Raavanputr Meghnad by Kevil Missal is a new mythological fiction that follows the lesser-known Meghnad, Raavan’s favourite son, who fought on Ram’s side!
Ravanputr Meghnad
Mythological Fiction in Raavanputr Meghnad
Towards the beginning of this month, I had picked up Vyasa, a graphic novel on the Mahabharata. As such, it was only fitting that I also read a fictional twist on the Ramayana as well. Ravanputr Meghnad by Kevin Missal is based on the Ramayana, more specifically, Raavan’s favourite son Meghnad. However, the storyline is not true to the actual Ramayana and has been fictionalized, so do keep that in mind before picking up the book.
The plot was an interesting one and it helped me to imagine another way in which the story may have happened. I quite enjoyed the path it took especially in regards to the development of Meghnad’s character. The change, which occurs especially after his meeting the love of his life, a Naga princess, was quite fast towards the middle. It is at this point that he realizes that his ways may not have been entirely right.
Narrative style
Changing narratives also kept the plot interesting and I liked getting glimpses into the actions, and thus, the minds of the various characters such as Meghnad, Prameela, Suparnika, and Laxman.
What I did not like about this mythological fiction
However, since it was inspired by actual mythology, the setting has been the same. As such, I think it was a strike against the book that the characters used modern slangs, which seemed out of time for the characters. Moreover, the author tried to bring in comedic elements through the familial bonds, which I do not think worked very well.
Verdict:
Overall, it was an enjoyable and quick read. I was absorbed while reading it and did like the overall arch. If you like mythological stories written with a twist, this is definitely one you should pick up soon. I rated it 3.75/5 stars.
What the Eyes See is a smashing short story collection of 7 short stories; namely Sira, The Game, The Dreamcatcher, 1978, What the Eyes See, Karma, and The Angel Numbers.
What the eyes see
Synopsis of this smashing collection:
How much of what you see can you believe? How much can you trust yourself and the people around you? Some time into the future, a 60-year-old man is suspicious about the Artificial Intelligence he has procured for his home. Back in the ’70s, a man visiting his hometown for vacation has the most terrifying experience of his life. In Delhi, a young woman gets a beautiful gift, which she later realizes might not be so beautiful after all. In Dubai, a young entrepreneur realizes that giving a lift to strangers might lead to horrifying consequences. These and many more… What the Eyes See is a collection of dark stories to take with you into the night.
A smashing anthology!
What the Eyes See is a collection of 7 short stories; namely Sira, The Game, The Dreamcatcher, 1978, What the Eyes Se, Karma, and The Angel Numbers.
These stories all have unexpected twists that will totally take the reader by surprise; I know I certainly was! I love that although the stories are linear in a way, they have a certain element that while disrupts the flow, only makes the reading experience better. A strong point in all of these short stories is the climaxes that are strong and powerful. I love the way they punch through the narrative.
Themes, and styles
The writing style is great and fluid and intertwined with the wonderful imaginative powers, this collection provides a strong suit. A good mixture of suspense and horror, the stories also cover the themes of artificial intelligence, and the effect it can have on humanity, mortality, dystopia, magic, revenge, illusions, family, etc. the concepts of the plots for the different stories are really unique and has a wide range although, at the end, there is a common thread of horror/mystery running throughout.
Verdict:
The cover is also well made and really reflects the
atmospheric nature of this collection. I quite enjoyed this book and I rate it
4/5 stars.
The Octopus Curse is a poetry collection by Dr. Salma Forook and I have yet to come across a more aesthetic anthology of poetry. Needless to say I loved it!
The Octopus Curse by Salma Farook is a collection of powerful poems, focusing on love, heartbreak, resilience, travel, self-love, feminity and women’s issues, etc. I have read What Your Soul Already Knows by the author last year and I had found it to be the best motivational book there ever was, without sounding too preachy and such. As such, when the author approached me for her second book, of course, I had to say yes!
Like her previous book, the words in this book too continue to be just as meaningful and full of depth. I love how the execution has been made. The words are rhythmic and lyrical and thus very heart warming as well as soothing to the ears. Through these different pieces, the author has inspired the reader to confront their feelings and accept them and most importantly, to be at peace with themselves.
How stunted,
Limited,
This language is!
I have searched and searched
But, never found a word
For pain coming so surely,
That you feel it already,
Long before it
Even arrives.
-‘Visceral’
Aesthetic:
The book is a work of art and a more aesthetic poetry collection, I have yet to come across. I am so glad I got to read this book when I did because this was just the right time for me. Perhaps, if I had read it at some other moment of my life, it wouldn’t have touched me as much as it has. Many thanks to the author for providing me with a review copy.
I pray that death be kind,
Not as much to the buried,
As to those left behind.
-‘Funerals are for the living’
Here’s one poem that I absolutely loved. Check this one out!
You lift your chin up
Like the cocking of a gun
Your eyes flash the coldest fire,
Your words erupt,
The hottest ice.
I see you wear your anger
Like a bulletproof vest
Over your pain; I must say,
Even as you walk away,
It looks bloody glorious
On you
-‘Woman’
You can also check out the book here: Amazon (the ebook is free upto 5th of November), Goodreads
Crown of Oblivion is a brand new fantasy series set in a dystopian world! Also compared to The Hunger Games, this is one new fantasy series I’m very excited to read.
Crown of Oblivion is a brand new fantasy series set in a dystopian world! Also compared to The Hunger Games, this is one book I’m excited to read through.
Fantastic cover:
Can you imagine a bolder book cover than this? I personally love this cover for what it invokes in me – to go on despite whatever! I’ve also attached this picture of the wonderful merch that comes along with the preorder!
Pre-order goodies:
A signed bookplate, a beautiful enamel pin, an Astrid bookmark, and a quote graphic!
Processed with VSCO with m5 preset
Synopsis of this fantasy book:
Astrid is the surrogate for Princess Renya, which means she bears the physical punishment if Renya steps out of line. Astrid has no choice—she and her family are Outsiders, the lower class of people without magic and without citizenship.
But there is a way out of this life—competing in the deadly Race of Oblivion. To enter the race, an Outsider is administered the drug Oblivion, which wipes their memory clear of their past as they enter a new world with nothing to help them but a slip of paper bearing their name and the first clue. It’s not as simple as solving a puzzle, however—for a majority of the contestants, the race ends in death. But winning would mean not only freedom for Astrid, but citizenship and health care for her entire family. With a dying father to think of, Astrid is desperate to prevail.
