LIFE ISN'T ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF. LIFE IS ABOUT CREATING YOURSELF.
GEORGE BERNARD SHAW
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Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself, this quote by George Bernard Shaw precisely summarizes life. For me, I believe life is an open book, if you try to close it, you may become sick With this thought, we decided to keep the theme for the month of June 'Open'.
Do you like reading short stories? Madhulika Ra Chauhan shares her journey as a short story writer and why she loves writing short stories.
We welcome this month with seven hot new releases in association with Hachette India, Westland and HarperCollins India viz. The Intelligence Trap by David Robson, Miracle Men by Nikhil Naz, The Truth About Us by Sanjoy Chakravorty, Shine Bright by Rashmi Bansal, How To Make A Difference, The Secret Life Of Organizations Shalini Lal & Pradnya Parasher, and Blue Is Like Blue by Vinod Kumar Shukla.
Do you have an motivational story to tell? Do check out the Editor's Choice article, Dusk to Dawn - a great story of weight loss by Stuti Gogia.
This issue is packed with wonderful poetry to soothe your nerves this month.
Want to grab a book this month? We have included four book reviews for you to check out
Help us spread the word by a like, comment and share and let us grow our family of Storizen!
Happy Reading!
Saurabh Chawla, Editor in Chief editor@storizen.com
Short Stories Will Always Be My First Love Madhulika Ra Chauhan A Storizen Exclusive Feature
From writing for popular mediums like Thrive Global, Ezine, DailyO among others to writing short fiction, Madhulika Ra Chauhan is back with another gripping short fiction, Wall of Clocks
by Pria
Edgar Allan Poe in one of his 1896 essay on The Philosophy of Composition,stated that "If any literary work is too long to be read at one sitting..." -- we lose the benefit of a single reading session -- "... for, if two sittings be required, the affairs of the world interfere, and everything like totality is at once destroyed." I deeply concur to his idea while reading
and while writing. Being a scatter brain, I’m constantly juggling multiple ideas and when they sometimes hit me at the same time, doing justice to all the ideas is just not possible, unless of course one dedicates one’s entire life to literature.
Malumi Bose, with her big kumkum bindi and her kohl-laden eyes — mesmerising yet distant — was hard to miss.
She could be inviting and coy in a moment, and distant and closed in the other, like a Venus fly trap. Her vibrant tone and welcoming smile could never be missed.
Devlina was charmed, rather ecstatic, when she first met Malumi in a town which was hardly a home for her yet.
Growing up on a healthy dose of “A-story-per-meal” from both my grandmothers, short-stories became an integral part of my everyday routine. I grew up reading Ruskin Bond, Hemmingway, O’Henry, Anton Chekov. Manto’s work still intrigues me with his honest representation of gory facts without glorification or judgement. It’s beautiful. But what is more interesting is that each one of them brought their own style to the shortstory format. Hemmigway was a brutal editor who would prune his prose like a gardener shapes an over-grown hedge. How each one of them has brought distinct characters we would always remember, is surely fascinating. Stories like the
Christmas Carol, Ghost have taken generations in their grasp and would perhaps continue to do so.
Despite the bulging evidence, the commercial aspect hits the short-story format. There are loads of people, publishers included, who think that shortstory market has no takers and they are quick to quell the idea of a short-story collection by saying there are no readers. However, I feel this is the perfect time for short-stories as readers face waning attention spans and paucity of time. While reading as a habit, is constantly vying for attention sharing a prospective readers time with either a quick-chat, a tick-tock video or an addictive game a short-story is just the thing
Despite the bulging evidence, the commercial aspect hits the short-story format.
for them. Now, with the digital format, it’s easy to find a story on the click of a button and a shortstory would be a perfect dish to be severed on a short commute or even as an appetizer before a meal.
Short-stories became the format of my choice as it allowed me the freedom to dance with several ideas at once and bring together varying thought and themes, experimenting with different writing styles. You could choose between myriad characters and experiment with their setup and psyche –
the stage is rather flexible. It is like donning new shoes and walking down a lane where sometimes one could be a beggar sharing his meal with his pet mongrel, and another time a businessman chalking his success on dalal street with his edgy moves.
Even while I was writing my novel, short-story ideas kept on constantly distracting me from the main plot. So, I have no respite unless I tend to those thoughts. I have written and perhaps will continue to write articles but for me shortstories is where the
*ThesubscriptiontoJuggernautapp allowsonemonthoffreedownloads.
Where each-and-every word becomes important, each comma and apostrophe clutch your interest like a hook, drawing you in.
Author, Wall of Clocks
Despite the bulging evidence, the commercial aspect hits the shortstory format.
Madhulika Ra Chauhan
excitement lies. Where each-andevery word becomes important, each comma and apostrophe clutch your interest like a hook, drawing you in. There is romance in those terse moments – a rapid racy kind of romance. It was that racy romance which I’m always drawn to and perhaps will always be – God willing.
