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Millionaire's Island

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I initially expected a collection of lessons and knowledge sharing, but was pleasantly surprised by the engaging fictional story of someone's unexpected journey to becoming a millionaire. The story captivated me from the start, making it hard to put down as I eagerly devoured one chapter after another. Despite its easy language and straightforward narration, the story is anything but shallow. At times, I had to pause and reflect on the profound ideas conveyed through the characters, a testament to the author's skillful storytelling. The author's ability to simplify complex concepts within a simple narrative is truly remarkable. Beyond the educational aspects, the adventurous and suspenseful nature of the journey added excitement to the book. The inclusion of humorous scenes and witty dialogues further balanced the overall narrative. The characters are instantly relatable and well-developed, the narration flows smoothly, and the book's formatting enhances the...

My illegitimate son

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This beautifully crafted masterpiece is adorned with illustrations on nearly every page. It effortlessly evokes a flood of emotions through its intelligent narrative style, allowing you to savor each moment of the story and enticing you to revisit its pages time and again. I was moved to tears by the poignant separations of children from their mother and siblings. Simultaneously, it offered a profound understanding of life and highlighted how embracing circumstances can transform one's perspective on the situation. The simple yet profound storytelling style adds an element of delight to the reading experience. In many ways, it brought to mind other emotionally rich masterpieces such as "A Man Called Ove." The narrative is ingeniously presented from the perspective of a dog, lending a witty and astonishing tone to the storytelling. From the moment of his birth, as he contemplates his mother and siblings, to his eventual acceptance of humans as his family, every...

Friendship Bites

The chemistry between Aryan, Ananya, and Javed are nothing short of mesmerizing. The intricate web of emotions woven into their interactions keeps readers engrossed, forging a deep connection with the characters' joys and sorrows. Aslam Rahaman's writing continues to shine with its evocative and eloquent prose. The novel's vivid descriptions and heartfelt dialogues create an immersive reading experience, making readers feel like active participants in the characters' lives.

How to be Human

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"How to be Human" is the second Hay House Book I've read, and once again, I have to admit that I thoroughly enjoyed it. Savoring its content slowly, I find myself drawn to its wisdom, and I intend to revisit it daily for morning motivation, refreshment, and relaxation. The book's small chapters are woven with sweet thoughts that make it challenging for me to limit myself to just one or two chapters per day and so, I ended up completing whole book in just few sittings in couple of days. 🤭 Reader problem. The most commendable aspect of "How to be Human" is its talent for simplifying complex concepts, particularly in the realm of spirituality and life lessons. Having previously struggled to grasp ideas like Karma while reading the Gita and Bhaagwat Puran, I appreciate how this author guides readers through these intricate concepts in a more accessible manner. The book also provides answers to the daily questions that cross our minds. It effectively...

The Great Indian Tamasha

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It's sooo much fun! I'm in love with short stories, and when it comes to funny wedding stories, I can't describe my happiness. I mean, who can't love this book? It has excitement, fun, adventure, witty characters, and so many stories. A full package of paisa wasool mazaa. The scenarios faced by the author, even though I believe they were not so funny while she was living them, are narrated so perfectly that I couldn't stop smiling and laughing many times. Even if the author doesn't like herself and her husband being compared to Bittu and Shruti from Band Baaja Baaraat, it reminds me a lot of the movie from the first story itself. I'm really happy that, along with providing amazing entertainment, these stories teach us some important lessons for businesses, which one may only learn practically otherwise. Being a student of commerce and interested in business, I'm happy to read these real-life case studies. The best part of short stories is tha...

Dharma Yoga

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Today, many young individuals are displaying a growing enthusiasm for Dharma, Yoga, and Meditation. Some delve even deeper into the realms of Bhakti and Gyan, seeking to understand our culture. However, the unfortunate demise of the Gurukul system has made it increasingly challenging for everyone to grasp these profound concepts in a simpler manner. In light of this, the book I have before me is a true boon for these aspiring seekers. The authors have demonstrated sincere dedication and hard work, which is beautifully reflected in their writing. The primary focus of the book, as the title suggests, is Dharma Yoga, offering readers an opportunity to comprehend the most essential aspects of Sanatan Dharma. What particularly captivates me is the authors' deliberate use of Indian terminology when explaining Dharmik concepts. By avoiding English substitutes, they successfully preserve the essence of these words, preventing their meaning from being distorted. Furthermore, the...

Bloody Dreams

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Can a simplest story be most impactful and powerful? Yes, it can. Here it's. When I started reading Epilogue, I subconsciously said the name of the book and understood why they decided to name it so. I must say this is one hell of a lot of emotions, story, twists, people, and much more in one basket. I cried and got angry a lot due to the struggles faced by the female characters in the story. I felt ashamed as a human (male, to be honest) that I can't change this alone, but I hope I can keep myself sane enough to make the right choices in life and never become a reason for anyone's pain. India and many other countries are still biased towards the 50% of human rights (females), even if the laws provide enough protection or maybe more in some cases. Women empowerment is still lacking, even when compared to Bangladesh if we consider the workforce. Now let's come back to the story. It's so simple yet so gripping and engaging that I was able to complete it wi...

