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My Little Epiphanies
This is a movie tie-in edition and any reviews posted before October 10, 2019 are from the previous edition of the same title published in 2015.Aisha Chaudhary was born with SCID (severe combined immune deficiency) and underwent a bone-marrow transplant when she was six months old. She lived in New Delhi, where she was born. The year 2014 was brutal for Aisha as her disease progressed, and her lungs started giving up on her. The last few months of the year felt like a roller-coaster ride, one that seemed to be mostly going down. Spending almost all her time lying in bed, Aisha wrote down her thoughts to get some relief, to get them out of her head. Aisha's life was not anything like the average life of an urban teenager, but she had experienced a lifetime of emotions; life and death, fear and anger, love and hate, the depths of utter sorrow and the happiest one can be. In My Little Epiphanies she took a hard look at her own feelings and what it was that gave her a sense of hope and control. This book gave her life purpose and meaning, something to hold on to. Sometimes, Aisha's little epiphanies had morphed into doodles that capture what was going on in her mind as her destiny played itself out. Through the book she wanted the world to understand her unusual life and she hoped that it will inspire others, going through similar hardships, to find peace.
62 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 126 reviews
May 18, 2024
My Little Epiphanies is a compilation of Aisha's random thoughts and doodles from her daily life. To be honest, I didn't find it as inspiring as other reviews claim.
Maybe I'm just a heartless jerk, but I've never been moved by other people's struggles or life tales. I despise reading memoirs or autobiographies for the same reason: there is no value in them for me.
Nonetheless, I had a lot of fun looking at her doodling.
Maybe I'm just a heartless jerk, but I've never been moved by other people's struggles or life tales. I despise reading memoirs or autobiographies for the same reason: there is no value in them for me.
Nonetheless, I had a lot of fun looking at her doodling.
December 22, 2020
That dedication part made me cry buckets and I cried so much that I closed the book and gave myself 4 hours to open up the book again scared that my head would split from all the crying I would have to go through while reading this book.
Sadly, that didn't happen. I mean the crying part. It's not even a proper book. I went into the book blindly.
It's not even a memoir. Or a fiction.
It's just a collection of fragmented thoughts and scribblings.
I know I should be able to connect and feel something while reading this collection. But sadly I just couldn't keep my attention on the contents while reading it.
Most of the lines I am familiar with.
I do pray for those who are undergoing through such hardships and pain.
This collection is just not for me.
Sadly, that didn't happen. I mean the crying part. It's not even a proper book. I went into the book blindly.
It's not even a memoir. Or a fiction.
It's just a collection of fragmented thoughts and scribblings.
I know I should be able to connect and feel something while reading this collection. But sadly I just couldn't keep my attention on the contents while reading it.
Most of the lines I am familiar with.
I do pray for those who are undergoing through such hardships and pain.
This collection is just not for me.
June 9, 2023
**3.5 stars**
"If I look back on my early teen years, I realise I had lungs but lacked self-confidence. Now I have self-confidence but my lungs are lacking. Which of the two is better?"
Personally, I had come across the name of Aisha Chaudhary only the first time I heard it was being made into a movie. Later, much later I came to know she had written a book too.
This isn't some book on some fixed, serious context. It's actually a stringing up of scattered words that Aisha scribbled down, almost towards the verge of her death, over the period of a week or so. It is said she didn't live too see it published, and died with her fingers barely cradling the first copy. The time and the way in which this was written alone makes this book unique, and quite rightfully demanding to be read.
That be told, the exceptionally mature thoughts that you will find here, despite feeling quite authentic, aren't exactly quite authentic. Also, the imitation of the well known "stream of consciousness" narrative style, along with the mood swings, makes some emotional parts a bit hard to be felt. Well, really, now, you aren't going in looking for Mrs. Dalloway style. However, there are two things that deserve a special applause. Firstly, the dedication part. For people who are aware of her life story, and her parent's struggle, the pages can definitely bring tears to your eyes. Secondly, her sketches. In a word, ruddy brilliant. But somewhere I feel that you need to know her life story better to appreciate this extremely short book.
That's all, really. It's way too brief to need to be more "judgemental".
"We are in the most vulnerable state when we think we are about to die. I think we mostly get one main thought that gets stuck in our hearts. It is either, 'I should have said this', or 'I should have done that, I should have been this’.
If you are lucky enough to get a second chance at life, you must say it. Do it. Be it."
"If I look back on my early teen years, I realise I had lungs but lacked self-confidence. Now I have self-confidence but my lungs are lacking. Which of the two is better?"
