Nano Fiction 49 : You Deserve Someone Who

You deserve someone who -

Does not think your relationship is too old to flirt with you.

Is totally transparent to you.

Doesn't belittle you.

Loves you fiercely despite those nasty 3-4 kgs you put on.

Believes you are worthy of love and belonging.

Knows how to love hard.

Understands that love is shown through the little things. 

Wants to know you. Know the slight line between your elbows. And the shape your furrow makes between your brows. Know how exactly your lips curve into a full-blown smile.

Gives you the most enchanting, stable, and unbreakable entwining you’ve ever known.

Finds a permanent home, not just a halting station in you.

You can walk with. Travel with. And find pockets of magic in grey city dullness.

Love is making a choice every single day, to either love or not love. That’s it. It’s that simple. Either to continue the process or not. You deserve someone who chooses you every damn day.

Book Review #77 : Open-Eyed Meditations : Practical Wisdom for Everyday Life

ISIN: 9788175993907

Genre: Non-Fiction / Self help

Publishers: Fingerprint Publishing House

Price: Rs. 250/-

Open-Eyed Meditations is author Shubha Vilas’ latest offering.

The cover is vibrant as well as simple. The image gives a clear idea of what to expect from the book.

Open-Eyed Meditations is a non-fiction book with a series of chapters based on the teachings of Mahabharata and Ramayana. Each chapter takes up one issue and offers a practical solution to it by linking it to one or more incident from the epics.

Spanning across 280 pages, the book has 64 chapters and each chapter emphasizes some aspect or other of human behavior and how to handle different situations that we encounter in our day to day life.

Shubha Vilas has delved deep into human mind and brought to light varied types of negative emotions and behavior. He has offered solutions to them using from most famous to least known incidents from the epics. Lord Rama, Krishna and Hanuman stand out in the book for their wisdom, fearlessness, dexterity and intelligence. His lessons might appear preachy but if looked closely, they are practical solutions for the modern era.

The language used is a fine balance between rich and simple sentences. Fresh ideas on the subjects of relationships, fears and phobias, and the riveting concept of the X factor, synergy and game changer makes his work distinctive.

Concepts such as fixed, rigid and realistic mindset of humans, emotional, thought oriented and uplifting personalities have been skilfully introduced. Treatment of the process of letting go, importance of time and events on human mind, power of responsibility and possessing an uncomplaining attitude is quite captivating.

Dealing with over analyzing certain things in life, he suggests that we disconnect from lower thought processes and all lower connections when trying to reach for higher goals in life. He gives us techniques to focus and move ahead in life by switching off everything below it. Decision making skills has been impressively dealt with in a chapter that brings forth several circumstances from the Mahabharata.

Several topics like being in service to your surroundings, dealing with emotions like anger and jealousy, how to overcome fear, perfectionism, trained intelligence to deal with a hurt heart, how to deal with negativity and feeling hurt by ones you love the most are dealt with in such a simple way that you need to read and re-read to let it all sink in.

This book is a powerhouse of knowledge and surely deserves a place in every bookshelf. This is a book that has to be read again and again to sharpen and educate our mind into handling different situations that we might encounter in life. It gives a broader picture of life and advises us on how to behave with people, understand each other, relate to problems, handle tough situations and take correct decisions.

I would definitely recommend this book to everyone as it has all the elements that which followed will help us lead a happy and meaningful life. This book will help you learn the art of meditating with your eyes wide open as you keenly observe the world around you and allow it to enlighten you.

After reading this book, I am feeling a positive vibes around me. This book is wonderful and it is urging me to change my way of thinking. This book taught me various lessons and gives me various answers which I was searching. If you are feeling low and need to get inspiration then just read these lines and it will boost up your spirit. This book can be a great gift to anybody.

Rating: This book is a learning experience, it is a precious book which can be read again and again! I felt a mental check with each and every line I read and has given me more intense and deeper internal dialogues with myself. Overall a profound book, deep and mystical one that can change lives! Strongly recommended for one and all.

5/5

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!

Nano Fiction 47 : Security & Independence

Being a strong, independent woman means that you are able to find happiness on your own. You have self-confidence without having to rely on another person or society for validation. It means emotional independence and learning to express who you are at your core.

Nevertheless, strong, confident women also, at some point wish for a man who is all giving; they want the door held open for them, a shared umbrella, an invitation to a date planned and paid for by the man in their lives.

A woman’s four basic needs are security, affection, open communication, and leadership. Every woman has a need to feel secure. This need derives from a basic human need for safety, security, and stability. To some, it’s financial security, to others it’s emotional security, and to others it’s physical security.

