Life Version 2

#quote You determine how you want to spend your moments, which ultimately shape your life. Every moment brings in front of you new challenges, and opens up new opportunities. You have total control over your future and you can mould it the way you want. You can build on your strengths and improvise on your weaknesses, enabling you to conquer unattained heights. Remember, the end will come whenever it has to come. No one has ever escaped the clutches of death. So, why be afraid of death?

Review Life Version 2

Have you ever read a story that is multi layered. A story that has individual tales that later converge to form a bigger story. Reading Life Version 2 was a different yet overwhelming experience. It's just not a story but it has some important life lessons and theology through which one can simplify the life complexities. The story starts with a business tycoon in epicenter of a successful business empire. Mr. Deshmukh a person with sheer conviction and extraordinary hardwork created an empire with around 4500 crores annual turnover. His story is from rags to riches and yet he has maintained a balance and humble personality. He has a great family and who understands his life choices and abide by his principles. The story has all the possible elements that can make it intricate and appealing from larger than life characters to business rivalry to unprecedented future revelation that has the potential to alter the courses of Mr. Deshmukh's life. From a astrological prediction that jeopardies Deshmukh's life and we're he comes to terms with his death and beautiful description of dilemma of a person who is aware of his time on earth. Suhas Imandar's storytelling is relevant and compelling, tells us how a person should lead his life fruitful and live with utmost dignity. Loved this one for its plot and beautiful characterization. Also the contrast and depth in Mr. Deshmukh's character, his transition and acceptance of death is amazingly described. If I write any more I would be a spoilsport.

A Quest Called Life

The Greatest Loss

The greatest loss is not when you lose a job, Lose a loved one, Lose a match, Lose out on that important contract that could have changed your life, Lose a game of lottery, In fact, the greatest loss is when you lose your dignity, Lose your self-respect, Lose your values to fit into the society, Be unique. Be different, Because there never was and will never be anyone like you.

A Quest Called Life is a short breeze read. It takes maximum of an hour and leave you with a pleasant smile. The book covers vivid life experiences narrated through poem. The language is simple yet the poems leave a casting spell on its readers. I usually read poems after a few fictional reads to change my reading like and mood. Quest called life dealt with some of the phase of life with utmost ease and lyrical satisfaction. Loved the writers take and stance on multiple occasions. He metamorphically compare experiences with object in personified way. For instance  "The first laughter, Like the pleasant sound of a waterfall. As a new day dawned upon, A new star was born." Such phrases are soothing to read and helps it readers to transcend in lyrically modified world. The writer covers various important and relevant issues in one's life such as from first love to heart break. From achieving success to scumbling to failure and yet he manages to be positive every time. He also talks about people who are important in our life's and about first life experiences such as travel and happiness. It was overall a good read and left me overwhelmed. Leaving you with a passage in the end. 

PositiviTEA: Take a bowl of emptiness, Add a cup of clear ideas, Sprinkle the powder of joy, Add the bitterness of your obstacles, Pour a cup of peace, Add the sweetness of your memories, Let it simmer away till all the flavors combine, And voila! A strong PoistiviTEA is ready to make you fresh as a blossoming flower.

The Second Chance

 

#quote ‘Material happiness is always transient’. All the pleasures and luxuries of this material world have a shelf life. The outer beauty of a man or a woman fades away when they get old. The strength of a body builder withers away with age. So, how can one be proud of something, which one cannot possess forever?

Review

When Radhe Shyam Colony in Delhi was celebrating excellent results of three 10th graders little did they know they were meant to do great things. When they were asked for future aspirations there answer did surprise plenty and made sad a few. One wanted to be a lawyer other one a journalist and the third one a doctor. There conviction and firmness regarding their goal was affirmative. Years passed by and they did eventually charter their way towards there aim. They all wanted to uplift the poor be their voice and lend support to the needful. But reality is bitter and when it hits it hits hard. They did pass the respective fields with excellent results but their initial struggle showcase the struggle of every deserving candidates who misses opportunity not because he is not capable but because system doesn't let them. Eventually the ends meet and they start their endeavors towards bright and prosperous future. The writer beautifully describes there dilemma and highlights their conviction. There journey is eloquently narrated and it seems playable to me. There modest background and the struggle makes story more entertaining. All three get hands-on experience of the evil side of there profession and there comprising there inner conscious was not easy but yet when power and money pumps in from all directions only the brave let survive there inner conscious. All the three friends indulged in mischievous ways and in return earned hefty money. The journalist blackmailed the influential, the lawyer save the culprits and the doctor exploited the sick. The book second chance gives an insight of all what is wrong with these profession. The second half of the book is gripping when the friends encounter there school teacher and change of heart takes place. The real trouble for them begins when they decided to forego evil and start practicing the principles and oath of there respective jobs. The book tactfully uses the existing incidents to weave book around it like the hospitalization of jay Lalita, Kedarnath catastrophe media house mal practice. The book is entertaining and it's a easy read. Though my favorite portion was there encounter with Swami ji at Kedarnath rescue camp where they were shown the right path. The Kedarnath catastrophe is also intelligently described. Yes there are some flaws but at times a good story like this one needs to be read.

