Keeping the Promises - Book Review

Keeping the Promises

By Dhruv Gajjar

Review By Ila Garg

Keeping the Promises is a novel by the writer Dhruv Gajjar. The cover art is beautiful and clearly puts this book in the category of romance. The concept of cover itself is so compelling that one would pick up the book. The font of title adds beauty to it.

Dhruv Gajjar, is an MBBS from SBKS Medical College and Research Centre, Vadodara. Currently residing in Ahmedabad, in his own words he is a nocturnal Amdavadi, a humble Gujrati and a proud Indian. This book is a work of fiction inspired by his true life event. The first edition of this book was published while he was in final year and this also marks his literary debut.

The blurb of reads as, ‘WORDS are mightier than anything else in this world. Sometimes they serve as liaisons between two distinct hearts, and sometimes they shatter two people irreparably apart. But when they are woven into promises and hopes, they give rise to something that lasts forever. They change lives.

I had almost lost myself, when she brought me back to life - with her promises. She was dying with a dreadful tumour, but she had the authority to pull those last strings that brought me back to her. She was gradually dying, and every night before going to sleep - she would take a portion of my heart, my soul and my words. She would take a promise from me every night that made me who I'm today. She gave me a new life.

One of those promises was to compile this novel that took me to an eventful journey in which I discovered several people, like me, who too were keeping her promises.

What were those amusing, surprising and horrendous promises that they all kept?

Who else other than I were bound to her promises?

Would she be able to redefine love and sacrifice with her plans?

Can grief completely redefine who you are? Can a broken heart be healed?

Can you fall in love with the same person all over again?

Can you live and die, both at the same time?

Be a part of my story, about a girl, who - through her promises, changed the lives of the people she loved, including mine.

This is my journey. This is the window of my past, and the view to my future. It is yours now!’

Initial impressions of the book from the title, cover, and the blurb - It’s gonna be yet another love story – that too a typical one. Girl and guy meet in college, fell for each other at first sight, and so on. And yes it is a story of a two couples (no doubt), but it is based on real life incident of the author himself. This will leave the readers intrigued.

This is the story of Dhruv Gajjar (Gajju) himself and his lady love M, and also it is a tale of Angel Shah (Angie) and Anshul Bhatt (Ansh). Most amazing part of the story is to see how love can change the course of your life, how it actually gives you a purpose to live life in the right stride. It’s a narrative of sacrifices, friendship, unconditional love, true love, and togetherness above all. 

The story begins with two best friends coming together in the same college and same hostel room, how they used to have fun and ended up falling in love. The love between Dhruv and M, the mystery girl began rapidly, unexpectedly and took a vigorous turn. Everything just happened too fast giving the readers tinges of jitters.

It is therefore a story of a girl who from her death bed, planned a new life for all the people she loved and remained a mystery throughout. She made sure that everything happens exactly as the way she thought and wanted. It is about a boy who stood by his love during the time she was distressed and tormented by a life threatening disease, Neurofibrosarcoma, and never gave up on her even after she died. It is about the promises that the boy gave her in the last eleven days of her life, and how he kept each of them as he kept his lady love alive in his heart and memories. Those eleven days, the last days of their togetherness were special to both of them.

Their tale comes in front of the readers through partial nostalgia and partially in present. From cooking for his love, fulfilling all her demands, to giving her orchids with envelopes filled with short poems or quotes, to writing their story and narrating it to her every night, the boy left no stone unturned to fill his love's life with innumerable joys. The girl too promises from him every night, the promises that later helped him to become a better, successful and a happy human being. 

The best part of the book was the conversations between Dhruv and M in those eleven days, and the promises that M took from him. It leaves the readers teary eyed for sure, unless you have a heart of stone. The author has done a laudable job in that respect.

Quoting lines from the book - “Nilu! I know you are doing things for me which no one can ever dream of doing. Knowing my dark side, you still love me for who I’m. In fact, I love you too – I really do. But when I think of us being together, a thought of cheating comes across my mind, I still love M and I love you too, I just can’t understand the feeling I’m having inside. Is it possible to love two people at the same time?”

The 212 page book is a beautiful, romantic, heart-warming story that surely will leave you crying in the end. The book has sheer realism which is the USP according to me. The narrative skills of the author are commendable. It takes you on a journey and a plethora of emotions. It’s surreal, almost magical. The language and pace is comfortable for all the readers, however there are some points where the story becomes dragging.

