Razor-Sharp - Book Review

Razor-Sharp: 13 Short Stories
By Abhinav Kumar
Review By Ila Garg

Razor-Sharp is a collection of 13 short stories by Abhinav Kumar. The author himself has published it as a kindle version. The cover has a very simple feel to it. With the yellow backdrop and just the title and author’s name on it, not much can be inferred about the stories from the cover. But I like how the colour is bright and the cover is minimalist.

Every Rock has a Rose Lining - Book Review

Every Rock has a Rose Lining
By Monalisa
Review By Ila Garg

Every Rock has a Rose Lining, a novel by Monalisa, is published by Abha Prakashan. The cover gives an impression of a classic. It’s not that impressive, especially for non-regular readers. With such an interesting title, I’m sure a lot could have been done on the cover! However, the book had a feel good factor as I held it in my hands, so I continued.

The Amigos - Book Review

The Amigos
By Tanmay Dubey and Rahul Tiwari
Review By Ila Garg

The Amigos, a novel by Tanmay Dubey and Rahul Tiwari, is published by Rupa Publication. The cover looks quite vibrant with yellow and orange hues. The three cycle riders are obviously the three friends that this story would be about. Doesn’t this remind you of the fun that you have with your friends?

Makes you smile!

They say that 'Never give up the things that make you smile.!'

Mixr: Discover and meet amazing people!

In a vision to connect people in the real-world scenarios, a start-up company called Palatable has released a new app called Mixr that gets groups/squads of friends together in a platonic friendly way.

Betwixt Twists and Turns - Book Review

Betwixt Twists and Turns
By Mona Mohanty
Review By Ila Garg
 
Betwixt Twists and Turns, a potpourri of short stories by Mona Mohanty, is published by Penguin Partridge Publications. The cover design shows an abstract art with a human skull. I could make out that the stories would be centered around the themes of what goes inside a human mind from the cover. Interesting enough to tempt me to pick it and start reading.

Mona Mohanty has had a passion for short stories since childhood. This passion gets reflected well in this collection too. She has served as an officer of the Indian Revenue Service for more than two decades and currently lives in New Delhi.

The blurb reads as, “Dragonflies are said to be harbingers of rain, but they may be much more for one unsuspecting woman. A household dog finds a reprieve when Grandma comes to stay. A young man stops by an ATM at night and finds himself encountering robbers-and a young woman who may not be what she seems.
In Betwixt Twists and Turns, author Mona Mohanty presents a series of short stories born from random thoughts that popped up out of nowhere, overheard bits of conversation, parables of family lore, and anecdotes from friends. These tales come from a variety of viewpoints-an older woman who receives an unexpected telegram, a businessman who encounters what might be a ghost, and various animals sharing their impressions of human life. These stories vividly capture the routine of existence-but with a surprising twist.
This collection of short stories set in India features tales with unexpected outcomes from a wide range of perspectives, both human and animal.”
 
Perspectives have always intrigued me, so this one was a must read for me. This anthology doesn’t disappoint you at any point. All the stories are based on the worlds of humans and animals.

There are 25 stories in this 112-page book, so clearly the stories are very short in length and maybe that is there USP. They are lucid and do not drag on. The author has made sure that the stories hit the point bang on and do not get boring. The language is simple and easy to comprehend. I found all the stories quite engaging. The subjects are tackled intricately by the skillful author.

All the stories are accompanied by a related picture at the beginning – something that I liked. I would not give you any spoilers here except for the titles of the stories – here they are: Wandering, In the Mind’s Eye, A Drive, A Meeting, Turning the Corner, Life’s Well, Wind beneath My Wings, Food for Thought, Toy Stories, The Sentinel, Hustle in a Bustle, Memories, The Dark Knight, Spanner in the Works, The Message Trail, The Route, Déjà vu, The Nest, On the Mountain Track, The Open Closet, Watch and Ward, Prayers, The Call, Stop, and Lullaby.

Further, this book is definitely for those readers who want to read some intellectual stuff and not just time pass. It’s a light read and overall a compelling book. You can easily carry it during travel and finish it off in an hour or two. A book that gave me a lot to reflect on! Highly recommended!

Ratings: 4/5

Buying Links: Amazon | Flipkart

Anything To Look Hot - Book Review

Anything To Look Hot
By Jas Kohli
Review By Ila Garg

Anything To Look Hot, a novel by a plastic surgeon and writer Dr. Jas Kohli, is published by Srishti Publishers and Distributors. The cover is apt and thoroughly intriguing for the readers. Wasim Helal has done a good job with the cover art. The title too manages to attract the readers as everyone wants to look hot these days.

