The I in Me by Janani Srikanth: A Review

 

Janani Srikanth has released another book, and I am all for it!

Like a consistent empirical truth, I have a baseline for what to expect from this stalwart of the Kindle Book Space. This is her eighth offering, a work of fiction this time, evening out her genre preferences. Since the time of her first book, A Balance Called Life, I have been following this journey of brilliant, concise, clear words. Be it fiction or non-fiction, her books are worth every minute (and the money) you spend on them.

The I in Me is a work of fiction. Note to self. It IS fiction.

But boy, does it flow like a philosophical exploration! 

The lead characters jaunt into the mind and leave an indelible mark. The narrative voice reaches out from the pages and embraces you in a way that is both encouraging and understanding. It gently nudges your thoughts into the right direction.

Nishanth and Anjali might be the people you see around you, friends long-lost who have come to share a part of their story with you, so you could find your answers in their quest for self-realisation.

It is only with Janani’s works do I see that philosophy need not be an endless series of what-ifs and ‘this-or-that’ questions. 

It could be wrapped in fiction, made appealing through scenic unfurling, and settle in your thoughts as a story, only for you to realise that you have been exposed to life lessons along the way. Easy ticket, for you do not have to live through the experiences yourself to learn the lessons.

Nishanth’s divorce may have been sudden (he did NOT see that one coming), but the rest of his journey is not jarring or unbelievably abrupt. He walks the path himself, meets Anjali along the way, and sees so many things fall into place by his active choice to work them out.

Anjali’s background (no spoilers) and her current position in life are every girl’s mystical dream. A bookshop owner who conducts book club meetings and influences people with smashing book recommendations? Every reader has at least once chased that whimsical fancy.

Kithara stands so prominently, the kind of backdrop that you cannot ignore, a juncture or crossroad in your life that you will have to pause at so you can reclaim what you have lost along the way. For an inanimate presence as a bookstore, Kithara thrives with a life force. It is a hotchpotch of memories, will, positive thoughts, influences, and some unburdening alongside.

It is more a checkpoint than a mere resting space, and Nishanth’s equivalent of Harry Potter’s King’s Cross. It is the beginning of a new lease of life, a point of realisation when an entirely new world opens up to him.

At different parts in the book, I wanted to be both the bookshop owner (thereby fulfilling my lifelong dream) and the reader who stumbles upon it on their journey to seek answers. The characters are so multi-dimensional and curated with such in-depth characteristics that I could find something to relate to both of them.

The uniquely named chapters, the major part segregations (and the quotes in between) stand in your mind with ease. Each chapter has that soft landing and moves the story forward with determination. If you have read the author’s earlier works, you will learn to look at each and every word, including these titles, and try to decipher the meaning behind them, so you will not have your ‘Eureka!’ moment many months later.

Janani Srikanth’s lilting prose is a joy to behold. Be it the sunset over the Rocky Mountains or the mist hanging over the Western Ghats, her words capture the visualisation so perfectly that the story unfolds like a movie with its own background music.

Smooth tones, warm hues, a pleasing setting. What more could a reader ask for?

Oh, yes, a story that flows from A to B and then some more. While the prologue sets the tone and exposes the core conflict in a subtle and classy way, the epilogue (now I did NOT see that one coming) ends the book with a high note. The adventure, all along, was what we had read through so far.

It is only after you scroll over the last page do you realise that the book is over. A considerable pang of emotion then takes hold. What will happen to Nishanth? Anjali? Where will their lives take them?

A few hours of maudlin reflection will follow, and suddenly, you will end up taking that decision you have been putting on hold for a long time. Or probably take a bold leap into something you have been shying away from. Somehow, your thoughts will turn into actions, and you will kickstart your own journey. That is perhaps the biggest ode to the evocative writing.

The book is a must-read for those who like good plots and brilliant writing. If you sit with it, the story is sure to enrich your life. 

