Life is What You Make It: A Story of Love, Hope and How Determination Can Overcome Even Destiny

by Preeti Shenoy

Alternate cover for this ISBN can be found here

The heart-warming story of a young girl who struggles against all odds, when life as she knows it is disrupted What would you do if the perfect life you have is torn asunder?

Set across two cities in India in the early eighties, Life Is What You Make It is a gripping account of the years that change young Ankita Sharma's life. Pretty and intelligent, Ankita has everything she wants: friends, boys in hot pursuit, and admission into a premier management school for her MBA. But six months later, she finds herself a patient in a mental health hospital. How did she get here and will she ever get back her life again? Somehow, everything that made up her world has been taken away - and now she must fight like she has never had to, to recover her rightful lot.

A gripping story of the pains of growing up, the strength afforded by faith and the indestructibility of the spirit, here is an inspiring story for modern readers.

Genres: Fiction, Self Help, Indian Literature, Romance, India, Contemporary, Novels

209 pages, Paperback

First published April 20, 2011

About the author

Preeti Shenoy, one of India’s highest-selling authors with over a million books sold, has written seventeen bestselling titles. Known for her accessible style, she explores complex themes such as mental health, gender inequality, and socio-economic divides. Featured on Forbes’ list of influential Indian celebrities, Preeti has represented India at international literature festivals in Birmingham, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi.

Her work has been featured in major media outlets, including BBC World, Cosmopolitan, The Hindu, and The Times of India. She has received prestigious accolades, such as the Popular Choice Fiction Award (2021) from the Times of India’s AutHer Awards and Amazon India’s Most Popular Self-Help Book of 2021. She was also honoured as Indian of the Year and received the Business Excellence Award from the New Delhi Institute of Management.

Beyond writing, Preeti is a sought-after motivational speaker, having delivered talks at organizations like Walmart, Infosys, ISRO, KPMG, and Accenture. A fitness enthusiast, artist, and traveller, she has had her short stories and poetry featured in Condé Nast and Verve. She also writes a monthly opinion column for The Indian Express and has previously contributed to The Financial Chronicle.

Connect with Preeti:

Website: www.preetishenoy.com

Email: ps@preetishenoy.com

Twitter/X: @Preetishenoy

Blog: blog.preetishenoy.com

Instagram: @Preeti.Shenoy | @Preetishenoyart

Facebook: preeti.io/fb

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/preetishenoyauthor

Reviews

[Swati Tanu · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books which I love dearly but I don't dare to even flip its pages again.

This book means so much to me. I went into this book blindly without knowing anything about it. I should have known what it was about. I have never been this triggered while reading a book because I was going through such a difficult time back then. At times this book triggered me so much that I felt it would be better for me to stop reading it now. But I finished anyway. Mental illness is still a big taboo in Indian society. This book is so realistically representing mental health that it's just so damn relatable and I cannot help feeling helpless.  The character going through major clinical depression is so real and everything about the representation is so accurate that it made me wonder how the author knows how to write this story so well.
 
The story towards the beginning is a young adult component with young love and all that. BUT..... the book develops into something much deeper and realistic. The book is about an ambitious, hardworking, brilliantly talented and creative girl Ankita Sharma who, with constant effort has made it into the top MBA college. Shifting from a small state in Kerala to a big metropolitan city in Mumbai has not affected her in any way she was so engrossed in her course that she made it to be at the top position in her academics.  But fate has suddenly changed her path. Six months later she was admitted to a medical hospital NMHI in Bangalore which was something not expected of such a girl either by her family or her friends.

This book will educate both the young and the old on these topics. This is a must-read. However, before you start reading this book, be advised that the events detailed in the story may trigger you.

You might like to wander through a few artistic journals — they’re full of sparks and surprises.

