tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-40091668419800967132024-03-17T23:14:50.085+05:30Tarang...Reflection of my thoughts and imaginationTarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.comBlogger947125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-37093416211717453122024-03-09T18:02:00.003+05:302024-03-09T18:06:26.123+05:30Movies That I've Recently Enjoyed.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu2CzIslqekX1PlpGgrU2eqg7ZPpDTgemMZBT7NGleuLh4wOq7CAJUR9fsdtS4h9gTj-VuG7DpeXmEMjWokMLVSf7uPtuRaXVcHBNbyRia7udE8xFA8JY8fnn8RaiDc8i7ND1S8iR_siT30JHaEMyvx7EyuPNnZaT1nV943LTIZrOHmdYGdyClybiSu_X/s506/images%20(4).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="341" data-original-width="506" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDu2CzIslqekX1PlpGgrU2eqg7ZPpDTgemMZBT7NGleuLh4wOq7CAJUR9fsdtS4h9gTj-VuG7DpeXmEMjWokMLVSf7uPtuRaXVcHBNbyRia7udE8xFA8JY8fnn8RaiDc8i7ND1S8iR_siT30JHaEMyvx7EyuPNnZaT1nV943LTIZrOHmdYGdyClybiSu_X/w400-h270/images%20(4).jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><p><br /></p><p>I don't usually sit down to watch TV, watch whatever I catch while having my meals or anything. But, recently, I have been watching films regularly. I'm leaving those that I didn't like. Sharing that come to mind as I type. Interestingly, they were never on my to-watch list.</p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-3365da92-7fff-ff01-ac63-d1331a966435" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Labor Day (2013)</b>: Directed by Jason Reitman. <b>Based on a book 'Labor Day' by Joyce Maynard. </b></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-3365da92-7fff-ff01-ac63-d1331a966435" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-3365da92-7fff-ff01-ac63-d1331a966435" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqET3mjYWHiet8ls88mxNrGzBZlRuUHS3fOCDqTGQUryglwZnhRpUd055RviSVZ_3ovtHj_BLY1AYRHHsUVbrPEoFt1aHTFTtu-oi4dMOEdcW9Ph_BxNPhvjtHYQ5BBu5DQhA3n5wIsZobCtzml2fB47L9LwjCxZ8OU5E4Rd-WkXbdtxV4qD99n5jUnGza" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="660" data-original-width="465" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjqET3mjYWHiet8ls88mxNrGzBZlRuUHS3fOCDqTGQUryglwZnhRpUd055RviSVZ_3ovtHj_BLY1AYRHHsUVbrPEoFt1aHTFTtu-oi4dMOEdcW9Ph_BxNPhvjtHYQ5BBu5DQhA3n5wIsZobCtzml2fB47L9LwjCxZ8OU5E4Rd-WkXbdtxV4qD99n5jUnGza=w282-h400" width="282" /></a></b></div><b><br /><br /></b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A single mother, almost a recluse, Adele (Kate Winslet) and her 13-14 years old son Henry (Gattlin Griffith) are returning from a departmental store when a dangerous looking, wounded man (Josh Brolin) forces them take him to their home just for a day. Later, she learns that the man, Frank, is a fugitive, charged for a murder. Left with no choice, Adele keeps Frank at home and nurses him. Turns out Frank is not as frightening as he looks. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This movie was sitting there, as I scrolled past several times, but I never wanted to watch, until I clicked as I didn't know what to watch. And I'm glad. It's a gripping film, beautifully told from the child's point of view ―his confusion, his dilemma, his fears; heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Now, I really want to read the book!</span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-2522d1d5-7fff-221c-51dd-3f1d0d8572f2" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Merry Christmas (2024):</b> Directed by Sriram Raghavan. <b>Based on a novel 'Bird in a Cage’ by Frederic Dard, translated by David Bellos.</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-2522d1d5-7fff-221c-51dd-3f1d0d8572f2" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-2522d1d5-7fff-221c-51dd-3f1d0d8572f2" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTMMCLVq6sHDbfkCikkHtZrbERmYGa2s0_ylX-SZArpVd6xgIlVyln7wSx_87v9fYtYbLtbFWJxsPOlhC--TiON9-t4u-i5osMom5-AHAzVoz_SDmIQVws0NhvDWLjBVBBalsa38t0S_5nDgr66NF1yKyqFuQ7vmbo40ZFzTiTerFPOz7vbJBg1oixKbbB" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="681" data-original-width="450" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTMMCLVq6sHDbfkCikkHtZrbERmYGa2s0_ylX-SZArpVd6xgIlVyln7wSx_87v9fYtYbLtbFWJxsPOlhC--TiON9-t4u-i5osMom5-AHAzVoz_SDmIQVws0NhvDWLjBVBBalsa38t0S_5nDgr66NF1yKyqFuQ7vmbo40ZFzTiTerFPOz7vbJBg1oixKbbB=w265-h400" width="265" /></a></b></div><b><br /><br /></b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Albert (Vijay Sethupathi) is back in the city (Mumbai, when it was Bombay), still mourning the loss of his mother because for some reason he couldn't attend the funeral. It's Christmas Eve and everybody is celebrating out there. So, he goes to a restaurant and there he meets Maria (Katrina Kaif) and her daughter Annie. And thus begins a crazy, mysterious night. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Very good filmmaking, I would say. A very well executed, gripping and mysterious movie. My first Vijay Sethupathi film, and he is a natural. Katrina Kaif is at her best, I think (after Zindagi Na Milegi Dobaara, but that was a small role, this one meatier). Won't say her performance is brilliant (I don't think she is a great actor, her emotional scenes look sketchy), but she is perfectly suited for this character ―a woman so beautiful, delicate, mysterious. I liked their chemistry.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I loved how objects used as props play significant roles, for example the paper swans, the cage toy etc. </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Again, I really want to read the book even though now I know everything.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Is Love Enough, Sir? </b>(2018): Directed by Rohena Gera.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB-Pm2M1bJ7QtLviGlz9Q89F4M7sLlcS_i-cUgtw2lwb7NSjd1FqcTcekzMiQfePosEbV1Ml7SrvqaIlk2n6vTMKE9XIROn_9f7lT_EvYKbeNzbP2kX1UTI1uwJz_qz3wzJiaS8Nwx2VGmeOPYdbHMY9HFf1NoeaPHIdrmUzBneZ79a68_oHpHSQb2iJXA" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="638" data-original-width="481" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjB-Pm2M1bJ7QtLviGlz9Q89F4M7sLlcS_i-cUgtw2lwb7NSjd1FqcTcekzMiQfePosEbV1Ml7SrvqaIlk2n6vTMKE9XIROn_9f7lT_EvYKbeNzbP2kX1UTI1uwJz_qz3wzJiaS8Nwx2VGmeOPYdbHMY9HFf1NoeaPHIdrmUzBneZ79a68_oHpHSQb2iJXA=w302-h400" width="302" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Okay I think everybody has watched this movie, a uninamously loved one. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's a love story Ashwin (Vivek Gomber) who just called off his wedding for some reason, and his househelp Ratna (Tilottama Shome), a widow who wants to be a fashion designer. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There's not much to say about the plot. It's fairly simple. Loved the slowly burgeoning bonding of the protagonist. Very natural performance. Their conversations, the silences in between, the decency…everything was so lovely. One of those movies that I'd like to watch again. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-8071d28d-7fff-1813-1bb0-340514f3f275" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>The Noel's Diary</b> (2022): Directed by Charles Shyer. <b>Based on a book 'The Noel Diary’ by Richard Paul Evans. </b></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-8071d28d-7fff-1813-1bb0-340514f3f275" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-8071d28d-7fff-1813-1bb0-340514f3f275" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTXx2-5UiUY4wvhm2_uipQk5YiNAldW9IHPLy6Cr_0MyghaBnP7Ju-mgHdxVA1ddUl7RkU5yrGP6yvUzrNBXFTbGa927i4gvnIV0mRFBdARY07h_YYY-acYRbiUwYr8H2dqL_0BQIX3thlC5W2LiBhl6mNN82yhZ0ExBn-iStbAJQecHyh9QAnJ_xwp3JY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="288" data-original-width="512" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiTXx2-5UiUY4wvhm2_uipQk5YiNAldW9IHPLy6Cr_0MyghaBnP7Ju-mgHdxVA1ddUl7RkU5yrGP6yvUzrNBXFTbGa927i4gvnIV0mRFBdARY07h_YYY-acYRbiUwYr8H2dqL_0BQIX3thlC5W2LiBhl6mNN82yhZ0ExBn-iStbAJQecHyh9QAnJ_xwp3JY=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></b></div><b><br /><br /></b><p></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-8071d28d-7fff-1813-1bb0-340514f3f275" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jake (Justin Hartley) is a best-selling author who returns to his estranged mother's house after her death to sort things out. He gets acquainted with a sweet and caring elderly next door neighbour Ellie (Bonnie Bedelia). Suddenly, a woman named Rachael (Barrett Doss) visits him, who is looking for her biological mother Noel who used to be Jake's nanny many many years ago. Thus begins a journey to find Noel, and reconnect with his estranged father. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's a lovely Christmas time romance movie, which I really enjoyed watching.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-7e37e10d-7fff-d7a5-6c91-5299b014dcf1" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Mimi </b>(2021): Directed by Laxman Utekar. </span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-7e37e10d-7fff-d7a5-6c91-5299b014dcf1" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-7e37e10d-7fff-d7a5-6c91-5299b014dcf1" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA-faM8AhlcymTtSQnTgoRUAxeP1l5RUqwmLbelybkWrdvFQrH3VPa6K4QgGUG7vqXTJboi7W8OZFYBogELTW193ZjLWjtwe0iiHPEj06QJmjhY07Tef9PcMmlZ_2wyMZgH8gLOBovgTYqq0nY0223TwvsmepgFT2ohD1RPGP16cVESkL4SsD3fPQqXRZl" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgA-faM8AhlcymTtSQnTgoRUAxeP1l5RUqwmLbelybkWrdvFQrH3VPa6K4QgGUG7vqXTJboi7W8OZFYBogELTW193ZjLWjtwe0iiHPEj06QJmjhY07Tef9PcMmlZ_2wyMZgH8gLOBovgTYqq0nY0223TwvsmepgFT2ohD1RPGP16cVESkL4SsD3fPQqXRZl=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mimi (Kriti Sanon) is an aspiring actress who wants to go to Mumbai to make it big in the film industry. She accepts an offer to become a surrogate mother to earn a hefty amount. And then, her life turns upside down. Pankaj Tripathi as Bhanu Pratap and Mimi's friend, Sham ((Sai Tamhankar) play a significant role. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">An engaging watch; heartbreaking and heartwarming at same time.</span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Gehraaiyan</b> (2022): Directed by Shakun Batra.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm1von2fxuI2po8bAgUZIBGLZtFHUBianL0kKLx7BwWr9eZUNWBzJA24yGdpmBbrG4J5PD4BhFZyqoQ3nqOqcRI3VI8ex3QR6I5oUobj1jjPKt-P6BVm4qoTuO3OMmiLeFb6GEvPVIq3GkuWSBMRW76Di-7EO9Mh5hj0WR-ZGpZBkDr-yT7m7XT0Wy_aDx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="415" data-original-width="739" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjm1von2fxuI2po8bAgUZIBGLZtFHUBianL0kKLx7BwWr9eZUNWBzJA24yGdpmBbrG4J5PD4BhFZyqoQ3nqOqcRI3VI8ex3QR6I5oUobj1jjPKt-P6BVm4qoTuO3OMmiLeFb6GEvPVIq3GkuWSBMRW76Di-7EO9Mh5hj0WR-ZGpZBkDr-yT7m7XT0Wy_aDx=w400-h225" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Alisha (Deepika Padukone) is a yoga instructor. She seems to be in a strained relationship with Karan (Dhairya Karwa) when she meets Zain (Siddhanth Chaturvedi), fiance of Tia (Ananya Pandey) who is Alisha's cousin. Battling with anxiety because of a childhood trauma, she finds comfort in the company of Zain. They fall in love and then begins a crazy ride of business and relationships. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I never wanted to watch this film, mainly because of negative reviews on Twitter. I presumed it to be an ultra-modern, erotic kind of meaningless movie. But it turned out to be an interesting movie; good filmmaking, beautiful cinematography. A good story, smartly executed. It's modern but not meaningless. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>12th Fail</b> (2023): Directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra. <b>Based on a non fiction book '12th Fail' written by Anurag Pathak.</b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b></b></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjwbV5ysS0X5r0iNe2YNex8MR81zhbQZur-kduQGdkrOWUT_JeOH5pDSF3zxh46Tmtsnfxy5YMmFD7Tewah0R8dcLEN0E9cey6oqE3-15-EK7oCZ4d8cWFUGU7NW8ynQbS3gjmciTXjYvc2fVKShFczh23nZusyhKOfYaQDIYK8imcZZGphTOzZXEut6dx" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="554" data-original-width="554" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhjwbV5ysS0X5r0iNe2YNex8MR81zhbQZur-kduQGdkrOWUT_JeOH5pDSF3zxh46Tmtsnfxy5YMmFD7Tewah0R8dcLEN0E9cey6oqE3-15-EK7oCZ4d8cWFUGU7NW8ynQbS3gjmciTXjYvc2fVKShFczh23nZusyhKOfYaQDIYK8imcZZGphTOzZXEut6dx=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><br /></b></span><p></p><p><span>So, it captures the strenuous journey of a 12th fail boy, Manoj Kumar (wonderfully played by Vikrant Massey), who comes from an unprivileged background and is determined to become an IAS officer. It's also a love story ―a very decent one that doesn't affect the main subject of the film. I particularly liked the moment where Shraddha (Medha Shankar) tells Manoj that she loves him. His friend, Pritam (Anant Joshi) plays an important role. </span></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-72c5cd2b-7fff-d624-53de-437e4b4d332a" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>The Weekend Away</b> (2022): Directed by Kim Farrant. <b>Based on a novel of the same title, written by Sarah Alderson </b>(also the script writer of the movie). </span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-72c5cd2b-7fff-d624-53de-437e4b4d332a" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-72c5cd2b-7fff-d624-53de-437e4b4d332a" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxaar5Hq48QI0AajgIYlidM0-iREAqHaOTkonjYjsuri7DfitKY1RB-HjCX2XOBewFQu_ZkXhsm0OUflKRDdtH8Q2h4lNca4OESBfGkv-jgHiRE9GKSb0tfOShfbqp5oow8Iu0QoZFzEsWsKI7rXyLTuqhdPqAKs897HW-OJtjgggS8kPuQj1v2KI-Hfrj" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="621" data-original-width="494" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgxaar5Hq48QI0AajgIYlidM0-iREAqHaOTkonjYjsuri7DfitKY1RB-HjCX2XOBewFQu_ZkXhsm0OUflKRDdtH8Q2h4lNca4OESBfGkv-jgHiRE9GKSb0tfOShfbqp5oow8Iu0QoZFzEsWsKI7rXyLTuqhdPqAKs897HW-OJtjgggS8kPuQj1v2KI-Hfrj=w318-h400" width="318" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A woman, a new mother, Beth (Leighton Meester) travels to Croatia for a weekend getaway with her best friend Kate (Christina Wolfe), who is a bit erratic by nature. On the very first day, Kate goes missing. They were drunk so Beth's memory of last night is fuzzy, but she can't leave the city without finding her, so seeks help from the local police and a Syrian, mysterious taxi driver Zain (Ziad Bakri) to unveil the truth. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was an engaging thriller. I liked the setting, and the subtle bonding between Beth and Zain. </span></p><p><br /></p><p>Have you watched any of these? What's the most interesting films you've watched recently?</p><p><br /></p><p><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2017/02/best-movies-i-watched-in-2016.html" target="_blank"><b>Best Movies I Watched in 2016</b></a></p><p><b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2017/12/best-movies-i-watched-in-2017.html" target="_blank">Best Movies I Watched in 2017</a></b></p><p><br /></p><p>Sharing with <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/user/dashboard" target="_blank">Blogchatter</a></b></p><p><br /></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-44116666366087490312024-02-22T11:18:00.002+05:302024-02-22T11:18:30.660+05:30Book Review: Rossogolla Murders by Debeshi Gooptu<p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA0S77f3IqIzFLW716uFybAQcbhUTqcNEUYVjXAvMu2mey02l32xWraVjHfvtzrpjS90iEeZlkHneYwId56LBU0brjDwYw4vLRW45Qocy1OIKKALVLeSirwCQpA25MfIPrI6OE5nm3nPFBDLvLCsRw78rMyDINvRNIKMnJHlF_RVGPc3ah6axHhgv7ftZn" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiA0S77f3IqIzFLW716uFybAQcbhUTqcNEUYVjXAvMu2mey02l32xWraVjHfvtzrpjS90iEeZlkHneYwId56LBU0brjDwYw4vLRW45Qocy1OIKKALVLeSirwCQpA25MfIPrI6OE5nm3nPFBDLvLCsRw78rMyDINvRNIKMnJHlF_RVGPc3ah6axHhgv7ftZn=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Book: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Rossogolla-Murders-Debeshi-Gooptu/dp/B09N6WTRWN/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=3V7HJ0FDMNS70&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.b4vIJD6OaZPgYZbLsnse1kR11Bdaxo4O0wzT8SNbB-qOK_bC8QyQhwC_7TDaCltCCI8f3zqtNeytUnC4DaoMjwGn4RGZdlLcGFO4zOUaUqvEui0p2yFQt1eNZgPiqRfua6TowoyYOvHnVL_M_wWMCWuSQT71PEu4hiVIvW6d_Jp7uPJDKVW4hBhosyg12CyMrGQYV2w38-zWRwI5iGA9bQ.ETOsdAm4xGly7q1Tyt0oU2Dt90yDWUQBm4CIBlCr7VU&dib_tag=se&keywords=debeshi+gooptu&qid=1708575048&sprefix=debeshi%2Caps%2C708&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Rossogolla Murders</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Author: <b><a href="https://gurgaon-diaries.blogspot.com/?m=1" target="_blank">Debeshi Gooptu</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pages: 243</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Genre: Murder Mystery</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Price: ₹200 (Kindle copy. Also available as a paperback)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Rossogolla Murders by <b><a href="https://medium.com/@debeshi.gooptu" target="_blank">Debeshi Gooptu</a></b> is the second book of the Dragon Aunty Series. I read '<b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Mangar-Mayhem-wicked-laugh-out-loud-Returns-ebook/dp/B0CPVMK7XF?ref_=ast_author_dp&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.eW6LDEY76I9hdjNEy-zRpn7WAZFj0pwVt8i6EikMchOp4vVUxvvfqix2ZS6MZHmmAcHM2vDgpjY9Jzaouctfbo-KmIc-UT56K4xxn3MXiZmjZqdzpuLbxyOHeN6gWimU.mS3APZZQX1pNCVX0WNvvhw36LCLyxcH069e_RJR99xk&dib_tag=AUTHOR" target="_blank">The Mangar Mayhem’ </a></b>―the third book in the series (the books in the series can be read as standalone novels) and really liked it. So, I wanted to read The Rossogolla Murders, and before I could buy it, the author sent me a copy of this book. However, this (and the fact that Debeshi is a dear friend) does not affect my review; it's totally unbiased.