Tuesday, August 30, 2016

We Will Meet Again: Book Launch @ Delhi Book Fair!


So, I am finally living the dream I was chasing. I have published my first book (Gargi Publishers) "We Will Meet Again...', released on 31st July.

We Will Meet Again is a mature love story. It's about believing in love, and a stupid challenge. It carries various shades of emotions, ego, and betrayal. I have tried to embellish it with interesting flavours of humour and repartee.

If you like strong characters and believable situations, you will like my book. You can buy my book here @ an amazing discount!

Here's the Amazon link.

We Will Meet Again was launched on 28th August @ Delhi Book Fair. It was my first experience. I was excited and nervous at the same time, but the event was nice! Sharing some pictures from the event.


Our Stall. Stall no. 7B. Hall no. 11. Can you spot my book? We have a reading corner too. You can read a few pages before buying the book. Do visit.



Signing copies. Exciting, isn't it? 


The Team of Gargi Publishers & Half Baked Beans




Visit my Facebook Page for more pictures.

Have you read my book? If yes, then please share your views. And, do visit our stall if you visit Delhi Book Fair.





Monday, August 22, 2016

Book Review: Crème Brulee by Ramona Sen




'A man who can retain his sense of humour under pressure has nothing to worry about: Thakuma'


Crème Brulee by Ramona Sen (Rupa Publications) is a family drama with a sweet touch of mild love story.

After returning from Oxford, Abir Mookerjee opens a restaurant, Eggs & Bacon.  He feels challenged when The Mad Hatter, another restaurant, opens across the town whose owner is lovely Kimaya Kapoor who excels in making wonderful Crème Brulee that turns out to be a challenge for Eggs & Bacon’s chocolate mousse.

Abir finds his life more challenging as his mother, Debjani Mookerjee, keeps pestering him with so called suitable marriage proposals, and for that she keeps consulting Purohitmoshai, unaware how wicked and greedy he is.

Two close people, Abir’s laconic, expressionless sister and impossible friend Rana Raina, are absolutely no help for him. The only person who brings some solace in his disoriented life is his deceased grandmother, thakuma, who watches him from a coconut tree.

What about Abir’s marriage? How would he manage to tackle challenging Kimaya Kapoor? What about his love life? You will have to read this book to find out these (and many more) answers, and you won’t be disappointed. It’s a fun read.

The book has a very slow opening which I didn’t like, but it picked up the pace and turned out to be an interesting read.

The story of Creme Brulee is simple. What makes this story entertaining is nice characterization. Every character has its own quirk and importance. I particularly liked the character of Thakuma, the deceased grandmother even though it was completely illogical. Purohitmoshai is annoying yet interesting. Rana Raina is one exuberant character!

I liked Kimaya but I wanted to know more about her.  I felt her part has been ignored.

The writing is good. A slight touch of humour makes the flow of the story delightful, but it was a tad disappointing to spot some glaring editing/typesetting errors, especially when the book comes from a big brand like Rupa Publications. The book has been written in multiple points of view, and the author has done it skillfully.

The romance is subtle, and I love the development of slow paced feeling of love. This dangling love triangle made the story somehow unpredictable.

Overall, for me it was a nice entertaining read!


I received an Advance Review Copy from the publisher for an honest review.






Saturday, August 20, 2016

My Bookish Feelings.




Recently, I visited a blog Rain and a Book by Sreesha who posts honest reviews. Her latest post was about her bookish thoughts, which was inspired by Lata's This Post. On both blogs I found this interesting bookish thoughts, and decided to do it.

So, here goes my Bookish Feelings!



A book you’ve read more than once: I usually don’t reread books. But two books fall under this category. This Matter of Marriage byDebbie Macomber. Shukra Grah Par Dhava by Professor Diwakar.

A book you would take on a desert island: How would I manage with just one book? It would be all Books in my To Be Read list.

A book that made you cry: Books don’t make me cry. But, books that tug at my heartstrings were ‘Me Before You by Jojo Moyes’ and ‘A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini.

A book that scared you: None.

A book that made you laugh out loud: I’ve Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella.

A book that disgusted you: Sita’s Curse by Shreemoyee Piu Kundu

A book you loved in preschool: Er…I don’t remember.

A book you loved in elementary school: Nandan and Comics (Mostly by Cartoonist Pran)

A book you loved in middle school: Sitaaron Se Aage by Krishna Chander.

