Trivia Olivia Special Days - Book Review

Author : Lisa Thompson

Rating : ✬✬✬✬⋆/✬✬✬✬✬

Characters : Olivia, Tom and Mr. Mullins

Children's General fiction

ABOUT THE BOOK

This book is about cute , enthusiastic and  fun loving girl Olivia who is a fact freak.  She loves to collect facts about anything and everything and that's the reason her best friend Tom named her "Trivia Olivia". She knows that grasshopper can jump 20 times their own length and each raindrop makes it's own rainbow. When she is not collecting facts, she is having fun.  

These are series of books. And this particular book talks about Olivia's obsession with special days. She wants everyday to be special day,  just like her birthday. 

2020 - A year of Learn --> Unlearn --> Relearn

First of all I would like to thank Ruchi and Dipika for choosing such an apt topic for this challenge. This post has given me an opportunity and a chance to introspect the good and not so good things happened in the year 2020. This is the year where I have unlearned things that has become obsolete and relearned by updating myself to keep abreast with new normal .

Being a Life and Emotional Intelligence coach I have learnt that whatever happens in life ,good or bad, take it as a pinch of salt. I remember one of my poem which I have written it long back:

When pain becomes too much to handle 

just remember one thing, there is nothing which is constant or which is there forever

There will be time when things will be fine, There will be time when you will be happy

And that's when you will realize those things were not worth your time

So be happy and don't let anyone overpowers you, Because it's you and only you who can justify your presence and worth.

So be positive and stay positive!

So lets begin this journey of introspecting ,but just remember of thing, never focus on Why, instead ask What would I have done or can do to make things better. So here are some of my learning which I would love to share while saying good bye to 2020:

Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives (FLBW) - Web Series Review

Cast : Neelam Khothari, Maheep Kaprro, Seema Khan and Bhawana Pandey

Streaming On: Netflix 

Genre : Reality Show

Rating : ✬/✬✬✬✬✬

Dharma Production

Netflix has come up with yet another reality show. After watching first episode of Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives, I was literally asking my self " What am I doing with my life? But than I felt responsible as now its my duty to save people from not wasting their valuable time and get into something more constructive. 

Plot

The show revolves around the lives of four middle aged wives of not so popular Bollywood actors. Maheep Kapoor ( Jewellery designer) , wife  of actor Sanjay Kapoor, Neelam Khothari , well know actor  and wife of Samir Soni, Seema Khan (fashion designer) , wife of actor Sohail Khan, and Bhavana Pandey (owner of branded showroom) , wife of actor Chunky Pandey and mother of Ananya Pandey. 

The show gives sneak peak into their mundane lives. Do not expect any masala or controversies , that's why it is extremely boring. Surprisingly though the show claims to showcase fabulous lives of these privileged housewives it looked more pretentious. Inspite of being away from the paparazzi glare their life is no different from their more pepped Bollywood counterparts.

Ballerinas are Beautiful - Book Review

 

Author : Kath Smith

Genre : Fiction

No. of Stories : 3

Rating : ✬✬✬⋆/✬✬✬✬✬

The importance of friendship in our life is beyond any description. Friends are those who makes you feel good about yourself, who will laugh at our most embarrassing moments of your life to make you feel lighter. They are the ones who will be there with you for you during happiness and at times when you need them the most.

About the Book

"Ballerinas are Beautiful" is a book that communicate simple message about friendship, sharing and caring for others. It has lively rhyming text and beautiful illustrations. Every little girl who's dreamed of being a ballerina will love following the adventure of the group of little ballerinas in this gorgeous story book.

How Do Children Pick A Book To Read

 

I love reading and to be frank I read children's books more than any other books.

Reviewing them would be a good idea. But before reviewing children's books it was important for me to understand what exactly kids look for while selecting any book and what do they like in a particular book. So I did a bit of research,  talked to my children's friends and came up with these pointers. 

In this era of digitization, parents are looking for ways to keep their kids gadget free. And the best way to do , is by inculcating reading habit in them. Reading stimulates their brain and make them highly imaginative and not only expands their understand of the language but develop their listening skills as well. Reading has various benefits like improving concentration, making them more empathetic, expanding their vocabulary and so on.

