Whispers In The Water: A Chilling Horror Story by Bidisha Bhattacharyya

 Whispers In The Water: A Chilling Horror Story by Bidisha Bhattacharyya | Book Review

The short collection of horror stories in Whispers in the Water manages to deliver a powerful blow in just a few pages. The three stories are a compilation of truly reading but spine-tingling tales that are sandwiched between traditional, straightforward horror elements—including haunted lakes, voices of the dead, and weird mirrors.

The way the characters get involved and depict their presence of mind in weird situations is commendable. The characters indirectly share valuable life insights, making the story more interesting rather than merely haunting.

Even silence feels heavy because author Bidisha Bhattacharyya infuses an undercurrent of uneasiness into relatively regular places. I found myself holding my breath unconsciously because of the writing's sharpness and the seamless way the tension is introduced.

Although "Whispers in the Water" is brief enough to read in one sitting, it is thought-provoking enough. It is a collection worth exploring if you enjoy ambient horror with a mythology foundation.

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Why Not? by Ankitha Rajendaran

 Why Not? by Ankitha Rajendaran | Book Review

This isn’t a book about getting it “right.” Instead, it’s about how travel shifts the ground beneath your feet, showing you what really matters: courage, connection, and the stories you didn’t even know you were carrying.

As I read this book, I found a story not of invincibility but of adaptation. I saw how vulnerability has been the greatest teacher rather than an adversary. The author highlights on the fact that your vulnerability is not something to hide. It’s something to embrace, for it’s in those fragile moments that we truly discover our strength.

Every chapter is a subdued protest against stereotypes. Her narratives sense the environments rather than merely describing them. Every chapter serves as a gateway to a wealth of knowledge. The knowledge of hazardous zones in Syria, Iraq, and other places astounded me.

Lyrical yet grounded, the prose effortlessly transitions between contemplative pondering and useful observations. She allows us to witness both the confusion and the serenity, the uncertainty and the revelation.

Overall, this book isn’t a guidebook. It’s a map of the lessons the author has learnt, the people she met, and the moments that have changed her. It’s a story of breaking down barriers and building connections. It’s a story of how her understanding of the world shifted. 

Her travels—whether navigating checkpoints in Iraq, listening to the stories of Yazidis, or crossing borders with a pounding heart—gave me the kind of credibility no classroom or book ever could.

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BANARAS An Eternal Love Story by Saurabh Singh

 BANARAS An Eternal Love Story by Saurabh Singh | Book Review

I wonder when I could get a chance to visit Varanasi. When I saw this book about a love story based in Varanasi, I picked it up instantly. This book lived up to my expectations and hence gave me a picturesque view of the place and its aroma.

The narrative centres on Shourya and Naina. Naina is the daughter of the "Liquor King" of Uttar Pradesh, and Shaurya is the reserved heir to an empire of sand from Bihar. It feels like a love letter to Banaras and the idea of defying fate because their love story was formed between the vivid pandemonium of Varanasi Hindu University and the peaceful Ganga Ghats.

On the day of Shourya and Naina's wedding, the story begins. Shourya is anxious yet prepared to start a new life. The family and their interactions are also introduced to us. The lovely wedding ceremony of Naina and Shourya is also shown to us. However, before it is over, Shourya receives a call from his brother, who is also his best friend, and that one call alters everything.

The author paints a vivid picture of the city with words that breathe, capturing its soul through the hallowed Ganga, the bustling lanes, the marigolds at sunrise, and the echo of evening aartis. Reading it is like strolling through Varanasi's historic lanes alongside the characters.

I found their happy moments entertaining, their struggles upsetting, and the fact that two regular individuals could carry such a weight impressive. The most striking thing to me was how naturally strong their love felt, never forced.

This is more than just a romance; it's a tale that lingers in your mind and forces you to consider the consequences of your own decisions.

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