Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

 

Finished reading another novel by Sophie Kinsella.

Twenties Girl tells a cute story about Lara and her over demanding great-aunt Sadie. It also focuses on family bond.

27 years old Lara runs a recruitment company with her so-called best friend Natalie. Natalie, the smarter one vanishes for a holiday without caring about their business and Lara is left alone and troubled. To enhance her agony, her boyfriend Josh ends their relationship.

Meanwhile, her great aunt Sadie, whom Lara has never known, dies at the age of 105. In the funeral the ghost of Sadie, interestingly in her twenties, suddenly appears in front of Lara demanding her necklace without which she cannot rest. Initially, Lara desperately wants to get rid of her but Sadie wouldn’t give up. She keeps haunting her.

In an irritating yet exciting journey with her guardian angel as Sadie calls herself, Lara’s life changes completely. Sadie forces Lara to do things as per her interests. She helps Lara in many ways but never forgets to nudge for her demands. Lara finds her love of life, Ed, because of her. She comes to know some really interesting facts about Sadie and gradually develops a strong bond with her guardian angel.

It’s a cute ghost story, packed with Sophie Kinsella style humour. Sadie is an interesting character though she is irksome sometimes. Their compatibility is really interesting and some incidents are funny that you can always expect from Sophie Kinsella.

Overall, what can you say about a huge book with 435 pages that you can finish without getting bored? It’s indeed a nice read but I’ll have to admit that I've got your number was much better…undoubtedly.

I received this book from Random House India  for an unbiased review. Thanks Random Reads, official blog of Random House India

I Wish!....

My desperate dream

It’s something beyond my reach

I know, still, I wish…

This should be my first wish. Despite being a very positive person, I know it’s not going to be fulfilled….ever…perhaps but still I’m stubborn enough to feel “Ah, I wish...” always…. Since I’m not going to elaborate it here (But I found it important to mention it here as I’m talking about my wishes) I’ll leave it here only.

Okay, this post is a part of Wish list Wednesdays, a creative prompt provided by Preeti Shenoy (Author of three successful books). Her fourth book The Secret Wish list (Westland Publishers) is going to release very soon.

This week’s prompt is “The three things that I badly wish I could have…”

There are many such moments when we sigh “Ah, I wish…”

We wish or dream. Some of them grant us pleasure. Some disappoint us hugely yet we never fail to dream or wish.

There’re many common things we all wish like smiles and happiness of our dear ones, successful dream career, some valued/materialistic possessions. I think we can achieve these things, or at least try to, with hard work, luck, determination or money so here I would like to wish for something more perpetual that affects & smoothes our lives.

So, I wish….

1.       Courage in my life. Courage to face truth. Courage to tell truth. Courage to say NO. Courage to face the hurdles. Courage to be determined etc. Actually in many circumstances, life demands it and you have to show a nice presentation and gradually it becomes a part of your nature. It spreads the light of positivity and hope. Although, I always try to embrace them tightly, I want these very important things lighting the path of my life…always.

2.        Patience/Conscience: Actually they’re correlated. We generally start to think absurdly sometimes irrationally or hopelessly whenever we lose patience. When we get tired of fighting our problems we lose patience and eventually our conscience. So, though, people say I’m a very patient soul, I wish it stays with me always.

3.       Blissful Health: I think health is happiness and brings peace. And it’s the most important and significant asset anyone can have in life.

Sometimes we find life surrounded by hurdles and troubles and we must learn to fight them. We can do it successfully when we are in good health. We all want to stay peacefully and blissfully with perfect harmony. We all want to care for our loved ones. For this we need to have a healthy body and mind. I’ve observed that when life drags us to hospital every now and then, it detaches happiness and peace from our life. I’ve seen many people suffering tremendously. So I wish to stay healthy till I die.

I thank Preeti Shenoy for another interesting journey and I wish her all the best for her new book. Really looking forward to reading The Secret Wish List.

Shared @ Haiku Heights

In conversation with Smita Shetty

Recently, I finished a new new book  "Untruly Yours". Here I am in conversation with the author Smita Shetty.

First of all, welcome to my blog and congratulations for your debut novel! You are getting nice reviews. It's quite an achievement as a first time author. What do you think?

Thank you Tarang! It feels great to be here. I can't seem to come to terms with the recent developments. If I am being honest, it hasn't sunk in yet. I was on a real high when the book was published and was sent a few copies over. Reading your name in print can be quite heady. But then you soon realise, getting your work appreciated is the real buzz.

The response has been hugely overwhelming. But equally, it's important to take on board all the comments if you want to evolve in your writing.

