Title: The Blogchatter Book Of Love

Genre: Fiction, Anthology, Love 

Author: Blogchatter Community writers

Publisher: Readomania

What does come to your mind when you hear the word "love"? Well I feel love is one of the most popular topics to read, discuss, gossip and dream about. So when Blogchatter announced an anthology of love, I was super excited to get my hands on it.

The book turned out to be even better than my expectations! Let's start judging the book by its cover first. It's so damn attractive. The colours, figures and overall theme, it's a bestseller from the cover already!

So this book contains 18 different types of love stories. The best part about these stories is that it's a reminder that love can be of all types. From typical spouse romance to rainbow love, parental love to heartbreak, sibling love to extramarital...love literally has no boundaries. And the greatest of them all (according to me) : undying love for one's motherland.

I would like to start with my absolute favourite story though I must confess that I loved each of them wholeheartedly. "Janmabhumishcha". Actually I found so much strong connection with my life. My ancestors had migrated from East Pakistan or now Bangladesh before the birth of my parents but I have always listened to the tales from my grandparents and extended family. This heart warming topic deals with the emotions of a young mother who migrates to India for the safety of her newborn while her husband stays back to fight for his motherland. "Janani Janmabhumischa Swargadapi Gariyasi" meaning mother and motherland are even more important than "Swarga" or heaven. I have been acquainted with this phrase since my early years. I think it's a staple in Bengali households. How she longed for her maternal family and husband while fulfilling her duties in her new clan is bound to drive you to tears. The narrative is from a grandmother to her granddaughter and I could imagine my "Thakurma" telling me all her salad day tales.

Then there is a story about old age love. How a couple navigates with physical and psychological shortcomings arising due to increasing age. Love might get sidelined in the chaos but eventually true love survives the test of time.

Love knows no gender boundaries and the story Love, Lost and Found is an excellent testimony to this.

All the 18 stories have been beautifully written. I won't be dissecting them all because I want you guys to get the book and read it yourself. It's a feel good book and a really fast read. I can promise that you would have a smile on your face after completing each story.

You can buy the book on Amazon or Readomania

My Rating: 5/5

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program 

As parents, we are continuously looking for entertainment for our kids. Something that is not over stimulating or damaging but engaging enough. While in an ideal world, we would love to give educational content to our kids all the time, feed them only freshly cooked nutritious food and have zero tolerance for screens, these are just not practical. So I am always trying to balance screens with entertainment, learning and fun. And that's why I am going to share with you the perfect website for children's games, which will keep them hooked yet they would be learning skills the whole time.

1. Unstructured play: Generally I am a big fan of unstructured play. Open ended games evoke creativity in the kids more. Games like Lego and Dominos inspire the kids to think out of the box. My kids don't play with the blocks in a conventional way, they invent games and use the structures/figures made by blocks to fit into those games.

2. Role play: This kind of play again help the kids to unleash their creativity. Whether playing teacher and student, doctor and patient, shopkeeper and customer or simply mother and child, you will be on a wild ride if you happen to witness one of their games. Sometimes I over hear them from the kitchen and many a times, I am invited to watch their camaraderie. I am both in splits and marvel, wondering how innovative my two kids can get. 

3. Board games: These are an integral part of any household. While games like Monopoly and Tambola can be played by kids and adults alike, there are a thousand board games, which are cherished by kids. Be it Picktureka or Route, Ludo or Snakes and Ladders, Chinese Checkers etc, these provide endless hours of entertainment. The only downside is that these might lead to saturation and the kids may deny playing again after a period of time. Also they have fixed rules and regulations, and not necessarily thought provoking.

4. Online kids' games: There isn't a child in this universe who is not "bored". Even after getting them the best of toys and games, books and a cutely decorated room, they are bound to bug with "Mom, I am bored."

So what to do in that scenario? While making them watch television/tablet might solve the problem, but it's temporary. You don't want them to stare at the screen endlessly and not learn anything. That's when I prefer them playing online games. Because let's face it, you can't refrain from screens. So it's better that you put them to use productively.

Mortgage Calculator has a myriad of games that offer not only non stop entertainment to the kids but also teach them practical skills like currency, real estate, food, restaurants, business, environment, etc. Basically the games they offer are financial based, something which we need to teach our children from a young age.

There are a plethora of games that would keep the kid hooked along with learning the nuances of earning, maintenance, etc.

Some of my favourite games which I love for my kids (as well as playing myself...Shhhhh secret) are Idle Farming business, Idle Hypermarket Empire, Coffee shop etc 

In idle Farming business, you have to grow potatoes first in a plot of land. Then you start harvesting them and earning money. Then you can buy more plots with that money to grow other vegetables like carrots, wheat, corn etc to make more money. Also rain cloud and sun help you in quicker harvest and production respectively. Such a cute way to learn how the business of farming works.

