Welcome to Sarath Babu's Lifestyle Blog

When I got the New Colgate Packs which had the Space theme, I knew for sure that it would invoke interest on my little niece - Varshaa D who is in her 4th Class.  As soon as she saw the packs, she started cutting down the pictures making it a perfect set - as mentioned in the pack. Since I got 3 packs in total, she got ready and started telling her version of stories almost instantly. Story #1 Rakesh and Sunitha were twins who always excelled in their studies and sports. They were appreciated by their teachers for their enthusiasm and interest in various fields but they always got fascinated by space and the galaxy most of which is unexplored. One evening, it was raining heavily and they slept early. All of a sudden both of them saw themselves floating in the space with a peculiar dress which they later realised it as a space suite. They were overwhelmed as they got to see Comets, Saturn, Mars and few other planets in close quarters. Suddenly they woke up real...

Title - The Mind Game Author - Devika Das Genre - Self Help Publisher - Pepper Script ISBN - 978-93-84411-37-4 This book is unique in its own way. It comprises of 6 Sections with few chapters in each section. It talks about our day to day in great detail and how one can effectively come over their shortcomings making this life a beautiful one. Section A - talks about mastering your emotions and as we all know it is this emotion which plays a vital role in shaping or destroying our career. Unlike others, this book not only asks you to control it but in the first place feel it. It also talks in detail about facing and protecting your emotions. You can also get to know about mastering your emotional intelligence. Section B - talks about leading a simple life but with high thinking. This is quintessential for one's success. In this modernised world, we hardly spend time for our family and friends. This book discusses about this crucial aspect as well which is ...

Title - Love Has Its Various Ways Author - Divya Kapoor Genre - Self Help Publisher - Balboa Press, a division of Hay House ISBN - 978-1-5043-6017-3 This isn't another Self-Help book which you would have assumed or read but the one that helps you realise your inner self.  The book does not offer you any saintly discourse as it was authored by a person who leads a normal life. There is no hard and fast rules mentioned in the book but of course there is a workbook in the end which would help you realise your dreams by invoking your inner potential that would act as a driving force, if followed diligently. After reading the book, I felt light on my mind. I would say this is the success of the book because it does not preach you rocket science but makes you understand the nuances of life in a simplified way which made me wonder as to how a normal person can author such a book. I too assumed that this book may be something related to romance after seeing the t...

Title - Good Times Bad Times Author - Chetan Dalvi Genre - Fiction Publisher - Half Baked Beans ISBN - 9789384315528 A beautiful fiction story which has an universal concept that is applicable to people from all walks of life and religion. I loved the way author has taken the story and ended it with an unexpected twist. Jonathan was living a contended life in Mumbai when all of a sudden his father passes away leaving him with just one message - "Inform my death to Simran". Jonathan had no clue as to who this person was. He decides to find out about Simran and sets on a journey to Goa. He meets lot of interesting characters on his so called life called journey.  Did he manage to find who this person Simran was? The book might sound philosophical but trust me, it is certainly worth the read and the way the characters unbound makes it a compelling read. Do not wait any further. Buy the book from Amazon now.

The monthly meet of our club - Lions Club of Chennai Centennial Heroes took place on 11th Feb,2017 at Lion Jayaraman sir's office cum residence in Shanthi Colony, Anna Nagar - Chennai. Since President Ln Baskar was away in the USA, the meeting was presided by Secretary Ln Dr T Sekar and Treasurer Ln Thiagarajan. The meeting lasted for 30 minutes. Points that were discussed in the meeting were: 1) To pay the International Dues before the due date. 2) In order to execute point No.1, steps should be taken to collect subscription and dues from few members who either has to pay the full amount or half the amount as the case may be. 3) To address the issue of having added the spouse of the members under " Full Membership " category which was duly followed up by Ln Jayaraman sir on Monday - 13th Feb 2017 and got the information from Ln B N Venkat from the Central Office that the issue has already been taken up by the President with the International...

Title - The Tree With a Thousand Apples Author - Sanchit Gupta Cover Design - Misha Oberoi Publisher - Niyogi Books ISBN - 978-93-85285-51-6 A brilliant story created from true events. The story essentially revolves around three friends Bilal, Safeena and Deewan. I was feeling that the book was not interesting at least in the very first chapter but trust me after completing that and once I started reading from chapter 2, I could not stop it till the end as it unfolded the life and miseries of Kashmir Muslims. Just because they were born there and as a Muslim, the endless tortures they had to go through has been very beautifully captured in this book and it in fact reveals the reality which is otherwise not shown or being made public either in the media or otherwise. Deewan, a Kashmiri Pundit has to flee the place after one fateful night where his neighbouring Muslim family which gave them refuge gets killed. Only few survives the massacre and in the mean w...

When I saw the contest on the Social Medial Channels of Taj Coromandel regarding the book reading event of famed model and author Padma Lakshmi, I jumped into it immediately and participated on all the channels including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. There were only 2 simple questions. I answered both of them and was waiting for the results. I was about to enter a movie hall when I got the call from Novena from Taj Communications team informing that I am one of the winners. My joy knew no bound. I was waiting for the big day. The day came. It was February 14,2017. I was there by 5:30 PM and had an opportunity to meet up with US Embassy staff - Mr Biju (who I had met exactly 6 years ago in another event) who recognised me and spoke to me for good few minutes. In the mean time, I had an opportunity to meet Dr Subodh who is a psychologist and when we were conversing, Mr. Matthew another US Embassy Staff came and joined our conversation which lasted for good 20 minutes....