[moi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh. my. God! I take back all I said in the beginning.. It is not some YA romance. This is real keeper! I just do not have words to describe how I'm feeling.. There is so much you learn from this book. You look at the world with new eyes. It is really well written. I did not want it to end. As one of the reviewers mentioned it ended very abruptly. There were many things i wanted to know.. Bipolar disorder! It was really very well explained. Please do read it.. I'm currently very emotional to write any review. I would just say.. You need to read it, to understand what i am telling. Thanks Preeti, it was very nice story and superbly written.. I'll look forward to your other works..

Okay, about the book now... This story is about Ankita who is suffering from acute case of Bipolar disorder. This is her journey through this disorder and how she grew as a person in the end.

I am sorry, but I did not feel bad for Ankita till the end. It was good lesson she learned. She was arrogant, selfish, mean and always got what she wanted. Okay, I get that she was from very conservative family but she way too forward. I did not see her parents being conservative in that matter. I also get that given a choice, I too would have opted for MBA from Bombay! But, she should have been more considerate and little humble. As Abhi said.. she had become way too proud and did not think right. She was blinded and she should have tackled it better. She was a 20 years old when she graduated. Maturity does come with that.. I was really shocked the way she left all her friends behind when she moved to Bombay.

Then, again in Bombay she was too arrogant in many ways... I seriously did not get how her friends tolerated her? Someone should have slapped some sense in her in Cochin itself. Abhi was way too blinded for her and I felt that he deserved better. Suicide for this arrogant-bitch was really pointless. She did not really learn much.

So, due to her past actions.. I did not really sympathize for her in the end. Agreed that learning about Bipolar disorder was truly-heartbreaking for me. I mean these patients really suffer a lot and one really needs to have strong will to survive this and also hope and faith.

I loved the treatment she got from all the doctors and how she learned and in the end grew as a person. I hope every bipolar patient gets this treatment and he is able to live his life to the fullest.

I would recommend this to everyone. But, beware.. after reading this book you may feel a little disconnected with the world or maybe you'll just want to think about your life in general. This actually made me look back at my life and all the things I have done.. Being a sensitive person.. it really made me wonder and stop.
Okay, it is worth the read. Please, if you have this book. Do read it. You may or may not like it. But, you surely would be more knowledgeable after you read this book.

I hope my review helped you. Life is.. really What you make it!
Cheers!

[Archit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can pretty much assure you that this is not just another book that it shares the shelf with. And Preeti is of a different mettle too.

There is an arresting grip that the tale of Ankita held over me as I turned page after page.

The bipolarity disorder has been eloquently portrayed. The highs of the euphoria to the abyss of crestfall.

I won't say it's a tormenting tale of a person battling with her own imaginations.

But rather a well articulate account of the mindset of the downside of creativity marrying cyclic emotions.

A 5 star read and a rioting performance by a debut author!

[Reading_ Tamishly · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book will give a fair idea about how people with depression live through their normal day. This book accurately represents how mental health is misunderstood even by our own parents and even when they do how helpless they feel.


***accurate mental health disorders representation*

"They were just two regular guys. Suddenly it occurred to me that I would have appeared the same to anyone who looked at me."
.
.
.

"It was like a dead person coming to life after a very long time while and then tasting food."

I am sobbing now. Thank god.

***Trigger warnings for self-harm and suicidal tendencies.

(Trigger warnings are important. I have never been this triggered while reading a book.)***

Because I was going through such a difficult time reading this book.

It's just that this book triggered me so much that I felt it would be better for me to stop reading this book now. Or so I thought.

I finished up reading this book anyway. It reminds me so much of The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

I went into this book blindly without knowing anything about it. I should have known what it was about. The title is so misleading to me. I thought it would be a simple contemporary read.

But this book is so realistically representing mental health that it's just so damn relatable and I cannot help feeling helpless. I am struggling a lot reading this book at the moment.

The character going through major clinical depression is so real and everything about the representation is so accurate.

