Book Review - To kill a mocking bird

I recently finished reading “To kill a Mocking bird” (50^th edition) by Harper Lee and the prompt for review has come just in time. Yes, it is astonishing that I had not read this book for so long. But even though they keep telling that don’t judge a book by its cover; I do so more often than not and end up delaying many reads like that.

When I began reading the book, I had to force myself to keep going. I was surprised that how people liked it. But when I shared my thoughts with others, many said that they felt the same thing and I must not give up.

The story revolves around an eight year old girl Scout and her brother Jem. Their obsession with a neighbor who never stepped out of his house was sometime hilarious, sometime boring. As the story goes along, the case of negro alleged for a rape evolves the characters and makes the story gripping.

The second half of the book is so gripping that it was tough for me to put down. A tale so innocent yet so profound, is a wonderful mix which rightly makes it a bestseller for many years.

My rating for book is 4 out of 5.

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Linking it to Write Tribe Festival of words Day 3 and the prompt today is Book review.

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here. 

Please take out time to read more about the featured blogger for the month of March "Aditi Kaushiva" here.

Also, check out the post by a non-blogger who penned down her feeling.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.

How I wished - 55 on friday

She wanted her family to understand. She was back from her husband’s home because her husband used to hit her. However, her family wasn’t ready to accept her again. They were scared that the society would talk about them.

How I wished I could show them the scars on her back and add some sense.

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This post is written for 55 on Friday - 2 on Write Tribe

Linking it to Tell a tale weekends on my blog.

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here. 

Please take out time to read more about the featured blogger for the month of February "Kathy Combs" here.

Also, check out the post by a non-blogger who penned down her feeling.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.

Better late than never

She was late. No, she was too late.

The conference had begun. The door squeaked slightly as she opened the back door in the auditorium. All eyes turned. “Damn! Why does the door have to have a problem only today?”

She quickly scanned the room for an empty seat and took the nearest keeping her eyes down. Seconds later, she mustered up the courage to look up only to meet a pair of eyes still staring at her. Her temporary Boss’s. He raised his arm and pointed towards his wrist, and his brand new Rolex.

“How I wish I could destroy his watch, no, I wish I could un-invent these watches altogether. I mean look at this little shitty things, strapped on your wrist like a rope around neck. All of us are running around these like slaves.” She thought.

A fresh set of presentations had just begun. She looked at them and wondered what was going on. It made no sense.

Her thoughts wandered to the conversation that  was likely post conference. “This boss is probably going to complain to the hiring agency about me. Why? Of course because of that damn watch.”

“Seriously, could someone please un-invent these watches? They are the most useless things I tell you. Imagine a world without these non-sensible things. There would be no alarms. Mom won’t wake me up every morning eight o clock. No boss would ever show me these expensive things. Friends would not call me every now and then and tell me how many minutes late I am. Wow! The world will be so much more peaceful… And Rolex, these big devils. They are like sharks of the watch industry. These men need their excuses to flaunt them. But frankly, they are the most hideous things I have seen. They are as big as a clock and all that gold and stones make it look like a handcuff. Like as if the wearer says that hey you! I have got all that gold, but I can’t put it anywhere so I put it in my watch.

Can we still not live with Sun dials? I mean look at them. They are simple things. They tell us day and night, time to work and time to sleep. How amazing it would be to announce – meeting will begin sharp at the moment sun is at our head. I will meet you as soon as I cannot see the sun… yeah this would be pretty cool. And all these powerful men. The world would be a step closer to equality with no one flaunting their little time machines. It would be just genius. I should get the government to ban further production of these silly minions of slave master time. ”

“Err! Yeah I am here.” The lights were on, and boss was calling her name and she jumped from her seat responding.

“What are you thinking Sanya?” boss fumed in anger.

“I was thinking about the watch… no sorry I mean about the presentation sir” she flushed.

“Watch? Were you thinking about my watch? You like it?” His anger seemed to be melting.

“Not exactly…” Sanya began, looking at his face she continued, “but your watch is quite nice sir. It is a limited edition if I am not wrong.”

