LEARN THE RULES LIKE A PRO, SO YOU CAN BREAK THEM LIKE AN ARTIST #Lakme #TheLabelLife #Collaborations #Fashion #Beauty #Makeup #LakmeAbsolute #illustrator #illustratoroninstagram #art #vectorart #vector #design #study #stylized #gradients #cleandesign #digitalpainting #paintmycanvas (at New Delhi) https://www.instagram.com/p/B7nD4a4Bbhr/?igshid=1h5m43v13qvjc

'Grey Sunshine' by Sandeep Rai is one of those rare books that leaves you energised & motivated to make a difference, simply through its excellent writing & vivid stories. ⁣ The book is a collection of anecdotes from fellows & students of Teach For India (@teachforindia), compiled for the occasion of the organization's 10th anniversary. As the CCO of Teach For India, Rai is uniquely positioned to give us both, the bigger picture & the everyday struggle of trying to bring quality education to underprivileged children in the country.⁣ In many of the stories you will see a pattern emerge that Rai acknowledges as well; the teachers or (fellows as they're known) didn't stop just at teaching. They went on to create their own foundations to address the issues they find in their classrooms, like Soumya who began iTeach to train & help teachers, Tarun who started Indus Action to help children apply for the reserved seats in private schools, to name a few. ⁣ 'Grey Sunshine' also gently nudges you to acknowledge your deeper prejudices about poverty & children who come from there. How society has lowered expectations, leaving them prone to failure and silencing any hopes of ambition. Where we bully, harass, and force 'reserved' children out of shiny private schools for fear of diversifying. How we seem to think that underprivileged children do not require extra-curriculars or a dream like Harvard to aspire to. ⁣ 'Grey Sunshine' is aptly named, as Rai paints a picture of a grey gloomy day that is enlivened by a few lively persistent rays of sunshine. But inviting you to imagine what if all the sun's rays were broke through & flooded your vision with sunshine, wouldn't that be so much better? ⁣ ⁣ #TheLabelLife #TeachForIndia #SandeepRai #TFI #TeachersDay #Education #RTE #BackToSchool #India #BookClub #WeekendReads #Bookstagram #BookPhotography #NowReading #Bibliophile #BookRecco #India https://www.instagram.com/p/B2RS-b5Fc_z/?igshid=6un0lnl9n8yq

Being a team of writers & readers, we were drawn to 'That Summer In Paris' by Abha Dawesar as it is the story of two writers who find themselves in an unexpected relationship. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Ageing Nobel Prize-winning author Prem Rustum & much-younger aspiring novelist Maya, who idolises Prem take us through their May-December romance of idolatry, societal conventions & beautiful conversations. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Prem finds Maya, on an online dating site while Googling his own name, after being convinced to do so by his best-friend Pascal (who is also a writer). While the initial meeting between the two is almost like every first date ever, it sets the stage for the main background of the story; Paris. Maya who has been invited for a fellowship there, and Prem who spontaneously shifts his annual plans to coincide with her dates. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Both of them derive great pleasure & inspiration from their time in Paris, with their love for music, gastronomy & art drawing out their seduction in a most tantalising will-they won't-they way. Interspersed between those balmy days are also Rustum's mental flashbacks to his long & varied list of lost-loves, and Maya's encounters with sexuality & dating in the modern world. A very sultry read for these sultry days. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ Dawesar frames each sentence beautifully, adding delightful differences to the protagonists’ tone depending on their conversation. While Prem & Maya's conversations are charged with poetic tension, Pascal & Prem's is a series of witty repartee in eloquent words. Using provocative prose with a breezy tempo, Dawesar ensures you keep turning the pages till the very end. ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ ⁣⁣ #TheLabelLife #AbhaDawesar #ThatSummerInParis #BookClub #NowReading #SummerReads #WhatToRead #IndianAuthors #Weekend #Readers #Paris #Love #MayDecember #Bookstagram ⁣⁣ ⁣ (at Paris, France) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1qZ-EeplgL/?igshid=f03x219aq0n1

