Planning 2025 Reads - Short Post

 Hello and Namaste, 

Wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2025. It's time to make an official post declaring my intentions about books and reading plans. 

PC: Generated on Bing 

This year, I plan to stay on schedule and try not to overdo requests or grab too many books at once (ha ha ha). Also, I want to read more Indic books. Hence, I started the year with Parva (Mahabharata retelling) by SL Bhyrappa. It's a big book of 950 pages and slow-paced but fascinating so far! I'm not rushing through it, so this could also be my longest-read book of the year. 

2024 didn't have many memorable reads, so here's hoping for a better reading year. 

What are your bookish plans? Let me know in the comments. 

And oh... I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter. (This was the reason I made the post). 

My Top Short Stories

Hello and Namaste! 

How can I not write a blog post on this topic? Short stories are my favorite kind! I write them too, so they are even more special.

The best thing about short stories is how much can be said in a limited word count. Also, these make great starting points for new readers. If you can’t sit long enough to enjoy a novel, a short story will get you into the habit of reading. Same if you have a reading slump. Rereading your favorite books or short stories will help get back on track.

(AI Image generated on Bing)

I won’t write a lengthy post about short stories but will provide some recommendations from different genres. You can find a short story from almost any genre and subgenre. The classics are already in the public domain and are free to read online.

I already said I’m a short story writer. You should expect me to promote my books too!

So here it goes. My first solo publication (in paperback) will be out on 3rd July this year. I can’t even tell you how exciting and stressful this feels. I hope I can sell enough books to make my publisher happy. Fingers crossed.

Anyhoo, the book is called Forests and Faeries. It is a collection of short stories for middle-graders but for anyone who loves forests, faeries, and all things magic. The stories have a dash of adventure, a bit of danger, loads of hope, and some sprinkle of fun to make you smile. Give it a try if it sounds like something you will enjoy!

Forests and Faeries: Tales of Adventure and Magic

Genre: Middle Grade, Fantasy

India: https://www.amazon.in/dp/8194982472

US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CW1C1YYT 

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Shared Roots – Tales from the Indosphere

Genre: Short Story Anthology (Multi Author), Indic  

If you are a fan of Indic writing or want to explore it for the first time, check out Shared Roots, a book that explores the connection between India and Cambodia through seven unique pieces. And yes, it has a story by me. ;)

Link: https://www.amazon.in/dp/B0D63MCXCR 

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Enough of self-promotion for now. I’ll recommend authors I love for their writing styles and how their works encourage me to improve my craft.

O Henry aka William Sidney Porter

I loved O Henry’s short stories ever since I read one in my English book at school. I went on to read his collection of a hundred short stories and still like to revisit my personal favorites at times. Check out the following: (these should be available in the public domain)

• The Last Leaf
• Service of Love
• Third Ingredient
• Springtime a la Carte
• Witches’ Loaves

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So Late in the Day: Stories of Men and Women by Claire Keegan

Keegan is one of my favorite contemporary authors. I fell in love with her writing after reading Small Things Like These. I don’t like open endings but I'll never complain when Keegan writes them. Her writing is a free masterclass.

So Late in the Day is a short story. The same title is also used for a collection of three pieces by the author.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5604158795

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The Mysterious Mr. Quin by Agatha Christie

I will never miss an opportunity to talk about Christie or this book. Mr. Quin appears only in a handful of short stories (and no novels). He is not a detective. Heck, he may not even be a person. But he has important roles to play in others’ lives. The touch of the paranormal and the musings of old Mr. Satterthwaite make this collection a worthy read.