“Oh yes. My brother in-law, you know him right? Well, he managed to get it for me in the bid. There are just twenty-five of these kinds. This belonged to Sir Alec, it was in the auction. I was lucky I got this.” He looked at his wrist proudly, his anger evaporated, so did the reason for the discussion.

Some Mr. Marini joined in. “Hey! Berkley, meet Sanya, my temporary assistant.” Boss beamed. “She loves watches. Can you believe it? And she has genuinely good knowledge of watches; she even knew mine is limited edition.” Boss continued happily.

“Oh yes! I love these things. I think watches are the greatest adventure. They help us record the most precious thing in this world, time. They help us make time our slaves. And Rolex, I think if other brands are the world, Rolex is God. It makes it’s man I believe.” She chipped in happily.

Mr. Marini seemed impressed. “I have been looking for an assistant. John, do you mind if I ask your temp to come join us?” Marini asked.

John seemed too happy to bother anything at the moment.

Marini took out his card and handed it to her. It was Sanya’s turn to get surprised. The card said, “Gian Marini, CEO Rolex inc.” 

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This post is written for the Project 365 program at We Post Daily aimed at posting at least once a day, based on the prompts provided. I am the guest author for the month of February. The prompt for today is Undo - If you could un-invent something, what would it be? Discuss why, potential repercussions, or a possible alternative.

Also linking it to Wednesday Prompt - 7 at Write Tribe and the prompt is s/he was too late.

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here. 

Please take out time to read more about the featured blogger for the month of February "Kathy Combs" here.

Also, check out the post by a non-blogger who penned down her feeling.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.

All characters in this post are fictitious. Image source - Google.

How do I tell her about you?

He cleared his throat before he began and she knew that she wasn’t prepared to hear it.

“Don’t say a word” She pleaded with her hands on his mouth.

He held her hands and pulled her closer.

He slowly said, “How do I tell her about you?”

She could feel the fear in her eyes but she couldn’t do much about it. Even she felt a similar fear in her gut.

“We will tell her together.” She consoled.

He hugged her tightly and silently agreed to tell their 12 year old daughter that her mommy was fighting with cervical cancer.

        

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This post is based on Write Tribe 100 words on Saturday - 5 and the prompt is "How do I tell her about you?"

I know someone who lost her mother at the age of 12 to the beast. This post is small tribute to the lady. 4th February is observed as world cancer day. Linking it to Write Tribe initiative.

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here. 

Please take out time to read more about the featured blogger for the month of February "Kathy Combs" here.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.

The beauty of most beautiful lady

The Vogue had titled her as one of “the ten most beautiful women of the world”.

Maharani Gayatri Devi, Rajmata of Jaipur was known for her elegance and beauty. Her petite figure wrapped in chiffon sarees, a pearl necklace that adorned her slender neck created a fashion statement in its own.

A polo player, member of parliament, a woman known for her beauty and brains. Even in her wrinkled face and body that was fighting with diseases and old age, she looked beautiful.

I had seen her in pictures and interview. I also saw her in real. But to me she looked most beautiful when she pinned a good luck badge on my dress, wishing us young girls luck to go out to the world and live our dreams.

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The post is based on Write Tribe Wednesday Prompt 5 She looked most beautiful

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.

The little surprise

She walked small apprehensive steps. Scared of the darkness around her, she called out to her family but no one answered.

Frustrated at the fact that no one remembered, she walked to kitchen and got herself a glass of water.

Little did she know that the family was ready to surprise her on her birthday.

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Based on prompt - Little did she know, 55 on Friday by Write Tribe.

Part of Tell a Tale Weekends  on my blog.

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.

I dropped my shoes

Mom always told me the story of Cinderella and her sandal. She was very pretty. Mom told me she looked like me.

My mom is in snow land now. I miss her but Dad says she is close to us, but we just can’t see her. The new aunty tells me that she will be my mom. But she doesn’t know any stories like my Mom. She lives in the city. She lives with a boy. He is very bad. He broke my doll and twisted my arm when we went for dinner at their place.

Yesterday dad and I came to see my Nani. She lives in hills. Snow land is very close to her house. I asked dad to take me to snow land. We went there today morning.

When dad wasn’t looking, I dropped my shoe there. Mom said that the prince charming had found her shoes in snow land and come to fetch her. I am sure my mom will find my shoe and will come to fetch me.

