Amy - The Girl Behind The Name

"I don't care what people think about me. 

Never did, never will. 

Life is too short to be worrying about that shit."

~ Amy Winehouse

This is one of my favorite quote and I believe the same. Life is too short to waste time worrying, thinking or explaining. Life is not a bed of roses but then it is not full of thorns too. Its just that we have to decide what we want. No one knows us better than ourselves. 

Recently I won a contest on Twitter and got couple movie tickets for the movie Amy. I booked the evening show at PVR - Select CityWalk. In case you haven't heard about Amy, it is a 2015 British documentary film about singer-songwriter Amy Winehouse, directed by Asif Kapadia. The film shows her life closely from childhood to death. It features some of her unseen archival footage and unheard tracks. Amy's family members and friends have also shared their experiences with her in the film. 

I liked the movie and realized how some things can change life forever. She was a blessed and talented artist who was not after fame or money. Her glorious rise and sad decline is heartbreaking. I was never her die hard fan but now I love listening her songs. Its just that once you understand what the other person has been through you have a soft corner for them. Amy was the first British female to win five Grammys in 2008. Its said that Amy died of alcohol poisoning in 2011 but God knows what factors contributed to her death whether it was just alcohol or drug addiction, depression, loneliness and troubled relationships together. I just pray that her soul rests in peace. The world lost her but we have her words and songs with us.

Amy Winehouse Quotes :

• Life happens. There's no point in being upset or down about things we can't control or change.
• Life is so much more rewarding if you strive for something, rather than take what's given to you on a plate.
• You are the only person who can sort yourself out, you can't rely on other people to sort out your problems. 
• I don't like to look back and think 'That was a horrible time'. I prefer to think 'I'm glad I came through that'.
• There is no point in saying anything but the truth, because at the end of the day, you don't have to answer to anyone but yourself.

Amy Winehouse Songs :

• Back To Black
• Rehab
• You Know I'm No Good
• Love Is A Losing Game
• Tears Dry On Their Own
• Stronger Than Me
• Our Day Will Come

 P.S : I love her black cat-eye makeup ;)

Facebook Page : Amy Winehouse

The Fault In Our Stars..

My love for books has grown suddenly out of nowhere or may be when I don’t find a direction in life I turn to literature precisely the world of fiction. Few months back I saw a tweet of an author on twitter that said she was really inspired by John Green’s work and instantly my detective mind started searching for this man. After googling I came to know that John Green is an American writer of young adult fiction, a YouTube vlogger and educator. 

His first novel, Looking for Alaska, won the 2006 Michael L. Printz Award presented by the American Library Association. His second novel, An Abundance of Katherines, was a 2007 Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His next novel, Paper Towns, is a New York Times bestseller and won the Edgar Allen Poe Award for Best YA Mystery. In January 2012 he reached number one on a New York Times Best Seller list with The Fault in Our Stars which won 2012 Goodreads Choice Awards for the Best Young Adult Fiction.

And that's how 'The Fault In Our Stars' was on my wishlist. Trust me I had never been too excited to buy a book. I don't know why but the title kind of attracted me. I ordered in October from Amazon.in as a Birthday gift to myself but started reading in December because I had others books to finish before I could start this (I don’t leave any book half read no matter how bad the story is :P).

The Fault In Our Stars is a very simple, sweet, cute, funny yet heartbreaking love story about Hazel Grace Lancaster and Augustus Waters. The story is narrated by a sixteen year old Hazel who was diagnosed with Stage 4 Thyroid cancer with metastasis forming in her lungs when she was 13, but has managed to live with her disease thanks to doses of an experimental drug called Phalanxifor. Augustus lost his leg to osteosarcoma, and is in remission. She loved being at home, spent quite a lot of time in bed and read the same book (An Imperial Affliction by Peter Van Houten) over and over. As a result she was forced to attend a support group for children living with cancer though she hated it. Hazel met Augustus through Isaac at the support group and their short conversation after the group meeting started their bittersweet story.

Though I want to write the whole story here but I won’t act as spoiler. Let me tell you Augustus is just 17 yrs old and all that he did for Hazel was not so ordinary. I loved their chemistry. If this book suits your taste and you get time do read it. Please don't expect something fancy or extraordinary. As the cover says it is insightful, bold, irreverent and raw. 