The too many dilemmas of Ansh’s and Angie’s love life is just one of the reasons you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens in Keeping the Promises. It is not every day that you encounter a love story where the father of the girl is supportive and yet they remain apprehensive about marrying. The story of Dhruv and M, is another reason that will keep you hooked till the end.

To find out whether Ansh and Angie marry or decide to go with the wind, what is their future, whether Dhruv succeeds in fulfilling his promises given to M or fails, how does the life threating disease M suffers from affect both of their lives, how M reacts to her approaching death, how Angie faces Ansh after deciding to marry someone else, how Angie’s father takes a step further to ensure the happiness of his daughter, how everything planned by M falls in place; you will have to read the novel, Keeping the Promises.

'Yay' Factors: Angel Shah and M, the mystery girl. Also, the last letter and the promises, ofcourse.

'Nay' Factors: Ample editing errors, the unnecessary italicizing, some descriptions which could have been written differently to enhance reader interest, etc.

Message for the readers: Promises are meant to be fulfilled and not merely to be kept behind a veil... This novel compels you to realise the importance of keeping the promises. So go ahead, pick it up, read it and then start to fulfil your promises too gradually before it’s too late.

P.S. I loved the last letter. Quoting from it – “See, as I promised I sent a girl for you. What did you say? Don’t make the promises you can’t keep. See I kept my promise.

P.S. I’ll always be with you – and you know that.”

Rating: 3.5/5

Buying Links: Homeshop18 | Amazon | Infibeam 

Crossroads... It's about time - Book Review

Crossroads… It’s about time

By Preeti Singh

Review By Ila Garg

Crossroads… It’s about time is a novel by the authoress Preeti Singh, earlier known for her debut book Flirting with Fate. The book is decorated in the form of a very beautiful cover page. Two railway tracks (representing the crossroads), one bench (where the whole story plays around in a flashback, you will know the significance of this bench once you read the book), a clock (representing the time obviously), the helpless pair of eyes, and the red distorted bindi (you will understand the significance later as you read on the book). Indeed, a captivating cover! The concept of cover itself is so compelling that one would pick up the book. The title is tempting too.

Preeti Singh, is an award-winning author based at Panchkula, Chandigarh. She is qualified with an MA (Eng.), PGJMC (Journalism and Mass comm.) and a B.Ed. degree along with being an army wife and a school teacher for 14 years. Writing being her inherent passion, she believes in expressing her life’s experiences through words. Believing in living for now, she lives her life to the fullest, with a motto that, we reap what we sow; it was also the central theme of her exciting, debut thriller, Flirting with Fate.

The blurb of Crossroads… It’s about time, reads as, ‘In the journey of life we see dreams, we fall in love, we experience bliss but yet we often fall, never to rise again.

But Kavita is a fighter.

From marrying the man she loves, to becoming a protective mother, to tolerating abuse and emerging stronger from it, Kavita’s life is not different from just another Indian woman.

Till how long can she take the domestic violence and humiliation? Does Kavita leave her abusive husband Rajiv, in search of greener pastures with Mihir or does she succumb to a passionate moment with a youngster, Abhinash?

Don’t we all have a right to make our identity, alone, or is marriage the only bond where one must adjust to find happiness?

Is Kavita doing wrong by following her heart? If it takes two to tango, where did she go wrong? Can she unpeel the child in her, defy the world and live life on her own terms? Or does life give her a chance to make amends and save her precious bonds?

She is standing at a crossroads of her life and wondering which path should she follow to get some peace, something we all are seeking. Why don’t YOU, my reader hold her hand and guide her?

It’s about time.’

Initial impressions of the book from the title, cover, and the blurb - It’s gonna be yet another marriage story – a typical Indian wife dedicated to her nonchalant husband, a daughter who suffers due to the everlasting fights between her parents, etc. And yes it is a story of a failed marriage (no doubt), but it is tackled quite intelligently giving a totally different flavor to it.

This is the story of Kavita Singh, an epileptic married to Rajiv Arora. Kavita being an epileptic since birth, was used to living life full of precautions which included not driving. Both Kavita and Rajiv meet on a train and fall for each other. Rajiv decides to marry her against the will of his dominating sister, Anu.