A plastic surgeon by profession and a writer by passion – Dr. Jas Kohli had started his training as a surgeon twenty years back. Though during all those years, he hadn’t imagined that one day he would be exposing the secretive world of plastic surgeons and their clients. He takes keen interest in astronomy, music and bird-watching. Anything To Look Hot is his literary debut. Through his writings, he aims to foster a stronger doctor-patient bond.

The blurb reads as, “When the superstar diva of the past decade doesn’t want to play the hero’s mother on screen, she insists that she be reshaped into the most beautiful woman in the world…by any means.

This is just one of the many odd situations which plastic surgeon Dr. Dhruv faces in Mumbai. He has dealt with tyrannical bosses and finicky patients while undergoing his training, during which he has also won over a stunning doctor as his life partner. But satisfying the movie stars is a different ball game, because every girl wishes to have bee-stung lips, and every guy wants to flaunt a six-pack abdomen without working too hard. And all this while, he has to resist losing his balance over his ravishing female clients.

Dr. Dhruv’s journey surpasses even a masala movie for humour, drama and action. In debunking many a myth about cosmetic surgeries, the book will enthrall those who can do Anything to Look Hot.”

The book is laced with realism and gives a deeper insight into the world of doctors through elaborate descriptions. This is a story centered on Dr. Dhruv and how he deals with the situations at hand. The plot is very different from regular chicklets. How he clears the entrance test for the M.Ch (Master of Chirurgiae) course, marries a fellow doctor and lets her stay at a hostel for 3 years to pursue her academic dreams is wonderfully weaved into the story. The various demands of the patients and how Dr. Dhruv tackles them is actually interesting.

The story moves in a flow and nowhere will a reader feel any disconnect. Though it is a Medical Fiction but any reader can be engaged with the storyline. The subject is tackled beautifully by the skillful author. Through Dr. Dhruv, Jas Kohli takes us into the world of doctors and also describes what happens when a mishap happens during any operation. For instance, if a patient dies during a surgery, the relatives start accusing the doctor of being a murderer, which is very sad.

Excerpt from the book: ‘Sir, even after working dedicatedly for donkey’s years in the hospital, I could be called a murderer and possibly assaulted for an act of God.’‘See, we Indians have wild mood swings. When the Indian cricket team performs badly, the public goes to the extent of burning effigies of the star players. The relatives had an irrational but firm belief that the wrong injection had been given to the child. So they refused to buy your explanations.’

The romance intermingled with humour add to the USP of the book. Also the language is easy to comprehend and style of narration is unique and fresh. The ease with which the life of a plastic surgeon is brought to the fore is good to read, the instrumental role that his dreams played in his tale, and how he fell in love and found his soulmate are some of the many reasons why you will keep turning the pages to find out what happens in Anything To Look Hot. Another reason that would keep you glued to this book would be the beauty with which a flawed character Dr. Dhruv is unfolded.

Further, this 196 page book is well written and moves beyond the regular romance novels. What makes it stands out is the realistic approach that the author took in characterizing Dr. Dhruv who is at once a plastic surgeon with the eye of a falcon and courage of a tiger, and also a keen explorer with love for astronomy. It’s a light read and one can easily carry it while travelling to read along.

My Verdict: To find out whether Dr. Dhruv becomes a successful surgeon or not, how he managed to survive the pangs of separation from a girl who he loved dearly, how he finally found a girl he could live the rest of his life with and how he treated his long list of clients with great concentration and endurance, and what happened with him in the end; you will have to read the novel, Anything To Look Hot.

Dr. Jas Kohli does come across as a promising writer!

Ratings: 3.7/5

Buying Links: Rediff | Amazon | Infibeam

Paradise Lost & Regained - Book Review

Paradise Lost & Regained

By Ratnadip Acharya

Review By Ila Garg

Paradise Lost & Regained is a novel by an extremely talented writer Ratnadip Acharya. The book is published by Frog Books, an imprint of Leadstart Publishing Pvt. Ltd. The cover is simple, sober, and aptly conveys the plot. Gokul Ram Singh (cover designer) has done a good job with the cover art. The title is direct and intrigues the readers. Also, the paper quality seems good. The layout and typeset has been done excellently as well.

Ratnadip is a well-trained street magician and has demonstrated his skill to many across the country. A NIT Jamshedpur graduate, Ratnadip lives in Mumbai, where he works as an Electrical Engineer. He has contributed many inspirational write-ups in different collections of Chicken Soup for the Soul. His debut novel titled Life is always Aimless… Unless You Love it was published in December 2012 and was received well by the readers across the country. Being deeply interested in life, nature and its mysteries, this time Ratnadip has come up with a storyline the like of which has hitherto not been told. It is about a little deer growing up in a far-flung deep forest, teeming with its fellow deer, other animals, trees and rocks. Yet we can all find ourselves in this strange and surreal world that Ratnadip has created in this inspirational novel Paradise Lost & Regained.

