Saturday 24 March 2018

Book - Imperfect Misfits: A Tale of Love and Friendship

#BookReviews





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Title:  Imperfect Misfits
Author: Devanshi Sharma
Publisher: Srishti Publishers
Pages: 208
Price: Rs. 88 
My Rating: 2.5/5

Blurb:
Tiasha: I am very annoyed.
Aakaash: That’s your job, Tiasha. Good that you are doing it well.
Tiasha: And I am very serious.
Aakaash: When are you not!
Tiasha: Argh! I hate you, Aakaash. 
Aakaash: Thank God for small mercies! 
Just like a scoop of vanilla ice cream makes the sizzling chocolate brownie delicious, these best friends complimented each other. A chef by passion, Tiasha jumps and waves through her professional choices, while Aakaash, the witty stand-up comedian, knows exactly what he wants.
He was the tranquility which refugees crave to stay in and she was the refugee, who wanted to wander and explore. Imperfect Misfits is a story of perfect misfits, food, frolic, emotions and their endless imperfections.
The question is, will their friendship survive through this wavy journey of love?

Review:
Imperfect Misfits, as the name suggests is a story of two people who entirely different yet suitable for each other. This book is a story of Tiasha and Aakaash. They are best friends, who (like so many boy-girl bffs) are in love with each other. They are opposite ends of a pole, yet they are together. This is a story of love and friendship, and how things turn upside down when two come together.

What I liked about the book is its story. Thinking about plot, it is rather common but the way it has been narrated, in conjunction with so many anecdotes, makes it different and enjoyable.

Characters of the story are built and described very well. Few chapters and you are already hooked to them.

What I didn't like about the book is the author narration in between. All throughout I wondered what was the purpose of them... they only disrupted the flow and to be honest, irritated me! I had to skip them throughout.

Another aspect I didn't like was at times story was too dragged. And I had to put it down for sometime and then continue. The flow was fine but it could have been fast-paced.

Overall it is an okay read. My rating for it is 2.5/5

Lots of love



Thursday 22 March 2018

#CuttingPaani - Why we should save Water and How?



#CuttingPaani

Image result for save waterI get most agitated when someone wastes water... 'Paani hi to hai' is what I hear when I complain. But what people don't understand is that water is a very precious and expensive commodity just like electricity, gas and everything else. Just because we don't pay for water (most of us) doesn't mean we have the authority to waste it.

Why do I feel so much about water? Well to be honest, we don't learn importance of something until we lose it completely. And a few years ago, the water supply to our society was hampered and there was no water. For one whole day there was no water (drinking or cleaning) and due to road construction, no water tank could reach us. It was a nightmare. We survived more than 20 hours on some stored water and bottled water. And that was the day I realized the importance of this so-called 'free' commodity. 

Image result for save waterThere are various ways through which I conserve and save water. I have mentioned them below:
1. Taking bath using bucket - this helps reduce water consumption significantly. In shower, we unknowingly waste a lot of water
2. Storing RO wastage water and using it for cleaning and washing clothes - Using RO is a necessity everywhere now. But every 1 cup of purified water results in 4 cups of wasted water. So, storing it and using it is a big-big water conservation
3. Left over water - Many times water is left in drinking glass or gets stale stored in water bottle. Where many people throw it away, I don't. I water my plants with it. It is a great way to use the excessive water and my dear plants also get healthy and purified water. - yes we should not be taking excessive water in glasses and wasting it. But like said, it is very difficult to control other people...!

Also the society my house is, it has an excellent water conservation method. They store every day used water, clean it and then supply it for flushing toilets. Sometimes the filters don't work and we get exceptionally dirty water (big issues during those days) but normally, it is a great idea as water is recycled and used again.

I am writing this post to be a part of the #cuttingpani, an initiative by Livpure. I pledge to conserve more water, do you?

Follow link https://www.change.org/p/cuttingpaani to know more.