From the beginning, the race is filled with twists and turns. One of them is Darius, a fellow racer Astrid meets but isn’t sure she can trust. Though they team up in the race, as Astrid’s memories begin to resurface, she remembers just who he was to her—a scorned foe who may want revenge. Astrid also starts to notice she has powers no Outsider should—which could help her win the race, but also make her a target if anyone finds out. With stakes that couldn’t be higher, Astrid must decide what is more important: risking her life to remember the mysteries of the past, or playing a cutthroat game in order to win her—and her family’s—freedom.
Guess who is loving this fantasy!
So I am just a couple chapters in and I’m loving it. The beginning itself was so dramatic and wonderful, that I am curious to see how the story unfolds.
Aashish Chopra in Fast, Cheap and Viral has tapped into the surprisingly simple but effective means to make viral content!
Synopsis:
In Fast, Cheap and Viral, the ace marketer shares the secrets behind his success – all of them learned and honed on his journey. This one-stop super-guide to viral video marketing gives you the low-down on: HOW TO GRAB EYEBALLS in a sea of content. HOW TO DRIVE ENGAGEMENT (because views can be bought, but engagement is earned). WHY STORYTELLING BEATS PRODUCTION VALUE and behind-the-scenes tips and tricks. HOW TO BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND and kill job insecurity.
For every student, entrepreneur, blogger, marketing manager or leader who dreams of reaching millions on a shoestring budget, this book is the definitive manual on sustainable viral success.
Viral Content:
I received
a review copy from the publishers in return for an honest review. Opinions
expressed in this review are completely my own.
This
is definitely a book that every content creator, blogger, and influencer
must-read. It is an engaging masterclass where the author tells of the simple
yet the most effective means to make sure that your content is great. Since the
book is also written based on the author’s experience, these are all tried and
true methods that will surely help if one puts them into use. The only way to
find out is to do these things yourself!
Moreover, the author has included illustrations, or rather, infographics, that summarized the already concise and precise words. Each chapter focuses on one key aspect that you need to focus on and the sum total of all, is a book full of tips to make it to the top of the content creation ladder. The inclusion of examples as well as a great method as it made sure that the reader could relate it to real-life events and thus reality.
A content manifesto!
Definitely a very informative and functional read. I rate it 5/5 stars! Stay tuned because an elaborate post is coming up soon!
Nayanika
Saikia, is one of the foremost book reviewers from the North-east and Assam,
and is also an admin for the official India bookstagram page on Instagram. She
publishes her own reviews and recommendations for poetry, fiction, non-fiction
etc. on her bookstagram account @pretty_little_bibliophile which won the
NorthEast Creator Awards 2018, as well as in daily newspapers, online magazines
etc. She can be contacted at nayanikasaikia98@gmail.com .
The best books are the keys to life. Bibliophiles will delight in adding these tiny illustrated classic novels to their collection!
Isn’t this keychain the most cutest ever? I am so in love with it that I want to keep it swaddled up in cotton! Hah!
Illustrated by Jane Mount, this is basically an enamel keychain which I love with the entirety of my heart!
As for other updates, the giveaway books are all here! I have 3 hardcovers, 2 (quite thick) paperback novels, and 3 more regular-sized paperbacks! And I know I am being very cryptic here. There’s also a cute notebook to be won! I just have to click the pictures now and after that, I’ll formally announce the giveaway! And boy, there are already more than 100 entries so far!
In terms of reading, I finished The Catcher in the Rye and The Hate U Give – both for college. I have American literature and I am also doing a presentation on racism, hence these two books, respectively. Have you read either of these? What were your views on these books?
Title: The
Conspiracy Unknown Book I: The Vengeance of the Fallen
Author: Abishek
Babu
Publisher: NotionPress
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Paperback
Synopsis:
The story starts with the birth of a prince and the series of events that follow. Fifteen eons ago, the ‘Great War’ was fought between the Anndas and a group of revolutionaries, in which the revolutionaries came out victorious. The Anandas were chased out of the empire and were made to live in the forest like nomads. The revolutionaries named Ragupta Moriya as their king, and thus the Great Moriyan Empire was formed. Great songs and stories were written about Ragupta Moriya and his ten war generals who fought out the evil Ananda Empire. After fifteen years, a plot is made to overthrow the Moriyan Empire. And it all falls on the shoulders of Ragupta to win the battle.
After nearly 2300 eons, the life of Dr Sebastian Stein is under peril. A mysterious man in a black suit is in pursuit of capturing Dr Stein, but Sebastian is saved by his father’s old friend. When Sebastian starts to learn about the death of his father, he realizes there’s no other way to escape but to run for his life.
What exactly happened in Before Clearance Existence (BCE) for it to affect the life of Sebastian Stein in After Clearance Existence (ACE)?
My review:
I received
a review copy from the author in return for an honest review. Opinions
expressed in this review are completely my own.
The
Conspiracy Unknown: The Vengeance of the Fallen was quite a heavy read. With two different narratives, from two
starkly different eras, weaving in and out, it was a story with a great plot,
and great storytelling.
So basically, there are two different storylines – in an eon way
back in the past, there is the majestic Moriyan Empire. The monarch is King
Rasabind, who’s son Hisoka possesses the famed third eye! After he is attacked
during his naming ceremony and the attackers surprisingly do not remember any
of their action, the king goes on his own hunt to know the truth.
Eons later,
in a future quite distant, we have Sebastian Stein who is trying to figure out
the mystery surrounding his father’s death. And out of nowhere, he finds
himself chased around with threats on his life.
these are two seemingly unrelated things and yet, w strive to understand
the root relationship between these people from eons between them.
With this interesting premise, I jumped headlong into the book and it didn’t really disappoint me, but to be honest, I felt like there was a certain something missing. While it is well packed with wars, the thirst for vengeance (as the title suggests), conspiracies etc., I felt that the narrative lagged a bit in parts and may have simple been filler material. Apart from that, the presence of the multitude of characters confused me for a bit in the beginning but then they do not really have much presence later on, so that threw me off a bit. The overall effect could have been a bit more polished.
Verdict:
It was a good read overall and I rate it 3.5/5 stars!
About the reviewer:
Nayanika Saikia, is one of
the foremost book reviewers from the North-east and Assam, and is also an admin
for the official India bookstagram page on Instagram. She publishes her own
reviews and recommendations for poetry, fiction, non-fiction etc. on her
bookstagram account @pretty_little_bibliophile which won the NorthEast Creator
Awards 2018, as well as in daily newspapers, online magazines etc. She can be contacted at nayanikasaikia98@gmail.com .
