Book Review #50 : VoiceMates

Author: Anamika Mishra

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House
Pages: 202

If you like to watch reality shows that fulfill the dreams of many aspirants and are a ray of hope for many passionate people, you will find this novel interesting. Indian reality shows like Indian Idol, etc have given us some really good singers too. I have seen so many reality shows on TV but I have hardly read a book written on reality show journey and its experience.

The cover of this book is excellent. I would like to congratulate Anamika for writing such a brilliant novel. The twists and turns in the story gave me thrills and chills.

Voicemates gives an insight of how reality shows are executed. Then, the dark side of reality shows; what a girl feels when she wants to be something else but her parents wants her to study, the fear of taking risk, the first taste of success and then the failure, lots of emotions in one novel.

If you have a dream and passion for a thing, don't ponder and sit, stand up and take every step to achieve that goal. That's what the novel propagates. Dreams are what make us. So dream big, dream high.

The plot surprises the reader. The book has so much to offer more than just romance. The message of ‘you win some – you lose some’ shines throughout the pages!

Anamika Mishra has done a very good job of narrating the story in a way that intrigues the readers. The writing is exceptionally smooth and never boring where you would feel the music, the irony, the contradictions, the joy of living and the boundless love for all forms of beauty. The reality show setting in the backdrop adds to the entertainment factor.  'VoiceMates' is a very clever title chosen by the author!

VoiceMates by Anamika Mishra is the story of young aspiring singers struggling with their first successes but also with the first disappointments, the first obstacles and the music thus becomes a metaphor for love and life itself with every little achievement requires commitment, hard work and determination. Not only for dreams and passion, but this story also teaches about family bonding and love relationships. 

Surprisingly, for me, the ending was the best part even though it is not what you would have expected. I loved the little twist and how the book ended with hope.

Glad to know that Indian authors are now picking up subjects that have not been used before. This book is India's first novel written on International duet singing reality show. All in all, VoiceMates is a musical roller coaster ride which will leave you inspired and motivated! I recommend this book to everyone who wants to do something in life.

Rating:  4/5 for being so refreshing!

P.S: I received the book for review from The Readdicts

Real Togetherness

Real togetherness is about breaking free from the tight clutches of our smart phones/tabs and building relationships with people around.

Nowadays, the digital world we have created around ourselves is so powerful, that although we are always online, we rarely connect deeply with the people in real world.

The kids these days are so busy learning and adapting to new gadgets day by day, that they are moving far away from nature as well as their parents and siblings.

I feel, children nowadays are losing their golden days of childhood and simply becoming couch potatoes and gadget addicts.

Nature can help children be active, bring the family closer and together as well.

From  toddlers to school age kids, all love adventures. This fact can be well utilized to experience real togetherness with nature.

Involving natural resources, playing in the middle of woods, etc. require direct interaction with nature which is highly beneficial for the kids.

Outdoor experiences with nature help children also realize their responsibilities towards the environment.

Urging children to plant saplings is another way, you as parents can spend quality time with them, and they also learn the importance of this activity in due course of time.

You can take your kids for botanical activities in parks and show them the types of plants, flora - fauna we have around us.

Real togetherness is when you don't have to look at your mobile phone every now and then, when you don't have to pretend to be busy listening to music when in company of a certain set of people, and so on!

All such activities help develop curiosity and delight in the minds of your children and helps them evolve better.

Children are born with an affinity towards nature. As a family, being close to nature is a way of rejoicing the greatest gift from God - Life.

Mother Nature is lyrical in its existence that helps keep everyone together.

You can enjoy the rains with your little ones, and so many other blessings, Mother Nature bestows us with and at the same time make it a learning experience for your kid. Double benefits it reaps, believe you me!

Many a times, our kids demand for 5 more minutes with us and because of our hectic lives, we do not agree on it. So, today, give your kid that extra 5 minute play time with you and with Mother Nature at the park and see the difference it creates!

Life is very uncertain, a moment lost is lost forever. Before it is gone, cherish it with your loved ones. It is all about making time and experiencing the real meaning of togetherness!

Kissan has this really cute ad film, which actually made me realize how far we have walked away from our loved ones into the digital world. Go have a look at the lovely ad and tell me your views on it!

This topic is about Kissan India. Check here: http://www.kissanpur.com/.

                                                   Image Source

#YouMakeMeSmile

I am so much into him.

He gives me those fabled trembling knees, heart-in-my-mouth, butterflies-in-my-belly moments.

At times, when I see him after days, I can't much locate my brain and voice and I simply watch him over quitely.