But do we really know how children pick what they really want to read.

There are 3 Prerequisites:

Interest

Children enjoy stories that are engaging and of interest to them, Therefore interest looks like the most influential factor in a book selection. Children find a story of interest when there is a personal connection. Stories that connect to a child's home life or lifestyle establishes a personal link with the book, Since children make various connections with the books and can affect their life long reading habit, it seems important for parents and teachers to connect books to children's interest at an early age.

THE ALCHEMIST - A fable about following your dream- Book Review

 

"Tell your heart that the fear of suffering is worse than the suffering itself. And that no heart has ever suffered when it goes in search of its dreams, because every second of the search is a second's encounter with God and with eternity ~ Paulo Coelho

Some books are meant to be read, loved, possessed and passed on. The ALCHEMIST is one of those books. One of the bestseller, wherein 65 MILLION COPIES WERE SOLD WORLD WIDE.

Genre :Fiction /Self Help/Philosophy

Rating : ✬✬✬✬⋆/✬✬✬✬✬

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Paulo Coelho was born in Brazil and has become one of the most widely read and loved authors in the world. Especially renowned of The Alchemist and Eleven Minutes, he has sold more than 140 million books worldwide and has been translated into 72 languages. The recipient of numerous prestigious International awards, among them the Crustal Award by the World Economics Forum and France's Legion d'Honneur, Paulo Coelho was inducted into the Brazilian Academy of letters in 2002. He also writes a weekly column syndicated throughout the world.

STORY LINE

This is a story of a shepherd boy "Santiago" from the Spanish province of Andalusia who dreams of travelling the world in search of a treasure as desirable as any ever found. He keeps getting the same dream about treasure that are lying in the pyramids of Egypt. From his home he journeys to the exotic markets of North Africa and then into the Egyptian dessert, where a fateful encounter with the Alchemist awaits him. The old man, an Alchemist who Santiago meets in the own square tells him not to believe "the biggest lie" that you cannot control your destiny. You can, he says, but you must 'read the omens', which becomes possible when you start to see the world as one. the world can be read like a book but we will never be able to understand it, if we have a closed existence, complacent and unwilling to risk anything. Throughout the journey, Santiago meets many people and a lot of difficulty which ultimately helps him to learn and grow the entire way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within.

ABOUT THE BOOK

Alchemist is a unforgettable story about the essential wisdom of listening to our heart and above all, following our dreams. Someone who is willing to risk comfort, routine, security and existing relationships to follow something that to other;s looks like a mirage, it takes lot of courage. This book is about hope, belief and how one can convert dream into a reality.

IT HAPPENED IN BENGALURU - Where a winner resigned to conquer- Book Review

Winning is important , but winning with right spirit, ethics and professionalism is equally important to keep human values alive - ABSUM

Genre : Self Help , Inspirational Fiction

Rating : ✬✬✬✬⋆/✬✬✬✬✬

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ABSUM is a Software Professional and an avid traveler. His love for chess prompted him to become a chess coach and trains young kids to be better at a game which he calls “A game that teaches you to be better professional." He is a strong advocate of learning from sports for management and believes that management professionals have much more to learn from sports than any book on management.

ABOUT THE BOOK

It happened in Bengaluru  is an extremely engaging book that delivers an interesting perspective of ever changing IT field. This narrative brings out a very intelligent parallel between the game of chess and skills to succeed in the workplace. The author’s imagination, writing skills is a testimony to the fact that this articulation could be bought out only by a chess genius.

One of the classic lessons from the game of chess and which is my favorite too is well expressed by the author in the following lines

The reason’s of our action should be a wish of future and not a fact from our past.

A piece of work with a lot of insights that leaves the reader enthralled and intrigued analogous comparison of workplace success and the Game of Chess.

THE DOLPHIN (Story of a Dreamer) - Book Review

 

#1 International Bestseller - More than 10 Million Copies sold worldwide

Genre : Inspirational Fiction

Rating : ✬✬✬✬⋆/✬✬✬✬✬

Publisher : Penguin

Pages : 63

Let me start with a beautiful Quote by Suzy Kessem - "A heart without dreams is like birds without feathers". This book is a gift to all the dreamers in this World.

