Book Review : Live,Love and Laugh

Book Review : Live ,Love and Laugh

You yourself is the creator of your destiny.
.
.
Title - Live, Love and Laugh
Author - Manjit Sargam Chawla
Publisher - Srishti Publishers
Genre - self help/non fiction
Pages - 170
Format - Paperback
.
.
'Live,Love and Laugh' is a motivational self help book which helps us to unlock the key to some of the best gifts life has to offer which our mind holds. This book is a coming together of the practice of yoga, along with the practice of the law of attraction, making it a spell-binding read.
.
.
Review :

1) The cover of the book is simple yet eye catchy and the title of the book is totally appropriate.
2) The book is divided into 13 chapters. Title of each chapter is totally apt to the content. Every chapter begins with a quote of different author and explains different topics with examples.
3) The content is rich and the way  of articulation is just brilliant which motivates the readers.
4) The teachings of the authors in this book is an absolute blessing and one can reanalyse their way of dealing with difficult situations.
5) This book has the power to expand the positivity and tells us the importance of yoga.
6) Through this book the author has given the message to live your life to the fullest by manifesting all your dreams and desires,to love unconditionally, fearlessly without any expectations and laugh every day without any limitations.
7) The flow of the book is well paced. Overall, a soulful read.
.
.
Rating - 4.75/5
.
.
I highly recommend this book to all.
.
.
.
About the author -

While Manjit Sargam Chawla works for a nationalized bank, her passion lies in motivational speaking and corporate training. Yogi Amrit Raj, on the other hand, is an award winning Ayurvedic doctor and a certified Yoga trainer. Together, they have put together thoughts for a livelier, happier life in the form of this book.

Thanks for reading.

Author Interview : Akash Rumade

Author Interview : Akash Rumade

Hello everyone,
Today I am going to introduce you to the author of 'Iztiraar'

Let's start!

1)Introduce yourself to the readers. 

Hello guys, my name is Akash Rumade. I am a writer and poet from Roha, Maharashtra. I did my engineering and run a coaching institute. I am also part of Rotaract Club, RID 3131.

2)Did you always want to become a writer? 

I wanted to reboot Indrajal Comics when I was a kid growing up in 90s. I wanted to bring Phantom and Mandrake back in India. However I was not that good at artwork as I became more engrossed in writing during my college years. That’s when I realised that I can be a writer.

3)When did you start writing?

It was summer of 2011. I took a year drop after my 10+2 board exams. I used to chill entire day in my man-cave. And all of a sudden, I decided to write stories based on my college experiences. I shared those with my friends and family members. Received a great support and that’s how my roller coaster ride of writing began.

4)What's the meaning of the title of your book 'Iztiraar'? 

Iztiraar is a urdu word meaning helplessness. The reason I chose this title for my book is the characters often like us find themselves trapped in a sticky situation and feel hopeless. You either fight the situation or go with the flow.

5)What is 'Iztiraar' about?

Iztiraar is a compilation of short stories written by me over the last few years. Most of the stories take place in semi-urban towns.

6)What motivated you to write this book?

For many years I had been part of anthologies as a contribution writer or editor. I took a break for 2 years and then decided to make a comeback with a solo book. That was the main motivation to compile all my stories in this book.

7)Describe 'Iztiraar' in one line.

The answer my friend, is blowin’ in the wind.

8)What's the best experience you've gained through writing?

Writing makes me feel complete. Every time I complete a story and write ‘the end’, I feel satisfied eternally. The more I write, the more I discover myself.

9)Who is your favorite Indian and foreign author? 

My favorite Indian writer is Neil D’Silva and my favorite foreign author is John Green.

10)What are your future plans? 

The future is uncertain. I have got big plans and I cannot lie.

11)How soon can your readers expect your next book? 

I am participating in Nano-Wrimo this November. It will be conspiracy thriller novel set in Mumbai revolving around an underground society. It is going to be one hell of a book.

