RADHIKA JINDAL

Book: NO SHADOW WITHOUT LIGHT

Publisher: The Write Place

Author: Luke Gracias

Genre: Historical Fiction

Pages: 368

Rating: 4*/5

Reading Time for the blog: 3 minutes

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Paperback 

BOOK REVIEW:

The book is a work of historical fiction. It is the second book in the series as much as I could relate to the storylines. Not being read the first one truly makes a void that the author has tried to fill by writing a short version of the first book in this one.

A treasure hunt for the twelve missing pages containing the devil’s prayer starts for the elimination of the population. Characters in the story are Jess, Luca, Siobhan, and the red monks. The story starts pretty slow, but when it picks up; the speed made it interesting for me. A lot of twist and turns awaits in the path for Siobhan and Lucas.

Siobhan and Jess, both sisters of the devil's offspring, try to get their hands on the missing treasure, but one is the guiding light fighting for humanity and one is giving her all for the destruction of humanity. The picture in between makes the reading refreshing and interesting.

Lucas, a police officer, finds his friend in a bizarre situation where his legs and hands are seized. something is written on his body with a language long forgotten. He tries to find answers to all these while crossing the path with Siobhan. What will happen now? Is love about to bloom in both of their destiny? Will they ever find the missing pages? Who will find it first less or Siobhan?

Too many questions with a lot of twists and turns to keep the readers engaged. Language is lucid and simple. Every detailed explanation of the historical relics blew my mind away.

A few of the quotes I liked are " social media has taught us that people will believe what they want to believe "

Meaning, social media is easy to access to viral anything in our brain, as always it has both positive and negative sides of society but mostly it's used for the negative sides, and blindly following social media most of the time leads to miscommunication and crimes.

Social media is like a virus nowadays. People find facts to justify their narrative, which might not even be true. The author has talked about a lot of things in the author's note, which most of the readers skip, but we should read this one. Topics like - carbon dioxide, fossils, social media, hope, Noah's ark, mother earth, population, and deforestation should talk about openly and positively, and we should take steps in the direction to make it better. Survival of the fetus is the best example which suits the story too. Forests are the lungs of the earth - deforestation because of urbanization is the worst as they are home to a lot of endangered species- species that are likely to become extinct soon either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction, Because of overpopulation other species in our planet is going in danger which should be an alert sign to all of us.

"Protect the planet you are born on "- I agree with this completely as mother earth gives us so many things to count - water shelter, food, fuel, etc. It's our job to protect these for our and our future generations. Because of deforestation, the level of oxygen is going low, co2 rises to make a hole in the ozone layer.

There are many endangered species like - the giant panda, Amur leopard, tiger, Geer lions, Javan rhinoceros, koala, etc. fossils - footprints/ imprints found of the animals before us in the ground's depth.

As the title suggests - there is no shadow without light, which I find quite fitting to the story as Siobhan is the light and her sister Jess is the darkness.

Kindly let me know what are you currently reading now?

Check out another book DEV’S LETTERS TO HIS TEACHERS - A kid with an attitude of gratitude DEV’S LETTERS TO HISTEACHERS - A kid with an attitude of gratitude

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Image Courtsey: Pixabay.com

5 Tips for a Fresh Start in the New Year 2023

Undoubtedly, we all go through difficulties in life. But always remember that we have one life to live and we should try to live in the best way possible. Covid-19 times taught us a lot of things unexpectedly, which shows that life is unpredictable. We can only try our best way possible to live happily and healthily.

For me, the first half year was exciting as my book “The Essence of Motherhood” got published in January, received a sympathetic response, and got featured in online newspapers, etc. But the second half year went in more of self-realization and in trying to conceive a second child. So, I had a lot of visits to the doctor and tried to follow a fitness routine, etc. Meanwhile, I also realized that I am grateful for so many people in my life who supported me all the time. There’s always something around that we’re grateful but in the hustle and bustle of life, we rarely notice that.