The writing is obviously good and the characters are so well-developed. The story towards the beginning is young adult component with young love and all that. But the book develops into something much deeper, more realistic with accurate descriptions of how this character developed severe depression.

The stages of major clinical depression have been described so accurately that it made me wonder how the author knows how to write this story so well.


I don't know how this book is so underrated.
I applaud the author for this book. It means a lot.


There are no exact reasons as to what cause depression, or for that matter, any mental health condition.

I don't have the right to judge the characters in this book because they are so damn realistic and alive.

And I don't dare to because most of us grow up doing stupid things and have had not-so-perfect friends. Learning how to judge characters less when they're actually like real life people around me because yes, they happen in real.

I like how the story progressed and what people in the country has to go through when diagnosed with depression.

The treatment parts and the treatment aspects described in the book are realistic as well (as was available during those times).

I really appreciate how the management of the condition took place in the book.

Yes, I do feel that this book will be misunderstood as the main character being overdramatic or is having this condition because of unexpressed grief and emotions or that she should be grateful of her life being a topper academically, pretty, smart and all that.

Do you even know what mild depression feels like?

There has to be no particular reason.

It's just not in our heads or for the sake of seeking attention.

No.

If you don't want to see a glimpse of how depression affects a person, do not pick up this book.

Thank you, my Instagram buddy, for recommending this book to me.

A very well-written realistic book on mental health condition representing major clinical depression and bipolar disorder.

This book will help educate the young and the old alike regarding such issues. A need of the times. A must read.

But be warned before picking up this book, if there any chances of getting triggered by the events that would happen in the story.

[Ananya Ghosh · Rating 2 out of 5]

" A stop gap relationship
She looks at him with misty eyes
They have made love
He seems content and relaxed
Most importantly, satisfied.
Not noticing her silence
or perhaps choosing to ignore it
Not knowing its cause

He is talking about leaving now
His voice a monotonous drone
Over the din of the fan in the background
In the cramped two room apartment
Filled with the smell of their sweating bodies.

In her mind a thought crosses
That the only difference between her
And her sisters on the street
The so called whores
Is that they receive payment in cash
And she receives it through emotions,
In form of words,
words that have ceased to have a meaning now
Empty words- "I love you" " (pg 111)

[Shilpi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is special for me. For so many reasons on so many levels that I'm afraid i won't be able to share. Though i would try my best so that the way this book became a turning point in my life, my interpretation of it may become someone else's.

I read this book after my boards while i was preparing for entrance exams for various courses. Exhausted and lost were the two feelings were there as my constant companion. I was naive and oblivious to a lot of things, I lived a bubble which tbh wasn't hard at all because of the sheltered life that I had led. The first half of the book is a some-what conventional love story. The real deal for me comes after it, the part that had me turning pages faster than I could have expected from myself at that point of time.

The protagonist has bipolar. (If you don't know what it is then do a quick google search, you'll get the general idea. I too didn't know a thing about it then.) A part of me connected to her during her lows, not just on a human level but on a personal level. For so long i have braced through times when it was impossible for me to get out bed, take a shower, face the daylight, be with others (not just strangers but also my family members). I had always chalked all that to being 'phase', something that occurs in everybody's life, i too could get past it on my own. After all i never really had a reason to be so morose. Without any tragedy how could i feel so dejected and empty, right? S not the case.

This book made me realize, open my eyes and accept the fact at last that "it's not me". It is something out of my control, to heal and grow i need to face the facts and get the help (both personal and professional). What i am going through won't go away on its own with time, it's not a paper cut.

The term 'being/feeling depressed' took on a new meaning. I started searching & reading about it. Everything else in my life got obliterated. I won't say that i have overcame it. What i can tell you today is that i am better off knowing about myself and the illness. I am more aware, self aware to be precise. No self-motivation book or self-help book could've done what this book did for me. Because of this book i believe in the power of storytelling.

I am grateful to the author for sharing the story with others. Hope others will benefit from it too and she'll keep on writing more stories, helping her way along many others like me.

[Mukesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one only deserves 2.5 stars, but good reads allows only 2 or 3.

I have a serious doubt on flipkart.com because it always shows this book in the best selling category. Definitely not good enough to be there.

The starting imitated chetan bhagat's style - mental asylum/hospital and all.

The structure of the story is one thing that lacked in this novel and many others by Indian authors.

Things that I was unable to digest.
- just because your first love was in different city, doesn't mean you go ahead and find someone else.
- humor doesn't come by writing - 'i went to the stage, i started telling double meaning jokes and people were in laughter'
- the title of the book and the ending could have been better
- in short it doesn't flows smoothly

the only saving grace is its writing style - easy read and college story.

for more reviews http://mukeshrijhwani.wordpress.com

[Annette mathews · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the beginning , we see Ankita, a girl of 21 showing up in a mental institution with her parents .

So what happened to anikta that she had to seek help from the asylum ?

The Rise and fall of Ankita :

Ankita has the perfect life . She has everything . She gets placed into a top management institute in Bombay .She also gets placed into an average institute in Cochin ,where she currently resides.Her boyfriend,Abhi pleads with her to choose Cochin . If given a choice to choose between a top management institute with an average institute .Top institute would be always in our mind .But, an average institute is considered bearable if it means you can be with your love.
We would have been facing a dilemma . But Ankita , she was not facing any dilemma . She was adamant in going to Bombay,She made it clear with her remarks. I thought she was really mean and selfish towards Abhi . Really ,Pride has gone into head . She could have at least made Abhi understand her decision .But no , she was downright rude. Abhi couldn't take this and ends his life.

This was the first step to her road to depression .

She goes to Bombay .She works hard and tops the class. But in this process, She puts too much pressure on herself without her knowledge .

All hell breaks loose when her past is dug open by her Parents. When she is confronted with the past , all memories of abhi comes flooding back . She couldn't take it .She tries to end her life .

The Comeback :

She gets admitted into a mental institution . There, with the help of a doctor, she slowly returns back to Normalcy . She makes new friends there, who have been in the same situation as she was .
All turns out good for this lady at last . She gets discharged and goes on to lead a happy life .


Take this book ,when you are feeling down .This book may make you feel good .

[Debasis Mohanty · Rating 2 out of 5]

Life is certainly what we make it but in this case please do not worsen your life by reading it-being judgmental.

What makes the book boring ?
1)Repetition of thoughts.The author raves about the protagonist's symptoms for about 60-70 odd pages which irked me a lot.Recurring explications about the protagonist's state makes it look even more drab.Some may argue that the bipolar syndrome mentioned in the book has to do with cyclic patterns(manic highs and depressive lows) and that demands explanations but the author could have done without the monotonous descriptions and recurring allusions.

2) One doesn't feel for the protagonist (Ankita).The author fails to make an imprint on one's mind because of her(protagonist's) portrayal as a shallow character initially.Later she metamorphoses into a self-centered,egotist lady with a dicey attitude who cares for nothing but her career.Tides turn and she then finds herself in a hypothetical bottomless pit(Bipolar disorder) from which there is no escape.She bears all the agony and battles with her inner self in a asylum to carve a life out of it.

3)The author uses mundane similes which fail to serve the purpose and it looks just like a patch over a torn jeans.Simile it is :-)

Overall Preeti Shenoy would loathe me for such a review(If she sees rather reads) .But it's better to be hated for what you write than to be loved for what you hide.

The only good thing about this book is that it has the so called "HAPPY ENDING".

[Sneha · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Writer has done a great job with expressing the inner feelings of a girl, be it a modern girl or the one of the decade as described by Preeti Shenoy.. She has described each and every node in a girl's teen age, be it emotional state, or a love case, or relationsip of parents with children, the relation with friends, a true philosopher, guide and what not.. A very beautiful picture of Bipolar disorder is picturised throughout, in its most interesting manner..