12)Any message for your readers?

Be who you are. Don’t let others tell you what you cannot do. Adios for now. I love you all.

Thanks for reading.

Book Review : Girl Power! Indian Women Who Broke the Rules

Book Review : GIRL POWER! Indian
                            Women Who Broke the
                             Rules

Title : GIRL POWER!
Author : Neha J Hiranandani
Publisher - Scholastic
Genre - Motivational/Non-fiction
Pages - 109
Format - Paperback
.
.
This book is a collection of fifty remarkable stories of fifty awesome women from different professions like scientists, artists, entrepreneurs, scholars, athelets and queens. Grab the book and trace the journey of these Indian women and their extraordinary lives.

The cover and the title of the book is appealing enough for me to pick it.

This book is inspiring and gives a lot of information on famous women who dared to become something which inspired many more women. In this book the author talks about the efforts done by these women to reach their goal.All the stories in this book has the power to touch one's heart and soul.

The illustrations given in each story are so beautiful and colourful that it becomes reader's friendly. The language used in this book is simple and easy to understand.

Overall, this is a book to read by everyone irrespective of any age and gender. It makes a perfect gift too.

Rating - 5/5

I highly highly recommend.

About the author -

Neha J Hiranandani is a writer whose columns have appeared in The Indian Express, Huffington Post, NDTV and Vogue among others. She holds degrees in Literature and Education from Wellesley College and Harvard University.

Thanks for reading.

Author Interview : Siya

Author Interview : Siya

Hello everyone,
Today I am going to introduce you to the author of 'Diary of a twenty something'

Let's start!

1) Can you tell me a little bit about yourself?
About myself? That's a tough one as I am not the most interesting person. I am just an ordinary girl whose life took a lots of twists and turns she didn't really anticipate. But, I guess I like swimming, reading, writing, poetry-journaling, spending time with the people love, learning, and challenging ideas. I am twenty and a student and I really hope, like everyone else, to help make the world a better place or at least make someone smile when they hear my name. I am not really an activist but I do stand for some causes that are close to me.

2) When did you start writing and what do you think attracted you to poetry?
I started writing fiction when I was 9 but I have always been a writer or a storyteller. My mom writes wonderful poetry, so you can say it runs in my blood. What attracted me to poetry is that it helps me de-stressde-stress. I didn't sit down one day and decide to write poems. It just happened.

3) As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
As a child, I wanted to be a writer and a doctor.

4) What poets did you enjoy reading as a child?
I always had a soft spot for the Romantics. Keats, Byron and so on. I also am a huge fan of The Beats. As a child though, Keats and Wordsworth held my heart.

5) What motivated you to go on to focus on a career in writing?
Honestly, I can't recall. I just loved reading and writing and wanted to help people feel less alone, just like reading made me feel I was less lonely. To quote William Owen Herondale, one of my favorite fictional characters, "books made me feel like I was not completely alone."

6) Tell me something about your book 'Diary of a twenty something '.
My book is a collection of 46 musings. I say musings and not poems because they are more free style than most poetry I have come across. They are written from the perspective of a fictional character Siya and they are more like dairy entries than anything else. I wrote it to spread awareness about a lot of teenage issues I feel we dont speak enough about and because I wanted people who go through such experiences, good or bad, to feel like they aren't alone.

7)Explain your book in one line.
Teenage Musings

8) What do you like to do when you are not writing?
I read. I study psychology and liberal arts. I talk to my loved ones. I binge watch Netflix. I try to pick up new skills. Oh and I drive my therapist nuts once a week.

9) What's the best experience you've gained through your writing?
There are a lot of experience. Writing has helped me get to know myself better, it has helped be more patient and understanding. It has empowered me. But I think, the best memory I have is when a reviewer left a fanfiction review on one of my famfictions saying it helped them get through a tough phase. That feeling of being able to help someone is the new experience ever. Also, the friends I have made because I write.

