Quite often after I have put aside a book, thinking it’s not my cup of tea, I wonder if the author actually tried to convey something which I had missed in the pages I read. I guess I have always, as did Archana in her review. But then, I will not defend myself or my two years of research that went into this book.

The grammatical errors? Mixing of tenses? I look for my editor and surprisingly she smiles.

But then again, Archana does give me a lot of food for thought and yet again how womanhood and feminism are confused. How smoking is seen as a fault and how spoilage of tender minds are overlooked.

I am still pondering if I will ever allow my child to do this?

“I have a one year old whose idea of waking me up is to hit me squarely in the eye. Does this mean that he doesn’t “care” for me?”

Or if smoking is a fault?

“At the age of twenty-six, it was all my fault that many a worthy suitor refused to marry me because of my bohemian lifestyle and because I occasionally smoked.”
Gender has nothing to do with it, but if it is not “all her fault” for smoking, whose fault is it?”

Thanks for the review Archana:
http://readingaftermath.blogspot.com/2012/01/calendar-too-crowded-sagarika.html

I love her Blog Name (Silently we Scream) and the Blog description (It’s all about the society) … thus when the person behind this reviews your book, it’s indeed special and very heart warming.

Loved the way she understands the theme behind every story and seeks to highlight them for the other readers…

My favorite line? -

“This book is a must read for everyone, definitely for all girls, not because you can relate to it but because after reading it you know that you deserve to live a life the way you want to and not submit to unacceptable things, there is nothing wrong in living for yourself. It’s our right as a human being.”

And what has floored me is this quote at the end of her post:

“A woman has to live her life, or live to repent not having lived it.”
                                                                                                      – DH Lawrence.

You’ve taught me a lot through your review Radhika, THANK YOU and BIGGGGG Hugs!

Full Link: 
http://silentlywescream.blogspot.com/2012/01/calendar-too-crowded.html

I never expected a person who likes reading the happy love stories and self confessedly belongs to the Chetan Bhagat genre to like my book so much. But, am absolutely floored by this review.

She warms my hearts when she says,

“Basically, I am not interested in books with serious note and love light reads like Chetan Bhagat’s. But, from the day I completed reading introduction and first story, I felt like its worth reading. “

Thanks so much for saying that it’s a must read for women! You made my day!

Full Link: 
http://fantastic-feathers.blogspot.com/2012/01/calendar-too-crowded-book-review.html

A golden review from the blog, whose header I have fallen in love with.

Loved every word, but to give you a peek -

Sagarika Chakraborty does not intend to be the champion to the women who are not allowed to fight for themselves, she attempts to bring to us the realities that happen every day, things that we have taken for granted. She puts a finger into our eyes and asks us if we should continue letting this happen or try to make a change. 

Thanks so much girl!

Full Link: 
http://swarnalidreams.blogspot.com/2012/01/book-review-calendar-too-crowded.html

She’s the one, who dreads to come online for I tend to bombard her with everything – gossip, drama, rants – EVERYTHING. But then again she’s from the BFF gang whom I know no matter what, will stand by me – but yes wouldn’t bat an eyelid to express her disapproval if she doesn’t agree to my views.

Thus, with such a friend you are always wondering how they will appreciate your baby for you know they know how to keep work and relationships apart. Yes the wait to the review was a nervous one and knowing her am sure she enjoyed torturing me to the fullest!

But then guess with such friends ONLY you have the opportunity to be amazed when they understand your work like no other. How much she has really gone into the book is evident in these lines:

“The book deals with the oft spoken and written about theme of womanhood (as the blurb states). I wondered why it didn’t say ‘gender bias’ or ‘inequality’, and instead used the blanket term ‘womanhood’. I had to read all the 22 stories to understand that. And I guess that’s what makes this different from other feminism based titles I have read.”

Our favorites match and I love her critical points too, but then to put down everything here would be unfair to her. So as i squish her with the warmest hugs possible, why don’t you move your lazy bum and run to read the full review?

Full Link: 
http://foreverinbluejeans.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/a-calendar-too-crowded-book-review/

It’s always an exciting thing to get a review from one of your BFFs! But then the girl gang God bestowed me is just like me and sometimes that makes me more scared than excited!

As crazy as me, this lady would insist on being unbiased and is known for her structured reviews, which made me sit in a corner and bite my nails when she messaged me “done”. Aaah if you think she messaged me the review too, stop wait and re-consider the fact that this is my girl gang – there has to be drama.

So as I rotted in anticipation, she giggled like a little one, but that was only till she passed on the gloat to me as I read this -

“The book is about womanhood, agreed but it is in no way written from a feminist point of view. Often we confuse womanhood with feminism; this book clears that cloud of confusion.”

I couldn’t have had a better dreamy review! This one line sums up how much she’s grasped what I so want to convey in my humble attempts!

Thanks Scribby – sooper tight hugs!

Full Link: 
http://thisandthatmomentsoflife.wordpress.com/2012/01/25/a-calendar-too-crowded/