Book Review- When I Fell In Love With Life by Geetha Paniker

Book Name: When I Fell In Love With Life - Musings of a Cancer Survivor

Authoress: Geetha Paniker

Publisher: Partridge India

Blurb:

An anthology of writings from a cancer survivor whose therapeutic writing will guide, inspire and heal your soul. She lays bare all the aspects of private suffeing yet points out how she overcame each challenge with grit, determination and a healthy dose of childish delight and wonder. Profound thoughts narrated in a simple language. Her words and wonderful ability to blend with her surroundings, yet stand out by absorbing the essence of it all; will challenge you to look at life through a rebel's twinkling eye. Journey with this nature-loving, soul-searching, deep-thinking powerhouse. See what it feels like to touch rock bottom and build a solid foundation for a life made on her terms. A truthful story that continues to redefine the norm and gives you a glimpse into the life of a true survivor.

Review:

I picked up this book to read when I was myself low. Yes. I had given up on my life. I had given up believing that my life could get any better. As I started reading this book, I made a conclusion that this too would be one of those which would try to make you feel that your problem isn't really a problem and would try to suggest you some ways to overcome them. But I was so wrong. This book is nothing of that kind. Yes, it talks about being determined, staying positive but not the way others do. This book shows the reader a ray of light in that darkest corner of the room. This book talks about those deepest secrets that you hid in the chambers of your heart and feel guilty about. It tells you that its alright to make mistakes and learn from them. It tells you that no matter what is going on in your life, your boat is ultimately going to hit the shores. It gives you an inspiration to keep rowing.

The book contains 81 chapters. Each chapter gives the reader a positive message. It talks about finding goodness in all adverse situations. Cancer shouldn't be considered as a threat. Authoress talks about seeing CAN in CANCER. She says that it is the will to fight which actually helps you to fight. Authoress has attributed most of the things to nature and I feel that there is no great and experienced teacher than nature in this world. Nature has been continuously educating us in her own way and we had been too blind to understand her lessons all these years. It is only after reading this book that I have started having these conversations with nature and believe me or not, I have been getting answers to most of the questions that I snap at her. Authoress has also included some beautiful poems in most of the chapters. These poems are heart-touching, soul-stirring ones.

This book has affected my life in a good way and I believe that, in future too, when I will feel low reading a chapter or two from this book will make me feel better. 

A must read for all Cancer patients and people who have stopped living their lives the way it should be lived.

I rate:

Cover: 3/5

My rating for 'When I Fell In Love With Life' is 4/5 stars.

Buy this inspirational book online. Click here!

[Ask and Answer] Interview Session with Shreyas Bhave - Author of The Prince of Patliputra

1. How would you describe yourself if viewed from a third person's perspective?

*Chasmis(Bespectaled)* :p 
*Guy with a beard* 
*great listener* 
*The one with the dreamy eyes* 
When I was little, my mom used to call me monkey! Now, my girlfriend does the same! I guess not much has changed, has it? :p


2. Engineering or Mythology? Which among this is more of your thing?

Actually, speaking of it, mythology and engineering are quite alike. While writing mythology, we are creating a world that did not exist before. Same is with engineering as Einstein famously said, ‘Scientists examine what already is, while engineers create what never was.’ Design, in engineering strictly governed by scientific rules, yet there is scope for your imagination to flow freely which is exactly what you experience while writing mythology.


3. When and how did you realize that you wanted to write Asoka Trilogy? "?

Some years ago, I was visiting a mountain pilgrimage called Girnar in Junagarh district few years back. It boasts of a vast Jain temple and also the highest point of Gujarat state. When I enquired who had built the Jain temple, the answer I received was it was built by Chandragupta Maurya. The question which came to my mind is why was a king from Patliputra faraway, building temples at the edge of his empire? Afterwards I visited a underground network of Buddhist caves nearby. I was impressed by its architecture. “Who built these caves?” I asked and the answer that came was “Samrat Ashoka.” This was the incident that drove me to find out more about this great Grandfather-grandson duo and the outcome is the Asoka trilogy.


