From the Trenches: A Candid Review of Abhishek Singhvi’s Legal Commentary

In this in-depth review, gain unprecedented insights into India’s economic policies and growth story over the last 3 decades straight from the pens of key leaders shaping reforms. Former Finance Minister Arun Jaitley shares a candid, authoritative account of decisions guiding India’s rise as a global market force.

Withering Leaves by Sam Cohen #tbrchallenge @blogchatter #bookreview #bookchatter

The title Withering Leaves is quite poetical and philosophical. There are two sections in this book by Sam Cohen. The first section title is 'Leah' having 8 chapters. The second section is 'Rachel' having 17 chapters. There are three main characters in the book. Kobi falls in love with Rachel. Rachel is an English actress. One fine day, Rachel vanishes from the life of Kobi. All Kobi gets is a departing letter from Rachel. And then there are no traces of Rachel. Kobi is never able to forget Rachel despite passing of 20 years after this incidence. And then another woman comes in Kobi's life. This is Leah, his new neighbor who falls in love with him soon after meeting him. By now, Kobi is in his old age. He is 60 plus. A leg injury sticks him to a wheelchair. The life changes its meaning altogether.

Withering Leaves by Sam Kohen is an interesting love story that doesn't fade with the passage of time. Kobi's love for Rachel stays intact despite all his pessimism and cynicism. In fact, despite losing all hopes to find her again, he could never forget her. That was the intensity of his love for her. And when Leah expresses her love for him, they would just discuss Rachel during their long meetings. Even at night, Kobi would sleep very little. Otherwise, most of the time, he would be tossing in the bed, half asleep, half awake. But all the time, in any condition, he would be thinking about his past love, Rachel. Kobi's childhood was painful. His father was a construction worker and mother, a dressmaker. After marriage, his mother leaves her job and becomes a homemaker. But Kobi remembers that was nothing like the love between his parents.

There are very thoughtful discussions between Leah and Kobe in Withering Leaves by Sam Kohen. It is all about the Kobe's past relationships, his parent's love life, his perceptions, and expectations. There are deep insights about love and life in the book that you can't afford to miss. It is a different kind of a love story. In fact, it is more than a love story. Because it tries to touch the soft parts of love to distinguish between love, marriage, infatuation, and liking. And all this happens by means of a story. Overall, this is not merely a fiction but more than that to be recommended.

You can buy this book from Amazon India here.

You can buy this book from Amazon here. 

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran #tbrchallenge @blogchatter #bookreview #bookchatter

The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

To say, there are only 117 pages in this book - The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran. But the depth in these 117 pages is incomparable. This is one of the most fabulous books I have ever read. Good that I read this book in early youth days. It helped me in defining some rule sets of my life. This book Infact connects to life very easily. Every sentence, every page, and ultimately the whole book delivers one or the other basic elements of life that one keeps seeking throughout his life journey. It talks about truth, love, justice, wisdom, and a lot more in the most realistic manner and that's why I found it important to read. Not once, I read this book many times. It has been a part of my personal library all these years.

Story of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

The story goes like this. Almustafa visited Orphalese city 12 years back. He has stayed in this city all these years. Lelool is known as the month of reaping. On the 7th day of this month, his ship will be touching the shores of this city with a purpose to take him back to the place of his birth. Almustafa is a Prophet by heart. People in this city admire him as a holy spirit. When they come to know about this, they feel sad, some start weeping, and all started requesting him not to leave them and stay here forever. All of them gather around him and tell him - ''You have walked among us a spirit, and your shadow has been a light upon our faces.'' They beg him to show them the path of wisdom of life.

WHAT IS LOVE?

Almustafa gives them an opportunity to ask whatever they want to. When someone asks about love, he replies - "Love is speechless but when you cry it gets expressed''. He further adds - When love beckons you, follow him, Though his ways are hard and steep. Love may wound you through the sword hidden among his pinions. But when love speaks to you, believe in him, though his voice may shatter your dreams.''

"Love has such a power that it can crown you, and it can crucify you too. He is for your growth and for your pruning too. As he ascends to your height and caresses your tenderest branches that quiver in the sun, on the other hand he descends to your roots and shake them in their clinging to the earth. This all happens if you listen to your heart and know the secrets of your heart. When you achieve these heights in love, love assigns you to his sacred fire, and you become sacred bread for God's sacred feast. Love gives nothing but itself and takes nothing but itself. Love possesses not nor would it be possessed."

"Love needs to be without desires and need to direct as it has the power to direct your course if it finds you worthy. Sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise on your lips. But if you fear to reach to this extent and seek only love's peace and love's pleasure, you will live in a seasonless world where you will laugh but not all of your laughter, and weep, but not all of your tears."

WHAT'S THE REAL MEANING OF MARRIAGE?

Someone asks him the real meaning of Marriage. He said, "You should be together in the silent memory of God, but let there be spaces in your togetherness. Let the winds of heaven dance between you. Love one another but not make a bond of love. Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls. Fill each other;s cup but drink not from one cup. Give one another of your bread but eat not from the same loaf. Sing and dance together and be joyous, but let each one of you be alone. Give your heart's but not into each other's keeping. Stand together yet not too near together as the pillars of the temple stand apart."

CHILDREN AND PARENTING

somebody seeks guidance on Children and Parenting. Almustafa says, "You may give them your love but not your thoughts, as they have their own thoughts. You may house their bodies but not their souls, as their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams. You may strive to be like them, but seek not to make them like you as life goes not backward nor tarries with yesterday."

