The Devotion of Suspect X

Author:  Keigo Higashino

Originally published in Japanese (2005)

Pages:378

Price:INR 350 ( Available at 263/- on flipkart)

Published by:Abacus for Hachette India

Source:Blogadda book review programme

 

 

 

 

 

Ishigami is man of mathematician genius. He was known as buddha in University nd currently working as Maths teacher in high school. He has largest collection of maths books and publications from different research centres around the world. He planned to devote his life to mathematics by staying at University after his master to earn doctorate but couldnt do so due to pressure from family for financial support.

He has silent crush on his next door neighbour Yasuko Hanaoke, a divorcee mother of teenage daughter Misato. Yasuko is working at restaurant Benten-tei,the shop which makes boxed lunches, where ishigami visits daily for special packed lunch. Restaurant owner sometime tease yasuko for her silent admirer .

Yasuko life turns upside down at sudden appearance of his ex-husband Shinji Togashi at her apartment where ex-couple got into fight and shinji got killed by mother-daughter duo ( It was strange that you are reading murder mystery and murder took place in first chapter and you know exactly by whom and how victim got murdered )

Ishigami got to know abt murder at his neighbour house and helps them in disposing off body and also creating alibi so that police and investigation agency couldn’t get hold of mother daughter.  Kusangi is detective who is working at solving this murder mystery with his colleague kishitani. He frequently takes help of his friend Yukawa also known as Inspector Galileo , a physics professor at Imperial University when his investigation meed dead-end.  Yukawa is old pal of Ishigami and both were in same university though in different streams.

1) Can Ishigami save yasuko and her daughter from hand of police

2) Will ishigami even confess his love to yasuko or there is somebody else in yashuko’s life

3) To what extent a person can go to save his lover…

My take on book :-> I was following reviews of book from last few days and was planning to buy this book when suddenly notice blogadda announcement about this book edition in their book review programme..luckily i got the book in next 5days.

First few pages were quite simple and  I was feeling has this book sold more than 2 million copies but after 20-30 pages it picks up such a speed that you feel like finishing it in one go.  Amazing thing about this murder mystery is you know how criminal is trying to save themself and how police is trying to find loop-hole in cooked up story and still you feel glued and there is brilliant suspense waiting for you at end which I think nobody can predict. I love the way author has shaped the character …they seem genuine…there is no positive/negative  or grey shade in them…its like true human nature. I also like Ishigami’s passion toward maths as maths was my fav subject at school and I always enjoyed teaching maths to my classmates !! Also it will be so good if we can get  such talented teacher actually in our school colleges.

My Rating – 4/5

This book review is part of blogadda book review programme.

Can love happen twice !! – Book Review 3

          

Title:         Can love happen twice

Author:     Ravinder Singh

Price:        INR. 125/-

 

This book is sequel to Ravinder Singh’s bestseller debut novel ” I too had love story”. Though one can read this one without reading first one as there is lil mention of previous one. Story starts on set of popular radio station where Ravinder is supposed to come for his live interview , however due to some reason he couldnt reach there and instead his three old pal came and start reading abstract from his new book ” Can love happen twice”.

 

Ravinder after his girlfriend’s sudden death leave India and join onsite office in Belgium where he met beautiful lady called Simar. They madly fall in love with each other almost on their first meeting and love grew day by day and they decided to get married pretty soon.

 

As all love stories can’t go smooth, this one too faces its own set of problems, ravin onsite assignment came to end and he move back to India and simar is still there in Belgium completing her studies.

 

Will the love survives long distance relationship.

Will simar can live happily with Ravin’s parent ?

 

My verdict - Good one time read. Very simple love story with backdrop of heartbreak and long distance love. I completed it in one strech and forget in next moment as it’s not as touching and emotional as his previous book and also end is lil unbelievable.

 

Rating - 3/5

3′s A Crowd – Book Review 2

                                                                                           

 

 

 

 Title : 3′s A Crowd

Author:    Vijay Nagaswami

Price:        INR. 250/-

Publisher: Westland

   This book is 3 rd in series by Chennai based relationship counsellor Vijay Nagaswami. His earlier two books “24* 7 Marriage : Smart Strategies for good beginning” and ” The fifty – 50 Marriage : Return to intimacy” dealt with some tips and tricks abt surviving in marriage in era where divorce are ever increasing.

3′s A crowd deals about understanding and surviving infidelity. Quoting from back page

ITs a myth that only men have affairs.

Who do you think they are having affair with ? It’s not only the aggrieved partner that needs to  understand and survive infidelity. The perpetrator too is sometimes a victim of affair.

