About the Book:
Hectic holidays down under is a travel journal of a young writer jianna chhabra who has beautifully captured the events and experiences of her vacation in Australia , where she made many new friends and enjoyed time with the old ones . the book revolves around her and her family. She has narrated the real time events humourously which the readers would find interesting and joyful . The book would certainly inspire a lot of young kids to take up writing as a passion.
My Thoughts:
In a day and time where inspiring youngsters to read is proving to be difficult, young Jianna Chhabra has brought to us a wonderful writeup of her holiday in Australia. She brings to readers a travelogue, listing the events, places visited and all the people she spent time around, adding to it her own humourous twist. This twist can be seen in her style of writing and narration of the events that transpired, her interactions with family and friends and her observations of things.
This was a quick read and I quite enjoyed it. I also liked the illustrations that added a quirky perspective to the writing. I think Jianna’s take on her trip is unique and I look forward to reading more of her writing. Thanks to Jianna, I believe that if I ever get the chance to visit Australia, I’d be able to plan my trip, and if not, I’d definitely reach out to her 🙂
My Thoughts:
The Good Boy Syndrome: A peculiar feature of being a man in the Indian context is a book that brings together observations and psychological thought to paint a picture of Men, specifically The Good Boy in the Indian context (as of course mentioned by the title).
The book is not an absolute explanation for the behaviour of The Good Boy, rather, it sets up a framework that provides ample food for thought. The book provokes the reader to pause and think, contemplate on the ideas and sometimes even derive their own conclusions, based on the facts presented. The author seeks to provide context in different settings and scenarios while also touching upon TA and other concepts of psychology.
The author’s style of writing is unique in that it is conversational, as though the author and the reader are talking to one another, discussing the various topics in a comfortable setting. The various examples help to clarify the various trains of thought. With a focus on The Good Boy and the qualities of TGB, the author also introduces the reader to the different alternatives and variations, for example, The Ungood Boy, and so on. This provides a contrast to the different qualities and natures, bringing to us a more concrete picture in a context that is so familiar and relatable.
The chapter that spoke to me the most was the one focused on The Good Boy in corporate settings and the ways in which he would navigate the different levels of the corporate structure. This chapter, uniquely expressed through conversations with different people, brings together diverse points of views. Together, they express different opinions which when brought together, demonstrate an overall picture of who The Good Boy is in the corporate world, and the kind of changes needed in the future to fit into the context of today’s world. Being in a corporate setting myself, my immediate thought was to put myself, the people around me and even those I interact with, in the different scenarios and imagine how they unfold and even evolve.
It is easy to relate to this book and there is a lot to learn from it. For me, personally, it helped to take a step back and look at people with a little more understanding, to pause before reacting and perhaps be a tad bit more sensitive to a person’s situation. The book helps to set context to people’s reactions and in the end could help foster better relationships. It is not easy to answer the why to behaviour, nor is it ideal to generalize the same, but setting a context or framework to understand certain behavioural traits helps to recognize and perhaps even empathize before reacting. This, in my opinion, is how The Good Boy Syndrome can bring about positive change and more simply provoke conversation and change of thought!
About the Book:
Chaatterbox is a heartwarming journey of love, friendship, and self-discovery set against the bustling charm of a food truck in California.
Isha, a spirited young woman, arrives on California soil with a suitcase packed with her father’s legacy and dreams of a fresh start. Recently married to her childhood friend, Om, she’s determined to blend her Indian heritage with her new life. Joining Chaatterbox, a food truck selling mouth-watering chaat, Isha finds herself navigating cultural shifts, new friendships, and her marriage to Om, who’s consumed by his ambitious startup. When a high-stakes food festival heats up, Isha realizes the spice isn’t just in her dishes. Can she turn her passions into reality and open Om’s heart to the love story they’re now writing together?
This cozy, uplifting tale invites you to sip on a cup of chai and escape into a world where big dreams meet gentle moments, perfect for readers craving a story that feels like a warm hug.
My Thoughts:
An uplifting, light-hearted read, author Pia Mahajan’s debut novel Chaatterbox, will draw the reader into a world of dreams, friendship, love, self-discovery and food.
The Chaat Code: “In life, and in a good plate of chaat, the best twists are usually a surprise.”
The story follows Isha and Om as they navigate marriage, a new city and staying true to themselves as well as their dreams. Even though they knew each other since childhood, navigating their way through life together in a new place while finding a balance with one another is not at all easy. Through this short journey, we discover the sights of California, the smells and the food.
