WOW Book Review – But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami

I am honoured to be part of the WOW! Women of Writing Blog Tour for Chitra Ramaswami’s memoir But First, Rumi which I read and am now reviewing.

(Please note: I received a free copy in exchange for my honest review.)

My Review

Having had cats as pets for most of my life and the last for twenty-one years (still miss her), I found myself drawn to read this memoir – for its diversity and for Rumi. It did not disappoint. I know the wonderful benefits of owning a cat and it was so interesting to see the relationship build between the bedraggled, starving stray and Ramaswami. 

The first couple of chapters were slow, but once the cat she rescued became a part of Ramaswami’s life, I was quickly drawn in.

We learn early about her mysterious illness that can’t seem to be identified, and though her fears about it stay with her, it is her finding, helping and adopting the stray cat which dominates the book. It was interesting to see glimpses of life in Oman and even the varying reactions to the cat of her family = from fear to even dislike.

Ramaswami had no idea how to care for a cat, yet she persevered in learning how to train it and care for it.

Each chapter begins with a quote from the poet Rumi.  Throughout her book, Ramaswami offers insights about cats, relationships, about life.

At the end of the book there is a very informative section on “Why should the stray cats in Oman Matter”, as well as ways to move forward to help this situation.

I found this memoir informative, enjoyable and full of insights. It was a short read, and one I would highly recommend.

 

 

Book Summary

When Chitra discovered a stray cat in need of help, she never thought they’d wind up saving each other. Struggling to come to terms with an unexpected diagnosis, Chitra returned home to Oman seeking a sense of familiarity. What she discovered instead was a very special cat who changed her life. But First, Rumi is the story of how, day by day, Rumi and Chitra got to know one another, and as she learned to love the little stray, she began to see greater life lessons about herself, her family, her home country and her place in the world. 

What unfolds when girl and cat meet? What happens when you follow your heart? What if the world is not as it seems? Is it worth taking a chance? 

Print Length: 158 Pages

Genre: Memoir

But First, Rumi is available to purchase now on Amazon.com.

 

 

About the Author, Chitra Ramaswami

Chitra Ramaswami was born and raised in the Middle East by Indian parents, and her childhood was spent reading every book she could lay her hands on or writing stories and lines of poetry. As a result of traveling the world extensively and being a natural linguist, she is an amalgamation of many cultures and tastes and is constantly looking for the next experience she can immerse herself in. When she isn’t writing, Chitra rides horses, climbs mountains and is a passionate advocate for the Omani Mau/ street cat. She currently lives in New York with her husband and a very spoiled cat and hamster duo. 

 

Find her online at:      Author’s website: https://cramaswami.com/ 

 

 

Be sure to visit all the stops on the tour – for interviews, special blog posts, giveaways and more reviews.

– Blog Tour Dates

 

March 15th @ WOW! Women on Writing 

Join us at the WOW blog, The Muffin, to celebrate the launch of Chitra Ramaswami’s book But First, Rumi. You can read an interview with the author, find out more information about this touching memoir, and win a copy for yourself! 

https://muffin.wow-womenonwriting.com 

 

March 16th @ Hook of a Book 

Join Erin as she shares a guest post by the author about Omani street cats.

http://www.hookofabook.wordpress.com 

 

March 20th @ Boots Shoes and Fashion 

Visit Linda’s blog to read her interview with author, Chitra Ramaswami about her book But First, Rumi. 

http://bootsshoesandfashion.com 

 

March 20th @ Pages and Paws

Visit Kristine’s blog today to read her review of But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami.

https://pagesandpaws.com

 

March 21st @ Shoe’s Seeds & Stories 

Visit Linda’s blog today to read her review and spotlight for But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami. 

https://lschuelerca.wordpress.com 

 

March 25th @ Keeping it Real 

Join Lisa as she shares a guest post by the author about how to get past writer’s block. 

https://www.lisambuske.com/ 

 

March 26th @ Author Anthony Avina 

Visit Anthony’s blog as he shares a guest post about cats and mental health and reviews But First, Rumi by Chita Ramaswami. 

http://www.authoranthonyavinablog.com 

 

March 28th @ The Faerie Review 

Visit Lily’s blog where she interviews author Chitra Ramaswami. 

https://www.thefaeriereview.com/ 

 

March 29th @ Beverley A. Baird’s Blog 

Join Bev as she shares her thoughts about But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami. 

