4.5 Stars

Adam is the youngest member of the Von Trapeze family. Every family member, from grandpa to Adam’s siblings and cousins, performs for the circus. They tour from one town to another and entertain the audience. However, Adam doesn’t excel at any of the tricks. The family is worried until they realize that Adam has his own talent, something they never considered or noticed before. 

This is a super cute book about how each of us has different talents and why it is important to let kids bloom and choose skills/ fields they love. The story is simple, sweet, and touching. But the illustrations are just wow. If you like the nostalgic sepia-tinted old-world charm kind of illustrations, grab this book right away. 

The circus setting, the light and shadow effects, the makeup, and the detailing are so so good! The illustrations create a tangible atmosphere on the pages and transport the readers to the setting. 

To Summarize, Adam and His Tuba is a beautiful book with a sweet story, a moral for adults, and amazing illustrations. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and NorthSouth Books and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

4.5 Stars

Beat, Beat, Thump is a book for little ones to understand anxiety and learn ways to manage it on their own. Alex first talks about how it feels when he is close to a panic attack and how his thumping heartbeat is so loud in his head. He shows the incidents/ events that cause anxiety in him. 

Then, Alex shows how he deals with the increasing heartbeat by focusing on it, taking deep breaths, and noticing the gradual slowing down of the heartbeat. He goes on to show how the beat, beat, thump of his heart is soft and loving when he is safe, happy, and excited. 

He thinks about his favorite things and days when he feels anxious and regains control over his anxiety. The techniques explained are simple, easy to practice, and effective for kids to feel in control. 

The illustrations are beautiful and heartwarming. They are diverse (even Alex comes from an interracial family), warm, and soothing. The entire book has a soothing effect and ends with a calm assurance that makes kids feel safe and content. 

To summarize, Beat, Beat, Thump is an informative and helpful little for children to understand anxiety and learn healthy ways to manage it. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley, National Center for Youth Issues, and Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles and am voluntarily leaving a review. 

Jupiter’s mother, Marie Nova, a celebrated TV actress, was murdered twenty years ago. Jupiter has moved on and built a life for herself as an investigative journalist. When her latest expose affects her, Jupiter is sent back to Savannah to write a piece about a cosmetic company’s 100th-year celebrations. 

However, the trip back home makes Jupiter question everything in the past and her life. As she starts to dig into the details of her mother’s death, Jupiter is left with more questions and unconvincing details. The killer’s confession doesn’t seem right, and there are too many gaps in the details. 

Can Jupiter get to the bottom of the case and find the closure she desperately needs to have a normal life? 

The story comes from Jupiter’s first-person POV and another character’s third-person POV. 

The premise intrigued me, and the page count was right in my zone. The beginning was good, too, despite the slow pacing. However, I lost interest even before I touched the halfway mark. 

Jupiter was a cool character, willing to acknowledge her vulnerabilities and smart enough to connect the dots (though she does make a few mistakes). However, the first-person narration didn’t move me. It couldn’t feel involved in the story. 

A few scenes were unbelievable and pretty much unrealistic (at least to me). Also, there wasn’t much backstory to justify the scenes. 

Poppy was an adorable character and my favorite in the book. The others were left unexplored almost throughout. Even Jupiter doesn’t have much depth once you realize how things stand. 

I knew about the excessive twists towards the end (thanks to other reviews) and was prepared for them. Yet, I found them a little too much. The whole of it somehow felt melodramatic, though things easily work Jupiter one way or another. 

To summarize, Found Object didn’t appeal to me as much as I thought it would (and this is when I already went with low expectations). I enjoy thrillers of most kinds, but I just couldn’t make myself care about this one. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Thomas & Mercer, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.2 Stars

Even in the Grave is a collection of short stories with a common theme- ghosts. The author’s note at the beginning sets the tone and provides information about how the editors came up with the idea for the book. 