It comes out to be "A MUST READ" definitely from my side.. Hats off to the Author, to put a girl's feelings in words and make the reader to get truly involved right from page 1 to 209.. Not a single page would be of some sort of a skip reading..

Few words from the book itself, to describe it even better-
"....The world is indeed a better place when there is love, friendship, acceptance and hope. Powered by these, you can indeed overcome anything, including destiny...."

[Anusree Burman · Rating 3 out of 5]

Life Is What You Make It really does throw you off the track in the beginning and begins as a really predictable young adult romance. Yet what you never expect is the sudden turn of events and a plunge into the emotional turmoil of a 21 year old afflicted with Bipolar Disorder. The story is elegantly crafted; it is about facing life and emerging strong and proud. It is about having the guts to follow your dreams and believing your worth. The story however does border on mundane at times. Indian authors could really try coming up with better and stronger plots that explore the social psyche prevalent in the nation. A conservative family,parents obsessed with academic excellence,a bright young student fallen from grace- the ingredients are all there but somehow the build up lacks structure. And the plots of most Indian writers are really starting to look way too similar. There are better stories out there and a delicate and unique handling of the issues plaguing the Indian youth with stronger characters and sound plots could work wonders towards revolutionizing the current writing scenario and providing the readers with food for thought.

[Avanthika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever felt the void around you ? Have you ever thought there are few bad decisions that has made your lyf miserable ? Have you ever spent your tym with someone who made you feel you're just to be USED ? Did you fall in love with someone and have you ever regretted for falling for them ? Atleast once, have you ever thought yourself as a burden to the world and to your surroundings that you wanted to quit forever ?
The protagonist, Ankita, is too proud of herself. She's beautiful and intelligent. She made it to one of the top B-Schools in India. But fate has other plans for her. From her Business School, she lands into a mental hospital fighting bipolar disorder. Ofcourse yea, she stabs and cuts others feelings to carve her destiny. She did face all the questions listed above. And that renewed the new in her.

Preeti Shenoy penetrates deep into the readers mind. She makes us feel Ankita's pain and suffering. This book stirs your emotions and brings back memories of all those things that you want to forget. Must read for all those people who thinks they're the only ones who suffers in this world.

[Sridevi · Rating 2 out of 5]

There is one glaring technical glitch in the story . The story begins when the protagonist Ankita , is in the throes of deadly depression which could tilt her either way . Yet , when she begins to talk about her past , she acquires the voice of a very normal , sane person . Technically , she should be looking at her past also with the same eyes of a depressed person .

Also , the conflict of the character was poorly handled . As a consequence , Ankita comes across as a shallow girl , who changes her boyfriends at the drop of a hat to further her ambitions . The darkness , surrounding the character could have been better handled . Also style of writing falls flat . Example :"Suddenly I was overcome with a mad urge to share this with everyone in the class . I decided to photocopy it and distribute it ." . What actually happens in the mind of the person who has a sudden adrenaline rushing gushing through his or her limbs ? What happens when logic ceases to exist at many many levels ? And what is insanity ? Is it when you "lose" it or is it when the world "loses" you ?

More sensitivity and more depth were called for short of which , this book just falls in the category of a college "romance" . The immaturely crafted epilogue just relegates it to the class of a Bollywood flick

The two stars are for the subject matter , which many authors fear to explore and for the writing style which is easy on the mind of the reader.

[Swetha · Rating 2 out of 5]

Life is what you make it, a catchy title indeed. The first thing I learnt after reading the book is – Don’t judge a book by its title and fancy taglines! The title is only justified with an epilogue that happens 15 years later. The plot is very straightforward portraying how the female protagonist, Ankita belittles Abhi's love that made her end up in asylum where she rediscovers her new self. However writer Preeti never missed to charm the readers with her incredible narrations especially when Ankita tries to call her boyfriend over phone, the first bike ride and the first kiss. The grandfather's words, "Never belittle love" still resonates more powerful than those usual words, "I love you".

