AIRFRAME

Book Title : Airframe - There's Danger In The Skies

Author : Michael Crichton

ISBN Code : 9780099556312

Genre : Fiction

Okay, before heading to the book review, something a little about this book which has got nothing to do with the story whatsoever... So, the other day, we had gone to crossword and were browsing through the books, I wanted to read another of Isaac Asimov's books so we headed to the science fiction corner of the book store. Unfortunately, they were out of stock of Asimov books and as I write this review, they probably would be restocking their shelves with Asimov books as they were due in today.

Moving on, not finding Isaac Asimov books, I went in search of my fall back author - Michael Crichton, who having written books like Jurassic Park or Prey (which is about nanotechnology) or Next (which is about cross breeding and DNA and what not) was still listed under fiction and not science fiction - this disappointed me - and husband confirmed - after all such books, he is still not a Sci-Fi author! Jeez!!

Even the tag along the bar-code at the back of the cover says FICTION! Well, so now I have to move all his books from Science Fiction to Fiction - but I still love the way he writes and still love the books he writes and this is how we come to the review of this book.

So being an architect - I have zero knowledge of aerodynamics and stuff like that... ZILCH! But reading a book by Michael, it wont matter what your background was - because the way he writes is with so much detail and precision that you actually understand what he is talking about. I am being bold here by saying, that he really researches the matter before he writes about it - which is why, with zero background, you can still understand his books - because his research is seen in the way he writes.

I would like to quote Express here "A deftly-woven tale of corporate skulduggery, media deceit and sleuthing" - there is everything in this book - there's the technical details, there's mystery, there's drama and as the plane in this story undergoes pitch oscillations, so do you - when at one point you are scared of your next flight travel and then you end up marveling the technology they are built with and then you shudder with fear, thinking how a million things can go wrong and they do but then again how a very well trained pilot or an auto pilot can take care of things that happen so easily.

With this book, you will embark upon a journey of ups and downs through the travel but end up with fond memories of a remarkable trip.

Like I have always believed and have been proven time and again with his various books, you can never go wrong with a Michael Crichton book - so what are you waiting for - go ahead and pick it up!

Happy Reading!

Something Happened On The Way To Heaven

Book Title : Something Happened On The Way To Heaven - 20 Inspiring Real Life Stories

Edited By : Sudha Murty

Genre : Non-fiction / Anthology

ISBN Code : 9780143423928

My Rating : *****

The first book I read by the author was Wise and Otherwise and I was instantly hooked to her books and her writing. I definitely cannot claim that I have read all her works, indeed I have read only a few. But I do love reading her every chance I get. So as soon as I knew, her new book was in the market, I knew I had to buy this one.

Though on further reading about the book, I came to know that it wasn't a book truly authored by her. She just happened to select the stories that came her way through a competition organized by Penguin Books, edited them and compiled them into this book.

Reading this book was a pure pleasure - you read one story and you felt this is the best inspiring story you could ever come across but that feeling only lasted till you finished reading the next one. Each story has been completely different from others in the collection, truly inspiring and it would either leave you heart filled with gladness, love, gratitude or it could leave you with goosebumps all over. Or maybe with a feeling, that cannot be described in words.

We have all felt disappointment at some stage of our lives or other, but these stories will help you restore your faith in yourself, in God and all things that happen - for you come out only stronger after having lived through each dark phase of your life.

This book is a must read for all. I hope you pick up the book and find inspiration in its pages that makes you stronger, restores your faith in all things possible and help you move forward.

Happy Reading!

On Women - Selected Writings

Book Title : On Women (-selected writings-)

Author : Khushwant Singh with Humra Quraishi 

Genre : Anthology 

I S.N Code : 9788129124920

Having heard so much about Mr. Khushwant Singh and his writings - I had great expectations of this book - which covers his selected writings.

Having said that, it is with saddened heart that I am writing this review - as I was truly disappointed - for most of the book was nothing but his experiences with various women - like mentioned in the book summary.

Some of these excerpts seem to have ended abruptly with lot being left unsaid - like in the chapter he talks about Amrita Sher-Gil. Such chapters were a huge disappointment.

But then again - some writings managed to stir feelings inside you - which only a good author manages to do - like the one titled 'The Venus of Churchgate'.

There are still chapters like Indira Gandhi or Mother Teresa - that give us insight into the lives and natures of such significant ladies of the gone days!

And then there is this one chapter dedicated to Phoolan Devi - which was a great read because having her being portrayed as the villain always - it was refreshing to read her side of the story - that told the untold tale.of this lady - why she was the way she was...

So yes, there are some ladies worth reading about in the book - yes the chapters dedicated to them have been beautifully written  - yes they are truly entertaining - but, yes but - most didn't quiet reach the.mark.

If I had to rate the book on a scale of 5 - I would say, for me it was a 3.5 something book.

If you do pick up the book - I hope it proves ba better read for you...

Happy Reading! 

Nightfall

Book Title : Nightfall

Author : Isaac Asimov with Robert Silverberg 

Genre : Science Fiction 

ISBN: 9780553290998

The year 2015 started with a decent enough novel - a suggestion by my husband. Normally I used to read Sci-Fi by Michael Crichton, but Isaac proceeded to be a good author with captivating writing skills. 

The book is written in 3 parts - twilight, nightfall and daybreak. The first part is for building up the base of the whole novel and it does do a pretty good job at it - with three different scenarios playing up - excavations, a theme park ride and astronomical research and observations. The only let down was that - if you really put down your mind to the story - you can guess where it is headed and how things would happen more or less. 

The second part goes on to describe the actual events that take place when the night fall occurs - if you have already guessed what's going to happen - you just might end up flipping through it. Good part is - they have kept it short - it doesn't become a drag.

The last part, daybreak - is all about what happened with the main characters during the nightfall and what's happening to the world post nightfall. The buildup at the beginning of this part is amazing - having guessed the previous part - you might think there is nothing more but this part is all about the 'more' or 'what happens afterwards' and since you can't guess the end- your interest in the story returns manifold. But after such a beautiful buildup - the book ended up in a fizz and I was left thinking - that's it? That's the end? ?

True, that the end disappointed me - but reading Isaac was refreshing. The writing in itself is interesting and has created a desire in me to read other books by Asimov.

I would still say, it was a good start to 2015.

Happy Reading!