Both of them come from a varied background; had a different nurturing, have different desires and longings, different priorities, and of course totally different sets of ideologies. While Kavita is more of a dreamer and devoting lover, Rajiv is practical and considers his sister above all. While Kavita is so blindly in love that she sees only Rajiv, he seems to see everyone except her.  

The novel further questions the Indian men mentality; Rajiv can have one-night stands and affairs in absence of Kavita, but if Kavita does the same, it is unforgivable and a taboo. A man can dump her wife but if a wife leaves her husband’s home then he feels insulted and can do anything to get her back, even if he lets his sister treat his wife like a ‘glorified maid’.

As simple as it seems, the story doesn’t go straight. The book juggles between past and present; sometimes coming to the present and then a long flashback into the past. It begins with Kavita driving (which she did rarely) to pick her daughter from the station. There she has to wait for prolonged hours on a bench, and sitting there she keeps reminiscing her past. Her tale comes in front of the readers through nostalgia, and takes them into her past gradually. From there, she keeps coming back to the present every now and then.

This story is about how your decisions effect your life in the long run, especially the decisions taken in a haste. It is about being strong even when your decisions fail you sometimes. Well it is about finding your ‘home’, a place that is not merely a house, and that requires some struggles because it’s worth it. “Kavita had chosen the path to live her life with dignity, alone but blissful. She had left the crossroads behind and began walking home, where her happiness and peace dwelled with her.”

Further, the authoress has described the night Kavita discovered what ‘making love’ is with a lot of panache. It nowhere seems undignified because of her flair of narrating that moment well. “She had always experienced ‘sex’ with Rajiv but today she understood the meaning of ‘making love’ with Abhi.”

The best part of the book was the conversations between Twitter, the parrot and Amber, the dog. They are well personified in the book and given some hilarious dialogues. They are later joined by Sunoji, that’s how Twitter calls her beau, the crow and Amberina, Amber’s girlfriend, the bitch. They together manage to form ‘a zoo’ for Kavita and keep her occupied. Also, they add lightness to the otherwise sombre novel.

Quoting lines from the book - “Twitter, Amber and Amberina, her loving mute companions, were waiting for her. They never asked her anything as they always understood and accepted her as she was. What more could she want?”

The 264 page book is undoubtedly appealing. The book has sheer realism which is the USP according to me. The narrative skills of the authoress are indeed commendable. It is an utterly transfixing roller coaster of emotions. The language and pace is comfortable for all the readers.

The too many dilemmas of Kavita’s life is just one of the reasons you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens in Crossroads… It’s about time. It is not every day that you encounter a talking parrot (Twitter) and a dog like Amber.

To find out whether Kavita and Rajiv could make their marriage work or not, what is their future, whether Kavita chooses to follow her dreams in spite of the hurdles or resolve to give up and go by the destiny’s decision, how does being a single mother affect Kavita, how she avoids Ranvijay’s attraction towards her, how Kavita faces the failed marriage and loneliness of her life, how she feels a sudden comfort in arms of Mihir (her husband’s best friend), how she reacts to the closeness with him, where is she led by the physical intimacy with Abhinash, who she chooses in the end at the crossroads: Rajiv or Mihir; you will have to read the novel, Crossroads… It’s about time.

'Yay' Factors: Twitter, Amber, Sunoji, and Amberina :)

'Nay' Factors: Few editing errors.

Message for readers: "Once in a while, we all find ourselves standing at the crossroads, just like the protagonist, Kavita Singh. What we do at that point, which path wie take, determine not only what kind of a person we are but also the course of our life thereafter. So, remember to make a wise decision at the crossroads. It’s about time."

Rating: 4.25/5

Buying Links: Flipkart | Amazon | Infibeam | GetSignedBooks | Authorpress

The Devil's Gate: An Impossible Journey - Book Review

 

The Devil’s Gate: An Impossible Journey

By Deepak Kripal

Review By Ila Garg

The Devil’s Gate: An Impossible Journey is a novel by the debutant writer Deepak Kripal is published by Frog Books (an imprint of Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd). The paper and print quality show that it is a publication house that we should keep an eye on. The book has an apt cover, however it could have been slightly better than this. The font used for the title of the book could have been modified too. The title is tempting though.

The author, Deepak Kripal is a doctor by profession and a writer by choice. He believes in dreams, and tries to live one day at a time. A known name in the blogosphere, he loves to blog. Writing a book was always in his mind. This is his literary debut.

