Book Review #45 : Without You

Author: Preethi Venugopala

Genre: Romance

Publishers: Write India publishers

Pages: 208

It is a delight to read a book from an author whom you know personally. And if the author is a fellow blogger, then it manifolds the excitement. Preethi Venugopala is a blogger friend, a grammar Nazi and a great story weaver. I am a visitor at Preethi's blog and I enjoy the short stories she pens!

Preethi sent me an author signed copy of 'Without You' and I was so happy to hold her book in my hand.

'Without you' is a teenage romance story penned beautifully. This book is a debut attempt and you won't really feel so, while reading the seamless narration and eloquent language. There is a lucidity about her writing that keeps the reader hooked right from the start.

If you pick this book on a lazy Saturday/Sunday afternoon, you will easily finish it off in a single go. The narration allows you to connect easily with the characters and new events keep you engaged throughout.

Although the plot of 'Without You' is not something out of the box but Preethi pulls it off really well.  The plus points of the book are - the vivid descriptions of the picturesque places Ananya visits and the beautiful message that the book conveys.

Whirlwind romance, expectations, separation, depression, longing, betrayal, etc. makes you feel the story through Ananya's eyes. Another treat is how every chapter began with a quote to set the mood for what we were about to read.

Preethi talks about reincarnations and celestial connections to explain the concepts of love at first sights, soulmates, and the best part is that she makes it look believable and reasonable to the reader.

Preethi did a better job as a debutante than many writers that we see today. Her book is a racy promising love tale. She has brilliantly worked on each character with a well planned plot.

The cover of the book with a girl's back side image, lost in thoughts is intriguing. After knowing that Preethi is multitalented, I somehow feel, she has painted the cover picture too for her won book, just a guess though. The book title is apt as it depicts life of Arjun and Ananya without each other. 

'Without You' runs on a very realistic line, with raw emotions we all come across in our lives. There is a certain sensitivity, twist and suspense towards the end that would make you stop for a while. Preethi ends the book beautifully with amazing quotes reflecting love and life.

The warmth and love shared between Ananya and her grandmother is also beautifully narrated. Preethi has brought out the anguish of heartbreak of a young girl, Ananya, very well through her words and story building power.

I love analyzing people’s personalities through their Sun signs and so does Preethi seem to!

As I conclude this review, I wish to let my readers know that, Preethi is a gifted writer who writes with all her heart.

‘Without You’ is about love and its share of troubles. A refreshing, captivating and alluring story which soon promises to become a best seller!

Over all, a perfect pick this monsoon if you are a lover of romance. You will not be disappointed! I would definitely suggest it to all the romance readers.

Rating: 4/5

Airtel 4G - The Fastest Network Ever, Is Here!

Image Source

We all crave for high internet speeds. Earlier we used to wait for movies to get downloaded overnight with a lot of patience. But today, world is moving very fast, and so we hardly have the patience to wait.

Fastest downloads are what we wish for. Gone are the days of fast and faster downloads, we need fastest internet now! It is painful to sit in front of a screen that keeps going round and round but shows up no webpage and tests your patience endlessly.

Airtel 4G is here, finally.

Now that it is here, what will you do with the unbelievable speeds that it offers?

Firstly, Airtel 4G is the first telecom operator to roll out 4G services in India and most important thing to note is that  4G services are available at 3G prices which starts at merely Rs. 25! Unbelievable, isn't it?!

As a blogger and a social media enthusiast, my biggest trouble is often whether I will be able to update my activities on social media on time or not. In case I am attending an event, I get excited and I wish to share the live updates with my readers and friends. But I always am under the worry of my internet going slow or not working at all! Even after paying tons of money after 3G, these services aren't up to the mark.

But the recent commercial launch of Airtel’s high speed 4G services i.e. LTE promises that slow internet speeds will soon be a thing of the past. The ad lists down the features of 4G and it is damn impressive! Airtel has put up a challenge too - if your other network is faster, then they will pay your mobile bill for life!

Also, the good news is, if you already have an Airtel 3G pack, you are entitled to a free 4G upgrade, and get the same benefits as your 3G pack. So if one has an Airtel 3G pack, you can enjoy high speed 4G at no extra cost.