The blurb reads as, “Whispered the forest & its trees, ‘Little deer, tell us your story again.’

Smiled I & asked, ‘What will you gain hearing it time & again?’

Replied the forest at once, ‘It is not just a story of a deer,

but of we all - forest, earth, sky, trees, wind and river.

It is a testimony to trust, love, hope & courage

that we will all remember for ages.’

With a smile, again I began to narrate my story,

which breathed my love, fear, success, failure & glory.

It spanned from my birth in the forest to human captivity,

from where I escaped to explore life’s other possibility.

Everywhere and every moment I received help from Nature,

& it taught me to experience life from closer.

I learnt that the other name of life is Mystery,

and that it is beautiful with all its unknown twists and unpredictability.

Once I finished my narration, the forest was throbbing with life,

there prevailed only peace, silence & joy, and no strife.

‘Name your story,’ breathed the forest and every living entity it contained.

Thought I for a while and replied...

‘Paradise Lost & Regained.’”

The book is laced with surrealistic instances that will take you to a different world altogether. It might appear rather unconventional as the protagonist is a deer, and not a human. In fact, there is no human being as a character in the book. This is therefore not a regular chick-lit novel. I must clarify this isn’t a suspense, thriller, or even a retelling of a mythological work. This one is much simpler and yet complicated.

The story moves in a flow and nowhere will a reader feel any disconnect. The author writes in great detail about the birth of a little deer, and his growing up years in the dense forest. As the baby deer learns the lessons of life from the mother deer, the readers too develop a new knowledge within themselves. The readers might take it as a book with moral teachings initially but as they go along with this vivacious little deer, they will realise that the book has many more things to unveil. For instance, it gives a hint about the probable human emotions like fear, doubt, anxiety, trust, dilemma, and desires in animals.

The events in the life of this deer are interestingly penned down. Also the language is easy to comprehend and style of narration is unique. Further, this 252 page book is well written and moves beyond the regular romance novels. What makes it stands out is the fact that the author has dared to produce something new. He has dared to listen to his heart instead of following the already treaded path. It’s a light read and one can easily carry it while travelling to read along. 

‘Yay’ Factors: The concept that is different from the league, the writing style that is simple yet compelling. The book is edited well too. So yay for Surojit Mohan Gupta! The layout and presentation is equally good, esp. the quotes with which each chapter is born.

‘Nay’ Factors: Perhaps, the extra-long descriptions which were appearing forceful and marring the emotional appeal of the book.

My Verdict: If you love nature and wish to tread something different from mainstream, go for this. To find out what this deer signify, why has the author chosen to tell the story of a deer, what is so special about the deer's growing up years; you will have to read the novel, Paradise Lost & Regained.

“Within all of us there is a small deer,

Which is lively, joyous and knows no fear.”

Ratings: 4/5

Buying Links: Infibeam | Flipkart | Amazon | Landmark | Crossword

Dealing with emotions :)

Continuing from where I left in my last post, dealing with emotions is a time-taking process. After a heart-break, one must focus on controlling the outburst as it may do more harm than good. Now, first of all you need to relax and calm yourself. You have a whole life ahead of you, and one loose brick can’t make you fall. Ponder on something else, distract yourself. Force yourself to stop being nostalgic, busy yourself in work. Join some classes, if needed. Find someone to talk to, someone who will not judge you and just listen to what you have to say.

Don’t let negative emotions take the better of you. Planning a revenge or returning the pain can never make you feel better, it will add to the guilt. Let it go, improvise yourself. Use this time to hone a skill that you’ve been wanting to. Why bother about someone else, when you can make yourself a little awesome instead? Don’t be aloof, make new friends, dress up, dance a little - life can be better if we want it to be. Smile a lot, learn to love yourself. Be a keen observer. Look around. There’s a lot of worse going on around you. You are not the only one who is facing it!

And woah! You did it. You just made yourself feel better. But yes, you can never do it all alone. Surround yourself with people who love you unconditionally. And see the miracle happen! Give yourself a pat on your success!

Relationships can go through certain turbulent times, we all know that. For happy endings, one must be ready to go through ups and downs. As discussed previously, dealing with heart-breaks and resultant emotions may require a positive outlook towards life. If you are strong-minded, you can come out of the grief sooner. The key is empowering yourself enough to not let anybody else have the power to hurt you. Be committed in the relationship but don’t forget to give space to each other. Even if all this doesn’t help to hold on the relationship tight, be prepared to let it go.