Almustafa compared God as Archer, parents as bow and children as arrow and said - ''Let your bending in the Archer's hand be for gladness, as even as he loves the arrow that flies, similarly he loves the bow also that is stable."

WHAT'S GIVING?

While telling the true meaning of GIVING - "You give very little when you give of your possessions, it is when you give of yourself that you truly give. Who is bigger in giving - A rich giving little of his and a Poor giving whole of his? When you give, are you really a Giver or just a Spectator?"

MEANING AND PURPOSE OF WORK

"When you work you are a flute through whose heart the whispering of the hours turns to music. - All life is darkness unless there is urge - All urge is blind unless there is knowledge - All knowledge is vain unless there is work - All work is empty unless there is love 'Weave the cloth from the thread of your heart. Build a house with affection' Work is love made visible On Joy and Sorrow Your joy is your sorrow unmasked. They are inseperable. They come together, but when one is sitting with you the other is asleep at your bed.

MEANING AND PURPOSE OF PAIN

"Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding. Your heart knows in silence the secrets of the days and the nights but your ears thirst for the sound of your heart's knowledge. you would know in words that which you have always known in thought. You would touch with your fingers the naked body of your dreams. Self is a sea of knowledge boundless and measureless."

WHO'S A REAL TEACHER?

"The teacher who walks in the shadow of the temple, among the followers, gives not of his wisdom, but rather of his faith and his loving."

WHO'S A FRIEND?

"Your friend is your needs answered. He is your field which you sow with love and reap with thanksgiving. Without words in friendship, all thoughts, all desires, all expectations are born and shared with joy that is un-acclaimed."

My Conclusion on The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran

I would like to conclude my review of The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran with following views on certain aspects of life -

- Love is ultimate. It doesn't need any further wish. It is the biggest wish fulfilled. In addition, love never binds. Instead, it lets you free. 

- Never hurt anyone in life. Life is too short to give happiness and heal the wounds of heart.

- After marriage both the partners need to provide enough space to each other to live own's life and not forcing one to live as other wants.

- Being parent does not mean imposing one's thoughts on your children.

- When you give, don't give for fear or with pain, give for joy. If you really want to learn the art of giving, learn from life itself.

- Whatever kind of profession you are in and whatever kind of work you do - work for love and work with love. If you want to learn the real meaning of work, learn from earth that keep on moving non-stop. And learn from the Sun that selflessly provides light with an esteem level of discipline. 

- Self is the biggest source of knowledge and greatest teacher. You are your best teacher. You are your best healer.

Overall, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran is a great book to read as many times as possible. It's a must read for everyone.

You can buy this book from Amazon India here.

You can buy this book from Amazon here. 

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter

Fish by Stephen C. Lundin #tbrchallenge @blogchatter #bookreview #bookchatter

Fish by Stephen C Lundin

I would have never learned a different aspect of tackling issues in life if I had missed reading this fabulous book Fish by Stephen C Lundin. Once I read it, I read it again, and again, again. This book has become a single point of reference for me when I am not finding a solution to a problem. It helps actually in opening new doors and windows of my mind and thing in a very different perspective to solve a problem. It helps in handling situations when you are working in teams.

The story of Fish by Stephen C Lundin

Mary Jane join as a supervisor in a company called ''First Guarantee Financials'' one of the largest financial institute in Seattle. She was compelled to go for this job after some adverse situations arise in her happy life. After the sudden death of her husband Dane, and, thus, to take care of her kids, she had no other choice but to join this company to balance her financial needs for the family. In no time, Mary Jane emerges as a very successful supervisor.

Soon, she gets promoted as Manager and is rewarded with a good pay hike. The company appoints her as the new incharge of the third floor which is the most messed up unit of the company. All the transactions of the company were handled by this unit. That's why almost every other unit in the company had to deal with this floor. Willingly or unwillingly. Actually, mostly, unwillingly. Everyone used to be sure that there is no life on the 3rd Floor of this office. Everything used to stop on this floor. Business used to get slow. People used to get dull responses. There was no momentum, no system, and no flow on this floor. 

There was no energy and enthusiasm in the staff working on third floor. Mary had an option to turn down the promotion and continuing with her current position that was going smooth and hassle-free. But being a little different from others and having a 'can-do' attitude, she readily accepts this challenge, though she didn't have a readymade solution to the problems she was jumping into. Pike Place is the world's largest fish market. It was quite close to her office. And luckily, she had to cross this market everyday while going out for lunch. She started observing the 'life' there.

Everyday was a new experience for her. Soon she learnt why that place was so successful in business. The basic fact was that despite the most hectic life, the persons working there were doing a lot of work tirelessly and efficiently. She learned certain facts happening practically there and in a perfect manner like - ''Change'', ''Play at work'' and so many other things. She decided to implement those worklife gems at her office. Implementing those tactics in a systematic manner without telling anybody starts changing the complete scenario of the third floor in no time. The lifeless 3rd floor becomes most lively floor in the complete office. 

There is something very important on page 44 of Fish by Stephen C Lundin

"Faith - By David Whyte"

 

"I want to write about faith about the way the moon rises over cold snow, night after night faithful even as it fades from fullness slowly becoming that last curving and impossible silver of light before the final darkness but I have no faith myself I refuse to give it the smallest entry Let this then, my small poem like the new moon, slender and barely open be the first prayer that opens me to faith."

