sneha
I read this book several years ago for school work. On a recent revisit, I found myself enjoying this much more! It started off slow but the maturity and the clear thought process that Anne walks the reader through is truly commendable for someone her age. She truly would have come out an extraordinary woman if she would have survived past war. What a wonderful young writer got lost in this long sad war.
This collection of Anton Chekhov stories cover a lot of themes and give a glimpse into the people in his time; their lives, behaviour and thought processes.
While most stories revolve around relationship of man and woman; either blooming love or sour marriage or cheating spouse, there is always a very real human thought process that is explored.
Stories of young adults and their thirst for adventures are also covered well.
This was the first of Ruskin Bond's published works and that is visible. It isn't the most gripping narrative, isn't written in the style that Bond is known for but provides colourful characters and insight into a young adolescent boy. It is a strangely enjoyable, slightly tragic coming of age tale.
I heard 80% of the book and read the rest.
Digital Minimalism is a mix of a new gen podcast on technology use (sometimes sounding like a sermon but most of the time presenting a logical argument) and a well researched thesis on role of technology and attention economy in our lives mixed with the wisdom of out yester years.
It draws from previous works on leisure, mindful living, community building and such. It is peppered with various case studies and profiles of individuals who have strived to do something extraordinary. For this, I'd recommend digital Minimalism to anyone who might want to become more mindful of their technology usage.
PS read/listen and take some notes about the actionable steps, this book is only as useful as you'd make it.
No, it's not about him just wanted to catch that giant fish and torture the poor creature. It's about a man, losing all his skill and strength, facing an eventual death, being alone with his thoughts and fear all by himself in middle of a sea facing perhaps his greatest achievement clocked as an adversary. Just read it for his stream of consciousness in middle of the ocean.
This book is a mix bag of emotions.
On one hand, it dealt with real dilemmas that book readers/lover face. Of whether it's okay to abandon a book, reading a challenging book, interacting with the classical works that feel intimidating. While on the other end, it also alienated me by going on and on about certain niche of cultural references that seem exclusive to the writer.
The memoir plus book review style was new and fun to read but there were few chapters that felt a bit too much. Nonetheless, this book had some wonderful quotable lines and a brilliant suggestions of “books to read” or as Andy would say “List of Betterment”. Worth a read, once.
The stories were very average. Well written, but the plot isn't amusing or exciting. The author tries very hard to make it a thrilling adventure but falls flat with the end being extremely predictable. The only wonderful thing about this was the narration by Benedict Cumberbatch. It was a delight listening to him talk in various accents for different characters. Give it a listen for bennypatch
// everyone should read this
I'm not a fan of autobiographies. In fact, this might as well be the first autobiography I truly enjoyed. It was a page turner, his simplistic yet engaging style of writing had me hooked to know what's going to happen next in his life. Lessons and tales of childhood memories, loss of loved one, money problems, family drama and friendship were talked about so eloquently, you do not want to keep this book down.
It's raw and blunt, not romanticising his struggles of becoming a beloved writer and the strenuous path that got him there. It also gives brief insights into the background of many of his favourite characters and short stories.
And when it's over, you'll be sad that there is not more. While reviewing ‘Love among bookshelves' I wrote “I haven't read a book that made me so happy and satisfied in a long time”. I would reuse that sentiment for this one.
reading this book was an experience that everyone, whether familiar or unfamiliar with Bond's work, should embarke on.
Read this for the love of Bond. I would like to thank the author for writing this. It's so freaking beautiful :')
This little book of poetry is best read with a serving of warm tea, tucked away in your blanket. It makes you go through all emotions; joy, excitement, curiosity and sadness. While reading this anthology of poems, you can see the change in style of poetry the author goes through. His later works being more grounded around his life events and written like proses. I particularly enjoyed “at the adivasi academy, tejgadh” and “with a neurologist”. This book is a pledge and an act of catharsis. I look forward to more works by this author. :)
A very simple written book, If You Come Softly portrayes the joy, excitement and challenges of teenage love in face of society and it's perceived norms.
I enjoyed how the narration changed with the characters and how well their backgrounds were set up. It's a small book that packs a punch. The ending will leave you a little jolted, if not hoping for a better world. What a wonderful little book.
Brutal starts off very promising but loses the charm after the first few pages. It becomes extremely predictable, repetitive and down right boring for a thriller.
It has plot points of Kingsman and a cast that frankly come off as painfully cocky and unreal. The characters are shallow and lousy, falling into stereotypes. The dialogues feel lazy and forced. The whole of second half is trying to hard to be something it isn't.