My review: https://www.writersworkout.net/post/2019/05/10/boss-battle-book-review-the-mysterious-mr-quin

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How We Disappear by Tara Lynn Masih

If you are into introspective, darkish, and atmospheric reads that also explore human nature, this collection could be the one for you. The stories have a common theme of disappearance even if some are a bit too vague for my liking.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4789434299

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The Clock in My Mother's House by Annalisa Crawford

Annalisa Crawford is a wonderful indie author who writes slow-burn atmospheric stories. This collection is un-themed and contains stories that have finalists or winners in writing contests. Her writing is beautiful and evocative.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5334493278

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A Broken People's Playlist: Stories [From Songs] by Chimeka Garricks

This is an #ownvoices collection set in Port Harcourt. The stories are all inspired by songs. Though I didn’t know the songs, it didn’t hamper my reading experience. The pieces are darker but poignant. The writing and execution are amazing.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5412484349

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Never Whistle at Night: An Indigenous Dark Fiction Anthology

This is a multi-author anthology with stories by indigenous authors from the US and Canada. While the title and foreword make it sound like the book deals with paranormal content, not all stories do. They are dark and disturbing, but may or may not contain otherworldly elements.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5682080345

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Grimm Machinations

This is yet another multi-author anthology with fairytale retellings set in the steampunk or gas lamp sub-genre. The results are mixed, but I did enjoy some stories a lot.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5644241229

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Silverweed Road by Simon Crook

If you are a fan of horror, this could be the book for you. The stories take place in a single setting, the Silverweed Road and are presented as cases investigated by an Inspector.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4846610283

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Books by The Hive

I’ll end the blog with a bit of promotion (again).

The Hive is a boutique indie publisher. We published a handful of multi-author short story anthologies based on genres/ themes.

Horror: Route 13 and Trail XIII

Feel Good: Tea With a Drop of Honey and A Second Cup of Tea

Mystery/ Thriller: Blood Runs Cold

Romance: #Love

Link: https://www.amazon.in/stores/The-Hive/author/B085T7DM6P

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To Sum Up

Well, there is not much to sum up. I have many more recommendations but that’s it for now!

I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.

 

Safe Internet for Kids – Possibility or an Illusion

I’m no parent, though I hope to be one someday. If things are this complicated today, I shudder thinking how they would get a few years later. With technology becoming an integral part of our lives, it’s high time we find a way to control it rather than let it manipulate us. 

So how do we create a safe space for kids on the internet? Is it even possible when just about everything is tech-related and interconnected? All we can do is try and keep trying until we find things that work for us. 

Whatever I write here may not be feasible. It could be too exhausting to implement. It could border on idealism. I wouldn’t know. Not yet. But I know I will do my best to follow these. And if things still don’t work… well, we won’t know until we try. And when push comes to shove, we got to wing it! 

PC: Hansuan_Fabregas/ Pixabay

Tips to Creating Safe Internet for Kids 

Please don’t think I’m telling a parent how to handle their children (disclaimers have become too important in today’s world). 

• Consider the Bigger Picture 

Creating safe internet for kids is not an independent aspect. Many factors, like friends, family, education, entertainment, etc., influence the issue. Take a step back to consider the daily routine. Start where it began. What’s your occupation? If you work from home, how does it influence your screen time? 

In nuclear families with working parents, adults just don’t have the capacity to handle everything. And if both parents are not actively responsible for bringing up kids, it’s too much pressure on a single person. So, start there. Make a list of all issues that directly and indirectly let the kids have unsupervised access to the internet. 

• AAR of Management 

During my MBA years, I learned how authority comes with accountability and responsibility. Follow this rule at home for adults and kids. Yet again, show that you are also accountable for your actions, especially your social media usage or dependence. Furthermore, how we speak to them also matters. We hate being patronized, and so do kids. 

• Talk, Talk, and Talk 

Kids have always been inquisitive. I remember being a curious cat myself (and still am). How we handle this curiosity can affect how they use the internet. Of course, there will always be exceptions. But if we can minimize the risk, is it not worth a difficult conversation? 

I don’t believe in shielding kids from the truth or keeping them from reality. Sure, we don’t want them having nightmares. However, making them aware of how harmful unsupervised internet usage can be is important. Talk and let them ask questions. Be truthful. Discuss the dark web. Provide examples. Let them know that the risks outweigh the rewards every single time. 

• Device-Free Zones 

The dining table, bed, and kitchen can be device-free zones (for everyone). Safe internet also includes limiting the child’s dependence on an electronic device. Switch to books instead. As a book lover, I recommend books instead of online games.

PC: lorivanv/ Pixabay

• Say No to Comparison (or FOMO)

Let’s consider it from the child’s perspective. Kids tend to want what their friends have. Even if parents take every precaution to not compare the child with another, kids will do it themselves. Show them why this is not a good idea. Take examples and discuss the issue in detail. Emphasize why they don’t need to follow the herd. 

