“Does the walker choose the path, or the path the walker?” ― Garth Nix, Sabriel

So it has been a while that I inked my thoughts on paper!

Last couple of weeks have been a struggle- to construe some kind of meaning in this existence, the what and why of this life! There are times  when I  recede into a cocoon of my own making- where in isolation I muse upon some surreal questions; diving into the obsidian depths of my mind . Like a sea slug lying unobtrusive on the sea floor, my question refuses to go away, no matter how much I dive into abyssal depths to run away from it, I keep coming back - over and over! I tie millstones of rationalism around its neck ,burn it at the stake of optimistic contentment , but like the mythological phoenix, it rises up every time! 

The demon confronts me again and this time I chose to take it head on. So here I am trying to figure out an answer to the one question that has ceaselessly rallied like an unabating storm against the windows of my mind-  Are we truly free and masters of our own destiny?

Like all human, I live a glorified chimera we call life- a fable with its share of ebbs and tides. I have maintained the facade that  I am the creator of my destiny and . And a tiny voice inside my head say- "Oh Really!!!" 

No matter how much we wish to continue the illusion, the fact is, there are forces in this universe that are beyond our understanding or control. The best laid plans go awry, years of hard work  lay to naught, your life disintegrate in front of you.... and you cannot do  anything except wring your hands , lament or rage against the inequity. 

I am a firm believer in the concept of TIME. When the time is right , everything neatly falls into place like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle and when the time is not- well, one piece will elude you, precluding the completion of your puzzle. 

I am still pondering over the question, sinking deeper into the vast morass as I try finding an answer... and so the quest continues !!!!

Till next time

Akanksha Bhanot

Back to school, relive the nostalgia- Must watch on Netflix!

I have always been a movie buff and more so now with lockdown blues and a lot of time on hand to spare! If you like high school romcoms, you MUST, absolutely MUST watch The Kissing Booth. A sparkly frothy movie about two best pals and the regular trials and tribulations of teenage love, and what happens when the female lead falls in love with the yummilicious elder brother of her best friend!!! Fantastic cast, great music and loads of fun to watch. Watch out for the sequel on 24th July!!!

Pick of the Week

For all you lovers of vintage romantic suspense novels, try reading Mary Stewart. One of the most popular novelists, was born in Sunderland, County Durham, England. Mary Stewart's career as a novelist began in 1954 with the publication of Madam, Will You Talk? Since then she has published fifteen successful novels, including The Last Enchantment, the third book of the magical trilogy about the legendary enchanter Merlin and young Arthur.

 Enchanting and exotic locales, smart bold heroines and fast paced plots are a hallmark of her work. 

Check her out at- http://marystewartnovels.com/biography.html/

Courtsey- Amazon.com 

"Once upon a time there was a girl who really LOVED books. That was me. THE END"

If anyone described my life story, the sole reason why I exist on this earth, my inducement, incitement and incentive to continue on this planet- then this quote does it!

I am that woman who would probably haunt a library, whose ghost will lurk around in bookshops for eternity, for my salvation lies in the pages of books. So this summer, with Covid-19 wreaking havoc across the globe, I get an awesome opportunity to read and read and read some more!

I am reading a historical mystery series by author Anna Lee Huber- she writes some amazingly engaging historical suspense novels with her main leads- Lady Kiera Darby & Sebastian Gage- playing with danger and solving mysteries around them. You can check out the series at https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5775520.Anna_Lee_Huber

The writing is fast paced and atmospheric with romantic tension between the lead pair!

Not a heavy read, you will enjoy the series.