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Sunshine Town
Shlok, a lanky teenager, a daydreamer, doesn't want much from his life. A dream to make his parents happy and affection of a neighbourhood sweetheart, Natasha. Though both are poles apart, their interests bring them close. Together, they experience new emotions. But, just when they are ready to acknowledge their feeling of love for each other, it is too late.
The rapids of life set Shlok on an unexpected journey, and he realizes one can't always be in control of circumstances. Unable to crack an important entrance exam and geographical difficulties affecting his love life, Shlok's life goes through turbulent times.
All the while, his faith in God ebbs and flows, but like a wave, it ends up breaking on the shore before returning to the sea. He is confronted with a perennial question-am I good enough for anything? Holding a mirror to himself, he is faced with a decision to give up on everything he thought was right for him.
Set in Varanasi, a city in North India, during the late 90s, before the pervasiveness of technology, Sunshine Town is about the aspirations and emotional turmoil of being a teenager. This story deals with the themes of love, career, and personal fulfillment.
The rapids of life set Shlok on an unexpected journey, and he realizes one can't always be in control of circumstances. Unable to crack an important entrance exam and geographical difficulties affecting his love life, Shlok's life goes through turbulent times.
All the while, his faith in God ebbs and flows, but like a wave, it ends up breaking on the shore before returning to the sea. He is confronted with a perennial question-am I good enough for anything? Holding a mirror to himself, he is faced with a decision to give up on everything he thought was right for him.
Set in Varanasi, a city in North India, during the late 90s, before the pervasiveness of technology, Sunshine Town is about the aspirations and emotional turmoil of being a teenager. This story deals with the themes of love, career, and personal fulfillment.
- GenresFiction
278 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2017
6 people are currently reading
149 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 216 reviews
June 7, 2020
Maniissh Aroraa's debut book SUNSHINE TOWN is a total blockbuster. He's made a spectacular entry as an author with this book, where he directly touches the souls of the youngsters. The relevance of the subject to today's generation, characterization, and fluidity of language is captivating.
This story is about Shlok, our protagonist, who has a career goal set in his mind since that is what his father always wanted him to do. Keeping that goal in mind, he works extremely hard to fulfill his parents' wishes, but he meets unfortunate results. Natasha, his neighbor and the love of his life, is a strong-minded, career-oriented girl who supports him in all the decisions of his life, yet cannot be with him when he needs her the most.
The author makes today's youth think about their goals and aspirations. He also portrays the parents' role in supporting their child's dreams rather than demoralizing them on their failures. He has conveyed beautifully how the support and love from near and dear ones are of utmost importance in a teenager's life.
The characters are very realistic, the dialogues simple and easy to understand. The depth of emotions in the protagonist's turmoil makes you feel as if you are going through the same feelings as him. The bond between the mom and son left me teary-eyed. The author has beautifully depicted the emotions of insecurities in love and friendship. My key take-away message is: Faith in oneself and absolute hard work is the key to success.
The book has a few grammatical errors that I am sure will be taken care of in the next edition. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially teenagers and parents. The story has a perfect mix of passion and emotion, making it a fun read. The author gives complete justice to your time as he takes you on a roller-coaster ride.
Thank you, Maniissh Aroraa, for giving me this book for review, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
This story is about Shlok, our protagonist, who has a career goal set in his mind since that is what his father always wanted him to do. Keeping that goal in mind, he works extremely hard to fulfill his parents' wishes, but he meets unfortunate results. Natasha, his neighbor and the love of his life, is a strong-minded, career-oriented girl who supports him in all the decisions of his life, yet cannot be with him when he needs her the most.
The author makes today's youth think about their goals and aspirations. He also portrays the parents' role in supporting their child's dreams rather than demoralizing them on their failures. He has conveyed beautifully how the support and love from near and dear ones are of utmost importance in a teenager's life.
The characters are very realistic, the dialogues simple and easy to understand. The depth of emotions in the protagonist's turmoil makes you feel as if you are going through the same feelings as him. The bond between the mom and son left me teary-eyed. The author has beautifully depicted the emotions of insecurities in love and friendship. My key take-away message is: Faith in oneself and absolute hard work is the key to success.
The book has a few grammatical errors that I am sure will be taken care of in the next edition. I would recommend this book to everyone, especially teenagers and parents. The story has a perfect mix of passion and emotion, making it a fun read. The author gives complete justice to your time as he takes you on a roller-coaster ride.
Thank you, Maniissh Aroraa, for giving me this book for review, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.
February 21, 2021
✨Good, genuine Indian young adult contemporary read
📌 30 well defined chapters
📌 Genuine writing
📌 Actual real life lessons learnt from reading this one
The plot is based on the story of Shlok, a teenager living at Varanasi in the 1990s.
He is one of those teenagers who keeps struggling like everyone else of his age regarding studies, trying to catch up with the vast syllabus as well as preparation of various entrance examinations.
His parents want him to pursue in the medical field.
But is he prepared for it?
What is his potential?
Does he has what it takes for such a huge, throat cut competition?
Is he going to pursue the dreams of his parents?
Does his preparation go to waste as he falls in love in between?
This book/plot may seem like one of those books available talking about young love and heartbreak.
BUT this book took me by surprise in terms of
👌The proper guidance of an adolescent regarding his education, hobbies, time table, preparation of examination as well as his future life instead of the same nagging parents giving what others would think
👌The importance of following a realistic time table
👌The priorities in real that a young person should focus on
👍The dilemma of a young person is well presented. When at times of failure, instead of mopping & neglecting duties, how a person can look forward to other plans with the proper guidance of parents & the few people to approach to well pointed out
👍The first love & the misunderstanding has been well portrayed as how it is
👍Instead of just pressurising and comparing the kid with the success of others, the parents focuses on the issues faced by their son & tries patiently to work out things together taking help from other reliable sources
👍Sharing the worries, feelings and thoughts with parents has been well emphasized
Both from the child as well as from the parents
👍The only book so far I have come across dealing with the dilemma & difficulties faced by a competitive entrance examination(medical/engineering etc) aspirant
Overall, I could relate with every page. It's so realistic & well written.
✨ Recommended for the beginners & school going as well as the college goers
📌 30 well defined chapters
📌 Genuine writing
📌 Actual real life lessons learnt from reading this one
The plot is based on the story of Shlok, a teenager living at Varanasi in the 1990s.
He is one of those teenagers who keeps struggling like everyone else of his age regarding studies, trying to catch up with the vast syllabus as well as preparation of various entrance examinations.
His parents want him to pursue in the medical field.
But is he prepared for it?
What is his potential?
Does he has what it takes for such a huge, throat cut competition?
Is he going to pursue the dreams of his parents?
Does his preparation go to waste as he falls in love in between?
This book/plot may seem like one of those books available talking about young love and heartbreak.
BUT this book took me by surprise in terms of
👌The proper guidance of an adolescent regarding his education, hobbies, time table, preparation of examination as well as his future life instead of the same nagging parents giving what others would think
👌The importance of following a realistic time table
👌The priorities in real that a young person should focus on
👍The dilemma of a young person is well presented. When at times of failure, instead of mopping & neglecting duties, how a person can look forward to other plans with the proper guidance of parents & the few people to approach to well pointed out
👍The first love & the misunderstanding has been well portrayed as how it is
👍Instead of just pressurising and comparing the kid with the success of others, the parents focuses on the issues faced by their son & tries patiently to work out things together taking help from other reliable sources
👍Sharing the worries, feelings and thoughts with parents has been well emphasized
Both from the child as well as from the parents
👍The only book so far I have come across dealing with the dilemma & difficulties faced by a competitive entrance examination(medical/engineering etc) aspirant
Overall, I could relate with every page. It's so realistic & well written.
✨ Recommended for the beginners & school going as well as the college goers
January 12, 2018
Book Review: Sunshine Town by Maniissh Aroraa
I had a rather tough time preparing for my first-semester college exams. Those weren’t easy days. I had just lost my mother a year back and then had had to undergo a delicate back surgery a few months before I had taken admission in the new college. As the exam time dawned, I was stranded alone at home and concentrating on studies was difficult. My father and my brother did not expect me to do well. They knew I had had to go through a lot these past few months.
But despite the distractions and the mental wounds gnawing at me, despite the overpowering feeling of loneliness, I pulled myself up, poured my heart out in the exam preparations and scored exactly 75 percent. My confidence grew and I topped the college in the next semester, registering 91 %. It was one of the high-points of my life and the adulation I received in its wake was something I had never tasted before. It made me believe that focus and hard work towards a set goal does yield positive results. Even at this stage of my life, when hope feels lost, I regularly look back at that phase when I seek motivation.
Now, why am I telling you all this? Because reading Sunshine Town by debut author Maniissh Aroraa brought back some of those memories.
It’s a book aimed specifically at teenagers and college students who, more often than not, find themselves at a crossroads in their life, and grapple with several decisions. If taken in the right spirit, the book can work well as a motivation vehicle.
Plot:
Sunshine Town is centered on a teenager, Shlok, and the trials and tribulations of his career and love life. Hailing from a typical middle-class Indian family in the small town of Varanasi, Shlok wants to fulfill the dream of his father of becoming a successful doctor. While he is a pretty average student, he has a lot of resolve. But despite his repeated and meticulously planned attempts at success in his studies, Shlok fails and begins to doubt his worth, feels lost and loses hope.
In the meanwhile, he also meets Natasha, his next-door neighbour, and falls in love with her. She brings in some light and cheer in his life. But here, too, Shlok has to struggle to keep his relationship afloat.
Will Shlok be able to achieve the dream of his father? Or will he find a different path in his life? These are some of the questions that Sunshine Town addresses and takes us on the coming of age journey of this everyday teenager, while giving us some valuable life lessons along with it.
What I liked about the book:
The lead character
For any story to be interesting, the lead character has to be, at some level, relatable. Shlok is an average teenager and behaves and feels in a way that most of us have in our lives.
He is a sincere lad and despite the adverse situations, keeps fighting hard to stay afloat and find meaning in his life.
Shlok is an average student. But through sheer hard work, careful planning and scheduling of his studies, and relentless dedication, he manages to pass through several difficult examinations. When not studying, Shlok devotes time to making himself fit and sprucing up the garden of his home.
He is a loyal son and a protagonist worth rooting for. In short, the youngsters of today can relate to Shlok and also take a lot of inspiration from him.
Shlok’s relationships with his parents
I always look for good and genuine bonds in a book. And while the story of Sunshine Town isn’t exactly about relationships, I found the bonds that Shlok shared with his mother and father very genuine and tender.