Book is divided into two parts 1) Understanding Infidelity 2) Surviving Infidelity

 First few chapter explains how affairs are so common these days specially in middle and higher socio economic class and its like everybody has a token in their hand and waiting for their turn. Author has included several stories about couple who think they are just fren and sharing some 50 sms and 20  mails and few hours on call everyday  is perfectly normal frenship :-) Every line is followed by a story of affair..most of the time ppl think they are casual frens and soon they start feeling emotionally attached.

There are several examples of couple who found their spouse in relationship with colleague and it was so easy to track them down coz of sms/phone bills/email etc.  He also covered e-affair in which couples havent met but are actively involved each other through internet.  And there is something called “peer pressure affair” ( I actually laughed out loud after reading this ) How ppl look for affair just to get out of image of ” party pooper “

Second part which cover surviving infidelity deals with trauma of aggrieved and transgressor patrner and later how to survive the bandwagon.

My take on book – I got this review copy from Blogadda. When I showed my interest in book, i didn’t realise that this in nont fiction book. I hardly read any non-fiction so at first moment i repented when I got review copy but it was not disappointed at all. I liked the fact that author has not looked those in affairs as villian and made book interesting with lot of short stories probably from his clients

My Rating – 3/5

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at  ”http://www.blogadda.com

“>BlogAdda.com</a>. Participate now to get free books!

 

 

Sister of my Heart – Book Review 1

Title:           Sister of My Heart

Author:     Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

Price:           INR. 812/-

 

Anju and Sudha are cousin not by blood relation but due to different kind of love which evolves from the day they were born on same day. They are lucky enough to get love of three mother but their father’s died before they were born due to an accident on adventurous trip. Anju belongs to upper class , typical, orthodox Chatterjee family and Sudha is distant cousin who stay at Anju’s house with her widow mother.

 

Anju is rebellious, book lover, practical and Sudha is day dreamer, one who think her life is fairytale and one day prince charming will come and rescue her from this traditional house. Anju want to study till college and Sudha want to open her own business.  Anju always protect Sudha from her ill mouthed mother and Sudha always want Anju to be happy. Anju’s mother  is bread earner of family and Sudha’s mother Nalini and her aunt Pishi take care of house.

 

One day Sudha got to know abt secret of their father’s death and her feeling toward Anju changed. She was no longer equal to Anju and she feel indebite to Anju’s family.

 

As always things didn’t turn out as planned and family decided to get girls married after their  12th exam. Sudha could go against her mother’s will and said yes instantly. Anju tried to rebel but found herself  saying yes after a heated argument with her mother.  Bond between sister shake when Anju saw her bridegroom falling over Sudha. She felt a pang of jealousy toware her sister of heart.

 

Sudha got married in traditional home of Bardhaman and easily fit into role of good bahu who do everything at her mom in law’s will .  Anju went to America with her husband and start college and was leading comfortable life when tragedy strikes her and she look toward sudha for help

 

Will Sudha sacrifice again her happiness for Anju ?

Whats the secret of their father’s death ?

 

Books is full of secret and every chapter reveal one secret. Go and read to know the answers

 

My take on book :-> Mesmerizing, one book which remains with you for longer time. Its written in poetic tone and you feel enthrall with each page. I felt as if I am in Chatterjee’s house, and I am going through same emotion as the sister. I totally loved the book and feel sad when it end.  Loved following lines most

 

“You must make your own happiness. You must be wise enough to recognize it when it comes. And if it doesn’t come in spite of all your efforts, you must do something about that as well.”

“Isn’t it funny, that sometimes the things we’ve feared the most, year after year, turns out to be the best thing that could have happened to us?”

There is sequel “Vines of Desire” and I have already ordered it

 

Rating – 5/5

Ramblings are back !!

Writer’s block/Blogger’s block/Lost interest/Plain lazy/prefer reading books/word press blocked at office…there are innumerable reasons for me not updating this space… But this place still holds a special place in my heart and I dare not to ignore it forever…

So frens I am back..with promise to update my blog regularly and one thing which created this urge of writing again in me is Book Review Challenge at Smita’s space  I am too much into reading these days and definitely want to review some of them  so taking up this challenge to review one book every week..

