Friday, August 29, 2014

Blogging is bliss!


Image @ The Mag


This image pictures one of my dreams, exactly! (I dream a lot!) And I still remember that dream.

It depicts a wonderful land of stories, where myriads of emotions float. Writing stories are like painting. Painting vivid imagery with words. It reflects nature, that itself stores bundle of stories.

Okay, when we talk about reading and writing, we just cannot miss blogging. Sometimes I feel that blogging is like floating in dreams, playing in the galaxy of thoughts and imagination. It’s a string that connects and arranges a rendezvous. It is also about getting appreciation. Appreciation from fellow bloggers and writers.

Recently, Rudraprayaga nominated me for Sunshine Award. I extend my hearty thanks to her for this award and for reading me! I so like the name of this award.

Describe yourself in one word/phrase

It's me: Optimistically patient.

I’d like to share this award with:

Privy Trifles: For her sunshine hope
Arti Honrao: For her sunshine emotions
Corinne: For her sunshine Gyan
Saru: For her sunshine Poems
Jyoti: For her sunshine recipes

A big thank you to Arti Honrao (Author of four books) who nominated me for Liebster Award. Okay, I have to answer a few questions for her. So, here it goes:

What is writing to you?

Writing is actually a blissful embrace of serendipity and now it comes naturally to me.  It’s a wonderful mode of expression. Expression of my experience, observation and imagination.

Why Blogging?

Now I realize that blogging is bliss! A lovely journal that encloses my thoughts and imagination. And for this I'll have to thank my brother Nilabh verma (Author of mythological fiction Swayamvar) who literally dragged me to this wonderful world.

What does your blog mean to you?

My dearest friend!

If given a choice, what would you like to change about life now?

Sometimes, life doesn't give you the liberty to change or rectify things (It's not philosophy. I mean it) You just have to learn to be happy, accepting the imperfections.

Say something to someone you have always wanted to (Can be in a code without names)

"Please, declutter your mind and heart and fill them with pure niceness. You're old enough to behave with maturity and thoughtfulness."

Meaning of life to you in one word.

Challenge! (And I'm always ready to accept the challenges)

One lesson that life has taught you that you want everyone to know.

There's always a way. You just have to find that out. Be strong. Whimpering never helps.

One song that describes you perfectly.

Um...can't think of one right now :)

How would you like to be remembered?

A good human being who writes beautifully.

Words for me.

First of all, I really like the way you weave emotions in your writing. Keep writing. Be yourself. Stay happy ...always :)


Sharing @ The Mag






Thursday, August 14, 2014

Book Review: Lucifer's Lungi by Nitin Sawant




Considering the genre and number of pages, I immediately chose this book to read, when I got a mail from Nethra to review this book.

The book says, "Welcome to the madness of Lucifer's Lungi...where what you see is not what you get."

Lucifer's Lungi by Nitin Sawant (Novella, published by Fablery) is about an adventurous trip. The protagonist is an atheist who travels to a village to break the monotony of rushing city life. He meets some nice people and witnesses their different culture and traditions, but the journey turns out to be eccentrically jolting and somehow changes his vision.

First of all, size of the book surprised me. It's a tiny book with just 111 pages, so it can be a quick read. The writing style is neat and crisp that makes the narration smooth but it has some dull moments when the story lacks depth and loses the grip. Frequent use of some unfamiliar/(too) casual words somehow resists the flow. But, I must say that the author has crafted this story with conviction.

The book cover is nice but I found the title strange.

If you like the supernatural genre, and if you prefer quick reads, you can pick this tiny tale. I would say, it's a decent attempt by the author and the publisher as well.


I received this book from the publisher for an unbiased review. Thank you Nethra!




Thursday, August 7, 2014

Book Review: Fade Into Red by Reshma K Barshikar



I don't travel much, but I really like travel stories. Actually, films like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara, Highway and Queen made me love such stories. They are always about "living life to the fullest", adventure and self-exploration.

Fade Into Red by Reshma K Barshikar says,

The road to true happiness is almost as elusive as that perfect glass of Chianti..."

Fade Into Red tells an interesting story of Ayra, an investment banker and aspiring art historian, who travels to Italy for the deal of a vineyard for a star client Ishaan Malhotra, putting an important get-together with her fiance Karthik's family on hold. In this journey, with different people and experiences, Ayra explores her life and her own capabilities. But she inexplicably feels unsure about her relationship with Karthik.

The book is written in a very smart way. The narration is crisp, and a touch of humour adds some spice. I really liked the character of Ayra. Others characters are nicely sketched but I found Ishaan's character a little vague. I wanted more clear picture of his character.

Readers may get distracted by various unfamiliar terms and very long chapter titles. The painting like book cover is nice but I think it could have been more vibrant considering the subject of the book.

Overall, for me it was a nice and interesting read. Give it a shot if you like reading light fiction!


I received this book from Random House India for an honest review.


Monday, August 4, 2014

Book Review: Business Doctors by Sameer Kamat



When the author approached me for the review of Business Doctors, I was a little skeptical as it is not my genre, but I read some nice reviews and thought to explore a new genre.

Business Doctors is a crime based novel by Sameer Kamat (From his own publishing house Booksoarus). He is the founder of MBA Crystal Ball.

Stephen Woody runs his family business which includes porn, drugs, gambling etc. He hires a management consultant Michael Schneider for the revival or rather makeover of his faltering business. Michael takes up this job that somehow turns out to be the most challenging job ever! 

I really liked the book cover! It's very smart and apt. But I didn't like the layout of the book. Improper paragraph breaks make the reading tiring. The characterization is nice and well defined but too many characters and various names make the story a little jumbled. I liked the portion that involves Angie, Woody's seductive wife.

The book starts well and manages to grip the interest. The narration is fine and there are of course some engrossing points but otherwise the story runs plain. I think the execution of the story was a little dull for an action-crime-thriller. I felt that the blurb of the story (at the back cover of the book) could have been more interesting. It may fail to hold the would be reader's interest.

Overall, for me it was an average read (As I said, it's not my genre). But if you like crime thrillers, you can give it a shot. You may find it interesting with all those actions!