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Neelam

An internationally accredited book blogger, voracious reader and the founder of Booxoul, one of India’s leading book and lifestyle blogs, Neelam is a person with a penchant for bringing out the best in people. A website designer, a renowned book blogger and a leading creative influencer on Instagram, here is a lady who is candid, closer to life and sensitive to the softest of emotions…

A Book Blogger, Reviewer, a true friend, honest critique, a relentless benefactor and more…

Book Reviews

A must-read for the readers who love the books with the air of mystery

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Forgo by Jai T.J Okay… Forgo by the author Jai T. J. is one hell of a book. I was twisted into many knots throughout the book. I was awestruck if I would simply say. Full of surprises on every turn of a page! Forgo is going to keep you on your toes. Initially, when I started reading this book I was somewhat confused with the turn of events. But as the story unraveled, so did the story. The whole aura of the story felt otherworldly. The most part of the story of Forgo is set in Bangalore. Author Jai, sure knows what he’s doing. A master of storytelling, his narrative is spellbinding. However hard I tried I couldn’t get out of its clutches. The very first scene of the book is sure to give your heart a stutter. And a few pages in and you will be sucked into the vortex nightmares. Kudos to the author Jai, whose hard work can be seen in every minute details of the story. About the characters; I am speechless!!! Devin, his sister, Miss 55, and etc. They were mystifying. I had no idea what to make of them. Each character was a mystery to me until the very end of the story. Jai’s Forgo is a complete package of Thriller, suspense, and horror, which will grip you hard on its very sharp claws. Though the only thing I did not like about this book was the language. I wouldn’t say that it was hard or something, on the contrary, it was quite easy to understand, but it was a bit crude. Unfortunate, this is the case in most of the good books I get to read. And that, in my opinion, hinders the success of the book. Do I recommend this book to you? Yes, this is a must-read for the readers who love the books with the air of mystery. A perfect book to read in cozy winter nights. A 4 out of 5 stars read for me! .   .   .   .   . I hope you liked the review. Do let us know in the comments, if we missed anything or if in any way, can we make this better and also, do you have any special request for us to post about? If yes, then, either comment down below or DM us on Instagram, here.

Book Reviews

INFIN-EIGHT: Eight Principles for Infinite Professional Success by Prajeet Budhale

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INFIN-EIGHT by Prajeet Budhale To be honest, I am not a big fan of self-help books. So when I received the book Infin-Eight by Prajeet Budhale to review, I wasn’t much excited about it. Boy, wasn’t I wrong? It is not just a regular self-help book. With 22 years of experience in the various professional fields, author Prajeet Budhale through his book nudges us towards an uncomplicated professional life. It is divided into eight chapters, giving it’s reader step by step guide to lead a happy professional life. The first chapter teaches us to recognize ‘professional ability‘ answering the question ‘What is our perfect calling?‘. With some amazing questionnaire and fun activities, we start unraveling ourselves in a very interesting way. Furthermore, the author, through these activities help us to understand the work environment and the teamwork. The book was so engaging that I was compelled to read further and participate in the entire activities. Furthermore, the language with its simplicity bowled me over. This book came as a pleasant surprise to me. From cover to the chapters, every element of this book enthralled me. This book has earned 5 out of 5 stars, for keeping me engaged throughout, which, in fact, is a difficult task when it comes to self-help books. And I am sure there will be others like me, who would immensely enjoy reading this book. I recommend Prajeet’s Infin-Eight to everyone who is just starting the job or have been working since like forever, for this book is very important for your professional as well as personal well being. This is a must-read for everyone. .   .   .   .   . I hope you liked the review. If you did, then don’t forget to check our whole book recommendations and book reviews directory. Also, have you read this book? IF yes, then do let us know your take of Infin-Eight by Prajeet Budhale in the comments below! Happy Reading 🙂

Book Reviews

Simply Amazing!