It’s common knowledge that Kamasutra originated
from India – the “how-to” guide of how to pleasure each other. Many centuries ago
they thought deeply into the subject of erotic love. Though in modern India sex
is always a hushed subject, something happens behind the closed doors,
something never almost never publicly spoken. What can you expect from a
society where now also most marriages are arranged by family, where most people
have their first sex after marriage, where so many people never even see the
naked bodies of their partners?
There are a plethora of stories to be told from
every nook and corner of this big country. Stories around love, lust,
frustration, despair, loathing – stories around real man and woman and the
complications of life.
Nasha is the first compilation of Maya Balsi`s stories.
The stories include are :
Red Earth , Blue Sky, Green Sea
The light I see Through Darkness
Never Deny Me Your Laughter
Have A Nice Journey!
We walked in the woods
My review:
I received
a review copy from the author in return for an honest review. Opinions
expressed in this review are completely my own.
The
last time I read erotica was when I
tried reading Fifty Shades of Gray. Keyword : Tried. And I couldn’t do
it. The details were sort of too explicit for me – it’s not that I am
uncomfortable reading about sex, but rather the sex in the book made m so. So
for quite some time, I stayed away from them. But then, I also came across
books by Alexa Riley and Penny Wylder, and I was quite happy.
A
few days ago, the author approached me and asked if I would be willing to
review her book. Since I have not read any erotica by an Indian before, and
since the synopses of the stories seemed quite good, I decided to say yes. I
thought I would pick this book up for some leisurely weekend reading but when I
read the acknowledgement, I knew I had to dive right in. Sex is surely a
paradox in India because like the author says, and is corroborated by
statistical data, there is a huge market revolving around it. And with a
rapidly growing population, we know it is not cranes that drop off brand new
babies into the arms of eager parents.
In
the first story, Red earth, Blue Sky,
Green Sea, there was a good buildup of the story and it was quite
atmospheric. It is about the sexual awakening of two girls, a silent rebellion
against society’s rules, norms and the taboos.
Although short, the characters in this story are well fleshed out.
The
second story The Light I See Through
Darkness, is one told through the point of view of a prostitute. Her
helplessness in well shown here and in a few words, the author has described
her mental agony. At 42, the protagonist says that she feels and looks like a
grandmother, which in itself shows how difficult her life has been. As she
scouts for potential customers, we understand that her main aim is to collect
enough money for her daughter’s education. There was one remarkable line said
here, and I quote, “Little do they know, we are keeping them safe from the
clutches of rogues who would do anything to satisfy their lusts”. This is more of a magical story with a very
unexpected, yet nice, ending.
The
third story, Never Deny Me Your laughter,
aptly showed the restlessness of our modern lives. Apart from the obvious,
there are a lot of human emotions and feelings contained in all of these
stories. Very dynamic in its entirety.
The
fourth story is Have A Nice Journey.
It featured infidelity so I am not sure how comfortable I am with that because
cheating is a big NO for me. This was an okay story, and not one that I enjoyed
much, unlike the others.
The
last story was We Walked in the Woods. This
story did focus a bit on mental health, I felt. It was apt in depicting the
moral dilemmas we often face because of our own feelings. Pritha is one such
person. There is such an underlying connection between sex and the multitude of
emotions that come with it. the ending was open-ended and I was thought of
various ways it could have ended.
Nasha
was a good read overall. I do think that a bit more editing can be done
regarding the typing errors, and some grammatical refining. I also did find
certain discrepancies. Nonetheless, this is a book I can easily recommend to
you all. If you want to explore the erotica genre more, then this is also a
book you can pick up.
Verdict:
I
rate this book a 4/5 stars.
About the
reviewer:
Nayanika
Saikia, is one of the foremost book reviewers from the North-east and Assam,
and is also an admin for the official India bookstagram page on Instagram. She
publishes her own reviews and recommendations for poetry, fiction, non-fiction
etc. on her bookstagram account @pretty_little_bibliophile which won the
NorthEast Creator Awards 2018, as well as in daily newspapers, online magazines
etc. She can be contacted at nayanikasaikia98@gmail.com .
Hope you all are doing well. I have been having a really hectic time this week and last weekend and I am trying to cope. Also, the temperatures have really cooled down so it’s been great.
I wanted to give you all a reading update of this amazing collection that I have been reading recently. So, Walk With Wings is a poetry collection by Tene Edwards. It has a total of 5 sections and recently I have been reading the one named SPRING RESILIENT. The pieces there deal with hard work, discipline and the sacrifices we have to make in order to pursue our dreams. They have been so relatable to me and I was in love. I have been reading this section slowly because I really wanted to savour the feeling.
I have also been watching Mindhunter on Netflix and I love this show. Holden is my golden boy, you know?
#qotd : Do share your current reads, or series that you are watching at the moment. Any games you like? I used to be a PUBG fanatic, that is until the classes for this semester started!
Hey guys ! So if you remember, sometime back I reviewed Heart of Mist, book 1 of the Oremere Chronicles. I had rated that book 5/5 stars, with opes to pick up the sequels ASAP! And today, here are the reviews for book 2 and 3 of one of my favourite fantasy series of all time now!
Reign of Mist, 2018
Title: Reign of
Mist
Author: Helen
Scheuerer
Publisher: Talem Press
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Format: Kindle
ebook
Language: English
No. of pages: 441
Synopsis:
The realm’s darkest secret is out.
The cruelty of the capital and the power-hungry
King Arden have scattered Bleak and her companions across the continents.
On the run in a foreign land, Bleak finds
herself tied to some unexpected strangers. When the answers she yearns for are
finally within reach, she must face the hard truths of her past, and take her
fate into her own hands before it’s too late.
Meanwhile, secrets and magic unravel as a dark
power corrupts the realm. Bleak’s friends are forced to decide where their
loyalties lie, and who, if anyone, they can trust.
But one thing is certain: war is coming, and
they must all be ready when it does.
Intriguing and action-packed, Reign of Mist is
the second instalment in Helen Scheuerer’s epic YA fantasy series, The Oremere
Chronicles.
My review:
I received a digital copy of this via my participation in a blog tour organized by Shealea from ShutUpShealea . Thank you, Helen Scheuerer and Talem Press!
My love for this series seriously continues and it was proved by the fact that I finished book 2 in a day as well! Reign of Mist is the second instalment in the Oremere Chronicles and I picked up this book as soon as I had finished the first one – Heart of Mist. The mysteries continued to gnaw at me and the amazing world-building of the new setting was spellbinding.
We see themes of animal abuse, courage in the face of hardships (which is an admittedly a repeated theme throughout the series, I suppose), human fear, greed, torture etc. Sisterhood is another theme that runs throughout the novel and it is one I completely adored. This bond that is formed among many of the female characters in the novel was great to read and explore, as varying facets were revealed.