[Preety · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Life is what you make it'.....and the story lives up to the title,quite literally!!
Honestly,I had never heard about the author until recently.
The thing I found best was that it teaches each one of us that life may not necessarily turn out the way we have planned or hoped for...!!!
I found the central character's self praise went a bit overboard especially when she joined St.Agnes and also at some other instances...
In some way,I could connect to yhe story...
My favourite lines from the book,
"Sometimes all one needs is a strong anchor, a person you can trust blindly.Someone who will lead you on, be there for you and never let you down."
....A nice read,indeed!! :)

[Divya Lavanya · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was one of the few books which I completed in one sitting. I've no words to describe how I felt after reading it. It made me realise one hard fact. That mental disorders are not about 'not trying well to come out of situation'. It's just that they try hard, but they can't. They need help. They are not crazy people. A must read for anyone to look at life from a new perspective. I don't want to talk about the style of writing. The author was able to convey her message well and that's what matters.

[Awdhesh Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved reading this book. The story of the book is griping and you pass through several emotions while reading the book. The pace of the book is perfect and description so good that you feel as if you are actually seeing a movie. The book make you think about the uncertainties of life in a beautiful manner as you go through the ups and downs of the life of Ankita, the main character of the book. I don't generally read fiction but I could not keep this book aside till I finished it.
Wonderful!!
That is all I can say.

[Ishan Agrawal · Rating 1 out of 5]

Most overrated piece of crap .Tried too hard to somehow portray a murderer as an inspiration just because she is a female to get sympathy from all the pseudo feminist brigade. Pathetic as a book and also for the way it is projected. Though the portrayal isnt far from truth in reality.

[Vishal Kumar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Never belittle love, no matter where it came from and to be a little humbler, nicer and kinder with my words and actions..

[Gowtham · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is about a girl ANKITA,She is BEautiful it seems.Guys fall in love with her. She doesnt understand their true love.But still she is having good relationship with all the boys proposed her.A guy dies just bcz she ignored his love.
At a point of time , her life style changes.she begin to feel guilty about herself.She cannot discuss with anybody abt it.At a point she gets too much stress and endup in a mental hospital.
she could not read and write.She will be cured from bipolar disorder laterr.This is how this pretty girl wins her life.

a line i noticed is:
"what else you do apart from being so pretty?" - i liked it.

[daph pink ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

read this way back in 2018; I will never be able to read anything like it in 2024.

[Rushikesh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good, engaging story with one can inculcate. In end it feels like not ankita i got cured by bipolar disorder. End is motivating and encourage us and little but nostalgic touch when ankita start to describe what she and her all close ones doing in their lives.

[Saurabh (सौरभ) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had read it in a time when I was...well..not okay..to put it mildly. And it clicked.

[حسين حبيل · Rating 2 out of 5]

شدّني عنوان هذا الكتاب لمؤلفته الهنديّة بريتي شينوي .. ولكن العناوين البرّاقة قد تكون مضللة نوعًا ما !

أتقنت الكاتبة صياغة القصة - بالمناسبة القصة خيالية ولكنها مقتبسة من أحداث حقيقية غُيّرت فيها أسماء الشخصيات حفاظًا على خصوصيتهم - .

هي قصة حُب تتسارع فيها الأحداث وتتناقض خلالها المشاعر .. ما بين الاكتئاب وجلد الذات تجد الشخصية الرئيسية أو البطلة نفسها تائهة ... تتسوّل الحُب في الطرقات وبين السطور ..

حاولت الكاتبة إضفاء نوع من الواقعية على تفاصيل القصة باستخدام بعض المصطلحات والكلمات باللغة الهندية ، فضلًا عن أسماء بعض الشخصيات التي وجدت صعوبة في استيعابها ؛ وقد أسعفتني ذاكرتي حين استحضرت بعض هذه الأسماء التي سمعتها قبل أعوام أثناء فترة دراستي بالجمهورية الهنديّة ..