The blurb reads as, ‘SIDELINED BY MAN, ANIMALS TURNED TO DEMONS.

Plundered by humans of their habitats, animals take a drastic step when they decide to send a team of a cat named as Katy and a dog named as Dug, to an invisible island known, as the Island of ‘Five Hundred Graves’. The island becomes visible only for a short time on the night of the full moon.

Legend has it that the island is inhabited by the demons. Katy and Dug are supposed to negotiate a deal with the demons, convincing them to allow the animals inhabit the island. Majority of the animal community believe that tinkering with the other world could bring their wrath to the animals. The team is sent to the island nevertheless.

But can a deal with the dead be materialized?

Are there really demons on the island? Is there any conspiracy involved?

Will Katy and Dug be able to negotiate, or will survival remain their only question in the deadly island?’

Initial impressions of the book from the title, cover, and the tagline - "An Impossible Journey", on me were that it’s gonna be yet another horror story. And yes it is a horror fiction, but an unusual one.

This is the story of two animal species. Katy (cat) and Dug (dog) meet at Pantheon, a beautiful forest town located on the tropical margins of the equator. The way the author has developed the story is indeed something to look out for.

This story is about how the animals turned into demons when side-lined by men. Indeed, a compelling story with an unusual aura. The suspense is well built from the very beginning when the characters are just introduced. Gradually it is revealed to the readers that Katy and Dug are actually animals. I loved the author’s innovation as he continued to take the story further by coining several different terms like UA (United Animals), B.M.S. (Bachelor in Multiple Skills), UAIL (United Animals Intelligence Institute), etc.

Characters of Katy, Billy, Cheeku, and Dug are exceptionally adorable. It’s fun to read their conversations which have been given human touch by the author.

As simple as it seems, the story doesn’t go straight. It complicates with every page. It’s almost like one day all animals woke up and decided that, since humans are not listening to us, we should talk to the demons to let us co-habit with them. It’s fun to even imagine a situation like that, but this is what is actually happening in The Devil’s Gate: An Impossible Journey.

It’s an interesting thought with endless opportunities to explore, and the author hasn’t much disappointed the readers. What happens after animals take this initiative of visiting the Devil and try to get help from the dead to let them have a habitat of their own makes the base of the story.

Quoting lines from the book - “Devil’s Gate, as the name suggests, is a gate that you have to open to enter the central part of the island.”

The book is undoubtedly a nice read.

‘Yay’ Factors: The story line, narrative, personification of animals, a completely different theme, unusual revelations, title, names of the characters, and coining of terms.

‘Nay’ Factors: The cover, starting could have been more appealing, chapters somehow get too boring as the story builds up. I almost forced myself to read few pages which I realized could have been omitted.

The 248 page book is a perfect quick read (provided you read intelligently, skip few pages here and there). I mainly loved the book because of the plot. The urge to reach the climax, kept me hooked all the time. The language and pace is comfortable for all the readers. A satisfactory work for a debut writer! Best wishes for future writings.

Rating: 3/5

Book Trailer

The Prophecy Of Trivine - Book Review

The Prophecy Of Trivine

By Pulkit Gupta, Srivatsan Sridharan, & Tnahsin Garg

Review By Ila Garg

The Prophecy of Trivine, a gripping and thrilling narrative by the writers Pulkit Gupta, Srivatsan Sridharan, & Tnahsin Garg is published by Good Times Books Pvt. Ltd. The paper and print quality is undoubtedly nice. The cover is eye pleasing and hooks the readers. It speaks for itself engulfing the onlookers in its depths. The title too is interesting. In case you are wondering what Trivine means, here’s the definition:

“T

he word ‘Trivine’ is a portmanteau of the words ‘Tri’ & ‘Divine’ which signifies a team of three human beings & one divine being.”

The three authors interestingly are from the same profession, i.e. engineering. The trio have been active in the field of writing since their school days and with the passing years their passion only enhanced, resulting in blogs and later in this book ‘The Prophecy of Trivine’. Who could have imagined that three best friends from college, each excelling in their respective fields will collaborate one fine day to create a unique plot that leaves no stone unturned to fascinate the readers with a story line so brilliantly imaginative that it leaves the readers in complete awe!

