How many of us could ever think of reading/following “ZEN” path in life (a term small in size but quite heavy in real means) led by a well-known Swamiji (a best-selling book author as well) in a very lucid & subtle tone inclusive of pinch of humour in between lines? JUST UNIMAGINABLE RIGHT!
“MIND FULL TO MINDFUL – ZEN WISDOM FROM A MONK’S BOWL” by OM SWAMI who’s a mystic residing in the Himalayan foothills & also the author of the best-selling book “If truth be told: A Monk’s Memoir” 2014.
MIND FULL TO MINDFUL shows us the art of attaining the inner quietude without rituals/dogma. A beautiful book offering a life-changing perspective on life itself based on original Zen teachings. Om Swami shares with us the art of happiness with plenty of humour, stories & wisdom as he takes us on a journey from being mind full to mindful.
Now coming to the positive aspects (Personal opinion)-
• Usage of lucid & understandable & modernized tone of language (both English and Sanskrit) which will attract a greater no. of audience insignificant of age groups.
• Sanskrit mantras added special effects providing with a spiritual feel to its audience like – “OM GATE PARAGATE SAMGATE BODHI SVAHA”
• Guided way that how to practice Zazen & rest of its forms like wall gazing, Kinhin, Chado along with their historical & practical evidence which can be followed in day-to-day life
• Whole book divided into short & crisp chapters(five broad headings divided into 4 sub headings each) along with usage of meditation cartoons, quotes & paraphrases which is more engaging for readers
For example – “They looked at the calm and radiance on Buddha’s face and
couldn’t help but talk to him.
‘Are you God?’ They asked.
‘No,’ replied Buddha.
‘Are you a celestial being?’
‘No.’
‘Who are you then?’
‘I am awake.”
• Each and everything is so well explained along with the usage of vivid examples which adds a imagery effect to readers and is impactful like in the chapter of Osoji an example is mentioned- “Once they got together and asked the flute, ‘What is so special about you that Krishna plays you with his lips while he rarely ever touches us?’ ‘I am always empty,’ the flute replied
I would highly recommend this book to all the teenagers, young adults who may haven’t come across any such book like Gita and audience from any socio-cultural, educational bg or from any age grp should go through this 156 pgs short non-fictional spiritual journey atleast once in life-time & gain a clearance of mind & soul along with a peaceful way of living through ZEN.
I would like to rate it 4.5/5 for its writing style,plot & relevance.
Happy reading ❤🤞

Sudha Murthy has carved her niche as a writer and philanthropist and impacted so many people that one can’t help but think this is her destiny — to changes lives with her stories and her work.
Three Thousand Stitches is a collection of short stories from her life experiences. Just like all her other books, it is written in her simple and down-to-earth style. Her stories are easy to read, relatable, and lay bare the lovely lives of ordinary people doing extraordinary things in a largely middle-class South India.
The first story in this book is about her work to uplift the devadasis in northern Karnataka as part of the Infosys Foundation. The story ends with a gift. An embroidered bedspread handmade by the devadasis for Sudha Murthy. It has three thousand stitches because all of them wanted to have a hand in it. The lovingly handmade bedspread is a testimony to the impact Sudha Murthy has had on their lives. I’ve read this story 3–4 times and this part always brings me to tears. Simple gestures like this make all the effort worth it. One must read this book just for this story — a warmly goosebumpy narration.

Then there is this story about her travels. She talks about how she finds Indian influences in a lot of places — about hearing Tuj Mein Rab Dikhta Hai in Uzbekistan to seeing photos of Shah Rukh Khan in Switzerland to drinking something called Piggy Chops (named after Priyanka Chopra) in West Hollywood. Sudha Murthy talks about these experiences with such joy that you feel your own patriotic spirit oozing out. She states these things simply, but the pride is palpable. That’s the gift of her writing skill — the ability to make us feel deeply.
One of my favorite stories in this book is called Three Handfuls of Water. It is a warm and endearing tale that takes us through Sudha Murthy’s life as a child as she hears about the specialty of Kashi from her grandparents. It was wonderful to learn about Kashi through the eyes of her grandparents.
Years later, when she has a chance to visit Kashi, she decides to give up all forms of materialistic shopping. I found this story very inspiring. To give up shopping in this day and age is a feat of superhuman strength. Sudha Murthy is such a shining example of how to live a meaningful life.
Every single story in Three Thousand Stitches stands out for its simplistic style of narration. Nothing over the top. Yet, each made me smile and tear up in equal measure.
Everyone must read Three Thousand Stitches and several of her other books as well. Her books will give you a sense of pride about our country and our culture, and teach us a thing or two about tiny things that we may have never noticed by ourselves.