I believe that most Indian middle-class youth have similar relationships with their parents today. Shlok’s mother is the typical Indian mother; always caring, always supporting. Shlok’s father, while a serious figure, is his son’s guiding light and through his sage advice is always steering him in the right direction.
I could especially relate to Shlok’s relationship with his father – it reminded me of my own bonding with my dad.
Message of motivation
The inherent and underlying message of Sunshine Town is laudable. It would make the perfect read for teens appearing for their 12th exams and for those who are already in college but are at a crossroads on what path to take ahead.
Through Shlok’s journey - from the preparation for his class 12 exams to the eventual course he takes - we get to know about the various prospects young Indian students have in their career and how they should not lose hope even if they fail in the entrance examinations. It talks about finding a true goal for oneself and looking within. It tells us that despite fate not being kind towards your hard work, despite everything coming to a standstill, despite the roadblocks, there is always some light for everyone to latch on to; a lot can be achieved through unyielding toil and finding a proper guide in life.
These messages will work well for the Indian youth if taken in the right spirit.
What I felt could have been better:
While I liked Sunshine Town, I wish it was a tad longer; the story felt rushed at certain places.
I wanted to know more about the love story between Shlok and Natasha and the friendship the boy had with Yana. The latter, especially, was an interesting, happy-go-lucky character that helped Shlok through a difficult time. I would have loved to see some more time spent on the duo’s friendship.
The city of Varanasi could have been explored. I get that the focus was on the young boy and his ambition, but using the charm of the town of Varanasi in the story could have added a different color to the story, in my view.
Also, in the prologue, we already get to know that Shlok is a successful professional before he dives back into his past. I felt that had that not been revealed, Shlok’s journey towards success in the story would have had that much more anticipation and interest as a reader.
The cover could have been better. It did not speak to me or attract me. And nor did I find it to be connected to the story. Maybe, a new cover in the reprint, where the protagonist is actually in action, might serve better.
Conclusion:
Sunshine Town is an easy-to-read, breezy novel that should appeal to the Indian youth and their parents to an extent. It has a nice and different concept and is written in a simple language.
If you are an Indian teenager and bored of the endless barrage of campus romance novels out there, then you can try Sunshine Town. It will help you get some clarity and push in your career. It’s good to fee motivated every once in a while, after all.
I had a rather tough time preparing for my first-semester college exams. Those weren’t easy days. I had just lost my mother a year back and then had had to undergo a delicate back surgery a few months before I had taken admission in the new college. As the exam time dawned, I was stranded alone at home and concentrating on studies was difficult. My father and my brother did not expect me to do well. They knew I had had to go through a lot these past few months.
But despite the distractions and the mental wounds gnawing at me, despite the overpowering feeling of loneliness, I pulled myself up, poured my heart out in the exam preparations and scored exactly 75 percent. My confidence grew and I topped the college in the next semester, registering 91 %. It was one of the high-points of my life and the adulation I received in its wake was something I had never tasted before. It made me believe that focus and hard work towards a set goal does yield positive results. Even at this stage of my life, when hope feels lost, I regularly look back at that phase when I seek motivation.
Now, why am I telling you all this? Because reading Sunshine Town by debut author Maniissh Aroraa brought back some of those memories.
It’s a book aimed specifically at teenagers and college students who, more often than not, find themselves at a crossroads in their life, and grapple with several decisions. If taken in the right spirit, the book can work well as a motivation vehicle.
Plot:
Sunshine Town is centered on a teenager, Shlok, and the trials and tribulations of his career and love life. Hailing from a typical middle-class Indian family in the small town of Varanasi, Shlok wants to fulfill the dream of his father of becoming a successful doctor. While he is a pretty average student, he has a lot of resolve. But despite his repeated and meticulously planned attempts at success in his studies, Shlok fails and begins to doubt his worth, feels lost and loses hope.
In the meanwhile, he also meets Natasha, his next-door neighbour, and falls in love with her. She brings in some light and cheer in his life. But here, too, Shlok has to struggle to keep his relationship afloat.
Will Shlok be able to achieve the dream of his father? Or will he find a different path in his life? These are some of the questions that Sunshine Town addresses and takes us on the coming of age journey of this everyday teenager, while giving us some valuable life lessons along with it.
What I liked about the book:
The lead character
For any story to be interesting, the lead character has to be, at some level, relatable. Shlok is an average teenager and behaves and feels in a way that most of us have in our lives.
He is a sincere lad and despite the adverse situations, keeps fighting hard to stay afloat and find meaning in his life.
Shlok is an average student. But through sheer hard work, careful planning and scheduling of his studies, and relentless dedication, he manages to pass through several difficult examinations. When not studying, Shlok devotes time to making himself fit and sprucing up the garden of his home.
He is a loyal son and a protagonist worth rooting for. In short, the youngsters of today can relate to Shlok and also take a lot of inspiration from him.
Shlok’s relationships with his parents
I always look for good and genuine bonds in a book. And while the story of Sunshine Town isn’t exactly about relationships, I found the bonds that Shlok shared with his mother and father very genuine and tender.
I believe that most Indian middle-class youth have similar relationships with their parents today. Shlok’s mother is the typical Indian mother; always caring, always supporting. Shlok’s father, while a serious figure, is his son’s guiding light and through his sage advice is always steering him in the right direction.
I could especially relate to Shlok’s relationship with his father – it reminded me of my own bonding with my dad.
Message of motivation
The inherent and underlying message of Sunshine Town is laudable. It would make the perfect read for teens appearing for their 12th exams and for those who are already in college but are at a crossroads on what path to take ahead.
Through Shlok’s journey - from the preparation for his class 12 exams to the eventual course he takes - we get to know about the various prospects young Indian students have in their career and how they should not lose hope even if they fail in the entrance examinations. It talks about finding a true goal for oneself and looking within. It tells us that despite fate not being kind towards your hard work, despite everything coming to a standstill, despite the roadblocks, there is always some light for everyone to latch on to; a lot can be achieved through unyielding toil and finding a proper guide in life.
These messages will work well for the Indian youth if taken in the right spirit.
What I felt could have been better:
While I liked Sunshine Town, I wish it was a tad longer; the story felt rushed at certain places.
I wanted to know more about the love story between Shlok and Natasha and the friendship the boy had with Yana. The latter, especially, was an interesting, happy-go-lucky character that helped Shlok through a difficult time. I would have loved to see some more time spent on the duo’s friendship.
The city of Varanasi could have been explored. I get that the focus was on the young boy and his ambition, but using the charm of the town of Varanasi in the story could have added a different color to the story, in my view.
Also, in the prologue, we already get to know that Shlok is a successful professional before he dives back into his past. I felt that had that not been revealed, Shlok’s journey towards success in the story would have had that much more anticipation and interest as a reader.
The cover could have been better. It did not speak to me or attract me. And nor did I find it to be connected to the story. Maybe, a new cover in the reprint, where the protagonist is actually in action, might serve better.
Conclusion:
Sunshine Town is an easy-to-read, breezy novel that should appeal to the Indian youth and their parents to an extent. It has a nice and different concept and is written in a simple language.
If you are an Indian teenager and bored of the endless barrage of campus romance novels out there, then you can try Sunshine Town. It will help you get some clarity and push in your career. It’s good to fee motivated every once in a while, after all.
July 17, 2018
Nice one. Story of teenagers romance. Plot consists of main 3 characters Shlock, the main character of the book, Natasha and Yana. It shows journey of teenage love story and carrier. It reminds us our teenage days because it surely reminded me of mine. And definitely inspires teenagers. Nice plot, attractive cover, nice writing style. I was expecting more twists and turns I story but It is one of simple read. Must read for teenagers and who likes light reads.
June 28, 2020
Teenagers these days struggle with a lot of anxiety as competition increases every day. They are driven towards accomplishing more to satisfy peer and parental pressure. At times, they find it extremely difficult to deal with a mountain of expectations and the depression that follows it. However, this book tells you that if you have it in you, if you have the support and confidence of people around you, you can definitely succeed.
Sunshine Town by Maniissh Aroraa is a contemporary fiction set in the beautiful city of Varanasi. Shlok is our protagonist who has to fulfill his parents' dreams and make them proud. Would he be able to navigate his way through it? That's the primary storyline of the book.
Shlok is your average student and a confused teenager who wants to make it big for his parents. His character is inspiring as he doesn't shy away from working hard to get through competitive exams. Depression is bound to sting him as he faces failures but even the setbacks don't deter him from going ahead in life. I believe that was a strong message - to work hard and keep hustling until you achieve your goal. Don't give up easily. Persist and you shall win the game!
The story was sweet and simple as well as a bit of motivating. The character development was great for a few while it didn't impress me for others. For instance, I liked how well-sketched was Shlok's character and how realistic his parents were. However, Natasha's character was a weak one and failed to contribute much to the story. Yana was another significant face who didn't get adequate room to make her presence felt in the plot. The inclusion of River Assi was lovely and something I looked forward to as I flipped the pages.
The writing is pretty good and the smooth narration wouldn't take you long finishing the book. The story is very relatable and hence, the book would prove to be an ideal read for the teenagers. At the same time, I felt had the romantic angle between Shlok and Natasha didn't exist, how would the story proceed? Perhaps, that would have given more depth to the narrative as it tuned out to be a tad bit cliche and predictable by the end.
Nevertheless, if you are a beginner level reader, especially a teenager, you might give Sunshine Town a shot. Perhaps, Shlok's determination would motivate you to not give up on your goals.
Sunshine Town by Maniissh Aroraa is a contemporary fiction set in the beautiful city of Varanasi. Shlok is our protagonist who has to fulfill his parents' dreams and make them proud. Would he be able to navigate his way through it? That's the primary storyline of the book.
Shlok is your average student and a confused teenager who wants to make it big for his parents. His character is inspiring as he doesn't shy away from working hard to get through competitive exams. Depression is bound to sting him as he faces failures but even the setbacks don't deter him from going ahead in life. I believe that was a strong message - to work hard and keep hustling until you achieve your goal. Don't give up easily. Persist and you shall win the game!
The story was sweet and simple as well as a bit of motivating. The character development was great for a few while it didn't impress me for others. For instance, I liked how well-sketched was Shlok's character and how realistic his parents were. However, Natasha's character was a weak one and failed to contribute much to the story. Yana was another significant face who didn't get adequate room to make her presence felt in the plot. The inclusion of River Assi was lovely and something I looked forward to as I flipped the pages.