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Ambuj by Anita Shirodkar This year, unlike last, has been pretty good in reading. I got an opportunity to read some amazing books from Indian authors. Authors like Anita Shirodkar, whose book Ambuj is a book 3 in the trilogy GUARDIANS OF THE BLUE LOTUS. I was initially confused about the story as I hadn’t read the previous two books. Fortunately, as it turns out that there was a quick summary of the previous two books at the beginning of the book, which really helped me understand the concept of this book well. Though, I gotta read it’s previous two books. I must say I was mighty impressed with how the author created every part of the story. From the execution of the story to the characters and the narration. I wish I had a chance of reading the previous two books of the trilogy. Anita’s book Ambuj is a fast-paced thrill ride. You will be sucked in the vortex of the twist and turns the story takes. Simply amazing. Though you have to keep tabs of the several characters this book has. The author has artfully weaved the story with elements of love, adventure, politics in a beautifully imagined world, with an air of mystery surrounding it. The narrative is brilliantly done, amalgamating various parts of the story smoothly. The language was easy to understand and crisp and lucid. The vividness of the story doesn’t fail to impress its readers. And the characters are brilliantly thought of and executed by the author. Each character has a trait that defines his personality in rather an impressive way. What I didn’t like about the book was its size. It was a bit stretched for my liking. Overall an amazing read. A must-read for people who like to read Indian fictional mythology and fantasy. It’s a 4 out of 5 stars read for me!

Book Reviews

Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd by Richa S Mukherjee – I read this book in one sitting!

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Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd by Richa S Mukherjee This is the very first time I have completely and irrevocably fallen in love with an Indian author. Ha! Me, who always use to criticize them for something or the other. I am talking about Richa Mukherjee, the author of Kanpur Khoofiya PVT Ltd. The moment I started reading it, I knew that I was going to love this book and it’s super interesting characters. Hat’s off to Richa, who did a remarkable job with her writing – simplistic, yet full of wit and humor – which is confident and self-assured and the narrative is vivid and compelling (I read this book in one sitting, which for me is the first time). It will keep you chuckling… This witty, suspense story Kanpur Khoofiya PVT Ltd. will keep you chuckling. Furthermore, it has every element to keep you hooked; from intense moments to a little bit of action, to some mind-boggling mystery, all mixed in crazy humor. I was mightily impressed with the story, dipped and soaked in Kanpuriya essence and peppered with Kanpuriya slang. Every nook and corner of the story was a treat to my heart. There wasn’t a moment when I hadn’t chuckled like crazy. The Characters Cherry to the cake was its characters. Especially, Prachand Tripathi and his wife Vidya, and also Hirwa, the cow. These crazy characters seemed so real and believable, that they are now etched my heart forever. It was fun following Prachand Tripathi as he was trying to solve the disappearance of famous personality Shailaja Kapoor, and the murder of her husband. Loved the chemistry between him and his wife Vidya, and their crazy banter was hilarious. As crazy as the characters seem, and as nutty as their adventures are, they still seem so real and believable. Also, read: Love courtroom dramas, police procedural series, and thrilling suspense? Do I recommend it? Richa made sure that none can unravel the ‘whodunit’ mystery. She made us circle around our own assumptions. Kudos! One thing that I did not like about the book was that it finished too early. I did not want it to end and, part with my favorite characters. I hope that Richa turns this book into a long series (fingers crossed). For me, it’s a 5 out of 5 stars read. .   .   .   .   . Have you read this book? If yes, then do let us know your take on ‘Kanpur Khoofiya Pvt. Ltd‘. Also, you can get bookish updates straight on your feed by following us on Instagram.   View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Booxoul (@booxoul) on Oct 9, 2019 at 5:37am PDT Happy Reading 🙂

Book Reviews

Au Contraire, Mademoiselle by Indrani Mirajkar

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Au Contraire, Mademoiselle by Indrani Mirajkar When I had done reading the book, the first thought that came to my mind was ‘WOW’, how am I going to review such a book. Where there was no stronger character than the protagonist Rani, she single-handedly overpowered the whole book. Various thoughts were racing through my mind. And I am not even sure, in which genre does this book fall in. Blurb The story is merely an allegory to the protagonist’s battle with life in an attempt to establish her own unique sense of being and existing in the world as we know it! The world is a mere observer to the protagonist’s valiant attempts at conquering herself even as it judges and is forced to participate, albeit reluctantly. As the lotus tries to bloom in the quagmire of life, the world decides to call it a ‘#lousylotus’ for daring to bloom… It’s the story of Rani, who is a loner at heart. She joins a Law College in a not so famous place where people are stereotyped and discriminated, depending on their status. But Rani doesn’t give a hoot of what people think of her. Yes, She is not your everyday girl, she is different, very different indeed. She will do, whatever she wants to do regardless of what people think of her. Over the year she becomes an intimidating lawyer, and that also on her own terms. I don’t know if I liked the story or not! I know, I am sounding a bit confused, and believe me I am. For starters, Rani, the protagonist is too strong and lacks certain emotions for my liking. The plot revolves around Rani; it focuses on Rani at all points of time. Every now and then a few characters are introduced to support the story. The story, though, could have been better, but drags a lot during Rani’s court cases, which kind of went overboard for me. The climax kind of blew me off! I was really shook and wanted more from the Author. The story was left in a big cliffhanger. Long after finishing the book, I kept asking myself, ‘Why did Rani do this? What was the sane reason? Well, I hope the author writes a sequel to this book explaining what happened to Rani? And Why did Rani took this dastardly step?’. For me, it’s a 3 out of 5 stars read. You can get your copy of ‘Au Contraire, Mademoiselle‘ by Indrani Mirajkar on Amazon or Flipkart.

