BOOK REVIEW: YOURS TRULY

This book is a collection of 10 Letters, written as poems to the readers, whom the author addresses as acquaintances. It starts off with how beautiful our random thoughts are and shifts towards how we perceive the world, the love in subtle things, which we tend to overlook. Then to random friendships and love from her perspective and heartbreak. It goes beyond that and touches upon various topics. All these 10 poems were written in a simple language. That makes it accessible to everyone, even for beginners. Reading this book is like listening to a friend. A conversation that would make us feel like getting a warm hug and make us feel better. This is a really short book (around 30 pages), which you can read whenever you are feeling low or wanting to talk to a friend. But the only thing that I kind of didn’t like about this is that not everyone will view as same as the author and enjoy how love or friendship is, as written in this book.

BOOK REVIEW: ONCE THERE WAS ME

Bobby Sachdeva, known for his heart wrenching short story collection, Stories of us, which proclaimed the sad realities of the country we are living in, is back with his second book Once there was me, written with a spellbinding writing style making it impossible for the readers to stop this book. As mentioned in his book, He does hold up a mirror to society. It is an autobiography that is part-fictional, presenting his journey of being a kid who would die for his religion to an atheist. Each chapter comprises tragic events that led to this conversion. A beautiful book wich gives us insights about this society. “Human beings just could not live together as equals” This is as accurate as it can be. Keeping in mind, the violence that takes place around the world, because of how humans refuse to accept fellow humans as their equals. The man-made barriers such as caste, color, class, religion, language, sexuality, and what not was created just so few people will be superior to others. Why can’t humans accept every other human living on this planet is the same as them? Maybe it was because of an ingrained fallacy that possessed us ages and ages ago. It is time we should get rid of that fantasy and accept fellow humans. “People who knew the true meaning of God and religion are not bound by the rules laid down by preachers” Religion is the most addressed aspect of this book. It should give peace and solace and not spread hate. How some people blindly follow it, not even knowing what the actual teachings of their religion. This can be because of the lack of internalization of values and virtues their religion taught or they understand their religion through the eyes of the society or their community, the dos and don’ts. Religion can be a part of someone but making it one’s identity, right from their birth to death, and blitzing others who follow other religions is not what any scriptures are preaching, they emphasize Oneness and humanity and not divisiveness. But all we are seeing is the divisions, not just amid religions but within religions. “Language is just a medium to communicate with others” We had reduced this medium to a scale to judge others, measure their intelligence by making some languages superior to others. “Real happiness comes from this kind of selfless dedication to the good of other” Be kind, considerate, and empathetic. That is what matters to be a human, no matter where you belong. This book opens up the reader's mind, revealing the ugly side of the society which we may not have experienced shielded by our privilege. But the author shows us what does it feel like to be hiding fearing for your life even though they didn't do anything wrong, to lose everything built over years in a second, Losing loved ones, just because of some greedy humans who want to make money out of anything, killing someone because they think differently. A must read for everyone.

BOOK REVIEW: THE CURSED CHILD

Albus Severus Potter's worst fear comes true when he was sorted into Slytherin. A Potter in Slytherin becomes the talk of the school and his inability to fulfill the expectations mounted on him takes a toll on his relationship with his family, especially his Father. Albus has only one real friend, Scorpius Malfoy, who was avoided by everyone because of some rumors. They decided to help Harry but that ends in trouble, changing everyone's life. What did they do and How that affected their lives is the story. I started reading this book right after rereading the entire Harry Potter series but I had my expectations low because of what I heard from my friends. So, I was not much disappointed. Still, it tested my patience, especially in the beginning. Maybe I was expecting the Harry Potter series vibe but It doesn't have it. There were the times I wanted to stop reading this, but I continued reading this. Then I forgot about Hp midway through the book and it became more bearable. So, nearing the end I liked the book. One of the things I didn't like about the book is the characters, except for Scorpius. He became my favorite. I found some of them were unnecessarily mean and not very lively. Albus's character could've written well. The things I missed the most are some magic and the enchanted lands of the Harry Potter series. Also, the originality of the characters from the previous books, most importantly Ron. Overall, I liked this book, but not a sequel to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows(at least for me)

A devastatingly beautiful tale, which pictures the result of what happened centuries and centuries ago, "when the love laws were made. The laws that lay down who should be loved, and how. And how much. Through the lives of 'two-egg (fraternal) twins' Estha, Rahel, and their mother Ammu, Arundhati Roy takes the readers to a heartbreaking journey of love, life, sacrifice, the prejudices that don't want all humans to live as equals. With her beautiful storytelling, this book can take the readers back in time, place, and relive the lives of people of Ayemenem. Highly recommended!