Book Review: Dream Big

Book name: Dream Big

Author: Dr. Mukesh Jindal and Anuraj VS

Genre: Non-fiction

Standalone/Series: Standalone

Publishing Date: August 15th 2017 by CNBC TV18

My ratings:

Blurb:

Thirty six year old Vaibhav, the ever-smiling symbol of new age Indians, started his career as a driver. Today, he is the owner of a flourishing taxi service business and is scouting around to buy a Mercedes Benz...not on a loan but with the wealth he has amassed over the years!

How did he get from being a driver to a millionaire? Three simple secrets - he had the courage to dream big, learn about financial planning and implement what he learnt. Now, while you don't need anyone to help you to dream big, here is a book that will teach you everything that Vaibhav learnt. All you have to do is find the tenacity to implement it.

Everything, from the importance of saving and investing and the need for life and health insurance to various investment products like mutual funds, SIP, PPF etc. that can enable you to build wealth, is explained in this book in simple and jargon free language. It helps you to choose instruments that are most suitable for you and explains why you would be better off without others.

Dream Big simplifies and breaks down common financial planning principles such as risk profiling, asset allocation, portfolio construction, rebalancing etc. and explains the tax implications of various investment decisions. It also contains sections on planning for retirement and a legacy, and financial planning for women, divorced individuals, defence employees, senior citizens, etc. 

This book review is a part of "The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program and Blog Tours", for details log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.in. All thoughts and opinions are my own and unbiased.

MY REVIEW

We are taught everything from mitochondria being the powerhouse of a cell to the complex problems of differentiation in school, things not actually used in real life, in my opinion. But what we are not taught are some of the basics for survival in this world once we get out. Financial planning is a topic which is never talked about in school, unless you opt for the particular subjects but financial education is something that every person should know about. It isn't necessary to have a degree in the subjects, but the basis should be clear to everyone for better planning of the future. I, personally, had very less financial literacy before reading this book, and had the perception that things like mutual funds, debit funds, insurance and the kind are for old people but no! After reading this book I feel as if it's a must for the young generation to know about these things and participate too, and that too for their own benefits.
I felt that this book was written in a very friendly manner and the intimidating topics were explained in very easy language for beginners like me. The author begins with telling about the importance of investments and some new concepts like inflation are elaborated, making the reader understand why investments are important to survive in this world.

After establishing the importance of investments in the readers mind, the author reveals the world of mutual funds, debt funds, insurance, equity funds, legacy planning and the like. The reader is able to understand these complex topics, thanks to the simple language used in the book, very well. These topics are broken down and explained in some detail, such a not to overwhelm the reader, but at the same time, understand that this is a serious topic of importance.
Many people go for expert help for managing their finances, but I felt that this book succeeds in giving a basic idea regarding various topics we might need to use at various stages in our financial life. This book has something for everyone. Since financial needs are relative from person to person, so is the respective financial planning.
If you'd like to get a basic idea about these topics then this book is for you. I'd recommend this book to you if you are a fresher int his field, or if you are a school or college student not having the subjects of finance or thinking about getting these subjects.
This book taught me a lot about how to invest our money in the right direction and I think I can say that buying this book will be an investment. :)

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!

Love is never Easy- Book Review

Love is never Easy- Book Review

Book name: Love is Never Easy

Author: Donna Dias Manuel

Genre: Contemporary

Standalone/Series: Standalone

My ratings:

Blurb:

When 30-something Nina’s perfect life in New York City becomes a liability to her marriage, she is compelled to make choices she never dreamed of making. While hoping to get a breather from her “it’s complicated” relationship, at a reunion in Goa, with her two, closest friends, Nina learns that they too are battling their own set of challenges–Aisha’s having a clandestine affair with a much older man and Rhea’s struggling with her homosexuality. But just when the girls give her reason to believe that her marriage will survive, life throws yet another curve ball her way. Will the three friends be able to scale the mountains they’ve encountered and cross over to the other side?

MY REVIEW

This book was everything and more that I had expected it to be. It was a fast page turner and a gripping tale which was a perfect portrayal of the real world we live in and our ever changing lives. This book revolves around 3 friends- Aisha, Nina and Rhea who call themselves as the ‘wolf pack’ and have maintained their friendship after many years of college but they all lead very different lives from one another and have their little secrets which they haven’t shared with each other. In the trip to Goa their secrets come out as they try to indulge with each other more and the story is a perfect example about the importance of friendship and love in ones life.