Your readers would like to know about you...so, please tell me something about you. I am a dreamer. I can spend hours detached from the real world; this ability is especially enhanced when I am driving long distance!

I am rubbish at telling jokes. I burst into fits of laughter before I even begin telling that. I love travelling. Someday I would like to do some travelling on my own. I have been told by my family and friends that I make a dreadful travel companion. I can get a bit picky about my food. I am also known to go into a mood if I'm made to walk for miles without being fed and watered.

Tell me something about your writing? Do you follow a strict schedule for writing?

Far from it! Now looking back, I wish I was more diligent in my writing. I can't write when I know I have other priorities that need my attention. But there have been some lessons learnt from my experience, I hope to be more structured. If that doesn't work, I'll probably slip into my old ways.

What prompted you to write 'Untruly Yours'?

A friend of mine gently cajoled me into writing. There were a few stories swimming in my head. Social issues have been addressed in many ways and I have attempted to raise awareness through humour. It could have gone horribly wrong. But, thankfully the reviews have been reassuring. I am passionate about raising awareness on these sensitive issues and i think that has come through in my writing.

Was it difficult to get a publisher for your book? Aspiring writers would like to know about the hurdles of getting a suitable publisher (If any)?

I would be lying if I said it has been an easy ride. There were so many barriers especially when you are trying to orchestrate the whole process through the long distance. Rejection can be soul destroying. You have got to keep your faith and keep going.

Was it difficult to publish your book in India as you live abroad?

Yes, definitely. It was testing at times. But I was determined to find an Indian publisher.

Would you like to share something about your next projects?

It will be another contemporary romantic comedy. I have enjoyed myself far too much penning Untruly yours to try something different.

Who is your favourite author/book?

I adore Marian Keyes and Sophie Kinsella. Their books are sumptuously laced with humour and sarcasm. I also find Stephenie Meyer's books strangely addictive.

What's your favourite genre in reading?

Romantic comedies.

What do you think about blogging?

I think it's an incredible tool to spread your knowledge and ideas. Stay in touch with friend and family. For me, personally, it's been a fabulous platform to showcase Untruly Yours.

Some people say you can't find any fault in your own writing. I mean you like it anyway. What do you think?

I can't relate to that because I am very critical about my work. I have yet to pick up my copy of Untruly yours and read it, for the fear of finding of typos and cringing if I do fine a one.

Any writing tips for aspiring writers.

I'll pass on what I have learnt from my experience. Shed your inhibitions, write from your heart, and believe in your craft.

It's an absolute pleasure to have you here. I wish you all the best for your future projects.

Thank you!

Legacy: by Danielle Steel

I’m not a fan of historical fiction of 17^th or 18^th century. I’m also not a fan of Danielle Steel. But “Legacy” came as a pleasant surprise for me!

It’s the story of two entirely different women of different era.

Briggitte is 38 years old woman, working in administrative department of a university and is writing a boring book from seven years. She has not much ambition and pretty content with her life, having a boyfriend of six years.

Suddenly, life gives her a solid beat as her boyfriend Ted ends their relationship for his most cherished dream. She has been fired from her job and her book is the most boring book ever and is going nowhere.

To cope with her jumbled situations, she travels to unravel the history of her ancestors. There she gets to know an extraordinary sioux woman Wachiwi.

Briggitte completely falls in love with her brave and beautiful ancestor and finally this journey leads her to Marc, the love of her life.

I liked the character of Wachiwi!! She is strong, brave, courageous, and warm and caring at the same time. I also liked how Briggitte’s and Marc’s sweet love story develops.

The only thing I felt odd is the repetitiveness that I find usual in Danielle Steel’s writing. 

Overall, "Legacy" is an intriguing, engaging and very interesting read!!

I received this copy from Random Reads, official blog of Random House India for an unbiased review. 

Tree

 

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Tree of thoughts grips mind

Generates ideas and

Imagination

Tree of misfortune

Traps life often, happiness

Struggles to evolve

Sometimes, even when we don’t do anything wrong, we realize that everything went wrong. We try to do something for good reasons but we get pathetic results. We try to rectify but it gets worse. Sometimes, I wonder why it happens. This is we call rotten luck perhaps. But it feels really…really bad.

For: Haiku Heights
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Untruly Yours: by Smita Shetty

Yesterday I finished reading a new chick lit novel “Untruly Yours” by Smita Shetty. It was a free copy received by the author for an unbiased review. Thank you Smita!

