Manali Manan Desai's Blog, page 36

Travel Tales With M ~ Kronenburgerpark

In focus under this story is Kronenburgerpark located in the city of Nijmegen in the Netherlands.

In focus under this story is Kronenburgerpark located in the city of Nijmegen in the Netherlands.

Photo by the author | A view of the Kronenburgerpark from atop one of its many uphill slopes.

This is a quiet, modern city park with old town charm and the beauty of nature. The highlight of this park is the medieval tower, which is quite beautiful. Though access inside the tower was closed when we visited, its appeal was apparent from outside as well.

As per Google, the tower is open for visit only on Open Monuments Day (not sure if it would stay open under the current Covid-19 crisis)

Photo by the author| My husband posing in front of the tower and pond at Kronenburgerpark

Inside the park, there is a small pond that has two parts divided by a bridge. The pool has numerous ducks, geese, and some big as well as small fish.

Photo by the author | My husband and I posing on the little bridge inside Kronenburgerpark

At the top of the park, after a small uphill climb, there is a small playground for young children and a petting zoo. One can find deer, land goats, peacocks, and chickens as the permanent residents of this enclosure.

There are wooden benches scattered across the park where one can sit and enjoy the peace, silence, and beauty aplenty here. Visitors can also just laze around in the wide-open grounds, basking in the sunlight on a day with warm weather.

Photo by the author | The ducks and geese at Kronenburgerpark

Besides the benches, tower, pond, and petting zoo, the park also offers two open terraced broken-down towers. From atop these, visitors can get a panoramic view of the entire park.

Photo by the author | My husband and I atop one of the broken-down open terraced towers at Kronenburgerpark

We spent a good sunny morning and afternoon at this park, walking around and then resting on benches and towers. My favorite part was sitting in front a bench opposite the petting zoo enclosure. We watched the deer and other animals running around as we munched on homemade sandwiches and a bottle of juice.

Photo by the author | My husband and I outside the petting zoo enclosure at Kronenburgerpark

If in Nijmegen, do visit this park for an enjoyable day out with family and friends.

Pro-tip: I made the mistake of wearing flat sandals and ended up with sore feet. Since there is much walking and uphill climb involved, I recommend wearing shoes.

In Conversation With Shalini Ranjan

“It is said that in death, all things become clear.”
― Dan Brown

Books that deal with mysterious deaths and the suspense around it, have always managed to give me sleepless nights; more out of fear than curiosity. Nonetheless, I do indulge in them once in a while. One such recent read of mine was If I Hadn’t Met You by Shalini Ranjan.

After reading it, I just knew I had to talk to Shalini about how the whole story came about. So, when she agreed to be a guest on the #AuthorCollaborative segment, I was most excited. Before we could do that, she was kind enough to read Love (Try) Angle.

After we were both done reading each other’s books, we scheduled our live session for today evening.

To say it was a blast, would be an understatement. We talked about all things related to books and writing. It started with my questions for her.

After this, it went on to her questions for me.

We had fun answering as well as listening to the other’s helpful and informative answers.

Before wrapping up the session, we did a rapid-fire round. Even in this round, my questions were mostly around books.

But Shalini chose to add something beyond books too.

You can have a look/see at our full fun and informative session in the video below:

Buying details of books discussed the session:

If I Hadn’t Met You on Amazon India If I Hadn’t Met You on Amazon.com Love (Try) Angle

If You Let Me Go by Sonia Rao

Book blurb:

What happens in Paris…
Shivalika is a brilliant interior designer who attracts suitors like bees to honey. But she will have none of that. Shivalika has her life mapped out. She does not believe in love at all and is only focused on her career the reason for which is a secret she has nursed since she was a teenager.

But when billionaire Vikramarya Kumar aka VK aka “the most eligible bachelor in the country” enters her company as the new boss, sparks fly and she finds all her beliefs getting shattered, one by one.

Shivalika’s secret has already created havoc once in her life. Will she be able to overcome it to find her happily-ever-after with VK or will the pain of it destroy every chance of finding true love and healing?

If You Let Me Go is a standalone sweet romance novel in the First Love Billionaire Romance series.

