BOOK REVIEW - SIMPLE TRICKS TO WIN YOUR SUBCONSCIOUS MIND BY GEETHICA MEHRA

 

Is it possible to use one’s mind to solve problems with ease and control one’s lives? Geethica Mehra writes an interesting book in which she speaks of her own experiences in winning her subconscious mind to lead a successful life.

The mind controls the body, but thoughts control the brain. Geethica starts her book with some sure-shot remedies to control one’s thoughts in such a way that only the positive ones remain in one’s mind. The brain can be motivated to think positive thoughts which could be personal or purely creative. A person can detach himself from several bad habits through training his brain.

Will power is all powerful. It makes one strong. The brain takes commands, and when the person controlling it is focused, the commands also stay positive. Obstacles come in the way often, but if the will power is strong, these also melt away. Geethica suggests a few methods by which a person begins to believe in the strength of his own mind, without getting influenced by external factors. This helps him to walk in harmony with others instead of crossing their paths.

An important suggestion given in the book is on how to perform tasks which are not enjoyable. The author has given her own experiences, explaining how she does those very tasks in a manner quite convincing. At the end, she adds that one needs to find what works for oneself to convince the brain to persevere with the given task.

Patience and self-belief go a long way in training the mind. Leave off the pressure and the need to promote one’s thinking strategy. One step at a time makes all the difference. One unusual method, according to the author, is to take criticism positively. She states the reasons why this is so important to turn productive.

A question asked in the book makes one think. “Out of senses, the conscious mind and the subconscious mind, which one do you think is the easiest to control? What controls your conscious mind?”

There are elaborate answers to all the questions. The moot point is that the power is within one and passion keeps one driven. Choices are to be made intelligently and there are always ways and means to make the magic happen.

Geethica Mehra has not only written a book which could influence her readers, but also added a list of books and podcasts which have helped to shape her anew. She ends her book talking about the one gift she would like to receive from God, something which I will leave for the readers to discover for themselves.

I took a moment to ruminate over all the key tips that the author had provided in every chapter, and it struck me that they are all extremely feasible. Hence, I would recommend this book to all those who want to make a positive change in their lives.  

Book Link: https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/simple-tricks-to-win-your-subconscious-mind-by-geethica-mehra

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BOOK REVIEW - SHE AND OTHER POEMS BY HUMA MASOOD

 

The dedication says it all! To the frontline warriors of the pandemic and the Bravehearts providing us with essential services! Writer Huma Masood puts it poignantly:
“Although we face the same storm, some boats are rocked by larger waves. Some struggle, some inspiration.”

This book puts forth a few illuminating thoughts which help to light a candle in these trying times.

Four sections make up this volume consisting of poems that were mostly written during the #BlogchatterA2ZChallenge. What strikes the eye are the bright vibrant colours demarcating the sections and the striking illustrations within.

The first section titled ‘She’ deals with the freedom of a woman within the confines of her cage. When the mountains invite her, she is set to traverse the endless skies and the high domains. When she emerges, she looks ahead in anticipation towards “a universe where equity is favoured”.

Huma Masood’s poems are short, but hope-filled and resilient. Each poem ends on a particular note which is taken up in the next one. The progression of her thoughts is fascinating. She speaks of strong being the new beautiful. The world has evolved, and girls and women need to be strong and face their challenges bravely.

Yet, how difficult is it to be free in a patriarchal society? “Still milestones remain to be covered,” says the poet. There is no doubt that the security of women is the one milestone that needs to be put in place for a woman to be truly free, and for her to be empowered.

Section two is titled ‘Dilemma’ and moves into the realm of the dreaded COVID-19 virus, where a grieving nation strives to work together in solidarity to combat it, as people wear “masks instead of smiles”. Words like ‘quarantine’ and ‘vaccine’ have turned into the keywords of the hour.

It is time to use words judiciously, in a manner that heals and does not sting. These words are not hollow but leave an imprint in people’s hearts.

‘Inspired’, the next section, talks of how pressure brings out the best in many. In times of stress, move out on unexplored paths and travel to a place beyond your comfort zone where you can grow.  

Huma’s Masood’s poems hold a world within their depths, saying so much in so few words, both literally and metaphorically.

“Don’t give up.

Keep seeking.

Keep going.”

Fresh beginnings bring hope. A balance in life is required in all things. Life can be inspirational, and a dream, “a wildflower (that)/ Blooms where the soul dares to dare.”