Personally, I had come across the name of Aisha Chaudhary only the first time I heard it was being made into a movie. Later, much later I came to know she had written a book too.
This isn't some book on some fixed, serious context. It's actually a stringing up of scattered words that Aisha scribbled down, almost towards the verge of her death, over the period of a week or so. It is said she didn't live too see it published, and died with her fingers barely cradling the first copy. The time and the way in which this was written alone makes this book unique, and quite rightfully demanding to be read.
That be told, the exceptionally mature thoughts that you will find here, despite feeling quite authentic, aren't exactly quite authentic. Also, the imitation of the well known "stream of consciousness" narrative style, along with the mood swings, makes some emotional parts a bit hard to be felt. Well, really, now, you aren't going in looking for Mrs. Dalloway style. However, there are two things that deserve a special applause. Firstly, the dedication part. For people who are aware of her life story, and her parent's struggle, the pages can definitely bring tears to your eyes. Secondly, her sketches. In a word, ruddy brilliant. But somewhere I feel that you need to know her life story better to appreciate this extremely short book.
That's all, really. It's way too brief to need to be more "judgemental".
"We are in the most vulnerable state when we think we are about to die. I think we mostly get one main thought that gets stuck in our hearts. It is either, 'I should have said this', or 'I should have done that, I should have been this’.
If you are lucky enough to get a second chance at life, you must say it. Do it. Be it."
March 30, 2015
This is something extremely special and unique. Couple of hours ago, I received a book My Little Epiphanies by Aisha Chaudhary from Bloomsbury India. I was terribly tired after a day long overburdened work of Navratri Puja and my aching cervical disc as well as my joint pain which rarely leaves me alone (a long story it is). Yet, getting a book in my hand made my evening thrilling, as usual. I got my stamina back, and read the book in a single sitting of just one hour.
What happened next, was unexpected to me.
While turning the pages of this book, I felt myself to be too small, too coward in front of an eighteen years old girl, Aisha, whose personal story, deep-seated emotions, brave speculations, jotted down as fragments in this book, choked my throat, gave me goosebumps and left me wondering the real meaning/s of life. How can someone sit on a wheelchair, and do nothing, but wait for death? This is what Aisha has been doing since 18 long years. But in the bravest manner. Aisha Chaudhary was born with S.C.I.D (severe combined immune deficiency) and underwent a bone marrow transplant when she was 6 months old. The book "My Little Epiphanies" is alike Aisha's personal diary, a window to peep into her life, her soul. Kudos to you, Girl. (It's Aisha herself, on the cover)
Aisha Chaudhary sadly passed away on the morning of 24 January 2015, the very day her book, My Little Epiphanies, was launched at the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival.
What happened next, was unexpected to me.
While turning the pages of this book, I felt myself to be too small, too coward in front of an eighteen years old girl, Aisha, whose personal story, deep-seated emotions, brave speculations, jotted down as fragments in this book, choked my throat, gave me goosebumps and left me wondering the real meaning/s of life. How can someone sit on a wheelchair, and do nothing, but wait for death? This is what Aisha has been doing since 18 long years. But in the bravest manner. Aisha Chaudhary was born with S.C.I.D (severe combined immune deficiency) and underwent a bone marrow transplant when she was 6 months old. The book "My Little Epiphanies" is alike Aisha's personal diary, a window to peep into her life, her soul. Kudos to you, Girl. (It's Aisha herself, on the cover)
Aisha Chaudhary sadly passed away on the morning of 24 January 2015, the very day her book, My Little Epiphanies, was launched at the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival.
April 17, 2021
The dedication definitely made me cry !!
But the book inside is just her thoughts which she has penned down.
I would not call this a proper book, I'm sorry.
The book could have been properly edited and then printed, it would have been better.
But the book inside is just her thoughts which she has penned down.
I would not call this a proper book, I'm sorry.
The book could have been properly edited and then printed, it would have been better.
October 11, 2019
It’s a BEAUTIFUL book that will make you cry. It’s a wonderful book that will keep you hooked throughout, will pop a question in your mind while you turn a page, this book will teach you to be Thankful, It will teach you to fight, to love and to struggle. It will teach you to be tougher in tough times with a smile.it will teach you to value what you have. .
It’s a story of #aisha who was born with SCID. It has Aisha's thoughts that she had when she was going through this phase.
each and every emotion is beautifully described. Each and every page has something to teach you, the pictures that the author added tells a story too. The language is crisp and appealing keeping the reader hooked throughout. .
Overall it’s a wonderful book !!
