In Search of LoveAuthor: Robin SharmaPublisher: Leadstart PublishersRating: 3/5 The love during the 90s was simpler than it is today. We did not have to worry about the authenticity of the feelings and had our parents by our side to guide. Love of the Millennium has more hassles. People have lust and are avaricious rather than being smitten by the warmth of love. ‘In Search of Love’ speaks about the Millennium love that is unpredictable. It makes life topsy-turvy. Revolving around the two main characters- Rajesh and Sonam, ‘In Search of Love’ is an emotional tale of love, trust, betrayal, sacrifice and resurrection. The title of the book is fine…

Army Tales Author: Col N Bhatnagar Publisher: Leadstart Publishers Rating: 2.5/5 We cannot argue the toss that the life of an army officer is not only tough but also filled with uncertainty. Just like any port in the storm, the army officers grasp at straws while battling against death. ‘Army Tales’ gives us a glimpse of those moments of pathos, violence and trauma when the sound of bullets and tanks becomes louder than any other sound. The book is a collection of short stories or rather instances that narrate those little meaningful and memorable experiences. Slapstick humour clubbed with genuine emotions can be seen throughout the book. I finished the…

Ambling Indian Diaries Author: Aina Rao Publisher: Leadstart Publishers Rating: 3/5 There is pleasure in the pathless woods, there is a rapture in the lonely shore, there is a society where none intrudes, by the deep sea, and music in its roar; I love not Man the less, but Nature more. ~Lord Byron Lord Byron’s love for nature was more profound than his love for humans for the right reasons. Often we contemplate the reasons for our existence but very rarely we are able to define our life’s purpose. However, one purpose of our life is undeniably being gullible and vulnerable. Thanks to the society in which we live, the…

Edge of Link Author: Brendon Publisher: Inkstate Publishers Rating: 3/5 Sci-fi thrillers have always fascinated the readers provided the language used is structured and conventional. Having read Dan Brown earlier, ‘Edge of Link’ failed to impress me. Although the plot is strong and the characters are well crafted, the passivity of the language and the ‘tense’ turmoil (pun intended) left me at the crossroads. ‘Edge of Link’ has all the necessary elements of a good story- love, drama, melancholy and tension. It even has characters who complement each other. However, the narrative fails to do its part. The poems are the life of the book. A point to be noted…

A Trunk Full of Sunshine Author: Sapna Dhyani Devrani Publisher: Leadstart Publishers Rating: 2.5/5 We cannot argue the toss that the life of an army officer is not only tough but also filled with uncertainty. But we also cannot deny the fact that their families suffer equally. They are mostly grasping at straws because of the unpredictability of life. ‘A Trunk Full of Sunshine’ gives us those moments of hope, optimism and light when the sun’s rays peek through the dark black clouds and make their way home. The book is a collection of 27 short stories or rather instances that narrate those little meaningful and memorable experiences. Slapstick humour…

Freedom from the I Author: Shashank Kasliwal Publisher: Jaico Publishers Rating: 3.5/5 Confucius has correctly said- Life is simple, but we insist on making it complicated. It is the mind that bulldozes the person to do what ought not to be done. Why make life complicated when the simple solutions are just a thought away? “Freedom from the I” is a sincere attempt by Shashank Kasliwal to throw light on the delicate and hidden threads that hold the life together. It is these threads that need to be cherished and nourished so that they become stronger with each passing day. This book does not present a tale or a memoir;…

An Insider’s View of Emotional Traumas Author: Dinesh Kumar Publisher: Body & Soul Books Rating: 2.5/5 Suffering from societal stigma is equivalent to swallowing a bitter pill and expecting the magic to happen. What is the social stigma, you may ask? It is the odium incurred by someone because of something ‘not normal’. Most people who suffer from a mental illness are looked down upon by everyone else and are denied the social respect and status in the society. Little does the society know that anyone can succumb to mental maladies! ‘An Insider’s View of Emotional Traumas’ is a self-help book that aims to guide and teach the counsellor, as…