(AstoldtoPria)
(Visitwww.storizen.com forthefullcoverage!)
About Pria - Young mesmerizing freelance blogger, social enthusiast, an economics graduate from Jharkhand University with Master in Child Psychology. She is hardworking yet crazy, a passionate reader, an ardent music fanatic, an avid caffeine lover,andamaniacalanimallovertoo.
She has been a part of numerous anthologies, articles, and write-ups for newspapers and magazines which are multilinguistic. She has also written screenplays forYouTubeseries.
pria@storizen.com
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Why smart people do stupid things and how to make wiser decisions
An eye-opening examination of the stupid things smart people do-and how to cultivate skills to protect ourselves from error. In the some vein as The Art of Thinking Clearly, this is a mustread for 2019!
‘Brilliant… mesmerising… essential’-RolfDobelli
Smart people are not only just as prone to making mistakes as everyone else-they may be even more susceptible to them.
This is the ‘intelligence trap’, the subje ct of David Robson's fascinating and provocative debut.
Packed with cutting-edge research, historical case studies, entertaining stories, and practical advice,
TheIntelligenceTrapexplorestheflawsin our understanding of intelligence and expertise, and reveals the ways that even the brightest minds and talented organizations can backfire - from some ofThomasEdison'sworstideastofailures atNASA,Nokia,andtheFBI.
Withaknackforexplainingcomplexideas and featuring timeless lessons from Socrates to Benjamin Franklin to Richard Feynman and the latest behavioral science, Robson shows how to build a cognitive toolkit to avoid mistakes and protect ourselves from misinformation and fakenews.
Why smart people do stupid things and how to make wiser decisions
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Virat: The Making of a Champion
ABOUT THE BOOK -
The year was 1983 and Team India was in its first-ever World Cup final. They were the minnows of the cricketing world – so much so that the bookmakers were offering 66:1 against India winning the title.
Yet, despite the odds stacked against them, Kapil Dev’s inspirational captaincy took a bunch of no-hopers to World Cup glory. As Dev held the trophy in his hands on 25 June that year, India ushered in an era during which cricket would go on to dominate all sporting activity in the country and the men who played the winning innings would be venerated as demigods.
Based on first-hand accounts of the days leading up to that historic win, Miracle Men brings
alive some of the most glorious moments in Indian cricket. From dressing-room disagreements to selectorial intrigues to on-field strategies, this riveting account is as entertaining and full of unexpected turnsasthebestgameofcricket.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR -
NIKHIL NAZ is an award-winning sports journalist and presenter. The last 17 years have seen him travel across the globe to cover some of the biggest sporting events, including the ICC Cricket World Cups, the FIFA World Cup and the summer Olympic Games. Miracle Men marks his debut as an author.
Men : ‘The Greatest Underdog Story in Cricket’
Miracle
HOT OFF THE PRESS
A provocative and topical book about the systematic spread of (mis)information about Indian society.
ABOUTTHEBOOK -
‘India…has an information space packed with numerous sources and agents – from politicians and activists to profiteers and extortionists –all competing for attention and legitimacy in a growing information market…Whom doesonebelieve?’
The political manipulation and simplification of information about a dizzyingly complex society have fashioned certain ‘truths’ about India. These truths have resulted in the creation of major religious and caste identities, which have been the defining features of the country’s politics and history for over 200 years.
An unsparing study of how this situation has come about,
The Truth about Us explores answers to crucial questions: Is India a homogenous Hindunationsprinkledwithminorities,ora pluralistic, heterogeneous one? Is our knowledgeoftheinequalitiesinoursociety foundedonfactsorperceptions?Whatare the real origin stories of India’s social categories, and how are they being constructedandchallengedtoday?
AtatimewhenIndiaisinthethroesofan existentialdebate,convulsedbycontesting claims over identity and history, Hindutva and Dalit consciousness, nationalism and freedom of speech, and the rights and realities of minorities, this deeply provocative book is urgent reading for everythinkingIndian.
The Politics of Information from Manu to Modi
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INSPIRING STORIES OF CEOs WHO ARE INTRAPRENEURS
Featuring
Dr. Pawan Goenka, MD, Mahindra & Mahindra, the man behind the success of the Scorpio
Manu Jain, Global VP, Xiaomi and MD, Xiaomi India, who helped build the company into the number one smartphone brand in India
Vineet Gautam, CEO, Bestseller India (Vero Moda, Jack & Jones) who in under 5 years turned an unknown Danish company to a Rs. 997 crore business with 100 plus stores and 2000 employees
Nitin Paranjpe, Global CEO, UnileverPlc, who found a way to grow any business that he was handed charge of
R. Mukundan, MD & CEO, Tata Chemicals, who has helped
transform an industrial chemicals giant to an innovation-led consumer facing company
Harsh Bhanwala, Chairman, NABARD, under who the NABARD balance sheet hasgrownfromRs.213,000crorestoRs.
