Opinion Matters

 The World of Tagore by Debapriya Ghosh | Book Review The engaging narratives in this delightful collection of fictional short stories transport readers to various worlds. From The Guest to The Lady of the House, each story is written with incredible attention to detail, making the events feel real and alive. The author's immersive storytelling style, which combines simplicity with depth, ensures a gripping reading experience. The characters are vividly drawn, and their complexities invite readers to reflect on their own lives and choices. As the final pages unfold, one cannot help but feel a sense of connection to these fictional lives, leaving a lasting impression long after the book is closed. Loneliness, emotional distance, and the painful gap between social classes are prominent themes in the narrative. Tagore masterfully captures the fleeting nature of human relationships and how one person's indifference can deeply wound another. Even though the stories are fictional, t...

 The Affairs of Baxiganj  by Subhobroto Mazumder | Book Review "The Affairs of Baxiganj" is a psychological thriller that grips you from the first shot and is masterfully woven. Every chapter of Subhobroto Mazumder's intricate narrative reveals layers of lies, ambition, and human frailty, ensuring that nothing is as it seems. The novel is set in the enigmatic town of Baxiganj and follows five corporate employees who are moved to this peaceful outpost. Each of them carries the burden of a troubled past. However, when the body of PK's wife is discovered to have been shot, suspicion permeates every interaction, revealing a thin layer of camaraderie. As the characters grapple with their intertwined fates, the façade of friendship begins to crumble, exposing deep-seated rivalries and secrets that threaten to unravel their carefully constructed lives. With every clue unearthed, the tension escalates, pushing them closer to a reckoning that will challenge their loyalties and...

Echoes of Loss and Longing Through Verses: A Look into Whispers of the Blue Ghost by Pratikshya Panda In Whispers of the Blue Ghost, Pratikshya Panda invites readers to step quietly into a landscape shaped by memory, longing, and the ever-shifting contours of loss. This evocative poetry collection is not a loud lamentation of grief, but rather a soft, persistent whisper—an intimate exploration of what it means to hold on to the past while learning to let go. At the heart of each poem in this book lies a delicate balance between simplicity and emotional depth. Pratikshya’s poems do not overwhelm with complex language or abstract metaphors. Instead, they whisper truths with a gentleness that lingers long after the final poem has been read. There’s an amount of restraint that allows each image—whether it be water, bone, star, or shadow—to resonate deeply, creating an atmosphere where the reader can feel both grounded and suspended, real and dreamlike. The recurring imagery of nature in Wh...

 NEVER DATE BLUE-eyed girl by Samar Deep Singh | Book Review   It's an action-packed saga of love, trust, friendship, courage and success. Success that comes not just from individual achievements but from the bonds forged along the way. Each character's journey intertwines, revealing that true triumph lies in the support and resilience shared among them. The story revolves around the protagonist, superstar Amyra, a gorgeous model turned actress. She is popular for her acting and controversies; Samar D'Souza, a successful lawyer, is her best friend who played the protector in her every trouble and controversy. But now there is a sniper attack on Amyra, which is too much of a problem for her career. To find out what happens next, read the book. Will Samar protect her? The way the author explained the emotion of Amyra as an actress and her struggles in emotionally filled words. Although this is entirely fictitious, the author touches on the intimate life of a film star in t...

 1984 by George Orwell | Book Review This book is like the dystopian Lord of the Rings, with its richly developed culture and economics, not to mention a fully developed language called Newspeak, or rather more of the anti-language, whose purpose is to limit speech and understanding instead of to enhance and expand it. In George Orwell's 1984, Winston Smith is an open-source developer who writes his code offline because his ISP has installed packet sniffers that the government regulates under the Patriot Act. It's really for his own protection, though. From, like, terrorists and DVD pirates and stuff. He drinks Coca-Cola, like every good American, and his processed food has made him less tolerant of all but four flavours: sweet, salty, sweet, and Cool Ranch. His benevolent overlords have provided him with a war happening somewhere so that he and the rest of the population can be sure that the government is in their best interests. The news always has some story about Paris Hi...