This is my First Book review and must say my favorite book ever. And probably this is the reason that I picked it for reviewing. As a kid I have always been a dreamer and I am sure most of you are. But there are times when we are scared to dream, that is because discovering new world will not only bring happiness and wisdom but will also bring lot of insecurities and fear of unknown. But one needs to remember, that you will not be able to reach wisdom without facing your fear and you will never be able to value happiness without knowing what sadness is all about.

Breathe - Into the Shadow - Web Series Review

 There is nothing called as Coincidence, There is always reason for something!

Cast : Abhishek bachan, Amit Sadh, Nithya Menen, Hrishikesh Joshi, Srikant Verma, PlabitaBorthakur, Saiyami Kher

Director : Mayank Sharma

Streaming On : Amazon Prime Video

Genre: Drama and Thriller

Rating : ✬✬

Story Line :

Avinash Sabharwal (Abhishek Bachna) , a psychiatrist happily lives with his wife Nitya Menen (Abha), chef and their 6 year old daughter until, an unfortunate event turned their life upside down. Their daughter Siya gets kidnapped from middle of a birthday party, who was also a juvenile diabetic patient and needs insulin injections four times a day. Almost 9 months passed by and they couldn’t find their daughter but one find day a kidnapper send one puzzled message , asking the couple to execute some killings to save their daughter. As couple had no other choice, they accepted his demands. Each episode revels the reason behind the murder mystery and backstories and relationship of each killing with the mythological character” Ravana”.There are lots of twist and turns in the story, some makes sense and some not. When the identity of the killer gets revealed you do feel astound but the reasoning behind it again makes you feel baffled. On the other hand , you will see a parallel story of Amit Sadh(Kabir), the Police Inspector and how he get involved  in a  search of a serial killer.

Experience of a Life Time!

 I have read it some where that - Travel makes one Modest , You see what a tiny place you occupy in the World! How true and thought provoking. Don't you think so?

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www.swatisworldofthoughts.com and reuse is strictly not permitted

One thing I have realized over a period of time that the kind of happiness, an experience can bring on to the table, no materialist thing can ever bring. And I truly believe that focus should never be on destination but the experience you gain throughout the journey is what matters the most.

Today I want to share my happiness with the world by sharing my most memorable Travel 😊

This was in the year 2016 when Times Group came up with their first ever overnight TSD rally (Bengaluru to Goa) for women with a noble cause of Breast Cancer awareness. I wasn't sure of being a part of this but my better half kind of pushed me into it and I can't thank him enough for doing that. I have made some beautiful memories along the journey. 

Now let me welcome you to the world of reliability rallying also commonly known as TSD (Time Speed Distance) rallying. The word rallying brings about images of incredibly fast driven machines but within rallying there is a class that is not about speed alone and to be frank that was the reason I was part of it. Leaving two kids behind and going for a rally was not that easy a choice. But with family support anything is possible.

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How to get away with the Murder- Web Series Review

Only Lawyer and Painters can turn White into Black

 

Rating : ✬✬✬✬

Seasons : 6

Network: Netflix

Program Creator: Peter Nowalk

Genres : Legal Drama, Thriller, Mystery

Cast: Viola Davis (Annalise Keating),  Aja Naomi (Michaela) , Jack Falahee (Cornor), Charlie Weber (Frank), Matt McGorry (Asher), Karla Souza (Laurel), Liza Weil (Bonnie),Alfred Enoch (Wes), Conrad Ricamora (oliver), Billy brown (Nate), Tom Verica (Sam), Kate Findley (Rubecca)

Awards : Screen Actors Guild Award for outstanding performance by lead actress 2016, Prime time Emmy award for leading actress in Drama Series 2015, AFI TV Programs of the Year 2014 

STORY LINE

The show is very well written and directed. Each season is gripping and will have you on your edge of your seat gagging for the next installment. Most crime shows are all about justice which is great but sometimes its nice to see the opposite side of things. There are so many dynamic characters in the shows that adds interest. You get to see the ups and downs in the relationships and the characters are alike in many ways but also very unique. You get to see a new case every week and you get to follow Annalise and her students into court while also getting a glimpse into everyone's personal lives. The beginning is bit confusing and hard to figure out whats going on but honestly, that's what makes it so suspenseful and thrilling. It is partially a legal drama but there is so much more than that which will never make you feel bored. It is primarily a mystery and a thriller because every season starts with a intriguing a flash-forward, showing us a very dramatic event that take place in their mid-season finale. 

