Neon Soul by Alexandra Elle

This compilation of poems by Alexandra Elle is a wonderful read for anyone at all, simply due to its very appealing writing style. Here is my experience of reading this poetry book that came out very recently.

The Curse of Mohenjodaro by Maha Khan Phillips

'There is no God,'he told his shocked family. 'There is no Allah, no Shiva, no Buddha. There are only humans. Humans and more evolved humans. Those of us who are evolved.. Well, we have all the power.' Often he made little sense. And so did the book. There was a constant struggle throughout the story. Historical fiction, thriller and some science fiction, the book intended to be a good mixture of everything but failed epically. It's worse because a book named 'The Curse of Mohenjodaro' does not deserve to be pushed away like this. I was expecting more. Sadly it did not deliver. 

Cover page 

Mohenjodaro is an ancient civilisation which has been mapped. It is not understood much and the lines are often confusing. There is a lot to be found out and a lot to be learnt. 

The cover page depicts just that. The maroon background of the layout portrays the hazy picture. The golden font compliments the background and shaky lettering gives out the mystery. It is an intelligent design. 

Characters 

The story is about two sisters. Nadia is a paranormal writer who is quite famous in the field. She is an independent person, mostly due to the circumstances imposed on her rather than by choice. But if there is someone she cares about more, then it is her sister Layla. 

Layla is studying archeology. She is just the opposite of Nadia. She loves company and life has given her more chances. Layla is chasing her dream to be an archaeologist unlike Nadia who is doing what she is best at. 

There is not much said about the characters in the story. Maybe because it is plot driven. But I would have liked to know them personally rather than the outside view that was given in the book. 

Content 

There are two parallel stories in the book. One taking place in the current time and another in 3800 BC. Nadia in 'today' is having some dreams or visions. These visions are trying to reach out to her but she is not able to decipher it until one day her sister goes missing in Mohenjodaro after what could be a radioactive emission. Nadia while tracing her sister down draws the significance of the visions in which she was seeing a woman from an ancient period. 

In 3800 BC, in Meluha, Jaya is chosen as the 'Goddess Blessed'. It is meant to be an position of prime importance but she slowly discovers the ugly truth. She is being used for shellfish motives and the power to read the future is slowly destroying her. 

The stories run parallel with each era taking turns to depict the monstrosity that selfish motives befall on the mankind. 

Unfortunately, the intention of the book was not clear right from the beginning. The supposed historical fiction slowly turned into a thriller ended into a science fiction and philosophy. It was a bit confusing throughout. The story flowed with ease but there was no direction there either. Parts could have been cut short and it wouldn't have made any difference to the story. Only after page 233 is the intention clear. 

Ultimately the book leaves more questions than it gives answers. Such as why was the story in past based in 3800 BC when the Mohenjodaro period is dated at least ten centuries after that, what was the intention? How did bloodstone show visions to some but not others? And several more. 

Language 

The narration did not help the content at all. It was quite dry. There was nothing to look forward to and nothing that created any suspense. 

Good points 

The cover page is a work of art. It definitely piques one's interest in the book. 

Bad points 

Everything else. The characters lacked depth. The content was unconvincing. The narration was dry. 

Overall 

The book is nothing that I expected it to be. I shut the book thinking 'what was the point'! 

Whom do I recommend this to 

I frankly cannot categorize this book. I would recommend everyone to stay away from it. 

I received the book from the publishers for review. The opinions are my own, completely uninfluenced.

November Haul

I’m sure most of you reading this can relate to the feeling of not having enough books to read which keep you company every other day, having become a vital part of your being and to go through a phase of the hoarder syndrome every now and then (guilty pleasures I say!)

The month of November has been that way for me off lately. Finally got my hands on some interesting reads, some of which have been on my wish list for quite a long time and some of which have been recommendations by fellow bibliophiles.

The Brothers Karamazov and Crime and Punishment by Fyodor Dostoevsky are of the genres I’ve always wanted to acquaint myself with. And then comes Thus Spoke Zarathustra, which I figured would be the best one to start exploring Nietzsche’s work.

