Meli's Book Reviews

[melisbookreviews]

What do you do with books you have never read for more than 4-5 years? Melina L. #questionoftheday #qotd #bookblogger #goanblogger #bibliophile #bookstagramindia #indianbookstagrammer #indianbookstagram #readeveryday #authorsofig #authorscommunity #writingcommunity #selfpublishedauthor #booklover https://www.instagram.com/p/CZYZbsSLB0m/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

Q. What's the one thing you want for Christmas? Melina L. 🦄 #bookhaul #qotd #questionoftheday #newbookalert #books #margaretatwood #bookblogger #indianbookstagramner #bookstagramindia #mybookfeatures #authorscommunity #authorsofig #readersofig #readersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #bibliophile #bookreviewerswanted #bookreviewer #chriatmas #bookaholic #readersofinsta #booksofinstagram #booklover #bibliophilelife https://www.instagram.com/p/CXAjt1Bvh3v/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Bookmail Alert:- I Want Your Life by Vishnu Mohan Shyla! Blurb:- I Want Your Life is an exploration of the universal phenomenon of grass being greener on the other side. We all live complex, at times tedious lives, and it is only natural that we look at others’ happiness and yearn for the same in our own lives. I Want Your Life is the story of Sharon, a young girl from a traditional Christian family from Central Kerala. It is also the story of Rufzal, a guy from the fishing community of coastal Kerala. They do not have much in common, and faced with their own hardships, they feel as if the other got a better deal. They wish they could trade lives - to have a taste of the greener grass. One day, life decides to grant their wishes! The story is not only about Sharon or Rufzal - as no person is an island. Their family, friends and foes, their well-wishers and back-stabbers, their upbringings and beliefs, all play their parts in shaping their lives. I Want Your Life is about finding out whether the grass is in fact greener on the other side. It is also about finding who you really are. And being at peace with it. Review coming soon! Melina L. 🦄 #bookblogger #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookhaul #bookreviewerswanted #goodreads #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #bookquote #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #bookworm #newbookalert #bookreviews #authorsofinsta #booklover #booksonbooks #bookmail #authors #author #authorsofinsta #newbookalert #indianbookstagrammer #bookstagramindia #indianbookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CXAw6FHvfjv/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Warning: Could contain spoilers from Book 1. Blurb in the comments! 🦄🦄🦄 You have to try. Trying is the first step to whatever comes next. 🦄🦄🦄 The Vanishing Stair is the second book in the Truly Devious series by Maureen Johnson. Continuing with the timeline in the first book, the story shifts between the happenings of 1936 and present day giving us small tidbits to put the pieces together. While the plot (and mystery) development is fine quite sensationally, the character and relationship developments stile the shoe for me as we get to dig deeper into the characters lives and their stories. Now that David's father and their relationship has been revealed, it sheds light as to some of David's personality traits and moralities. While he is nothing like his father, he's still his father's blood and finding herself in such a difficult situation, Stevie has to decide what's more important. Coming to the plot, I love it almost as much as I did the first book, it may be a little bit slow at times, but the plot continues to strengthen and grow as more secrets are uncovered. The book ends on anothet nail biting cliffhanger and that's what I loved about the entire series (yes I've completed it), the whole story keeps you on your toes and when you think you've come close to solving the mystery of the past and present, it throws another curve ball, daring you to dig deeper. 🦄🦄🦄 Rated 9/10 Melina L. #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookhaul #sofetchbooks #goodreads #trilogy #bookish #bookaholic #booksofinstagram #trulydevious #bookcommunity #thebookieclub #thevanishingstair #bookstagrammer #maureenjohnson #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig https://www.instagram.com/p/CXB41ZlvGjW/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

Bookmail Alert:- Unwind by Preeti Goel! Blurb:- POEMS for expressing and embracing all from the heart and the soul. This book is a collection of poems about loneliness, hope, nature and more. The mundane and the magical. Preeti believes that we are all under the same sky with more or less the same struggles and paths. Yet each story is unique and deserves to be told, heard and read. This book is written to share the pain so you can unwind from all things that do not serve you and to let you know that you are not alone. The verses are simple reflections of the everyday ponderings and meeting every moment just as is. With 'Unwind', you'll discover not just simple, relatable, and pleasant poetry, but also perhaps a guide to surrendering yourself and writing your own life in poems. Review coming soon! Melina L. 🦄 #bookblogger #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookhaul #bookreviewerswanted #goodreads #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #bookquote #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #bookworm #newbookalert #bookreviews #authorsofinsta #booklover #booksonbooks #bookmail #authors #author #authorsofinsta #newbookalert #indianbookstagrammer #bookstagramindia #indianbookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CXDQqMqrxGD/?utm_medium=tumblr

