Saturday, October 22, 2016

What is the rudest thing you have ever done?

So like, this question was posted on Quora and I have answered it long back but now felt like sharing it on my blog although I feel silly about this and also my blog is eerily silent now a days without any personal posts. So here you go.
My mom and dad come from a very poor family. They don't have 0.5% of the luxuries which I am enjoying right now. Especially, my mom didn't have enough food in their large family of 7 members. She wasn't lucky with studies either. As she didn't have proper education and since she needs to work and study at the same time, she discontinued her studies after 9th grade.
But, thanks to her luck that she found the most handsome and down-to-earth person in the world to marry. My father too comes from a very poor family background. He used to work as a coolie to pay his college fees (his brother and his dad used to work too but that wasn't suffice to feed the whole family of 6 members) and all that. Now, he is in a very good position that he doesn't think twice when I asked if I could pursue my studies in abroad.
So, I was in my 6th grade and that summer, my parents decided to take me to this famous exhibition which was going on in Hyderabad(we used stay in a town at that time and a trip to Hyderabad costs us pretty much). Like a kid I am, I used to throw tantrums "I want this! I want that!". My dad, however, doesn't say no to me because its just once in a year that we go to Hyderabad for such trips and likes to spend as much as he could. But, mom, you know how moms are when it comes to "saving money". At the end of the day, its me who wins at getting things done.
So, we bought this delicious wafers which was in chocolate flavor among other food items and some other things which was needed for my education.
One day, I decided to eat the wafers all by myself. You have NO idea how tasty they were and my taste buds could still remember that taste! So, I go running and was yelling at top of my voice telling that I have eaten the wafers without leaving anything.
Mom: WHAT!? You ate everything without sharing with me? How could you do that? We only go once in a year or once in two years and I don't get anything to taste! At least a tiny bit of it!? I do all this work and you can't even think of sharing it with me?
Me: ...
I mentioned that our family comes from a poor background cuz she never had a chance to taste different food items. And, when she has at times like that, it was me who didn't share it with her.
I didn't cry that day. But, that moment froze in my mind like forever! Even today I feel SO bad (I even cried few times) for not sharing at least a tiny bit of what we bought from the city. She does all the hard work without complaining ever. She roamed with me for an entire 4-5 hours in that exhibition and I didn't show even a tiny bit of gratitude towards her. I know I am a child and I couldnt think of "sharing" with someone else, but, I was rude to her, wasn't I? I still remember the anger and helplessness on her face. Whenever I think of this incident it breaks my heart and that I couldn't share that delicious wafer with her and that I could never see the happiness in her eyes for sharing it with her.
After that day, I have learnt a lesson about "sharing". I never ever ate something without asking my mom whether she likes to have it or not. Sometimes, I even force her to just to taste because I am trying to compensate for the mistake I have done years ago. I know she wouldn't remember that day, but I feel so sad even today for robbing her off having small pleasure like tasting a wafer.
Well, this all seems so silly now after writing a long para but that's the only rudest thing I could think of. -_-

Friday, September 30, 2016

One Part Woman - Review


Kali and Ponna are one dream couple that every wife and husband dreams to have such intimacy between them. Nothing can keep them apart, not even when Kali teases his wife saying that he will go away with another woman. But, one problem is brewing between that happy couple and its eating them away every day.

The efforts to conceive a child have been in vain since more than 10 years.

Set in a sleepy town somewhere in Tamilnadu, this story gives you an insight about how Indian society treats a married couple if the woman cannot have a child in less than 2 years of marriage. 

With Ponna being called as a “barren woman” since she cannot give birth to a child, her friend circle has come down to almost naught. She secludes herself to home and finds warmth in her husband’s hugs at night. She cries to sleep when she cannot take all the insinuations made by people.

With characters like Uncle Nallupayyan and Muthu, brother-in-law of Kali, you are transformed into a world of conservative families where Untouchability still exists and higher castes are given all the privilege.

All their hopes of conceiving a child comes down to one so called chariot festival which takes place in the temple of Ardhanareeswara, the half-female god. On the fourteenth day of the festival, all the rules are made lenient and consensual union between any man and woman is sanctioned.

But, the ultimate test to the married couple is put forth when Kali is still deciding on this option but their family conspires to take the only chance to have a child without involving Kali in their decision.

Glad that I came across this banned book when Twitter readers are celebrating #BannedBooksWeek. 

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Sea of Poppies - Review


Sea of Poppies by Amitav Ghosh


We all have watched many British era’s movies and marveled at the rich history our India holds even then. Anyone of you ever imagined yourself living in such an epic era and felt the desire to experience those intense moments where India’s future is going to be decided?

I have.