The next set of books which I have wanted to read for a long time but haven’t been able to and therefore haven’t got myself to sit through the movies either are The Clockwork Orange by Anthony Burgess and Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov. It has seriously taken me quite a lot of effort to keep myself from watching this particular thriller though. And talking about thrillers there’s In Cold Blood by Truman Capote. Having gifted a copy of it to a friend of mine (thanks to her staying away from the city, I didn’t fall prey to the urge of keeping it to myself but ordered two copies instead), this story has always got me fascinated and I’m waiting to read it all.

Murakami’s The Wind up Bird Chronicle is the next one, and yes thanks to another friend of mine, an intense blogger and bibliophile, I was introduced to Murakami’s work with the Norwegian Wood after which it’s no stopping to get your hands on his novels. Albert Camus’ The Stranger, which I finally did add to my library after reading A Happy Death, had me thinking for a couple of days about his call of the meaning of life (This post is a little too late since the review of The Stranger is going to be up soon).

Then there’s my first travel novel On The Road by Jack Kerouac and lastly Mottled Dawn by Saadat Hasan Manto which is a collection of short stories revolving around the Partition. Gripping right? So that’s the deal for the next couple of months to come.

Be awesome. Be a book nut!

Bitter Sweet Love by Michael Faudet

Thanks to the internet, the world is a much smaller place, and gives us many opportunities to connect with netizens from across the world. It is a wonderful medium to come across amazing talent, which would either never reach us, or would –very late. Having seen the Poet’s writing on his social media, I always wanted to read more by him. So, when I got the review copy of Bitter Sweet Love, I was simply elated to be reading it.

Cover

The cover is an illustration of portrait of a girl, it is a sketch and a picture morphed together. It is a clever interpretation of the content of the book - which is a mix of magic and reality, it also seems like an evolution of the cover of the previous, and his first book- Dirty Pretty Things which is a really interesting concept and I am quite eager to see how the next cover turns out. Coming to the title – it is self explanatory and talks of love in all its glory ( and the not so glorious side!).

Characters

The poems don't revolve around one person,  but touches upon relationships between various people. It is about life and lovers, love and heartbreak. The emotions captured in the book are the real protagonists of this one.

Content

Talking about love and all sides of it, Bitter Sweet Love is a beautiful compilation of poems long and short, that touch upon the various emotions co-existing with love. The poems are laden with love, heartbreak, lust and are infused with a hint of magic that makes these sensuous musings all the more interesting.

Good Points

The  poems come in varied sizes. Some, a mere two lines, some spanning a few pages- this mix of sizes doesn't make it a monotony of long poems, nor are there just lines that touch and go.

Each poem tells a story in just a few lines in the most concise and appealing manner. The emotions captured really tug at your heart and the writing style does full justice to what the Poet intends to convey.

The poems are sensuous without being vulgar and they are written in very simple language that is very easy to relate to and understand. Lastly, the touch of magic takes these poems to another level.

Bad Points

Though I enjoyed most of the writing, some of them were lengthy and almost prose like, standing out awkwardly in pages of words that flow very poetically.

Overall

A book full of bitter sweet shades of love, this one captures emotions so beautifully without complicating it. Thoroughly enjoyed the magical elements that are sprinkled generously with a heady mix of sensuous writing!

Who do I recommend this to ?

Poems aren't everyone’s cup of tea mostly because the writing is complicated and multi-layered.

So if you have been contemplating on reading some poetry, grab this new release now!

Quotable Quotes

To speak of unconditional love is like building a palace on quicksand..

Each falling leaf, a fallen tear.. the autumn came with winter near. Now all that's left of love is death, a story told with frozen breath...

When we plant weeds in a beautiful garden, it is often tears of regret that water them..

No fond farewell in silence made, just falling tears  in falling rain.

All sunshine gone, no warmth remains, in empty cups, our autumn came.

