Welcome to Sarath Babu's Lifestyle Blog

Title - Life Know-How: A Life Guide with Sensible Advice to Live Life to the Fullest Author - Viswanatha Reddy Thalakola Genre - Self Help Publisher - APK Publishers ISBN - N/A The book according to me is a combination of Self Help and Motivational one which would help you realize what you are and what your real potential is. What I liked most about the book is the way author has put forth his points without using any complicated diagrams/charts etc but ensured that you could get all that you have been expecting/expected from this book. Written in simple English, this book would make you to sit over, think/ponder on various things/events that you have come across/witnessed in your life. Each chapter begins with a quote from a famous personality which adds more value to the book. Why would I recommend this book? 1. Simple Language which facilitates easy understanding 2. No jargons 3. Author was up to the point without beating around the bush 4. Sep...

Title - Tarikshir, The Awakening Author - Khayaal Patel Genre - Fiction Publisher - Westland Publications ISBN - 978-9387578500 The novel is well written and considering the fact that the story happens during the 19th century, it offers a unique proposition to the entire story. I liked the introduction which was really lengthy but it justified the need of it. There was something which was guarded secretly and when it gets unleashed, it could bring in much of destruction. People called it Tarikshir but awakening it wasn't an easy one. While the story is set in the Devangarh ruled by Rajputs, Rudra Pratap Chauhan who was the crown prince loses his father Raja Ravindra, his mother and also his uncle Shamsher Singh, who was once hated by all for his lust for power and greed. While Raja Ravindra was preparing for facing the British invasion led by Walken, he gets mysteriously killed. While Rudra's mother suspects Shen-Zhou, a Chinese Master who once taught w...

Bombay Shirt Company is here which makes your customization of your shirt, a real breeze. The brand has couple of showrooms in Chennai as on 20th August - one in Adyar and the other one in R.K.Salai, Mylapore. I had been to the Mylapore outlet and was amazed with their offerings. The showroom is located bang on the main road just above Lenskart showroom. The outlet is very well air-conditioned and they also have the provision of serving water(Those who hail from Chennai knows as to why I highlight this). What makes Bombay Shirt Company unique? Gone are the days where we use to visit a local tailor who would know our preferences and cater to our needs. Having said that, I was under an illusion that only my tailor had given me the best till date but I was proven wrong, when I visited this outlet. Why? The showroom has few thousands of shades of clothes to choose from. They have different textures and patterns/designs. The Fabrics are sourced from finest mills aroun...

Title - Zidd! Author - Hetansh Desai Genre - Fiction Publisher - Half Baked Beans ISBN - Not Available Hetansh Desai certainly deserves an appreciation for his unique story line. Though this novel roughly runs for 165 pages, the story already has a very good content which can be made into a movie either in Kollywood(remember Kaaka Muttai?) or in Bollywood with a very low budget but can still be a blockbuster. The story isn't a thriller or a sci-fi or a romance(complete) but still it would keep you hooked to it until the end. What I liked the most is the presence of humor in various places which added more power to the story. The story is all about setting up a hoarding in the most expensive place of Ahmedabad. Vihaan, who hails from a well to-do family was forced by his father to join business administration course but he takes up his own stream but still drops out from the college. Parth, son a tea vendor meets Vihaan in an unusual circumstance.Both had hi...

Title - The Four Stories Author - Vashima Jain Genre - Fiction Publisher - NotionPress ISBN - 978-1-64429-028-6 A novel that is unique. The reason why I say this is because the entire book is divided into 4 stories but each and every story has a connect with the previous story/one another. It all begins with Rajani who made a mark for herself in her career but something was missing, she felt. She decided to pursue her passion. what was it? Was she successful? On the other story, Lata who worked as a housemaid had a troubled life since her better half lost all the hard earned money on gambling. Before she could cope up with this, another shock hits her. Sarthak, a young boy, accidentally discovers the truth about his father and realizes the lies in everything told to him so far. Self-doubt and doubtness gave away to his stammering and struggle in day to day life? The story of Gabbar was much more appealing to me since I too have a pet at home and I can r...

Title - It was a happy trusting world, then Author - Vilas Kale Genre - Travel & Holidays Publisher - The Write Place ISBN - 978-9-38728-202-5 A wonderful memoir which is set back in 1971 that is almost 50 years prior makes this an interesting read. The story that stretches for three months and few days beginning from 2nd May and ending on 1st August 1971, talk in great detail about the experience of 3 hitchhikers who went on travel cross Middle East to Europe before returning back to India on a shoe-string budget. The travel undertaken by Kumar, Vilas and Vidula going across various countries braving situations like climatic conditions, food, language and most importantly the shortage of money due to Forex restrictions back then has been vividly captured in this book. I liked the way author has narrated his journey which never made me feel bored is the real success. Though most of the nation has gone under a drastic change which includes Beirut which was ...

Title - DareDreamers : A Start-up of Superheroes Author - Kartik Sharma & Ravi 'Nirmal" Sharma Genre - Fiction Publisher - RUPA Publications ISBN - 978-93-5304-087-1 When I saw the title, I never thought it is a novel but I was intrigued by the cover and yes, it turned out to be one excellent novel. The cover page is very much relevant to the story and you would agree, only when you finish reading it. I also ha another doubt as to who pens down which part and this doubt of mine got cleared in the end - in the acknowledgements section. The story revolves around 6 characters - Rasiq- an Investment Banker, Nick - a crazy inventor, Halka - a strongman, Arjun - a champion shooter, Natasha - a bollywood stunt double and Dr Vyom - a medical Sherlock Holmes. Rasiq lands up in a lucrative job as soon as he finishes his studies. Though he earned handsome, he gets cheated by his girlfriend. This along with other circumstances pushes him to venture into a new s...