Genre: Fiction/Romantic Drama

Pages: 154

Format: Kindle eBook

Price: 99 INR/$2.99

My Ratings: 4.2/5

Shivalika is a career-focused interior designer determined not to fall in love. In comes VK, who is not only jaw-droppingly gorgeous but also her new boss. To add to it, he has a girlfriend, who is everything that Shivalika isn’t; zero figured and chic! Why is Shivalika bothered by all this when she doesn’t want to get into kind of a relationship though? Are her thoughts around the concept of love finally changing?

Book cover taken from Amazon

What I liked about the book:
-> The protagonist, Shivalika is a career-minded and self-made girl. I loved her clarity of thought and confidence around her work.
-> The family members are well etched, especially Shivalika’s grandmother. The office colleagues too are well-drawn characters, people whom one actually meets in real work life and not just put into the story for the sake of it.
-> The part about why Shivalika becomes averse to love and relationships is well hidden maintaining a curiosity in the reader’s mind as to what must have happened in the past.
-> After a long time, I read a sweet office romance story that hit all the right notes. It had the correct measure of love, friendship, and heartbreak thrown in.
-> I loved all the characterizations and also the descriptions of places, clothes, and makeup; I especially enjoyed how Paris and the visit to Eiffel Tower are narrated.
-> The narrative flowed smoothly and the chapters were short and engaging.

What I did not like about the book:
-> The character of Maurice could be more twisted to add fuel to their chemistry.
-> I found the referring of male protagonist as VK a little off-putting.
-> Though the side characters are many and varied, most of them lacked depth. I would’ve liked a few more scenes with their involvement and dialogues, especially Shivalika’s twin brothers, her father and her best friend Aloka.

Quotable quotes:
-> If two people love each other and want to be together, even if they belong to the same gender, why should anyone object?
-> They really suited each other, both of them so arrogant and bossy- she had to laugh at that one: bossy… a boss was supposed to be bossy, right?
-> It always bugged her that when they called for takeaway, the guys in the office just sat back and waited for the girls to serve the food.
-> We have no control over life, death, diseases, but we have to face situations that confront us and then move on. That is the way of the world.
-> One can’t choose whom to love. It happens as and when it does.
-> Love makes one reckless.
-> You could not choose who you fell in love with.
-> Make a killing where you see a lacuna. Or void. Nature abhors a vacuum.
->Feeling empathy for anyone is very good but you’ve got to think with a clear mind too.
-> Love can happen to the best of people with the worst of people. Can one control who one loves? No, one cannot.
-> How could anyone could to Paris and not see the Eiffel Tower? I’m sorry there’s no answer to that question because it is not a logical question. It should not be asked at all.
-> Falling in love could happen anytime and with anyone. It was not right to judge anyone.
-> “So you go very often to the Qutub Minar?”
“Whenever I am overwhelmed, I imagine myself standing at the top of it. You know, there is a ledge where you can stand and look at the world around, and I see those tiny specks of humanity of which I am a part and wonder how big can my problem be in the larger scheme of things.”
-> Shivalika shrugged her shoulders. She really couldn’t be worried too much about other people’s problems when she had enough of her own to face and solve.
->The path of true love never did run smooth.
->Sweet memories were made of the special moments you shared with those you love, given an opportunity.
-> VK’s lips on hers felt so right. It was like she’d come home.
-> Office goers can take any occasion and make it a reason to have a party.
-> She found it quite silly that people insisted that one could only have fun if one was drunk.
-> The gloss of money envelopes you in a particular sheen that acts as an armour, gives you a shot of super confidence and makes you oblivious to other people’s feelings.
-> At least work did not cheat you and leave you with unrequited love. It always gave back more than you gave it.
-> Life was always tough for a working girl.
-> What makes you think that one can dictate to the heart about what or who to love?
-> Memories are meant to make us strong and give us courage to move forward. They are definitely not supposed to become shackles that stop our growth.
->Parents always take great pride in what their children do.
-> Parents never stop loving their children how much ever they hurt them.
-> Time is a great healer, people often said, but she wondered if those people had ever suffered a loss so deep it felt like the soul was hurt.
-> Whoever loves more, says it.

Buying details:

Amazon IndiaAmazon.com

Author’s social media handles:

WebsiteInstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

It’s Okay

It’s okay,

To be a little different.

