Preeti Shenoy's Books on Life

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Dear someone who is reading this,

I hope you are fine and doing well. I wish you are happy and living your life with gratitude! You know what? I recently read a book by Preeti Shenoy, 'Life is What You Make It'. Interestingly, this is the first volume of the two-part series, but I read it after the second volume, 'Wake Up, Life is Calling', which I finished back in May. (And here I am, writing to you now in October!) But honestly, I do not think the reading order matters much, as Preeti Shenoy has done a great job of narrating the story in both volumes.

I prefer writing my reviews a few days after I finish a book or a movie. Why? Because I strongly believe the true essence of a work reveals itself only with time. A great writer leaves their readers with lingering thoughts, making them reflect on characters, metaphors, or the storytelling style even after they have turned the last page. Do you not think so too? That is why I am writing this to you today. This is how the cover pages look.

Preeti Shenoy writes about a young girl, Ankita, who is in her early twenties. She is the lead character and struggles with bipolar disorder, which is the main focus of the author. Preeti Shenoy explains this very clearly in the first volume. I found the second book more engaging. In Wake Up, Life is Calling, there are chapters where I felt like stopping. It is not easy to read about someone's low points, embarrassments, and difficulties. My dear friend, if you are young, if you are in your teenage years, please DO NOT read these books. They delve deep into mental health issues, and I fear it may cause overthinking or leave you feeling unsettled. That said, the narration is captivating, though it could have been better without the repetition of certain phrases.

Ankita, the protagonist, leans heavily towards literature. In the first book, she writes poetry, while in the second, the author introduces a beautiful concept called 'Life’s Little Notes'. I absolutely loved this idea! Ankita jots down her thoughts whenever she feels disturbed, calling them Life’s little notes. The first part of Life is What You Make It does feel a bit slow, but the author ends the story on a hopeful note. And honestly, is not a happy ending what we all crave?

Although Preeti Shenoy's storytelling is engaging, I would give her books an average rating overall. The strong focus on the hardships and negativity in the middle sections makes it difficult to get through, even though the endings provide some relief. The emotional weight of the struggles sometimes overshadows the positive outcomes, making it a challenging read for some audiences.

I would love to hear about your recent reads too. I am eager to know what has been on your bookshelf! Until then, take care and stay happy.

Yours,
Namrata

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