Women want to feel understood.  Women's thought lives are like computers, with multiple windows open and processing all at once.  Unlike men who can only process one thing at a time, women are constantly juggling multiple thoughts and emotions all at the same time.

Women want to feel emotionally secure.  Women want security.   Yes, financial security is important, but it comes second to emotional security.  Women do think about the house, bills, laundry, but feeling emotionally connected and close to the man in their lives; and knowing he is there for her, no matter what, is what really matters.

Women want to feel listened to.  Men, she doesn’t want you to fix it, she just wants you to listen.  Women want to feel beautiful.  She needs to know, deep within, that you find her beautiful and that you only have eyes only for her.  There may be many mirrors in your home, but the mirror that means most to your wife is you.

To build an ideal home is difficult. It's never easy. It must be challenging and many obstacles along the journey.

But, a perfect mixture of independence with security helps a long way. 

The Morning Tea

Uninterrupted talks with the husband,

The first cup of tea,

Has to be with Him!

Moments of tranquillity,

That begin the day on a positive note.

Not just intertwined fates,

We are entangled at the core like soul mates.

The best part about my life is -

I get to wake up to the sight of the man of my dreams.

Other people wake up to sunshine,

But I wake up to YOU!

All matters of discord, and petty quarrels,

Get dunked in the hot cup of morning tea!

The silence that cocoons us in the mornings,

Is the warmth which glows in our hearts!

Book Review #76 : THE PRINCESS OF A WHORE HOUSE

This book is about Ramya and her daughter Aparajita. Ramya lost her husband in an accident. She was sold by her husband’s friend, Anjum, into flesh trade. She was too young to understand the world and gets carried away. She believed few who in turn exploited her for their own good.

Trapped in the merciless milieu of one of the largest red-light districts in India, Aparajita faces the repercussions of something she has least control of. A restrained society snubs Aparajita for her social class, under the influence of a centuries-old enigma that still persists in the fifth largest economy of the world. The fiasco rips her hope and crushes her childhood dream to study as she grows up in the street of ill repute.

As they say, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, Raj Kaul comes to the rescue of her and Aparajita. So when an opportunity to ditch being a sex worker is offered who would deny?That’s why Ramya marries Raj, an artist who works for an NGO. Ramya has only one goal that drove her to marry Raj which is to make her talented daughter study in a proper school. She will do anything to protect her daughter from the evil eyes of the pimps.

I loved the way how the characters were portrayed and the events which were used to spin a perfect story. Though it wasn't a bulky novel, (I love fat novels) within 98 pages, the author was successful enough in bringing out the best of the character Aparajita from being a small girl to a grown one, realising her dreams.

I accept the fact that the author has done a fantastic job in writing the intriguing story. While the first half is narrated by Ramya, Aparajita's mother, the second half was narrated by Aparajita. To be truthful, I loved everything in the second half. It is full of positivity. The letter Aparajita wrote to her step father was beautiful. It is very rare to find a person like her stepfather these days.

A short and crisp story that very well brings out the emotions of the central character. The author has superbly expressed the feelings of a woman. The plot is likely to touch the heart of every woman. I also felt that though the author has made a good attempt to highlight the issue of sex workers coming back to the society and trying to lead a normal life, but I felt that there are other element that could have been looked into.

In all, a good read and I am sure women are going to like it a lot. Author has done a great job in addressing these issues which women of the current Indian society are facing. This problem is not just in the rural areas but also in urban India.

Rating – 4/5

P.S: I won a review copy from The Tales Pensieve as part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP for lots of #book fun and activities.

Book Review #75 : The THC Under a Gibbous Moon

Author: Manoj V Jain
Publisher: Notion Press
ISBN: 978-1-946129-82-6
Genre: Adult Fiction

No. of pages : 194

The story of the book The THC Under a Gibbous Moon is about three different individuals, Sanjaneka, Samar and Varun, who visit The THC, Total Healing Center for reasons very peculiar to them and it becomes a part of their journey wherein they want to get rid of the disharmony in their life and come to terms with it.

The book conveys the message, "It's okay to be emotional, it's okay to fail, it's okay to disappoint. Just move on". It is very modern in its approach and as a reader, you will connect to the story. It is also about the other side of human behaviour and desires which are usually hidden under the pretext of culture and "Log Kya Kahenge" syndrome that our society is affected with.

The narration of the book, The THC Under a Gibbous Moon is very bold. The characters, the situations that they are in, their sexuality and their existence, the problems they face and their exploration of solutions make the book a gripping read.