It’s a story of #aisha who was born with SCID. It has Aisha's thoughts that she had when she was going through this phase.
each and every emotion is beautifully described. Each and every page has something to teach you, the pictures that the author added tells a story too. The language is crisp and appealing keeping the reader hooked throughout. .
Overall it’s a wonderful book !!
October 20, 2019
Being an autoimmune warrior myself I could completely resonate with most of Aisha's emotions n thoughts.. frustrations and dreams too! But this level of acceptance coming from such a young girl kept me in awe throughout! It helped me clear my entangled thoughts! Few of Aisha's thoughts that I feel can actually help any and all are - you cant change your life.. but with life you can definitely help someone else change theirs; same thing can be viewed by the same person in different perspectives depending on the person's state of mind.
Loved every doodle..every word..might re-read again to sort my thoughts..if entangled again!
Loved every doodle..every word..might re-read again to sort my thoughts..if entangled again!
April 30, 2021
"The chance was one in a million that i would be born immune deficient and i was. And then a miracle occured, there was 30% chance that i would survive the bone marrow transplant and I did. But then, there was less that 10% chance that i would develop lung issues post the transplant and I did. Now, thers's only a 40% chance that my lungs can be cured and I BELIEVE THAT THEY CAN BE BECAUSE I BELIEVE IN MIRACLES."- Aisha Chaudhary
"We should just stop for a second, because one day, we may not be able to start again"." And soon I realised that my lungs had turned to stone". " I need a whole new pair of shoes. I 'm running from myself this time" . " I crave the Littlest things , While I've lost the biggest" are my favorite epiphanies from this book. Its a short read, but it stays with you, in your thoughts and alters perspective. A girl with extremely vivid imagination, who has described and doodled her feelings. Honest take on life and more importantly, the journey between life and death. One can only imagine her life in a frail body but this book highlights the power & creativity of her mind. Vibrant choice of colors in the doodles will make your eyes bright & glittery and soon you may find yourself moist as you start to sink into them.
This book will make you fall in love with life, with everything around you and most importantly, it evokes a deep sense of gratitude!
Thanks Aisha, you made a huge difference to my life!
It isn't a memoir. Or just another motivational sort of dump. Just some fragmented scribblings of an 18 years old.
sorry can't say happy read cause in the end it won't give you smiles.
"We should just stop for a second, because one day, we may not be able to start again"." And soon I realised that my lungs had turned to stone". " I need a whole new pair of shoes. I 'm running from myself this time" . " I crave the Littlest things , While I've lost the biggest" are my favorite epiphanies from this book. Its a short read, but it stays with you, in your thoughts and alters perspective. A girl with extremely vivid imagination, who has described and doodled her feelings. Honest take on life and more importantly, the journey between life and death. One can only imagine her life in a frail body but this book highlights the power & creativity of her mind. Vibrant choice of colors in the doodles will make your eyes bright & glittery and soon you may find yourself moist as you start to sink into them.
This book will make you fall in love with life, with everything around you and most importantly, it evokes a deep sense of gratitude!
Thanks Aisha, you made a huge difference to my life!
It isn't a memoir. Or just another motivational sort of dump. Just some fragmented scribblings of an 18 years old.
sorry can't say happy read cause in the end it won't give you smiles.
June 30, 2021
This didn't even feel like a book. It was just a collection of thoughts. Not even a diary entry. Just your rough book or those last few pages in the back of your school notebooks.
I loved every bit of it.
Don't judge this as a book because it isn't. Book is just a physical thing, what I saw inside was everything and nothing.
It didn't even feel like reading a book, it was like being a part of her mind. Almost like being a part of my own mind. Something about her thoughts, makes me think about my own unstoppable twisted thoughts and it either struck a chord or broke a dam wall, I really don't know.
I cried, so much. I laughed, so much. Sometimes I just smiled, knowingly. Sometimes I frowned, disapprovingly.
But something about it rang bells and warmed me like a blanket.
To live through her moments of life, to honestly know what she thought about, made me realize how much I have been through and how much I haven't. Yet or not.
I don't even know how end this, how to write a book review of a not-book?
Or maybe just like that.
Like this.
I loved every bit of it.
Don't judge this as a book because it isn't. Book is just a physical thing, what I saw inside was everything and nothing.
It didn't even feel like reading a book, it was like being a part of her mind. Almost like being a part of my own mind. Something about her thoughts, makes me think about my own unstoppable twisted thoughts and it either struck a chord or broke a dam wall, I really don't know.
I cried, so much. I laughed, so much. Sometimes I just smiled, knowingly. Sometimes I frowned, disapprovingly.
But something about it rang bells and warmed me like a blanket.
