the corporeal being.

Bayan tells about changing world`s order, revolutions and the ravages of time, the music of life will go on.

Review:

Bayan is an intriguing and a compelling read. The book is a blend of cultural, political and historical revolving around the USSR. The book talks about experiences and how a person learns from them. It talks about emotions and wisdom.

The book revolves around an old man who has lived his life with the drift of ups and downs which are not just personal but political and emotional too. 

The plot of the book is well developed and the author portrayed each and every event in an amazing manner. The characters are strong and that adds upto the beauty of the book. The language used by the author is lucid.

If you are a good reader who can imagine the events in the book then this book will make you fall in love. The story is neither too long nor too short just appropriate as it should be. The cover and the title are 💯 suitable.

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Review of "The Greatest Game"

Book: The Greatest Game

By: Greg Rajaram

Blurb:

Ever since humans became self-aware, we have struggled to find the meaning of life. The price we paid for becoming intelligent was to become painfully ignorant of the difference between good and evil.

Adi, a 10-year-old boy, works together with two old philosophers as they try to unravel the prophecy of a promised King. With insatiable curiosity, Adi must work with the wise men as they rationalize with each other on why and how humans became intelligent. Together they attempt to answer some of the most profound questions related to existence. Does evolution end with human beings or is there an ‘Overman’ who can reach evolution’s pinnacle? Will this Overman be able to define values for humankind?

Centuries later a young boy promises his mother that he will always uphold the love that she has taught him. It is a promise that drowns him in the nectar of the gods. Krish grows up to be an engineer and joins a team of scientists as they try to create artificial consciousness in a machine.

Krish soon realizes that he has a bigger fight on his hands. A fight to preserve love in a desolate world. His quest for true love ultimately leads him down a path where he comes face to face with a fearsome snake delivering a kiss of death.

Humans have come a long way by questioning the nature of objects around us and pushing the limits of our intelligence, but it’s now time that we ask the greatest question yet: when does intelligence transcend to become consciousness?

Review:

The Greatest Game is a philosophical read that talks about life and love. The book is divided into two parts Book I and Book II. Book I revolves around Adi who is a 10-year-old boy, workIng together with two old philosophers as they try to unravel the prophecy of a promised King. It talks about life and it's philosophy.

Book Ii talks about Krish who is willing to preserve love in this desolate world. 

🌟The characters like Krish and Adi have a great impact on the readers. 

🌟The plot of the book is well developed. 

🌟The language used by the author is easy to understand.

🌟The story is intriguing and engaging.

🌟The book is short but it is worth the time.

🌟The title is 💯 appropriate which such a beautiful cover.

To every reader if you need to learn about life and love then this book is for you. You'll enjoy it and obviously love it's concept

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Review of The Cursed Inheritance

Book: The Cursed Inheritance

By: Sutapa Basu

Blurb: 

Anahita Sarkar, who has grown up in London, is bequeathed a mansion in Kolkata that she has never seen. She travels to the City of Joy to dispose of her inheritance only to realise that it has deep, dark secrets. As she enters the mansion, these secrets become enigmas that pursue her; a grand house that speaks to her, an intriguing visitor who knows a little too much, a friendly foe who wraps secrets in riddles, and a mysterious past that is cursed—putting at stake her family’s reputation and her own values. Can she dig deeper to unravel the mystery and turn the cursed inheritance into a blessing?

Review:

The story revolves around Anahita who is an NRI unaware of her inheritance. After her father death she visits Kolkata, the city that turns her life upside down, to sell the mansion she owns and go back to London. But... It doesn't go as planned. The mansion was a mysterious and a cursed one. The super-natural events that took place are so well explained that it will make the reader stick to it. The plot of the book is so intriguing and interesting. The writing style of the author is simple and that adds up to the ease of reading the book and maintaining the flow. The story is face paced yet amazing. 

The title The Cursed Inheritance is 💯 appropriate as the story is about the cursed mansion which she inherited. Overall the story was a 5 star one as I could not stop me from reading it in one go.

I would really recommend it to all the readers. Grab your book it has a lot of suspense and thrill..

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Review of "Forgotten Love/Unforgotten Love"

Book: Forgotten Love Unforgotten Love

By: Spondon Ganguli

The book is a collection of 22 poems based on love and it's emotions.

 The book includes poems on my desires, my fight for you, etc.

 I loved the verses from A wish

I think about you 

In days and dreams! 

Why your presence 

There in all means! 

Even I know where I am! 

But finally, I know nothing. 

Though I have my name I find sometimes 

did I exist when I was alive!

