Book Review : Looking for Alaska

Source : Google Images

Title: Looking for Alaska
Author: John Green
Place: United States
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication Date: 2005
Genre: Young Adult
Edition: 2013 
Pages: 268 (Paperback)
ISBN: 978-0-00-752352-8

Goodreads blurb - Click here

My thoughts - 

When I read 'The Fault in Our Stars' earlier this year, I was hooked to John Green's work.  It made me look up his other books and want to read them all. A close friend further added to my excitement when he said that reading 'The Fault in Our Stars' made him purchase other books by the author. Thus I ended up reading his debut novel (the book in review), only to fall in love with him once again.

'Looking for Alaska' - the title of the book made me assume that the protagonist is in the search for Alaska, the country. Until I read the synopsis at the back. Miles Halter is the narrator cum protagonist of the book and Alaska Young is one of his friends. I know, silly me! :p

And maybe that's the realization which kept me wondering about the story line thereafter. This book has been a fresh wave of reading after all the heavy fictions that I read early this year like Dan Brown's Inferno and Jodi Picoult's The Storyteller. 

One of the best points about 'Looking for Alaska' is the style of story telling. The first thing I noticed on the first page was the word - 'BEFORE' with a small image of a heart below it. I was immediately thrown into a thinking fix left to imagine and wonder about the 'event' which is yet to take place. The first words of the book - 'One Hundred and Thirty-six Days Before' further builds up the suspense so you are hooked you from the start. Once you reach the 'AFTER' section of the book, believe me you want to finish reading the book at breakneck speed to know what happens to the beautiful characters in the story.

The author's efforts of character portrayal is mesmerizing such that you find yourself relating to them at some or the other point during the book. At least I did. Every incident, every twist of plot made me reminisce the different friends I have in life and the quirky experiences that have occurred till now.

If I loved how every time Miles Halter landed himself in messy situations, I admired the way how the Colonel supported him. If Takumi played the perfect sidekick, then Lara was impressive as the silent push-over. But at the end of the day, Alaska Young is the one for whom your heart goes out to. Her zest, vigor and unabashed nature makes you want to hug her and tell her - 'It's ok. Everything is going to be fine.' 

I didn't cry while reading this book but there are times when that 'lump in the throat' situation arises out of nowhere.

There are many quotes that I marked as favorites and want to read forever and ever in this life. I would rate this book as 5/5 given this book has a different take, a different story, a different ending with a touch of mystery. Go read it, you will love the book too.

Have you already had the chance to read this book? What were your thoughts? :)

Yours' truly,

                   **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**

55 fiction : Love at First Sight

Source : Google Images

The moment her fingers touched my skin, I felt complete. 

My life instantly transformed into a new world. 

Whatever happened till now was a nightmare. It’s time for a change. 

She looked up to me, scared, but I hugged her closer and declared to the world – 

“I love you, my baby. My daughter has arrived.”

Yours' truly,


                   **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**

Blast from the Past: Favorite posts {1}

I have been wanting to look back at my old posts of this blog and reminisce some of my favorite ones. Every week, I plan to pick one of my favorite posts and share my thoughts around it. What made me write the particular post back then, why was it special or not, and the likes.

Here I present the first one to you. :)

Source : Google Images

The year was 2012. And the occasion: Hubby's birthday. Aren't birthdays so much fun? Totally. But celebrating birthdays abroad, away from loved ones and close friends, can be boring. Until we made some friends who were as crazy and sane as us. :) Less than a year after we moved to the US, in order to surprise the hubby, I planned for a birthday party at our residence.  

If the planning phase was fun, the D-day turned out to be even more fun. I got some awesome friends to help me out, the hubby got his special day, all in all it was an enjoyable time. 

To etch the special day in my memory and the craziness that surrounded it, I wrote a letter to my hubby. Check out the post : From the Little Prankster in me...

