Twisted Tales and Turns is a collection of short stories from various genres giving a reader access to a lot of different stories around death, family, sci-fi, love, loss, self-love, specially abled people, neurological disorders, rethinking lives, pain, courage and what not. Smita has tried to include something for everyone’s taste.
The book is divided into four parts- Out of This World, Not Too Far into the Future, All Doesn’t End Well and Love Comes in All Hues consisting of five stories each. The writing style is different from her previous book A Price To Love. All the stories in the book have been written before for different writing contests. I liked the range of the stories.
I connected to the book in different intervals. While some stories stirred something in me others made me move to the next one quick. My favourites are Top of the World, Till We Meet Again,Kaleidoscope, My Knight in White and Purchased Love. I wish there was a trigger warning for the first part of the book. Yes, the author has mentioned in her note that this book is going to have some unexpected twists and turns but one never knows what can trigger a reader. I had to keep the book aside for days to be able to read after that part. I also felt that my connection with the book as a reader wavered at different places in the book. I also wished for some stories to be longer.
The book will leave you satisfied and with a smile.
If you want to experience different genres in a single book, pick this book without a second thought.
Twisted Games is the story of Rhys Larsen and Briget Von Ascheberg, who can’t have each other but can’t help how much they want it. Baring the parts of their soul to each other like they never did before.
This is my third book by An Huang and it would be wrong to just say I’m a fan. I’m obsessed with her writing. I love the way she writes and knows exactly what is going to make the reader curl their toes and squeal.
The writing style of the book is simple and engaging making it unputdownable. The aesthetics Ana creates with her writing pulled me into the book totally. I love how characters are so well described and developed that I always have a face for the characters. Friendships in the Twisted series books are my favourite.
When I don’t feel like reading anything I read Ana Huang’s book and it helps me get back in the groove. Briget and Rhys are now my second favourite couple after Alex and Ava. Ana should be awarded for writing some amazing men crushes for her readers.
The author knows how to make the book a complete package for the readers from the characters, story, side characters to the toe curling and squealing moments. I loved reading the book.
The Ex Factor is the story of Oinks short for Oindrila, a Bengali girl, who loves to create more chaos in her head on top of the ones in her life. Everyone seems to seek her time and attention at the same time – from her parents , pets, boss to her cousin and best friend. Her life faces turbulence when Vivek, her long-time crush( Mr whose name should not be taken) makes an unexpected entry back into her life.
The writing style of the book is very simple and very casual. The language of the female MC would make you go ughh.. because she cusses a lot. To me it felt like the main characters in the book are not Oinks and Vivek but Oinks and her mind.
The storyline is predictable and failed to leave an impact on me. There were almost no to very little character descriptions as well as development. I failed to put a face to any of the characters even till the end of the book. While the blurb of the book feels exciting the book just keeps on growing dull. I’m a Punjabi and there are a few remarks that didn’t sit well with me.
The author has also tried to put in LGBTQIA+ representation in the book, I wish it was explored more.
It felt like the author was so annoyed by someone that they made them the female MC. She is mostly in her own head rather than in the real world which got very irritating for me as a reader after a point of time. I’m a sucker for good romances but this book didn’t work for me.
To the Moon and Back is a collection of 40 poems that capture the poet’s personality, drawing the reader into her collage that is creative, wild, untamed and whimsy.
In the foreword, Vir Das said, ” Love is pain, in both the chest and ass. It is a pain in the ass to find it, and we all know what a pain in the ass it can be while it sticks around. And yet nothing hurts more than when it leaves you, because it WILL not leave you, even after it’s gone. That free fall to the bottom of your chest and the incredible climb back out of the darkness it bestows are where the greatest songs, movies, books, sonnets, and sugary carb-loaded snacks are born.” I couldn’t agree more. I was hooked to the book from there itself.
The poems in the book beautifully talk about different feelings and emotions like love, loss, bonding, nature, nostalgia, regrets, loving yourself etc. Each poem gives you some food for thought. Each of them is different in its own way taking the reader to a different world. They are written in modern lyrical poetry style. While I have many favorites in the book, some poems left me confused too. The book had its ups and downs as some poems failed to leave and impact and left me wondering about the idea behind it. The language is simple and helps you flow through the poems. I’m surely going to revisit my favorites in the book.
