Review of "The Storyteller"

Book: The Storyteller

By: Sana Rose

Blurb:

You can sleep through the world, but not through yourself.

A childhood incident she can’t recollect…

A haunting nightmare that jolts her out of sleep…

For Zara, knowing is suffering.

Cocooned in the shell she has built around herself, life is all about bare survival

until one day she gets an email from The Storyteller…

Zara is hooked by his words and hungry for more. But, to her horror, she learns he

knows more about her than she thought.

When her step-cousin Zachariah lands after eight years, reviving bittersweet

memories, Zara must face her worst demons.

Who is The Storyteller? What does he want from her? What is she afraid of?

And why didn’t her mother protect her from the devastating truth about herself?

The Storyteller is a poignant narrative, exploring childhood trauma and the battle

of a young woman caught between PTSD and high-functioning normalcy,

intertwined with a tale of love, loss, grief, betrayal, pain and survival.

Review:

 Are you still traumatized by an incident that happened years ago??

Are you aware of PTSD? 

How will you deal with it??

The questions are numerous but the answer to all of these is in the book, THE STORYTELLER.

The book is about Zara, the protagonist who is suffering from post traumatic stress disorder.

 The author has beautifully penned down the life of Zara and how she dealt with her trauma.

Which was the incident that made her life so??

An assault, or something else??

Grab your copy to know more.

The story is written so beautifully that it seems no less than reality. The reader has feel and relate the character of Zara. The chapters are wooven with proper detailing and with the diary writings that add upto it's beauty.

The Author has divided the book into 105 chapters and none of them is lengthy. 

 

Language used by the author is amazing with the cover that is eye catching. The title is 💯 appropriate.

Overall A beautiful story. 

And a must read.

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THE DEVIL IN ALL THE TIME

 

The Devil All the Time is a 2020 American psychological thriller film based on the novel of the same name by Donald Ray Pollock. Directed and co-written by Antonio Campos and produced by Jake Gyllenhaal and Randall Poster, the film stars an ensemble cast comprising Tom Holland, Bill Skarsgård, Riley Keough, Jason Clarke, Sebastian Stan, Haley Bennett, Eliza Scanlen, Mia Wasikowska and Robert Pattinson.

The Devil All the Time was released in select theaters on September 11, 2020, and was released digitally on Netflix on September 16, 2020. The film received mixed to positive reviews from critics, who praised the performances (particularly those of Holland and Pattinson) but found it excessively grim and violent.

PLOT

The Devil All The Time is set between the aftermath of World War II and before the Vietnam War. The film starts off with a soldier, Willard Russell (Bill Skarsgård), returning from the War in the Pacific, bearing the gruesome and haunting images of the war who meets his wife at a cafe. Willard refused to indulge in prayer after what he'd witnessed on the frontline. But when he and his wife move to a small house up the hill in Ohio, he sets up makeshift altar behind his cabin in the woods where he would take his son along to pray.

His faith in god returns after his wife is diagnosed with cancer. A number of prayers and a horrific sacrifice later, she passed away and Willard doesn't stay long either, leaving behind Arvin by himself. He is taken to his grandma's home where he meets his stepsister, Lenora (Eliza Scanlen) who had a similarly tragic story to tell. Born to Roy Laferty (Harry Melling), a preacher who has an unexplainable belief in the Holy God's power and his sweet wife (Mia Wasikowska), she was left behind with Arvin's grandmother before the couple met their brutal deaths.

She grows up with her father's belief but holds on to her mother's innocence. Whereas Arvin walked the shoes of his father, with a lack of prayer and just enough anger to protect his little sister. As they two grow up, they cross paths with a new preacher (Robert Pattinson) who seems like a devil wearing a saint's cloak. The story takes an uncomfortable road through the woods, exploring the darkest secrets of the preacher and Arvin's attempt to unravel his true identity with blood on his hand.

Arvin then crosses paths with Sandy and Carl (Riley Keough and Jason Clarke), a twisted couple, who pick up hitchhikers and perform obscene photoshoots. The movie comes a full circle as Arvin manages to escape the twisted couple and return home to pay his last respects for a dog he lost as a child and hopes to start a fresh life.

