Category: From My Bookshelf

There are lots of books stacked on my bookshelf. When I pick one of them, I dive into the amazing world created by an author as soon as I open the cover. However, there is always “the end” written on the last page of the book. Have you ever felt that you are in the same world with those characters? Witnessing those scenes written on pages in your hand, hearing voices of characters speaking dialogues scripted for them? There are a few books which have taken me in their world. And I must say, they are magnificent. Valentia created by Rajamayyoor Sharma is on top of my head as far as Indian fiction is concerned while James Clavel has taken me to mediaeval Japan. I have roamed around London with Sherlock and Poirot.

And yet, the journey in those realms, started from the cover page, has its end marked. The author takes the characters by hand and takes them to their destination by the end of the book. They fulfil their destiny. If a writer chooses to give happy moments at the end, we enjoy them. If it’s a tragedy, characters at least get closure at the end. Many times, I wish to ask the author if he or she has forgotten to write something for me? What about my destiny at the end? What about my share of the closure? Haven’t you thought about me as an uninvited traveller on this journey when you wrote a book?

Here you will find my reflections on my readings. Hope you will also enjoy these stories as much as I did.

  • Circle with no centre – Today’s Indian Urban Story

    Circle with no centre – Today’s Indian Urban Story

    Sometimes, a book finds you exactly when you need it most. It feels like a beautiful surprise, making you wonder, was this really my choice, or did fate step in? That’s exactly how I felt when I received a copy of Circle with No Centre in the bookmail. A big thank you to Blogchatter and Notion Press for sending me this review copy!

    When I began reading, I didn’t know what to expect. But the story turned out to be incredibly relatable, and I was hooked almost instantly. I’ve been reading a lot of contemporary fiction set in Europe or the U.S., but Indian stories rarely caught my attention; until now. This book has finally ended my search for a compelling Indian urban narrative.

    From the blurb

    Is life a circle with no single center? It was a restless spin for him―from brief romances to a safe but hollow job to a quiet longing for genuine purpose. For her, it meant heartbreak, then fierce independence, and finally, a passion that lit her every step. Each believed they would keep circling alone.

    But when their paths unexpectedly overlap, they discover a new space―an unplanned center neither saw coming. Within that gentle overlap, old fears soften, and dormant dreams spark to life. Yet real closeness challenges everything they thought they knew: how to protect themselves, how to trust.

    Can two people, each rotating in a personal orbit of past mistakes and new ambitions, learn to revolve together without losing who they are?

    Do we really have a common life, or it’s just overlapping part of our circles with no centre

    This is a quintessential Indian urban tale of two individuals trapped behind emotional walls; shielded by the scars of failed relationships, unresolved grief, or the comfort of stable careers that merely pay the bills. While Gen Alpha navigates dating in an entirely new world, millennials in their 30s are facing a different set of challenges. This story strikes a thoughtful balance between the fast pace of modern life and the deep longing for stability and independence. Coming from a technology background, Deepak skillfully blends elements of modern science, technology, and ancient Indian philosophy to draw insightful parallels.

    Just as we often say there’s a song for every emotion, Deepak laces the story with a playlist-worthy selection of songs that perfectly complement its emotional beats. The narrative flows with a compelling emotional rhythm; taking you through the highs and lows of life alongside the two protagonists. What stands out is not just the strength of the lead characters, but also the depth given to the supporting cast. Khurana delivers a solid punch with well-crafted character arcs, meaningful backstories, and a narrative structure that moves the story forward without sidelining anyone.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: Circle with No Centre
    • Author: Deepak Khurana
    • Publisher: Notion Press
    • Publication year: 2025
    • Pages: 310
    • ISBN – 13: 979-8897247820
    • Price: ₹ 359 (Paperback)

    My ratings

    Story: 4/5
    Writing Style: 3.5/5
    Cover Design: 2/5

    Overall Rating: 3.5/5

    Where to Buy

    Should you read it?

    Deepak Khurana masterfully weaves technology, philosophy, and science into this poignant story of second chances. This may not end up being your all time favorite, but will stay with you for sure.

    If you want more book recommendations, click here.

    This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program. 

    This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mister Tikku.

  • Intriguing Espionage Story of a Double Agent

    Intriguing Espionage Story of a Double Agent

    The Indian freedom struggle is a vast and complex tapestry, woven with the efforts of countless individuals following different ideologies, all striving toward a common goal. With so many undercurrents shaping this movement, there was never a dull moment throughout that century. As one leader faded into history, another emerged to carry the torch forward.

    Looking back at this period, I see immense potential for stories and novels set against this backdrop. The sheer expanse of our country, combined with its cultural diversity and the multitude of groups involved in the struggle, offers a vast canvas for storytelling. And yet, we don’t come across many books set in this era—especially not espionage thrillers, which are even rarer.

    Fortunately, Enakshi Sengupta’s The Silk Route Spy fills this gap.

