Book Review: India On My Platter by Saransh Goila

Author: Saransh Goila
Genre: Food, Travel
Pages: 336
ISBN: 9789383202041

About:

Backpacking through the country, young chef Saransh Goila sets off on a culinary trail through India, where in he discovers the various nuances of local cuisine. From rural villages to barren deserts to freezing mountains, he unfolds the flavor of his destination by meeting local villagers or erstwhile royalty, picking up a tip or two to use in his kitchen. Wherever he goes, he makes sure to visit the famous eateries of that place

Review:

A dream each one of us had, we still have- to undertake a pan-India journey and top it with tasting delicacies from every corner of the country. Saransh lived this dream. The book starts with a foreword from India's legendary chef Sanjeev Kapoor and then a short prologue by Saransh himself explaining how he happened to bump into this golden oppurtunity of travelling around India. He then goes on to narrate his epic journey of 100 days- One day at a time. Various recipes are also mentioned with utmost details to provide the readers an exact peep into the meals he savoured. From having steaming Murthal ke paranthes to savoring tasty street food in home town Delhi, from cooking on a boat in Varanasi to cooking dishes using a bamboo hollow in Assam, Goila does it all. With humorous anecdotes and stories from the people he met on the way makes this book a must read for every food maker, lover and savourer.

Book Review: Mistress of Honour By Bhaavna Arora

Author: Bhaavna Arora
Genre: Fiction
Pages: 191
ISBN: 9780143425281

The Plot:

Potnis, a captain in the Indian Army, meets Pansy during Operation Blue Star, he knows he has found the love of his life. Their romance blossoms into a beautiful child, Rihana.History repeats itself when Advik, a wayward boy from broken family, catapults into Rihana's heart as smoothly as he conquers skies as an Indian Air Force Pilot.Will Rihana remain a mistress to Advik, to whom the love for his country comes first?This heartbreaking saga of love, courage and sacrifice will leave you asking for more.

Review:

Bhaavna Arora captures the life of the Indian Army. As mentioned in the book, she spent alot of time staying with the army and hearing real life incidents and events from the Army Men which rightfully shows in her writing style.

She narrates two love stories: both equally passionate but appalling because of the nature of devotion demanded by this profession.

With adequate and tiny details about major Indian Army operations like Operation Blue Star and the events that followed, Bhaavna sketches its effects on the lives of people that were associated with the operation, on both sides.

The book dictates how the religion of humanity shall prevail above all religion if bloodshed is to be prevented.

Bhaavna takes us on a journey of pain, fear responsibility, sacrifice and pride. She makes us value each and every single life lost by bravehearts who never enjoy beautiful moments with their families so that we get to enjoy with ours.

The book has some deep meaningful lines that makes the reader smile...in pain. They are:

"He that endureth to the end shall be saved"

"The anticipation of fear is worse than the fear itself"

"Your strength will help others more than your pain ever will"

"Don't shoot without knowing who your enemy is"

"Nothing is unimportant. Everything around you is there for a reason, and you better know what that reason is"

"Hero, if your heart rate hasn't touched 180, you're not truly living. Every other fucker can keep it at 72"

"And finally, I'll tell him that it's a war they are trained to fight. Some will die, some will survive to tell the tale and some will carry the legacy. You have to take your pick"

Bullets and hearts dance together in this unusual love story about loyalty and trust.

Book Review: The Case Files Of P.I. Pojo by Meghna Singhee

Author: Meghna Singhee

Genre: Mystery, Fiction, Children

Pages: 206

Source: Vivek Tejuja

ISBN: 9789352140244

The Plot:

Something smells fishy here and I don't mean Mr H's uneaten dinner. Meet Pojo Pande, aspiring private eye prowling the corridors of Heathcote International with a ready ear for eavesdropping and a nose for intrigue. And he's got two sidekicks-Radha Rao, a senior and the latest in a long line of Raos to skirt the school rules and Pops, a pesky junior who insists on being Pojo's protege. Together, they face the toughest case of their career yet-the killing of Mr Heathcote, the beloved school cat. Join Pojo on his adventures in this hugely funny, un-putdownable book as he gets to the bottom of the killing of Mr Heathcote!

Review:

Right mix of mystery topped with impeccable comedy and heavy dosage of nostalgia every now and then. That's what Meghna Singhee delivers to you with this hugely adventurous book 'The Case Files Of P.I. Pojo'. 

The book starts off with the background about Pratap Pande's aka Pojo's not-so-ordinary life. He is moved to a boarding school in Panchgani as his parents want him to lead a normal life like other kids and do things that other children of his age do. Sounds exciting, right? And that's where the adventure part begins!

The author makes us bond with various characters and their characteristics along the way. Like Inspector Maurya's witty one-liners and quick advices, Radha's playfulness and knowledge mine, Pops' innocence, Hashim Ali's gratefulness and the list goes on. She creates a whole new world inside the book that keeps you hooked till the last page with the suspense element still intact.

The book covers minute details about boarding school's joys and struggles. It takes you on a nostalgic trip and leaves you with a smile as you recall those golden days. The attachment that the school has with Mr. Heathcote melts your heart. Towards the end you resonate so strongly with the Heathcotians that you end up becoming one. It makes me long for the sequel. The author rightly dedicates this book to the kids like me who grew up. 

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