A book you loved in high school:  AalamPanah by Rafia Manjurul Ameen & Gunahoon Ka Devta by Dharmveer Bharti.

A book you hated in high school: None. Or I don’t remember.

A book you loved in college: Swami by Sharatchandra and Datta by Sharatchandra. 

A book that challenged your identity: None I can think of. I think I don't get this question. 

A series that you love: Stranger Series by Novoneel Chakraborty.

Your favorite horror book: Haven’t read many; it has to be Frankly Spooking by Sri.

Your favorite science fiction book: I don’t read them now. Used to enjoy in school days. Professor Diwaakar books especially Samay Ke Swaami & Shukra Grah Par Dhaava.

Your favorite fantasy book: I don’t enjoy them. So, it has to be Sitaaron Se Aage that I had read as a child.

Your favorite mystery: Rebecca.

Your favorite biography: Reading my first. My Story (an autobiography) by Kamala Das.

Your favorite classic: I’m not much into classics. So, it has to be Rebecca, the only classic I enjoyed immensely!

Your favorite romance book: This Matter of Marriage by Debbie Macomber and Alam Panah. Gone With The Wind, maybe.

Your favorite book not on this list: The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Divakaruni.

Your favorite translated book: Love Virtually by Daniel Glattauer.

What book are you currently reading: My Story by Kamala Das and Crème Brulee by Ramona Sen.

What book have you been meaning to read: Every Seventh Wave (The sequel to Love Virtually) by Daniel Glattauer.


Enjoyed reading this list? Want to do it? Please share your links if you plan to do.








Sunday, August 14, 2016

Be professional. So what if you Work From Home






People, generally, don’t consider ‘Work from Home’ as ‘Work’. Then came the word ‘Freelance’, which changed the perception a little, but raised another problem. People take the word ‘Free’ seriously. 

Not only people but some ‘Working from Home’ professionals tend to take their work lightly. A few years back, I wouldn’t have dared to say, ‘I am a writer and I work from home.’ Even though I was published in a couple of magazines. But, I have learned gradually (Now, I have published my first novel We Will Meet Again.)

What could be the reason that we hesitate to say that?

We don't take our work seriously, that's why we don't feel confident! Women, who are main care-giver at home, think that they have plenty of time, thus their work takes a back seat.

We are more efficient when we have limited time. We would manage in couple of hours if we need to go to the office but if we are at home, we just waste time.

Recently, Women's Web (A wonderful website for women) initiated a tweet-chat on Work From Home. I missed the chat but I read every answer. Here, I am sharing those insightful statements by some successful ‘Work From Home’ writers/bloggers/editors.

What can be the advantages or challenges of working from home?

Advantages

You are your own boss: It's a wonderful feeling, undoubtedly! You don’t have to follow any instructions (Of course, you need to keep deadlines). You are not compelled to work with someone (boss) you hate! You can choose, and you can if you are good!

You don’t have to ask for a leave: You have the liberty to work according to your own convenience. Even if you have a deadline, you can always adjust. You can set your priorities for the time being.

You don’t have to commute for the office: You save time, and spare yourself from hustle bustle of traffic, and office politics.  Aparna V Singh, Editor of Womens Web, says, ‘Given Bangalore's crazy commute I get more done at home!’


 Challenges

Balancing family life and work

 If you have a toddler (like me!), it is the biggest challenge! Family comes first. Being the main care giver, family expects this from you. Sometimes, difficult situations arise and you can’t help. Rachna Parmar, Freelance Writer and Blogger, and Editor @ Money View, says, ‘It throws my schedule off when kids are at home due to unavoidable reasons, like if they are sick or if it’s holiday. It becomes difficult to stick to the deadlines.'

However, it’s somehow easy if you stay alone at home after everyone leaves for work/school/college.

The environment

Environment of your home and an office are entirely different. In office, you are more disciplined while you are at ease when you’re home.

This is a huge challenge since people think that if you are home, you are always available. Vidya Sury, Freelance Writer, Blogger and Editor, says, ‘It’s challenging when houseguests turn up. I wish I had 9 hands and three brains!’

Income

This is hard. You are not a salaried employee and your income depends on your calibre. Sometimes, you thrive as a freelancer. Sometimes, you have to face rejections.Your income may fluctuate. The biggest challenge is that if your income is not steady/hefty, people don’t take your work seriously.  People, especially family, consider your work as your hobby, and this is heart-breaking.