To live through her moments of life, to honestly know what she thought about, made me realize how much I have been through and how much I haven't. Yet or not.
I don't even know how end this, how to write a book review of a not-book?
Or maybe just like that.
Like this.
August 4, 2022
Sweet short book that can be read quickly.
October 2, 2019
My Little Epiphanies.
•
The trailer of the movie The Sky Is Pink has been making rounds on social media but what I didn't know was that it's based on a true story. The movie is inspired from the life of Aisha Chaudhary, a girl who was diagnosed with SCID (Severe combined immunodeficiency) and lived her entire life hooked to oxygen tanks. But that's not what makes Aisha different from others. Her courage, determination and kindness sets her apart. This tiny book encloses Aisha's deepest thoughts, be it fear, love, helplessness or pain. It may be small but it sure packs a punch.
•
The book begins with a foreword written by @priyankachopra. Then her mother whom she fondly used to call Moose, goes ahead to write a little about Aisha's touching journey. She talks about Aisha's quirks and nature all the while addressing it to Aisha. She writes about how strong her daughter was in the face of intermittent death and how bravely she fought her fears. There's also a note by Shonali Bose, the director of the movie #theskyispink about how Aisha's family has now become hers through the pain and memories that they share. It's heartwarming to see the way in which these two women talk about Aisha's life. Not just the part where she's I'll but the glorious life that she lived in all of her eighteen years.
•
My Little Epiphanies is a collection of Aisha's life. Her deep personal thoughts are enclosed within these pages making the readers significantly emotional. Amidst these pages are doodles created by Aisha through which she displays her mind. It's creative and chirpy to look at. After reading this piece of work, I'm absolutely eager to watch the movie. Watching Aisha's role come to life on screen will be a beautiful thing to watch. @theskyispinkofficial will be released on 11th of this month and I'm glad to have had the chance to read the book before it's out :) Thank you for the copy @bloomsburyindia 💕
•
Rating - 4/5
•
The trailer of the movie The Sky Is Pink has been making rounds on social media but what I didn't know was that it's based on a true story. The movie is inspired from the life of Aisha Chaudhary, a girl who was diagnosed with SCID (Severe combined immunodeficiency) and lived her entire life hooked to oxygen tanks. But that's not what makes Aisha different from others. Her courage, determination and kindness sets her apart. This tiny book encloses Aisha's deepest thoughts, be it fear, love, helplessness or pain. It may be small but it sure packs a punch.
•
The book begins with a foreword written by @priyankachopra. Then her mother whom she fondly used to call Moose, goes ahead to write a little about Aisha's touching journey. She talks about Aisha's quirks and nature all the while addressing it to Aisha. She writes about how strong her daughter was in the face of intermittent death and how bravely she fought her fears. There's also a note by Shonali Bose, the director of the movie #theskyispink about how Aisha's family has now become hers through the pain and memories that they share. It's heartwarming to see the way in which these two women talk about Aisha's life. Not just the part where she's I'll but the glorious life that she lived in all of her eighteen years.
•
My Little Epiphanies is a collection of Aisha's life. Her deep personal thoughts are enclosed within these pages making the readers significantly emotional. Amidst these pages are doodles created by Aisha through which she displays her mind. It's creative and chirpy to look at. After reading this piece of work, I'm absolutely eager to watch the movie. Watching Aisha's role come to life on screen will be a beautiful thing to watch. @theskyispinkofficial will be released on 11th of this month and I'm glad to have had the chance to read the book before it's out :) Thank you for the copy @bloomsburyindia 💕
•
Rating - 4/5
May 26, 2020
The thoughts of teenage girl with a terminal disease who is grateful for all that she has, but can't help but feel depressed for all that she doesn't. Aisha's TED talk and the movie made me want to check this book out. From a reading point of view, it's not much - just a bunch of lines and doodles made by a teenage kid. But if you try to put yourself in the shoes of her loved ones, then it's a treasure. This is indeed good tribute to her memory. More than her epiphanies, I got attached to the epilogue and introduction written by her mother - how she converses with Aisha as if she is right there is quite special.
This book is not much, but still it is something!
This book is not much, but still it is something!
July 2, 2019
This is not a book. It is a compilation of musings. It will always have a special place in my heart. Aisha died as an eighteen year old teenager but she left behind her musings to which so many of us can relate.
I read this one at a time when I was terribly sick, had boards and was very pessimistic about everything life had to offer.This was a breather. I read the whole thing almost every day through that phase. The emotions portrayed through drawings are impeccable.Beautiful one.