I loved reading Fish by Stephen C Lundin first time, and every time thereafter I read it again. It gives energy. It inspires and motivates. Every time read it, it brings some change within me. You will find Mary Jane is not an exceptional person but her certain traits like accepting the challenge, observing around, understanding the problem well, and initiating the change in a natural manner makes her exceptional and a winner. We all have problems at work place. That's why we are there. We all have one or the other 'Pike Place' around to observe and learn new lessons and relate with our situation at work place to make it better. Only a true leader can actually dare to accept a promotion like the one Mary Jane got that is full with challenges and no scope of success. 

You can buy this book from Amazon India here.

You can buy this book from Amazon here. 

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter

Hyderabad By Manreet Sodhi Someshwar @manreetsomeshwar @harpercollinsin #bookchatter #tbrchallenge @blogchatter #bookreview

I always have a keen interest in historical events. I read somewhere history is only as real as presented by the presenter's De facto. This book, Hyderabad: Book 2 The Partition Trilogy By Manreet Sodhi Someshwar is quite different. It's different from other books I read on the consequences that happened in Hyderabad during India's independence and partition. The narration and consequences presented are plain, straight, and clear. Nothing being imposed on the reader. That made it more interesting. It's because the events are presented in a straightforward authentic and unbiased manner. This book Hyderabad: Book 2 of The Partition Trilogy By Manreet Sodhi Someshwar is the second part of the three part series on India's partition.

The first part of this Trilogy is on Lahore and the third part is on Kashmir. It's good that I read this book Hyderabad: Book 2 The Partition Trilogy By Manreet Sodhi Someshwar and got to know many facts pertaining to Hyderabad in a better way and that has changed my whole concept on this subject and characters involved in those events. The situation was very cumbersome and complex at that time of partition when a lot many things of high importance were happening or about to happen. It was a situation of chaos and dilemma. Different segments of society in Hyderabad were involved in it in different ways. Nobody was able to think straight at that time. Every incident or decision was either a part of another incident or decision, or was an outcome of political powers emerging out of this partition.

Indian history would have an entirely different story if some decisions were not taken, or taken in a better way. Many incidents were a result of some selfish motives of that time's influential political leaders. While the partition maps were in the process of finalization with no estimation of later consequences or the price being paid for that, the Nizam of Hyderabad was in a kind of dilemma. He was unsure whether agree to become a part of independent India or keep Hyderabad an independent separate state within India. His wish was to stay as a ruler of independent Hyderabad within independent India. But, his dynasty was carrying a curse that he would be the last Nizam of Hyderabad and that would be the end of Nizam dynasty. At the same time a last moment ditching by Jinnah to help seeked by Nizam changed the whole fate of Hyderabad. 

In fact, Nehru and Sardar Patel played their cards very well to woo Nizam in taking a decision to allow Hyderabad to become a part of India. Nothing was in favor of Nizam as communists also went against him. The whole story becomes more interesting and intriguing when you understand the important roles of Uzma, a maid at palace and a confidante of princess Nilofer, Nizam’s daughter in law. There's something more intresting with the entry of two more characters in this whole turmoil, a peasant lady Jabili and Daniyal Khan, a journalist. 

The book Hyderabad: Book 2 of The Partition Trilogy By Manreet Sodhi Someshwar presents a lot of insights on Hyderabad about its unfair social practices during that period, and the gravity with which this political turmoil impacted all segments of people of Hyderabad. The strength of this book lies in its very well crafted plot and its perfect sync with its beautifully curated characters. The story and its characters strengthen each other throughout. A good amount of research work has been done by the author to bring out the facts in the form of a fictional story.

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program.

You can buy this book from Amazon India here.

You can buy this book from Amazon here. 

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter

WHY THERE ARE NO NOYONTARA FLOWERS by SHAHIDUL ZAHIR #bookreview @HarperCollins #bookchatter #tbrchallenge @blogchatter @HarperCollinsIN

Before I review the book with a long title 'WHY THERE ARE NO NOYONTARA FLOWERS IN AGARGAON COLONY: STORIES' by SHAHIDUL ZAHIR and TRANSLATED FROM THE BENGALI BY V. RAMASWAMY; comprising of these beautiful ten stories, I have a small question for you all. I have an intimate friend from my childhood. From childhood till today, it is an unforgettable and awe-inspiring time to sit with him, whenever we get a chance to meet. This is the time when both of us completely forget about the time. No matter how much time we spend together, little remains. Do you have such a person in life?  The same thing happened to me with this book. Every story appears like a new journey of life. These well written stories show a whole new color of art of writing and expression.

These simple-looking stories from the outside hit straight to the heart, and leave with a touching touch of love, giving a very interesting, gripping, deep, and serene feel in 'WHY THERE ARE NO NOYONTARA FLOWERS IN AGARGAON COLONY: STORIES' by SHAHIDUL ZAHIR. The title of the book, actually is the title of one of the stories of this book. The characters of every story seem familiar even though they are unfamiliar in reality. Each story appears like actually happening, and me being a part of it. Something like a hidden character witnessing everything that happens and experiencing every character in person. This is what it feels about such places and whatever is happening.

Whether it is the delicious dalpuri of Abdul Karim, the main character of 'Where's my heart wander' and his wooer Abdul Aziz byapari, or Abdul Karim's endless journey to find Shefali Begum's house. All this and so much happens in a single story. A lot is there in each of the stories on a very large frame. Each character of every story is main in itself. Similarly, every event that is happening in any of the stories, is the main event in itself. Great credit for this book 'WHY THERE ARE NO NOYONTARA FLOWERS IN AGARGAON COLONY: STORIES' by SHAHIDUL ZAHIR goes to its translator V. Ramaswamy, who translated it from its original Bengali language into English. The great thing is that there was absolutely no loss of interest in any story due to this translation. This is an incredible and commendable thing.