The poems will lift you up as the words have a deeper meaning.

A truly heart-touching poetry book.

Will suggest this to all my readers to read it.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Review of "Love and Destiny"

Book: Love and Destiny

By: Manohar Rapelly

Blurb:

Aarush and Gaurav are best friends from schooling. Aarush wants to become a writer, and Gaurav just goes on with life. They meet two girls in the college, Aadhya, and Riya, Studying together and enjoying each other company, they all become good friends and lost in their own world. Aarush falls in love with Aadhya, and Gaurav falls in love with Riya. They both feel like they their destiny. Will Aarush become a writer? Will their friendship last long? Will both the couples stay together and both the girls are their destiny? Read all the complete story in “love and destiny.”

Review:

The book "Love and Destiny" revolves around four major characters Gaurav, Aarush, Aadhya and Riya.. Just like teenagers they feel the essence of love in their lives when they the boys meet the girls. Aarush fell in love with Aadhya, and Gaurav with Riya.

The two love stories depict the faith of love ans destiny of the young teens. The young couple experience the taste of love and friendship with the hardships of life and whom they consider their destiny.

The book is well developed with the chapters moving in the same pace making it the best to read. The characters are strong and add up to the beauty of the book. The title is most appropriate. The cover is really beautiful.

I really enjoyed the book.

A great read!!!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Review of "Arshan Arzoo: Can One Hate Love?"

Book: Aarzoo-Arshan: Can One Hate Love?

By: Mukul Kumar

Romance, feels our anti-hero Arshan , has potentially hazardous dimensions—or at least hazardous to him, because he is an unfeeling love-them-and-leave-them young man, a flirt to the core.

Arshan- a neuroscientist-in-the-making- has been blessed equally with swank, good looks and a carefully concocted object of fascination to women, and cursed with a life-long hatred of commitment to any. When love comes to him in the shape of Arzoo, a shy, smalltown girl with big-city dreams, he thrusts it away with unspeakable cruelty. When he is unable to get over the love in him, he resorts to even more desperate measures—mainly, creating a potion that will ensure his continuing desire for ‘chicks’, as he dismissively calls them, and the ability to walk away from them without looking back.

Aarzoo-Arshan is a psycho-romantic thriller, an unusual tale of love, lust, obsession, ego, jealousy deceit , and revenge with a gripping suspense.

The book is about Arshan and Arzoo the two different people with their life revolving all around each other. Arshan is a young stud who is never serious about any relationship but he he fell in love with Arzoo and the fact that he is unable to understand the emotions he is going through. The story portrays all the human emotions like love, friendship and hatred in a beautiful manner. 

The narration is great and the best part of the book was it's plot. The characters are strong and well developed. The book is a great and enjoyable read.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

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Review of "How to kill a billionaire"

Book: How To Kill A Billionaire

By: Rajesh Talwar

A billionaire's son goes missing. A young girl commits suicide after a rape. This is a twisted, ironic tale of a brother's love for his sister and his faith in vengeance as the only alternative to a deeply flawed justice system. The brother, a trial court lawyer practising in the lower courts of Delhi, uses the weaknesses of the legal system to confront and confound one of the world's richest men. The story that unfolds takes the reader through the labyrinthine corridors of the Indian legal system to a shattering climax. 

The book begins with the court room drama where we get to know about Mr. Patel. The book is a complete package of suspense and thrill. The characters are strong and complex. The story goes on by decrypting the hidden stories of the characters. 

The court room drama makes it more and more engaging for the readers.  The book is well developed with the elements following the pace all through the book.

I appreciate the writing style of the author as the narration felt realistic with no additional drama and made it a great read for me. 

It was my first read of the author and I loved the theme and setting of the book. 

Adding to the contents the language was crisp but needs to be worked on. The cover is really beautiful with the most suitable title.

Overall, a good read.

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Review of "The Accursed God-The Lost Epic"

Book: The Accursed God-The Lost Epic

By: Vivek Dutta Mishra

We have heard The story of Mahabharata the well-known epic, many times but there is a lot we are still not aware of. Many stories that are still left untold. The Accursed God-The Lost Epic is one that will reveal all the unheard tales of the 

Mahabharat. The book tells us everything about Aryavart.

The story begins with the conversation between Krishna and Bhisma. The ultimate truth - Dharma-wisdom of humanity is showcased with our lives revealing the difference between truth and lie, good and bad, right and wrong. The conversation between Krishna and Bhisma had a great impact on me. The words that we all need to know to live the life as it is meant to live. The story of Debrata and Ved and a lot more that will excite you to read it.