I read this one at a time when I was terribly sick, had boards and was very pessimistic about everything life had to offer.This was a breather. I read the whole thing almost every day through that phase. The emotions portrayed through drawings are impeccable.Beautiful one.
October 9, 2019
I don't think I am capable of reviewing this book but I would like to tell you why it's touching millions of hearts.
Aisha was born with SCID- a condition where your immune system attacks your own body cells and it is not one of the easiest conditions to live it. For one, its painful and fatal.
My Little Epiphanies is a collection of musings that were jotted down by Aisha, words that were pulled out of the depths of her heart, of pain and suffering, of embracing the present and finding a way to survive even when there was absolutely nothing to look forward to.
I cannot comprehend the pain Aisha went through, but this book tells me that she was wise beyond her years, that her experiences shaped her is a way that her words turned into lessons. There is so much to learn from this collection, even when it's breaking your heart into a million pieces.
Aisha was born with SCID- a condition where your immune system attacks your own body cells and it is not one of the easiest conditions to live it. For one, its painful and fatal.
My Little Epiphanies is a collection of musings that were jotted down by Aisha, words that were pulled out of the depths of her heart, of pain and suffering, of embracing the present and finding a way to survive even when there was absolutely nothing to look forward to.
I cannot comprehend the pain Aisha went through, but this book tells me that she was wise beyond her years, that her experiences shaped her is a way that her words turned into lessons. There is so much to learn from this collection, even when it's breaking your heart into a million pieces.
May 19, 2022
Truth be spoken, I didn't find it as inspiring as everyone raved about. It's okayish but it wasn't great or something.
September 12, 2020
I don't feel right giving it a rating, honestly.
This book wasn't a book actually, it was musings by a girl who just wanted to live few more days, years and see more things.
Her epiphanies gave me perspective about the "problems" we cry about daily, or the optimism for life I lack.
The dedication part by her mom and shonali bose, in the edition - made me cry so much.
I think I will never stop thinking about her whenever I listen to the song : For Aisha, and that is how she will live forever for many.
This book wasn't a book actually, it was musings by a girl who just wanted to live few more days, years and see more things.
Her epiphanies gave me perspective about the "problems" we cry about daily, or the optimism for life I lack.
The dedication part by her mom and shonali bose, in the edition - made me cry so much.
I think I will never stop thinking about her whenever I listen to the song : For Aisha, and that is how she will live forever for many.
December 25, 2025
Truly amazing 🫶
May 16, 2021
this has my heart<3
August 7, 2024
A really raw and honest musings from a girl who had death as her constant companion even when she was alive. Through each reader, I think Aisha will live on. It’s something that you will relate to as she has been throughly open about her insecurities and fears, not an attempt to be courageous in face of death. A kind of relation one would imagine one to have.
April 7, 2015
I just completed reading "My Little Epiphanies" by Aisha Chaudhary and I feel a newself in me, stronger. Aisha was born with S.C.I.D (Severe Combined Immune Deficiency) and underwent a bone marrow transplant when she was 6 months old. According to her, "We should be happy about the things we can do instead of being sad about things we are not capable of." She implemented this into her own life. While she was on the bed fighting every day with the illness, she made wonderful sketches, poured down her heart and mind through words, introspected herself and figured out what this life is actually all about . She believed in living in a moment. At many places Aisha's words pinched me to the core to think over it. She was of my age! While reading I realized how painful her days would have been and yet she was optimistic towards life despite all the pain. Her wisdom was way beyond her age. I am so much proud of her I wish for Aisha, the beautiful angel may rest in peace. I will read her again and again and again.
"The cure for any sadness is connection with the people we love. Once you've lost all connection, then you know you're losing the battle. "
-Aisha
"The cure for any sadness is connection with the people we love. Once you've lost all connection, then you know you're losing the battle. "
-Aisha
November 2, 2019
After watching "The Sky is Pink", I was very keen to read this book. I came to know about Aisha Chaudhary via a movie and her sweet family who never gave up on this feeling of keeping her alive in whatever way possible. I know, most of the people get touched by people after they die. But, I sincerely feel an equal effort should be made for the people who are alive. Death is a reality but we shouldn't forget to love those who make us learn and grow in life. Aisha, as portrayed in the book, by herself, was full of anger, jealousy and at times depressed. She had every reason to be angry with god for the illness which became her identity. I really admire her courage to open up to the world in the form of her scribblings, that would last as her another identity for those who seek courage and strength in her words.
Excerpts I loved:
* We al definitely have one thing in common, and that is death.
* Are we all fake at some level?
* Being depressed just means that I'm under repairs.