The book's cover and title are both as special as its stories. After reading many story books, I gave it to other people so that they too can enjoy those books. But this book is something special and I like to keep it with me, making it a part of my personal library. These stories are really worth re-reading. The story and style of writing is really awesome. Never even dreamed that selling watermelon in a residential area can bring so much change in the living and thinking of that area. 'The History Of Our Cottage Industry' is one such story in 'WHY THERE ARE NO NOYONTARA FLOWERS IN AGARGAON COLONY: STORIES' by SHAHIDUL ZAHIR. According to me, these ten stories are a compilation of ten short novels in themselves.

You can buy this book from Amazon India here. 

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter

Chuckle Merry Spin by Khyrunnisa A. #bookreview #bookchatter #TBRChallenge @Blogchatter

Everyone would have the aspiration to travel abroad, I think so. Whether that person has a hobby or not. I have met many people who are so enthusiast to have travel as a hobby. Hobbies and aspirations are two different things, as I think. Travelogue or better put travel memoir 'Chuckle Merry Spin' by Khyrunnisa A. is a very beautiful and interesting book. I was very fond of traveling in my childhood. I still am. If I see, my aspiration and passion for travel to various Countries and places never matched with my actual travel. The latter was always falling short of the former. There are many reasons for this. If I look at two main reasons, those would be family and financial. As a child, I remember, whenever I read about a place, the desire to go there and the curiosity to know more about that place used to increase multifold. It is the same today.

I feel, like reading about a place, then deciding to go there, then before going, doing more research about that place, going there, and coming back, and writing down beautiful memories of it in my diary, blog, or journal; all these are closely related to each other. Especially for me. If you want to read about a beautiful foreign travel experience, or are planning to visit America for the first time, or going on your first trip abroad, then before that this wonderfully written book 'Chuckle Merry Spin' by Khyrunnisa A will prove to be very interestingly handy and helpful. If you read it, it will give you a very good experience beforehand. And if you too have come back from your first foreign trip like this author, then when you read this book, you will feel a lot in it related to your own experience. This book is written in a very very interesting way. Once I started reading it, I was so lost in it that I didn't know when I reached the last page. In fact, it was, as if, I myself went on an interesting journey.

Along with tickling you, this book also makes you laugh and also gives knowledge of some new things. I have enjoyed this book 'Chuckle Merry Spin' by Khyrunnisa A. a lot. Hope you do too. Well, the story goes like this. Author lives with her husband in Thiruvananthpuram. Her son and his wife live in the Untied States. Author's daughter invites the couple for her graduation ceremony. This time the couple couldn't avoid the invitation and get all caught up to visit their son in the United States. Thus, begins the journey of passport, visa, medical fitness certificates, visa interview, and so on. Once this is over, the next cycle begins for the tickets, choice of flights, etc. And then the actual journey begins. Grab your copy of 'Chuckle Merry Spin' by Khyrunnisa A. and enjoy travelling a wonderful journey with the couple. 

You can buy this book from Amazon India here. 

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

Kakori by Prachi Garg #bookreview #TBRChallenge @prachi1905 @blogchatter

Kakori The Train Robbery that Shook the British Raj is a very interesting book based on true events presented in a very impressive way. This book has been written by Prachi Garg after a lot of research on the subject and this particular incident. There are many specialties in this book. It has been written based on the truths and facts and presented in a very simple way without trying to cover up in any way. In a way, while reading this story it takes its reader through a time machine back in time, we reach that era where the whole incident seems to be happening in front of our eyes. We feel each movement witnessing like a silent spectator. I felt as if I myself was a part of Ram Prasad Bismil's team. This is how I experienced this whole incident in the form of this story.

All the credit for this kind of phenomenal experience goes to its author who has written this story so vividly and vigorously. In this book Kakori The Train Robbery that Shook the British Raj, Ram Prasad Bismil himself is narrating the story of Kakori incident as a remembrance when he was serving his sentence in jail. The story goes something like this. India was ready to sacrifice anything for its independence. Ram Prasad Bismil must have been around 19-20 in those days. He had his own organization in which young boys of his age were involved from all over India. This story also introduces us to the wonderful leadership of Ram Prasad Bismil. Mahatma Gandhi had an incredible impact on the entire country during that period. 

While Ram Prasad Bismil's organization was moving forward to fight the British, Gandhi wanted to get India's independence without fighting the British, which was impossible. Somewhere, Gandhi was always under the influence of the British and Nehru. This was the reason when suddenly Gandhi withdrew from the non-cooperation movement and shocked the youth of the whole country. At such a time, Ram Prasad Bismil did not have any suitable direction, mentor, or leader to seek guidance from. He had a great urge to do something significant against British. That's when he planned the Kakori train robbery and executed it successfully. This in itself was a great achievement and a great shock for the British empire.

According to me, this book Kakori The Train Robbery that Shook the British Raj becomes mandatory for all of us to read so that we can understand the spirit of Ram Prasad Bismil and his incredible mental maturity.

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

THE INTERNET MOGULS OF THE WORLD #bookreview @theinternetmoguls @askaviarya #pebbleinwaterswrites #tbrchallenge

What a wonderful book it is 'THE INTERNET MOGULS OF THE WORLD - HOW THE PLANET'S BEST FOUND THEIR PASSION AND NEVER LOOKED BACK' by Avi Arya, Raya Arya, and Avianna Arya, a Daddy- Daughter Venture. This book is a must for all those who use internet in one way or the other to understand how some top smart people across the globe harnessed its power setting new landmarks. A superb creation by @theinternetmoguls @askaviarya. A thorough research work, I must say. Are you, as a reader, ready to open up the door to brand new knowledge on the subject that has been curated in a very crisp and meaningful manner by the trio bringing together a wide spectrum of varied human emotions, skills, dreams, and passionate zeals. There is abundant knowledge and learning for everyone in this book that will let you succeed in your respective fields. 