Lots of love









Livpure


Tuesday 13 March 2018

Book - The Three Greens: Story that talks about environment

#BookReviews





Title:  The Three Greens
Author: Rajesh Talwar
Publisher: Orient BlackSwan
Pages: 196
Price: Rs. 225 
My Rating: 4/5

Blurb:
Monika and her two cousins, Pravir and Roomy, form a small group devoted to the protection of the environment. They discover the world of through adventure, mystery and romance. From Nainital to Delhi and back they make friends, explore places of interest together and even solve the mystery of a ‘Green Ghost’ in a haunted house. The Three Greens, as they call themselves, are just as curious as they are environmentally conscious. They learn from their peers, elders and from nature. Engagingly told these stories conduct us through small experiences and seek solutions to serious environmental issues.

Review:
A story of 3 children who swear to protect environment.

When Monika visits her cousins, they form a small group of environmentalist and call themselves the 'Three Greens'. They talk about nature and how we should protect and preserve it from exploitation. The way these children talk and portray today's issues,  you can't help but feel responsible for deterioration of our mother Earth. 
The characters built are good and are totally relatable. I loved all 3 children, they are cute, innocent, understanding, reasonable and yet annoying - typical kids, LOL.
This is a children's book and what is great about this is - every person can work around it. Adults can learn and improve, and children can be motivated.
Overall, it is pretty good book which everybody should read. Afterall the responsibility to save and preserve our precious Earth rests on our shoulders.

My rating 4/5

Do grab a copy and enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love



Monday 12 March 2018

Meet Rajesh Talwar: Author who works in United Nations and writes on social causes


Top post on IndiBlogger, the biggest community of Indian Bloggers
#AuthorInterviews



  • Hi Rajesh, please tell us something about yourself.

I practiced law for many years before joining the United Nations. I found many stories in the court environment. At the time, I wrote extensively for various newspapers such as The Economic Times, The Pioneer, The Patriot and so on. I also started writing self-help legal books during that period. Writing is an addiction. It’s a rare day when I don’t write. I’m based in Kabul currently and have lived and worked all over the world.

  • You have written so many books over social issues. Any specific reason for writing on such issues?

I think it’s important for writers to engage with their society.  As a lawyer I was involved in social issues. I worked for some time with a group working on HIV/AIDS issues, so it was natural to pen a play on the subject. This is available on Amazon under the title HIGH FIDELITY TRANSMISSION. At the courts I saw dowry death trials and it was natural to write a play on that issue as well, available as THE BRIDE WHO WOULD NOT BURN.  Although I write on social issues, I try not to write serious, depressing stuff. The dowry play is a comedy.

  • Do you have any favourite book amongst the one you have written? Please let us know why it is your favourite book.

Juggernaut published ‘How to Kill a Billionaire’ on its mobile app. It has yet to come out in a print version. It is my favourite book because the characters are really true to life. The novel is simultaneously a literary work, a thriller and a satire. Please see at:


  • You have written 2 books for children, can you share something about them?

‘The Three Greens’ is a book about three Indian children who decide they will solve mysteries, not ordinary mysteries but ‘enviro-mysteries’.  My second children’s book is titled ‘The Bearded Prince’ targeted at an older child. It is set in Ancient India and is about Princess Roopali and her swayamvara.

Please see video link to Youtube interview on ‘The Three Greens’ below:

And Video link to Youtube interview of ‘The Bearded Prince’ below:

  • Which part of publishing process is most difficult for you? Writing/Editing/Publishing/Marketing? And Why?

Writing is a passion but if you are patient, editing can also be an interesting and creative process. I  also like to be involved with the publishing process. For most of my books, whether published by a big publishing house such as Hay House, or self-published, I have discussed the cover with the artist. Marketing is the most difficult – because for me it’s the most boring. 

  • What kind of books do you read? Any favourite authors/books?

I read all kinds of stuff. For instance, I enjoy non-fiction, children’s books, literary fiction, thrillers and romance. Too many favourites in authors and books to name.