There were certain lines in the book that really touched the strings of my heart and I am sharing them here as follows :

• Don't worry. Worry is useless.
• Love is keeping the promise anyway.
• Without pain, how could we know joy?
• The world is not a wish granting factory.
• Grief does not change you, it reveals you.
• Our fearlessness shall be our secret weapon.
• That's the thing about pain. It demands to be felt.
• Sometimes it seems the universe wants to be noticed.
• Pain is like fabric: The stronger it is, the more its worth.
• In the darkest days, the Lord puts the best people into your life.
• You gave me a forever within the numbered days and I'm grateful.
• Everybody should have true love, and it should last atleast as long as your life does.
• Its hard as hell to hold on to your dignity when the risen sun is too bright in your losing eyes.
• No matter how hard you kick, no matter how high you get, you can't go all the way around.
• I'm in love with you and I'm not in the business of denying myself the simple pleasure of saying true things.
• God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference.

In January 2012, Fox 2000, a division of 20th Century Fox, optioned the rights to adapt the novel into a feature film. Josh Boone signed on to direct a year later, in February 2013. Filming began on August 26, 2013 on location in Pittsburgh, doubling for the novel's setting of Indianapolis, Indiana. Filming is currently underway in Amsterdam. The film is planned to be released on June 6, 2014 and I am really looking forward to the movie :)

Connect with the author : 

• Twitter : John Green

Paradise..

Who wouldn't like to live in a place which is positive, harmonious and eternal? A place where one can live happily, enjoy every moment and stay till their last breath. Don't we all dream of such a paradise? But do you think such a place exists.? 

For everyone the meaning of paradise is not the same. A child may dream of a world full of chocolates as a paradise, a young boy may dream of a beautiful place with a sweet girl as his paradise and a young girl may think of a paradise where she could live till eternity with her prince charming. Some might imagine a paradise to be luxurious, comforting and relaxing but for some it might be a place where they can free themselves from all the burden they have been carrying. 

Living in this world, everyday is a new experience. One day you may be on cloud nine, the other day you may want to hide yourself somewhere and never come out but this is the beauty of life. No matter what happens you never stop moving. You cannot stay in the clutches of the past. You have to be strong and stand up. If bad things won't exists we might not value the good ones. 

Thirst may explain you what it means to have water by your side, Hunger may tell you the importance of food, Loneliness may show you what it means to be with your loved ones, Tears may make you realize the importance of laughter.

While writing this post I have mixed emotions. One part of me wants me to write only about Happiness and the other part of me wants to write about the darker side (unhappiness).  I would never ever like to hurt anyone or spread sadness around but sometimes feelings needs words and so here it is. Anyways the idea of the Paradise came from a song named "Paradise" by Coldplay. It was released in 2011 but I came across it just two days back. The song touched me somewhere and I feel I am the same girl they are singing about. Even I expect from the world but everytime it always flies away from my reach. I close my eyes I dream of a paradise when I can throw away the heavy baggage and meet my soul. But life goes on crushing the  innocence. Every tear seems a waterfall. Even though I lie under those stormy skies I still believe the sun will rise..

June, Monsoon and Novels..

Imagine a balcony, a comfortable chair, an interesting novel and rain. Isn't it amazing.? For me, its magical and I spent my last two weekends this way at home. I read 2 (two)  novels : "Truly, Madly, Deeply" by Faraaz Kazi and "Like It Happened Yesterday" by Ravinder Singh. If one talks about first love then other talks about childhood memories. But both will definitely make you take a stroll down the memory lane. 

Reason for buying the novel :

• I bought 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' because it is the only Indian novel in the Top 100 YA Global Fiction List and the author Faraaz Kazi has won many awards for his writing style so I wanted to know what's so special about the novel.

• 'Like It Happened Yesterday' is the 3rd novel of Ravinder Singh and I have liked his earlier ones so was excited to read this one too.

Storyline :

• 'Truly, Madly, Deeply' is a Teenage Romance that revolves around the main characters Rahul and Seema. Its a beautiful knit love story that fascinates the reader. It shows how misunderstanding and ego can ruin a relationship. But for some reason I expected more from it. So according to me, its a one time read. This novel could not enter my list of favorites.  

• 'Like It Happened Yesterday' is a tale about the writer's childhood days. The story is nicely written. It will surely make the reader think about his / her school days. The title is very appropriate and even I feel those beautiful memories happened yesterday. But still I love 'I too had a love story' more which was Ravinder Singh's first novel.

