Urban Shots: The Love Collection, edited by Sneh Thakur

The book in a nutshell:

A collection of love stories, 31 of them from 27 different authors, compiled by Sneh Thakur.

My thoughts on the book:

So this is a love story anthology, right? What’s the most important ingredient to a love story? Well yeah, it is love. That ingredient appears to be mostly missing here.

When I started the read with the first story, “Written in the stars”, I knew the ending. It’s right there in the title. Put two and two together, and you know where the story is headed. OK fine, corny as the idea was, you’d think there was more about the lovely couple and their relationship. But no, that story was more about the protagonist and his obsession with “the stars”. Till the last page of the story, the damsel doesn’t enter the scenario. With love supposedly involved, you’d be forgiven if you think the guy was dating the astrologer.

With the standard set so high (no, I’m not talking literally), I thought some of the other stories would be better. Sad to say, the trip didn’t fare that well. The story “Rishta” was mostly, if not completely about parental argument and arranged relationships. The story “For Convenience’s Sake” had the ex lover’s sister blasting the protagonist guy for being him. “Making out” (yes, you can interpret literally to know the essence of the story) was more about the guy’s past than the kissing. Moving on, “Coffee” ended with a bitter taste in the mouth. “The Girl Who Was Too Loud” was just too one-note, not about love but of raw sex perhaps.

A few stories save the book from being totally down. Not coz of a love factor, but coz of difference in ideas maybe. I enjoyed “High Time” coz though it was quite a lot about arranged marriages, with the “dekhan dekhai” ceremony, and the parental blackmailing of the protagonist, the story had a humorous touch to it, and it showed there is another side to things. The story “Twisted” was one that had a twist, but the ending wasn’t as believable. “Beyond Reasonable Doubt” was perhaps the best in the book.

Overall, the book has more of these direct stories. Direct tone in love stories doesn’t work that well. The few stories that do work, and are enjoyable, don’t do enough to counter the effect of the not-so-enjoyable stories. I give this a 2.5 from 5.

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Book details:
Title: Urban Shots – The Love Collection
Editor: Sneh Thakur
ISBN: 978-93-81626-47-4
Genre: Anthology / Love stories
Publishers: Westland + Grey Oak
Price: INR. 199

Rating: 2.5 Stars

Reviewed by Leo
Shared with Indian Quills Reading Challenge

JFK - Jhangir Kerawala

Nimue Says :

Did i tell you I love reading about murders and the story that has to be traced back to “how and where” it all began ? and then comes few books that open with not one , but two murders in a row ! Whoa ! Now we are talking.

JFK opens with two unrelated people dying within the same night – Ram Prasad Yadav – a man set on revenge, Manish Kumar – one of the most decent person you could know.

Only link that is clearly visible – they were killed by same gun.
Only clue that the police has – Manish’s best friend , the “hero” of the story Jatin received a call from Manish who could only say “JFK” before dying.

Soon Jatin and his friend Montu find themselves protecting Manish’s secret and also trying to figure out what led to his murder.

Jatin is your normal guy who has shit loads of his own issues – unemployment , age , a family to provide and safegaurd and now the best friedn’s murder followed by some shocking truths about him and the stranger Ram Prasad Yadav.

The story of Ram Prasad Yadav and his role in the plot is well crafted and narrated. He is one of the character who even outshines Jatin once his story comes out.
One of the best thing about the book is the relatable feel to the book’s events. This is India as we talk about , as we know it. The way we think , the way we assume and react , the way people act in certain situations. Not a thing is out of place. The cover of the book , the scene setting , the characterization , the timeline and the events all appear to be either well researched or seen from close quarters. I always like when the author can bring that touch to his story. This one is absolute page turner. I have not finished any book faster than this one in the last six months. Only complaint I have is from the font of the book. Its a little too small in the sense that my table lamp reading was affected a bit. also one of the lady character I felt was not given a proper pink slip ! I wondered till the end , what she would be upto after all ?


Rating : 4/5

Yatin Says : 

Another thriller that I just finished reading. JFK is the another book that I spotted along with The Edge Of The Machete in the Tranquebar newsletter. JFK, if you hear the name takes you to John F. Kenneday, but trust me he is nowhere related with this book. Just a mere co-incidence this is. JFK is a book that you would definitely want to read once you read its synopsis given on the back cover of the book. It goes like this 

JFK....a dying man's last word....A plea, an accusation or a clue?

That's what the police couldn't figure out. What they did know was that they had serial murders in broad daylight, and just one suspect with little motive....Jatin F Karunamoi, the dead man's best friend. 

There's a lot more written on the back cover, but I would leave it upon you to explore it or better buy the book.

Set up in the city of Joy, Kolkata, the book opens with two murders back to back. One of an old man, named Ram Prasad Sharma and other person is Jatin's best friend Manish. Before Manish dies, he calls up Jatin to tell him these three letters, JFK and thats how the plot unfolds in the book. More characters get involved, Montu, Jatin's and Manish's common friend, Preeti, Inspector Dutt, Raju Singh, Mohan Singh, Tarun Basu and many more. All of them with their clear roles in the plot. Jhangir Kerawala has ensured that the books doesn't confuse the reader at any point and this is what makes this book a fast paced thriller.

Considering, JFK is Jhangir Kerawala's debut book, I must say, he has done a good job. He has successfully managed to pen down an absolute page turner that will keep you hooked till the end. The book is divided into two parts, 31 chapters and has 225 pages. Its a joint imprint of Westland Books and Grey Oak India. If you are looking for a something that keeps you hooked for constant 5-6 hours, then this is the book for you. Pick it up. You'd surely enjoy it.  

Book Source : Westland Books

Review asked by Westland Books

ISBN : 978-93-81626-73-3

Genre : Thriller