Though its late but still ” Wish you all A Very Happy New Year”  May 2012 bring lot of happiness and fun-filled things at your home

Leaving you with Angel’s latest pic

Chankaya Chant’s – A Book Review

                                                                                    

Title:           Chankaya’s Chant

Author:       Ashwin Sanghi

Price:          INR 190/-

Publication: Hachette India

 

Story is set between 2 era, one is present world and other in 340 BC around 2300 years back in the times of Chandragupta and his guru Chankaya.Chapter 1 talk about Chankaya and chapter 2 talk about his modern version of chankaya “Gangasagar” and same trend continues throughout the book. Its like similar situation or their similar way of handling situation is describen in alternating chapters. Much like we saw in movie ” Rang de Basanti” where the story revolves between freedom fighters and modern version of youngster fighting for present problems of India.

 

Gangasagar Misra’s father died when he was quite young and for the sake of his family he started working with wily businessman – Agarwalji. He learnt rule of business, politics from his employer. To serve the country and to save our nation form politicians gangasagar jumps first into state politics and then into center politics.

 

Later he met with oxford graduated girl Chandini gupta who become her protege and like a kingmaker gangasagar helped her in becoming primeminister of India. Story revolved around tacts and techniques through which he manipulate situation and people around him to achieve bigger goal of Unified India

 

 

Ancient story deals with Chankaya who also lost his father early in life and partly to take revenge from his enemies and partly for unified Bharat …..helped Chandragupta in becoming ruler of Bharat.

 

End is revealed in prologue itself but its the path taken which keep you hookd to book.

 

My Verdict  : I neverpreferred reading historic genre…this is my first ever book politics/history based book and I m happy to say that i m not disappointed. The best thing i like abt books is author has done lot of ground work. Its extremely well reserached book.Twisting the facts, gossip, blackmail and removing of obstacles are all part and parcel of dirty politics and are very well depicted here.  Book shows the politics is not only about pulling each other’s hair  but involve much more  and requires understanding of  a lot of varied fields.  Present date story gives hintes about present day  happenings  around us  and gets the reader wear thie r thinking caps. Overall interesting  book. Story moves very fast and at no point you feel bored. Author has proven the point that basic of politics remain same though era has changed . Lot of information is still basis of ruling the country/state .  Stage is changed , characters are different ……tactics and stratergies nevertheles remain same in every era..

 

Author has interweeved past and present in perfect way and never let you feel confused between two different stories.

 

 

My rating 4/5

 

This review is part of <a href=”Book Reviews Program at  BlogAdda.com“>Blogadda book review programme. To get review copy of book you just need to show your interst by mentioning your user id in book promotion post. Do let me know your views in case get your hands on this amazing book.

 

 

First Day at School !!!

Angel started school on 28th June… I have started preparing her for school six month back. This include reading lot of books about school environment like Eric Hill’s “Spot goes to school”  and from srishti publications ‘ bubbles goes to school”. Also we use to talk a lot about school like you will have teacher there and there will be frens in school and you will find a lot of toys etc.

So from day1 she was super excited abt this whole thing of school. And use to pretend daily that she is going to school and pack her books/comb/any other stuff in her range in bag . She also use to pretend like she is student and I m her teacher so we have spent numerous hours playing teacher teacher :-) . I have created imaginary world of very good school , with lot of toys, loving teachers and frens in her mind.

And finally d-day came when we actually took her to school. I was frightened to see lot of crying kids. Some were in shocked state and some were crying inconsolably. Parents were looking miserable, trying hard to decide whether to send their kid inside or go back. We all know going back is never an option. We have to face this.

Angel seems ok and spent her time looking around and playing with toys and her school bag. Once we done with all the basic formalities, one gorgeous lady came and with broad smile offer her hand to angel for hello. Angel as usual with her cherry smile said hello and hold the lady’s hand. Then she asked angel “Will you come with me dear”. Angel quickly hold her hand and went inside the classroom. She even didn’t look back at us and no bye bye even.

Do I need to say I felt so relaxed..happy to core of my heart.  It was like I was relieved of very big tension. Handing over you lil one to someone else is quite tough but when you know she is safe and happy…there is no limit of joy.

From last 3 days she is going to school with us. She goes only for 1.5 hr initially and from next week it will be 3hrs. She talk a lot  abt school after coming back. School is very colourful and have everything under the roof to keep a kid busy. All staff including maids seems so cheerful.

Hopefully she continues to enjoy school always

 

All & Nothing – Book Review

Title:        All & Nothing

Author:   Rasksha Bharadia

Price:       Rs. 95/- (Available @ Rs. 76 @ Flipkart

Publisher: Rupa & Co.

