Book Review: Unlikely Tails by Mani Padma

Author: Mani Padma

ISBN-13: 9789384901608

Binding: Hardcover

Publisher: Creative Crows Publishers LLP

Number of pages: 125

Genre: Fiction, Anthology

Language: English

Price: Rs.650 (Got a review copy)

About the Book

How much do you know about women? Do you really know them even when you know them? 

17 stories.

Various shades.

Unexpected revelations.

But...the question remains, do you still feel you know them even when you know about them?

About the Author

Mani Padma is from Assam, now based in Delhi. She is a full time government doctor, part time mother and a 'sometime' punner plus writer.

She started writing at the age of four, starting with ABC and now is a full time writer of prescriptions and reports.

Her stories and articles have appeared in online magazines and websites, Women's Era and in a couple of anthologies. 'Unlikely Tails' happens to be her solo debut.

She loves to be bright and has a compromised attention span which is the reason she has never attempted a novel but hopes to do so in future if she finds the motivation to do so.

Swarnali Says

Few times at present have I come across a debut work so enjoyable as Mani Padma's Anthology of stories about women. I knew I would love her book the moment I read the "About the author" section, I loved her humour. 

The book is a collection of 17 succinct stories involving women (the book actually has 18 stories-there is an error in the Contents page, but I could not figure how the story 'Sabjiwallah' fits in with the the rest, thus making it 17) They are not strictly women centric as you might assume but are about incidents involving women of different ages. Like any anthology, this too is an amalgamation of stories, some quite amazing, some pretty good and a selected one or two a tad bit predictable. However, I loved how she successfully captured the sometimes fragile, sometimes unpredictable, sometimes faltering,but always fearless and indomitable spirit of women in her stories. I decided not to reveal any details about any of the stories because I would love the other readers to figure them on their own and enjoy them without a bias, which is exactly what this book deserves. 

What I admired most about the book is how the author has found the most banal of situations worth exploring and writing about. There were several occassions where I could find similarities between her writing and those of some of my favourite short story writers like Ruskin Bond and Saki, a tone which puts the readers immediately at ease as they prepare themselves for a good time reading the narratives. I liked how the author dabbled with different styles and genres of writing with each story. Manipadma has quite the skill in adding unpredictable twists and thus unlikely tails to her tales. However, if you are an avid Jeffrey Archer fan, I warn you, you might be good at figuring precisely how the stories will end but be assured , you would still love the read. So go ahead grab your copy (I recommend you get one) and get reading. Do come back and tell me which ones were your favourites. As for me, I am really waiting to read her next. 

My Rating: 4/5

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Website Review : Collegedunia.com

The time before admission to a new college is a really stressful and confusing one for both students and parents alike. I remember how thoroughly stressed I was after I finished school. The innumerable options available in terms of subjects and colleges were really bewildering. Both my parents and I had a tough time selecting the colleges and the subjects I wanted to apply for. Infrastructure, fees, timings and a lot of other criteria had to be looked. Finding the perfect college was some challenge!!
The exact same was repeated when my sis had to apply for colleges. I'm pretty sure a lot of others have gone through or will have to go through similar situations.

Now, what if I told you there was a solution for the problem? Wouldn't that be absolutely wonderful? The answer is Collegedunia.com , a website founded by Sahil Chalana who noticed the huge gap in the information that is available and decided to go a step ahead and create a website to cater to all the queries that students and parents looking for colleges may need to get addressed.

 

What they say about themselves-

Collegedunia.com has been created to fulfill a vision of empowering students with knowledge so that they make a wiser decision while choosing their career and alma mater. The website has a repository of more than 20,000 colleges and 6000 courses categorized in different streams like Management, Engineering, Medical, Arts and much more.

Things I loved -
1) The clean and crisp look of the website.
2) The ratings of the colleges is provided right next to their names along with fee details and the timings.
3)  Innumerable filters to narrow down your searches to make things really easy.
4) Detailed description of the colleges including infrastructure, subjects provided, photos, eligibility criteria, course timings and other details provided.
5) There is a section where exams are listed and the upcoming exams under each category are listed which will help students appear for admission tests and check the eligibility criteria for the same.

