‘Do What You Love’ by MJ Mallon is a quick read of 58 pages. It’s a sweet reminder to live life, look back to see how far you’ve come, appreciate all that’s got you this far and look forward to the future.

I could read the book in an hour and a half’s time. I’m sure it’ll take others lesser time, but that’s its USP. You feel good at the end of it that you’ve completed a book, which will most certainly make you look back and forward at your own life. Who knows, it might even turn you into a writer and make you come out with a book of your own similar to MJ Mallon’s book. It definitely made me want to.

‘Do what you love’ is autobiographical in nature, so you get to see (the author has posted a few pictures, too) and read about the author’s life, interests and love for family and nature in the form of short poems, flash fiction and conversations that she has with the three sisters of fate.

The author begins the book with an explanation of ‘The Fates’. As per Greek mythology, the three sisters of fate were personified as three old women who spin the thread of human destiny- Clotho (Spinner), Lachesis (Allotter), and Atropos (Inflexible). The author says, ‘The usual interpretation of the fates is harsh with the eldest Altropos choosing the manner of death by cutting the threads of an individual’s life with her dreaded shears’, ‘Clotho spinning the threads of life on her spindle’, and Lachesis, the allotter, measuring the length of life. However, the author has used artistic license and made them ‘friendly, jovial creatures’ who have a conversation with her. I found this manner of narration novel and refreshing.

The author reminisces about the past and looks at the present, and talks about where she’d like to be in the future. The conversations about parents, children, friends, love, and life left me thinking about mine.

To give you a taste of how the author has weaved the fates and the narrative in the book, here’s an excerpt which is preceded by a picture of a hibiscus flower and a tanka (a Japanese form of poetry that follows the 5-7-5-7-7 syllabic count)

With a snip of her shears, Atropos handed me the pick of the bunch, the largest eye-catching flame red hibiscus flower. She smiled and gestured for me to come closer.

“Child, your life’s journey has begun,” she said.

I’ll give you another excerpt from the book, but this will be the last, and hopefully, it tempts you to read the book.

will I or won’t I?
my reflection says do it
I dive in and go
playful day on the river
looking for new duck friends

Atropos turned to me, “Ah, that line: looking for new duck friends! Love it.”

We sat together in my parent’s front garden in blissful contemplation.

For whom is the book?

The book is for everyone- readers and non-readers because it’s such a quick read.
It’s for those who want to pen down their lives (each one of us has a story worth telling) but do not know where to start. This book will show you how it’s done simply and tenderly without the fluff. It’s a book that will make you introspect on your own life and take stock, much like the author has done, going back and forth between the past and the present.

What the author says about the book?

Do What You Love is a personal poetry collection celebrating how the fates may have a part in all that we do.

With special poems and short reflective moments inspired by family, flowers and nature, love, scrumptious morsels, places I’ve visited, lived and intend to live in, the friendships and hopes I have for the future.

The overarching theme is to live a life well lived… And to do what you love.

float along with me
create clouds of sweetest joy
to do what you love
hold fate’s hand as we venture
near and far on life’s journey

‘Do what you love’ by MJ Mallon is available on Amazon in Kindle version at INR 189.00 to buy or free for KUL subscribers. Read the reviews and click here to buy the book. This book is worth the buy. I look forward to reading other books by this author.

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My debut novel, ‘Coming Home’ is now available on Amazon. If you like to read a story about loss, relationships, love and destiny set in India, then this book is for you.

For the Kindle and paperback edition of the book, please click here. The book is available in most countries.

You can get your copy of the paperback edition in India by clicking here.

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