4. Why did you choose Samrat Asoka and not some other ruler?

This decision was purely commercial on my part. Historical fiction is read by very few people in our country and when we write about some legendary historical figure of India, publishers always counter the proposal, saying that people won’t know about him because very few people are interested in history in the first place. With Asoka, I had a strong answer on my side to counter this argument. As Asoka’s Chakra flies proudly on our national flag, I could strongly say to any publisher who stated the above argument that each and every person in our country who calls himself Indian will definitely know about the national flag and as a result will know Asoka’s name. 


5. How did you go about with your research?

I had to go through a lot of ancient documents before beginning to write this book. I read ‘Asokavadana’ which is a Buddhist text on Ashoka’s life. I also read modern books on the subject like the ones by Charles Allen to find out more about the period of that time. I have explained my experiences in a blog post titled: 10 Rules of writing historical fiction.


6. In your book, the chapters narrating the era of Chandragupta and that of Asoka are placed alternately. How did you get the writing done?

The alternating chapters are exactly the crux of my story. Correlating between the various characters and events of the two eras is what drives my story.


7. How much time did you take to write 'The Prince of Patliputra'?

Six months precisely. I began writing the manuscript in between of my 5th semester exams (Because engineering exams are great generators of creativity in everything else except the exams itself :p) I finished the first draft in 3 months, then the revisions and the other two drafts took three months. However, the real question would be how much time did it take to bring the story to the market from the conception of the idea. That, I guess would be something like 2 years.


8. When can we expect the 2nd and the 3rd part of Asoka Trilogy?

That would, to a great extent depend on the readers of the first book! As you’ll be well aware, in case of trilogies, publishers gauge the amount of response for the first book for quite some time before writing the cheque for the second. So I appeal to all those who want the second part as soon as possible to spread the word about ‘The Prince of Patliputra’ amongst their friends and contacts. The more quickly the book 1 becomes a bestseller, the lesser time required for the other parts to come out. To those who can’t wait, I have already uploaded sample chapters from this book at https://authorshreyas.wordpress.com/2016/01/21/the-scourge-of-taxila-coming-soon/

9. Did you suffer from writer's block anytime when writing? How did you get over it?

Many times! A writer who does not have writer’s block is like a zebra without stripes! Whenever I read a new book, it drives me to go write something. Same is with watching a good movie or a nice TV Series. That is the way I deal with my writer’s block.


10. Who is your inspiration/ role model?

I am considering that by inspiration, you mean a role model in the literary world. This is a tricky question as there are so many great souls to choose from! (Yes, souls because the top ten of my favorite authors are now dead.) In Fiction, I love the work of Alistair Maclean, Michael Crichton, Robert Ludlum, Ayn Rand. In Nonfiction, I’ll mention the great biographer Emil Ludwig. 


11. Where do you see yourself 5 years hence, in the field of writing?

The ambitions are the same as that of every writer out there. To see your books become bestsellers! To be loved by all your readers for quality as well as quantity. To have TV series and movies be based on your books. But gradually, I want to branch out into nonfiction writing and write about stuff that really haunts our world, like environmental problems, economical disasters and social inequality.


12. What would you like to say to your readers?

I would like to say that I hope that all of you enjoyed my book. If you loved it, do rate it on Amazon and Goodreads or send a picture of yourself with the book to me and I will feature it on my Official Facebook and Instagram pages. Such kind of activity really helps a new author. If you did not like it, please do tell me the reasons so that I can learn from the feedback and improve my work. In both the cases, engagement is the key. I am available on my Facebook profile or at my email id: theasokatrilogy@gmail.com


You can get in touch with Shreyas through the below mentioned links:


Book facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/theprinceofpatliputra/

Book Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dOOoB-hACbY

Author facebook profile: https://www.facebook.com/shreyas.bhave.9


Buy his book on Amazon.