The truth about Dash’s heritage came as a shock. I had truly not expected it and was therefore hit by this barrelling force, right at the face. Swinton’s story is delved into in this novel and this aspect of his past really made me see him as a human and not just a killing machine of the king. His character has become so much more dynamic and I can only wait with baited breath as to what the author has got up her sleeves. Besides, his budding romance with Therese is beautiful and I hope to read more of it. On the other hand, we see some very twisted characters – Ines and Langdon, some sadistic ons, who relish hurting others. The plague can also be seen as another character in itself, which destroys so much more than it reveals the identity of the people.
Other characters such as Casimir and the Tailor of Heathton were well introduced and I hope to see more of their development in the next novel. I love the fun their banter provided. Casimir’s display of power was one that truly took my breath away and the writing felt real and exquisite. I felt as if I was truly in the room along with the characters.
Another thing that I love about this author’s writing was specially her ability to bring together various events whose significance had not been starkly clear earlier. For instance, when we realise it was Ethelda whom Bleak had met so long ago, it was a calming event – as if we are moving to a full circle. I also applaud the manner in which the author has been able to bring together and tie up all the loose ends to provide an explanation; it was really very welcome.
A lot of the portion in this book is about the preparation for war. Throughout the novel, we see the relationships form among all our different characters and I loved their interactions. I was so excited and anxious as everyone moved to Havenesse because their meet up was something that was completely unpredictable. And especially the long awaited meeting of the two sisters caused me quite an emotional upheaval.
Verdict:
My love for this series only seems to continue to grow. I rate this one a total 5/5 stars!
War of Mist, 2019
Title: War of
Mist
Author: Helen
Schuerer
Publisher: Talem Press
Genre: Fanatsy,
YA
Format: Kindle ebook
Language: English
No. of pages: 500
Synopsis:
War is here.
Toxic mist drives all life to the brink of destruction
and the conqueror queen, Ines, has her talons in the kings of the realm.
Bleak, having discovered her true heritage, must
now scour the lands for the one thing that might save them all.
But the search is a treacherous one – and it
will push her to the very limits of endurance.
Amidst secrets, lies and the intricacies of
battle, Bleak and her companions learn just how far they’ll go for the ones
they love. But will it be enough?
As deadly forces grapple for power across the
continents, families, friends and allies unite to take one final stand.
Explosive revelations, heart-wrenching betrayals
and breathtaking magic soar in the epic conclusion to Helen Scheuerer’s
bestselling trilogy, The Oremere Chronicles.
My review:
I received a digital copy of this via my participation in a blog tour organized by Shealea from ShutUpShealea . Thank you, Helen Scheuerer and Talem Press!
War of Mist is the third and final installment in the Oremere Chronicles by Helen Scheuerer. I have loved and given 5 stars to the first book – Heart of Mist, as well as the second – Reign of Mist.
This book picks up from one month after Reign of Mist ends. The Prologue here itself gives us a glimpse into Ines. Her character is something very dynamic. And it is here that we are given such views of her past. As such, we see her varied personalities throughout the years and although it explains why she has become the way she is, it is never an excuse. However, it is also an unavoidable fact that trauma often shapes some of us into non desirable beings, I suppose. Ines is alluring, and that cannot be debated. Her power is like a flame that I as a reader, was utterly drawn towards.
A lot of the story in this book is told through somewhat of a treasure hunt, including Bleak, Ermias and Casimir as they put their wits together, face their monsters, share their fears and form better and deeper bonds for it. The revelation of Fi’s heritage was welcomed wholeheartedly by me. He deserves the world and I need to see more of him.
The everlasting war of morality – of good versus bad, is again portrayed here. Moreover, the theme of justice and duty is a continuing presence in this novel, as in the other ones, although nowhere has it been more pronounced. Someone rightly said that duty is the death of love. Every so often, we see the darkness take over Bleak. In my own interpretation, it is trauma and depression and I love how real it made these characters – having their own struggles. No one is perfect and yet they are all trying and not giving up. No truer words were said than when Henri had quietly claimed that life was not always black and white – so much of it is grey! No wonder we humans suffer so much and are confused at so many times!
One of the greatest character arcs in this novel is undoubtedly that of Swinton. I love him and his redemption was powerful to read about. We see him changing and growing throughout the series and in this last one, he is transformed into a wonderful man – flawed but real and accepting of these flaws, with the hope to become better. I also loved the final stand all the characters take together and the writing was great enough to give me goosebumps.
And oh my god! I did not see that coming with the ‘madwoman’!!! That was so very shocking.
PS. You just need to pick up this series!!!!!!!!!!!
With some shocking betrayals, War of Mist was a fast-paced final novel in a fantasy series that has made me a lifelong fan of the author. The suspense that the author flavours this book with, is perfect and the final result is an experience that will keep you reeling.
Verdict:
Needless to say, I loved this book too and just like the first two instalments in the Oremere Chronicles, I rate War of Mist 5/5 stars too!
Alexis Bass’ Happily and Madly is
a mature, twisty, compulsively readable YA suspense novel about a young girl
who embraces a fate bound in love and mystery.
Maris Brown has been told two things about her destiny:
1. She will fall happily and madly in love.
2. She could be dead before she turns eighteen.
The summer before that fateful birthday, Maris is
in the wealthy beach town of Cross Cove with her estranged father and his new
family–and the infamous Duvals. Since the youngest member of the Duval family,
Edison, is back from college and back in the arms of Maris’s new stepsister,
her summer looks to be a long string of lazy days on the Duval’s lush beach.
But
Edison is hiding something. And the more Maris learns about him, the more she’s
given signs that she should stay as far away from him as possible. As wrong as
it is, Maris is drawn to him. Around Edison, she feels truly alive and she’s
not willing to give that up. Even if it means a collision course with destiny.
My review:
I received
a review copy from Netgalley in return for an honest review. Opinions expressed
in this review are completely my own.