The words are moving and cathartic. First, you’d read the book. The next time, you’ll read the subtext, and the time after that, you’ll read the story flowing between the lines… But every time, you’ll see it in a fresh light.

Like a clear brook running over multi-hued pebbles, Nishanth’s and Anjali’s journeys touch your soul. Janani Srikanth translates their emotion so gently that you are spared from the confusion they face, but are benefited from the clarity they reach.

The I in Me is Philosophy Lite ™

Special Mention:

Kithara Conversations: 

THE. BOOK. RECOMMENDATIONS. Enough said. Each book on the list feels like a personal recommendation from a friend who tells you exactly why it will appeal to YOU. There is nothing generic about the choices or the reasons.

The book cover: 

What a masterclass in design. I have yet to see another cover that uses the white space so brilliantly. At first glance, it will look interesting. But only when you read the book do you realise how each element in it (including the lone reds amidst the monochrome lines) has been placed with meaning, purpose and precision.

Buy the book on AMAZON!

Check out Janani's Other Books HERE!

For more details, visit Janani's WEBSITE!

Interview with Seshadri Varadarajan, Author of 'No One Should Cry When I Die.'

 1.     Welcome to RM, sir. Congratulations on publishing your first book. Please tell us a little about it.

Thank you so much. The book is about me and my life told through a different name. I wanted this book to relate to every common man’s life. Books are written about successful people whereas the lives of common people who are successful in their own right is never told. Hence, I have told my life like a shttps://www.amazon.in/ONE-SHOULD-CRY-WHEN-DIE-ebook/dp/B0DR976WKF/y. The intention is to let every person think this could have been my story too. Every person is a book. I have written mine and published it.

2.    Your book has a unique title. Is there a reason behind that?

Seven years ago, I was reading the best seller Who will Cry when You die? by Robin Sharma. Then as I introspected on the title with my life there was a realization that I have none to cry when I die. Then I thought I should write a book and it should be called No one Should Cry when I die. My concept here is Life is a Celebration, Death is a Liberation so why cry?

3.    You have such a varied life experience. How did you decide to become an author?

Yes, my life has seen me in varied roles. As a Salesman, as a businessman, as a Trainer in Emergency Response and a motivational speaker. From childhood I had this habit of reading books which was a legacy of my maternal grandfather Mr. Narasimhan and my 2 maternal uncles Late Mr. Sridharan and Late Mr. Sundar Rajan. Inspired by them I too read a lot. Then one fine day had a thought why not one myself. Today I take pride in saying I too have published one of my own.

4.    Tell us about your publishing experience. What motivated you to publish, and how did you enjoy the experience?

I thought publishing was pretty easy. All one has to write a script, take it to the publishers and they would publish it. This misconception was cleared in a workshop conducted during January 2020 and I realized it is not so easy. I decided so what let us write one and go through the medium of self-publishing. I enjoyed the experience thoroughly as it was a challenge for me. A lot of setbacks, lack of motivation, feeling stuck all happened. But thanks to the motivation of my Editor and her constant motivation I could succeed at last.

5.    As an author, what advice would you give aspiring writers?

I would advice aspiring writers not to give up on the dream of writing a book. Pursue the dream however difficult it might seem. Today there are lot of technological tools which are there to help you but at the same time let your content be authentic. As William Somerset Maugham said if one wants to become a writer Just keep writing. It may sound trash, illogical at times but the end result is always sweet. Finding a good editor and mentor too is important.

6.    You are a motivational speaker in addition to being an emergency response trainer. Can you give our readers a small gist about how that happened?

I was working as Asst Sales Manager for Nova Industries, distributors of Mitsubishi Air conditioners based in Chennai and looking after the sales in Tamil Nadu. I had the love and passion for training but never had the direct opportunity to do so. One fine Sunday morning in the month of April 2007 I saw an advertisement of man in front of mikes and a caption which read If you love to talk, talk to me. The phone I call I made changed my life. Since the 10th of May 2007 till date I have been in the service of Usha Fire Safety Equipments enjoying my life as a trainer in life saving skills and as a motivational speaker. Only 2 things I have ever been good at in my life Speaking and Writing and here I get to do both every day. 