Verity is dark, twisted and disturbing, yet a terrific page turner.
It’s the story of Lowen Ashleigh, a small time author who has run out of money following her mother’s cancer treatment. Lowen’s literary agent Corey, who was also her ex, brings her an unusual offer – an offer to complete three books in the Virtue series of the best selling author, Verity Crawford.

As luck would have it, Lowen meets Jeremy Crawford, Verity’s husband, by accident, even before she meets him for the publishers meeting. Initially, Lowen has her own doubts, but Jeremy convinces her that she can do it. Lowen is also desperately in need of money, and has been evicted from her rented apart ment. So she gets invited to stay over at the Crawford’s house, a big sprawling property overseeing a lake, to go over Verity’s office and plan the outlines for the forthcoming novels.

As Lowen starts living in their house, she learns about the tragedies this family has gone through. They have recently lost their twin girls, and now Verity is indisposed following a car wreck. Crew, their five year old boy, seems to be the only thing that brings life to the house.

While going through Verity’s work, Lowen finds a secret autobiography written by Verity, and she can’t resist the temptation of reading it, convincing herself that she will be better able to understand how Verity’s mind works, which will help her complete the remaining novels in the series.

However, the autobiography turns out to be a dark, twisted and sordid tale, and Lowen begins questioning everything that is happening around her. At the same time, she begins noticing weird things in the house that Jeremy doesn’t seem to notice at all.

The story flits between Lowen’s POV and the chapters between Verity’s autobiography. The description keeps us hooked and tense throughout as we keep wondering what exactly happened. The language is lucid and flowing, yet simple. At one point I sort of predicted the end, but I was wrong. So the twist at the end was definitely a surprise for me.

There are some very sensitive and graphic scenes described, so the reader has to be mentally prepared to read it. And there is lots and lots of sex. Some of which, I felt, was unnecessary, and distracting. Some part seemed a bit stretched, slightly unbelievable, but still it takes the story forward.

But over all, I loved this edge of the seat gripping tale. It kept me awake till I had read the last word. I rate it 3.5 stars.

A beautiful mess of a tale of a life lived by many seldom truly understood.
This book makes the reader feel soo many emotions, at first glance it might seem like those conventional books with the overused plots but oh boy could you be proven wrong.
Before going on further with the review from my perspective, here’s the plot to compliment my review as well as make it easier to understand. Lily is a young and ambitious woman who is also very attractive, she was born and raised in a very toxic environment wherein her father used to physically hurt her mother. All her life she used despise her mother for staying with such a monster and made sure that she never gets in such a horrible situation herself. In the beginning, she meets Ryle and their chemistry is undeniably amazing from the get go. But as one dives deep into the book, we get introduced to Lily’s first love and a scary plot twist occurs which changes the entire course of this beautifully executed story.
Now as for my review, what can I say? I haven’t ever read a book that gave me moments of laughter, agony, sadness and frustration all together. This book just moves you, it really teaches you how society often blame the victim and ignore the inhumane deeds of the offender. It sheds light on the very real issues of society, it shows the pain of separation and it lends us a light of freedom. It feels as if one is living in that story, all the characters are soo down to earth and real, everything in the book fits perfectly from the beginning to the end.
Speaking of the end, there hasn’t been such a satisfactory ending in any of the books I have read or skimmed through before. My expression as I read the last lines of this book was unmistakably a wide smile. I think the ending is what made me love the book the most. I also love how Lily grew throughout the story and it didn’t once feel forced or out of sorts. She learned to accept her past, present and undeniably herself.
This book is a definate read for anyone with a heartbeat, don’t take it from me, take it from Kami Garcia, another impressive author.
Happy Reading :))

A powerful piece by Arundhati Roy I have completed just now. I am amazed how the story about culture, separation, casteism, agony, loss, corruption lust can be woven in one powerful piece. She has done it with utter amazement. Powerful phrases

•things can change in a day,
•I’ll go when the rain stops,( a metaphor with reality)
•if there is shit around, there has to be a pony somewhere,
•Learned to wait, to watch, to think thoughts and not voice them,
•things can spread just like a gossips in a small town of Ayemenem in Kerela.
A lady is judged by everyone for her choices and being reminded that she is without husband and her kids are orphan no matter how independent she is. Society is infested with such shit around.

And of course blood isn’t visible on a black skin. Similarly the words he borne on him aren’t.
Such a revolutionary poetically written book.

It has been narrated by the point of two kids Esthapen and Rahel about the family disputes and repercussions of the choices made and it has a ‘one of a kind’ poetic manner in which it is written…

Stars 4.5/5

Can you craft something very sad in little less sad without removing a real essence of sadness?