People Places Memories

 

#quote Her understanding, humane, generous and tolerant nature always went far beyond the limitations of her circumstance. Without ever having read a book on psychology, she was a born psychologist. She had an intuitive, wonderful way in dealing with people, both grown-ups and children.

You seldom come across a book that takes you on a journey through time. People Places and Memories is one such book. The book can be divided into two parts 1st one where the writer narrates his different life experiences and he at length talks about people who touched his and his family's life in one way or the other. The first half is indeed filled with Wit humor and some great insight to post independence India. How life was for a foreigner in independent India. He takes us on a journey through different places spanning different eras from Delhi to Shimla to Patiala. I loved reading the part of his stay with Patiala royalty and his adventures with them. I have to admit the author did meet with some of the highly influential people in India. The subtle details make the reading experience more enjoyable and the photographs enhance the overall reading experience. His adventure and education in Germany were quite a tale and a delightful read and his encounter with parsi brothers reflects the Wit and Humor he envied. 

While the second part is what you should never miss. I was amazed by Hedwig's character in the first part but in the second part I couldn't get over the integrity and resilience her character shows in troubling times in Germany. This is a great insight and a beautiful and realistic narration of events leading to 2nd world war. How Hitler have been manipulating masses for genocide and creating a rift and divide in German society. Her journey as a teacher and the challenges she overcome is phenomenal. I did have a resilient teacher in school and can easily correlate with the boy’s attitude and the inseparable bond between them. She writes about how difficult it was for any German who criticized Hitler to survive in Germany, you would be robbed of your belongings and thrown in concentration camps. Yes, she did survive that too. Her travel from Germany. To India is a story to read and experience the firsthand experience of sea travel during those times. She did take us on a time travel and her description of India is so true and free of any prejudice and perception. She open heartedly accepts and embraces the opportunities she has. I have been spell bound by her subtle nuances and minute details of her Stories. She is equally humorous and her comic time is impeccable even in torrid times.

The Girl Next Dooor

 

Why do people born in the 90's share an unspeakable bond and vibe amongst each other? the 90's was an era where technology was a distant dream. People had a few materialistic possessions yet they were happy. We found happiness amongst each other now we seek happiness amongst things. The Girl Next Door is a beautiful romantic story set on the premises of pandemic. The author Arpit tactfully uses the pandemic and a family in distress to create a likeable story. Ishaan the most popular rj call quits to pursue his dream and take some time off his mundane monotonous life. A sudden turn of events and a viral outbreak brings the world to standstill. Ishan travels to his hometown on constant persistence from his separated parents 

He has been away from his family for the past 15 years due to a feud still lamenting and on his life choices and decisions. Arpit writes diligently about the family of Four where everyone hates each other and the mere thought of one incident in the past still haunts them. The family dynamics and emotional connect is described well. Well the story is beyond this; Ishaan accidentally notices a girl dancing on her terrace under the moonlight. He is gob smacked by her ethereal beauty and simplicity and decided to make her aware of his feelings in an old-fashioned way. Ruhi was amazed to see Ishaan’s presence of mind and his aura. They mutually decide to chase their love the 90's way. Ishaan's charismatic personality and Ruhi simplicity make them fall for each other. The book is filled with subtle nuances and beautiful romantic description. Arpit's description of love is profound and likeable. The book is an easy read and entertaining. The book had immense potential and yet I am still puzzled why it was rushed in the last part. Nakul's involvement in aqua virus and the sudden closure disappointed me a bit.  There are loose ends and the end could have been absolutely amazing. Despite all these hurdles the brewing romance is likeable and realistic. Love the 90's soul and kudos to Arpit for letting us revisit good old days.

Wild Card 3

 

 

There are books that leaves you with a pleasant smile at the end. There are books that come across like a cool breeze and pass by leaving its lingering effect. Wild Card 3 is such a book that leaves you entertained yet leaves you with equal number of questions.

Wild card 3 is third book from the Sports fiction. Wild card is about how different individuals excelling their inner discomfort and disbelief to achieve greatness which might not be about winning the grand slam always. Wild Card 3 made me aware of the challenges and hardships a Paralympic or a differently abled sports person faces. I have always been empathetic towards differently abled and yet there were things I had no idea existed. Kudos to Asfiya Rehman and Chetan Soni for bringing this book to light. Roshni is a blessed daughter of a former grand slam winner who has sacrificed his successful career of take care of a differently abled daughter. Being a single parent is difficult yet he does an outstanding job. The story is likable and the characters are beautifully crafted. If you have friends like these there is nothing in this world that is unachievable. The book talks about the struggle and challenges our society poses to a differently abled. We as citizens and as organization have yet to feel the need and importance of facilities that can cater the needs of differently abled citizens. Roshni is naturally gifted Tennis player and secretly watches games, she aided by her parent’s friends starts training and is improving tremendously. The book charts her journey to the Wimbledon grand slam and talks about various aspects of sporting events and players. The sports fiction is weaved around the emotional dynamic of family and friends and is a delightful read. This is overall a good read considering its plot and crisp storyline. There are a few things that could have been better but thumbs-up for writing on trivial issue.