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‘I’ll definitely try and talk to him today, no matter what.’ 🦄🦄🦄 The love story of an actor and a sportsperson is always fascinating, isn’t it? Grishm is a super talented basketball player whose leading ambition is to win the trophy of the most beloved national intercollegiate tournament, The Fab Feb. He falls in love with Amaira, who secretly aspires to become an actor. Their lives become tortuous when their prestige brings them unwanted, manic lovers. On being deceived, Grishm’s wrathful reaction takes away his chance to play The Fab Feb. To top the misery, Amaira’s climb to success brings more misfortunes to Grishm’s life. At the extremity of losing everything, life gives him another chance to achieve his goal and terminate his feelings of insecurity for Amaira. But will this cost him her dreams? Welcome to the war where it’s Love vs. Dreams. 🦄🦄🦄 I Call It the City of Love is a romance novel by Gaurav Tahlani. It's a light read that follows your typical boy meets girl trope with a writing style that's easy to understand and is suitable for those who have just started to get into reading or for someone who is looking for a quick read. However, the tone of the book is very monotone and it takes a while for the story to pick up. It's essentially a slow burn that takes it time building up the story and the romance by first building up the personalities of the characters. Coming to the characters, on the positive side, they're your run-of-the-mill college students so, you'll find some degree of relatablity between yourself and the characters. On the other hand I wish we got a little more substance to these characters so they be more multi-dimensional. The romance aspect of it supposed to be the central focus of this book, however, I was a lot more interested in the friendship between Grishm and Aarv. The relationship between Grishm and Amira is your typical romance 'will they-won't they' mixed with a complicated relationship so it'll be perfect for a younger audience (readers in high school and college) who like the genre. 🦄🦄🦄 Rated 7/10 Melina L. #bookblogger #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #goodreads #bookishlove https://www.instagram.com/p/CXEafIlrM3q/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

Q. Do you have any Christmas themed books on your TBR this month? Melina L. 🦄 #bookhaul #qotd #questionoftheday #newbookalert #books #margaretatwood #bookblogger #indianbookstagramner #bookstagramindia #mybookfeatures #authorscommunity #authorsofig #readersofig #readersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #bibliophile #bookreviewerswanted #bookreviewer #chriatmas #bookaholic #readersofinsta #booksofinstagram #booklover #bibliophilelife https://www.instagram.com/p/CXI72P8PPuf/?utm_medium=tumblr

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We are wallpaper women, Ripped through the edges with no dreams left to fulfill, But we follow the nights into the alley of darkness, Where our body gets preyed over the chauvinistic gaze of predatory stray! 🦄🦄🦄 Wallpaper Women is a poetry book by Heena Johar written with the objective of shedding light against the atrocities that happen to women not only behind closed doors, but also in broad daylight. We live in a society where, even though the importance of women's safety against assault and violence is written on paper, it's practice is lacking and we see proof of that every day. This book is aptly named, 'Wallpaper Women' because we as women have been taught to cover up bruises and shut up about assaults, but now we're living during a time when women are being taught to speak up and take their power back from the men who've tried to put them down. This poetry book takes us on that journey, because when you feel like there's nothing left worth fighting for, the only way to survive is pushing through and showing you oppressor that it is not the end. Speak! And let your voice roar! Uproot the misogyny, And don't let them convince you, That you are unworthy! 🦄🦄🦄 Rated 10/10 Melina L. #bookblogger #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookhaul #bookreviewerswanted #goodreads #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #bookquote #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #bookworm #newbookalert #bookreviews #authorsofinsta #booklover #booksonbooks #bookmail #authors #author #authorsofinsta #newbookalert #indianbookstagrammer #bookstagramindia #indianbookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CXK1vCHPJ6a/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