Here’re a few tips I would like to share with you on “How can you start afresh the new year 2023” positively.

5 Tips for a Fresh Start in the New Year 2023

1.   Be Grateful

Gratefulness is something that should come from within. Believe me, we all have something to be grateful for. We just need to learn to appreciate our daily life. Everyone has a story and a past to talk about, but it depends ever on the day we react to it. So, let’s try ‘being grateful’ every day for everything by writing or reading gratitude affirmations.

For eg.

•  I am grateful for my family, friends, and relatives.
• I am grateful to God
• I am grateful for this new day.
• I am grateful for another chance to live my life.

2.    Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is paying attention to a particular thing with no judgment. It helps you to stay focused and concentrate only on the moment. Be mindful while you’re eating and pay full attention to the food, the texture, the taste, etc. Same as if you’re playing with the kid. Try giving full attention to the kid etc. same goes for the work. Don’t merge two things together.,

3.  Set S.M.A.R.T Goals

Having a goal plays a crucial role in personal and professional development. 

S: Specific

M: Measurable

A: Attainable

R: Realistic

T: Time-bound

It simply means whether your goal is personal or professional or both. We should set it with real deadlines, trackable, quite possible, and real. You can start by setting a small goal based on the day, quarterly, or yearly, etc. Let’s do this in the upcoming new year 2023.

4.   Plan and Schedule

As mentioned in the above points, you should have a goal. After that, planning is equally important in how you are going to lead it.

Without planning and proper scheduling, you won’t be able to achieve your target. Though you can try out some planners here and check what’s working the best for you. Remember, it’s about you and your life.

5. Move On…!

One thing we should learn from the clock is that “it keeps moving on”. Whether it’s the morning, the afternoon, the night, etc. it doesn’t stop for anyone. Then why do we?

Let’s take a pause for some time from everything and relax, but then let’s start afresh with new hopes, new plans, and fresh memories.

So, today is the first day of the year 2023. Allow yourself to welcome the new year with new hopes and new opportunities.

Here’re a few positive affirmations to welcome the new year.

1.    I am worthy of a successful year ahead.

2.    I am entering the near year with an open heart and an open mind.

3.    I am healthy and full of energy.

4.    I am making myself a priority this year.

5.    I promise to be healthier, happier, and wiser.

I would like to know what are your affirmations for the new year. In what ways are you trying to keep yourself positive? Kindly comment in the box below… This blog post is part of the Let's Say Hello 2023 Blogging Activity hosted by Swarnali Nath 

Check out my other blog 

Book: DEV’S LETTERS TO HIS TEACHERS - A kid with an attitude of gratitude

Publisher: Storymirror

Author: Charul Vikamsey

Genre: Non-fiction (Self-Help), Children's book (for the age 6 to 10 years)

Pages: 57

Rating: 4*/5

Reading Time for the blog: 3 minutes

Order your copy here:

Paperback  

 Q. Do you want your kids to practice gratitude?

About The Author: Charul Vikamsey

Charul Vikamsey, with a Master’s Degree in Clinical Research, always had a bent towards teaching as a profession which she rightly took at several stages in her life. She is deeply spiritual and believes in ethics, love, and karma. Along with shouldering family responsibilities, she also follows self-grooming activities involving both physical and mental well-being. 

About The Book:

The book is about a schoolboy, Dev, who has written gratitude letters to his class teachers during the Covid-19 times. The boy has written heartfelt letters in simple language just to appreciate the efforts put in by all the subject teachers. The letters are written to English Teacher, Art Teacher, Math Teacher, Science Teacher, and Hindi Teacher. 

A teacher doesn’t help the kids only to grow professionally; but also enhances their personality as human beings. The kids spend most of their time in school with the teachers. Though teachers play a crucial role in shaping their both inner and outer personalities. Undoubtedly, a teacher knows what’s best for the kid and what are actually their strength and weakness. Being a parent myself, I think I know my child the best, but actually not really. There are a few teachers who’re equally helping us and our kids in shaping their future.

