Book Review: God is a Gamer by Ravi Subramanian

God is a Gamer by Ravi Subramanian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I had the pleasure of reading God is a Gamer by Ravi Subramanian. 

Thank you Blogadda for sending me this book as a part of book review program..

The cover graphically asks a question “Is Revenge a Crime?” Once you start reading the book, you discover only crimes but no revenge. So is it deceiving?

Nope, hold your fire till you reach the end of the book. It fires up slow with seemingly unconnected events happening in distinct parts of the world. Every chapter adds layers to narrative, slowly building up the tension and the mystery. Initially the plot takes time to build up but during the second half the book you can’t put it down even if you want to. And when you think it’s the end, wait for the last page. It will twist everything once more! For a person like me with no knowledge of finance it took time to be understood in the starting, in grasping the technical terms related to banking; else it’s a smooth read moving through the ups and downs of the corporate world.

Individuals and their private lives aren’t much communicated for the reader to connect to any person but portrayal is enough for the story to move quickly leaving the details to reader’s imagination.

Books seems to be a well-researched; relating to a few real life happenings too. It introduces the reader to fairly new concept of bitcoins. All the essential information is nicely incorporated through the discussions so the reader doesn’t feels confused or runs a Google search for each new term that comes up (though I still did to have a better understanding on the go).

It doesn’t create a world of its own but holding the reader in reality, it demonstrates what all happens in the world not-so-known. It perfectly blends up various colours of the corporate world. Casual revelations about the personal lives of the characters amazes the reader. It covers everything- love, lies, murders, cons, dishonour, schemes, corruptions, theft and VENGEANCE! The book is, hence, a seamless blend of fact and fiction.

In a single line I would say: A brilliant read after a long time. A page turner.

My rating : 4.5 out of 5

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

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Book Review: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover

It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It ends with us  by Coleen Hoover

Book review: 

“Imagine all the people you meet in your life. There are so many. They come in like waves, trickling in and out with the tide. Some waves are much bigger and make more of an impact than others. Sometimes the waves bring with them things from deep in the bottom of the sea and they leave those things tossed onto the shore. Imprints against the grains of sand that prove the waves had once been there, long after the tide recedes. That was what Atlas was telling me when he said “I love you.” He was letting me know that I was the biggest wave he’d ever come across. And I brought so much with me that my impressions would always be there, even when the tide rolled out.”

“You can stop swimming now, Lily. We finally reached the shore.”

― Colleen Hoover, It Ends with Us

My favourite quote from the book.
There are many more but I'll get those later. I have been struggling with the intensity of this book. The way it has gathered and portrayed the idea of being in love, innocent kind and losing yourself in it. And then moving on, going on living a life with that void in your heart all the way. But that's again not the real intensity of the book.
The book shook me to the core with the sheer weight of how the protagonist struggles with her marriage, and her love, giving her everything in it and realising that it isn't enough. Loving isn't enough. She at first hates how her mother had stayed in an abusive relationship and then struggles through the same. The 'love' is not letting her give up. The inbuilt 'I can fix him' thing, it's too relatable. The mild undertones of the longing for her lost love are there but the rock sitting on your chest is the frustration of lack of action on the protagonist's part. You are screaming at her to 'do something'.
It was a tearing, heart-wrenching, tear-jerker story. And I know many people who have been through this, I did as well, on some level, it's hard to come out of an abusive relationship (may it be physical or emotional).
Kudos to the story.

Writing: On the other hand, I found a bit too cliche, usually with Hoover books.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Coming back to other favourite quotes from the book:


"Just because someone hurts you doesn't mean you can simply stop loving them. It's not a person's actions that hurt the most. It's the love. If there was no love attached to the action, the pain would be a little easier to bear".

"Strength isn't about bearing a cross of grief or shame. Strength comes from choosing your own path, and living with the consequences".

"Life is a funny thing. We only get so many years to live it, so we have to do everything we can to make sure those years are as full as they can be".

"Sometimes an unexpected wave comes along, sucks you up and refuses to spit you back out"

"I think about how sometimes, no matter how convinced you are that your life will turn out a certain way, all that certainty can be washed away with a simple change in tide".

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Book Review: People we meet on vacation by Emily Henry

People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Book review: 
I loved the alternating timelines. It kept the mystery of what happened or th incident alive throughout. Though I felt that guy POV could have been more elaborate, I really wanted to know what he felt. Otherwise it was a goodread. Light and cute. Most memorable was the scene when Poppy was sick and Alex took care of her. Also the scene in the balcony of the Airbnb. It was well described.

Writing: The language was engaging.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐

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#42 Hell inside my head

Don't tell me it is nothing 

For I know better 

I am going through it

My demons are mine

I'll tackle them in my own time 

You don't need to worry 

Stay put, keep distance 

I have history of hurting friends 

I need space to sort 

The hell is in my head

Devil lives within

Hush! He hates noise

Let him devour my soul 

Tear me apart in pieces 

I'll be back soon 

But first I need to die

Succumb to my pain 

Bleed under his torment 

And when his anger subsides

I'll be reborn, from my own ashes

Ready for another hell

Another devil, another torture

But stronger than before...

Bindnee - By Deepika Saini

This is my first time reviewing an e-commerce website. But the mere concept behind this startup, a home-grown jewel by two of my friends Deepika and Rajesh, calls for a dedicated appreciation post. So here it goes..

With ever-growing aspects of e-commerce, we see various.. frankly quite many websites selling clothes that appease your eyes, but have you yet came across one that appeases your thoughts as well?