10) How did you get started as a poet? How do your poems develop? Please guide us through the stages of a poem. 
. Again, I can't recall the moment I made poetry writing a regular part of my life. I remember struggling with it and then suddenly I am writing poems. It sounds stupid but that's how it was. My poems are pretty spontaneous and in the truest sense a spontapus outburst of emotion. I am still working on editing and the ability to recall and recount this experience in calmness. My poems aren't the most metaphoric or deep so I am not the best poet to take advise from but the stages of a poem are rhyme, rhythm and meter if you dont want to write freestyle, and revision in my opinion. Take something that inspired emotion in you andpen it down. Break at acceptable places and you have poetry. It doesn't have to be grand.

11) What do you see as the role of poetess in modern day society?
The modern poetess I feel has the role of helping people get in touch with their feeling and spreading awareness. The role of a poet never changes, expression alone does.

12)Any message for your readers?
I haven't lived a long full life where I am brimming with experience so all I want to say is to follow your dreams, get out of the clouds, and make those dreams real. And stay hydrated.

Thanks for reading.

Book Review : The Timeless Turns (Time Maidens Book 2)

Book Review : The Timeless Turns (Time Maidens Book 2)

Title - The Timeless Turns (Time Maidens
            Book 2)
Author - Kavya Janani. U
Genre - Fiction
Pages - 47
Format - Kindle

Plot - Melanie Porter’s alarm clock is a magical object. It plays a different tune each day, telling her how her day would turn out to be. One fine day, it plays a strange sound - an ambulance’s siren amidst rush-hour traffic. What follows is a journey that Melanie would always cherish for the rest of her life.

Scarlette Heatherwood is a woman mourning over probably-unrequited love. Engaged to a man she does not love, and living a life she did not expect, Scarlette believes she is stuck in time, until the future calls, suddenly altering her life beyond recognition.

How are these two women connected to each other? What is the secret that holds them together?
.
.
Review -

1) The cover and the title of the book totally justifies the content of the story.
2) The plot of the story is interesting and adventurous. It is a perfect blend of love, fantasy, magic and drama.
3) All the incidents and the journey has been narrated beautifully.
4) I liked the concept of time travel. We all have time travelled in our thoughts once in a while.
5) The language used by the author is simple, lucid and conversational.
6) Hats off to the author for her imagination on the meeting of Scarlette with her reincarnation Melanie.
7) The flow of the book is well paced which keeps the readers hooked till the end .
8) Overall, a short,quick and nice read.
.
.
Rating - 5/5
.
.
I recommend this book to all specially who love reading time travel fantasy.

Thanks for reading.

Author Interview : Khemkarann

Author Interview : Khemkarann

Hello everyone,
Today I am going to introduce you to the author of 'THE PATOMSKIY CRATER'

Let's start!

1) Can you tell me a little bit about yourself? 

This one is a really loaded question, I can go on and on about it. To be as concise as I can be, I grew up in the suburbs of Mumbai, India, and moved to the UK for the past 16 years, I presently live with my wife in the UK and work in Management for a top Investment Bank. I love to read and write in any spare time I  can find, mostly using the long train commute to work, and weekend coffee shop breaks.

2) Did you always want to become a writer? 

I was a confused teenager, and I wanted to become many things that changed almost every month, but being a writer was not one of them. It was much later in life that my love for books grew exponentially.

3) When did you start writing? 

It's only later in life that I picked up reading big time, and every time I read a story I wanted to tell it differently.  So much so, that I decided I needed to tell a story my way and started to pen it.

4) What is 'The Patomskiy Crater 'about? 

The blurb of the book is elaborate but in summary, It's about young adventurers going to a remote part of Siberia on an adventure trip, only to find themselves in serious trouble. Some are mysteriously found dead, and two are on the run trying to escape from someone or something. Will they survive? Who is following them and why?

5) What motivated you to write this book? 

I had a story brewing in my head for a long time, and I liked investigating mysterious places that modern science is yet to explain. Found Patomskiy Crater being one of them, and it was a matter of time that I combined my story with the crater.