* There is no going up without going down.
* I like to paint my pain.
* If you can't change your own life, there's always someone else's.
Excerpts I loved:
* We al definitely have one thing in common, and that is death.
* Are we all fake at some level?
* Being depressed just means that I'm under repairs.
* There is no going up without going down.
* I like to paint my pain.
* If you can't change your own life, there's always someone else's.
April 3, 2015
Aisha writes about so many thoughts she was facing along with beautiful doodles and poems. One can really learn lot from these. How many of us are happy with what we have today confused ? even though we have got so much to cherish as human nature we still look upon something and be sad most of the time.
I want to thank Aisha heart for letting one know through this book that happiness can be found within us , live in at the moment, live life with no regrets ,believe in yourself , do what you can instead of being sad , find opportunities in difficulty, Never forget to dream , know that you are blessed with so many things in life and be happy about it .
I so wish Aisha was with us today :| but i believe she is has found happiness in heaven as mentioned in book and want to thank for writing this book which really could inspire millions indeed !
I want to thank Aisha heart for letting one know through this book that happiness can be found within us , live in at the moment, live life with no regrets ,believe in yourself , do what you can instead of being sad , find opportunities in difficulty, Never forget to dream , know that you are blessed with so many things in life and be happy about it .
I so wish Aisha was with us today :| but i believe she is has found happiness in heaven as mentioned in book and want to thank for writing this book which really could inspire millions indeed !
February 7, 2016
It's a very small volume but with great meaningful advices for life. Coming from a teenager, it felt how come did I miss all these obvious yet important "gyan" in my life!
As I have told to a lot of friends, this is one book where you can actually converse with the writer. Counter question and find your own answers. In the end, be grateful for this life you got and make the best use of it and your talents.
Must read.
As I have told to a lot of friends, this is one book where you can actually converse with the writer. Counter question and find your own answers. In the end, be grateful for this life you got and make the best use of it and your talents.
Must read.
December 18, 2019
Watched Sky is Pink on Netflix, was really intrigued to know more about Aisha Chaudhary. Without further ado, I placed an order for her book My Little Epiphanies.
Stupefied by her heroism and her powerful doodles representing compelling thoughts.
Loved every bit of it !!
*Be scared, but do it anyway... make sure to do the things that really scare you*
Stupefied by her heroism and her powerful doodles representing compelling thoughts.
Loved every bit of it !!
*Be scared, but do it anyway... make sure to do the things that really scare you*
March 30, 2015
Things book by sweet Aisha changed my perspective towards life..Thank you Aisha..:)
July 31, 2018
Breaks your heart one page, one line, one doodle at a time.
God bless Aisha and her family.
God bless Aisha and her family.
April 14, 2020
Couldn't relate to her epiphanies at all...
The book is only good considering it's written by a dying teenager
The book is only good considering it's written by a dying teenager
October 13, 2020
Your sky is where the magic is.
While troubles are part of everybody’s life, some of us choose to create beauty through them, Aisha Chaudhary was one of those people.
Reading through her poetry and thoughts I was reminded of another bold girl who spoke her heart, Anne Frank. I was introduced to Anne Frank when I was in school and was in awe of the strong voice a thirteen year old could have. Years later I was amazed to come across the story of Aisha. I read ‘My Little Epiphanies’ only after I watched “The Sky is Pink”, a beautiful movie based loosely on Aisha’s battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
I loved the movie, but I was more interested in knowing the real girl behind this story, the girl who chose to smile over and over again, even though her breath was failing her.
Reading Aisha’s book is like a walk through her soul, young but full of wisdom. She may have been losing the battle with life, but she filled every bit of it with creativity.
The book begins with a beautiful dedication in the form of a letter. Aisha also writes a note saying that this book isn’t written like any ordinary book because her life isn’t very ordinary either. True to that, it contains scattered thoughts, short and long poems, pages of such intricate doodles that resemble stream of consciousness in art form. The words would be incomplete without the addition of these art pieces. Quite a few of her musings are not unfamiliar, but the context in which they are written give an altogether different perspective.
It is written from the heart of a young girl who still wants to do so much in life and is struggling with the fact that her illness is taking over. Faced with fear, pain and questions about death turn Aisha to a new direction- to create with flourish. The simple and most powerful message she spread during her lifetime was to be happy, to choose happiness everyday. She proved it by living life to the fullest because, having lost something so big had taught her to appreciate the littlest things.
"Are we living to die? Or are we dying to live? I want to do the latter."