The 4G services have been commercially launched in 296 towns across India. Thanks to Twitter, you can get yourself a free 4G SIM home delivered by the Airtel folks! Tweet using @airtelindia and you'll be amazed at the speeds they promise!

I am soon going to try this new venture of Airtel's! I am sure I can pin point the difference between 3G and 4G very clearly! This promises easy movie downloads, faster running of applications without lags!

This revolutionary speed is going to excite everyone and I am sure many of the tech savvy's are already trying their hands on it.

This speed and the flow with which things work after using the 4G surely promise me good mood all day and no endless waiting for the progress ring to complete its 'n' rounds before it shows me up the web page!

I notice that Airtel's "Tweet using #GetAirtel4G for free 4G sim" is still on, so my wonderful readers go grab it, before it's gone!

This topic is about Airtel. Visit here for offers and more details:  http://www.airtel.in/4g/

Shopping With 27 Coupons

With e-shopping becoming a trend these days, we are always after cracking the best deal for ourselves. The best deals are those where you save more on good branded products. Isn't it?

E-portals show you a wide range of products and discounts or schemes available on them. Every now and then you have to go and check on their individual sites to keep yourself updated.

But what if, there is a site which shows you about all the other sites you are interested in and their current offers and provides an additional discount on those offers? Alluring, isn't it? Visit 27 coupons!

I have recently gone crazy over shopping online for clothes. A lot of time was wasted in searching and hunting for the right deal on my favorite sites - Jabong, Myntra, Yepme.

But I came across 27coupons, there I saw they had an aggregation of all my favorite sites in place and believe you me, it even shows fresh offers daily that can be used to buy stuff ! (with/without coupon code) Exciting.

27coupons is one of the leading coupons and deals distribution platforms of India. They cater to more than 1000 stores and almost all products available on the web.

How 27coupons helps the customers with additional discounts on offers.

27coupons has a very costumer friendly website. See below. You can easily browse through the website and find deals and offers according to your interest.

You can browse active offers and coupons too. You can click on a offer you like and see its details too. Some offers can be used without a coupon, and some require a coupon. If a coupon code is required, you can save the coupon and use it before it expires.

You can filter your results according to your brand/site, as shown in the above picture. It will show you the deals and offers available. I have filtered to know the current hot money saving deals of Jabong and Myntra. As you click on 'Get Deal', it takes you to the product page of the related site and then you can buy the product and while making the payment use a discount coupon code by 27coupons.

You can check out the A-Z collection of stores and brands that are associated with 27coupons. All in one place at your finger tips!

Let me give you an insight of how 27coupons works for me with my favorite brands for women apparel!

1. Jabong

Check how it shows me the active deals under Jabong, some coupons and their expiry dates. You can conveniently save the coupons in your account and use them while payment.

Using 27coupons can help you buy smartly, choose wisely and make the best deal. The best part is you can compare various sites and choose the best offer and in that too - the best discount!

2. Myntra

It shows active coupons and deals under Myntra. Save the coupons and have fun shopping!

3. Yepme

27coupons shows me the active and expired deals for Yepme.

My shopping has become smarter and cheaper because of 27coupons. You too can make your online shopping experience less tedious. Go for 27coupons today and get the best coupon codes for almost all Indian e-commerce stores! Happy shopping!

The list of stores associated with 27coupons:
Cleartrip, Makemytrip, Yatra, Expedia, Goibibo, BigBasket, FoodPanda , JustEat, Jabong, Myntra, Yepme, Zovi, FernsNPetals, Bookmyshow, Ticketgoose or Redbus.

P.S: Linking this post to 27coupons.com Blogging Contests.

Image Source: 27coupons

Longing...

I am jealous of the moon,

She knows all your 5 am secrets.

I am jealous of your sheets who get to touch,

Every part of you as you fall asleep.

I long for you, as I keep an eye on the empty pillow next to me,

Waiting for your weight to fall on it.

Of all, the sun is the luckiest,

When you're half sleepy, groggy..

And unaware of how much of a hunk you look with that messy hair,

He kisses your lips with light, every morning.

I crave for you,

Yes, I realize now, you could become homesick to people too.

If I can ever do my bit for you,

I'd cut my soul into pieces to form constellations,

To light up your way.

Yes, I would.

