March 28, 2018

Book Review: Making a Poem by Vihang A. Naik

Making a Poem
Author: Vihang A. Naik
Genre: Poetry collection
Publisher: Author Press

Vihang Naik’s “Making a Poem” is a collection of several poems written in a skilful manner. The best part of this poetry book is that the poems are not restricted to one particular topic. A protracted process, composing a poem is not an easy task. The poet has presented the various segments that become a part of the process of writing a poem. A colossal amount of thinking and a superfluous flow of words are not enough to express ideas on paper. Categorized into different stages like ‘Are you looking for the poet?’, ‘A poet as a young man’, ‘Making a poem’, ‘A poet comes alive’ and ‘A poet’- this book explores the surfeit of emotions.

The cover of the book is apt and nice. However, I could not ignore the awkward spaces between lines and the missing capitalization in many poems. For me, that is a grammatical error (but in case that was done on purpose, I would love to know more about it).

The verses or stanzas are easy to understand and have been framed beautifully. The poems have an exclusive depth and reach out to a wider horizon. The poet has been successful in putting forward his perspective. Perhaps the poet has gone over all the topics with a fine-tooth comb and eventually has gotten down to a fine art.

Most of the poems do not follow any particular rhyme scheme. The free verse doesn’t fail to impress. I wished, however, that the book’s title were more interesting.

Overall, a good read with an enjoyable collection of poems!

Book available at:



March 27, 2018

Book Review: Ujjain by Steffen Horstmann

Ujjain
Poet: Steffen Horstmann
Publisher: Patridge Publishing India

Poetry is an art and the poet is a possessor of uncommon vision. With the success of the first book- Jalsaghar, that not only catered to the minds of the contemporary readers of Ghazals but also impressed the conventional audience, Steffen Hortsmann has now come up with yet another successful anthology of Ghazals- Ujjain. There are certain concepts and views of our society that cannot be expressed by mere words. However, Ghazals is one source where words idealize the reality and represent the things accordingly, thereby igniting the mind and enlightening it.


Like I mentioned in my review of ‘Jalsaghar’, ‘Ujjain’, too, is comprised of couplets that majorly possess a rhyme and a refrain. The beautiful amalgamation of Eastern and Western realities and the poet’s prowess to extract the clandestine miracles from the prosaic life are worth appreciation.

Read the complete review here.

Buy this book from Amazon

March 22, 2018

Book Review: Stepping Stones by Lubhna Dongre

Stepping Stones
Author: Lubhna Dongre
Publisher: Notionpress.com
Rating: 3/5

‘Setting goals is the first step in turning the invisible into the visible.’
~Tony Robbins

In the cut-throat competition, it is vital for everyone to realize his/her true potential and strive for success right from the very young age. The authoress, Lubna Dongre, draws from her experience and shares her ideas and views on the journey from scratch to success. ‘Stepping Stones’ is an autobiographical account that narrates how the authoress was inspired by many and guided by her skill to ace the test and bear the fruit of her actions.

Being a teenager, the authoress sets an example of how hard work pays off well if the intention is sincere and the effort is palpable. The writing is a confluence of personal experience and motivational speech. Life, as we know it, often offers us walking tickets, but it is our willpower and belief in self that helps us sail through the toughest storm.

Read the complete review here.

Buy this book from Amazon.