In Idle Hypermarket Empire, you get to play the simulation of a grocery store. Initially you work and earn money and then use that money to hire managers to automate work flow. You have to earn money to open more floors and then get more work done by the workers and earn more money. Of course this teaches you earning, maintenance as well as spending. One can spend hours doing this.

Coffee Shop is a fantastic game that will keep your kiddos hooked. We know how much coffee is important. My kids already know that I can't function without coffee and they love iced coffee. So it really makes sense that they set up a coffee shop and start a business.

You get 30 days to run your business. The Cafe Calypso is a happening little coffee shop. You have to buy inventory like coffee cups, milk, sugar, spoons and of course coffee. The thought bubble of the customer indicate what they want...like they want creamier coffee, stronger coffee, etc. Some say that it's too hot for a cuppa and all. You need to have enough inventory for the day or you will go out of stock. 

Recycling games: Sort the trash. In this game you have to collect the recyclable items in the bin to earn points. This teaches you what all are recyclable like soda cans, plastic bottles, tetra packs etc. I put straws in the bin only to learn that they are not recyclable! Learning never ends!

These game are all free and have attractive graphics and music. Your child is definitely going to leave the device more savvy about money management as well as entertained.

5. Last but not the least, books. Book reading requires more focus than ever before. Raising a reader is easy if you yourself are one. Inculcating the habit of reading requires bedtime reading, easy access to books and of course attractive reading material. Reading will never become obsolete, even if the internet says so. After all, reading online articles too requires focus and attention, which in turn comes from reading.

Which one of these is your favourite activity for your kid? Which game are you going to try first?

 Title: Maria just Maria 

Author: Sandhya Mary 

Language: English, translated from Malayalam by Jayasree Kalathi

Genre: Fiction 

Pages: 232

Publisher: Harper Perennial (Harper Collins)

Alright so this book looks very intriguing from its cover. A collage of bright impressions (with the mention of a toddy shop too) and the title of course. As you start reading, you realise that Maria is the single most name that is easy to pronounce. Just joking. Actually being a Bengali who has been brought up in the North, most of the names of the characters are difficult for me to memorize because they are typical South Indian names.

Originally written in Malayalam, the translation has been done by the award winning author, Jayasree Kalathi, who currently lives in England.

This is a very different kind of story. Maria, the protagonist has stopped speaking after the death of her grandfather. And this book traces all the incidents happening, leading to this huge life change. Her muteness is not neurological or underlying any pathology but is simply because she doesn't want to speak. 

The story has dedicated chapters on the main characters of the book, how all these shape up over the years or rather generations. From Maria's great grandparents to her ex husband and brother, there is a detailed account of every one and the reader is made thorough with all the life changes that is underwent by her.

Maria is brought up in her grandfather's house, from her childhood and that pretty much explains why she is so attached to him. Her brother is an established doctor practicing in the States, and he is the one who is paying for her mental hospital fees.

The characters are very intriguing. From her childhood dog Chandipatti, who has a substantial role in the story to side characters like Kali and all, there are grey shades to all of them (of course including her grandfather, who's a drunkard; remember the toddy shop illustration on the cover?). Chandipatti is an extremely intelligent dog with some serious powers because he can speak to Maria and think like a mortal. He has to be my favourite character from the book because even if you are not a canine lover, you are definitely going to get impressed by this four legged companion of hers.

What I love about this book are the details. The way each character is etched and described. What I found not so likeable (highly personal opinion) is the myriad of difficult names of the characters. Sometimes I had to go back and forth because the names were a challenge for me to remember and connect.

It's not ordinary story book. The meaning is deep and you will be thinking about the plot way longer after it's finished.

Rating: 3.5/5

This review is powered by Blogchatter Book Review Program 

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ 
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla 
in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.

When we think of Thailand, nightlife seems integrated in that thought. A trip to this tropical destination is absolutely incomplete without a taste of the throbbing discotheques and bars. While prominent cities like Bangkok and Pattaya have dedicated streets and localities, there isn't a single town in Thailand that is free of bars. While the Bangla Street in Patong, Phuket steals all the limelight for the best nightlife, there is a very unexpected place that really has glitzy evenings. That place (very surprising to some) is Phi Phi Island.

Majority of the tourists do Phi Phi as a day trip. Even we did that, when we visited 12 years ago as a couple. We tend to think that it's a day beach area (like the Ile Aux Cerfs) and the place shuts out after dusk. However in reality, Phi Phi Don is a really big island. (Not Phuket big, but not as small as Dhiffushi) It's a non motorable island and is quite hilly. So if you need to traverse from one end of the island to another, you will need to take a boat for that. 

That's why we chose to reside near the Tonsai Pier (the city/island centre). We needed the market with the groceries and restaurants at an arm's length and believe me, it was the best decision ever. The island really goes to sleep at night, and it becomes quite spooky and eerie. So had we been staying on the more peaceful parts, we couldn't have enjoyed the nightlife.

