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How to Become a Writer? Part I: HABITS
PART I: CHANGE IN HABITS Lisa See said that read a thousand books and your words will flow like a river. It is true. But the only problem is that the prowess to choose the right words comes with practice and a lot of patience. Writing is easy. But writing to satisfy one’s desire or writing to reach out to others is a different ballgame altogether. If your writing is not backed by a strong purpose, it will soon be forgotten. Therefore, write what will not be forgotten. In my upcoming posts, I will be sharing some tips and tricks to enhance your writing skills. For any new venture that…
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Book Review: Innocentism by Suhasini Malde
Innocent-ismAuthor: Suhasini MaldeTranslated by: Priyadarshini Nithin GokhalePublisher: Half Baked BeansRating: 3/5 Start by doing what’s necessary; then do what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible. –Francis of Assisi Problems are like the wind- you cannot change its direction but you can adjust your sails so that you can sail smoothly. Suhasini Malde’s effort in delving into the real joy of giving is highlighted in her book, Innocent-ism. She adjusted the sails of those who were afraid to face the wind and paved their path to a brighter future. This book was first written in Marathi as the author wished to reach to smaller towns and areas but then…
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Book Review: A Murder in Mussoorie and Other Tales by Ruskin Bond
A Murder in Mussoorie and Other TalesAuthor: Ruskin BondPublisher: Rupa PublishersRating: 3/5 Who doesn’t know about Ruskin Bond’s love for nature, especially the mountains? With that said, it wouldn’t take rocket science to figure out the theme of the book titled ‘A Murder in Mussoorie and Other Tales’. The book is a collation of stories by Ruskin Bond, some true and some fictional. The common element of all stories is the mighty Himalayas in the backdrop. Another commonality that is evident is the mention of Rudyard Kipling in each story. Rudyard Kipling was a British man who lived and wrote in India. It is strange how Bond’s connection with India…
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Book Review: Abyss by Sabarna Roy
Abyss Author: Sabarna Roy Publisher: Leadstart Publishers Rating: 2.5/5 It has been rightly said that whoever tries to fight the monsters should ensure that he doesn’t turn himself into a monster. It is also true that the longer you stare at the abyss, the more it pulls you towards itself. ‘Abyss’ is based on the above notions. Amidst greed for power, wrath, envy and lust, the characters in Abyss find themselves trapped in an unfathomable chasm. The escape seems like a distant dream. What lies in store for them are the consequences of their choices. Abyss is a short play that is divided into two acts. With limited characters, the…
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Book Review: Unlocking the Universe by Stephan & Lucy Hawking
Unlocking the UniverseAuthor (s): Stephen Hawking & Lucy HawkingPublisher: Puffin Publishers I am so fortunate to have been coming across books that are not only informative but also easy to understand. When we were taught about the basic terminologies of Physical Cosmology in school, not all of us could understand the technicalities associated with Physics and Astrophysics at that time. Thankfully, ‘Unlocking the Universe’ is the book that unlocks all the doors to understanding the universe by referring and reading information that has been collated in one single volume. Unlocking the Universe explores the concepts of Big Bang Theory, the Theory of Relativity, Schrodinger’s Principle, Black Hole, the Drake Equation…
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Book Review: Fearless- Stories of Amazing Women from Pakistan
Fearless-Stories of Amazing Women from PakistanPublisher: Penguin Publishers Women are known for their indomitable spirit and unapologetic ambitions. When they decide to take the reigns in their hands, no power in the world can stop them from realizing their dreams. ‘Fearless’ is a collation of those wonderful stories that need to be brought out in public irrespective of their origin or religion. Inspiration can be drawn from anyone. It does not matter whether the source of inspiration is black or white or brown. The sex, caste or religion do not matter as well. Right from Benazir Bhutto, Fatima Jinnah, Malala Yousafzai to Nighat Dad, Qandeel Baloch and Namira Salim- all…
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Book Review: The Little Book of Everything by Ruskin Bond
A Little Book of EverythingAuthor: Ruskin BondPublisher: Penguin Publishers With a treasure trove of experiences and learnings, Ruskin Bond holds the secret to a peaceful and enjoyable life. In his new book, ‘A little Book of Everything’, he collates life lessons in the form of short quotes that can be read on a daily basis to feel motivated, to feel hopeful and to feel alive. There is a magic about this book that each page speaks volumes even though there are very few words printed on the page. The Little Book of Everything is a book that is a storehouse of optimism, courage, hope and love. When one is down…
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Book Review: Unfulfilled Desires by Rachi
Unfulfilled DesiresAuthor: RachiPublisher: Half Baked BeansRating: 2.5/5 It is said that if it does not involve walking on fire, it is not love. Love tests your endurance, it tests your loyalty and it also tests your willingness to give up your most prized possession. When you truly love someone, it might be difficult expressing it in words. But your actions compensate for those unsaid words, for you do not even think twice before putting everything at stake for the one your love. Unfulfilled Desires explores the pathos associated with love and its aftereffects. It is a poignant tale of affection, sacrifice and loss. Caught in a whirlpool of turbulent emotions,…
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Book Review: The Incredible Adventures of Mr Cheeks by Tasmeen Amna
The Incredible Adventures of Mr CheeksAuthor: Tasmeen AmnaPublisher: Puffin Books (Penguin) Knowing that the brain of a child is under development during his childhood days, it wouldn’t be wrong to teach the norms of the society right from the very beginning. Tasmeen Amna takes up this responsibility to bring forth the importance of ‘being you’ and not changing according to the expectations set by society. Her words are magical and they have the power to influence children by taking them into a wonderful world where even the animals seem more sensible than humans! The Incredible Adventures of Mr Cheeks is a novella that narrates the story of three friends who…
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Book Review: The Sinners by Sourabh Mukherjee
The SinnersAuthor: Sourabh MukherjeePublisher: Srishti PublishersRating: 3/5 I believe that love and lust are like parallel roads. While one road leads to a peaceful and harmonious relationship, the other leads to a dead loss. ‘The Sinners’ is a tale of love, lust, gluttony and betrayal. Revolving around the vicissitudes of corporate life, the story traces the journey of several characters- the life of whom depends on the choices they make. Highlighting the repercussions of materialistic pleasures, this story offers genuine moments of thrill and suspense. The story begins with a death in a penthouse. The entire plot focuses on untying the knots of this mystery- whether Vikram Obrai is murdered…