I loved the writing style of the author. The conversations and the characters and the description of all the events felt so real. Every character develops in his/her own way, faces the odds of life and in the end emerged a true hero.

I liked all the characters in the book and I can’t choose my favorite from the ‘wolf pack’ as they are all so strong women who went through so much and yet emerged out like queens. it felt that they were all self made in their career and in real life too these are some problems and questions people do face and what matters is their way of perceiving things and they all had such a positive view of it all. I loved their friendship. Also the relation of Nina and Abheer, Nina’s husband, was so real! and the way they got through it all was just phenomenal. Also I am thankful to the author for not making a love triangle the basis of conflict in their marriage XD.

Another important message was the importance to maintain a balance between career and relationships. while making a career is very important, it shouldn’t be done at the cost of relationships or relationships should not be given a back seat, and this message was conveyed throughout the story.

I feel the ending could’ve been a little better and not ended so abruptly but I really liked it nonetheless as it gave us a final picture of the future and also that whatever odds may come our strong characters will be able to brave them as they have gone through worse.

There is drama, suspense, humor, witty conversations, non-cliche expressal of love and a message to live in the present moment to the fullest and I just loved it all. If you are looking for a fast paced refreshing contemporary read to keep you intrigued throughout then this is the book for you.

HAPPY READING!

50 cups of coffee- Book Review

Book name: 50 Cups of coffee: The Woes and Throes of Finding Mr Right

Author: Khushnuma Daruwala

Genre: Non-fiction

Standalone/Series: Standalone

Publishing Date: May 24th 2017 by Penguin

My ratings:

Blurb:

Dating is an undeniably daunting task, especially when you're done with casual flings and are looking for the real deal to settle down with. When a 30-something woman signs up on a dating website for people looking to get married, she realizes just how delightful, vexing, amusing and befuddling trying to find the perfect husband can be. Based on real experiences, this book is not a guide to dating, but rather a delightful collection of episodes about meeting potential partners, epiphanies about them and soul-searching questions that will make you see relationships without the rose-tinted glasses.
Especially pertinent to this age of online dating, this delicious-as-a-cappuccino book is for all those in love, looking for love or in between. With advice as sage (gained the hard way) as that in He's Just Not That Into You and scenarios as funny and outrageous as those in Sex and the City, 50 Cups of Coffee is a hilarious, honest and witty book, perfect to curl up with when a suitable beau or bae is not available.

Goodreads

MY REVIEW

This book was everything I had expected it not to be. This was a very refreshing read and in the beginning only the author tells us what led her to write this phenomenal book with this out-of-the-box idea. So apparently the author's friend Dia undergoes the struggle of finding Mr.Perfect for her and this is her journey through 50 horrible coffee dates.

There are a lot of anecdotes throwing light on the fact that there are both good and bad people in the dating world. The vastness and yet the smallness of the world of online dating could be felt at times while reading the book. All the different problems while finding 'The one' are written in different chapters and at the end of each of them there is a beautiful illustration of a cup with a message in it, summing up that chapter in the form of concluding line or some points.

The ending of the book was the best part. The author brings out the humor, struggle and a deep message that even if things are not happening the way you expected them to or you are unable to get anywhere, just don't loose hope and continue your search but do NOT at all settle for something less or someone who doesn't respect you at all. The writing style of the author is unapologetic and you can literally feel a person speaking and narrating the incidents as we are told in the introduction. I personally feel that the author has done great and amazing job at making it as lively and true as possible.

I thought this book had many incidents breaking stereotypes and there are some really very funny moments too. I have to say, the pun game of the author is really very strong and at a time I was just sitting there gaping at the amazing pun and applauding the author.

It is a light read, its humorous and I think a must read for any Indian woman entering the world of dating. In fact this book should be read by every grown up girl to know what is waiting for them out there in the world. So I would recommend this group if you are looking for a light-hearted non-fiction book with a message, especially for all the women out there!

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!

