Smitha Vishwanath's Blog, page 26

Book Review 04/50: This Is How We Grow: Stories and Poems for Perspective taking

‘This is how we grow’ is a non-fiction collection of stories written by several authors. I was curious about the book after having read several reviews on it. I wondered what it could tell me that I didn’t already know. As I know some of the authors, I began by reading their stories first. The […]

Nominated as ‘Author of the Year, 2024’ by SpillWords Press

I’m overjoyed to see my name in the list of nominees for ‘Author of the Year’. The news came as a sweet surprise on 26th January, India’s 75th Republic Day. If you’re wondering why I didn’t share the news earlier, especially since I need your votes to help me bag the title, it’s because I […]

Book Review 2024- 03/50: Sakina’s Kiss by Vivek Shanbhag translated by Srinath Perur

I had no idea about the book or the author until I attended the book fair in Bangalore. As the session we wanted to go for was crowded, we walked into the tent where Vivek Shanbhag, an author who writes in Kannada, was discussing his book ‘Gachar Gochar’ translated into English by Srinath Perur. It […]

Book Review 2024 – 2/50: ‘Earthly Days’ by Cheryl Batavia

It was the name that got my attention. ‘Earthly Days’ feels like there could be other days, like ‘Heavenly Days’ for instance, something after ‘Earthly Days’ and somehow reduces the despondency one feels on knowing one’s time on earth is limited. The book has around 40 poems divided into 5 sections: Perspective, Love, Family, Nostalgia […]

Published : Why Poetry?

My poem, ‘Why Poetry?’ has been published by Spillwords Press. I had forgotten that I had sent it to them. So, seeing this message this morning resulted in surprise at first and ended with a smile. Spillwords.com presents: Why Poetry?, a poem by SmithaV, who’s enjoying a new chapter in her life, with writing forming […]

Book Review 1/50 (2024) : ‘An Island’ by Karen Jennings

Last year, I read 25 books and wrote 25 reviews which you can find in my blog or on Goodreads, Amazon or all three. I read far lesser than I would have liked to. So, this year, I have set myself a target. I hope to read 50 books and write 50 reviews this year. […]

2023: Part 2 &3 – Year in review- ups and downs, lessons learnt

I was supposed to write this post on the 31st of December but I couldn’t as I was traveling. It was an unplanned trip but the most fulfilling. I was in my hometown, Mangalore, 18 years after my mom’s death, on her death anniversary. And although, I do go to the temple and make an […]

My 2023: Part1-Books, Art and Travel

It’s that time of the year when you look back and take stock of the year gone and make plans for the coming year. Did I say plans? Oops! I’m not making any plans. Because, 2023 taught me not to make plans because plans are what you make if you want God to have a […]

Book Review: Two cents for my thoughts by Gargi Sarkhel Bagchi

I am back again with another review. This time it’s of a poetry book released in May 2023. I meant to read it sooner. However, I had to wait until I was back in India as Amazon does not exist in the country I reside in and this book is not available on Kindle.  The book […]

ThankfulThursday, Thursday Doors 14.12.23 and conversation

It’s Thursday again and I’m here with my gratitude post and Thursday doors. Among the many things that I’m thankful for this week, here are a few. I’m thankful that we had no internet on Saturday and Sunday. There was some issue with the service provider. No internet meant no Netflix. It didn’t bother me […]