Book review : Buddha by Osamu Tezuka

Buddha - is a unique take on the subject, Gautam Buddha, by the author.

I picked up the book as I was intrigued by the title. I know about Buddha through school text books and now wanted to know more. As I opened the book and found cartoons drawn all through I was disappointed. I am not a fan of comics now.... actually have never so been.

But I never keep away any book once I pick it. I am a budding authour and I believe I should do justice to every other author. Reading this one was easy given the graphics. It is a manga book.

Manga - the Japanese style of cartoons for kids and adults. This was my first experience with Manga. Though I started it with apprehension, as I read it, I liked it and got engrossed.

It is short, sweet and gripping. I'll definitely give a good amount of credit to the manga artist as well for the expressions drawn. The graphic images speak volumes. The storyline is same as we all know yet little bits of twists and maybe fiction is added on. It makes one wonder what really happened and what's fiction. Well this review is only of the first two books in the series as I have just read them.

It is a critically acclaimed work of Osamu Tezuka and going through the series you'll get the reason why. 

And...I so love the cover. So much thought has been put into the design and detail, how can one not appreciate it.

The best part is, though it is a series no part leaves one with the feeling that it is incomplete.

Overall, I'll rate it 4/5.

                                     

Book Blurb :

The classic eight volume graphic novel series from the godfather of the genre an irreverent and humourous rendition of the life and times of Buddha is now available in Box Set. Originated in the 1970s, Buddha is Osamu Tezuka's unparalleled rendition of the life and times of Prince Siddhartha. Tezuka's storytelling genius and consummate skill at visual expression blossom fully as he contextualizes the Buddha's ideas, with an emphasis on action, emotion, humour and conflict as Prince Siddhartha runs away from home, travels across India and questions Hindu practices such as ascetic self-mutilation and caste oppression. Rather than recommend resignation and impassivity, Tezuka's Buddha predicates enlightenment upon recognizing the interconnectedness of life, having compassion for the suffering and ordering one's life sensibly. Furthermore, his approach is slightly irreverent in that it incorporates something that Western commentators often eschew, namely, humour.

The Box Set includes

• Buddha: Kapilvastu - Vol. 1

• Buddha: The Four Encounters - Vol. 2

• Buddha: Devadatta - Vol. 3

• Buddha: The Forest of Uruvela - Vol. 4

• Buddha: Deer Park - Vol. 5

• Buddha: Ananda - Vol. 6

• Buddha: Prince Ajatasattu - Vol. 7

• Buddha: Jetavana - Vol. 8

Book review : In over her head by Leighan Dobbs

Reading, reading and reading, keeps one engaged and at times glued to the same kind of reading. I have been reading since I was introduced to library in school and neighborhood. In school it started with fairytales, moving on to girl fiction and thrillers viz a viz GIRL TALK and Nancy Drew. The senior years saw Sidney Sheldon and Dan Brown and so the list kept moving ahead.

I always maintained that I love romance and fiction but I read all genres. So recently when my Kindle send me a pop-up about a free book - In over her head it clicked the old cells in my mind which loved -  girl talk and I picked up this chick-lit.

In over her head, is the first in the series of corporate chaos by Leighan Dobbs. The book is, literally, sweet and simple.

It is a story of Marly West, a designer, who does’nt look like a designer. She will remind you of the girl next door whom we often ignore. But despite having nothing to gain attention, she does gets the attention of her boss, by her knowledge. 

Marly, being the main character, the story revolves around her. Leighan has written the entire story like a movie sequence. The storyline is enough to tell you things as well as keep room for imagination of the reader. A perfect chick-lit, teenage/young adolescent fiction (if there’s a word like this).

Though the ending came way too soon, I guess it is because the author or publisher decided to create it in series it did seem to less to read.

Overall, it made me happy and I want to read the series ahead. I will rate it a 4.5/5

Book Blurb :

Designer Marly West has one reason for taking the job at Draconia Fashions...and it's not to come up with the latest clothing trends. But when she blurts out a good idea in a corporate meeting, she gets exactly what she didn’t want … an opportunity of a lifetime. Too bad taking advantage of it might reveal the secret she desperately needs to keep hidden. 

But it’s too late to get out of it now, and she soon finds that she’s in over her head with a boardroom full of resentful executives, a hot CEO, and a jealous M&M-scarfing assistant who wants to make sure Marly doesn’t succeed.

Book review : Unfolding Dreams By Arun Malik

We all face ups and downs in life. It is easy to motivate others but not oneself. And when one has a strong personality, it gets difficult to have someone who can motivate us. When I get stuck or depressed or frustrated, I take solace in books. Unfolding Dreams - is one such book.

