I have been reading voraciously since the age of five when I first discovered the joys of reading. I would lap up anything in print. Unrolling an emptied newspaper cone with one hand, stuffing roasted peanuts in my mouth with the other, all the while devouring the printed content on the cone with my eyes, was one of my first experiences in hedonistic pleasure.
In fact, sometimes I feel that I am on an adventurous journey through the secret dreamworld of other people’s imaginations, interspersed with occasional visits to my own life to attend events like graduation, first job, marriage, and so on.
As a true-blue reader, I think I am uniquely qualified to comment on and critique other people’s works of labour. I can tell exactly what puts the average reader to sleep, what sets their pulse racing, and what has them salivating for more.
If you would like your work reviewed, write to me at wordjini@gmail.com.
Sample Reviews
A Memorial for a Memorial? - I have seen a lot of memorials. In Delhi, it is difficult to walk a kilometre without stumbling upon a memorial or two. But a memorial for a memorial? Overkill, isn’t it? But when you get to know the circumstances, it seems quite justified. The Great Ocean Road, a 234-kilometre long road along the south-eastern coastContinue reading "A Memorial for a Memorial?"
A Picnic Lunch at Apollo Bay - Previous – Kennet River Apollo Bay is a picturesque seafood village along the Great Ocean Road in Victoria, Australia. Tranquil beaches with great surfing options are the highlights of this coastal town. Though quieter and smaller than nearby Lorne, Apollo Bay is now a popular tourist place as most Great Ocean Road tour buses, likeContinue reading "A Picnic Lunch at Apollo Bay"
At Kennet River - Previous – Anglesea | Next – Apollo Bay After our stop at Anglesea for coffee, the next stop was about an hour later at Kafe Koala, Kennet River. Our driver guide said that we are bound to spot a koala or two here so we set out after him along a side path near KafeContinue reading "At Kennet River"
Coffee at Anglesea - Angelsea is a small, picturesque town in Victoria, Australia. Located on the Great Ocean Road, it is usually the first stop for those on the Grand Ocean Road bus tour. As Anglesea is about 1.5-hour’s drive from Melbourne, it comes up at just about the right time for you to get out of the bus,Continue reading "Coffee at Anglesea"
Gibson’s Steps - Previous – Loch Ard Gorge Our driver guide said that the Loch Ard Gorge was usually the last stop in the Great Ocean Road Bus Tour but since we still had time, he took us over to Gibson’s Steps. It was just a short, 5-6 minute drive from the gorge. In fact, Gibson’s steps is actuallyContinue reading "Gibson’s Steps"
The Fish That Refused Treats: A true tale from Renuka Lake - A frequent pastime whenever we visited any lake or river was feeding the fish. We would get some bread or aate ki golis from nearby shops and get a good half an hour’s worth of entertainment by the lake. So when we visited Renuka Lake in Himachal Pradesh with our friends, it wasn’t long beforeContinue reading "The Fish That Refused Treats: A true tale from Renuka Lake"
The Razorback - Previous – Loch Ard Gorge Next – Gibson’s Steps Just adjacent to the Loch Ard Gorge viewing platform are paths leading to two other natural wonders, the Island Arch and the Razorback. We only had time to see one of these and based on the driver-guide’s recommendation, we opted to go down the path toContinue reading "The Razorback"
The Tragic Tale of the Loch Ard Gorge in Victoria, Australia - The Loch Ard Gorge near the magnificent Twelve Apostles in the Port Campbell National Park in Victoria, Australia seems straight out of a picture postcard. While it may look like the perfect romantic setting, there is a tragedy behind its name. The gorge is named after the clipper ship Loch Ard, which was wrecked hereContinue reading "The Tragic Tale of the Loch Ard Gorge in Victoria, Australia"
The Twelve Apostles of Australia - Previous – Apollo Bay | Next – Loch Ard Gorge Although the Great Ocean Road in Australia stretches from the city of Torquay to Allansford in Victoria, most bus tours starting from Melbourne only go up till the Twelve Apostles before returning to Melbourne via an inland route. I guess no more is possible inContinue reading "The Twelve Apostles of Australia"
Thursday Hops #19 – Banyan Retreat, Corbett - We did it! We took a super-mini vacation for the first time since Covid 19 struck. Many of those needing a break from the Covid-induced, stay-at-home routine have started opting for mine-breaks at resorts within driving distance of their homes. If you are travelling in your own car, it is quite safe. No risk ofContinue reading "Thursday Hops #19 – Banyan Retreat, Corbett"