Top 7 books/series of 2017

First of all HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE! I hope 2018 is better than 2017 in all aspects and you reach your reading goal too! Well that one is more for me than you as  I got in a slump around the beginning of November and couldn't complete my reading challenge. Anyways I am gonna tell you guys my top 7 reads of 2017 (including series).

So these are all those aWesome books (in no specific order) (NO SPOILERS):

1. Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas

This was such a big surprise right huhuhaha? This series is literally the best that I have read till date. The world created by sjm, the characters , their relationships, everything is just phenomenal and this series is so close to me heart I can't even tell. My favourite book in the series is Queen Of Shadows jusT because of one faVourite scene. People say there are a lot of problems in this series but I feel sjm is working towards those and we are going to see much more representation in the coming books. 

2. A Court of thorns and roses by Sarah J. Maas

Another big surprise for you all! I just love love LOVE this series and the charachters omg are literally THE best! I just love the phenomenal writing style of sjm, she is a queen for me. Also the increasing representation in the third book (ACOWAR) is just aMazing!(I can't tell because sPoilers) but go read it if you haven't already (after finishing reading my post but) Also I can't wait for the upcoming books in the series GAHHH

3. All the bright places by Jennifer Niven

Okay but you neEd to read this aMazing book! I just can't explain the impact this bok and the writing, the charachters just everything about this book had on me! The ending had me crying so hard and time and again I find myself thinking about it flipping through the pages. Just READ IT OKAY! Also, I have a full review for this book (here)

4. Six Of crows by Leigh Bardugo

This is a duo logy that wrecked me. The characters feel so strongly and the best thing about this book is the representation in it. The feelings of the characters are so real, what we say is different from what we think or want, just amazing. This journey was one of THE best for me and you need to go on that journey of ships and sail in the sea (ik my pun game is strong huhu)

5. The Raven Cycle by Maggie Stiefvater

I just finished the last installment (the raven king) few days back in 2018 only AND I AM GOING TO RECOMMEND THIS SERIES BY SHOUTING FROM THE TOP OF EVEREST (if I ever go there that is to say). The magical world created in the real world, seriously hands off to Maggie stiefvater! The characters are just so AMAZING! I just loved her writing style and I now some people have problems with it but I LOVED IT! This book is the epitome of aesthetics really and the real gems are between the lines which I loved the most. JUST READ IT OKAY!

6. Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

I know I know I am very  late at reading it but I read it at the beginning of 2017 aNd FELL IN LOVE WITH the series! The biggest surprise was Catching Fire. Seriously the ending just blew my mind. The movies were also pretty good but ofcourse I liked the books better. In the last book during the ending there is a line (Part of a line actually)- 'but there are much worse games to play' and I was like BAMM WHATTTT!!! What can I say except READ IT!

7. Perks Of being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

The simplicity and yet the deepness of this book is the best thing about it. I have a full review of the book (here) where I tell why I LOVED the book. I don't know how to explain it now, its just beautiful and that is the only word I cam think of when I think about this book- Beautiful. So GO AND READ THIS BEAUTIFUL BOOK OKAY? OKAY!

....AND THAT'S IT! You should totally go and read all these books and wreck yourself and if you have read any of then then FANGIRL/BOY WITH ME ABOUT THEM PLUHHH-EEEEEZ!!!!

The Devil’s Prayer- Book Review

The Devil’s Prayer- Book Review

Book name: The Devil’s Prayer

Author: Luke Gracias 

Genre: Mythological thriller

Standalone/Series: Series

Publishing Date: February 18th 2016

My ratings:

Blurb:

A nun commits suicide in front of thousands in Spain. In Australia, Siobhan Russo recognises that nun as her mother, Denise Russo, who disappeared six years ago. 
In search of answers, Siobhan travels to the isolated convent where her mother once lived. Here she discovers Denise’s final confession, a book that details a heinous betrayal that left her crippled and mute, and Denise’s subsequent deal with the Devil to take revenge. In the desperate bargain Denise made with the Prince of Darkness, she wagered Siobhan’s soul. 
As Siobhan discovers the fate of her soul, she learns that hidden within the pages of her mother’s confession is part of The Devil’s Prayer, an ancient text with the power to unleash apocalyptic horrors. 
And now her mother’s enemies know Siobhan has it. 
Can Siobhan escape an order of extremist monks determined to get the Prayer back? Can she save the world from its own destruction? 
Explicit Content Warning: “The Devil’s Prayer” is a historical horror thriller that contains brutality, rape, sex, drug abuse and murder. Readers may find its content offensive and confronting. 