  • Traditional vs. Self-Publishing? Which one is better as per you? Why?

Self-publishing is a better option for plays, because plays rarely get published anyhow.  However there is a new emerging readership for plays, and I believe in the future more and more plays will be published. I believe traditional publishing still has the edge over self-publishing provided you get one of the top rated publishers.

  • What were the key challenges that you face while you write? 

I face greater challenges while editing and improving the first draft. It’s very important to be patient during the editing process. As someone once said, the desire to finish, in an artist, is criminal

  • Are there any words of wisdom that you would like to share with other authors?

Three pieces of advice

There is a famous saying: Only a fool ever wrote but for money. I completely disagree and would reverse the saying. In my view: Only a fool wrote for money, and nothing else.
At the same time writing is a very competitive business so don’t give up your day job. 
Finally, be open to criticism, and develop the ability to differentiate between good and bad criticism.

  • Any other projects you are working on? Yes, what are they?

In non-fiction, I am working on book on Subhash Chandra Bose’s disappearance and relevance. In fiction I am working on an adventure story which has children of different ethnic backgrounds coming together. It is my wish that children from all over the world will closely identify with at least one character.

  • Lastly, if you have to describe your books in few lines, how will you do it?

As a writer I am to entertain but also raise awareness, be it a book for children, a play, a self-help book or a novel. My books can be viewed at
www.rajeshtalwar.in and also at Amazon.

Do check out books from Rajesh and share your views.

Lots of Love


Sunday 4 March 2018

Book - For a Girl in a Star - Love, Friendship and Too Much Melodrama

#BookReviews





Title:  For a Girl in a Star 
Author: Ratna Chandu
Publisher: Srishti Publishers
Pages: 224
Price: Rs. 146
My Rating: 2.5/5

Blurb:
What do you do when your best friend, the one person who has stood by you through thick and thin, knows you better than you know yourself and literally saved your life falls in love with the same girl as you? Avinash and Sahas, two village boys arrive in Bangalore in search of art and in pursuit of ambition. Sahas, hardworking and nervous, antonym to his friend, has emerged from a troubled past only to find that his future doesn’t come without encumbrances. Their friendship is the one constant in the two boys’ lives, but that is tested when they each meet Aarti, a mysterious, compassionate, beautiful girl who captures both their imaginations and sets their hearts aflame. Will their passion for the same girl and an untimely tragedy, sunder the two friends forever? A compelling tale with twists and turns reminiscent of India’s melodramatic films, For a Girl in a Star deals with the age old staples of young love, heartbreak and what it means to be a true friend.

Review:
The title of the book and the cover are just stunning. The beautiful sky and depiction of triangulated love story provides a hook. There is a beauty in the cover which forces a reader to pick it up. But what about story?
To me the story line and plot is decent. Sahas moves in with Avinash and a new chapter of their lives begins. They both lead different lives but they are woven together -much more deeply than they know. They both fall in love with same girl -kind of cheesy. It happens in movies that two boys of different worlds find one girl and fall in love with. Talk about coincidence but it happens with these childhood friends. And of course, this love-triangle drives a wedge between them! The story revolves around their struggles and the way they cope up with grief and situations.
The characterization is good. Sahas, Avinash, Aarti and all others (there are a few more characters) are described well. The bond between Sahas and Avinash - their friendship - is beautifully portrayed. You can't help but remember that one childhood friend who used to be your lifeline!
Every book has pros and cons, above mentioned are all pros, however (and unfortunately) there are a few cons too.
To start with, though the story is good, it is very slow. At times it has been dragged which makes it difficult to read.
Also, there is a predictability to the story line which makes the rhythm suffer.
And lastly, there is way too melodrama. Yes it does happen in some relations but story lacks a sense of maturity which just doesn't go with the flow.
Overall, it a decent read. 
My rating for it 2.5/5

Lots of Love


Friday 2 March 2018

Words Watch #11

#WordsWatch  #HindiShayri