Well the Loh Dalum Bay is an area where you would get transported elsewhere. Surely there are a number of happening bars and clubs in the centre. But the ambiance on that beach is a different scenario altogether! There are elaborate fire shows. We even crossed a burning rope from beneath a few times to get free shots as rewards. Almost every crazy task comes with rewards. You can find weed everywhere and laughing gas is for sale too. The waves often come crashing on the chairs, where you are sitting for watching the fire shows. We loved every moment of the glitz and glamour for the 2 nights we were there and I highly recommend staying at Phi Phi overnight to witness a completely different phase of this lively island.

This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ 
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla 
in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.

 Preserving travel memories is essential for reliving those unforgettable experiences long after the journey has ended. While photographs and souvenirs often serve as keepsakes, there are many other creative ways to capture the essence of your adventures. Whether it’s through storytelling, videos, or personalized crafts, these methods can help you hold onto the emotions and moments that made your trip special.

In this article, we'll explore seven innovative ways to preserve your travel memories. From journaling to video compilations, these ideas offer a unique blend of traditional and digital approaches.

Create a Travel Journal

Creating a travel journal is one of the most personal and effective ways to preserve your travel memories. Whether handwritten or digital, it allows you to document daily experiences, thoughts, and emotions during your trip. By capturing the details in real time, you ensure that even the smallest moments are remembered.

A travel journal can also include photos, sketches, or ticket stubs to make it more interactive. This blend of written reflections and visual elements enhances your storytelling, offering a deeper connection to your travel experiences when you revisit the journal later.

Capture Video Memories

Capturing video memories is an excellent way to preserve the full experience of your travels, from vibrant landscapes to lively street scenes. Videos not only capture the visual aspects but also the sounds and movements that photos can’t convey. By filming key moments throughout your trip, you can create a dynamic and engaging record of your adventures.

Once you have your footage, using a free video editor can help you enhance and organize your clips. This tool allows you to trim unnecessary parts, add music, and create a polished final product that’s perfect for sharing and revisiting your travel memories.

Building a travel photo book is a wonderful way to preserve and showcase your favorite travel memories. This personalized keepsake allows you to curate your best photographs and arrange them into a beautifully bound book. Whether you choose a digital or printed format, a photo book provides a tangible way to revisit your travels and share your experiences with others.

Incorporate captions and brief descriptions alongside your images to provide context and enhance the storytelling. This method not only organizes your photos but also creates a lasting memory that can be enjoyed for years to come.

Create a Memory Box

Creating a memory box is a charming way to store and cherish physical mementos from your travels. Collect items such as postcards, local souvenirs, and ticket stubs throughout your trip, and keep them in a dedicated box. This tangible collection allows you to hold onto the unique artifacts that represent your experiences.

A memory box can be personalized with decorations and notes, adding a creative touch to your keepsake. Combining these physical items with printed photos or digital copies creates a comprehensive and meaningful way to preserve your travel memories.

Use a Video Maker App to Create a Travel Compilation

Using a video maker app to create a travel compilation is a practical and creative way to showcase your travel footage. These apps simplify the process of compiling various clips into a cohesive and visually appealing video. With user-friendly features, you can easily arrange scenes, add transitions, and incorporate music to enhance the storytelling.

Additionally, many video maker apps offer customization options like text overlays and filters, allowing you to personalize your travel compilation. This results in a polished final product that captures the essence of your journey and is perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Design a Custom Map of Your Travels

Designing a custom map of your travels is a unique and visually appealing way to document your journey. By marking the places you’ve visited on a map, you create a personalized visual representation of your adventures. This can be done using various online tools or traditional methods, depending on your preference.

A custom map can highlight key locations, routes taken, and memorable spots, providing a comprehensive overview of your trip. Whether displayed as a framed print or integrated into a digital travel blog, this map serves as a functional and decorative keepsake, allowing you to easily revisit and share the highlights of your travels.

Share Your Travel Stories on a Personal Blog

Sharing your travel stories on a personal blog is an effective way to document and preserve your experiences. A blog allows you to combine written narratives, photos, and videos to create a rich, immersive account of your journeys. This platform not only helps you organize and reflect on your travels but also enables you to connect with a wider audience interested in your adventures.

Regularly updating your blog with new posts and travel tips can engage readers and inspire others. It also serves as a lasting digital archive, where you can easily revisit and share your travel memories with family and friends.

Conclusion 

Preserving your travel memories through creative methods ensures that your experiences remain vivid and cherished for years to come. Whether you choose to keep a detailed travel journal, capture videos, or create a custom photo book, each approach offers a unique way to relive and share your adventures. By incorporating these creative strategies, you can transform fleeting moments into lasting treasures, keeping your travel memories alive and accessible whenever you wish to revisit them.