LBW Love Bet Win

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I am left with a mixture of pain, surprise, and happiness upon completing this story. The title accurately captures the essence of the narrative. The author has skillfully provided an engaging and effortless narration, allowing readers to complete the book with ease, even in a single sitting if desired. Nikhil, a bright and honest young boy raised by a single mother, carries the hopes of lifting them both out of poverty and despair. His mother toils tirelessly to afford his engineering college fees and meet his needs to the best of her ability. The author avoids unnecessary exaggeration, yet the pain conveyed is undeniable. The story unfolds in a manner I did not anticipate, but sometimes that is what is necessary. As I read about the uncomfortable situations the characters endure, I am compelled to reflect upon my own life and consider the right course of action. Initially, I assumed it would be another average read due to the predictable storyline. However, the ending too...

Mystery of Lankeshwari Devi: The Vault of Nagas

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"Mystery of Lankeshwari Devi: The Vault of Nagas" is a masterfully crafted book that skillfully combines mythology and mystery to create a captivating reading experience. Dibyendu Choudhury's storytelling prowess shines through as he seamlessly weaves ancient Indian mythology into a contemporary quest. The characters, particularly Harsha and Animesh, are wonderfully developed and relatable, drawing readers into their world. The execution of scenes is flawless, immersing readers in a thrilling journey. The eye-catching book cover perfectly captures the essence of the story, inviting readers to delve into its pages. The plot is both unique and well-presented, keeping readers hooked from the very beginning. Choudhury's exceptional world-building paints a vivid picture of the challenges faced by the characters. The book culminates in a satisfying ending that leaves readers eagerly anticipating the next installment. Overall, "Mystery of Lankeshwari Devi: T...

Queen & King

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Queen & King Each is growing a devil within It takes one devil to punish another The story was narrated with such finesse that I found myself setting the book aside multiple times, unable to bear the pain experienced by the main characters. Initially, I was slightly frustrated as the secrets were not being unveiled and the narrative frequently delved into the past. The dialogue between Dhairya and Avanti was absurd and exasperating, which dampened my mood at first. Avanti's thought process seemed irritating and Dhairya's occasional irrational behavior only fueled my annoyance. However, I soon realized why the author chose to portray the story in this manner. The lives depicted in the book and the characters' experiences seemed ordinary and reminiscent of those found in many stories. Perhaps that's why I didn't feel as enthralled or enjoy the journey as much. Nonetheless, the ending sufficiently made up for it. The author's experimentation with fo...

Rama of the Axe

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It is said that time is cyclical. All four Yugas happen multiple times, and therefore, all the stories we have heard and all the history we listen to repeats itself multiple times. One of the characters in our Puran, Kagbhusundi have seen many Ramayan and Mahabharat as he is gifted a boon to go beyond timeline by Shiva. This story of Parshuram that I read seemed more like one of those multiple stories that happened in a cycle of time than a fictional retelling of the Purana. Ranjith's storytelling approach in the book immerses readers in a captivating narrative, reminiscent of the timeless stories from different cycles of time. The seamless integration of Sanskrit vocabulary, without overwhelming the reader, enhances the authenticity of the tale. The author's skillful narration maintains a delicate balance, neither diluting the traditional essence nor resorting to heavy Sanskrit usage. This balance ensures an enjoyable reading experience, making it accessible to rea...

Who wants to marry Kai Juicewalla

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If you can find fun in frustration, then you can achieve happiness in any situation. Kai has mastered this skill, effortlessly transforming serious moments into hilarity and making us laugh out loud enough that everyone around us seems to think we're crazy. While I thoroughly enjoyed the humorous anecdotes shared, I can empathize with the courage required to pen such incidents in a book available for public scrutiny. I think that's the main reason and message given by Kai that we all need to understand. We are always going to be in a judgmental situation, and most of us are hardwired to judge everyone and everything. But accepting good suggestions, ignoring rubbish talks, and moving forward in life with sweetness and gratitude are the most important characteristics we need to possess. Kai's quest for her ideal partner, followed by her decision to prioritize her own personal growth, conveys a powerful message about self-focus. The light, delightful read with norm...

Grabber

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Upon reading the synopsis of the Twin Black Taj Mahal alongwith the white one, my curiosity was immediately piqued. I am happy that my intrigue was well-founded, for the author has masterfully crafted a tale that taps into the inner child and leaves one flipping through the pages with fervor. The characters are exquisitely crafted, with the British soldier standing out as particularly noteworthy. Additionally, the inclusion of a secondary story within the primary plot is nothing short of breathtaking; it is a detail that must be experienced firsthand to be fully appreciated. The novel delivers an amalgamation of horror, history, mystery, adventure, suspense, and thrills, leaving no room for boredom. The narrative is so expertly written that one cannot help but feel excited and on the edge of their seat throughout the entirety of the book. The simple yet twisted and suspenseful story is executed with precision, and the dark themes are conveyed with a deft hand. T...