Hope you enjoy reading the post. :)

Planning for birthdays is so much fun. Do you have any special memories from your last birthday? Was there a celebration? :)

Yours' truly,


                   **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**

My Happy Place...

Of what use is a palace for me?

Only to wander about aimless and remain a mime?

Instead give me a cozy cottage and a candle's flame,

There I only yearn for some peace and lots of time.

Don't get me silver, don't gift me gold,

As unworthy as these can be.

I only crave for sweet solitude,

To set my soul and mind free.

Worries or problems can't reach me here,

There's no place left for envy too.

When I'm here, I weave my own world,

With countless books, me and you.

From the first break of dawn,

I’m lost in a trance with my only one.

I read and read to my heart's content,

Till the last ray of the evening sun.

They teach me about life,

They take me to different places.

They tell me about life's experiences,

Be it enormous quantities or miniscule traces.

When it’s late and about time,

I sulk to leave this space.

Because such a paradise is duly,

Every book aficionado’s happy place.

Source : Google Images

Tell me about your happy place. :)

Yours' truly,


                  **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**

10 things I like about the monsoons

Source : Google Images

1. Sudden cooling in the weather
2. Breathtaking mist on the mountain tops
3. Fall of raindrops on my face
4. Smell of the wet earth after the first showers
5. Lush greenery after the rains
6. Enjoyment of a hot piping tea, snacks and a good book 
7. Amazing sights of Mother Nature
8. Long drives through the city in the heavy showers
9. Gazing at the dark skies and losing myself
10. Listening to the plain sound of water droplets falling everywhere.

What's your favorite weather ? Share 10 things you like about it on your blog. :)

Yours' truly,

                  **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**

Bye bye Orkut...

Source : Google Images

Date : 29^th Sept 2014, 11.15PM

It seemed like a usual day. The same old boring bits of information. Ms. A got married, Ms. X had been promoted….. Mr. Z went abroad for the first time while Mr. Y had his tooth extracted. Really? How exciting? Except not!

I stared at the wall of my Facebook account running over the screen, in a bid to challenge myself to find something that captures my attention.

Until there it was. Something unusual…...something different……. A school friend had posted this status –

“Logged onto Orkut today to backup my photos. 

Brought back some old memories. How sad ! L”

The word “Orkut” probably rang a bell in my head after God-knows-how-long. But I didn’t bother to find out why my friend was on Orkut ; or why she needed to backup her photos. I glanced at the status for a minute longer. With a blank face, I looked at the clock and decided to call it a day.

***********

I heard the phone ring thrice. After the third time, I picked up the receiver.

Me: Hello?

Caller: Hi!

Me: Hello?? Who’s speaking?

Caller: Guess who?

Me: I don’t seem to have heard your voice before.

Caller: I’ll give you a clue. I was your first friend on the social network.

Me: Nope, I still can’t make it out. Who is this?

Caller: *in a disappointed tone* I didn’t think you would give up so easily….. It’s me. Orkut.

Me: Orkut?.... O Hiiiii! Long time….. How’ve you been?

Orkut: Not very good lately. How about you?

Me: Great! Never been better…. So…. What’s up?

Orkut: *with a lump in throat* Nothing much. The same old routine you know. Getting ignored, waiting for people to stop by and say hi maybe…… Not anymore. I am just waiting to die tomorrow.

Me: What? What do you mean - you are dying tomorrow?

Orkut: Don’t tell me you haven’t heard. Google is shutting me down tomorrow. *lets out a wail*

Me: Ohhh! So that’s why my school friend was on Orkut to backup her photos.

Orkut: Huh!?! Listen… I don’t have all the time in the world today. I’ve got to go. I just wanted to connect with my users one last time….. Thought people would feel nice and tell me how much they’re going to miss me… I guess I was wrong………

*crying and sniffing* Up until few years ago, I was all that people had to talk about – interacting with long lost friends, scraps, photo sharing, friend requests – I started it all. But …. Ever since my contemporaries have arrived, everyone has forgotten me. It’s like I had so much to offer but no one wants it anymore.

