Santa’s Reading List

Purvi's Purple Petals

You were so desperate to read to your heart’s fill that you even participated in the Book-Bucket-List-Contest, better known as the Book-Bucket-Challenge* at Facebook that went viral or the sophisticated ‘The Brunch book challenge: read 24 books in 2014**’. You quoted your favourites over the years and were itching to show off your latest picks too. But you still missed out on a few, didn’t you? I have listed here the names & lists of the best of the best ones, as much for you as for myself, a summarization of those books whose names did rounds from mouth to mouth, from status to status and from mags to newspapers. Have your pick from this gist of this gift ~ Santa’s suggested reading-list for the best-seller cum most popular books of 2014 that you should have read but couldn’t! 😛 Never mind, its holiday time, use your debit card, go shopping…

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Mirrored Voices: Best New Poets Anthology

Best Poets Published in *Mirrored Voices*      Today, Mirrored Voices : Best New Poets Anthology has been released in print version with all additional versions to soon follow.  I have been honored with the grace of working with such brilliant and talented authors such as Aric Cushing, Jason Hein, R.M Romarney, Jill M. Roberts, Mark Green, David Russell, Regis McCafferty, Carolyn O’Connell, Ben Ditmars, Roberto Carlos Martinez, Irum Zahra, Frederick Espiritu, Charlotte Cuevas, Louise Lake, Kristy Rulebreaker, Janice T, Nichia Morales, Koyel Mitra, Tim Ellis and Leesa Abbott.  I thank these individuals immensely for taking part in this new poetry anthology and look forward to having our readers getting introduced to such high caliber artistic minds.  These poets have been selected for their outstanding writing talents, achievements and grasp on the concept of expressive poetry.  The various writing styles, topics and talent pool truly makes it impossible to pick a personal favorite.  What I enjoyed specifically about this project was seeing what these authors had to offer up as their own creative voice.  Seeing the body of work come together in harmony has thrilled me immensely.  It was as though this collection was meant to be together and fill the same pages.  Every time I re-read a poetry passage I pick up on new things I have either missed, feel a different emotion more intensely about, or see things a new way.  This book is packed with over a hundred poems of scholarly and impressive established and upcoming authors from all walks of life, some of which have been already noticed and won various awards.  I hope you enjoy this selected collection of poetry as much as I have. “Letters are meaningless unless put together correctly.  Words are worthless unless backed by truth.  Sentences are handed out and judged accordingly, but only genuinely honest men or women can create writings that change the world forever.” –Paul Morabito  -This text is taken by Paul’s website. To know more, See: http://www.paul-morabito.com/blog-page

Launch Of Psychaotic In Islamabad College for girls, Islamabad,Pakistan

Beyond Sanity Publishing

Launch and Book Signing of Psychaotic

If I could rewind time and go back to the whole event, and relive every second of it, I would, In a heartbeat.

I was awestruck by everything there was and everything there is. Event took place in ICG F-6/2 Islamabad, Pakistan on 28th Feb,2015.

Event started on 10:30 Sharp with a welcome note by my English Teacher, Mrs. Sadia Malik and the continued to Ms. Sumbal for author introduction.

After that, I was invited to give a speech. It turned out to be funny and a bit emotional at the end. I had nothing written down and I just started speaking words that came into my head.

I read three of my most Favorite poems, *The Cross Roads*, *Crave* and *Dear Ariel*.

I was asked a series of very interesting questions regarding my book and my career.

I will post the whole…

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– Moirae by Mehreen Ahmed-

5 out of 5 Stars. I’m a huge fan of details in any novels. They make or break the characters. Mehreen has described every character, every weather, every motion of the image in such a beautiful way that I had the picture of the whole book in my head like a movie. It was dark and real, just the way I like my books. There was no false hope, no fake promises. Just truth and reality. That is why I loved reading the book. I cannot imagine how she poured out all these words and I kept wanting more and more. Pages turned, It was an emotional ride indeed. Well done, Mehreen. I can’t wait to read your next novel. You’re amazing. Happy Reading!

Review of Psychaotic by Maria Mansoor

 Maria Mansoor rated it 5 of 5 stars

Psychaotic: See The World In Red and Black is a beautifully written volume of poetry. Heart-wrenching and evocative, it made me think deeply about how the author must have felt when she penned those words. My personal favorites are her poems Perceptions and Vendetta. Her language is simple and her emotions are certainly relatable. Her work reminds me of Sylvia Plath’s poetry.

