Change your Words, Change your Life by Andrea Gardner

I stumbled upon the book "Change Your Words, Change Your Life" while casually browsing the Toronto Public Library website. The title immediately caught my eye. Lately, I’ve been reading a lot about shifting mindsets to cultivate a more positive outlook on life. As someone who is constantly thinking about my craft, I’m always looking for ways to use it to create a more meaningful and fulfilling life.

I’ve been telling people about my trouble regarding the online shop—how it’s not getting many views or sales. Then it struck me: maybe I’m attracting this “no-sale” energy by constantly complaining about it. To bring a bit of brightness into my creative journey, I decided to give this book a try.

As I started reading, I was drawn to the author’s story about how her life seemed to spiral into more and more misery. Inspired to change her circumstances, she began writing down what she truly wanted from life—a process that helped her clarify the kind of environment she needed to foster healing for herself and her family. One particularly striking example she shared was when they were on the verge of being evicted from their tiny cottage. In a turn of fate, she managed to find a larger place to live for free. While it wasn’t the most comfortable house, it had a roof over her head and fit within her budget. It felt like a miracle.

The author emphasizes the power of gratitude, suggesting that by acknowledging and being thankful for what we already have, we open ourselves up to receiving even more things to be grateful for. Inspired by this idea, I decided to start writing down a list of six things I’m grateful for every day.

Around the same time, another book, "Second Chance," landed in my inbox. You might have read my review about it before. As I continue exploring these new perspectives, I’m excited to see what shifts may happen in my life and craft.

This is not the end of the review here. i will be adding more about how I will change my words to change the life in future articles as well.

Second Chance by Deepika Muthusamy

I recently received a truly unexpected surprise gift—a book. 

You might think, what's so surprising about getting a gift?

 But to me, it isn't a usual occurrence, especially when it's a novel. 

The first scene in Second Chance immediately drew me in. Let me set the stage: it was a busy day. My daughter was preparing to go abroad for a week, and I was supposed to help her pack. I thought I’d just glance at the first paragraph and then get back to my responsibilities.

 But the prologue piqued my curiosity, especially about how Kavya and Karthik would cross paths. Initially, I assumed they were just ordinary college students. However, the author, Deepika Muthusamy, had something else in mind—something much cleverer!

To cut a long story short, by the time I finished the book, my daughter wasn’t exactly thrilled with my level of engagement.

The writing style is captivating, with enough twists and turns to keep you hooked throughout. I wish I could say more about the plot, but I’d rather avoid giving away any spoilers.

Initially, I thought Karthik was the sensible one who had been wronged. But as the story unfolds, glimpses into Kavya's life help you understand the reasons behind her unhappiness. The layers of each character are revealed slowly, making them feel real and relatable.

There were enough villains too to ruin the romance. 

As a person originally from India, I can understand the family reactions. The roles of men and women are much different compared to Western world. 

In many ways, India remains a patriarchal society. This novel offers a glimpse into the struggles of modern women as they seek recognition for their talents and efforts. 

Altogether, I will say, the writing style is good. Ms.Muthusamy got my attention till the end. 

Overall, I’d say the writing style is compelling, and Ms. Muthusamy kept me hooked until the very end. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys stories of love, resilience, and the complex dynamics of human relationships

Picture Perfect By Jodi Picoult

 It is a picture-perfect life. 

That is what everyone thinks when they see Cassie and Alex.

Cassie is a well-known anthropologist. Alex Revers is a renowned actor and director who will sweep the Oscars with his new film.

Their wedding and marriage life was picture perfect for outsiders. But, there were skeletons in the closet. 

Both of them had traumatic childhoods. 

Will discovered Cassie when she showed up at the graveyard with a head injury and no memory of how she got there. As the story progresses, Cassie remembers everything that happened. 

Then to protect her unborn baby from Alex, she turns to Will for help. Will helped her to hide from the world she knew. But, when the baby is born, she goes back to Alex. 

Ahe has her past to blame for going back to the abuser. When she realizes for the sake of her baby, she has to leave Alex. 

In the end, she takes her life and freedom back. Picoult is not bringing a happily ever after Cassie with Will, though. 

The book describes the life of the Indians in the Lakota reserve. I liked that. But, I was pissed off at some point with Cassie trying to live the life for Alex. 

But, it is the way the author wants it. 

Ever tried any book by Jodi Picoult?

Who Is Maud Dixon?

 I finished reading my second book for 2022. 

"Who is Maud Dixon?" is a thriller by Alexandra Andrews. 

Look at the book cover: do you see the two faces?

That brown line at the middle from top to bottom is not just a line. Look closely, can you see it?

When the story begins, we are with Florence. She lost her job. Then she got hired as an author's assistant. 

We think we are going to find out who is Maud Dixon, the famous novelist.

The writing style captured my concentration. A real nice book to escape from your mundane life. 

Do you like to read it?

"Malibu Raising": a fire and how it started

 The Reva's are going to have a party. If you know where the party is, you are invited!

Reva siblings were raised by their mother. They have a famous father, who abandoned them years ago. 

Nina Reva, the famous surfer and model, worked hard to raise her siblings and to keep them together after their mom passed away. She didn't want to be famous, don't like the world staring at her. 

The famous father who abandoned them and their mother come to the party. Do Nina and her famous brothers and the baby sister let him in their life?

This is a novel that kept me turning the pages. Very good narrative style. Loved every moment of reading it. 

I enjoyed creating the graphic for this post as well. 

"Hurry Home" : Story of sisters

 "Hurry Home"  by Roz Nay is a recent novel I finished reading.

The story is narrated by sisters Alex and Ruth in alternative chapters. 

We cannot trust either of their versions. 

Chase is Alex's boyfriend. Alex lives with Chase in his apartment.  Ruth shows up at Alex's doorstep pregnant. 

Alex let her live with them. But, she had an agenda. Alex uses her power as a social worker to "save kids" as she tells in the story. She doesn't like her co-worker Minerva. Their boss is not interested in confrontation. Sully is a police officer. Alex is friends with him. But Chase didn't know that. 

Eli Beck is the father of Ruth's child. He is a drug dealer. Ruth brought money and drugs with her when she came to Alex's house. That is missing. 

Chase learns a lot about Alex and her past life from Ruth. While we are nearing the end of the novel, we can trust one of the sisters. 

I cannot figure out why Alex behaves like she does in the novel. 

The photo of the book is from Goodreads. All graphics are done by Bindu

This book tells how an abuser got away

 I finished reading "Secret Life" by Kevin Donovan. Jian Ghomeshi was a popular talk show host in CBC. Kevin Donovan was an investigative journalist at The Toronto Star. 

I was following that case in 2016, then totally forgot about it. The women accused him failed on cross-examination. It was pathetic to see those abused by Ghomeshi had to go through the questioning of his lawyer. 

The book reveals a lot more about the investigation. News media cannot publish an investigation without real proof.  Donovan and his team were working hard to bring solid evidence of abuse. The abused women didn't keep their text messages and emails. But, Ghomeshi did.  He bought powerful legal help with his money. But, CBC acted on the evidence and fired him. 

It was a very courageous act for those women to come forward and to be named as victims. While reading the book, I can understand the agony of those victims in putting their names out there. 

After reading the book, I wanted to know what Ghomeshi doing now. 

He is working with the Roque Media, which focuses on Iranian Canadians. With unnamed investors and prominent Iranians to back him, he is back on the media. 

The book reveals the failure of CBC in addressing issues of sexual harassment reported by female employees.