Suggestions for improvement-
Since the website is quite new, a lot of colleges have not been documented as yet. Major colleges are the only ones listed and a few others have not been rated as yet. I'm really hoping they add more colleges and cities to their list so that people from all around the country get to benefit from it.

I would give a thumbs up to this website and the thought that went behind the making of it. This is going to be a major help for a lot of students who can get really baffled by the number of options available. Give the website a look and tell us what you think.

Till next,

Spa review - The Four Fountains De-Stress Spa, Kolkata

When Sayantini from Cherry on Top asked me on Facebook sometime back if I was game for reviewing a spa here in the city, I was a little skeptic about issues like hygiene and privacy. But considering how badly I needed De-stressing from my crazy schedule, studying B.Ed and giving my Masters exams all at once, I said a yes after she assured me I would love it. I received an invite soon after to visit one of the Four Fountains De-Stress Spas here in Kolkata. I decided upon the Shakespeare Sarani (Theatre Road) branch and visited it for a one hour massage session to help my tense muscles and nerves relax. 

I decided to visit the spa after my college hours on a Friday. It was a particularly tiring day when I reached the spa all tired and slouching from the weight of my bag. As I opened the doors to enter, a fresh wave of lemongrass scent hit my nostrils. My first opinion once I entered was how pretty and extremely cozy the place was even though it was quite tiny. The place was almost soundproof which was a major relief because this branch is located on a very busy street where cars and buses keep honking away like crazy.

The receptionist was extremely sweet as she welcomed me and asked me to settle down and catch my breath before she asked me anything. I was asked to sit on a couch which had massage beads for the back rest. Also the door handles at this place are specially designed to massage the pressure points on your palms every time you hold them. Pretty clever I must say!!

The receptionist arrived with a glass of orange squash in a few minutes and handed me the brochure so that I could go through the different services available. The in-house doctor present asked me a few questions regarding my health and if I had any pain or ache anywhere. I had been having a pretty persistent ache in my back and legs for quite a while to which she suggested I take a de-stressing service. I selected the Swedish Massage with Wintergreen oil, which has pain relieving properties.

 I was introduced to my masseuse, Anne who escorted me to my separate massage room. This particular quote on the wall caught my attention the moment I entered the room. It said-

" Worry is like a rocking chair. Although it keeps you occupied, it doesn't get you anywhere. "

Anne handed me disposable clothing to change into after my shower before she could begin with the session. I was also given a disposable sheet to wrap myself in. Bonus points for hygiene. I was provided a jewelry box and a locker to safely keep my belongings away.

 

The room was very dimly lit with very few tiny lamps glowing. An oil burner was the only source of light in the room once the session started. This in particular was really soothing as you could see the slow flickering of the lamp and the shadows moving on the walls as you got your massage. A soft music of fountains and birds chirping was slowly playing, eliminating other disturbing noises from outside.

The massage was incredibly relaxing as I could feel my nerves and muscles slowly ease from their previously tense state. After the one hour session , Anne left me to take a shower again and get dressed. What I particularly liked was that my privacy was taken well care of as my masseuse covered the rest of my body with a sheet while she worked on a particular area.

 

After I was dressed, I was provided a glass of water and a cup of green tea. The resident doctor asked me how I liked the session and gave me a sample of a cream that she instructed me to apply on my forehead and on the sole of my feet to have better sleep. I'm totally loving how the cream/ointment smells!!

The only two issues I had were the continuous creaking sounds of the doors being opened and closed and this one particular crazy lamp which decided to go on and off on its own will. Apart from these, I had a really nice experience.

Do I recommend Four Fountains Spa ? Hell yes!! I had a great time as I was promised. It is not just the service they provide but what I liked the most were how they took care of the tiny details to make the clients feel at complete ease from the moment they enter the premises. Also, a look at the price charts will reveal how extremely affordable these services are. I highly recommend you drop in at any of their branches if you need some "me-time" to de-stress and unwind.