354,000 crores with zero net NPAs (NonPerforming Assets) and whose focus is to helpfarmers
AmitabhKant,CEO,NITIAayog, who in his impactful 38-year career in civil services, was among other things, responsible for the ‘Incredible India’ and ‘God’sownCountry’campaigns
Chitra Gupta, teacher and visionary, whotransformedZeenatMahalSarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya No. 2, a low-performing government school for girls, into an institution of excellence and making it into a ‘model’ for the government school systemtofollow.
INSPIRING STORIES OF CEOs WHO ARE INTRAPRENEURS
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ABOUTTHEAUTHOR-
Rashmi Bansal is a writer, entrepreneur and motivational speaker. She is the author of nine bestselling books on entrepreneurship Stay Hungry Stay Foolish,Connect the Dots, I Have a Dream, Poor Little Rich Slum, Follow Every Rainbow, Take Me Home, Arise, Awake, Gods Own Kitchen and Touch the Sky which have sold more than 12 lakh copies and been translated into 12 languages. She is an advocate for women’s participation in the workforce, and a mentor to students and young entrepreneurs. Rashmi is an economics graduate from Sophia College, Mumbai, and an MBA from IIM Ahmedabad.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
THE PUBLICATION OF HOW TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE COINCIDES WITH THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ONE YOUNG WORLD SUMMIT TAKING PLACE IN LONDON, OCTOBER 2019
ABOUT THE BOOK -
One Young World is the global forum for young leaders, identifying, promoting and connecting the world’s most impactful young leaders to create a better world, with more responsible, more effective leadership. Its annual Summit, convenes the brightest talent from every country and sector working to accelerate positive social impact. They are counselled by influential business, political, and humanitarian leaders such as Richard Branson, Meghan Markle and Muhammad Yunus. It offers
Kate Robertson (Co-Founder of One Young World) and Ella Robertson (Managing Director of One Young World) are the co-authors of this book.
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This book is a much-awaited What They Don’t Teach You at Harvard Business School –for young Indian professionals
Secrets for every aspiring manager to reach the top.
A sharp, insightful guide to the unwritten rules of success at work, written especially for young Indian professionals with drive and ambition
Filled with practical advice and graphic/visual guides, the book decodes how different organizations work, how culture trumps strategy, how to deal with power and politics at the workplace, how to read personality traits and other useful skills to ease survival in the work environment.
The authors are senior HR executives with more than 20 years of experience in the field of organizational behaviour and
psychology, and have worked with multiple leading companies, including Deutsche Bank, Airtel, AT Kearney and Pepsi Co.
HOT OFF THE PRESS
Blue Is Like Blue is Shukla’s only collection of short fiction, available in English translation for the first time
Chaudhuri
There’s a vein of gold in Chhattisgarh and it passes under Vinod Kumar Shukla’s house in Raipur. Shuklaji has been quietly mining it for the past half-century and more. The house key is encrypted, so a sensible prowler would give up and sit down with any book by this great original; these stories, deftly rendered, are an excellent place to start. – Irwin Allan Sealy Blue Is Like Blue is Shukla’s only collection of short fiction, available in English translation for the first time. The stories here deal with ‘smallerthan-life people’. They live in rented accommodation, often in single rooms, where one electric bulb does for light. When the light dims because of low voltage, it is
Stark and mesmerizing, these stories puzzle, disturb and seduce the reader. Shukla whittles reality down to its bare poetic core. – Amitabha Bagchi Vinod Kumar Shukla's world is set just a little bit askew and, thus, the quotidian becomes unusual, the mundane becomes remarkable. The reader is persuaded to marvel anew at the follies and foibles of the human species. – Arshia Sattar In what way is over-familiarity akin to the uncanny? In what sense are the lives we lead each day in rooms, streets, and shops not entirely our own? To find the answer to these questions, we must read the sui generis Vinod Kumar Shukla, whose work reminds us that deep originality will always finds its own home and language. His translators have taken up the questions and challenges his work poses, and these superb English versions constitute their response. – Amit
Blue Is Like Blue is Shukla’s only collection of short fiction, available in English translation for the first time
HOT OFF THE PRESS
like air escaping from a punctured bicycle tube There’s a nail to hang clothes from and a wall-towall string for the washing. When the clothes are dry, you place the carefully folded shirt under a pillow and lie down to sleep. Money is a concern, but the bazaar is the place to go and spend time in, especially if you have nothing to buy. The fear that you may be overcharged accompanies every transaction, but joy is not entirely absent. The book also includes Shukla’s memoir, ‘Old Veranda’, with its unforgettable scene in which a bus bound for Rajnandgaon, the city of his birth, is travelling ‘through the air at great speed’. Few works of modern Indian literature come alive in English, and fewer still in the way that these stories do in Arvind Krishna Mehrotra’s and Sara Rai’s brilliant translation.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
VINOD KUMAR SHUKLA is a poet and novelist from Raipur, Chhattisgarh. His first collection of poems, Lagbhag Jai Hind, was published in 1971, followed by Vah Aadmi Chala Gaya Naya Garam Coat Pehankar Vichar Ki Tarah in 1981. His first novel, Naukar Ki Kameez, was published in 1979 and made into a film by Mani Kaul. In 1999, Shukla received the Sahitya Akademi Award for his novel Deewar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi.