Title - The Twirled November Author - Krishna K Verma Genre - Fiction Publisher - Inked Company Publishing ISBN - 9788193240564 A nice story with good narration. Though it is a routine story, the way, it was narrated by the author was real good. Krish, the Protagonist falls in love with Avantika aka Avani.Avani reciprocates it.  He also meets up another girl while travelling else where in a bus and names her 2G(Giggle Girl).  Even the parents of Krish and Avani had no qualms in agreeing to the proposal. Just then when everything was seeming to go right, the 2G appears and she was none other than Avani's cousin Kanak. Krish's mind gets distracted. Harry and Smriti tried their best to help Krish come out of infatuation. Did Krish realise his mistake? Did they both - Krish and Avantika unite together in the end is the story. My honest review is though I liked the story, I was totally disappointed with editorial work. There were lot of errors be it with r...

Title - The 365 Days Author - Nikhil Ramteke Genre - Fiction Publisher - WriteIndia ISBN - 978-81-9322988-4-8 A book that is so well written which brings out the woes of workers in the Gulf. It will make you cry for sure for the fact, the book is just the mirror of woes being faced by the workers. The experience of boarding the flight for the first time by the Protagonist Shiju Kutty was brilliantly explained. The path of abandoning greenery and reaching sand filled deserts  is an aching phenomenon. The way of pronouncing in typical malayali style - "Gelf", "Kaapi". The comparison of Sheikh and Mahatma Gandhi was just awesome. The description of Vizhinjam Village where " everyone knows everyone " shows how closely the families are knit. The description of the houses in Kerala would make any reader understand the typical style of Kerala. Arayan, Valakkaran, Mukkuvan, Marakkan & Dheevara classification was a new fact to me. The ...

Title - Super Women Author - Prachi Garg Cover Design - Abhishek Nagar Genre - Fiction Publisher - Srishti Publishers & Distributors ISBN - 978-93-82665-63-2 What is common between some of the well known brands like MyDala, Zivame, Style Fiesta, Your D.O.S.T etc? All these brands are founded by Women. Do you know how these brands came into existence? Super Women is one book which precisely brings to you the events that has inspired not one but 20 of the brands being founded by women. Author has illustrated it so nicely that you will not feel bored reading it. The difficulties faced by these highly successful women and how they overcame it would serve as an inspiration for budding women entrepreneurs. Some of the events mentioned in the book were touching. Few of them did this despite being a mother and had family and kids to take care of which is inspiring. A god attempt by the author to bring out the names which were always in the background and I feel ...

Title - Anywhere But Home (Adventures in Endurance) Author - Anu Vaidyanathan Genre - Sport Memoire Publisher - Harper Sport Cover Photograph - Anu Vaidyanathan & Rick Kent Cover Design - HarperCollins Publishers India ISBN - 978-93-5177-524-9 An Extraordinary Memoir which I have read in the recent days. When I say this, I am 100% sure that anyone who reads this book would agree with me without a second thought. It is my privilege to review this amazing book and I am grateful to have received the autographed book from the author herself. Before starting my review, I must openly confess that I have not heard about the author and I would say it wouldn't come as a surprise being in India where we give more importance and priority to Cricket over others. Off late, thanks to some stellar performance from other performers that sports like Tennis, Badminton, Kabbadi and Chess(these two have always been neglected despite producing World Champions for some time...

Title - Yama's Lieutenant Author - Anuja Chandramouli Genre - Fiction Publisher - Random House India ISBN - 978-81-8400-739-8 A brilliant story which makes you to read from the beginning till the end with no break. Author has made it sound like real through her language and the characters had lived through the story. Agni is the protagonist. He loses his 6 year old twin sister Varuna. There was an event in Maduram City and Kiran Raj - Deputy Commisioner takes charge. At the same time Araksha causes a major fire accident in a school accident but surprisingly no kids sustain any burn injuries. Agni summons Chandrama and Suryama. In the meanwhile Varu dies in an accident. Agni meets up with a Goddess who gives him an impregnable task of taking Naganara, the necromancer who practices occult arts. He summons Himsa from the twisted spirits - Niryana Pushkara. Agni now meets Taravarsha who along with Dharami has been saving him from many attempts on his life....

Crossword Bookstores had some special guests in attendance on 8th February. Zuni Chopra, daughter of noted film critic Anupama Chopra and filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, launched her Debut Novel   ​​  The House That Spoke ,   today. The book was released by Mrs Nita M. Ambani at Crossword, Kemps Corner.  In conversation with Zuni Chopra was the very young and talented Zaira Wasim who played the role of young Geeta Phogat in the recently released movie Dangal. Also present was author Amish Tripathi. ​​  The House that Spoke , published by Penguin Random House, India,  is a kaleidoscopic tale that reimagines Kashmir with the colors of magic .  It is an intriguing mix of the fantastic and the real set in Kashmir. Zuni has dedicated this book to Kashmir, and has done so by sharing her Kashmir adventure in the form of a fantasy novel. A fan of Lewis Caroll, Zuni is among the writers who believe in sharing their imagina...

Title - 2 Peg Ke Baad Author - Nikita Lalwani Cover Design - Sourav Das Genre - Fiction Publishers - Srishti Publishers & Distributors ISBN - 978-93-82665-65-6 This is a collection of 14 short stories. I must say each and every story is unique in its one aspect. Author has meticulously penned down beautiful stories without moving away from the main aspect - PEGS. You read it right. Neither I or the Author support the alcohol consumption but this so called alcohol plays a major role in all these 14 different stories. While I liked the description of "Sweet yet the most meaningless kiss" from the first story - " A walk with the call girl ", I liked the portrayal of he character Ananya as to how she missed being in the wrong job and ends up her life making herself as the painting in " My Last Painting " To Give, To Love and To Live is the theme for " What happens in Banaras, stays for a lifetime " which would give an ...