Unfolding Dreams is a collection of inspirational quotes. The quotes are simple and have a starking relevance with the day to day life of any young professional.  As I went through the book, each quote struck a chord. It is like facts made diction. 

The language is simple and clear. The quotes are motivational and apt for today’s time and situation. All through my reading I had a smile on my lips and eyes wide with wonder. The quotes are motivational at the same time, each of them, makes one think deeper. It helps get more insight into our lives and situtations. 

I will rate it a 4/5.

                                                   

Book Blurb :

‘Unfolding Dreams’ is a collection of quotes written by Arun Malik. Known as the master motivator, Arun Malik has filled the book with inspiring quotes on topics as wide as happiness and parenting to interrelated subjects such as success and achievement.

The book has been penned in a clear and concise manner which makes it quite universal. So, whether you are a student or a working professional, you can relate to the words and personalize your relationship with each quotation.

‘Unfolding Dreams’ isn’t meant to be read in a go. The book is written to inspire you and to brighten your life with every sunrise. So, read it slowly, savor every sentence and fight with the worse times to rise above!

Book review : The Belated Bachelor Party by Ravinder Singh

Interesting title, lively book cover, written by not-one-of-my-favourite authors but then I wanted to read something light and it seemed the universe took the cue and the book was sent to me for an honest review by the publisher - HaperCollins.

Can love happen twice? - by Ravinder Singh was the first book that I read written by him. Those were the days when I was love bitten and crushed by the crush. I did liked the book but not as much to start reading everything that was written by the author. I can say...it was just a one-book-thing.

So when I took The Belated Bachelor Party, I honestly was not very keen but yes...so wanted a break.

The books is a story of 4 friends who decide to go on a bachlor party. Now the fun part is, they have been married for years, but never actually had a bachlor party and so - THE BELATED BACHELOR PARTY!!  Hence the book will relate to the hundreds of Indian males who have never had an actual bachlor party...guys...someone really feels for you. Infact, I will give the credit to the author here. The book is about the reunion of four friends and considering how 'men will be men', they want to plan a wild and adventurous reunion, their - THE BELATED BACHLOR PARTY. 

Another reason why Indian males, married males, will relate to it more is because..these friends try to convince their wives and...nah!! I cant reveal more. But there are these parts, where I really liked the author. He has so sensibly mixed fun and sentiments that it touched my heart as a female.

I like movies and have decades of friendship with my friends, so instances, where one can be totally oneself with friends around and especially with friends who know all your deep secrets from school or college days is always heart-touching. I felt like wanting to go on an all-girls-trip soon.

Ofcourse there were parts in the book where I really didnt feel up to keep on reading. This I am saying for the storyline, as it gets very basic and predictable. For me, the sentence creation, the dialogues did went a bit kiddish, given the age of the boys...sorry men. The parts where they discussed some serious issues too seemed out of the flow and abrupt. Though it made me go down the memory lane but it seemed repetitive of things we have read before or seen in movies and was not captivating enough.

Overall, I'll rate it a 2 out 5.

Book Blurb : 

It's been twelve years since Happy, MP, Raamji and Ravin graduated. Well into their married lives, they realize that none of them had a bachelor party before their weddings. But it's never too late to set things right. They go about planning their belated bachelor party - a Euro trip which, well, ends up becoming the trip of their lifetime. Picture this: It's the middle of the night. The four friends wait to be strip-searched by the border police. They are stuck in the no-man's land between Croatia and Slovenia, without valid visas, but with banned party drugs and a rifle cartridge ... Welcome to one hell of a reunion! Bestselling author Ravinder Singh returns with his friends in a hilarious, moving story of friendship and adventure

For all the married men, who never had an actual bachlor party, I think you'll love reading this and plan something for yourself...I mean these men can be an inspiration...besides I want you to give your wives some break too. Buy this book here : The Belated Bachlor Party

Book review : Decoding the feronia files By Tanushree Podder and Ajoy Podder

The summer this time was hotter than previous year. Well! the same can be said for winter temperature going down more than the previous year.

We all know the impact population growth, technology advancement has had on mother Earth. Global warming is increasing day-by-day. But did it ever occur to you that it maybe done intentionally?

Climate, weather, the super powers, can man control them?? Imagine if a person or a country develops the means to orchestrate weather as per their liking. It can create havoc!

Decoding the feronia files is a race against weather warfare.

The authors - Tanushree Podder and Ajoy Podder have beautifully woven an intriguing and engaging story line. The language is simple and easy to understand. No doubt it is a unique story and icing on the cake is the amount of detailing the authors have gone into.