Overall, it was a good read for me and I would recommend you to try it.
” Places of worship are synonymous with businesses in the Kaliyuga. You settle for the lies that dictators have fed us throughout our miserable lives. This system is a masterplan by the capitalists of today, supposed legends of tomorrow, but tyrants in reality.”
Kaliyuga, Harsheath Chauhan
If you think this book is a tale of the win of good over evil, it’s not or maybe it is? It is many things beautifully woven together.
The book talks about Kalki avatar and Kali. In many Hindu texts, it is mentioned that in Kaliyuga, the tenth avatar of Lord Vishnu would reincarnate on Earth to kill Kali and establish Satya Yuga.
On one side there is Gautam Yadav an eighteen-year-old, prophesied Tenth Avatar of Lord Vishnu and on the other a cryptic and shady man who claims to be the Kalki Avatar. But who is really he claims to be and who’s the imposter? Or are they just two sides of the same coin?
Author Harsheath has created a unique world of its own, crafting perfect misfits characters( like Gautam, Veeraram, Professor, Vijay Chauhan etc) to give life to the story. The writing style is engaging and gripping. The base and build-up is well implemented. Each character has their own background story which helps understand their actions better in the later parts of the book. It shows how clear the author was in his mind on how he wanted each layer to unfold.
I enjoyed the book because I knew the references mentioned from the Hindu mythology and could relate. If someone who isn’t aware of the Hindu mythology reads this book, they might need more information than what is provided in the list of characters. I would have loved to recommend this book for every age group but unfortunately can’t as there is a small scene with the professor I wouldn’t recommend children below 14 years to read.
I loved the book more because of the multi-linear narrative in the first half. My favorite parts of the book are the satires. I was really impressed how Harsheath mentioned the ozone layer and how it needs to be taken care of.
Everyone just go and get your copies of this book. What are you waiting for?
I was driving through the heavy rains when I saw him crossing the road. I just couldn’t believe my eyes, turned around and tried looking at him again till I was sure it was him, it was Ahaan only. I followed him with my eyes till as far as I could since I was waiting for the signal to turn green. This couldn’t be really right, he died years ago in a car accident. My mind was going crazy at the thought of him coming back from the dead. As the signal turned green I found the nearest parking spot and parked my car. Pulled out an umbrella from my bag and got down to follow Ahaan. I had to confirm if I had mistaken someone else for him.
As I started running towards the direction I saw him go, I was receiving weird glances from the passersby. My expressions would have given away my feeling of dread. Ignoring it all, I just ran towards the narrow street I saw him entering. He was visiting a library, Solitude Library, the board outside read. I went inside too. Putting my umbrella aside I looked at my reflection in the entry door and took a few deep breaths to calm myself. I couldn’t find him inside, not at least in the distances my eyes could cover standing at the reception.
“Hi ma’am, how can I help you? “, the receptionist asked. It startled me of course but I couldn’t let it come on my face.
“Hi, so I just saw the board outside and couldn’t stop myself from checking out this place. I love reading. Could you please help me know more about your library?
Happy to see a potential customer in me she started explaining everything to me. From the book borrowing options to sit in the library and enjoy your book in silence with tea, I knew it all. When she told me If I would like to take a round of the place to decide before joining the membership program I immediately nodded. Yes I loved books but I couldn’t get distracted from the reason I came here.
I had to fill the entry register before entering the main premises. I checked the names above mine and saw Ahaan’s name there, a chill ran through my spine. How could it be possible that this man who has been dead for the last two years is now suddenly back from the dead and visiting a library? I wrote the time quickly and went in.
Pc- pinterest
I could smell his cinnamon and musk perfume and I was sure this was his because he used to get this fragrance personalized. While I was faking checking out the books collection my eyes were searching for him only. He surely wasn’t on the floor I was so I climbed up the stairs to the second floor. As I turned right, I saw him, the same as before. Not even a single thing had changed. He was still that tall, dark and handsome guy with the smile that could brighten my day and make me feel wanted to be held in those safe arms. The one I had loved with all of my existence. But God hadn’t blessed our relationship the way we had thought. While he was coming to meet me one day his car was hit by an over speeding truck and he died on spot.
