Category Books

Books and reviews

Oct 16 2023

Book Review: Focus on What Matters

“Focus on What Matters” by Darius Foroux is a compelling and practical guide to navigating life’s complexities. In a world teeming with distractions, Foroux provides a roadmap for readers seeking clarity and purpose.

The book’s structure, divided into four distinct parts, offers a well-rounded approach to focus and personal development. Foroux begins by establishing the fundamentals of focus, emphasizing its malleability as a skill. Personal anecdotes from the author’s own journey add depth and relatability to the narrative.

Part two underscores the importance of identifying one’s core values and purpose. Foroux introduces the “Personal Success Equation,” a powerful tool for aligning actions with these values, offering readers a personalized roadmap to success.

In part three, the heart of the book, Foroux delves into mastering mental focus. He offers practical strategies, from time management techniques to deep work principles, all grounded in scientific research. This section provides readers with actionable tools to enhance their focus in a fast-paced world.

The final part highlights the interplay between physical energy and focus. Foroux’s insights on nutrition, exercise, sleep, and relaxation serve as a reminder that a healthy body is crucial for a focused mind.

“Focus on What Matters” stands out for its emphasis on aligning actions with values, bridging timeless wisdom and modern practicality. For those seeking a more meaningful and intentional life, Foroux’s book is a valuable companion on the journey towards a life centered on what truly matters.

Sep 13 2023

Book Review: Another Life by Kristin Hannah

𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 is a beautifully written and emotionally powerful novel that tells a story of love, loss, and survival. Kristin Hannah does an excellent job of capturing the horrors of war and the strength of the human spirit. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐬𝐨 𝐚 𝐫𝐞𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐨𝐩𝐞.

Kristin Hannah writing is evocative and atmospheric, and she does a masterful job of bringing the time and place to life. The characters are well-developed and relatable, and the story is both heartwarming and heartbreaking. 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐢𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐚𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭.

Here are some of the things that I liked about the book:

  • The characters are well-developed and relatable.
  • The plot is engaging and suspenseful.
  • The historical detail is accurate and well-researched.
  • The writing is beautiful and evocative.
Aug 20 2023

Book Review: On a Quiet Street

On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. The story follows three women who live in a seemingly perfect neighborhood: Cora, Paige, and Georgia. Cora suspects that her husband, Finn, is cheating on her, and she enlists Paige’s help to catch him in the act. Paige is also struggling with her own grief after the death of her son in a hit-and-run accident. Georgia is a new neighbor who seems to be hiding something.

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As the three women get closer, they begin to uncover dark secrets about each other and their neighbors. The tension builds as they race to uncover the truth before it’s too late.

The book is well-written and suspenseful, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. The characters are complex and believable, and the setting is vividly described. If you’re a fan of psychological thrillers, then you’ll definitely want to check out “On a Quiet Street.”

Here are some of the things that I liked about the book:

  • The plot is well-paced and full of suspense.
  • The characters are complex and relatable.
  • The setting is vividly described.
  • The twists and turns are unexpected and keep the reader guessing.

Overall, I thought “On a Quiet Street” was an excellent psychological thriller. It’s a well-written, suspenseful, and satisfying read that I would definitely recommend to fans of the genre.

Here are some additional thoughts on the book:

  • The book explores the themes of grief, guilt, and revenge.
  • It also examines the dark side of human nature and the lengths people will go to protect their secrets.
  • The book is a reminder that even in the most seemingly perfect neighborhoods, there are always secrets lurking beneath the surface.

If you’re looking for a good psychological thriller to read, I highly recommend “On a Quiet Street.” It’s a well-written, suspenseful, and satisfying read that will keep you guessing until the very end.

About Author:
Seraphina Nova Glass is a teacher and playwright. She teaches Film Studies and Playwriting at the University of Texas at Arlington. She has two MFA degrees: one in Dramatic Writing from Smith College and another in Directing from the University of Idaho.

Buy More books by Seraphina Nova Glass

Apr 18 2023

The Stranger in the Lifeboat: By Mitch Albom

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The Stranger in the Lifeboat: A Gripping and Thought-Provoking Novel

The Stranger in the Lifeboat is the latest novel by bestselling author Mitch Albom, who is known for his inspirational and uplifting stories. The book follows the survivors of a luxury yacht that explodes in the middle of the ocean, leaving them stranded on a lifeboat with a mysterious man who claims to be God.

The novel explores the themes of faith, doubt, hope, and human nature, as the characters face their own personal struggles and question the identity and intentions of the stranger. Albom skillfully weaves together the backstories of each character, revealing their secrets, regrets, and dreams, and how they relate to their current situation. He also creates a suspenseful and engaging plot, with twists and turns that keep the reader guessing until the end.