The stories belong to a range of genres and settings- futuristic to historical, contemporary to dystopian, and more. We also have a plethora of ghosts- helpful, friendly, creepy, vengeful, and terrifying. 

Some stories are a little shorter than others, but they all seem to be within a specific word count. That makes the collection more compact in terms of pacing. A few stories were brilliant, and a couple of them were meh! Some had great potential but didn’t wow me much. 

As with every anthology, every reader will have their favorites, hits and misses. Here’s what I liked the best (4-5 stars) 

In the Machine: How does an old dead woman communicate with her granddaughter using a computer? Easily the best and least scary ghost story in the book. It was so cute! 

Taps: What happens when a ghost communicates with a drummer from high school? Compact and well done, with a good dose of drama. 

The Bells: Not all debts are money, and no one can escape their past, especially if the ghosts are determined to have their way. This one ups the impact as the story progresses, and the end is too good. 

Moshigawa’s Homecoming: A Japanese historical retelling. Takes time to set the stage but delivers a worthy climax.  

These were good but not great (3-4 stars): 

House of Cracks: An injured army vet with PTSD tries to move on and start fresh. The ghosts from the past have a role to play. The only thing this didn’t go to the first category was the somewhat bland (detached) POV. 

Fetch: Moves between past and present in a historical setting. Who does like a vengeful ghost story? Felt a bit too long. 

After Trevor Vanished: Forgetting your first love is not easy, definitely not when it ends in tragedy. Good plot, but the ending felt rushed. 

The Spectacles: The spectacles can help solve a past crime but remember that ghosts always know more than humans. Well-written and has a good twist. But feels diluted at the end. 

Bruised and Battered Nevermore: Restless ghost, rented apartment, and the quest for truth. An entertaining ghost story. 

Rawhide Rex: The title is self-explanatory. A good ending to the collection. I liked it more for the innovative concept. 

** 

I realized that the more I read about the past, the more it triggers me. The Source of Fr Santiago de Guerra de Vargas Monstrous Crimes is about the Spanish conquest of the Maya, with descriptions of heathens being tortured and killed in hundreds to accept the True God and spread peace and light. The story is gory, too, though it won’t trigger the intended target audience. 

To summarize, Even in the Grave would work much better if you spread it over a few days. It wasn’t wonderful, but I wasn’t bored either. There’s no denying the variety of stories in this collection. None of the stories feel repetitive or similar despite having a common theme. 

Thank you, NetGalley, eSpec Books, and NeoParadoxa, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 4.5 Stars

Naham Karta Hari Karta translates to ‘it’s not me but Hari who got things done’. The book is a memoir, a collection of incidents when the author was the Executive Officer at Tirumala Tirupati Devastanam (TTD) in Andhra Pradesh during 1978-1982. 

‘When I saw Tirupati Balaji’ is the English translation though I have no idea how it is. You can see that the title isn’t an exact translation. I hope the book does justice to the original. 

A memoir is only as relatable as the author. PVRK Prasad was an IAS officer with MA in English and LLB, with a Fellowship from Cambridge University. He was a Secretary to the Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh (1971-72), Collector, Khammam (1974-77), EO of TTD (1978-82), and Media Advisor to former Indian Prime Minister P. V. Narasimha Rao (and many more important positions). He became an advisor to the TTD board afterward. 

It was his four years as the Executive Officer at TTD when a majority of the reforms took place in Tirupati. From building new pathways to changing internal policies, streamlining administration, fighting court cases that prevented progress, developing the surroundings around the temple and its premises, etc., are credited to him. 

Prasad garu wrote a couple of books about his administrative experiences (which I might pick up if I find the audiobook). He passed away in 2017 (aged 75 years). 

This book is a collection of incidents from his 4-year stint at Tirupati. It was first published as a series of articles in Swathi magazine. The book starts with how he was chosen for the post and the subsequent incidents that made him accept the offer. The last two chapters are more personal, one about his daughter’s marriage and another about how he became the man he was. 

