Sunday, October 12, 2008

When the face smiled back at me....


Ages ago, when I got my first book, I read the preface first...then turned pages to read on about the author. I have still not been able to understand why I followed that procedure. At an age when kids normally either read the last page first ( to know the gruesome end to a mystery novel!!) or the blurb first, to get the feel of the book or better still to know part of the story before you decide on buying the book or borrowing what ever it may be. The ritual carried onto all books , and I still do that. I always wanted to know how an author looked. It somehow put the book into perspective.

The first books that I read..( the Enid Blyton) had nothing much about the author, but I knew who it was, though never knew how she looked though. For a while I used to think the author also was young like I was..( ya!!! smirk for all you can!)

Then one day, much later, while I was reading a Mills and Boon...( oh yes!! I love them and I shamelessly accept it.) I found that the author was as young as I was..ahem!!! hmpfff..and I had this 'speech-dream bubble' running in my mind, I was writing a book. Ha!!!!! I later realised...it was not that easy, as it looked or was read. I stuck to reading and looking at the photographic profiles of the authors and used to be so thrilled for them.

Little did I know, years later, I would be reading a book and the picture of the author on her profile would bring about a knowing smile. The smile of pride and one of utmost happiness. Yes!!! I knew this one author, and knew her not personally having met , but knew that she had seen herself dream and live upto her convictions. I did smile, when I walked into the book store. I wanted to pick up the book and read the blurb ( though, I knew what it already held) , turned the page and saw her(PS) picture, smiled back at the smiling face( first thing I did after opening the book), and billed it, not wanting to read the book, but just wanting to absorb the environment of the day. The event of her book launch, in the bookstore "Crossword" . I came in with no expectations, just like I would any book. But I wanted to see how people reacted to her launch. Don't we all do that when we are present at a close friends event. Yes!! I did that too. I just wanted to remain quiet and watch the whole thing. Wanted to feel the warmth, the readers who had come to witness the event spread. The pride of her family, ( you should have been there to see the pride in her husband's and her children's face) and her own amazing confidence. Glitter Graphics
I have come away from the book launch of "Preethi's 34 Bubblegums and Candies" feeling very proud, proud that a dear friend has achieved what she dreamt of. Proud that she, despite many negative criticsms didn't bow down to such pressure , proud that she holds her head high, high enough for her children to see that all it needs is "Belief in oneself", and her husband to know that his support was one of the most important things that a wife needs when she sets out to do something that is important to her. ( For someone who isn't married, I'd like to say, that whatever we do as wives, we always look for that small bit of approval and support from the spouse, and it is very important to us.). I walked away with bookmarks made by her son and daughter. I had read the thought that had gone into making them, and must say, those bookmarks I will always hold dear...they are special.

For those who like reading, I'd like to say, " Go Ahead and buy this one...It sure is gonna hold onto you" and if you don't like reading books, 'cos of the bulk, let me assure you, its such easy reading, small stories, and " hey, this sounds like my life" , you will love reading after this.
So go ahead, the bubblegums and candies are there for you to choose.

43 comments:

Rambler said...

yeah would surely want to read this one

the stygian sailor said...

congrats to your friend.
mills and boon reminds me.
i read to see why the chicks dig 'em books so much.
then i wrote my own mills and boon story.
the catastrophic results of which are not mention worthy :)
i never ever tried that genre again

Praveen said...

was there at the Bangalore launch..haven't started reading it yet. But those parts she read out there were quiet good..So am hoping the entire book's like that
And those bookmarks were real sweet and cute

Mana said...

I missed it. Was stuck @ work :( Great post :)

Jaya said...

It must have been a great feeling Prats! I am sure PS and her family are happy and you too now that you were able to meet her personally.

ceedy said...

Cool....its still not available here...will try and get it :)

It is a gr8 moment if you know the person...

aMus said...

hey i too love reading about the author ...:D

and this was such a beautiful post evocating everything that we who know preeti, feel. its also very inspiring to see her fulfil her dream...

and thank you prats for that lovely surprise...you literally read my mind...

now just figuring out a way for it to reach singapore...