The film was released in select theaters on September 11, 2020, and was released digitally on Netflix on September 16, 2020.

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Review of "FARRAGO"

Book: FARRAGO - A collection of crazy thoughts.

By: Krishanu Banerjee

The book 'Farrago' contains an amalgamation of prose and poetry. Each prose and poem is different from one another in language and style and in formation. Prose pieces are not large. Hence not boring. Some Poems are rhythmic and some are without rhyme. The book should provide pleasure to all the readers.

The book is a collection of 14 poetries and short stories and each of them have a unique plot.

The poetries are short and beautiful.

The poetries have a different rhyming scheme in all. 

The poetries like KILLERS and POETRY IS MOCKING ME became my favorite.

The prose are neither too lengthy nor a short ones. With proper plot built up and accurate words without any needless explanations.

Mostly the prose and poetry were centered on writing and poems. And for those who love to write this will be an amazing read.

The poetries and prose are arranged one by one. That's odd and even manner.

The language used is lucid.

I loved the title and the book set up.

The word "FARRAGO" means a confused mixture and the book is a collection of crazy thoughts so the title seems appropriate. 💯 With a beautiful cover.

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A note to Self

 Dear self

I am sorry that I treated you like some grime,

when you were there with me the whole time,

I am sorry that I always put people above you,

but only you were there every-time I was feeling blue,

I am sorry that I put you under so much pain,

to be someone's favorite I put you in a chain,

I am sorry that I always called you ugly and lame,

because I was weak and you were the only one who I could easily blame,

I am sorry that I put a mask on you,

and pretended to be someone completely new,

I always thought that happiness was present in hollow treasure,

but now I realize that loving you is the true secret to my pleasure

>>>>>>>Guest Post<<<<<<< 

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Review of "The Girl Who Could Not Sleep"

Book: The Girl Who could not sleep

By: Priyanka Baranwal

Ever thought how life would have been if you could not sleep?

Those restless nights will spoil your next day. Isn't it?

But what about those who suffer from Insomnia - The one's who could not sleep?

The story is about Sonia a young girl in 12th who is an insomniac.

Her restless nights made her life hard and the people around her who mocked at her proved out to be devils adding up to her problems.

She was bullied in her school for her dull face that reflected the pain she had. Her relatives who were there with their illogical solutions to her problem. Things were not at all easy. For a girl of her age it's harsh. 

But it is well said, we all have a person in life who is our comfort zone. Who moves us out of our problems.

Who is that person for Sonia??

To know the answer read the book.

Coming to the plot  of the book, it is well developed. The narration is amazing and flawless. The language used is easy to get. The character of Sonia is strongly built. The story is short but amazing.

The title is appropriate with a beautiful cover adding to it's beauty.

A beautiful story with strong elements.

A great short read.

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Review of "Marigold the golden memories"

Book: Marigold the golden Memories

By: Manali Debroy

Marigold the golden memories is a collection of 18 short stories that are inspiring and interesting both. 

The characters are mostly inspired by the people from Author's life.

The short are short but have a deep moral embedded on it. As the author mentions " Life is like a paradox of love and pain that may never leave each other, but in the end, the coexistence is worth the journey." The stories have a view of life and that may seem too relatable to the reader.

The best story was "The unattended Kiss" a story which today's youth must read. What Love is and what it is to listen to your heart.

Coming to the building of story plots, I could not find anything that would make me dislike this book. The plot set up, the beginning of story and the characterization everything was done brilliantly.

The language used is easy to understand. 

The cover is beautiful with the title appropriately suiting the book.

Overall I'll recommend the book to all. 