You will have better opportunities waiting at the next door. Don’t compromise with your values for the sake of relationship. True love will never put you in such a situation, trust me on this. Be confident in yourself. Don’t lie to your own self, don’t pretend to be someone you are not. I see, there have been a lot of don’t (s) here, but seriously we have some do’s too. J For one, face the situation, ignoring it will only increase the pain. Waiting for him/her to come back will worsen your situation, and won’t want that, would you?

Moving on can be a personal struggle. Don’t feel that you are alone to deal with it, though. If you will close yourself in a room and cry for hours, that will never heal your heart. Going out, meeting friends, talking to them, venting out will help release the pain in great amount. 

Dealing with the matters of love and romance!

Love and romance are two entirely different concepts. We have all experienced love, love from parents, brothers, sisters, relatives, friends, etc. To love and be loved is therefore not a new feeling. But the ability to feel the intense side of this love - the romantic love, only comes when we reach adolescence. And this kind of love is way different from the love we have been so used to since our childhood days.

Because of this new intense feeling, our life too experiences a series of change. This romantic love can be good for some, heart-breaking for others. And still, it remains an indispensable feeling. It’s a passionate feelings of attraction. Our cultural, may put taboo on it, however, that cannot cease our heart from loving or be attracted to the opposite sex. Some call it infatuation! Express it in whichever way you like, but you can’t deny it. It’s a natural tendency.

Just as you need food to survive, you need romance to grow. They say, love is after all like a food for the soul. We see this romance in front of our eyes from the very beginning (our parents, of course) and yet when we experience it in our own lives, it seems so different from what we read in novels and are made to see in movies. These new feelings can be exciting - or even confusing at first. It doesn't always have a happy ending.

The key is knowing yourself a little better which will in a way, lead you to an optimistic path and assist your romance to grow in the right direction. Believe, and you are halfway through it!

Romantic love hurts, it is not always easy to tread on a smooth path. Heartbreak can result in exquisite pain, strange distress, and what not. Physical wounds can be resolved but the wounds of heart-breaks are never seen, just felt. It takes forever at times, to get used to them.

We all hate the feeling of a heartbreak, don’t we? And yet we find ourselves compelled to go over and over the memories, ideas or fantasies which make the feeling worse. Then we look for solace in painkillers to ease out the distress. But using painkillers, anti-depressants is never a solution to this pain. It can be embarrassing and lead to an incurable mental state.

All you need to do is be strong. Some people think that to be strong is to never feel pain. In reality, the strongest people are the ones who feel it, understand it and accept it. And that is the key that you should follow. We can do it with a belief in our own capabilities. Start with telling yourself that you deserve the best. Affirmations help in a big way! Open your heart, let it love… don’t be afraid.

Rajiv Chowk - A Must Visit

Rajiv Chowk has been a very special place for me more than one reason. Every delhite must have a connection with this place, the central hub of the metropolitan city. This place has the oldest architecture and the building have survived huge atrocities and yet have not demanded any major repairs. Its British architecture (with Edwin Lutyens being the leading architecture) is classy and stylish and appeals to all age groups. For me, this place is always full of wonders. First things first, at whatever time you might be at Rajiv Chowk metro station, you will always find it full of people. Indeed it is a lively sight! I often find myself lost among the crowd there. If you can imagine the scene through my eyes and words - well, it’s like I’m standing in the middle of the station, and time freezes, but the storm of people keeps going all around. Sometimes, this crowd takes you along and sometimes you just feel out of place, uneasy due to the commotion. With so many exits, this metro station is a helluva of a place to be!

Image Source: archinect.com

We delhites can never skip this place from our hangout plans. Why? Because it has everything you want to add to your day. From coffee shops to places for window shopping, from libraries to eateries, this place has it all. What do I love the most about this place? The British Council Library situated at the K.G. Marg offers a great reading spot with a mini coffee shop inside. There are many more libraries around the area to give the readers ample choices. In addition, Rajiv Chowk is a treat for shopaholics with inner and outer circle laced with numerous shops. These shops include high end fashion brands and few small brands, suiting everyone’s pocket. In the Central Park right opposite to the market area, there is big Indian flag situated which instills national pride in all of us.

The metro station is very near to the underground flea market Palika bazaar and Janpath, which are two popular shopping places for the college goers. This is a perfect venue to buy antique things like lanterns and decorative pieces, trendy dresses, flip flops, latest tops and silver jewelry at value for money prices. Something that will leave you happy. That’s not all. There are many cinema halls in and around CP. PVR Cinema, PVR Rivoli, Regal, etc. are few of them that are always playing new movies. There are few art galleries and stadiums too to cater to people of all interests. And if this doesn’t interest you, Rajiv Chowk has dedicated areas for photography lovers among the city dwellers. We have Ugrasen Ki Baoli which is a great spot for bird watchers. This place is often known as one of the haunted places in the city. Many important monuments like Jantar Mantar are famous haunts within Rajiv Chowk. Also, with Bangla Sahib located here, the place attracts people with religious sentiments as well. In a nutshell, Rajiv Chowk is one stop hub for people from all sort of passions and interests. 