THE INTERNET MOGULS OF THE WORLD - HOW THE PLANET'S BEST FOUND THEIR PASSION AND NEVER LOOKED BACK by Avi Arya, Raya Arya, and Avianna Arya is a perfect book for learning newer techniques and skills that will empower its readers to leverage the hidden and/or unexplored powers of the internet in their respective fields of expertise, profession, or perfection. For instance, if you are a writer struggling with your writer's block, or trying to find the right content matching your niche and suiting best to your target audience, just grab this book that will certainly help you cross your barriers and swim flawlessly in the ocean of words, ideas, and imagination. Similarly, if you are into digital marketing or affiliate marketing respectively, there's plenty for you to grab straight from the horse's mouth, the topmost leaders in these fields. It is the MINDSET that makes you succeed in life.

So, you get an exclusive opportunity to learn from JOHN CRESTANI, the world's number one affiliate marketer, how focusing on the mindset, out of the little box thinking, finding your mentor to improve your business, crossing the hurdles of internet being strange and frustrating, is so much important in this line. There are intriguing and thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter. Then, there's a page after every chapter to capture your light-bulb moments. What I feel is that THE INTERNET MOGULS OF THE WORLD - HOW THE PLANET'S BEST FOUND THEIR PASSION AND NEVER LOOKED BACK by Avi Arya, Raya Arya, and Avianna Arya is a very uniquely crafted book. It's full of real inspiration, eye-opening action points, motivation, and finding directions to color your dreams and pains passions to achieve your goals in your own way, successfully.

THE INTERNET MOGULS OF THE WORLD - HOW THE PLANET'S BEST FOUND THEIR PASSION AND NEVER LOOKED BACK by Avi Arya, Raya Arya, and Avianna Arya is a book of success stories in detail of real people in current era worth acknowledging, reading, and learning from these real-life internet/web heroes of our times. There's a collection of around 62 stories of 62 heroes hailing from different fields of expertise and profession with just one single goal - SUCCESS. Go on, treat yourself with this book as it's a real booster to your goals, achievements, mood, success, and growth. Learn from the masters like Adam Franklin, Bella Vasta, Charlie Grinnell, Dan Lok, Dr. Sharmila Anand, Gaurav Gurbaxani, Tim Schmoyer, and a lot more through this beautiful book.

Just a word of caution from my side. Reading THE INTERNET MOGULS OF THE WORLD - HOW THE PLANET'S BEST FOUND THEIR PASSION AND NEVER LOOKED BACK by Avi Arya, Raya Arya, and Avianna Arya will not create any miracles and make you successful overnight. All these over 60 heroes covered in this book never underweighed their knowledge, conviction, hard work, constant learning, and self-belief. Having all these with you, this book will add extra fuel to your zeal. It will indeed, act as a catalyst to your journey in achieving your targeted goals. 

You can buy this book here on Amazon India

You can buy this book here on Amazon US

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

Black Hole by Tomichan Matheikal #bookreview @pebbleinwaterswrites #bookchatter @Matheikal #tbrchallenge

Very few book covers are so impressive and so expressive as the one that of Black Hole by Tomichan Matheikal. I looked at it, I looked at it again, and then I kept looking at it for a few moments. It appeared to me as a volcano of thousands of emotions inside that are just about to erupt. The cover page is so silent yet so expressive. It was, as if, a tale in itself. So, the expectations were already set by looking at the cover page itself even before reading a single word from the book. If writing is the choicest means of escape for Tomichen, it has brought one of the most beautiful outcome. For any aspiring author, in whose mind, ideas of writing are sprouting, must read this book to understand the crux of situation building. It's a learning for established authors as well.

So, it's not only about the book cover of Black Hole by Tomichan Matheikal that is so fabulous, it is the flawless and super fluent writing style that is cherry on the cake. If I compare an author with a racing car expert driver and story as a racing car, with very few drivers I have had such an exciting journey with no jerks and no fear. It was like the car is floating in the clouds. I am highly impressed. I think it's more to do with a natural gift for writing so excellently than practice. Basically, it's the author's thought process that gets translated to his stories. And this kind of writing clearly shows his crisp, clear, and undiluted Tomichen's thought process is while writing. No interruptions, no deviations, no hiccups. Everything is so perfect. The book cover and the writing. 

When I look at the book cover, I could feel how well the white space and silence been used to express so well. Similarly, it's the writing that plays the and music. Here, it is the array of words that are made to convey and bind with the reader in a meaningful tone. Black Hole by Tomichan Matheikal is a class in its own. What a superb narrative from the first chapter itself -

Kailashputar fled from his nightmares.  In search of meaning. “Where will you go, my son?” asked his mother. “Where my soul finds peace,” he said. “What is peace?” she wondered. “The absence of conflicts,” he said. “You are a fool,” her eyes penetrated into his.  “A coward.” “Was the Buddha a coward?” “Wasn’t he?”

This 105 pages long story or novella Black Hole by Tomichan Matheikal is absolutely and wonderfully engaging. There are a lot of revelations at various points of the story. Here's an excerpt:

Indira Gandhi was not really deaf.  She could hear the music of the cosmos if she wished.  But she often chose to be deaf.  When she visited the Khasi Hills during the agitation for a separate state for the tribal people, however, she listened to the music of the cosmos.  Shrewd manipulator though she was, there was a flicker of the romantic in her heart.  Her will to power was an alter ego of her romantic libido.  The clouds that kissed the hills strummed on the romantic chords stretched tight beneath her suave exterior.  And she said, like the whimsical and omnipotent God of Genesis, “Let there be Meghalaya.”  And Meghalaya was born.