ARVIND KRISHNA MEHROTRA is the translator of The Absent Traveller and Songs of Kabir. Among his recent books are Collected Poems and Translating the Indian Past and Other Literary Histories.
SARA RAI has translated The Golden Waist-Chain and Munshi Premchand’s Kazaki and Other Marvellous Tales. She is the author of three collections of short stories and one novel in Hindi, and is the recipient of the Rückert Prize 2019. She lives in Allahabad.
Dusk To Dawn
by Stuti Gogia
Iwas under the state of obesity during myunder confident teenage. I never thought in my life that I will be able to do something comparing to what I am doing right now. I have always been doubting my potential and capabilities. But the turning point of my life made me realise that I am missing the important part of it i.e. Self-Love. At that time when I stood in front of the mirror and accepted the fact “This is I am and I know the fact what I can do to change myself from yesterday to today. All I need to make the best version of myself differentiating not with anybody but with my body who I used to be”. It has been said by many thinkers that once you take up the charge and decide to move forward leaving all the sadness and darkness behind. You will
be the brightness of dawn. Workout and Clean eating became integral part of my life. I started looking videos on self-improvement and appreciating what looks good on me contrasting what not. I researched on improving skin, the best ways to look more confident and charming. I did a lot of hard work each day and that just not made me look better but also made me feel better. There were indeed phases in my life since last 10 years suffering from ups and downs but I took assurance that if Iever go back to those initial stages either being sad
or with extra pound. I will redetermine to check the checklist and start with equal zeal.
No one is born beautiful but when we decide what we want to enhance and carve what we already have that is what makes you best. It has been great journey till yet. Starting from the outlook of pointless to multifarious as an IT Professional in a MNC and also an Author, Blogger, Fitness Enthusiast and Social Media Influencer.
I truly want to become a person who can motivate people around the environment through writings and transformation journey.
“Loving yourself is an art, paint yourself beautiful each day”- Stuti Gogia
Stuti is a Software Engineer by profession and a writer by nature. She realized her love for writing while blogging for her own page. Her work has also been appreciated by Quora users. She is God's true evangelist and her work speaks volumes about it
@stutigogia
“Loving yourself is an art, paint yourself beautiful each day”
- Stuti Gogia
Chirasree Bose
Author, Done with Her
What inspired you to lay pathtowardswriting?
Nothing really inspired me to take up writing. I guess the fact that I wasn’t doing anything meaningful with my life eventually pulled me towards this passion.
Why did you choose a romanticcrimefiction?
I love reading books in this genre. So, when I started writing I was sure that Romantic Thriller would be my choice of genre for my debut book.
Which character was most difficulttowrite?Why?
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
The character of Spreeha. I wanted her to be a very dark character. And if you’ve read the story, you’d know that the entire story revolves around the depth and shades of her character. So, yes it was difficult to portray all those dark shades.
Did you take help of any such stories that happened in real as such crimes have been reported at some placesinthecountry?
Yes, I did. I wouldn’t take the name of any state or city or village here. But my research was primarily focused around the crime and its victims.
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Being a first time author, what are the various efforts you are trying at attract the readers?
It was tough for me. I had no experience in this field. Yet, thanks to God, I figured it out with time. Marketing your book is very important, I’d say.
What are your favorite books and who are your favorite authors?
Crooked House’ by Agatha Christie, ‘Ex A twisted Love Story’ by Novoneel Chakraborty, and ‘Revolution 2020’ by Chetan Bhagat. My favorite author is Agatha Christie.
Do you believe in any writing rituals?
Nope. I believe in creating my own.
How was your journey from writing to publishing and winningaccolades?
It was amazing. I worked really hard day and night. I still am. I write everyday. And when it’s your passion, the journey only gets better with time.
What role did our family and friends play during your writingtimes?
My family has been always supportive. They understand when I need to be given space for diving into the world of my stories. They help me in every possible way.
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
Wordstoyourreaders.
What are some ways in which you promote your work? Do you find that these add to or detract you fromyourwritingtime? Just two words - thank you.
That’s a funny question. I am glad you asked. Of course, a lot of my time now goes into these promotion stuffs. I get tired at times. But that’s part of my life now. So, I am getting used to it. I think social media is the best way to get your book the maximum visibility.