I think somewhere in a parallel world, we made love in a garden of wilted flowers. Our trembling hands reaching out, trying to grasp the last watery rays of a dying sun . Where our hearts collided and shattered into a   million tiny stars.

Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick

'Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.' The quote from 'The Picture of Dorian Gray' forms the basis of the novel. 'Every Exquisite Thing' is skillfully woven into a well knit story. Matthew Quick can be traced back to the Oscar winning movie 'The Silver Linings Playbook. The author has manged to write another exquisite book and given something for us to remember him by once again.

Cover page 

Pen scribbling is an old technique which is used in too many book covers. This novel also consists of the same. The blue and white combination is not so bad but still keeps you wishing that something different was tried for the cover art. The cover does not ask for its place on the book shelf. That job is entirely left to the story inside.

Characters 

The book is a coming of age novel. The story is of kids who are targeted by bullies for their individualism. 

Nan, or Nanette is how she prefers to be called is the star player of the soccer team. She is a great kid to her parents. She does everything that anyone expects out of her until she decides not to. That is when hell breaks loose over her head. During the transition she is introduced to Alex Redmer. 

Alex is another child with individualistic talent. Alex is a poet. He is a great friend, little eccentric. He also stands up for what he believes in and that has helped him to be out behind bars and reform institution. Alex may remind many of 'Theodore Finch' in 'All The Bright Places'. His temperament is the most attractive feature of him. A character girls are going to love. 

Wrigley is someone who plays the most important part in the story. Wrigley is the author of 'The Bubblegum Reaper'. He, in his not so good times, years ago, wrote this book called 'The Bubblegum Reaper'. The book became an instant hit but due to some reason he pulled it out of print. Wrigley since then is trying to make friends with intelligent teenagers. 

The characters are not very innovative. One may have come across these characters earlier in literature. But the story that binds them together and circumstances that they face makes one want to keep reading the story. 

Content

'The Silver Linings Playbook' has put the author in spotlight. 'Every Exquisite Thing' is a short length novel that gives the taste of his writing.  The plot is the highlight of this book.

The book is about a book called 'The Bubblegum Reaper' which is handed over to different teenagers at different times. They all try to contact the author of the book since they want to find out what happens at the beginning of the end of the book. The cliffhanger drives them at the door of the author where they come across each other. 

All the kids face the same problem of bullying in their own schools. One tries to thrust her real self on others, losing herself in the process whereas the other tries to fight the world with his poetry and fists. 

The book talks at length about the problem of bullying in schools of America , which can be viewed in any other schools too. The issue is well spoken for in the book. It somewhere feels like a social weapon. There is also a revolution-like prick in the book. It is meant as a call out to all the parents and the  education community. 

It is a quick paced story fast enough to keep you on your toes. The end may leave the readers unquenched, like 'The Bubblegum Reaper' left many others. The parallel which has been drawn with the book is evident. The readers who look for a great story may not be very happy towards the end but those who want to understand a book and discover threads in the middle are going to appreciate it. 

Language 

The language in the book is quite relatable. Readers who are still in school are going to identify with the book unlike books by John Green. 

Good points

The characters in the book are relatable. The writing is like the words of a mind reader. It follows the temperament of the characters accurately which keeps the reader interested in the book throughout. The philosophy which it tries to convey is light and easy to understand. There are some beautiful lines in the book which are worth quoting. 

Bad points 

The cover page is unappealing. It looks all the more uninteresting on the kindle version. The story ends abruptly with readers left unquenched. This maybe deliberate but it annoying too. 

'Answering that question really isn't the point, I decide as I leave the ocean tonight. I've got to find out what happens to Nanette O'Hare.' 

Overall 

Overall the book is a good one-time read. It is a good gateway to other young adult books which follow identical storyline. 

Who do I recommend it to

Those who enjoy a book with a strong message and some good philosophy, this is a perfect pick. 

Quotable quotes

“What happens to Wrigley?” I asked.  “I have to know. Because Wrigley is me. And it just can’t end like that. It. Just. Can’t.”