The Carpet Weaver by Nemat Sadat
Book Reviews

The Carpet Weaver by Nemat Sadat

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When you read a book and that book leaves a lasting impression on you and that in a way changes your perception towards life is what I call a ‘Book to keep on your shelf forever and Nemat Sadat’s book ‘The Carpet Weaver’ is one such book. This book brought forth my emotions in torrent. I was struck by the brilliance of the narrative. Despite the book being Nemat’s debut, I was left awestruck with an appreciation for his writing style, its pace, and its creative profundity. Book Blurb: Afghanistan, 1977. Kanishka Nurzada, the son of a leading carpet seller, falls in love with his friend Maihan, with whom he shares his first kiss at the age of sixteen. Their romance must be kept secret in a nation where the death penalty is meted out to those deemed to be Kuni, a derogatory term for gay men. And when war comes to Afghanistan, it brings even greater challenges-and danger-for the two lovers. From the cultural melting pot of Kabul to the horrors of an internment camp in Pakistan, Kanishka’s arduous journey finally takes him to the USA in the desperate search for a place to call home and the fervent hope of reuniting with his beloved Maihan. But destiny seems to have different plans in store for him. Intimate and powerful, The Carpet Weaver is a sweeping tale of a young gay man’s struggle to come of age and find love in the face of brutal persecution. Review Set in 1970s Afghanistan, ‘The Carpet Weaver’ is a coming-out story of Kanishka, amidst this pours political disarray. This is also a story of love that is a transgression, even in the high society of Afghanistan, where girls and boys mix freely yet homosexuality is frowned upon. This coming of age story is divided into three parts. Three important life-changing twists in Kanishka’s life, which as the story gradually progresses, so progresses the years, and we along with the protagonist escape the once peaceful land of Afghanistan to the refugee camps in the far off ranges of the Baluchistan in Pakistan and then to the US ‘Promised Land of America’, where he slowly starts to rebuild his life. This gut-wrenching book will take you to the places, you’d never want to visit. The pain and emotions throughout the book are as vivid as reality. But also this book is a lesson unto itself. However heartbreaking it may be, one has to stand for himself. I was equally elated – for Kanshka stood for what he was and, heartbroken – because he had to leave his family. This book reminded me so much of Khaled Hosseini’s ‘The Kite Runner‘. Both in their own way stirred us and showed us the stark reality of humanity. This heartwrenching story has earned a 5 out of 5 stars for the author’s sheer empathetic penmanship and the characters that were as alive as any of us. I say, read this fast-paced book, which will compel you to search for the answers, for this book raised many questions. .   .   .   .   . I so so recommend this book to everyone reading this review and for those who have already read this book, I would love to know your opinion of it in the comments below. Happy Reading 🙂

Zero Not Out by Vamshi Krishna
Contemporary Fiction, Book Reviews, Fiction

Zero Not Out: Every journey has to end, for a new beginning by Vamshi Krishna

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While “Chhichhore” movie entertains us in the theatres, this novel won’t disappoint the sports lover readers among us. Both the stories revolve around the parental support today’s generation craves rather need in this cut-throat era of competition. Also, these stories have our prestige institutes and sports in it. Making it, a complete package of entertainment. Maybe, it’s just a coincidence that I read & watched these stories in the same week. But I must say I liked them equally. The language of the book is really easy and you need not refer to a dictionary every now and then. Though there are few grammatical and spelling mistakes, you will still enjoy the plot thoroughly. It is a gripping and catchy story that made me smile and feel emotional at the same time. Its length is just perfect for a story like this. Everyone who has lived a hostel life will be able to relate to it at some point in time. It also shows the role of a father in his son’s life at different stages of life. I don’t want to share more spoilers but, I would definitely salute Vamshi’s effort to address this critical issue our young population is facing nowadays. Since he is an IITian himself, he understands the pain better. The depression and pressure that follows are known to everyone but are addressed by none. After studying so hard for the entrance exams and clearing the tedious years of college, when the kids fail to secure the job they deserve, they take steps like suicide. Vamshi has not only addressed this issue beautifully but he has also shown how technology can be used to fight it. His efforts will definitely benefit our young generation and to some extent curb youth suicides. In Zero Not Out, author Vamshi Krishna has done justice to the subject and gave readers a perspective on the issue and its probable solution. His creativity in terms of plots is commendable and the way he deals with emotions is remarkable. Though the initial story looks similar to many bestselling novels, gradually it stands out. I am giving this book 4 out of 5 stars for its amazing plot & author’s courage to address a critical issue. Withholding one star for the old storyline & average editing. Happy reading fellas. 🙂