Book Review #44 : Legacy

Book Name: Legacy

Author: Mohan Prasad

Publisher: Lead Start Corp Publishers

Legacy is meant to be read by every patriot who is interested in knowing the story of India, post independence, but finds History books not engaging and interesting enough! Believe me this will keep you hooked. 

After a long time I have closed a book with a sense of satisfaction that I have read a good book.

"Legacy" is written by Mohan Prasad an ex IITian and is unlike any written by the students of India's elite institutions so far. I bet. An incredible debut by Mohan Prasad.

It's an inspiring story, as India stumbled again and again since independence, but always got up, coped up and moved on, carrying with her the billion people, their hopes, their aspirations. The central character of the novel is 'India'.

The other two characters, Darshan and Anita, act as the narrators, through whose eyes we see the enchanting saga of India. It's interesting, exciting, passionate and endearing. It's a period epic, very interestingly written. It's a love story too, an unusual journey called life, an adventure called experience.

If are looking for cheesy-cheeky-candy flirting story, or a Chetan Bhagat's Revolution 2020 kind of stuff, this book isn't for you.

This book acknowledges the truth existing around us, which most of us are afraid to acknowledge. It is a brief history of India since last 70 years. The book manages to touch almost every social issue that has hit us over half a decade - be it the scars of untouchability, kidnapped marriages and dowry, Kosi-floods-droughts, Lalu-raj, neglect of Bihar by Central administration.

A lot of hard work has been put up since there are a lot of details of the past and it feels the author has very good know-how about the happenings, not just current but also the past! Because every historical event that you have ever heard of in north India had found its place in this book possibly in most interesting way.

India in 330 pages - that's 'Legacy' for you.

A love story waving between agony and delight with potent characters of post-independence India. I must congratulate the writer, Mohan Prasad, for this effort!

A must read!

Rating: 4.8/5

Book Review #43 : There's Something About You

Title: There's Something About You

Publisher: HarperCollins

Pages: 268

Genre: Chick-lit, Fiction, Romance

Blurb:

This is not your typical boy-meets-girl story. Okay, they do meet, but there are some complications.

Trish is twenty-eight. She’s unemployed, overweight, single and snarky. She knows all that. And if one more person – just one more person – tries to fix her, she might explode. Sahil is thirty-five. He has superpowers. Well, kind of. He seems to think so, anyway. He’s also hot (okay, in a geeky kind of way, but still). And he plays the guitar, helps the underprivileged and talks about his feelings. Aren’t guys like that supposed to exist only in fantasies?

When Trish and Sahil meet, magic happens. Real magic, you know, like fireworks, electricity, that sort of thing. But here’s the problem. Trish doesn’t want anyone in her life. She has enough to deal with – dependent parents, flaky neighbours, bitchy editors, the works. And yet, Sahil is determined to be in her life.

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

This book is a pure joyride. Believe me! The cover is beautiful and colorful, making you want to pick up the book instantly.

It begins as the story of Trishna whose life is a maze of monotonous days. To aggravate it, are her problems - she is overweight, she just lost her job, her father is a patient of Alzheimer, and so much more. She can be called a 'loner'.

This novel is such a refreshing one - a methodically etched plot of chick-lit, a bit serious towards the end!

Funny, hilarious, heart-warming, positive and quirky – a perfect monsoon read.

Trish is a very relatable character. It’s easy to identify with her fears and insecurities. Trish’s father's character is the high point in the book. Yashodhara does a fantastic job of portraying the father-daughter relationship. Shades of this book reminded me of the recent popular Bollywood film, Piku.

It is largely a rough ride for Trish who is just hurtling from one disaster to another in her life. But Sahil is her solace. He knows her secrets and who ensures she knows his secrets too. Fireworks. Magic. Humor. He seems to have the answers for most of her dilemmas. 

I also enjoyed Lal’s depiction of the corporate workplace, made complete with the snooty editor and the obnoxious boss.

The book is a light read. At the same time, you can almost read your life as you flip the pages. The story is fast-paced and what I liked is that the secondary characters play big roles too.

The author has beautifully added romance into the story. She has beautifully dealt with relationships, friendships on and off the job, selfishness of people, etc.

The characters, apart from Trish - are regular people, a plump girl, a geeky guy, a hi-fi friend, an irritating colleague, a pestering mother, you feel very connected throughout and the characters seem like just next door people.