• Show, Don’t Tell 

It may sound like a rule for writing, but it applies to general life just as much. Set an example by not using your phone or browsing mindlessly during family times. A parent posting every moment of their life on social media could invariably desensitize kids to the dangers of oversharing with strangers. 

Don’t tell them to not post everything on social media or add strangers as friends. Show it to them through how you manage your profiles. Recognize the risks in your usage before instructing them. In short, practice before you preach. 

Final Words 

Some parents of tweens say a neutral tone works the best. For younger kids, complete attention to the child for a fixed time every day should help. Kids who know they are loved are more likely to be assertive and less likely to look for approval from strangers.

Finally, technology does come in handy to an extent. Devices like the Happinetz Safe Internet for Kids Box can help you set up a virtual playground with age-appropriate content and time restrictions. With multi-device compatibility, Happinetz can ease your work to a good extent. However, maintain open and two-way communication with your children at all times. Happy parenting! 

This post is a part of Happinetz - Safe Internet For Kids. 

The Christie Mystery

BlogChatter’s topic for April is books (and authors). I knew writing about my collection of books a single favorite book could be stressful. I’ll never be able to pick just one to start the blog. While I have similar concerns about my favorite authors, one person wins hands down- Agatha Christie, the Queen of Mysteries. 

I wasn’t aware of her until my early 20s (20, to be exact). But once hooked, I became a fan for a lifetime. 

“If you place your head in a lion's mouth, then you cannot complain one day if he happens to bite it off.”

PC: Wikipedia

My Introduction to the Dame 

I took a friend with me to the British Library as she wanted to read Dracula (after devouring Breaking Dawn of the Twilight series). We were browsing the shelves when I picked a mystery by Christie. My friend wasn’t impressed, though. But the crime fiction lover in me yearned to try a new mystery author. 

That’s when another reader, a man in his 50s (I guess), asked if I read Christie before. I shook my head and said no. He then asked if I liked mysteries and smiled at my enthusiastic response. 

Take it, he said. It was more like a teacher ordering a student (maybe he was a teacher. I regret not asking). 

‘She’s the best in the genre. It doesn’t matter which book you start with. If you like it, you’ll want to read as many of her books as you can find. I hope you love her writing. Enjoy, beta!’ 

Encouraged by his words, I grabbed a book at random. My first Christie was The Hollow (I was never one to follow a series in its designed order). To be truthful, it took me a while to get into the book. I wasn’t fully invested until the second half. By the end of the book, I knew that the uncle was right. I already planned to grab more books written by her. 

Soon, I was bringing home two or three books (my membership allowed only three) by her with each trip. Needless to say, my parents were a tad concerned (I also binged the older episodes of CID and watched Adaalat, etc.) if I was having trouble processing so much crime. Once assured I had a sound sleep every night, they didn’t worry about it anymore. 

“Evil is not something superhuman, it's something less than human. Your criminal is someone who wants to be important, but who never will be important, because he'll always be less than a man.” – The Pale Horse 

 Connecting with Her Works 

Over time, I fell in love with Hercule Poirot’s grey cells and Miss Marple’s sharp mind. Toppy and Tuppence became my favorite couple. And then I came across a collection titled The Mysterious Mr Quin (all thanks to one of the fellow participants from an online Agatha Christie game). I watched shows about her, read the Wiki pages, articles, etc., and participated in the Facebook challenges organized by the official Agatha Christie website. 

Oh, boy! Mr. Quin stole my heart. Mr. Satterthwaite’s observations and Mr. Quin’s gentle nudges, their strange friendship that seems so natural, and the subtle philosophical touch in the cases they handle proved once again why Agatha Christie became such a favorite (not just mine but to millions out there).  

“The longer the time that has elapsed, the more things fall into proportion. One sees them in their true relationship to one another.”

Then last year, I read Absent in the Spring, written under the pseudonym Mary Westmacott. I read Giant’s Bread a few years ago and wasn’t too impressed by it. But this book is a gem. Absent in the Spring is a psychological historical fiction where a character peels the layers of her life to see the truth of who she is. From being someone capable, assured, and loved by all, she realizes that she wasn’t as good or loving as she thought to be. 