It breaks my heart knowing I won’t be around you folks from tomorrow.

Me: Maybe there’s something that I can do to help you?

Orkut: *After a long pause* Maybe you could write to Google to say how much you’ll miss me once I’m gone….. It’s too late… I need to go.

Me: Wait!!!….. Don’t go. I’ll …. I’ll miss you.

Orkut: It’s too late… I can’t stay any longer… bye…

Me: Wait, wait, don’t go yet…. I need to speak to you………… WAAAAAAIIIIIITTTTTTT!!!!

*************

I woke up with a jolt and found myself awake on my bed. One turn to the side table calendar and the date – 30^th Sept flashed on my face. After a quick fresh up I logged on to the internet and read the news. Yes, I had been dreaming but whatever happened in the dream was all true. I logged on to my Orkut account while striving hard to remember the last time I had been there.

I clicked open my photo albums. There it was. Some long lost pages of my life. A sudden gush of guilt swamped my own body and I couldn’t stop the tears that emerged from my eyes. Pics of some get-togethers with college mates, snaps of our family functions, selfies with besties, candid moments with my fiancé. They stared at me while I wiped my wet face and remembered my last conversation with Orkut.

My email account popped with a new message from Orkut. It read – ‘Goodbye dear friend….’ I broke down and cried uncontrollably letting loose the flood of emotions trapped in me. Without further delay, I wiped my tears and clicked open a new email to write to Google.

This post is a part of Write Over the Weekend, an initiative for Indian Bloggers by BlogAdda.

Yours' truly,

                  **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**

Blogger's block ? What's that ?

Source : Google Images

Please help me! I see a blank screen. I feel like I have an empty head. There are these random thoughts in my mind which I can hardly pass as ideas. WHAT DO I DO?

Looks familiar? It means, you have this extremely common incurable condition that is termed as "Writer's block".

Or so you thought. 

There was a time when I dreaded the so-called Writer's Block or Blogger's Block. All charged up to write something, I would arm myself with my laptop, a writing pad and lots of free time. But the moment my fingers click open a new post page or an empty Word document, *POOF*! Everything would vanish from sight and head.

Well, not any more. I have read and re-read articles on this topic and now I follow some simple methods to make sure I never contract this condition ever again. 

Below listed are some of my techniques to help overcome Blogger's block. Feel free to comment and share your thoughts.

1. Make an idea list - Personally, I found this method the most effective. Every now and then, I would get an idea which would be great to blog about. In order to not let it exist only in memory, I made a list with all the things that I would like to blog about in the future. Result - I don't have to strain thinking for an idea when I am ready to blog. I look at my list, pick an idea I would like to write about, publish a post on the idea and strike it off my list. An idea journal helps too.
2. Join blogging communities - The perks of joining blogging groups are that you get inspiration from other bloggers and you get prompts or blog ideas. All you have to do then is only develop the prompt into a post. This is much easier when you think you have run out of ideas.
3. Take part in writing challenges - Weekly and monthly challenges help me to brainstorm further of how I want to keep my blog updated on a regular basis. To ease the trouble of choosing what to blog everyday, I make a blogging calendar. This helps me to plan upfront on my blog posts and their schedule. I keep weekends for on-the-spot writing so that my thoughts are natural and I don't lose the creative edge.
4. Look for inspiration in everyday experiences - Look around you. Is there a story behind the two-wheeler that you purchased ? Blog about it. Is there an interesting thought to share about your last train travel ? Blog about it. Did something funny happen at work today ? Share it. I find that my day-to-day experiences provide me with many ideas for blog posts.
5. Visit other blogs, read their posts and reflect - Many a times when I visit a friend's blog it gives me a chance to share my views on their posts and it also inspires me with some ideas. I had created a post on my 'Anti-bucket' list some time ago. At the end of the post, I had requested fellow bloggers to share their views if they had to create a similar list. A fellow blogger complimented that it was a good idea and that she would blog about it soon. So look for ideas in fellow bloggers' questions.
6. Take a break - If you think you have been spending too much on generating ideas for posts then take a break. Go for a walk, do some reading, watch some TV - anything that you like. It pauses your thoughts for a while. When you get back to blogging, I guarantee there will be new ideas bubbling in your mind.
7. Collaborate with other bloggers - Join blog hops, pose interview questions to a fellow blogger/famous personality/yourself or the best choice - guest blogging. Request other bloggers to do a guest post on your blog on a topic of their choice.
8. Create a 'My favorite posts' series - If you have been blogging for a while then look back at your blog posts and choose some favorites - 5, 10 or any number. When you think about how you wrote that post, does it bring some old memories ? Was there a reason why you chose to write it back then ? Blog about it. You can create a weekly blog post series called - 'My favorite posts' and post on a weekly basis.
9. What's on your mind, right now? - Whenever I get overwhelmed with too many ideas for a blog post or by the lack of it, I simply create a 'What's on my mind, right now?' post. It helps me unload the thoughts trapped in my mind, get them in writing and helps me prioritize. Go on, try it.
10. Never believe in Writer's block - True. It's all in your head. So throw it out. If you refuse to acknowledge the block, it will cease to exist at all.

