Monday, June 15, 2015

Book Review: It Happens For A Reason by Preeti Shenoy





I am very fond of Preeti Shenoy, one of the most popular writers of India. I look forward to her blogposts. Not just for her writing but for her extremely positive attitude towards life and her creativity. And, it reflects in her writing. She never fails to entertain.

I really...really liked her first novel Life is What You Make it and I loved “The One You Cannot Have” ! With her latest book It Happens For a Reason which I finished reading recently, I had a different experience.

‘It Happens For A Reason’ (Published by Westland Books) revolves around a single mother Vipasha who left her career as a successful model to give birth to her son at nineteen (When every single person in her life was against, even the father of the child), and her fifteen year-old son Aryan. Vipasha has two unusual careers. She runs Paw-Factor, a boarding for dogs and is a part-time gym instructor.  

Her best friend Suchi tries to set a perfect man for her but Vipasha develops a secret feeling for Saurabh, a veterinary doctor, and a little different as a person. And then, out of the blue, Ankush, her boy friend and Aryan’s father (Whom she never married) arrives after sixteen long years.

This certainly is going to change Vipasha’s and Aryan’s life. How? You’ll have to read this book to know.

The best thing about Preeti Shenoy’s stories is her strong female protagonists. Be it Ankita from Life is what you make it or Nisha from Tea for two and a piece of cake or Vipasha in It happens for a reason. They don't whimper. They fight. They live!

I have read all the books by Preeti Shenoy and liked them all, and I find it odd to point out few things that didn’t work for me in this book.

The book starts off really well but then slips into a flashback. The teenage romance of Ankush and Vipasha is not very interesting as the past is pretty clear from the blurb, and readers already know what has happened. I was more interested in what was about to come but the flashback was a bit lengthy. But, after the flashback is over, the story picks up and makes an engrossing read.

Mention of love making at the crucial stage, when the story is about to take a final turn, is not justified at all.  For me, it acted acted as a rude brake when I was moving smoothly with the story.

I wanted to know more about Saurabh but found his exit abrupt, and felt bad for him.

It was a tad disappointing to spot proofread errors in Preeti Shenoy’s book.

But, as I said that Preeti Shenoy never fails to entertain, this book overall makes an interesting read. Especially the second half. It is gripping that you'd want to finish it in a go. Characters and situations are again relatable and very well sketched. Narration is relaxed as always. The mother-son relationship is beautifully expressed. The author defines Friendship wonderfully!

Preeti Shenoy is a wonderful story teller and if you are a book lover you must read her books. You can pick this book any day. It will entertain you for sure!


Book Source: Personal Copy


Thursday, June 4, 2015

For a clutter-free mind

 


Do you want anything middling in your life? NO will be your answer, I know. Everyone desires good or rather best. We can’t gainsay the fact that sometimes we do not have control on our lives and life becomes mishmash. But, is it wise to eternize that mishmash? There are certain aspects we can work on to make life easier with a clutter-free mind.

Declutter your home: Most of the times we tend to keep useless things. ‘It may turn useful someday’ is the general thought. Let your home breathe. Toss out those tatterdemalion things.

Learn to manage time: It is not that easy but it is not that difficult either. The best way to make your day productive and extract some quality time for you is ‘Getting up early’ (And minimum TV). Even though I am not a morning person but I strongly believe that getting up early saves a lot of time making your days productive thus making your home and mind clutter-free.

Learn to say a ‘firm’ NO: No, you don’t have to be rude. It happens that your heart screams a big NO but you find yourself saying a meek YES with a wan smile. Dare to say a NO. Just a firm NO can solve many of your problems.


Recently, I found this quotation here and my heart said ‘How True!’ 

Stop being a people pleaser: You think too much about what others will think (While they may not be thinking that much). Remember, you can’t make everyone happy. And, keeping others happy is not your job. Think about your own happiness and stop pleasing others unnecessarily.

Speak for yourself: It is good that you care for your relationship and you should. But, don’t let others cross the boundary. Sometimes, some people, when they speak inappropriately, deserve an appropriate answer. Make them understand that you are not going to buy all of their unfair blabbers. Don’t feel bad if you dare to speak for yourself (When people say something wrong to you). It is good for the peace of your mind and health of your relationship with that person.

Stay away from negative people: There are some people who deserve to be ignored. Such as quidnunc, discouraging, mean people.

Be flexible: Yes, especially when it comes to your close relationship. Being hidebound can give you sleepless nights and unnecessary pain. 

Be healthy: And, put your ultimate effort to stay fit and healthy. A clean and happy mind resides in a healthy body. Life and mind become super-cluttered when you or people around you fall sick. Take care of yourself. Only then you’d be able to take care of your dear ones.

 





Written for this very interesting challenge on Write Tribe. It's about playing with new words. Please tell me if I have used any word inappropriately. 


Tuesday, June 2, 2015

The Stairs of Success






Stairs by Kaeros-Stock

Picture Prompt @ Picture it & Write



Climbing the stairs of success
As you rise
You may meet the clouds of criticism
 Ignore them, and go on
But, when the thunder of arrogance hits you
Lightning of egotism makes you beam
Stop for a while,
Be calm, and ponder
Remember, you are not the only one who is rising.


Sharing with: Write Tribe
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