Book Review: "Love was never Mine…"

Author: Kunal Bhardwaj
Format: Paperback
Language: English
Pages: 144
Price: INR 150
Publishers: Cedar Books
ISBN Number: 9788122311846

 About the book:

Love was never mine is a story of an everyday shy boy. For, Rahul, being ordinary was an accepted fact- but his aspirations were always sky high- never wanting too much- yet dreaming to be among the stars. The first few pages gave me such an impression- and by and by the petals detached themselves and unfolded a story of a man- who thought love was something more than the daily humdrum, and something near to the glittering fantasies.

The cover greets you with a maiden keeping her glance low- her saddened face lost in thought- giving the reader a hint perhaps. Is this the story of a woman shuffling between several paradoxes in her life? As he reads on- he meets Rahul more than his lady love- Shreya. The story is set in a flashback mode- (quite effective, I should say) and it is Death that pulls your senses and makes them stoop over the fast paced- “love was never mine”.

Not verbose- but matter of fact- Shreya is today’s girl- who has set her priorities in life-long before Rahul falls for her. Not surprised, since few are there who leave some tasks in the hand of destiny. And opposites don’t really attract much in this book. For Rahul- love is more than what our romance tomes preach. Though he says looks don’t matter much- yet he falls through the mesh of exquisite looks of Shreya. Love carries the burdens called sacrifice and unrequited adoration. The book, though is far more serious in dealing with this topic, it is heart wrenching, prosaic and serene- merging together in the form of short chapters.

Kunal Bardwaj’s first attempt seems more real analysis of an emotional voyage- where the reader feels the sea breeze, reels in the high seas, gauges the tumults of perilous storm and still looks forward to meeting the end of the world-the end by itself draws a glorious curtain, unexpectedly well executed by a first time writer.

While reading it, and even after completion- I was swept away with the intensity in which our minds connect over the single word called “love”. Nevertheless, if an emotion running at high stakes is your status in the coming days- “Love was never Mine” can become a privileged company. Hoping you would even try to finish of the clause and perhaps even whisper the words “was it yours…” in the thin air of your October evening.

About the author:


 
Kunal, is a strategic research and consulting professional currently working with Genpact Analytics as Assistant Manager. Unlike other authors he started writing quite late when he felt an urgency to give words to his unexpressed emotions through stories. “Love was never Mine…” is his first honest attempt to express the in-expressible. He aims to be an entrepreneur in future, and he was one of the finalists for "Economic Times Power of Ideas-2010" contest. He loves singing, long drives, and regular hanging around with friends. He can be reached at "kunaliam@gmail.com" as well as you can find him on Facebook, and Linkedin.

Further Details:

 Facebook Profile: http://www.facebook.com/kunaliam

Website: www.kunalbhardwaj.info
 

Book Review: I’m not twenty four.. I’ve been nineteen for five years

Author: Sachin Garg

Format: papaerback
Language: English
Pages:  224
Price: 100/-

Publishers: Srishti Publishers

About the book:

Fretting whether her ends lies in the hands of boring and so hype Malappa or whether Soumyawill keep with the utopian bliss that Shubhro with his Marijuana and beer has to offer? But will he be really offering all this to an up town girl who by fate finds herself in a remote nook of Karnataka. Never a possible love triangle! For, you don’t wear track suits and plan to jog around a place where society is still trying to understand the growing industrial complex in their docile country side; neither do you pack you stilettos on the days of initiation. A name blame game that lands the protagonist in a steel plant of Toranagullu, and makes her live on with companies of men like ambitious and shrewd Malappa-a man of the world, an unimpressive batch mate Amit and her globe trotting potential beau Shubhro.

“I am not 24 I've been nineteen for five years!” is written to find answers to what exactly lies at the end of City bred unisex name tag holder Soumya. Sachin attempts at thinking and writing a story like a girl would. He starts of well- probably just wanted to rush through the prologue like beginning. Though I could not find a reason as to why he needed to use up some many pages into detailing about Soumya’s shopaholic bouts. She seems a cut out of Aisha aka Sonam Kapoor trying to tickle the male ego with tantalizing inners! She seems like Rithik Roshan’s clueless Lakysa boy, yet an MDI graduate. Perhaps the best character concoction served at my reading palate so far! Trapped in tight boring shirts and pants-she has to slog her way to keep her ideals way above the handful of others. She has to fall for nerdy man who never stops at a place for more than 90 days.  And last of all, we find her skirting back to her roots a fresh woman seasoned by the spices of the world- browsing over blog posts of her love interest with a pinch of salt.

There has been a trend for men to drop the hat and grab the pen and pour they red hearts’ content on paper. Sachin saves me from them, at least for a while. Still, to wear a girl’s heart is a tougher task, just like it is for a girl to wear hefty armors and face some 20 odd waving mercenary. The story has its peak points and perilous trenches- a quick read indeed.

About the author:

Sachin Garg is known for writing stories which not only ring a chord with the reader but also leave him with a long lasting thought. Described as worth checking out (MTV), A must read (Red FM) and a writer who will be enjoyed by all (Times of India), he continues write stories which redefine numbers in the India Publishing Industry.

Sachin is an engineer from Delhi College of Engineering (DCE) and did his management from MDI, Gurgaon. Apart from books, he has a keen interest in outdoor strength training activities and travelling.

Further details:

Website: sachingarg.me 

FB Page: Im-not-Twenty-Four-Ive-been-nineteen-for-five-years