 Goodreads

MY REVIEW

First of all, This book was not what I expected it to be! It was a complete opposite, in an AWESOME way! I loved the book so much and it has such a gripping story, always keeping the reader on edge.

I was into the story from the prologue only and I was NOT disappointed. The story line was AMAZING! I couldn’t put the book down, I was just hooked to it and couldn’t resist reading further.

Plot:

This story revolves around a nun, or as she became one. It’s about her life and the events that took place before she became a nun.  The secrets of the world keep spilling in an astonishingly good manner at the perfect time. She leaves behind a book, her confession, for her daughter Siobhan and the Confession is THE BEST part of the whole book.

Denise finds that all those whom she considered her friends have different brutal faces and in her time of need when she can find no one to help, not even God, then it is the Devil who comes to her rescue and being the devil he has some tricks up jis sleeves which we discover throughout the story.

In this book we went through Denise’s adventures or her life’s happenings and it ended with a cliffhanger. I am so excited for the next book, I am pretty sure we’ll live with Siobhan, Denise’s daughter and our protagonist, during her adventures in that one and I just can’t wait!

My Thoughts:

The pace of the book was PERFECT! It was a bit fast, EXACTLY what the reader wants from a story like this and I was flipping through the pages like this is The end.

The character building was really good. The first impression of everyone I had was changed by then end, literally EVERYONE!

Historical facts were mixed with fictitious elements the the mixture was fascinating. I don’t know how much of it is true and not but it seemed true to me. A very important thing one can learn from the book is saving the environment. We humans are just another species in the teeming spectrum of evolving life, but we consider ourselves superior, and the only thing we die for is money! For centuries we’ve been killing and just thinking about ourselves, one thing that has suffered the most is our earth. I was very accurately quoted in the book-

“We are not killing the planet. It is our arrogance that makes us believe that we are capable of such destruction. The earth will be here at the end of it all, long after we’re gone. The only thing the human race is destroying is out ability to inhabit it.”

A lot of research was put int he book and being a history lover this book appealed to me to a whole different amazing level. I didn’t know anything about that history but it as all explained in a very easy way.

Summary:

The fact that we were born alone and die alone too, was very well conveyed in the story plot. There is murder, drama, revenge, thrill, excitement, betrayal and just name the thing which makes us like, or should I say LOVE a book!

The story was a combination of history, connected all parts of the world in this web of a plot, and just leaves one awestruck after reading it.There was a mixture of God and Devil and THE STORY WAS PERFECT. I don’t know any other way to describe this story or the plot, it was just perfect and so so SO interesting. There was mystery and suspense at the end of each chapter and I JUST LOVED IT!

There are some incidents which can be triggering for some, as quoted in the goodreads blurb too:

Explicit Content Warning: “The Devil’s Prayer” is a historical horror thriller that contains brutality, rape, sex, drug abuse and murder. Readers may find its content offensive and confronting. 

HAPPY READING EVERYONE!

This Book Review/Interview is a part of The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program and Book Promotions” to know more log on to http://thereaderscosmos.blogspot.in/. All opinions are my own and NOT biased in any way!

Nice men finish last- Book Review

Book Review- Nice men finish last

Book name: Nice men finish last

Author: Pravesh Vir Siddhu

Genre: Indian Romantic Fiction

Standalone/Series: Standalone

Publishing Date: July 12th 2017

My ratings:

Blurb:

Bad ones get into the pants, whereas the good ones get friend-zoned.Bad ones have a blast and the good ones suffer.Bad boys take it all, while Nice Men Finish Last.Nandu pays an unfair price for being nice; he is dumped by his girlfriend.Depressed by the brutal break-up, he follows in the footsteps of his womanizer friend Sattu, who firmly believes that nothing good ever happens to a nice man.Duly brainwashed to shed his lovelorn avatar, along with the skin of the nice man, Nandu gets a character reboot. Things change rapidly, as he uses lies and all the unfair means to score girls. It works wonders for him till he realizes how powerful karma is. That makes him come out of this transitional filthy state, choosing to become a nice man again.That’s when he falls in love with Tanishq – a beautiful dentistry student.Will he be able to win her heart being a nice man or do nice men really always finish last?