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Mini (Mrinalini Sen) is in Calcutta, visiting her parents, when one day she suddenly finds someone she was least expecting to be there. The gorgeous Dolly Luthra ―Mini’s old friend and neighbour from Gurgaon. Dolly is staying at her brother-in-law's place ―Sanjay Kapoor, a successful businessman who owns a company called 'A Sweet Affair' that makes exotic fusion desserts, for example chilli flavoured rossogolla! </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sanjay Kapoor is having a grand party to celebrate the opening of his 10th shop and Dolly invites Mini to the party.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, it all starts in the party ―a retired judge, affluent and fashionable, Mallika drops dead at the party after eating a rossogolla. The suspicion points at Dolly Luthra because she was the one who brought the plate of rossogolla for Mallika. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now, Mini ―absolutely sure that her friend is innocent ―dons the hat of a detective to clear her name. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! It’s not your hardcore, gruesome thriller with gory details and all that; it's a cosy murder mystery with many well placed humorous moments that doesn't affect the seriousness of the story. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I have read almost every book and short story by <b><a href="https://x.com/DebeshiGooptu?t=nGzkx7Kwc_p5zDuQwBVu6Q&s=09" target="_blank">Debeshi</a></b>. She is a very good storyteller who creates relatable characters and situations that help me connect with her stories immediately. She has a very easy, lucid and engaging style of writing. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Rossogolla Murders is gripping right from the beginning; very well executed and unpredictable till the last chapter. The revelation was actually a surprise, the motive convincing. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And Mini and Dolly ―as different as chalk and cheese―are a fun pair of detectives. It's one of a kind; I don't think I have ever read a story with two female detectives. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Here, investigating officer Satyajit Saha also plays an important role, who instantly catches Mini's detective, hyperactive mind, and strictly instructs her to stay away from the case, but of course Mini (and Dolly) won't listen to him. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I loved Satyajit-Mrinalini's inexplicable bonding. (Too bad Mini is married) It felt like a breath of fresh air amidst the serious atmosphere of murders and investigation. I found myself smiling whenever they were together. It's actually cool how the author managed to evoke that feeling without really making it romantic. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am very fond of stories with a Bengali background. In this book, descriptions of the settings and food seemed rich and authentic. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Overall, it was a mysterious, interesting, entertaining and very engrossing read! </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-54077709453331246302024-02-05T18:32:00.008+05:302024-02-19T19:11:30.597+05:30Saving Books for Later? (+TBR List)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA08ZTt4iZTDSc9btVODHRDVr1tHRwd1jbpeV8QCGk3aM2lGBRG0f6hFLTXEgJALM-1kI-VD0wKLYsLmnPKXxcGvXo2UmfFfO3g6dXKWw7VDRuMu1WSy7lEgIhqcI8KSCGObkAAmMs8SxDj-lBnDlp6hMBSbfckIuwB0XIBoY4w9pHRTYpZJbhstn7KAY/s1097/photo-1608099269227-82de5da1e4a8~2.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1097" data-original-width="985" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRA08ZTt4iZTDSc9btVODHRDVr1tHRwd1jbpeV8QCGk3aM2lGBRG0f6hFLTXEgJALM-1kI-VD0wKLYsLmnPKXxcGvXo2UmfFfO3g6dXKWw7VDRuMu1WSy7lEgIhqcI8KSCGObkAAmMs8SxDj-lBnDlp6hMBSbfckIuwB0XIBoY4w9pHRTYpZJbhstn7KAY/w359-h400/photo-1608099269227-82de5da1e4a8~2.jpeg" width="359" /></a></div><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Photo: Asal Lotfi, Unsplash</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>‘Have you ever looked forward to reading a book so much you can’t actually start it?’</i></b></span></p><br style="text-align: left;" /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This is a quote from <b>‘The Flatshare’ by Beth O'Leary.</b> And when I read it, I was like ki 'arrey haan! This is what I do. And I am not the only one.’</span></p><br style="text-align: left;" /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That's the thing: no matter what we do, think, feel or go through, we are not the only ones. </span></p><br style="text-align: left;" /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">There are so many books on my bookshelf (including kindle shelf) that I bought because I really, really wanted to read them, but have been saving them for later, to read it 'aaram se'. I don't know why. Maybe because I fear I might not like it? </span></p><br style="text-align: left;" /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But then I realized that tomorrow is not promised, so I decided (I decide too many things every other day) that if I really want to do something like reading that particular book or watching that movie, </span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I’ll always choose my first preference.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I finished reading '<b>Aapka Bunti’ by Mannu Bhandari.</b> She's one of my favourite Hindi writers. And that was a poignant, well written and heartbreaking read. Currently, I'm reading '<b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Put-Asunder-Period-Romance-Brides-ebook/dp/B01LXBXB9N/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2T2KXRCE4SOUH&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.XGZlnMLeRz-jy72gwNvSB34sn29qqw08BYsRuY3PyWZCk24-Fjp-85bAXVgO5LfL-1tKZhwdhdZ-JFHJ8pdysB7jP4V_xhY-jGcSb1-aciQAQEiREdP--KvCxJLrvgga8cDi9iYajXjD5oh_I-YU3hxtoSm5Mrby1SR-CN67VxEi3mPGtSW6CGZKGcPPCTcmyemwsGqlaPPE3w7wpyKD0Q.fGK7C1xZRDj_8vi8bX82T0-Cx_W-linheVriBhQi37w&dib_tag=se&keywords=put+asunder&qid=1708349937&sprefix=put+asunder%2Caps%2C439&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Put Asunder</a>' by Lynn Bishop (Madhulika Liddle).</b> It's a period romance set in Spain. I love Madhulika Liddle's writing. </span></p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxA76fPPQ9iBo8hHjgfM5cva1QDAn8Zc5cUgysLHrfcZicvU6jOykzBwM0PWMxwWqLQ5I0_a5X1C5jNdtNHJA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br /><p></p><br id="docs-internal-guid-b3681f8a-7fff-5640-9d83-4c0f1198c9a8" /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i>Books I am looking forward to reading in February/March (books that I've already bought; one of them is a gift):</i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am planning to focus on Indian Writers (Hindi/English/Translation)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>'It Ends With Us’ by Colleen Hoover</b>. Okay, I purchased it on an impulse. :) Heard a lot about this book. I read somewhere that it's like Me Before You, so I really wanted to read. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>‘<a href="https://www.amazon.in/Kunti-Sati-II-Koral-Dasgupta/dp/939074217X/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=C4TSOA9WEJFV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cbFuQ_dH-OXU-u32IautBMDx87xysRx9y9ms3lIzxVYgKzGrklb-ciagHliS5-zPeOJ9PTOYLYyrnn6RrnD4325R2DUxgqf1jQqmunlOLnDCDFHCh4SApbZLKvC2KGUeTJL1ZmKVQbFP_HZ7TspAzmoH1YhSzXBeq6EtoRPqDCJGeAq1Xd0EA-QjZgw5yQvt_lOt4h6xpubkMxHy-iyorg.s1YLFuLrU-HcCA_qxO7v1-YRCvKUtm2jjIR6V1W6z7w&dib_tag=se&keywords=kunti&qid=1708350069&sprefix=kunti%2Caps%2C400&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Kunti</a>’ </b>by Koral Dasgupta (I loved Ahalya and Koral's lyrical writing style so I want to read other books in the Sati series) would be my first preference. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I've never read any story or novel by <b>Amrita Pritam</b>, so I bought '<b>Ek Khali Jagah</b>’. It's a very short Hindi novella. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>'<a href="https://www.amazon.in/Rossogolla-Murders-Debeshi-Gooptu/dp/B09N6WTRWN/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=2Y0OP5K7EMRAW&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.pq-veYgHq5J8aYkwmXRDNA.kOO0YGQm38D0VleT5dzAW0uv_8SHZBXuJRCXQc9mp6I&dib_tag=se&keywords=rossogolla+murders&qid=1708349996&sprefix=rossog%2Caps%2C404&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Rossogolla Murders</a>’ by Debeshi Gooptu</b>. Debeshi is a dear friend, and she gifted this book to me. I read <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/B0CPVMK7XF?ref_=dbs_m_mng_wam_calw_tkin_1&storeType=ebooks&qid=1708349996&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Mangar Mayhem</a></b>, the third book in the series, in January and enjoyed it. I connect with Debeshi's characters and writing style immediately (</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And my views about her writing/stories are not biased)</span><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">. Plus, Rossogolla Murders is set in Kolkata, and I'm fond of stories set in Bengal. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Bombay Balchao by Jane Borges:</b> I bought this book a long time back. I even tried reading once but left after first chapter. So, I'm going to read it, as it's a well loved book, plus I have this inexplicable fascination for Bombay even though I've never been to the city.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>‘Songs of Lost Things’ </b>(Sonata for the Sun) by Monica McCollough. It's a Netgalley review copy that sounds interesting. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>'In the City, a Mirror Wandering by Upendranath Ashk. Translated by Daisy Rockwell.</b> I bought this book mainly because of its title and Daisy, of course.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">(The <b>Ruskin Bond book </b>―beautifully illustrated ―is especially for my 10 yo)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I hope every book I pick/buy turns out to be a wonderful, unputdownable read. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Have you read any of these books?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><a href="https://bohemianbibliophile.com/embracing-imperfect-endings-in-romance-novels/" target="_blank"><b>This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile</b></a></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sharing with <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">Blogchatter</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com44tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-12902780555757757862024-01-10T00:55:00.007+05:302024-01-10T22:55:03.083+05:30Book Review: Kashmir by Manreet Sodhi Someshwar<p><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH00-xEaHSTAg3DeIbIk_gG3urzY7CzivTRm0bFhD9TdaDYM-vBLcRqA3hMi3qT3iiK6qQJoLSfbSn9EJv3u_ZD1-41E8PThenrMsowXR5qo-SfkJ02Tz8wEzUQ0nS_BRUMa_d3yWR0Rk7U-xPVgxVsjlqr2HlwauWmVWJJ3G4vLfyJfbz9FV9TCtvqgv4/s3719/GridArt_20231222_212257400~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3719" data-original-width="3523" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH00-xEaHSTAg3DeIbIk_gG3urzY7CzivTRm0bFhD9TdaDYM-vBLcRqA3hMi3qT3iiK6qQJoLSfbSn9EJv3u_ZD1-41E8PThenrMsowXR5qo-SfkJ02Tz8wEzUQ0nS_BRUMa_d3yWR0Rk7U-xPVgxVsjlqr2HlwauWmVWJJ3G4vLfyJfbz9FV9TCtvqgv4/w379-h400/GridArt_20231222_212257400~3.jpg" width="379" /></a></div><br />Book: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Kashmir-Book-3-Partition-Trilogy/dp/9356995400/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=1WNBDE61ZPSEW&keywords=kashmir+manreet+sodhi+someshwar&qid=1704827240&sprefix=kashmir+m%2Caps%2C472&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Kashmir (the partition trilogy)</a></b><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Author: <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/ManreetSodhiSomeshwar" target="_blank">Manreet Sodhi Someshwar</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Genre: History/Politics (a blend of creative nonfiction and fiction)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Publisher: Harper Collins India</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pages: 294</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Price: ₹ 324 (on Amazon. Kindle version available)</span></p><br /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/202250372-kashmir" target="_blank">Kashmir by Manreet Sodhi Someshwar</a> is the conclusion to the Partition trilogy. The preceding titles are Hyderabad and Lahore, and although it has some references of Lahore, you can read it as a standalone novel. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It captures the final parts of the period of partition and its aftereffects (From October 1947 to December 1948). The delay and dilemma of accession, the confusion and politics, the havoc it caused among common people. It is a smart blend of creative nonfiction and fiction. You will find real people like Maharaja Hari Singh (the ruler of Kashmir), Nehru, Sardar Patel, VP Menon, Lord Mountbatten, Jinnah, Liyaquat Ali, Indira Gandhi etc. And then there are some fictional characters (common people) like Zooni ―a Kashmiri young woman, her husband Masud Ahmed, Koko Jan ―Masud Ahmed's first wife, Jugnu ―a young boy, Margot Parr ―an American journalist etc. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>'The crisp autumnal air smells spicy sweet. The land is dressed in red, gold, mauve. The men in lorries, ancient trucks, juddering buses, lying on the roofs, sitting on the engines, hanging on to the mudguards, armed with rifles, daggers, axes widen their eyes and begin to sniff like hounds. They register the change…..</i></span></p><i><br /></i><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>But this, this earth dressed as a bride and smelling like a houri, intimate, inviting, this is what they have been promised? The fertile valley of Kashmir, bounteous and beautiful?’</i></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This is the opening paragraph of the book. And then it goes on to tell the story of Kashmir's ―a princely state like ― accession to India. From two angles: one, the political―military angle, the other is the social angle. Political angle, which is creative nonfiction, is obviously informative and straightforward, but the fictional (which might be real in many ways) angle is an imaginative take on history. I liked reading the latter section more (as I, as a reader, like fiction more than nonfiction, however creative). It tells about the common people who were subjected to heartbreaking atrocities and terrifying situations. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>‘The Chinar trees had turned russet, living up to their name (Chinar is a word of Persian origin, which means 'What a fire!’), setting the whole of Kashmir ablaze. This year though the metaphorical fire ―which had greeted invading Persians the autumn they entered India, duping them into thinking they were riding into a blaze ―was literally raging in the state.’</i></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Zooni is an interesting character. Her relationship with Koko Jan ―her </span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">saut</span><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">, her bonding with Jugnu, her overall personality catches your attention. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It is my first book by the author and her writing is very neat and taut. The chapters are short which makes the book easy to read. The writing captures the beauty of the surroundings without being too descriptive, which creates lovely imagery. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This book is informative, very well researched and interesting, and it could be enlightening for those who want to know more about the partition and the history of India. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>‘The invaders always arrived in Kashmir and never left. Some stayed as lambs, others as wolves. It is for a shepherd, however, to ensure that his sheep can graze safely.’</i></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You should read this book if you like History, Politics, historical fiction and enjoy nonfiction. You'll like it.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This review is powered by <a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/user/book_review" target="_blank"><b>Blogchatter's Book Review Program. </b></a>You can buy the book <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Kashmir-Book-3-Partition-Trilogy/dp/9356995400/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?creative=24790&keywords=Kashmir&qid=1704827824&s=books&sr=1-3" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Bookman Old Style", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-87268788458853522822023-12-26T12:40:00.004+05:302023-12-27T11:26:18.551+05:30My English Translation of Manjul Nigam's Beautiful Poem<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPaMu7ZHEmeBlmsgAWI_ZFGoJE0Zmand7T8kQQ-Z_Ffvkhl6xDZsYCz10hULgmKmgiJOOWZ4-rtpcdDxDg-ozfSmjr3Hdc-7hx7svf03p93rGp3e92oHUpOWb3YSpQo0gzgu4ZEPC77pjwoLW1krPF2ddtYk2By5cFPZf0zB8h1TrCp5HfuL_N9QJQuOy/s4096/GridArt_20231209_001052365.