Each chapter deals with a different issue. He recollects incidents that made him wonder about life, faith, God, and our role in this universe. However, the book doesn’t preach religion. It is spiritual and philosophical, with loads of information about how government offices, bureaucracy, and politics work behind the scenes. 

Every position of authority comes with a truckload of responsibilities and headaches. Pulling the wrong thread will mess things up rather than undo the intricate knots. He explains how he had to deal with protesters who objected to progress as it wasn’t beneficial for them. 

Prasad garu talks about being stuck in a rock and hard place where his duty demands he provide the best facilities for devotees but the resistance from a whole bunch of people who are more than happy to profit from the loopholes. Of course, he is also answerable to politicians with wholly different priorities. 

While this isn’t my regular genre, I was interested in reading it someday. We have a copy at home, and dad already shared a few incidents with me. Reading the whole book was going to be time-consuming, and I was more than happy to delay it. 

Then I found an app with Telugu audiobooks and saw that this title was for free. It was too good to resist, and I decided to give audiobooks one last try before giving up forever. I liked the first couple of chapters (as in, I didn’t zone out even once) and continued listening to it. 

I also realized that true to his words in the intro (there’s a small audio clip in his voice), the book should work for a range of readers. The bottom line is simple yet complex- 

These aren’t something new. Thousand of self-help books, podcasts, blogs, videos, etc., say the same. It’s how we take it that matters. 

He talks about his associations and interactions with the Dasa Sahitya project, the literature of the bhakti movement in Kannada, Swami Ranganathananda, a head Swami of Ramakrishna Math, and MS Subbulakshmi. Balancing traditions and progress wasn't easy, but he showed how it could be done. 

The highlight is the chapter with the book’s title, which was pretty much an impossible task (replacing the centuries-old dwajha stambham with a new one). Prasad garu was transferred to another important post six days after this momentous task was fulfilled. He explains in a different chapter how it was rare to stay in a position for four long years as an IAS. The transfers were frequent, but since he brought major developments, the government extended his responsibilities until he could complete them all. 

His wife and children are also mentioned in the book. While the kids don’t have much role, his wife, Gopika, played a vital role in a few chapters. The words reflect his love and respect for her without any declarations. 

What I love the most is how Prasad garu doesn’t shy away from sharing certain parts of his past. The last chapter is dedicated to how he changed for the better after becoming the EO and TTD. In fact, the last chapter makes us see the book and the person in a different light. 

Prasad garu is also open about his uncertainties, fears, doubts, anguish, happiness, contentment, and tears. How many times has he mentioned that tears of grief or happiness flowed through his eyes! So what if he was an IAS and a civil servant? He was a human, and every word reflected that.  

Well, this is the first audiobook that worked for me. The reading isn’t perfect, but it did the job. The narrator, Konduru Tulsidas, the app's founder and a retired officer from the Andhra Pradesh Board of Education, brought out the necessary intonations and emotions in his voice. 

Still, I listened to the book throughout the month. I started with a chapter or two per day and could stretch to three long chapters (~1hr total). 

Since each chapter was independent, the book worked very well as an audio version. Being in conversational Telugu (but of premium quality with some poetic metaphors) helped the most. Listening is a different experience when someone talks in detail about administration (also, I’m used to it, thanks to my dad). 

I dug out the physical copy of the book and found that it has black & white pictures included with some chapters. Though I know that this was a book I had to listen to. 

I’ve always felt that some books come to you when the time is right. This is one of those books. It seems fitting that I conclude the review in Prasad garu’s words- Naham Karta Hari Karta… 

Oscar and Mercy sail to Venice for an adventure. Oscar has a special plan for Mercy and tries to implement it. However, things go wrong (definitely not something new for Oscar) until everything falls into place. How will Oscar be successful in his endeavor in the lovely city of Venice? 

