Wednesday 28 August 2024

Memories of Midnight

        

    *"Memories of Midnight"* follows Catherine, who is suffering from amnesia after surviving an attempt on her life orchestrated by her husband, Larry, and his lover, Noelle. Rescued and hidden by the wealthy Costa Demiris, Cathy slowly regains her memory. However, Demiris has a hidden agenda, he seeks revenge for the deaths of Noelle and Larry, whom he manipulated into their doomed plot. As Cath uncovers the truth, she realizes that Demiris plans to eliminate her as well. In the end, Demiris's own greed and paranoia lead to his downfall, as his crimes are exposed and he faces justice. Cath ultimately escapes his clutches, finding freedom and peace after a harrowing ordeal. Advocate chotas who feels guilty on getting unjustice to Noelle and Larry's due to Costa, devises a plan to kill him by saving him from suicide case of his wife Melina Demiris who does suicide because she seeks revenge on costa. Finally, Chotas kills himself and Costa from the cliff. 
    
Bottom line : 
It's not interesting as much as its prequel The Other Side of Midnight but the end is unexpected one !

Recommended audience: 
Those who are interested in reading underworld drug dealings , mafia etc. 

Rating: 8.5/10

Friday 23 August 2024

The Sands of Time

      

"The Sands of Time" by Sidney Sheldon is a thrilling novel set in the Middle East, where a group of archaeologists unearth a mysterious artifact that leads to deadly consequences. The story weaves together espionage, romance, and political intrigue, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. Sheldon's knack for plot twists and compelling characters shines through, although some relationships feel formulaic. Overall, it's a gripping read with vivid settings and suspenseful storytelling that will appeal to fans of action-packed thrillers.

Bottom Line :
Initially while reading, we feel get interested at each nuns' back stories. As story progresses,  we feel disconnected on and off  in between though it's so fast paced screenplay. Overall, a gripping read.

Recommended audience:
Those who love Sheldon's work. Spoiler alert: This book has no murder at beginning and no further investigation. Hence it never fits into the typical Sheldon's story telling stereotype. 

Rating : 8.7/10

Morning, Noon and Night

       

"Morning, Noon, and Night" is indeed centered around Harry Stanford, a wealthy and enigmatic tycoon who mysteriously drowns while cruising on his yacht off the rugged coast of Corsica, it sets  off a chain of events that unravel long-held family secrets. As his children navigate the aftermath of his passing, they discover shocking revelations about his life and legacy. A Strikingly beautiful young woman appears at the funeral and she claims to be Stanford's daughter and entitled to a share of the tycoon's estate. Is she genuine, or an impostor? Sheldon skillfully weaves a tale of intrigue, betrayal, and redemption as the characters grapple with their relationships and confront the truth about Stanford's past. 

Bottom line : 
Julie,Harry's legal heir revelations was so easy to guess. Only this novel of Sheldon’s is so predictable yet insisting us to finish it off.

Recommended audience: 
Teenagers and above.

Rating : 9.4/10

The Stars Shine Down

           

   "The Stars Shine Down " tells the story about down to earth woman Lara Cameron. She rises from a poor background in Nova Scotia to become a powerful real estate tycoon in New York. Ambitious and determined, she builds an empire through ruthless decisions and unyielding willpower. Along the way, Lara encounters numerous challenges, including betrayal, scandals, and fierce competitors. Despite her professional success, her personal life is turbulent. She falls in love with Philip Adler, a brilliant pianist, but her obsession with power strains their relationship. As she reaches the pinnacle of her career, Lara realizes that her empire and personal life are fragile, built on shaky foundations. The pressures of her high-stakes world threaten to unravel everything she’s worked for, forcing her to confront the cost of her ambitions.
   
Bottom line : 
This female centric fictional book talks about How Lara becoming successful tycoon which is so inspiring. The way she tackles all the struggles on her pathway , boosts up our confidence .One of the happy ending novels from Sheldon's books factory !

Recommended audience: 
Minimum teenagers and Maximum no limits. Women who want to build up their careers can read this as a first stepping stone.

Rating : 9.6/10

Thursday 22 August 2024

Tell me your dreams

               


    "Tell Me Your Dreams "by Sidney Sheldon is a gripping psychological thriller exploring multiple personality disorder (MPD). The story follows Ashley Patterson, a successful woman who becomes the prime suspect in a series of gruesome murders. As the investigation progresses, it’s revealed that Ashley has two alternate personalities: Toni Prescott, who is aggressive and vengeful, and Alette Peters, who is gentle and artistic. These personalities, created from deep-seated childhood trauma, commit the murders, unbeknownst to Ashley. The courtroom drama that follows exposes her condition, leading to a shocking verdict where she is found not guilty due to insanity. The novel's tension-filled narrative and deep psychological insights keep readers hooked until its haunting conclusion.

Bottom line : 
Sheldon nailed it! No denial on that ! The way he took the court room drama with three different female centric characters and combined them to one with mental traumas. We would be dumbfounded when reason behind her condition was revealed in this cliffhanging thriller. Dont miss it !

Recommended audience:
This fast paced thriller is a must read for crime novel readers. It's considered as one of the best among sheldon's works.