And this is the novel I am going to suggest you if you ever have such thoughts again. An intricate work of characters, with all the details which are not too much and not too less. Amitav Ghosh proved himself to be an extraordinary writer through this remarkable novel.

Although a work of fiction, it gently reveals the history of India during 1830’s of British rule. How
Opium used to be an important trade for British Empire during 19th century. Amitav pays a great attention towards the language and slangs used among people which brings the characters alive and thriving in each and every page. With the culture, the smells, the white people who ruled Indians, and Opium being the vital part of this book, you’ll never stop turning pages of the first book in Ibis Trilogy.

Aboard the Ibis, you’re going to get transported into a world of colonialism with a group of sailors and escapees, coolies and convicts as it sails down the Hooghly on its way to Mareech or Mauritius Islands. A book with a web of beautifully interlocking stories and characters. With Ibis as its bearer, people aboard journeying across the Indian Ocean will come across the Black Water and an inevitable fate is awaiting them.


A definite page-turner. As you come to an end of Poppies, you’ll thank god that this is only the first installment of Ibis Trilogy which means there is more to come. Enjoy this grand novel of ordinary lives with extraordinary tales; of rich and panoramic narration of a story.


Thursday, July 7, 2016

Norwegian Wood - Review



Where do I start talking about this beautiful gossamer novel? I feel so tiny to describe something so amazing which has happened to me in these few days. Murakami sure knows how to twist and turn those emotions which you chose to ignore and bury deep down in your heart. This book will amplify your hazy memories of teenage. Your love. Your crush. Those deep questions you asked yourself when you were in your teens: ‘What is going to happen to me in the future?’ ‘What is life and death?’ ‘Why does everyone seem like knowing what they are going to do with their life but I feel like I know shit!?’

Norwegian Wood made me feel nostalgic. Sometimes sad, sometimes happy, but most of the time I felt good just lingering with my memories; they felt like the dew drops on a freshly cut grass in my backyard after a drizzle of rain.

One more important thing was that I didn’t just connect to the protagonist, but I could connect with every character in this book. May be not wholly, but at least in pieces. Get what I mean? Yeah. By the time I got accustomed to the characters, and started enjoying the background described in the book, I felt an intense desire to make friendship with these characters in the book. Those limpid souls just struck the right chord in my heart and I don’t want them to stop playing that soft music which started soothing my heart. I didn’t want to stop reading it.

I wish the book never ended. That is the problem with good books. When you finish, you feel like you’re reborn and never want to turn your head from that phase of life. You wish life stopped then and there.

“You make it obvious you don’t care whether people like you or not. That makes some people angry.”

Not only that you connect to this on a spiritual level, you can even relate these characters with the people from your life. And, I’ve a friend who is just like the quote I mentioned above from the book.


I wish I were a character in this book. It contains characters which have beautifully twisted minds and hearts you'll ever come across. Don't miss it.

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Ruskin Bond

Ruskin Bond has a very special place in my heart. I guess, I was in my 7th standard when I read the short story The Woman on Platform No.8 in my English Textbook. Of which I could remember every single detail because the language he spoke was so clear and straight from the heart. Also, I could relate to that story. As children, we were always warned about suspicious strangers who offer food or chocolates, and if we accept them that would be the death of us. As a kid, I was always intrigued by this because I have never seen a stranger who offered chocolates to me did any harm to me. They were all sweet to me and I felt it’s just parents trying to be overly cautious of others. I mean, how bad it is to live in a world where you can’t trust each other? How can you live in a society, among people, who you always have to doubt? Isn’t it better to leave that society instead of NOT living in peace or making peace with others?

‘I like strangers’ are the exact words to which I can relate to.

I have never seen any author who writes so candidly and makes me feel refreshed every time I finish a story. I’m so glad to have read Ruskin Bond’s books.

Thursday, May 26, 2016

X Square - Book Review

X Square by Srinu Pandranki


Angelina, a tall and slim girl with an athletic body is an aspiring writer at Stanford University likes to keeps her options open when coming to committing in a relationship. She was found dead in her apartment.

Gayatri Prasad, an Indian mother with a loving husband and a handsome boy categorized herself in ‘happily married’. She was found dead, has been pushed off her balcony.

Anne Martin, a French girl, possessing an angel-like beauty. She loved America right from the second she got off the plane at L.A. Airport. She looked forward to discover the adventures which lay ahead of her in this beautiful city. She was found dead, and brutally raped.

Shreya Dutt, a head strong, tough homicide detective and Kevin Holmes, who gave up his job as a detective to find some peace in his life was dragged into solve these crimes.

X-square is a novel which takes on the Emotional Intelligence which human beings lack. This story holds the suspense for a long time. Un-putdownable(if there is any word like that). The relevance of the title to this book itself is a shocking twist.