Bandish Bandits- Web Series Review

"Music is a piece of art that goes in the ear straight to the Heart"

Bandish Bandits is a treat for those who love Music especially classical music. Art should not be a burden but a joy that sets you free and brings people together. The real star of the show is the Music. It had some lovely songs and its wonderful to see and hear characters talk about and sing a Khayal, Thumri and Bandish, all styles that are slowly getting lost in today's world.

Rating: ✬✬✬

Network : Amazon Prime Video

Director : Anand Tiwari

Strengths : Brilliant music and Cinematography 

Weakness : Characters lack dimension and Slow space story

Cast :

Naseeruddin Shah (Sangeet Samrat Rathod-Panditji) : He is excellent and manages to bring right amount of vulnerability to ensure that you don't dislike him.

Rajesh Tailang and Amit Mistry : Both these characters bring adequate pity and resentment to their roles

Sheeba Chaddha : She is brilliant as always, very subtle and impressive

Atul Kulkarni : Is a fine actor and brings out negativity in very elusive way.

Ritwik Bhowmik and Shreya Chaudhary : Quite impressive, though both are not great performers but their lack of experience works well here

Kunal Roy Kapur : He is Tamanna's agent (Arghya) brings the laughs but lack dimensions like most of the cast.

Meghana Malik and Rituraj Singh (Tamanna's Parents) : Natural Actors and played their part well

Indian Matchmaking- Web series Review

"Marriages are made in Heaven" 

Marriages are scared bond between a man and a woman. According to Indians, this bond is not just between two people but between two families. Indian Matchmaking series is one such program which help individuals finding their life partners. Whether they will be successful in doing so, only time will tell.

Episodes - 8

Seasons - 1

Network - Netflix

Cast - Sima Taparia

Genre - Reality Show

Rating - ✬

Plot

Reality shows are supposed to be unscripted but you can get the feel of staged some times and this is no different. Like any other reality show you can find lot of masala in Indian Matchmaking. Few things are difficult to digest but they are hard reality which still exist in our Hippocratic society. Matchmaker Sima Taparia guides her clients in India and America on arranged match making process armed with bag full of Bio-data's . Most of the clients failed to find partners for themselves and approached her for their last hope. So there are young men and young women who are looking for their life partners through the traditional Indian Style of matchmaking that is  " Arranged Marriage".There are just 8 episodes and nothing concrete has come out.

Alexa and Katie - Web Series Review

"Real Friendships are difficult to find, so if you have one, treasure it". 

                               

Alexa and Katie is a story about true friendship who stayed with each other in thick and thin. It makes you believe that friends are forever. Both the characters makes you fall in love with them because of their innocence and compassion.

Creator: Heather Wordham

Genre : Sitcom

Platform: Netflix

Language: English

Part : 4

Rating : ✮✮✮✮✰

Cast 

Paris Berelc, Isabel May, Tiffini Thiessen, Eddie Shin, Emery Kelly, Finn Carr, Jolie Jenkins 

Plot 

The story is about two best friends Alexa(Paris Berelc) an ambitious basketball player battling cancer and strive to live a normal life which sometimes makes her rebellious  and Katie(Isabel May) who loves to do theater, is quirky and awkward. She constantly support Alexa's impulsive decisions due to her illness. Katie's mother Jennifer is a single mother studying to finish college while working. Both their families are very close and help each other in the hour of need. Alexa has a caring older brother Lucas aspire to be a doctor after seeing her sister's condition. Alexa and Lucas father is an airline pilot and mother Lori is a chef both are quite competitive in nature. Lori is quite protective especially when she got to know about Alexa's cancer. Katie's younger brother has an avid love for video games and candies.

This sitcom is definitely giving other web series a tough competition. As with lots of fun and excitement it is also giving some big time friendship goals. 

 "Friendship Goals" Scenes from Alexa and Katie