Janak and Ashtavakra

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Introduction to Topic We all know about the Bhagavad Gita, but there is more than one Gita. The Gita is a conversation with questions and answers, like the Upanishads, but it's in song form rather than normal conversation. The Ashtavakra Gita is also one of those that came in Ramayana time, way before the famous Bhagavad Gita of Mahabharata time. This conversation was between Raja Janak (the father of Sita) and Ashtavakra (a wise boy with eight abnormal curves in his body). The seeking of truth and permanence after realizing that the nature of life is temporary in every sense starts the journey of every student of spirituality. The question "Who am I?" is considered the biggest and most important one in a seeker's life. Raja Janak also had this realization, and thus began his journey. Story Summary  Janak's dreams were not letting him focus on his regular work, making him wonder if they were just normal thoughts or a warning sign of upcoming big troubl...

Caged Trigger

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Caged Tiger The title of the book, "Caged Tiger," suggests the author's desire for ultimate freedom. The country is facing a situation where power is becoming concentrated in the hands of a few, with no counterbalance available to check their decisions.  The system does not guarantee that power will be used only for its specified purpose, and this problem has persisted since 1947. Whether it's the economy, free speech, culture or anything else, there is always a tussle between organizations wanting control and people wanting freedom. There is no balance available in this system. The author discusses numerous examples of the different troubles we are going through and potential threats that we can face in the future with this weak system in our country right now. There is a need to educate and inspire people to get into discussions around this issue and possible solutions along with the roles and responsibilities citizens should have...

Twisted Temptations

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As the title suggests, these are the stories of women with money and power doing whatever they have to without any fear for their desire for intense love and attention. Forbidden emptiness, story of Priya was the one which made me think about how we used to get ticket by our emotions and mind easily. Relationships are really delicate and tricky to handle especially when one is under the control of mind and emotions. But we need to realise what we want in life clearly so that we don't make wrong choices in life and then cry regretting them. After reading these kind of stories one can reflect in his/her own selves to know their mistakes. These characters you may or may not see around society, but to seek out their life stories is another adventure at Togather. As once said by Chanakya, you should never underestimate the bravery of women. They can go beyond your thoughts in achieving what they desire. These stories are practical examples of the same. The way the author dep...

Till the kingdom

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Indian history is full of amazing stories with undiscovered secrets. Our Kingdom and their Kings, Queens, Warriors, and their War & Courtroom drama are unmatchable. The thrills, twists, threats of lives and livelihood of all the people in a single story. Gangadas and Kalyani are amazing couple. I enjoyed their conversations a lot in the book. Avinash and Shubham ware also completing them in story. The fast pace, small size and lucid narration of story can allow anyone to complete the book within a day. The cover if you observe will tell you a lot about the story. The puzzle/riddle in the story is really fun to solve. It's really difficult to tell much about the story without any spoilers so, I am not talking about it much. But you must know that you shouldn't miss this book is you are also historical fictional thriller lover like me. This will be definately in your favourite reads list. As I can't talk about the story much let me tell you guys about the narr...

Dhantasur

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Even after reading listening and reading lot of Puranik stories I have never heard about Dhantasur. So, I didn't know the story at all. But as soon as I picked it up I was totally blown away by it. No unnecessary talk and still not fast paced. The narration is perfectly balanced giving proper justice to the story. Author has done proper research on the whole mythology aspects which you can see in details explained and the smoothness with which he delivers the knowledge, shows his efforts and ability as writer. We always think in binary. Consider the Asura bad as few of them did something what we don't like. The Dharma doesn't differentiate like that. Everything is equal in its eyes. So what if someone doesn't follow Dhama who we assume as good? Is there any way for them to escape from it? That's where the real story starts. The compact yet good enough size of book and chapters, proper fonts, high quality paper, beautiful cover and cute bookma...

Silence has Secrets

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Silence has Secrets by Nayan Malek is a gripping and intriguing novel that explores the sensitive issue of sexual violence and its aftermath. The story takes place in the context of an IIT campus and revolves around the question of whether someone would marry a rape survivor. The author effectively uses this premise to delve into the complexities of gender relations, power dynamics, and social prejudices. The plot is well-crafted and keeps the readers engaged throughout. The characters are realistically portrayed, and their motives and actions are believable. The author sensitively handles the themes of sexual violence and its impact on the survivors, as well as the social stigma and victim-blaming that they face. The novel also highlights the importance of speaking up against such crimes and the need for society to support the survivors. Overall, Silence has Secrets is a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the issues surrounding sexual violence and...

Sam's 12 Commandments

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Looking at the cute cover no one can imagine what a deadly combination this book possesses - of business, entrepreneurship and innovation from the Indian perspective.  The introduction in itself was encouraging enough for me except when I read about the Aryan invasion theory which is already proven as a false narrative. However it added to my curiosity! The book revolves around the guidance for first time entrepreneurs and also gives useful tips and informtive steps which every entrepreneur should follow. They are very practical and action oriented. The solutions are in Indian context only which makes this book all the more exciting for Indian readers! The first hand experience in entrepreneurship by the author and his understanding of entrepreneurship and overall business in both USA and India gave him the ability to stimulate different scenarios and provide advice accordingly.  Like for example the Indian midset about bringing the family members in business, rais...