 Life & Other Illusions by Sourav G. Roy | Book Review I love reading introspective books, so when I came across the blurb, I jumped at the chance to read this one. I need layers and fluidity for every book, as I can be quite a picky reader, and this book was right up my alley.  This book showcases reflections and philosophical explorations of truth, as well as human identity and relationship dynamics, and human mental fabrication. The unpretentious poetic voice combined with human empathy stood out as the most appealing quality of the book. Roy launches his writing with a voice which carries the spirit of confiding in a trusted friend who documented these existential reflections for possible future readers. This book contains a beautiful set of poems featuring themes of loss, grief, pain, hope and a few featuring thoughts on social issues like the 2021 fall of Kabul, bringing in another set of edges and layers as the reader keeps reading forward. There were many poems I l...

 Samskritam: Future Language of the World by Sameer A H | Book Review Sameer presents Samskritam as a language capable of conveying complex ideas with remarkable brevity. I related this to my own experiences, where precision in language has often led to better understanding and efficiency, particularly in academic and professional settings. This emphasis on clarity and conciseness not only enhances communication but also fosters a deeper appreciation for the nuances of meaning. In a world where information is abundant, mastering such skills can significantly improve both personal and professional interactions. His perspective challenged me to reconsider the role of language in shaping our cognitive processes and communication habits. The book started with the author's experience in how his child was feeling disinterested in learning English spellings because they spell and write differently. This resonated with me, as it highlighted the importance of aligning teaching methods with ...

 Forgotten Kalki: The Tale of Sri Maha Vishnu  by Thupalle Nagendra Prasad | Book Review "Forgotten Kalki" is an engaging blend of mythology, mystery, and adventure that captures your attention from the first page. The story follows Avnesh, who, after the tragic loss of his parents, discovers that he enters an unknown realm every time he sleeps.  Anvesh, a young boy chosen by the supreme for a divine purpose. Disturbed by vivid dreams, he embarks on a journey of self-discovery to uncover his true calling. Haunted by panic attacks and seeking answers, Avnesh embarks on a journey with Lakshmi, his first love, to uncover the truth behind his parents’ research on Kalki and their mysterious deaths. Alongside him is Avi, a tech-savvy developer, who helps him navigate his challenges. This seamless fusion of the ancient and the modern makes for a unique and compelling narrative. Prasad weaves a compelling tale that keeps readers on the edge, balancing the struggle of the protagon...

 Snail, Snail Where Do You Go? by Roopa Ashok ,  Arnav Maurya | Book Review Little children are fond of colours and love fun activities. My kids love drawing and enacting the things they feel need to be revised. So when I stumbled upon a book that not only guides but also is a pleasure to see and read, I grabbed it. The book, "Snail, Snail, Where Do You Go?", added to my quest. This book helps children learn about snails and their way of living. It helps kids learn how to be friendly with others and how each animal is unique and important in its own way. As I turned the pages, I was captivated by the vibrant illustrations and engaging narrative that seamlessly blended education with enjoyment. Each chapter introduced new facts about snails while encouraging young readers to appreciate the diversity of life around them. The author has well-penned the narrative and illustrated the content. It is eye-friendly and catchy for little learners to grab and imbibe the content. The viv...

 The Value of Now by Rajala Harshitha | Book Review Rajala Harshitha's The Value of Now is a masterfully written tale about friendship, love, youth, and the fleeting nature of time. It centres on Aarav, a clever dreamer, and Riya, a self-assured achiever, on the vibrant campus of Jane College. Their relationship blossoms into a profound and significant bond over coffee spills and sardonic banter, beginning with a hilarious but enduring encounter. The book takes readers on an emotional roller coaster as it takes them from the pleasures of friendship to life's unanticipated challenges. Aarav and Riya’s story unfolds effortlessly, drawing you into their world of laughter, ambition, and emotional turbulence. The book's strength is its ability to make readers feel, whether it's the exhilaration of a young love story or the gut-wrenching loss of a loved one. It's impossible to put down the writing, which is straightforward yet profoundly moving. As the characters navigat...