I would recommend this book to people who want to have a good crime-mystery read. Although this book has some grammatical errors, it wouldn’t interject with your reading.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

I'm a pigeon.

My mom has this habit of feeding sparrows and pigeons. So, I suggested her to tie a small bowl to our window sill, so that birds can come daily and have their food. She did. I love watching how those pigeons fight one another to fit on that window sill and have their tasteless seeds (don’t they get bored of same food?). Few birds wait in a row for their turn to have lunch. I really mean it, I saw few birds waiting for another bird to finish its lunch and it was the most magical thing I ever saw.

Order.

They follow unwritten rules to keep the peace among themselves. Isn’t that beautiful?
--

So, today evening something has happened which is both beautiful and sad simultaneously. How? Lemme narrate this and I hope you have enough patience to listen.

My dad caught one pigeon with his bare hands for me. It’s his one way to show love towards me, also, amusing himself when he gets bored stiff. I was shocked to see that helpless pigeon struggling to get out of my dad’s firm grip. Its beautiful fluffy grey feathers all over the floor (how many days will it take for a full-grown feather? Is that time worthy of my dad’s time pass thing?). I asked him not to hold so tight fearing about its breathing function and its tiny stomach (eh?). My mom was suddenly so enthusiastic to hold it, and me, I was SO goddamn afraid that I’m making the bird afraid of our presence. What will it think about us? Will it think we are bad people? Will it come back again to the same place for food? Did we break its heart by taking away its freedom for few minutes in order to entertain ourselves? So many questions about its freedom. Finally, I can’t help but touch its soft feathers and pet it and say sorry like a million times in my head that my dad caught it to show it to me. I felt sorry that I made it uncomfortable by clipping its wings which are not supposed to. I’m afraid I have made it think “This is it. This is where I die”. Isn’t that a horrible thing to think, if at all it thinks?

After some time, dad decided to tie it with some thread to see how it will behave. My mom brought some of that tasteless seeds worrying about whether it ate properly or not (of course, that bird won’t eat forcibly and I’m pretty sure its appetite is dead by now).

After we tied, it is still trying to free itself and fly away. But, how can you little Jo? (I named it ‘Jo’)

I then started asking questions to her (in my mind, of course).

Do you now understand how it is to be like me in this house? Legs tied and wings clipped?

Do you understand how it feels to be force fed?

How it feels when someone uses you to entertain themselves?

Do you now understand how LUCKY YOU are when compared to me?

After some time, my mom started worrying about that we are worrying the pigeon in this hot weather. So, dad untied its legs to let it fly away and opened the window.

To my surprise, it didn’t fly right away. I thought it would be gone in a Nano-second after we untie it. 
But, no.

It was standing on the sill. Looking or observing something, or may be waiting for its friends or some unknown pigeon to narrate what just happened to it, so that other pigeons will be warned not to come this way to have food anymore (I was afraid about that!). May be it is observing the location not to come this way the next time. On a positive note, I also thought it didn’t think bad about us after all, may be it believed that we won’t do any harm to it since we fed it all these months (I was relieved but anxious).

When I stopped looking and turned my head, it flew away as if it saw something or someone. I wonder if the same pigeon is going to come this way again. Will it dare so?

I guess not.
--

As much as I think about this pigeon, it reminds me of ME, in Delhi. When I had absolute freedom to do things which I always wanted to do. But, now, I can’t.


I’m exactly like that pigeon. It’s both beautiful and sad simultaneously.

Tuesday, May 24, 2016

20 Questions - II

  1.  What is the last thing you thought about?
I was crying thinking about how my parents didn’t celebrate my first birthday and I don’t have any memories of that age. I don’t remember celebrating any birthday like my friends did with all their relatives, balloons, and cake. I only remember one birthday where I went to a photo studio with mom in my favorite white dress.

Isn’t it sad to know that when you look back and realize you didn’t make many memories to cherish?

  1. Do you regret anything?
Oh yes! Many things. One among them is, I couldn’t bring those awesome characters from my favorite novels to life.

  1. Do you prefer revenge or just pure jealousy/envy?
I sometimes imagine myself as the heroines in Sidney Sheldon’s books. Especially, like Noelle in The Other Side of Midnight where I am hell bent on taking a revenge for what was done to me when I didn’t deserve to be treated that way. So, yeah, definitely revenge.

  1. Would you rather go to a party or out of town?
Not a party person. You’d definitely find me sitting on a chair, all alone, staring at my phone screen for no reason if am in a party. Out of town sounds cool.

