tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45800410094709429502024-03-16T01:12:29.947+00:00Valli's Book Densrivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.comBlogger591125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-73093741598371565282023-11-15T20:55:00.005+00:002023-11-15T20:55:35.673+00:00I Capture the castle by Dodie Smith<p> <span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">#27 </span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">of 54 BBC Big Read</span></p><p><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">This reminded me of Little women and bit like Pride and Prejudice. This family lives in a crumbling castle. No one is earning anything except for the servant boy who contributes to the household income. Father an experimental writer the forerunner to our James Joyce who has written just one book and refuses to write another spends his time reading detective novels. Step-mother who was a famous model but currently no source of income. Not sure if I missed out on what educational qualifications Rose has and what she intended to do if the landlords of the castle with two eligible bachelors do not come visiting. Our Narrator Cassandra, a teenager who loves writing. The story is written in a lighter vein. Some of it funny in lines of PG Wodehouse. </span></p><p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;">They all knew the reality of the situation that they have no money. Why does no one goes and gets a paying job. Rose decides to take the easy route marry the rich man and escape poverty. And what Rose and Thomas do to make their father to start writing again is preposterous. Who in their right mind would do what they did? Anyway, alls well that ends well.</span></span></p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-17601081981301531722023-10-31T17:31:00.005+00:002023-11-04T10:41:23.974+00:00The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman<p><span style="font-size: 16px;">I picked this up on a holiday last Christmas. I would say this is undoubtedly the most travelled book. I took it to every holiday I went this last year. But somehow only now actually read and finished it. It is funny and after a point was so confusing.</span></p><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">Whose body was it they discovered? There were so many different versions that so many people come up with I finally lost track. Retirees in a Retirement village start the Thursday murder club to discuss cold cases. While cold cases could do for Bosch or Bolitar. At the Thursday murder club we have hot cases, fresh off the oven. People getting killed. Will our Murder club discover the murderer and would they be brought to justice forms the gist of the story. </span><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_231031_173037_976.sdocx-->srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-2610923134171658802023-10-02T21:05:00.001+01:002023-10-02T21:05:35.115+01:00The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman<p> <span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;">#25 </span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;">of 54 BBC Big Read</span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;">Third book in </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;">His Dark Materials Trilogy. Zeppelins, gyroptors, dragonflies, sceptres and ghosts all come together for a spectacular finale. Good vs evil, God vs human, who will twin the epic battle? </span></p><h1 class="quoteText" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(24, 24, 24); color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: normal; line-height: 21px; margin: 0px 0px 15px; padding: 0px;">“The intentions of a tool are what it does. A hammer intends to strike, a vise intends to hold fast, a lever intends to lift. They are what it is made for. But sometimes a tool may have other uses that you don't know. Sometimes in doing what you intend, you also do what the knife intends, without knowing.” The idea that a tool doesn’t have any intentions and it acts upon the intentions of those who use the tool is questionable. Every tool has some inherent qualities that makes it what it is. </h1><div>What is the answer to all world’s problems? How to end all wars? It is really a simple answer. Answer we all know. Answer that children teach us again. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;"><br /></span></p><p><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;"><br /></span></p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-72178512321694466592023-09-26T22:40:00.002+01:002023-10-02T20:52:03.326+01:00The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher <p> <span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;">#24.66 </span><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;">of 54 BBC Big Read</span></p><p><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;">The Shell Seekers is the story of a mother and her 3 grown children. Nancy is a snob, married with kids living beyond her means. Olivia is an independent single working woman and Noel, less said about him the better. Penelope is the mother of these children. She is also the daughter of a famous artist who is in vogue again and his art is worth thousands. We get the story of each of the characters. Olivia is Penelope’s favourite and she is painted in a warm colour by the author. </span></p><p><span face=""Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-size: 12.61px;">In a romantic book, there are certain things you would expect. I was expecting certain things about certain characters. But it didn’t happen like that. Am I happy that things didn’t turn out as expected or was I disappointed? Not sure why I look for twists in the end in almost every tale. There were no twists.Nothing I was expecting. </span></p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-2955164223737928002023-09-26T22:25:00.001+01:002023-09-26T22:25:09.606+01:00The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman<p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">#23.66 </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">of 54 BBC Big Read</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">Second book in the His dark Materials Trilogy picks up from where the first left off and we are in alternate worlds. How does one travel from one world to another. How many worlds exist? Is it good vs evil all over again and who will win this war. What is this Subtle knife? Will the good find it or the evil? I think there were more questions then answers here. Hopefully the last book delivers and ties up all the loose threads.</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;"><br /></span></p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-77220492085847894362023-09-20T22:06:00.000+01:002023-09-20T22:06:04.141+01:00The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton<p> #23.33 <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">of 54 BBC Big Read</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">Not sure if I read this as a kid. Probably did read it. I remember reading lots of books about pixies, goblins, gnomes and what-not by Enid Blyton. Looks like Secret Seven and Famous Five books have survived the time along with the Magic Faraway tree. Like most of these books kids have lots of fun with minimal interference from parents. Either they are not well or busy with their jobs. Kids go exploring magical lands. Land of Toys, Land of Presents, Land of Take it all you want (?), land of sleep, land of spells, Land of Tempers. Oh what fun! Just close your eyes and imagine a land. Nice little adventure. </span></p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-36494883331200749762023-09-20T21:40:00.004+01:002023-09-20T21:40:23.689+01:00Cold comfort farm by Stella Gibbons<p># 22.33 of 54 BBC Big Read</p><p>Well, some books are not for me. Within a few pages I knew it. But still managed to read it. Not sure why this was written and who found it funny. But I didn’t. Should give myself a pat to have plodded through it and not have abandoned it. Is it just dated? Maybe if I read this a 100 years before, would I have loved it? Or maybe tolerated it. Maybe not getting the parody thing as I haven't ready any of the stuff that this was supposed to be parodying it. But then I learnt it was a parody after I explored world wide web why this book was in the list. I saw this one compared to ‘Three Men in a boat’. Haven’t still have a clue why people liked Three Men in a boat or why I couldn’t make sense of it either. Looks like this parody business is not to my taste. Anyday give me Ruth Rendell, P G Wodehouse or Harlan Coben then this!</p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-1053025391841005112023-09-18T22:53:00.001+01:002023-09-18T22:53:02.821+01:00Zachary Ying and the Dragon Empire by Xiran Jay Zhao<p> Add some Chinese history to video games and virtual reality to ghosts of empires you get this children’s book. Virtual reality headset gets haunted by the ghost of the first emperor of China. What does he want? How will Zack accomplish this with his friends/strangers? Will he get rid of the ghosts haunting human realm? In this process what will Zack learn about himself and his identity. While it was easy to read, there were too many characters and after a point I didn’t bother much about them. We do know Zack will win. </p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-45714033824816368442023-09-18T22:43:00.002+01:002023-09-18T22:43:59.269+01:00The Stand by Stephen King<p># 21.33 of 54 BBC Big Read</p><p>In this big list, there were 3 books that I was not really looking forward to read. Of these 3 I have finished two and while it had been hard work, I wouldn’t say it wasn’t enjoyable. Maybe 3rd one would be fruitful too. Will cross the bridge when I need to meet Ulysess.</p><p>First the rant. The book was first published in 1978 and had some 800 odd pages. As if 800 was not enough, author revisited and republished adding a few hundred pages coming to 1200 odd pages only. This is the second biggest book I have ever read in my entire life. Credit for first would go to ‘The Suitable Boy’. And the entire lord of the rings has fewer pages than this. Not sue what was added or what needed to be added to make this book more fuller experience for the readers.