Reasons why I’m looking forward to Anuja Chauhan’s Next Novel

I picked up her first novel way back in 2008 when I wanted to try out something new and the back of this book, The Zoya Factor, looked infinitely interesting. And just like her, I haven’t looked back once. Every book that Anuja Chauhan releases, I polish off with great relish and highly recommend it to all my friends. Here is a list of reasons as to why I think Anuja Chauhan is one of my favourite writers.

1)        A fan of Laughter

I have always tried to read funny books that make me smile throughout and Anuja Chauhan never fails to deliver in that department. Her writing is like fresh nimbu paani (lemonade) on a hot summer day. These books will make you laugh with the colourful characters and the hilarious one liners that they crack.

2)       A fan of Romance

The clash of characters, the stolen glances, the witty banter and the swoon-inducing romance of her stories have been pulling readers in since the very first novel. I don’t know too many characters whose flirting abilities can make a reader blush. (Yes Dylan Singh Shekhawat, I’m talking about you!)

3)      A fan of Interesting Plotlines

With Anuja Chauhan, you always know that you’re going to get more than one aspect to the story. With diverse settings ranging from Cricket, politics to a nostalgic 1980s Delhi, she has now chosen the very interesting backdrop of familial property dispute in her latest, upcoming novel.

4)      A fan of Detailed Characters

I absolutely love the way Anuja Chauhan not only pays attention to the main characters but also adds flavour to the supporting characters in the book. The dialogue, the thought processes and the sheer colour of these characters just leaps off the pages and gives the imagination much exercise.

The jump sequel to ‘Those Pricey Thakur Girls’ i.e. ‘The House that BJ Built’ is out on May 25^th It comes as no surprise that I can’t wait to read it!

Much later!

Perennial Reader.

The Distance Between Us – Kasie West

The Distance Between Us – Kasie West

Back of the Book (Goodreads):

Seventeen-year-old Caymen Meyers studies the rich like her own personal science experiment, and after years of observation she’s pretty sure they’re only good for one thing—spending money on useless stuff, like the porcelain dolls in her mother’s shop.

So when Xander Spence walks into the store to pick up a doll for his grandmother, it only takes one glance for Caymen to figure out he’s oozing rich. Despite his charming ways and that he’s one of the first people who actually gets her, she’s smart enough to know his interest won’t last. Because if there’s one thing she’s learned from her mother’s warnings, it’s that the rich have a short attention span. But Xander keeps coming around, despite her best efforts to scare him off. And much to her dismay, she's beginning to enjoy his company.

She knows her mom can’t find out—she wouldn’t approve. She’d much rather Caymen hang out with the local rocker who hasn’t been raised by money. But just when Xander’s attention and loyalty are about to convince Caymen that being rich isn’t a character flaw, she finds out that money is a much bigger part of their relationship than she’d ever realized. And that Xander’s not the only one she should’ve been worried about.

The Review Part:

I found this book going through the Amazon selections based on what I’d already bought. I must say it’s a most interesting find. As I mentioned earlier, I’m always on the lookout for unique storylines and this one surely doesn’t disappoint. I know what you must be thinking…Rich guy, poor girl is not exactly a new story. However, it’s been dealt with in a new way. In this book, being rich is a serious disadvantage.

Story wise, the author shows us Caymen’s world through her eyes which doesn’t seem to extend beyond school and the doll store that she helps her mother run. But that is soon to change with the entry of the very rich, very charming Xander Spence.

To be honest, I have never encountered a character like Caymen. Her dry sense of humour won me over at page one. Sarcasm is weaved into every word that she utters and it’s done really cleverly. None of it comes out forced nor sounds unnecessary. *Applause for Kasie West*

Xander is as adorable as central characters can get. His charm and relationship with Caymen makes you smile all the way to the end of the book.

The conversation between the leads is sarcastic-funny (Go Caymen!) and adorable (Go Xander!). So it’s a definitely a win on the conversation front. J (In case, I wasn’t clear enough in the first sentence. See? I can do sarcasm too.) :P

The Distance Between Us has certainly piqued my interest to read other books by Kasie West. J

On an unrelated note, there are some amazing books by my all-time favourite authors coming up this month as well as the next that I have been looking forward to for quite a few years now. I’d like to sign off saying I can’t wait! J

More later!

The Perennial Reader.

Meant to Be - Lauren Morrill

Meant to Be – Lauren Morrill

Back of the Book: (You know, in case you didn’t know what it was about.)
(Goodreads)

Meant to be or not meant to be . . . that is the question.
“It's one thing to fall head over heels into a puddle of hazelnut coffee, and quite another to fall for the—gasp—wrong guy. Straight-A junior Julia may be accident prone, but she's queen of following rules and being prepared. That's why she keeps a pencil sharpener in her purse and a pocket Shakespeare in her, well, pocket. And that's also why she's chosen Mark Bixford, her childhood crush, as her MTB ("meant to be").
But this spring break, Julia's rules are about to get defenestrated (SAT word: to be thrown from a window) when she's partnered with her personal nemesis, class-clown Jason, on a school trip to London. After one wild party, Julia starts receiving romantic texts . . . from an unknown number! Jason promises to help discover the identity of her mysterious new suitor if she agrees to break a few rules along the way. And thus begins a wild goose chase through London, leading Julia closer and closer to the biggest surprise of all: true love.
Because sometimes the things you least expect are the most meant to be.”

The Review Part: J

I’m glad I chose this book to review first on my brand new blog. To begin with, I like all things romance related. And this book has quite a few things I’d like.

Let’s get acquainted with the characters, shall we? This book is about Julia on her junior class trip to London (I know! I’m jealous already) along with a bunch of her classmates, one of whom is Jason. Jason is a total class clown and is not really a rule follower which irks our heroine Julia no end as she likes to dot the i’s and cross the t’s just the way the textbook says.  But thanks to Jason and one not as-per-the-rules party, Julia finds herself on a crazy journey around London having one adventure after another.

Now what I love about the book! The author, Lauren Morrill describes London in the exact same way I’d want to experience it. She captures literature, music, nostalgia and the magic of London through the eyes of Julia. It actually had me googling the places she’d described. J

I also love a good conversation between the lead pair. This book surely doesn’t disappoint on that front. It has some excellent retorts and name calling. It has the sort of light conversation that’ll make you smile even after you keep the book down.

In the beginning of the book, Jason surely gets on Julia’s nerves (and mine) with his antics and constant teasing. But as the book progresses, he surprises and totally grows on me. Julia, with her love for literature, London and rules is a character right up my alley. So I totally enjoyed reading the book from her point of view.

I’m definitely going to read other books by Lauren Morrill.”Being Sloane Jacobs”, her second book, is already on my TBR. So, if you guys are looking for a fresh, funny, London-themed, YA novel, I’d totally recommend MTB.

As this is my first post, I thought I’d include the fact that I’m always on the lookout for new books to read. So, if you guys have suggestions of books that you absolutely loved, please let me know in the comment section.

Until then,

Perennial Reader. J