Bindnee - as the brand name goes, is dedicated to the married woman of Indian society also called Patni / Bahu / Lugaai in various cultures. The founder, Deepika Saini, has used the very word which society uses to bind a woman in a certain role, to break free of those norms. This Bindnee is here to turn the tables. The founder herself is a fashion designer and curates her own designs through Bindnee. The brand aims to rebuild the image of an Indian daughter in law, who is tired of being in the veil. Personally, the whole concept behind the branding and designs is inspiring enough for women like myself. 

Also, If you go through their brand's bio, this brand is not only here to raise the bar for women in terms of freedom to dress but also have thoughts about the environment and sustainability in their agenda. They aim to use sustainable, organic materials without all the toxic chemicals that go into the making of fabrics in the fast-fashion industry. It's highly commendable for an individual to put the environment before their profits.

Coming on to the merchandise, they have a varied variety of Tops, dresses, Kurtas, Bottoms, dupattas, Sarees, Juttis and Jewellery. My personal favourite is their range of Handcrafted Jewellery from Chhatisgarh. The intricate design on the handmade ornaments together with the colourful threads is something I haven't seen anywhere else. I am attaching a screenshot here for the reference of what i am fawning over...

 

All in all, ‘Bindnee’ is a really great effort to break the shackles and to bring about a positive change in society through freedom of expression, women empowerment and sustainable fashion. In a society where the life of a married woman is shackled by unwritten guidelines, seeing someone dare to dream is like seeing candlelight in the pitch-black darkness. 

I wish the dreamer, Deepika Saini, congratulations on being able to materialize her dreams through hard work and enthusiastic diligence. I am quite sure that the world will be able to see the awesomeness behind the concept and the brand will touch the hearts of millions in no time. I wish you all the best for this great business venture. One thing I can say is, Bindnee is here to stay. Kudos!

#37 Warrior Princess

She isn't a princess waiting to be rescued
She is queen who can carry her crown
And your hasty judgements
With equal grace...

Neither sugar and spice
Nor everything nice
She's got fire and fury
Little sparkle and many lilies
In equal measure...

She can't be tamed
Caged or confined
She got her wings
For she's born to fly...


A/N:
Muse for the verse - Simi Sathyan. A friend. A survivor. A fighter.

To a certain Anonymous sender of books.

I have been away from here. And been very much uninterested in carrying on the habit of pouring out things going inside my head, in words.
But recently I went back and read a few things on my blog and most importantly the comments. Some comments that I read for the first time in 2 years.

First of all, for the back story, in 2015 I used to receive some books by an anonymous sender at my home, from Amazon. It was confusing.

Since sometimes authors on Goodreads keep sending ARC books for review to bloggers, I initially thought they were a part of that giveaway. But later, when I confirmed it on Goodreads, they weren't from them.
I even contacted Amazon to know about the sender's details, but it too was a dead end.
And after 2-3 of them, books stopped coming. And, so I stopped thinking about it too.

And today after 2 years. I read these comments on two old-forgotten posts of mine.

First comment was on the post The Silent Killer and the second one on A book review.


I have never done this before but I am guilty of being utterly curious here. So, If the person who posted these comments and/or sent me those books is reading this. Please let me know.

My personal email ID is deepika.vasudeva@gmail.com
Or you can ping me on my phone. You already have my phone number (I know, since I used to receive text messages from amazon before every delivery)

It's been 2 years. I would understand if you wouldn't want me to know your identity now. But I plead you to. Closures are important. I don't want to die in suspense. Please :)


Quite-late-but-nevertheless-finally-here.
Deepika

P.S.- Those books are nice. Thank you. 

#36 Beautiful Imperfections

Perfection doesn't attract me...

Scars, Broken pottery 

Dimmer star next to the brightest one in sky

Clumsiness, broken stones
Asymmetrical shells... 

There's an untold story everywhere 

I am attracted to the untold, unknown. 

#35 Falling out of love

Falling out of love

It's wonderful.

Much like falling in love.

But with yourself.

#34 Fool me twice

Oh so here, it starts again

with you dancing back in my life

Why can't you give it up! Stupid stubborn stain

so it's the same cycle on the roll..

It's been 2 years and a month

Having been through heartbreak,

self hatred, destruction and redemption

I am sorry if I can't do it again..

I stand by what they say 

"Fool me once shame on you

Fool me twice shame on me"

So honey, I am drained and can't do it again..

I am done feeling and dealing

with you and your mood-swings

Now that you are past my tolerance limit

It's time for you to go baby :)


This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Happy birthday to the real Weird Wordsmith ;)

I think, in your entire life..
If you have impacted another's life - you have achieved something.
If you have saved one soul from self-destruction - you have succeeded.
If you have touched one heart - you have truly lived.

You have been all three of those people in my life. It is least to say I’ll never forget you.
Our paths may diverge...
Our conversations may stop...
One day you might as well forget my name...

But for me you'll always be the special friend.
A systematically weird, wisely stupid, insanely intelligent and perfectly imperfect friend. :)

I like you in spite of all your activate-deactivate wali harkatein, rude- polite wale mood swings, friends-strangers wale bizarre days, silent and bak-bak wale alternate attitudes … I like you with all your imperfections… because in the long run, as they say, what matters is not what you say or do (in your case - what you don't say) but how you made someone feel.

And I... feel peaceful whenever we talk. You bring the absolute calmness in a life full of panic, deadlines and pressure. A ray of sunshine.

They say, people come in your life as phases or friends... I might have been a phase that passed but you will be here in my heart as true friend... always.

Happy birthday ❤️