7.    Do you have any more books planned in the pipeline?

Yes, there are more books in the pipe line but nothing concrete yet. I have thought of some titles and the initial story board, but the real content is yet to take shape.

8.    Who would you call as an inspiration in your writing journey?

First of all, my family members and my relatives for telling me that I can write better than I speak. The readers of all my blogs and their support at all times. Mr. Venkat Kumaresan the author of the book The Father of my team. My editor Dhivya Balaji without whom I would have never become an author. The support of the Directors of my organization Mr. Jagadish and Manjesh Adapa and all my school mates.

9.    You have chosen semi-fiction for your first book. Was that a conscious choice?

I have chosen a semi fiction as writing fiction needs a lot of imagination and story telling capacity. I am more of a narrator of stories and I need to improve on my imagination to write a fiction. Writing on reality and events is tough as today everyone know, what is happening around them. So, I decided to go with a semi fiction. Yes it was a conscious decision.

10.                    How would you define success in life?

My definition of Success is Getting or Achieving whatever you want or desire, without interfering into the rights of others.

Rapid fire

Favourite authors - C. Rajagopalachari, Jeffery Archer, Robin Sharma, Kamban

Favourite movies - Sholay, Baasha, Nayagan, Avatar, Titanic

Favourite comfort food - Rice and Curd with Mango Pickle

Favourite place you have visited – Mumbai

One place you want to visit - Ayodhya and Kurukshetra

 

You can buy your copy of this book at Amazon here: https://www.amazon.in/ONE-SHOULD-CRY-WHEN-DIE-ebook/dp/B0DR976WKF/

About the Author:

Seshadri Varadarajan was born in a quaint little town in Southern India, and the nature of his father’s job took him across the country, feeding his young and creative imagination.

From there, each of his experiences left an indelible mark on his journal as he navigated the mystery called life.

With his diverse professional interests and by answering the call to serve people, Seshadri has worn many hats that would make his tales the perfect ones to hear by the fireside, filling one with awe, courage, and that elusive feeling called hope.

Seshadri Varadarajan is currently employed as National Head Safety Trainer with Usha Fire Safety Equipments Private Limited, Chennai.

A motivational speaker, Seshadri wielded the pen as a challenge, too, and the result is his first published work, ‘No One Should Cry When I Die.’

He lives in Chennai but is a traveller whose voice is heard across the country and sometimes overseas.

Connect with the author @

Email: seshadri3225@gmail.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seshadri-varadarajan-836211191/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/seshadri.varadarajan.1

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seshadri9940/

 

 

The Himadripuram Adventure by Sitharaam Jayakumar: A Review

A tale as old as time yet presented in a refreshing way, a setting that blends modern elements with yesteryear concepts, and characters who are vivid and possess an almost cinematic flair – this book has it all.

There are certain books where the premise seems deceptively simple. They even seem to follow a beaten track or a hackneyed concept. A kingdom in trouble from both external and internal forces, a just and fair ruler facing issues with succession while a coup looms on the hitherto peaceful horizon. What should the king do and how will the kingdom overcome what has been threatening it from all sides?

While the above lines could describe any generic political thriller in a historical setting, it takes a good imagination and an even better ability to tell the tale in such a way that it seems fresh and still fills the reader with the necessary dose of suspense, intrigue and thrill. Sitharaam Jayakumar delivers to this expectation with grace.

King Devdutt’s woes about his succession (after he voluntarily abdicates) are not unfounded, with the crown prince’s behaviour being such a far cry from what is expected of someone of his stature. In addition to that, there is growing unrest in the country with its people being subjected to untold cruelties (resulting from corrupt practices by the middlemen and the officials who keep it well away from the ears of the king.)

