Author Interview : Siri Katragadda (the author from Columbus!)

Please welcome Author Siri Katragadda on my blog! 

Author of When Amma was a Little Girl - Ganesha's Birthday in Columbus -  https://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/B08D3KLQSB 

Paperback - https://store.pothi.com/book/siri-katragadda-when-amma-was-little-girl-ganeshas-birthday-columbus

and When I was a Baby: At Zoo -https://www.amazon.in/gp/aw/d/B084F7N869 

• Introduce yourself.

I am Siri Katragadda who is an Electronics Engineer by profession and a novice writer by passion.  I grew up in Andhra Pradesh, India but now in Columbus a small urban town in USA where I work.

• Tell us about your books

I penned two children’s books, “When I was a Baby – At Zoo” & “When Amma was A Little girl – Ganesha’s Birthday in Columbus”. 

My first book is about a 5-year old narrating his experiences when he was a baby and how he helps people based on his baby experiences. He has three buddies which are emergency vehicles who help him during those expeditions. 

My second book is about two little boys who live in the city of Columbus, which is far away from their Mom’s ancestral home in India. They learn about this fun celebration from Mom and take part in this joyful event.

    

• What inspired you to write? 

Sharing Amma’s childhood in the form of a story is the favorite thing for my kid to do before his bed time. It usually starts with Amma’s story followed by my little ones. I have blogged for couple of years but writing a book is something inspired by this bed time routine. 

• Your favorite authors?

It keeps on changing and depends on the book or series I am reading! Now it is Amulya Malladi.

• Favorite life quote? 

A reader lives thousand lives before he dies. (Wow!) 

• Favorite destination 

I am an avid traveler and has a bucket list of destinations to visit. However, whenever I have an upcoming trip to Vijayawada (city which I grew up), I get excited for that forthcoming trip. No other destination fascinates me like this one because hometown is a treasure.  

• Hobbies

Travelling, reading, gardening and of course being master chef to my family of four.

• Favorite food

Nothing in particular but I like to experiment with food and try fusion recipes. 

• Do you celebrate as many Indian festivals as possible in Columbus? Which are they?

Always and each one of them! This is my way to connect back home.

• What are you planning to write next?

Sankranthi, which is amma’s next favorite festival. 

• How was response from family and friends on your book?

I come from a family of Engineers but none of them are writers. They got thrilled to hear my new adventure. I heard some good reviews and feedback which I tried to incorporate for the later releases.

• Who encouraged and supported you throughout writing? 

Akshar, my 5-year old who is also one of the characters in my second book. He is my first reader and critiques without any filter.

• Describe your writing desk

Ohh, it’s little wierd. Since I work full-time, I hardly get any time to write during mornings. I write at the end of the day after my kid’s sleep and it will be usually sitting on the couch or next to my kid’s bed.

• Favorite spot/place to write? 

I am a busy working mom with two active kids, so I would be happy if I get a quiet spot where I can focus. Also a walk in the trail or woods motivates my brain.

• Challenges you faced while writing or publishing?

Being a novice author, I did not get my first edited which was a major mistake. I feel book editing takes your book a long way. 

I, Hemdiva,  thank you for your precious time! It was a pleasure having you on my blog.  All the best and keep writing! 

Book Review : When Amma was a Little Girl - Ganesha's Birthday in Columbus

When Amma was a Little Girl - Ganesha's Birthday in Columbus

Siri Katragadda

Description

Ganesh Chaturdhi is a special holiday celebrated throughout India with humble prayers, colorful decorations and tasty food. Akshar and Saharsh live in city of Columbus, which is far far away from their Mom’s ancestral home in India. They learn about this fun celebration from Mom and want to be a part of this joyful event.
How do they make their very own Ganesha?
How do they welcome Ganesha to their house?
How do they plan the decoration?
How can they take part in Ganesha’s outdoor celebration? “Ganesha's Birthday in Columbus” has all those answers.

A fun educational ride introducing Ganesha, The Elephant-Headed Hindu God and his pompous birthday celebration. And how fellow Indians staying abroad, cherish our culture and religion by celebrating Indian festivals with great enthusiasm in a foreign land.

My Review -

5 stars

Awesome! Ganpati Bappa Morya in Columbus!

Ever wondered how indians staying abroad celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi? Well, this book has all the answers! A enjoyable read about two children, Akshar and Saharsh, living in Columbus and how they celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi with their mom's help. This book also has cool steps to create a Ganesha of your own.