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Review of "She Still Loved Me"

Book: She Still Loved Me

By: Sunil Kumar

Blurb:

This is the life journey of a poor boy named Vinod, who belongs to a remote village located somewhere in Uttar Pradesh. First he meets Kiran, a classmate during graduation then Neha during post- graduation and finally Shikha during higher studies. He feels attached to all of them but with the lapse of time realizes that Shikha was the girl who actually loved him from the core of her heart This novel depicts the struggle of common people as well as administrative officers during the crisis of covid-19 in India. A story that touches our heart when there is an outbreak of corona in his district. He realizes that how it affects his life when some of his close relatives and Shikha depart from this world. Shikha dies while trying to save his life from corona but ultimately he comes to know what she always tried to say –‘ Vinod, I still love you…’

Review:

The story revolves around Vinod, a poor guy, who was a resident of a remote village in UP. The story begins with Vinod's childhood and his friends Inder, Gopal and Hari. The story continues and takes a turn when Vinod's life is on the love road. He meets Neha, Kiran, Shikha in his life. But it is well said, you may have a lot of people in life but they will be only one person who will change you completely and for Vinod it was Shikha, his true love. 

The author has divided the book into four mahor parts: The beginning of life, those college days, new experiences of life and those years in Delhi. All of them have beautiful stories of the life of Vinod. 

Covid has a great effect on our lives and the author explains the fact very well.

What happens when someone you love bears the pain and suffers from Corona?

Being apart from your loved ones is not that easy. And the minute details of these emotions is well expressed by the author.

I loved the conversation between Neha and Vinod, when Neha helps him as a doctor while he was low in life.

The story line is amazing and the characterization is beautiful. I loved the way author has expressed a beautiful love story. 

The language is lucid and the cover is too beautiful. The title has it's importance.

Amazing read.

#book

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Review of "Color Blind"

Book: ColorBlind
By: Aditya Chowdhaury

Blurb:

Your only truth is the one color you see.

That’s what they told all of them.

In a world where people are born with the ability to see only one color and the rest in black and white, society and its hierarchies are sharply divided based on these colors. Seeing more than one is the most dangerous disease of all, and the authorities keep a strict check on the diseased by segregating them in state-run asylums.

So when Lohit, a proud conservative who sees red, crosses paths with Anjum, a girl who sees green, but doesn’t shy away from any color, his world is turned upside down, as his eyesight gets infected, and he finds himself on the run from government agents.

With his own people turning against him and having no one to trust, Lohit has to race against time, to decode clues left behind by the mysterious Anjum. He’s persuaded to decipher a recurrent dream of his past to find the answers he seeks but perhaps isn’t ready for.

Review:

We live in a world which is full of criticism about others flaws, weaknesses and problems.
The people will mock at you for everything and anything.

The story is about Lohit, the protagonist who was colorblind, he could see the world just by a single color. We people cannot tackle up with a black and white television and then there was him whose life lacked the originality of colors.

He meets Anjum, a mysterious girl who gives her life a unique view.
Who is Anjum?

Why is she mentioned as a mysterious girl??

To know all of it grab your copy now.

The story is well paced and the development of the plot is appreciable.

The theme of the book is explained well throughout the chapters.

The language is easy to understand.

The storyline was intriguing.

The cover and title are appropriate.

Overall an amazing read.

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Review of "Invisible Ties"

Book:- Invisible Ties

By:- Nadya A.R.

Blurb:-

As Karachi burned in the 1990s, the painfully shy Noor Kamal found refuge in an antique jade mirror stolen from Daisy, her social butterfly mother. One fateful day, the violence hits home as a motley crew of burglars storm the Kamal residence, killing Joseph, the faithful driver who tried to shield Noor and kidnapping Daisy in the process.

Traumatized by the turn of events and succumbing to familial pressure, Noor reluctantly agrees to start life afresh in Singapore as the wife of Meekaal Kalim, an investment banker. Trapped in a loveless marriage, Noor finds succour in studying psychotherapy.

Her attempt to heal others brings her close to Ella, her neighbour and Jake, a handsome American who is struggling to deal with his emotional breakdown. As she tries to exorcise ghosts from the past and break free from the shackles, where will Noor’s longing for love take her? Would she be able to liberate herself from her strong cultural values and ties?

A saga of love and trials, against a rich contrasting background, Invisible Ties is sure to appeal to the readers.

Review:-

How many of you have felt the familial pressure?

What kind of life is it when you are to live it without love??

These questions struck my mind as I kept on reading the book.

