Kritika Sharma's Blog, page 20

Quick Titbits - Granny's Prescriptions #4

#QuickTitbits #BloodSugar
Dadi Maa ke Nuskhe ~ Blood Sugar
In order to control blood sugar naturallySoak Fenugreek seeds (मेथी के दाने ) in warm water Keep them overnightNext morning strain the waterAnd drink it empty stomach (i.e. first thing in morning)It will help reduce high levels of blood sugarand will control blood sugar of those who are at risk of diabetes

Till ThenTake Care

The Shannara Chronicles: An undecidable show...

#TVReviews   #Shannara
I am a big fan of Teen Wolf, an MTV show and 'The Shannara Chronicles' was on constant promo loop with its new season premier - hence yes, I had to watch it :)
To start with, the show is based on "The Sword of Shannara Trilogy" by Terry Brooks. 
It was a 2 hour premier and honestly I don't know if I am intrigued by it. The story line is good and fast-paced but it doesn't present with any wow theme.The setting of the show looks post-apocalyptic but no where in show has anything being mentioned. I guess it is just left to guess like what happened or how various races are ruling the Earth and etc.
The key races in show are - Elves (the most powerful ones), Druids (the magical ones), Trolls (the ugly ones), Demons (the not-so scary ones) and Humans (no comments there). What strikes me most about the show is it's resemblance to Lord of the Rings movies. Well, LOTR is one of its kind movie but the show looks like a loose adaptation in terms of background, theme, characters etc.  
Talking about characters, the show has some popular cast which allows it a default fan base (like Manu Bennett from Arrow, Hobbit etc., John Rhys-Davies aka Gimli in LOTR). The other characters are decent too and in terms of acting they all do a fine job. No where you feel they are not upto mark.

There are certain things which I found pretty disappointing in the show, to start with the main demon. It looked like a low rank, poor Orc. After watching so many shows it didn't do any magic on screen. Secondly, the jokes about elves-ears. If they were intended as a joke, they honestly didn't come across that way. And lastly, the fact men-will-be-men when it comes to a woman came across so easily (although it is a big fact but still)
The cinematography of the show is good and the scenic beauty it offers is amazing. Although oncertain instances I was reminded of movies like Avatar. Some scenes had striking resemblance. The effects in the show are good too

Overall, I can say it is light fantasy drama with no heavy stuff. If you wish to watch it I would recommend keep the critic side of your brain away and you should enjoy the show.
I would rate it 2.5/5. 
If I decide to watch further and it improves, I will definitely  update my post :)
Hope this helps
Till thenTake Care

Bye Bye 2015 & Welcome 2016... Let's make some resolutions

#HappyNewYear   #RandomThoughts
Wow, another good long year passed and for some it was good and for some maybe bad. Well for me, it was a mix of good and bad... not able to decide which side I am more inclined... umm lets be positive and say it was good :)
Couple of good things happened to me last year... to start with I became a published author under my own name... Yay... it is one of the best accomplishments... Also, I started and managed to keep up with my blog (mostly). On other front, came back to India, got promoted, spent awesome time with my family and so on - and so forth...On bad things, yes some pretty bad stuff happened too... mmm, I would rather forget it instead of writing here...
I hope you too are doing the same thing. What ever happened in 2015 - happened. Let's just forget it and move on... Well if we will not do so and keep on dangling on them then their reflections will affect all good things in 2016 as well. And we don't want to ruin our 2016 now, do we?
So, come now. Join me... and make a resolution... Only remember good things from 2015 and take them on and make a beautiful 2016. 
I am not sure about others but I also have one more personal resolution, which I hope I would be able to achieve... to fix up my schedule and wake up and sleep on time... Yeah yeah, it is very important to have a schedule and I myself have written a post dictating importance of sleep schedule but once it is ruined it is very difficult to maintain - especially when you have a demanding job. It is easier said that done, but I do hope to achieve it. Well my hubby achieved it in 2010 by making a resolution, I hope I can match up his strong will.