The writing is pretty good and the smooth narration wouldn't take you long finishing the book. The story is very relatable and hence, the book would prove to be an ideal read for the teenagers. At the same time, I felt had the romantic angle between Shlok and Natasha didn't exist, how would the story proceed? Perhaps, that would have given more depth to the narrative as it tuned out to be a tad bit cliche and predictable by the end.
Nevertheless, if you are a beginner level reader, especially a teenager, you might give Sunshine Town a shot. Perhaps, Shlok's determination would motivate you to not give up on your goals.
March 21, 2018
What I like about the book is how the author, Maniissh Arora has tried to work things around the upcoming genre, Young Adult (YA) fiction. The story revolves is set in Varanasi during the 90s which sounds like something very interesting. A story which gives the various outlook on the teenage lifestyle, their issues related to emotional upheavals, personal fulfillment and career. Actually, teenagers of this generation will surely end up relating to it, I mean generations can change but issues remains the same.
Carrying on with the book, I liked the book cover, I wouldn’t say that I was a fan of it, but saying that, I found the colour of the book cover and picture quite in sync with the entire storyline. When you read the book, the title will also seem appropriate as Shlok’s parents wanted him to bring sunshine to their town by fulfilling their dreams. Another which struck me was the blurb, actually, it kinda gives away a lot of the story.
Now, the writing style I liked and that made me keep going on and on with the book. Very simple and there is a flow which you cannot miss. The entire story has been written down keeping in mind the younger generation which makes it all easier to read. I loved the characterization, that is one thing which I really appreciate the author about. “Sunshine Town” helps you to understand the real importance of planning and organizing things in order to attain success and also using the guidance in a better way.
For me, this book was a one-time read for me. I did enjoy the book, few places it missed a little beat. Rest of the book was very smooth and interesting. I am going to say that “Sunshine Town” is a book for all those teenagers out there who are going through the stress of competitive exams, deciding about their life, personal relationships and peer pressure. With the happy ending of the book, it gives you a fresh outlook
Carrying on with the book, I liked the book cover, I wouldn’t say that I was a fan of it, but saying that, I found the colour of the book cover and picture quite in sync with the entire storyline. When you read the book, the title will also seem appropriate as Shlok’s parents wanted him to bring sunshine to their town by fulfilling their dreams. Another which struck me was the blurb, actually, it kinda gives away a lot of the story.
Now, the writing style I liked and that made me keep going on and on with the book. Very simple and there is a flow which you cannot miss. The entire story has been written down keeping in mind the younger generation which makes it all easier to read. I loved the characterization, that is one thing which I really appreciate the author about. “Sunshine Town” helps you to understand the real importance of planning and organizing things in order to attain success and also using the guidance in a better way.
For me, this book was a one-time read for me. I did enjoy the book, few places it missed a little beat. Rest of the book was very smooth and interesting. I am going to say that “Sunshine Town” is a book for all those teenagers out there who are going through the stress of competitive exams, deciding about their life, personal relationships and peer pressure. With the happy ending of the book, it gives you a fresh outlook
April 11, 2018
For the full review, click on the link below 👇
https://storyofabooknerd.blogspot.in/...
‘Sunshine Town’ is Maniissh Arora’s debut novel. He has written a kind of a story with which everyone will be able to connect emotionally. I will start with what I liked about the book. First of all, I loved the cover which is very bright and aesthetic and coincides with the plot of the book.
The writing style was simple and basic, and the narration was smooth along with a proper editing. The message that the author has tried to convey from his book is that “hard work always pays off!” The character of Shlok, his hard work to achieve a goal with precise planning was something which really inspired me and I am sure that it is going to inspire and motivate the other readers as well.
Another thing that I loved about this book was Shlok’s relationship with his parents. His mother was caring, adorable and supportive, and his father always encouraged him and gave him advice whenever he needed it. They never tried to force their opinions on him and accepted all his decisions.
But, I feel that, if the author had said more about the characters of Natasha (Shlok’s girlfriend) and Yana ( Shlok’s best friend in college) in the story, I would have loved it more.
Nevertheless, I would recommend everyone to read this book at least once. Especially those people, who are unable to take decision about what they want in their life, what they want to do or what they want to become, they should read this book.
https://storyofabooknerd.blogspot.in/...
‘Sunshine Town’ is Maniissh Arora’s debut novel. He has written a kind of a story with which everyone will be able to connect emotionally. I will start with what I liked about the book. First of all, I loved the cover which is very bright and aesthetic and coincides with the plot of the book.
The writing style was simple and basic, and the narration was smooth along with a proper editing. The message that the author has tried to convey from his book is that “hard work always pays off!” The character of Shlok, his hard work to achieve a goal with precise planning was something which really inspired me and I am sure that it is going to inspire and motivate the other readers as well.
Another thing that I loved about this book was Shlok’s relationship with his parents. His mother was caring, adorable and supportive, and his father always encouraged him and gave him advice whenever he needed it. They never tried to force their opinions on him and accepted all his decisions.
But, I feel that, if the author had said more about the characters of Natasha (Shlok’s girlfriend) and Yana ( Shlok’s best friend in college) in the story, I would have loved it more.
Nevertheless, I would recommend everyone to read this book at least once. Especially those people, who are unable to take decision about what they want in their life, what they want to do or what they want to become, they should read this book.
July 8, 2020
The debut book by Maniissh Arora is a contemporary fiction where he has talked about teenagers and the life they undergo. Nowadays, as we see students having a lot of anxiety and pressure for clearing competitive exams and building a reputable career for themselves. And, if you have determination and confidence then you are tended to cross all your limitations and achieve what you have dreamt.
First, we encounter the settings around the airport, where the protagonist Shlok has a connecting flight to Boston and waiting in the boarding section he dozed off. There he meets Yana, his college friend and while he discovers that they both will be traveling on the same flight, Yana has already exchanged the seats with a co-passenger and is now sitting with Shlok (main character of the story). So, now the story travels in flashback while Yana demands on telling more about his life.
The story is set in Varanasi, where Shlok lives along with his mother and father. He is shown as a young and carefree boy but as his exam approaches, he starts getting the feeling of working his ass off and scoring good in his exams. Shlok has to fulfill his parents’ dream of becoming a doctor and make them proud. But as we say that achieving success is not a cakewalk and the same happens with Shlok. So, this is the journey of Shlok, where he crosses all the hurdles and proves that yes, he is capable enough of doing something big in his life.
I think Shlok’s character development was very good. One should be zealous like him for his/her career. I liked Shlok’s parents who were supportive of everything that he did. I enjoyed reading the part where Shlok pushed himself in bringing out the best in him. If you are a person who needs some serious motivation then you should pick up this book. The language style is very simple and smooth and one won’t have a tough time deciphering word. You can finish this book in a single sitting.
Talking about different characters of the book, I’d say Natasha’s character didn’t impress me much (portraying Shlok’s love interest). She sounded mysterious to me and details were missing from her characterization. This same goes for Yana, although she is a good friend of Shlok, there is no elaboration on her part in the book. Character development could have been better. I liked how the book picked up the pace in the end, because in the middle it become quite slow but nonetheless the book ended well.
River Assi played an integral role in the story. The metaphors were very good. Want to know more about her? Then go and pick up your books right now. I’ll recommend this book to the beginners.
First, we encounter the settings around the airport, where the protagonist Shlok has a connecting flight to Boston and waiting in the boarding section he dozed off. There he meets Yana, his college friend and while he discovers that they both will be traveling on the same flight, Yana has already exchanged the seats with a co-passenger and is now sitting with Shlok (main character of the story). So, now the story travels in flashback while Yana demands on telling more about his life.
The story is set in Varanasi, where Shlok lives along with his mother and father. He is shown as a young and carefree boy but as his exam approaches, he starts getting the feeling of working his ass off and scoring good in his exams. Shlok has to fulfill his parents’ dream of becoming a doctor and make them proud. But as we say that achieving success is not a cakewalk and the same happens with Shlok. So, this is the journey of Shlok, where he crosses all the hurdles and proves that yes, he is capable enough of doing something big in his life.
I think Shlok’s character development was very good. One should be zealous like him for his/her career. I liked Shlok’s parents who were supportive of everything that he did. I enjoyed reading the part where Shlok pushed himself in bringing out the best in him. If you are a person who needs some serious motivation then you should pick up this book. The language style is very simple and smooth and one won’t have a tough time deciphering word. You can finish this book in a single sitting.
Talking about different characters of the book, I’d say Natasha’s character didn’t impress me much (portraying Shlok’s love interest). She sounded mysterious to me and details were missing from her characterization. This same goes for Yana, although she is a good friend of Shlok, there is no elaboration on her part in the book. Character development could have been better. I liked how the book picked up the pace in the end, because in the middle it become quite slow but nonetheless the book ended well.
River Assi played an integral role in the story. The metaphors were very good. Want to know more about her? Then go and pick up your books right now. I’ll recommend this book to the beginners.
April 25, 2018
check full Review at : http://www.vidhyathakkar.com/bookrevi...
Sunshine town is a story of Sholk who wants to fulfill his dad’s dream but destiny has its own plan. A simple, obedient and hardworking boy who don’t get proper guidance for academics. He works hard for medical exams but unable to crack it. Will he find someone who will guide him properly? meanwhile, he falls in love with Natasha, who goes to Singapore for further studies. will this long distance relationship survive? will shlok find his career path? will he meet Natasha?
First of all, I liked the title of the book. The cover could have been better. The plot of the story is simple, attractive and smooth with a strong message. every teen should read this book. The pace of the story is also smooth and good. The way the story starts is wonderful. it takes a grip and is interesting. the flow of the story is wonderful. one can easily connect with the story and become part of shlok’s journey. The author wonderfully depicted importance of planning, faith and spirit of never giving up. The characters of the story are strong and connecting. One can connect with shlok and Natasha’s character, as well as shlok’s parent’s character well. the author has beautifully described each and every bond, be it mother and son, father and son or neighbours. There are lots of lines and quotes which are helpful. I loved each line shlok wrote in his diary. The message of never giving up, having patience is reflected well. The language used by the author is simple and interesting. With each chapter, it feels like the puzzle is getting solved.
strong plot, crisp narration, smooth flow, simple language, the connecting story makes it a wonderful read.I loved the climax of the book and would love to read the second part of the book.It’s a teenage fiction and I would recommend all the teenagers to read this book.
Sunshine town is a story of Sholk who wants to fulfill his dad’s dream but destiny has its own plan. A simple, obedient and hardworking boy who don’t get proper guidance for academics. He works hard for medical exams but unable to crack it. Will he find someone who will guide him properly? meanwhile, he falls in love with Natasha, who goes to Singapore for further studies. will this long distance relationship survive? will shlok find his career path? will he meet Natasha?