“That was why she had had to come here, to the desert. This clear, terrible light would show her what she was. Would show her the truth of all the things she hadn't wanted to look at—the things that, really, she had known all along.”

The book evokes a myriad of emotions and forces us to follow the character’s footsteps and introspect our lives too. Later, I found that Christie called this her most satisfying work. I can see why. It’s a must-read, folks! 

And before I go on and on… I’ll end my post with a few recommendations if you want to try her works. Just go with the flow.

A Few Favorites and Recommendations 

This list excludes the titles I already mentioned above. 

• Five Little Pigs
• The Secret of Chimneys 
• The Mirror Crack’d from Side to Side 
• Sad Cypress
• Sparkling Cyanide 
• The Secret Adversary 
• Partners in Crime 
• Murder on Orient Express
• The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
• Death on the Nile 
• Ordeal by Innocence 

“Everything must be taken into account. If the fact will not fit the theory---let the theory go.”

 

Airavata-1Microbloghop by Srivalli

Airavata-1Microbloghop 

Author Name: Srivalli Rekha

Story Title: Renu in Haritham

About the Author: An MBA graduate, Srivalli Rekha also has an MA in English Literature. She loves to write, blog, cook, take pictures, draw and craft silly things. Nature is her greatest inspiration. Books and music are her favorite companions. A freelance content writer during the day, she devours books at night and is a reviewer at NetGalley, BookSirens, and The Writers Workout. 

Her works have been a part of several anthologies (eBooks and paperback publications). Srivalli is a co-founder of The Hive Publishers, an indie publishing collective. Violets in Hand, The House of Justice, and Pebbles in the Grass are her self-published eBooks are available on Amazon.

Find her on Goodreads | Instagram

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My Experience

I love children’s fiction as much as I enjoy creating dark stories (weird, I know). The forest has been my favorite setting, no matter which genre I choose. It’s no surprise that the prompt for Airavata fit right into my comfort zone.

Renu in Haritham is the story of a young and bratty elephant who migrated to Haritham with his herd. Renu can’t help but bully and trouble the smaller animals. He doesn’t care for the old either. But all it takes is one lesson to mend his ways.

The allure of children’s stories has always been the simplicity of thought and approach. I did the same here and pretty much followed the template of a middle-grade short story. Writing stories for kids is rewarding and peaceful. Renu in Haritham was no exception. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.

This blog post is part of the Airavata -1Microbloghop hosted by MeeraVBarath.

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About Airavata (taken from Amazon)

We wanted to see “an elephant,” in different shades of prosperity. When we imagine an elephant, our hands take the form of the trunk and we sway with grace, flushing out the happy hormones and letting the neurons within us to dance. Whether it’s in our school days or as a parent, I think most of us love to share stories related to an Elephant. The very mention brings out not the gigantism but the grace of carrying our mind and body gracefully just like an elephant. Hence Pachyderm Tales and Mayaakatha joined hands with writers and storytellers around the globe to create this beautiful anthology.

Edited by

•     Deepti Sharma
•     Preeti S Manaktala
•     Shristee Singh

Foreword by Siddhartha Satpathy

Cover Design by Satinder Ahuja

Grab your copy of Airavata Paperback and Kindle version from Amazon.

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#Airavata                    #AiravataMicroblogHop                    #Airavata1bloghop

#PachydermTales                   #UkiyotoPublishing               #Mayaakathawherestoriesdance

#AiravataMayaakathaPachydermtales 

Blogchatter Reading Challenge

Umm... Hi, 

So I'm participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter this year. This is a mandatory post announcing the same. 

Wish me luck, and good luck to all readers with toppling TBRs. 

PC: Pixabay/ Ylanite

Drifting Into the Unknown

What I'm supposed to write about the past decade? The question haunted me long enough after I signed up for the event. Not being the kind to bare my soul, writing about me wasn't appealing. A story sounded great if only my brain could churn something before the deadline. Struggling with a half-written story is bad enough (got less than two days to hope for a miracle). Yikes! 