"I bet no one ever told you this truth before, so here it is for the price of a cup of coffee." He took a sip and then stared into my eyes before saying, "just because you're good at something doesn't mean you have to do it." 

"Far too often, people are woefully predictable. And I know many things. It's a curse. Here's something else I know : You are not doomed to be your parents. You can break the cycle. You can be whoever you want to be. But you will pay price. Your parents and everyone else will punish you if you choose to be you and not them. That's the price of your freedom."

"True friends are better than novels! Fake friends, on the other hand- well, I'd rather smash open my skull with a solid-gold Bible than endure the slow poison of a fake friend." 

"Well, there's a type of person who says there are certain types of people and then tries to be one type or the other. And then there are others who say bananas to the whole concept of types and won't allow themselves to be filled neatly away under some sort of ridiculously limiting category."

"Lonely people typically can't stomach treachery, and that's another problem. They tend to tell the truth and fight fair. So we need art and music and poetry for. The lonely people to rally around." 

Not even jail could make him put a mask and lie for everyone else. It was madness, plain and simple, but alluring sort. It was like standing next to a great fire that dances and warms and illuminates everything-but it also threatens to consume you in the process. 

"People enter our lives for a reason,  a season, or a lifetime." 

"I love you, Nanette O'Hare," Alex says. "Someday you will love me too-enough to say it back. Read the poems and letters." 

Behind every exquisite thing that existed, there was something tragic.

To All The Phenomenal People Out There, Happy Women's Day!

Bidding adieu: Harper Lee

This Pulitzer Prize-winning author bid us her final goodbye, and we are a little heartbroken ( No , make that VERY!). Harper Lee shot to fame with her book ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ which was written in 1960. She very recently published her second book ‘Go Set a Watchman’ which reader world over welcomed with open arms.

Shaking the world with just one book, Lee gave to us a book, a thought process and very lovable characters who will, I am sure, be cherished for a long time.

Here are ten quotes from two of her books that give us a little more to think about, a little more to get inspired from and a little more to remember her by.

Eterlimus by Aziz Hamza

Roman empire has astonished me since I read Julius Ceaser. Therefore when I received this book for reviewing I instantly said yes. This is written by an author from Saudi which further aggravated my curiosity.

History immortalizes both the names of the greats and the tyrants without making a distinction between them.

Cover page

Eterlimus is a story of Rome hence the classical architecture is very much expected in the cover-page. But what really attracted me to the book is the color riot. The book cover is splashed with different shades of red (or crimson?) which subtly describes the anger during the time. There are also buildings on fire indicating an uproar or a rebellion. All-in-all I love the cover-page. I would definitely love to have the book in my collection.

Characters

As the Title suggests, the book is about Eterlimus. He is a pimp in the times of the evil King Tarquinius. Tarquinius has preceded the throne with treachery. Eterlimus is a peace loving master of a pleasure house. He is clever and knows how to avoid unfavorable circumstances using his wit. A perfect character to help overthrow the king.

Content

The Roman empire is in the hands of an evil king who has stepped on the throne by killings hundreds. Eterlimus's family was also murdered by King Tarquinius. Flavius saves the little boy Eterlimus and takes him under his own wings. Eterlimus learns better and does not seek revenge. UNTIL, one of the girls in his pleasure house is brutally assaulted in his pleasure house on Sextus's orders.

Eterlimus, drowned in the idea on revenge, forms a plan which will eventually lead to the destruction of the king. But what he does not know is that it will also lead to the rape of Lucretia. Eterlimus's plan throws more people in fire than he had expected to, leading to his own destruction.

The content is filled with suspense. It keeps you on the edge of the table waiting for the story to unfold. The book is very fast paced. It has got the essence of the Roman empire. It is a treat for people who love a face paced historical fiction.

Discourses, which are mostly wrapped in spurious religious and patriotic ideologies that ignite the enthusiasm of the ignorant masses.

Language

The narration is a bit confusing at times. It is more like a play than a story. It may very well remind you of Julius Ceaser. There is also a mix of tenses at a few places.