When one brave officer (of the kingdom’s equivalent of the Secret Service) sets out to unravel the puzzle, along with his trusted aide, he uncovers more than he bargained for. Jagan Mohan as the head of the HKV (Himadripuram Koofiya Vibhagh) is immediately likeable and is one of those solid, trustworthy protagonists who carry the story on their shoulders with ease. Vishnu Sarma as his pupil and aide is the perfect blend of youthful freshness and daring.

The detailing of the characters is one of the strong points of the book. While initially, it does feel like there are one too many characters to keep track of, the reader’s patience is rewarded when each of them has their role to play and dimension to add to the tale.

Describing a fictitious setting/time has both advantages and disadvantages. As mentioned in his note, the author has taken (and used well) the creative liberty to use some modern elements that would have been unheard of in the times when the story supposedly takes place. While this is a refreshing take that engages the reader to employ their imagination, it also requires them to make leaps of understanding and take some things in their stride.

Having already known the author’s style with his semi-fantasy fiction, The Simian Curse, I had some preconceived idea of what to expect. With The Himadripuram Adventure, Sitharaam Jayakumar met all the positive expectations and created a classic tale that kept me turning the pages.

There is political strife, murder, betrayal, espionage and a lot of twists to keep the thriller fans happy. The last few pages pack the most content, neatly wrapping up loose ends and subtly leaving room for sequels too. The characters do not just utter their dialogues and do their part – they come alive on the pages and make the readers root for them or hate them with passion. This is a victory for any writer.

The book’s positives include the detailed description of Himadripuram – a place that does not exist in the real world but still makes you remember its hills, rivers and valleys with ease as if you visited it and travelled with the characters. The second strong point would be how Sitharaam Jayakumar has taken a well-known concept and given it a completely fresh perspective. The novel is evenly paced, with no dull moment that brings down the narrative, which is another plus.

However, it could have been made into an even better experience if the author had provided a helpful chart of characters (which the readers can refer to when they are wondering who is who) and maybe used even more vernacular terms that will have suited the setting easily, to add to the story's authenticity.

While I would personally appreciate the author’s imaginative uniqueness in blending certain neo-modern aspects with this age-old tale of kings and horsemen, most readers may find this adjustment a bit difficult at first. Once the readers get past the surprise of seeing a surprisingly developed element of governance in a monarchy centuries ago, it becomes easier to not only adapt to their unique values but also look forward to them.

The Himadripuram Adventure is one of those books that will keep you hooked to it if you love the genre. It is a must-read for fans of historical fiction who would appreciate the political intrigue featuring erstwhile kings and the culturally rich descriptions of the times.

I quite enjoyed this ride and would eagerly read the sequel.

Buy the book on Amazon: HERE!

About the Author

Sitharaam Jayakumar, known to his friends as Jai, passed out of IITBHU, Varanasi, India, in the year 1988 as a Metallurgical Engineer. He worked as an IT professional for more than 27 years. He started his writing career in the year 2017. He maintains a personal blog titled Jai's Jottings.

Initially, he started writing poems which were followed by articles on a variety of topics. He dabbled in some photography and soon began writing fiction. He has published two eBooks on Amazon KDP in the suspense thriller genre: Eighty Hours To Save Karen and The Krishnapur Kidnappings. Five of his poems have been published in a book of poetry titled Melodies of Spring. He has also written a short story named Varied Moods, Varied Seasons in a book of anthologies titled A Fallen Leaf published by a writers' group named Penmancy.

Regarding non-fiction, Jai writes articles on anything that catches his fancy in everyday life. This could be sports or politics or any current event of importance. He also writes book reviews. One of his short stories, The Double Murder was published in an international online magazine Kitaab International. Last year he published The Himadripuram Adventure which is his first full-length novel. The Simian Curse is his latest release.

Check out his blog at: https://jaisjottings.com/

Find him on social media:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sitaram.jayakumar Twitter: https://twitter.com/SmallFryBlogger Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18051115.Sitharaam_Jayakumar