Welcome to Pathabhrashta. Manisha, a professor in Psychology, finds certain oddities with people whom she interacts with in this hill station. She realises that the place is governed like a social media and its citizens are treated as real-life-profiles. Everyone remains under constant surveillance. Virtually Lost is a story of what would happen if social media came to exist outside of its virtual state. 🦄🦄🦄 Virtually List is a sci-fi novel by Shreyan Laha that feels like an an episode of Black Mirror. While reading the story your brain is fully aware that the story is not real, however, there is always a shadow of a doubt that this could be our future because of the elements that make it feel like it's a possibility and the way technology is advancing in our society. One of of the main elements of this book is how even with complete freedom to do whatever one wishes there will always be a part of our lives that we give up for the sake of enjoying an easy life. In this book's case, in order to enjoy life to the fullest the people living in this world have to give up their privacy and be monitored 24/7. Every footstep the take is monitored, every thought they think is known and there is no way out. This book caught my attention from the very beginning for a lot of reasons, one of them being the the interesting story line. But, it's not just tge story line that was impeccably done, the author has also given us an amazing world to dive into with a main character that smart resourceful and knows that she has to find a way out through perseverance. The world building overall seems (on the surface of it) to be generic because it's supposed to be e a simulation of what a city on eEarth looks like. However, there are details that make it stand out from a regular place on Earth in this small details slowly add up to a bigger picture as we go through the story. Overall, this was a pretty good read and I finished it within a day. But I will say that it is on the lengthier side and could have been a bit more compressed so that we good enjoy the story of a lot more for its quality content. 🦄🦄🦄 Rated 8/10 Melina L. #bookblogger #bookreview #scifi #indianbookstagrammer https://www.instagram.com/p/CXOqTfEPCkE/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

It's almost time to start opening your 12 Day Advent Calendars!! Which one(s) have you got this year? This one is the bookish Advent Calendar by @_scintillare_ but there are three more en route!! Two from @sangrah_shop and one from @literarysouvenirs 🥳 I've been uploading daily unboxing reels of @thelittlewings_ 24 Day Advent Calendar but now I've got to either upload individual unboxing reels for all 5 calendars or upload one reel with all FIVE unboxings together!! What do you think would be the better option? Melina L. 🦄 #bookhaul #qotd #questionoftheday #newbookalert #books #margaretatwood #bookblogger #indianbookstagramner #bookstagramindia #mybookfeatures #authorscommunity #authorsofig #readersofig #readersofinstagram #authorsofinstagram #bibliophile #bookreviewerswanted #bookreviewer #christmas #bookaholic #readersofinsta #booksofinstagram #booklover #bibliophilelife #adventcalendar https://www.instagram.com/p/CXP_4OkL_Oq/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

TW: self-harm, substance abuse, abortion! 🦄🦄🦄 I don’t mean to feel this anxious. All I want to do is want to live. Why is it so hard to just allow myself to take up space? 🦄🦄🦄 Misunderstood Insanity by Nicho'lle is a collection of writings by the author that includes poetry and diary entries as she tells the story of her journey battling grief, self-harm, substance use, hyper sexuality etc. It's a very difficult book to read, because with every chapter I just wanted to go in and give her a hug and tell her it will all be okay. I cannot and will not try to fathom what the author has gone through because when I finished the book the weight in my heart told me enough. I cried the night I was reading this book because it was raw and real! But, there's always a light at the end of the tunnel and we get to see the author coping while taking care of herself and healing. She talks about the ways in which she processes the bad days through self-care and help from others. This book shows what it's truly like when your mental health is deteriorating because of actions taken by others as well as the choices you've made. But, remember that there are a lot of people out there who are struggling with their mental health and you are not alone. It may be a long and hard journey but you are wirth every second of the life you are living. 🦄🦄🦄 This is not related to the review but is a part of the book and it had me curious. There's a whole write up on 'trigger warnings' and as you know I always add TWs in the beginning of my reviews, including this one and I know there's always a debate about the use of warnings. But as a reader what's your opinion? There's a part in the book that's states: 'I am all about mental health, and I will advocate for it until the day I die, but if we are going to be this sensitive to what we are looking at on the internet, shouldn’t we just avoid the internet?' 🦄🦄🦄 Rated 9/10 Melina L. #bookblogger #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookhaul #bookreviewerswanted #goodreads #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #bookquote #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #bookworm #bookreviews #authorsofinsta https://www.instagram.com/p/CXQ9tXQPsjz/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