But I already joined the team, and no way I was going to step back after the event started. At least I had the sense to pick a day halfway through the event.

And... Here we go into the past...

2010 started with yet another canceled exam session (for the third time). It was the year we ended up giving exams for three semesters, organized a college fest, a farewell event for the seniors and a freshers event for the juniors, had an eye-opening experience in the corporate that lasted less than a week and worked on the HR project. Phew! 

The next year gave me an MBA degree and a broken leg. Spending a quarter of a year confined to bed with a cast on the leg was no fun. Ugh! 

The less we talk about 2012, the better. I read loads of books and idled, dabbling in writing, drawing, and did nothing productive. 

From 2013 to 2015, I found a sense of purpose by getting an MA in English Literature via distance mode. Loved studying on my own without attending any classes. The freedom! 

Yet again, the question of what next haunted me. Should I write? What should I write? Can I continue my long-forgotten blog (the same one you're reading now. I revamped it)? Should I do something else? Of course, I continued to read like a maniac and played Criminal Case on Facebook. That's an addictive game, I tell you. 

Let's fast forward again to mid-2016. A chance comment by a neighbor gave me an idea for a blog series. One day, I hope it'll become a book. 

2017 was when things began to come together (or so it seemed back then :/ ). Finding a Writer's group gave me the chance to step into the writing field with determination. The feedback I received on my writing ensured my feet were firmly on the ground. I had a looong way to go. NaNoWriMo was another experience that told me I could indeed complete a novel no matter how horrible the draft reads now. It was my first ever full-length novel! (I'm a short story person). 

Grammarly came into my life that year-end and stated with me ever since. The best thing about free versions is that we've got to use our brains to figure out where the errors are and how to clear them. That's when I realized I don't like too many adverbs in the stories. Now, I'm hovering on the edge of becoming an editing freak. Agh! 

2018 and 2019 made me a part of quite a few anthologies. I even published two ebooks- Violets in Hand and The House of Justice on Amazon. Selling them is no small task. Sigh! My minor marketing degree isn't helping (or maybe I'm not putting enough effort). 

I've made new friends, stayed in touch with some of the old ones, drifted away from others, and tried my best to keep away from negative people (not easy, as I find them in plenty). 

In between those 'What Should I Do With Life' moments...

Did I mention my cookery YouTube channel in between? Yeah, mom and I cooked, and I made videos and wrote recipes (here). It's pretty dormant now, but I love to cook and bake. Chocolate cake is always welcome (if I don't have to clean up afterward). 

Do you know learning Russian isn't easy? Spanish is interesting and has some words similar to Sanskrit and Telugu. 

Making bookmarks is so much fun! I've loved creating and gifting them to friends. DIYs are a great way to relax.

This year of 2020...

Having a paperback exclusively to my name is the biggest aim. Can I do it before the year ends? That is a question I'd rather answer with some action instead of words. 

After boring you enough with my story, I'd like to thank you for reading this (not so planned) long post. Before you leave, tell me about that one thing you've always wanted to do in 2020.

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“This post is a part of ‘DECADE Blog Hop’ #DecadeHop organised by #RRxMM Rashi Roy and Manas Mukul. The Event is sponsored by Glo and co-sponsored by Beyond The Box, Wedding Clap, The Colaba Store and Sanity Daily in association with authors Piyusha Vir and Richa S Mukherjee”

How Real is it?

The image is taken from Pixabay. 

“Fall in love with the colors of spring.” She twirled, a crown of daisies adorning her auburn ringlets.

The cameras clicked her pictures in delight, as tender petals danced around her.

Four hours later…

The artificial trees were removed from the air-conditioned film set.

Harley Quin

The image is taken from Pixabay

Sipping tea from my favorite Harlequin cup, I thought about the days in 1938. Popular as a narcissist, my life had more tears than laughter.

“Granny! We got daffodils for you.”
It was the twins, Harley and Quin.
They gifted me smiles and peace. 

Window

The image is taken from Pixabay. 

Light and dark, bright and gloomy- the words echo in my mind that is as empty as the house.

It's time to open the barred window. My suffocating soul needs the summer sun.

Let the breeze ruffle my shady curtains. Let the flowers remind me how to smile. 