Book Review- Silence and Sound by Namitha K.

Book Name: Silence and Sound

Poetess: Namitha K.

Publisher: Partridge India

Price: Rs. 199

Review:

Namitha K. has a gift and that is her poetry. Writing such thoughtful poems at such young age is indeed appreciable. Her collection consists of 24 poems. As the name of her collection suggests, Silence and Sound presents before us poems with those hidden voices kept treasured in the chambers of our hearts. Some talk about the turmoil in it while some, the happiness.

My favorites are:

• An Awakening
• What Beach means to me!
• A  Nightmare
• Plant a Tree
• Little One - Little One

I wish Namitha luck in all her future endeavors.

I rate:

Cover: 3/5

Poems: 3.5/5

I rate 'Silence and Sound' with 3.5/5 stars.

Buy your copies here!

Book Review: Songs of a Solitary Tree by Arun M. Sivakrishna

Book Name: Songs of a Solitary Tree

Poet: Arun M. Sivakrishna

Publisher: Partridge India


Blurb:

Poems on the hard-hitting facets of life, depicting with ease the agony and pain a man goes through in life. Sometimes, it is feeling of anguish and euphoria of love.


Review:

This poetry collection contains 60 poems each unique in its own way. The poems have deeper meaning which will surely make you think about different aspects of life. A few of these poems will kindle your hearts with feelings.

My personal favorites from this collection are:

• Searing Solitude
• Yep, They are in love
• Where were you?
• Oh Those Sweet Little Monsters
• Ah, Its A Mom's Way
• Ah, Mumbai, I'm all Ears
• Rabbit Limbed Turtle

Spending a Sunday with 'Songs of a Solitary Tree' with a cup of coffee was an awesome experience for me.


I rate:
Cover: 3.5/5
Poems: 4/5

My rating for 'Songs of a Solitary Tree' is 4/5 stars.

Book your copies here!

Book Name- Love Story? Seriously! by Shivi Pandey

Book Name: Love Story? Seriously!

Author: Shivi Pandey

Publisher: Petals Publishers and Distributors

Price: Rs. 175

Blurb:

The sanguine sun is just preparing to slumber and the filtered glare from it striking the scene makes it more alluring. The flock of birds are moving together in a V shaped structure and it looks as if they are returning to their home after a tedious day's hard work. The fact that they are  all together in every aspect of life brings strength and calmness to my dilapidating heart. It is even more mesmerizing to find the three best people of my life beside me.

SAMAR: The epitome of the story, takes you on an amazing voyage of his life. He recalls his friends and all his unsuccessful love interests - Sapna, Samriddhi and Sapna.

What happens when you fall in love? What happens when you fall out of it? What happens when you are unwanted? What happens when you are cheated and still coined a cheater? Can there be a reason to not like someone? Can there always be a reason to like someone? Explore answers to all these questions along with Samar on his journey in search of true love.

It brings you, yet another unconventional love story of all times. The author intends to bring about the fact that can this also be a love story and leaves the readers to decide enquiring them Love Story? Seriously!

Story in a nutshell:

Love Story? Seriously! is the story of Samar and his love interests. It travels through his childhood to his adulthood, from his school to his college and ultimately his work place. Samar meets his first love interest, Sapna in his school days. Does his budding friendship with Sapna take the form of love? What does Samar learn from his schooling? Enter Samriddhi- the girl who ruled Samar's heart during his college days. Samar falls in head over heels in love with her only to be rejected at the end. How does Samar deal with the heartbreak? When does Surbhi enter the picture? What is their story?

Towards the end of this story, Samar talks about Shrija. Who is she? How is she related to Samar's life?