First of all, I liked the title of the book. The cover could have been better. The plot of the story is simple, attractive and smooth with a strong message. every teen should read this book. The pace of the story is also smooth and good. The way the story starts is wonderful. it takes a grip and is interesting. the flow of the story is wonderful. one can easily connect with the story and become part of shlok’s journey. The author wonderfully depicted importance of planning, faith and spirit of never giving up. The characters of the story are strong and connecting. One can connect with shlok and Natasha’s character, as well as shlok’s parent’s character well. the author has beautifully described each and every bond, be it mother and son, father and son or neighbours. There are lots of lines and quotes which are helpful. I loved each line shlok wrote in his diary. The message of never giving up, having patience is reflected well. The language used by the author is simple and interesting. With each chapter, it feels like the puzzle is getting solved.
strong plot, crisp narration, smooth flow, simple language, the connecting story makes it a wonderful read.I loved the climax of the book and would love to read the second part of the book.It’s a teenage fiction and I would recommend all the teenagers to read this book.
July 16, 2020
Have you ever questioned your worth? So many times in life, we fail to achieve what we dream of. This doesn't only demotivate us, but also breaks our faith in ourselves & God. How does navigate his/her way in such a situation?
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This is an inspiring and relatable story of a teenager and how he struggles to find himself. The story starts with Shlok meeting his friend Yana at the Frankfurt airport. She enquires about him, what he has been doing for all these years. And so Shlok narrates his story to Yana.
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Shlok's character is very well written. He is an average student but works hard to fulfill his parents' dreams, despite his hardwork, his failures bring him to a standstill. The book talks about parental expectations, the emotions, turmoils and struggles of a teenager. It also inspires us to work hard for what we want and be happy in the moment.
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What I liked the most about the book is:
1. The character of Shlok & his parents'.
2. The book is set in late 90s in Varanasi which brings out the story very well. The time period during which the technology hadn't developed much, most Indian parents wanted their children to be doctors and engineers.
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This is an inspiring and relatable story of a teenager and how he struggles to find himself. The story starts with Shlok meeting his friend Yana at the Frankfurt airport. She enquires about him, what he has been doing for all these years. And so Shlok narrates his story to Yana.
.
Shlok's character is very well written. He is an average student but works hard to fulfill his parents' dreams, despite his hardwork, his failures bring him to a standstill. The book talks about parental expectations, the emotions, turmoils and struggles of a teenager. It also inspires us to work hard for what we want and be happy in the moment.
.
.
What I liked the most about the book is:
1. The character of Shlok & his parents'.
2. The book is set in late 90s in Varanasi which brings out the story very well. The time period during which the technology hadn't developed much, most Indian parents wanted their children to be doctors and engineers.
January 19, 2020
I am very pleased to have read this book. Maniissh's writing took me back to more innocent times when we didn't have smartphones and we were coming to the end of our school days. Shlok, the protagonist, is determined to succeed in his school finals and go on to makes his parents proud be clearing the medical entrance exams. I clearly remember the stresses and pressures I had to go through during this time of my life and how uncertain the future seemed often times.
I want to specially point out the characters that Maniissh has described. They are very honest and pure at heart. Shlok is a very compassionate boy and respects his parents very much. His parents too are supportive throughout his successes, failures and uncertainties. I really like how the author uses the river Assi as an inner voice or an inner guidance system for Shlok who is understandably struggling to find his true path in life. His faith in God's plan sometimes grows stronger and sometimes weaker as he becomes a victim of circumstances.
One character that really touched my heart was the auto driver who took him to a mosque to pray with him during a low point in Shlok's life. Maniissh's characters will almost restore your faith in human compassion and friendship.
Funnily enough, one of school friends recommended this author to me and it was a wonderful journey down memory lane and how far we have come from those days. It's a wonderful reminder that there is a path for us all and we will find it eventually. I am glad I was reminded of that. I would recommend this to teens who are about to go through those tough board exams and entrance exams. I would also recommend it to their parents and adults who worry about them. It is a great reminder to be supportive of these students and never see failure as absolute!
I want to specially point out the characters that Maniissh has described. They are very honest and pure at heart. Shlok is a very compassionate boy and respects his parents very much. His parents too are supportive throughout his successes, failures and uncertainties. I really like how the author uses the river Assi as an inner voice or an inner guidance system for Shlok who is understandably struggling to find his true path in life. His faith in God's plan sometimes grows stronger and sometimes weaker as he becomes a victim of circumstances.
One character that really touched my heart was the auto driver who took him to a mosque to pray with him during a low point in Shlok's life. Maniissh's characters will almost restore your faith in human compassion and friendship.
Funnily enough, one of school friends recommended this author to me and it was a wonderful journey down memory lane and how far we have come from those days. It's a wonderful reminder that there is a path for us all and we will find it eventually. I am glad I was reminded of that. I would recommend this to teens who are about to go through those tough board exams and entrance exams. I would also recommend it to their parents and adults who worry about them. It is a great reminder to be supportive of these students and never see failure as absolute!
April 29, 2018
This book is about the never say die attitude of a small town boy, the bonding between the parent-child, teacher-student, friends and love-birds. When a plan fails, it opens a door for a newer and bigger opportunity. Even though this book represents the story of a boy who struggles at each phase and achieves his target with sheer determination, executable plan and utmost hard-work, still this could be categorized under motivational genre. It looks like a fiction , but this piece will leave you highly inspired . The EQ is very high in this book, so if you don't possess a stronger heart, be careful , you can choke at moments.
The author has done a great portrayal of sequences and the characters come quite lively in each every sequence. You will fall in love with the boy by the time you reach the last page.
The author has done a great portrayal of sequences and the characters come quite lively in each every sequence. You will fall in love with the boy by the time you reach the last page.
August 13, 2018
PLOT:
There comes a time in your life when you question the actions and the decisions that lead you to the crossroads of doubt and choices that would define your future. Choose carefully and you thrive; a wrong turn and it’s a struggle to survive. It was no different for the protagonist of this book, a teenager with a strong drive to fulfil his father’s dream.
Sunshine Town is about Shlok who scales great heights professionally and makes his parents proud through his achievements. In his journey, he meets Natasha and Yana, the two women who support him through his personal and career-oriented struggles and decisions. The title of the book is inspired from the words of encouragement by Shlok’s mother before he embarks on a crucial journey.
The book starts with Shlok running into Yana at an international airport. During their flight to Boston together, the two catch up on their lives after having lost contact for years. Shlok recounts the support and the encouragement of his parents, his life aspirations and struggles, his relationship with Yana and…. Natasha. Yana asks Shlok about Natasha’s whereabouts, which send him down the memory lane. He remembers his younger, lackadaisical self during his school days; a boy with no clear vision or passion for his future which is further complicated by an emotionally draining quest to impress his primary love interest, Natasha. However, with relentless perseverance, meticulous planning, self-discipline and the right guidance, he turns his life around. Success doesn’t come easy but his struggles give him the strength and renewed vigour to conquer his life’s quests.
‘You have not told me about Natasha yet’ - Yana’s question jolts Shlok back to reality as the flight is about to land. Is there a happily ever after for Shlok and Natasha? Read the book to find out.
WHAT WE LIKED:
✓ There is a lesson to be learnt - Nothing is impossible. The book is an encouragement and a guide to the youth of today to set a target and work hard towards achieving it. Perseverance, faith, and a tiny nudge from luck helped Shlok realize his dreams.
✓ Sunshine Town makes for a light weekend read. The author describes his daily routine, his predicaments, his struggles, and his emotions using very simple language. He uses colloquial language in parts of the book, with the intention to perhaps maintain a connect with the young readers. It is a good book for someone who wants to take up reading as a hobby.
✓ It is a fast paced book with a story plot that is relatable. Surely, every Indian would have at least one ‘me too!’ moment reading the book.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
✓ There are minor editorial issues in the book, which we hope will be corrected in the future editions.
✓ It would have been great if the storyline could have accommodated a more detailed description of the lives of Yana and Natasha.
There comes a time in your life when you question the actions and the decisions that lead you to the crossroads of doubt and choices that would define your future. Choose carefully and you thrive; a wrong turn and it’s a struggle to survive. It was no different for the protagonist of this book, a teenager with a strong drive to fulfil his father’s dream.
Sunshine Town is about Shlok who scales great heights professionally and makes his parents proud through his achievements. In his journey, he meets Natasha and Yana, the two women who support him through his personal and career-oriented struggles and decisions. The title of the book is inspired from the words of encouragement by Shlok’s mother before he embarks on a crucial journey.
The book starts with Shlok running into Yana at an international airport. During their flight to Boston together, the two catch up on their lives after having lost contact for years. Shlok recounts the support and the encouragement of his parents, his life aspirations and struggles, his relationship with Yana and…. Natasha. Yana asks Shlok about Natasha’s whereabouts, which send him down the memory lane. He remembers his younger, lackadaisical self during his school days; a boy with no clear vision or passion for his future which is further complicated by an emotionally draining quest to impress his primary love interest, Natasha. However, with relentless perseverance, meticulous planning, self-discipline and the right guidance, he turns his life around. Success doesn’t come easy but his struggles give him the strength and renewed vigour to conquer his life’s quests.
‘You have not told me about Natasha yet’ - Yana’s question jolts Shlok back to reality as the flight is about to land. Is there a happily ever after for Shlok and Natasha? Read the book to find out.
WHAT WE LIKED:
✓ There is a lesson to be learnt - Nothing is impossible. The book is an encouragement and a guide to the youth of today to set a target and work hard towards achieving it. Perseverance, faith, and a tiny nudge from luck helped Shlok realize his dreams.
✓ Sunshine Town makes for a light weekend read. The author describes his daily routine, his predicaments, his struggles, and his emotions using very simple language. He uses colloquial language in parts of the book, with the intention to perhaps maintain a connect with the young readers. It is a good book for someone who wants to take up reading as a hobby.
✓ It is a fast paced book with a story plot that is relatable. Surely, every Indian would have at least one ‘me too!’ moment reading the book.
WHAT COULD HAVE BEEN BETTER:
✓ There are minor editorial issues in the book, which we hope will be corrected in the future editions.
✓ It would have been great if the storyline could have accommodated a more detailed description of the lives of Yana and Natasha.
January 29, 2018
RATING: 2.5/5
YA fiction set in Varanasi in the 90s sounded like something I would enjoy. But it didn't stand up to my expectations.