Good points

I just loved the cover-page. It is a work of art. It indefinitely puts the book on the map. I was happy with the content, more or less. Language gave a feel of the Roman empire, which is what I was going for.

Bad points

Eterlimus’ love story was not very convincing. I did not find it growing. It felt very shallow. I wish the author had a more planned approach for narration.

The virtuous are among the weakest and quickest to sin.

Overall

The book definitely has more positives than it has negatives. I am looking forward to reading more books by the author.

Who do I recommend this to

I recommend this to people who enjoy history and historical fiction.

Quotable Quotes

when you walk the path of revenge, know that someone will always follow your trail.

If the gods chose Sextus as King of Rome, the worst possible evil will befall it.

Adultery by Paulo Coelho

Paulo Coelho is one of the authors that I have come to love over the course of reads. "One does not understand his book in the first read," someone said to me. And there I began reading "The Alchemist" the second time. And it did make some sense finally. Adultery is the second book that I have read by the author and it reminded me of the first time I picked up his book!

After a few reads here is what I thought of the book.

Cover page

The cover page is very subtle and to the point. It depicts the lust part of the adultery but also keeps it classy. People who are well aware of Paulo Coelho's writing are going to ignore the subtle approach and pick the book anyway. Like they say - some names do sell!

All the people in the office have commented that "the poor thing needs someone to look after him." I reckon he knows this and is happy merely being an object of desire, nothing more. Perhaps, like me, he has a terrible fear of taking a false step and ruining everything - his job, his family, his past and future life.

Characters

As many who have read Paulo Coelho earlier will already know the style, the author does not write about a person in specific. He addresses the mankind when writing about a character in his book. In this book, he has chosen Linda to put together his thoughts on adultery.

Linda is a married woman with two kids and a rich and loving husband. She also has a successful job. In spite of all this Linda misses the thrill in her life and looks for an adventure outside of marriage. 

Speaking of the character as such, I felt she is stereotyped. Some would also argue in the favor since he writes about a woman who is tired of the monotony of her life. Linda is not afraid to admit her deepest and ugliest truths. Therefore, it makes her perfect for the book!

And I rejected almost everyone because I knew that if anyone ever managed to enter my world, they would find nothing of interest. It was best to maintain an air of mystery with a hint of unattainable pleasures.

Content

The story beings when Linda has to conduct an interview of a politician who is also her ex-boyfriend. She is confused initially but walks out of the meeting room surviving a thrill. And the story is set in motion. One thing leads to another and she gets completely involved with the politician. The book is a memoir on that particular phase in her life where she keeps going back and forth and reflecting on her life. 

There are many personifications and third person passages which take the lead character back in time.

Language

The language of the book is the one thing that will keep you hooked on to the book like a fish in the bait. The book shifts from a philosophical narrative to a story quite often which breaks the monotony of the book. Those into philosophy are going to enjoy the narration. Paulo Coelho takes a sensitive take on the matter of adultery and that is reflected in the book. He does not choose sides. He portrays as it is. 

For men it is just a "stupid mistake". For women, it feels like a spiritual crime against all those who surround her with affection and support her as mother and wife.

Good points

The good point definitely includes the concept. The author has chosen a very difficult subject to write about and he probably knows it. Many are going to inspect the book with a magnifying eye. 

The narrative is the cherry on the cake. I have got plenty of quotes in the book that goes into my collection. for me the narration is more important than the story itself. Everyone who dreams can write. But it takes art to narrate.

Bad points

The cover is too subtle. If it were not for the author it may just go unnoticed on the shelf. The story in all was clichéd. The end definitely could have been better. 

If anyone could see me right now, they wouldn't know who I am, because I am light, space and time. I'm in another world.

Overall

Overall, if you love philosophy then they book is definitely for you. If not then it may just bore you. You also need to be very open to scandals because this book is full of it!

Who do I recommend this to

this book is definitely for the souls who search for an inner meaning in each stanza. they are extremely good at reading between the lines and do not mind a boring story if it is told very well. Of course, Paulo Coelho fans are going to love this one too. Go for it!