Goodreads

MY REVIEW

The book is about a boy Nandu, who is in the dental field, and is struggling with his life and feels devastated when his girlfriend betrays him. His friends are his support and one his friend, Sattu, tells him his theory of life that ‘Nice men finish last’ the story goes on, showcasing the ups and downs of nandu in his love life and his career and how both of them affected the other.

The main concept of the book was that being a good and decent person will surely find you love of your life and make you successful, which is a pretty good moral, but I felt that it was overpowered by the other aspects or some incidents.

It could’ve been a lot better and the main theme of the book had a lot of potential. it was pretty fast paced and humorous also!
It was filled with bollywood cliches, just everything, it was a typical bollywood movie, going on in one’s mind, so if you are a fan of them then hopefully you’ll like the book too.

Friendships between characters were very well portrayed and the fact hat as we grow older and get out in the world, everyone we thought we once new changes, our friends have different lives and are busy, we ourselves become busy but amongst all this having and maintaining connections with them all is very important as they are thee people we fall back to and who have been part of a major phase of our lives.

I really like the character of Madhiha and her character plays a very important role in this book and in spreading a very important message also. She is from Pakistan and initially Nandu, being from India resents her just for hr nationality, but then this narrow minded thinking is proved wrong in the book. One of the things I loved about it. Honestly we hate people just fro their nationality! I personally discourage and try to tell my family and friends all the ways in which this is wrong and disadvantageous for humanity and just so so stupid! Just imagine if the 2 nations would forget their rivalry, won’t our lives be much better, the many soldiers lives be spared at the border? Just imagine and think!

Nandu’s father seemed to be pretty sensible and I was hoping the author would elaborate their relationship but it was still okay. Also Tanishq seemed to be a cry baby to me, and the type of girl who acts like a child deliberatelt, so I didn’t like her either.

I honestly hated the book in the beginning. It was just gross, it was offensive for me, being a girl, and I did not like that stuff at all! It felt disgusting to read that and I just wanted to stop reading, but later on the book got to a decent level and was pretty good after that.

One thing I disliked in the story was the first time Nandu saw Tanishq he was in love with her. honestly, its not love in my opinion if you are drooling over a girl or a guy just after seeing them and you don’t know then nor have you both ever talked, buT since you saw her, and found her exceptionally beautiful, were mesmerized by her physical appearance then my friend, let me tell you, its NOT love, it may be lust or infatuation or just your hormones working but NOT LOVE AT ALL! Well, that was me when Nandu was describing her appearance and saying how he loved her soo much after just seeing her.

 Also the fact that the friends you have, the company you keep will definitely affect you, was pretty well conveyed. Nandu used to be a ‘nice’ man but then he broke up with his girlfriend Noor in the beginning of the book and his friend Sattu, whom I resent the most, gave him advice which was pretty bad and contributes to mostly all the gross and offensive content in the book with extensive usage of the word- ‘boobs’ and reading that part I was just like- “Seriously man! stOp, just stOp!”

All in all, it reflected Indian love stories and life in a pretty well. The concept of friendship rather than relationship was also good but should’ve been elaborated on a bit more.

If you like reading Romantic fictions with a blend of friendship and life and are looking for a short read then I’d recommend this book to you.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Book Review- Kalki

Book Review- Kalki

Book name: Dharmayoddha Kalki

Author: Kevin Missal

Genre: Indian Mythological thriller

Standalone/Series: Series

Publishing Date: 14th October 2017

My ratings:

Blurb:

Whenever there is a decline in righteousness and an upsurge in unrighteousness, at that time, I take birth again. 
– LORD GOVIND. 
Born in the quiet village of Shambala, Kalki Hari, son of Vishnuyath and Sumati, has no idea about his heritage until he is pitted against tragedies and battles. 
Whisked into the province of Keekatpur, which is under the fist of Lord Kali, Kalki sees the ignominy of death trumping life all around him. He learns that he has been born to cleanse the world he lives in, for which he must journey to the North and learn the ways of Lord Vishnu’s Avatar; from an immortal who wields an axe. 
But trapped in the midst of betrayals, political intrigue and forces that seek to decimate him, will he be able to follow his destiny before the Kaliyug begins?