</p><p>The first half is basically about a covid like pandemic and how it spread from a lab leakage from one person to entire humanity. This pandemic had a 99% death rate and only 1% survive. How do the 1% come together. Do they build back society or do they degenerate into savages each fighting for their own survival taking what they want and some more, running after power and killing others ruthlessly.</p><p>Out of this pandemic, we are introduced to our heroes some likely and some unlikely. We know they are going to meet and then form army of the good and fight the good vs evil game. Reminded me a lot of Lord of the rings and journey to Mordor. More than that reminded me of ‘The Walking Dead’. The walking dude was so similar to Negan. Harold Lauder to Eugene. Not sure what to make of Nadine. There were quite a lot of characters and after a point I was not sure who Ralph Bretner was. Or what his back story was. Larry is the always taking Musician, Stu Redman one of the first contacts of Patient Zero, Nick Andross visionary like Simon from Lord of the flies, Trashcan Man firebug, M-O-O-N Cullen, Frannie Goldsmith mother of new humanity. </p><p>There is some reference to Poe and Nevermore. Wolves, crows and weasels. What wrong has these animals committed that they are shown in such bad light. Is Jungle book the only book that showed wolves in a good light? What happened to the population of Boulder? Why did they leave empty houses? Some questions have no answers. Its all gods will.</p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-38010691947028823632023-09-18T22:05:00.003+01:002023-09-18T22:05:37.921+01:00I will find you by Harlan Coben<p>‘ Someone looking for something after a long time’ is the theme of many Harlan Coben books. Why did so and so wait for so long to start looking for so and so? It goes well with the theme of lost love regained and lost again and looking at it from new eyes. This time it is not someone travelling 20 years in look out for their lost love. It is a father looking out for his dead son, who he allegedly murder. To confuse everyone, father himself gives a vague story of the night of murder and not really 100% sure he didn’t murder his child. </p><p>Will he find his child? What happened that fateful night? Did he kill his son in a fugue state? Will he find the truth? </p><p>Don’t people perform postmortem when there is unnatural death? </p><p>That guy reminded me of ‘Win’. Win is a psychopath and this is probably what ‘Win’ would do. Crazy world full of crazy people. Not really a fan of this book. </p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-79920044000343377522023-09-18T21:52:00.002+01:002023-09-18T22:09:41.917+01:00Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay<p> Started this one a long time back. But then didnt finish it. Started it again and then didnt finish it. Then started again covered 75% but then didnt finish it. After so many false starts, so read this from start to end finally. </p><p>Book starts with an elevator pitch but book is not about elevator pitches, it is about elevators pitching downhill at breakneck speed breaking few necks on the way. What’s happening? Is it some terrorist act? Did I know who was behind this? Did I guess? A few guesses turned out right. But really didn’t expect the story to go this way. Twist in the end. But as I read it a very long time, maybe even years. Was not really into it. Won’t blame the book. Maybe next Linwood Barclay book, I will finish it in one sitting as it is meant to be.</p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-8293607833457017352023-09-03T19:26:00.002+01:002023-09-03T19:26:31.075+01:00Holes by Louis Sachar<p> #20.33 <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">of 54 BBC Big Read</span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">Stanley Yelnats is sent to correctional institution for stealing a pair of shoes. Did he steal those shoes? No, he didn’t. But here he is digging holes in a lake in a desert in scorching heat with limited water and food. The desert is famous for fatal yellow lizard that could kill anyone. There is no concern for the well being of the kids. They are ‘criminals’ working on a sentence. </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: white; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12.61px;">There is a interesting thread from the past that is woven into this story. There is a curse on Stanley Yelnats’ family. What is the curse? Will Stanley ever able to break it? I read it in a couple of settings. Was a movie made in 2003, that encouraged kids to pick this book up? Is that how it landed in BBC Big Read. I did see this book displayed in many bookshops. So it should be still popular. </span></p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-80739024371729859372023-09-02T23:01:00.002+01:002023-09-02T23:01:45.486+01:00Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer<p># 19.33 of 54 BBC Big Read</p><p>I bought the entire Artemis Fowl book collection for my little boy who loves reading and this was recommended as books boys will love. But after reading a few pages, little boy refused to read it. And I gave off the collection to someone who is likely to read it. Then I found this book was in the BBC Big read. So borrowed the first book and read it.