Hope you found this post helpful. 

Do share your views on how do you overcome writer's block either in the comments below or on your blog ? 

Good luck :)

**Linked with Write Tribe's Wednesday Prompt**

Yours truly,


                  **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**

Wordless Wednesdays - 2

Yours' truly,


                  **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**

"Quintet of Radiance" Award

Another award comes along. Thanks to Juhi who nominated me for the 'Quintet of Radiance' award.
Thanks Juhi, I owe you one too :)

Rules:

1. Display the logo on your post
2. Thank the blogger who nominated you
3. Using the alphabets, describe yourself
4. Nominate at least a few bloggers

I am...

A-Academic
B-Benevolent
C-Candid
D-Defensive
E-Eccentric
F-Faithful
G-Grateful
H-Hopeful
I-Illustrative
J-Jovial
K-Kiddish
L-Lovable
M-Meticulous
N-Nice
O-Organized
P-Peaceful
Q-Quick
R-Radiant
S-Salient
T-Trustworthy
U-Understanding
V-Veritable
W-Well-balanced
X-Xenodochial
Y-Youthful
Z-Zealous

I Nominate...

• Shilpa Garg - A Rose is a Rose is a Rose
• Tina Basu - The Sunny Side of Life
• Vinodini Iyer - ifs buts ands etcs...
• Usha Menon - Kuch Khatta Kuch Meetha
• Ashna Banga - Pages from a Young Diary

Yours' truly,

                  **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**

5 things on my pre-occupied mind

1. Friends – Met some friends and work colleagues at a wedding reception yesterday evening. So I’ve been a little nostalgic about some memories with each one of them.
2. Weather – The weather feels amazing, what with the monsoons showering us with rains. So absolutely enjoying this season. The cool atmosphere, the misty smell of the earth, the greenery… you know what a rain person I am.
3. Books – I’ve been off reading lately. So thinking of ways to catch up on that without shuffling my other tasks. Got any tips? Would love to know.
4. Blogging – The monthly blogging initiatives are keeping my busy. I won’t call it a writer’s block but it does feel a lot like an overflow of post ideas. So I’m indecisive of which one to choose. What do you do when that happens?
5. Baby Girl’s birthday celebrations – It’s more than 2 months away and already has me feel jittery about the details. Guest list, catering, venue, timing, cake and what not. Watch this space for more details.

A penny for your thoughts – tell me what are the 5 things on your mind right now

Yours' truly,


                    **Linking to the Ultimate Blog Challenge for July 2014 and BlogHer - NaBloPoMo**