Book Review: Intermission & To Live Once Again

Intermission by Nirupama Subramanian is one of the books I read in the last two weeks and I yet dont understand why the title. The rating for this one would be average. Its just another extra marital affair story....nothing great about it and nothing in particular that will make you feel "wow" about it. The story is about a forty four year old man Varun who is a father to a sixteen year old and has fallen for Sweety who is a young mother. They emotionally connect with each other and then get physically involved as well. And then starts the hushed meetings, behaving like a teenager.....everything that a person does when he says he is in love.

The writing style of the author is good. This is her second book the first one being Keep the change which I have not yet read. There is nothing much I would like to say about this book only that I didnt enjoy it much as there was nothing new to it.

The next one I read was To Live Once Again by Jayanti Anubhav which is a cute looking book because of its size. Its just 136 pages and I finished it pretty soon. Its a story about two girls Yamini and Lavanya who have a rather troubled childhood and find solace in each others in the friendship that blossoms between them when they meet at a boarding school. They become best of friends sharing everything..... until one day they find out that they have shared too much.

Though its a book of few pages the author has not failed to describe every character, every emotion and every place with such beautiful detailing and all this packed into that small little book makes the story very convincing. Being a debut novel for the author Jayanti I must say she has done a good job and this is an excellent read!!! And yes, the title is so apt !!!  :)

Book Review: Nick of Time & Ladies Coupe

If you are looking for complete bollywood masala then this is the book you should read. It has everything in it....best friends, love triangle, typical punjabi shaadi.....and of course the masala.

Komal Mehta in her debut novel, Nick of Time, has done her best to give us a fun filled book that you would enjoy reading. I liked the book, being a rom-com fan that I am and I did feel that I was watching a movie.

Its a well written story that revolves around 3 childhood friends Shagun, Alehya and Vicky and I cant really call it a love triangle cause its just a triangle....and why do I call it that, well you will get to know once you have read the book.

The story begins with Alehya quitting her job and getting a call from her best friend Shagun who tells her that she is getting married and wants her to come to Chandigarh asap. Little does she know that this trip would be a life turning point for her.

After reading this fun book I turned to my next pick Ladies Coupe by Anita Nair. The story of a woman's search for strength and independence and very important....the search for an answer to the most asked question, " Can a woman stay alone and yet be happy?"....

The story is about Akhila a forty-five year old who has never had the liberty to live her OWN life...always the daughter, the sister, the provider....until one day she decides to take on a journey with a one way ticket to Kanyakumari in search of answers to her questions. During her journey in the Ladies Coupe she meets different women who share their life stories with her and she tries to draw her answers whilst she listens to them and slips back and forth into the memories of the incidents of her life.

I completely loved the book and it is a must read....the author Anita Nair has such good sense of putting life into each character. Each story is so intense and finely drawn that it would be difficult to put down the book once you have begun. 

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Oh those childhood days.....

Childhood days the best days in the life of any individual.....those carefree days...the much awaited summer vacation...the thought of visiting Grandma and listening to her fascinating stories. Well who didn't love those days and getting a chance to re-visit them in today's stressful life is simply a bliss.

I was lucky enough to get a chance to re-visit those days...in my thoughts! And you can too, If you happen to pick up Sudha Murthy's latest book Grandma's Bag of Stories.

I have almost read all of her books and Sudha Murthy has a knack of keeping you glued to her books given her simple and straight forward writing style.

Mahashweta, Gently falls the Bakula, The Old man and his god and now Grandma's bag of stories are my favorite among the books written by her.

Grandma's bag of stories has been released at the right time being the summer vacation and most children looking for some fun activity. I would highly recommend this book to all parents who want to keep their kids busy with some good reading and help them enjoy some delightful stories with subtle moral lessons. And this not only pertains to children, even grown up's like me who like short simple stories can read this and re-visit their childhood days :)

Happy Summers and Happy Reading :)

Friends....your spice in life

How much is said and written about relationships. Today when I look around I have so many people who know me who are really good friends but there are just a few of them who really really know me and these are the people who I can really count on whenever I need them. 

In life we meet many a kind but it is always necessary to have someone whom you can share stuff or moreover could just meet and laugh away those sad feelings away that life bestows upon us. Life is not perfect always there are ups and downs and how you look at them is all that matters. You can either see them as a bumpy ride in one of those back breaking vehicles or you can see them as a joy ride which you will enjoy till the end.

I have a wonderful set of friends with whom I can share anything and laugh away till our tummy hurts and we have tears in our eyes. I love these people and cherish them. I have had bad people in my life as well, I say bad is because I hate it when people treat you like you are born for their convenience. They soon forget or rather dont even realise what all you do for them and then they try to take a walk on you. Trust me its better to throw such people out of your life the moment you see such signs. You rather be alone and happy than be with such people and hurt yourself.

I dont like to keep grudges cause people do what they have to do. All I do is forget....yes I forget that such people exist in the world. It is rightly said "Be the change you want to see"...so when I cant change a person its better I change and move on. 

There are many people who have lost friends, people who have walked out of their lives without any rhyme or reason...are such people really worth calling friends? When they can easily forget the time you both spent with each other how wonderful the friendship was then I think its best you too do the same...forget. I know some people say its difficult to forget and saying such things are easy but trust me I have gone through the same and within a few days I was back on track to my smiley self. There is no point in wasting time on such people.