The final section titled ‘Random Thoughts’ echoes Tennyson’s famous lines.

“The old order changeth, yielding place to new.”

Life experiences change attitudes along with changes in the world. Reading also aids one to change, and poets especially have the power to inspire and change the world. That is exactly why a volume of poetry like this one creates a spark when it comes along.

Book Link:

https://www.theblogchatter.com/index.php/download/she-and-other-poems-by-huma-masood

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BOOK REVIEW - IT MUST HAVE BEEN LOVE BY MAYURA AMARKANT

This is the story of Meera – “a complex, extra-ordinary girl with simple dreams.”

And Keshav – “an attractive, fair, clean-cut young man with a mesmerizing persona.”

The duo meet at a common friend’s party and exchange numbers. They find in each other exactly what they have been lacking in their own lives. This book, as the author remarks, is dedicated to Meera and her affection for Keshav.

 Meera’s journey is a poetic one, and as she puts down her thoughts in verse, the curtain rises on the drama.

“A mirror of me that was lost in the past, in his eyes I found myself at last.”

Mayura Amarkant is as much a magician in prose as she is in poetry. The feelings of the young girl, her thoughts about her new love, the reasons why she feels so close to the young man who has stolen her heart, all these are portrayed in verse form.
However, the path of love is not always free of thorns. When Keshav pays more attention to another girl, Meera, filled with jealousy, decides to turn a cold shoulder towards him.

This time, her insecurity manifests itself in the form of poems about unreciprocated love, the loneliness of her heart and wishful thinking. Her imagination takes wings as she muses over the “promises of togetherness and assurances of love, all about olive leaves and turtle doves”.

After a week of holding out, Keshav finally breaks through her defences. She warms to him again, and yet, her insecurities cling on to her. She once again resorts to poetry to ease her overburdened heart. Every time her life see-saws, she is back to where she started, distraught and confused. She resorts to writing poetry, as the whole world appears to her like a cage that has chained her down. Slowly, but steadily, she comes to terms with her life.

What role does Keshav play in her life? Does he love her the way she loves him? Is there a happily-ever-after in their fairy tale?

“Will there be a tomorrow that is beautiful and promising? A tomorrow that will bring delights and treats, the chaos will die down and the reign of peace will arise, will there be a morning when the fog will subside?”

‘It Must’ve Been Love’ is a mellifluous blend of prose and poetry, a book that captures the imagination of the reader with its uniqueness. Mayura Amarkant handpicks her words with care, using them to embellish her love story. Her prose is simple, her poetry more complex as she uses rhymed and free verse to enhance the splendour of her story.

In the end, it is the apt quote of Samuel Taylor Coleridge that comes to mind.

"Prose = words in their best order; Poetry = the best words in the best order

                                                                           

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Book Link: https://www.theblogchatter.com/index.php/download/it-mustve-been-love

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BOOK REVIEW - MELODY OF A MUDDLED MIND BY KASHISH MAHTANI

 

There are always stages that love goes through – the first flush of romanticism, followed by the meeting of the two hearts in a blissful world. For many lovers, this becomes the bedrock of their lives. However, poet Kashish Mahtani, does not stop there, in her wonderful book of poems titled ‘Melody of a Muddled Mind’.

The first section, ‘WHIMSICAL WHISPERS’, meanders across a sea of emotions, dealing with the avatars of women, as daughters, devotees and lovers. Women may be selfless angels on earth, fighting the battles of others.  However, they can turn into trouble, if mistreated.

A powerful poem in this context is titled ‘Goddess of the Skies, Songstress of the Seas’. It delves into the strength of a woman who may get hurt but will still stay by her lover’s side. A line which is very poignant goes thus – “She’s the same ‘goddess’/ You pray to in temples/ And prey on in the streets.”

The remaining poems in this section deal mainly with the simple joys of life, such as pure love, sonnets and birdsong, limericks, songs from a lover’s heart and the perfect paradox of love in all its vagaries. Kashish Mahtani puts this beautifully as “glimpses of heaven in a lover’s eyes”.

Another poem that strikes a chord is titled ‘Be the Hero You are’ and asks the reader to “look up from the world of Half-Truths and Lies” and discover the Universe, instead of hiding behind the virtual world of the Internet. A line that deeply touched me was to “share experiences but not online; Like people, not posts”.

