#BookReview: Subject A36

Some books leave a lasting impression on your heart and mind. Recently I happened to read another such book and therefore have to share my review here too.

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Subject A36 by Teri Polen is a brilliant take on futuristic experiments that could allure many ambitious scientists who live in their self-created bubble of plucking everything from nature to manipulate it for the mighty and the rich. It is harrowing to imagine that “The Colony” kidnaps children to strip them of their coveted genes to create “perfect humans” for those who could pay the price!

This book engages you from page one and keeps you on the edge of your chair to read – what next? I couldn’t put it down and each time it revealed something new, I muttered wow! Written in a simple but eloquent style, Polen doesn’t waste a word in unnecessary descriptions; she focuses on the story and the outcome of action. 

“Harvesting” – a shuddering term in connection with human beings but it lies at the center of this book, which gets darker as it proceeds.

Despite its theme, this book draws its strength from the emotional aspect of the story, which keeps you assured with the conviction that goodness can never be rooted out; there would always be kind people like Brynn, Noah and Paige. Love would remain the ultimate conquering force. It’s the love of Asher and Brynn, the friendship and benevolence of Asher, Noah and his team, the goodness of Garrett Solomon that shines in the abyss of darkness. I detest “The Colony” and there lies the success of Polen in crafting the perfect villains that live in it. I am eagerly looking forward to its sequel.

I’ve given it glowing 5 stars.

Thank you for reading.

If you like poetry, please check my latest book: Magical Whispers

Happy Holidays

A cerulean fairy is beckoning me
Near the waterfall,
Beyond the snowy peaks,
Above the silvery clouds
I am entranced by her fragrance.

She is taking me to an idyllic land
Where smiles are not hidden
Behind the masks.
A land luminous with buoyancy,
Nothing less than Elysium. 

She illuminates my conviction
Her light calms all worries,
Picks all the splinters
Invisible hope shimmers around her
With unwrap-able gifts.

I’ll be back with that hope.
Leaving behind the monsters of 2020
I am flying with the holiday fairy
If you want to join us
Just look at the horizon and smile.
©Balroop Singh, 2020

Wishing you a warm and safe holiday season. Happy reading!

If you like poetry, Check my latest book: Magical Whispers

Pick up your copy at Amazon. 

Life is Like that…

This image, which I stumbled across accidentally at Pixaby defines the paths of life so well; colorful and joyous at places but an abyss in the center is always waiting to devour us. How we cross it depends on our acumen and proficiency.

As children, we only knew physical pain. We did feel hurt at times but it was absorbed within. We didn’t know it is called emotional trauma, didn’t know it could last longer and revisit us.

We didn’t know what is selfishness; probably constant reprimands helped us in refraining from any such acts. Sibling rivalry was overlooked, as we were unaware of in-depth analysis of behavior. Ignorance was bliss.

We only knew love and couldn’t discern hypocrisy of some people who exploited our emotions. Bullying was an unknown term; obedience was the answer even when hitting was intuitively disliked.

We didn’t have digital devices to quell our thirst of knowing more and believed in whatever our parents and teachers told us. Moral values were imbibed naturally through them. Stories of grandparents were enough for us.

‘Life is not a bed of roses’…this adage never seemed convincing to me when I looked around and saw from the eye of an immature, growing adolescent, with rosy dreams and soft thoughts… that all is well with the world…considering the small, protective cocoon that I lived in, formed those illusions.

The journey of life actually unfolds its reality when we step into this fiercely competitive, engulfing world; waiting to devour us, defeat all our sincere and honest efforts!

Some disappointments, some frustrations and disillusionments become a part of our journey.

Do we give up? No, we want to explore more.

As it becomes more meaningful and challenging; we learn to define our goals, snub some desires and struggle to move ahead with renewed vigor.

But it remains interesting.

Whenever we face the roadblocks, we wonder why is life so tough, why do we have to face a new challenge everyday, why can’t it be smooth sailing?

Sometimes, it seems that life is just a big vacation – when you nestle in the center of a place, surrounded by pine forests with snow covered peaks staring at you, …with whiffs of peace and contentment all around.

A serenity that coaxes us to slow down, to savor the little moments of joy.

Such a scenario changes our opinion, fills us with new enthusiasm to do something new, something different.

Have you ever felt this exhilaration? The illusionary aspect of life is a significant contributor.

Just look at the ocean, feel its vastness, sit by its side and look at the waves rushing at you. They speak to us, if we can understand the profound lesson each wave leaves for us:

Life is that simple yet seems complicated. However high the wave, it has to touch the shore and surrender. Everything meets a natural end. Every moment around us is so transient! All the hues of life merge into each other. None of them belongs to us.

Accept life as it comes, welcome all its ups and downs with resilience. Draw energy from positive thoughts and people. Dwell on your blessings. Keep your cool in the face of provocations and disappointments. Embrace your agonizing moments to exorcize them from your life.

Thank you for reading my reflections. If you liked them, please share this post at your favorite social networks.

© Balroop Singh

Walk with Me

I know this path too well
I’ve walked and crawled
I’ve been bruised
My bleeding feet ferret out thorns.

I refuse to retreat
My resolve stays firm
I am not taking any turns
I know nothing would change.

Let’s turn the page and write again
Let’s forget the past and embrace pain
If you walk with me
All chains fall apart.

Our fear of losing love is a lie
Our quest for peace is still alive
Shadows of doubt may lurk
Our promises extend beyond qualms.

Your love may have changed its connotation
My love carries the same formation
Time may have diluted its colors
Who can compete with this tyrant?
©Balroop Singh   

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Check my latest book: Moments We Love

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Serenity

Sue Vincent’s #Writephoto

Serenity is a state of mind, just like happiness. It has to be nurtured just like positivity. It is a learned emotion – if I may call it.

There is no need to search it, as it lies within us. It wears transient robes. It makes us smile when we look at a calm lake or a beautiful waterfall.

We may forget it when we get back into the competitive race of life. It recedes into the forgotten realms of mind, as it can be easily vanquished by the demands of time.

It doesn’t believe in competition yet it is a pearl that is most precious.

I got this pearl just by luck. Impulsive by nature, I could be easily provoked when I was young. I happened to marry a man whom I named Mr. Serene. I didn’t know him before marriage and had met him just once and that too after insisting upon the fact that I need to see the man I was expected to marry! I don’t belong to medieval times but my cultural background encouraged arranged marriage and I was too young and naïve to protest.

I discovered that my husband had been gilded in serenity. He reminded me of King Midas! Come what may, he would remain calm. My outbursts wouldn’t affect him; his smiling response could put a wall to shame. I may break his favorite vase, I may lose gold, I may spend whatever amount of money…he would never express any dissent. My mom calls him as gentle as a cow but I also discovered the ways to escape his horns.

Slowly I adapted to the colors around me. I too draped serenity. Though I love to spend time in the company of Nature, I’ve found calmness within my thoughts. I know how to evoke positivity, how to accept life as it comes and believe that all situations of life are transitory. Love life and be calm.

 ©Balroop Singh

Thanks to Sue Vincent for an inspiring Thursday #photoprompt Serenity

You can click here for poetry.

Check my latest book: Moments We Love

If  you have liked this post, please share it at your favorite social networks.