Book Giveaway: Broken Hearts by Shrenik Mutha

So, Shrenik Mutha, author of Broken Hearts, is offering a copy of his book to one lucky winner! And what's more, if you enter the competition, you might also get a chance to attend his planned writer's workshop and get a publishing opportunity at the end of it!

It is really simple to enter this contest! Just write up any of your thoughts on the Rain (in at least 300 words - which is three detailed paragraphs) and send it over to sakhisshah@gmail.com. Its completely freestyle as long as its about the rain in some way or the other. Please make sure you have [giveaway] in the subject of your email and include your name! 

Deadline: To be announced soon. 

More about the book: Read my review of the book here and my interview with Shrenik here. 

Interview: Shrenik Mutha

Today I have on my blog Shrenik Mutha, author of Broken Hearts, which I reviewed on my blog yesterday. 
Welcome, Shrenik. 

1. I'd like to begin this interview by asking you what kind of books are there on your bookshelf? What books are you reading right now? Which genre of books do you generally read? Which books do you re-read again and again?

If you speak about what I read then my reply will be everything what I can. I love to read everything from old news papers to my old school books and from magazines to novels. But speaking of proper reading and my bookshelf, it more or less consists of books in the fiction and romance genre. Also, books on physics, sci-fi and mysteries make up a remarkable part of it.

Speaking of those books which I re-read again and again are ‘The grand universe’ by Stephen Hawkings, ‘I too had a love story’ by Ravinder Singh, ‘Many lives, many masters’ by Dr. Brian Weiss and books by Roger Penrose.

2. Tell us something about your work before "Broken Hearts"?

Broken Hearts is my debut novella. I have never written anything professionally before this. I definitely wrote for me personally which included things like poems for me, my family and friends and also on all things what I saw in nature. I always have preferred writing poems compared to prose. In fact, writing for me and the people around me is actually what has made me an author today.

3. Did you always want to be a writer? How did you get into writing? What inspired you to write "Broken Hearts"?

            I never thought of myself as a writer before I actually came across this part of me. But I guess this is the plan what the almighty had for me. Maybe that is why today I’m one. What is fabulous was the way he unfolded his plan in front of me. It was actually a few incidents after which I thought of writing my life down.

            The phase of life called teenage is so special for every individual. This phase of my life led to the commencement of writing in my life.

4. What kind of people do you think this book will reach out to?

I target the teenage audience for Broken Hearts. College and school going people will be a significant part of this group. Frankly speaking, I think this book will reach out to every person who has ever experienced what true love is, to that every person who has experienced the pain of seeing his love go away. But always remember guys and girls, if it does not work out, make it work out. Just hold on to what is true and one day, it will.

5. What is your favourite thing about books and reading? How have books made an impact on your life?

            Well books and reading make up an integral part of me. Reading has been in my blood. From my grandfather, my dad, my brother to me, reading is like an addiction. Books like “The Secret” and “The Twilight Saga” have had a huge impact on my life.

6. Quick take. Answer the following with the first words/phrase that comes to your mind, in five words or less:

- Love – A bond essential to live.

- Life – Balanced mix of pain and happiness. 

-  Struggles in love – Make a love story complete.  

- Jack (the character) – I guess me.


- Books – The heart of me.

Broken Hearts by Shrenik Mutha

Broken Hearts is a sweet, sad, romantic novel.

A fair warning - if you're not a fan of romance, I don't think you will like this book. The book is mushy, its sweet, and its full of love - ideally for those who believe in true love. Its also not a book for the weak hearted - like the title and the back cover will tell you, 'most stories end in happily ever after - but not life.' The book can be confusing, as it begins in the present time, and then goes off into flashback and ends in flashback. But, if you actually like romance, if you like stories of true love, if you like stories that are honest and from the heart, then you will like this book. There are very few fantastical elements in this book, as such it is based on true events and true people, and it is a story meant to emphasize with, rather than a story meant to shock and awe. 

The writing style of the author is clear, simple, and easy to understand, which fits in well with the simple and honest plot. There is not much pretentious use of words which can get really annoying, and there isnt much superfluous material either - the book is very short, only about 40 odd pages. One wishes, actually, that the book was a little longer, to give the book more time to develop. On the other hand, the brevity of the book is actually a good thing - even though the book really does feel short, the length is just enough to convey the story, which is a really good thing when you compare it to all the hundreds of books with loads of word-padding to increase the page count, this is really, and refreshingly different. 

As far as the story goes, the book tells the story of Jack, a boy very much in love with a girl called Catherine. It starts with their present disaster and goes into flashback mode to talk about how they met and how their lives have been so far. Some scenes, like when Catherine meets Jack's mother, are very touching indeed. The story is simple and something that most teenagers, in love, or in pain, have experienced and can appreciate. The book is written in an adoring style, from the point of view of Jack, and while his flaws are glaringly pointed out and corrected by Catherine, Catherine herself appears as a shining paragon of goodness - which, I believe, is natural when told from the perspective of someone who is very much in love. 

Final thoughts: Its a sweet, sad book. Ideal for fans of romance, and also for people looking for a short and fast read. 

Ps - I'm going to interview author Shrenik Mutha tomorrow on my blog. Come by and see his own thoughts! 

Other thoughts: This is my first book for the Book Reading Challenge 2011, ongoing now! Check it out here! 

Also, I've got loads of books lined up for this challenge, and a special feature this sunday, so do check out this blog! 

(Financial disclosure: Book source was the author.)