Tuesday, March 18, 2014

March Book Reviews

A fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry

There are some books which I love and still have no patience to finish reading -
various factors like number of pages/ pace of the story affects affects the interest level. I recommend 'A fine balance' and 'Cutting for Stone' to anyone who like long books - both have really good reviews and ratings on goodreads.






Mountain of Light - Indu Sundaresan

There are times when I skip a few passages here and there but in this book I didn't want to miss even a word. This is the story about Kohinoor diamond and its journey. Liked it, 3.5/5 stars



Perks of being a wallflower - Stephen Chbosky


 Loved the story telling in this book. Chbosky portrays a character of innocent and naive 15 year old boy - Charlie - who is bright but shy. I give it 3/5 stars. If I had read this book a bit younger this would definitely have been 4 stars.

Monday, March 10, 2014

March Book Reviews

Tu bhramat Aahasi Vaya (Marathi) - Va. Pu. Kale

Va. Pu. Kale is one of my most favorite writers. Each one of his book amazes me. 
I am in absolute awe of his work. Tu Bhramaat aahesi Waaya is one such astonishing book by Va. Pu.
I give it 4/5 stars.







Lava (Hindi) - Javed Akhtar

Knowing multiple languages is a boon. One can enjoy the literature/ movies and know the culture in a 
true sense. Lava is a Hindi-Urdu poetry book by Javed Akhtar.
I liked Akhtar's book Tarkash a lot more than this. Tarkash is also available in English (with name Quiver).



I absolutely recommend both books. I give Lava 4/5 and Tarkash 5/5.



Ayushya Bahartana (Marathi) - Pravin Davane

Sawar Re series is Davane's best work by far. He writes short articles on everything about life. Sometimes his thinking comes as too strong and too old for this generation.
If I ever meet him I want to tell him "Davane, take a chill pill" :-). But definitely a very good
writer - thought provoking and inspirational. I give Ayushya Baharatana 3/5 stars.

Monday, March 03, 2014

W O R D S



Many of you must have heard sentences from others 'You are the most X person I have met in my life'. X can be anything  - stupid, ugly, cold, emotional, wonderful, beautiful...

Does it matter to you what others opinions are about you? Be it good or bad? Or you are self confident about who you are and you take nothing personally?
If the comments are bad then do they impact you? Do you ignore it knowing the immaturity of the person?

We judge ourselves and mostly we judge everything and everyone around us. 
Since we are being judged we pretend to be what we are not because we are afraid of being rejected.So do we keep pretending? Or stay the way we are even if we are rejected? Believe in ourselves and gather the strength to feel positive even though seeds of words rot our fertile mind?

I have seen talented people who feel low self esteem/inferiority complex simply because of bullying/bad words at an early age by their friends-relatives-parents-siblings. 

When I weighed 171 pounds someone commented "Oh My God Rasika you look terribly FAT". This was coming from a person thrice my size. I found it hilarious but I did not retaliate. I knew her state of mind - happiness over other's misery comes with jealousy. 
I weigh 40 pounds lesser now while that person keeps growing. 

My point being we don't look in a mirror before we gossip/comment or pass judgement.
When people pass comments they are ignorant of their own miserable state. Also our success or failure depends on how we process and filter words. Our strength is shown by not throwing any swords of words.

Each of us draws a circle around ourselves and we think whatever is outside that circle is wrong/ not good/ not acceptable and then we try to domesticate others based on our perception of the world. Should we get domesticated or rebel? Rebel for freedom... to be true to ourselves... to be true to who we are...

You absolutely need to read the book 'The Four Agreements' if you feel low by words/gossip/judgement. Make your children read it too so that they know how to deal with words and also think twice before they use (s)words.