https://beverleyabaird.wordpress.com/ 

 

March 30th @ Lisa’s Reading 

Visit Lisa’s blog where she reviews But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami. 

http://lisasreading.com/ 

 

April 1st @ Knotty Needle 

Visit Judy’s blog and read her review of this touching memoir for pet lovers, But First, Rumi. You can also win a copy of the book too! 

http://knottyneedle.blogspot.com/ 

 

April 5th @ Reviews and Interviews

Join Lisa as she interviews author Chitra Ramaswami about her book But First, Rumi.

https://lisahaselton.com/blog/

 

April 5th @ Note to the World

Come by Mahnoor’s blog today and read the review of But First, Rumi by Chitra Ramaswami.

https://www.notetotheworld.com/

 

April 7th @ It’s Alanna Jean 

Join Alanna as she shares a guest post by Chitra Ramaswami about the misconceptions about cats. https://itsalannajean.webnode.com/

 

April 13th @ Deborah-Zenha Adams 

Join Deborah as she shares a guest post about writing process by the author of But First, Rumi. http://www.deborah-adams.com 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

 

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme, “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?” at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.

Spring is here and the rain has settled in. Lots of plants are budding now. But this week, the temperature will be a bit of a roller coaster – up and then down and then up again. Just praying there is no more snow!

 

What I Read Last Week

I read 6 books plus 9 picture books (for my pb study this month). I read 3 contemporary romances and 3 historical romances.

 

Beauty Tempts the Beast by Lorraine Heath. Another book (#6) by Heath, in her “Sins For All Seasons” series, which I so enjoyed reading, as with the whole series.

 

3 books by Sophie Jordan:

2 historical romances

   

The Duke Buys a Bride            This Scot of Mine  I’m enjoying this whole series.

 

And a contemporary romance, which I did enjoy as well.

Beautiful Lawman

 

Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams. Loved this third in the series as much as the other two.

 

The Dating Charade by Melissa Ferguson. Would you hide 3 children you are fostering from a potential mate? A fun read.     

 

Because I’ve been reading so many picture books throughout March, I won’t list them all. But here are my top 3 reads this past week:

I Am Every Good Thing by Derrick Barnes and Gordon C. James

The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander, illus. by Kadir Nelson

My Footprints by Bao Phi, illus. by Basia Tran

 

What I’m Reading Now 

 Beyond Scandal and Desire by Lorraine Heath

 What You Wish For by Katherine Center

 

What’s Up Next

 If I Knew Then by Jann Arden (Have just started a shared reading of this, so will finally get to it!)

 

 

Connect 5 Friday – Rogues

 

It’s time once again for Connect Five Friday,  hosted at Book Date by Kathryn – the meme where we share five book/reading things that connect in some way.

 

Lately I have been reading more historical romance, and quite a few feature rogues.

Here are 5 historical romances I’ve read and enjoyed, with Rogue in the title ( with blurbs from Goodreads):

 

A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean

A decade ago, the Marquess of Bourne was cast from society with nothing but his title. Now a partner in London’s most exclusive gaming hell, the cold, ruthless Bourne will do whatever it takes to regain his inheritance—including marrying perfect, proper Lady Penelope Marbury.

 

The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean

When she finds herself the target of very public aristocratic scorn, Sophie Talbot does what she must to escape the city and its judgment—she flees on the back of a carriage, vowing never to return to London…or to society. But the carriage isn’t saving her from ruin. It’s filled with it.

 

Once More, My Darling Rogue by Lorraine Heath

Born to the street but raised within the aristocracy, Drake Darling can’t escape his sordid beginnings. Not when Lady Ophelia Lyttleton snubs him at every turn, a constant reminder he’s not truly one of them. But after rescuing her from a mysterious drowning he realizes she doesn’t remember who she is. With plans to bring her to heel, he insists she’s his housekeeper—never expecting to fall for the charming beauty.

 

Any Rogue Will Do by Bethany Bennett

For exactly one season, Lady Charlotte Wentworth played the biddable female the ton expected―and all it got her was society’s mockery and derision. Now she’s determined to be in charge of her own future. So when an unwanted suitor tries to manipulate her into an engagement, she has a plan. He can’t claim to be her fiancé if she’s engaged to someone else. Even if it means asking for help from the last man she would ever marry.