You can buy the book here.

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

The First Time I Read A Forbidden Book #WriteAPageADay #pebbleinwaterswrites @blogchatter

It would be about three o'clock in the night when I thought the main door bell rang.  I had entered college that year.  I had a passion for ghazals and literary books.  Discussing literature and singing ghazals was also a great hobby in those days.  I had won quite a few prizes in several college competitions in those few months.  I also had a lot of power in discussions on literature.  When the hobby rides on both the heart and the mind, then its effect is also strong.  What you speak or sing, it gives a different intoxication to the listeners.  Maybe someone rang the doorbell again.  For the first time I thought there was someone on the door and this time I was convinced.  But I didn't have the courage to get up.

It would be about two o'clock when I slept while reading Manto's book.  Baba's voice came from the door.  Maybe he got up and opened the door.  When he addressed the person coming in and told that I am sleeping in the upper room, I understood that Rupesh has come from Bangalore.  Rupesh had become my new friend during my college admission days when I met him in the canteen of Hindu College.  It turned out that he had given his certificates for admission here, which he had come to take back because he was going to Bangalore for further studies.  His family lived in Bangalore.  He had come here to study but his father's health had suddenly deteriorated, perhaps he had suffered a heart attack.  So he decided that he would now stay in Bangalore and pursue his further studies there only.

In a matter of things, the similarity of the extraordinary interest in literature of both of us came to the fore.  Then he told about an institution that exchanges forbidden books among those interested in that kind of literature.  Becoming a member of the organization was not easy.  The hidden club used to decide about this very strictly.  With Rupesh's help, I also became its member.  Almost all the forbidden books of the country and abroad were available in the institution.  Those books were exchanged only through members.  Actually Rupesh had to come this morning to give me a book I had requested. But he didn't. Rupesh had come to my room.  By then I had also got up.

Photo credit: Earthworm on VisualHunt.com

By the time he washed his face, I came back from the kitchen after making two cups of tea.  It was learned that earlier he had to come by train, but seeing the strict search of luggage at the station, he changed his program and came late in the night via a flight.  Before sleeping, he took out the book from his bag which I had been looking for, for the last so many years and could not read.  Today the same book was in my hands.  That was the first forbidden book I was going to read in the next few days.  All this became possible because of Rupesh.

Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris #pebbleinwaterswrites #books #bookreview #tbrchallenge #bookchatter @blogchatter

Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris is another creation from the world of David Sedaris. He has his own style that is so rich and engrossing that his fans and readers keep waiting for his next book.  I have read his earlier books and am glad that I picked this one too. Each chapter is quite introspective and gives a different glimpse of life in a different form. In fact, each chapter is in its absolute form. In these chapters he talks about his relationship with his father, his travels to various places, his writing, and so on. There are instances in the book where I could not stop laughing out loudly, literally. And then there are those moments of sarcasm, cynicism, and darker aspects of life. On the darker side there are ment aspects that he has elaborated in his book.

On the darker or the sadder side of life he draws attentions towards his father's lack of attention towards him, his years as a drug addict, dead baby turtles, and the time when he starved as an artist. The moments when he got horrifying feelings for Chinese food tells his dislike towards Chinese food. Overall, I liked reading Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris. He has definitely a special style of writing and as a reader I thoroughly enjoy his books. His creative stories are engaging and there is depth in his though process that reflects clearly in his writing. I am eagerly waiting for his next book.

Let's Explore Diabetes With Owls by David Sedaris is an absolute treat. 

You can buy the book here. (Disclaimer: This is my affiliate link as I am an influencer on Amazon).

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman #pebbleinwaterswrites #books #bookreview #tbrchallenge #bookchatter @blogchatter

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is a satirical humour with a philosophical touch in it. The story goes like this. There is an angel and there is a demon. Both of them team up to in order to stop the apocalypse when the anti Christ reaches the correct age. There is something unique I found in the writing styles of Pratchett and Gaiman. The story is worth reading not only one but repeatedly. And every time it's bound to give same kind of enjoyment. It's a beautiful story written in a beautiful style. Character building is quite impressively done. The humor is imbibed in the story so classically that it refreshed mind completely. Story is absolutely engaging with a right kind of pace and rhythm. Every character has a significant presence in the story. Reading this book is an absolute treat.

Basically, Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is a parody of the movie Omen but it's far better than the movie. Demon Crowley, as an agent to Satan makes an arrangement that an American diplomat's wife will be giving birth the same night to a son in an unknown hospital. This hospital has numb nuns from a satanist order. So, the devil's child is decided to be brought up in a family that is supposed to provide him with the setup to create a huge chaos that will lead to the final battle between the good and the evil. Eventually, something wrong goes with the whole plan. So, when after eleven years forces of hell and heaven are there to have a final battle that will lead to the destruction of the earth finishing human beings completely, nothing of that sort happens and the whole plan goes haywire. 

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman is a big tank of humor that will make you laugh /giggle throughout. 

You can buy the book here. (Disclaimer: This is my affiliate link as I am an influencer on Amazon).