أثار استيائي استخدام الكاتبة لعدة ألفاظ خادشة للحياء والذوق العام ( وعلى وجه الخصوص في المحادثات التي جرت بين البطل والبطلة وبقية الشخصيات )

تحاول الكاتبة أن تلخص معاناة البطلة المريضة بمرض ثنائي القطب - اضطراب ذو الإتجاهين أو ما يعرف بالهوس الإكتئابيّ . .

أنكيتا ( بطلة القصة ) تصاب بإكتئاب شديد بعد موت الشخص الذي أحبّها حبًا جمًا نزاريًا وقابلته بالصد والإبتعاد والجفاء فما كان منه إلا أن يشرب قنينة من الخمر ويلقى حتفه في حادث مروريّ ..

ولا أخفيكم أن أحداث هذا الكتاب مناسبة تمامًا لعرضها في فيلم هنديّ بوليوودي !!

العاطفة المتوقدة .. اللغة الإنجلينزية البسيطة والواضحة .. تسلسل الأحداث المرن .. ساهم في إخراج هذه القصة بشكل جميل وجذاب ..

تعلمت من هذه القصة :

أن الإنسان يمكنه تذليل كافة الصعوبات .. وباستطاعته ِ أن يتغلب على جميع الأمراض النفسيّة شريطة الإيمان Have Faith !
و الصبر

أترككم في رعاية الله ..

حسين حبيل
سترة - مملكة البحرين
21 ديسمبر 2016 مسيحية

[Aishwary Mehta (The_Fugitive_Biker) · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quote From the Book I Liked - “It is indeed amazing how words and kindness have the power to heal, perhaps much more than medicines.”

The book is about a teen girl from a Strict Indian Family, who was a star in her College during her graduation. She was firstly a shy girl but later on because of her friends discover another side of herself as a Leader. Gradually succeeding in Academics and Co-curriculum activities being the Creative Secretory of her College, St. Agnes, she gets tangled in Love affair with 2 guys, simultaneously. In her last year of graduation, a tragic incident happens which changes her life forever. This was the first part of the book which I really hated due to its all the Shitty - Romantic drama (Not at All Romantic, rather Crazy Guy and Shy Girl love story, of which the Girl cheating on her current long-distance boyfriend if you say so).

About the Second part, Our girls move to Bombay for her Post Graduation In MBA. In Bombay, she becomes a Maniac in her daily life, that she almost starts to skip her daily sleep. She's a class topper and also good at poetry but there's a chaos within her. Later on, after 2 Suicide Attempts, she discovers about her Bipolar Nature and ends up in a Mental Asylum.

The story throughout had a great pace which can be completed in a single sitting. The Phrases used in between are relatable. Altogether the book is a one time read.

[Ajay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Preeti has a wonderful way of picturing things in her writing. I don't think most of us are gifted with creative writing. Even though we can feel and let our emotions flow and feel it in life , it's little harder to put them down in the paper. I was dragged with her writing skills rather than wooing with the story line.I am clueless what made me to read this book in a single sitting , but I am sure I have enjoyed each and every minute. The protagonist Ankita went through a hell a lot of agony to get her life back ,who was gripped with the bipolar disorder. Hats off to Preeti once again for her creative writing and I am sure a good bunch of readers will be enjoying this book a lot.

[Celia Sánchez · Rating 1 out of 5]

The name of the book and the beautiful cover compelled me to read the short book.Yet sheer waste of paper. Seems that the author had not read a single good novel in her life to know the art of story telling...Don't wanna read anything from this writer in future. Wasted my 2 days.Too boring and you won't get any useful information from this book. With the increase in publishers in India I think the quality of novels is getting low ....