 

A Rogue of Her Own by Grace Burrows

For Miss Charlotte Windham, the best way to maintain her spinsterhood-and her independence-is a teeny, tiny brush with scandal. She chooses wealthy, handsome upstart Lucas Sherbourne as her unwitting accomplice. He’s intelligent, logical, and ambitious. What Charlotte doesn’t count on is that one kiss will lead them straight to the altar.

30 Words Thursday – Spring

TIME FOR Thirty Words Thursday, a weekly challenge that was inspired by Erin Prais-Hintz who originated this photo/word challenge. (although her blog is no longer active, she is on facebook. Check out her wonderful art.)

Spring has been showing her face – with warmer weather and more sunshine. Birds are coming back and snow is all but gone. Hard to believe it is only March.

I just finished reading The Art of Noticing by Rob Walker. It was filled with ways to notice what is around you. Too often we get caught up in our thoughts and worries, and forget to really observe.  This inspired this week’s poem:

Noticing Spring

Spring is here

Noticing, watching, seeing

Signs all around.

First flower

Robins, doves

Warmer air

Squirrels, chipmunks

Worms, bugs

Rain, thunderstorms

Signs to notice

Eyes wide open

Ready for spring.

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme, “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?” at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.

Spring is here and the weather continues to be warm. I’ve seen my first robin and people are already in shorts! 

What I Read Last Week

I read 5 books plus 7 picture books (for my pb study this month). I read 2 contemporary romances, a women’s fiction and 2 historical romances.

 

A Match Made in Ireland by Michele Brouder. So enjoyed this romance – by a new author to me and a free ebook as well. Have already purchased a second by her. I’ve been buying more ebooks when a free book really impresses me.

 

Wrong Text, Right Love by Claudia Burgoa. Another new author and free ebook I enjoyed – and then bought the next in the series. Picked this one for the title – an oxymoron in the title needed for a reading challenge.

 

Family for Beginners by Sarah Morgan. Morgan is one of my favourite authors and this was so good.

Two historical romances that were part of series and both great reading.

 

     

A Duke by Any Other Name by Grace Burrowes

The Earl Takes a Fancy by Lorraine Heath

 

 

Because I will be reading so many picture books throughout March, I won’t list them all. But here are my top 3 reads this past week:

Earth Hour by Nanette Hefferman, illus. by Bao Luu

Our House is on Fire by Jeanette Winter

Magic Ramen by Andrea Wang, illus. by Kana Urbanowicz

 

What I’m Reading Now 

Beauty Tempts the Beast by Lorraine Heath

What You Wish For by Katherine Center

 

What’s Up Next

 If I Knew Then by Jann Arden

 

 

Connect Five Friday – New-To-Me Authors

It’s time once again for Connect Five Friday,  hosted at Book Date by Kathryn – the meme where we share five book/reading things that connect in some way.

 

I have read some wonderful novels already these past few weeks, some by favourite authors (Sarah Morgan, Paula Brackston) as well as some authors new to me.

Here are 5 new-to-me authors, with books I really enjoyed (the blurb is from Goodreads):

 

A Match Made in Ireland by Michele Brouder (read this lovely contemporary romance on St. Patrick’s Day)

“Ruth Davenport writes about romance and happily ever after. But not from experience. After a heartbreaking rejection, she decides a change of scenery is needed. On a whim, she thinks Ireland is the place to go to write her next book. But when she arrives, everything that can go wrong, does. In the middle of the night, she lands on the doorstep of an Irish pub in the middle of nowhere belonging to an enigmatic Irishman.”

 

 

Wrong Text, Right Love by Claudia Burgoa 

“Bestselling Author Claudia Burgoa presents an engaging love story full of mistaken identity, drunk texts, and hysterical mishaps“

 

 

When We Were Sisters by Emilie Richards

“As children in foster care, Cecilia and Robin vowed they would be the sisters each had never had. Now superstar singer-songwriter Cecilia lives life on the edge, but when Robin is nearly killed in an accident, Cecilia drops everything to be with her.”

 

 

Any Rogue Will Do by Bethany Bennett. A most enjoyable historical romance.

“For exactly one season, Lady Charlotte Wentworth played the biddable female the ton expected―and all it got her was society’s mockery and derision. Now she’s determined to be in charge of her own future. So when an unwanted suitor tries to manipulate her into an engagement, she has a plan. He can’t claim to be her fiancé if she’s engaged to someone else. Even if it means asking for help from the last man she would ever marry.”