All through the short book, you will find profound messages written in the most simplistic and honest way. Read them again, and you will discover something new. Isn’t that how life is too? As you savour every moment with gratitude, you learn something that makes you a little kinder, a little wiser, a little more into the person you are meant to be. Like Aisha wrote, you know you are one step closer to fulfilling your dreams when you are remembered in a good way somewhere.
The book is a sweet and realistic depiction of what the essence of life is through the eyes of a girl who understood its value. I think everyone of us need a reminder once in a while that it’s okay if somedays we manage to just survive. But all the other days? We should be reaching for the sky and painting it the way we want, because the sky is pink, blue, even green. The sky can be all the shades you choose it to be.
"My heart is lit with a thousand fairy lights. I will never let them fuse."
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https://theliteraryaffairblog.wordpre...
While troubles are part of everybody’s life, some of us choose to create beauty through them, Aisha Chaudhary was one of those people.
Reading through her poetry and thoughts I was reminded of another bold girl who spoke her heart, Anne Frank. I was introduced to Anne Frank when I was in school and was in awe of the strong voice a thirteen year old could have. Years later I was amazed to come across the story of Aisha. I read ‘My Little Epiphanies’ only after I watched “The Sky is Pink”, a beautiful movie based loosely on Aisha’s battle with pulmonary fibrosis.
I loved the movie, but I was more interested in knowing the real girl behind this story, the girl who chose to smile over and over again, even though her breath was failing her.
Reading Aisha’s book is like a walk through her soul, young but full of wisdom. She may have been losing the battle with life, but she filled every bit of it with creativity.
The book begins with a beautiful dedication in the form of a letter. Aisha also writes a note saying that this book isn’t written like any ordinary book because her life isn’t very ordinary either. True to that, it contains scattered thoughts, short and long poems, pages of such intricate doodles that resemble stream of consciousness in art form. The words would be incomplete without the addition of these art pieces. Quite a few of her musings are not unfamiliar, but the context in which they are written give an altogether different perspective.
It is written from the heart of a young girl who still wants to do so much in life and is struggling with the fact that her illness is taking over. Faced with fear, pain and questions about death turn Aisha to a new direction- to create with flourish. The simple and most powerful message she spread during her lifetime was to be happy, to choose happiness everyday. She proved it by living life to the fullest because, having lost something so big had taught her to appreciate the littlest things.
"Are we living to die? Or are we dying to live? I want to do the latter."
All through the short book, you will find profound messages written in the most simplistic and honest way. Read them again, and you will discover something new. Isn’t that how life is too? As you savour every moment with gratitude, you learn something that makes you a little kinder, a little wiser, a little more into the person you are meant to be. Like Aisha wrote, you know you are one step closer to fulfilling your dreams when you are remembered in a good way somewhere.
The book is a sweet and realistic depiction of what the essence of life is through the eyes of a girl who understood its value. I think everyone of us need a reminder once in a while that it’s okay if somedays we manage to just survive. But all the other days? We should be reaching for the sky and painting it the way we want, because the sky is pink, blue, even green. The sky can be all the shades you choose it to be.
"My heart is lit with a thousand fairy lights. I will never let them fuse."
Read the entire review here:
https://theliteraryaffairblog.wordpre...
September 30, 2020
How does it feel when you know you are going to die soon? What kind of thoughts can come across your mind? What can bother you most? Is it about how your koved ones will feel after you have gone? Or is it about fear and pain of losing your life? How can you deal with the change in behaviour of people who know you are going to die soon? Will you regret something or will you crave for some more breaths? How will you deal with the things you could've done but never got the chance to do? There must be a number of people who faced the same dilemma in their life, and Aisha Chaudhary was one of those. Yes, she 'was' because she is no more in this world. She was only eighteen years old when she died, and she knew that she was going to die. Naturally, it must have been hard for her to experience all this and to have all these thoughts in her mind. Aisha was born with SCID, Severe Combined Immune Deficiency. She had undergone a bone-marrow transplant when she was only six months old, and it took fourteen years to normalize the things in her body. But no one knew that everything was not normal. There was a side effect that popped out only when she started living a life of a normal person. She developed Pulmonary Fibrosis, a severe condition that causes irreversible scarring of lungs. When she knew she was going to die, her family left everything to be with her and to let her experience everything in life. They took her to wonderful vacation, she was made to experience love at the age when usually parents are cautious about such kind of teenage infatuations. She was so motivated by the people around her that she herself delivered motivational lectures at few gatherings. She started scribbling her state of mind and how she was coping with the coming tragedy. She took a hard look on her feelings. She got a sense of hope from the way she was giving words to her mind. These words, these little epiphanies took the shape of a book. But the first copy came into her hands only moments before her death.