    Traitor or Patriot? Intriguing Espionage Story of a Double Agent

    Set against the vast landscapes of India and Southeast Asia between the 1920s and 1940s, the novel tells the gripping story of Nandlal Kapur. Writing about a subject so close to one’s heart and home—one deeply embedded in family memories—can be a challenge, but Enakshi has masterfully navigated these complexities, delivering an engaging and action-packed novel.

    Although Nandlal’s journey primarily takes him to Firozpur, Delhi, and Calcutta, the story effectively conveys the diversity of individuals involved in the freedom struggle. Despite being geographically scattered, these groups were united by their shared determination and unwavering commitment to a common cause.

    Nandlal Kapur’s journey is thrilling and immersive, skillfully blending patriotism with the intrigue of espionage. As the story unfolds along the Silk Route, he ventures into distant lands, from the Malayan Peninsula to Japan and China. However, during these later chapters, the espionage element takes a backseat. I would have loved to see this aspect explored in greater depth, adding to the suspense and intensity of the narrative.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: The Silk Route Spy
    • Author: Enakshi Sengupta
    • Publisher: Harper Collins
    • Publication year: 2024
    • Pages: 216
    • ISBN – 10: 9362130114
    • ISBN – 13: 9789362130112
    • Price: ₹ 299 (Paperback)

    My ratings

    Story: 3.5/5
    Writing Style: 3/5
    Cover Design: 4/5

    Overall Rating: 3.5/5

    Where to Buy

    Should you read it?

    Nevertheless, it’s an engaging read. If you enjoy such stories, you should definitely give it a try at least once.

    If you want more book recommendations, click here.

    This review is powered by the Blogchatter Book Review Program. 

    This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

  • Richard Osman dropped a new one with a bang, but… We Solve Murders – Review

    Richard Osman dropped a new one with a bang, but… We Solve Murders – Review

    Anyone who knows me and my love for murder mysteries and crime fiction knows that I’m a huge fan of Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club series. I’ve been talking about it ever since I first read the books. So, when I heard that he was introducing a new set of sleuths in a new series, I was beyond excited. But, as always, I felt a little nervous picking up “We Solve Murders” —what if I didn’t enjoy it as much as I had the earlier ones?

    Richard Osman dropped a new one with a bang, but…

    Given how high Richard Osman set the bar with The Thursday Murder Club, expectations for his new series were naturally elevated. Fortunately, the first book, We Solve Murders, does not disappoint.

    I listened to the audiobook version, produced by Penguin Audio and narrated by Nikola Walker. Walker’s performance brought the characters to life—Amy, Steve Wheeler, Rosie D’Antonio, Trouble the stray cat, and the rest of the gang were all vividly portrayed.

    The story is engaging and captivating, though there were moments when the plot lost a bit of its grip at times, catching you again with the next plot twist. A few characters felt a bit superfluous, and their presence could have been reduced without harming the story.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: We Solve Murders
    • Author: Richard Osman
    • Publisher: Penguin
    • Publication date: September 2024
    • Pages: 438
    • ISBN: 9780241608371

    My ratings

    Story: 3.5/5
    Writing Style: 4/5
    Cover Design: 3/5

    Overall Rating: 3.25/5

    Where to get your copy

    Should you read it?

    Overall, I’m eager to see where the series goes next. The ending leaves us with a cliffhanger—our protagonists receive a call about another murder, leaving us eager to find out if they can solve it.

    As Rosie D’Antonio said, “We Solve Murders is indeed a good title for a book!

    For more about my views on books, click here.

    This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla.

  • Truely unexpected begining of Baby Ganesh Agency Investigations

    Truely unexpected begining of Baby Ganesh Agency Investigations

    You probably have guessed from my recent Instagram reel, 2024 seems to be the year of crime fiction for me. The books which I am drawn to are mostly from this particular genre. And yes, I don’t regret it at all! Crime fiction is, by far, my most favourite genre of books to read or listen to.

    This particular one caught my eye while I was browsing on amazon because of its peculiar title and very interesting cover. Particularly that cute grey elephant! This animal has always piqued my interest. “Inspector” in the title sealed the deal and I right away bought my copy of this book.

    But before we dive into more details, let’s first address the elephant in the room, and quite literally…
    Who brings a baby elephant into a murder investigation? Apparently, Vaseem Khan does!

    What more to expect from this!

    You already have a baby elephant in the story, what more do you want? But wait, there is a lot more to the story here. Vaseem has not just created a protagonist Inspector Ashwin Chopra and Ganesh, the baby elephant. He has created a whole universe around Chopra, his family, ex-colleagues, a quintessential khadus “self-declared” leader of housing society, and many more! Every character has a unique story arc which is well-developed as the book progresses.

    Thankfully, the protagonist is not an all-knowing supercop. In fact, he isn’t a cop anymore. A retired cop who has a strong sense of justice and courage to stand for it, with all his limitations, makes it a believable character.

    In a case which seems to be apparent open-and-shut suicide, there’s more than which meets the eye. And Inspector Chopra is hell bent on seeking justice for the young victim! You have to read The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra to know more about it.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: The Unexpected Inheritance of Inspector Chopra
    • Author: Vaseem Khan
    • Publisher: Mulholland Books
    • Publication date: August 13, 2015
    • Pages: 305
    • ISBN: 9781473612259
    • Kindle e-book Price: ₹ 280

    My ratings

    Stories: 4/5
    Writing Style: 4/5
    Cover Design: 4.5/5

    Overall Rating: 4/5

    Where to get your copy

    Should you read it?