Who is the book for?

The book is not only strict to the teachers but to anyone who appreciates life and is grateful to whomsoever they meet and teach them something. But definitely a pickup for any school-going kid, especially for kids aged between 5 years to 10 years.

Why should you read it?

This is a quick read that conveys a deep message, i.e. ‘An attitude of gratitude”, says the author Charul Vikasmey. The writing style is lucid. Gratitude is something that should come from within. We should try inculcating this habit in our kids from a young age. It makes me wonder how kids can express their feelings and appreciate the efforts put in by all the subject teachers if given a chance. Charul has ensured that kids practice gratitude activities in their everyday life and inculcate a few habits like reading, communication, and physical activities. You can expect a few gratitude activities in the book to feel more content. 

I highly recommended the book for any school-going kid learning what gratitude really is. It would be more appreciated if the author can come up with more gratitude-filled activities for the kids that would help them understand better.

Qotd: Kindly mention in the comment box below, how are you teaching gratitude to your kids in their daily routine?

 So, what’re You Waiting For?

Grab the book now. 

Check out another detailed book review: LIVE SMART- 100 hacks for a healthier and happier life

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Book: LIVE SMART- 100 hacks for a healthier and happier life

Publisher: Harpercollins

Author: Teja lele

Genre: Non-fiction (Self-Help)

Pages: 245

Rating: 4*/5

Reading Time for the blog: 3 minutes

Order your copy here:

Paperback  

 Q. Do you want to live smartly?

Q. Are you looking for practical ways to organize your daily life?

About The Author: Teja Lele

 Teja Lele changed twelve schools in as many years, and credits her adaptability to her army-brat upbringing. Inspired by The Fountainhead, she trained as an architect but soon realized her building blocks were words and sentences, not bricks and concrete. An editor for twenty years, she has been DIYing ever since she discovered the joy of making over and upcycling. She loves to read, watch crime on the telly, and believes the best stories are found between the pages of a passport.

About The Book:

The book divides into 5 sections.

1.    Home - You can expect a lot of DIY hacks in the home like cleaning the AC filter, replacing a light switch, making the laundry powder, or fixing a flat tire, etc. 

2.             Food and Kitchen - This is one of my favourites as I spend my most of the day in the kitchen. DIY hacks are like how to make homemade mayonnaise, reuse old bread, how to purify water, how to grow micro greens and clear a blocked sink, etc.

3.             Beauty - Those who have skin allergies and don’t use products full of chemicals. I am sure, one will surely fall in love with these DIY hacks. These are easy to make and to use. A few of the hacks are how to make natural eye shadow, making a homemade shampoo by using products like reetha, amla, and shikakai, etc, making know making natural toothpaste, and many more. One must pick up the book now to know making more homemade products that are pure.

4.             Health and well-being - It is rightly said that health is wealth. One can’t live a happy life if the health is not well. Though the author has put in her best efforts in giving suggestions for basic hacks that are beneficial in the long run. 

5.             Reuse and Recycle - We all are aware of how much we have affected our environment. People are becoming smarter and saying ‘NO’ to plastic. One must follow these tricks to save our environment. You can find out more about it on page no. 207 in the book. 

Why should you read it?

If you follow all the DIYs mentioned in the book, will make you feel confident. It’ll boost your confidence like anything. The author has put in her best efforts to make us learn “the ethics of self-sufficiency”. All the mentioned DIYs are easy to follow and explained in simple language. Some I loved, and I am definitely gonna try to follow them myself. I hope the author will come soon with part 2 of the book with more DIYs hacks that are useful in our daily routine. 

We all know how covid time has taught us a valuable lesson. We all tried to become the better version of ourselves. I am sure, via this book, more and more people are going to feel self-confident when they will follow these basic DIYs.

