Book Review: The Ministry of Utmost Happiness - Or Is It?

It was in the summer of 2003, I read God of Small Things and fell in love with it instantly. Ammu, Estha, Rahel, and Velutha became a part of me and the novel set standards for my choice of books for the years to come. Even after 10 years of reading it, I clearly remembered every instance, character, and even some dialogues. (I first heard of Elvis Presley from Rahel and how the shrub 'communist pacha' got its name in Kerala). Nonetheless, I was smitten by the plot, characters, and even the picturesque Meenachal river through GoST.

Coming to this summer of 2017, I finally bought the book and read it all over again. I could sense the difference I felt as a teenager and now as the middle-aged woman reading it. My take on the entire incestuous relationship and even the moral conflict in Ammu-Velutha relationship had changed drastically. 

Book Review: Glitter and Gloss

Book: Glitter and Gloss
Author: Vibha Batra
Price: Rs.147
Genre: Romance

Synopsis:
Meet Misha, an aspiring make-up artist with some major identity issues. Her beau, Akshay, is an Indian version of Christian Grey (sans the kinky part, of course). The novel is all about how they fall in love in the most clichéd way and how their love surpasses all the (quintessential) hurdles that happens in a love story. 

Review
Though the novel at times look like a direct rip-off of 'You are Here' by Meenkashi Reddy Madhavan, featuring identity issues, divorced parents with a bohemian lifestyle, dick-head exes, a smart-ass bestie, and weakness for rum; the similarities end in the first half - and that's when the story attains a soul of its own. 

Book Review : When the Signal Turns Red

Book: When the Signal Turns Red

Author: Jayanand Ukey

Price: Rs. 175

Genre: Romance

Synopsis:

Girish Khedekar, the protagonist in this novel is just out of college and all set to join the numero uno IT Company of the country. He is in love with Prajakta Chitre who is also on her way to join an international IT giant. They plan to build up a good career before letting their families know about their relationship. Unexpectedly their families get involved before Girish can join the company. However the couple manages to convince their parents and their engagement gets fixed. Unfortunately their world turns upside down when recession strike upon the IT sector and Girish and Prajakta lose their jobs. Rest of the story deals with how Girish manages to get a grip on career and how he manages to get Prajata’s hand in marriage.

The Dark Holds Some Secrets

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When I woke up, all I could see were darkness and a little red light flickering at a distance. I frantically spread my hands and searched for Anu Chechi. I could feel the pillows and bed sheet next to me. 

‘Chechi? Are you here?' I whispered; panic rising in my voice. Some angry crickets and nocturnal birds chirped. I felt a chill down my spine when realized that I am alone in the room.

"Please sleep next to me, I am so scared of dark, please", I had pleaded to her for which she sweetly replied "Trust me dear, I will not go anywhere, I will be right beside you" and hugged me tightly. 

But she had broken my trust; she has left me in this dark and went somewhere.

It Is Easy To Let Go!

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“Am I bad?”, she asked in a shaky voice without looking at me. She was lying in the couch since last night and had been sobbing and ranting. I really didn’t know how to console her. It is true that she has been my roommate for almost two years but I am yet to understand her completely. 

It is not that she is mysterious or has hidden secrets. There is something unique about this girl that makes the guys drool over and girls envy. And here she is back from a night out, still in her stilettos and backless top, crying frantically over a heart break for the first time in her life.

There Is No Second Chance

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My baby had fallen asleep. They say ‘to sleep like a baby’ for a reason. It is indeed a blessing to sleep like her; oblivious to what is happening around her. But I know she will wake up and pounce on me with many questions. Innocent doubts, blabbering, silly question, but too complex to answer!

The bus has reached a long way from where we started and it was getting crowded. We got a window seat in the end. Far away from the chaos of the bus and its commuters, tucked inside our own space where we can communicate freely. My husband was sitting somewhere in the front, next to an old man listening to his gibberish talks. Time and again he looked towards us, nodding his head asking if we are fine. 

Where Miles Cease To Exist!

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I have always wondered why my journeys always seem to be endless. It is not just the destination, routes or the purpose; it is the journey itself that remain incomplete. I could feel this each time I get down from a train or bus after a long journey. This sense of void sticks to me even if I am with family, friends or even when I travel alone. I was prepared for the strangling emptiness this time too. Books, music, landscapes, nothing can comply. And this journey is going to be more tiring and long since at the destination my loving and caring husband is waiting with a bouquet or perhaps some chocolates to receive me, we are going to be together after seven months.