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4096" data-original-width="4096" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoPaMu7ZHEmeBlmsgAWI_ZFGoJE0Zmand7T8kQQ-Z_Ffvkhl6xDZsYCz10hULgmKmgiJOOWZ4-rtpcdDxDg-ozfSmjr3Hdc-7hx7svf03p93rGp3e92oHUpOWb3YSpQo0gzgu4ZEPC77pjwoLW1krPF2ddtYk2By5cFPZf0zB8h1TrCp5HfuL_N9QJQuOy/w400-h400/GridArt_20231209_001052365.png" width="400" /></a></div><div><br /></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Image: My Painting (acrylic on canvas)</b></div></b><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/blogrolls/tarang-my-english-translation-of-manjul-nigams-beautiful-poem" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="276" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIiT6dj9vHEQ1ErCLgsCtJ_5KAxieKHraaihTTemW_zUEyqu_IwtdkWy_6p7sfDseH3LAx0YnVNEcqzRXsgcAbnTty-z8YXMvSj11DaTsQqUYvebHm-3vwb57h7aQtp1Xyn74Lsr-AgibsANgod_6dJGLMccNWUBvG04bT1pqi89XeXilXJoZeqoOoFWib/w177-h200/unnamed.png" width="177" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: collapse;">Top post on Blogchatter</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So I found this beautiful poem on Twitter, beautifully recited by <b>Sanjeev Paliwal Ji</b>, and felt like translating it. You can listen to the rendition </span><b style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://twitter.com/sanjeevpaliwal/status/1704306262790623427?t=TV_G6jyJ-I8B-gWBt4t4IA&s=19" target="_blank">HERE</a></b><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;">)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, here it goes:</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; text-align: left; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></div><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><div><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 18.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></div>मंजुल निगम जी की कविता:</b></span><p></p><div style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">अलसुबह मुझे जगाते हैं<br /></span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">तुम्हारे ख़्वाब, <br /></span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">मेरी उम्मीदें<br /></span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">मेरे ढेरों अरमां<br /></span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">और हौले से ले जाते हैं मुझे</span></div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">तुम्हारी प्रतीक्षा के द्वार तक। </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">मैं आँख बन्द कर </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">हो जाता हूँ </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">प्रतीक्षारत </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">जैसे कोई भक्त </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">करता हैं निर्जला व्रत </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">और फिर आहिस्ता-आहिस्ता </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">बजने लगती है </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">तुम्हारी पायल</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">जैसे मंदिर की घण्टियां </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">मैं अंतर्रात्मा से </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">महसूस करने लगता हूँ</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">तुम्हारा अहसास,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">तुम्हारी सुगंध, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">तुम्हारा सानिध्य</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">लेकिन डरता हूँ </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">आँखे खोलते ही</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">कहीं तुम हो न जाओ </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">अंतर्ध्यान </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">इसलिए तुम्हें महसूसते हुए ही</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">हो जाता हूँ तृप्त </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">तुम्हारे मिलने से</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">तुम्हारे पुन: मिलने तक....</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>My English translation:</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5366b2a1-7fff-1576-06d9-2a9ff8f655c7" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Your dreams,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">my hopes and myriad desires,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">wake me at the break of dawn.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And usher me gently</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">towards the doorway </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">where I wait for you.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I close my eyes </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and stand waiting,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">like a devotee </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">observing a stringent fast.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And then, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">your anklets chime delicately</span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A melodic tune,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">like bells tinkling in a temple.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">My soul senses</span> y<span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">our presence,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">your fragrance,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">your closeness…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But I fear</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">what if I open my eyes</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">and you vanish?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">That's why I let this feeling</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: 18.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">linger and gratify my senses.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Until I meet you again…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sharing with <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/user/dashboard" target="_blank">blogchatter</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-43162601748118035892023-12-08T17:44:00.004+05:302023-12-08T20:39:49.299+05:30A Bookish Q & A Post 2023<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtdZB5cEV8RCzVLO1FLQawdI7KOypA7XtfTglD3_LalJWR4_TXcon5Mi-Gpx9DnfGQhrcaoAtAYzkZRud6qSTgSvAPV-eGpasQgBncvN2aaC2B6WrZPfrvtAmLITE4CKvnsxq1dCI089sWmJt4FJRWz2rjZdLMo8sgc6iGvqG5oXUoUoI_cNvUP_FYyzuL" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="338" data-original-width="507" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhtdZB5cEV8RCzVLO1FLQawdI7KOypA7XtfTglD3_LalJWR4_TXcon5Mi-Gpx9DnfGQhrcaoAtAYzkZRud6qSTgSvAPV-eGpasQgBncvN2aaC2B6WrZPfrvtAmLITE4CKvnsxq1dCI089sWmJt4FJRWz2rjZdLMo8sgc6iGvqG5oXUoUoI_cNvUP_FYyzuL" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Photo: Unsplash</div><p></p><div><br /></div>I found <b><a href="https://twitter.com/LivingOnStories/status/1730426274534040030?t=KCVVq3K6GmlHqBlB6EheEw&s=19" target="_blank">this interesting bookish questions post </a>(by Pratibha) </b>on Twitter, and picked a few questions to answer. Here it goes...<div><br id="docs-internal-guid-340a72f4-7fff-476c-f955-db88050338fa" /><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Top 3 books read in 2023</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Simsim by Geet Chaturvedi, translated by Anita Gopalan</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cobalt Blue by Sachin Kundalkar, translated by Jerry Pinto</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Woman to Woman by Madhulika Liddle</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I'd like to mention a horror novel, 'Let Him In’ by William Friend.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Favourite romance 2023</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">None, actually. And I'm surprised. Re-read my two favourite romance books (I'll mention later).</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Best mystery/thriller 2023</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The Boy from the Sea by HL Macfarlane</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Rereads 2023</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Aalampanah</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/05/re-reading-love-virtually-and-every.html" target="_blank">Love Virtually and Every Seventh Wave (the sequel).</a></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>An adaptation done right</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jaane Jahan (The Devotion of Suspect X)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Favourite new author 2023</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They're not new but I experienced their writing for the first time. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Madhulika Liddle</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Arunava Sinha</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Jerry Pinto</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Books that more people need to read</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Simsim</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Woman to Woman</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Books you didn't finish in 2023</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">'Deewaar Mein Ek Khidki Rehti Thi' by Vinod Kumar Shukla. It's a Sahitya Academy winning book so I can't say much. I was so looking forward to it, but I couldn't wrap my mind around what was happening. A unique, well loved book that didn't work for me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Most read genres 2023</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Nothing specific. Literary fiction, maybe. Also, I re-explored horror this year, and I wasn't disappointed.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Books that was not worth the hype:</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I am very impatient when it comes to reading. I have left many unanimously loved, immensely popular books unfinished, but I won't say they weren't worth the hype. To each their own. They didn't work for me.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Best translation read in 2023</b></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Simsim</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Translator: Anita Gopalan</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Cobalt Blue</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Translator: Jerry Pinto</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Greatest Bengali Stories Ever Told Translator: Arunava Sinha</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Last book you read in 2023</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The last two books didn't work for me, so let it be. I'm reading two books ―Aapka Banti by Mannu Bhandari & Shake the Bottle by Ashapurna Debi (translated by Arunava Sinha). I'm unbelievably slow these days.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Now, your turn!</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Written for <b><a href="https://bohemianbibliophile.com/" target="_blank">Bookish League hosted by Ritu</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sharing with <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">Blogchatter</a></b></span></p><br /><br /></div>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com28tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-6089581076910653462023-11-03T12:31:00.008+05:302024-02-07T22:17:26.782+05:30My Favourite Slow-Burn Love Stories<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikSuEmXDj3oEZMSd_tNRamAi_ivLeHfudb7OgE7Jm1qLMSNZyqvkL8WDxasDWUvVpEAYhuAzOCCFTD8c43TXETzExThqFu5RiaXbCxGPClj7Qu2r-ZVdXsN18xqQyBI3dy7xXSZVj-1T4PvJYADKs_2sUlYLJZMt-ecPkzgbMNkBbPdP2hSQqqTLxrXjm/s1080/IMG_20231103_124007_605~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="712" data-original-width="1080" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhikSuEmXDj3oEZMSd_tNRamAi_ivLeHfudb7OgE7Jm1qLMSNZyqvkL8WDxasDWUvVpEAYhuAzOCCFTD8c43TXETzExThqFu5RiaXbCxGPClj7Qu2r-ZVdXsN18xqQyBI3dy7xXSZVj-1T4PvJYADKs_2sUlYLJZMt-ecPkzgbMNkBbPdP2hSQqqTLxrXjm/w400-h264/IMG_20231103_124007_605~2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I'm very fond of delightful love stories. But, I believe, romance novels can be really boring if not handled well (involves many factors). One of the things that really pisses me off is 'insta love' or love at first sight. Maybe because I don't believe in the theory of love at first sight. I like to see the protagonists growing in a beautiful relationship; to see them falling in love. </span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you ask me about my favourite fictional characters falling in love, I'd say Leo and Emmi from <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/05/re-reading-love-virtually-and-every.html" target="_blank">Love Virtually by Daniel Glattauer (and Every Seventh Wave, the sequel). </a></b>They are epistolary novels (written in the form of emails). And Will and Lou from Me Before You.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But I have mentioned these books way too many times, so I am offering a fresh list. Four slow burn love stories that I read and loved in the last 2-3 years.</span></p><h1 dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></h1><h1 dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Twice-Lifetime-Novel-Melissa-Baron/dp/1639101365" target="_blank">Twice in a Lifetime</a> by </span><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22365447.Melissa_Baron" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Melissa Baron</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></span></h1><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioocLote7kwn0c0mQu5ypDNcL1JnacI3U4DU8nHTzxYDZWjd2P-n8Rncxd7XrMbJGv4cpHcyf1NObdkqapSHmPNrwXGnqASe-0zwgFtjKwouGNVGP7pUr5nssC4eoTiwhyphenhyphen643Ylq1LvRfknPVzM5hP0fW2jERsMqoQUu7hzxrVpER-gyK0Gm3gPB_XE2n/s275/download%20(1).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhioocLote7kwn0c0mQu5ypDNcL1JnacI3U4DU8nHTzxYDZWjd2P-n8Rncxd7XrMbJGv4cpHcyf1NObdkqapSHmPNrwXGnqASe-0zwgFtjKwouGNVGP7pUr5nssC4eoTiwhyphenhyphen643Ylq1LvRfknPVzM5hP0fW2jERsMqoQUu7hzxrVpER-gyK0Gm3gPB_XE2n/w213-h320/download%20(1).jpeg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Isla unexpectedly receives a text from a stranger, Ewan, who claims to be her husband. Obviously a wrong number, she thinks, she's not even married. But then he shares some solid proofs that indicate he might be his future husband who has lost her and is now reaching out to her to save her.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So when she meets him for the first time, she knows he is the one, but Ewan doesn't know as yet.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's speculative fiction, an endearing love story. Unique, imaginative and so engrossing. It deals with mental health in a very sensitive manner. I loved it, I wish I could re-read it like I was reading it for the first time.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Name-Anton-Catherine-Ryan-Hyde-ebook/dp/B085SYCTC4/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=6QMT9LDCBUD1&keywords=my+name+is+anton&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1698831269&sprefix=my+name+is+anton%2Caps%2C541&sr=8-1" target="_blank">My Name is Anton</a> by Catherine Ryan Hyde</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OicLjwfoVQFiZurWX8y9WrZPiUgDd0s_CLSLLc9jZtCD1tlWRIS0Ajo57jU-lQYaz43w-_d3TM6bgQdW9Bo2fnPzmRvKN-6MA06BLj0ra-u6ZwL-oB08NK3Ti0See_5nrMt09EP-nb7K7x0BkgVwJToNN4O1qCvyGo4w-qutUf3Uu6lbQtIHnn1ICZp0/s275/download.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="275" data-original-width="183" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3OicLjwfoVQFiZurWX8y9WrZPiUgDd0s_CLSLLc9jZtCD1tlWRIS0Ajo57jU-lQYaz43w-_d3TM6bgQdW9Bo2fnPzmRvKN-6MA06BLj0ra-u6ZwL-oB08NK3Ti0See_5nrMt09EP-nb7K7x0BkgVwJToNN4O1qCvyGo4w-qutUf3Uu6lbQtIHnn1ICZp0/w213-h320/download.jpeg" width="213" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It’s 1965, and life has taken a turn for eighteen-year-old Anton Addison-Rice. Nearly a year after his brother died in a tragic accident, Anton is still wounded—physically and emotionally. Alone for the holidays, he catches a glimpse of his neighbor Edith across the street one evening and realizes that she’s in danger.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Anton is determined to help Edith leave her abusive marriage. Frightened and fifteen years Anton’s senior, Edith is slow to trust. But when she needs a safe place to stay, she lets down her guard, and over the course of ten days an unlikely friendship grows. </span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>"'I love you so much it scares me sometimes. I’ll think how much I love you and for a minute it’s hard to breathe.'</i></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><i><br /></i></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>'Welcome to my side of the fence,' he said."</i></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A pure, poignant, unique and heartwarming love story. Too good to be true, maybe, but I absolutely don't mind! Beautiful writing. <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2020/12/book-review-my-name-is-anton-by.html" target="_blank">My full review.</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Love-at-First-Calder-Brand/dp/1496725190/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=1ACL1OBU2CXNF&keywords=love+at+first+kate+clayborn&nsdOptOutParam=true&qid=1698831331&sprefix=love+at+first+ka%2Caps%2C471&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Love at First</a> by Kate Clayborn</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaBkyVF8zDYl7x1g6XfpCyywj7xx7JXh0WS3TwoYV2DvvrNX3t7LCTXeVpzYInMzo7PQffAXFnbzJDti5FnFtHGPY-ttEixo4gTZp8F64afjpmyK6yNxA91kNGVA0kfwx3Af_BJVJQh7tuI9TVoKhENJkqKHemXDSg-dB8ARqvKJgxDaQ2KknM5xEf3VS/s274/download%20(2).