Hurry Om Hari - Book Review

Hurry Om Hari

By Parul Tyagi

Review By Ila Garg

Hurry Om Hari, a novel by the prolific writer Parul Tyagi, is published by Half Baked Beans Publishers. The cover is beautiful, pleasant to the eyes and it thoroughly intrigues the readers. Manoj Nath has done a good job with the cover art. The title is direct and attracts the readers.  

A marketer by profession and a writer by interest - Parul Tyagi is also a mother, traveler, foodie and film buff. Her debut novella came out in 2013. Apart from this, she is an MBA who has worked across the corporate and not for profit sector, building brands or nurturing them. Her foray into active writing is an ode to her curiousity towards life, observations of real life characters and urge to simplify complexities. Hurry Om Hari is all set to be a new benchmark in her literary career.

The blurb reads as, “Hurry up or be left out!”

Haven’t we all heard this at least thousand times in our lives? (Okay you must have heard more.) The point is we are all in a hurry to make something. Be it careers, relationships, excuses, success, cover ups, babies, lives.

Om and Hari.

Their dreams may be at the far ends of a rope, their journeys may be markedly different from each other’s but their desire is common - to make it on their own!

What makes this even more tedious is their race against time in doing so. They are the dreamers, the strugglers, the under dogs, the go getters, the nerve wreckers, the charmers and... they are You!”

The book is laced with realism and makes you relate to every word that you read. This is a story centered on Om and Harini. They are first forced to meet each other by their families and like each other to eventually agree to marry. They are different and yet are always coming together. Then what is this invisible thread that links them? Perhaps their determination to reach their goals.

The story moves in a flow and nowhere will a reader feel any disconnect. One can imagine it as a film going on in front of you. The subject is tackled beautifully by the skilful author. Both Om and Harini aspire to be something, achieve their dreams, and subsequently end up helping each other in reaching their individual destinations.

The short little letters exchanged between them are interestingly written. Also the language is easy to comprehend and style of narration is unique. The ease of their love story and the way Om and Harini are connected to each other, the instrumental role that their dreams played in their love tale, and how they acted as each other’s aid are some of the many reasons why you will keep turning the pages to find out what happens in Hurry Om Hari. Another reason that would keep you glued to this book would be the beauty with which Parul Tyagi has woven this saga.

Further, this 130 page book is well written and moves beyond the regular romance novels. What makes it stands out is the realistic approach that the author took in characterizing Om and Harini as real beings with real dreams and an unflinching hope to fulfill their journey. It’s a light read and one can easily carry it while travelling to read along. Along with Om and Harini, other characters in the book such as Harini’s Dad and Mom, Om’s Dad, Bobby Bhabhi and Om’s friends make the story lively and never lets you get bored.

My Verdict: To find out whether Om and Harini are successful in achieving what they wished for or not, how they managed to be perfect for each other and be helpful to each other, what happened to them and their love story in the end; you will have to read the novel, Hurry Om Hari.

“Hari gathered herself a bit. Now was the time to let him know of her plan. It was time to take some action. She realized how safe she felt with Om around and she loved this feeling.”

Ratings: 4/5

Buying Link: Flipkart

Few of my favorite things :)

So, I sat under the moonlit sky, pondering on what happiness means to me. Yes, happiness has indeed got different meanings for different people. For me, happiness is staying close to my brother, bringing a smile on my parents' face, and yes buying gifts for them. Because I feel a sense of achievement when I see them smiling and I am the reason behind it. It instantly makes me feel proud of myself. 

Apart from this, a sense of faith that someone somewhere exists who will truly love me and make me believe that I'm the best thing that has happened to him. And that he breaths under the same sky makes me blush even more! The wait for true love to hit you can be romantic too. *wink*

Chocolate and ice cream - the stress busters are always welcome to add happiness to my life along with pizza and cold drink to go with it. And then there are the small little things that we often let go unnoticed... these things are like fresh air and can take away all the gloom in seconds. The morning dewdrops on flowers looking like pearls, snowflakes in winters falling like cotton, the romantic drizzle that vanishes all pain, the fragrance of the wet sand, reading a good book with a cup of hot coffee while tucked in a cozy blanket, or picking up my pencils to make a sketch... everything feels heavenly. 