  1. Are you slowly drifting away from someone close?
Yes, I am. It’s a painful process.

  1. When was the last time you held someone’s hand?
Hahaa. Sad question.

  1. Who can you tell everything to?
I don’t think I have a person in my life who knows EVERY SINGLE THING about me. I’m afraid, I’ll be a burden to them.

  1. Missing someone right now?
None.

  1. What’s the seventh text message in your inbox say?
Message from IRCTC. Your Tkt Cancelled. PNR, 4632405290, Amt 1160 will be refunded in your account.

  1.  Last time you had butterflies in your stomach?
When I left Bangalore last time. And I know I will regret that moment in future.

  1. Who/What would you like to see right now?
Sunset. Beach. Sitting in the sand with my best friend and just staring at the waves as the sun sinks into the horizon.

12.   Is there an empty place in your heart?

Yeah, well. I don’t know that myself.

13.   Do you count down the days till anything?

Right now, counting days till my college starts.

14.   What are your chances of getting with your crush?

I have many crushes. I don’t think I have a chance with them in near future.

15.   When was the last time you laughed so hard you thought you were going to cry?

Today. Message by my friend which was hilarious! :)

16.   What color are your eyes?

Black. I would loooove to have light brown eyes.

17.   What always makes you feel better when you’re upset?

Left alone with my thoughts.

18.   Name three things you would not tolerate in a relationship?

Taking my gestures/love for granted, nagging, overly possessive.

19.   What famous person(s) would you like to have dinner with?

Ruskin Bond, Neil deGrasse Tyson, Elon Musk, Osho, Ayn Rand.

20.   What is the best part of traveling?

Staring out the window and thinking about how beautiful life is! 

Perks of being a single child

Things I’m clearly not allowed to do:

Watch movies in theatre.
Read novels.
Chatting with strangers.
Talking with friends more than 20 mins.
Coming to home after 5pm.
Friendship with boys.
Riding a bike.
Spending money on clothes/food.
Going to tours with friends.
Don’t die all of a sudden.

Things I must do:

Breathe.
Eat.
Study.
Sleep.

So, what if I do things which I’m not supposed to do?

House arrest until I change. Mom escorts me to shop even when I want to buy a small pen or pencil.
--
And yes, I did things which am not supposed to and I got the punishment I mentioned above.
--

Perks of being a single child, nice no?

Will you judge me for being online on social media for 24/7?

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Monday Morning

I wrote this piece of fiction for my friend as an assignment 3 years ago. The assignment is about describing things around the subject in detail. I hope you like it.
--

The morning sun was coming through the window behind her, falling on the pink flowers of the hibiscus plant that sat on the sill. She was resting on a rocking wooden chair with a book in one hand and a coffee cup in another, sipping the coffee as she flips through the pages of her recent favourite novel. She wore a navy blue poplin sweatshirt over gray sweatpants, looking, at thirty-three, like the type of woman she’d once claimed she would never resemble.

After a while, when she finished her cup of coffee, she walked to the door to see how the weather is. It’s a warm, cloudless sky with sun shining in its brightest way possible. On mornings after a party, she becomes too lazy to wash her face, too eager to have a cup of coffee so that she could enjoy the peace in her house.

She made a sigh of satisfaction, welcoming the warm sun rays to touch her face and feet. After a moment, she stepped back, hands on her hips and made another sigh looking at her room which was messy from the party last night.

Her eyes scanned through the room. She found birthday caps scattered on the floor, balloons touching the roof, half-finished coke tins, empty champagne bottles, crunches of muffins on the plates, scented candles still burning. She is still amazed looking at the presents piled upon the cherry wood table from one end to the other.

Discarding all this clutter with a heavy sigh, she made her way through the kitchen and ate a piece of chicken out of the tray on the counter. For a few minutes, she was lost in her thoughts and then she spotted a crate of champagne resting on the edge of the counter. It was an extra one she bought just in case and found that all the bottles were unopened. She walked on the wooden floor which makes creaking sound with each step and put the crate in the refrigerator.

A bird came out of the wall clock making a cuckoo-sound; it was now 8:00 AM. She grabbed a towel to have a shower and get ready to face another Monday morning at her job.


-- 

Thursday, May 12, 2016

Palace of Illusions - Review

Palace of Illusions – Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni


Re-telling of the timeless tale ‘Mahabharat’, the story of Draupadi which is often not heard by most people. Guess who is the narrator? Draupadi, Daughter of Drupad, Princess of Panchaal, and widely known as wife of five husbands, Panchaali.

Divakaruni gave a powerful voice to Draupadi in this book, with all her joys in little things, her lonely childhood, her struggles and her triumphs, and the un-answered questions, the enduring pain and the revenge she seeks for what was done to her. Through all the complex emotions and doubts in her heart, Draupadi keeps you engaged with this story in her Palace of Illusions.