Compassion Unlimitted said...

Most beautiful words..if this happens in every womans life..theres no stopping of India // her husband to know that his support was one of the most important things that a wife needs when she sets out to do something that is important to her. //
TC
CU

--xh-- said...

it was a wonderful experience - meeting the author behind the book - and though I already knew, i loved going through the blurb and all the sections.. nice meeting you all @ crossword :)

Ankur said...

i would do my best to pick up a copy today!! !
i know how much pain it is to actually make it publish coz one of my frnd is tryin it hard for past 3 years... he is an amazing writer but no one gives a damn to ppl who havent got leverage... i think she has done proud!!! :)

Cheers!!

broca's area said...

definitely buying this book....and again congrats to her..!...

Gazal said...

well written....

it was a wondeful and warm experience to be there....

and this reminds me...its been ages since i read a M&B

Prats said...

@rambler It is a very lovely book..it would great if you picke dthis one up

@stygian heheh...and what did you find on checking the M&B??? Satisfied your curiosity?? heheh
post the story, it would be fun to read.
Will pass on your wishes to Preethi.

@praveen. Oh yes, the bookmarks were so thoughtful. And oh!! I missed meeting you at the launch...no problem, maybe next time.

Prats said...

@manasa thanks!! But wish you could have made it too...it was a really good event and also meeting her was a bonus for us bloggers.

@joy. Oh yes!! It was lovely and seeing her launching a book , which had been a dream fo rher was another nice feeling too. Her family is wonderful.

Prats said...

@ceedy...I'm sure it'll get online soon...and you can pick up a copy. And yes, a lovely way to meet a blogger :) through her own book launch

Prats said...

@ suma :D ....We missed you out here at the launch..wish you could have been here too. But no problem, will reach the parcel across...

Prats said...

@ cu I think its also the woman's prerogative to step out and start dreaming...i'm sure every husband will support them. Thank you

Prats said...

@xh so true....the fun was in reading it and knowing it personally. It was great meeting up

Prats said...

@ankur. That would be lovely. The book is really interesting.
And as for your friend i'm sure if he persists, he will get his book out soon. It just needs perseverance. Tell him not to give up on himself

Prats said...

@broca You should...it'll eb aboost to her and to the book which is lovely too.

@gazal I second that. And it was fun meeting you out there....and do go and read the M&B :) after you finish the Bubblegums and candies

Jaya said...

Nice look to the blog...

Karthik S said...

I was there at the launch and I really enjoyed.

Your new template rocks :-)

Cheers!!

Satish Shenoy said...

Hey Prats. Surprise surprise, I was there for the Blr launch too like some of the others - did we meet btw? (lol).

Your post is excellently written. Yes, am extremely proud of what Preeti has done and achieved and without any doubt it is a huge achievement not because it has been printed but because of the fact that she did not give up, put in that huge effort and got it through successfully. But I must confess that what she has done is her own effort like staying up late nights for over 6 months and I have only contributed only in a miniscule way (cooking a few dal roti types). Not saying you should take back the compliment. Must also mention one of the side effects of Preeti writing and blogging is that I too have become interested in net surfing and visiting a few blogs and realise that a number of people write very well like you have done. It was great meeting up with you at the launch and thanks for coming.
Sorry for the long comment.
Cheers Satish

Balu said...

Prats,that was such a lovely post :)
Infact I had decided to buy her book way back even before she intended to get it published![check her orkut testimonials(read the one from "Bibin") and you'll know am not kidding!!]..just waiting for the book to hit the stands in Cochin!

Wonderfully written!

Keshi said...

PS is such a great person as well as a brilliant writer! I hv known her for a long time now and she's a fantastic friend too. HUGS to both of u!