I came to know about Aisha Chaudhary as well as her book only after watching the movie 'The Sky Is Pink'. This is an amazing movie based on the life of Aisha Chaudhary. I recommend this book to everyone, because we must know how an eighteen year old understood life much better than most of us. It is a wonderful book. We can relate to the words atleast at some point of our life. There is so much to feel. Please read this book.
I came to know about Aisha Chaudhary as well as her book only after watching the movie 'The Sky Is Pink'. This is an amazing movie based on the life of Aisha Chaudhary. I recommend this book to everyone, because we must know how an eighteen year old understood life much better than most of us. It is a wonderful book. We can relate to the words atleast at some point of our life. There is so much to feel. Please read this book.
February 14, 2023
Aisha Chaudhary (2019) MY LITTLE EPIPHANIES
New Delhi. Bloomsbury India
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
The sleeve reads, "Aisha Chaudhary was born with SCID (severe combined immune deficiency) and underwent a bone-marrow transplant when she was six months old. She lived in New Delhi, where she was born. The year 2014 was brutal for Aisha as her disease progressed, and her lungs started giving up on her. The last few months of the year felt like a roller-coaster ride, one that seemed to be mostly going down. Spending almost all her time lying in bed, Aisha wrote down her thoughts to get some relief, to get them out of her head. Aisha's life was not anything like the average life of an urban teenager, but she had experienced a lifetime of emotions; life and death, fear and anger, love and hate, the depths of utter sorrow and the happiest one can be. In My Little Epiphanies she took a hard look at her own feelings and what it was that gave her a sense of hope and control. This book gave her life purpose and meaning, something to hold on to. Sometimes, Aisha's little epiphanies had morphed into doodles that capture what was going on in her mind as her destiny played itself out. Through the book she wanted the world to understand her unusual life and she hoped that it will inspire others, going through similar hardships, to find peace."
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An all too short book by a young woman whose life was all too short. It's an enormously poignant and (as cliché as it sounds) inspiring. It takes a huge amount of character, substance to live in spite of being dealt such an unfair hand. Aisha Chaudhary was and remains a force. She once said, "Let's live and love with no regrets"... "In the end, overthinking is poison to the heart"... "In the end, it's the little things that make us big"... " What is, is, and what will be will be, and what never really was, was it?"... "Pain lingers in the mind longer than it really lasts"... "Nobody realises you are dying till you are actually dead"... "Then is not now, but now will soon be then"... FYI, Aisha has a docufilm. It's called "Black Sunshine, Baby" - it's well worth watching.
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#AishaChaudhary #MyLittleEpiphanies #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads
New Delhi. Bloomsbury India
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5 out of 5 stars
The sleeve reads, "Aisha Chaudhary was born with SCID (severe combined immune deficiency) and underwent a bone-marrow transplant when she was six months old. She lived in New Delhi, where she was born. The year 2014 was brutal for Aisha as her disease progressed, and her lungs started giving up on her. The last few months of the year felt like a roller-coaster ride, one that seemed to be mostly going down. Spending almost all her time lying in bed, Aisha wrote down her thoughts to get some relief, to get them out of her head. Aisha's life was not anything like the average life of an urban teenager, but she had experienced a lifetime of emotions; life and death, fear and anger, love and hate, the depths of utter sorrow and the happiest one can be. In My Little Epiphanies she took a hard look at her own feelings and what it was that gave her a sense of hope and control. This book gave her life purpose and meaning, something to hold on to. Sometimes, Aisha's little epiphanies had morphed into doodles that capture what was going on in her mind as her destiny played itself out. Through the book she wanted the world to understand her unusual life and she hoped that it will inspire others, going through similar hardships, to find peace."
=====
An all too short book by a young woman whose life was all too short. It's an enormously poignant and (as cliché as it sounds) inspiring. It takes a huge amount of character, substance to live in spite of being dealt such an unfair hand. Aisha Chaudhary was and remains a force. She once said, "Let's live and love with no regrets"... "In the end, overthinking is poison to the heart"... "In the end, it's the little things that make us big"... " What is, is, and what will be will be, and what never really was, was it?"... "Pain lingers in the mind longer than it really lasts"... "Nobody realises you are dying till you are actually dead"... "Then is not now, but now will soon be then"... FYI, Aisha has a docufilm. It's called "Black Sunshine, Baby" - it's well worth watching.
=====
#AishaChaudhary #MyLittleEpiphanies #Books #Read #Reads #Reading #Review #Reviews #BookReview #BookReviews #GoodReads
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