The Stranger in the Lifeboat is a book that will make you think about your own beliefs and values, and how you would react in a life-or-death scenario. It is also a book that will touch your heart and inspire you to appreciate the gift of life and the power of love. Albom’s writing style is simple yet profound, and his characters are realistic and relatable. The book is a fast and easy read, but it will stay with you long after you finish it.

If you are looking for a novel that will challenge your mind and stir your soul, I highly recommend The Stranger in the Lifeboat. It is a book that will make you question everything you thought you knew about God and yourself, and it will also make you grateful for everything you have.

“When someone passes, people always ask, why did God take them? A better question would be why did God give them to us? What did we do to deserve their love, their joy, the sweet moments we shared? Those moments are a gift.”

Book Review: Focus on What Matters

“Focus on What Matters” by Darius Foroux is a compelling and practical guide to navigating life’s complexities. In a world teeming with distractions, Foroux provides a roadmap for readers seeking clarity and purpose. The book’s structure, divided into four distinct parts,…

Keep reading

Book Review: Another Life by Kristin Hannah

𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞 is a beautifully written and emotionally powerful novel that tells a story of love, loss, and survival. Kristin Hannah does an excellent job of capturing the horrors of war and the strength of the human spirit. 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥 𝐢𝐬…

Keep reading

Book Review: On a Quiet Street

On a Quiet Street by Seraphina Nova Glass is a psychological thriller that will keep you guessing until the very end. The story follows three women who live in a seemingly perfect neighborhood: Cora, Paige, and Georgia. Cora suspects that her…

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The Lone Wolf

Being alone can be a scary thing for some people. However, for entrepreneurs and business owners, it can be a great opportunity to focus on your business and grow. When you’re surrounded by toxic people, it can be difficult to concentrate…

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Tuesdays with Morrie

“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote…

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Poem of the Lonely Man

Alone in his room, the man does sit No sound to be heard, no light to be lit He thinks of the past, the joys he once knew But now he’s alone, with nothing to do The world outside moves on…

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Apple Never Fall

“Apple never Fall” by Liane Moriarty is a gripping novel that delves deep into the dynamics of a family and their secrets. The book is set in Sydney, Australia, and follows the lives of four adult siblings – Stan, Amy, Brooke,…

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Its a family

Being in a family where you are loved by one parent but disliked by your siblings can be a deeply emotional experience. On one hand, the love and support from your mother can feel like a beacon of hope and a…

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Detachment

Remain in the world, act in the world,do whatsoever is needful, and yetremain transcendental, aloof,detached, a lotus flower in the pond. Osho, The Secret of Secrets

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Jai Hind !

“Carrying just a flag can make you a nationalist.But caring for the country’s people makes you a great citizen”

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Apr 18 2023

Tuesdays with Morrie

“So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they’re busy doing things they think are important. This is because they’re chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”

― Mitch Albom, Tuesdays with Morrie

Today’s Best deals on Amazon

The Stranger in the Lifeboat: By Mitch Albom

Today’s Best deals on Amazon The Stranger in the Lifeboat: A Gripping and Thought-Provoking Novel The Stranger in the Lifeboat is the latest novel by bestselling author Mitch Albom, who is known for his inspirational and uplifting stories. The book follows…

Keep reading

Show Me Your Way Out

Like a silkworm weaving her house with love from her marrow, and dying in her body’s threads winding tight, round and round, I burn desiring what the heart desires. Cut through, O Lord, my heart’s greed, and show me your way…

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Inner Peace

 “We laugh at the efforts of the musk deer to find the source of the scent which comes from itself and despair at our efforts to find the peace which is our essence.” — Ramakrishna Paramahans BORN as GADADHAR CHATTOPADHYAYA, (18 February 1836 –…

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सच कहूँ तो : An Autobiography

Beautifully penned if you read it without being judgemental In Sach Kahun Toh, actor Neena Gupta chronicles her extraordinary personal and professional journey-from her childhood days in Delhi’s Karol Bagh, through her time at the National School of Drama, to moving to…

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Task fo the day !

Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it. – Rumi

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Just make the Music

Nothing is written in stone. So don’t prepare yourself for a long and lucrative career. You might die tomorrow. Your gold holdings might become dust. Just make the music you want to make now and enjoy it. – Yoko Ono

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Faith

Faith is the strength by which a shattered world shall emerge into the light. – Helen Keller

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Parasailing Shots over South Goa

Goa offers parasailing on several beaches where you can enjoy the activity. Take proper precautions in order to ensure safety. Parasailing or para-ascending is an entertaining water sport with two significant instruments- parachute and speedboat. This sport is most prominent in…

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Kabir Vad, Bharuch

Watch Video Kabirwad is a famous place situated on an island in the middle of the river Narmada.It can be reached by boats which operate to and from the Shuklatirth Shiva temple. It is an incredible grove of a Banyan tree…

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God is Good !