 Philosophy of Life and Reincarnation by Yashodhara P | Book Review Can any person live after death? I wonder how anyone says that a soul never dies. I was curious to know the concept of the soul and how souls reshape themselves from one body to another. When I stumbled upon the book "The Philosophy of Live and Reincarnation ", it was the answer to most of my questions. In this book, the author shared the cycle of birth, death and rebirth with ample examples and thought-provoking stories and anecdotes. She has described the beliefs and facts as shared in many religions. She pours light on the hardships or happiness that each person faces as per their karma in an extremely intriguing manner. The book makes the reader feel free, irrespective of their origin or place of birth. This process of birth, death and reincarnation is followed everywhere. I was touched by the story of "Jigna Didi" and how the author's mother knew about the pious footprints meaning. I was le...

 Daughters Who Loved by Maitabi Banerjee | Book Review Maitabi Banerjee's "Daughters Who Loved" is a gripping story about love, betrayal, family secrets, and the dark consequences of defying social norms. This novel combines elements of romance, mystery, and thriller to deliver a gripping and empathetic narrative that keeps readers engaged from the very first page. The story centres on twin sisters Mili and Julie Sharma, whose lives take unexpected turns as a result of love and treachery, and is set against the scenic background of Jabalpur. Julie is searching for closure when her first love, Anil, inexplicably disappears. As all is going on, Mili's romance with hacker Raza devolves into chaos after he is killed and she is charged with having ties to terrorists.  Julie's unresolved romance with Anil Kothari leads her down a dark and unanticipated path where speaking the truth is much more painful than keeping it a secret. Mili, however, falls for Raza Naqvi—a roma...

 Neighbor, Love Yourself: Discover Your Value, Live Your Worth by Bryan Crum | Book Review This book, a guide to self-love, is filled with wisdom, humor, and invaluable insights that will empower you to live life with newfound confidence and authenticity. Bryan shares two utmost truths: " First, our current surroundings don’t dictate our worth, and second, we don’t have to stay in a place we don’t belong. " When we get clear on the value God sees in us, it changes how we see ourselves. It’s like finding wings in a life you thought was meant only for water. While reading about his real-life experiences, I can hear him urging us to love how God has uniquely and purposefully made us. God has big plans for us all…we just need to engage with his plans. Bryan Crum helps us uncover the potential hidden deep within us. He weaves stories of lessons learned from those nearing the end of their lives to encourage us to make the most of the life we have.  Overall, I truly found " Nei...

 The Mindful Revival: Habits for Lasting Change in 50 Days by Yash Tiwari | Book Review The Mindful Revival stands out as a beacon of warmth and practicality. This is more than just a book; it's an interactive, well-thought-out experience that gently leads readers toward self-discovery and long-term change.  It is a 50-day program with a compassionate road map for people who are ready to step into a life filled with joy and self-worth and who feel trapped in self-doubt. At its heart are the 50 daily activities , each crafted to foster mindset shifts without overwhelming the reader. These exercises are deceptively simple, blending introspection with actionable steps. Whether it’s a reflective prompt that unearths hidden strengths or a mindfulness practice that rekindles self-compassion, every day feels like a meaningful step forward. The journey proves that transformation does not necessitate grand gestures but rather intentional daily kindness toward oneself. The emphasis on ...

 Soul Without Borders by Jaya Singh | Book Review This is a story about love for life and the journey it takes. It teaches a valuable lesson about how to empower your heart to follow the right path, making your parents happy and living the life you want to live. Love can turn obstacles into opportunities that will never stop you from achieving your goals. This book follows Meher, a young woman who hides her true identity while escaping a painful past and navigating a new world. Her journey is one of survival, self-discovery, and finding a place where she truly belongs. The novel incorporates themes of tradition, faith, and the value of human connection into its rich cultural setting. Without giving away too much, Meher’s struggles and triumphs make for a compelling read, as she faces both internal and external conflicts that test her strength at every turn. The presence of characters like Vivek and Sajda further adds depth to her journey, making it an intricate exploration of relat...