The author does a marvelous job of describing Indian chaat, the textures, the smells and leaves readers craving to eat the items they read about. Blending culture, tradition, something of home and something from the new place, Isha re-discovers herself and her dreams through her partnership with Max, in the food truck Chaatterbox. Bring in high powered friends like Vrinda (who is a delight to read about), a food festival competition, and the stakes just got very high for everyone.
The author delicately brings out the effect of Silicon Valley jobs on people, how dreams can change (some evolve and some die), but in the end, there is always a need to prioritize oneself and those who are important. This forms the foundation of Isha and Om’s relationship as well as the plot.
This book was well worth the read, oozing charm and thoughts of mouth-watering food in every page. This is a chaat worthy read for those looking for a warm, nice and cozy story.
About the Book:
Homemade baubles, reindeer-shaped cookies and snowy walks across the rolling moors… but Lady Swift’s festive plans are ruined when a body turns up!
Winter 1924. When Lady Eleanor Swift unexpectedly finds herself a guest of the reclusive Duke of Auldwyke, she’s determined to enjoy Christmas with all the trimmings at his sprawling manor house. And that includes kisses under the mistletoe and cozying up by the fire with her fiancé, dashing detective Hugh Seldon.
Instead, the season of goodwill turns frosty as she finds the Duke’s studious secretary, Mr Porritt, dead in the storeroom. Clasped in his chilly hand is a golden pendant in the shape of a rose. The Duke denies ever having seen the necklace before. But Eleanor can see the lies in his eyes… Did it belong to his mysteriously absent wife?
Hugh and Eleanor must ditch relaxing with hot cocoa in favour of interviewing the Duke’s holiday guests. Every suspect has a secret they’d kill to the socialite with the false name, the Sir with a questionable inheritance and the husband hiding a crack in his marriage.
As the blizzard outside rages, Auldwyke Hall becomes cut off. Trapped by the snow, Eleanor and Hugh must skate around the increasingly secretive Duke to unwrap the identity of the killer. But does the answer to the secretary’s murder lie with a ghost of Christmas past? And when an attempt is made on the Duke’s life too, they realise the killer is closer than they think…
A gripping and twisty Golden Age murder mystery set in a country house on the Yorkshire moors, perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, T.E. Kinsey and Lee Strauss!
My Thoughts:
In keeping with the theme of the season, Verity Bright brings to us another cozy mystery full of twists and turns, set in the middle of a white Christmas. Readers are drawn into Lady Eleanor Swift’s next mystery as she navigates an unexpected situation and murder at Auldwyke Hall with her trusty butler, lady’s maids (who are seriously amazing) and fiancé, whose love and admiration for her knows no bounds!
This is Book 20 in the series and though I have not read all of the books, I have enjoyed the ones that I have. This latest book was unexpected in the way it was written and I loved every moment of reading it. The author maintains the moments of the mystery, the brightness and charm of the characters and makes sure that readers are engaged throughout the book. With a reclusive Duke, some others who were a part of the Christmas party ten years ago and an unsolved murder both in the now and from the past, Lady Eleanor is once again knee deep in her investigations.
In this book, we follow Eleanor and Hugh as they solve the murder mystery together. I enjoyed their dynamics and mutual respect, as they lean on one another and Eleanor’s staff who are like family to her. The unexpected twists and turns serve to make it a more interesting read. Even with the number of books, I look forward to reading more about Lady Eleanor Swift’s adventures, I am hoping that there are many more to come.
A huge thanks to Bookouture, NetGalley and the author for the advance reader’s copy. The book will release on 4th December 2024.
About the Book:
In 1997, Kamal Shah’s world turned upside down. On his way to study in the US, Shah was completing the formalities for a student visa, which included preventive vaccinations for hepatitis, typhoid, measles, mumps and rubella. He developed a slight fever following his shots, which he dismissed as a normal side effect. Within twenty-four hours, Shah was forced to rethink. His condition deteriorated overnight, prompting an emergency rush to the hospital. Further tests revealed the an atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome (AHUS). Kamal needed a kidney transplant.
A year of painful haemodialysis later, Kamal underwent a renal transplant. His mother had donated her kidney to her son, in the hope that he could survive. The surgery was unsuccessful. In the last decade and a half, Kamal has switched between peritoneal and home dialysis. It has been a painful, terrifying journey, documented painstakingly on his personal blog. That blog was the kernel for NephroPlus, a company that was born from Kamal’s desire to ensure that dialysis became accessible for every patient. Kamal Shah is still on dialysis, but it has not dimmed his hope or his belief that being diagnosed with terminal kidney disease is not the end of life, nor can it prevent you from living the life you want to live. That hope has been the driving force behind NephroPlus.