Available in ebook and print on Amazon. 

Buy Paperback here - https://store.pothi.com/book/siri-katragadda-when-amma-was-little-girl-ganeshas-birthday-columbus

The House Next Door by Darcy Coates

The House Next Door
by Darcy Coates 

Blurb

I live next to a haunted house.

I began to suspect something was wrong with the gothic building when its family fled in the middle of the night, the children screaming, the mother crying. They never came back to pack up their furniture.

No family stays long. Animals avoid the place. Once, I thought I saw a woman’s silhouette pacing through the upstairs room… but that seems impossible; no one was living there at the time.

A new occupant, Anna, has just moved in. I paid her a visit to warn her about the building. I didn’t expect us to become friends, but we did. And now that Marwick House is waking up, she’s asked me to stay with her.

I never intended to become involved with the building or its vengeful, dead inhabitant. But now I have to save Anna… before it’s too late for the both of us.

Review-

Jo lives next to a haunted house, the family that lived there vacates the house running away in the middle of the night. Then after a long time, a woman, Anna comes to stay there. Jo befriends her and enters the house. Anna has her own troubles, dealing with her ex. Jo helps her in all ways possible until the ghost of the house takes over. The characters are superb! Very realistic and engaging. I found myself agreeing to seeing such characters in real life. 

Jo is lonely, cat lady who prefers staying away from her relatives. Anna and her friendship is very heart-touching. The ghost part is creepy and is good enough to give you nightmares. Ending is full of twist and turns and still a happy ending.

Darcy Coates is for sure, my favourite author.  Read the book in just 2 days!

The House Next Door: A Short Horror Story (Horrors Next Door) Kindle Edition by Tom Coleman

The House Next Door: A Short Horror Story (Horrors Next Door) Kindle Edition

by Tom Coleman 

Price- FREE!

Wow! Wow! Wow! Wow! Can't put down! Not too scary but very engaging! Loved it! So this girl goes to the house next door to find out if its haunted and is gone forever...

Sarah's next door neighbour is an elderly widower. He just likes to plant roses, that's it. Everyone thinks he is creepy but Sarah. She decides to pay him a visit and enters his house. He lets her in and then she is trapped! 

What she discovers inside the house is beyond imagination and the story is ended with a cliffhanger. I surely wanna know what happened next!

The Day My Fart Followed Me To Hockey (My Little Fart)

The Day My Fart Followed Me to Hockey

Sam Lawrence & Ben Jackson
Illustrated By Danko Herrera




My Review-

This book is an hilarious adventure. Timmy is nervous as he's going for the hockey tests.
His little fart, his best friend, tries to cheer him up.
At the hockey arena, Timmy is shocked to find the little fart who had followed him.
Timmy is really angry and he does not want to be the stinky kid.
However what the fart does, turns out to be funny!
With all the laughter, Timmy feels relieved and finally passes his test.
A book all kids would enjoy! The fact that a fart is characterized, would surely interest young readers and they'd easily connect with the story!
Thank you Netgalley for the copy!

Fish Boy

 

Fish-Boy: An Inuit Folk Tale

Vanita Oelschlager
Art By Mike Blanc

Price -$8.95

My Review-

 

A little boy is travelling to Diomedes with Teragloona, to trade bearskins for dearskins.
In the sea, the boy spots a beach, he thinks is made of black sand.
To his shock, it tunrs out that it isn't a beach but millions of birds who are known  as sea parrots.

That's when Teragloona tells him the story of Fish-Boy.
Fish- Boy is lonely and when he meets a fisherman, he requests him to be his father. The fisherman agrees after Fishboy helps him catch fishes easily.
Soon they're famous and get an invitation from a chief of another village.
But when they pay visit, they are disappointed by the way the people treat them.
The fishboy saves himself, his father and the crew through magic. But those who mistreated them where turned to birds forever.
This a great story for any kid, who likes the oceans, seas, fishes, mermaids, mermen and the deep.
The tale also explains how we should treat our guests with respect and kindness.
A must read!
Thank you Netgalley for the copy!