6) Describe 'The Patomskiy Crater ' in one line. 

An intricate, scary and ruthlessly suspenseful mystery that will thrill no end.

7) What's the best experience you've gained through writing? 

Writing itself is the best experience of my life, one can create a world for oneself and dwell in it for a long time

8) Who is your favorite Indian and foreign author? 

Amish Tripathy and Dan Brown

9) What are your future plans?

Continue writing, several stories on my mind that I want to pen down.

10) How soon can your readers expect your next book? 

I have written several books that are yet to be published, need to decide which one is the next.

11) Any message for your readers?

Thank you for the overwhelming response to the book, really humbled and pleased that the book is so well received.

Thanks for reading.

Book Review :- Shadow of the Past

Book Review : Shadow of the Past

Wherever we go,we can never get rid of our past.
.
.
Title - Shadow of the Past
Author - Mayank Manohar
Publisher - fingerprint publishers
Genre - fiction
Pages - 167
Format - paperback
.
.
Plot - The story revolves around three young people, Lavanya, Rehan and Arpita crippled by their own past.
Lavanya, deprived of the love that she deserved and fighting a 7 year old battle for Rehan,who is crippled by the complexity of his own mind, then takes a major U- turn. Arpita, who years for Rehan's love suddenly finds herself trapped between the incomplete love saga of Rehan and Lavanya.
Will the shadow of their past destroy their lives?
Will life give them another chance to redeem what is lost?
Grab the book to find out.
.
.
Review -

1) The cover of the book is good but could have been better. The title of the book is appropriate.
2) The plot of the story truly justifies today's life of younger generation. The author has very well narrated the relationship between two people and their baggage from the past.
3)He used flashback modes to describe memories of their past.
4) It is a perfect blend of love, emotions, heartbreaks etc.
5) According to the author present is the extension of the past which is inseparable.
6) The language used in this book is simple and the writing style of the author is crisp.
7) The characters are very well developed and described that one can easily relate to them.
8) The flow of the book is fast paced which keeps the readers hooked till the end.
9) Overall, a heart touching read.
.
Rating - 4/5
.
.
I recommend this book to all romance lovers out there.

About the author -

Mayank Manohar is an engineer-turned-journalist and has worked with The Times of India as a Senior Correspondent for four years. He has also worked with an NGO Human Rights Law Network (HRLN) as a Communication Officer & Documentary Film-maker. He is presently working with SEED CSR as a Communication Manager. He was born in Bangalore and brought up in Patna. After finishing his 10th grade, he stepped outside Bihar to experience what it was like to live on his own. He finished his high school from Narayana Junior College, Hyderabad, then pursued engineering from SRM University, Chennai, where he realised what he was meant for and began his writing journey, to become an author. He moved to Delhi in 2014 and pursued a PG Diploma in Journalism from the Times School of Journalism. He is a movie buff, loves to cook, and lives to travel. In his leisure time, he enjoys listening to music and reading novels. Shadow of the Past is his debut novel, which describes the relationship between two people and their baggage from the past.

Thanks for reading.

Author Interview : Sarang Padhye

Author Interview : Sarang Padhye

Hello everyone,
Today I am going to introduce you to the author of ' Screenwriting For TV Commercials'

Let's start!

1)First of all introduce yourself to the readers.
I’m an Electronics & Telecommunication Engineer. Being extremely fond of movies
since childhood, I started reading screenplays in college. Analyzing famous movies and TV
commercials became a regular thing for me. In my spare time, I started writing TV
advertisements on whichever topic I found interesting. Having written over 40
commercials so far, I thought about publishing my own guide on writing only for commercials. This book is the only guide out there which covers everything about writing advertisements.
I’m a digital marketer. Apart from my day job, he loves cooking, reading novels, chit
chat on movies and theatre.
You can contact me at sarangpadhye@gmail.com for any queries or just email me for a
chat.
Instagram : ebookmarketer
Twitter: Sarang_writes

2) Tell me something about your e-book  'Screenwriting for TV Commercials'
This is the most simplest guide out there. Even a kid (with a little imagination) can write a commercial after reading this. We see TV Commercials every day and skip them. But there are so many we still remember. Everyone has a favourite. How does this all work and where does the process start? It’s all in the ebook along with format and famous =books on screenwriting.