There were a few things I liked about the book like the portrayal of simple lives back in the 90s. A large chunk of the book was relatable and motivating. The writing format where the story starts with the present and moves back to the past was essential to show how Shlok's life changed because of appropriate planning and a good mentor.
But, the writing wasn't impressive. Yana and Natasha were almost identical. Strangely enough, Shlok describes both of them as 'tall, lean and dusky'. There were a lot of tropes describing girls as a diversion. It was sexist in a few places.
You can read the book if you are a beginner or looking for a lazy read on Sunday.
YA fiction set in Varanasi in the 90s sounded like something I would enjoy. But it didn't stand up to my expectations.
There were a few things I liked about the book like the portrayal of simple lives back in the 90s. A large chunk of the book was relatable and motivating. The writing format where the story starts with the present and moves back to the past was essential to show how Shlok's life changed because of appropriate planning and a good mentor.
But, the writing wasn't impressive. Yana and Natasha were almost identical. Strangely enough, Shlok describes both of them as 'tall, lean and dusky'. There were a lot of tropes describing girls as a diversion. It was sexist in a few places.
You can read the book if you are a beginner or looking for a lazy read on Sunday.
July 15, 2018
3.5/5
Sunshine town is a book about one of the most relatable indian teenagaer boy. I wonder how the author got the hold of such a relatable character. Shlok does not want much from life. He just wants to make his parents and the love of his life, Natasha, to be happy. But life is not so easy for anybody and so this book is story of his struggles. Beautifully written in a fictious way, it can also be considered as a self help.
I did not exactly understand the relation between the book and the title. If you did, please let me know in the comments section below.
The language again is relatable, simple and free of errors.
It is such an inspiring read especially for the teenagers! We all know how our generation is drifting towards laziness but this book will pull it out of it. All the teenagers who are wasting away their lives in procrastination, disbelief, loss of faith and hardwork should read this.
One thing that I must mention is that the plot was a little predictable for me as a reader.
There was no wow factor but a book like this must be read atleast once and it's again a very good read for the beginners in the reading world.
Sunshine town is a book about one of the most relatable indian teenagaer boy. I wonder how the author got the hold of such a relatable character. Shlok does not want much from life. He just wants to make his parents and the love of his life, Natasha, to be happy. But life is not so easy for anybody and so this book is story of his struggles. Beautifully written in a fictious way, it can also be considered as a self help.
I did not exactly understand the relation between the book and the title. If you did, please let me know in the comments section below.
The language again is relatable, simple and free of errors.
It is such an inspiring read especially for the teenagers! We all know how our generation is drifting towards laziness but this book will pull it out of it. All the teenagers who are wasting away their lives in procrastination, disbelief, loss of faith and hardwork should read this.
One thing that I must mention is that the plot was a little predictable for me as a reader.
There was no wow factor but a book like this must be read atleast once and it's again a very good read for the beginners in the reading world.
May 22, 2018
As the name says its Sunshine after the stormy night. It gives you all positive vibes back again to stand up. And this book gives strong message to never give up.
Sunshine town is the journey of Shlok where you go through the time during 90’s and it brings a smile to ones face going through those beautiful time.
Sunshine Town will guide the young generation a great message where they should head in there life through Shlok’s story.
Language used is simple and one understand easily what author wants to say.
The different life as a student and as a profession with love. And life in varanasi and in Boston.
All character ‘s are well charcaterized.
One can relate to story, its nostalgic.
What I loved in this book?
Theme: It’s a simple story with great message and vibes. It gives a great message to teenagers who are struggling in their carrier.
Quotes:-
“Dear loss, is a part of life and we would have to start from scratch. Every disaster leads to a bigger opportunity.”
“Never give up on being helpful to others.”
“You did your best. Hard work doesn’t go in vain, have faith.”
“the party will be for the hard work and the sincerity in your approach. We are not sure about your results, but I am confident about your hard work.’
“Proper planning is the key to success; hard work never goes in vain.”
“Success has no measure and no boundaries. It can be in any field and could take any definition.”
“Everything happens twice in the world, first in our minds and then in reality.”
Story: Whatever stage or pace you are in of the story it gives you a positive message and vibes. It gives you the strength to go for it and I loved it.
Characters: Natasha’s father. The never giving up attitude. Yana the bubbly girl, charmer.
What I did not like?
There is nothing actually to point that I did not like in this book.
Verdict: I will definitely recommend this book to the people who are struggling in their life. And ya to the people who love reading romance and teen novels. I enjoyed reading it. And now I know to name a book when young people ask me to recommend one.
My Rating:
Title: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Blurb: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Plot: 5/5
Presentation: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Sunshine town is the journey of Shlok where you go through the time during 90’s and it brings a smile to ones face going through those beautiful time.
Sunshine Town will guide the young generation a great message where they should head in there life through Shlok’s story.
Language used is simple and one understand easily what author wants to say.
The different life as a student and as a profession with love. And life in varanasi and in Boston.
All character ‘s are well charcaterized.
One can relate to story, its nostalgic.
What I loved in this book?
Theme: It’s a simple story with great message and vibes. It gives a great message to teenagers who are struggling in their carrier.
Quotes:-
“Dear loss, is a part of life and we would have to start from scratch. Every disaster leads to a bigger opportunity.”
“Never give up on being helpful to others.”
“You did your best. Hard work doesn’t go in vain, have faith.”
“the party will be for the hard work and the sincerity in your approach. We are not sure about your results, but I am confident about your hard work.’
“Proper planning is the key to success; hard work never goes in vain.”
“Success has no measure and no boundaries. It can be in any field and could take any definition.”
“Everything happens twice in the world, first in our minds and then in reality.”
Story: Whatever stage or pace you are in of the story it gives you a positive message and vibes. It gives you the strength to go for it and I loved it.
Characters: Natasha’s father. The never giving up attitude. Yana the bubbly girl, charmer.
What I did not like?
There is nothing actually to point that I did not like in this book.
Verdict: I will definitely recommend this book to the people who are struggling in their life. And ya to the people who love reading romance and teen novels. I enjoyed reading it. And now I know to name a book when young people ask me to recommend one.
My Rating:
Title: 5/5
Cover: 4/5
Blurb: 4.5/5
Characters: 4.5/5
Plot: 5/5
Presentation: 4.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
February 21, 2018
sunshine town written by Manish Aroraa is a nice read.it is like a biography of all the teenagers of early 21st century when phone calls and chatting were not so easy. it contained a beautiful love story with the garnish of struggle and other teenage confusions.Flow of novel is very good going and plot is really much organised.one thing I must say that if a place mentioned in a story then it must get proper attention but in this novel varanasi is just mentioned not much elaborated.
over all I have enjoyed this read very much, I recommend this book for teenagers, youngsters as well as parents. book has a lot of learning for parents also to support and motivate their growing children.
over all I have enjoyed this read very much, I recommend this book for teenagers, youngsters as well as parents. book has a lot of learning for parents also to support and motivate their growing children.
January 8, 2018
Hello All .... Before going deep into the review of Sunshine Town by Maniissh Aroraa, I would like to congratulate the Author for his debut effort. Every Literary work is unique in itself and the review given below is an honest result of my understanding & expectations on the subject and must not be taken otherwise. Let's quickly go through the ratings
Blurb : 4/5
Plot : 3.5/5
Language Used : 3/5
Presentation : 3/5
Overall : 3/5
About The Book : As the story-line and the blurb of the book suggests, the author has come up with story of a Teenager named Shlok and brings out various aspects of teenage life, aspirations, love, career and emotional turmoil which every teenager goes through. To be specific "It is a story of almost every teenager" as one can easily relate or connect to the emotions and feelings of the protagonist Shlok.
About Writing: The story has been well crafted and every effort has been made by the Author to relate it to reader's own life. The following phrase from the book made me emotional (coz of my self experiences) : "It was a great sight watching her laugh and cry at the same time, as if it was her own result", these words vividly describe the waves of emotions felt by Shlok's mother when despite all odds he passes his pre-university exams with flying colors.
The story emphasizes on importance of planned approach at various points. There is no doubt in the fact that planning every small or big tasks not only helps achieving the goal but also reduces the stress and ensures success to a great extent and this message has been beautifully presented by the author before readers at every stage in the story.
The author has kept the tone motivational and have tried to convey important teenage lessons through simple plots. The protagonist takes keen interest in taking care of his garden and connecting with nature which not only stimulate similar feelings inside the reader but also calls the conscience to find peace in nature's company.
The story also brings out one of the most important aspects of choosing one's career. The author has done a remarkable job by pointing out the fact that while choosing a career one must identify his strengths and interests and follow their passion. Also, one must not hesitate in exploring other fields as well.
The word usage is normal and writing style is simple. The flow of the story is good and worth appreciating. There is something peculiar about the story, it is the character of Shlok's parents as they seem to be way too supportive, understanding & positive in nature. I believe this makes this novel a good read for parents too.
Critical Views :
1. The cover of the book looks good but it says nothing about the story inside. The image of Varanasi ghat makes an impression that story somehow may revolve around the city but the city has played no role in the story.
2. Book title could have been better and more about Teenage emotions etc. The title Sunshine Town has been brought up just once in a saying by Shlok's mother "Our small town will see the Sunshine when you become a doctor", but in my view this does not makes Sunshine Town an apt title for the story.
3. For those who like reading plots full of thrill and suspense, the story does not creates much of them. There is a bit of suspense in few parts but author has kept the writing quite plain in most of the parts.
4. No doubt its an every teenager story, but author could have experimented with protagonist having siblings and a lil bit of less understanding parents. Also, the characters of Natasha and Yana have not been given due exposure.
5. The story may seem too plain to seasoned readers.
Despite all critical views, the words and story seem to come out from depth of Author's heart and his effort is appreciable. I once again congratulate him for his debut novel and wish him luck for his future endeavors.
Blurb : 4/5
Plot : 3.5/5
Language Used : 3/5
Presentation : 3/5
Overall : 3/5
About The Book : As the story-line and the blurb of the book suggests, the author has come up with story of a Teenager named Shlok and brings out various aspects of teenage life, aspirations, love, career and emotional turmoil which every teenager goes through. To be specific "It is a story of almost every teenager" as one can easily relate or connect to the emotions and feelings of the protagonist Shlok.
About Writing: The story has been well crafted and every effort has been made by the Author to relate it to reader's own life. The following phrase from the book made me emotional (coz of my self experiences) : "It was a great sight watching her laugh and cry at the same time, as if it was her own result", these words vividly describe the waves of emotions felt by Shlok's mother when despite all odds he passes his pre-university exams with flying colors.
