Paper and Pen

I have been consuming a lot of learning material these days in my professional area. Podcasts, videos, PDFs, blogs, and trainings. The use of devices has always resulted in fatigue, diversions, and attention deficit. I was consuming but not retaining. I have downloaded PDFs, presentations, and copy-pasted snippets in Notes apps, yet the semblance of organized assimilation of information was missing. My mind was not processing the information completely.

So, today I went absolutely old school. Picked up a notebook and pen, placed my phone on a stand, and just watched or read, and took notes. I have been at it for hours now and the learning is definitely more focused.

It may be a personal choice because people these days prefer digital learning through podcasts and short videos. However, even with training videos, I like to read the transcript. I feel the old ways are the best. For me, any number of digital highlights, bookmarks, and notes in the Cloud can not replace the immersive experience of pen ✒️ and paper 📝.

Incidentally, this is something I recommend to my son also, especially since all classes are online. I tell him notes-taking and creating learning maps and tables help to retain information.

One of the recommended techniques for proofreading and editing is to read the printout. I know of editors who prefer doing it, however, printing out reams of information daily for marking is extravagant with environment-related implications ♻️. Over the years, I have moved to effectively review and edit PDFs.

With self-learning, I am probably going to fill in some more notebooks. 📒 📓. Here’s to #happylearning with #paperandpen to
#writeandlearn. What is your favorite learning style – do you take notes, do you have beautiful notebooks filled with doodles and cursive handwriting. This reminds me of a gorgeous post on BoredPanda that compiles fantastic handwriting samples. See it here.

Cadavers of love

Warped lies embedded
In the nucleus of your being
Tilted fantasia
Twisted mockery
Of ethereal tenderness
For it was never real

Silken trail of togetherness
Sodden with maggots
Carcass of words
Infested with falsehood
Almost sounding true
Under the dying moon

Raven-eyed, the lost prowl
For cadavers of love
Scavenging in ribcages
For a heart beating
Still yearning with desire
To find true intimacy

Book Review: The ABC of Paradise Found

Source: https://www.abcparadisefound.com/

Book: The ABC of Paradise Found

Author: Karen Amanda Toulon and Eric Rhinehart 

Genre: Culture and Ethnic, Art

Review Copy: Reedsy Discovery

Available at: Amazon.in

Recommended: Must Read

The ABCs of Paradise Found is a mesmerizing work of creativity and art that deserves to be on the bookshelf of every connoisseur of all things fascinating. An award-winning journalist, Karen Toulon, and her partner, artist Eric Rhinehart, collaborate on an exquisite collection of words and watercolors. They delicately tiptoe around each other in a waltz of absolute delight, the colors, and brushstrokes in complete harmony with the theme and words. The narration, in its simplicity, tugs warmly at the strings of your heart. The paintings, in their sheer brilliance, pull you into a meditative state of blissful appreciation.

The writer evokes the culture, landscape, cuisine, and society of the French Caribbean islands. We see a relationship blossom between two people as they explore the culture of the Caribbeans and each other. As their awareness of the richness around them and their fondness for each other grow, Karen sketches with words, “You pretend to patiently wait while I select the perfect basket to add to my collection.” Eric complements such imagery with equally glorious artwork.

Each painting draws out the beauty of all Eric saw and felt. The colors spill out in absolute delight and fascination. The stories are pleasant, humorous, and even cover the supernatural myths of the land. You can almost taste the delicacies, and the fruits, dress up for the fete, or roam the old market. When you free yourself from the grip of the words, the colors enrapture.

This talent-laden exposition is a perfect gift or a coffee-table book to possess and cherish. This resplendent book has magical powers to bring the sea and the sand to you. The micro-stories are pure nostalgia and an ode to memories of cherished companionship. From the book jacket to the advanced praise, acknowledgment, and introduction, every piece speaks to the fantastic treasures in this book. Don’t miss a word, don’t skip the art. Savor this book, in whole or in part, several times. 

Wanted: The Perfect e-Reader

The ideal e-reader will combine features of all. A consumer seeking a holistic experience will not mind the cost tag. The technology is out there. We just need someone to put it all together. Are the #techies listening?

The Kindle brand name is so deeply imprinted in the minds of book aficionados that we rarely seek options. However, various Kindle e-readers models have the limitation of being tied to the Amazon ecosystem and not supporting all file formats. The Kindle platform doesn’t support EPUB books, which is one of the usual formats for e-books.

Features lacking in Kindles occur on other e-readers. Yet there is no single device that can cover it all. I see this as a sizeable gap in the market of e-readers. As a regular reader, I have used a tablet that allows multiple reading apps, however; it comes with all the trappings of a mobile phone and harsh lighting. An e-reader is a significant device for a pleasant reading experience, in various lighting scenarios, and most importantly, distraction-free engagement.

This article by Hooked to Books brings forth some alternatives to Kindles. NOOK Glowlight Plus drew my attention as it allows Android apps to be installed to read different formats. The Onyx BOOX Max3 is an interesting device with a stylus experience. A stylus-based writing pad can change the whole reading landscape by allowing for handwritten notes. Audiobooks, read-aloud features, and voice-controls should be a part of the e-reader package.

The ideal e-reader will combine features of all. A consumer seeking a holistic experience will not mind the cost tag. The technology is out there. We just need someone to put it all together. Are the techies listening? Here is an article that I read later that talks about additional features for the perfect Kindle.

Dear readers, have you found the perfect e-reader? Do share in the comments.

The Superpower of Words

The writing community always gives. From words and encouragement to gratitude and encouragement. This year I dedicated myself to reading self-published and Indie writers and reviewing books that made a difference.

As a Reedsy Disovery and Himalayan Book Club book reviewer, I discovered a whole new world. Previously, I also reviewed books for Juggernaut but it dwindled due to time constraints. Several writers have reached out to me through social media platforms with comments on my reviews. Some have chosen me to review their book, which gives me much joy.

I am glad to be one of these creative writers and it surely warms the cockles of my heart to receive personal notes from authors. A few have connected with me to talk about their writing inspirations and their next work. I was able to provide editorial guidance to a self-published writer who was seeking help with her young adult trilogy. It has been an exciting journey and I hope to keep the momentum in 2022 also. It is not only important to write but to support other writers, too.