But I could see him perfectly fine sitting and reading there at the table. I went straight to him and patted him on his back. When he turned around and saw me his face had turned pale like he had seen a ghost. With tears waiting to open the flood gates in my eyes all I could say was I missed you. Looking at his expressions it was clear he was as shocked as I was at seeing him. He held my arm and guided me towards the side of the shelves. I was waiting for him to say that he also missed me but what I heard him say made me go numb. “How the hell are you here? You were dead. I made sure of it” , he said, tightening his grip on my arm. I couldn’t believe what I had just heard. “Why would I die? I’m here alive. It was you who died in that car accident two years ago. When I saw you today I couldn’t believe my eyes that you were alive and I have been living as your widow”, I somehow said it all in one go. He laughed menacingly, I had never seen this side of his. He looked at me with that look in his eyes and said.” So this is the bullshit that they have feeded you with and not revealed what I did. I didn’t die love, you did because I wanted you dead. But I can see some part of you is still here so let me finish it all once and forever.”
He was choking me with every ounce of power he had. I was fighting for my life at that moment wishing I wouldn’t have followed him here. I was breathing heavily with his hand on my throat and kicking him with all the little bit of force left in me. He wasn’t letting me go. I knew I would be dead soon.
I heard Ahaan say baby tea is ready and I couldn’t understand anything. It all was so confusing, maybe I was hallucinating in my last moments about some food memories. I felt myself fall with a thud and woke up finding that I had fallen asleep while reading a recent thriller and Ahaan was right there, alive with tea in his hands for both of us. I was still breathing heavily.
“My wife doesn’t lift a finger in our own home — I’ll be damned if I let her lift one in yours,” I tell him, before raising our joined hands to my lips to kiss the back of her hand, my gaze unwavering
Dion has been engaged to Faye since their childhood because their mothers wanted this for them. Over the years he has been showing his unwillingness to marry her because he thinks all he has done is hurt and the more he would go near her he would destroy her. He wanted to save her from himself. While he has been trying to save her she is suffering in the hell her father is. Mere months before their wedding he sees her with a man which fades his attempts to keep distance and all he wants is her to be his, his wife.
Faye and Dion are whole different characters in themselves but binded by their pain and broken pieces. Faye has feared Dion to be same as his father – controlling, abusive and someone who would like to see her in pain but as she gets to know his he’s everything he never expected him to be.
Both the main characters are so well thought and crafted that one can’t help loving both. Every time Dion caressed Faye with all the love he had for her, I felt it. The MCs are not perfect but they are normal and relatable, this is how people actually are. They are broken but their broken pieces complete each other.
Every doubt, every fear of Faye that faded away by being with Dion and every insecurity that vanished of Dion being with Faye made my heart full. I just love them as a couple and how both the characters compliment each other.
The writing is lucid and keeps you engaged throughout. The book was unputdownable for me. I finished the e-book within 2 days. Faye’s family is the perfect example of how a family shouldn’t be and Dion ‘s family of what a family should be like. The storyline, other characters all are well thought and executed. This one is gonna stay with me for a long time.
It’s been long since I have had multiple favorite scenes in a book. Romance is my comfort genre and this book did make me feel at ease.
Though The Fine Print is story of Rowan and Zahra, it felt like it’s a story of almost everyone not in the sense of romance but their struggles and their fight for love.
While Rowan was rude and heartless at the start, the author well portrayed why he was so. His anger, attitude, the trauma, the hurt and his hate for his father are well explored as a part of the story.
Zahra’s sunshine character was a contrast to Rowan’s that ended up adding them to one of my favorite grumpy sunshine couples. I loved Zahra a little more when she stood for herself.
The writing style is good and engaging making the book unputdownable. There are a mix of moments in the book which will make you go aww and also wonder how true and relatable it felt to read those lines and you’ll end up highlighting a lot. I also appreciate how the author has managed to give their due too in Rowan and Zahra’s story.
Begum Hazrat Mahal is the story of the warrior queen of Awadh. It is also the story of her love for Hindustan, her will to fight for the freedom of Awadh from the Britishers and the love of her people for her. We all have read in our history textbooks in school about the various fights that were fought to help India gain its Independence, this story should be a part of them too.