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

In The Times Of Love And Longing by Amrita and Imroz #pebbleinwaterswrites #books #bookreview #tbrchallenge #bookchatter @blogchatter

In The Times Of Love And Longing by Amrita and Imroz is a collection of letters between the famous Punjabi author Amrita Pritam and her close associate Imroz. As far as I know, Amrita Pritam was always a class apart from other contemporary writers because of her innocent, sharp, and crisp writing style. She is one of those writers who have attained highest level of quality in their writing where ever word that comes, comes from writer's heart and soul. She was born in a sikh family as Amrita Kaur on August 31, 1919. She was of revolting nature who denied bending against the artificiality of society and family. She was a fearless writer by nature. She excelled with her creations in all fields of literature be it Essays, poetry, Stories, or novels. She used to write in Hindi and Punjabi. Her work is appreciated all across the world. 

Amrita Pritam died at the age of 86 on October 31, 2005. Her marriage was not successful and she left her husband and two children. Later, she fell in love with the famous revolutionary and poet Sahir Ludhianvi. But when another lady Sudha came into the life of Sahir, Amrita found solace in companionship of Imroz who was her close associate, artist, writer, and painter. This book contains the complete communication that took place between the two in the form of written letters. Amrita Pritam and Imroz lived together for 40 years but they were mostly away from each other due to their individual work commitments. Most of the book covers of Amrita Pritam have been designed by Imroz. These are not just any live letters. Each letter is a piece coming from heart and soul. 

The letters published in In The Times Of Love And Longing by Amrita and Imroz clearly indicate how strong was the bonding between the two of them. It was more of a spiritual life between them. 

You can buy the book here. (Disclaimer: This is my affiliate link as I am an influencer on Amazon).

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

Rumi's Little Book Of Life #pebbleinwaterswrites #books #bookreview #tbrchallenge #bookchatter @blogchatter

Rumi's Little Book of Life: The Garden Of The Soul, The Heart, And The Spirit has been translated from Persian to English by Maryam Mafi and Azima Malita Kolin. This 13th century persian poet's poetry is as young today as it was at the time of its creation by this great poet. The book contains a little less than 200 of his superb poems that were originally written in Persian or pushto. I am a die hard fan of Rumi's poetry since my college days. It was mesmerizing at that time. It's still mesmerizing and magical. I think nothing can beat Rumi's creation. The book is divided in three sections - the heart, the soul, and the spirit. This 220-page book took me less than two hours to finish but then when I read it again it came out with an altogether a new meaning to me.

One time finish of Rumi's Little Book of Life: The Garden Of The Soul, The Heart, And The Spirit didn't satisfy me actually. I was having a deep urge to read it again. And after reading it several times, I still have the same urge to read it again. I can read it endlessly, time and again. Here is one of my favorite from this book - 

“Tell me,” my lover asked me tenderly, “how could you live without me?” I said, “without you I am lost like a fish out of water.” He smiled, “This is only your own fault.”

The kind of untouched tenderness, spirituality, and sincere expressions is the hallmark of this great poet of unmatched creative qualities. 

Here is another one - 

If one were to tell an unborn child that outside the womb there is a glorious world with green fields and lush gardens high mountains and vast seas, with a sky lit by the sun and the moon, the unborn would not believe such absurdity. Still in the dark womb how could he imagine the indescribable majesty of this world? In the same way, when the mystics speak of worlds beyond scent and color, the common man deafened by greed and blinded by self-interest cannot grasp their reality.

Rumi's Little Book of Life: The Garden Of The Soul, The Heart, And The Spirit is indeed a lifetime collection. 

You can buy the book here. (Disclaimer: This is my affiliate link as I am an influencer on Amazon).

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: by Mark Manson #pebbleinwaterswrites #books #bookreview #tbrchallenge #bookchatter @blogchatter

The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson takes one step closer to good life. Can a book really change your life? I think yes, it can. It all depends on my state of mind and with what frame of mind am I reading the words and how clear is the path inside where these powerful words can go uninterrupted and hit the right string of mind to that it's absorbed properly, translated to neuro signal rightly, and creates the desired impact. So, yes, books do change perspectives on things and transform lives. Well, the title is bold and the content has a strength to engage its reader on a personal level. It doesn't bore at any point of time while reading this book. In fact, it kept me awake late in the night until I finished it.

If you pay more attention and importance to media /Social media in comparison to family, friends, your  own health then there's something drastically wrong and you definitely are required to read Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson. The book, at one point of time, asks you to challenge your beliefs. Do you think you are always right all the time? Do you have a courage to accept your own flaws when challenged and not try to hide them by start blaming others. This book brings its reader to a stage you accept you are not perfect. You actually can't be, all the time. It is important to reach to that important state of realization that my emotions and problems are not exclusive. What good or bad I experience today might have been experienced by somebody yesterday. That is very important to understand.

Overall, this book Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson carries some real material that helped me to come to terms with myself. There's something special about this book. I can reread it any time, from anywhere. And it helps, everytime.

You can buy the book here. (Disclaimer: This is my affiliate link as I am an influencer on Amazon).

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

Life's Amazing Secrets by Gaur Gopal Das #pebbleinwaterswrites #books #bookreview #tbrchallenge #bookchatter @blogchatter

Life's Amazing Secrets: How to Find Balance and Purpose in Your Life by Gaur Gopal Das is an inspirational Zen book on motivation, self development & healthy living. It says stop going through life, start growing through life. All the learning in the chapters of this book flows through the conversation between the author, Gaur Gopal Das and his young wealthy friend Harry that passes through varied topics like human condition, purpose of life, key to lasting happiness, and so on. Each of these topics are closely connected to every human being. Through these chapters if you are able to find balance and Purpose in Your life, the motive of this book succeeds in gaining its own purpose of existence. This book has a purpose. A purpose to deliver. To deliver right kind of stuff. And thus ultimately bring a balance to this universe.