Today, NephroPlus is one of Asia’s leading dialysis facilities with 140 centres across the country, including Bengaluru, Agra and Ludhiana. Since NephroPlus offers specialized dialysis, one factor that has been responsible for the overwhelming response has been their charges, which are 30-40 per cent lower than those in hospitals like Max or Apollo. This is the story not just of NephroPlus, but of an entrepreneur like no other.
This is a unique business memoir, with a strong, moving touch of the deeply personal. Kamal writes with raw honesty about pain and fear and the darker side of healthcare in India. Yet this is also a story of faith, of grit and determination and, ultimately, of success.
My Thoughts:
This is a long overdue review and post.
Silver Lining: Overcoming Adversity to Build NephroPlus- Asia’s Largest Dialysis Provider, bowled me over from the get go. This is Kamal Shah’s story of resilience and strength, a narrative that talks about the other side of healthcare in India.
Kamal Shah writes with honesty and openness, talking about his life, his experiences and his drive to bring affordable dialysis facilities to the people of India. He turned his own experiences and circumstances into something bigger, thus inspiring a lot of people in the process.
I am truly in awe of his journey and the takeaways from it. Reading this book was not just informative, it was an experience and one which I will cherish. I am grateful to the author for having the courage to talk about his struggles, the thoughts that pulled him down, the ways in which he fought to come back up. The people he met on the way, the support he received from his family and friends is inspiring. It is not easy to talk about one’s journey so candidly, but Kamal shah has achieved just that.
There is a lot to learn from this book, my biggest takeaway being that it is okay to fall, but never give up. There is always something on the other side and each experience only makes you stronger. I am truly grateful to the publisher and the author for sharing this book with me and I hope we all learn something from it. It takes but a small change of thought, a seed of an idea, to make a difference!
About the Book:
What do you get if you mix Harry Potter with Fourth Wing, Zodiac Academy, a dash of Arthurian legend, and lots and lots of vampires? Bloodwing Academy.
PLEASE NOTE: Bloodwing Academy has dark themes and content interspersed with lighthearted moments. Please consult the full Trigger Warnings list found inside the book.
I didn’t sign up for this.
A half-fae in a school of highblood vampires? That’s a recipe for torment.
I’m Medra Pendragon—last of the dragon riders, or so they tell me. Funny thing is, there are no dragons left. Not a single one. But somehow, that hasn’t stopped the vampires from deciding I’m worth capturing. Now I’m stuck at Bloodwing Academy, where the highbloods run everything and blightborn like me? We’re just blood in their veins, pawns in their games.
But that’s not even the worst part. Enter Blake Drakharrow. Cold, arrogant, and way too gorgeous for his own good. He’s been tormenting me since the moment we met, and now, thanks to some ancient ritual, we’re betrothed. He acts like he owns me, but I’m not going down without a fight.
Bloodwing isn’t just a school—it’s a battlefield. Highbloods fight for power, and if you’re weak? You’re dead.
Between deadly competitions, lies that could get me executed, and a dragon-shaped secret looming over my head, all I have to do is survive. Easy, right? Except I’m starting to think the real danger isn’t the academy—it’s what I’m becoming in this twisted game of power.
And Blake? He might just be the one who pushes me over the edge.
They think they can control me. They think they can use me.
But they have no idea what they’ve awakened.
Bestselling epic fantasy author Briar Boleyn returns with a new series perfect for fans of hate to love romance, heart-pounding action, and dark magic.
On Wings of Blood is a dark academia fantasy romance featuring a bully villain with Draco Malfoy energy who (eventually) gets the girl, all the tension and banter, and a tantalizingly dangerous blend of court and school intrigue all set in an intricately crafted world with unique vampire and dragon lore. If you’re a fan of original mythology, unique world-building, and character-driven romantasy books such as Crowns of Nyaxia, From Blood and Ash, and A Court of Thorns and Roses, you won’t want to miss out on this riveting new saga.
My Thoughts:
A new series that follows the ending of the Blood of a Fae series, where we left Pendrath at the end of a war and the hope that it was saved in the end and everyone is safe.
On Wings of Blood starts off following the events of the previous series, Medra Pendragon awakes to find herself in a completely new world, one inhabited by Highborns (vampires) and blightborn (including humans, dragons, and dwarves). Thrown into an unknown world, having to deal with an unexpected connection with her mother, Medra is forced to navigate the friendships, relationships, and hatred of the people around her. This is a story of unexpected meetings, intertwined fates and a FMC who kicks ass whenever possible.