The story starts on a lazy winter afternoon, with her nurse, Dhai Ma telling about her fiery birth. Apparently, King Drupad was praying only for a son, but he was gifted beyond what he asked for. As her brother, Dristadyumna stepped out of fire, after few minutes of cheering and celebrations, there comes the Girl Who Wasn’t Invited. She amuses herself by making fancy names for herself such as Off-spring of Vengeance, the Unexpected One. She was as dark as her brother was fair, as hasty as he was calm. And the gods said, “She will change the course of history.” Thus, the first steps to the epic battle Kurukshetra were laid.

This book centrally focuses on women which are not often discussed or who weren’t given much part in the tales of our history. For instance, there was Kunti who was widowed and struggles all through her life to see her sons become Kings and that they get what they deserve. There was Gandhari, who was blindfolded for rest of her life as she was devoted to her sightless husband, thus abandoning her power as queen and mother. And then, there was Panchaali, King Drupad’s beautiful daughter. By her headstrong nature, she brings about the destruction of the Third Age of Man. However, these women were seldom portrayed as important characters in our history and often misunderstood by most of the people.

Divakaruni brings about the roles which these women played in changing the course of our history and the importance which they deserved. Her writing style is very grippy, and she doesn’t go astray from the actual story of Mahabharat.

Read the tale of Draupadi, her lonely childhood, love for her beloved brother, complicated friendship with the enchanting Krishna, her unfortunate marriage with five husbands, her secret affection on Karna – the tragic hero, her failure as a mother, and be welcomed into her entrancing
Palace of Illusions.

Little Women - Review

Little Women – Louisa May Alcott

A family drama set in 1860’s during American Civil War where men folk are engaged in fighting for their country, whilst the women and children are anxiously waiting for their return and silently praying for their good health.

Little Women is about four girls, struggling with poverty and yet trying to find joy in little things which they come across. Mrs. March and her four daughters Meg, Jo, Beth and Amy will engage you with their virtues, down-to-earth behaviour, and their supportive and caring nature despite their poverty.

Meg, a practical and sensible girl. Being a teenager, she dreads the unfortunate financial problems in her family which doesn’t allow her to buy new clothes every now and then. Yet, she makes most out of what she has and doesn’t throw tantrums, always supportive to her mother. 

Jo, full of joy and fun. She always finds a way to cheer herself and her sisters in the direst situations. Being a tom boy in her family, she surely stands out among her sisters. Jo is a writer by heart but a sweet heart by nature. 

Beth, sweet girl and has a musical talent. She can make you angry through her childish nature, also she can surprise you with the love she showers on her pretty doll and on an unfortunate child who died in her hands. 

Amy, the youngest of all and artistic by nature. Always trying to be sincere in her actions and trying to be lady-like.

All four girls are downright adventurous and fun. Mrs. March makes sure that her daughters are brought up with important lessons in their lives, also making sure not to be so hard upon them. The four girls eventually make friends with a boy in their neighborhood and play innocent games, start writing a newsletter which includes excerpts and poems, opens a small post office which carries heart-warming letters.

This book makes sure that young readers unfailingly identify themselves with each of its characters, and the story always succeeds in drawing the grown-ups into the beautiful spring-time. 

A classic book which cannot be missed and you wouldn’t feel like parting away with these
Little Women.

And Then There Were None - Review

And then there were none – Agatha Christie

Agatha Christie was rightly given the title ‘Queen of Crime’. Let me write a poem which is a key factor in this book of hers.

Ten little soldier boys went out to dine;
One choked his little self and then there were Nine.

Nine little soldier boys sat up very late;
One overslept himself and then there were Eight.

Eight little soldier boys travelling in Devon;
One said he’d stay there and then there were Seven.

Seven little soldier boys chopping up sticks;
One chopped himself in halves and then there were Six.

Six little soldier boys playing with a hive;
A bumble bee stung one and then there were Five.

Five little soldier boys going in for law;
One got in Chancery and then there were Four.

Four little soldier boys going out to sea;
A red herring swallowed one and then there were Three.

Three little soldier boys walking in the Zoo;
A big bear hugged one and then there were Two.

Two little soldier boys sitting in the sun;
One got frizzled up and then there was One.

One little soldier boy left all alone;
He went and hanged himself

And then there were None.
Frank Green, 1869.

Christie brilliantly laced the plot such that it goes according to the nursery poem which I’ve written above. Ten people, who are strangers among themselves were invited as weekend guests on a private island. The assortment of those strangers was very curious considering their diverse backgrounds. So, they were taken to this isolated island which was cut off from the rest of the world and you could find only one house in the entire island. Everyone were wondering about their guest, but no one ends up receiving them except the already assigned butlers. They eventually make themselves comfortable for that night and hit the bed. The next day, they encounter such an incident that everyone in the room will be exposed of their dark secrets that no one wants to reveal by themselves.