Anyway, enough about me. Why don't you share some of your resolutions? Maybe we all can achieve them together :)
Wishing you a very happy new year.
Take Good Care
Cheers

Book Review: Shadi on Toes

#BookReviews  #ShadiOnToes
Title: Shadi on Toes
Author: Payal Sareen Reddy & Ashoka Bala Reddy
Publisher: LiFi Publishing
Pages: 165
Price: Rs. 140
My Rating: 3.75/5

Blurb:
Her dream for Mr. Right leads her through a series of encounters ranging from a hilarious speed date at a train station to a frightening drive through the alleys of South Mumbai with a mysterious criminal. Meet Riya and her blind dates in Shadi on Toes.
Review:
Getting the daughters married at the right age (preferably right after college) is every parents' dream. They feel extremely stressed during this phase however no one understands or considers the stress and pain that a girl has to go through during this process. The book reflects on the journey that a girl goes through from the day search begins till she gets married.
The book revolves around Riya, Preeti and the narrator who meet in PG and become best friends. Eventually they rent an apartment and share the struggles in each other's lives. The incidences are mainly revolving around Riya and her search for Mr. Right. During the process she is seen from speed-dating at train station to temporary relation with a criminal. The whole process is interesting, enjoyable and at times hilarious and shocking.
The book is in narrative style and although it is not the usual way but it suits the requirement and keeps you interested and glued. The book also reflects on certain commercial aspects like fake profiles on matrimony and some social aspects like family pressure and stress on materialistic things.
It is an easy and pleasant read which is fun-filled, romantic and full of drama.
My rating for this book is 3.75/5
I enjoyed it, I hope you enjoy it too.
You can grab a copy at:
Till thenTake Care

Meet Robert Eggleton - Author who donates proceeds to Child Abuse Prevention Program

#AuthorInterview
As a blogger/writer I get in touch with a lot of people but its rare to find an author who donates half of the proceeds to a charity.I am honoured to introduce Robert Eggleton - Author of Rarity from the Hollow book.

1.      Please tell us something about yourself.
I’m sixty-four years old and just now entering the fiction marketplace. I’ve dreamed of becoming a published author for decades. Rarity from the Hollow is my debut novel. After earning a master’s degree in social work in 1977, children’s rights became my personal calling. I’ve been a children’s advocate for over forty years. In 2002, I started a job as a children’s psychotherapist at the local mental health center. Six months ago, I retired from my job so that I could write and promote my fiction. It wasn’t a clean escape though. I had to make a deal with my conscience to justify leaving that job: author proceeds from Rarity from the Hollow have been donated to a child abuse prevention program.

2.      Please tell us something about your book, what makes it unique from other books?
Rarity from the Hollow has been called unique. It’s received mostly glowing book reviews, most of which have used the term unique or a synonym. Frankly, I didn’t think that I was writing anything that unusual as I worked on it. After it was published, one book critic, Bryan Zepp Jamieson, called it “…another quarter turn beyond Vonnegut….” The novel is a children’s story for adults written in the colloquial voice of an eleven year old girl.  But, Lacy Dawn is not a typical little girl, and if you think of her as such, you may be shocked. It is adult literary science fiction: an android was sent by the Manager of the Mall on planet Shptiludrp (Shop ’Till You Drop) to recruit Lacy to save the Universe from a surprising and lethal threat. The story's content addresses social issues, satiric of most everything that it touches upon and is not for the prudish, fainthearted or easily offended. Will Lacy Dawn's magic enable her to save the universe, Earth, and, most importantly, her own family?   3.      The book is classified into “social science fiction” – it is not a common genre, what motivated you to write about it?
In the 1970s, Ursula K. Le Guinn coined the term, "social science fiction." Rarity from the Hollow integrates serious social issues into its narrative – child abuse, domestic violence, PTSD experienced by Vets after returning from war…. Historically, speculative fiction has fuelled social activism, debate, and the adoption of evolving or devolving social policy. In 380 B.C., Plato envisioned a utopian society in The Republic and that story represented the beginning of a long string of speculations: ecology, economics, politics, religion, technology, feminism…. Maybe “social science fiction” is not a common genre today, but it has historical roots. 
I hope that readers will think about what I’ve written long after they have turned the last page of Rarity from the Hollow. The story is not preachy or anything similar, but I do hope that it prompts readers to reflect on the lives that some folks experience, especially those lives affected by child abuse and neglect.
4.      What was your inspiration for writing the story?
In 2002, I started working as a children’s psychotherapist in an intensive day program. Most of the kids, like me as a child, had been traumatized, some having experienced extreme sexual abuse. Part of my job was facilitating group therapy sessions.
One day at work in 2006, a few seats away from me around a table used for written therapeutic exercises, sat a skinny eleven year old with stringy brown hair. This girl was inspiring to other kids, staff, and, especially to me and my dream of writing fiction. Her name became Lacy Dawn. Rather than focusing on her victimization, she spoke of dreams – finding a loving family that respected her physically and spiritually. She inspired me to make my own dream come true, to write fiction – a powerful female protagonist who takes on the evils of the universe.
5.      What were the key challenges that you faced while writing the story?
I enjoy writing. Writing itself doesn’t present challenges. There was one scene, the third chapter that was very hard for me to write. This scene involves domestic violence and is harsh, the only graphic violence in the story. The novel becomes satiric and comedic. When writing about the domestic violence, tears would blur my vision of the monitor every time that I reworked it, a challenge to get it right. 
6.      Which part of publishing process is the most taxing for you? Is it writing, editing, proposing to publishers or something else?
I enjoy writing. Writing itself doesn’t present challenges. The challenges began after Rarity from the Hollow was published – self-promotion. The marketplace if flooded with books. Small presses don’t have budgets to promote books. Letting people know that my novel exists has been was up to me. Every step of the path after the last period of the story has been a challenge because self-promotion is not a good fit to my personality.  
7.      Any other projects you are working on? Yes, what are they?
I’ve started to take a second look at Ivy, the next full-length Lacy Dawn Adventure, in light of what I’ve learned while self promoting Rarity from the Hollow. I have three short stories that I’m working on finding a home for, and a literary poem.
8.      Lastly, if you have to describe your book in few lines, how will you do it?
I’ll use the words of a book reviewer to answer your question: “…Rarity From the Hollowby Robert Eggleton is a hillbilly version of Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy… The author has managed to do what I would have thought impossible; taken serious subjects like poverty, ignorance, abuse, and written about them with tongue-in-cheek humor without trivializing them… it’s a funny book that most sci-fi fans will thoroughly enjoy….”http://awesomeindies.net/ai-approved-review-of-rarity-from-the-holly-by-robert-eggleton/