   

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Based on Write Tribe Wednesday Prompt - 3 provided by Vidya Suri. 

Part of Tell a Tale Weekends  on my blog.

Have you found Shades of Life on Facebook yet? Please check it out here.

Guests are always welcomed at Shades of Life. Drop me a line at sugandha118@gmail.com and I would love to share your thoughts here.

Strangers in the night

They sat at opposite corners of the bed. The bed, which they were to share for the night and for rest of their lives.

She had seen him in picture; he had seen her through the veil. She hadn’t noticed the scar on his forehead. He wasn’t aware of the little mole on her chin.

Their opinions weren’t asked for, consent wasn’t important. They were tied by a knot, a sacred relationship that they didn’t understand.

They were left in the room to for a new beginning, but all they were, were strangers in the night.

My unforgettable travel memories

I have lived most of my life away from my family. Although I haven’t travelled much in the literal sense, there have been numerous journeys between my parent’s home and my several bases. I often laugh that I can write a book on memoirs of my journeys.

If you have ever travelled by Indian Railway as much as I have, I am sure you will have a memory bank of your own. This write tribe prompt gave me an excellent opportunity to recall a few of them.

1. It was May, 2009. I had to come back to college during summer breaks on a short notice, and no matter what I couldn’t have missed it. I managed to get a ticket in one of the worst trains. Since a friend was supposed to join me after a station, I was okay. The journey started uneventful. As the train slowed down on the next station, I could see my friend standing. However, she stood long before the actual compartment location. In one minute of stoppage, she managed to get herself onto the right compartment but her luggage was left behind and had to be thrown in some general compartment.

In her luggage she had her bag, wallet, laptop and the only set of formals that she were to wear next day. Desperate to get the bag, we ended up pulling the chain and walking up and down all general compartments of the train until we found the bag. We had to ultimately pay a penalty of Rs.1000.

2. For one of journeys, we had our tickets in the waiting list. Since it was WL1 & 2, we were sure that it will get confirmed. Only after we sat in the train without confirming and train left the town, we got to know that our tickets were not confirmed. 200 kms later we were asked to get off and we had to complete the remaining 500km standing in a general compartment of a local train.

What is interesting to note is I had a cramp in my ankle and had crepe bandage on for the entire journey.  

3. This is what I call as Jab we met moment. The train had stopped at a station and I stepped out to buy cold drinks. I was aware that train stopped here for 20 minutes, but since it was running late, I was a bit apprehensive. While the shopkeeper was collecting cash for the glasses he had just delivered, he suddenly looked up and said “Sorry”. It was all so confusing until I turned back and saw that the train was moving. Unwilling to part with my cold drinks for which I had paid, I ran towards my coach with two glasses. A helpful man tried to help me get through and as I got in with his help, I dropped the entire glass on his white shirt.

What made the entire episode hilarious was when we realized that the train had stopped moving by the time I reached my seat.

I guess recalling seven memories would be too long, therefore am breaking the tradition and ending it here. Do you have a memory that makes you double up with laughter when you recall.

Linking it to NaBloPoMo -

Music for my soul

In case you haven’t figured out yet, I’d like to point out that this festival of words, my all post revolve around seven points, which is keeping alive the tradition of the first festival.

Music is my food for my soul and it can give me peace when I am distressed. There are a few songs that are on loop on my phone. Since, seven is too small a number, I am going to put seven popular English and seven Hindi tracks that are my all-time favorite.

1. Mera Kuch Saman

1. Stand by me

2. Chalte chalte yun hi koi

2. Lemon Tree

3. Aaj jaane ki jid na karo

3. I’ll be right here waiting for you

4. Aapki nazron ne samjha

4. Walk the line

5. Tu hi re

5. Last Chritmas

6. Dil hai chota sa

6. Hero

7. Baatein kuch ankahee se

7. Theme song from Love Story

I didn’t attempt to put the album/movie name because I believe that these songs are widely known and need no reference. Do you have one song that rests your disturbed soul? Share your song.

7 reasons for books versus E-books.