Playing with my cousin's dog and clicking his pictures, pouting with friends for a selfie, laughing like a carefree baby, crinkle my nose at the silly thoughts, and then tickling my best friend to annoy her all these things make me happy.

That's not all. Recently, I experienced a different kind of happiness that felt eternal. Spending a day at the orphanage, listening to them is such an unparalleled moment of untainted joy. Eating with them, playing with them and simply looking at their maturity made me feel so delighted. And when they let me hold their pet 'rabbit'... oh the bliss! I can never put that feeling in words because they flaunted the rabbit in front of me as if they are showcasing priceless diamonds. In that moment, I realized how small little things can be bigger than the biggest things in life as they hold so much importance in somebody's life. 

So, whenever I'm feeling a little low or sad, I simply remember one of my many favorite things, and then I don't feel so bad! In fact, I feel refreshed to indulge in many more naughty tricks and pranks. While recollecting happy moments from past, I end up creating more such moments in present, perhaps to cherish in future!

And when it comes to cherishing the moments and make them memorable, what better than gathering over a canteen table and make some noise, laugh endlessly along with 'thanda matlab coca cola'. :) After all, it's not rocket-science to be happy and make others happy! #Iamhappy

To be or not to be!

Image Source: quoteimg.com

And yet again, you made me go blank.

And yet again, I am left to wonder...

To be or not to be (in love),

Is the question still unanswered...

Why it is that happiness is always short-lived? Life is complicated and tends to be unfair at times. One moment, it makes you so happy that you almost feel like flying in the air and in the very next moment, it hits you so bad that you don’t even have strength to wipe off your own tears and heal your wounds!

I wondered why on Earth I ever fell for him. I almost regretted it when things went bad. Numb, wordless, emotionless, forlorn, weird, suffocated – Not even a single word could define my condition! Moving on demanded a lot of courage, more than I had thought. Isn’t it amazing how stupid you can be when you’re in love? You literally become blind for a while. 

Life was being more than unfair to me now. Was it testing me? Oh yeah it was testing me, trying to weaken me. But I have always been strong and I was determined not to give up so soon. I was a fighter, a survivor.

My friends always managed to bring out something new in me though. At that moment, I realized I don't really need him, all I need was to reunite with my dear friends and delve into the power of togetherness and find a new path to optimism!

When someone brings more problems in your life than happiness, it’s time to show them the door where they can exit! My friends motivated me to realize this and distracted me enough to come out of that temporary sorrow in no time. Just a hug from them, and everything seemed to straighten up on its own. Things started looking up for me the moment I decided to take charge of my life. In that moment, I was not alone, I had positive energy surrounding me all the time, shielding me from all pain that the outside world had to offer me! 

So I finally started moving ahead in my life leaving all the flashbacks away from my mind and soul. I knew that things were going to be fine soon. It was time for me to come out of the depressing atmosphere and prepare myself for a new day, a new beginning. I promised myself that I am not going to be bitter, but I will get better by each passing day.

I was able to smile and move ahead like never before! When something bad happens, you have three choices. You can either let it define you, destroy you, or you can let it strengthen you.

So, once in a while, let’s surround ourselves with the people we love. Invite friends we haven’t seen lately, and see the love reviving in no time... Let's start a new Infinity to help us conquer the sadness and delve in a happy aura. Let's Look Up and bring optimism to the world.

Image Source: quoteimg.com

From dark to light! #together

Image Source: quoteimg.com

It was a gloomy winter day of 2009 when I decided to stay put at my home, not wanting to face the world that stood at large, waiting to make me feel small, questioning my strengths, and demeaning me in that process.

Yes, I could have chosen to be a little optimistic and walk like nothing happened but then I was taken aback by the events that unfolded before me. I was shattered to see my dreams going down the drain! All I wanted was that one chance that could perhaps change my world for better but suddenly I felt defeated, all alone against the cruel world. Now, all this may sound a bit melodramatic but then I could not deny the reality. So, I closed myself in the comfort of my home, my peaceful haven; not sure of what the future had in store for me!

Amidst all the turmoil that I was going through that day, my best friend who was my sole confidant intervened my space, not seeing any other way to help me hold myself together. She came into my dead world to lighten up everything once again and fill it with cheers. She insisted me on speaking my heart out, she encouraged me with her kind words over the cup of coffee (just the way I like) to ponder upon my feelings. After all, it was just a change of plans, not a big deal... She motivated me to face the situation rather than shutting myself to all the happiness. She showed me the way, a path that could brighten up the things again. I had failed once, but I can't fail twice, not if I remain optimistic and be ready to put in some productive efforts.