“Untruly yours” tells the story of Natasha Iyer, mother of 11 years old son, wife of an over-engrossed doctor and daughter-in-law of a traditional woman, who doesn’t like her. She has everything in her life but feels lonely. She finds no spark in her marriage and expects some romance and excitement.

A call from her sister Tina, prompts her to visit India and meet her best friend Priti, suffering from a bad marriage, after long years. She visits India, against her husband’s wish, with a very handsome colleague Steve. In India, she gets to meet an old friend Veer who tries to woo her. On the other side Steve also expresses his liking towards her.

This emotional journey somehow compels her to make some tough decisions but eventually makes her realize some truths. To know more you’ll have to read the book.

“Untruly Yours” is Smita Shetty’s debut novel. As a first time author she has done an excellent job (regarding her writing skill).

The book has only 146 pages and I think it’s too quick and short for the “proper execution of the story” and eventually the story seems half-baked. Characters are identifiable but I found something missing in the definition and presentation of every character except Maya. I liked the character of Steve but he has nothing much to do with the story.

All the emotional encounters with Veer and Steve seemed abrupt and so was the ending.

Overall, “Untruly Yours” is an easy, nice and fast-paced read that you can finish it in one go. I really liked the humour. The most impressive thing was author’s writing style and I think her readers would like to read her next book for this (Of course tightly packed with a more interesting story). 

You can pick “Untruly Yours” for a light & quick read.

Expectations

Expectations sprout

Give birth to hope, then make an

Exit silently…

Expectation is a very natural feeling. you may try hard but heart has a strong tendency to expect.

A huge smile may evolve from an expectation but generally expectations are something that gives you disappointment. You nourish your hopes delicately. you wait for something eagerly. But when you expect too much, either you get nothing or some more waiting, and it really...really feels bad.

I think it's a psychological feeling. You might have experienced that even 'Small' things received unexpectedly give immense pleasure and a 'Small' unfulfilled expectation gives disappointment. 

But, sometimes, something pleasant happens unexpectedly. You must have seen this cute advertisement. Really, kuchh unexpected mile to achchha lagta hai...

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Betrayal by Danielle Steel

Yesterday I finished “Betrayal by Danielle Steel”. This was a review copy sent by Random House India. Thanks to Rukun and Random Reads.

I haven’t read many books by Danielle Steel. Before this book I have read only one book authored by her and that was “Vanished”

Betrayal is a story of…..betrayal. Tallie Jones is 39 and is a very successful movie director. After two failed marriages, she lives with her boyfriend of three years, Hunt Lloyd. Her extremely efficient secretary Brigitte Parker is her best friend and cares a lot for her. Overall Tallie’s life is hectic yet blissful. At least she thinks so.

Her trusted accountant Victor Carson reveals that there has been some regular disorder in her financial records. Someone has been squandering a large amount of money in cash. Tallie has no idea about these expenses. Then who’s that? Her best friend Brigitte, who manages everything for her? Or her live-in loving partner Hunt? Or her accountant Victor himself, who has an over demanding young wife?

Tallie obviously wants to find out and this unfolds many shocking and unbelievable disclosures and her so called perfect life upends. To know more you’ll have to read the book.

Okay, what can I say about Danielle Steel? She is a big name in the world of writing and who wouldn't want to read her? But as far as I’m concerned, I didn't like two very important things in this book. 

First: The repetitiveness. In this book same things are said and explained many times in different ways. I think it disturbs the pace of the story.

Second: I didn't like the idea of multiple points of views. It somehow loosens the grip of the story as we are not supposed to know everyone’s feeling through their point of view in a suspense fiction.

Overall I would say the plot is nice and it could be a nice read for Danielle Steel fans. I’ll be back with some more Danielle Steel books. I hope to like them more. Unfortunately, Betrayal was not a 'very' interesting and engrossing read for me.

Tribulations of bad marriages and society: An article published in Alive

Marriage is something people call settlement. May be. Life may seem settled for someone who gets loving and caring life partner and a peaceful life. But in many cases (You can see many real life stories on television or can observe around your circle) married life is not very sweet (Or say it's bitter especially for women) and life becomes completely disturbed and troubled.

In many cases women are forced to compromise. To what extent? This question keeps hanging. Ups & downs and some normal argument are inevitable in married life but at some point suffering women must put a full stop in front of their tolerance level and learn to take some strong and wise decisions to lead the life forward peacefully. Else it could be painful or even dangerous. 

I think our society plays an important role.

I wrote an article on tribulations of bad marriage which got published in Alivemagazine (Delhi Press).

Shared @ Three Word Wednesday