The book is written so beautifully, capturing not only the perfect essence of the story but also the emotions. Every incident taking place is so well described that I felt I was watching it myself. I’m someone who gets bored reading fight scenes but that didn’t happen with this book at all. The engaging writing style kept me hooked to the book till the end. Each character has a role of their own and are given their due.
While the main story is having its own track, there are parallel stories running too providing the readers with the perfect blend of the backdrop information required to indulge more in the book. It also talks about different types of relationship and emotions that act as the pinch of salt required to make it the perfect serving for the reader, like love, friendship, motherhood, patriotism, loyalty, betrayal, companionship, sacrifice, loneliness, courage, pain, longing and loss.
I had heard about Begum Hazrat Mahal but wasn’t aware of the whole story before reading the book. By the time I finished reading I was yearning to know more.
An excerpt from the book
I would recommend this book to everyone.
MY RATING – 4/5
Begum Hazrat Mahal’s army fighting sepoys in Awadh (source: Google)
An unconventional book club that doesn’t have a Book of The Month (BOTM) but has some fun prompts from the three hosts. No one is forced to read a particular book because it’s the BOTM but every member gets the freedom to choose the book/ genre they want to read for the prompt.
The aim to provide prompts is to make reading fun for everyone and help explore new books and authors. There are three hosts of the book club so three host prompts and sometimes they ask members to give prompts too and the hosts select two from them to be included in the monthly prompts. Yes, you understood it correctly there are new reading prompts every month.
Read With Us Book Club as the name suggests is an initiative by three readers who want to share their love for reading with more and more people. It was started on 29 April 2022 by founder Aastha Anand and co-founders Khushi Rungta and Sukaina Majeed. To suit the different choices of the book club members they have groups on both WhatsApp and Instagram where readers can join in and interact with fellow readers. Not only that but they have a separate group called “CHAT ROOM” where the members can talk about anything and everything so that the readers in the main group do not feel overwhelmed by so many messages.
There are monthly online and offline meet-ups too. The online meet-up includes all the readers from all over the country as well as outside the country too, where they get to interact, play bookish games, share their monthly reading experience and get to know the fellow members. The offline meet-ups are the highlights of the book club. The members meet, interact, visit bookstores together and get book/ books in the blind book exchange too. The blind book exchange is the book club ‘s tradition of book exchange where the books are wrapped up and kept at the center of the table for people to take one on the basis of the genre of what’s inside and likewise all members get to exchange a book. The major cities where the meet-ups are in full swing are Delhi and Kolkata at the moment; few Mumbai meet-ups have been there as well. They are looking forward to organising offline meet-ups in other cities as well. One can also be surprised by the bookclub hosts at the offline meet-ups by various authors joining a monthly meet-up.
They think about everyone from their readers to the authors. They have regular reading sprints, readalongs and buddy reads, weekend fun activities happening around the groups to help the members enjoy reading. They extend helping hand to authors too by doing review projects for their books, dedicated book discussions, author interactions and provide them spotlight on their page to be discovered by more and more readers under their Author’s Program. They have worked with authors like Saksham Garg, Nanda Pavaday, Smita Das Jain, Manali Desai and many more.
Not only this but help the writers and aspiring writers in the book club to write and get regular feedbacks from readers through their initiative of #RWUWritersgram. The members are given a weekly prompt to write on and share on their social media and the fellow group members provide feedback. Currently they have a base of above 300 members growing more each day.
The book club completed a year this year and celebrated its anniversary in Delhi in collaboration with the Om Bookstores.
Bookclub’s Anniversary Offline Meet-up at Om Bookstore, DLF Promenade Mall, Vasant Kunj The Book Exchange Tradition in action The Bookclub Founder, Aastha Anand with Debut Author Harsheath Chauhan( Kaliyuga: The Awakening of the Tenth) Kolkata Offline Meet-up at Oxford BookstoresRead With Us Bookclub co-host Khushi Rungta(in black) and members with Author Madhurima Vidyarthi in KolkataRead With Us Book Club members at Kolkata Offline Meet-up with author Shouvik Banerjee ( Seven Sundays: One Life, Two Journeys, Seven Failures)
One can join the book club by filling the form from the link in their instagram page bio.
Hooked with Books 