The story emphasizes on importance of planned approach at various points. There is no doubt in the fact that planning every small or big tasks not only helps achieving the goal but also reduces the stress and ensures success to a great extent and this message has been beautifully presented by the author before readers at every stage in the story.
The author has kept the tone motivational and have tried to convey important teenage lessons through simple plots. The protagonist takes keen interest in taking care of his garden and connecting with nature which not only stimulate similar feelings inside the reader but also calls the conscience to find peace in nature's company.
The story also brings out one of the most important aspects of choosing one's career. The author has done a remarkable job by pointing out the fact that while choosing a career one must identify his strengths and interests and follow their passion. Also, one must not hesitate in exploring other fields as well.
The word usage is normal and writing style is simple. The flow of the story is good and worth appreciating. There is something peculiar about the story, it is the character of Shlok's parents as they seem to be way too supportive, understanding & positive in nature. I believe this makes this novel a good read for parents too.
Critical Views :
1. The cover of the book looks good but it says nothing about the story inside. The image of Varanasi ghat makes an impression that story somehow may revolve around the city but the city has played no role in the story.
2. Book title could have been better and more about Teenage emotions etc. The title Sunshine Town has been brought up just once in a saying by Shlok's mother "Our small town will see the Sunshine when you become a doctor", but in my view this does not makes Sunshine Town an apt title for the story.
3. For those who like reading plots full of thrill and suspense, the story does not creates much of them. There is a bit of suspense in few parts but author has kept the writing quite plain in most of the parts.
4. No doubt its an every teenager story, but author could have experimented with protagonist having siblings and a lil bit of less understanding parents. Also, the characters of Natasha and Yana have not been given due exposure.
5. The story may seem too plain to seasoned readers.
Despite all critical views, the words and story seem to come out from depth of Author's heart and his effort is appreciable. I once again congratulate him for his debut novel and wish him luck for his future endeavors.
April 27, 2020
Hi guys would you like to read a book full of action, adventure, love, motivation, pain and suspense ?
Or, do you believe in the power of your dreams ?
If yes, then this book is for you my friends.
It's one of the best book I have ever read full of action, adventure, love, pain, motivation and suspense.
It's about the story of a guy named Shlok.
He is a daydreamer and has no ambitions of his own. Shlok just want to fulfill the dream of his father.
He is not so much good in his studies but trying his best to crack the exam to become a doctor.
Meanwhile he fall in love with his neighbor Natasha.
The girl whom he loves a lot. His dream girl.
Somehow due to their same interests, they come close to each other. And experience new emotions.
Now twist comes when Shlok fails in cracking the exam. His dream of becoming the doctor to make his parents happy breaks.
All of his hardwork, everything seems to be useless to him.
It really hurts but soon he realises that we can't control everything in our life. Sometimes we just need to accept things to move forward.
And that's what he does. But now his love life seems to be really affected due to the geographical difficulties.
It's really difficult for him, first his dream breaks. Now, his love is not with him.
So, he starts questioning himself like,
Is he good for anything ? And why all this is happening to him ?
So, will he get up to move forward in his life ?
How will he fight with this difficult time ?
Atlast what will happen to his love life and his dreams ?
My friends, read this book to find answers of all these questions.
The way of presenting the content, the engaging way of writing everything is amazing in this book.
My friends, this book will show you that sometimes things don't go as we want them.
But all this happens for something good.
The difficulties make us more stronger and better in our field.
And it touches a very cruel reality of today's time. Most of the children are not living their life.
They are living how their parents, relatives or their looser friends want them to live. And that's why they got under so much pressure which sometimes lead to very bad things.
This book shows the importance of dreams.
And the power of true love. How it can make you or sometimes how it can even break you.
Guys, this book will motivate you to get your dreams. Shlok's story will definitely leave an impact on you.
I am sure you will like it. So, if you like reading books which can motivate you and touch you.
Then, just read this book guys.
My ratings :- 4.5/5
Or, do you believe in the power of your dreams ?
If yes, then this book is for you my friends.
It's one of the best book I have ever read full of action, adventure, love, pain, motivation and suspense.
It's about the story of a guy named Shlok.
He is a daydreamer and has no ambitions of his own. Shlok just want to fulfill the dream of his father.
He is not so much good in his studies but trying his best to crack the exam to become a doctor.
Meanwhile he fall in love with his neighbor Natasha.
The girl whom he loves a lot. His dream girl.
Somehow due to their same interests, they come close to each other. And experience new emotions.
Now twist comes when Shlok fails in cracking the exam. His dream of becoming the doctor to make his parents happy breaks.
All of his hardwork, everything seems to be useless to him.
It really hurts but soon he realises that we can't control everything in our life. Sometimes we just need to accept things to move forward.
And that's what he does. But now his love life seems to be really affected due to the geographical difficulties.
It's really difficult for him, first his dream breaks. Now, his love is not with him.
So, he starts questioning himself like,
Is he good for anything ? And why all this is happening to him ?
So, will he get up to move forward in his life ?
How will he fight with this difficult time ?
Atlast what will happen to his love life and his dreams ?
My friends, read this book to find answers of all these questions.
The way of presenting the content, the engaging way of writing everything is amazing in this book.
My friends, this book will show you that sometimes things don't go as we want them.
But all this happens for something good.
The difficulties make us more stronger and better in our field.
And it touches a very cruel reality of today's time. Most of the children are not living their life.
They are living how their parents, relatives or their looser friends want them to live. And that's why they got under so much pressure which sometimes lead to very bad things.
This book shows the importance of dreams.
And the power of true love. How it can make you or sometimes how it can even break you.
Guys, this book will motivate you to get your dreams. Shlok's story will definitely leave an impact on you.
I am sure you will like it. So, if you like reading books which can motivate you and touch you.
Then, just read this book guys.
My ratings :- 4.5/5
December 15, 2017
Ever had that one thing that you worked really hard for, yet fate wasn’t that kind to you?
The story of Shlok and the series of misfortunes he encounters, called life. Every effort though more, seemed less and lesser seemed the result. Read the story of Shlok, in Sunshine Town as he explores his chances with career, love and goals.
The book is a teenage fiction, giving a take on a life where ambitions are plenty and working is tough. I am usually not a fan of teenage stories but the book is highly engaging and unpredictable.
It is more focused on achieving goals, and that’s what makes the book perfect to be read by the ones who are struggling with life and academics to be exact. The author has given detailed steps on how the protagonist manages his life and puts his hard work into a schedule, which a tremendous amount of help for those who actually need it. The struggles of the teenager is surely going to inspire the reader to strive through their own.
The plot is a well executed one as the author keeps the reader from guessing the next scenes.
The book is written in easy English, making it appealing to the ones who are beginners at reading novels or are reading books after a long break. It touches all the important aspects of a teenager’s life.
Most teenage fiction I read in the past years had several scenes to ensure sales, that most parents would not approve of, Sunshine Town is different and absolutely sleaze-free.
The book has a beautiful cover, making it easy for grabs, as “Judge a book by its cover” is the oldest book trend. The blurb explains all the sections of the book in a straight manner that would help the readers make a choice.
Ratings-
Cover- 5 stars
Title- 4 stars
Blurb- 5 stars
Plot- 4 stars
Writing and presentation- 4 stars
Overall- 4.4 stars out of 5
The book is written for teenagers and might not appeal to the seasoned readers who prefer classics in their tbr.
The author elaborates a few things that were not much necessary for the plot and could have been avoided .
Reviewed by- Banaja Prakashini
The story of Shlok and the series of misfortunes he encounters, called life. Every effort though more, seemed less and lesser seemed the result. Read the story of Shlok, in Sunshine Town as he explores his chances with career, love and goals.
The book is a teenage fiction, giving a take on a life where ambitions are plenty and working is tough. I am usually not a fan of teenage stories but the book is highly engaging and unpredictable.
It is more focused on achieving goals, and that’s what makes the book perfect to be read by the ones who are struggling with life and academics to be exact. The author has given detailed steps on how the protagonist manages his life and puts his hard work into a schedule, which a tremendous amount of help for those who actually need it. The struggles of the teenager is surely going to inspire the reader to strive through their own.
The plot is a well executed one as the author keeps the reader from guessing the next scenes.
The book is written in easy English, making it appealing to the ones who are beginners at reading novels or are reading books after a long break. It touches all the important aspects of a teenager’s life.
Most teenage fiction I read in the past years had several scenes to ensure sales, that most parents would not approve of, Sunshine Town is different and absolutely sleaze-free.
The book has a beautiful cover, making it easy for grabs, as “Judge a book by its cover” is the oldest book trend. The blurb explains all the sections of the book in a straight manner that would help the readers make a choice.
Ratings-
Cover- 5 stars
Title- 4 stars
Blurb- 5 stars
Plot- 4 stars
Writing and presentation- 4 stars
Overall- 4.4 stars out of 5
The book is written for teenagers and might not appeal to the seasoned readers who prefer classics in their tbr.
The author elaborates a few things that were not much necessary for the plot and could have been avoided .
Reviewed by- Banaja Prakashini
December 19, 2020
"Whether what we’re doing is what we wanted to do, or is it a choice given to us that we have just grown to accept. I feel, in reality, it’s a mixed bag and it is very difficult to tell one from the other. It is a path; somebody may have already mapped out for us. The harder we think about it, the more we lose sense of what’s going on."
'Sunshine town' is Amazingly written debut book of the author Maniissh Arora and published by Peacock books that comes in Young Adult contemporary fiction genre.
The story is set in one of dream city, Banaras, that revolves around a teenager called Shlok, the protagonist,who was happy with whatever he had. Just like every other teenager, Shlok was struggling for his career. He had no ambitions of his own,he just wanted to fulfill his father's dream which was to become a doctor. This reminds me of a famous quote by Kahlil Gibran:
" Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you."
But destiny had planned something different for Shlok. Natasha, Shlok's neighbour and love of his life, supported him with his dreams and decisions.
Shlok faces many failures which made him doubt himself. But remember, hope is the rope of life.
The story takes you back to the 90's so grab this book and feel the 90's.
The cover of the book portrays a Ghat of Banaras which gives an amazing Banarasi vibe and the title is catchy. The narration is smooth and the language is easy,so that we can finish it in a short period of time. The emotions of the character is well penned and I felt like I was traveling around the emotions. The characters are realistic.
The author has conveyed an important message through the character which is 'Work hard and never lose hope', also he had shown the important role that the parents play in their children's life.
I recommend it to every teenager as it will motivate and teach many things to the young minds and I hope many teenagers will relate to the story.