‘When you start working from home, be prepared to work for less money with a reputed company. Don't chase money. Chase quality assignments.’ Kanchana Banerjee, Freelance Writer and author of an upcoming novel A ForgottenAffair’, suggests.

 Tips

Environment matters.  So, create a work space at home. A quiet, bright corner which looks like your work station.  And, dress well before you start working at home. You would think why can’t you work in your pajamas? Because, dressing well puts a positive psychological effect on your mind. You feel more organized, professional and confident.

Kanchana banerjee and Vidya Sury follows this rule.

‘Self Discipline is very important,’ says Rachna Parmar.

True! Feel like a professional. So what if you work from home! Make your family understand, no matter if you’re successful or still trying, that your work is important and you need space. Choose a time when you can work uninterrupted.

‘Get out of home sometime. Else it totally kills your creativity,’ suggests Aparna V Singh.

It's a good idea. Go for a walk. It will refresh your mind plus it will give you a ‘me time’ when you can think and plan. And, maybe get a striking idea!

Most importantly, never give up! The idea of ‘Working from Home’ is not hypothetical. There are many people who work from home and are successful (I mean really successful)!






Thursday, August 4, 2016

The Truth







‘What does “Caught Red-Handed mean?’ Mayank asked his mother as he was doing his English homework.

“When you find someone doing something wrong,” his mother answered as she read a book.

Vishal, the younger child, shot a covert glance at them as he tried to look busy solving a sum.

“What if nobody catches you red-handed?” Mayank asked.

“Doesn’t matter,” his mother said, looking at him. “Because you know you are wrong, and it’s very important to be right in your own eyes.”

“What about your short story competition, Mayank?” his mother asked after a pause. “Tomorrow is the last date of submission, I think.”

Mayank stopped writing and looked at his mother. “Yes. But I can’t participate this time.”

“Why?” His mother asked, looking surprised. “You had worked hard. And, it was good. I read that.”

“But, I can’t find my story. I kept it in my bag and now it's not there.”

After some time, Mayank sat at the dining table and his mother served him chapattis. “Where is Vishal?” she asked and called him.

Vishal appeared from his room with a paper in his hands. He approached Mayank and extended that paper. “Bhai, your story,” he said. “I am sorry, bhai. I stole this.” Tears slipped down his chubby cheeks.

Silence.

Vishal continued, “You win every contest. I too wanted to…I couldn't write one. I’m sorry.”

“Okay, let’s eat,” his mother said in a calm tone as she put vegetable curry in Vishal's bowl.

“You are not upset? Not surprised?” Vishal asked.

“We are upset but not surprised,” said Mayank.

Vishal was baffled.

“Because we already know that you stole my story,” Mayank said. "We were waiting for you to tell the truth."

“How?”

“We caught you red-handed.” Mayank smiled.

“We just didn’t tell you.” His mother ruffled Vishal’s hair. “That's very bad, Vishal but, I’m glad you accepted your mistake, eventually. I love you, beta.”

Vishal started crying and his mother collected him in an affectionate embrace.

“It's okay, finish your meal,” Mayank said. “Let’s help you with your story.” He munched on. "Do you have any plot in your mind?"


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Monday, August 1, 2016

People From Your Dreams. BarAThon Challenge





I have always been fascinated by dreams. Dreams that we see while sleeping. I dream a lot (both while sleeping and while I am wide awake). Some of my dreams have come true, actually! And, it was shocking!

Do you remember your dreams? I do. I even remember some of my childhood dreams, and some of them are so clear! It means usually wake up in the Rapid Eye Movement Sleep (REM), which is psychologically not good. Psychology says that people forget their dreams within five minutes (sometimes, in a blink) since they are up from their sleep.

I always wonder who are those people whom I often see in my dreams and don't recognize them. Some faces are so clear. Once I wrote a fiction based on this thought. One comment that I received on this post left me flabbergasted!

One of my readers said that she had a recurring dream of a German man, walking towards her car. She saw his face clearly. And, after some years, she married that man!

Isn't it stranger that fiction?

Psychology says that a person only dreams of people whom she/he has seen in real life. It is just difficult (impossible) to remember those faces we come across in our lives.


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