This new series from the author has reminders of so many of our favourite tropes and stories brought together with a fresh outlook. This makes the start of this series more interesting and engaging. The characters in the story are interesting and each is different from the other, making it a wonderful ensemble. They each add a new dimension to the plot and provide wonderful support to Medra. The story is filled with adventure, mystery, magic, romance and of course the supernatural. The story is engaging and will keep the reader hooked until the very end.
I have enjoyed reading books by the author and love her style of writing. Her books are written in a way to draw the reader in and keep them waiting for more. The endings are perfectly set up to usher in the next book in the series, giving the reader just enough information to know what to expect but throwing in one or two twists that they didn’t see coming.
About the Book:
Escaping the city doesn’t mean escaping the criminals…
1916, Midwinter Manor: Desperate for a Christmas weekend break from war-torn London, Hannah Merrill and her Aunt Violet take Bartleby the cat and themselves off to visit Hannah’s sister, in her beautiful country estate, deep in the English countryside.
The huge house is full of relatives, friends and merrymakers, and everyone’s excited to have a Christmas to remember.
But then, when a fellow-guest’s body is found in the library – apparently bludgeoned to death – and a precious ruby is stolen from another guest, it appears that it’s going to be memorable for all the wrong reasons.
With the house snowed in, and the rural police force completely incapable of finding a single credible suspect, Hannah and Aunt Violet realise that once again it’s going to be down to them to get to the bottom of it.
Because whoever’s behind the crimes must be at Midwinter Manor… And if they’re not found, who knows what their next ‘gift’ will be?
A totally unforgettable Golden Age, country house, cozy crime novel, perfect for fans of Helena Dixon, Verity Bright, and Agatha Christie.
My Thoughts:
This is a delightful cozy mystery with our favourite characters Miss Merril and her rebellious and wonderful aunt Violet. Set in Miss Merril’s sister’s house, around Christmas time, a murder and a theft, lead Miss Merril, her aunt and all the others in the house to investigate the unexpected situation. With the introduction of so many characters, this book was both fun and intriguing, making it a delightful read. I found this mystery to be even better than the last, with a deeper insight into Miss Merrill’s family and life.
The story was well written and gripping right from the start, with the right amount of mystery, atmosphere and adventure mixed into it. The characters are well crafted, and each adds their own flair to the plot, making the journey quite unexpected at times. It is fun for the reader to try to figure out what is going on, but in the end, there are twists that we just don’t see coming. This is what set this book in the series apart for me and held my attention more than the others.
A cozy mystery to read, especially as we get closer to Christmas, with fireside chats, secret meetings, some romance of course, lots of snow and unexpected twists. Get ready for your holidays with this wonderful read!
A huge thanks to Boldwood Books, NetGalley and the author for the ebook copy.
About the Book:
Not all is as it seems
Not every dream is meant to be
Sometimes the monsters dwell within
A Chimeric Vampire’s Tale is a New Adult urban fantasy story. It is Book 2 in The Origin Chronicles.
Chimera—a mythical being of incongruous parts; an organism of different genetic components; a thing hoped for, an unrealizable dream
True Blood vampires have existed since the dawn of Man, but Mel is the First Chimera. A vampire who was made, not born. Long thought dead, he’s back for vengeance with an agenda fatal to all who stand in his way.
His goal? Evolution.
The price? A mass culling, to force this change upon all vampires.
Henry is a True Blood. Cheng is an ancient Chimera.
Brought together, they must fight Mel. Or the world as they know it will be altered forever.
What lengths will Henry and Cheng go to achieve their agendas? Will Mel attain the vengeance he thirsts for?
Or will all their goals prove to be a chimera?
A Chimeric Vampire’s Tale is a story of unfulfilled wishes, unrequited desires, and shattered dreams.
My Thoughts:
There’s something about Linda Ling’s narrative style that keeps the reader hooked until the end. It is a mix of narrative prose and conversation, but written in the most unique style I have encountered.
Reading this book, filled in a lot of gaps from the first book, with overlaps brought in at the right moments to maintain and provide the context. The characters drive the story, narrating their side of the events and helping the reader follow all the events that unfold. So much of the history of the True Bloods and Hybrids, that is hinted at in the first book are brought out in this book, building upon the foundation that was set. The story is narrated from different points of view and this made the reading experience quite unique for me. The characters are morally grey and to be honest, I believe have minds of their own, driving the plot in directions that seem to benefit them. This makes more sense after reading Book 1 and then of course this book.