*Ever, wondered when you look at someone, "Oh, I really love this man. He is so ordinarily extraordinary? Beautiful in the ordinary things he does."*

I blush furiously when we do funny lovely things together! He has the effect on me that no one ever had!

He is my sunshine. He knows it very well how to make me un-mad when I am super mad.

We are often so ungrateful to our spouses and fail to see the good they do.

Men maybe less expressive, but when they love you, they have their own ways to cradle us in love.

My husband is the one who brings a smile on my face in the brightest as well as the roughest times. 

He is my sur, taal, he is my whole damn happy song. He is my strength, my solace. #YouMakeMeSmile

P.S: This is an imaginary post written in response to Indispire Edition 86.

"That one person who's smile brings smile at your face in roughest of the times #YouMakeMeSmile"

Book Review #49 : Pupil’s President

Blurb:

The students’ diligent teacher, the nation’s gifted scientist, the humble ‘People’s President’ - an indefinable name he is. Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. A man who dedicated his life and work to the betterment of a nation, and his time and energy to the billions of young minds he wished to ignite. He has left back dreams in everyone, and the undying inspiration to make those dreams come true. A surfeit of contents has been interwoven to give this book a shape. To read through the pages will mean a journey through his life in entirety. Besides Kalam’s own speeches and quotes, it also contains literary tributes by scientists, academicians and students, the interviews of his family members, and a real-time anecdote of his interment ceremony at Rameswaram. This isn’t just a tribute, but a world beyond it to be read, explored and discovered.

**********************

A child from a small village, poor family backdrop, who supports his family by selling newspapers makes it big and becomes the President of India! Why? Because, he always had the desire to learn and know new things. He always dreamt big, no matter what. He became a scientist and eventually India’s President too. He made many people realize the power of dreams. Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam, he is.

This man dedicated all his life for the betterment of the nation and continues to inspire so many people! His contribution to nuclear science is well known to the whole country. He was a part of various committees and headed many.

His contribution and vision to science made a huge difference in the development of our country.

The cover of the book has A.P.J Abdul Kalam sir’s picture and the book demands your attention. This book relives his journey as a scientist, leader, contributor, teacher, author. His simple life is described.

He loved sharing knowledge and teaching children. His life and quotes both serve as a huge inspiration for all of us.

This book is very well written, with easy to understand language. It ignites your dreams and inspires you to strive harder to achieve your goals.

As you browse through the pages, you feel you are actually having a watch over Kalam sir’s entire life. A very well shaped book.

Besides Kalam sir’s own speeches and quotes, this book also contains literary tributes by scientists, academicians and students, the interviews of his family members, and a real-time anecdote of his interment ceremony at Rameshwaram. This book isn’t just a tribute, but a world beyond it to be read, explored and discovered, truly.

Dr A.P.J Abdul Kalam has been an inspiration for me. Without any doubts, I totally recommend it to everyone who wants to stay inspired and motivated always! The book is worth it!

Recommended for the people who enjoy biographies. A.P.J Kalam is someone you would really enjoy knowing up, close and personal.

Rating – 5/5

P.S: This review is for b00k r3vi3w

Book Review #48 : The Curse of Brahma

                                                                        Author: Jagmohan Bhanver

Genre: Mythological Fiction

Publisher: Rupa

Pages:378

Price: 295 INR

This book is the story up to Krishna's birth. The story that led to it. The backstory of why Kansa, who dearly loved his sister Devki, underwent such a drastic change and what tricked him to think that way. 

The book is informative and has a catchy cover too. I never knew there was such story behind Krishna's birth which backtracked to a very long time ago, almost 200-years before the birth, started by a curse given by Brahma.

Though the book is a part of Krishna Trilogy, the main character of the first book is not the witty lord. The book is about the fate and about our choices who in turn, decide our fate. It is a book which will arise question in your mind. Is the evil really evil? Is the good really good?? It stresses upon the fact that, the thing which is evil to us, may not be evil to some one else. The matter of good or bad lies on one’s perspective.

The language used is good. Reader-friendly. The narration, however, needs spicing up, or maybe some cut-shorting. It needs to be trimmed to remove various unnecessary parts.

Writing a short story with vividness that it drags it to almost 400-pages thick, is a disappointment. Took a lifetime for me to complete it.

Jagmohan Bhanver is superb in his first fiction. However, I do have to comment that the book is tiring and confusing in the long monologues of various characters. Even the storyline sometimes get confusing when too many characters are giving their own perspectives.

Anyone interested in mythology, this is the book for you!

Rating - 3/5

P.S: This review is for b00k r3vi3w