The Burnt Stick

On a winter eve, she carried hundreds of us, tied into bundles. One by one she lit my fellow mates trying to warm her blue skin. By dawn, they lay useless on the damp pavement beside her frozen body. We failed her. 

Meltdown

The image is taken from Google. 

The popsicle dripped down her hand. She licked it, wrinkling her nose at the added salt to the sweetness of the grape. With the sun roasting her alive, she finally realized how the turkey feels in the oven. 

A summer tale using 38 words. 

Myra's Wand

The image is taken from Google. 

“Do you have anything to say in your defense?” The wiry man with overgrown inky hair asked her.

“Yes, my lord.” Myra murmured peeking at the members of the High Order.

“You may proceed.” The man stepped to a side.

“I plead forgiveness, my lords. My little magic never hurt a being. If you do feel that I crossed the line, I request for another chance to make amends.” Her voice had the right note of apprehension in it.

The four members looked at each other and nodded. The wiry man, a representative, spoke. “Please step into the circle, young wizard.”

Myra obeyed wondering what it was. Her emerald green eyes shone with curiosity. But she remained silent. Her mother would be furious. Despite her repeated lectures, Myra did get the attention of the High Order. It was not a good thing.

Light from the crystal above shone on her. The room looked like a giant crystal ball with rainbow colors twinkling from all sides. Myra wondered if she could take a picture using her mobile. 

“Wizard Myra, please hand over your wand.” The man stretched his hand.

“But…” She looked puzzled. The stern expression on their faces left her no choice. She quietly took out a chopstick from her handbag and placed it in his hand.

“Thank you. Now, the Order speaks.” The man gestured.

An old man with apple-colored cheeks and round belly spoke. “Wizard Myra, the magical power always comes with responsibility. You have used the magic to do your homework, put a frog in your classmate’s dress, tripped an innocent boy, and stole a brooch from a jewelry store.”

Myra looked sheepish. Maybe she went a little overboard in using her powers.

“Even if we ignore those as a teenager’s silly indulgence, we cannot overlook the incident that led to a lost opportunity for a young man.” He continued.

“I never troubled any man, my lord.” Myra blurted.

Another member spoke. She looked at least five hundred years old. “You do not know the consequences of your actions, Wizard Myra. You only thought you were advancing the time so that you wouldn’t have to bear with your chemistry lecture. But, you interfered with the universal clock.”

Myra looked appalled. She twirled her wand thrice and pushed the time by ten minutes.

The apple cheeks man spoke again. “Many people got confused, missed buses, almost had accidents because the traffic signals jammed. And most importantly, a young man lost his only chance to get his dream job because his interview time got lost in your magic.”

“I had no idea, my lords,” Myra mumbled.

“We see that. You have not bothered to listen to your mother’s instructions. Not once did she misuse her powers.” The lady said.

“I apologize, my lords. I will never do such a thing again.” Myra vowed.

“Yes, Wizard Myra. We will see to it that you will not. The Order forbids you to use your powers.” They ruled.

Aghast, Myra blinked her tears. What would she do without her magic? “Please, my lords.”

They shook their heads. “If you prove to be worthy of your powers, you will receive them when you turn eighteen. The Order has spoken.”

Myra stared helplessly as the wiry man broke her wand. She was nothing without her wand. It was only four months ago on her sixteenth birthday that she became a wizard. Her mother tried her best to train Myra. She should have listened instead of taking the powers for granted.

With her head bowed, Myra let her tears fall. The place turned dark for an instant. In the next second, Myra found herself in her room.

She sat on the bed staring at her reflection in the mirror. The musical tune of her mobile phone startled her.

“You are late. Come soon.” Her friend scolded.

Myra looked at her watch and rushed out. She was late for the party. Running out of the house, Myra pulled the stick that held her hair together in a messy knot. The wavy locks flowed down her shoulders. She twirled it thrice. Nothing happened.

“You cannot fool the High Order. Your punishment remains extended for another three years. The real wand in your hand is of no use to you.” A voice spoke from above.

Cursing, she rushed to the nearest stop. She missed the bus by half a minute. With no taxi nearby, Myra walked back home. The wand a mere chopstick in her hands.