Featured Interview With Sonam Chamaria
Tell us a little about yourself. Where were you raised? Where do you live now?
I’m Sonam – a young girl with big dreams.
I’m an investment banker by profession, a Tarot card reader, Chakra healer, doodle artist (@SoulArtwithsonam), blogger (www.soulspeakwithsonam.com), traveler and avid reader, by choice.
I am spiritual by nature and practice Nichiren Buddhism. I started Tarot reading when I was only 13 years old and owe a lot of my spiritual inclination to it. I am very fond of exploring new places, learning new languages, and bookstagramming.
I was born and brought up in Kolkata (India), did my graduation from Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) Delhi, followed by Masters from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick, UK.
I am currently based out of Bangalore, India, where I stay alone 🙂
At what age did you realize your fascination with books? When did you start writing?
I have been obsessed with books for as long as I can remember. From Enid Blyton to Alfred Hitchcock, to Jane Austen to Carolyn Keene – I would read whatever I could lay my hands on. My favourite childhood memory involves going to the annual Book Fair in our city and coming home loaded with books!
I have been penning down my thoughts all my life. A poem here, a piece there. But if I were to put a date, I properly started writing in February 2016 when I started my blog – www.soulspeakwithsonam.com
I started my blog with the intention of authoring my own book and 4 years down the line, here I am.
Who are your favorite authors to read? What is your favorite genre to read. Who Inspires you in your writings?
My favourite authors include Daphne du Maurier, Margaret Atwood, Jodi Picoult.
While I mostly write non-fiction pieces, I love reading contemporary fiction and have a soft spot for African-American literature. I am also fascinated by books based on WWII.
My favourite books include Roots by Alex Haley, Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro, Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden, The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand, and The Palace of Illusions by Chitra Banerjee Devakaruni.
An author whose writing style I love is Jhumpa Lahiri – there is something about the way she expressed emotions that makes my insides squirm. I admire the ease with which the writing flows in books by Liane Moriarty and Celeste Ng.
Tell us a little about your latest book?
‘From Stressed to Sorted’ is a self-help book, but with a twist. It has especially been written for people who wish to simplify their lives but simply have no time.
The book is a collection of 11 happiness hacks designed to help you destress in less than 5 minutes and equip you to deal with everyday stressful situations. Each chapter is divided into three – a fiction bit to help you relate to the situation, a non-fiction bit, and practical exercises to try. As a bonus, each chapter comes with a handmade doodle. There’s something in it for all ages. The simple language, non-preachy writing style, and practical steps are sure to appeal to non-readers as well.
This book is dedicated to my mom, who I lost in June of 2019, and is a testament of how I bounced back after the loss to share my learnings with the world. I took around 2 months to rewrite the entire book with a fresh perspective after the loss. My sole purpose is to help my readers find happiness.
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