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="274" data-original-width="184" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglaBkyVF8zDYl7x1g6XfpCyywj7xx7JXh0WS3TwoYV2DvvrNX3t7LCTXeVpzYInMzo7PQffAXFnbzJDti5FnFtHGPY-ttEixo4gTZp8F64afjpmyK6yNxA91kNGVA0kfwx3Af_BJVJQh7tuI9TVoKhENJkqKHemXDSg-dB8ARqvKJgxDaQ2KknM5xEf3VS/w215-h320/download%20(2).jpeg" width="215" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><b><br /></b></span><p></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Blurb: </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sixteen years ago, a teenaged Will Sterling saw—or rather, </span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">heard</span><span face="Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">—the girl of his dreams. Standing beneath an apartment building balcony, he shared a perfect moment with a lovely, warm-voiced stranger. It’s a memory that’s never faded, though he’s put so much of his past behind him. Now an unexpected inheritance has brought Will back to that same address, where he plans to offload his new property and get back to his regular life as an overworked doctor. Instead, he encounters a woman, two balconies above, who’s uncannily familiar…</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><i>'and he couldn’t just hear the grin in her voice; it was like he could feel it, like she had her mouth pressed right against his chest.'</i></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's so sweet and heartwarming. It's so funny and so sad, at times. And I loved Will and Nora (especially Will). And their endearing conversations.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><h1 dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Meeting-Point-2021-romcom-wont-ebook/dp/B08YP3H4MZ/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1E6GYEATXIOD7&keywords=meeting+point+olivia+lara&qid=1698831399&sprefix=meeting+point+olivia+lara%2Caps%2C451&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Meeting Point by Olivia Lara</a></span></h1><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYeC7QVg9qepUvUjpH6wwChtcJLATK03EQ6bvw-nyqFBvaPOuk_Q3uX1B6Ydv8CQjCU2Tnap-ToYX8kF9osPehh_p9nPJYtTcztz8wIDvo_1SQf5PXcVAuuCWiVBBP6CoYIFR4fE6afj8XzUfGFo37TGnk3V_gIHMcT9udhyhVCJKhjweUKEHS7QtnWfn/s686/images%20(4).jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="686" data-original-width="447" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDYeC7QVg9qepUvUjpH6wwChtcJLATK03EQ6bvw-nyqFBvaPOuk_Q3uX1B6Ydv8CQjCU2Tnap-ToYX8kF9osPehh_p9nPJYtTcztz8wIDvo_1SQf5PXcVAuuCWiVBBP6CoYIFR4fE6afj8XzUfGFo37TGnk3V_gIHMcT9udhyhVCJKhjweUKEHS7QtnWfn/w209-h320/images%20(4).jpeg" width="209" /></a></div><br /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What if the Lift driver who finds your cheating boyfriend's phone holds the directions to true love?</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">'Who are you and why do you have my boyfriend's phone?'</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">'He left it in my car. You must be the blonde in the red dress? I'm the Lift driver who dropped you two off earlier.'</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And with these words, the life of the brunette and t-shirt wearing Maya Maas is turned upside down. Having planned to surprise her boyfriend, she finds herself single and stranded in an unknown city on her birthday.</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">We don't meet the male protagonist for a long time, but he is connected through texts and that's so entertaining, the chats. I love the protagonists and their conversation. Both as a reader and a writer, I felt deeply connected. So much that the book travelled with me to my kitchen, and it doesn't happen often. I love the settings: the lovely locations, the cafe, beach, cottages…</span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The ending was a bit rushed, as I was expecting a deeper conversation and moments. Nevertheless, it was lovely, lovely read. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you are reading this post, please leave a comment and share yoir favourites. Would love to know.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Written for <b><a href="https://bohemianbibliophile.com/a-book-bloggers-bill-of-rights-10-key-principles/#comment-23675" target="_blank">Bookish League hosted by Ritu</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/user/dashboard" target="_blank"><br /></a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/user/dashboard" target="_blank">Blogchatter Bloghop's prompt:</a></b> 'Your two favourite fictional characters falling in love'</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com33tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-44423754034151985202023-10-14T11:17:00.002+05:302023-10-19T20:19:06.368+05:30Writers of Blogchatter Anthology Part 2<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8XC2lFXcRJUy54PQiDZpqXp3cXbY_r79WPti9m3Xi5piD2zDGXSb3SNr9T5Y7WVpR_sVEP1MK0-1pBcH3i5Pitcp2LkLo6fV8veDiV2rhVrkt3XQOJUXcf9Owp1G0qJwtVuIgbrcA5CT9aZ3lOxLe-v76vuNaHdggZbF2oEH5kvRS__zobajgjshvdTU/s3865/GridArt_20231014_003354463~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2399" data-original-width="3865" height="398" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG8XC2lFXcRJUy54PQiDZpqXp3cXbY_r79WPti9m3Xi5piD2zDGXSb3SNr9T5Y7WVpR_sVEP1MK0-1pBcH3i5Pitcp2LkLo6fV8veDiV2rhVrkt3XQOJUXcf9Owp1G0qJwtVuIgbrcA5CT9aZ3lOxLe-v76vuNaHdggZbF2oEH5kvRS__zobajgjshvdTU/w640-h398/GridArt_20231014_003354463~3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, here's the second part where I'm introducing you to the writers of The <b><a href="https://www.readomania.com/shop/book/the-blogchatter-book-of-thrillers" target="_blank">Blogchatter Book of Thrillers</a></b> (that I am part of), published by <b>Readomania</b>. Also, let me tell you a little about the featured stories as they appear. Request you to check the first part <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/10/writers-of-blogchatter-anthology-part-1.html" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>.</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #0f1111;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p><b style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">One Night by Tarang Sinha</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">: It's about a young, depressed boy who happens to be wandering at night when he meets a mysterious girl in a weird situation. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Tarang Sinha is a bilingual writer, translator and self taught artist. Her stories and articles have been published in various magazines like Good Housekeeping India, Child India, New Woman, Women's Era and The Hindu. She writes for a popular radio show Yaadon Ka Idiot Box with Neelesh Misra.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://x.com/TarangSinha" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b> | <b><a href="https://instagram.com/tarang.sinha?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Dactyist by Anushree Saha<span style="font-family: inherit;">: </span></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A chilling and gory narrative about a collector who has an unusual interest in the fingerprints of her victims. What's her motive? What's her background story? Delve deep into the psyche of our protagonist to uncover the killer mindset. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anushree Saha aka My Word Bubble, is a blogger, book reviewer, freelance writer and social media strategist. She has worked with renowned brands, authors and publishers. She is also a Black belt in Taekwondo martial arts. Her poetry book- Duende (Dwen-day) talks about various social issues. Her poems have been previously published in anthologies such as Carnations, Beyond Life, Anika and Little Love notes. More on her <b><a href="https://mywordbubble.home.blog/" target="_blank">Blog</a></b> | <b><a href="https://instagram.com/mywordbubble" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Black by Dr Alpna Das Sharma: </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What do the desert, the dark night skies, a wandering girl, a handful of scattered beads and an abandoned well have in common? Black is an unconventional revenge story unfolding in a backdrop of abuse, gender discrimination and social stigmas.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Alpna is a doctor by profession, trained in dermatology, but a poet at heart. She enjoys delving into the deep recesses of the human mind and expressing many unspoken emotions through her words. More on <b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/alpna.dassharma?mibextid=ZbWKwL" target="_blank">Facebook</a></b> | <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/alpnadasharma24/saved/#" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>A Husband's Guide to Set a Wife Right by Rahul Vishnoi: </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A husband, convinced his wife is cheating on him, wants to punish by branding her with a shovel dipped in boiling oil. But tables turn, as they always do in a good thriller.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rahul Vishnoi is a bookworm who devours anything fun to read. He loves travelling as much as reading. It's this habit of reading that inculcated the desire to jump to the other side of the paper. More on his <b><a href="https://quitaabi.home.blog/" target="_blank">Website</a></b> | <b><a href="https://instagram.com/quitaabi" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Silver Anklet by Harshita Nanda:</b> About the story: this story is about love and betrayal with a dash of supernatural elements.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Harshita Nanda is an avid reader and a lover of the written word. An ex- 1997 batch BITSian. She has three self-published books to her name, and her stories have a home in many anthologies. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">More on her <b><a href="https://undecidedindubai.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">blog</a></b> | <b><a href="https://x.com/ashnhash" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b> | <b><a href="https://instagram.com/author_harshita?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What Runs in Our Blood by Roshan Radhakrishnan</b>: it combines genres in a very unique way, starting off as a historical fiction tale exploring caste equations in Kerala centuries ago before taking an absolutely unexpected turn in the final act.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Dr Roshan is an Anaesthesiologist. He has over 24 short stories published in print and was a winner in both Season 1 & 2 of Write India, India's Largest Short Story Contest. More on his <b><a href="https://www.godyears.net/" target="_blank">blog</a></b> | <b><a href="https://x.com/pythoroshan" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Hartoli's Duty by Suchita Agarwal: </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Hartoli's Duty is about Hartoli who ferries dead people from one shore of the river to another. The people he receives have committed the sin of silence and it is his duty to ensure they sing before they reach the next stop in their journey. He has been doing his duty diligently until his latest charge Brahaspath enters his realm and changes everything.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Suchita Agarwal has a Masters in International Business and is Head of Operations at Blogchatter. She writes fiction and essays regularly on her blog talesofsuchita.com. She has self-published 3 ebooks: 23 Letters of Love (a poem collection), The Gunslinger (a western novella) and Happy Endings (an anthology). Reading and desserts are her one true love. More on her <b><a href="https://talesofsuchita.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a></b> | <b><a href="https://x.com/talesOfsuchita" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b> </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thank you for reading! Hope you find The Blogchatter Book of Thrillers interesting and add it to your TBR list, read it and like it. We will wait for your feedback. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-28709446488014527462023-10-13T10:55:00.004+05:302023-10-15T02:05:30.910+05:30Writers of Blogchatter Anthology Part 1<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTYE5LYccedeqGl122muqi5WVoWoBl9N9H1Utezk2_c_QXcxKl1tQ8mbQIFbVvWiaI57gKIsyoutYzwQzmr8az918tcW5ph4foH0471d1Q8gF10wS1F9BkT1-g0gCw5gzH_iKjTd-wy9RVJxo5zdPYXQxY5tceLFJh9Ga7iDbvxedKhKrKYhNIj_JmzaRb" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTYE5LYccedeqGl122muqi5WVoWoBl9N9H1Utezk2_c_QXcxKl1tQ8mbQIFbVvWiaI57gKIsyoutYzwQzmr8az918tcW5ph4foH0471d1Q8gF10wS1F9BkT1-g0gCw5gzH_iKjTd-wy9RVJxo5zdPYXQxY5tceLFJh9Ga7iDbvxedKhKrKYhNIj_JmzaRb=w300-h400" width="300" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-c831743f-7fff-328a-ac17-01b4bd6e94bc" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In my last post, I shared about this really cool <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">Blogchatter</a></b> (a wonderful community for writers and readers) <b>anthology</b> that I'm part of. It's called <b>The</b> <b>Blogchatter Book of Thrillers</b>, published by <b>Readomania</b>. If you enjoy thrillers or mysterious stories, you will like it. You can get it <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/9391800653?ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_SQBKTWBW1P9Z5Q7FP2H5" target="_blank">HERE</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.readomania.com/shop/book/the-blogchatter-book-of-thrillers" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Today, I'm happy to introduce the talented writers of this anthology! Also, let me tell you a little about the stories (as they appear in the book).</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Against the Windowpane by Dr. Rehana Sultan:</b><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> This story is about a young doctor's struggle to save her child against the evils she couldn't escape. It deals with the everyday lives of doctors and the harassment they go through.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Rehana is an Assistant professor in the dept of general and laparoscopic surgery in Pondicherry. She has been previously published in an anthology by Swipe publications. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">More on her <b><a href="https://penbooksandscalpel.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a></b> | <b><a href="https://instagram.com/pen.books.and.scalpel?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Last Rasam by Anuradha Shetty</b>: </span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This story is about Raghuram, a ten year old boy who is anxiously waiting for India to be a free country so his sister who is hiding in the attic can come out to live freely. The story is all about how freedom is different for each one of us. </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anuradha Shetty is a business management graduate, Life Coach, Career Coach, and content writer who has been a firm believer that words are empowering. She has self-published two books 'We are all a Little Broken' on Amazon Kindle and 'Falling Down' on BlogChatter. More on her <b><a href="https://therealinfluencer.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a></b> | <b><a href="https://x.com/anuradhashett16" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b> </span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>The Secrets of Nandini Rutuja by Roma Gupta Sinha: </b></span></span><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A tale of a reclusive and aggressive teenager who loves lizards. She has lost both her parents and has for long confined herself to a room with zero human contact. She only communicates with lizards and surely hides some dark secrets. Read this thriller and delve into Nandini’s world to fathom the dark truth.</span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Roma is a versatile blogger and author of seven published books in different genres. She has been felicitated with numerous awards for her candid thought-provoking writings and her quantum of work, including the coveted 'Woman of the Year 2015', ‘Planet's Pride Award 2018' and ‘Sahityakosh Samman 2021’. She is also the founder of Endometriosis Awareness and Support Group India. M</span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit;">ore on her </span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.trulyyoursroma.com/" target="_blank">blog</a></b><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit;"> | </span><b style="background-color: transparent; font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://instagram.com/trulyyrsroma?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==" target="_blank">Instagram</a> | <a href="https://x.com/RomaGuptaSinha" target="_blank">Twitter</a> </b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Memory's Missing Piece by Kajal Kapur: </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Reva recovers from a coma and she discovers a strange aberration, an unexpected occurrence that can blow the reputation of the hospital. It takes DSP Akash Mathur and ASP Medha Bisht to solve the puzzle. Justice for Reva is more than a mere arrest.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Kajal is an Entrepreneur, a writer and a Happiness Coach. She leads a team at Penmancy, an enterprise dedicated to providing a launchpad for aspiring authors. As a fiction writer she has contributed to numerous esteemed international and national anthologies, and her published articles have found place in various international and national online magazines and digital platforms. More on </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://instagram.com/coachkajalkapur?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> | </span><b style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://m.facebook.com/CoachKajalKapur" target="_blank">Facebook</a> </b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>What Tomorrow Holds by Deepti Menon</b>: </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It tells the saga of a young girl who is brought into a family and made to slave for them. What happens when she finds true love is the crux of this thriller short story.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Deepti Menon is a thriller writer who has also published books in genres like non-fiction, poetry, biography and children’s literature. She has also participated in around twenty-five anthologies where her story appears with those of myriad other writers as well. More on her <b><a href="https://deepties.