Bookmail Alert:- Bombay Hangovers by Rochelle Potkar is a collection of short stories set in Bombay! Review coming soon! Melina L. 🦄 #bookblogger #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookhaul #bookreviewerswanted #goodreads #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #bookquote #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #bookworm #newbookalert #bookreviews #authorsofinsta #booklover #booksonbooks #bookmail #authors #author #authorsofinsta #newbookalert #indianbookstagrammer #bookstagramindia #indianbookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CXS4uFFPdCY/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

you don't want to imagine how it died, how it got there, a creature that only knows what it knows and no further 🦄🦄🦄 Tempest is a poetry collection by Ryan Meyer that speaks about fear, hope, and self-identity A Tempest is defined as 'a violent windy storm' which brings destruction in its wake, but rhe poet finds a beautiful quality in the word itself. So, the book was written with the intention of maintaining that balance between destruction and fear with beauty and hope. Like the peaceful winds after the storm. My favourite poem is 'Bloom' because it's a small poem that you initially think nothing much about (except perhaps that it's about vegetables and gardening 😅), but when you try to think about what message the poet is trying to convey it creates one of those moments where things start to click and the Domino's fall into place. This was my experience with it! Overall, I enjoyed the journey this book took me on and I would recommend it if you are a poetry aficionado. 'These winds Whisper Secrets We Cannot Translate' ~Dandelion 🦄🦄🦄 Rated 8/10 Melina L. #bookblogger #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookhaul #bookreviewerswanted #goodreads #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #poetsofig #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #bookworm #newbookalert #bookreviews #authorsofinsta #booklover #booksonbooks #bookmail #poetry #poet #authorsofinsta #newbookalert #indianbookstagrammer #bookstagramindia #indianbookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CXaV28Hoo2n/?utm_medium=tumblr

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Death is but the first consideration. And then your beloved will indeed be lost forever. 🦄🦄🦄 Blurb in the comments! 🦄🦄🦄 The Prisoner of Paradise is a historical thriller novel by Rob Samborn that takes place during the present day as well as the 16th century. There's a lot to about this book so let's take it one step at a time. First of all the plot and the worldbuilding are outstanding. Not only did the author manage to transport us to present dag Venice (which in itself is a big deal) but he also manages to capture the essence of what it would have been like in the sixteenth century. It truly felt like we were walking amongst the characters as a live action play was taking place. One of the things I loveed is how much research and time the author has taken to make this story feel as authentic ad possible in many aspects including the art world. The story is a unique one and not something we see often, but as someone who's read her fair share of historical fiction, this was incredible. From the very beginning the author manages to pull you in with a lot of 'wtf is going on' as we try to navigate what's happening with the main character, Nick. (Props to him because if I was in his position I wouldn't have handled it the way he did! - Yes, I know it's fiction, but I'm speaking hypothetically.) I absolutely loved this book and to any Dan Brown fans out there, you need to read this because it'll be the perfect read for you. It's adventurous, mysterious, magical and thrilling. It's a page turner unlike any other and I cannot wait to read book 2 since I've read the snippet and it already has me on the edge of my seat. "The more powerful the storms one conquers on the voyage to destiny, the more glorious the bounty." 🦄🦄🦄 Rated 9/10 Melina L. #bookblogger #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #historicalfiction #bookreviewerswanted #goodreads #thrillernovrlmel #advenrure #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #newbookalert #bookreviews #authorsofinstagam https://www.instagram.com/p/CXa9Uu_Aahz/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