I haven’t read the other books in the series, so it dimmed my enjoyment a little. However, I like cats, and this one is a cute story set in the romantic city of Italy (hint, hint). The blurb calls it a tribute to Venetian life, and it certainly looks like that. The market, gondola ride, bridge, artistic ladies, celebrations, etc., are included without overwhelming the reader. 

The text is of decent size and on alternate pages. It is provided in a block of paragraph and is easy to read. The watercolor illustrations are watery and blurry, which seem to be a highlight of the series. The illustrations are cute, though it depends more on the readers’ personal taste. That said, the blurriness creates a subtle sense of humor, which adds to the overall theme. 

To summarize, Oscar the Italian Cat is a cute little read that works as a standalone but would be more enjoyable if read as a part of the series. 

My thanks to Booktasters and the author for providing an electronic copy of the book. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

Madame Elinor Chalamet is a trained Ghost Talker, a medium belonging to the Morpheus Society. She helps the police using her skills and also takes up private clients. Elinor is also searching for her father’s killer and the missing details of his death. 

A dead body puts her in the path of Tristan Fontaine, Duke de Archambeau, who needs to solve the case and keep things in wraps. However, issues get complicated (in the case and in their personal lives). Can Elinor and Tristan find the killer on time? 

The story comes from Elinor’s first-person POV. 

The blurb gave me Amanda Quick vibes, and I grabbed the book right away when I saw the author’s name. 

The novella starts with a bang and progresses at a steady pace. The writing is easy and entertaining. I like the bits of humor sprinkled throughout. 

Elinor is smart, intelligent, capable, and determined. She deals with people in her style and knows how to get information. 

The ‘ghost’ scenes blend with the main narrative, which is an advantage and a disadvantage. The shift is seamless, but if readers want something heavily atmospheric, it can be a wee bit disappointing. 

The hints about her father are just enough to keep the readers interested for the next installment. Of course, the interactions between Elinor and Tristan are just as promising. 

Ann-Marie is an excellent side character. I hope she has a meatier role in the coming books. The series has loads of potential, and I hope to read them all. 

The climax is good and rightly sized, but it wasn’t mind-blowing or wow. The follow-through is smooth and ends well, but I wanted a little more from the climax. 

To summarize, Ghost Talker is an evenly-paced paranormal novella with a feisty heroine and a grumbling hero. It’s an entertaining read for those who enjoy the genre. 

Thank you, Net Galley, Rook and Castle Press, and IBPA Members’ Titles, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#GhostTalker #NetGalley 

** 

 4 Stars

Amelia Adams has turned her Scottish inheritance into a hotel. The Stone Manor Hotel is set to host its first-ever Christmas wedding of a millionaire and his young fiancé. Naturally, this resulted in an assortment of guests, quirky and annoying personalities, old grudges, buried secrets, blackmail, and high-voltage drama (with loads of booze).   

Amelia gets a call from a mysterious stranger who wants to tell her something important. This sets things in motion, resulting in a few attacks, deaths, and chaos. As if that’s not enough, her friend and celebrity painter, Lorcan, seems to be in trouble. 

With the impending wedding celebrations and a killer on the prowl, it’s up to Amelia to get to the bottom of the mystery and save the day (without becoming the killer’s next victim).  

The book is the second in the series but works well as a standalone (I haven’t read the first and could follow this without much effort). There’s enough info about the previous book but scattered in bits and pieces. This prevented info dump and kept the focus where it should be. 

The pacing is slow and steady. It doesn’t pick up the pace, but the writing is easy and engaging. Also, the book is 400 pages, so the plot is detailed, and takes time to get to murder and sleuthing. While this usually irks me, I liked the (recurring) characters and their interactions, so it wasn’t boring at any point. 

The generous doses of humor and the setting are major plus points in the book. The rooms in the hotel are pretty interesting and named after famous mystery writers. Guess what’s the best room in the hotel? Agatha Christie’s suite, of course! 

The main characters seem easy to like and have a few quirks that make them a wee bit flawed. There are a few eye-roll moments (which are expected). 