By the end of the week, one by one, they fall prey to the murderer and then there will be none.

The atmosphere of the island was so described that you would feel as trapped as the people on that island itself feel. One beautiful thing about mystery novels is that we all try to be Sherlock Holmes during the course of reading a book, which makes us get so involved with it. This book offers you so much fun in finding out who the murderer was that it will be too difficult to point your fingers at just one person. It’s a delicious way to exercise your neurons. But don’t worry, there is an epilogue written at the end of the book which was brilliantly written by Christie.

The characters are very wisely developed all the way through the book. The plot was clean and neat, you’d be bewildered and horrified by the perfectionism that Christie achieved in murdering the people on the island.

This is one Christie’s outstanding work and a masterpiece. A delight to mystery lovers.

   

Remember?

Remember?
Those long calls
Comfortable silences
Heartfelt laughs

Remember?
Refraining yourself to call
Those tacit feelings
Pain of the weeping heart

Remember?
The plans you made together for your future
The long walks holding each other
The moments when you forgot that you both were two different people

Remember?
The endless tears which drenched your pillow
The lonely nights and haunting days
The melancholy of life

Remember?
The unrequited love (?)

Finding Juliet - Review

“Maybe this is why we read, and why in moments of darkness we return to books: to find words for what we already know.” 

This quote is as true as it can get while reading this book! Have you had break-ups and patch-ups all your college life? Have you had that one friend who doesn’t leave your side no matter what? Have you had an almost complete stranger listening to your heart breaks as you drink few shots of Vodka?

Well, Finding Juliet is all about YOU relating to every event happened in your life as a young adult. There is this graduate student who falls in love (or, may be, trying to Find his Juliet?) not as a matter-of-fact but without having nothing but the desire to be truly in love with a girl.

From his college days to his office days, he never ceases to fall in love with a girl (or, may be, trying to find true love?) he comes across. But, with every break-up he has, he tries to learn few things about a girl, few do’s and few do-not’s, few life lessons which will change his life, forever.

I think I can safely make an Alchemist reference after reading this book. You go on looking for treasure elsewhere, when in actuality, it is right under your roof.
(Well, in this case, the treasure is love)

What I actually mean by this reference? You must definitely read this book to find out and I guarantee you that you’ll relate to every incident this guy goes through while trying to find his Juliet.

Likes –

My favourite character in this book is that constant friend to the guy who is trying to find his Juliet. Her perseverance, her emotional strength, her unconditional love towards her friend, and what not! She is like this perfect friend you would love to have beside you! (Believe you me, I know you can relate to this character as much as I did).

Dislikes –

The narration part, I found it difficult to get used to it since its like just reciting lines from a personal diary of a guy. But, nonetheless, after 100 pages into the book, I got totally hooked up to the story and the narration didn’t matter anymore. I also thought, there could be more humour added in the book.
--

But, which book isn’t without any flaws? For a budding author, I guess the author did a pretty good job at hooking me up to the story TILL the end! (The climax was amazing, I say!).

I suggest this book if you want a quick read, if you’re fond of young-adult romantic story, or pick this up while you’re on a long train/bus journey and I’m sure it will make you feel nostalgic about your college days!

Rating: 3/5


Note: The book is available on the Juggernaut Books App. You can get it here.

Tuesday, April 12, 2016

20 Questions

Really wanted to write something but my life is a mess right now and I cannot sort out about WHAT I have to confess in my blog. So, I found these old questions lying around and felt the urge to answer them. I hope I don’t bore you.

  1. When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Well, no one asked me this question until I finished my 8th grade. So, I never told something fancy like “I want to be a painter or a singer or a ticket collector like the girl in the book Totto Chan: The Little Girl At The Window”. I was always interested in the behaviour pattern of a person. The way they behave with their parents at home and the way they behave with their friends at school, those two behaviours never seem to coincide as far as I observed. I always wanted to be Psychologist. To study about how men and women behave at every step of their life. I still find sitting on a bench and observing how people behave is more interesting than all the formulas and the magic behind Physics. I’m going to pursue Masters in Physics soon. Not every child gets what they dream about.

  1. What have you done in the past week to help someone else?
I helped my friend by reminding her about an application form she forgot to fill.

  1. Who is the best-dressed person you know?
I hate to admit it but it seems like all of my friends have good fashion sense compared to me. They look so comfortable and beautiful in whatever they choose to wear!

