Aakanksha Jain

#BookReview - Abel and Maya by Veronika Barany is a refreshing take on romance that goes beyond grand gestures and idealised relationships to explore the complexities of building a life together.

Abel, an ambitious medical student, and Maya, an aspiring teacher, carry childhood wounds that influence their expectations, choices, and understanding of love.

While both want a happy future together, their differences, unspoken expectations, and individual ambitions create challenges that are not easily resolved.

What I appreciated most is that neither character is entirely right or wrong. Their decisions sometimes frustrated me, but that made them feel human rather than fictional perfectionists.

The author also explores power dynamics within relationships, including intimacy, adding another layer to the story.

This book arrived at a particularly relevant time for me, as I have been reflecting on relationship patterns in my own life. Following Abel and Maya’s journey encouraged me to consider these dynamics from a different perspective.

A thoughtful, emotionally engaging read for those who prefer realistic romance over fairytale endings. I am eagerly waiting to read the next instalment in the series.

Read the detailed review here: www.bookschharming.com/2026/10/abel-and-maya-by-ve…

#romancebooks #romancenovels #romancereaders #bookblogger #bookreviewer

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5 hours ago |[YT] | 0

Aakanksha Jain

#BookReview - Neetha Raman’s Murder in Mylapore takes readers into the closely guarded world of an influential Chennai family, where wealth, reputation and family expectations exist alongside complicated relationships and deeply buried secrets.

At the centre of the story is Shamugasundaram, whose death brings his family together under circumstances that quickly turn suspicion towards those closest to him. His three sons, Siva, Natesan and Kumar, and his daughters Devi and Vaani each bring their own histories and tensions into the investigation.

I particularly enjoyed how these relationships give the story its emotional foundation. Ratna, Shanmugasundaram’s caregiver, is another memorable presence and, for me, certainly one of the more intriguing but frustrating characters in the household.

I appreciated the author’s attention to characterisation and the way the family dynamics gradually reveal the pressures surrounding each individual.

The setting also adds personality to the narrative, giving the mystery a distinctly South Indian atmosphere rather than making it feel like a generic crime story.

The story establishes an interesting foundation for the series. I will be curious to see how the author develops these characters and the investigative world in the next instalment.

Read the detailed review here: www.bookschharming.com/2026/08/murder-in-mylapore-…

#bookblogger #bookreviewer #readerscommunity #crimeficiton #murdermystery

1 month ago |[YT] | 2

Aakanksha Jain

#BookReview - Born Losers in the Backward Galaxy by Jogen Devanga

It is an imaginative young adult science fiction fantasy that combines adventure, humor, social satire, and emotional depth.

The story follows Anika, an aspiring dancer who dreams of fame, and her brother Ramji, who struggles with guilt and self doubt after being blamed for a family tragedy.

When Anika is taken to the mysterious Backward Galaxy, the siblings become entangled in a battle against a powerful demon while uncovering secrets about their past, their connections to other characters, and the truth behind their existence.

What I enjoyed most was the book’s unpredictability. Just when I thought I understood where the story was heading, another twist completely changed the narrative.

The witty use of anagrams, the inventive world building, and the thoughtful exploration of identity and belonging make this much more than a simple adventure story.

Entertaining, clever, and surprisingly heartfelt, it leaves readers eager for the next installment.

Read the detailed review here: www.bookschharming.com/2026/08/born-losers-in-back…

#scifibooks #youngadult #fantasy #socialsatire #bookreviewer #bookbloggers #readerscommunity

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2 months ago |[YT] | 0

Aakanksha Jain

Books have been my greatest teachers, my quiet companions, and my passport to countless worlds. 📖🗺️

Every page I turn introduces me to new perspectives, unforgettable characters, and ideas that stay with me long after the story ends.

On this World Book Day, I am celebrating the magic of reading and the incredible power of stories to inspire, comfort, challenge, and transform us.

Whether you read one book a month or one hundred a year, every book has the potential to leave a lasting mark on your life.

As a reader, reviewer, and someone who spends a significant part of life surrounded by books, I am grateful for every author who dares to share a story and every reader who keeps the love of literature alive.

Happy World Book Day! 📚✨

Tell me about a book that changed your life or one that you think everyone should read.

#WorldBookDay #Bookstagram #ReadersOfYouTube #BookLovers #ReadingCommunity #BookReviewers #BookReaders

2 months ago |[YT] | 2

Aakanksha Jain

#BookReview - The Hindu Hurt: The Story of Hindutva by Bharat is a compelling examination of the historical, cultural, and ideological foundations of Hindu nationalism. Rather than focusing solely on contemporary politics, the book traces the historical experiences that, according to the author, shaped the emergence of a collective Hindu identity and the philosophy of Hindutva.

What I found most engaging was the book’s attempt to challenge established narratives through extensive references, historical accounts, and direct engagement with scholars, politicians, and public intellectuals whose interpretations differ from the author’s own.

Bharat presents his arguments with conviction while encouraging readers to reconsider widely accepted assumptions about Indian history and national identity.

The book is structured in a way that makes complex topics accessible, moving from historical events and civilizational memory to ideological development and modern debates. Its discussion of figures such as Savarkar, Golwalkar, and Deendayal Upadhyaya provides valuable context for understanding the evolution of Hindu nationalist thought.

Whether one agrees with every conclusion or not, this is a well researched and thought provoking work that contributes meaningfully to an important conversation about history, identity, and India’s intellectual landscape.