We, as humans, have gone beyond the usual of expectations. We always want more, more than that more and it goes on and on. In this never ending loop, we have engulfed ourselves with pain and agony, with irritation and discomfort, with trouble and turbulence, with what and what not! In the quest of achieving, beyond the expectations, we leave behind the bundle of happiness and the nature of being content.

The book is all about the healing process, that one needs during the demanding times, during the phase of accepting the past and overcoming it only to move ahead with grace. The book talks in detail about sex, gay relationship, expectations and betrayal in great detail.

The story is aligned real perfect with various incidents and it needs patience to read in full as it is not a thriller. The book still appealed to me for the simple fact that it talked in great detail about the human psychology which is the need of the hour.

Homosexuality is still a taboo subject in India and in Indian context the attitude is skeptical and not so clear enough to be discussed openly. Also marriage is said to be an institution of responsibility , compromise and convenience. It has become an affair of complexity. The book deals with both of them in a bold and honest manner.

“The THC under a Gibbous Moon” an excellent novel tells about the haven of health for both the physically and psychologically sick and troubled persons inclusive of those suffer from sexual dysfunction. The center gives them holistic treatment in the form of Massage, Oil and Steam bath, coupled with the therapy like Acupuncture , etc for recovery and rejuvenation so that they lead a happy and hale life.

I am overwhelmed by the functioning of the Total Holistic center which caters to the needs of the people affected by chronic diseases. The tight time schedule, good diet, timely advices by the doctors  psychological support given to the inmates and professional touch of the employees with result orientation all are fantastic and informative. Such clinics should be opened in a large scale in our country instead of poly clinics and specialty hospitals.

It is a roller coaster read. I would recommend this book, The THC Under a Gibbous Moon, to anyone who is interested in reading a bold and gutsy adult fiction. Good job, Manoj!

Rating - 4/5

I won a review copy from The Tales Pensieve as part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP for lots of #book fun and activities.

Book Review #74 : The Allegorical Expedition

Author – P Satyadeep

Publisher – Partridge (2016)

Pages – 200

I recently got to read a book by P Satyadeep, an HR professional, The Allegorical Journey. This book surely stands to its bold title – a journey which is full of experiences that are more than the usual.

Pages praising the landscape in such a way that will not only appeal to the readers but also give them a respite from the usual ‘city life’ is commendable.

Another important aspect of the book is that P Satyadeep, the author, has tried to revisit the scriptures and mythological instances of the great Hindu religion.

Being a debut author, Satyadeep has done justice to his work. He has presented a quality production to the readers and I am sure they will love the book. It felt good coming across the descriptions of ghats in Varanasi, ashrams, cultural landscapes and so many things that will give you a kind of relief… A break-away novel in this modern era of cheap-fame trick in literature, P Satyadeep has created a landscape which is far from the land of elites.

Story - SJ (Satyajit) is a well-known movie director who has enough of things to live a comfortable life. However, he decides to do something which serves a true purpose. Thus, he decides to set out on a journey that takes its course through various places. He meets different people and learns many kinds of new experiences that one cannot have sitting home and living the life as it is. As a twist and also leaving the chances open for a sequel, the novelist P Satyadeep has left the end open-ended. He goes in search of the truth and he ends up meeting Shantilata, a spiritual healer who in turn refers him to Pandit Shukshmachari. He goes on an expedition covering various places en-route meeting the Panditji. What did he discover during this expedition? Did he meet Panditji? If yes, was his questions answered? This is the story all about!

What more I would like to highlight about the book is its quality chapter-titles. The titles are so metaphorical that you will be curious enough to read those – Taming The Monkey Mind, Mind is Reborn, Lost in Wilderness, The Blissful Soul, A True Revelation and so on… Truly, this novel becomes an Allegory that the author has intended to make out of it. You also start seeking the purpose of your life.

Yes, there is a magic in the realms which we don’t generally bother to explore. That magic needs to be unfolded and presented to world, and seeing the things happening, gives me a hope. Themes and plots, ideas and impetus, there are many things wrapped with our ancient marks. One needs to go ahead and untie the things and P Satyadeep has taken the courage to be on this ‘allegorical expedition’.

In a nutshell, if I might say so, The Allegorical Expedition sets the readers too on a journey to find solace and seek truth away from the daily life that we lead.

Rating- 4/5

P.S: I won a review copy from The Tales Pensieve as part of Reviewers Programme. Register on #TTP for lots of #book fun and activities.