Rosamunde Pilcher is a prolific romance novel writer, who wrote over 28 novels & short stories between 1949-2000. The Carousel is one of her shorter works, which nonetheless is a brilliant example of her ability to capture the glamour and lethargic restlessness of the 50s & 60s. The setting of the tumultuous shores and gorgeous scenery of Cornwall, England, is a silent character in the novel as many parallels are drawn between the characters and the sandbanks, waves & secluded beaches. ⁣ The story follows a young, independent woman named Prue, who is helping her bohemian artist aunt, Phoebe in the countryside after the latter broke an arm in a commonplace accident. Prue is at the cusp of her life, deciding between her job at an art gallery that she loves, and a marrying a nice man who she doesn't love quiet as much. When Phoebe calls for help, Prue is glad of the chance to get away from London and do some sorting in her head with help from her perceptive and supportive aunt. ⁣ However, plans are upended when an old student of her aunt, Daniel drops into the area and has an instant connection with Prue. To complicate matters there is also the shy and neglected child, Charlotte who is visiting her grandmother but infinitely prefers being with the loving Phoebe. She takes to Daniel instantly and it seems that they share a bond from past, even as Daniel avoids meeting her grandmother. As Prue steps into this quiet storm, she not only discovers what she wants from herself, but what she expects of the world and people around her. ⁣ The Carousel is a sweet, undemanding read that makes you want to walk along the sandy shores, perhaps stopping for a classic pasty on the way. A perfect read for the vacations, when you'd like to step into a new world but with a certain sense of comfort all the same. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #TheLabelLife #BookClub #TheLabelBookClub #WhatToRead #WeekendReads #NowReading #BeachReads #Cornwall #RosamundePilcher #England #VacationMode #Countryside #Britain #BookReviews #ReadersClub #Bibliophile #Bookstagram #BookPhotography #Wednesday #Reading #BookRecco #Love #InstaBooks #BookBlogger #indianblogger #lifestyleblogger #indianfashionblogger #bombayblogger (at Cornwall) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1ag72xJLtO/?igshid=1cx4iha38s8z

George Watsky (@gwatsky) is a YouTuber, musician, artist, ivory smuggler, vegetarian, epilepsy battler, and overall good guy. In his debut essay collection 'How To Ruin Everything' he shares his absurd, comical and heartfelt experiences that made him embrace life's failures to fan his personal progress. From smuggling ivory for a friend's grandmother's 100th birthday, to chronicling his steadfast denial/optimism regarding epilepsy, his writing is witty, honest and strictly unpretentious. We rather got the feeling of catching up after a long time with an old friend, over a cup of hot chocolate. Marvelling at his impulsiveness and bravery, while simultaneously laughing at the situations he gets himself into. Between adventures, Watsky also finds time to create nuanced portrayals of himself and the people around him. A contrast that often leaves you wondering if the book was written by two different George Watskys, even as you nod in recognition of the feelings he/they pours forth. It's a perfect read for office hours, with essays that refresh your mind during the lunch-break and give you cheerful company on the commute home. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #TheLabelLife #WeekendReads #NowReading #GeorgeWatsky #HowToRuinEverything #BookClub #WhatToRead #SelfDiscovery #Essays #ShortStories #TheLabelBookClub #Bibliophile #BookReview #BookRecco #BookPhotography #Youtube #Vlogger #instagood #India #Monsoon #SliceOfLife #DebutNovels #InstaBooks #BookBlogger #indianblogger #lifestyleblogger #indianfashionblogger #bombayblogger #LinManuelMiranda (at Los Angeles, California) https://www.instagram.com/p/B1Ocp_Rl8gb/?igshid=33nk9wfo2kq4

'Salmon Fishing In The Yemen' by Paul Torday is one of those books that refreshes your spirit like a soothing monsoon shower. Not too much drama, not too little humour, just a perfect balance of charming storytelling.⁣ The story follows Dr.Alfred Jones, a fisheries scientist and Harriet Chetwode-Talbot, a land & property consultant, who at the request of a wealthy Yemeni oil baron work together to bring the English sport of salmon fishing to the arid valleys of Yemen.⁣ Jones' initial reaction was the same as yours upon hearing the request, a fishing sport in Yemen where the rivers run for only a few months? That too, for sport? Ridiculous. However, he (and you, once you start reading) realise that the idea is absurd but not entirely impossible. It certainly turns his placid life topsy-turvy, forces him to see how his marriage is failing, and how utterly spark-less his job had become, but it also helps him believe in himself, find a feeling of love that he never experienced, and not to mention orchestrate a near-miracle in his field.⁣ Compounded by credit-grabbing bosses, a story-spinning communications manager, assassination attempts against the oil baron, his frigid wife, and the ridicule press, the journey is anything but smooth. However it is, massively entertaining & sweetly moving with characters that you can instantly relate to.⁣ Oh, and in case you were planning on Netflix-ing in this weekend, 'Salmon Fishing In The Yemen' has been adapted into a movie featuring Ewan McGregor & Emily Blunt. Should I watch it & see how it compares to the book? Let me know in the comments!⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #TheLabelLife #PaulTorday #EwanMcGregor #EmilyBlunt #BookClub #England #Britain #EnglishHumour #NowReading #WeekendReads #BookReviews #WhatToRead #ReadersClub #Yemen #Sanaa #Salmon #SalmonFishing ⁣ #Bibliophile #Bookstagram #BookPhotography #WhatToRead #Friday #Reading #BookRecco #MondayBlogs #InstaBooks #BookBlogger #indianblogger #lifestyleblogger #indianfashionblogger #bombayblogger (at London, United Kingdom) https://www.instagram.com/p/B07pVAKJGAm/?igshid=1h59f621bfm0s