Section 2 is titled SEGUE INTO CHAOS, and the mood shifts over to fragments of thought, interspersed between love, longing and nightmarish loss. The protagonists in this section are riddled with doubt and the fear of losing the love of their lives. They ponder over ways to make their loved one stay, pleading for second chances as they hang on to their dreams. Losing their love makes them feel as though they are drowning, and, in some cases, they walk away even though they are heartbroken.

DEATH KNELL moves on to the next level, which speaks of the cessation of love, and the feeling of loss that follows. ‘Cesspool of Emotions’ is a brilliant little poem of four lines on the same theme. Life loses its colour, and the protagonist misses the presence of the loved one. ‘When I’m Gone’ is another gem which talks of “love’s swansong”, and “every last hug, each tear”.

Loss of a love, learning to live without it and staying strong, form the crux of ‘Stages of Grief’, which is what the last section of the book moves into, namely, ‘THE PHOENIX SONG’. Finding Redemption’, ‘Weep and ‘Letting Go’, ‘Closure’ – the titles of the poems here are self-explanatory. It is time to work on oneself and move on.

Sing the Phoenix Song and be free!

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Book Link:

https://www.theblogchatter.com/index.php/download/melody-of-a-muddled-mind-by-kashish-mahtani

 

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BOOK REVIEW - BEYOND FAIRY TALES BY DEEPIKA AND SHALINI

 

We have all grown up on fairy tales which have piqued our interest, mainly due to a sense of adventure and excitement, of worlds populated by princes and princesses, mythical creatures and folk, magic and fantasy, and a feeling of happily-ever-after. Children across the world have been tucked into bed with these bedtime stories, and have gone to sleep, dreaming of them as well.

 What, then, is different about these posts that narrate tales that were rewritten by the oh-so-popular Grimms Brothers, who tried to preserve the features of oral tales that had evolved over the centuries? Or Hans Christian Andersen whose stories were more classical with a tinge of satire?

 It has always been difficult to debunk stories that have taken root in the human imagination. This is exactly what Deepika, the narrator who has analysed and reinterpreted them, and Shalini, the poet, have done in the 26 posts that span the alphabet in their #BlogchatterA2ZChallenge.

Most of the most well-known stories have been showcased – Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty and Rapunzel. Tales from the East like Aladdin and Ali Baba have also been analysed carefully. However, while these are extremely interesting, the stories that are unfamiliar are even more so. For example, Iron Hans, Old Sultan and The Devil with Three Golden Hairs, originally German tales, and the last story of all titled The Story of Zoulvisia, an Armenian tale.

Two heads are better than one, as the saying goes, and both Deepika and Shalini shine in their individual roles of narrator and poet. The reader meanders through the history of a particular fairy tale, its roots and origins, the original texts that referred to it, and a mention of the various versions it has been adapted into – movies, television series, opera, animation and theatre. Some of the original stories, like Goldilocks, were originally poems. In fact, there is a piece of interesting trivia about the Goldilocks Zone, but I will not let the cat out of the bag here. Another intriguing piece of trivia is titled The Snow-White Syndrome.

Many of the tales appear simple, but much more lies beneath the surface, especially when Deepika deciphers every tale with an eagle eye, giving her own unique interpretation of it, which brings out both the positives and the negatives, revolving around traits as complex as gratitude, kindness and love on the one hand, and envy, greed, cowardice and cruelty on the other. At the end of the narration, the reader waits eagerly for the verdict – thumbs up or thumbs down.

From there onwards that Shalini takes over, pouring her heart out in poetry, as she experiments with rhyme and free verse to bring out “thoughts that often lie too deep for tears”. The grace with which she brings alive each story through poetry is amazing.

This is a book that needs to be read and savoured.

The book link is as follows:

file:///C:/Users/deept/OneDrive/Desktop/1621516879_DeepikaShaliniBeyondFairyTales.pdf

 

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BOOK REVIEW - BUILDING A WRITING PRACTICE BY SONA GROVER

 

Sona Grover could not have said it better when she introduced her book titled ‘Building a Writing Practice’ to her readers.

“Writing is a craft that gets better when you do it again and again and focus on things you must improve. Like a muscle, it can be built. And to train your writing muscles you have to give them a range of motion. “

This book, written during the #Blogchatter A2Z Challenge, should be read by all writers, aspiring and otherwise. According to the author, writing is a habit that needs to be pursued regularly. Research is vital but putting it down in writing is obviously even more so. She mentions writer’s block as a phase which can be addressed through self-care and refilling.