It’s okay,

To not know the answer to everything.

It’s okay,

To fail once in a while.

It’s okay,

To not know how to do something.

It’s okay,

To say no when you don’t want to say yes.

It’s okay,

To disagree with someone.

It’s okay,

To feel confusion, fear, or anxiety.

But what’s not okay,

Is to force yourself to be okay with anything out of these.

****

Thank you for reading.

How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com

Types of People

Two types of people in this world,

Those who think,

‘I don’t need to do this, somebody else will.’

And those who question,

‘If I don’t do this, who else will?’

Those who think,

‘This will bother someone, let me fix it.’

Those who question,

‘This doesn’t bother me, why should I waste time fixing it?’

Those who believe,

‘I’m good the way I am, people will adjust.’

Those who ponder,

‘Maybe I need to change, not all people will adjust’

Those who question,

‘I am better than them, why can’t I be at their position?’

Those who think,

‘I am good too, but they must be doing something different than I am, let’s learn from them.’

Did you find yourself in any of these people?

Which one are you?

****

Thank you for reading. 

How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com

Quotes By M

I’ve started a series called Quotes with M, wherein I share 7 quotes in each post, to help us (you and me) get through the week.

Because, we can never get enough motivation, right?

So, here’s this week’s dose. Hope these will help you give in your best.

1. Give your bestScreenshot from author’s Instagram Feed2. Keep SmilingScreenshot from author’s Instagram Feed3. Yes, You CanScreenshot from author’s Instagram Feed4. Stop Doubting YourselfScreenshot from author’s Instagram Feed5. Love without conditionsScreenshot from author’s Instagram Feed6. Patience is KeyScreenshot from author’s Instagram Feed7. Choose WiselyScreenshot from author’s Instagram Feed

Thank you for reading. If you enjoyed reading that, do check out the previous stories in this thread.

Quotes by My (1)Quotes by M (2)

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How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com

The Maharaja’s Fake Fiancée by Alisha Kay

Book blurb:

A scandal-averse Maharaja.
A free-spirited actress.
What do you get when you throw them together and add a fake engagement to the mix?
Either a match made-in-heaven or a royal disaster.
Nivy Sharma knows exactly what she needs – the freedom to be herself and follow her passion. Guess what she doesn’t need? A tailor-made husband.
When her meddlesome mother tries to throw her into the arms of a mom-approved suitor, Nivy runs the other way.
Right into the arms of the man who shattered her heart five years ago.
His Highness Veerendra Singh can recognize a pain-in-the-ass when he sees it. Especially when it falls into his arms.
Even if said pain-in-the-ass has legs that go on forever and lush lips that just beg to be kissed, Veer vows to run the other way. As he did once before.
But, when the marriage-minded princess of Tejpur sets her sights on him, Veer runs back into Nivy’s arms to propose a fake engagement.
When ‘fake’ starts to feel very real, Nivy and Veer have to decide what is important – long-held prejudices or the chance for a life with the only person they’ve ever loved.
Will this be their second chance at love or will their broken past ruin their hope for a shared future?

Genre: Fiction/Romantic Comedy

Pages: 180

Format: Kindle eBook

Price: 99 INR/$2.99

My Ratings: 4.5/5

Nivy Sharma, a successful actress, returns to her hometown after losing the funding for her upcoming film. When she is forced to meet Dr. Jay by her mother, she tries to escape from the arms of this supposedly perfect but stinky smelling suitor and lands in the arms of her long lost but lifelong crush, His Highness, and Maharaja of Devgrah, Veerendra Singh. He suggests a plan to get rid of the irksome Dr. Jay, which would also help him get rid of Anika, who seems hell bent on marrying the Maharaja, despite his attempts to thwart her advances. Will they be able to escape these unwanted relationships, while also keeping their obvious attraction towards each other, in check?

Book cover taken from Amazon

What I liked about the book:
-> The relationship between Jessie (Veer’s sister) and Veer and their mother has been portrayed beautifully. I loved the easy camaraderie between the siblings.
-> The story has been written well, in first person from the point of Nivy and in third person from the point of Veer. This meant that we could get a glimpse of the emotions of both the lead characters.
-> The book is hilarious as the repartees keep you chuckling. The parts where Jessie and Nivy gang up against Veer are definitely LOL moments.
-> The scenes have been described in detail and could be easily picturized.
-> The story ticks all the requirements of a Romcom successfully, right from a sizzling chemistry between the protagonists to crisp dialogues and funny moments.