I had been wanting to write this post for sometime cause I consider my blog this great canvas where I can vent my feelings and paint it with all the colours I want. 

Relationships or Friendships are very delicate, if let loose they can slip away or if held tight they will snap and break away. Enjoy your life you have just one after all. 

Book review : Losing my virginity and other dumb ideas...

Losing my virginity and other dumb ideas...that's the book i last read. Written by Madhuri Banerjee this book is a tad different from those typical love-romance stories where the end is too predictable.

It is a good light read, on how a women struggles with her inner voice and changes her thoughts and values to give away something she has been treasuring for so long....her virginity. From being a person who was saving up her virginity to give it away as a wedding gift to her "The Great Love" to being a person who now didnt think twice before connecting with a person and sharing "intimate moments" this book has it all...love, lust and all the masala that it needs.

Falling in love with a married man, being trapped emotionally with him and finally moving out of the relation a stronger person, Kaveri the protagonist finally decides to live her life the way she wants to. She does try to associate every relationship she has since then to LOVE....that is loving herself.

For me the book was just a light read and nothing more, though I was eager to finish it to know what was the climax. If she does find her "The Great Love" or not....well you have to read the book for that and I wont consider that to be a dumb idea :)

Review : One Amazing Thing

One Amazing Thing....just as the title goes so is the book written by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni. I had read The Palace of Illusions by Chitra some time back and I loved it, her writing style completely engulfs you and keeps you engrossed even after you have finished reading the book.

This one is a story of a group of strangers trapped in a visa office after an earthquake. As they find no way out all they have to do is stay put and wait for rescue operations to begin. Until then they have to find ways of surviving and helping each other. Since they know anything can happen...they can either be rescued or they may share their last breath with each other..strangers a while ago...they decide on sharing one amazing thing of their life....and so each one shares a story of their life while the rest patiently hear them out.

Each story is filled with emotions...each character well played. However I wanted a close end. The book ends leaving you to choose how you would like the ending to be....would they survive...or would they take away each others story and travel to another world.

This one is a good read however people who do not like open endings would feel quite frustrated wanting to know what happens to the inmates or the victims trapped in that visa office. But for those who don't care can have a good time weaving their own ending for the book and deciding the fate of the victims.

I liked this one too by Chitra and would definitely recommend it :)

Fun Fridays with a Fun Meme

I wanted my next post to be a review of the book I am currently reading which is absolutely so awesome till now. Will write about it as soon as I finish it. For now I wanted to do something fun and what better way than to answer a few questions framed by someone. I love doing this cause when I think of the answers I always discover something more about myself :)

I read Preeti Shenoy's post where she picked up a meme from Stealing Sundays. I thought of stealing one for me too and I found the below. Though its called "The Not My Year Meme" which I dont think applies to me. I found the questions interesting and decided would get on with it anyway. 

1. Are you in a job that you truly enjoy?

Enjoy - Yes, Truly - ummmm...... next question pls...

2. If you could do any job in the world what would it be?

Something creative...maybe a writer..painter..

3. If you could be a character in a novel who would you be?
I would be Harry Potter so that I could live in a magical world and get all my word done with my wand :)

4. When it comes to spending time with those you love, do you think it should be about quality or quantity?
Quality - that's what makes fond memories :) Let it be quality and quantity will follow....

5. Is there a job/career you wanted but realized you couldn’t possibly do for one reason or another?
So many!!!! I could have been an actor...but there are several reasons why I cant be...lol

6. If you could live anywhere in the world or out of this world where would you live?
I couldn't possible think of not living in my city ...so wherever I go I love coming back to my home...my Mumbai.

7. Where would you most like to visit and who with?
Spain with my hubby.

8. Which skill would you like to learn?
Creative writing and painting...oops and of course cooking :)

9. What made you laugh today?
Silly jokes during lunch with my friend Santy...he cracks me up...totally!

10. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
Movie with my friends.

11. What is your sign and do you believe in horoscopes etc?
Cancer.....sometimes I do and sometimes I dont.

12. If you could change one thing about your life thus far, what would it be?
Nothing - I believe everything happens for a reason hence would not like to change anything.

13. If there was one charity you could give a huge contribution to, which charity would it be and why?
The orphanage....it is heart breaking to see children who are deprived of parental love and other facilities that they deserve. This is the least I could do for them.

14. Should smoking be legal?
No

15. What are your views on the smoking ban in public places?
Its great but people sadly dont follow them yet....esp bustops in Mumbai, you could easily find people smoking and spitting away.

16. Why do you blog?
I love to write and this is the most amazing platform to bring out the creativity in you....or maybe discover the the creativity or maybe nurture it.

17. Do you have a favorite author?
For now, Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni.

18. Can you play any musical instruments?
I can play my iPod....he he he.....sadly I cant.

19. What would your ideal car be?
An SUV :)

20. Describe yourself in one short sentence.
Fun loving girl who loves to read.

21. What do you look for in a spouse/other half?
Lots of love, understanding and trust.

22. Worst meal you’ve had?
It definitely should be something that I cooked :)

23. What do you do to relax in the evening?
Read or listen to music

24. Do you get along with your siblings?
Yes I do.

25. Do you have any regrets?
So many!!!!  If I didn't I would either be a perfectionist or very snobbish person, which thankfully I am not :)