Keeping a blog is one way to keep ahead of one’s ideas, and the author encourages one to maintain a content calendar that helps to play around with creative content. Planning often works wonders and aids in the flow.

There are some wonderful exercises to flex one’s writing muscles. The author puts them down in a succinct manner, one after the other, in small doses. What is fascinating is that she takes her own advice seriously, putting forth her thoughts in little capsules that make them easier to follow. She stresses on the fact that making a connection between unrelated things is what leads to creativity in writing.

Descriptions are often useful in training the mind to observe details that make all the difference to the readers, and action is even more so, is what the book conveys. There is also a word of caution here, though. Brevity is the soul of wit, as the Bard said, and it is better not to let one’s descriptions get too florid. Creating characters is also a complex process, albeit an intriguing one.

 One point that appealed to me greatly was the idea of keeping a dedicated notebook to write down ideas that could help in writing.  Another idea I absolutely loved was the glass jar idea, but I will let the readers find out about that themselves.

There are so many writing exercises given in this book, each one of them doable and creative in their own way.

Apart from the above, the author also lays out different forms of writing that could help writers to create stories with a tiny bit of imagination. The world gives out ample opportunities to write, and it is up to every writer to find and use them.

There is no doubt that this little book is a blueprint for all those who want their imaginations to be prodded into writing. I would recommend it to students as well because a good command over the language, and the facility to use it in the best way possible, can enhance their academic and extra-academic performance without doubt.

The book link is as follows:

https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/building-a-writing-practice

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BOOK REVIEW - INCREDIBLE INDIA BUCKET-LIST BY ADITYA SATHE

                                      

                                   

The vastness and the beauty of India have been encapsulated in this book titled ‘Incredible India Bucket-List’ by Aditya Sathe. Written as part of the #BlogchatterA2ZChallenge, the book portrays the various places within India, ranging across the alphabet, that an avid traveller could add to his bucket-list once the pandemic is over.
Aditya Sathe seems to have cast his discerning eye over the map of India and chosen places most likely to satisfy the above-mentioned avid traveller. Places like Airavatesvara Temple, the Edakkal Caves in Wayanad and Yamunotri abound with legends that pique the interest. The author has made it a point to also paint a picture of the history of the places mentioned, be it the Basilica of the lady of Good Health, also known as ‘the Lourdes of the East’, the Dharur Fort and the Udaipur City Palace, both of which passed through many hands, or Nandi hills, the site of Tipu’s fortress.

There are also examples of colonial history like Fort Kochi and Zuan Sang Memorial Hall, both of which boast of Indian and Chinese cultural elements – the Chinese fishing nets in the former and the memorial hall dedicated to Hiuen Sang, one of the most renowned foreign travellers of all times. The Cellular Jail in Andaman stands as a remembrance to the incarceration of freedom fighters of the past.

That history and architectural styles fascinate the author is apparent by his choice of places. The Hampi ruins, Orchha Fort Complex, the Sun Temple and Konark, Warrangal Fort and the magnificent remains of Vikramshila University are all noteworthy specimens of the architecture of their times.

Religious monuments also find a place on this list. The Kesariya Stupa and the Thiksey Monastery go back to the time of Buddhism and house stupas, inscriptions and thangkas (religious fabric paintings). The Palitana Temples are a cluster of Jain temples, believed to be among the holiest of all. They are an architectural marvel. Bhatinda is guarded by Qila Mubarak, a strategic and commercial town, with a gurudwara within connected with three Sikh gurus.

There are some picturesque spots also mentioned in the above list, like Marina Beach, the largest sandy expanse, Gir Forest, home to the Asiatic Lion, Loktak Lake, the Yamunotri, the birthplace of the river Yamuna and Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh.

Modern history has not been omitted by the author. Both India Gate and Rashtrapati Bhavan, both of which are the handiwork of Edward Lutyens, are apt locations for the interested tourist who wants to take in a slice of Indian history.

The impressive cover design and photos are by Avni Pande and the pictures within are apt and eye-catching. So, if you are looking for a list of places to visit once the pandemic ends, go ahead and read this informative book.

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 Link to Book: 

https://www.theblogchatter.com/download/incredible-india-bucket-list-by-aditya-sathe

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