  1. What is on your nightstand?
Its always a book and 2-3 empty water bottles. I drink a lot.

  1. If you were a cat, what kind of a cat would you be?
A black one which stands out from rest of the cats in the world and scares people.

  1. If you lived in a house surrounded by acres of trees, what particular type of tree would you want flourishing on your land?
That one tree which has peach coloured leaves/flowers blossoming. When the leaves/flowers fall, they make hell of a scenery! It looks peaceful and beautiful!

  1. What do you find to be very overrated?
Positivity. Chill out people! Sometimes even destruction looks beautiful! Watch Quentin Tarantino movies. Especially, the story written by him Natural Born Killers.

  1. How many e-mail addresses you have?
I have five I guess. But, I only remember two. Yahoo mail and G-Mail.

  1. Have you ever felt replaced?
Many times.

  1. Would you rather watch football or baseball?
Given the hype among my friends, Football seems interesting.

  1. What is the wallpaper on your phone?
Two shades of blue. People still judge other people based on the choice of their wallpapers? Its 2016!

  1. Name a lyric from the song you’re listening to.
I’m not a “music” person. But, I love this song and I recommend you to listen to it: She’s always a woman to me by Billy Joel. My favourite lines are:

“..and she only reveals
What she wants you to see..
..She can lead you to love,
She can take you or leave you
She can ask for the truth,
But she’ll never believe..
..yeah, she steals like a thief,
But, she’s always a woman to me..
..then she will carelessly cut you
And laugh while you’re bleeding..”

  1. Do you use a feed reader?
Nope.

  1. What chocolate do you always leave in the box?
You mean the variety of chocolate which I don’t eat? Milky chocolate. Yuck!

  1. What would you do if you found out your ex is engaged?
HAHAHA. Such a wrong time to ask this question. I would be shattered to know. But, I cannot do anything. May be go into depression for a month or two and life moves on.

  1. Do words hurt you?
A lot. You cannot even imagine. But, I am trying to be as detached as possible to people around me so that they don’t influence me with their words.

  1. Are you a talker or listener? Is it ever possible to really be both?
Umm, this is a really difficult question. I prefer to be a listener most of the times and am very patient at it. But, when I start talking, I know I make sense and I don’t utter a word which isn’t useful to both parties.

  1. Have you ever walked on the beach at night?
Nah. I would love to someday, with a good company, and share a moment of silence with them looking at the stars and listening to the beautiful music by the waves.

  1. Who is your favourite professional athlete?
Right now, Virat Kohli. He bleeds enthusiasm and the will to achieve whatever he aims for.

  1. Which TV show have you seen pretty much every episode of?
Many. FRIENDS, Breaking Bad, and M.D. House are few of my favourites.

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If you’ve any questions to ask, shoot them all on Twitter by mentioning about this post: @books_thief or just drop your questions in the comment box.

Thank you for reading!

Monday, April 4, 2016

Will you be my Valentine?

To, 
My Valentine...

Holding your hand,
Makes me forget all the worries,
Your simple presence,
Makes me smile all the day.

I always felt...
The warmth of love, in your hug.
I have realized...
The magic of love, with your kiss.

You are my special bond,
Which can only get stronger,
And never breaks,
As time passes.

In my fairytale like life,
You are my prince charming...
And I'm the Cinderella..
Dreaming about you to come into
My life.

On this very special day,
I'm going to ask you a question,
I'm going to ask you for a gift,

"Will you be my Valentine?

Forever?"

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory - Review


This is my first fantasy book ever! And, oh how I love this book!

All the while am reading this book, I had only one question: “Why didn’t I come across such a beautiful book when I was a child?”

No wonder, Roald Dahl is one of the greatest writers we had, especially for children, shaping their attitude at such a young age with his awesome characters like Curious Charlie Bucket, the greedy boy Augustus Gloop, a girl who was spoiled by her parents Veruca Salt, and the amazing Willy Wonka, curator of the world’s fabulous Chocolate Factory.

You can find waterfalls of chocolate over flowing between the pages of this book, the great gum machines which will fill up your stomach for the whole day, the square sweets that look round, the crazy lift which not only goes up and down but also sideways with a lightning speed that you’d rather prefer to be on a roller coaster, chocolates which you can snatch right from the Television set and gobble them up, and many other amazing things in this book which will make you dwell in that Fantasy world of Chocolate Factory and never feel like coming out of it!

Roald Dahl made me smell the hot melting chocolate just through his descriptions and quirky words without even having the physical presence of a chocolate! Also, the illustrations by Quentin Blake where just on point! His illustrations gave the essential imagination a child needs to travel through that mysterious Chocolate Factory and enjoy as Mr. Willy Wonka guides us through it.