    After reading this whole blog, I am sure you won’t have a doubt that I just loved this book. I am excited to read the next books from this series where Inspector (Retd.) Chopra tackles crime under the banner of Baby Ganesh Agency!

    For more about my views on books, click here.

  • One unfinished pursuit

    One unfinished pursuit

    This has been a long overdue review. I received the review copy from Blogchatter sometimes in 2022. Life happened, I moved houses. Unfortunately, the copy ended up in some wrong box during the move. Recently, I stumbled upon it.

    When you are dialled in for achieving success in your career, your focus on life kind of takes a backseat. Isn’t this a part of the “Career Romance” trope? When you are running behind a successful career, you end up being alone for a longer time. Then suddenly you stumble upon a person who breaks the spell and reveals the joy of life. This is what Pursuit: Drawn by Destiny is in a nutshell.

    Should you read it or not?

    Pooja has written a nice pacy story which hooks you in from the start with a nicely crafted strong female protagonist who is ambitious, courageous and hungry for success. She has developed the story around this character and keeps you interested in the book. On the other hand, the book lacks in the development of other characters. It feels like the author ran out of paint when she reached the portraits of other characters. They feel like abstract forms without much detailing and story arcs of their own.

    Most of the story moves in the expatriot circle of Mumbai. Yet it feels like the story is set in some fictional place. Characteristics of Mumbai are missing from the story. It feels like expats in Mumbai are moving with their own bubble indifferent to their surroundings and dealing with only of their kinds.

    If you are hungry for some romance novel with full Bollywood style masala, this book will grab your attention. A director can see a good movie in this story for sure. As a debut novel, it has done a great job of keeping you engaged enough that you will not put the book down till you finish. Hope Pooja improves leaps and bounds in her upcoming stories.

    About the book

    Title: Pursuit: Drawn by Destiny
    Author: Pooja Poddar Marwah
    Pages: 230
    Publisher: Becomeshakeaspeare.com
    ISBN: 9388573641

    My rating

    Story: 2/5
    Cover Design: 2.5/5

    Overall rating: 2/5

    Where to Buy

    Should you read it?

    If you are in looking for frenemy to lover trope, you will enjoy the book. However, I feel it’s one time casual read.

    This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program and I received this copy of Pursuit in exchange for my honest review. You can read more of my book recommendations here.

    I am participating in blogchatter’s TBRChallenge

  • Good food but not so much detecting – Book Review

    Good food but not so much detecting – Book Review

    My introduction to Japanese literary scene is pretty recent and obviously through the translated works. A few gems came to my way were a couple of short books by Haruki Murakami, Honjin Murder by Seishi Yokomizo and Easy Life in Kamasuri. I enjoyed all of them but, you haven’t heard my thoughts about them here. It’s been a long time I have posted a book review for my lovely blog readers. I hope to restart my blogging journey once again with this one.

    The Kamogawa Food Detectives came on my feed while I was casually browsing windows of labyrinth of Amazon. Being a sucker for crime fiction genre and a foodie, it grabbed my attention right away. Before I knew, I had got it on my kindle and already opened to read.

    What to expect from this?

    The Kamogawa Food Detectives take you on a journey of Japanese cuture, cuisine and short trips to a variety of prefectures across the island country. Though it’s about a father-daughter duo hunting for lost recipes for their clients, the book misses the mark about the “hunting” part. It’s a good book offering culinary and philosophical nuggets spread across its pages. Howeveer, if you are coming in with an expectation to read stories of sleuthing, you will be disappointed.

    From the blurb

    What’s the one dish you’d do anything to taste just one more time?

    Down a quiet backstreet in Kyoto exists a very special restaurant. Run by Koishi Kamogawa and her father Nagare, the Kamogawa Diner treats its customers to wonderfully extravagant meals. But that’s not the main reason to stop by . . .

    The father-daughter duo have started advertising their services as ‘food detectives’. Through ingenious investigations, they are capable of recreating a dish from their customers’ pasts – dishes that may well hold the keys to forgotten memories and future happiness.

    From the widower looking for a specific noodle dish that his wife used to cook, to a first love’s beef stew, the restaurant of lost recipes provides a link to the past – and a way to a more contented future.

    About the book

    • Name of Book: The Kamogawa Food Detectives
    • Author: Hisashi Kashiwai
    • Publisher: Mantle
    • Publication date: 5 October 2023
    • Pages: 209
    • ISBN – 10: 0593717716
    • Kindle e-book Price: ₹ 499

    My ratings

    Stories: 3/5
    Writing Style: 3/5
    Cover Design: 4/5

    Overall Rating: 3/5

    Where to get your copy

    Should you read it?

    Overall, it’s a good “one time read” if you are interested in Japanese culture, food and some philosophy!

    For more about my views on books, click here.