Connecting with yourself by Vishal Jacob – Book Review

Book Name: Connecting with yourself

Author: Vishal Jacob

Publisher: Notion Press

Blurb:

Every life is an interesting story, and this story is best written when people go through life's experiences by staying connected to who they truly are. To stay connected to yourself, you need first to start listening from within.

This book gives a perspective on why we think, feel and act the way we do, through concepts from neuroscience and psychology. It attempts to answer some of life's key questions, such as-

-Why do we all perceive things differently?

-Why are we designed to do different things?

-Why do we all learn things in different ways?

-How are habits formed?

-What role do emotions play in our lives?

-What makes us happy?

And finally, what it means and takes to stay connected to ourselves and others.

Review:

I like reading self-help books. They give you an insight into how you can make your life better. When I received this book, I was going through a rough patch of my life. I was loaded with work at office and my freelance projects also killed most of my time. This book proved to be a savior. Just like its name, I was able to connect with myself.

The author has divided the books into 10 chapters. Each chapter brings you closer and makes you aware of various aspects of life… one at a time. He narrates to you an incident, a story and then presents his views about the same. We, human beings, have a tendency to learn things better when we hear them in the form of a story. And the author succeeds in doing it really well.

The narration is simple and so is the language. You will be able to relate to it really well. The author summarizes each chapter in a page… it’s the key takeaways from the chapter.

Another amazing thing about this book is that you can read any chapter that you like. You do not compulsorily have to follow the order of the book.

I would rate this book with 4/5 stars.

You can book your copies on Amazon.

The Blue Moon Day by Santhosh Sivaraj – Book Review

Book Name: The Blue Moon Day

Author: Santhosh Sivaraj

Publisher: Invincible Publishers

Blurb:

Things were never the same for five ordinary individuals who got struck at cross roads and there was no way they can run back. They had no other choice but to take a plunge into their deepest fear and leave the rest to destiny. Their characters was tested out of their comfort zone and it witnessed abstruse results; a PhD scholar fights to win a pizza making contest and a tennis prodigy running for his life in a war torn, bloodied Island. Extreme circumstances and their consequences made these ordinary individuals extraordinary . Was the test imposed on them by someone? Or did they invite it on themselves. The Blue Moon Day is that Once in a Blue Moon day story which questions an individual's priorities, ridicules the worldly routines and finally redefines happiness.

Review:

Deccan Chronicle says that this nook might open your eyes to the illusion. I very much agree to their review. I am of the same opinion. The book has been really great.

The Blue Moon Day is a short story collection consisting of five stories. Life is a great teacher. It never fails to teach us some greatest lessons. No age is too late to understand life. Sometimes, we learn the lesson ourselves while sometimes, it is some people who enter our lives and make us realize it.

I loved all the stories a lot. I shall review each of the story here.

The Pizza Engineer

We are so driven by the competition in the world that we join the race without even considering whether we are capable and interested in it. We tend to follow the crowd and that is where we fail. We fail to realize our potential. This story tells us to identify our passion and follow it.

The Messenger

Relationships require effort. It is the effort of both the partners that makes a relationship work. Fights, arguments and misunderstandings happen in every relationship. It is how you resolve these differences of opinion or the misunderstandings which is the secret to a healthy relationship. One needs to control his anger and give away his ego. One needs to take a back seat and think from the perspective of a third person. Like in the story, the protagonist doesn’t realize that he is jeopardizing his relationship with his wife. It is only after a messenger who enters his life and helps him realize his mistake.

Not Today

This story tells you the importance of time. We get so absorbed in our work lives that we fail to understand that we are missing out on something really precious. It is only during some crucial moments that we realize the importance of time in our relationships.

The Storyteller

Have you ever been so tired of life and the challenges it throws at you that you wish to run away from all of it? The Storyteller is a perfect example of second chances at life. This story teaches you that when life gives you second chances, you should grab them and make the most of it.

The Heaven

Everything is pre-written for us. Whatever happens to us, good or bad, is a result of our destinies.

This book is indeed amazing. You will be so engrossed in these stories that you would be wanting to read more of it. The narration has been awesomely done. It is clear and lucid. The language is simple and keeps you engaged to it.

This book is a must read for all short story collection lovers out there. It gives you an insight into lives greatest lessons.

I rate:

Cover: 4.5/5

Stories: 4.5/5

My overall rating for ‘The Blue Moon Day’ is 4.5/5 stars.

You can buy your copies on Amazon.

[Ask N Answer] Interview Session with Saumya Kaushik - Author of Daughter of a Drunkard Monk

Introduce yourself to our readers. 
Hola! Everyone. I am Saumya! I make up stuff for a living, I put up in Delhi and I enjoy long coffee-breaks with a view of nature.

Tell us something about your novel. 
DODM is the story of the protagonist which can be any ordinary girl in similar situation. What, however, appears extraordinary is the grit and courage and confidence with which the protagonist faces all verities of adversities, many of which are simply reflections of her gender and the societal / patriarchal attitude towards girls in such / similar situations.

You wrote your 1st novel at the age of 19. It is quite mature for your age to write on such sensitive topic. What made you write it? 
The thought of penning down Daughter of a Drunkard Monk popped in my head at the age of 18 and I strongly felt on gender-biased issues. I had this urge to tell this story to the world hence, I penned it down regardless of my age and the nature of topic.

Was it difficult to sketch the characters? How did you go about with it? 
Yes, some of the character’s sketching was a daunting task. There was once a point, during this course of writing where I felt like removing some characters from the book altogether.

How did you go about writing your novel? And how long did it take you to write it? 
Writing a book is not an easy task. I suffered many a sleepless nights, there were days when I was on a constant mood-elevator. I am the worst person to meet when I write a full-fledged novel. I took me 4 months to pen down Daughter of a Drunkard Monk.

It is often said that the writer writes certain things about himself in the characters he builds. Do we get to see some of your traits in Naina? 
Naina and I are poles apart in nature. The only trait that she and I share is – being a hopeless romantic. God! We both carry our hearts on our sleeves. And, why shouldn’t we?

What was the most difficult part to write about Naina? 
Her fight with her fears and her courage to muster up and stand against the curve balls life threw at her.

Tell us about your work in Minds @Work 3.
Minds at Work 3 is an anthology written by women of modern times. It bears my story – The Lonely Widow. I wrote this story when I was 20, and got a publisher interested in printing it.

What inspires you to write? 
The constant urge to tell the stories to the world. This world that is so beautifully decorated with distinguished people on its platter inspire me to write.

Are you working on your next? 
Yes, I am working on a non-fiction title. (The Many Men in my Life!)

If yes, tell us something about it. 
The Many Men in my Life is about the stories of 15 men that I have shared my life space with. These males are younger than me, the same age as mine, older to me, some of them are dead, and some are alive. I have shared interesting tales that I have lived with them and learnt through them in this book.

What is writing for you?
Salvation! 

Would you like to give a message to our readers?
Respect every individual, whomsoever you cross paths in life. Everyone has a story to tell, not everyone is a writer but yes, they can narrate brilliantly well. This might turn you into a listener first and later a writer. God Bless!

You can buy your copies of Daughter of a Drunkard Monk on Amazon.