I
think that Happily and Madly was a great psychological novel. In one way it
really reminded me of WE WERE LIARS by E. Lockhart. I found the protagonist –
Maris a very sharp girl with lots of potential. Like Sepp (another character
that I absolutely loved) said, she does not ever “miss a thing”. The characters
in this book all have their own secrets and the way the author goes about them
is manifested in some very fluid writing. Chelsea is also a person I liked –
she is so unlike what one would expect a stepsister to be… the author has made
some really great female representations, where not everyone is trying to
one-up the other and it is refreshing. George, Trisha, Pheobe, Edison,Oswald,
Warren, Sepp, Karen as well as Michael and Katherine Ellis, Richard and Linda
Ellis, and also Gloria and Renee, form the background feel. The backdrop of
the novel is very relaxing and
juxtaposed with this thrumming mystery. I was so glad I read it when I did – in
the beginning of summer. The book deals with many themes such as putting
oneself out there, with the chance of being completely rejected, and to turn
the vulnerability out on oneself. It also shows what it is like – the
unexpected closeness we sometimes feel for people we have just met – like Maris
and Finn, or even Maris and Chelsea. When Maris is once thinking in
retrospection, of when she was in the fortune teller’s bathroom when the women
client was afraid she was dying, the fortune teller had told her to do whatever
was necessary for her to feel alive. Maybe that is why Maris takes risks – not
only because she does not want to have regret but also because she wants to
feel alive.
Although
it was a really enjoyable read, I felt as if the ending was a bit rushed.
Verdict:
I
rate this book a 3.75/5 stars.
About the reviewer:
Nayanika
Saikia, is one of the foremost book reviewers from the North-east and Assam,
and is also an admin for the official India bookstagram page on Instagram. She
publishes her own reviews and recommendations for poetry, fiction, non-fiction
etc. on her bookstagram account @pretty_little_bibliophile which won the
NorthEast Creator Awards 2018, as well as in daily newspapers, online magazines
etc. She can be contacted at nayanikasaikia98@gmail.com .
“Powerful, enchanting, and spirited, this novel
will delight.” —Patti Callahan, bestselling author
of Becoming Mrs. Lewis
Love,
friendship, and family find a home at the Printed Letter Bookshop
One of Madeline Cullen’s happiest childhood
memories is of working with her Aunt Maddie in the quaint and cozy Printed
Letter Bookshop. But by the time Madeline inherits the shop nearly twenty years
later, family troubles and her own bitter losses have hardened Madeline’s heart
toward her once-treasured aunt—and the now struggling bookshop left in her
care.
While Madeline intends to sell the shop as quickly
as possible, the Printed Letter’s two employees have other ideas. Reeling from
a recent divorce, Janet finds sanctuary within the books and within the
decadent window displays she creates. Claire, though quieter than the acerbic
Janet, feels equally drawn to the daily rhythms of the shop and its loyal
clientele, finding a renewed purpose within its walls.
When Madeline’s professional life falls apart, and
a handsome gardener upends all her preconceived notions, she questions her
plans and her heart. Has she been too quick to dismiss her aunt’s beloved shop?
And even if she has, the women’s best combined efforts may be too little, too
late.
“The
Printed Letter Bookshop is a captivating story of good books,
a testament to the beauty of new beginnings, and a sweet reminder of the power
of friendship.” —Rachel McMillan, author of Murder in the City
of Liberty
My review:
I
received a review copy from the publishers in return for an honest review.
Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
The
Printed Letter Bookshop is just as amazing a read as the title makes it sound.
I am joyful that I could read it before it officially publishes. Katherine Reay
has done a great job with all the aspects of the novel.
Firstly,
talking about the characters – this is very much a novel of growth – a
bildungsroman of sorts. We see the women emerging out at the end as totally
different, albeit better versions of themselves by the end of the novel. I
found it very inspirational to say the truth. The author portrays these women
as persons of their own – faulty, yes, but human in their hearts. Each
undergoes an odyssey (see what I did there?!) different from the others’ and it
changes them for the better – as well as those around them, and their inter
relationships. Thus, the character arcs were done in a very realistic manner
and one could find traces of oneself in each of these three women. The
character of Maddie is very significant. Like it is pointed out by the
characters in the book itself, her presence permeates throughout the book and
this influence is very much like that of the eponymous Rebecca from Daphne du Maurier’s
classic.
The
plot is well laid out, although this is very much a character driven novel. The
themes of family, acceptance, friendships,
dealing with one’s own choices, literature (my favourite, I believe!) as
well as love – both romantic and familial, understanding, forgiveness, guilty
conscience etc. are very important ones that the author explores through all
the characters in the book.
The
narrative is entirely engrossing and I loved every bit of it. The allusions to
the different books were also a plus point and the list at the end is one I am
definitely going to cross every book off (I intend to read all of them)
Verdict:
I
absolutely love this book and I rate it 4.5/5 stars!
About the reviewer:
Nayanika
Saikia, is one of the foremost book reviewers from the North-east and Assam,
and is also an admin for the official India bookstagram page on Instagram. She
publishes her own reviews and recommendations for poetry, fiction, non-fiction
etc. on her bookstagram account @pretty_little_bibliophile which won the
NorthEast Creator Awards 2018, as well as in daily newspapers, online magazines
etc. She can be contacted at nayanikasaikia98@gmail.com .
Vagh Pratap Singh aka the Captain is a conman extraordinaire.
From transporting illegal merchandise and stealing cars to breaking safes, he’s
done it all. But now, in his fortieth year, he’s ready to retire. So when Udham
Kumar, a crooked politician from Uttar Pradesh, commissions the Captain to track
down and steal Poppy Flowers, a Vincent van Gogh’s painting that has been
smuggled into India after it went missing in a museum in Egypt in 2010, the
Captain knows that he’s found his last, and biggest case. But the painting is
now in possession of a dangerous gangster, and the Captain is being followed by
Udham Kumar’s ruthless associates, greedy for both money and power. As the odds
against him begin to stack up, the Captain realizes that his last heist might
not be as easy as he’d imagined.
My review:
If
you are a fan of Dan Brown and his Robert Langson series, then this is
definitely for you. Oh and if you liked the Ocean’s movie series, then this
might be the one for you. The Heist Artist is a story of a con man and it is
truly a wild ride. Throw in some action and late night stealing into offices to
spice up the narrative, along with car chases and blasts, and clever twists and
turns. The writer has given it all to make this amazing book.
I
have always enjoyed these sorts of stories, whether in books or in movies, they
have been my absolute favourite. Something about the shrewdness and cleverness
of these conmen always enrapture me and con me in the entire process. Well, not
really, because I know what I am going into. I had high hope for the book originally.
But then I know that disappointment would sting me too bad so I lowered the
expectations. But it turns out, that in the end it was absolutely unnecessary
of me to even think of lowering my expectations for this book because I needed
up totally loving the book.
The
entire book is a really amazing read – once you start reading this book, I
promise you will not be able to stop yourselves – such is the power in this
author’s writing style. It is lucid and easy to understand, so much so, that it
flows gently and proves a wonderful read. The plot is well planned out, and the
pacing is on point.