The blurb reads as “An emissary of an advanced alien race travels to the Earth to undertake responsibility of an experiment that has gone out of control. The outcome of this fateful experiment, which was conceived millions of years ago by her species, now rests in her hands. As she prepares to deliver her final judgment, she comes across three young men in a sacred forest who change her life forever.

These three men- a scientist, a hacker and an artist, happen to take refuge in that forest, trying to escape from the oddities of their own unfair lives. Struggling with their dreams and demons, they begin to explore the dark and paranormal behaviour of the forest by forging a companionship. From the rare flora and fauna breathing alive on the ground to the deadly wide expanse of the whimsy black sky, everything they find is yet another puzzle unsolved.

Little did they know that four of them hold in their hands the future of mankind and much beyond imagination, they are connected through an ancient Prophecy that was long lost in the sands of time.”

Intrigued? Believe me, as much as the blurb interests you, the story line will grip your heart and take you in its folds. And trust me you won’t want to easily come out from there.

The story revolves around three guys, a hacker Philip ‘Phil’ Mascarenhas; a scientist Siv, who’s on a quest and an artist Arty. Most intriguing of them is Arty as he seems to be most comfortable in the dangerous forest and not much is revealed about him throughout the book. All three of them belong to different professions yet destiny brings them together when they end up in the forest.

The trio Pulkit Gupta, Srivatsan Sridharan, and Tnahsin Garg have beautifully written this book. Nowhere does a reader can distinct between their individual writings which is an achievement in itself. Their writing style too isn’t very difficult to decipher. The simple language is perhaps the USP here. Readers won’t find it too complex in terms of comprehension and can enjoy every page of this page-turner marvel! They have kept the pace comfortable, the flow is maintained and the interest is well maintained too. The authors have good narrative skills.

I found the beginning of the story very tasteful. It began with Phil aka The Red Dragon, a hacker. It is interesting to read how he manages to escape the policemen and take refuge in the forest. His conversation with Siv are so animatedly written that you can imagine them talking in front of you and laughing as they pull each other’s leg.

Every word is so well knit in the story that nowhere can a reader feel disconnected with the plot. The story in a nutshell, is about the alien forces called Gucutep, who created mankind but aren’t much satisfied with their creation. They want to destroy mankind for this reason but the youngest of them all, Xona, objects to immediate termination and asks for one year’s time before taking further decision. After much debate, she’s granted permission. This also is the main crux of the book. Once Xona reaches the forest and comes across these three men, a lot of excitement is created and readers are almost compelled to read in it in one go.

The 259 page book takes you along with it and doesn’t let you get bored. It is a perfect bond of normal and paranormal that intrigues the readers.

‘Yay’ Factors: The good thing is no unnecessary characters are introduced. I loved the theme esp. because it is a rare genre for Indian writers to intervene in. The plot and language get another ‘yay’ from me. I enjoyed Phil’s character.

‘Nay’ Factors: For me, it is the cover art. After reading the book, I wished the cover to be better than this. Also, the quality of the cover could have been a little enhanced. I found some of the chapters very dragging.

The fate of mankind at the hand of the alien clan is one of the many reasons you want to keep turning the pages to find out what happens in The Prophecy of Trivine. To find out whether Xona finds a way to stop the destruction of mankind, Phil escapes the police force or not, Siv’s experiments on Flora n Fauna reached some result or not, who was Arty, what was the reason for the paranormal incidents in the forest, how the trio managed to survive there, what happens when they are found by Xona; you will have to read the novel, The Prophecy of Trivine.

I personally feel as debutants they have nailed it. I recommend this book to all readers, irrespective of their age. The story line kept me glued till the end; there is definitely a scope for sequels which I am looking forward to though there is no mention of it anywhere in the book. Cheers to the authors!

Ratings: 4/5

Buying Links: Amazon | Homeshop18 | Bookadda | Infibeam | Indiatimes | Uread 

This (Unbiased) book review is a part of "The Readers Cosmos Book Review Program". To get free books log on to thereaderscosmos.blogspot.com. Thanks Nimi Vashi for giving me the opportunity to read such a nice book!

This life is to be lived alone...

Searching in my delusional world,

In enormous atrocities I'm curled.

Yet vainly I look for it,

I hope to get it before I quit.

Deep inside I know what it means to me,

Yet I question; to be or not to be.