'Sunshine town' is Amazingly written debut book of the author Maniissh Arora and published by Peacock books that comes in Young Adult contemporary fiction genre.
The story is set in one of dream city, Banaras, that revolves around a teenager called Shlok, the protagonist,who was happy with whatever he had. Just like every other teenager, Shlok was struggling for his career. He had no ambitions of his own,he just wanted to fulfill his father's dream which was to become a doctor. This reminds me of a famous quote by Kahlil Gibran:
" Your children are not your children. They are the sons and daughters of Life's longing for itself. They come through you but not from you, And though they are with you yet they belong not to you."
But destiny had planned something different for Shlok. Natasha, Shlok's neighbour and love of his life, supported him with his dreams and decisions.
Shlok faces many failures which made him doubt himself. But remember, hope is the rope of life.
The story takes you back to the 90's so grab this book and feel the 90's.
The cover of the book portrays a Ghat of Banaras which gives an amazing Banarasi vibe and the title is catchy. The narration is smooth and the language is easy,so that we can finish it in a short period of time. The emotions of the character is well penned and I felt like I was traveling around the emotions. The characters are realistic.
The author has conveyed an important message through the character which is 'Work hard and never lose hope', also he had shown the important role that the parents play in their children's life.
I recommend it to every teenager as it will motivate and teach many things to the young minds and I hope many teenagers will relate to the story.
June 30, 2018
🌞SUNSHINE TOWN🌞
Thank you Maniissh Aroraa sir @writetomaniissh for the review copy.
Sunshine town is a story of a simple, obedient and hard-working boy called Sholk,who wants to fulfill his dad's dream and make his parents proud.Sholk face difficulties to crack medical entrance.Failing again and again makes him to believe that his destiny has another plan.He decides to change his career option and from then his life completely changes.
🌞
Eventually he falls in love with a girl called Natasha but soon after exams she shifts to Singapore to fulfill her dream.
🌞
Other characters like his mother was caring, adorable n supportive.His father always encouraged him and gave him advice whenever he needed it.They never tried to force their opinions on him and accepted all his decisions.
Natasha's father is a full on attitude human being,Yana the bubbly girl who was the special girl in shlok's life,Amit Pujari was the man who showed Sholk the proper path when he was devastated.Overall all the characters are well Picturized.
🌞
The story is filled with so many emotions.Each phases of teenage life like love, anxiety, emotional feeling are described so well.
The writing style is so simple,smooth and impressive.A very well edited n narrated story.Author has done a great job in his debut novel.
🌞
It was worth reading for me.It can help us to take decisions in tough situation.Personally I would recommend this book highly to young people.I would suggest that parents gift this awesome book to their teen children to inspire and guide youngsters.
🌞
Quotes which I loved :-
1."Never give up on being helpful to others".
2."Proper planning is the key to success;hard work never goes in vain".
3."Everything happens twice in the world, first in one's mind and then in reality".
🌞
MY RATING :-
COVER :- 4/5
TITLE :- 4/5
BLURB :- 3.75/5
PLOT :- 4.25/5
CHARACTERS :- 4/5
LANGUAGE USED :- 4/5
PRESENTATION : 3.75/5
OVERALL :- 4.25/5
Thank you Maniissh Aroraa sir @writetomaniissh for the review copy.
Sunshine town is a story of a simple, obedient and hard-working boy called Sholk,who wants to fulfill his dad's dream and make his parents proud.Sholk face difficulties to crack medical entrance.Failing again and again makes him to believe that his destiny has another plan.He decides to change his career option and from then his life completely changes.
🌞
Eventually he falls in love with a girl called Natasha but soon after exams she shifts to Singapore to fulfill her dream.
🌞
Other characters like his mother was caring, adorable n supportive.His father always encouraged him and gave him advice whenever he needed it.They never tried to force their opinions on him and accepted all his decisions.
Natasha's father is a full on attitude human being,Yana the bubbly girl who was the special girl in shlok's life,Amit Pujari was the man who showed Sholk the proper path when he was devastated.Overall all the characters are well Picturized.
🌞
The story is filled with so many emotions.Each phases of teenage life like love, anxiety, emotional feeling are described so well.
The writing style is so simple,smooth and impressive.A very well edited n narrated story.Author has done a great job in his debut novel.
🌞
It was worth reading for me.It can help us to take decisions in tough situation.Personally I would recommend this book highly to young people.I would suggest that parents gift this awesome book to their teen children to inspire and guide youngsters.
🌞
Quotes which I loved :-
1."Never give up on being helpful to others".
2."Proper planning is the key to success;hard work never goes in vain".
3."Everything happens twice in the world, first in one's mind and then in reality".
🌞
MY RATING :-
COVER :- 4/5
TITLE :- 4/5
BLURB :- 3.75/5
PLOT :- 4.25/5
CHARACTERS :- 4/5
LANGUAGE USED :- 4/5
PRESENTATION : 3.75/5
OVERALL :- 4.25/5
September 3, 2020
When children are in their teens. So he struggles with a lot of anxiety these days. Because the competition increases every day. They are motivated to meet peer and parental pressures. At times, they find it extremely difficult to cope with their parents' expectations and the subsequent depression.
Just, this is what this book tells you. That if you have, the support and trust of the people around you. So you are definitely able to succeed.
This is the book "Sunshine Town" written by Maniissh Aroraa. Which is the story of a youth of Varanasi city. Whose name is shloka. Who is the hero of this book. Who has to fulfill the dreams of his parents and make them proud.
Will he be able to fulfill his parents' dream ..?
This is the primary story of the book.
Shloka is an average student and a confused teenager. Who wants to make it big for his parents. His character is very inspiring. Because he does not shy away from working hard for competitive exams.
He is also bound to face depression.
Because he faces failures. But even failures do not stop him from moving forward in life.
I believe this book is a strong message. To work hard, and until you achieve your goal. Till then you just keep on stirring.
"There should not be a Gandhi in the pocket, but there must be a thunderstorm in your mind to do something."
Just don't give up easily. If you move ahead with perseverance and determination then one day you will definitely win the game.
The story was sweet and simple as well as inspiring. Character development was very good. How realistic were his parents.
The writing is very good and spontaneous statements will not let you finish the book for long. The story is very convincing. Which keeps you connected till the end. Therefore, this book will prove to be a role model for teenagers. Which will prove to be inspiring in moving them forward.
Nevertheless, if you are a beginner level reader, and especially a teenager, you must read "Sunshine Town" once.
Perhaps, Shloka's determination will inspire you not to give up your goals.
Thakur Sai Ankur
(Spiritual Spokesperson)
Just, this is what this book tells you. That if you have, the support and trust of the people around you. So you are definitely able to succeed.
This is the book "Sunshine Town" written by Maniissh Aroraa. Which is the story of a youth of Varanasi city. Whose name is shloka. Who is the hero of this book. Who has to fulfill the dreams of his parents and make them proud.
Will he be able to fulfill his parents' dream ..?
This is the primary story of the book.
Shloka is an average student and a confused teenager. Who wants to make it big for his parents. His character is very inspiring. Because he does not shy away from working hard for competitive exams.
He is also bound to face depression.
Because he faces failures. But even failures do not stop him from moving forward in life.
I believe this book is a strong message. To work hard, and until you achieve your goal. Till then you just keep on stirring.
"There should not be a Gandhi in the pocket, but there must be a thunderstorm in your mind to do something."
Just don't give up easily. If you move ahead with perseverance and determination then one day you will definitely win the game.
The story was sweet and simple as well as inspiring. Character development was very good. How realistic were his parents.
The writing is very good and spontaneous statements will not let you finish the book for long. The story is very convincing. Which keeps you connected till the end. Therefore, this book will prove to be a role model for teenagers. Which will prove to be inspiring in moving them forward.
Nevertheless, if you are a beginner level reader, and especially a teenager, you must read "Sunshine Town" once.
Perhaps, Shloka's determination will inspire you not to give up your goals.
Thakur Sai Ankur
(Spiritual Spokesperson)
January 8, 2019
This book talks about Shlok recollecting his teenage days , his studies,love and struggles he went through at that period. Everyone knows the hype about being an Engineer or a Doctor in a middle class family. Many of the one’s selecting that particular stream will be mostly because for fulfilling their parents dream and also because students are clueless about their future and ambitions ahead that they just get into the rat race and follow the crowd blindly.The same situation is experienced by our protagonist Shlok.
Set amidst in the late 90’s it shows us the glimpse of 90’s lifestyle, Competitions, Love etc.Now we say the world is a global village and everything is just a hand’s reach because of technological advances but back then everything were in its budding stage. Therefore, for the people in relationships , it was difficult to keep in touch especially when it a long distance relationship.Read how Shlok and Natasha maintained their relationship.
Shlok’s character have inspired and motivated me to the core. The discipline and hardwork that he puts on every work he do is commendable. It shows us that in life the only thing in our hand is our work ,rest depends on our luck and blessings. So by all means we should do our best to achieve our goal. Our work will bear us fruit ,if not now, at some point in our life. If you are unlucky today, you may be the luckiest tomorrow. It all depends on what is destined for us. and at the end everything happens for reason, the reason which may change our life for good.
Set amidst in the late 90’s it shows us the glimpse of 90’s lifestyle, Competitions, Love etc.Now we say the world is a global village and everything is just a hand’s reach because of technological advances but back then everything were in its budding stage. Therefore, for the people in relationships , it was difficult to keep in touch especially when it a long distance relationship.Read how Shlok and Natasha maintained their relationship.
Shlok’s character have inspired and motivated me to the core. The discipline and hardwork that he puts on every work he do is commendable. It shows us that in life the only thing in our hand is our work ,rest depends on our luck and blessings. So by all means we should do our best to achieve our goal. Our work will bear us fruit ,if not now, at some point in our life. If you are unlucky today, you may be the luckiest tomorrow. It all depends on what is destined for us. and at the end everything happens for reason, the reason which may change our life for good.
August 9, 2020
Recently read this book. Its a contemporary fiction that revolves around contemporary young adult based themes.
Being quite relatable it would be enjoyed by many young readers. The main protagonist is a reverie headed boy in his early adulthood who is juggling in his career path. Shlok walks down the memory lane when he converses with an old friend while travelling.Gone days flash up and slowly the story paces .
Following his father's wish of him becoming a doctor , he literally puts his blood, sweat and tears , but he fails to come out with flying colours twice . This story speaks of relatable struggle , hardwork , coping up with peer pressure and other aspects of life.
As transiting from teenage to adulthood itself is a difficult phase of anyone's life when one tries to figure out the changing world around him/ her and form a perspection , Shlok also felt the turmoils.
