Tag: Book

Posted in My life, Random Thoughts, Published

Rating 7D: Tales from the Future

Posted on by Shaily Agrawal

Okay! I know I sound desperate right now, but I am beginning to wonder if the Rating feature in WordPress works at all. I added this feature alongside my book links many days back, but I see no ratings so far. It could be because nobody read my books or rated them, but still, I would like to confirm.

So, if you have read my book 7D: Tales from the Future or read the following stories on my blog, please try rating the book and adding comments in this link: Free Books by Shaily.

Any comment or rating are welcome, even negative ones. I am still learning how to write stories. So, if you didn’t like anything about the stories or writing style, let me know so that I can learn to write better.

Thanks for sticking along all the way!

Posted in Published

New Book | 7D: Tales from the Future

Posted on by Shaily Agrawal

My new short-stories compilation is ready.

7D: Tales from the Future

This book is a compilation of five science-fiction short stories. You can download the PDF version for free here: Books by Shaily.

You will also find my other two short-stories compilation in the same place: The Forest Bed and The Bracelet.

Please go ahead and download. Also, leave ratings and comments—positive or negative, all feedback is welcome.

Please reblog and share across the blogging community. Afterall, books are meant to be read!

If you wish for an epub file instead, leave a comment here or on the Free Books page and I will connect with you.

Posted in Random Thoughts

A Recovering Book-junkie: Relapse

Posted on by Shaily Agrawal

A few months back, I wrote about how, last winter, I started on a crazy reading schedule and couldn’t stop myself until, finally, I put my foot (read ‘book’) down. I deleted Kindle and Google Book apps from my phone and limited my time on Project Gutenberg. Since then I was following a sustainable speed of one book a month so that I could spend time with my daughter.

Last month, I decided to read something lighter and downloaded Google Books again. As it happens with all libraries that do not solely contain classics, I had a few hit and miss cases, which meant that I was reading books I didn’t like and then moving on to the next one to “wash out the taste from my mouth”. I read two short stories and two book samples before settling on a series which was interesting. It was four book combo and I read it in three days. Then, I realised that I really like it and read it again a little slowly. And now I am reading it for the third time to understand how the writer has done the charater study. And I am halfway through again.

That’s 10 books in 10 days. Since I work part-time during days and am full-time mother, needless to say I am sleeping…two-three hours a day. And I can see the dark bags under my eyes and irritation seeping in and I have that craving to go back to the book again.

I relapsed.

This morning, I decided to take a step back and see where it was taking me. I have a pounding headache–the kind associated with hangover after heavy partying. I have had it for the last one month.

I haven’t combed my hair in three days and hadn’t offered my daily prayers. I hadn’t talked to anyone outside work, not even my mother. I haven’t posted in the past two months. While first month was excusable due to my daughters exams and bad health and my work pressure, second one wasn’t.

My house has clothes littered all over the place. The kitchen is a mess because I am not even helping with the minimal household chores that I usually do before I start office work. My mom-in-law hasn’t said a thing and it makes me more ashamed than any kind of reprimand.

Until yesterday, I didn’t know what my daughter ate for lunch. My sister-in-law has been feeding her, assuming I was busy with office work. I don’t what my daughter had been studying lately and whether she had finished her homework, and I hadn’t played with her all month.

I am ashamed and yet the craving of going back to my book is overwhelming. I have to stop it here and now. So, I am starting today.

I spent my time after office by gossipping with my mom-in-law while helping in kitchen a bit. I came back to help my daughter with her homework. She was delighted and ready to forgive and forget.

I still have the headache and am sleepy and a little dizzy. But I think I will be able to contain the damage to my health in a couple of days. Damage to my reputation amongst family and friends, not sure. I haven’t wished Happy Birthday to a bunch of them and almost missed my husband’s birthday, my brother-in-law’s anniversary which are both in a couple of days.

I also missed out wishing everyone on Christmas. Apologies! I hope you got what you asked Santa for 😊 Happy Holidays everyone! I wish we will all be able to keep our new year resolutions.

Mine is to contain my book enthusiasm to one book a month. Wish me luck!

And what’s yours?

Posted in Book Review

Book Review: Jane Eyre

Posted on by Shaily Agrawal

Ever since my “book-rehab” started, I have stuck to one book in a month. This is the one I chose this month–Jane Eyre. Being a classic, it needs no introduction, I believe. However, I can’t stop myself from from sharing.

When I had first read an abridged version of the book (part of school studies) as a teenager, I had found it unremarkable. The plot wasn’t grand and could be summed up in 3-4 lines. The abridged version had truly killed the very soul of the book and my teacher never tried to explain the context of the British society in 19th century. She also did not share the finer points of the book that made it a classic.

I am able to understand them now, a bit at least.

And I loved it this time.

