I remember reading a quote by John Ortberg which said, ‘I have always heard that you need to give yourself a long time to unplug when you do a sabbatical. I unplugged so fast I was a little concerned that I was losing brain capacity.’
I couldn’t help being reminded of his words when I started reading I Quit! Now What? by Zarreen Khan:
As the title explains, Nimisha is exhausted. Of endless weekdays, working weekends, making presentations, working with complicated Excel sheets, handling a boss with time-management issues and the general politics of the workplace. Sigh! After eight years of this life, her only personal insight is that she’s terribly unambitious and constantly struggling to be an average performer in the competitive corporate world.
When a colleague flashes the glint of a golden sabbatical, she catapults into it headfirst. After all, one has to find one’s calling at some point in one’s life.
So, will the sabbatical miraculously change her life forever? Or will she go rushing back to her pocket-money-generating job?
Khan, having chosen a single, twenty-something female professional as the protagonist, speaks for all the unmarried women today who are looking to take a break after a seven-to-ten year career track.
The fact that Nimisha is inspired by a colleague who is four months pregnant, itself speaks volumes. I, for one, have never understood why it is considered normal for a married woman to take a break from work, but when a single woman decides to take this step, everyone – from her company’s chief (insert name of your company’s top honcho – man or woman) to the chaiwallah outside her office building – has an opinion; her own relatives included.
The first obvious question is what said single woman will survive on, without the luxury of a regular salary being credited to her account. The author tackles this in an understated way. She lands a sharp punch on the nose of all those who think a single woman sitting at home is only living off her parents money. (Hello Uninitiated! Are you familiar with the term ‘Savings’? No? Look it up!)
In addition to her overt subtlety, Khan also has a definite flair for humour. This is evident from the opening scene and is carried throughout the book – Only one of the many reasons I ended up reading this through the night. It comes naturally to her and she infuses it at the right places, often coupled with eye-rolling sarcasm that makes you roll on the floor from laughing so much it hurts.
The story is told in two parts – The Corporate Life and The Sabbatical. And these pictures couldn’t have described it better. (Kudos to whoever came up with the idea….I love them!)
When she does eventually bite the Sabbatical bullet, and begins her quest to discover a new passion, Nimisha is supported by a loving family, two adorable nieces, a gang of 2:00am friends and, last but not the least, the quintessential best (boy) friend.
Wait, don’t start jumping in excitement just yet. There is a (boy) friend, yes, but this is not a romance novel. So, don’t pick this up if that’s all you’re looking for. You won’t find it here.
What you will find though, is a lot of cupid confusion, which is just about the amount of romance I can handle. 🙂
As Nimisha soon finds out in her preparation to dive into this new phase, armed with a list of activities she has been meaning to pursue, it turns out there really is a technique to live and enjoy a sabbatical. No wonder John Ortberg said what he did about the time needed to unplug.
I Quit! Now What? is a fun read, with the perfect mix of dreams, fantasy and practicality. Zarreen Khan has definitely made her presence felt with her strong writing and should consider making this a series. I will surely be lining up to get hold of her next book.
Title: I Quit! Now What?
Author: Zarreen Khan
Publisher: Amaryllis – An Imprint of Manjul Publishing house
ISBN: 978-93-81506-97-4
Edition/Year: First Edition 2017
Format: Paperback
Genre: Fiction/General
Pages: 296
Source: Author/Publisher
Rating: 5 Stars
Available on Amazon.
About the Author: The author, Zareen, is NOT on a sabbatical. She is a mother, cook, maid, doctor and magician for her kids – a very demanding job! And when she gets time off, she works as a marketing consultant.
Zarreen loves writing and has been secretly maintaining piles of self-written storybooks since the age of eight. I Quit! Now What? is her first novel.
She lives in Delhi with her husband, Moksh and children, Zayn and Iram.
Follow her on Facebook to know more about the author and her writing.
Note – I received this review copy from the Author/Publisher in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.
This post is participating in #MyFriendAlexa because I am taking My Alexa rank to the next level with Blogchatter.
UPDATE 3rd Oct 2017: This review is now also published on womensweb.in
Picture1 Source: aquamarineflavours.wordpress.com Picture2 Courtesy: Amaryllis - An Imprint of Manjul Publishing house
Looks like this is going to be a great read. A lot more people are feeling burnt out with demanding work conditions these days!
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It is and yes, work pressures have become far too stressful to be able to manage efficiently. This book handles it with humour.