Keshi.

aMus said...

wow...someone's blog is looking funky!!! so you finally took the plunge...


psst...lighten the grey nah?

Prats said...

@joy, Finally this tech retard, tried to do something...and it literally chewed up my sanity...wonder how people keep changing their pages... :(

@karthik...hey, did you , oh!! Wish we could have met too... and thanks

Prats said...

@Satish Who is this??? :P lol
Welcome aboard!!!
Hey it was great meeting up with you too...and no, I will not take back that compliment. Yes, it might be true Preethi worked her way through, but the miniscule bits you helped with, does help in lifting the emotional spirits, which inturn help in pushing her efforts a lil more.

And see, you gained well too....net surfing and slowly who knows it could be blogging too....
thanks for coming out here

Prats said...

@Balu...hey, Yes, I know you as BIbin...and I've read that testimonial too.
You must pick it up, an di'm sure there'll be some event for you to attend and meet up with her too...

thanks

Prats said...

@keshi Hugs to you too girl!!!
Oh yes!! PS is a lovely friend...one day when you visit India we must all meet up, it'll be really great.

Prats said...

@suma...can I lag behind???? But this has sapped me of all my mental energies....how do you guys do it so often....
which grey are you talking of, the one for the post? or the comments?

aMus said...

the background colour for the post...

and i agree, it's quite a pain but whaddya know, i'm getting into the 'lets change something' mood again...

Pri said...

i tried finding this book the very second day of its release but no luck! :(

am gonna get it this time for sure...

Pri said...

lovely new template btw :)

Varun said...

Wow! That's a beautiful post. You should go back to your 'speech-dream-bubble'.

Enid Blyton's books were my first books too but I was that normal kid who read the last page first :)

We should all be proud of her achievement. It's by no means a small feat. Her achievement gives me a sense of belief that I can achieve what I dream of.

Nikhil Narayanan said...

Hey Prats!
Template change!!! what happened?
And dang! You gave some dummy link to my blog in your blog roll.
Please please change, yes I am s-h-a-m-e-l-e-s-s.
http://blog.nikhil.co.in
is the right link.

Dinner on me for changing the link. :)

-Nikhil

Prats said...

@suma...I've tried lightening it...but thats involving changing a whole lot of other stuff :( and me's very bored already....but will try again...now how is it?

Prats said...

@pri hey, thanks!!! I'm sure the book will be out in all cities soon...in fact she had written about it here

"Hi all,
I have been getting a large number of queries from people across the world, asking when the book will be available in cities other than Pune and Bangalore. Many of you also want to buy it online
My publishers tell me that a new print run is being taken for'34 Bubblegums and Candies' since the first lot has been sold out.
Meanwhile I found this site which says it will deliver to US, UK ,Germany and all parts of India as well.
Here is the link:
http://www.bookscaterer.com/index.php?productID=3311
Incidentally, Crossword too delivers book to all places in India, once you place an order. You can order it by writing to them at weborders@shoppersstop.co.in
or by logging on to their website: http://crosswordbookstores.com

Hope this helps!""

Prats said...

@varun :) No way, am I gonna write...i'm happy with being a reader..And yes, its all in the belief...and a great achievement for her.

Prats said...

@nikhil...hahaha when do I get my dinner??? ;)

Changed the link now...I told you this thing just put me totally off my mental track....too many things to bother about while changing the template...booooo hoooo..but i've made it finally..

Nikhil Narayanan said...

Prats,
Will send you Taj Dinner voucher or dinner after Ps' next book launch . :)

You changed the template all alone?? Like alone!!!
God! You would have had a few sleepless nights!!

:)

-Nikhil

Pavi!!!! said...

U've xpressed it all very well prats...so well! I feel proud abt her accomplishment..ii can't even begin to imagine the pride her family n close friends must have.

n yes..I'm waiting to get my hands on her book!

Preeti Shenoy said...

I am so touched and honoured Prats.
Thank you.
And I am sorry I'm late in commenting.
Cheers
Preeti