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Blog</a></b> | <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/deepties_7/" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b> | <b><a href="https://twitter.com/deepsmenon_7" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063530448243" target="_blank">Facebook Page</a></b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Encounter by Chinmayee Sahu: </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What happens when Ramakant finds out a dangerous truth? Is it too late to realise it? Does he pay a price for doing his duty? </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-9e9e1e36-7fff-be31-d4f4-de96f4dc7768" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Chinmayee Gayatree Sahu, currently a Government Employee, is passionate about reading and loves to pen down her emotions. She aims to keep writing quality articles and stories that can engage her readers and give them wings of imagination. She has authored three books so far. <b>Five Petals</b>, a collection of short stories; <b>Heartfelt Symphonies</b>, a poetry book; <b>Traces & Memoirs: Stories of You and Me</b>, collection of twenty-six short stories are available on Amazon and Flipkart. M</span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">ore on her <a href="https://chinmayeecreations.com/" target="_blank"><b>Website</b></a> | <b><a href="https://x.com/ChinmayeegG" target="_blank">Twitter</a></b> | <b><a href="https://instagram.com/chinmayeesahu?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-size: 10.5pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> </span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Fragments of Yesterday by Huma Masood:</b><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> It is about a young woman who loses her memory in an accident that nearly kills her. Desperate for answers, she visits a doctor at the local hospital, where she runs into her past. What will she find?</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Huma Masood is a seasoned stock market trader, a published poet, and a storyteller. Her work has been featured in blogs, ezines, and anthologies. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">More on her <b><a href="https://www.humamasood.com/" target="_blank">website</a></b> | <b><a href="https://instagram.com/humawrites?igshid=NjIwNzIyMDk2Mg==" target="_blank">Instagram</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><br /></b></span></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>The Fields by Nirmiti Narain: </b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's about a scary scarecrow stationed at a field, watching the glowing crops and eagerly waiting for his beloved, but then something unexpected happens…</span></span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Nirmiti is currently a sales leader at Google with 12 years of experience across diverse corporate conglomerates like Tata and Zomato. Writing has been her passion since childhood. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Hope you find the blurbs intriguing. Stay tuned; I'll post the second part soon. <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/10/writers-of-blogchatter-anthology-part-2.html" target="_blank">Here's the second part.</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-family: Merriweather, serif; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><br /></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-12036261421453345482023-10-05T12:16:00.003+05:302023-10-05T23:21:27.991+05:30The Blogchatter Book of Thrillers<p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9c2myj4RWuje4JSX3goNG-ATVlSWrPtAHl8-L8sfxcuxwuSGeOfU4CrD1DPehDeMyqhTW63QEFp046odT-eR7o3FPA19NpbbY4Gi4tg6ZO0P6W0XPq7zo55olGEOVD2wxcU-JruCKMyarF9GZSfTJkimSkpN7bY2ZLJKq3BtcyYVIDDbhcqfZhhBfe67/s3086/IMG_20231005_114352~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3086" data-original-width="2409" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA9c2myj4RWuje4JSX3goNG-ATVlSWrPtAHl8-L8sfxcuxwuSGeOfU4CrD1DPehDeMyqhTW63QEFp046odT-eR7o3FPA19NpbbY4Gi4tg6ZO0P6W0XPq7zo55olGEOVD2wxcU-JruCKMyarF9GZSfTJkimSkpN7bY2ZLJKq3BtcyYVIDDbhcqfZhhBfe67/w313-h400/IMG_20231005_114352~3.jpg" width="313" /></a></span></div><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC6yyB2aimeBreXeWe8uldQhXdWyZMwOjECca8UeDzb2uC3BvoyIK8le38yHf5yCD2MVQZrigf3Sz0tSPV9QjWALeumUipWQNWg-A8NO5BTuh64vg4PYUqUZ916vGcQgOZauiQeB0KssgZ5HfCI0mEFhlt8Z9tLch1BD0HBXmuY_FfpskZ6tUO-6p4XDE/s1685/IMG_20231005_115437~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1615" data-original-width="1685" height="307" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzC6yyB2aimeBreXeWe8uldQhXdWyZMwOjECca8UeDzb2uC3BvoyIK8le38yHf5yCD2MVQZrigf3Sz0tSPV9QjWALeumUipWQNWg-A8NO5BTuh64vg4PYUqUZ916vGcQgOZauiQeB0KssgZ5HfCI0mEFhlt8Z9tLch1BD0HBXmuY_FfpskZ6tUO-6p4XDE/s320/IMG_20231005_115437~3.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is my first post for <b>Bookish League</b>, a blog hop hosted by <b><a href="https://bohemianbibliophile.com/" target="_blank">Ritu</a></b>. As the name suggests, it's all about bookish things. You can her bookish post (and find other links <b><a href="https://bohemianbibliophile.com/incredible-indian-food-memoirs-memories-traditions-and-some-lost-recipes/" target="_blank">HERE</a></b>)</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, I thought to start with a cool anthology of thrillers that I am part of.</span></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Excited and thankful to be published in this thrilling anthology published by <b><a href="https://www.readomania.com/shop" target="_blank">Readomania</a></b> in association with <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">Blogchatter</a></b>. You can purchase this book <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/9391800653?ref_=cm_sw_r_apan_dp_SQBKTWBW1P9Z5Q7FP2H5" target="_blank">HERE</a></b> or <b><a href="https://www.readomania.com/shop/book/the-blogchatter-book-of-thrillers" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Or if you are a book reviewer, you can request a review copy <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/book-review/the-blogchatter-book-of-thrillers" target="_blank">HERE</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Blurb</b>:</span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">What goes on in the minds of people on the threshold of doing something drastic? A woman convinced there's a presence at her window that only she can see; a collector who has an unusual interest in fingerprints of her victims; an unsettled man blaming everything on his wife; a low-caste child trying to make sense of India's freedom; a haunted guest house room and the ghost that goes away; a reclusive and aggressive teenager who loves lizards—the stories explore times long ago, realms we never knew existed, the deep recesses of the human mind, and fears that become aggressions. The Blogchatter Book of Thrillers features 15 thrilling stories from Blogchatter's community writers—these tales will chill, scare and stay in your head and heart. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>Featured Authors</b>: Rehana Sultana, Anuradha Shetty, Roma Gupta Sinha, Kajal Kapur, Deepti Menon, Chinmayee Sahu, Huma Masood, Nirmiti Narain, Tarang Sinha, Anushree Saha, Dr Alpna Das Sharma, Rahul Vishnoi, Harshita Nanda, Roshan Radhakrishnan, Suchita Agarwal</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's a glimpse of its launch in Banaras.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxk4qX4jFhf0LghbxBKC2qp-k-miXMLIVhYJyJvKBwD760MEYyd8Vzr4RqmvenwRo0hWzqeoQQRWtwQjE5-aw' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></span></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1111; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span><p></p><br />Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com56tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-45570371058661699912023-09-09T11:08:00.004+05:302023-09-09T11:15:07.783+05:30Being an Intuitive Writer/Painter<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOWtLUQK3Obr5i5fqB94dS8EMr7UM3vwa8tppNa8GvXJBvhoBJSNqAVen9hrYk-XWXhLweqp2jEpZucnOxsqq-43zRFgerRB4Z2naQfwjS6wGba7SokgdZS5MX2WBiBn7fsu2OiLr7ASgzKKxr7_CMJqeGPiV4zNNudgDsfVJvKGbfTpYFHoJtbin75J4/s1202/img_1_1694184937356.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1075" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOWtLUQK3Obr5i5fqB94dS8EMr7UM3vwa8tppNa8GvXJBvhoBJSNqAVen9hrYk-XWXhLweqp2jEpZucnOxsqq-43zRFgerRB4Z2naQfwjS6wGba7SokgdZS5MX2WBiBn7fsu2OiLr7ASgzKKxr7_CMJqeGPiV4zNNudgDsfVJvKGbfTpYFHoJtbin75J4/w358-h400/img_1_1694184937356.jpg" width="358" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><p>Recently, <span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I came across a word called paracosm.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">A paracosm is a detailed imaginary world created inside one's mind. This fantasy world may involve humans, animals, and things that exist in reality; or it may also contain entities that are entirely imaginary, alien, and otherworldly.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">So, basically our mind is a paracosm. And it reminds me of another word called 'Jouska', which means 'a hypothetical conversation that you compulsively play out in your head.'</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">If you are a writer or artist, then you'd find it familiar. We have an always-occupied mind. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Sometimes these scene plays and conversations are so vivid that they feel like complete stories that you write inside your head. I have written many stories like this and that's probably </span><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">the reason that </span><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I have turned into an intuitive writer. Some scene or photo flashes in my mind and I just start writing. Sometimes it's microfiction, sometimes a flash piece. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And then, one day, when I was reading Flatshare, I suddenly felt like writing an epistolary story, and then I did (in Hindi). And then one night, a strange thought came to my mind, and my fingers itched to write that implausible story, and I did (Hindi). </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">And it has kind of become my tendency. No matter how much I (try to) plan the plot, I eventually end up doing my own thing. And it's fun! And I'm writing too many 'ands'.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The same goes for my painting. I begin painting without any planning or image in mind. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">In fact, all my posts for <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/campaign-registrations/blogchatter-half-marathon-2023" target="_blank">Blogchatter's Half Marathon</a></b> (</span><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 14.6667px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This post is the 10th and last post for Half Marathon) </span><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">are intuitive. I didn't plan my posts. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Lora, serif; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> Thus, I completed the Half Marathon. :)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><br /><br />Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-3689911258138991202023-09-06T18:14:00.003+05:302023-09-06T18:19:41.861+05:30Rain in My Heart by Edgar Lee Masters: My Hindi Translation<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnpbKFY4toKZx4inFNkllVE-FbRd-VcN34pC3nvKm8BUxauIMBh5yDJpQYGitbL_2ra5MVJw_iiy2GN7zueRnKwi1yD_kF-Q0Pacgqg3dX9fLNDms3wn0NyftePF9tGwOkh7BjndVh8W7H3mq1I_TdUwHlkj3n_KJC4W-m8FlapWGEhLw-TK5oj_1zkIU/s1920/IMG_20230906_181644_533.webp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1920" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKnpbKFY4toKZx4inFNkllVE-FbRd-VcN34pC3nvKm8BUxauIMBh5yDJpQYGitbL_2ra5MVJw_iiy2GN7zueRnKwi1yD_kF-Q0Pacgqg3dX9fLNDms3wn0NyftePF9tGwOkh7BjndVh8W7H3mq1I_TdUwHlkj3n_KJC4W-m8FlapWGEhLw-TK5oj_1zkIU/w360-h640/IMG_20230906_181644_533.webp" width="360" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> </div><div style="text-align: left;">Rain in My Heart by Edgar Lee Masters.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">My Hindi translation</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>मेरे मन में एक धीमी-धीमी सी बारिश है,</div><div>कुछ यूं, जैसे कोई तक़लीफ़ में सुकून ढूंढता हो।</div><div>और बाहर, छत पर, बारिश की बूंदों में सराबोर,</div><div>गौरेया चहचहा रही है।</div><div><br /></div><div>बारिश जो मेरे ज़ेहन में है; बारिश जो छत पर है;</div><div>और वो याद जो धूसर, शांत आसमां तले सोई है,</div><div>किसी भी यादगार दिन का ख़्वाब लेकर नहीं आयी।</div><div><br /></div><div>मुझे राहत नहीं चाहिए, ना सुनहरे बादल, ना ही मद्धिम बयार।</div><div>बस ऐसे ही दिन चाहिए, तब तक, जब तक कि मेरा मन तुम्हें खो देने के ग़म से सुलह ना कर ले।</div><div><br /></div><div>मैं तुम्हें कभी नहीं देख पाऊंगी...</div><div>तुम्हें उस तरह जानने की, जैसे कि तुम थे,</div><div>हर उम्मीद फिसलती जा रही है।</div><div>मैं ―जो खुद बदल चुकी हूँ ―</div><div>उस बदली हुई सूरत को कभी नहीं ढ़ूंढ पाऊंगी</div><div>जिस चेहरे से मैंने कभी इतना प्यारा किया था।</div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />This post is part of <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/campaign-registrations/blogchatter-half-marathon-2023" target="_blank">Blogchatter Half Marathon</a><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-36925686362736271032023-09-03T12:07:00.008+05:302024-03-11T13:13:43.356+05:30Books That Rekindled My Interest in Horror Stories<p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FueRszxQk3otLDjM1esejbkih1A7Ra3hHyQQGAaqhZ5jpy7d8YWl5ENtCQG7wRJJgL6VSZD8ZB72kt50asAi9z8zMMJz4gmQ39oAPnJuX9PKrkTWDMDvSm0Qc4Gf8OkbzB2093dB6vL3lsSD23cXcNcYKaEPStDlsLDyzv-U_oUUD5iKLPcHz5nPl9Rv/s836/Screenshot_20230902-233524~2.png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="836" data-original-width="681" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7FueRszxQk3otLDjM1esejbkih1A7Ra3hHyQQGAaqhZ5jpy7d8YWl5ENtCQG7wRJJgL6VSZD8ZB72kt50asAi9z8zMMJz4gmQ39oAPnJuX9PKrkTWDMDvSm0Qc4Gf8OkbzB2093dB6vL3lsSD23cXcNcYKaEPStDlsLDyzv-U_oUUD5iKLPcHz5nPl9Rv/w326-h400/Screenshot_20230902-233524~2.png" width="326" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">📸: My painting</span></span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">In the dead of the night, we had finished watching 'The Evil Dead' on a VCR that we rented for a day. I was a kid but I remember that I was not really scared. I even wandered in our courtyard alone while everyone dispersed, calling it a day, finally.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Then began my reading sessions with a magazine called Manohar Kahaniyan. Dadaji discouraged me from reading that magazine but I read it anyway, particularly horror stories. But I never felt scared even though I read those stories at night, under the lantern that cast eerie shadows. However, I enjoyed the tingling excitement, the sense of apprehension such stories caused.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">(Until a few years ago. When I suddenly began to avoid horror stories as they made me uncomfortable for some reason.)</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Later, after I got bored of Manohar Kahaniyan stories, my tryst with horror stories was somehow limited to watching movies or serials. Novels seldom captivated. Horror writing didn't excite me so I stopped picking horror novels.</span></span></p><div><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But recently, I read two very unique, very well written horror novels, and they truly rekindled my interest in horror stories. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The first one was <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/04/book-review-let-him-in-by-william-friend.html" target="_blank">Let Him In by William Friend. </a></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.656; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's a very well written story, cleverly crafted. The writing is engaging, beautiful sometimes. A wonderful blend of paranormal elements and psychology, which makes it unpredictable and even more mysterious. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The ending, although unconventional and kind of open ended, is very creepy.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><h1 dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5531629187" target="_blank">The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses by L.V.Russell</a></span></span></h1><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It doesn't happen immediately, but you have this sense of apprehension, a nagging feeling that something is wrong and something is going to happen.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The credit goes to the writing and storytelling. It's a strange book (the strangeness shall remain unnamed). And slow paced, but the writing is so beautiful that I ―someone who's not a fan of slow paced, descriptive writing ―did not mind. In fact I liked the way it evoked an eerie sensation and painted vivid imagery.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">A wonderfully creepy, mysterious and poignant read. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Oh, and I'd like to add <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2022/01/book-review-young-blood-by-chandrima-das.html?m=1" target="_blank">Young Blood by Chandrima Das</a></b>. </span></span><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">The writing is beautiful and crisp. Stories are gripping. You would not want to miss a single paragraph. That engaging. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="background-color: white; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Every story is intriguing in its own way, so I loved them all, except 2-3 tales. But even though the concept of these 2-3 stories didn't excite me, the writing and storytelling gripped me for sure. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Do you enjoy horror books? Share your favourites?</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;">This post is part of <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/campaign-registrations/blogchatter-half-marathon-2023" target="_blank">Blogchatter's Half Marathon</a></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div></div>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-46466082706338558512023-09-02T11:04:00.002+05:302023-09-02T11:32:34.782+05:30Louisa Clark: Me Before You (and the sequels)<p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipH9qUmd-S6SfnDzCQRIdX0EQyYDvJczvHjgOSQa-ltJKQBfAFLDTWu3IaKbpiP_9pFcTa91DvzKgOxhVgfs2qG-qoDY39ooYCoV6xh-Kq3R7TUaHtefDHgQ-VpvHlrp_lCFqTBQ3jaDs2aBm9lfYU_PI_N9DHKyUSTDR9PtbH-52milgaOTqchvFdnCQd" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEipH9qUmd-S6SfnDzCQRIdX0EQyYDvJczvHjgOSQa-ltJKQBfAFLDTWu3IaKbpiP_9pFcTa91DvzKgOxhVgfs2qG-qoDY39ooYCoV6xh-Kq3R7TUaHtefDHgQ-VpvHlrp_lCFqTBQ3jaDs2aBm9lfYU_PI_N9DHKyUSTDR9PtbH-52milgaOTqchvFdnCQd=w320-h320" width="320" /></a></span></div><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Yesterday, all of a sudden, Louisa Clark (the female protagonist of <b>Me Before You</b>, one of my favourite books) came to my mind.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">What Louisa Clark was doing in Me Before You was not her dream job, of course. Her father lost his job and the responsibility of running the household fell on her shoulder. No matter how cheerful she appeared, she, obviously, felt restricted.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-56297c74-7fff-24e8-ae93-00c0be880526" style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">So, Will Traynor gave her father a job so that Clark could feel free and relieved. In the end, he gifted all his money to her so that she could do what she really wanted to do. Louisa, a bright and vivacious girl, made Will's dull and painful life a little tolerable during his last days. And he turned out to be a great motivator and supporter.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5fc0ed07-7fff-f93e-f9ee-332fa40a31ec" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But I wonder what she did after Will Traynor.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">I haven't read 'After You', the second book in the series, because, well, Will Traynor (my favourite fictional character) is not there. So, I don't really know what Clark did in that book. But I bought <b>Still Me</b>, the third and probably last book in the series, because in this book, there's someone who is a Will Traynor lookalike (as the blurb suggests). </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-8463e5c0-7fff-3726-5e6d-ed3ba0281d47" style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">However (and strangely) I couldn't go beyond 4-5 chapters, maybe. First of all, I didn't understand the need to make it a series. But anyway, what disappointed me was that Louisa Clark was still doing the same thing (Still me?). The same kind of job that she used to do in the first book, which she didn't earn but Nathan (the caregiver of Will Traynor) helped her find it. </span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-c10efe09-7fff-da98-311c-542a9201ea7d" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I left the book unfinished. But I wonder what was the point? I bought another sequel to one of my favourite books but sadly, I couldn't finish that. </span><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 17.3333px; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Why do authors/publishers feel the need to write/publish sequels even if the first book is complete on its own? The only sequel I loved was <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/05/re-reading-love-virtually-and-every.html">Every Seventh Wave (sequel to Love Virtually by </a></b></span><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif;"><span style="font-size: 17.3333px; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/05/re-reading-love-virtually-and-every.html">Daniel Glattauer)</a></b>.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-c10efe09-7fff-da98-311c-542a9201ea7d" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-b63ee9ab-7fff-d891-5111-ea157358c5b5" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Maybe I missed something (as I haven't read the second book in the series)? Or something significant happens in the last instalment? </span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-c10efe09-7fff-da98-311c-542a9201ea7d" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Have you read Still Me?</span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-c10efe09-7fff-da98-311c-542a9201ea7d" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">This post is part of <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/campaign-registrations/blogchatter-half-marathon-2023" target="_blank">Blogchatter's Half Marathon</a></b></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-76862329580076734372023-09-01T00:54:00.003+05:302023-09-01T01:02:34.576+05:30Book Review: Kolam Kanna by Vibha Batra<p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_flzjaM2Sayfo_BuO_0-3ngHMNX_Wj-WJ2c7jQYqxXE5vGuih1Kn5ako4Lct1kQRxBwoXVHpadA34ErE4J2l0G1Mm06rBjBfSYSFVRE0X_dZsm-R5lho7hVsbYgyHNQ4rs00Iyzw55NVCWPRU0VSlGOaw2KARKeaThsjvRDDt6iE0Iea4Q1ejZ-IOFJ3/s1148/F3kEN3Ta4AA3Zq4.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1148" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEja_flzjaM2Sayfo_BuO_0-3ngHMNX_Wj-WJ2c7jQYqxXE5vGuih1Kn5ako4Lct1kQRxBwoXVHpadA34ErE4J2l0G1Mm06rBjBfSYSFVRE0X_dZsm-R5lho7hVsbYgyHNQ4rs00Iyzw55NVCWPRU0VSlGOaw2KARKeaThsjvRDDt6iE0Iea4Q1ejZ-IOFJ3/w376-h400/F3kEN3Ta4AA3Zq4.jpeg" width="376" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Book: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/0143461133/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1693504618&sr=8-2" target="_blank">Kolam Kanna</a></b></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Author: <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/vibhybatra/" target="_blank">Vibha Batra</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Illustrator: <b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/thatgorillagirl/" target="_blank">Jemma Jose</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Publisher: Puffin Books</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Genre: Children's Book (8+)</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pages: 124</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Price: ₹ 200 (paperback on Amazon)</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">About the author: Vibha Batra is an award winning author, poet, advertising consultant, graphic novelist, translator, playwright, travel writer, speaker, scriptwriter and creative writing mentor. She has published 25 books so far.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">About the book: This story is about Bharathi. Bharathi belongs to a modest family and spends most of his time at Pravin's Paradiso Apartments (where his parents work) with his cheerleaders, ever supportive friends, Tabassum and Alagu. There's another set of children in the society who dislike Bharathi and his friends, and don't leave a chance to tease them.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The most striking thing about Bharathi is that he is an exceptionally talented Kolam designer; his Kolam designs are so life-like. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Pravin's Paradiso Apartments is conducting a Kolam Contest and Bharathi's friends encourage him to participate. But how can he participate because only the residents of the apartments are eligible to participate? So, the book is all about that. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZdMLnDxhzrcxDj07YDfjdTvXS9UslC8sfdDbgLL4kwrIJGqQiNOX6e5m5peloC5AAk_mB8cMYm1JcuWhoucsd_CGbJ-o-eHGTmYhaflwJZFXvXN9t-Mwa01m1vSZa1-Iact0QJpq8rmd1gyIdaS8iDaiqslrLsbHJMeihUH2HC6kYCqxBf-IWet36Q4D/s1224/F3kELf2bAAAWlGh.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1080" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtZdMLnDxhzrcxDj07YDfjdTvXS9UslC8sfdDbgLL4kwrIJGqQiNOX6e5m5peloC5AAk_mB8cMYm1JcuWhoucsd_CGbJ-o-eHGTmYhaflwJZFXvXN9t-Mwa01m1vSZa1-Iact0QJpq8rmd1gyIdaS8iDaiqslrLsbHJMeihUH2HC6kYCqxBf-IWet36Q4D/s320/F3kELf2bAAAWlGh.jpeg" width="282" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's my second book by the author. I absolutely loved her <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2021/08/book-review-pinkoo-shergill-pastry-chef.html" target="_blank">Pinkoo Shergill Pastry Chef</a></b>. This story is sweet and entertaining, and just like her previous book, it breaks gender stereotypes. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">'Never have I heard of a boy making Kolams,' someone says. But the thing is that Bharathi, a boy, does make Kolams and how!</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhheN-O62kvj_jBakFSh2SPAE9nXQC2qyFTqXiqqM1_OLhvw-AofeALHk_zynwWUL48Qcx4IQo9tTNvWH6Zd5GWBoUSw3f9QT_Qmx8Z4H6xXFGFTWG_JNKlgwKYXlJLbmh9IqQXXbmfOSGMn_0bUAIWUHUSWzPCKSCijNz0c7kTISTAQRRTb3qF1UdVgmN/s1977/IMG_20230901_004215~3.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1977" data-original-width="1601" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhheN-O62kvj_jBakFSh2SPAE9nXQC2qyFTqXiqqM1_OLhvw-AofeALHk_zynwWUL48Qcx4IQo9tTNvWH6Zd5GWBoUSw3f9QT_Qmx8Z4H6xXFGFTWG_JNKlgwKYXlJLbmh9IqQXXbmfOSGMn_0bUAIWUHUSWzPCKSCijNz0c7kTISTAQRRTb3qF1UdVgmN/s320/IMG_20230901_004215~3.jpg" width="259" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Bharathi's character is endearing. It's sweet how he wants to win the second prize because he has a five-star dream for his parents. He wants to treat them to a grand dinner at Marina Hotel (that's the second prize for the contest). </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The story is full of twists and turns, and the ending is particularly heartwarming. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Apart from the kids, I liked Bharathi's ever supportive Amma and Mrs. Subramaniam. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwd9Au2_u7aD3YbMNcqhY9MCSXeTAVzxlnMbRlI6Ur2IqfqwF1OjPyD3MfEvNhvydL0NZHCSiir-GEAYj062GWOMoXngMX3ZXhZv1Pkl6wuLvhqATdlVnJpwe0BsqAGpOhOgdex_nt4zG8hlU77dnaea7sd_eJkkRWK7XZpT54RLSE5yWEUwXdrLozwg4Q/s2342/IMG_20230901_004252~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2342" data-original-width="1559" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwd9Au2_u7aD3YbMNcqhY9MCSXeTAVzxlnMbRlI6Ur2IqfqwF1OjPyD3MfEvNhvydL0NZHCSiir-GEAYj062GWOMoXngMX3ZXhZv1Pkl6wuLvhqATdlVnJpwe0BsqAGpOhOgdex_nt4zG8hlU77dnaea7sd_eJkkRWK7XZpT54RLSE5yWEUwXdrLozwg4Q/s320/IMG_20230901_004252~2.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span><p></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Vibha Batra has a distinct style of writing that's perfectly suitable for children. She uses interesting and catchy words that's capable of engaging the kids. I heard my 10 year old laughing out loud as he caught those words. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The illustration is very nice.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Overall, it was a sweet, entertaining and heartwarming read. Buddy reading with your child would be a joyful experience. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/user/book_review" target="_blank">This post is part of Blogchatter's Book Review Program</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/campaign-registrations/blogchatter-half-marathon-2023" target="_blank">This post is part of Blogchatter's Half Marathon</a></b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-27130384757995346142023-08-31T07:25:00.003+05:302023-08-31T17:53:25.356+05:30Wave: Acrylic Painting (and a poem)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiso1qYwBq-hzbDjIBcE1opoDnJ6n2aWvPIiz4iDV9el8Gdh0rgMvI1xdJVQWfhRzPiXPpPl7cfYW2K1NG7XQpLXoEFXNA9ob_pE3xwL0GsUoxAJ-_6dXnczshmH2QZzxiif4XSU1wI9vdnboR3N0s-TlGvDVcvlehY46b5s9y90XYdpUiS-eJGVLE0w3OF/s3130/GridArt_20230830_122621576.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2180" data-original-width="3130" height="279" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiso1qYwBq-hzbDjIBcE1opoDnJ6n2aWvPIiz4iDV9el8Gdh0rgMvI1xdJVQWfhRzPiXPpPl7cfYW2K1NG7XQpLXoEFXNA9ob_pE3xwL0GsUoxAJ-_6dXnczshmH2QZzxiif4XSU1wI9vdnboR3N0s-TlGvDVcvlehY46b5s9y90XYdpUiS-eJGVLE0w3OF/w400-h279/GridArt_20230830_122621576.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">My painting</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>चली आई है दबे पाँव,</p><p>इन मलंग लहरों के शोर के बीच</p><p>तुम्हारी याद की गूंज...</p><p><br /></p><p>समंदर के नीले कैनवस पर</p><p>मचलती ये लहरें नहीं</p><p>बातें हैं तुम्हारी</p><p>जो तुमने कही थी मुझसे</p><p>बिना कुछ कहे...</p><p><br /></p><p>This post is part of <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">Blogchatter's Half Marathon</a></b></p><p><br /></p><p><b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/08/when-it-was-raining.html" target="_blank">When it was Raining (flash fiction)</a></b></p><p><br /></p><div><br /></div>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-69392644137583064812023-08-30T08:38:00.001+05:302023-08-30T08:38:15.144+05:30My Translation: Sardar ―the Game Changer by Geeta Manek<p> </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5BoELwmWRTUNK1SKXracJioI5t8pD1ZNk9f3BbjgNYXfhzUhtmE_mZ8FbBOxLrm-HkhT8uVXU-syD58riN6lwq98O3td_aTzIjmCZliNx4UoOaW6JWawi8VmKodcJGo6rgtRcDPIp_SktqIbGxaR_aO-cfLbr6bMOBvPr4uH4uTmchlbLs3xpwzFoXtHW" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="593" data-original-width="680" height="349" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg5BoELwmWRTUNK1SKXracJioI5t8pD1ZNk9f3BbjgNYXfhzUhtmE_mZ8FbBOxLrm-HkhT8uVXU-syD58riN6lwq98O3td_aTzIjmCZliNx4UoOaW6JWawi8VmKodcJGo6rgtRcDPIp_SktqIbGxaR_aO-cfLbr6bMOBvPr4uH4uTmchlbLs3xpwzFoXtHW=w400-h349" width="400" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-70909a60-7fff-f51b-ba7e-b361983d6bfc" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">August is celebrated as Women in Translation month. So, I'm happy to share my new translation 'Sardar : The Game Changer' by <b><a href="https://m.facebook.com/profile.php/?id=1072181122" target="_blank">Geeta Manek</a></b>. Geeta Manek is a Gujarati author and playwright. She has written for Gujarati cinema. </span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-70909a60-7fff-f51b-ba7e-b361983d6bfc" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-70909a60-7fff-f51b-ba7e-b361983d6bfc" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This book was originally written in Gujarati. It's been translated into Hindi by the author herself. And I am so thankful that I got an opportunity to translate this book into English.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As you can guess, it's the story of partition and how Vallabhbhai Patel played a pivotal role. But it's more about the integration of Princely States. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The country was reeling with anarchy, and the British were leaving us in the lurch. Every problem was serious in its own way, but the integration of princely states into the Republic of India was the most challenging task.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Translating this book was an enlightening experience. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's published by <a href="http://www.kautilya.in/" target="_blank">Kautilya Books</a>. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">You can buy this book <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/9390885116?ref=myi_title_dp" target="_blank">here</a></b> (in case you like History).</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This post is part of <a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">Blogchatter's Half Marathon</a></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-21979771556110421172023-08-29T16:00:00.004+05:302023-08-29T16:55:45.520+05:30When it was Raining<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHWD1E0hcbPq_d0AMdGJI4f73DP77UIuDpAKAhTuOmcHKzKyf9Ngsb5Ypv_gs4teqRStv4VZ2D92petxIVaSvesRAFxbl906zLvi2kuZxo0lZbkRo66GV9Keb6-r2BjGHkl7UQkLZMLbbCTqi6Mc0vUwXdqbzJGQv5pRNfGMCZO44HIf880gW7wHv9Ikps" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="1000" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiHWD1E0hcbPq_d0AMdGJI4f73DP77UIuDpAKAhTuOmcHKzKyf9Ngsb5Ypv_gs4teqRStv4VZ2D92petxIVaSvesRAFxbl906zLvi2kuZxo0lZbkRo66GV9Keb6-r2BjGHkl7UQkLZMLbbCTqi6Mc0vUwXdqbzJGQv5pRNfGMCZO44HIf880gW7wHv9Ikps=w267-h400" width="267" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p style="text-align: center;">Photo: Soop Kim, Unsplash</p><p><br /></p><p>429 words.</p><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">It's been raining relentlessly since last night. This morning has dawned gloomy yet refreshing. I walk towards the kitchen. I know you're in the bathroom. Too excited to catch the flight for your crucial official meeting.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 12pt; margin-top: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">As I am fixing a quick breakfast, my eyes land outside the window. A white car stands, taking a shower in the rain. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Our first car. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'I like the red one,' I had said as we checked different cars at the showroom nine months ago, right after our wedding.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'That's too bright and girlish. White is good.' Your response was firm and blunt. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">So, we came back with a white car.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">You're now in the bedroom, getting dressed, humming. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'I really want to learn how to drive a car. Will you teach me?' I had said the other day, and you laughed as though I had cracked a silly joke.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'Women are terrible drivers. It's better if they sit in the passenger's seat.' With this taunt, you dismissed my desire. </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Your phone blares and it snaps me out of my thoughts. You are talking to someone, agitated.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Tea is almost done. I drop a crushed cardamom into it, and a delicious aroma permeates the kitchen.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'It's raining. Let's go for a long drive!' I had said, last week.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'Oh come on! Don't be childish,' you had said and changed the channel.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'How can you cancel at the last moment?' You're almost shouting. 'So what if it's raining? I have a flight ―damn!'</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'What happened?' I place the tea cup on the table.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'The cab cancelled the ride because, well, it's raining!' You make another call.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Back in the kitchen, I squeeze half a lemon over steaming Poha and carry the plate to the dining table.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">Nobody wants to go. What am I going to do now! I can't afford to miss the flight!' You chide, pacing across the room. Poha, forgotten. 'You can take your own car,' I say.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'Brilliant idea. And who is going to drive the car back?' </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'I can do that.'</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'You?' </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'Yes, you don't know but…I have learned how to drive. I have a driving licence, too,' I say, excitement brewing inside my head.</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">You sure?' </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">'Do you have options?' </span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">At the airport parking, you instruct me. 'Drive carefully. I hope you remember the route. Go straight home.'</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">No! This weather is too good to go home. I am going for a long drive and doing childish things. But I won't tell you that. 'Of course.'</span></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">This post is part of Blogchatter Half Marathon</a></b></span></div><div><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /><br /></span></div><div><br /></div><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-2b05d7bc-7fff-2309-a457-2d150d7f9ce5" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-2b05d7bc-7fff-2309-a457-2d150d7f9ce5" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: EB Garamond, serif; font-size: 18.6667px; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-57e67a44-7fff-86e9-941e-32bea06c4d79" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-427436459609821452023-08-28T00:15:00.002+05:302023-08-29T16:12:56.242+05:30Screen Time and Safe Internet for Children<p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIBac4YzjuV6jkHevBXVorPB79yZg1xgptFQ1rrnsRKriFYY_3y7VOzNeWop7ZdkvEGJpZk6eDgdn7bljTxqSbokd-9v6Fu3uSiI5Tx7O3a1wx4filYi6q8-shHSsMm_Jc9j3lfeABHSPsq-ayk-4jfU0sBgsmKpmQIYcWrPe7NUb_cylwsY2XOdlCA_8r" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="507" data-original-width="605" height="336" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhIBac4YzjuV6jkHevBXVorPB79yZg1xgptFQ1rrnsRKriFYY_3y7VOzNeWop7ZdkvEGJpZk6eDgdn7bljTxqSbokd-9v6Fu3uSiI5Tx7O3a1wx4filYi6q8-shHSsMm_Jc9j3lfeABHSPsq-ayk-4jfU0sBgsmKpmQIYcWrPe7NUb_cylwsY2XOdlCA_8r=w400-h336" width="400" /></a></span></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Image source: Freepik</span></div><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The other day, </span><b style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://twitter.com/blogchatter" target="_blank">Blogchatter</a></b><span style="font-family: inherit; white-space-collapse: preserve;"> was having a chat session on Twitter. The topic was safe internet for kids. That was interesting and important. </span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">'How would your child react if there's no internet for a day?' This was one of the questions. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-style: italic; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">'He won't react because he doesn't use a mobile phone, plus he has a very limited screen time, so one day without the internet would not make a difference. But then, he is just ten.' was my response.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">How did I limit his screen time?</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Thankfully, the kid has loved books since he was a baby. Later, every night before going to bed, we read a book together. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So I ask him to choose. 'Do you want to watch TV or read a book?' </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He promptly answers, 'Read a book!' and it makes me happy. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It's not that he doesn't enjoy watching TV or working on a computer. He used to enjoy watching cartoons on mobile phone as well. I don't really remember when and why he got bored of mobile phone but I remember how we controlled television time. It was in 2019, when one day, our television remote stopped working. He was disappointed but finally understood that nothing can be done at that time. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">And then, we never got it repaired. At least we told him so. We never switch on the TV in his presence. We watched TV when he was in school or when he went to bed at night. So, in a way, we limited our screen time as well.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">But kids need something for entertainment. </span><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">How did I keep him engaged and entertained?</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">He loves sketching, so I let him watch drawing videos on my mobile phone for ten minutes or so. We enrolled him in a dance class. He isn't a good dancer but he enjoyed that session, dancing with other children. He enjoyed the time as we walked together to the dance class. And the moment when his father arrived to pick us after his evening walk. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Books, drawing books, stationery and art supplies excite him immensely, so I bought those things for him and he would spend hours, totally engaged.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">But then…</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">It was going well until the lockdown. After that, we had to let him sit in front of a laptop for hours for his online classes. The lockdown went on for so long that we felt the need to watch TV for entertainment. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">When he resumed regular classes last year, he was so excited that he didn't bother about TV or phone. He got busy with his new books and friends. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, he watches TV but for a short period. He uses the computer, but twice a week; calls it 'computer day'. He doesn't use a mobile phone. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, basically, what works:</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Finding ways to keep him engaged.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His love for reading. He gets very excited whenever I buy a book or even receive a review copy.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">His interest in drawing. We have installed a white board. So, he is mostly busy with the board and markers. Recently, he has developed a keen interest in maps. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Communication works!</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">We talk to him, make him understand that too much screen time is not good. We don't just switch off the TV or computer abruptly because, well, the time is up. We ask him to do it himself.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Keep a tab</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">That's very important. He never watches TV or uses the computer alone. We are usually around. We encourage him to watch children's programmes. Sometimes he tries to watch random bollywood movies, but I ask him gently not to watch and he agrees. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">So, another thing that works is gentle communication. <b>I have learned the hard way not to yell.</b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">As children grow up, and obtain their private space, their time with internet certainly becomes a matter of concern. So, please check out </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://indianexpress.com/article/cities/pune/pune-inc-city-startup-launches-device-to-keep-children-safe-from-internets-dark-edges-8903274/" target="_blank">Happinetz: safe internet for kids, launched by Blogchatter. </a> It's very innovative. I will keep this in mind. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #555555; white-space-collapse: collapse;">Happinetz is a safe internet for kids box that connects to your home router wired or wirelessly. Once connected, it creates a separate WiFi which filters out age-inappropriate internet and helps you set screen time schedules for devices connected to this WiFi.</span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #555555; white-space-collapse: collapse;"><br /></span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: inherit; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="color: #555555; white-space-collapse: collapse;">Happinetz continuously monitors more than 110 million websites and apps and is preconfigured to block more than 22 million adult and unsecured websites.</span></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>This post is a part of <a href="https://www.happinetz.com/product/happinetz-box" target="_blank">Happinetz - Safe Internet For Kids</a></b></span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><br /></span><br />Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-70598921074729701432023-08-26T10:53:00.002+05:302023-08-26T10:53:36.226+05:30Soul Mates by Lang Leav: My Hindi Translation<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG02B7BJfV2RCjH96PAyFE3CfkqZrSvuKb98-jzlPGVTg1Zvl9NJwb1Qb4lV2KFEzmJW3zdC22UIAvZhJvqc52DqayRwCLux1AVJ_ylICEqiyYR_CDR10drYyI58VLgt5gkx47ST6GR70dAQaIIu-Wb7RxKjSOJsSHtQlFNdbiJgy3jblC-EHZnYKWfmM2/s4846/GridArt_20230824_234204410.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4846" data-original-width="4096" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG02B7BJfV2RCjH96PAyFE3CfkqZrSvuKb98-jzlPGVTg1Zvl9NJwb1Qb4lV2KFEzmJW3zdC22UIAvZhJvqc52DqayRwCLux1AVJ_ylICEqiyYR_CDR10drYyI58VLgt5gkx47ST6GR70dAQaIIu-Wb7RxKjSOJsSHtQlFNdbiJgy3jblC-EHZnYKWfmM2/w338-h400/GridArt_20230824_234204410.jpg" width="338" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;">Soul Mates by Lang Leav</p><p><br /></p><p>My Hindi translation</p><p><br /></p><p>ना जाने कैसे तुम मुझे</p><p>इतने अपने से लगते हो...</p><p>या फिर ऐसा क्यों लगता है कि</p><p>मैं तुम्हें जानने की कोशिश नहीं,</p><p>बल्कि तुम्हें याद कर रही हूँ?</p><p>कैसे तुम्हारी हर मुस्कुराहट,</p><p>हर सरगोशी</p><p>मुझे इस नामुमकिन से नतीजे के </p><p>और करीब ले आती है</p><p>कि मैं तुम्हें पहले से जानती हूँ,</p><p>कि मैंने तुमसे पहले भी मोहब्बत की है ―</p><p>किसी दूसरे वक्त में,</p><p>किसी दूसरी दुनियां में,</p><p>किसी दूसरी ज़िन्दगी में...</p><p><br /></p><p>My entry for <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">Half Marathon,</a></b> powered by Blogchatter</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-37545730858057231722023-08-25T12:24:00.004+05:302023-08-25T12:29:36.499+05:30सितारों से आगे: कृश्न चन्दर<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ59HnmpuKwr8GNMJlglLtB4NnjxVEi-mlVn7k_vWGWclqw53Wx5EJVxDjj0lxw1uv3P3rMIwpXdBXzZJbaUsHZt4irCBN-sqEfAWZfANfVz8qZrUPVn3H4NHQIRv6mYlwDxX6cMD2AXvxwcYRjfpDSJeBImbLa_CLwQmvPQHWfnORJQcEP3zczvPuizA4" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="652" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjZ59HnmpuKwr8GNMJlglLtB4NnjxVEi-mlVn7k_vWGWclqw53Wx5EJVxDjj0lxw1uv3P3rMIwpXdBXzZJbaUsHZt4irCBN-sqEfAWZfANfVz8qZrUPVn3H4NHQIRv6mYlwDxX6cMD2AXvxwcYRjfpDSJeBImbLa_CLwQmvPQHWfnORJQcEP3zczvPuizA4=w260-h400" width="260" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>बचपन में कॉमिक्स, नंदन, चंपक, सुमन सौरभ, इत्यादि तो हम सब ने पढ़ा है पर अगर मुझे कोई पूछे कि एक पाठक के तौर पर मेरा सबसे पहला उपन्यास कौन सा तो मेरा जवाब होगा ―<b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/-/hi/%E0%A4%95%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%B6%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A8-%E0%A4%9A%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B0/dp/9353496217" target="_blank">कृश्न चंदर द्वारा लिखी 'सितारों से आगे'</a></b>। ये एक फ़ैंटेसी/साइंस फिक्शन है जो बच्चों वाली मज़ेदार किताब है। पर बच्चों वाली किताबें तो बड़ों को भी अक्सर अच्छी लगती हैं, है न?</p><p>वैसे मुझसे किसी ने पूछा तो नहीं पर 23 अगस्त को जब हमारे <b>चंद्रयान 3 ने </b>चाँद के साउथ पर सफलतापूर्वक पहुँच कर इतिहास रचा, तो मुझे अनायास ही इस किताब की याद आ गयी। क्योंकि इस किताब में भी कुछ बच्चे चाँद पर पहुँच जाते है और फिर वहाँ वो अजीबोग़रीब लोगों और घटनाओं से मुख़ातिब होते हैं। लेखक ने अपनी कलम से अद्भुत और बेहद रोमांचक चाँद की दुनियां रची है।</p><p>एक अरसा हो गया इस किताब को पढ़े इसलिए मुझे पूरी कहानी तो याद नहीं पर इतना जरूर याद है कि इस उपन्यास को पढ़ने में बड़ा मज़ा आया था। एक बार में पूरी किताब पढ़ गयी थी (वो ज़माना और था जब हम ऐसा कर सकते थे)। रोमांच इस बात का भी था कि मैं, एक छोटी सी बच्ची, उपन्यास पढ़ रही थी और मेरे दादाजी को इस बात से कोई समस्या नहीं थी। </p><p>मैं रोमांचित हूँ कि ये किताब अमेज़न पर अब भी उपलब्ध है जिसे पेंग्विन बुक्स ने प्रकाशित किया है। और मैं इसे अपने बेटे के लिए खरीदूंगी। उस किताब को मैं पढ़ूंगी या नहीं, इसका अंदाज़ा लगाने के लिए किसी को कोई प्वाइंट्स नहीं मिलेंगे। </p><p>साइंस की बात हो रही है तो मैं प्रोफ़ेसर दिवाकर की किताबों के बारे में बात किए बिना नहीं जा सकती। बहुत दिलचस्प किताबें होती थीं उनकी। अब हमारे पास (मेरे भाई के पास) बस एक किताब बची है ―शुक्र ग्रह पर धावा। कई साल पहले जब मैंने एक बुकशॉप में प्रोफ़ेसर दिवाकर की किताबों के बारे में पूछा तो उसने उल्टा मुझी से पूछा कि ―<b>'<a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2010/11/who-is-professor-diwaakar.html?m=1" target="_blank">प्रोफ़ेसर दिवाकर कौन हैं?'</a></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p>This post is part of <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">Blogchatter's Half Marathon program.</a></b></p><p><br /></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-27568604272237191362023-08-10T11:05:00.004+05:302023-08-10T14:56:01.894+05:30 Beautiful Poems by Gautam Rajrishi: My English Translation <p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeU7qHe1JYWL1u9x6KMnoy1OoJu3NTYoCE9MagNz-KSB7me4zmEdK22sHxArwqzBPEzUXU_z0GelaXX9_Q3BpZxCNjuPhaF7SX9_c_UMRIILxWKxTCcYmUJlxWPU6Z_oEEWEd93cVIouvAdE6YNgQhzJ4tgItCyd2TnIbpb1PoUALxKQs60VeP_LBeaYZ/s1073/IMG_20230810_105035_826~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="707" data-original-width="1073" height="264" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXeU7qHe1JYWL1u9x6KMnoy1OoJu3NTYoCE9MagNz-KSB7me4zmEdK22sHxArwqzBPEzUXU_z0GelaXX9_Q3BpZxCNjuPhaF7SX9_c_UMRIILxWKxTCcYmUJlxWPU6Z_oEEWEd93cVIouvAdE6YNgQhzJ4tgItCyd2TnIbpb1PoUALxKQs60VeP_LBeaYZ/w400-h264/IMG_20230810_105035_826~2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-0b676600-7fff-d88e-8bcf-67f5de6807af" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">This poem is written by <a href="https://gautamrajrishi.in/" target="_blank"><b>Col. Gautam Rajrishi</b> </a>(from <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Neela-Hindi-Gautam-Rajrishi-ebook/dp/B084QG51NT/ref=as_li_ss_tl?&linkCode=sl1&tag=amsnet2504-21&linkId=8026203a0b0cbd564ac1bdba7a2cf00f&language=en_IN" target="_blank">नीला-नीला</a></b>, a collection of Ghazals).</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Isn't it beautiful? He writes soulful poems and lovely stories.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I translated two of his beautiful poems (with his permission, of course, for which I am very thankful) into English. </p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">I'm elated to share it on my blog.</p><p><b><br /></b></p><p><b>So, here's my English translation:</b></p><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-327a6429-7fff-3dca-b11f-de643265efdf" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The doors were closed, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">but I found a window, ajar.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It was after ages that</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">I, finally, had a glimpse of her.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">They scratched her touch off my body,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">but, I felt a gentle graze </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">lying stunned</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">at the pit of my soul.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #0f1419; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHs0bJkKmihEdGDIlPL1goJ-ByUpHGMDjqmbVxzR3hY7-Ke3OXlslg8DHt3W-6_gzTCxdMuM8HEhmikUVSXdeKYp5k5dztCl6dnA9b_UM2bAVZ3Nz5Vlmi3M9sqFFcwLVvAj95Gaq8YQXRLtXyTAnv5Fq2LA1E2idrCK7tWoJk9u4HrqCQwnDkxk93N9Kf/s1248/IMG_20230810_104705_018~2.