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! 

The Hunger Games

Book Name:The Hunger Games

                      Catching Fire

                      Mockingjay

Author:          Suzanne Collins

ISBN Code: 9718184771695, 9718184774009, 9718184776218

Genre:          Science Fiction

The first and the second book have already been converted to movies in the same name. I guess more number of people would have seen the movie than the ones who have read books. Well I have read all three books and I have seen both the movies. Even though movies have been made beautifully but they can never match up to the written matter. For one thing, the story-line changes in some places, some of the characters go missing from the movie, some scenes cut. 

Moving away from the movie and moving on to the books, the first book is as always a capturing novel - a novel that grips you, that makes you want to read more. 1st book in a way is complete in itself - you read it and leave it at that - no need to read all three books. But then again, why would you not want to read a very interesting story - full of all the drama you would want - there is love, there is hate, there is violence, there is tenderness and then there is so much more.

Second book, started off with a bang with another year of hunger games but towards the end it became a bit of drag which continued into the 3rd book in the beginning as well. But second book creates a proper link between the first and the third book - has a momentum to some extent and leaves you wanting more. The plot thickens and greater conspiracies revealed - making a base for the third book.

Third book, provides a fitting end to the series - hearts broken, love kindled; family separated by death and families come together; the bad guy dies (which is a cliche), the good lady turns into a bad guy - things change and things change again - you will see some twists and turns in this one. 

At the end, I was left disappointed, not with the end of the book as such but because of the end of the series - because there was nothing more to read in the series.

If you have seen the movie and you liked it any bit, try reading the book - I promise you wont be disappointed.

Happy Reading!

JAYA : An Illustrated Retelling of Mahabharata

Book Name - JAYA : An Illustrated Retelling of Mahabharata

Author           - Dr. Devdutt Pattanaik

ISBN Code  - 9780143104254

Genre           - Mythology
Book Cover  

How many of us have read Mahabharata (excuse me elders, the question was intended for the teenagers and people in twenties) - guess, not many of us. No shame in that - I tried reading bible, trust me I couldn't read it. Truthfully, its not even our age to bury ourselves in religious scriptures - well that was what I thought, till I came across this author and his beautifully written books.
This wasn't my first book and it wasn't the last either. This book was recommended to me by my sister-in-law, who by the way, is 5 years younger to me about an year ago(the reason I mentioned the age difference was to point out how teenagers are finding the book interesting too).

Well, Dr. Devdutt's writing style is so different, that you will get hooked to the book. He doesn't narrate it like a religious scripture, but breaks down the story into smaller anecdotes and passages. What's even more interesting is, he adds his own perceptions and his own ideas at the end of each chapter that makes it an ever more interesting read. 
People who have read Mahabharata, the original religious scripture i.e., even they will find some new and interesting bits in this retelling. I read the book and then I asked my mom to read it and trust me, she found it interesting too - and she found something new in there too.
As if, this wasn't an inspiration enough to pick up a copy - reading these books and later discussing them leads to some real awesome discussions and chats.

And to add to the fun, pick up Ajaya (by Anand Neelakantan) before or after reading this one and you would really have some food for thought. Currently I am reading Sita, which is Dr. Devdutt's version of Ramayana. And since I have already read Mr. Neelakantan's version which is called Asura, I am finding Sita a very interesting read too.

So, here's to hoping, these books would get a chance...
Happy Reading!

HIS DARK MATERIALS

Book Name - Northern Lights (His Dark Materials #1) - better known as 'The Golden Compass'
                        The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials #2)
                        The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials #3) 

Author           - Philip Pullman

ISBN Code  - 9788176559539 (#1), 9788176559546 (#2), 9788176559553 (#3)

Genre           - Fantasy Fiction / Science Fiction
Book Cover 

The first book, now a movie by the name of golden compass, is what every first book of a series should be -a book that is unputdown-able and a book that interests you so much that you pick up the next book in the series as soon as you finish the first one, to know more, to know what happens next. The first book is all about the dust - it talks about how its affecting elders and how children are not affected by it, but how is it working is something not very clear. But that is what creates this interest in the book and makes you want to read further. Another aspect that creates your interest is the alethiometer and how the protagonist Lyra reads it.

The second book wasn't up to the mark like most second books in any series. Its basically a buildup for the final book in the series. It introduces the subtle knife which is the most important element of the whole series. Some parts are really interesting in the book, some not so much. Some secrets are revealed, some more created. But like I said, its more of a buildup for the final book.

Unlike the last books, in any series, which provide a fitting end to the whole series, the last book was even a greater let-down than the second book. Towards the end, you already know what's going to happen - which leads to your losing the interest in the book. Good part - how Lyra's parents do a complete turnaround and die saving their daughter instead of being evil like they were portrayed in first two books. Some, might even feel that this part too was a let down but I have a bigger let down in the book - all the windows need to be closed, Lyra and Will need to separate, subtle knife needs to be destroyed - very well and for all the love those two had for each other - what about that love? The love that solved all the problems, the love that was the salvation for the humankind, the love that was the eve's apple - it will have to be forgotten, they didn't even try!

Well, this review has turned into a kind of a spoiler but I would still suggest that you read at least the first book - it deserves to be read. And if you are still interested after reading it, you can always pick up the next book and then the next book.

Happy reading!

THE FIFTY SHADES TRILOGY

Book Names : Book 01: Fifty Shades of Grey
                          Book 02: Fifty Shades Darker
                          Book 03: Fifty Shades Freed

Author             : E. L. James

ISBN Code    : 9780099579939
                          9780099579922
                          9780099579946

Genre             : Erotic Literature
Book Cover   : 

Like Christian Grey says, quote Always start with Wikipedia unquote, I started with Wikipedia. According to Wikipedia, as a piece of literature, Fifty Shades received a mixed to negative response. Quoting Wikipedia, The Telegraph criticised the book as "treacly cliché" but also wrote that the sexual politics in Fifty Shades of Grey will have female readers "discussing it for years to come." Unquoting. 
Yes being a female reader, maybe I am partial to the series and yes I loved all three books. But what hooked me to the book was this -

"It's about gaining your trust and your respect, so you'll let me exert my will over you. I will gain a great deal of pleasure, joy even, in your submission"

I picked up the book for reading up erotica, but I ended up reading not only erotica but psychology as well. Like before I underlined this, I actually underlined this - quote "I'd like to bite that lip," he whispers darkly. ... That has to be the sexiest thing anybody ever said to me unquote. But when I read the aforementioned lines, I wanted to delve further into the man's head - what was he thinking, what's going on in that person's head. 

And as I kept on reading further, I started thinking about a well known fact - how certain circumstances lead to one thing and then to another... everyone has a nature, everyone behaves in a certain manner - and everyone gets these traits based on some incident in their lives. So I just wanted to know, what happened with this man, that made him like this...

True that its not one of the well written books but the mix bag of erotica, emotional drama, the lovey-dovey stuff and lots more, make it a fun read. Not all of you are going to enjoy it, but those who enjoy it, enjoy it a lot. I have this set in my collection, I have read it once, but I know, that one day I will pick it up again, and read it from back to back again...

Read it for erotica, read it for understanding psychology, or read it not at all... in the end, the decision lies with you...

Happy Reading!