Review Of Psychaotic By Alexandra Engellmann

Alexandra Engellmann rated it 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book from the author for reviewing.

“I wonder
If those talks matter
Few done in the clarity of day
Or the many
Done at 3 a.m. in the morning”

It’s not often that I find someone who can express in words exactly what I’ve felt at some points of my life. “Psychaotic” isn’t just a collection of poems – it’s a collection of feelings, thoughts, emotions, illusions, and realities. It’s complex and at the same time clear, and I believe, anyone could see their reflection between the lines of these poems. It didn’t matter to me that they were dark; I like realism, and I like reading about raw feelings and see vulnerability mix with strength. If you like poetry, if you have ever been depressed and felt something so deep and dark you had trouble defining it – I think you’ll find this book thought-provoking and refreshing. Recommended to all poetry readers.

Review of Psychaotic by Vetle Sivertsen

Vetle Sivertsen rated it 4 of 5 stars

Psychaotic is a collection of beautiful poems, which, although many of them are dark, they make you feel optimistic after you’ve read them (possibly with the exception of “Adept of A murder” – which was more scary than dark). Reason for that, I think, is that the poems manage to put words on feelings which all of us have felt at least one time. It puts shows us the feelings we have about facing the world with words. There’s obviously a lot of giving from the author’s side and I don’t think these poems could have been written without some personal sacrifice – something that I as a reader appreciates. Even if you don’t like dark poetry, my three favorite poems in the collection; “Peace to my storm”, “A violin’s love”, and “Turn back time”, will surely make you glad you took the time to read this book

Review of Psychaotic by James Hannibal

James Hannibal rated it 5 of 5 stars

Psychaotic is a collection of predominantly dark poetry from a gifted writer. Irum Zahra creates exquisite imagery with an economy of words. With her melancholy tone — at times almost suicidal and at others overtly homicidal, usually in stream of consciousness style — her work is reminiscent of Edward Young of the eighteenth century Gothic poets. If Zahra’s work does not tug at the empathetic strings of your heart, you may have no heart at all. Five stars.

Launch Of Psychaotic In Islamabad College for girls, Islamabad,Pakistan

Launch and Book Signing of Psychaotic

If I could rewind time and go back to the whole event, and relive every second of it, I would, In a heartbeat.

I was awestruck by everything there was and everything there is. Event took place in ICG F-6/2 Islamabad, Pakistan on 28th Feb,2015.

Event started on 10:30 Sharp with a welcome note by my English Teacher, Mrs. Sadia Malik and the continued to Ms. Sumbal for author introduction.

After that, I was invited to give a speech. It turned out to be funny and a bit emotional at the end. I had nothing written down and I just started speaking words that came into my head.

I read three of my most Favorite poems, *The Cross Roads*, *Crave* and *Dear Ariel*.

I was asked a series of very interesting questions regarding my book and my career.

I will post the whole report here soon. The college magazine will feature my interview and a complete event coverage by Ms. Laraib Hassan.

Book signing started after that and I was so overwhelmed with love and smiles from all directions.

I wish I could put all those inspired and happy faces in words. I am truly blessed.

Here are a few pictures from the event.

To place order for you signed copy, kindly email me at: irumxahra.iz@gmail.com

Review Of Psychaotic By EM

EM rated it 5 of 5 stars

Psychaotic: See The World In Red and Black is an up-front, deep and stark exploration into the complexities of emotion, and the issues that surround us. It’s an uplifting, charming and compulsive collection that tackles important subjects with naked and unfaltering strength.

Navigating easily the darkness, Zahra’s innocent yet powerful collection presents courage and honesty alongside such topics as heartbreak and depression – and in so doing, reveals a mighty and unforgiving foundation that is both simple to identify and easy to engage with.

Not afraid to reveal herself on the page, the poet offers her own insecurities and experiences with refreshing objective candour, and conveys an inspiring and unforgiving strength that is the basis of the entire collection.

Easy to read, Irum Zahra puts together a creative collection of poetry that is brave and brutal, blunt and beautiful, unexpected and unwavering. Covering a variety of topics and issues with a measured vulnerability, each poem is presented with inspiration, honesty and heart.

Constructed in a logical and musical in format, Zahra plays easily with her media such that it’s a pleasure to witness her exploration of language and style. Largely free-style in format, the poet has a passion for words and an enjoyable fascination for poetic rhythm.

A thoughtful, well designed collection. I look forward to reading more from this writer.

NB: I received a free digital copy of this book for review.