</p><p>I would say it was interesting to see fairies who have advanced technology and who do not have to rely on magic to solve small problems. Artemis is an evil genius and he wants to take on the fairies for unlimited wealth. Will he achieve his goal or will the fairies put stop to his dreams. I think I finished this in a couple of sittings. </p><p>Do I intend to read the rest of the books in the series? No, not now. Maybe never. Maybe if I was 12 year old, yes. But then I am not.</p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-53315390958049618772023-09-02T22:52:00.002+01:002023-09-02T22:52:25.306+01:00The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken by Tarquin Hall<p> I didn’t know I had this book in my collection. Not sure when I bought it or where. I read this for one of the reading challenges. A detective story set in India. Vish Puri starts with a case of missing mustaches and ends solving the case of murder of a Cricketer’s father. He rakes up the underworld of illegal cricket bets and how players get snared into this web.</p><p>I haven’t read any other books by this author. I liked the twist in between where we meet another unlikely detective who unearths the core of the mystery. If you read the blurb you would know. Fortunately I didn’t read the blurb. So it was a bit of a surprise when it happened. </p><p>Interesting and funny. Would I read another book featuring Vish Puri? Sure, I would. See no reason, why not.</p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-22742947360427185952023-08-27T21:23:00.002+01:002023-08-27T21:27:10.563+01:00Clear light of Day by Anita Desai<p>Don't think I have read any books by this author before. I have read her daughter Kiran Desai’s Inheritance of loss which I quite liked. Borrowed an ebook from my library. The story takes place in Old Delhi. It is the story of siblings who have drifted apart and about family reunion. Set at the aftermath of Partition and how it affects the siblings. </p><p>Mom and Dad are largely not present. Aunt Mira is the adult who looks after the siblings. Some can’t wait to runaway from home and make their own family. While others stay back to look after and nurture those who need their care. Was it wrong to leave the family home and create a world for their own? But what of those who had to stay back. Do they hold grudges to those who flew the nest? Do those who flew away, are they grateful for those who stayed back? </p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-66605183781775679442023-08-27T19:38:00.001+01:002023-08-27T19:38:48.898+01:00Birdsong by Sebastain Faulks<p> <span style="font-size: 16px;">18.33 of 54 BBC Big Read.</span></p>
<span style="font-size: 16px;">Part love story, part war story. Not a fan of both the genres. So this was essentially a difficult read for me. Pages and pages of digging tunnels. Tunnels caving in. Getting multilated by grenades and enemy fire. One hero not afraid of death, as he has nothing to live for. Everyone around him dying one after another in war. </span>
<br /><br /><span style="font-size: 16px;">First half was an epic love story? A young man falling in love with a married woman, something in lines of Anna Kerenina. The woman reciprocating the feelings. Where is the story going to lead. We all know that the outcome of this would be in the early decades of last century, this was a doomed relationship. But things turn quickly. And then there is another twist and our hero becomes a war hero. Then a million people died in War. But our hero gets a happy ending, not what we would expect in the beginning but a different happy ending. </span><br /><br /><!--/data/user/0/com.samsung.android.app.notes/files/clipdata/clipdata_bodytext_230827_193740_747.sdocx-->srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-42862762186875998452023-07-19T21:56:00.001+01:002023-07-19T21:56:16.096+01:00Reasons to stay alive by Matt Haig<p> Listened to an audiobook. It was tiny chapters and narrated by author himself about his struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts and how he coped and need to talk and read about this to remove the stigma from depression.