No matter which year, which part of the world you are in, the story connects countries and is a beautiful blend of fact and fiction. Infact it often makes one think what is what and what not!

I am just stopping myself from revealing anything further. Go and grab it for yourself I am sure there won't be any regrets.

I'll rate it a 4.5/5.... just a .5 less...as there were a couple of places I wanted to know more about and reasons around. :)

Book Blurb : Can weather be controlled? If so, can it be weaponised? The USA set up haarp in 1993 for research on weather modification. Its covert experiments caused unexplained weather changes like cloudbursts, tsunamis, floods, earthquakes, leading to massive destruction across the globe. Worldwide outrage finally forced the closure of haarp. But the deadly experiments continued to ravage the world. Around the same time, a secret device is planted by a foreign mountaineering expedition in the Himalayas. It has the potential to change weather patterns in India. A team of Army mountaineers is sent to retrieve the gadget. But, will they be able to retrieve it before the damage is done? Will the intelligence agencies across several countries succeed in nabbing the culprits who are trying to weaponise weather? Decoding the feronia files is a thriller that takes the readers on an international roller-coaster ride to track the scientists carrying out experiments that could unleash a new weapon of mass-destruction—weather.

Book review : Who will cry when you Die? By Robin Sharma

I love to read and I have many friends who are voracious readers. Often in our discussions, one name does make many people go mushy and starry-eyed i.e. Robin Sharma.

My reading has generally been mood based and so I keep picking up different genres and authors mostly on mood, feeling basis.

Who will Cry when you Die? was actually given to me by a colleague. She was all praises for the author and everything that was written, I was already curious to read Robin Sharma so it seemed perfect timing.

Who will Cry when you Die? is a self-help book. The author has used his experiences from life and his workshops to illustrate how to better ourselves.

I know it sounds preachy and many people either don't like to be told what to do or think it is easier said than done. But the point is we all want to be loved and that is the Crux of this book.

Everything requires an effort and so is the case when we want ourselves to be acknowledged or respected. 

The language and layout are simple and easy to understand. It easily caters to the new reader as well as an avid reader. The book does makes us relook at life.

Book Blurb : Do you feel that life is slipping by so fast that you might never get the chance to live with the meaning, happiness and joy you know you deserve? If so, then this very special book by leadership guru Robin S. Sharma, the author whose The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari series has transformed the lives of thousands, will be the guiding light that leads you to a brilliant new way of living. In this easytoread yet wisdomrich manual, Robin S. Sharma offers 101 simple solutions to lifes most complex problems, ranging from a littleknown method for beating stress and worry to a powerful way to enjoy the journey while you create a legacy that lasts.

About Author : Robin Sharma is one of the worlds premier speakers on leadership and personal mastry. He is the chosen leadership mentor for many MNCs. His books are top-rated and always a favourite among everyone.

I will rate it at 5/5.

Book review : The boy who loved by Durjoy Dutta

Has it ever happened with you, that a book just fell into your lap?

It did happen with me and the book is - The boy who loved by Durjoy Dutta. I have never been a fan of the new age Indian writers, barring a couple and so, never picked any of his books to date.

This book in particular was my brothers, which even he didn't read. As we were changing our house and sorting things out this book was handed over to me - keep it or give it away, your choice. As many girls drool over Durjoy Dutta, I decided to give it a shot.

The book is a story of - Raghu Ganguly - a young boy, his life, how he looks at things and people and what he actually wants. He has seen his friend dying and is unable to cope up with it. Part reason been, he didn't help him while he was dying.

As the name goes, it is a love story but nothing like the usual. Though it has the usual romance and struggle, with angry parents around, still it is different.

When I say different I am just trying to mince words and not spoil for people who haven't read it yet but one thing I want to add, because I don't want you to get a wrong idea, is - It is a very depressing read.

I have read a few sad love stories so I can clearly differentiate between sad and depressing.

We all have had that time in our lives when we don't want to live. We think about suicide, we think about ways to die, even set to think how life will unfold for our near ones once we are gone, even try to start planning for them after us...we all have at least for once had these thoughts. I mean comment below if you haven't ever...like ever thought this.

While reading the journey of Raghu one does realize this similarity of thoughts. But what doesn't happen is the feeling of empathy with the character Raghu.

The book fails to connect and for me there were some parts where the book actually pushed me away.

For me it seemed like the author specifically was searching and infusing it with sadness.

I will give it a 0/5.

Not suggesting to anyone at all.

Happiness is what we want to spread so Stay happy people.