What I did not like about the book:
-> The character of Nivy’s mother and how she constantly keeps putting Nivy down, comparing her to her successful and in her opinion, better respected, elder sibling, Aryan, who is a doctor.
-> Though a series is promised and I’m sure the later books will provide more depth to their characters, I wish we could learn more about Abhay and Jessie in this one as well.

Quotable quotes:
-> “I would never force either of you to do anything,” declared Rani ma indignantly.
“You wouldn’t need to. Not when emotional blackmail is so much more effective,” he replied dryly.
-> There’s nothing fair about life. We just have to make the best of what we have.
-> He started at me with one eyebrow raised. I had practiced that move thousands of times in front of the mirror- unsuccessfully. So, it felt a bit unfair that someone I was rapidly coming to consider my enemy could do it so easily. Was there no justice in the world?
-> My parents believe that getting married and breeding like a bunny will distract me from wanting to focus on my career.
-> The heart knows what it wants.
-> People don’t give a fig about your clout, when they have the upper hand.
-> When in trouble, always deflect- that was my motto.
-> Is public opinion more important to you than your loved one’s happiness?
-> Fantasies don’t need to be realistic.
-> You have nothing to be ashamed of if you’re learning from your mistakes, which is not something everyone can do.
-> “Sure, I could use some coffee”, I said gratefully.
“And some cookies to go with it?”
“Chocolate chip?”
“Are there any other kind in the whole wide world?”
“Nice! I like a man who has his cookie-priorities right,” I teased.
-> “A true Rajput doesn’t raise his hand to a woman, even if he’s convinced that said woman is a chudial in disguise,” he said softly.
-> He had never met anyone like her, who took such joy in small things in life. Nivy didn’t just survive the criticism and constant putting down by her family. She thrived. Despite all the people trying to pull her down, despite randy old bastards who pulled out of her film, despite idiot Maharajas who broke her heart. She didn’t allow any of that to dim the light of her soul. Or that beautiful smile.
-> Women are not helpless creatures needing some rich guy to pay for them all the time. We can pay our own way.
->Relationships are about feelings and emotions, not accounting columns of who brings what into the relationship.
-> People are precious, not things.
-> It is unfair on anyone to shy away from the chance of true happiness.
-> There’s just no appreciation for chivalry these days.
-> You can’t run the engine of a relationship on sex alone.
-> You can’t be upset about the past as long as it doesn’t intrude your present.
-> Life doesn’t follow a script.
->Life is not a game. You can’t go about destroying relationships for stupid reasons, or your career.
-> As long as we got past the fights and believed in the promise of us, we would be fine.

Buying details:

Amazon IndiaAmazon.com

Author’s social media links:

Instagram Twitter

Letters from Heaven by Surabhi Sharma

Book blurb:

Letters from her dead husband arrive suddenly for Radhika one day. Grief-stricken at having lost her husband to cancer a few months ago, she is learning to live without him. Trying to cope with life and accept the reality that he is no more. Are the letters messages for her from the beyond?
Baffled by the letters, Radhika tries to unravel the truth behind the letters. Is her husband trying to send her messages? Can she believe in the letters? Do the letters come from Heaven? Is someone playing a prank on her or have they truly have come from the stars? Is it possible to communicate in the afterlife? This is a story about the power of love – in life and the afterlife.
A definite page-turner that will touch your soul.

Genre: Fiction/Short stories

Pages: 32

Format: Kindle eBook

Price: 49 INR/$0.99

My Ratings: 3.9/5

Radhika and her husband Arun have been married for 45 years; until death does them apart. Arun passes away due to a chronic illness, leaving behind a heartbroken Radhika. While trying to get over her grief, Radhika starts receiving letters from Arun, who corresponds with her from heaven, sharing with her the updates about his afterlife. Radhika starts feeling miffed because Arun seems to be happy and content without her in heaven. Will Radhika be able to find her happiness again too?