Title - 18 Enlightening Tales Author - Arjun Singh KRANTI Genre - Spiritual Publisher - Pothi 18 Enlightening Tales is a collection of 18 real life stories from the author. Through these stories, the author has brought forth as to what "Spiritual/Religion" is all about. Each story differ from the other and so as the message. The flow was simple and structured. Each of them conveys the message which the author was seeking prior. Author emphasize on reading them over and over again to grasp the real meaning of these stories. The references were simply beautiful. Though there is a mention of Hindu Gods in the story, I would say that this would fit for people who belong to various faith and for those who do not believe in GOD, there is a story for you as well. A clear explanation given in each and every story, most of them by the author's Guru makes this book an interesting read. Though it wouldn't take more than an hour to finish this book, at a stretch, I...

Babies needs lot of attention from their mother(Father is mostly busy and away for work - I am only speaking about Home Maker here or the one who is on maternity leave and not otherwise). They require constant cleaning to keep them supple and fresh. Babies do not know much about handling things especially when it comes to food and eat them at their wish and will. If it a chocolate, one need not have to say as to how they pounce upon it eating them but more than that, spilling it on their dress and most importantly on their face. While the spill over on the dress can be taken care by the detergents, it is the spill over on their skin which needs immediate care since we cannot leave it as it is which would not only invite houseflies but when it dries up, it becomes real difficult to wipe it clean thereby resulting in rashes on the skin. Here is where the wipes comes into play.  Why should the wipes be used? Listed below are some of the benefits a wipe could offer 1. Mo...

Title - The Lost Arcanum Author - Navin Reuben Dawson Genre - Fiction Publisher - Invincible Publishers ISBN - 978-93-87328-28-0 A brilliant, lengthy yet interesting novel. When you finish reading this, I am sure you would be satisfied of having spent your time and money in buying this. Not many in India do write a novel which is a confluence of religion and fiction and this is one such novel which would surely see him in the likes of Dan Brown, Ashwin Sanghi - if not others. What is most interesting is how the author has handled the flow meticulously wherein you would never feel the boredom while reading this novel. This 455 page novel would surely be a readers delight and I would suggest you to start reading this on a Saturday preferably sitting near to the window especially when it is raining outside. The novel begins with three gruesome murders and Jack Stevens gets appointed as the investigating officer by the CBI. While he was about to crack the case after stum...

Title - The Last Seychelles Flame Author - Medha Nagur Genre - Fiction(Romance) Publisher - Amazon KDP ASIN - B07G2PP8D9 A beautiful love story that revolves around two characters Adrija Agte and Omkar Arora.  Adrija always dreamed high though her family conditions did not support her to pursue her dream course. She took up her passion - Photography against the wishes of her father and aai. She strikes a job in Mumbai with a reputed firm. With hardly any money, she lands there and due to her good work, she gets a chance to fly to Seychelles. In the meanwhile, she meets her ex-boyfriend in Mumbai. He continues to be authoritative and tries to meddle up with her life but when she flies to Seychelles, she meets Om who seemed to be more supportive. Due to the haunting memories of her ex, she lands up in trouble losing her job. Did she attain her dream goal? Did she get support from Om? What was the background of Om? Did she get rd of her ex-BF? ...

Title - Second Chances: Will you give love, life and happiness a second chance? Author - Shreya Das Genre - Fiction Publisher - NotionPress ISBN - 978-1642498929 A simple yet a beautiful story revolving around two characters. A different plot altogether is what I would say where a ghost (Sameera) was assigned by the GOD to play as the cupid angel to unite Roshni and Karan. While Karan was happily employed with a women magazine as a Phtographer(now you know why I did say that), Roshni had a sad past. She had lost her husband Rahul, in a tragic car accident. However she had two good friend Annie and Glen. Glen was shunted out from his house since he proclaimed himself as a gay. Sameera takes up the hard job. She haunts Roshni and make her change her attitude towards fashion. Was she successful? The story also has few other characters like Roshni's & Karan's parents. I don't think anyone could pen it down with so much of love, warmth capturing al...

Title - My Feathered Friends & the Book of Poems - Part 1 Author - Sunil Bhatia Genre - Fiction Publisher - Partridge Publishing India ISBN - 978-1642498929 The book is certainly one of its kind because having read hundreds of books and reviewed many of them, I was pleasantly surprised when I read this book. The book has many protagonists including that of the author where he indulges in conversations with various birds at various point of time. Yes. He converses(imaginary) with Pigeon, Parrot, Owl, Swan, Sparrow, Crow, Nightingale, Peacock, Vulture, Falcon, Duck, Rooster, Hen, Hummingbird and Bat. He also converses with Copper Fish. Don't you see the uniqueness in the concept? The story begins with missing pigeon and then diverts to missing Peacock Jr and what happens to them has been excellently narrated in this story with series of events where the author meets up with various birds with each one giving him a teaching/lesson about life. I would rather say ...