What I loved, while reading 'The Moment of Lift' is the honesty with which Melinda Gates wrote her stories. She did not patronise, admonish, or solicit. She simply shares the stories of the women who discovered their 'lift', and the women who didn't. Whether they be teen-moms in Africa, or child-brides in the US. ⁣ The book is a passionate conversation exemplifying how when women are empowered and equal in a society, it is a benefit to the entire community, and not just culturally, but economically and developmentally as well. Drawing on her extensive on-ground experiences and research Gates shows you incontrovertible proof of how important it is to uplift girls, even in the smallest of ways. 'The Moment of Lift' shines light on a particular issue plaging adult women today; the lack of family planning and contraceptives. It explains why oral & medical contraceptives are so important for women, as condoms are dependent on the agreement of the partner. Because often in different communities, family planning is a taboo subject and the women need to take this step for themselves in secret. It shows how with access to a medical facility and family planning, families have changed the course of their community. ⁣ Gates' push for contraceptives has not been easy, from cultural bias against condoms, to unavailability of female contraceptives, to the Catholic church that still vehemently against it. However there is hope, from women to take a stand & encourage others to do so, from religious entities welcoming the conversation, to the demonstrations around the world, that say enough is enough. ⁣ It is a book, that will get you teary-eyed over some stories, but it also a book that'll give you a pat on the back & offer you a hand to come along and lift yourself. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #TheLabelLife #TheLabelBookClub #TheMomentOfLift #MelindaGates #GatesFoundation #WomenEmpowerment #FamilyPlanning #WomenPower #Bibliophile #Bookstagram #BookPhotography #BookReview #WeekendReads #WhatToRead #Monday #Reading #BookClub #NowReading #BookRecco #India #Monsoon #MondayBlues #MondayBlogs #InstaBooks #BookBlogger #indianblogger #lifestyleblogger #indianfashionblogger #bombayblogger (at Mumbai, Maharashtra) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0xD-AUpo-K/?igshid=zppymkqh44kg

“When I had checked in here, it was filled with known and familiar faces. Some left after breakfast; a few disappeared after lunch; others went away after tea. Now it was time for dinner, and no one was left ...” These haunting lines are thought by the protagonist Shankar towards the end of Chowringhee & are an apt summation of his sojourn in Calcutta’s Shahjahan Hotel. ⁣ First published in 1962 in Bengali by Sankar AKA Mani Shankar Mukherjee, Chowringhee was translated to English by Arunava Sinha in 2007. A bestseller in every respect, the novel is a lyrical ode to the city & citizens of Calcutta set against the glamour & grime of the fictitious Shahjahan Hotel. ⁣ Set in the mid-1950s the story follows young Shankar, who gets a front row seat to the dark underbelly behind the scrubbed façade of the glittering high-end hotel. His mentor in this journey is the witty Sata Bose, with Byron as the all-knowing crone who enriches & upends the equanimity of Shankar’s life. These paragons are followed by a host of characters within the hallowed lobby of Shajahan, from long-suffering Marco Polo, to brave Connie, to beautiful Karabi and comically tragic Nityahari and the simply tragic Sutherland. ⁣ The novel takes a keen look at human hypocrisy, the fractured Anglo-Indian & Indian identity and the pathos of the expatriate community in conjunction with the local society figures. It does so with a bittersweet tang, and an empathetic voice that makes you turn the pages as quick as you can, while conjuring the scenes in your mind’s eye in vivid detail.⁣ A read we couldn’t recommend enough, if nothing else, for the sumptuous inspiration it provides for elegant old-world soirées. ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ ⁣ #TheLabelLife #TheLabelBookClub #BookClub #WeekendReads #NowReading #Bibliophile #WhatToRead #Bookstagram #Calcutta #Kolkata ⁣ #BookReview #BookRecco #Sankar #BookPhotography #Chowringhee #WestBengal #Bangali #Bengali #India #Monsoon #Vintage #SliceOfLife #IndianAuthors #BookReview #InstaBooks #BookBlogger #indianblogger #lifestyleblogger #indianfashionblogger #bombayblogger (at Chowringhee) https://www.instagram.com/p/B0h7tb-lss_/?igshid=39ls858h30hv