Meanwhile an involvement in growing romance will bring more collapses towards his dreams . I liked Shloka' s relationship with his parents , specially with his mother in his hard times , the parts about gardening and bonding through it , the moments with his peers and how the career councillor almost treaded on his dreams.
Who is Yana ? Was the relationship with Natasha always a dead end ? Meanwhile which path brings shine in shlok's career and through these experiences in his life , what did he get to learn ?
It is a light read story with few uplifting message to remain hopeful , keep faith in oneself and the flow .
Being quite relatable it would be enjoyed by many young readers. The main protagonist is a reverie headed boy in his early adulthood who is juggling in his career path. Shlok walks down the memory lane when he converses with an old friend while travelling.Gone days flash up and slowly the story paces .
Following his father's wish of him becoming a doctor , he literally puts his blood, sweat and tears , but he fails to come out with flying colours twice . This story speaks of relatable struggle , hardwork , coping up with peer pressure and other aspects of life.
As transiting from teenage to adulthood itself is a difficult phase of anyone's life when one tries to figure out the changing world around him/ her and form a perspection , Shlok also felt the turmoils.
Meanwhile an involvement in growing romance will bring more collapses towards his dreams . I liked Shloka' s relationship with his parents , specially with his mother in his hard times , the parts about gardening and bonding through it , the moments with his peers and how the career councillor almost treaded on his dreams.
Who is Yana ? Was the relationship with Natasha always a dead end ? Meanwhile which path brings shine in shlok's career and through these experiences in his life , what did he get to learn ?
It is a light read story with few uplifting message to remain hopeful , keep faith in oneself and the flow .
June 10, 2020
‘Sunshine Town’ by Maniish Aroraa is a book that revolves around Shlok whose only wish is to fulfil his parent’s dream. We get to see how at first he was not very serious about his studies and only used to think only about clearing the exams. His mom decides one day to put forward a suggestion which tempts Shlok to work hard and get good marks. He makes a timetable and sticks next to his table and studies diligently everyday and he was surprised with the results. He actually gets the hang of it and kind of misses studying. Soon we can see that he applies this method to many other things. Soon he also falls in love with Natasha but there are many things that are going on in his life. What is his father’s wish? Will he be able to fulfil those wish? Will Shlok convey his feelings to Natasha? To know more read ‘Sunshine Town’.
My Thoughts:
The plot is well written and I must say that we all have gone through this at some point during our school and college time. The story will inspire to all the teenagers to work hard and that anything can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
The characters are well developed and relatable and I loved the relationship that Shlok shares with his parents.
Language is simple and lucid and the narration is done beautifully.
The cover page and the title of the book are apt to the plot.
Overall, it was an inspirational read and I would surely recommend it to all.
My Thoughts:
The plot is well written and I must say that we all have gone through this at some point during our school and college time. The story will inspire to all the teenagers to work hard and that anything can be achieved through hard work and dedication.
The characters are well developed and relatable and I loved the relationship that Shlok shares with his parents.
Language is simple and lucid and the narration is done beautifully.
The cover page and the title of the book are apt to the plot.
Overall, it was an inspirational read and I would surely recommend it to all.
February 25, 2019
‘Everything happens twice in this world, first in our minds and then in reality.’
Sunshine Town is a story of a boy Shlok, who is trying to figure out what he wants in life. He is happy in his small world, around his parents and Natasha, his neighbour. He works hard for his board exams and even after facing difficulties he performs well. His relationship with Natasha also improves, but Natasha has already planned to study abroad, which breaks him. His parents want him to become a doctor, so he tries his best and puts in all the hard work, but he doesn’t clear entrance exams. He tries again but fails and then starts questioning everything around him,his struggles, his belief in God. He has given up all hopes until he finds a mentor. Will he become successful?
The story is engaging, it connects with you and takes you along.
You can feel the struggle of the character, since everyone of us has been through exam pressure.
The language used is very simple, great for beginners.
I related with Shlok’s character a lot, and I could feel what he was going through.
The book has some amazing quotes.
Even the romance angle in the story is well described.
The father-son relationship is portrayed well and it is very relatable.
There are a few errors which confused me a bit.
Sunshine Town is a story of a boy Shlok, who is trying to figure out what he wants in life. He is happy in his small world, around his parents and Natasha, his neighbour. He works hard for his board exams and even after facing difficulties he performs well. His relationship with Natasha also improves, but Natasha has already planned to study abroad, which breaks him. His parents want him to become a doctor, so he tries his best and puts in all the hard work, but he doesn’t clear entrance exams. He tries again but fails and then starts questioning everything around him,his struggles, his belief in God. He has given up all hopes until he finds a mentor. Will he become successful?
The story is engaging, it connects with you and takes you along.
You can feel the struggle of the character, since everyone of us has been through exam pressure.
The language used is very simple, great for beginners.
I related with Shlok’s character a lot, and I could feel what he was going through.
The book has some amazing quotes.
Even the romance angle in the story is well described.
The father-son relationship is portrayed well and it is very relatable.
There are a few errors which confused me a bit.
June 9, 2018
So I have not read many Indian authors since my experience with couple of them has been disappointing. I am not going to judge any author and his writing style, but sometimes their work is just not suited for my taste.
☀️
When I received the opportunity to review this book, I couldn’t say no. Two reasons- I loved the blurb! It’s a story that every person can relate to. Nothing complicated. Secondly, the cover itself. How the title and the design are in sync with each other is just so wonderful.
☀️
Thanks to the author @writetomaniissh for sending me this review copy. It had been lying around for quite some time I must say since I was swamped with office work and couldn’t do justice reading it half heartedly. I finished this book last week and I wanted to take some good amount of time to write a review on it.
☀️
Sunshine Town, as the name suggests depicts the rays of hope amidst difficulties. It was a beautifully written book in the genre of YA fiction. The story revolves around a teenager from a small town and the ups and does he faces in life to transition from a student to a successful person. I could relate to the character and the story immediately, that’s why maybe I am a little biased in my review. Being from a small town myself and going through tough times to achieve my dreams, this book speaks not just for me but for every student out their who wants to do big things in life.
☀️
It is an inspiring read and the characters are so well thought of and well rounded. I love the simplicity in his narration. As the blurb says the story talks majorly about - love, career and personal fulfilment, something anyone, absolutely anyone can relate to.
☀️
Well done with the book! It’s a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for me and something I’d recommend to people looking to read Indian authors.
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When I received the opportunity to review this book, I couldn’t say no. Two reasons- I loved the blurb! It’s a story that every person can relate to. Nothing complicated. Secondly, the cover itself. How the title and the design are in sync with each other is just so wonderful.
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Thanks to the author @writetomaniissh for sending me this review copy. It had been lying around for quite some time I must say since I was swamped with office work and couldn’t do justice reading it half heartedly. I finished this book last week and I wanted to take some good amount of time to write a review on it.
☀️
Sunshine Town, as the name suggests depicts the rays of hope amidst difficulties. It was a beautifully written book in the genre of YA fiction. The story revolves around a teenager from a small town and the ups and does he faces in life to transition from a student to a successful person. I could relate to the character and the story immediately, that’s why maybe I am a little biased in my review. Being from a small town myself and going through tough times to achieve my dreams, this book speaks not just for me but for every student out their who wants to do big things in life.
☀️
It is an inspiring read and the characters are so well thought of and well rounded. I love the simplicity in his narration. As the blurb says the story talks majorly about - love, career and personal fulfilment, something anyone, absolutely anyone can relate to.
☀️
Well done with the book! It’s a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5 for me and something I’d recommend to people looking to read Indian authors.
May 12, 2018
Though the story is told from the point of view of a young boy, I feel that the story is relevant to adults also.
Shlok is a teenager who lives in a small town in North India with his parents. They are a regular middle class family, wherein the father harbours a dream that Shlok will become a doctor. However, Shlok is not the best of students academically.
The family gets a new neighbour, a young girl of Shlok’s age, Natasha. Shlok, like any teenage boy of his age, tries to impress her and make a good impression on her.
Certain incidents take place in the story that inspire Shlok to change his ways and try to improve in his academics as well as other aspects of his life. At the same time, Shlok and Natasha find themselves falling in love with each other. But there also, the path is not entirely smooth.
Though Shlok admittedly tries hard to self-improve, he does have to face many setbacks in trying to reach his goals.
Does Shlok succeed in fulfilling his father’s dream of becoming a doctor? Can Shlok and Natasha be together as a couple? One needs to read the book to find out.
The story appeals to teenagers and adults alike as the message the story gives can be understood and applied by everyone.
Shlok is a teenager who lives in a small town in North India with his parents. They are a regular middle class family, wherein the father harbours a dream that Shlok will become a doctor. However, Shlok is not the best of students academically.
The family gets a new neighbour, a young girl of Shlok’s age, Natasha. Shlok, like any teenage boy of his age, tries to impress her and make a good impression on her.
Certain incidents take place in the story that inspire Shlok to change his ways and try to improve in his academics as well as other aspects of his life. At the same time, Shlok and Natasha find themselves falling in love with each other. But there also, the path is not entirely smooth.
Though Shlok admittedly tries hard to self-improve, he does have to face many setbacks in trying to reach his goals.
Does Shlok succeed in fulfilling his father’s dream of becoming a doctor? Can Shlok and Natasha be together as a couple? One needs to read the book to find out.
The story appeals to teenagers and adults alike as the message the story gives can be understood and applied by everyone.
April 18, 2020
Sunshine in the town by Maniissh Aroraa is a book Which is so relatable to the young generation that I feel like reliving my teenage phase once more.
The stress of getting good grades in studies, family expectations, peer pressure and the emotional turmoils make the life of an adolescent miserable.
The author has portrayed Shlok and Natasha's character beautifully in his debut novel.
During the board years life becomes very uncertain. The pressure of making a good career makes the students anxious about their unforseen future. The protagonists sacrifice their love life for the aspirations of a better future.
The story has a charm which gives a "feel happy" vibe to the reader.
There are a few parts where I think it is fast paced.
Otherwise The book is a good light read of the romantic genre.
The stress of getting good grades in studies, family expectations, peer pressure and the emotional turmoils make the life of an adolescent miserable.
The author has portrayed Shlok and Natasha's character beautifully in his debut novel.
During the board years life becomes very uncertain. The pressure of making a good career makes the students anxious about their unforseen future. The protagonists sacrifice their love life for the aspirations of a better future.
The story has a charm which gives a "feel happy" vibe to the reader.
There are a few parts where I think it is fast paced.
Otherwise The book is a good light read of the romantic genre.
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