The Best Kind Of Guy Friend.

P.S. – This post is also dedicated to the only such guy in my life, who I call my best friend, Manish Ahuja.

Certainly, historical fiction was one genre I hadn’t tried my hands on, ever. So, I was really skeptical about registering myself in the ‘Book Review Program’ at BlogAdda.com. I’d almost made up my mind against doing so, as I thought, I wouldn’t understand anything and therefore, won’t be able to do justice to my review about the book. That’s when Manish Ahuja said, “It’s the author’s job to make you understand what is the book about. Yours, is just to read”. I couldn’t agree more to what he had to say, whereas I still wasn’t sure if I could pull it off. Somehow I convinced myself, registered and I’m so glad I did. The author, Ashwin Sanghi, did what a good author is supposed to.

Chanakya’s Chant is one of those intuitive and awe-inspiring novels I have read so far. The book runs parallel in two plots: one which was set 2300 years ago, the story of Chanakya and his protégé Chandragupta; and the other which is about modern India, the story of Gangasagar Mishra and his protégé Chandni Gupta. While the first story is a fiction revolving around an actual person, Chanakya, who manipulates people with his ruthless strategies; it is the story of Gangasagar Mishra what makes the book, that it is. It is how, the author has weaved the story of Gangasagar Mishra in the modern day India will make you fall in love with the book even more, and rightfully so, because we relate to the circumstances and the characters better. Though Gangasagar Mishra did the same thing as Chanakya, which was manipulating people to reach his ultimate goal, there was a huge difference in the way he did it. The circumstances were different, so were their ways to tackle the obstacles and get things done their way. How was Chanakya’s strategy different from Gangasagar Mishra is for you to find out. Not giving away any spoilers.

Talking about the writing style of the author, as mentioned earlier, the story runs parallel in two plots which (I think) has it’s pros and cons. While this style helped to understand both the stories and the similarities in ‘em better, it also made it very easy to get lost and confused in the midst of so many characters. Speaking from experience, I myself lost track of the story at one point in the middle of the book, and I had to go back to the end of the previous chapter of the same plot to connect the dots. I wouldn’t actually call this a con, because it eventually depends upon the reader and his/ her concentration and dedication towards the book. So yeah, if you think you would like to read this book just for passing time, refrain. Otherwise, it’s a must read. It will definitely keep you hooked from start till the end.

I remember, when I was just 100 odd pages into the book, I was so impressed by the author, his immense knowledge, his way of depicting a brilliant story, that it is, I instantly decided on reading ‘The Rozabal Line‘, the author’s first book. Can’t wait to read and probably write a review too. I cannot stop recommending this book to all the people I know. The book is definitely going as one of my favorites on my shelf in Shelfari.

For all those who are still not sure about giving this book a try or not, watch this YouTube video which would give a clear view of the book’s theme.

Rating: 4/5

Feel free to share your views about the book.

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!

Lyrics:
When you try your best, but you don’t succeed
When you get what you want, but not what you need
When you feel so tired, but you can’t sleep
Stuck in reverse

And the tears come streaming down your face
When you lose something you can’t replace
When you love someone, but it goes to waste
Could it be worse?

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

And high up above or down below
When you’re too in love to let it go
But if you never try you’ll never know
Just what you’re worth

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you

Tears stream down on your face
When you lose something you cannot replace
Tears stream down on your face
And on your face I…

Tears stream down on your face
I promise you I will learn from my mistakes
Tears stream down on your face
And on your face I…

Lights will guide you home
And ignite your bones
And I will try to fix you.
 

You know that ‘extremely-happy-for-no-reason-at-all’ feeling? Yes, that. That is exactly how Iam feeling right now. I feel like I am on cloud nine. I just can’t stop smiling which is making me feel like a complete idiot. I have been listening to my old playlist of songs for quite some time now which has taken me into a completely different world. Even the most disturbing songs couldn’t take that smile off my face. Weird, eh? I know. I myself am wondering that is this even possible? Have I gone mad or something? I swear I am not high. I want to talk and talk. Just talk to someone and explain how I am feeling right now. Though I know I wouldn’t be able to explain. Words are not enough to explain what I am feeling.

Missing two people so so much. I wish they were right here or at least I could talk to them.
1] My brother, Ankur – It’s his birthday today. I want to hug and tell him that I love him and miss him a lot.
Happy Birthday, bro. May you have a great one. *hugs*

2] My best friend, Manish – I am missing you, chokra. And, I know you are busy snoring away to glory. Not that I am complaining. Just *hugs*

Just one of those rare days when life seems perfect even though you know, it’s NOT!

P.S: I know I sound all drunk and high, but I am not. I am just happy and I am loving it!

Yes, I have my exams in 18 days. Major fml!
I should better go study, no? Yes. Thank you!

In other news, I have been working since the past three months. My first job EVER. Except for this, life’s pretty much the same as it was. Signing off for now with a promise to come back soon.

P.S – Dear Blog,
            I miss you. I really do. And I promise, I’ll be back. Like, real SOON!
 

I hate the way you make me feel,
I hate that you can read my mind,
And that you’re always right.
I hate the way you make me smile,
even when I wanna cry.
I hate your thoughts that haunt me.

I hate the way you pass by me,
and not even talk.
I hate the way you left me hurt,
And now that you don’t even care.
I hate that I can’t be angry,
I hate crying over you.

I hate it when you lie,
I hate the fact that I fell for you,
And that I’ll never get over you.
I hate that I don’t hate you,
not even a bit,
not even at all.

I hate so many things,
But the thing I hate the most is,
I hate myself for NOT hating you!

© Aditi

2009 was truly the year of Twitter. It’s been more than six months since I joined twitter and it has now become an integral part of my life. I made some genuinely awesome friends on Twitter.

I started my blog.

I kindoff figured out who my real friends are.

And hmmmmm, I completed my Graduation!

Good or Bad, the years’ almost come to an end. It’s time to put everything behind, dump all the sad memories and move on with the good ones with the only hope that 2010 would be better than 2009.

“Drop the last year into the silent limbo of the past. Let it go, for it was imperfect, and thank God that it can go.”

But before 2009 ends, I wanna thank my friends and family, all of you who made me smile and forget all my worries and made this year beautiful for me. Thank You!
And to those who did the reverse of the above – Thanks to you all too. I got to learn a lot from you guys. So, No regrets!

So, let’s all of us enjoy the last day last few hours of 2009 and welcome 2010 with arms wide open.

“Year’s end is neither an end nor a beginning but a going on, with all the wisdom that experience can instill in us.”

Some of the New Year Quotes I loved. Thought of sharing them with you guys –

#1 – We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s Day.

#2 – Tomorrow is the most important thing in life. Comes into us at midnight very clean. It’s perfect when it arrives and it puts itself in our hands. It hopes we’ve learned something from yesterday.

#3 – Every tomorrow has two handles. We can take hold of it with the handle of anxiety or the handle of faith.

#4 – New Year’s Resolution: To tolerate fools more gladly, provided this does not encourage them to take up more of my time.

Here’s Wishing you’all a very Happy and Prosperous New Year ahead!
Enjoy!!!