I love Books. I believe that became more than evident when I took up the project of 30 days 30 book reviews. But as much as I love books, I dislike E-books. On this particular day, Prompt assigned by Write Tribe for Festival of Words, I took a step back and tried to find reasons to this dislike.

1. I love smelling books. The smell of pages and glue itself is magical for me, and I cannot smell my e-reader. It will be weird.

2. Books don’t get discharged. In the world of endless gadgets that occupy all the socket space in my house, I am left with no space to charge my e-reader. As a result, every time I want to pick up to read, I am left with a switched off gadget.

3. I love collecting book. I have a huge bookshelf which has various hard bound and paper backs. I can’t imagine all my books on my e-reader.

4. Believe me or not, I find the whole concept of buying an E-book a waste. I have tried to buy a few earlier but lost them by deleting.

5. Several E-books come with a restriction on sharing. Since, I feel that I should encourage as many to read a book as I can, I hate it when I cannot share them.

6. I have been asked by my ophthalmologist to avoid strain on my eye. Another reason for me to pick a book over an E-book.

7. I have a relationship with each of my book. I like to take them around, flaunt them, enjoy when people enquire about them. In case of E books, I can’t do that sadly.

What is your relationship with your books? E-books or books, what are your preferences?

Linking to NaBloPoMo - 

My favorite food items.

Theme for Day 2 of Write Tribe Festival of words is “Food”. I haven’t really written a lot about food yet. I am a foodie and how long can I not write about food. Here are my seven favorite food items.

1. Desserts – I have a big sweet tooth. As a result, I also have a few teeth missing. :p Seriously, people around me often joke that my main course is desserts. Be it chocolates, cakes, Indian sweets or candies, I am always up for it.

2.  Chinese – I love Chinese food. Especially the Indian version of Chinese food. The Manchurians and fried rice that come from local dhaba taste awesome. I love noodles – what we called as chowmien for a long time.

3. Parantha – I love paranthas. The thick red stuffed paranthas that come with loads of butter and curd are the best thing for breakfast.

4. Fruits – I can eat fruit on any given day. I can survive on fresh fruits. I get happy when I go to marriages and parties and find a spread of exotic fruits.

5. Chaat – Golgappa, papdi, bhalla, sev, bhel, etc. just the name make me drool. I look at street vendors and forget that my stomach has limited size.

6. Thai curry – A veg thai curry is something that I can eat for any meal. A tasty veg thai curry can make up my mood.

7. Ghar ka khana – Although there is a list above, there is nothing that beats homemade food and some old recipes by my mom. 

Linking it to NaBloPoMo - 

Memories of the year that’s about to end

2013 has been a wonderful year, and I feel that there is no better way to start the Write Tribe festival than to write down seven wonderful memories of this year.

1. 8^th January, 2013 my niece was born. She is an apple of my eye. I have never loved kids as such until I saw her. I adore her. She is the only person in the world whom I love even when she is naughty.

2. We celebrated my uncle’s 25^th marriage anniversary and my niece’s baby shower back to back. It was so much fun. One of the best weeks I had.

3. April, 2013 I began blogging. Once again. It felt wonderful. I began with a lot of apprehensions but received plenty compliments and encouragement to continue.

4. This summers, I got inked. I carry a tattoo that says Love Faith Hope.

5. I completed two successful years at work. I resigned earlier this year, but thankfully I stayed back.

6. I met someone fabulous. No, not all people we meet remain with us for all our lives but little time that we spend with those wonderful people changes our life.

7. My best friend got married. It was a mixed feeling to see a friend who sat next to me in school, sitting next to the guy she got married to.

I hope 2013 has been a good year for you too and 2014 brings more happiness in all our lives.

What is your favorite memory of 2013?


This post is written for Write Tribe's festival of words 2. Theme for day 1 is Memories.

Linking it to NaBloPoMo.

Digging away to hidden treasures

It was back when we read secret seven and famous fives, that my grandmother told us the stories of our family heritage and some old treasure hidden in the back yard. We knew that most of it was fictional but she told it so convincingly that we couldn’t help wonder.

As time passed by, we eventually forgot most of the stories, but we would often tease our younger cousins and nieces and nephews who were now the audience of her stories. We laughed and nudged them to go dig for the treasure.