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang
Romance, Book Reviews, Fiction

The Bride Test by Helen Hoang

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During stormy stretches of September, now and then I like to read a good slow-burn romance book. And who doesn’t love to read the slow-burning romance in such a delightful climate? Everybody, right! Along these lines, I as of late picked ‘The Bride Test by Helen Hoang. This wonderful and sensuous read and it had taken me in its thrall. Helen had captivated me with The Kiss Quotient. It was one of my topmost loved at that time, thus clearly the desires were high for this book. Brace yourself for what I’m about to tell you, this book literally blew my lid off my top. It was better than ‘The Kiss Quotient‘ from various perspectives. A little about the book: Khai cherishes accounting and loves to keep his house and backyard messed up, just to disturb the hellfire out of his neighbours. He is also Autistic, has sensory issues and feels as though he can never demonstrate the “right” feelings or state the “right” things. Esme Tran has a little daughter and to meet ends together, she works as a maid in a Vietnamese Inn. She stumbles upon Khai’s mom, and she convinces Esme to go to America and charm Khai to wed her. She concurs in the expectation of making her girl’s future secure, and better her family’s conditions. Moreover, she is planning to discover her dad there. (He is an American Businessman). So, Esme and Khai live respectively for three months. She is attempting to woe him, and he endeavouring to repel her charm. Be that as it may, all through this she is discreet about her little girl with Khai and his Mother. The entire story has a cutesy charm. What do I think? Though a bit predictable like any other romance novel, Helen’s ‘Bride Test‘ did not disappoint me at all. In fact, it was charming, cutesy and bewitching to say the least. The narrative of the story is well detailed and thought of well. Every aspect of the book, from the characters to the written language is well structured. The best thing about the narrative is that it gives you a happy, glowing feeling well after you have read the book. And all that, in my opinion, is what makes a book a good read I was in love with all the characters, the moment they popped up in the story. Khai became my favourite with all his vulnerability and the beauty of his heart. Especially, I loved him more for his respect towards Esme and women in general. And Esme with her feminine charm and innocence won my heart. After quite a long time, I read something that made me cry, laugh and gooey at some time. ‘The Bride Test‘ is a 5 out of 5 stars read and I recommend it to all. Btw, what’s your favourite romance book? Do let us know in the comments below. Happy Reading 🙂

Traveller Inceptio by Rob Shackleford
Sci-Fi, Book Reviews, Fiction

Traveller Inceptio by Rob Shackleford

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What will happen when you are trying to build a machine that will help you in Security Business, but instead you create a machine that will take you back in time? ‘Traveller Inceptio‘ by Rob Shackleford is a Science Fiction. This book revolves around the Time-Travel concept, which takes the researchers 1000 years back in time to Saxon England. SUPER INTRIGUING, right? The setup of this book is somewhat similar to that of The Outlander. But besides the set-up and the concept of time travel, the two books do not have a common ground. It fascinated me beyond my expectations. The narration was the key parameter in reader engagement. I was deeply engrossed in the story throughout the book. And the world-building was done amazingly. Although, initially I was confused about the sudden shift in the timeline. Sometimes the story focused on the research team in the present time and in the very next chapter it got entangled with the mysterious man named Micheal Lost in a deep forest. But once the first part of the book is over, the story catches pace and gets highly engaging. The first thing that connects the readers to the book is language. And in this case, the language is highly engaging. Although the science component of the book was away from reality the catalyst that proved to be moving the story was the narrative and some action scenes kept the adrenaline high. About the characters, I was easily able to connect with them as they were witty and quite eccentric, though a bit stiff at times. The ending of the book elevated the novel as a memorable read. It was an unexpected thrill beyond words. I highly recommend ‘Traveller Inceptio‘ to the readers, who love Science Fiction, Historical Fiction and time travel genres. I am definitely sure that you are going to love this book. .   .   .   .   . Love reading books? Check out our bookshelf, here. Also, if you love reading sci-fi, then do tell us in the comments your favourite science fiction book & try reading this: The Conspiracy Unknown Happy Reading 🙂

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