3)What inspired you to write on this Topic?
Watching commercials on TV I always felt I can write this better or this scene could have been different. Being an avid reader I searched books on screenwriting for Ads, as it is totally different from writing scripts for movies. I couldn’t find any so I gathered info about the format and style after researching Google and blogs, started writing on any random product that we usually see on TV. I have written over 40 commercials so far in the last couple of years. Then, I thought I should write a guide about this as such a guide is not available anywhere. So I worked on it for 4 months and published it on Kindle.

4)Describe Screenwriting for TV Commercials in one line

An interesting peek into the world of writing Video Advertisements

5)As a child what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be a film maker. I love Films, Ads and the process that goes into making them right from an idea.

6)Which is your favourite TV commercial and Why?
There are so many. I would name the Fevicol commercial series in the late 90’s in India as my top favourites. They delivered a perfect message with so little effort on dialogs
Another one of my favourites is the Chevy’s Car commercial by Michael Bay in 1995-96. It has terrific music and camera work. Very difficult to write in that way.

7)Are you planning any other books?
I’m not planning any other books as of now. But I’m thinking of writing a novel in the next 2 years.

8)What advice do you have for your readers?
I have never thought what others would feel if I failed in something. Confidence, patience & learning with a open mind can get you anywhere in life. If you are wish to write something, just take a pen & paper and jot it down. Slowly, you’ll get the confidence to write a book. The first few steps are always hard. Take the leap.

Thanks for reading.

Book Review : The Speaking Stone

Book Review : The Speaking Stone

Title - The Speaking Stone
Author - Ratnadip Acharya
Publisher - Aksora Publications LLP
Genre - Historical thriller/fiction
Pages - 296
Format - Paperback
.
.
Plot - The story revolves around the protagonist Saikat from Mumbai who gets a rare stone which has images engraved on it and is vertically cut into half. A quest to know the origin of the stone brought him to Tripura. On the other hand, Shuvashini, the female protagonist who is a research scholar finds an old book which has many interesting facts about Tripura's history. Then she decides to visit that place to know more the stone. Eventually they both meets and their search begins. But in the process of unearthing old secrets their lives were also in danger.

To know more grab the book.
.
.
Review :-

1) The cover of the book is intriguing and the title of the book is enigmatic same as the story.
2) The plot of the story is unique and captivating. It is a perfect blend of history, mystery, thrill and suspense.
3) The story is set in two time periods of 1900 and 2016 and the flow between past and present is maintained well.
4) Depiction of the places are done well and minute details are also provided.
5) Pictures and illustrations given in the book are reader's friendly.
6) The narration is smooth but sometimes I felt the story is dragged too much.
7) The language used by the author is simple and lucid.
8) Characters are well developed and described by the author that one can easily visualise them.
9) The flow of the book is fast paced and climax of the book is admirable.
10) Hats off to the author for his research work on inscriptions and images.
11) Overall, a well crafted historical mystery.
.
.
Rating - 4.3/5
.
.
I recommend this book to all specially to historical fiction lovers.
.
.
About the author :-

Ratnadip Acharya is the author of two successful novels, Life is Always Aimless... Unless you love it and Paradise Lost & Regained. He is a columnist for the Speaking Tree in The Times of India. He contributed many write-ups in different collections of Chicken Soup for the Soul. He lives in Mumbai with his wife, Sophia and son, Akash.

Thanks for reading.

Author Interview : Sonia Sahijwani Saini

Author Interview : Sonia Sahijwani Saini

Hello everyone,
Today I am going to introduce you to the author of 'Yours Legally'

Let's start!