The Land of Oodle is a place where everyone is accepted, everyone is equal, and "differences don't make you different." 🦄🦄🦄 Following the imagination of Roy, as his world transforms into The Land of Oodle, he takes on his first mission as, Sir Raspberry, a knight of the Kingdom of Parfait. He sets out on a mission to help keep the kingdom safe from a monster. However, while face to face with this monster his costume rips, drawing us back to reality where Roy is now upset and needs a new costume. He hurries to his room for a costume change and back to face the monster. With a costume and identity change, Sir Raspberry, the princess knight, is determined to keep the people of Parfait safe. 🦄🦄🦄 The Princess Knight is a children's illustrated book by Jeff Grafe and Vivian Saad and a part of The Land of Oodle Childrens Book Series. I love this book for kids because not only is it adventurous it pushes the boundaries of gender norms in readers from a young age. The simple act of Roy choosing a dress as a costume breaks fo many stereotypes as well as opens the doors to world of creativity that was once deemed unacceptable. It's a fun book for any child with its Kingdoms of Parfait, Flambe, Brule, and Sorbet (is anyone else hungry?). I would highly recommend this book if you're child loves to dream up new worlds and explore them because along with a adventurous ride, the illustrations are beautiful and mouthwatering at the same time! (There's a cotton candy meadow!!) 🦄🦄🦄 Rated 10/10 Melina L. #authors #newbookalert #bookreviewerwanted #bookreviewer #booklaunch #bookrelease #booksforkids #indieauthor #authorsofinsta #published #childrensbook #bookcommunity #author #indieauthors #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #bookpromo #authorsofig #selfpublished #authorsofinsta #authorlife #illustratedbook #indieauthor #bookreviews #childrensauthor https://www.instagram.com/melisbookreviews/p/CXgzojpPO0y/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

Bookmail Alert:- Carpe Diem: Seize the Moment by Prajakta Taiwade! Blurb;- Have you observed and heard the sound of knife cutting through a Watermelon? Or have you felt the touch of water when you wash your Hands? No. right, have you ever wondered why?? It is just Because while doing these things you are already thinking of something in future, or dwelling in the past, to be in the present moment, all you have do is to be completely sensitive towards your surroundings. The More you are sensitive towards your surroundings, the more you are sizing the moment. Live life truly, deeply madly while you are alive. Experience each and everything. Take care of yourself and of your family and friends. Have fun to the fullest, be crazy, be weird. Go out and screw up! You are anyways going to, so always make sure you are enjoying the process. Always make sure that you are taking the opportunity to learn from your mistakes, find the root cause of all your problem and try to eliminate it one at a time. Don't try to be unnecessarily perfect, just be an excellent version of yourself. The future starts from today my friend, so seize the moment and make the most out of it!! Carpe Diem!! Review coming soon! Melina L. 🦄 #bookblogger #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookhaul #bookreviewerswanted #goodreads #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #bookquote #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #bookworm #newbookalert #bookreviews #authorsofinsta #booklover #booksonbooks #bookmail #authors #author #authorsofinsta #newbookalert #indianbookstagrammer https://www.instagram.com/p/CXjZDO1PdXR/?utm_medium=tumblr

[melisbookreviews]

"Period is not a taboo, but poor hygiene should be a taboo." 🦄🦄🦄 It's All About Periods by Dr. Deeksha Singh answers all the questions you may have about periods in the simplest way possible. The books divided into 6 parts; basic introduction of normal period, menstrual disorders in brief in common terms, assessment of monthly menses, management of menstrual disorders, menstrual hygiene & period kit or menstrual products. This book is something everyone should read no matter what their gender identity is since it covers a lot of things that people who do menstruate will understand better about what their body goes through as well as for those who do not menstrute to understand what happens during menstruation. Even if you are someone who has been menstruating for a long time, you need to understand that sometimes the facts presented by 'society' isn't always true and can be harmful to your body. For e.g. very painful periods isn't normal. I've always thought it was but sometimes what you learn from hearsay can do more harm than good without medical information backing it up. We also get a lot of information to improve our lifestyle by making healthier choices so that the cycles are regulated. Overall, I would highly recommend this book, to anyone and everyone of any age so that you can learn more about the human body. 🦄🦄🦄 Rated 9/10 Melina L. #bookblogger #Bookstagramfeature #LibraryofBookstagram #bookstagram #bookreviewer #bookhaul #bookreviewerswanted #goodreads #bookishlove #bookstagrammer #bookquote #bookreview #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #bookworm #newbookalert #bookreviews #authorsofinsta #booklover #booksonbooks #bookmail #authors #author #authorsofinsta #newbookalert #indianbookstagrammer #bookstagramindia #indianbookstagram https://www.instagram.com/p/CXlrUnevZBN/?utm_medium=tumblr