This book starts right off where the previous ended and has a lot of overlapping content. It was wonderful to know more about Henry and Ben though Cheng remains my forever favourite. She is badass, has her own morals and lives by them. She collects all the facts and then works through the information before she decides how to proceed. To be honest, even Mel’s character made sense to me at one point. It feels weird to empathize with the villain, but I guess I did.
This book set the foundation for more to come and I am hoping to read more about these characters and what happens to them. I read the eARC of this book and am grateful to the author for the opportunity to be part of her street team.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
About the Book:
‘When did you become aware something was wrong?’
‘When the screaming began…’
Harriet White is no stranger to odd correspondence. Ensconced in the basement of the Baker Street building society, her job is to reply to the mail they receive on behalf of Sherlock Holmes.
But while letters to the fictional sleuth may be plentiful, telegrams are rare, and so when she receives one describing the grave situation of celebrated author Philip St John, her interest is piqued. The writer describes St John as being consumed by terror, seeing ghostly apparitions on the fens, and only at ease in the company of his loyal wolfhound.
Before long, Harry finds herself in Cambridgeshire under the guise of being Holmes’ assistant. The residents of Thurmwell Manor believe their master is cursed. Harry is sure there must be a logical explanation, but inside the echoey halls of the grand gothic house, her confidence in science and reason begin to crumble…
Can Harry solve the mystery before the fens claim their next victim?
Join Harriet White in 1930’s London for another glorious Sherlock Holmes-inspired mystery, for fans of Nita Prose and Janice Hallett.
My Thoughts:
This is the second book in the Baker Street Mysteries and the first that I read by the author. Written in the style of Sherlock Holmes’ mysteries, Holly Hepburn brings to us a sassy female main character whose skills of observation help her to solve the mysteries that come her way. Relegated to a back room and tasked with writing replies to mail that comes in addressed to Sherlock Holmes, Harry finds herself in situations that pique her curiosity and lead her towards solving a mystery.
The style of writing is unique and interesting, bringing an air of mystique that keeps the reader hooked. Though the characters were interesting, I found that some depth was missing to them. This made the mystery a little more predictable and easier to figure out as a reader. However, the story was engaging enough with smaller plot lines brought in to add to the character development of Harry. I really liked Harry and how she handled herself and approached the investigation.
The premise of the book intrigued me and drew my attention towards Harry who despite the odds and expectations of the time (set in the 1930s in London) forged her own path. Overall I enjoyed this book and it was a quick read for me. I loved reading Sherlock Holmes mysteries while growing up and it is wonderful to read books in a similar direction. This is a good series to start for fans of Sherlock Holmes and his style of solving mysteries.
A huge thank you to NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ebook copy.
About the Book:
Thirteen-year-old Max is a daydreamer. It gets him into trouble at school, but his restless curiosity really turns problematic when he runs into a mysterious professor at his uncle’s bookstore. The old man informs Max that time is being sucked out of the planet by invisible bandits, stolen from unsuspecting people one breath and one sneeze at a time, and is being stored in a central vault. Once full, the vault will fuel a hungry horde of invaders looking to cross into earth, and cross out all its people. What’s more, the professor claims he knew Max’s missing scientist father. With the help of his best friends, Derek and Samantha, Max must harness his compulsive curiosity and find passage to this place called Nemesis to stop the sticky-fingered time thieves and halt their planned invasion. But when the professor goes missing and the clock starts ticking, Max discovers far more than he imagined. Just how much Max is willing to sacrifice hinges on the realization of just who or what he is beyond the bounds of time.
My Thoughts:
I love reading children’s and middle grade fiction because of the immense ability of children to imagine anything and everything.
Nemesis and the Vault of Lost Time follows thirteen year old Max and his friends as they embark on an adventure to save the world, save time and destroy Nemesis. The children are thrown into the middle of a sinister plot and it is indeed up to them to find the way to save everyone. Though this sounds like a common idea, there is more to the plot. This is a story of friendship, bonds that are strong, and trust among friends when they need it the most. I enjoyed how the story was structured and the writing kept me hooked until the end.
The characters are fun to read about and get to know. Each has their own quirks and bringing them all together makes this a fun read. This book will definitely take the reader on an journey that they will never forget, along with Max and his friends. I am definitely looking forward to more of Max’s discoveries and adventures.
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.