How do you feel about eBooks vs. print books and alternative vs. conventional publishing?
I am a big fan of kindle and eBooks. So needless to say, I prefer eBook over paperback. About publishing, I would say, it’s a highly hyped topic. Whatever way you go, if your story is good and marketed properly, it would find its readers.
In your opinion, what is the most important thing that people DON'T know about your subject/genre, which theyneedtoknow?
Thrillers are mostly about revenge stories. So people who are too great to not prefer revenge plots, kindly avoid picking up thrillers.
A gripping tale of love, lust, obsession and murder. It’s a kick in the guts. Love that’s raw, lust that’s insane and obsession that’s frantically irresistible. Twists will keep you on the edge while the truth will stab at your subconscious.
Avesh Mathur, a techie stumbles upon the enchanting and sultry Spreeha at work. Every man in his office wants to have her. But he is struck with horror. She happens to resemble a girl from his past. The past that he’d do anything to keep under wraps.
What were your goals and intentions in this book, and how well do you feel you achievedthem?
I wanted to put forward the heinous crime which I talk about in this book. News and articles about this crime upset me. And then I wondered why people don’t discuss it as much. Why relatively frivolous stuff like feminism gets so much attention. Anyway, I believe I have achieved my goal because many of my readers expressed their opinion, they appreciated my effort, and began talking about the message this book conveys.
(Interviewed
by
Swapna Peri)
AUTHOR INTERVIEWS
1. Your all-time favorite author/writer? Rapid Fire With Chirasree: Agatha Christie
2. Do you believe in writer's block? Did you have it anytime or not?
No. I do not at all.
3. Your favorite place to write your book(s)?
Home. At my writing table.
4. Research and then write or research while writing? Which one you prefer?
Research while writing.
5. Do you Google yourself? A lot.
Inside the C-Suite
by Swapna Peri
have been into Software Consulting for 11 years and right from the campus interview and selection I have tuned myself to fit into the corporate life. I still remember it was in the year 2006 when I landed in my first IT job in the then Satyam Computers. The buildings, the people and the mentors were all so well versed that it was a complete paradigm shift of world for a fresher like me. It was during the training and mini-project time when I first tasted the jolt of a professional. I had to compose myself and adapt to
by Jayaram Easwaran
the situations. Then came a promotion and in four years I have donned the role of Team Lead and thus the real corporate world welcomed me The war room meetings, the long mail trials, and con-calls had a toll on me mentally and physically. At that point in time, I have been asked to report to a new manager from another location and it was an eye-opener. Whatever the author Jayaram has scripted and illustrated in each of his stories is an almost a real-life reflection from the corporate world. There were some instances when the managers and higher management people were cursed by the employees for their lurking attitude or straight forward approach. But people fail to understand that the CXO people undergo extreme pressures everywhere in order to run the business well.
In this book, the author has presented the readers with 21 short yet very effective stories that talk about the decision making approaches, pressure tackling ways and, relationship lessons that the top-notch management in any company adapts under any type of situations. This book definitely will change the thinking attitude of any employee and create a positive impact on their peers. Last but not least, I truly appreciate my peers with whom I have worked and thanks to the author for penning this wonderful book.
Inside the book:
Inside C Suite is a collection of 21 short stories, which are inspired by some events and incidents from the real corporate world and is blended with a good amount of fiction For a corporate employee who is always keen to know what happens in the top management level especially at the CXO level, what kind of risks and pressures
the top people undergo, what happens in the meeting rooms, how does business run, why are mid-level and top-level people often criticized by the employees for their attitudes and such things, this book is a perfect one to have a read.
Book Cover: The cover image of the book is attractive with the title in large font and catchy turquoise colored letters.
Book Title: The title of the book '
Inside the C-Suite: 21 Lessons from Top Management to Get Your Way in Business and in Life ' clearly explains that the book is about 21 stories taken from the corporate world.
Rating
Book Title: 4/5
Book Cover: 4/5
Inside the book: 4/5
My Review: 4/5
Swapna worked as SAP Consultant for 10 years in Major IT companies. Reading has always been her passion and occasional painting her hobby. She decided to quit her job, look after the family and pursue her hobby of reading and painting in a larger way. Thus, her big leap into book reviewing has paved a way and has been successful to date. Reading challenges interest her a lot and visiting book fairs is her favorite thing. She believes that there is no good back or bad book, but only books. Writing unbiased reviews is her strength and she is appreciated by fellow reviewers and readers for the same. An anthology of musings with her paintings is her pending dream!
@swapna.peri
@sappy_dreamz_unlimited
@swapna508
Tby Swapna Peri
The Sunlight Plane
by Damini Kane
he story is about two teens, Akash and Tharush, who are best friends but also fall prey to the teenage related problems that are usually less addressed. Both complement and criticize each other but at the end balance each other. I have decided to pen a very vague review because this book is a must read and hence I recommend it definitely.