The answer part is not easy,

Engulfing me in a deep frenzy.

I know the key lies within,

To be in love is not a sin.

And yet I want to stop now,

As my heart doesn't allow.

It wants to remain a stone,

This life is to be lived alone.

I have seen  its good side,

But the bad images play in my mind.

It has made me smile, laugh, and dance too,

However, it has also left me with no clue.

I acknowledge that it has given me a lot, but oh,

It's the pain that it has given me in plenty though.

I remember being with my knight in shining armour;

in those arms that are my safe harbour.

And yet my heart refuses to mellow down,

I guess the reasons is the frown.

How can it hurt the one it loves?

So it moves on and shoves.

The one I was looking for remains unknown,

And this life is to be lived alone...

In Conversation with Rishi Piparaiya :)

Professionally, Rishi Piparaiya heads marketing and direct sales for a financial services multinational. Prior to this, he spent years dozing his way up to a super duper senior position at a fine global bank, which ironically never sleeps. His other professional claims to fame include running football betting syndicates in Spain and setting up random internet businesses that contributed to the dotcom bust.

Academically, he perfected the art of cracking exams without attending classes at the Cathedral & John Connon School, University of Rochester and Cornell University.

Athletically, he has completed half marathons (21 km for the sportingly ignorant) in well under three hours. To put this speed in perspective, the rate of continental drift is four cms per year: landmasses take 500,000 years to cover the distance that he can in barely a few hours. To put this time in perspective, the Mohenjo-daro and Harappa baloney that they taught us in school is 5,000 years old. So it’s no wonder that champion distance - running nations like Kenya and Ethiopia are clamouring to give him citizenship.

Intellectually, Aisle Be Damned is his first book.

Here he lets his readers know a little more about himself and his journey so far. Ladies and Gentlemen, I bring to you Rishi Piparaiya:

1. Tell us a little about yourself? Your aspirations and your hobbies!! 

I am a corporate executive having spent close to fifteen years in financial services. I have had the opportunity to live, work and study in various countries across the globe.  I have made some pretty unconventional choices in my education, career, and hobbies and that constant desire to do different things or do things diffferently reflects in my work. And hopefully in my book. 

2. How did Aisle Be Damned emerge in your imagination? 

I take 8-10 flights every month and I am a pretty nervous flier. Sitting on planes every week, clutching the arm rest or praying frantically, Aisle Be Damned just wrote itself! 

3. Can you justify the title of your book?  

A window seat v/s aisle seat is one of the first decisions that passengers have to make when they check in. Aisle Be Damned is a play on the Aisle seat. It’s a nice simple title that translates well across media – print, digital, social etc. I went through about 25+ options before zeroing down on this one! 

4. What message do you want to convey to your audience through your book? 

I think my biggest message is that life is quirky, random and there is humor all around us. Its just a matter of perspective and how one chooses to see and embrace life.  

5. What made you want to become a writer? 

I have been doing creative writing ever since I was a young child. It’s never been about wanting to be a writer – it’s a just a medium of expression for me. Some do it through speech, some through music, some through dance – I use a humble pen. 

6. How does it feel to be a published author? 

It had always been a goal of mine – to see a book published. And I’m sure I’m inspired by my father who has written close to ten books on a variety of subjects. So I am hoping to keep up. 

7. What is your biggest achievement till date? 

Mundane as it sounds, my biggest achievement has been to quit smoking. On one fine day in 2009, after close to two decades of smoking, I puffed 8 cigarettes one after the other, and as I stubbed the 8th one out, I said “I am done”. And I haven’t looked back since then. It has taken a lot of will power and self-control but it has been more than worth it. 

8. Tell us something about your book?  

Aisle Be Damned is a hilarious take on just about everything associated with the dog and pony show of air travel. It seamlessly integrates flying tips with quirky witticisms and is a great guide to simplifying one’s airline experiences while getting umpteen laughs along the way. It provides perspective on an array of common travel situations including: how to get upgraded to Business class, how to micro-manage bathroom-frequenting pilots, how to win elbow fights with co-passengers, how to breeze one’s way through immigration and making fundamental decisions such as window v/s. aisle seats. It is a fluid read with mass appeal, catering to frequent fliers, first-timers, and even the uninitiated. 