Just about a few days ago, my cousin came home with a school assignment. She had to grow organic vegetables. In the coming days she irritated me to the core with her constant attempt to convince me to help her.

Last Saturday finally I decided to say good bye to my manicured hands and prepared myself for encounter with mud. With the help of guard kaka, we got some seeds and bulbs. While my cousin stood as my assistant on command, I cleared the ground of wild grown weed and started to shovel the ground. I had forgotten how deep is right deep for planting and as a precaution I kept digging lower.

Until my shovel made a *clink* sound like it had hit something hard. Ignoring the sound, I made another attempt to hear that same clink. I looked at my sister. She had heard it too. The assignment was forgotten. We kneeled and started removing all the mud with our hands.

After a while, my hands touched wood. We speeded the process with excitement. We cleared it with both our hands and revealed a small box made of wood and iron. With the help of shovel, we dug it out and cleaned it.

Hiding it from everyone, we took it straight to our grandmother. She had to be the one to see it. All her stories were maybe not fictional. There was indeed a treasure in our back yard. Maybe this was just a beginning.

We waited for her to finish her prayers and turn to us. We could hardly sit still in excitement. Seeing us twist and turn and eye each other sheepishly, she turned and gave us a questioning look.

Grinning, without a word, we placed the box in front of her.

I had imagined that she’d be amused, but her expressions seemed to be of shock. “Where did you get it?” she was excited suddenly.

“Garden, we were trying to plant some…” we hadn’t finished the sentence, when he interrupted and asked me to call my mother.

My mother walked in after a few minutes, shocked to see that box.

“Did they know about it?” I wondered. I was asked to repeat, how, when, where I found it, and I did.

Suddenly my mom was hugging me, kissing me and laughing. Thanking God and opening the box. Inside was no old jewelry but my mother’s wedding necklace.

One of our old house help was accused of running away with some of our family jewelry. My uncles had caught him but he ran away, leaving all his stuff behind. Back then, we could not find the box, and now, accidently I had found it.  

I am happy that we found my mother’s jewelry but upset that it was no old treasure.

Based on Write Tribe's Wednesday prompt - Treasure

Linking it to NaBloPoMo December - 

Elections 2014 - 100 words

With Delhi elections around the corner, politics is being discussed at every coffee table.

Today, some of us were discussing the elections for center that will be held in 2014. There has been a lot of debate regarding who should be India’s next prime minister.

Of course, in last five years election commission has done a remarkable job in reforming voting systems, creating voters ID and making people aware. However, if I could have it my way, I’d do things differently.

I would create a system where an individual could vote from anywhere in India irrespective of his home town.

This post is written for 100 words on Saturday, based on prompt "I'd do things differently"

Linking it to NaBloPoMo - 

On my birthday

Today morning, dad made scrambled eggs for me. He knows I like them the most for breakfast. But I didn’t have any appetite.

When I got out of shower, my clothes were ironed and kept on my bed. It is my special day so I get to wear my favorite t-shirt and shorts rather than the uniform. A pack of sweets packed in my school bag.

Dad dropped me right in front of school slightly before time.

I walked along the wall, escaping my teachers and friends. Hiding myself behind lines of trees. I walked till I reached the small gate that was barred by wires. I made my way through the wires and the passage and stepped on the other side.

I plan to sit in that park the entire day and come back the same way when school finishes. I think I will distribute the sweets to the children of servants and street vendors over there. No, am not scared because I have done this earlier too.

I will tell you a little secret. I don’t like to do it. I hate to bunk my school but I have no choice. I haven’t completed my assignment. It is my birthday and I don’t want to get punished.

But what do I do? Yesterday my teacher assigned us homework to write about our sibling. I couldn’t because I haven’t met her. Dadi told me she lives far with my mother. I couldn’t ask dad for help because he doesn’t want to talk about her too. I have heard him shouting at my mom once when they came to meet us and they never came again.

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Based on Write Tribe Wednesday picture Prompt. 

Photo credit - http://www.morguefile.com/archive/display/675534

When a couple decides to go separate ways, it is their children who suffer the most. They miss out on innumerable things while growing up and often live with sadness in their heart that they cannot share with anybody. No child should be withheld the right to meet their parents and siblings.