The
themes of mystery, art and knowledge rum rampant throughout the book, while I
absolutely love the overpowering theme of art. Reading the synopsis will give a
clear idea of why I should think so. It was a really great read and I cannot
emphasize enough on it. I would definitely recommend you all to pick up this
read.
Verdict:
I
really enjoyed reading this book and look forward to more by the author. I rate
it a 4/5 stars.
About the
reviewer:
Nayanika
Saikia, is one of the foremost book reviewers from the North-east and Assam,
and is also an admin for the official India bookstagram page on Instagram. She
publishes her own reviews and recommendations for poetry, fiction, non-fiction
etc. on her bookstagram account @pretty_little_bibliophile which won the
NorthEast Creator Awards 2018, as well as in daily newspapers, online magazines
etc. She can be contacted at nayanikasaikia98@gmail.com
.
Having done extremely well with my reading the previous couple of months, I have become very much ambitious with my TBR for the month of March! This time around I am hoping to read a huge number of books:
Swami and Friends by R. K. Narayan (this is for my Indian Writings in English paper)
The Reason is You by Nikita Singh
Behind her Back by Jane Lythell
Woman of the Hour by Jane Lythell
The Heist Artist by Vish Dhamija
Something I never Told You by Shravya Binder
99 Nights in Logar by Jamil Jan Kochai
Killing Time in Delhi by Ravi Shankar Etteth
The True Lie by Vinod Bhardwaj
Ruin and Rising by Leigh Bardugo (as a part of my buddy read with @fannatality)
The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty, and
The Kingdom of Copper by S. A. Chakraborty (as a part of the weekend readalong with @per_fictionist )
My hopes are undoubtedly very high. Nonetheless, I am currently reading 99 Nights in Logar and quite liking it so far. And I have also been able to read a total of 6 books this month.
Hey guys! Hope you are doing well! I am currently reading #99nightsinlogar by @jamil_jan_kochai_author @bloomsburyindia and I am enjoying it quite a lot! I am currently 136/276 pages in and I hope to finish it by tomorrow night.
So anyway, here are the rest of the books I bought in February. I have already lent a few and so I couldn’t include them in the pics.
Emma’s Secret by Barbara Taylor Bradford
A Brief History of Humankind by Yuval Noah Harari
Blue Shoes and Happiness by Alexander McCall Smith
The Godfather by Mario Puzo
Notes on a Scandal by Zoe Heller
I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
Norwegian Wood by Murakami
Half Torn Hearts by Novoneel Chakraborty (a signed copy!)
Shikhandi by Devdutt Pattanaik
Songs of the Cauvery by Kalyanaraman Durgadas
Feminist Rani by Shaili CHopra & Meghna Pant (I also met Meghna Pant and got this signed!)
A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khalid Hosseini (got this as a gift for my mom!)
One Day by David Nicholls
A Passage to India by E. M. Forster
#qotd : What are you all currently reading? Are you enjoying it?
So back in February 2018, I read a only 4 books and so this time around, I knew I had to beat myself. I have an overall reading goal of at least around 10 books each month in 2019, and so with great gusto, I went it, with quite high hopes!
And I ended up reading 20 books and I was very happy about it. So without further ado, the books I read are:
The Wake-Up Girl by Niharika Jindal (Click here to check out the review)
Moromor Deuta/Dear Father by Bhandra Nath Saikia (Click here)
Finding Esme by Suzanne Crowley (Click here to check the Finding Esme Box post; click here to check the Finding Esme Unboxing post; click here to check the Finding Esme Review!)
I am really happy with my progress and hope to read some more good books in March as well!
Publisher: Greenwillow
books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Genre: Children’s
literature
Format: Hardcover
Language: English
No. of pages:
352
Reading level: Middle-grade
Synopsis:
Twelve-year-old Esme’s life changes when she
discovers dinosaur bones on her family’s peach farm in Texas. Fans of Wendy
Maas and Lynda Mullaly Hunt will love this perfectly pitched story about
friendship, family, and loss from Suzanne Crowley, the acclaimed author of The
Very Ordered Existence of Merilee Marvelous. After her grandfather died from a heart attack while
driving his tractor, Esme has avoided returning to the spot where he lost his
life. But when she follows her little brother, Bo, up the hill while chasing
fireflies, she makes an incredible discovery—dinosaur bones peeking out from
underneath the abandoned tractor. Esme
sees the bones as a message from her grandfather; a connection beyond the
grave. But when word gets out that Peach Hollow Farm is hiding something
valuable, reporters, researchers, and neighbors arrive in droves. Esme must
find a way to understand who has her best interests at heart—especially as the
memories of her grandfather begin to slip away. From acclaimed author Suzanne Crowley, this engaging adventure set on a
Texas peach farm is just right for fans of Rebecca Stead and Ann M. Martin.
My review:
I
had honestly no idea that I would come to love this book so much! Finding Esme
is truly a one of a kind middle-grade novel that I enjoyed delving into, as did
my brother!
Speaking
about the characters, the protagonist Esme is one I found to be utterly wonderful
and dynamic in her own rights. She is so matured for a mere twelve-year old and
while it awed me a lot, at times, I could not help but feel sad for she has
lost quite a part of her childhood. As she so ardently asserts to her
grandmother, she is after all a kid who has been force to grow up too early. It
also does not help that Bee admittedly treats her like an adult.
Bee
on the other hand, is a hard woman. She has faced a lot in her life and her
great tragedy perhaps defines a lot of this novel – I believe this backstory is
crucial in the way it has also defined the lives of Esme, her brother Bo, her
mother June Rain and her father Harlan. (If you want to know what great tragedy
I am talking about then you should surely read this book!) It is not a tragedy
in as much as a terrific incident or something of catastrophic expanse, but the
implications of that melancholy secret is utterly poignant and moving.
Speaking
of Bo, I absolutely loved this cuteball! Having a brother myself really made it
possible for me to relate to Esme on another level – the bond that one has with
siblings is simply unbreakable. Bo is fun and offers the bit of humour in this
story. One cannot help but fall in love with him. His understanding of the
things around him is also utterly profound and I found him, in some amount,
very enigmatic.
June
Rain broke my heart. It is only towards the end that we know so much as to why
she is what she is and behaves as she does. Sweetmaw, who is Bee’s sister is
also another lovable character. I also quite liked Finch’s character and he
truly is a good friend to Esme. We also see his story as the author really
wraps around the lives of the people with each other. The end product is
utterly magical.
The
plot was also really enjoyable and while the overall pacing was good, I think
that the beginning was a bit slow. Nonetheless, it wraps up the story
perfectly.