All is well and everybody will recover soon. Thousands of people are recovering everyday. God is going to shower his blessings on everyone. People from all spheres are coming together and creating positivity. We have to spread the positive word all…

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Mission Life

My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humour, and some style. – Maya Angelou Maya Angelou (4 April, 1928 – 28 May, 2014) was an American…

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The Garbage Truck

One day, I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed…

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Feb 22 2023

Apple Never Fall

“Apple never Fall” by Liane Moriarty is a gripping novel that delves deep into the dynamics of a family and their secrets. The book is set in Sydney, Australia, and follows the lives of four adult siblings – Stan, Amy, Brooke, and Trent – and their parents, Joy and Stan Sr. The story begins with the disappearance of Joy, a retired figure skater, and how her absence affects the entire family.

Moriarty is a master at creating complex and flawed characters, and “Apple Never Fall” is no exception. Each of the siblings has their own secrets and issues, and the book explores how these secrets affect their relationships with one another and their parents. The author expertly weaves together the past and present, slowly revealing the family’s secrets and how they have impacted their lives.

One of the standout features of the book is the author’s ability to portray the intricacies of family relationships. The interactions between the siblings, their parents, and their significant others are incredibly realistic, and the tensions that arise feel raw and authentic. The novel highlights the idea that even those closest to us can keep secrets, and how those secrets can impact our lives in unexpected ways.

The pacing of the novel is slow but steady, with the tension building gradually as the story unfolds. Moriarty expertly drops hints and red herrings throughout the book, keeping the reader guessing until the very end. The writing style is engaging and descriptive, and the characters are well-rounded and relatable.

Overall, “Apple Never Fall” is a well-crafted family drama that explores the complexities of relationships and the secrets that can tear them apart. Moriarty’s writing style is engaging and descriptive, and the characters are well-developed and realistic. The slow and steady pacing may not be for everyone, but for those who enjoy a character-driven drama, this book is a must-read.

May 27 2022

The 2022 International Booker Prize winning book has been announced!

The winner of the 2022 International Booker Prize is Tomb of Sand, written by Geetanjali Shree and translated by Daisy Rockwell. 

Tomb of Sand is Geetanjali’s first novel to be published in the UK. It is also the first book originally written in any Indian language to win the prize, and the first novel translated from Hindi to be recognised by the Booker Prizes.

The novel is published by Tilted Axis Press, which was founded by Deborah Smith with her prize money from when she won the 2016 Man Booker International Prize for her translation of The Vegetarian by Korean author Han Kang.

Captivated by the power, the poignancy and the playfulness of ‘Tomb of Sand’, Geetanjali Shree’s polyphonic novel of identity and belonging, in Daisy Rockwell’s exuberant, coruscating translation. This is a luminous novel of India and partition, but one whose spellbinding brio and fierce compassion weaves youth and age, male and female, family and nation into a kaleidoscopic whole.

Geetanjali Shree is the author of three novels and several story collections, and her work has been translated into English, French, German, Serbian and Korean.

Shree was born in Mainpuri, India, in 1957. Tomb of Sand is the first of her books to be published in the UK. She has received and been shortlisted for a number of awards and fellowships, and currently lives in New Delhi.

TOMB OF SAND

Written by Geetanjali Shree and translated by Daisy Rockwell from Hindi. In northern India, an 80-year-old woman slips into a deep depression at the death of her husband, then resurfaces to gain a new, highly unconventional, lease of life. Original, engaging and funny, Tomb of Sand is also an urgent and timely protest against the destructive impact of borders.

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Mar 6 2021

The Tao of Travel: Enlightenments from Lives on the Road

“The wish to travel seems to me characteristically human: the desire to move, to satisfy your curiosity or ease your fears, to change the circumstances of your life, to be a stranger, to make a friend, to experience an exotic landscape, to risk the unknown..”

― Paul Theroux, The Tao of Travel: Enlightenments from Lives on the Road

Paul Edward Theroux is an American travel writer and novelist, whose best known work is The Great Railway Bazaar (1975), a travelogue about a trip he made by train from Great Britain through Western and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, through South Asia, then South-East Asia, up through East Asia, as far east as Japan, and then back across Russia to his point of origin. 
Feb 14 2021

Valentines Evening

May Your love for me be
like
the scent of the evening sea

drifting in
through a quiet window

so I do not have to run
or chase or fall
… to feel You

all I have to do
is
breathe.

Sanober Khan, from book – A Thousand Flamingos

Sanober Khan is a Mumbai-based poet and freelance writer. Her work has been published in various journals, including the Taj Mahal Review and the First Literary Review-East. In 2012, her first book “A touch, a tear, a tempest’ was shortlisted for the Muse India National Literary Awards. She enjoys reading poetry from around the globe as much as she enjoys writing them.