MY REVIEW

Indian Mythological thriller fiction. What are our expectations from a book falling in this genre? Must have elements or influence from Mahabharata and Ramayana, 2 of the greatest Indian mythological fiction(√), Set in India showcasing India’s rich ancient culture(√), Amazing characters reflecting the Indian heritage(√), a nice dashing plot to blow our mind(√). Well, that’s what I expect from a book like this and  All of this was present in the book Dharmoddya kalki.

I haven’t read many mythological books but this was literally my favorite till now and I think it will be also. I have many theories regarding the book and what will happen in the sequel, that’s the kind of book it was, it always kept me on edge and I was always speculating what would happen next but it took me by surprise most of the times.
It’s a story full of action, love, drama, revenge and just name the thing, everything was present in this book and it was a really swirly roller coaster for me.

Strength in a person doesn’t define a hero. But where he uses his strength is what matters the most. A hero isn’t born. He’s made. Through people, through journeys and most of all, through tragedy.

There were 2 parts in the book. The main plot of the book revolves around the dharm and adharm,i.e, the good side and the bad side. Kalki is a simple village boy who wants to enjoy the simple pleasures of life, whereas kali, on the other hand has made his way through thicks and thins with his sister Duruukti, to emerge as a leader with great aspirations. These two lives, and those of many others get connected in a phenomenal way as the story progresses.

The author made the fictional village of Shambala and the province of keekatpur seem so real by his prolific writing. The world building was done in an astounding way with both historical fiction and mythology. 

This book was from multiple perspectives and we got to see from literally the point of view of every main and many side characters and I just loved how they were so skillfully joined and woven together. It just reflects the refinery writing of the author.

All the characters were amazing and really well portrayed. They all had their own different unique backstories and motives and all of it felt so real that I couldn’t actually fathom the fact that the author had created this world, though with the help of Indian mythology. The diversity of the characters, belonging to so many different races and cultural backgrounds were living in this fictional, yet real, world created by the author.

I loved the character development throughout the whole book. Each character had his or her own flaws and strengths, just like we all do in real life, and my perspective of many of them was changed as the story progressed. I came to really like many of them whom I thought to be unimportant initially and detest many who seemed really wise, and that I think was the doing of the multiple perspectives only, because many times we just assume things but then when we see them from the other person’s perspective, when we get in their shoes, we come to know their reasons and problems and just about them. That’s why I like books with multiple perspective 

In this book the characters used modern-day language and the combination of this with Indian mythology was very well-balanced. I actually enjoyed the characters set in a traditional land using modern-day language. about the overall language of the book, it was written in simple language and the quotes of the book were amazing. There are a lot of lessons to be learnt this book, another thing I loved about it.The pace was perfect, it was neither too fast nor too slow and the events happened at the precise timings.

One thing I really liked about the book is that it dealt with he fact that how there are so many stereotypes and misconceptions about various groups of people and cultures.We, without even knowing the essence of something just assume things for a group of people and judge and label them on that basis, whereas in reality all the rituals and the traditions in every culture are ultimately for the greater good of humanity and better lives and development of the people or at least they are meant with a good motive! No God promotes hatred or bad quality of life, but just love and prosperity of its people, and this fact was presented in a really good way in the book making it stand out for me.

One skepticism I have about the book is that there were a lot of emotional moments and I feel they could’ve been conveyed in a better way so as to actually bring tears ro the readers eyes (that’s just me being a sucker for books that make me cry, I can’t help loving them the most) Some moments could’ve had a really huge impact on the reader just if they were written in a better way but except for those few moments the writing in the whole book was pretty enjoyable.

Finally, I would recommend this masterpiece to every mythology lover to read this book filled with action, fighting, betrayal, love, emotions, killings and what not. Otherwise also this was an entertaining and occupying book having the element of surprise at mostly the end of every chapter and if you want to read something inspirational, diversifying and thrilling then this Kalki it is!