You can log in to the official website of Four Fountains De-Stress Spa to find your nearest spa and go through their services that you find best suitable for your needs. The Four Fountains Spa has over 20 of its branches in Kolkata, Delhi, Gurgaon, Mumbai, Pune, and Bangalore offering multiple services ranging from De-Stressing, De-toxification, Immunity and Beauty as per every client's needs.These spas offer discounts on different services if you visit on weekdays or collaborate with your company. Special privileges and prices for Gold and Happy hour members.

Are there any other spas you visited and liked? Do let me know!!

Till Next,

Website Review- Elaborestore.com

Did I ever tell you that I have a special love for scarves and stoles? I absolutely love how versatile they are and how easily that can make or break an outfit. A bright colored scarf or stole can instantly  jazz up an otherwise plain outfit. There are innumerable ways you can wear your scarf or stole. If you are like me who doesn't like having anything wrapped around her neck for too long, you can turn your beloved scarf into a très chic bandana or make a bow with it and attach it to your handbag. If you are the artsy kind, you can always do more fun stuff like make a DIY camera strap out of your scarf!!

So, when the people at Elaborestore.com asked me to review their website, I was more than delighted to check what they had in store. And gladly for me, they did not disappoint at all. Elaborestrore.com is your one stop solution for stoles, scarves and shawls with a huge collection of designs, prints and colors to suit every sensibility and all the pieces are very reasonably priced to suit every pocket.

I received a pretty floral printed 100% modal stole which is super soft. What I loved most about the stole is that it does not irritate my skin even after wearing it for a long time. Modal fabric is almost like cotton but only better because it is color fast and pills (formation of bubbles) much lesser than cotton. Here is how the stole I received looked on the website-

Link

A comparison between the one I got and the picture on the website-

Pretty much identical, don't you think so?

The highlights of the website-

•  Free shipping on all orders (including international ones).
• Product delivery guarantee in a week (I got mine in 2 days).
• A discount coupon of INR 250 for your first purchase when you sign up which can be redeemed for a purchase of INR 1000 or more.
•  A huge collection of scarves, stoles and shawls in every color possible for both men and women.
• Free gift wrapping on request.
• The picture shown on the website is true to the actual product you receive. Detailed descriptions of the product is provided.
• You can use coupons from their coupon partners like CouponRani.com, CouponDekho.in, Couponation.in and others to get more discounts on the already discounted prices.

Do you like scarves? If you do, make sure you check out the vast collection at Elaborestore.com

Till next,

Happy Hair, Happy Me. Thank You, Tresemme!!

'' I just wanna be myself

And I want you to love me for who I am

I just wanna be myself

And I want you to know, I am my hair

 I've had enough, this is my prayer

That I'll die livin' just as free as my hair ''

When Lady Gaga sang these lines, I think she was talking for every girl out there. Our tresses are our identity. Flirty, independent, carefree and gorgeous, those cascading manes define who were are.

Source : Google Images

We all love (and drool) at those gorgeous hair styles that those celebrities flaunt at the red carpet events and keep sighing and wishing we could try and carry them with as much ease and elan. And those Disney princess tales where our darling princesses like Rapunzel, Jasmine and Ariel had the most outrageously beautiful tresses adds to the wish for the perfect ramp ready hair.While our dear celebs might have their own stylists and hair dressers at their disposal 24x7, we mere mortals have none but ourselves and our girl friends to help us achieve those gorgeous looks. 

Source : Google Images

For me, a bad hair day ruins everything. I love trying new up dos every now and then to take a break from the boring pony tail look and when I can't leave my hair open due to the crazy weather here. But managing these unruly strands of hair (which seem to have a life of their own) is a Herculean task. Moreover, my hair is that boring straight with barely there curls towards the ends and are extremely fine stranded which makes styling them even more difficult. And add to that the fact that I absolutely hate (read I'm scared of) using hair styling products and heating,straightening and curling instruments. 