There are various ways to achieve what we want to achieve in life. There is a science behind everything. It could be strengthening relationships, discovering one's true potential, synergizing energies, delivering the best at work, or finding out something significant to deliver to this world.  Life's Amazing Secrets: How to Find Balance and Purpose in Your Life by Gaur Gopal Das has answers to all. This book is about realization. Self realization. That is one of the biggest deals when it comes to self. The moment you attain that state of self realization, it's phenomenal. Because then your are  able to differentiate between the right and the wrong. Reaching to that state of mind is not an easy task. That state is also close to mindfulness. The next important state to attain is to sustain that state of self realization. That is of utmost importance. 

Life's Amazing Secrets: How to Find Balance and Purpose in Your Life by Gaur Gopal Das talks about differentiating between right and wrong and controlling the steering wheel of the vehicle of life. The worksheets at the end are quite helpful. These worksheets include forgiveness, ikigai, etc. There is a big difference between what you know and what you care, seeing things as we are and not as they are. Does it all matter. Yes, it does. 

You can buy the book here. (Disclaimer: This is my affiliate link as I am an influencer on Amazon).

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

Atomic Habits by James Clear #pebbleinwaterswrites #books #bookreview #tbrchallenge #bookchatter @blogchatter

Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results - An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear is live of the best books in self help for happiness category. I am sure the title is good enough to convey what this book intends to do. And, believe me, it does that very well. If you are satisfied with your existing habits, good or bad, and find them generating sufficient happiness in life, then this book is not for you. Because, if despite that, you pick up this book and read it, it's going not only to change your habits by picking some new and dropping some old ones, but also will transform you in a big way. That is the power of this book. Actually, that is the power of the author. Forming a new habit, in fact, is one of the most difficult tasks.

This book Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results - An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear has all the answers to a new habit formation. In the same way, dropping an existing habit is another near to impossible task. That also is taken care of well by this book. The website of this author is very popular and I am one of the regular visitors there. His articles are very helpful, easy to understand, and very effective in results after deploying them in life. Coming back to this book, the cheat sheets and templates are quite useful that helped me in building my habit profile and accordingly plan with the actionable Improvement points. For me, this book is, like, DIY with a good number of assignments. I repeat, this book is totally different from just read and forget kind of stuff.

 Atomic Habits: Tiny Changes, Remarkable Results - An Easy and Proven Way to Build Good Habits and Break Bad Ones by James Clear has chapters that are action oriented. These actions have proven very helpful in my case, in my day to day life. 

You can buy the book here. (Disclaimer: This is my affiliate link as I am an influencer on Amazon).

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

Ikigai by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles #pebbleinwaterswrites #books #bookreview #tbrchallenge #bookchatter @blogchatter

Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles is very much related to modern day lifestyle and psychology. There are a few scientific references that too are very relevant and easy to understand and correlate. Basically, it connects every individual with his purpose and the values behind it. Every individual has a personalized flow and own style of creativity. Now, this book tries to help to find out your flow and the importance of what we do in life. Because whatever we do gets 100% attention. So, the prime purpose of life is to enjoy whatever we create. I got educated on various Japanese concepts such as takumi and moai. There is something called artificially-created urgency that we all start living with and make it an integral part of our life. According to Japanese perspective it's wrong.

Ikigai: The Japanese secret to a long and happy life by Héctor García and Francesc Miralles is a guidebook that tells to apply Japanese perspective on the life we live and preserve it beautifully without hooked up in that artificially-created urgency. Moreover, it's important to keep doing your own research and meditate regularly. Specialized workers, that is, takumi, and, moai, that is, my connection with community of my friend-circle play a very important role in life. There are detailed chapters on exercise and diet which I found very useful. Also, learned a new concept called - hara hachi bu. Illustrations help a lot to understand the things in a much better way. So is the benefit of steps given for particular exercises. The book serves it's purpose very well by making its reader well conversant with Ikigai. Good that I bought this useful and informative book. 

You can buy the book here. (Disclaimer: This is my affiliate link as I am an influencer on Amazon).

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho #pebbleinwaterswrites #books #bookreview #tbrchallenge #bookchatter @blogchatter

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho is perhaps one of the most interesting books I have read. It's amazingly mesmerizing writing style that is a kind of hypnotized me. The title was first published in Portugese. Later it was translated to English. The translation is superbly done. The story of this fabulous book goes like this. A boy from Andalusia is the protagonist of the story. This boy and his adventurous journey African desert in hunt of treasures hidden in the pyramids of Egypt is the main theme. I think this book relates quite easily to every human being in this universe. We all have goals in life and by crossing all kind of hurdles we always try to achieve our goals.

So if I look at the story  The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho in that context, it gives me a great learning that whatever problems come in my way while heading towards my goals, I should never give up and instead give my best to achieve the goals. I find the book as a bundle of learning. It tells us to firmly believe our dreams and follow them in a fearless manner and full conviction to tackle the risks, whatsoever, that come in the way. While everyone sets goals in life, but it's very few who gather courage and inner strength to follow your dreams. The most beautiful line in the book is when you follow your dreams, the whole universe conspires to back you too help.

At one instance the author indicates clearly that it is easier to give up to risks and hurdles that come up in your way and accept defeat while moving towards your goals because it's always easier to run away from the zone of discomfort to get back to our comfort zones. Likewise, there are many such instances of learning in The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

You can buy the book here. (Disclaimer: This is my affiliate link as I am an influencer on Amazon).

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.