This book doesn’t teach a child “how to be” but it teaches “how not to be”. And, that’s what I loved the most! We can’t point something is good, because there is going to be a better thing other than that if we just explore. But, we sure can point out that something is bad and in my opinion its more important to learn what is bad at first than to learn what is good.

I suggest this book to both adults and young readers, because a book such as this is timeless and we can still learn a lot from it. If not that, we can still enjoy the fantasy land in which the characters of Roald Dahl live.


Go on and explore Charlie and the Chocolate Factory! I’m sure, you’ll feel like having more of that fantasy by the time you finish it.

Saturday, February 13, 2016

My Suicide Note

I am choosing Death over Life.

Hello Dad, Mom, and the rest of the world.

Gotta confess now, right? I don’t wanna be in the list of “Mystery Death”. So, just listen to what I have to say and strictly NO READING BETWEEN THE LINES. Please.

Why do you think the frequency and wish to talk about death has increased in me lately? I have no idea. I’m here to find out that myself. Don’t you just get bored of few things in your life? You feel like keeping them away from you after few days and not even think about it after that. Such a bliss it is. What if you get bored of LIFE itself? How do you keep LIFE away from you? Isn’t the solution, 
death?

Why is death a big deal? How can you miss me so much? What did I do to you? Did I accomplish something so big that its gonna stop having meaning after I die? Did I make you smile? Is that why you don’t want me to die? Is my LIFE supposed to make YOU smile? YOUR happiness? Why can’t I choose something for myself? For example, like DEATH?

So, tell me, why did I talk about ‘unattachment’ , ‘emotionless’ all these days? Didn’t you figure out that I was laying the path for death? Isn’t death easy if you’re unattached and emotionless? Isn’t it?

Sometimes, I come across MANY beggars on the road, ready to die any minute of their life. Yet, they don’t commit suicide. WHY? What beauty do they see in life that I cant see in mine? I am a well-educated girl with a well-educated family. I have roof over my head and a laptop to talk about such things, yet I feel bored and wish to die at any moment of my life. Why is death so compelling? Why is it SO interesting than LIFE itself? Why?

Do I understand that life is not worth living if you’re bored of life and having nothing to do with or are they (beggars) SO unaware of life that they’re not living but just trying to survive? Is the reason ‘survive’ enough to lead a life even if it is boring?

Actually, do I really need to find reasons to live my life instead of dying just because Life is meant to live and not to die? Is that so simple? But, why can’t I just get that into my brain? Why can’t I accept it? Why I am not satisfied with that reason?

I’m not into any philosophical shit. I’m not leading my life in order to find answers to “What is Life? Why are we human beings? Why I am not an ant but a human being?” I mean, what the fuck?
Of course, I’m a hypocrite and bla bla, but who is not? How can we escape hypocrisy? It just need to be controlled. It cannot be erased completely cuz those who tell I’m not a hypocrite is the ACTUAL hypocrite. Believe me. I sometimes speak sense too. Heh.

I feel so empty, great void in my heart, that I cant bear the emptiness and I just feel the urge to die. Why is the urge? What’s compelling me to die? Just cuz I feel empty? Why did Nietzsche commit suicide? Why is HIS death a poetry, but not mine?

I’m not saying those who chose to live life at the fullest are stupids. I’m not even comparing myself to them cuz the reason is simple. They’re not bored of life yet. That is all. You people are too damn lucky.

So, you gotta understand that I chose to die because life is boring. Not because life is a struggle. If it were a struggle, I would have happily encountered any hurdle just for the heck of it. Again, the reason is simple. Hurdles are not boring. They are interesting and that’s what makes me wanna live. What’s the point of life if life is too boring to live? THAT POINT.

I’m missing that point in my life. The reason to commit suicide is “Life is too boring to live”, enough of a reason at all? Do I need to have a bigger reason to die just like I need a bigger reason to live? Isn’t life a construction to death (as told by one of my friend)?

I have many questions, but only one reason. That reason is compelling me to die instead of living. Don’t ask silly questions like, ‘What about your parents? What about your friends?’
I get disgusted by them. I seriously don’t know why. One day, everything is going to collapse into oblivion. One day, I’ll be forgotten by all of you cuz your mind is too simple to remember me for a life time.

If I want anyone to remember me for one thing, that would be “I remember that girl, cuz she decided to die because life was boring to her”. Yep, that one.

On this note, I will take a leave. Thanks for reading this piece of my heart. It really means a lot to me even if you consider that am a stupid brat with crappy mind. I have no right to judge you, but am giving you a reason to judge me. Thank you once again.
Sayonara.

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PS: I’m kidding, I won’t die yet. Not until I can taste all the dark chocolates in this world. For now, that’s the reason why I am still alive.