Her words, her company, and the way she smiled at me without judging me - all of that lifted up my mood and I was re-born with a new found hope. I chalked out a plan to traverse on the crossroad ahead of me and remain positive about it.

Deep down, I know I could never have taken that first step without her by my side. Her company and the power that she brushed upon me that day, the inspiration that she left me with were very essential to me. That gloomy winter day made me realize how beautiful the bond of friendship is that we continue to share till date and how my dear friend is my ray of hope among all darkness that sometimes tries to engulf me but has to go back, feeling defeated.

That sweet little nudge from her was all that I needed back then to believe that optimism is the greatest strength, it can help face any adversity. It brought me out of my sadness and motivated me to hug my life again, and this time with more zeal. Yes, the optimism that she gave me that day helped me revitalize my whole future. I will forever cherish the #memories and the #togetherness of that day because it helped me to be what I am today!

Let's all take out time to be #together with our family, friends, and loved ones. Let's start this journey here, Together - Meet the New Housing. :)

~ One day, everything will make sense. Until then, dance on! ~

Image Source: www.positivityblog.com

Someone Like You!

After long staring at the blank page,
I finally began to pen down a montage.
While thinking about you, about us,
So many feelings effortlessly gush.

Just wondering how some people connect so soon,
Discovering a friend in you was a perfect boon.
You are oh! So my type, happy go lucky,
Now I have someone when life goes tricky!

It’s strange that sometimes years of friendship breaks,
And few, like us builds strong with every take.
It’s something special that we share,
It’s beyond the usual care.

You are a guy with those nice, shining eyes,
A true friend, a saviour in disguise.
Amongst everyone whom we earlier picked,
Only something about us just clicked.

They say that opposite sex can never be friends,
But we will be this way till the end.
You are a good listener,
Demure, but a quick learner.

You are someone who can be trusted,
I know that I can count on you when am deserted.
I think at last I have found someone,
Who is different from everyone.

Someone with whom I can share my problems,
I know you will never judge me even if I throw tantrums.
I have been forever listening to everyone,

But I had never really found a real chum.

                                                                                         I don’t think you need any grooming,

                                                                                         Your personality is in itself so alluring.

                                                                                         You are the most awesome friend I have on the planet,

                                                                                         You’re one of the best things that this sad world has to offer!

Bad Romance - Book Review

Bad Romance

By Harshita Srivastava

Review By Ila Garg

Bad Romance, is a special book for a number of reasons, one of them being the authoress is a good friend of mine. Published by Gargi Publishers, a fast progressing self-publishing house, the book has an amazing cover. The colors and sequence is so perfectly chosen by Amol Karambe. It’s a big turn on and you know that yes this is a good book without even flipping the pages. The quality is obviously one of the best in the recent book industry. The title is well chosen and reflects the turmoil that awaits you! 

A full-time writer, Harshita Srivastava is known for her debut novel ‘One in a Million’ published by Mahaveer Publishers in April 2013. Read the complete review here. In addition to her various achievements, Harshita is an avid reader and a prolific blogger. She loves reading classics and is a die-hard Mills and Boons fan. Apart from writing, she loves travelling, reading, listening to music and spending time with friends and family. At present, she resides in Gurgaon and works as a Content Writer with a leading e-commerce group. Bad Romance is her second book.

The blurb reads as, “Life is a bitch and I’m one of its victims. I had the perfect life. I was blessed with the perfect boyfriend, a perfect best friend, the perfect set of girlfriends and perfect choice of career. There were some loopholes but then they went beyond my perspective. Overall, I had the kind of life people would ideally like to have but happy times aren’t meant to last forever.

Sometimes we feel that we have figured life but that’s something that is never going to happen. You know why? It’s because it has this habit of kicking us right in the middle of ecstasy. No wonder, it did the same with me.

This is my story, my story of that exploration within, my feelings, my emotions, my thought process, my priorities, my conflicts and my journey into the temptation of love, lust, lies and betrayals. This is the story of Kritika and a man who gave her life another dimension, Tanishq. This is a story of the complexities of relationships and the trap that a simple idea of sensuality, pleasure and euphoria can put you into. This is a story for everyone who has loved, lost and fought for survival and love, together.”

With an apt tagline ‘Love, Lies, and Betrayal’ the novel moves at a comfortable pace and narrates the plight of a young girl, Kritika who moves to Greater Noida with dreams of becoming an RJ and to pursue her engineering. The story has a good grip and justifies the tagline perfectly. Harshita has used a very harsh narrative to convey the story of her protagonist’s life at the hostel. Her friends and the betrayal she suffers in her love life add to the spice.