.Don't judge a book by its cover/title. Disappointing!

[Debleena Biswas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It is not the typical books that we see like those of Durjoy Dutta or Chetan Bhagat. It deals with certain mental problems really sincerely. Though love is the predominant theme but it did not bother me like those instaloves normally do. Overall it is a book that i can recommend. I liked it very much

[Sundeep Supertramp · Rating 4 out of 5]

wonderful read.. the pain in the story is felt by the readers.. gave a vivid image of a indian girl... one of my best reads of mine....

[Njkinny (Njkinny's Blog) · Rating 5 out of 5]

You have your whole life mapped out in front of you but are you ever a cent percent sure of it charting out the exact way as you think?

Ankita had the world at her feet.She was young, beautiful, multi talented, a meritorious student with loads of friends and boys in love with her. This was the up in her life. Then came the down which left her with two attempted suicides, a severe depression, heavy medication from scores of "Highly acclaimed" doctors and finally when nothing worked, getting admitted in a mental institution. But the question remained..

Was Ankita strong enough to overcome this down time in her life?
How did she get here when everything that she was doing was sure to take her to the stars?
Is this the end?
Is it true what they say Life is What You Make it ?

A poignant tale of hardships, love, failures, a depression so deep that you just want to die and a final victory of the "never-say-die" attitude. I was deeply touched and moved by Preeti Shenoy's attempt at giving a voice to people with mental disorders like the bipolar disorder who often are not understood and don't get the support they need from their near and dear ones.

A well researched book and very sensitively handled, I was impressed by the author who has gone under the skin of the character to bring to the surface the many facets of their behavior and emotions. The characterization is so pure and practical that everyone will feel a connection to them.
Ankita's character symbolizes the modern woman of today who is smart, intelligent, confident and sure of her future plans.

Abhi's character left me wiping tears and with pain in my heart. He was so deeply in love!! A good friend, an understanding and caring person he gave Ankita a direction, lend her support and most importantly guided her. His grandfather's words to Ankita after Abhi's death "Never belittle love" is still echoing in my heart and my mind.

Preeti has succeeded in making her point and conveyed her message beautifully to the reader. We often ignore and depreciate love whether it be that of our parents, friends, partner, or anyone else taking it for granted but the true value is only understood when one looses that love like it happened with Ankita when she lost Abhi. The regret of not promising to stay in touch, not soothing him when he was disturbed, not professing her love also played a part in pushing her over the edge.

Like Ankita regretted all the things she had taken for granted in her life like reading, writing, being loved, being normal. I wish no one ever has those regrets and after reading this book I am now a new person with a new perspective to all the blessings I have in my life.

"if you have not made somebody's day happier, if you've not appreciated something good that has happened to you and if you have not felt thankful to be alive, then you have wasted that day of your life on earth!"

"Life is small make the most of it"

A splendidly written book that touches your soul and rips your heart out but leaves you more strong, more in tune with your blessings and a faith that you are capable of climbing out of any deep, dark abyss and capable of changing your destiny and finally your life!

In the words of the author,

'The book is not just about bipolar disorder. It is a story of courage, determination and growing up. It is about how life can take a totally different path from what is planned, and yet how one can make a success of it. It is a story of faith, belief and perseverance too and charting your own destiny.'

But all this is only possible "If You believe" like Ankita did and ultimately made her life the way she wanted. She won against all the odds, hardships leaving behind those days of depression, suicide attempts, uncontrolled rage and the instability.

I give Life is What You Make it a well deserved shining 5 stars out of 5 and recommend this book to everyone. Its a perspective changing and an inspiring tale that will leave you feeling more confident and more determined to make your life the way you want it !
Kudos to Preeti for writing such an unconventional book so beautifully. :)

'The world is indeed a better place when there is love , friendship, acceptance and hope. Powered by these, you can indeed overcome anything, including destiny.'

This review is also available at http://njkinny.blogspot.in/
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