The
themes of family, friends, love, were well evolved in the story. We see so many
shades of human emotions that it was an utter ride in itself. Love, hatred,
jealousy, competition… everything was included and the result was something
very real. The supernatural element was also what I think formed a lot of the
backbone in this story, but of course that is a personal interpretation. I suppose
I cannot stress enough on how deep and impactful this middle-grade novel turned
out to be! And as such, I feel that this is a story people of all ages will
enjoy – the kids for the mystery, and the adults for the various hidden layers
of meaning and implications within the story.
Verdict:
I
absolutely enjoyed this story and I rate it a 4.5/5 stars!
About the
author:
Selected among Book Sense and Indie Next top
picks, and Amazon and Bookbub Editor’s Picks for Best Books, Suzanne writes
novels that School Library Journal calls “amazing” and
“poignant” and VOYA calls “heart-stirring” and
“marvelous.” Suzanne, the author of both middle grade and young adult
fiction, is a wife, mother, a crafter of dollhouse miniatures, an avid
traveler, dog hugger, nap expert, and chocolate lover extraordinaire. Suzanne’s
novels have received starred reviews in SLJ, KLIATT, VOYA and BCCB, and have
been selected for state and national reading lists. After living all over the
United States, Suzanne and her family now make their home back in her native
state of Texas. www.suzannecrowley.com
About the
reviewer:
Nayanika
Saikia, is one of the foremost book reviewers from the North-east and Assam,
and is also an admin for the official India bookstagram page on Instagram. She
publishes her own reviews and recommendations for poetry, fiction, non-fiction
etc. on her bookstagram account @pretty_little_bibliophile which won the
NorthEast Creator Awards 2018, as well as in daily newspapers, online magazines
etc. She can be contacted at nayanikasaikia98@gmail.com
.
Title: Unstoppable:
75 Stories of Trailblazing Indian Women
Author: Gayathri
Ponvannan
Illustrated
by: Mithila
Ananth
Publisher: Hachette
India
Genre: Non-fiction
Format: Paperback
Language: Englsih
No. of pages:
272
pages
Recommended
for: All
ages
Synopsis:
Meet the wonder women of Indian history!
They flew planes, swam across oceans, led armies, performed stunts, built
cities and captured historic moments on camera, despite being constantly told
to stay home, because that’s what ‘good girls’ did.
These were women who dared to dream and worked hard to turn their dreams into
reality, who shaped their own destinies and refused to let anyone tell them
what to do.
Featuring the amazing adventures of Janaki Ammal, Rani Abbakka, Nadia Wadia,
Sarla Sharma Thakral, Rajkumari Amrit Kaur and many others, Unstoppable is a
collection of 75 power-packed stories of the extraordinary Indian women who
broke the rules to change the world around them for the better.
My review:
Unstoppable
is truly an amazing read. I picked up this book and finished it in just one day
– all the accounts of the women were so very inspiring and just made me keep on
turning the pages continually. I also affirm that the author Gayathri Ponvannan
and the illustrator Mithila Ananth, are two great women themselves and have
made this project a wonderful gift for all youngsters.
Firstly,
I would definitely recommend everyone to give their young relatives this books,
both boys and girls, although I do believe that this would have a deeper impact
on the girls. Reading this book at in impressionable age would be of the utmost
benefit for the young minds. It is a compilation of some brave women, who
braved all odds, and were willing to move against the tide, despite all odds,
to achieve their dreams and for what they believed was right.
Apart
from the struggle of realizing their dreams, it has so many accounts of women
fighting for their country, that I admittedly got goosebumps – almost in every
account. I simply loved reading this collection and cannot stress it enough. Moreover,
it is so shameful that we hardly know all of these women – women because of whom
we are where we are today. Had it not been for these kinds of people, maybe my
girlfriends and I would have been long married, denied education or even living
behind the purdah today! And while so many of us blame all the men, we cannot deny
that there are some men who are so very progressive that they are also behind
the position women have today. The accounts in this book feature some amazing
and truly wonderful fathers, brothers and husbands, who were very supportive of
their female relatives. This will definitely also inspire the boys growing up
today.
I cannot assert how much I loved his book, enough. The language is easy, keeping in mind the young people who will read it. The writing style is engaging and the illustrations are fun to look at. I am sure it will inspire everyone, just as it inspired the 20-year-old me. I again would like to add that this book should be read by everyone, disregarding whether one is 12 or even 120 years old!
Verdict:
I
absolutely loved reading this book and I rate this a 5/5 stars.
About the
reviewer:
Nayanika
Saikia, is one of the foremost book reviewers from the North-east and Assam,
and is also an admin for the official India bookstagram page on Instagram. She
publishes her own reviews and recommendations for poetry, fiction, non-fiction
etc. on her bookstagram account @pretty_little_bibliophile which won the
NorthEast Creator Awards 2018, as well as in daily newspapers, online magazines
etc. She can be contacted at nayanikasaikia98@gmail.com
.
WHAT REALLY HAPPENED!!!!! FOR THE FIRST TIME
EVER, CLEAR AND CONVINCING EXPLANATIONS….
Netaji Bose, who led the Indian National Army to
wage battles against the British, allegedly died in an air crash in Taipei,
Taiwan soon after the Second World War came to an end. Did he really die in the
air crash or was it a fabrication? This question was considered by three
inquiry commissions, the last of which came to the clear conclusion that there
was in fact no air crash. Each report is carefully dissected by the author, a
trained international lawyer and public intellectual.
If Bose did not in fact die in the air crash,
where did he go, what happened to him, and when, where and how did he meet his
end? Why did Prime Minister Nehru keep Bose-related files away from the first
committee that conducted an enquiry? Why did India’s first prime minister order
that surveillance be carried out on the Bose family for decades? Why did Prime
Minister Morarji Desai speak of new evidence that challenged the conclusions of
the first two inquiries that Bose had died in an air crash? Why did Desai
subsequently fall silent? This book provides explanations on all the important
questions that have plagued Indian minds for decades. The mystery behind the
springing tiger’s disappearance is finally unlocked.
If Gandhi’s non-violent struggle represented the
feminine spirit of ‘ahimsa’ Bose and the INA’s struggle represented Indian
manhood in its fullest flowering. In freedom struggles across the world, some
of those who fought the hardest are subsequently ignored. If we apply the
necessary corrective to the history of Indian independence, the author argues,
we will change India’s view of itself and its place in the world, past, present
and future.
My review:
Having
never come across a book on Subhash Bose exclusively, The Vanishing of Subhash
Bose was a pleasant surprise and subsequently, a gripping read as well. The
entire book, right from the very first page itself, could attract all of my
attention and kept me sucked in until the very end.