Source : Google Images. Collage done by yours truly

The last winter was a disaster for my hair. I hate winter because it turns my hair extremely dry, knotty and gives me itchy scalp and dandruff. Added to that a change of shampoo made my otherwise almost tame hair into a unruly mess. My hair turned brittle and rough to touch which gave me nightmares!!

Enter Tresemme hair products into the scene. Now, you don't need to worry about your crazy hair which turns into a bird's nest the very minute you step out of your house. And you don't need those hair styling instruments apart from your pretty hair accessories to add that glam touch to your hair. I have been a fan of Tresemme products from the time they were launched around last year and was eagerly waiting to try out their Split Ends Remedy shampoo and conditioner and when Indiblogger gave us members to try and see for ourselves, I immediately applied for a sample. And boy, I am in love...this thing is just amazing. This is going to stay in my hair care regimen permanently.

Even though I don't exactly have split ends, but my hair did seem pretty damaged and rough which was the first step to splitting. I knew I needed to do something before the ends started breaking apart. After having applied the shampoo and conditioner religiously for quite sometime now, I can actually see the difference it has done to my hair. My hair looks visibly healthier and is much softer and pretty much manageable.

The shampoo has tiny pretty glitters in it. The conditioner is a plain white colored one with a creamy texture. The best thing about the conditioner is that it doesn't weight down my hair unlike other conditioners and leaves them airy and with a faint and lingering fragrance.  Now, my hair is back to being smooth and shiny and is way more manageable so that I can easily try those celeb hair dos without frying or losing my hair. No cutting short of the pretty long ends. Yay!! 

Now, thanks to Tresemme, No Knots, No Split ends, Just long happy hair!!
This post is written for Indiblogger and Tresemme who believe that long hair should have beautiful ends and that ending should never be cut short.

Did you try Tresmme yet? If you haven't I really recommend you do. Do let me know if you liked it  :)

Till next,

Reviewing Cashkaro.com again

Hello Everyone!!

This is the second time I am reviewing Cashkaro.com here on the blog. The last time I reviewed them, I mentioned the modus operandi and how you can get an increased  bargain every time you shop online. Why a second review you ask? It is because I loved them that much  You can read my first review here.

Cashkaro is India's fist website which not just gives coupons and great discount options on major e-retail websites but also gives you real cash everytime you shop from any of the e-shops associated with them,which includes almost all leading websites like Jabong, Myntra, Limeroad, Flipkart, Paytm, Tradus, HomeShop18, BigFlix and many more.

What makes Cashkaro distinctly different from every other coupon website is that besides all the amazing discount coupons you get by being a member at their website, you also get paid money back into your account after you shop which can be withdrawn into your bank account that you can link to your Cashkaro profile.If you are not comfortable transferring your cashback using NEFT, Cashkaro also offers you the option of withdrawing your money using a cheque which you can withdraw after the cashback has reached a minimum value of Rs.250.

I'll summarize the procedure again-

• Sign up on Cashkaro.com with your email id and fill in your details.
• Link your bank account to your cashkaro profile.
• Search for the e-retail website you want to shop from.
• Click on the offer you want to activate from the numerous options available on each website.
• Follow the cashkaro link and let it connect to the website of your choice.
• Shop like you normally do once you have clicked on the cashkaro link.
• Your cashback status will be updated within 3 days of your order. Cancellations on your order will yeild no cashback.
• In case you don't get an update after you have shopped, you can raise a missing cashback ticket which will be checked by the customer service department and promptly solved.
• The cashback which is confirmed can be withdrawn into you bank account once the amount reaches Rs. 250.

So what new things happened after the first review I wrote?

1) Cashkaro.com has now introduced cashback on Amazon.in which is comparatively new in India. Amazon being extremely popular worldwide, I was eagerly waiting for its arrival here in India. With the amazing deals and cashback options you get from Cashkaro now, nothing gets better for a crazy book lover for me. Yay!! You can check the deals here.