Diary Of A Monster

Diary Of A Monster
Dear Diary Series


Valeria D'avila, Mo'nica Lo'pez
Illustrations - Laura Aguerrebehere
Translation- David Warriner


My Review-

Wouldn't it be cool if you could just check out the diary of a Real Monster?
This book provides insight into the life of monster through his notes in his diary.
In his diary, he boasts how evil and ugly he is. How he is super happy to scare people!
How he loves having toad soup or mosquitoes or worm cake as dinner.
How at his sight, everyone screams. How he enjoys staying in the lake but his tail feels sore.
How he loves hugs from his mom and likes to hear about fairies.
Cool, Naughty and Funny!
Thank you Netgalley for the copy!

Book Review : Sweet Dreaming

Sweet Dreaming

Julia Rawlinson
Pictures by Nicole Wong


Price- $12.59

My review-

Little Molly is not able to sleep. Her mom comes up with an idea to help her.
What I liked about the book is, instead of "Let me tell you a story", her mother encourages her to use her own imagination and create her own story.

She gives her characters she can play and imagine and eventually fall asleep.
But every time Molly finds it unsuitable, no problem though her mom has more characters.

This book is definitely sweet and cute. It encourages the kid to run their own imaginations and build their own stories.
In a way, kids could remember what they've learned so far and use them in a story.

A very enjoyable and must read!

Thank you Netgalley for the copy!

Free on Kindle - Carnival of Fear

Carnival of Fear

J G Faherty

My Review-

Scary, Intriguing, Unique!
The first few chapters introduced so many characters, I thought I wouldn't be able to keep up with them. But as the story progressed, the characters felt real and easier to understand. 
The narration is distinctive and it just makes the reading experience a great one. 
No typical horror movie characters, the thing that impressed me. The story is about a carnival, as the name suggests, where nothing is what it seems. 
Everyone is interested in the house of horrors but it takes them to a different world. Scary fun!
If you're looking for a great read for this Halloween, this book has got it all. 
Aliens,  witches,  wolves, serial killers and every horror character you can think of. 
Thank you Netgalley for the free copy in exchange of an honest review.

About the book- The Halloween carnival seemed like the perfect way to spend a Friday night, but when a group of teenagers find themselves trapped in the haunted mansion, they learn the awful truth about the carnival, and the demons that run it.
Now they’re trapped, fighting their way through a maze of torturous attractions where vampires, werewolves, aliens, and other monsters come to life, eager for human blood. As the body count rises, friendships are made and lost, and unlikely heroes emerge.
The final showdown takes place in Hell, where the ultimate battle between good and evil will determine their fate.
The Carnival of Fear - the price of admission is your soul!

The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts (The Unbelievables Book 1)

The Girl Who Ignored Ghosts (The Unbelievables Book 1)

My Review

A horror story of a girl who can see ghosts right from childhood. But then she ignores them for a good reason until its impossible. I found the story genuine and an interesting read. I liked the narration, it was smooth and increased the curiosity. 

Scary,  Intriguing and Thrilling!

 I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review from Netgalley. 

About the book-

She tried to ignore them. But some things won’t be ignored.

Kat Preston doesn’t believe in ghosts. Not because she’s never seen one, but because she saw one too many. Refusing to believe is the only way to protect herself from the ghost that tried to steal her life. Kat’s disbelief keeps her safe until her junior year at McTernan Academy, when a research project for an eccentric teacher takes her to a tiny, private island off the coast of Connecticut. 

The site of a grisly mystery, the Isle of Acacia is no place for a girl who ignores ghosts, but the ghosts leave Kat little choice. Accompanied by her research partner, Evan Kingsley, she investigates the disappearance of Cassie Mallory and Sebastian Radcliffe on their wedding night in 1886. Evan’s scientific approach to everything leaves Kat on her own to confront a host of unbelievables: ancestral curses, powerful spells, and her strange connection to the ghosts that haunt Castle Creighton. 

But that’s all before Kat’s yanked through a magic portal and Evan follows her. When the two of them awaken 129 years in the past with their souls trapped inside the bodies of two wedding guests, everything changes. Together, Kat and Evan race to stop the wedding-night murders and find a way back to their own time—and their own bodies—before their souls slip away forever. 

THE GIRL WHO IGNORED GHOSTS is a fast-paced YA time-travel murder mystery novel that combines time-traveling, paranormal, and gothic mystery genres to weave a tale full of ancestral curses, powerful spells, strange connections, and inherited surprises. The novel is sure to delight fans of Paige McKenzie's The Haunting of Sunshine Girl series and Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series.