9. How and why you decided to publish your book through Jaico Publishing House? 

Aisle Be Damned is not really a typical book by any yardstick. It straddles genres, it deals with an extremely offbeat subject, it has anecdotes, images, funny captions and perspectives on a variety of topics – there is really nothing like it in the Indian or global literary space. I was looking for a publisher who had the track record and pedigree to manage this book and yet the hunger to innovate and experiment. As a first time author, I was looking for a publisher who would give my book the requisite attention that I think it deserved. And finally, a team that was committed and held itself to the highest standards of integrity and performance. Jaico, under the leadership of the unflappable Akash Shah, was an excellent fit. 

10. Is there a key person or group that has inspired you in the process of writing? 

Ever since I can remember, friends and colleagues have encouraged me to write a book. And many of them were most supportive in giving me feedback on the earlier drafts of Aisle Be Damned. 

11. What’s the earliest memory you have of writing a story? 

The earliest memory I have of writing is poetry – as a 7 year old Grade 2 student. And looking back, without appearing cocky, they were pretty good poems – they had rhythm, rhymes, and told a good story! I remember my class teacher of that time coming home once – just to let my parents know how much she enjoyed my writing. So I guess that was my first foray into the world of writing. 

12. What genre do you despise and why? 

Rather than think about what I despise, let me focus on what I enjoy. I am not an avid reader but I enjoy autobiographies – there is always something to learn from the successes and failures of others. I enjoy descriptive works – books that paint a picture with the usage of beautiful words. And lastly simple short stories with a twist – something that makes you unexpectedly smile. 

13. What are your views on co-authoring? 

Any author or newbie you would like to co-author with? My view is Why not? If there is someone who is on the same wavelength and shares a similar perspective, it should be fairly plausible for both people to pen their thoughts into one piece of work. Finding someone like that though is the challenge. 

14. As an author what according to you is biggest power in your hands? 

I believe that the biggest power that an author has is the ability to influence people. Readers give you their most valuable assets – their time and attention. And as an author, one needs to ensure that one has made it worth their while. So whether you are transporting them to another world or just sharing your experiences in this one, you are shaping their thoughts. You are giving them something to think about. And that is a huge power. And along with power, as the cliché goes, comes responsibility. 

15. What are some things you like to do when you’re not writing? 

I enjoy listening to music. I have tried my hand at sailing. I have run a few half marathons. And I read the occasional book. 

16. Is there any character in the book that is inspired by you? 

The entire book has been inspired by me! Taking 10 flights a month, year after year, I am the character! 

17. Do you try to write without letting your personal biased opinions interfere? 

Good question. Probably not. Aisle Be Damned is a personal perspective on air travel and it has been a free flowing writing experience. That said, once in a while, as most authors would do I assume, I step back and see whether the writing is in bad taste or would hurt anyone. Its one of the challenges of writing humor in particular – everyone may not appreciate the same humor or tones. 

18. Every coin has two sides if one side people like your work there are people who are against you. Does that disturb you? 

No, that does not disturb me a whole lot. Of course, I would prefer to hear praise for my work rather than criticism. But that said, I would rather the coin land on one side or the other instead of not tossing it at all – that is, I would rather people give me their views – good or bad – rather than stay mum! 

19. How do you see yourself 5 years down the line? 

I will be five years older – that’s for sure! The rest still has to pan out. 

20. What’s your strategy to promote your book and make your stand as a writer? 

My professional job is in sales and marketing and it is therefore natural that I try to incorporate some of my experience into Aisle Be Damned. The book is garnering significantly positive pre-release online reviews and I have launched a comprehensive visibility campaign across social media. Our website www.aislebedamned.com is arguably one of the most unique websites built for any book. We have a strong presence on Facebook and Twitter. And slowly but steadily, traditional media is picking up on the humor and uniqueness of the work as well. 

Description

A Hilarious Take on just about Everything Associated with Air Travel.

- Getting seamlessly upgraded to Business Class.
- The hows and whys of micromanaging the pilots.
- Action plans to counter the airlines Technical Snag routine.
- Sure shot strategies for winning the affections of flight attendants.
- Awesome icebreakers to start conversations with attractive co-passengers.
- How smart executives deal with the Walk of Shame to the economy section.
- How a water bottle dramatically improves flight safety.
- Breezing through immigration and customs, always making your flight connections and a whole lot more

Rest assured, your flying experience will never be the same again!