Quick Summary of the book:
Rarity from the Hollow is adult literary science fiction with content that addresses social issues. Written in the colloquial voice of an eleven year old going of two million, this novel is not for the prudish, fainthearted or easily offended. It is a Children’s Story for Adults. Lacy Dawn is not a typical little girl, and if you think of her as such, you may be shocked. 

She lives in a hollow with her worn-out mom, her Iraq War disabled dad, and her mutt Brownie, a dog who’s very skilled at laying fiber optic cable. Lacy Dawn’s android boyfriend has come to the hollow with a mission. His equipment includes infomercial videos of Earth’s earliest proto-humans from millennia ago. He was sent by the Manager of the Mall on planet Shptiludrp (Shop ’till You Drop): he must recruit Lacy Dawn to save the Universe in exchange for the designation of Earth as a planet which is eligible for continued existence within a universal economic structure that exploits underdeveloped planets for their mineral content. Lacy Dawn’s magic enables her to save the universe, Earth, and, most importantly, her own family.
Please do leave your comments and if the book intrigued you, do grab a copy from following links:

http://www.amazon.com/Rarity-Hollow-Robert-Eggleton-ebook/dp/B007JDI508http://www.amazon.co.uk/Rarity-Hollow-Robert-Eggleton-ebook/dp/B007JDI508http://www.doghornpublishing.com/wordpress/books/rarity-from-the-hollow 

Till ThenTake Care

Quick Titbits - Granny's Prescriptions #3

#QuickTitbits #Hiccups
Dadi Maa ke Nuskhe ~ Hiccups
To get rid of hiccups instantlyTake a big sip of waterPlug you ears with your fingersLook up (as much you can)Drink very slowlyDoing this will stop your hiccups instantly

BNLF Indiblogger Meet - A Life Altering Session

#BNLF  #IndiBlogger

Yesterday I had the privilege of going to BNLF. Given I am very new to blogging world, I was sceptical of going on a Saturday morning (you know it's a day to sleep in after 5 days of hardship) but now I am very happy that I didn't let laziness overcome meBy the time I came back home, I felt like I had the happiest and most useful day of my existence. And I have Indiblogger and all new friends I made there to thank.
The day was full of learnings, excitement and great speeches from successful people (like Bruce Dikinson, Christoph Trappe, Preeti Shenoy, Jeff Bullas etc.).
Below is the summary of what I have learnt in one day... And I do hope to apply these in my life going forward - 