The most interesting point I liked in ‘There’s Something About You’ is that the female protagonist is not beautiful, slim or attractive like the heroines of other romantic novels. That connects!

The conversations between the protagonists are the most enjoyable. The book also touches upon serious issues, such as caring for an Alzheimer's patient, problems that arise because of lack of communication in a family, etc.

The ending is also superb as it shows how unpredictable life can be and that there is a rainbow at the end of the dark clouds. 

I enjoyed this book a lot.

There’s Something About You is quirky, witty, highly entertaining and a light engaging read, packed with many sub-plots. All in all, a worthy tale of our middle-class life and the struggles that we go through almost daily!

Rating: 4/5

P.S: Many thanks to Yashodhara Lal for the thoughtful note that was sent along with the book. It felt very personalized.

This book was reviewed for Indiblogger's Get Published Column

Things To Do For People You Love!

In response to -

"If you could do one thing for someone or something that you love, what would it be and why? #OneThingForLove"  - Indispire, Edition 75.

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You can never do just a thing for people you love. I believe in showering the people I love with so much love that they always are drenched with care and support.

1. Never forget to notice important things about them: I am forgetful at times, with him. But I remember what he wore, when. I remember how he smelled on our first date. I remember all the stories he has ever told me, like ever. I don't forget to make him laugh and smile. I am forgetful at times, because I am busy noticing the important things about him. I love him because he wants to know my favorite color, how I like my coffee and so much more.

2. Loving them for what they are: I do not know what love means for everyone, but I can tell you what it means to me. It is knowing all about a person, and still wanting to know more. Love is trusting them enough to tell them everything about yourself, including the things you might be ashamed of. Loving him is being comfortable with him yet feeling weak in the knees every time he walks towards me, smiling. Always look for a person who is strong and sure footed, their mouth full of your name, with no room for lies, open hearted and bold enough to see through your disguise.

3. Commit a 'forever': Love is knowing that you are not perfect yet he treats you as if you are. As flawed, unattractive or unaccomplished I am, his love is like the sunlight that enters a broken window and illuminates a dark room. Love is getting old together, seeing his wrinkles, gray hair and yet fall in love all over again! Love is making connections between your hearts, souls and minds, rather than between bodies.

4. 'Treat them like you are still trying to win them - you'll never lose them.': I read these golden words somewhere and they always make perfect sense to me. When you love someone all the things start to disappear and become irrelevant, you recognize the scent of their skin, their essence as a person.

5. Be a constant source of happiness for them: Love is making the other a better person over time, being a cheerleader and a trusted confidant. Having him is like having a shelter to run to in the midst of a storm. I usually do not believe in depending for happiness on to someone else, other than my own self; but what if I tell you - he is me and I am him? We are not two separate souls, just two different people physically? You know what his real power is? The size of my smile when I sit next to him. I am stronger with him around.

6. Choose them, daily: I can take down that wall I built for most of the people before him. I don't need to impress him, I can just be 'me'. That's love. I don't disagree that there can be someone greater than him, maybe, just maybe, more attractive than him, more fortunate and so on. But that's life - full of temptations. Above all, what I realise is, there are people greater than me too, yet he chose me. I now feel, that everything in my life has led me to him. Because maybe if I had done things differently, I might never have met him. We just belong together, to be partners in crime and everything else. He makes me believe in sheer luck, coincidence and fate. Choice is the thing - I choose him, day after day. It is a privilege to call him all mine.

7. Believe them: There are some feelings that fill you up, that dig their roots into your skin and never let go, they swell and blow you over - like wind and waves; love is one such feeling. He fills a void like no else can. The one who makes ordinary moments magical. He brushes hair out of my eyes, he calls to ask if I am home safely. He tells me that I am the most beautiful girl in the world and for the first time in my life - I believe it! I trust him enough to catch me when I fall. He is worth everything.

8. Be their 'witness': Ask me to define a beautiful life - I would lean my head on his shoulder, hold him close and answer with a smile - "Like this!" Where is my heart? It all comes down to the person I think of last, before sleeping. We all need a witness to our lives. What does one life mean in a world of billion people? My life will never go unnoticed, nor will his. Because in love, you are a witness to each other's lives.