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5 wonderful things to do apart from travel

Traveling around the world is almost everyone's dream. The learnings that we absorb during our travel journeys stick with us for a lifetime. Most of our yearning for travel is palpable and relatable. Although, I must confess that I prefer to travel only with my loved ones and only sometimes by myself. As a result, I have come to realise that we can obtain similar soul satisfying experiences from a few other endeavours apart travel. Here I list 7 wonderful things to do when you apart from travel.  1. Reading books📚, travel books, magazines and everything you love to devour : I fondly recollect hearing from one of my inspirations that when we can't travel, we read. How true, indeed. Books are a great way to escape into another world. The joy of swimming through a good book is something only book lovers can vouch for. Travel books proffer an experience that is very close to getting transported to another world. In fact, it's much better than watching travel shows, although yo...

The Encyclopedia of Epic Myths and Legends: Absolutely Captivating

This is a book that I'd gift my children and grand-children. It's that good. The book is an inkling into the world of myths and folktales. It delves into myths from across the world from roman, greek myths to Egyptian, Japanese and South American tales. The fabric that binds all the myths is captivating. It begins with myths about the creation of the universe and moves into stories of heroes and monsters. Every story leaves the reader wonderstruck and wanting to know more. The stories of heroes like Chi Li is awe-inspiring and teeming with bravery, courage and sinew.  Comparing the stories with Indian myths was a joyful experience, especially at moments when I could find similarities between the other tales and the Indian ones. I read the book in three sittings. The story of the strict ancestors and their stringent rules and the uncommon thinkers like Socrates will surely stay with us. I'd highly recommend this book for those who love good stories and are curious about the ...

Mastering the Universe by Rob Larson: A great debate on capitalism v. socialism

An inkling into the financial elites and their exorbitantly expensive wealth and the class warfare. The author highlights the financial elites' role in climate change and the rising inequality. The narration reveals the author’s anger against the self-centred rich. Tax-he argues-has bridged the gap between the rich and the rest to some extent. The rich elites can steer politics, he narrates. The book also sees the contributions of the financial elites for the development of research and upliftment of the needy. He rightly notes that while the rich enjoy private jets, the middle class is forced to buy expensive electric vehicles. The book ends with a great debate on capitalism v. socialism and the need to move towards democratic socialism.   My thanks to Netgalley for the ARC Goodreads Link  

Two brilliant books from different eras

  The Painswick Line:  It is one of the best books I have ever read. It was such a delight to read each chapter that presented something new, witty and funny. I’d highly recommend this one for anyone who likes legal fiction. I bought Henry Cecil’s books after seeing them on Justice Leila Seth’s bookshelf on a TV show Justbooks. The book begins with Justice Painswick’s discovery of a new way of making quick money. That forges him on a journey to meet new people, who later become family. The book revolves around stories about the Judge and his son, Martin. It’s a 5⭐️ read.  Goodreads Link Stephen King: His Life, Work and Influences his book is a brilliant read and a must-read for Stephen King fans. He is decidedly the king of horror. The book talks about his journey, childhood, struggles, influences, success and works. His story is so well narrated that it's unputdownable. The pictures are like cherries on the top. The book aptly describes what he went through while creatin...

Best Chilli Garlic noodles recipe

  Cut 1/3rd red and green bell peppers into juliennes; Prepare red chilli flakes from 4-5 hot and dry red chillies ; In a wok, heat enough water to boils 200 grams Hakka noodles ; Add 1 tablespoon of salt into the boiling water and then add the Hakka noodles; Let it cook for 7 minutes (see instructions on the noodles packet);  Drain the water and spread the cooked noodles on a plate; In a bowl, take 8-10 garlic cloves minced, 1/2 star anise, 4 cloves and the red chilli flakes ; Add these ingredients to a wok with 3-4 tablespoons of hot olive oil and sunflower oil; Keep the flame in simmer and let the flavours in the ingredients be infused into the oil; After 3-4 minutes, add the cut bell peppers into the wok and stir fry it for 1 minutes in high flames;   Add half a teaspoon of soy sauce, vinegar and 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce ; Add the cooked noodles and mix it with the bell peppers, oils and sauces;  Cook in simmer for 1-2 minutes and transfer it...

Stephen King His life, work and influences by Ben Vincent--Unputdownable

  This book is a brilliant read, a must-read for Stephen King fans. He is decidedly the king of horror. The book narrates his journey: childhood, struggles, influences, success and works. His story is so well narrated that it's unputdownable. The pictures are like cherries on the top. The book aptly describes what he went through while creating the magic that he presented to us, over the years. I hope to revisit this book a decade later; I am certain I will enjoy it as much as I did this time--or perhaps even more. Ben narrates, "Some people believe it is possible to learn about a writer through a careful reading of his or her work, others think a writer’s work is best understood by knowing the details and circumstances of that person's life. Which way does the mirror point or does it work in both directions." I think it works in both directions. Having a background of his life and journey has inspired me to read his books and I am sure I will relate to his works with...

The Golden oldies' book club by Judy Leigh

This book taught me what good writing is. I fell in love with it, at the very beginning, going by the positive reviews and the author's prologue that spoke about the main character, Jeannie and her one and only passion: apple farming.  Jeannie's life is palpably blissful thanks to her apple farming. The author begins introducing her apple farm and how her lovely family and friends pitch in to make the experience exhilarating. Her narration--simple, descriptive and transporting--captures our attention and we begin to feel pangs of admiration as we read. The everyday life of Jeannie, her feisty old mother, Violet and her family--especially Jeannie's twin grand-children connects with us and we begin to feel at home. The stories of the people around Jeannie are interesting and the book club sessions reveal a slice of the minds of misogynistic men. The storyline is everything about Jeannie and the people around her. It's very well written. But, the storyline could have been ...