To be successful blogger one should blog at least once a week - It gives consistency to the fans and also it allows you in Google SEO ~Thanks to almost all speakers yesterday for this tipBlogging and writing is for my own passion and satisfaction. It is not to show someone (relatives and other people) what I can or cannot do. ~ Purba RayDon't be afraid to write what you want. Be original and write what you want to write, instead of what others want you to write. ~ Arnab RayA good blog post should be at least 500-600 words long. However blog post of 1200 words is shared most. ~ Chritoph TrappeA successful post follows 60 - 30 - 10 rule i.e. 60% Talking - 30% Responding/Resharing -10% Links ~ Chritoph Trappe"Authentic stories are lived and then told!" - Also, they need to be vulnerable, candid and have some kind of conflict ~ Chritoph TrappeHeadlines are very important. Write multiple and choose best ~ Chritoph TrappeOur voice as bloggers make a difference. Write to create impact ~ Anshul TiwariBeing miserable doesn't help. If you are persistent and passionate about what you want, you can achieve it. ~ Kanan Gill
"Done is better than Perfect" - Meaning one should start writing and improve instead of wanting to write a perfect piece and never write. You discover yourself through the journey ~ Jeff Bullas"Run when you can, Walk if you have to, Crawl if you must; Just never give up - Dean Karnazes" - Very clear and apt. ~ Jeff BullasWriting is like exercising. If you want to build muscle you don't just work out for one day and have great expectations out of it. To have good writing muscle in your brain, one should write everyday (be it anything - blog post or a story or even an email to friend) ~ Preeti Shenoy
Four things to be successful ~ Preeti ShenoyDo something you have never done beforeDon't let rejections affect youDevelop your skill setsPush your limitsDon't look for customers, they leave you. Instead look for fans, they always stay with you ~ Bruce Dickinson0 + 0 = 1... be a creative mosquito and make it happen ~ Bruce Dickinson
I hope this post helps people who were there with me and to people who couldn't attend
Unfortunately I missed today's session and if someone could share highlights, I would be greatful.
Till thenTake Care

The Walk Movie: Nothing less than a WOW Experience...

#TheWalk  #MovieReviews
WOW! is the first word that comes to mind after watching this movie. Considering it is based on real life incidence, the film gets even more mesmerizing.

The film is based on real life story of Philippe Petit who walked on a wire between twin towers and is dedicated to the victims on September 11, 2001 attack. 
The set up is in France and New York, where a young talented wire walker is obsessed with walking between twin towers. Ever since he sees the picture of twin towers in a magazine he makes it his mission to walk on it. During his journey we see how he forms alliances, how he practises, succeeds and fails. All in all its his persistence and dedication that makes him successful. Mind you it is not easy to stand on the edge of a building of 1400 ft height, let alone walk, turn, lay down and kneel on a wire across 200 ft.
The character of Philippe Petit is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and he did a wonderful job in it. To fulfil a dream as crazy as this one needs dedication and persistence, which in turn converts a man into a arrogant, stubborn mad-man. Levitt did a fabulous job in passing as stubborn mad-man. All the other characters were okay, they were there to support him and they did fine job.
Overall, movie is a must watch, but only in 3D. The effects and scenic beauty are just mesmerizing. Over years, across all the movies I have watched, this has been the only movie where everyone clapped in the end - And it was well deserved.
My rating - 4.5/5Loved it. Hope you like it too
Till thenTake Care

The Walk Movie: My Reviews and Thoughts

#TheWalk  #MovieReviews
WOW! is the first word that comes to mind after watching this movie. Considering it is based on real life incidence, the film gets even more mesmerizing.

The film is based on real life story of Philippe Petit who walked on a wire between twin towers and is dedicated to the victims on September 11, 2001 attack. 
The set up is in France and New York, where a young talented wire walker is obsessed with walking between twin towers. Ever since he sees the picture of twin towers in a magazine he makes it his mission to walk on it. During his journey we see how he forms alliances, how he practises, succeeds and fails. All in all its his persistence and dedication that makes him successful. Mind you it is not easy to stand on the edge of a building of 1400 ft height, let alone walk, turn, lay down and kneel on a wire across 200 ft.
The character of Philippe Petit is played by Joseph Gordon-Levitt and he did a wonderful job in it. To fulfil a dream as crazy as this one needs dedication and persistence, which in turn converts a man into a arrogant, stubborn mad-man. Levitt did a fabulous job in passing as stubborn mad-man. All the other characters were okay, they were there to support him and they did fine job.
Overall, movie is a must watch, but only in 3D. The effects and scenic beauty are just mesmerizing. Over years, across all the movies I have watched, this has been the only movie where everyone clapped in the end - And it was well deserved.
My rating - 4.5/5Loved it. Hope you like it too
Till thenTake Care

Quick Titbits - Granny's Prescriptions #2

#QuickTitbits #RunnyNose
Dadi Maa ke Nuskhe ~ Runny Nose
To stop a runny nose instantlyTake a drop of mustard oil (sarson ka tel)And apply it in your noseBeware it will sting a bitBut it will stop running nose instantly