 

 

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi. I finally read this at the end of last month and looking forward to reading the whole of this intriguing fantasy series.

 

30 Words Thursday

 

TIME FOR Thirty Words Thursday, a new weekly challenge that was inspired by Erin Prais-Hintz who originated this photo/word challenge. (although her blog is no longer active, she is on facebook. Check out her wonderful art.)

 

Today would have been my Dad’s 98^th birthday. He died 49 years ago. Hard to believe so much time has gone by. Here is a poem for him:

 

MARCH 18^th

 

Happy birthday Dad!

49 years gone.

A lifetime ago.

Tall, dark, handsome.

Born in Scotland.

WWII Vet, sailor

Math whiz, banker

Forever in our hearts.

Missed

Loved

Remembered.

Happy birthday!

Top Ten Tuesday – My Spring TBR

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly linkup of book bloggers hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.

This week, the topic is “Books on My Spring 2021 TBR”

At the start of each season, I enjoy creating a must-read list of books for the coming season, as well as a vision board of what I hope to accomplish.

Even though I make the lists with good intentions to read them all, I seldom do. From last year’s Winter TBR list, I read 4 out of 10. I take part in several reading challenges (eg.PopSugar and 52 Books, 52 Weeks challenges, are my favs) and usually end up reading other books to meet these challenges. But, there are several books I am looking forward to reading this season, some from the previous list and some I have been waiting to get hold of.

Here is my list:

Books on My Spring 2021 TBR

Books I Own and still haven’t Read:

The Deadly Hours -anthology.  including Susanna Kearsley

What You Wish For by Katherine Center

A Better Man by Louise Penny

Becoming by Michelle Obama

And – Library Books I have on hold and have been waiting (impatiently) for:

Archangel’s Sun by Nalini Singh

Children of Virtue and Vengeance by Tomi Adeyemi

A Court of Silver Flames by Sarah J. Maas

Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs

Tools of Engagement by Tessa Bailey

Crazy Stupid Bromance by Lyssa Kay Adams

It’s Monday! What are You Reading?

It’s time once again for Kathryn’s weekly meme, “It’s Monday! What are You Reading?” at Book Date, where we share what we’re reading and have read over the past week.

The weather has been lovely – warmer, sun shining. Feels like spring = even some of our plants have started to poke their heads up. 

What I Read Last Week

I read 4 books plus 8 picture books (for my pb study this month). I read 1 contemporary romance, 2 women’s fiction and an historical romance.

When We Were Sisters by Emilie Richards. So enjoyed this novel about foster sisters who decide to take part in a documentary about foster care – and then have to face their past.

 

 

The Garden of Promises and Lies by Paula Brackston. This is the third book in her series and I was once again caught up in this time travel novel. Fascinating read – and there will be another one!

 

Love Her or Lose Her by Tessa Bailey. Another enjoyable romance from Bailey.

 

Any Rogue Will Do by Bethany Bennett. Enjoyed this historical romance from a new author to me.

 

Because I will be reading so many picture books throughout March, I won’t list them all. But here are my top 3 reads this past week:

The Wonky Donkey by Craig Smith, illus. Katz Cowley Such a hilarious book – this cumulative take is a real tongue twister!

My Hair is Magic by M. L. Marroquin, illus. Tonya Engel

How to Give your Cat a Bath: In Five Easy Steps by Nicole Winstanley, illus. John Martz

 

What I’m Reading Now

What You Wish For by Katherine Center

 The Pull of the Stars by Emma Donoghue

 

What’s Up Next

 If I Knew Then by Jann Arden

 

(Can’t believe it – had a rant last week about changes to wordpress and now it’s back to the way it was before. Yeah!)

30 Words Thursday

TIME FOR Thirty Words Thursday, a new weekly challenge that was inspired by Erin Prais-Hintz who originated this photo/word challenge. (although her blog is no longer active, she is on facebook. Check out her wonderful art.)

The weather the past few days has been amazing – felt like 18C today! Even saw people in shorts. So, thought I’d compare to 5 years past. What an icy difference.

5 Years Ago VS Today

5 years ago this month

Ice coated our trees

Coated the streets

An ice storm to watch from inside

March this year

Warm Temperatures

Melting snow

Spring is here early.