The story revolves around Noor, the protagonist. Her life was filled with storms, secrets and courage to fight all of it. 

She belonged to a dysfunctional family who had all the wealth but still that couldn't make her happy.

Her relationship with her husband and her parents was not that smooth. Her loveless marriage to Meekal Kalim gives it an emotional turn.

The author explains the "Invisible Ties" of one's life and how is a being trapped in these odds of life. The life of a woman is more challenging and the author explains it very well by the characterization of Noor. The title adds up to the core of the book.

The cover is beautiful and eye catching. The narration makes the book more interesting and appealing.

The foreword by Mahesh Bhatt makes it a must read for many. 

Overall, one of the best books I have ever read.

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Review of "Offsprings"

Book:- Offsprings

By:- Krishanu Banerjee

Offsprings'- the book contains seventy poems which are unique by nature. Unique in this sense that each and every poem describes the poet's realistic thoughts which he has experienced and beautifully penned. Each poem (except 2 or 3) is written in rhyme, beautiful to read and recite. The poet has heartily worshipped the best genre of literature

The book comprises of 70 beautifully penned poetry pieces of life’s nostalgic moments.

It has got poems on almost all sectors of life like young love, childhood, school days, etc.

 

It will give you a different look to life in different situations.

My favorite poem is "My School Days"

The cover is quite appealing and words that built this book are commendable. 

Overall an amazing book to read.

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Review of "Pokhran"

Book:- Pokhran
By:- Uday Singh

Blurb:-

The success of the ‘Smiling Buddha’ nuclear test marked the rise of India as a nuclear power in 1974. But what went unreported in the media was the nuclear fallout that had lasting impact on the inhabitants of Pokhran, especially Chaitanya.

It quickly becomes clear that the conspiracy surrounding this radioactive fallout runs pretty deep in the establishment. Those who have had a hand in covering it up are willing to go to great lengths to ensure that the secrets stay buried.

Chaitanya sets on a journey to expose the truth. With Zara by his side, he is sure to bring justice to his people. But when fate snatches Zara away from him, he is consumed by revenge. Undeterred by threats, he embarks on a mission that takes him from the deserts of Pokhran to those of Syria, and into the halls of MIT.

A heady page turner, at its very core, Pokhran is an exceptional journey of revenge, courage, love and the unbeatable human spirit.

Review:-
The book starts with Chaitanya's childhood and how he has grown with a tough father around and raised by her elder sister. He had impaired legs, which is the result of the nuclear test - Smiling Buddha.

He had a God gifted IQ which helps him get into  MIT where he sets on a journey to expose the truth with Zara, his wife.

Narration throughout the book is flawless.
It's plot is fast paced and intriguing.
I did not realise when the book ended. The book is full of inspiration, twist and turns, a story told like never before.  The author has researched well on various topics.

All the characters in this book are well developed.
The story reveals a lot about Pokhran.

The title and the cover both add up to it's beauty.

Overall one of the best fictional books I've ever read.

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Review of "Rhythm Roger"

Book:- Rhythm Roger

By:- Himanshu Rai

Blurb:- 

Heinrich br>Rudolf Hertz invented a br>Unit of frequency and discovered electromagnetic Waves, but virtually, he created a world of electromagnetic Waves. The virtual world, which is always around humans, but cannot be seen or felt is the world of unknown powers, known as electon. "World is not only what we see." rhythm has entered electronic, now its your turn to take your path to know about the secrets of the election world.

Review:- 

The story is about a world different from ours, the world of electromagnetic waves, the world known as Electon. The protagonist is Rhythm who met someone who was like an alien to him, but the truth held something else for him. He was from Electon and he had come for a very special task, to get the prince of the Electon, Rhythm back to Electon. Rhythm was destined to fight against the dark forces who were trying to take over Electon and it was on Rhythm to save the world of Electon.

The book is a science fiction it attracts readers who are attracted towards science. The author has thoroughly researched it all and has tried to explain each and every science concept he used in the book.

Language used is easy to understand and the cover is eye catching. 

Overall, a great read for all the sci-fi lovers.

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