I appreciate the effort that Uday is put and the book is okayish for a first time author but it really should have undergone atleast three more cycles of editing. It couldn't keep up the hype it created and died down a slow painful death. The plot was flying out of control, a bizarre mix of Bollywood mainstream spy thriller meets a forced international arms dealing angle. The main component of the story lacked serious conviction. I read this in one sitting primarily because I wanted to get done with it.
I love Hank. I love his videos and I was quote psyched to read his book!
The plot is like nothing I have read before. It's bizzard and outer worldly (literally). The city is utilised very well. The fame and it's problems are described so bloody well! Portions discussing fringe groups and growing distrust and it's discourse on twitter is discussed so bloody well. I tip my hat to the author.
But the characters, all apart from April May, seem not well crafted. And even after 345 pages of this book, I cannot bring myself to like the protagonist or empathize with her struggles. The book is April May and all the characters that are either agreeing and supporting her (which are the good guys) or critical of her and not in her constant support (aka all the bad guys). April May comes off as a shallow, privileged, narcissistic individual and constantly makes me wonder why she was chosen. Maybe part two would rationalise it but all said and done. This might be the most bizarre and intriguing book I have read in past two years. I want to read more from Hank! :)
What a wonderful book!
I believe the book is meant for younger audience but as a 20 something I truly enjoyed the adventures of Nobody Owens. The book is “jungle book but in a graveyard” and it doesn't have a single dull moment in it. The cherry on top are he beautiful illustrations - starting from the cover page to the mini portraits before each chapter. Neil Gaiman proves why he is a genius yet again. Short, wonderful read. :)
starting the year with Buskin Rond's book
Roads to Mussoorie is Ruskin Bond reminiscing his life in the mountains. Having been in and around Mussoorie for decades, he has a plethora of stories and anecdotes to share. The style of writing is light, as always. You'll definitely chuckle every few paragraphs. He has also managed to share a very bite-size history of the rise of hill stations through the British colonial rule. It's done in a humane, non-white-saviour style. I enjoyed previously unknown stories of Captain Philips and his Irish aloo. Even Proby Cautley's tale of vision and resilience to bring better irrigation showed the civil minded, rare non-abusive side of the British rule.
I am glad this book didn't repackage some of the older stories with a pretty cover. It featured personal tales ranging from hill-side treks to wild parties in the 20s ft. Bhoot aunty and other local folklore.
Don't blame me if by the end of the book you're tempted to visit the mountains and take up a slow intentional life, at least for a week. After finishing the book, I spend the next hour looking up AirBnbs in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand :/
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a rant about the quality of the printing
Let me just get this off my chest, this is nothing to do with the writing. I have a bone to pick with Rupa publishers. They are consistent by being sh*tty. So many issues with this one - I found 10 typos. So silly, one run through Grammarly would have fixed it. Second, the paper quality. Were you going for that transparent-bleeding-through-the-pages look? Cause you nailed it! Why cut costs so aggressively that the reading experience is effected? Oh, and the good ol' faded pages in the middle. I would have overlooked these issues if it were happening for the first time. But Rupa publishers have time and again produced softcopies that make me want to tear it apart and use it as a kitchen towel. Please do better.
My favourite in the trilogy! This one has a brilliant collection of stories of brave women in Mahabharata!
I have come to expect a certain entertainment and excitement from all of Sharath's books and this one was no different! So happy to have finished the trilogy. :)
beautiful images leaving me with mixed emotions.
will write a long piece on favourite images (and not so fav pieces) soon.
The book makes good points but the overall information is very lackluster and repetitive. Could have been published as a long read article instead!
A wonderful insight into the various women living in Mumbai and their claim to the public space. This book discusses the nuance of women and their access and right to public space in a very easy to understand manner. Wonderful ethnographic work!
** Medium : Audiobook **
F451 is a cult classic. A sharp critique of the erosion of knowledge and attack on arts and culture. Bradbury's book in the 1950s was a response against the violent subduction of liberal voices rising against the Cold War by the American government. As good books often prove, they stay relevant beyond their time, often for decades and centuries to come. Funny enough, Bradbury wrote a book so significant and timeless that its protagonist in the third act would memorize its content.
The book is full of iconic dialogues. It features less than ten characters panning 200-odd pages, and yet, in such limited space and time, the book forces the reader to ruminate on the words spoken.
Having said this, this book felt a little weird, like it shouldn't have been a book but rather a play. (I later found out that F451 has been adapted as a play with a screenplay written by the author himself) Bradbury doesn't spend much time building characters, introducing the setting, or setting the space. You're kicked right into the dystopic future of Guy Montage and its life.
The book made me a little sad, forcing me to rethink the current media landscape and how the forces of social media are furthering us away from long-form, introspective sources of knowledge. Even tho the style wasn't something I particularly enjoyed, I am glad I read it. What a book, I feel better reading it.