Read the detailed review here: www.bookschharming.com/2026/08/the-hindu-hurt-by-b…

#indianhistory #bookreviewer #bookblogger #bookreaders #readerscommunity #hindu #hinduism #nonfiction #nonfictionbooks

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2 months ago |[YT] | 3

Aakanksha Jain

#BookReview - Cloud, the first book in The Horses of Saddlers Ranch series by Alison Bellringer, is a heartwarming story that celebrates friendship, compassion, and the special bond between humans and horses.

Set on Saddlers Ranch, the novel follows Coral and her best friends, Tilly and Lexie, as they spend their final days of summer helping with ranch life before school begins. Their routines take an unexpected turn with the arrival of Cloud, an Arabian show horse abandoned after being deemed difficult.

While others see a troublesome horse, Tilly recognises an animal shaped by poor treatment rather than bad behaviour. I enjoyed how the story emphasises patience, empathy, and responsibility without becoming overly dramatic.

The ranch setting feels inviting, and the friendships are genuine, making the characters easy to root for. Bellringer delivers an engaging, feel good read that will appeal to horse lovers, younger readers, and anyone who enjoys uplifting stories about trust, second chances, and kindness.

Read more: www.bookschharming.com/2026/07/the-horses-of-saddl…

QOTD: Recommend me some of your favourite books with animals in it or do you have any pets; what are their names?

#indianbookstagrammer #bookreviewers #bookbloggers #ebookreader #booksaboutanimals #middlegradebooks

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3 months ago |[YT] | 3

Aakanksha Jain

It is finally live! 📚

After eight years of building Books Chharming, I am sharing the biggest mistakes I made as a book blogger, the lessons they taught me, and what I would do differently if I were starting over today.

If you are a book blogger, content creator, author, or someone looking to build a personal brand, I hope this newsletter helps you avoid some of the mistakes I made.

Read it here: www.linkedin.com/pulse/my-top-mistakes-book-blogge…

If you enjoy insights on books, content creation, branding, and the lessons I have learned along the way, do not forget to subscribe so you never miss an issue. ✨

3 months ago |[YT] | 2

Aakanksha Jain

#BookReview - Your Experience is not an Asset by Elangovan Perumal is a thought-provoking career book that challenges one of the most accepted beliefs in professional life: that years of experience automatically create value.

Instead, the author argues that experience only becomes meaningful when it is consciously converted into career capital.

What makes this book stand out is its structured approach. Through the Career Capital Operating System, Perumal explains how experience evolves through reflection into insight, then into assets, signals, opportunities, optionality, and ultimately long-term career growth.

Rather than offering generic career advice, he presents a practical framework that encourages readers to rethink how they build professional leverage.

I particularly appreciated the discussion around signalling, identity, and governance. The book highlights that expertise alone is not enough. Professionals must also communicate their value, make intentional career decisions, and continuously align their actions with long-term goals.

The sections on artificial intelligence are equally relevant, positioning AI as an amplifier of structured thinking rather than a replacement for human judgment.

Analytical, insightful, and framework-driven, this book is best suited for professionals, leaders, consultants, and entrepreneurs who want to build careers that compound over time. It is a timely reminder that experience matters only when it is transformed into lasting value.

Read the detailed review here: www.bookschharming.com/2026/07/your-experience-is-…

QOTD: What’s your profession and what is one thing you would like to change at your current workplace?

‪@orangebooksindia‬

#nonfiction #bookreviewer #bookblogger #selfhelpbooks #nonfictionbooks #authorsofyoutube #authortube

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3 months ago |[YT] | 3

Aakanksha Jain

400 authors.

7 years.

Countless stories, conversations, and lessons.

What began as a simple idea turned into one of the most rewarding parts of my journey with Books Chharming - interviewing authors from across genres, countries, and publishing paths.

In my latest newsletter, I reflect on:

📚 What 400 authors have taught me about writing, creativity, and resilience?

📖 The books that keep appearing in authors' recommendations.

✍️ The common threads connecting writers, regardless of where they come from.

✨ Why these conversations continue to inspire me, seven years later?

Thank you to every author who trusted me with their story and every reader who discovered a new book through Books Chharming.

Read the full newsletter here: www.linkedin.com/pulse/400-authors-7-years-thousan…

If you enjoy conversations around books, writing, motherhood, creativity, and modern womanhood, I would love for you to subscribe and join me for the next chapter of this journey. 🙂

#newslettersignup #authorinterview #authorinspiration #AuthorJourney #writerscommunity #authorcommunity #bookpromoter #bookreviewer #bookreader

3 months ago |[YT] | 2

Aakanksha Jain

#BookReview - Niltava in the Oak Tree by Rinu R. is an impressive debut collection of thirteen stories that explores loneliness, paranoia, grief, ageing, memory, and emotional vulnerability with remarkable sensitivity.

Rather than relying on dramatic plots, the author focuses on the complexities of the human mind, creating narratives that are introspective, atmospheric, and quietly unsettling.

From Mouni's struggle with paranoia in the titular story to the poignant reflections on dementia in Rain-Soaked Heart and unconventional companionship in Like A Wild Mushroom, each story offers a distinctive emotional landscape.

Rinu R. demonstrates empathy towards characters often overlooked in fiction, particularly older women, caregivers, and individuals grappling with isolation.

Her restrained prose and nuanced characterisation lend the collection a contemplative quality that lingers long after the final page.

Thoughtful, psychologically rich, and emotionally resonant, Niltava in the Oak Tree is a rewarding read for lovers of literary fiction.

Read the detailed review here: www.bookschharming.com/2026/07/niltava-in-the-oak-…

#bookboost #shortstories #bookreviewer #bookblogger #indianauthor #IndianBooks #bookstagrammers #fictionbooks

3 months ago |[YT] | 3