Rating : 9.8/10

Wednesday 21 August 2024

The Other Side of Midnight

              

    "The Other Side of Midnight" by Sidney Sheldon is a suspenseful tale of love, betrayal, and revenge. It follows Noelle Page, a beautiful actress, who thinks men can be controlled only with her beauty and power but wants vengeance on Lawrence Larry Douglas, the American pilot who abandoned her. She aborts her unborn child in a painful way so that she can keep the revenge within her for years. Larry marries the innocent Catherine, unaware of Noelle’s plans. Noelle allies with her lover, Constantin Demiris, a powerful Greek tycoon, to destroy Larry. Initially she insults Larry and has fallen in love once again . The story unfolds as old lovers reunite and devise a plan to murder Catherine. In the end, Demiris orchestrates Catherine's murder and ensures Noelle and Larry's execution, completing Noelle's tragic revenge in this seat edged courtroom drama. 

Bottom line : 
No one can guess the happenings on the last 20 pages and that's what make it a gripping thriller. If you open any page randomly and read, you may not know whether Larry is with Noelle or Cath is with Larry or Demiris with Noelle or even Noelle with the singer Phillippe or Director Gautier but end up with reading a 18+ scene for sure. 

Recommended audience :
Mystery and Court room drama lovers who are Strictly 18+ since it's double A rated book.

Rating : 9.7 /10 ( esp for the end twist)


Thursday 15 August 2024

7 Sins of being a mother

       


"7 Sins of Being a Mother" by Tahira Kashyap Khurrana is a candid, humorous take on modern motherhood. The book delves into the often unspoken struggles and joys of parenting, wrapped in the author's witty, unapologetic narrative style. Each chapter explores a different "sin," such as guilt, anger, and envy, reflecting the real, sometimes messy emotions mothers experience. While the tone is light and relatable, the book also offers deeper insights into the societal pressures on mothers. It’s a refreshing, honest read that resonates with anyone navigating the complexities of parenting.
   
Bottom line :
It expresses the motherhood in different way with relatable facts. Non stop laughable riot!

Recommended audience:
Mothers especially new moms and women who are on their family way.

Rating : 9.7/10

Monday 12 August 2024

The Innovative Leader

         

The Innovative Leader is a comprehensive guide to fostering innovation within organizations. Wunker, an experienced consultant, outlines strategies that leaders can use to identify and capitalize on opportunities for growth and transformation. The book emphasizes the importance of understanding customer needs, leveraging disruptive thinking, and creating a culture that supports experimentation. Wunker combines practical advice with case studies from various industries, making the concepts accessible and actionable. It's an insightful read for leaders looking to drive sustainable innovation and stay competitive in an ever-evolving market.

Bottom line :
Totally a HRM guide !

Recommended audience  :
Definitely corporate people or those who are working in the same hierarchy. 

Rating : 7.5/10

Thinking in bets

        

"Thinking in Bets"by Annie Duke is a thought-provoking book that challenges readers to rethink decision-making. Duke, a former professional poker player, argues that life is more like poker than chess—filled with uncertainty and risk. She emphasizes the importance of making decisions based on probabilities and incomplete information, rather than striving for certainty. The book is filled with practical advice on how to separate outcomes from the quality of decisions, encouraging readers to embrace uncertainty and learn from it. It's a compelling read for anyone interested in improving their decision-making skills in business or life.

Bottom line :
After reading this book, I am not sure we may apply these tricks and advices on life but for sure we end up playing the poker atleast once in our life time.

Recommended audience:
Those who anything interesting to read !

Rating : 8.2/10

Sunday 11 August 2024

ABC yoga

       
The Kids' Yoga Book is a vibrant and engaging guide that introduces children to yoga through easy-to-follow instructions and playful illustrations. Each pose is explained in a simple, approachable way, making it accessible for young readers. The book encourages mindfulness, physical activity, and relaxation, making it a valuable tool for parents and educators. However, it may not offer enough depth for older kids or those with prior yoga experience. Overall, it's a fun and effective introduction to yoga for kids.
   
Bottom line :
It is fun-learn as well as informative for kids. It's not A to Z , its just ABC .

Recommended audience  :
Obviously kids. A guide to the yoga teachers to be , for engaging the kids for an hour daily.

Rating : 7.8/10

Friday 9 August 2024

How to build self discipline to exercise

           


Martin Meadows' How to Build Self-Discipline to Exercise offers a straightforward approach to overcoming exercise challenges. By exploring the psychology of motivation, the book provides practical strategies to establish a consistent workout regimen. While not all suggestions are universally applicable, the core emphasis on self-discipline is beneficial. It's a worthwhile read for individuals seeking to make exercise a habit.

Bottom line on bullets :
1. Prepare a goal sheet (Only with good dopamine habits)
2. Set a deadline.
3. Avoid triggers ( most important )
4. We are average of 5 friends in our circle. So better choose good people to be surrounded with.
5. Visualize the process rather than trying achievement of goals.
6. Rewire the brain to think of the polar opposite when it encounters the trigger.
7. Finally combine the new habits with old habit to make it as routine.

Recommended audience:
People who want to become next version of themselves.

Rating : 9.2/10