Review:

The title 'Love Story? Seriously!' is intriguing and will urge the readers to pick up this book. The cover of the book is in shades of grey and red which again, steals the attention. However, I feel that the blurb of the book was exceptionally long. It could have been cut down.

Coming to the story, it is being told in 1st person narrative. There are instances where the narration is next to perfect while there are many places where the narration suffered the most. The characters are well-sketched. Samar seems to be very emotional as a person. I wonder if such guys exist in the real world. The girls have been portrayed to be stone-hearted. The first part of the book (the part before Samar's marriage) reminds me of the movie- Pyar ka Punchnama. I personally found this part to be really boring.

The second part is a show stealer. The bppk actually gains momentum in the second part. The suspense, excitement and thrill in the second part is making this book worth a read. However, I am thoroughly disappointed with the end.

'Love Story? Seriously!' is overall, a one-time read. It has everything from like to love, from anger to jealousy, from being depressed to being strong, from realisations to regret.

Dislikes:

The editing suffers at many places. Proper editing will enhance the reading experience.

There have been many occurances where capitals are used. They could have been avoided.

I rate:

Cover: 2.5/5

Characters: 2.5/5

Story: 2/5

My overall rating for 'Love Story? Seriously!' is 2.5/5 stars.

You can buy this book online on Amazon. Click Here!

Book Review: The Justified Sin by Harpreet Makkar

Book Name: The Justified Sin.

Author: Harpreet Makkar.

Publisher: Petals Publishers and Distributors.

Price: Rs. 175.


Blurb:

What do you call it when three beautiful women come in your life but you are still single? What if they all, at some point, tried to entice you, but you still feel like committing suicide because of loneliness? What do you call it when you made no mistake, but still, you feel guilty as sin?

Jay had a common life until Saloni, Prachi and Varsha came in life and changed everything. At times, he avoided the love that knocked his door, but when he actually needed it, the same love knocked him,

He betrayed. He got betrayed.

He rejected. He got rejected.

From being shot by Prachi's father to getting intimate with Varsha under the influence of alcohol, his life was as spicy as those masala Bollywood movies.

He was getting used to his life, until, one night, he decides to jump off a building and end everything.

Will there be love, or will it end?

Find out what happens when love has to pay its price.



Story in a nutshell:

Jay finds himself on the terrace of his office building. He is there to commit suicide. He is interrupted by a young girl who strikes up a conversation with him and drives him into telling his story to her.

Jay begins his life story with Saloni and his friendship. He talks about how they were in to each other. He narrates how Saloni felt about their relationship. Jay also mentions about his best buddy, Shaurya and his growing interest in Saloni. Jay does not realize his affection for Saloni until Shaurya gets closer to her. What does Jay do when he realizes the same?

The next girl who happens to enter Jay's life is Prachi, Shaurya's girlfriend. How and why does Prachi become integral part of Jay's life? Jay meets Varsha at Bangalore. How does he land up in Bangalore? He finds himself in love with Varsha. Does Varsha acknowledge his love for her? Why is Jay committing suicide?


Review:

'The Justified Sin'- The title is so intriguing that I picked up this book reading the title itself. However, I feel sad to mention that the title and the story do not go in hand with each other. It appears quite mature for this story. The second thing that attracted me the most is the attractive cover. I must really praise the cover designer for the awesome work she has done.

Moving on to the story, the plot is kind of predictable at many places. I cam across many situations where closure to certain events haven't been done and the same event has been brought up at a later stage and discussed (A real turnoff!) Confusion will arise in the minds of the readers. He will surely feel lost somewhere, during the reading session. The characters are crafted well and yes, I felt connected to most of them.


Likes:

• Jay and his father's relationship.
• Cover Design.

Dislikes:

• There have been many occurances of SMS words and typing errors. Also, editing suffers at many places.

I rate:
Cover: 4/5
Characters: 3/5
Story: 2.5/5

On the whole, I rate The Justified Sin with 3/5 stars.

You can buy this book on Amazon.