We all have heard about the Kauravas and the Pandavas but do we know who was the villian?? Shakuni or someone who is still unheard???

The story reveals everything that needs to be known. Who is the accursed God?? Who is the mighty power ??

Maybe the one you follow or maybe not!!

 To know more about the hidden saga, grab on your copy.

Coming to book the narration is very well done with the well developed plot nd story line. The best part was the writing style that engrossed me. The book is intriguing. The language used by the author is lucid. I began with 2 chapters but later I couldn't resist myself from reading the book in a go. 

The book is 365 pages long but the time spent on reading it is worth. You'll enjoy it. Mythology has a great effect when you read about it. And this one was one of the best reads I've ever read. 

The title is something that will make you think what this book could have but it has a lot to be discovered and it's amazing with a beautiful cover. 

I'd like to recommend this book to every reader.

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Review of "BECOMING"

Becoming 

by Michelle Obama 

An intimate, powerful, and inspiring memoir by the former First Lady of the United States
 
#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • WATCH THE EMMY-NOMINATED NETFLIX ORIGINAL DOCUMENTARY • OPRAH’S BOOK CLUB PICK • NAACP IMAGE AWARD WINNER • ONE OF ESSENCE’S 50 MOST IMPACTFUL BLACK BOOKS OF THE PAST 50 YEARS

In a life filled with meaning and accomplishment, Michelle Obama has emerged as one of the most iconic and compelling women of our era. As First Lady of the United States of America—the first African American to serve in that role—she helped create the most welcoming and inclusive White House in history, while also establishing herself as a powerful advocate for women and girls in the U.S. and around the world, dramatically changing the ways that families pursue healthier and more active lives, and standing with her husband as he led America through some of its most harrowing moments. Along the way, she showed us a few dance moves, crushed Carpool Karaoke, and raised two down-to-earth daughters under an unforgiving media glare.
 
In her memoir, a work of deep reflection and mesmerizing storytelling, Michelle Obama invites readers into her world, chronicling the experiences that have shaped her—from her childhood on the South Side of Chicago to her years as an executive balancing the demands of motherhood and work, to her time spent at the world’s most famous address. With unerring honesty and lively wit, she describes her triumphs and her disappointments, both public and private, telling her full story as she has lived it—in her own words and on her own terms. Warm, wise, and revelatory, Becoming is the deeply personal reckoning of a woman of soul and substance who has steadily defied expectations—and whose story inspires us to do the same.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

 I thought she did an really good job of showing us the human side of who she and Barack were. If a buddy of yours grew up to become the president or first spouse, and it was sort of a fairy tale, a book like this would show the underside, or the real side, of the process.

Just like Hillbilly Elegy by J.D. Vance, this book shows us how some Americans "make it" from the ground up, but that it's not easy. Making it is a quicksilver process, requiring such ingredients as intelligence, timing, hard work, luck, happenstance....it's scary how many things can impede the chances of good, smart kids. Michelle Obama chronicles how she managed to make it, and she deserved her good fortune, but she would be the first to tell you a lot of it wasn't up to her. Which makes you sad about all the kids left behind. Or let's be honest: all the kids who are murdered before they can fulfill their potential. Obama is frank with kids who're struggling against the odds, and in this as in so many other issues, she doesn't get down and helpless over the burdens. She encourages us to accept what is and work around it. I found that empowering.

Her description of meeting and getting to know, then falling in love with, Barack, is really interesting. It was NOT love at first sight! They became friends, and then sweethearts, and then, over time, deeply in love. We get to see what Barack is like--truly, that's the stellar aspect of this book, it's so candid! Michelle isn't afraid to complain and speak honestly; she struggles as a young adult and a working mother, then as a political spouse. You really see the sausage-works of political campaigns.

The book wasn't gripping, but it was interesting. I've always thought she was super-smart and clever, and that seems true, but when she mentions she's not overly introspective, I found that hard to believe. However, by the end of the book, I wondered if it was true, because she minimized some events in her life that would have been compelling had she gone deeper. She was the first / only black woman to do X, Y, and Z. I feel quite sure she ran into a hell of a lot more obstacles than she shares, and in that sense, she kind of minimizes her astronomical climb. How many kids from the hood get into Princeton and Harvard, and then succeed as well as she did? And when she got hired at the white-shoe law firm, what did that really feel like? Ah, well. A missed opportunity.

There is so much to like about this book, the little vignettes about life in the White House, for example. The policy issues were less interesting; the human issues more so. All in all, a worthwhile and enjoyable read.

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