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 So, what’re You Waiting For?

Grab the book now. 

Check out another detailed book review: Tiny Habits Massive Result by Jaishree

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Book: TINY HABITS MASSIVE RESULTS

Publisher: Bluerose

Author: Jaishree Nenwani

Genre: Non-fiction (Self-Help)

Pages: 161

Rating: 4*/5

Reading Time for the blog: 3 minutes

Order your copy here:

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Kindle

 Q. Do you want to know how to form a habit?

Q. Are you looking for Self-Transformation?

If the answer is Yes! Keep continuing scrolling down.

About The Author: Jaishree Nenwani

Jaishree is a millennial blogger curating inspired wisdom that guides people to go deep and make a shift in their thoughts. She is passionate about journaling and loves to share wisdom and journaling tools that invoke deeper authenticity and Personal transformation.

On her blog (https://getsethappy.com) she writes about Self improvement, Personal growth, and ways to become happier in your life.

About The Book

There are 7 (plus a pro-habit) tiny habits that have a powerful impact on our daily life. The habits are like letting go, meditation, practicing mindfulness, how waking up a little early impacts our life, Taking a break, making decisions Journaling, etc.

The best thing about the book is, the author has put in her best efforts in explaining the pros and cons of creating a habit. It depends on us how much we involve ourselves in it. Facing difficulties is a part of life, but we should know the right way to tackle them. The author has suggested a lot of ways to forget your bitter past, practicing mindfulness (living in the present), letting it go, and whatnot. 

The pandemic 2020 taught us many things in life which we took granted for. This helped us realize how the smallest things play an important role, like saying ‘Thank You, being grateful, appreciating yourself, taking a break, etc. It’ll make things better and save us from doing any harm to ourselves. 

Why should you read it?

Do you want to know what it takes to form a habit? You can expect a lot of guidance on how to add positivity to your daily life routine, and what all practices are to be followed to create a habit. The book will not only get you to think but also push you to take some action.

Learning From The Book 

·       Take out some time to practice gratitude journaling.

·       Practice Mindfulness and try to focus on the present moment to achieve the best

·       It’s important to declutter your mind to start a new life.

The author has strongly mentioned the two habits that play a crucial role. One is Meditation and the other is Journaling. it helps in mastering your thoughts and emotions. So, what’re you waiting for? Grab your copy now and start working towards creating new habits.

This is an inspiring book for personal development. You must check out this book whenever you feel stuck in your life and start reading any chapter of the book. It’ll push you to be calmer with yourself and your surroundings. The book will help you become a better you and how can you practice that in your daily routine?

The author has strongly mentioned the two habits that play a crucial role. One is Meditation and the other is Journaling. it helps in mastering your thoughts and emotions. So, what’re you waiting for? Grab your copy now to find the pro-habit and start working towards performing it in a better way.

Check out another detailed book review: The Kintsugi Moms - Transformative Insights from a Healer’s Diary

Check out another detailed book review: The Essence of Motherhood by Radhika Jindal

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The Kintsugi Moms - Transformative Insights from a Healer’s Diary

Book: The Kintsugi Moms - Transformative Insights from a Healer’s Diary

Publisher: Hay House India

Author: Dr. Haseena Chokkiyil

Genre: Non-fiction (Self-Help & Personal Growth)

Pages: 226

Rating: 4.5*/5

Reading Time for the blog: 3 minutes

Order your copy here:

Paperback  

 Q. Do you want to know how you can heal yourself from physical ,mental or psychosomatic challenges?

Q. Are you looking for Self-Transformation?

Q. Are you  struggling with bitter life experiences in your past and want to rebuild “A NEW YOU”?

If the answer to any or all of these questions is, Yes, then we’re here with the right book by the author Dr. Haseena Chokkiyil

Why Did I Choose This Book? 