This book is the most comprehensive character study I have come across so far. The best part is that it clarifies character through actions devoid of any emotions on the part of the observer. I specially loved the character study of Miss Ingram.

Living in a society which abhors physical imperfections, both the protagonists are unremarkable to look at. The book discusses their different ways to deal with their imperfections–Jane tries to be invisible, while Mr. Rochester tries to cover himself with power and money.

The book also has a religious theme. The book questions several religious rules and discusses the dilemma about things that are ethical but feel unjust. It also talks about religious people and how everyone interprets it differently based on their interests. While Mr. Broklehurst uses it as a tool to reduce expenses at school but not at home, St. John uses it to move people to serve God, whether or not they want to do it. The book also tries to distinguish a good man from a good husband.

The only thing I did not like was how the book presents India and Indians. The author made the heat sound like going to hell. ☺️ But then, I guess, I would consider moving to Britain as equivalent of moving into a refrigerator, so we are even. 🤣🤣🤣

Overall the book is beautiful because it goes against the social norm of that time which involved writing about beautiful heroine meeting a handsome hero. Also, the protagonists here love to get on eachother’s nerves and their love is more intellectual than sensual. This book is meant to be read at leisure, not to win a read-athon but to actually enjoy what you read and savour it daily.

Have you read Jane Eyre yet? What do you think of it?

If not, you can find it on Project Gutenberg website for free: Link

Posted in Book Review

Book Review: The Eyes Have It

Posted on by Shaily Agrawal

What happens when you realise that world is invaded by an alien species that can detach its body parts at will…and the government is trying to cover it up?

Please! Please! Please! Read this book–it is a short story no more than 10 minutes (A 3-minute read for me) but it had me rolling on the floor laughing! It is available for free on Project Gutenberg Library. Here is the link:

https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/31516/pg31516-images.html

Posted in Book Review

Book Review: A Room with a View

Posted on by Shaily Agrawal

This book is one of the classics that don’t really need an introduction, but I read recently and I couldn’t help but appreciate it out loud.

A Room With A View by E. M. Forster is a book about a girl who has lived a very shielded life so far. So, when she travels to Italy with a chaperone, in absence of her mother, she begins to notice the world with a different perspective, and questions her hard-held beliefs from all her growing-up years so far. The book gives you an insight into a society where everyone single person is shades of gray.

Beautifully written from an innocent girl’s perspective, the book is worth reading next to a fire with a mug of hot chocolate in hand. I am doing that a second time now. 😊

You can find this book in Project Gutenberg Library. Here is the http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/2641

Posted in Book Review

Book Review | The Enchanted April

Posted on by Shaily Agrawal

Once again, I hit gold with Project Gutenberg online library. I found “The Enchanted April” by Elizabeth Von Arnim.

Disclaimer: It is not a book you would read in a readathon and enjoy. It is a lazy book to take on a long journey or may be daily commute for a month, or may be, to read by the bedside when you have time to introspect.

Set in 1922, a group of women–strangers to each other, totally different in ages and circumstances–hire a castle on a whim to get away from everything they considered as their lives. Starting with friction that often comes when a bunch of head-strong people are fitted together too close for comfort, it becomes a beautiful journey of finding oneself, and upon finding that, realising that forgiving oneself is the first true step to happiness.

This book is a window into the soul of all who feel unloved.

Enough said, you can find this book here: http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/16389

Let me know what you think.

Posted in Random Thoughts

Book Review: The Man-eater of Malgudi by RK Narayan

Posted on by Shaily Agrawal

As I have said earlier as well, I am no book reviewer but I have read some books that I would love to talk about. The Man-eater of Malgudi by R.K. Narayan needs no mention and is probably one of the most amazing books I have ever read.

When I first saw its title, I thought it was in the same league as Man-eaters of Kumaun by Jim Corbett–a story set in nature and a thriller that was so real-life, it gave you goosebumps. So, when I went through the first three pages, I was confused.

The story was set in a small town. The primary location was a printing press and the main protagonist, Nataraj, was the owner of the press living peacefully in a South-Indian village in the early days of printing. Life was slow and people had time for sitting down to have an actual chat about politics. It was not what I had expected. There was no talk of man-eating lions or tigers. So, I put the book away for the time-being and jumped to other books.

But it was R.K. Narayan’s book and I had seen a TV series based on one of his books as a child, so I decided to look at it again with a fresh perspective. And then, I realised it for the gem it was. It is a book about simple people and their interactions with an violent outsider. The story is humourous in a subtle way and very realistic. I smiled through the most of it because of the way Nataraj went out of his way to avoid a confrontation–it reminded me of myself! :)

I recommend this book to anyone who wishes to look closely into Indian culture and has a liking for realistic stories that take time to build characters.