2) I had mentioned about the missing ticket option the last time but I never got to see how efficiently it works. A couple of times while shopping through Cashkaro, due to some technical issues, my cashback didn't get notified by the 3 days. So I raised a ticket about the missing cashback. The super quick response and resolution of the issue by the team was really impressive. All you have to do is give your transaction details and the team takes care of the rest and keeps you notified about it from time to time.

So, have you tried Cashkaro as yet? If you haven't, do it now and earn as you shop. The more you shop, the more cashback you get.

Till Next,

Book Review- The Great Short Stories- Guy de Maupassant

Author: Guy de Maupassant

ISBN-13: 978-81-7992-834-9

Binding: Paperback

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Number of pages: 264

Genre: Fiction

Language: English

Price: Rs.195 (Got a review copy from publishers)

About the book

The collection The Great Short Stories Guy de Maupassant reflects his remarkable diversity, with stories that vary in theme and tone, and range from tragedy and satire to comedy and farce. With a simplicity of style that masks complex philosophy, Maupassant can illuminate an entire code of values by means of a few telling details. He exposes the brutality of war and the hypocrisy it spawns, and depicts the petty limitations, the dissimulations and the vanities inherent at different levels of society. His stories are linked by a trenchant irony and by a preoccupation with the frailty of human nature and the futility of so many lives.

About the Author

Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant was born on August 5, 1850 in a Norman chateau of Miromesnil, northern France. Under Flaubert’s tutelage, the young Maupassant underwent a strict course of training in the craft of literature, at the same time as he was earning his living in the civil service. He was considered insane in 1891 and died two years later, a month short of his 43^rd birthday, on July 6, 1893.

Guy de Maupassant penned his own epitaph: “I have coveted everything and taken pleasure in nothing.” He is buried in the Cimetière du Montparnasse, Paris.

Shimanti says

The best remedy to dispel boredom and depression that, more often than not, creep into our befuddled existence is a refreshing short story. The collection of “The Great Short Stories” by Henri René Albert Guy de Maupassant  by Jaico Publishing House is a truly delectable possession. Besides containing  some of the choicest stories, the book also includes Maupassant’s  first ever published story Boule de Suif  , which is often considered to be his masterpiece. However, I did come across some typographical errors without which the read would have been an exceedingly pleasant one.

The style of Maupassant is an intricate amalgamation of elegance and naivety. He faithfully brings alive the cultures and predominant colours of his settings. Considered to be the father of modern short story, Maupassant’s compositions form an assorted lot. The anthology commences with the brilliant story of Mademoiselle Pearl where the true identity of the protagonist is revealed through the narration of another principal character whereby the readers are transported to a Romantic world of mystery and passion.

While the stories like Madame Husson’s ‘Rosier’ , The Piece of String and Two Little Soldiers  exhibit tales of unspoken emotions, stifled by the fetters of civilised society, the ones like The Olive Orchard plunge the reader into doleful retrospection and strike a dominant chord. Despite using lucid language, Maupassant manages to charm his readers with his dexterous handling of characters and situations. We, as readers, are never disappointed by the denouement of his stories which are crafted with impeccable sincerity and justness.

Reviewed by Shimanti Mitra for Dreams and Drama :)

Book review- The Cosmic Clues by Manjiri Prabhu

The Cosmic Clues

Author: Manjiri Prabhu

ISBN-13: 9788184954791

Binding: Paperback

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Number of Pages: 324

Genre: Fiction 

Language: English

Price: Rs. 299 (Got a review copy from publishers)

About the Book: 

Sonia Samarth couldn't have predicted it. It had only been a day, but her first advertisement had drawn dozens of responses. In the bustling city of Pune, with its winding alleys and exotic customs, Sonia has launched a brand new business - private investigation guided by Hindu astrology. Her unique brand of investigation might raise eyebrows but before long, she seems to have found her niche.
When a cat leads Sonia to her very first investigation, she uses astrology to unmask the killer. Suddenly, clients begin streaming in a persistent, handsome TV personality, a terrified bride to be a missing husband with suicidal tendencies. These cases initially seem like isolated experiences, but Sonia soon finds that they are bound by an invisible thread. Very soon she will have to look closely at her own stars a notorious international criminal has just crossed Sonias path and he has his own plans for her future.