What I like:
1. The innovative plot of the book.
2. Twists in every page of the story are interesting.
3. Reality reflected in every line.
4. Good and the bad side of innocence and happy and sad times of teenage is very well inscribe.
5. Every feeling faced by a preteen is beautifully explained
What I didn't like:
There are no errors in any form that I could find.
Characters: All the characters are very nicely plotted.
Book Cover: The cover image of the book is an abstract image of a paper plane with sky blue and white colors as background.
Book Title: The title of the book ' The Sunlight Plane 'is very unique and interesting.
Narration: A very gripping and realistic narration is observed in the book. Though the story runs on a slow pace which may not please some readers, the amount of entertainment it gives is good.
Language and Grammar: Easy language with good grammar is used in the story.
My Verdict: A very good book by a debutante author.
Rating
Book Title: 4/5
Book Cover: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Narration: 4/5
Language & Grammar: 4/5
Final Rating: 4/5
Swapna worked as SAP Consultant for 10 years in Major IT companies. Reading has always been her passion and occasional painting her hobby. She decided to quit her job, look after the family and pursue her hobby of reading and painting in a larger way. Thus, her big leap into book reviewing has paved a way and has been successful to date. Reading challenges interest her a lot and visiting book fairs is her favorite thing. She believes that there is no good back or bad book, but only books. Writing unbiased reviews is her strength and she is appreciated by fellow reviewers and readers for the same. An anthology of musings with her paintings is her pending dream!
@swapna.peri
@sappy_dreamz_unlimited
@swapna508
by Swapna Peri
Puma:A Soldier's Dog
by Richa Kashyap
myself, not being a pet lover had an opportunity to read this sweet and cute little book which is about a small dog named ' Puma'. It was the title that dragged me to read the book as I am a fan of the brand ' Puma'. So as I started reading the book, when I realized that the dog, Puma itself is the narrator of the story, my interest doubled. And when I realized it's the story about a puppy belonging to a soldier, I could not wait for the book to be completed. This book is a quick, sweet and strangely and inspiring read. You may wonder how can it be
inspiring. Well read the book and then decide. I am not giving here any spoilers but all I can say is that Indian Authors are trying so many genres and this book stands apart in the fiction genre. One of the best that I have read this year. Kudos to the author.
What I like:
1. The storyline
2. The narration of the story from the dog's perspective.
3. The readers who are dog lovers will definitely love the book
4. The humanitarian aspect that the dog shows through the pen of the author is laudable
5. The emotional quotient is maintained very well till the end of the story
6. Bravery, will power and the positive stubborn attitude shown by Puma is applicable to everyone and everyone can relate to it.
What I didn't like:
The story is so sweet that I hardly noticed any flaws.
Characters: Every character including Puma is very nicely plotted.
Book Cover: The cover image of the book is a cute clip art illustration of a dog watching a soldier's mannequin with pride.
Book Title: The title of the book ' Puma: A Soldier's Dog ' is very interesting as the story s about a dog but with the name of an animal that belongs to a different group. Often pet dogs are named with very different names and this also being one.
Narration: With a clarity of emotions, the narration is a cherry on the cake.
Language and Grammar: A clear, simple and easy language with good grammar is found in the story.
My Verdict: A sweet read!
Rating
Book Title: 4/5
Book Cover: 4/5
Plot: 4/5
Characters: 4/5
Narration: 4/5
Language & Grammar: 4/5
Final Rating: 4/5
Swapna worked as SAP Consultant for 10 years in Major IT companies. Reading has always been her passion and occasional painting her hobby. She decided to quit her job, look after the family and pursue her hobby of reading and painting in a larger way. Thus, her big leap into book reviewing has paved a way and has been successful to date. Reading challenges interest her a lot and visiting book fairs is her favorite thing. She believes that there is no good back or bad book, but only books. Writing unbiased reviews is her strength and she is appreciated by fellow reviewers and readers for the same. An anthology of musings with her paintings is her pending dream!
@swapna.peri
@sappy_dreamz_unlimited
@swapna508
Iby Himani Gupta
Happily Married Happily
by
Swati Kumari
saw Swati Kumari’s book while exploring books on Amazon to read, and her book cover and title attracted me to buy the book. The title is so unique which created inquisitiveness in my mind to read the book and I am happy that this book didn’t disappoint me at all. The narration is so crisp that urge me to read the book at one go till the end. The characters were interesting and the story was simple and interesting to read. The romance in the story as well as twist in the climax is very beautifully portrayed by the author that as a reader one will not get bored and
enjoyed each and every instance in the book. In the end author had an important message to shared which really touched my heart as a reader. As a reader, I personally loved the two main character Varushka and Mitash with their cute love story along with an important message for the reader. The language is simple and easy to understand. This book really can be a good romantic movie. The story line is written in an unusual way that will make this an interesting read. This book is written for every generation. Even parents can also read the book to understand the child’s point of view about career and marriage both are important in life and one should balance it in such a way that will make their child happy and successful. I also liked the way Mitash explained his point of view on a Television news. Overall a nice read and everyone should read the book as everyone will enjoy reading it. All the best author. Keep writing. I would love to read more from you.