The
fact that the book is very much based on research and available information,
and then only some conjecture, makes the reader all the more intrigue, while
also realizing the importance and significance of the book. The author has
obviously put in a lot of research into this book, which is full of fats and
such details.
Now despite the fact that this book is so full of such details and facts, the author has been able to keep the reader occupied with a great interactive writing style that does not bore the reader. However, having said that, I do feel that this might be a bit of a polarizing book – for people who absolutely may hate history, this book may not be for them, but then again, the entire topic is so very intriguing and curious that I think that if the reader just keeps on reading the first few pages, he will certainly fly through the next.
Everybody
has theories as to what might have happened, thus leading the reader to
conjecture wildly. But this book does not depend merely on such things but real
events corresponding and related to the entirety of this situation.
The
writing style of the author is easy to understand and also very engaging.
Relating the simple, and “non-major” aspects of this enigmatic man’s life was
also very interesting. The author has truly done justice to this non-fiction
book, by adding true facts and details, without surprisingly making it boring.
I
really do think that this book is worth giving a read.
Shadows
of the Night is a collection of short stories by Priyanka Lal, all of which has
been inspired by someone or the other in the author’s life.
The
stories are:
Love at Sixteen
The Goan Chase
Twist of Fate
Shadows of the Night
Two can Play
Things…. That Happen by Chance
Celebration of Loss
Language of Love
Wishes and Sighs
Life is to Live
Death do us Part
The Last Wish and a New Beginning
Does Love Last Forever
The stories are a wild collection of horror,
romance, first-love, new beginnings, human resilience etc. I really enjoyed
reading them all but the first one was definitely my favourite.
The language used is very simple so even
beginners can read it. The narration was easy-going as well. I could not put
the book down once I started reading honestly.
However,
the editing can be worked on. As well as the book cover, for I do not think
this cover did the book justice.
Verdict:
It
was an enjoyable overall read. I rate it a 3/5 stars.
About the reviewer:
Nayanika
Saikia, is one of the foremost book reviewers from the North-east and Assam,
and is also an admin for the official India bookstagram page on Instagram. She
publishes her own reviews and recommendations for poetry, fiction, non-fiction
etc. on her bookstagram account @pretty_little_bibliophile which won the
NorthEast Creator Awards 2018, as well as in daily newspapers, online magazines
etc. She can be contacted at nayanikasaikia98@gmail.com
.
Synopsis:
Erica Lindell would give anything to turn back time. To get a second chance to make the right decisions. To undo the devastating mistake that ruined everything.
Left heartbroken after the loss of the love of her life, Sasha aka Prince Alexandre, Erica has to find a way to pick up the pieces of her shattered heart and live with the consequences of her actions. But finding the strength to go on with her life is not all she has to contend with. Soon, Erica finds herself in the midst of the evil feuding behind the attack on Sasha and she has to fight to protect herself and all that is near and dear to her.
Amongst all of the confusion, pain and hurt, Tyler proposes a solution that may solve all of her problems. But will Erica go through with Tyler’s crazy scheme?
The much-anticipated second book of the Angelheart Saga Trilogy is another enchanting, heart-wrenching story about the mistakes made in the name of love, full of drama, passion and surprising twists. My review:
In Forever Disguised, the sequel to First Came Forever, we see Erica coping with her loss mostly. It is again, a roller-coaster ride and the pace doesn’t wane – the author has been excellent in preventing that.
I finished reading First Came Forever in literally 6 hours, I think – just a day, and I took two days for the sequel. If I didn’t have a test, I’d have probably finished it in a day as well. This is a wonderful series. So far only these two books have been out and I have no doubt that the third will be out soon; or at least I hope it’s soon. I’m going crazy with the wait. This series has everything – there is romance, friendships, family, and the effects of differentiating views and fights among friends, family, lovers and so on.
The love, the hate, the drama, the revenge, the fairy-tale was on point. What really makes the reader stick to these books is I think how realistic and thus relatable the author has made the story. It is as if one is seeing the events take place in front of her! The themes really grab on to the characters, and their actions, and through their actions and reactions, the reader as well.
The pace of the story was well-timed. The structure, the narrative style was also balanced and could keep the reader laugh, cry and smile at appropriate times (and howl with sorrow as well!) The character development is amazingly apt and again, well-paced. Nothing is rushed, and we see the characters evolve at a natural pace. The plot development again was really well done too.
Finding grammatical or even punctuation errors is often enough to put off the reader, and I am glad I never came across any. The editors have done a good job with it.
I wished to know what happened at the end and yet I wished for the story to never end – such is the power of this author. And now that I’m done with both, I can only cross my fingers and hope that the third will be released soon! Verdict:
I really really enjoyed this book and can now only fangirl over it as I desperately wait for the next in the series to come out soon! I rate this a 4.5/5 stars.
Title: The Sun and Her Flowers Author: Rupi Kaur Publisher: Andrews McNeel Publishing Format: Ebook Language: English Pages: 256
Synopsis:
From Rupi Kaur, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of milk and honey, comes her long-awaited second collection of poetry. A vibrant and transcendent journey about growth and healing. Ancestry and honoring one’s roots. Expatriation and rising up to find a home within yourself.
Divided into five chapters and illustrated by Kaur, the sun and her flowers is a journey of wilting, falling, rooting, rising, and blooming. A celebration of love in all its forms.
this is the recipe of life
said my mother
as she held me in her arms as i wept
think of those flowers you plant
in the garden each year
they will teach you
that people too
must wilt
fall
root
rise
in order to bloom My review:
I have honestly come across so many reviews for this book stating that Milk and Honey was so much better, I digress after accepting the fact that Milk and Honey was really good, yes, but to compare two collections with entirely different themes, would be unjust.
I read Milk and Honey around a year ago, and I absolutely loved the writing. The best thing about Rupi Kaur’s writing is that the language is so simple yet the way she weaves the words is truly an art. I fell in love with her writing and picked up The Sun and her Flowers as soon as I was able to.
I like to think that since it was Milk and Honey that first introduced me to this writer, it shall always be close to my heart. But nonetheless, The Sun and her Flowers was just ass amazing, covering much more diversity than in the former one. One will find that there are many more long and descriptive pieces in the latter book. The themes of love, hatred, feminity, migration, evolution and well as the more painful ones of tragedy and loss, find their way to grip the readers’ hearts through the intricate magic in Kaur’s words. Truly a piece of art, I found The Sun and her Flowers very inspiring and moving.
Verdict:
I really enjoyed this collection and hope to re-read it soon. Considerably different than Milk and Honey but nonetheless just as amazing, I rate this a 4.5/5 stars.