Aniesha Speaks :

I don't quite know how to start this review since it had a lot of elements I am biased about: 

i) Astrology and

 ii) a cat. 

All my life, I have preferred a cat over a dog, which has earned me both weird stares and awkward questions. Nevertheless, I will still go ahead and proclaim to the world that I am indeed a cat person. When I read the gist where it says Sonia Samarth's luck changes when the cat walks into their Stellar Investigations office, I was intrigued. I just knew I had to read this one for myself. 

Manjari Prabhu does not disappoint us when she says that this is India's first detective who combines astrology with her investigations. Reading horoscopes has always been regarded as scared in India, and this runs true through all the cases Sonia solves. 

Instead of focusing on one particular crime, Prabhu takes us through a series of unfortunate events, which slowly establishes Sonia and Jatin's detective agency. There is also subtle hints about her love life with Mohnish Rai, a freelance journalist, who also happens to own a flower shop! (I thought that touch was pretty cool... a florist...wow!!!) 

A few hundred pages into the novel and Sonia begins to get flower bouquets from a Secret Admirer...even though she suspects they are sent by Mohnish, there is an unexpected twist in the tale. 

Prabhu holds the reader's interest to the last and yes, this book really is one of its kind. I am afraid to write more because I fear I'd end up revealing too much and take away the mystery from the readers. What has made me happier was the stamp on the cover whic said, "Soon to be a major motion picture." I really look forward to seeing this story on screen, and I am wondering who should play Sonia Samarth! 

Reviewed by Aniesha for Dreams and Drama.

Tea at Mrs. Magpie

Hello People,

It has been a very long time since I did a real post (as in a proper post apart from regular reviews, sponsored and contest stuff)  here on the blog. So, I decided to do something I haven't done here before; a restaurant review.

If you live in Kolkata, then you must make sure you visit this beautiful quaint little place near Golpark / Vivekanada Park. It is a little difficult to spot as it is almost in the middle of nowhere, in the ground floor of an apartment. I went there the first time with Shayoni from Sweetandbitterblog and we almost did not spot this when we went to search for it. The moment you enter the place, you feel like you have stepped into fairy land. The pretty floral wallpapers, cute edible decor (which of course you are just permitted to look and not eat  ), delightful elfish furniture and adorable crockery at this place always manages to turn me into a crazy and hyper-excited 5 year old. 

Take a look-

The large cupcakes

Royal Enfield Cake :D

Gangnam style inspired cake

Marzipan House and Car

How cute is this shoe house, reminded me of that tale about the dame who lived in one :D

School bus =)

This merry-go-round shaped cake actually moves and a jingle plays when it does. How cool is that ?

Teddy bear cookies

What I loved at this place and my recommendations-

1) I am totally addicted to Earl Grey and I drank that whole teapot full of tea , all by myself  . Brownie points for the complimentary teddy bear shaped cookie that comes with every cup you order. 

2) The cupcakes are the cutest things ever and are freshly baked (the entire place smells of baked goodies). I personally didn't like the taste but most of my friends love them. So, you should give them a try before deciding if you like them or not.

3) The hot chocolate tastes perfect, not too sweet, not too bitter. Tastes almost like molten Cadbury silk and Bournville mixed together. HEAVEN!! 

4) The chicken and cheddar puff and scones almost melt in your mouth, super soft , very different from the regular puff pastries they sell you everywhere. 

5) The chocolate ice cream was okayish (as in nothing different from regular ice creams) but the apple sorbet tasted great, very refreshing and light on your palate.

6) Really sweet staff. I asked them the brand of tea they use and they handed me over the entire packet so that I could check all details I wanted. Also the glass tumblers they provide water in look adorable.


Have you visited the place? If you did, do let me know what stuff you tried and liked there.