Things I  liked in the Novel : 

• In 'Truly, Madly, Deeply', the writer has in-between written wonderful lines/couplets from famous books like How Do I Love Thee, I Love You As a Valley, Speak, Farewell to Love etc. Then the conversation between Father Tuscano and Rahul where he explains to him that : "Problems happen son. Nothing is perfect, not even life. God give us problems so that we can stand true to his test. Like every lock has a key, every problem has a solution. Sometimes you find the key in the unlikeliest of all places." is really inspiring. Even the debate speech that Rahul gives on "Is India truly free after Independence?" is thoughtfully written.

• In 'Like It Happened Yesterday', the Author's Note left me with a feeling of oneness as if the writer cares for the every single reader who reads his book. The write has written many lines in Punjabi throughout the book which I really loved because I am a Punjabi and could imagine the scenario in which those lines were said and written. It was nostalgic to read such a story that made me miss my innocent, sweet days. As a kid we all want to grow up quickly and enjoy things we are not allowed to do but when we are young and responsible we want to go back. Strange.!

Things I din't liked in the Novel :

• In 'Truly, Madly, Deeply', on page 36, Raj who is in conversation with Rahul says "Stop sounding like those filmy chutias and tell me what the news is?" For a second I could not believe a novel that has been internationally acclaimed uses such a word. Weird.! 

• In 'Like It Happened Yesterday', there is nothing as such.

I bought both the novels from Amazon.in and must say everything was so hassle free that I will surely buy from them again.

         

*Special Note* : In no way this is a comparison between the two novels. I just tried to collect and write my thoughts into one post. The views about the novels are personal which may differ from public view. I have no intentions to hurt anyone. A big Thank you to all those who stop by and read my posts. God Bless :)


Connect with the authors : 

• Twitter : Ravinder Singh (Like It Happened Yesterday)
• Twitter : Faraaz Kazi (Truly, Madly, Deeply)

34 Bubblegums and Candies..

I am back with another post & it’s about a novel that I read recently. Reading gives me strength, courage and nurtures my soul. But the sad part is I don’t implement the good things I read. Anyways the novel is “34 Bubblegums and Candies” by Preeti Shenoy, it’s a national bestseller. I don’t know Preeti personally but I like her as an artist & then as a novelist. I have read her another novel “Life Is What You Make It” a year ago and that time the novel helped me in some way because I was going through a low phase. 

34 Bubblegums and Candies is a collection of 34 real life incidents, some are humorous, some are moving, some thought provoking but each one brings out the essence & flavour of a journey called Life. 

The writer starts with a positive note saying ‘No matter how bad a day you had & no matter how hopeless the situation that you are in , things always change. Always. It’s just a matter of time’. Each morning when you open your eyes you are gifted 86,400 seconds to make a difference. And that itself is worth celebrating! 

You may not like all the 34 short stories / incidents but somewhere you’ll surely feel connected. So I am sharing some beautiful lines from the novel. 

• If there is an underlying bond of deep love, no matter how terrible the misunderstanding, the relationship survives. 
• It is best to be like the duck that goes with the flow. To float along the river effortlessly, enjoying the gentle flow of the water and to treat barbs and insults thrown at you like the water that falls on a duck’s back. 
• There are so many positive & uplifting things in life. There is so much beauty, so much joy. Life is so short and so fleeting. Its entirely up to us enjoy each moment.
• May you have enough happiness to make you sweet, enough trials to make you strong, enough sorrow to keep you human and enough hope to make you happy.
• The brightest future will always be based on a forgotten past; you can't go forward in life until you let go of your failures and heartaches. 
• Oh God, grant me the courage to accept things I cannot change, to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference. 

Chapter 16: 'Stay or Stray', describes an amazing story about a couple who are about get divorced but they don’t when they realize each other's value. 

Chapter 22: 'When Life tricks you', also shares a very motivating story that gives a lesson ~ When the hour is the darkest and trials are the greatest elevate yourself to another level. 

Though its said that it is difficult to understand Women but I liked the way the writer has written in Chapter 27: What women want. Chapter 34: Live Love Laugh, has a list that everybody can follow. 

The list is : 

1) Laugh heartily

2) Have Sex Often 

3) Spend time with children 

4) Stay away from the grouches and the drains 

5) If you love someone say it 

6) Be content with your body 

7) Enjoy the small things 

And I loved the end note ‘How this book came to be’. Its so true ~ Laugh & others laugh with you; Cry & you cry alone. So live without regrets, the gift of Life is worth cherishing.

Connect with the author : 

• Twitter : Preeti Shenoy