I am in touch with Dr. Haseena  for a long time now. I knew she was writing her masterpiece and was eagerly waiting for the book to be launched since 2 years. The book cover caught my attention along with the catchy title “The Kintsugi Moms. The word Kintsugi is a Japanese word which means “The art of putting  broken pieces back together with gold and lacquer” thus making the object more strong and beautiful than its previous state.The very concept intrigued me and kindled my curiosity to know more of what is inside the book.

 About The Author: Dr. Haseena Chokkiyil

Dr.Haseena Chokkiyil is a holistic healer with over twenty-five years of experience in the field. Apart from being a graduate in homeopathic medicine and a globally licensed  Heal Your Life workshop facilitator,she is also a clinical nutritionist and psychological counselor. Being a single mom herself who conquered Addison’s disease and cancer with the same tools she trained herself into, she truly leads by example. Presently, she is working as the chief medical officer at a homeopathic hospital in Kerala, India. Our first Miss.Universe from India  Ms.Sushmita Sen who is a proud single mom and a phenomenon in herself has been a great inspiration for the author in her healing journey.

About The Book:

 The book is an anthology of 8 single moms’ healing journeys who were dilapidated in myriad ways to begin with.

In the first part of the book,  the author has vividly depicted the lives of those warrior moms, the ways they transformed from brokenness to the best possible versions of themselves. The real-life stories based on true events explains in detail how everything in life can go for a toss within the blink of an eye and break you into bits and pieces and  how  one can  get healed  and transformed with the holistic healing tools advocated by the author. Any cracks in your life can be  mended and made into adornments to be proud of. The protagonists talk about stress, anxiety, loneliness and depression, the negative vibes, and how helpless they felt when unexpected tragedies happened to them.

The second part of the book, discusses about  the healing tools the author implemented in her clientele with phenomenal success.The possibilities of holistic healing modalities like Homoeopathy and other mind body healing techniques like the practice of affirmations and visualization, mirror work,gratitude journaling, right  diet plan,exercise and regimen ,are dealt with in such simple language that even a person with little knowledge of the English language and medicine can assimilate and apply for radical healing of any health challenge.

Some of the techniques like, the Ho’oponopono technique, Inner child meditation, and the forgiveness exercises seemed very interesting.

 Who the Book Is For?

•   Though the protagonists in the book happen to be Single Moms,the tools and techniques for total healing mentioned in the book are applicable to anyone in search for a radical change in life.
•   For those who are struggling to connect with themselves
•   For those who are looking to heal themselves
•   For those who want to extricate from habitual patterns of living and transform.
•   For those looking for a change in their mindset. 

  Learning From The Book: 

·      No challenge in life is insurmountable provided you have the right guidance.

·      Take out some time to practice self love.

·      Walk your unique path, the path that’s only yours to travel.

·      Find your true calling.

“This is such an inspirational book for every one,not necessarily  single moms who are looking for self-transformation. The book helps in enhancing both your inner and outer personality.

These moms’ stories have proved that everything is possible with the right approach and under expert guidance.  The writing style is lucid, and so much relatable. 

“Being a mother myself, I could relate to other moms’ feelings when it comes to their kids.  I am thankful to my kid for allowing me to nurture her.” I highly recommend  this book to every woman who needs a healing and apply the techniques outlined in throughout the book to create the life of your dreams.

A few lines from the book

• “Loving yourself is the most important kind of love. We all need to be very clear that the love in our lives begins with us.”

 Note:  The author concludes the book with an inspirational message.That  being a  mother is a woman's greatest strength . Once she realizes her true potential, she becomes insurmountable and undefeatable. I would like to request the author to write something for stay-at-home moms like me as well in future, as this is also a community of women who are many a time undervalued, and  taken for granted by the world at large.

 So, what’re you waiting for?

Grab your copy now

Check out another detailed book review: The Essence of Motherhood by Radhika Jindal

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Dr. Haseena Chokkiyil’s Website