Posted in Random Thoughts

Book Review: The Road to Farringale (Modern Magick #1)

Posted on by Shaily Agrawal

I am not a book-review person. I read for pleasure–critiquing requires a different mindset, which is for others. But once in a while you come across a book that leaves an impression and you just can’t leave without saying something to someone. And since you are here, you will have to bear with me. 🤣

So, I recently read a book, The Road to Farringale by Charlotte English. Actually, I have read it thrice during the past one year–it is that amazing! It takes a very fresh approach towards “Magick”. It is not a Harry Potter Oh-my-god-there-is-a-troll-in-the dungeons book.

It is a let’s-check-out-the-troll-colony book.

It has a humourous and unapologetic style. The main character is an acclaimed Magick scholar who is very ‘resourceful’. She is also slightly eccentric. And she “can’t find her way out of a bucket.” So, together with a new recruit to help her ‘find her way’, she sets out to save a couple of endangered magical creatures and comes across a much bigger problem.

After reading hundreds of books on magic, witches, werewolves and vampires, I have finally found a book that leaves an impression.

I found the book on Google Play. I believe it is also available on other platforms.

I also recommend the next book in the same Modern Magick series as well: Toil and Trouble. (Did you ever have book fall in love with you?)

Happy Reading!

Posted in My life, Published, Random Thoughts

Not A Lore | Short Stories Collection | Published

Posted on by Shaily Agrawal

As most of you would know, lately I had been working on my second short stories collection, Not a Lore: The Imperfect Tales. It is now published and available on Amazon as an eBook and a paperback (I recommend eBook since it is ecofriendly).

The cover page is designed by Manpreet Kaur who is a professional artist (@ammpryt on Instagram). Nishant Agrawal, Instructional Designer and short-stories aficionado like me, is the editor.

Not a Lore contains twelve quirky stories about curses that kill (or worse, make you to fall in love), monsters who aren’t all that bad and damsels that are better left alone with their distress. A mix of fresh tales and retelling, the compilation is all magic. Written from the point of view of one of the central characters, it is a celebration of my skewed perspective regarding all things magical and mundane.

Here is a short description of the stories in the collection.

  1. Not a Lore: A handsome prince sets upon a journey with his Squire to kiss a sleeping princess awake. But how will he get past the dragon? And would it be better to become dragon fodder instead?
  2. Ugly: A prince stuck as a toad forces a princess to help him lift the curse, but she would rather fry him alive. His only hope is a maid who doesn’t shriek at his sight.
  3. Captivated: A girl stuck on the top of the tower meets a handsome prince. He brings a fresh perspective while she persuades him that there is no need to run from the ‘witch’.
  4. The Doors: When a Fighter tooth fairy goes to explore the worlds behind the mysterious doors, her Spellman partner of 93 years decides to find her somehow.
  5. Barred: When the severed bull’s head guarding the door of a famous potion-bar stops a love‑struck wizard from entering and staring at the barmaid, they discuss the issue with surgical accuracy.
  6. Vivid: While restoring a cursed bracelet at a museum, the museum assistant shares the awe, love and agony of the first owner, as she finally realises why the bracelet was cursed.
  7. Muddled: A man wakes up in his bed groggy and confused and finds that someone else is now also living in his house. He is searching his memory as he walks down the steps.
  8. Late: On a full moon night, a young man stumbles upon a horrible secret in a dark alley and runs for his life. Unsure if it is a hallucination, he would rather not stop and confirm.
  9. Broken: A hunter recounts the tale of when he goes looking for a trophy head of a tiger and ends up falling in love completely beyond repair.
  10. The Far Door: A single woman moves into a new building to leave her past behind. Therein, she finds a door without a lock that she is forbidden to open. The story captures her fascination and fear wrapped around the unknown entity in the room behind the far door.
  11. A Matter of Chance: A new-age non-witch cooks a dumb cake on All-Hallows eve to see her future husband in the mirror. But now, she must wait for him to find her. If only he would acknowledge that she exists!
  12. The Scoop: When a famous news anchor decides to cover Cinderella’s ‘fairy connections’ with vengeance on mind, Cinderella didn’t stand a chance.

The e-book is now available on Amazon. To preview:

  1. Select this link: Not a Lore: The Imperfect Tales
  2. Select the Read Sample button.
  3. Scroll down to read the sample.

If you wish to buy the ebook, know that Amazon Kindle app can be installed on any device and not just Kindle Readers. (I had it on my Android phone. But my daughter forced me to delete it because it is addictive!)

Wish me luck. I will need loads of it. I have two requests.

  • If you think it is worth it, please share the link with others as well.
  • If you choose to buy, please leave reviews, good or bad. I am happy to learn from you.
  • Let me know what you think of the sample in the comments and if it needs improvement.

Thanks a lot! Looking forward to hearing from you all.