The climax and ending are well done without being over the top. It took me a good while to guess the killer, but I’m glad I got it right. A certain revelation was unexpected though it fits with the overall plot. 

To summarize, Mistletoe and Murder is a solid cozy mystery and a wholesome entertainer. It is lighthearted, funny, and satisfying. A bit of pace could have made it even better. 

I’m tempted to check out the previous book to know Amelia’s complete story and look forward to reading more from this series. 

Thank you, Bloodhound Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

 3.5 Stars

1813, Sussex 

Lizzie and her older sister Esme have a tough time dealing with their father’s debts. Esme is sold off as a wife to an aging Lord Blountford to clear the debts. However, Esme dies within a year of the marriage, and Lizzie is ordered to take her dead sister’s place. 

Lizzie is taken to Ambletye Manor as Lord Blountford’s fiancé to discover that she would be his fifth wife. Apparently, all four wives have died in the manor. Can Lizzie find the truth behind their deaths and save herself? 

With growing feelings between Charles Blountford (the old man’s nephew) and Lizzie, she has a lot more at stake in getting to the bottom of the truth. It certainly helps that Lizzie has a special gift. But what will this cost her? 

The story comes in Lizzie’s first-person POV. 

The blurb makes the book sound like an atmospheric paranormal mystery. However, the story is more of a romantic drama with a couple of ghosts and some social issues. 

The pacing is great, an advantage, as I could breeze through the book in a couple of days. 

There is no atmosphere despite the book being set in an old Manor with a vast estate. Imagine cloudy days, dark manor rooms, and secret spots in the estate. All of these are used, but none create the atmosphere. 

Lord Blountford is supposed to be some sort of villainous old man with too many secrets. But most of his secrets aren’t the kinds that send chills down the spine. In fact, when Lizzie herself feels sad for him on multiple occasions, it’s hard to consider him ‘the villain’. He ends up being more of a controller than sinister. 

The book is a blend of romance, mystery, and family drama. It has a bit of everything though none of them feel intense. One theme gets extra focus and is handled pretty well. 

How you like the book depends on what you expect from it. If you’re looking for a slow-burn gothic setting with intense scenes, this isn’t for you. However, if you like something fast-paced with zero spookiness, you’ll enjoy the book more. 

The book doesn’t require any effort from the reader’s side (be careful of the triggers), which is an advantage and a disadvantage. I liked it okay and enjoyed the pace, so it worked decent for me. 

The ending is satisfactory, though the climax is as dramatic as it can get. Lizzie has to do something idiotic, right? Still, the following scenes could have been used to bring out the real darkness in Lord Blountford, but that doesn’t fully happen. 

The side characters are a treat. Jordie, Price, Judith, etc., deliver their best and shine better than the main leads. I’d love it if Jordie and Price get a book each. Such potential! 

To summarize, The House of Lost Wives is a regency romance (clean) with some friendly ghosts and great side characters. 

Thank you, NetGalley and Headline, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book. 

#NetGalley #TheHouseofLostWives 

** 

TW: 

Sexual assault (multiple mentions), gambling, death

 4 Stars

A little girl shares her experiences of the best worst day in her life. The story comes in first-person narration with 2-3 lines of text on each page. The essence of the book is to look at the silver lining and realize that there will be something good even in the worst situations. 

The writing is straightforward for kids to read and enjoy. I’m sure they’ll relate to most incidents in the book. A lot of it is chance and coincidence, but hey, kiddo books have the right to simplify a few things. Life is hard as it is. 

The illustrations have a light touch and are cute. The watercolors are done with a deft yet casual hand. They reminded me of the comics with those goofy expressions. Kids look rather sweet when they smile that way. The words best and worst are highlighted on each page for little ones to easily understand the content. 

To summarize, The Best Worst Day Ever is a sweet book about realizing that things can be good even if they seem bad. 

I received an ARC from NetGalley and BooksGoSocial and am voluntarily leaving a review.