[image: preeti.jpg] *25 May 2011*
I have just finished reading the novel 'Life is What you Make it<http://www.facebook.com/Lifeiswhatyoumakeit.preetishenoy>' by Preeti Shenoy. I would have probably missed out on this novel had it not been for a chance meeting with fellow bloggers Shail, Ritu and Ruchira. Shail was visiting Delhi from Trivandrum and so we met at a Mall in Ghaziabad. It was here that during our talks the name of 'Preeti Shenoy' was mentioned, and i came to know that she was a novelist. I came home and sent her a friend request which she accepted. As i went to her Wall on Facebook i saw the cover of the book all over her Wall. And naturally i was curious to read a book by someone whom i had come to know 'virtually' rather than reading a popular book by someone with whom i would probably have no interaction whatsoever. So, i ordered this book and a few others by Flipkart. The books which i had ordered lay at my bedside table for a few days and finally i decided to pick one. I picked up 'Life is What you Make it' for its inspirational title. I didn't have a clue that it was about the story of a young woman, a college student who was suffering from a mental disorder. As i read the prologue, i discovered this. I had not read a novel for a very long time. But this book caught my attention. I finished it in four readings in a span of four days. Written in an easy manner, it underplays the important message the book conveys, in its first few pages. Once the symptoms of the disorder set in, the book is a window into the mind and behavior of someone suffering from a mental disorder. The book beautifully illustrates that the just like a normal physical ailment, a mental issue can also hit a person, totally unawares. And that it needs medical intervention. And with love, courage, determination, guidance and hope, whatever the ailment, one can come out of it and lead a normal, happy and fulfilling life. Preeti, your book will be loved by all. Those who are unaware of Bipolar Disorder as well as those who know about it. It is indeed going to be a sort of Bible for people battling with this issue. It reaffirms the faith that man is a social animal and needs to share his joys and sorrows with others. It is only by opening up our hearts to our close ones that we can have the courage to overcome any eventuality that life throws at us. The story of Ankita, from an aspiring MBA to one who faces stark reality of life due to a mental illness will be etched in the reader's mind for a long time. I just loved reading it . And having read a novel after a long break, i am all set to read the others lying on my table, thanks to this one! Thank you for writing such a wonderful book. Its truly a job done well. I read in your Blog that it is on the Best seller list of Flipkart. Not surprising. Kudos! http://www.smilewidabha.com/2011/05/life-is-what-you-make-it.html -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Mental Health Advocacy (News 'N Views) India" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/MhaNewsViewsIndia?hl=en ------------- Affiliated Groups : MENTAL HEALTH ADVOCACY INDIA [email protected] Discussions on mental health law / policy / plan monitoring / human rights etc [email protected] India-specific news and views related to mental health [email protected] Information and support to carers of people with mental health issues [email protected] Mutual support and sharing of experiential knowledge, skills and social learning amongst peers