1. First of all introduce yourself. 

 Sonia Sahijwani Saini i.e. me is a 33 year old LL.B. graduate from Faculty of Law, Delhi University. After completing my graduationin Commerce from Delhi University(Gargi College), I pursued my Masters in Print Journalism (English) from Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC), New Delhi. Pursuant to abrief stint with a leading financial magazine, i left my job to study law. I am currently working in a public sector company as a legal officer and is posted at Chandigarh alongwith her husband Sulabh Saini.  This is my first book.

2. Did you always want to become a writer?

 Yes, Writing is my hobby,my passion and a form of meditation for me and I have been into it since school life. The idea to write a book was being nurtured since I was young and since childhood, i had only one desire, to see my name as the author of my book and to be known as a Writer.

3. How would you introduce your book 'Yours Legally' ?

 This book is about the journey of Sia, a young law graduate fresh out of law school who chose this field against her parents wishes . With absolutely no family  background in this profession, she sets out to explore the various opportunities this not so common but upcoming field of law brings her way . Written in the form of short stories and inspired by true incidents and events related to the legal profession, the author relates to us few such unusual and memorable incidents including some eccentric court room dramas, all of which left a deep impact in her life . These stories are based on the six elements which i feel are critical to the field of law - the case, court , complainant, counsel, criminal and confinement  and i wish through the medium of these stories, even a normal person is able to relate to this profession and the stories impact and inspire him/her too in some way.

4. What inspired you to write this book ?

 The idea of writing my book is something i have been nurturing ever since i was in class 5th. As destiny would have it,  I used to pen down few of my internship experiences during my law college days wherein I interned under various lawyers, organisations etc. Subsequently during my first job I used to visit courts on a daily basis and the proceedings, the happenings around me  used to fascinate me and challenge me every single day. this was when i decided to write few short stories based on true incidents related to the legal profession.  I felt it would be something different as most of us are wary of the courts and do not want to mess with the law in any way. I believe this book would appeal to not just those who are a part of the legal fraternity but also to those who know little about the law and would provide a fresh perspective to this profession as well.

5. Describe 'Yours Legally' in one line.

 A COLLECTION OF SIX SHORT INSPIRING AND INTERESTING STORIES RELATED TO THE LEGAL PROFESSION BASED ON TRUE EVENTS.

6. Are you planning other books? How soon can your readers expect your next book? 

 I recently got my second book BABY On Board: an ordinary couple's extraordinary journey published in Aug 2019 which is a complete contrast from my first book and aims to change the perceptions of our society towards pregnancy and parenthood. i am planning other books as well and i definitely will publish my third book next year.

7. How has your journey as an author been so far? 

  It has been interesting and challenging. As mentioned in the book in the preface, the draft for this book was actually written in 2012, years ago and sent to few publishers. Upon receiving no response, I had  actually kept it saved with me for many years only to be shocked on receiving an email from one publisher recently in Dec 2018 showing interest in getting this book published. It was surreal and unbelievable . The book was reworked and edited by me only and I thank becomeshakespeare.com and wordit art fund for funding had helping deserving and budding authors in getting their works published . the biggest challenge nowadays is to bring the book to its right reader and currently i am involved actively in social media marketing to enable more and more readers to get to know about my debut book.

8. Who is your favourite Indian and foreign author? 

 My fav indian author is Anuja Chauhan and Amitava Ghosh and among foreign authors, i like Jeffrey Archer and John Grisham and Khalid Hosseini as well.

9. What do you like to do when you are not writing? 

 I love to read,  watch movies and play sports.

10. Any message for your readers? 

 This debut book is an honest attempt to talk about law with a dash of satire with an aim to reach out to all those who may or may not have ever heard anything about the legal profession nor would have ever stepped inside a court .And for those who are a part of it already I hope they might relate to it in some way .

Thanks for reading.