About the Book: Varushka is a young and ambitious girl, hoping to make her career before ‘settling down’ and making babies. But like always, her parents have a different plan. After tasting emotional blackmail, requests and even bribes, she is forced to make the choice between her dreams and her parents’ wish. Her confusion vanishes when she meets Mitash. He is an eligible bachelor, living his life the way he wants, and his practical approach towards life wins her over. They are soon married and settled in Amsterdam, enjoying each other’s company and redefining love in their own special way. But then, what leads them to a divorce, that too a happy one? Is life about making deals with one’s self, to create the destiny one wants?
Happily Married Happily Divorced will cajole you into leading a happier life and take you on a rollercoaster ride of love, surprises and unknown adventures.
About the Author: Swati Kumari has lived in different cities across
Book Review
the country, and at present lives in Bengaluru. She completed her MBA from the National School of Business, Bengaluru and International Management from Écolesupérieure de Commerce de Pau, France. She believes in dreaming and creating her own destiny. Swati is also a holistic healer and loves counselling and helping people in solving their problems. She has previously published Without a Goodbye and Amayra-the essence of life, which have been welcomed by the International Association for Suicide Prevention.
Summary:
Book: Happily Married Happily Divorced
Publisher: Srishti Publishers & Distributors
Verdict: ☆☆☆☆ A unique title that will urge you to purchase the book. The twist in the climax will make you laugh and a crisp narration that will make you to complete the book at one go. A must-read book.
In her own words: I am Himani Gupta, By profession, I am an HR Manager working in Bengaluru. Reading is my hobby which led me to write reviews for my readers. I have read and reviewed numerous books so far Rohit is my favorite writer as far as writing is concerned and I wait for his books to read. If you wish to get your book reviewed, do feel free to contact me.
@himanigoyal21
Hope
by Manvendra Singh
It's dry, though Wind will soon, blow. Don't lose hope
Keep the glow.
It's dark everywhere
Hatred is spreading, here and there.
Don't get contaminated, be pure
Flowers of love will blossom, for sure.
They will tell, that you are wrong
That's the time, you need to remain strong.
They will put obstacles, on your way
Continue your journey, putting others at bay.
Either fail or pass
That should not matter at all
Don't judge me by the results
This will be insult of my efforts.
Manvendra Singh is a satisfied person working in IT company from past 12+ years. He makes mistakes and tries to learn from them. His hobbies are listening to music,reading/writing poetries and stories.
@manvendra.singh.560272
To See...
by Madhumathi H.
Like the waters, the waves
People meet And retreat
There are moments
We flow, to be heard Moments we ebb
To be in our silent cocoons
Or coil ourselves as a pond
In an uninhabited forest...
A silent lake
Gushing river
Or the turbulent floods
Every mood of the water
Some day
Blends with the eternal Sea
The ebb and flow of our emotions
Eloquent through the countless drops
Of the mighty liquid vastness...
There! the ruby-red, purple, and the azure blue wings
Of the quivering kites
Watch the waves rise, and fall
Synonymous to the human joys, and sorrows
The warm golden sand Tattooed with footprints Can never tell us
Of the weight of journeys
For
All the yesterdays are trampled
By a new today
And all the footprints Left today
Are tomorrow's erased illustration
Of life's fleeting moments...
Through the several hues of kites
Dancing in the wind
The crimson sun's smile searches
If there are any heart-prints
Upon the sands of time...
Among those fragments of the universe
Bordering the shore
Some solitary
Some in groups, under an insignificant umbrella
While the wide Sky is sheltering...
The wind whispers its favourite poem
Fragrant with the scents of joy
The balloons, the birds, the whiff of the roasted corn
The laughter in multicolored voices
Everything frozen into time
To become a breathing moment framed by the eyes
Captured into timeless locales for the seeking souls
Engraving a beautiful reminder
Life's meanings flow through simple, yet uplifting composition of moments
When art unfolds from an intangible womb of an artist And all that life asks of us
Is the willingness to see, sink, blend, and become...
A Nature lover, passionate about poetry writing(English and Tamil) Photography, and Music, Madhumathi believes writing is a soulful journey of weaving one's emotions and thoughts, exploring, and learning from life each day; she experiences a Metamorphosis through writing.
Madhumathi's poems are published with the Poetry Society India, in the AIPC anthologies 2015, 16, and 17, and the multilingual anthology Poetic Prism 2015, "Efflorescence" 2018(Chennai Poetry Circle)and in e-zines Muse India, Ratemyliterature,andfewotherportals.