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1248" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHs0bJkKmihEdGDIlPL1goJ-ByUpHGMDjqmbVxzR3hY7-Ke3OXlslg8DHt3W-6_gzTCxdMuM8HEhmikUVSXdeKYp5k5dztCl6dnA9b_UM2bAVZ3Nz5Vlmi3M9sqFFcwLVvAj95Gaq8YQXRLtXyTAnv5Fq2LA1E2idrCK7tWoJk9u4HrqCQwnDkxk93N9Kf/w346-h400/IMG_20230810_104705_018~2.jpg" width="346" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>My English translation:</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13pt;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 13pt;">When the breeze narrates someone's story,</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">it narrates through the voices of new seasons.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The saga of bodies is indeed earthly,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">but the tale of a soul is other-worldly.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">'Come, let me make you a little sweeter,' says the stream to the ocean.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The blazing night-blooming jasmine has whispered,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">the sleeplessness has pierced the dreams, yet again.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">'Hey! I gifted you a few silver curls,' the fading youth says.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">The ageing seems to be reversed,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">your saffron shirt indicates.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Let's talk about something fresh, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">let's break into a new song,</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">every ticking moment of an old clock chimes.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-eb6ae968-7fff-d98b-0c78-26f541fe3972" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-eb6ae968-7fff-d98b-0c78-26f541fe3972" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-eb6ae968-7fff-d98b-0c78-26f541fe3972" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Gautam Rajrishi comes along with his bag full of fresh metaphors and gives a drool-worthy makeover to the world of Hindi and Hindustani poetry. A serving Colonel of the Indian Army, he breaks all the clichés and takes the world to storm with his distinguished Ghazals as well as remarkably penned down stories.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Check out his books:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-47a9d3d4-7fff-4c40-da74-5a473003de73" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Hari-Muskurahaton-Wala-collage-Hindi-ebook/dp/B079MHCGNP/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=&linkCode=sl1&tag=amsnet2504-21&linkId=d7079450737d241388f503a6d19ec901&language=en_IN" target="_blank">हरी मुस्कुराहटों वाला कोलाज </a>(कहानी संग्रह)</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/dp/B06XXP9J2T/ref=as_li_ss_tl?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1&linkCode=sl1&tag=amsnet2504-21&linkId=4673b7f2bc5987ef540387c21b2535de&language=en_IN" target="_blank">पाल ले इक रोग नादां</a> (गज़ल संग्रह)</b></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 13pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p><b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/06/fear-by-khalil-gibran-my-hindi.html?m=1" target="_blank">My Hindi translation of Khalil Gibran's poem.</a></b></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-37581214181435960862023-07-28T09:57:00.000+05:302023-07-28T09:57:06.166+05:30देखा एक ख़्वाब...<p><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_cB_6HGGG8IhqZmUiVRtzUuwwG8MuNv9Ze8tv7XKJKyDD0l7p6ILNepRyQSwnuLoNXHUXEobc4cvpc_-hwsojdWE1kqTuzlTNySsFoCxQ7coX_TjP1se_nzLQjITRYwGMb___ObFjJ_7xYvezkuYbzb7b6yVkzXo-V7Upz0Nx7AnReSUPaWjKisdpGBVY" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img data-original-height="667" data-original-width="1000" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh_cB_6HGGG8IhqZmUiVRtzUuwwG8MuNv9Ze8tv7XKJKyDD0l7p6ILNepRyQSwnuLoNXHUXEobc4cvpc_-hwsojdWE1kqTuzlTNySsFoCxQ7coX_TjP1se_nzLQjITRYwGMb___ObFjJ_7xYvezkuYbzb7b6yVkzXo-V7Upz0Nx7AnReSUPaWjKisdpGBVY=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><br /><p></p><p><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">Image: </span><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><a href="https://unsplash.com/photos/Im3tGNrNv4s" target="_blank">Simon Maisch, Unsplash</a></span></span></p><p><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif"><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; white-space-collapse: preserve;">बादलों का इतना काला, घना, उमड़ता घुमड़ता रूप मैंने पहले नहीं देखा। ऐसा लगता है जैसे दोपहर ही में दिन ढल गया हो। मैं एक पहाड़ी के छोर पर खड़ी हूँ ―पीछे एक पुराना, टूटा फूटा सा खंडहर है और सामने खाई। ये कौन सी जगह है और मैं यहाँ जाने क्यों खड़ी हूँ?</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">फिर अचानक तेज़ हवा चलने लगी, जैसे किसी तूफ़ान का आग़ाज़। दूर पहाड़ बस एक खौफ़नाक परछाइयों से लग रहे हैं और पेड़ मतंग। मन घबराने लगा है। कहीं मेरा पैर फिसल गया तो? मैं पीछे मुड़ना चाहती हूँ पर जैसे कोई रोक रहा हो। और तभी पीछे से किसी ने मेरा हाथ पकड़ा। मजबूती से और नरमी से भी। मैं एक पल में समझ गयी कि ये तुम हो। मैंने पलट कर देखा। तुम ही तो हो। तुम्हारे स्पर्श में एक सुकून है, और नज़रों में आश्वासन। और…कुछ और भी…</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">तुम थोड़े और करीब आए और अपने दूसरे हाथ से मेरे बिखरे बालों को बहुत हल्के से मेरे चेहरे से हटा दिया। इस छोटी सी बात में कितना अपनापन है। तभी आकाश में बिजली की एक लहर दौड़ी और फिर उसके बाद बादलों का भयंकर गर्जन।</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">मैं चौंक उठी और तुम नज़रों से ओझल हो गए। मैं अपने बिस्तर पर हूँ। खिड़की के बाहर बादल वाकई घिर आए हैं। </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">तो ये एक ख़्वाब था।</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">मैं अपने हाथों पर तुम्हारे हाथ का लम्स अब भी महसूस कर सकती हूँ। और मेरे दिल की धड़कनें अब भी तेज़ हैं।</span></p><br /><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">ऐसा कैसे हो सकता है कि मैं अपने ख़्वाब में तुम्हारे स्पर्श को पहचान लूं? जबकि तुमने मुझे कभी छुआ ही नहीं?</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span face="Palanquin, sans-serif" style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>It's intuitive writing, inspired by a dream. <div><br /></div><div>Sharing with <a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">Blogchatter</a></div><div><br /><div><br /></div></div><div><br /></div>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-33202853926521229002023-07-14T19:22:00.004+05:302023-07-14T20:46:25.629+05:30Book Review: Ambapali by Tanushree Podder<p><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HsE3wucuchot7Y-4zMvA4wMULF1NkoEImw0OhNkRkRkIDKYnjyWiMr6O_jwhqid8WxSP-JxlvOa1P4DLM6cjIPIoD5LaurwwqEDo50wuD7X71d7Flej97SZIFAZW4sstw0dlbr1uXXht79oWxA5H0GFQcl5AvcasJl8W1EBadtEOuVp7zrI5qE9YyqJS/s1677/FzCc3g6aMAARnka.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1677" data-original-width="1080" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8HsE3wucuchot7Y-4zMvA4wMULF1NkoEImw0OhNkRkRkIDKYnjyWiMr6O_jwhqid8WxSP-JxlvOa1P4DLM6cjIPIoD5LaurwwqEDo50wuD7X71d7Flej97SZIFAZW4sstw0dlbr1uXXht79oWxA5H0GFQcl5AvcasJl8W1EBadtEOuVp7zrI5qE9YyqJS/w258-h400/FzCc3g6aMAARnka.jpeg" width="258" /></span></a></div><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Book: <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Ambapali-Novel-Tanushree-Podder/dp/0143459430/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=17MURHFT9FIN7&keywords=ambapali+book&qid=1689340818&sprefix=amba%2Caps%2C434&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Ambapali</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Author: <b><a href="https://t.co/rs0TUiUd3C" target="_blank">Tanushree Podder</a></b></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Publisher: Penguin Books India</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1e1915;"><span style="background-color: white;">Genre: Historical fiction</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1e1915;"><span style="background-color: white;">Pages: 310</span></span></p><p><span style="color: #1e1915;"><span style="background-color: white;">Price: ₹235 (on Amazon)</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">⭐⭐⭐⭐</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">I had, of course, heard about Ambapali but didn't really know the story, so reading this book was an enlightening experience. I e</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">njoyed reading it thoroughly because the storytelling is really good, plus, it seems like a well researched book. A tale with several twists.</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white;">As we know Ambapali was a raj nartiki, later the nagarvadhu (the bride of the city) of Vaishali (in Bihar). When she was a sixteen-year-old chirpy girl, very much in love with her childhood friend Satyakirti, she won a dance competition, and that changed the course of her life and destiny.</span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">The book is very well written; the language is neat and creates lovely imagery and apt ambience of the setting. Ambapali's character is well defined. I could envision her beauty and the aura; her vulnerability, longing and defiance. I loved her bonding with her father and friends. Her friend Priyamvada who stays with her through thick and thin is a darling. Her moments with Indrajit/Bimbisar are very expressive.</span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Two things that bothered me a little:</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Sometimes, the narration jumps from one scene to another without any pause, scenes change abruptly, which was a bit confusing.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Also, since the story is told from multiple points of view, it would have been nice to read Satyakirti's pov, as well.</span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; margin: 0px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;">Overall, a very interesting and engrossing read. Pick it, especially if you like Historical fiction.</span></span><br style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #1e1915; font-family: "Proxima Nova", Montserrat, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;" /></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915;"><br /></span></span></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4009166841980096713.post-36449473566674482522023-07-11T11:02:00.004+05:302023-07-12T14:41:24.834+05:30Books I liked So Far 2023 #TBRChallenge<p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVpTWKAg6HMWJqP4ZI72icI1mOcA44RF4Gvd9Dn02_qo6WJLG7J0_cL6ULRswZWN2bvC8D54_h1Yt7RThYCT07-gntKg6mZTWDf_DpuY_1Y1byjHSoZDaYeQZKicjuVIidmOH2jfUdN2GsYqRWvLimsxD-yfrrpN_5FAziRlN_k2kQwjKxFrrIV8AkyIY/s240/image%20(2).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="240" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZVpTWKAg6HMWJqP4ZI72icI1mOcA44RF4Gvd9Dn02_qo6WJLG7J0_cL6ULRswZWN2bvC8D54_h1Yt7RThYCT07-gntKg6mZTWDf_DpuY_1Y1byjHSoZDaYeQZKicjuVIidmOH2jfUdN2GsYqRWvLimsxD-yfrrpN_5FAziRlN_k2kQwjKxFrrIV8AkyIY/s1600/image%20(2).png" width="240" /></a></div><br /><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-2TP7y_bmaPBPucb9GohElnExznYqoZiAICuUTvQnK6KDQjDOQZlZDQrcZ95pbqz_ZC2gzIRBh0KzlSZ0Xx37tbBHYNr6PT73NcMzUQz6hv23T5UKnZaKRen86YH2JDBCpeq_MxOsoL98I9WZ-Z5yqz61Itt4Cmn08rZfx7m3H3uoUMmh2UYw8K0qXP-/s312/top_bloggers.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="312" data-original-width="276" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy-2TP7y_bmaPBPucb9GohElnExznYqoZiAICuUTvQnK6KDQjDOQZlZDQrcZ95pbqz_ZC2gzIRBh0KzlSZ0Xx37tbBHYNr6PT73NcMzUQz6hv23T5UKnZaKRen86YH2JDBCpeq_MxOsoL98I9WZ-Z5yqz61Itt4Cmn08rZfx7m3H3uoUMmh2UYw8K0qXP-/w177-h200/top_bloggers.png" width="177" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><span style="white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I have read 16 (18 actually) books so far. And I have left at least 5 books unfinished because they didn't work for me. Reminds me of one of my tweets where I talked about my unfinished books (I have at least 50 of them that I bought but couldn't finish). And there's one book that I really want to try again and hope to finish (and love) this time. That's <b>Em and the Big Hoom</b> by Jerry Pinto. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Anyway, I don't like to talk about the books I don't like so I'll just mention the books that I liked. I did a post on the books I read and want to read a few months ago. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Here we go:</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2153793.A_Case_of_Exploding_Mangoes" target="_blank">A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif.</a></b> Interesting, intriguing and cleverly crafted. Effortless humour and unpredictable (even though we know what's going to happen). </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Heavens-Earth-Astrology-through-Cultures/dp/0670097284/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=348YWTWSIVLEW&keywords=simsim+book+geet+chaturvedi&qid=1689018504&sprefix=simsim%2Caps%2C357&sr=8-3" target="_blank">Simsim by Geet Chaturvedi, translated by Anita Gopalan.</a> </b>Loved it! One of my favourites. You can read my detailed review <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/06/book-review-simsim-by-geet-chaturvedi.html?m=1" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/86176740-let-him-in" target="_blank">Let Him In by William Friend</a></b>. It has rekindled my interest in horror stories. Very interesting, very well written. You can read my review <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/04/book-review-let-him-in-by-william-friend.html?m=1" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49824765-aalampanah" target="_blank">Alampanah by Rafia Manzurul Amin</a>.</b> I read it for the third time, after some 25 years. No point for guessing that it's one of my favourite books.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Love Virtually and Every Seventh Wave (the sequel) by </b></span><span style="background-color: white; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b>Daniel Glattauer.</b> Re-read these two books in straight 3 days. Wrote a post. You can read it <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/05/re-reading-love-virtually-and-every.html?m=1" target="_blank">here</a></b>. They are my absolute favourites!</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Quiet-Stillness-Empty-Houses/dp/1958228125/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=5RQLD9QHC8M0&keywords=the+quiet+stillness+of+empty+houses&qid=1689019125&sprefix=quiet+stil%2Caps%2C272&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Quiet Stillness of Empty Houses by LV Russell</a>. </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;">It's a strange book (the strangeness shall remain unnamed). And slow paced, but the writing is so beautiful that I ―someone who's not a fan of slow paced, descriptive writing ―did not mind. In fact I liked the way it evoked an eerie sensation and painted vivid imagery. Overall, a wonderfully creepy, mysterious and poignant read. Might remind you of Jane Eyre and Rebecca but it's different. Go for it, if you enjoy gothic/horror/mystery.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Just-Regular-Catherine-Ryan-Hyde-ebook/dp/B0B5636LJT/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=96HV2LMCDISK&keywords=just+a+regular+boy&qid=1689019219&sprefix=just+a+regu%2Caps%2C281&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryan Hyde.</a> </b>I love her writing style. Her <a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2020/12/book-review-my-name-is-anton-by.html?m=1" target="_blank">My Name is Anton</a> is my favourite. This one was also very nice. It's a unique story ―poignant, heartbreaking yet so heartwarming.</span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Lawfully-Wedded-Husband-Madhulika-Liddle/dp/9381626871/ref=mp_s_a_1_12?crid=ATZGN6UOO8HU&keywords=madhulika+liddle&qid=1689019505&sprefix=madhulik%2Caps%2C339&sr=8-12" target="_blank">My Lawfully Wedded Husband and other stories by Madhulika Liddle.</a> </b>A collection of intriguing, dark and twisted tales. Her writing is so engaging, neat and crisp. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Fiction-Treasure-Trove-Stories-Children/dp/9394887172/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?crid=SR5YQBFXN80W&keywords=vandana+bhagra&qid=1689019571&sprefix=vandana+bhagra%2Caps%2C272&sr=8-2" target="_blank"><b>Fiction Treasure Trove: 31 Short Stories written by Children.</b> </a>Edited by Sonia Dogra and Vandana Bhagra. I was amazed by the thoughts, creativity and imaginativeness of little kids. </span></span></p><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Until-Find-You-engrossing-thriller/dp/9353768004/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=1PV4LQJKKUWZ4&keywords=until+i+find+you+kanchana+banerjee&qid=1689019612&sprefix=until%2Caps%2C274&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Until I Find You by Kanchana Banerjee.</a></b> Entertaining and engrossing crime fiction. You can read the full review <b><a href="http://tarangsinha.blogspot.com/2023/06/book-review-until-i-find-you-by.html?m=1" target="_blank">here</a></b>.</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Currently, I am reading <b><a href="https://www.amazon.in/Ambapali-Novel-Tanushree-Podder/dp/0143459430/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?crid=10SY58ORSGPUD&keywords=tanushree+podder+ambapali&qid=1689019885&sprefix=ambapali%2Caps%2C363&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Ambapali by Tanushree Podder.</a></b> It's very interesting and well written. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Written for <b><a href="https://www.theblogchatter.com/" target="_blank">Blogchatter's</a></b> July TBR Challenge</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1e1915; font-family: "EB Garamond", serif; font-size: 14pt; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space-collapse: preserve;"><br /></span></p>Tarang Sinhahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10346902969017351667noreply@blogger.com2