Maples: Rejuvenating Cocktail Posted by Drac , Wednesday, May 23, 2012 at 8:27 AM, in Labels: book, fiction, Leadstart

Title: Maples: Rejuvenating Cocktail

Author: Bhavna Khemlani

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing

Genre: Fiction 

 

Maples Rejuvenating Cocktail by Bhavna Khemlani is just as the title suggests. The way the stories unfold, character portrayals and captivating phrases showcases the expertise of the author. 

This book revolves around four protagonists, who have different dreams, passions, fears and their own equations of love. Ryan is an aspirant photographer with a failed love life and dark past. Ria being cursed by loneliness pretty early in life, has to face challenges in love too. Genelia has devoted herself to her career and afraid of love due to the prior wounds. Miguel, a workaholic has to make a choice for love, because relationships aren’t as easy as business deals. The story takes an intriguing turn when these four meets and discover what they have been missing. 

In this fast paced life people hardly ever get time to think about what they really want from life until it’s too late. How important role love plays in our life and what we will lose if we avoid it over meaningless attributes? These are the questions tackled here in the most relatable manner.

All the four stories are beautifully intertwined together which makes this book a delicious page-turner. The best part, stories are not that predictable as you might think. The not-so-best part, some characters are confused and their confusion might transform to the reader, as in, ‘Now why would she do that?’ Well it’s a light read and I would recommend reading it in bits instead of single-sitting, to relax after a hard day’s work. With a cocktail, if you prefer.

Rating: 4/5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

I Hardly Ever Wash My Hands Posted by Drac , Monday, May 21, 2012 at 1:54 AM, in Labels: book, non-fiction

Title: I Hardly Ever Wash My Hands: The Other Side of OCD

Author: J.J. Keeler

Publisher: Paragon House

Genre: Non-Fiction

Deconstructing all the traditional myths about Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, JJ Keeler has boldly presented I Hardly Ever Wash My Hands with stimulating approach and unexpected humor. 

OCD is one of the most misapprehended subjects. It is not just about recurring gesticulations including compulsive hand-washing but overactive imagination and obsessive thoughts. Instead of being neat & clean, the author admits to be a bit messy & disorganized. It is the inability of letting a thought go which creates the trouble. Sometimes it can be reasonable as checking the gas or electric equipments over and over again but having the depressing thoughts appended to your brain like burning of your house or the feeling of hurting yourself can make the scenario worse. 

This book is a sincere work involving a serious disease but instead of making you squirm it enables the reader to step in the patients mind, understand her better and admire her with grace. Humor with the subtext of heart-wrenching pain is the USP of this book.  It provides encouragement to the sufferers of OCD and a better perceptive of it to their family & friends. Every minute detail of author’s thoughts, obsessions and fears let the reader gripped, making it the most empathetic work on this subject ever. Educational and entertaining both at the same instance.  

Rating: 3.5 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author for reviewing purpose. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”