@madhumathi.ganesh.5
@visualverse.madhumathi/
Take A Breather
by Vidya Shankar
Take a breathing break, take a breathing break
Heed to the comforting feeling of being awake
To the monotonous dictates of moneyed pressure
Say nay, though not necessarily altogether.
When shuffling your feet in a queue eternal
Or stuck in traffic, the clock ticking away to infernal
When kitchen fires work to profusion
And the not-so-neighbourly next-doors sound to intrusion.
When data exceeds the functions of Excel sheets
And our phone makes too much irritating bleats
Say nay, though not necessarily altogether
To the monotonous dictates of moneyed pressure.
And heed to the comforting feeling of being awake
By taking a breathing break, taking a breathing break
And heed to the comforting feeling of being awake
By taking a breathing break, taking a breathing break.
Wake up to breathing, breathe into sleep
Breathe in the aroma of morning readiness deep
The pain of depression and fatigue unfortunate
Breathe with love as a friendly smile or motherly hug affectionate
Breathe in music, breathe in colours
Breathe in the nothingness that pervades the Universe
The favourable do breathe in as do the adverse
But now take a breather for reading this verse.
Like a bamboo taking its time to grow, so has Vidya waited, patiently, for her time to come to live a life of purpose. A poet, writer, blogger, motivational speaker, English language teacher, instructional designer, content developer, and yoga enthusiast, Vidya has, today, broken the invisible shackles of an outdated society.
An active member of poetry circles, her work has appeared in national and international literary magazines, literary platforms and anthologies. Her first book of poems 'The Flautist of Brindaranyam', a collaborative effort with her photographer husband, Shankar Ramakrishnan, was published in December 2017. @shanvidwinsalways
Says The Alarm Clock
by Aparna Mukherjee
Tring! tring! tring!
When my sound rings, Scares there my master, Leaves me in utter wonder.
My punky eyes
To him, looks not so pleasing. My cheerful noise Seems to be threatening.
I faint every day, And be almost dead. When I get his blow, Every morning, on my head.
Frustrating creature I turn out to be.
When his dirty towel Tossed out at me.
Sitting on the bed-side table
All day long. Aches my butt, Find no one, With whom I can get along
Why does my master Get shrieked on hearing my sound? Shows his grumpy face to me, All day round.
Mosquitoes in the night Hover around my head
My owner basks in slumber, On his cushy bed.
In a few words, Aparna defines a woman who beholds high aspirations and firmly believes in expanding her horizon. She holds a Master degree in English from Mumbai University. By profession, she is an online content writer and blogger who writes informative articles for various UK and US blogs and websites.
Her poems got published in the digital Reflection Magazine and in the Indian literature website named Facestory's.com. She is a budding author too. Her first story on romantic theme got published in a book named "Memoirs Of Love".
As a person, she is open-minded, down-to-earth and amiable in nature. Her world revolves around creativity. She wishes to make her mark in the literary world, hoping to leave an indelible imprint on her readers' minds.
The Magic Eyes
by Priya Karthik
There stands a unique castle, of fl
Slipped in unknowingly ,sans for and shape.
Thick walls shielded me from esca Your scanning eyes, sensed m presence within!!!.
The shapeless ,formless liquid sta
Gradually shaped me , The unique castle owned just on aqua game,
“ Merry - Go Round”.
Long months I waited before playi
On and on I played,suddenly I w pushed out
I cried n cried coz the game ceas Your luminous eyes gazed me sheer ecstacy.
Your weary eyes never dared to awake,
Watching me blossom
Your detecting eyes, never in va
Revealing my little pranks and mischiefs.
by
Photo
Jose Ros
Photo
Your assessing eyes, picks the favourites of mine, During shoppings sans my presence.
When lost in darkness, Your guiding eyes, lights up the path. At times, cold winds blow causing shivers, Your caring eyes caresses me,lending warmth.
The shift from School uniforms to colourful outfits, A shift in the pattern of thoughts, Effects of which, my little flaws
Your Disappointed eyes, sheds painful tears, Urging me to realign my thoughts clear.
When Sacred yellow thread ornaments me, Your moisture-laden eyes smiles in boundless joy
Mom, you are indeed a fairy in every way, Possessing not the magic wands, But the magic eyes, brimming with positivity ever.
All I wish is get locked within your magic eyes, Play ‘ Aqua Merry go round’ again In tears of joy forever and ever!
Padmapriya Karthik is an enthusiastic orator,writer and a budding poet. During school and college days, she had participated and won prizes in various oratorical, essay and debate contests.
Poetry is her passion.She feels poetry as an effective tool to portray ones vivid thoughts with unique choice of words Her works have been featured in different anthologies like ‘Scintillating Scions’,'Efflorescence’ and Muse India, an online journal.’
priya.kkarthik@gmail.com
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