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Happy to read your input. 🙂
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This really sounds like an interesting read. I must get my hands on it soon. Loved the part where you mentioned single women are judged when they take a break but for moms it’s ok. How judgemental and devoid of logic is that!
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Sadly, it is the truth. Most people are talking about making work places mom-friendly. However many do not realize that a single woman is expected to put in more just because she is single and appears to have no familial responsibilities. This is the reason single women are burning out far more quicker and are therefore looking for other options mid-career.
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The pressure and biases are high for women in general – single, married, with or without kids. Have a long way to go to make organizations truly inclusive
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This sounds so relatable. I will have to get this book soon & maybe get few others also to read it. Thanks for the review. 🙂
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You’re welcome Disha. Let me know what you think of it (and the others) 🙂
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Sure!
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Sounds like an interesting book! I enjoyed reading your review – Lovely style of Writing 🙂
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Thanks so much, Ishieta. Glad you liked it 🙂
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I have been meaning to read this. I took a years sabbatical when I was pregnant , and during said time I decided to try and make a writer of myself. As a doctor and surgeon , the idea of uppiending all my education and training for something as frivolous as writing about travel and food (as opposed to saving lives/sight) was sacrilege. So here I am back to being a doctor, but blogging away every other minutes . I wonder how it turned out for the protagonist… did she go back to her old life?
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In that case, Kuheli, you will love what happens to the protagonist. But for that, you will need to read it to find out. I would love to hear your thoughts on it 🙂
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That’s honestly one thing I miss the most in most modern novels I read – a good sense of humour running throughout the novel, preferably first person. The Wodehouse magic from childhood still remains in the mind, I guess.
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I wouldn’t go comparing this author to Wodehouse, but she does have an unmistakable quiet sense of humour that I thoroughly enjoyed.
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‘Just the right amount of romance’ part is what I liked the most. While creating single protagonists authors take the liberty to make it her entire life purpose. Seems like a fun read.
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I count that as one of the USPs of this book. You won’t be disappointed.
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This looks like a very interesting read. I am going to read it soon as this one looks like a story of a woman who is judged for her decision. Thanks for the review.
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You’re welcome, Deepa. Enjoy!
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Definitely gonna read this book soon!
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Totally your kind of book 🙂
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This looks like an interesting read. I am sure I would have a lot of takeaways from this.
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Have fun reading, Mahek 🙂
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Sure 🙂
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Sounds like a very interesting and relatable read. Thanks for sharing
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You’re welcome Brinda.
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This seems to be a fun and interesting read…especially the 1st part as I have a feeling that I will resonate well with the protagonist. Bookmarking it!!!
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I am sure you will enjoy it. Do tell me what you think 🙂
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I am sure you will enjoy it. Do tell me what you think 🙂
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As I read Zarreen Khan, I thought it is that actress but as I read I realised that this is a different person. Good review, I am looking forward to read this book.
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Thank you!
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Frankly, I’m not a book worm. But this does sound interesting. Especially because this is something which most of us could relate to. Good post.
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Thanks Atul! Hopefully you will enjoy the book.
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It sounds a great and interesting book. “I quit” sounds a great title too. Will try reading it
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I hope you enjoy it. Do let me know what you think 🙂
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You are big reader … thanks for bringing lovely reviews
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Thanks again, Ruchie. I am happy if these reviews inspire you to pick up the book 🙂
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I am a single women | Quit my Job after a 4 yr stretch | Yes! I was judged for my choice | I am in quest of my new passion 😀
Need I say more! I am definitely reading this book…Thanks for sharing your review!
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Hahaha Keerthi. So many of us have been in this boat at some point. You will definitely enjoy this book. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it after.
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Yeah currently reading The fountain Head…Then twinkle khanna’s book which i read a review about and then this is in line. I hope to start “I quit! Now what?” by this month end!
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Happy Reading!!! 🙂
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Looks like a fun read for all women who have walked the path of a sabbatical after a long career. thanks for this honest review.
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You’re welcome. I hope you pick it up!
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Wow, looks like I found my perfect weekend read. Your review makes me pick it up right away 🙂
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Thank you. You will enjoy this one 🙂
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I am intrigued to pick this book up. Loved your review on it. I like when you say ‘savings’ is something people don’t seem to consider. I understand now, why people seem to be okay why I took a break(as am married now and have a husband to give me money! Silly) than I had before. Good god!
Following your blog too. 🙂
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Thank you for the follow and I am glad you are intrigued. Please do pick up this book as it is as much fun as eye-opening. Enjoy the read 🙂
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