 

                                                                            

First of all, I loved the cover of book..somehow it raised curiosity to read the book asap when I got it through courier. ITs gripping story revolving around 5 friends. All of them have some or other major problems in lives but they wear mask and doesn’t show their problem to world, not even to their close frens. In other word we can say they have all in worldly matters but hollow exist in their inner self.

Tina , main protagonist is a talented photographer and deeply in love with successful careerist Aditya. Tina loves Aditya more than her life but didn’t get love from Aditya  in return as he can’t fully forget his past. Depressed tina started drinking heavily and also started maintaining distance from her close frens. To outside world,she was just busy with kids and family work but  inside she was depressed and struggling with her inner thoughts.

Upasana  ( tina’s cousin ) is victim of domestic violence. She is tolerating every thing in the name of family honour. She is always covered with glasses and full sleeves to hide her bruises.

Kriya , a successful fashion designer but couldn’t create any design on her own. She is pretending other designs to be her own and this guilt stay with her always.

Manas, tina’s colleague at Sanghavi’s, was in livin relationship with Gayatri but she left him coz manas was not ready for commitment.

Poorvi met Tine during  Kathak classes. Poorvi is from business class family and though feminist from inside she cant say much in front of her father and brother. She is blessed with two beautiful girls but her sister in law’s son always make her jealous and she craved for her own son.

Different lives and different set of problems but there is one thing which connect all of above and that Tina. They all are part of Tina’s life in some or other way. One fine day they got letter from Tina asking them all to come to her farm-house at Mahabaleshwar .

Why she is calling everybody at her farmhouse and when she herself is not there. Prashant ( Aditya’s uncle) know where is Tina but will he share her details with everybody.

Will these 5 frens ever be able to come out of their guilt/problems and lead normal life.

Go and read the book to get all the answer. I am sure it will be worth of your time.

My take on Book

Very well written, excellent narration of story. Simple plot , I wont say author has something new to offer in terms of story but  narration and characterization make it brilliant read. Author has let us travel in detail of 5 frens live and as they spill their secret you will find yourself or someone you know in bits and pieces. It’s so close to reality that you feel to complete book in one sitting. Very good first attempt at fiction from Raksha and I am looking forward to reading more of her books in near future. I love the part where tina’s struggling with her thoughts in mahabelashwar and poem she wrote :

Free at last                                                                                                                                                                                                                             Just when I thought I was doomed                                                                                                                                                                                   To                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Love                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            Desire                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       Crave                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          And Wait                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    Knowing that it will never be returned                                                                                                                                                                   Just when I thought that perhaps I shd pray                                                                                                                                                          for all of it to be over                                                                                                                                                                                                            Breath  Feelings                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Just when  I thought its over

It poured, peacock danced  and I smell of Earth 

My rating : 3.5/5                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             

This review is part of Blogadda’s book review program. Thanks blogadda for sending me choosing me for sending the review copy. This is my first review copy

Grand Finale !! – Post 31

Finally this day has come when I can write Post 31 Isnt it feel gr8 to complete something..to reach at final stage. I m feeling somebody shd give me trophy to complete this task Would like to this last post as opportunity to say a big thank you and well done to all fellow bloggers who are with me in NaBloPoMo.

Ten things about my NaBloPoMo experience

1) I love writing and connecting to my frens…Doesnt matter if i don’t have to write anything…even rat at my house can inspire me to write a post  and few loyal fren still commented on that post too

2) Whenever I talk to somebody..and angel’s discussion comes..I can go on and on..like she do this..today she speak this..I m trying to teach her this and that..etc etc..and same is for my blogpost..The easiest thing for me to write is abt angel as that gives me inner happiness

3) Of all the post the most precious one for me is my letter to angel

4) One thing which I missed most during whole blog marathon is commenting. Due to pressure of writing every single day..didnt get much time for commenting..even response to my last post are pending

5) During this month I thanked wordpress lot of time for having scheduling feature It was saviour for me most of the time.

6) I got realisation that its possible to write 3 post in single day..Obviously one for same day and next two for scheduling

7) When started I thought I may have to do lot of tags, book review or award post. But strangely I did only one tag post, one award post and two book reviews

8) I completed my 100th post this month due to NaBloPoMo and I am already looking forward to completing next century very soon

9) Another post which is close to my heart is BSR initiative  for Helping a child. I will be extremely happy even only if one person get inspired to donate for NGO after getting information from my post

10) Finally..off to short break..I would say much deserved break now…Till then have a happy fun-filled time ahead to all of you

Melodic Monday !!! – Post 30

Start of the day should be fresh and vibrant so leaving you with some awesome refreshing songs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And my all time fav