#BookReview High School Playbook by Chris Weilert

 

About The Book

Think Big, Dream Bigger, Live Larger

At least, that’s how Fergus would like to act. Instead, he exists in a world of the cool and the lame. Haves and have-nots. Winners and losers.

Full of fear and potential in equal measure, Fergus just needs a push.

Not content with his voyage of self, Fergus decides to rekindle the friendship between his father and the author of the Final Opus.

If Fergus can save his father from the fate of humdrum existence, then nothing can stop either of them. And all they have to do is follow the plan laid out thirty years ago in the High School Playbook.

My Thoughts

I am a sucker for YA books. I just simply love them, not only books but movies too.

The book depicts the life of Fergus, a teenage boy. He is like me in my teenage years. He is bulled by the popular kids, but they cannot crush his dreams. I was also bullied in my school days, hence can relate to it to a great extent.

At times Fergus lived in a fantasy world, whereas his reality is nothing but lame.

This all changed when he discovered a diary which is written by his father’s best friends and his namesake. This diary served as a roadmap to his journey to discovering himself.

I wish I had a playbook like this.

I enjoyed reading this book and related it to Fergus in many ways. Even though I am an adult, still a roadmap would be really helpful.

Awesome book for teenagers.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Chris R. Weilert lives in San Jose, California with his wife and pack of dogs. He has written his whole life but only in the last few years has he been serious enough to pursue being an author. His pieces have appeared in magazines and book compilations. He is more of a short story writer but is now venturing into novel writing.  High School Playbook is his first book.

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#BookReview To Lose A Penny by Savannah Lynn

 

About The Book

To Lose a Penny is a fictional autobiography of a man who loses everything and finds answers he wasn't looking for.

Amid the worst year of his life, an anonymous narrator finds an outlet to express his deepest fears, most joyous moments, and largest realizations. Somewhere along the way, we realize his mindless ramblings seem to show us more about the world around us than the one within the pages.

My Thoughts

I am a professional book promoter, editor, and content writer. I have to read, that is literally my job. I read various content, however, I come across very few books that touch my heart.

I don’t like to read romantic books. However, from the very first sentence, this book captures my full attention.

After a long time, I read something so fulfilling for the reader within me.

The story goes in a journal format where we get to meet the main character, well, his name is a mystery. He is suffering from a life-threatening disease, heartbroken over the death of the love of his life (Penny), and wants to end his life. However, what follows is a journey full of laughter, tears and hope.

The main character is like all of us in our worst situations, he doesn’t pretend to be strong, but rather he is strong enough to accept that he is not strong. I was rooting for him from the beginning.

I specifically like how the author finishes every chapter or entry in the journal. Like “A Mess”, “the biggest pain in your ass ever”, “Accidentally 34” and many more.

The language is fluid and easy to comprehend, the pace is fast, not a single dull moment.

This book is author Savannah Lynn’s first book and she did a marvelous job with it. I am eagerly waiting for her next book.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Savannah Lynn grew up in High Springs, Florida. By age 4, her adoration for reading and her wild imagination morphed into a passion for writing. Then at age 15, she attempted her first novel The Story of Mags. This was never published due to her acceptance of a dual enrollment program and was a full-time college student by age 16. 

At age 18, she moved to Tennessee and transferred to MTSU. She graduated at age 21 and self-published her second novel Imaginary the same year. Then at age 22, she decided it was time to begin the two-year process of writing To Lose A Penny. Which was her first commercially published novel and was released in 2021.

Author on the Web

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#BookReview The Right Kind of Wrong by Shilpa Suraj

About The Book

With no name, no medical history, multiple gunshot wounds, and enough security to rival the Prime Minister’s, Dr Aria Dubey’s new patient is something more than she asked for. And everything she might just need.

Intelligence Officer Karan Bhatnagar has only vengeance on his mind. Nothing will stop him from seeking justice for his murdered parents.

There's only one thing left to do...find the killer and end him before he ends them. Will Karan and Aria risk everything for a love that is all kinds of wrong? And yet, is the right kind of wrong.

My Thoughts

This book is a mixture (khichdi) of romance and thrill and suspense.

The best part of the book is its gripping narration and fast pace.

However, the main issue with the book is its overdramatization. At times it felt like a Bollywood masala movie.

The characters are well-drafted, especially Aria. Mr X is like any character from any thrillers book.

Overall, fun, time-pass read.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Shilpa Suraj wears many hats - corporate drone, homemaker, mother to a fabulous toddler, and author.

An avid reader with an overactive imagination, Shilpa has weaved stories in her head since she was a child. Her previous stints at Google, in an ad agency, and as an entrepreneur provide color to her present-day stories, both fiction and non-fiction.

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#BookReview Study, Sleep, Repeat: 130 Tips to Schedule Your College Life by Joel Randall

 

About The Book

Hickory Dickory dock. The mouse ran up the clock. The clock struck eleven, and this was the moment the university freshman stressed out about uploading his project at a time when he still had another three hours of work to do—Hickory Dickory dock.

Time crises foil the good-natured plans of education, but despondency doesn’t have to be permanent. With a break here, a breath there, and a Hickory Dickory dock of preparation, you can make it.

If you feel like a mindless mouse exhausted by racing against the clock for no apparent reason, this book is for you.

My Thoughts

I always take pride in my time management skills. I am a multitasker and I am good at it. Since my school days, I have never as such had any time management issues.

When my brother suggested this book to me, my reaction was like…. why.

However, after reading this, I can understand my brother recommended the book.

This book is a time management goldmine. Though the book is written for college students, it is still very relevant for corporate professionals also.

There are a lot of time management techniques mentioned in the book and I am following some of them in my life and getting good results.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Joel B. Randall graduated from Brigham Young University–Idaho in December 2021 with a bachelor’s degree in communication (an emphasis in news/journalism) and an English minor. As a former tutor with his university’s writing center, Joel has a deep appreciation for English grammar and aspires to become a newspaper editor.

Besides professional writing, Joel enjoys creative writing and has published a guide to writing believable fiction. He is currently writing a fantasy book and a mystery book in his free time. Joel is passionate about the power that words can demonstrate when carefully crafted together, whether that be in a novel, short story, poem, or research paper.

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#BookReview The Last Nazi by Andrew Turpin

About The Book

The buried contents of a Nazi train. An aging SS mass murderer. And the wartime secrets of a U.S. presidential hopeful’s Jewish family, hidden for seven decades.

War crimes investigator and ex-CIA officer Joe Johnson is more than intrigued when he learns of a link between the contents of a Nazi train, hidden by Hitler's Third Reich, a ruthless blackmail plot, and financing for a U.S. presidential hopefuls 2012 campaign.

My Thoughts

I have a fascination for spy thrillers. The assassination of some president or CIA/FBI involvement is my jam. There was a time I wanted to be a RAW agent but realized I am not very good a spying and dropped my plan.

Johnson himself is a well-crafted character. He was brave, resourceful, and utterly determined.

The description of various locations is apt and helps you to visualize. Definitely a fun read.

The only complaint I have is at times, the story is really dragging. For thrillers, this is definitely not ideal. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book.

Book Links

Amazon India | Amazon USA

About the Author

Andrew is a former journalist who has always had a love of writing, current affairs, history, and good novels.

His first book in the Joe Johnson spy conspiracy series, The Last Nazi, was published in August 2017, and hit the Amazon top 50 in the US and UK, as well as number one rankings in individual categories.

There are now seven books in the Johnson series. The others are The Old Bridge, Bandit Country, Stalin's Final Sting, The Nazi's Son, and The Black Sea, plus a prequel, The Afghan.

Author on the Web

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