‘Bad Romance’ is a quest for true love and like her debut novel, the plot of this book remains the strongest point. The characterization of Kritika and Tanishq and the realistic descriptions score the brownie points here. Harshita is an experienced author and may be this came to her aid when she penned down this beautiful but tragic story. It well exposes the gory details of a relationship in this fast paced ignorant world.

The only thing that irked me throughout was so many errors in the script. The name goof ups and paragraph repetitions were a big put off or perhaps I had high expectations after reading the debut book. Anyway, if readers just focus on the story and are ready to be oblivious of these mistakes here and there, they will definitely enjoy this one.

The 159 page book takes you along with it and makes you vividly see all the events taking place in front of you. The story is quite touching and the main reason that I loved this book is the sheer realism with which Harshita makes her way into the readers’ heart.

The book has some more drawbacks as it gets predictable towards the end. However, Harshita doesn’t let her readers down as there’s never a dull moment while you are reading this book. Every word arouses your interest in the story and you become one with the protagonist as you keep turning the pages.

‘Yay’ Factors: The plot, the realism, the characters.

‘Nay’ Factors: The minute errors as mentioned above.

This is a very quick read, probably 2-3 hours would be enough to read it. Perfect during travelling or late nights! I recommend this book to all those who have suffered betrayals in love or have lost hopes in the face of lies. Harshita has once again proved her mettle. The way she has captured all the intricate emotions of a dejected heart, kept me glued to this book till the end and reminded me of the similar style in her debut book.

Ratings: 3.25/5

Buying Links: Infibeam | Amazon | Flipkart 

Manan - Book Review

Manan
By Mohit Parikh
Review By Ila Garg 

Mohit Parikh’s ‘Manan’ has been published by Harper Collins. So one can easily trust this book as a quality product, both in terms of printing as well as paper quality. The cover design fits aptly in the storyline. It is simple and not distracting. Also, the illustrations inside add to the brownie points of the book. The blurb too is precise and serves well to arouse readers’ interest.

The blurb reads as, “He closes his eyes and finds today’s date floating towards him. Shimmering in the darkness, swivelling – like the text on the Windows 95 screensaver. It seeps in through his forehead and gets absorbed. 23-04-98 is now a part of him. Today’s date, a Saturday, when the first sign of what he so eagerly awaited has appeared…

It is the summer of 1998 in a sleepy Indian town that is jut awakening to the age of information, and young Manan has acquired his first official sign of puberty. The world around him, though, refuses to understand the magnitude of the moment. Instead, it teases him by offering all sorts of temptations, posing all sorts of quandaries. And it doesn't help that his friends are taller and larger than him, that his parents fight all the time that his sister no longer has time for him that the love of his life barely knows that he exists.

With an earnest voice that is colourfully candid about middle-class India and the tyranny of family relationships, authority figures and peer pressure, Manan is a tragicomedy of growing pains and the triumphs of a stoic heart.”

As I began my reading journey, the book seemed interesting. It held me for a while as I tried moving along with the protagonist, a guy named Manan. He is a class tenth student and looks way younger than his friends and that's because he hasn't hit puberty yet. He describes how he was constantly mocked at by others and things like that. He hates the fact that his friends are taller, hairier and mature than he is, but on finding the first official sign of puberty, he knows that soon he will be able to understand all that. He sees the world in a different way and most of the time is lost in his imagination. He sees the world through his own vision which is way different from others.

Further, he has a crush on a girl named Hriya and has an elder sister, with whom he is very close and they often play, fight, pull each others' legs etc. like every other brother-sister duo. He is often found on the terrace of his house where he spend hours staring at the sky, lost in thoughts about Hriya.

By the time I reached the middle of this book, my heart was hopeful. ‘Manan’ thus gives hope. A greater hope to the lovers of written word. At some points, it does get dragging but the author has managed to overshadow the flaws. It’s a blend of humour, pain, feeling of loneliness, weird moments, jokes, and pure fun.
 
The language is seemingly simple, making the book a light read for regular readers. However, the book tends to lose its flow on and off. It gets a bit too slow at times and thus boring and often monotonous. A lot of incidents could easily be chopped off from the book to maintain the readers’ interest.

This 200 page book, ‘Manan’ by Mohit Parikh, belongs to a very different genre. An adolescent is searching for his identity and nothing more is much talked about. I liked the climax as we see Manan finally taking a stand for himself. He gets assertive and voices his opinions.

I must say the author has a good grip on language and has written an intelligent piece of writing. The second half was more interesting. The author has marvelously woven a brilliant climax into the story that will keep the readers glued till the very end.

Best wishes to the author for future endeavours.  

Ratings: 3/5

This (Unbiased) book review is a part of "Indiblogger and Harper Collins Get Published Opportunity".