Book cover taken from Amazon

What I liked about the book:
-> It sends out a beautiful message that those who truly love us, always want us to be happy, with our without them by our side.
-> It teaches a lesson that life must goes on and one should embrace it as it comes.
-> The way it hints that in trying to chase our every day schedules and fulfilling our duties and responsibilities, we forget to focus on our aims and dreams, or on what we really want to do.
-> Though the story comes across as a fantasy, the plot is totally believable.
–> It is a happy and optimistic story which makes you believe in yourself, making you understand that, ‘life goes on’. I loved how this message is subtly woven into the story line.
-> It is a short, sweet and heartwarming tale, perfect for a quick read. Not all love stories need to be mushy and this book is the perfect example. I especially loved the way the companionship and caring between the husband and wife has been portrayed.

What I did not like about the book:
-> At times it felt the whole story just rotated around Radhika. Maybe a little bit more about the characters other than her would have added more depth.
-> The story is a little slow-paced.

Quotable quotes:
-> Darkness became her solace, her escapism, where she quietly talked to the one she had lost and felt his presence.
-> No one had written to her in years after the communication technology progressed to phones.
->Forty-five years is a long time to spend with someone.
-> Souls do not need a passport and visa.
->Forty-five years flew by in fulfilling our responsibilities and social obligations. When time seemed in hand, age took a toll and did not allow us to do what we had procrastinated about. I wish we had cared less for society and more for us. We could have done what we had wanted.
-> Time can be a best friend and a loyal enemy.
-> Let’s not think about what we can’t and do what we still can.

Buying details:

Amazon IndiaAmazon.com

Author’s social media links:

InstagramTwitterFacebookLinkedIn

I Met My Past Self Today (A Poem)

She’s 15,

I’m 32.

She’s trying to fit in,

I’m standing out.

She’s afraid of failures,

I’m learning from my mistakes.

She’s keeping her feelings bottled up and maintains a secret dairy,

I’m letting it all out and my life is an open book.

She thinks she’s lesser than others,

I believe my only comparison is with her.

She’s a shadow of my past,

I’m a reflection of her experiences.

She’s conscious of her looks and body, constantly thinking, “I don’t have the perfect body.”

I am confident of my body, constantly reminding myself, “The perfect body is a myth and I’m working hard to keep my body fit and healthy.”

She uses her words to bring comfort to her mind,

I use my words to send out a message.

She craves love and attention to validate everything she does,

I love myself enough to know what I wear, think, and do, doesn’t need approval from others.

She hides behind books finding solace in fiction that life fails to provide,

I talk about books, helping myself and others find truth via fiction, making life a little better.

She avoided talking to people, not knowing what and how to talk,

I listen to people, knowing I don’t need to talk and definitely don’t have to avoid people because I can’t talk much.

Have you met this girl or the woman she has become?

***

I came across an old photograph of mine that prompted me to think about how I’m different from the girl who I used to be as a teenager.

Thank you for reading.

***

How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com

The Little Things That Matter

“Our heart is wide enough to embrace the world and hands are long enough to encompass the world.”
― Amit Ray1. RESPECT EVERYONE

Man or woman,

Girl or boy,

Straight or gay,

Young or old,

Sometimes it’s the way they’re born,

Sometimes it’s their choice,

It doesn’t concern you, and, and it should really not be your opinion on their life.

Just ask yourselves, does it really matter in the larger context of things?

The world would be so much better if we just let each other be and respect individuality.

2. GIVE A LITTLE FROM WHAT YOU HAVE

This isn’t just about monetary giving. It could be anything.

A. Mentor or teach someone

B. Help someone find their way when they’re lost

C. Impart knowledge on something you’re confident about or have learned about.

3. BE GRATEFUL EVERY DAY

Someone has rightly said that,

“gratitude is riches and complaining is for the poor of mind.“

From the air we breathe to the food we eat, we never think about how fortunate we are to get what we take for granted on most occasions. Next time you think something’s missing in your life, also think about how far you’ve come and how much you already have.

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How to contact me:Connect with me on LinkedIn.Subscribe to my YouTube channel.Follow me on Instagram and Facebook.Send me an email: arusticmind@gmail.com/manali1988@gmail.com