</p><p>Books. Books. Books. Can relate to the author trying to escape into books to escape from depression. Was I depressed? I don’t really know. But books were my best friends and still they are. I read and read and then I wrote about what I read. If I didn’t have books at that point in my life. Don’t know how I would have coped. In some ways its good to know you are not alone. </p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-51868473033402352992023-07-19T21:41:00.001+01:002023-07-19T21:41:26.243+01:00Northern Lights by Philip Pullman<p> #17.33 of 54 BBC Big Read (Book 1 of 3 part trilogy included in the list)</p><p><br /></p><p>I have seen the movie Golden Compass, but don’t remember much from the movie except for Bears. I started this as an audiobook. Book narrated by the author himself with a full cast recording. I was losing the thread too much finding it difficult to concentrate. So decided to read it. </p><p>Daemon is like a soul but it is outside body instead of inside. When daemon dies a person dies. An alternative universe where we have Oxford, London and Norway. Lyra Silvertongue with her little lies. What the Master really want to tell Lyra? What had she done? How Lyra cleverly tricks the Bear king and how sadly she gets tricked.</p><p>Have to see, how the story unfolds. Seeing the movie, I wasn’t impressed and would never have picked the book, if it were not in the list. But glad that I picked it. What is this mystery? Will I know answers in the coming books or will it baffle me more.</p><p><br /></p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-61058466269328882872023-07-19T21:21:00.001+01:002023-07-19T21:21:57.861+01:00Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by J K Rowling<p> #17 of 54 BBC Big Read</p><p>Contains Spoilers</p><p>Second book in the series and I read this finally. The order has been 3, 4, 5, 6 and now 1 & 2. So seen the movie, don’t remember much from the movie but didn’t really have great expectations. Number 3 is by far the best in the series and that hasn't changed. But like my thoughts from the previous books, there are elements you miss in the movie that you can observe in the book. </p><p>When Ginny and Harry Potter got together it was a bit of a surprise to me. I was expecting Harry and Hermione. But in the book, I did get the feeling that that is where it is going. Ginny flushing, getting flustered really infatuated with Harry. I don’t know if it was there in the movie and I missed it or if it wasn’t there.</p><p>Harry’s aunt and uncle remind me of Matilda’s parents. Why do they hate Harry so much? There is a little bit of explanation in the other books, still makes no sense. Why they hate him so much? </p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-28237080186453636812023-07-12T18:58:00.001+01:002023-07-12T18:58:26.698+01:00Goodnight Mister Tom by Michelle Magorian<p> #16 of 54 BBC Big Read</p><p>What kind of life we lead, when strangers are kinder than our own flesh and blood? Do we take solace that at least there is some kindness and hope somewhere. A nine year old boy is dumped unceremoniously in an old man’s house. Its the War and kids are evacuated from London. The old man lives on his own and he is a recluse. But he is a kind decent person.</p><p>The little things about the boy were heartbreaking. He is never slept in a bed. He thought the bed was for dead. He was hit all the time. He is scared of everything. If you are an evacuee living with a stranger in a strange place would be scary. But when your mom is a monster living anywhere other than home would be a refuge.</p><p>Reminded me a bit of Anne of Green Gables. But Anne is exuberant and William is shy. But they do bring about the change in their guardians moving them from being a recluse to become more sociable. Its really beautiful to see the shy boy grow in confidence and thrive in the love and care of Mister Tom. Zach is more like Anne actually. Where would be if not for Zachs in our lives! They take in new friends, take them as they are. Not bully them and make fun of them for their shortcomings. </p><p>The end was very difficult to read. But its the War, there would be casualties.</p><p><br /></p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-48199734721360389402023-07-05T21:47:00.003+01:002023-07-05T21:47:28.686+01:00Parade by Shuichi Yoshida<p> An apartment in Tokyo is shared by 4 young people, two boys and two girls. They each take turn to narrate the story. There is something fishy going on in their neighbouring apartment. Young girls go out crying. All sorts of men visit the apartment. One fine day, they have a new housemate. Who is he? How did he get into the house? They take for granted that he is friends with one of the other roommates. </p><p>There are a series of murders of young girls happening in the neighbourhood. Who is the killer? Will the girls be safe? </p><p>This is not exactly a thriller. More like slice of life kind of story. I wasn’t expecting the end. There was a kind of nonchalance among all four on how casually they take things. I read Villain by Yoshida a few years back. I think I liked it, that’s one of the reasons I picked this one. </p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-26897142307117281272023-07-02T17:51:00.001+01:002023-07-02T17:51:06.187+01:00A Town like Alice by Nevil Shute<p> #15 of 54 BBC Big Read</p><p>Spoiler Alert</p><p>It is an extraordinary tale of women prisoners of war who walked all over Malaysia for hundreds of miles during the Second World War. There was no camp for women prisoners. They were just a nuisance for the Japanese soldiers and none of the commanders want to deal with the situation. They are marched one place to another and henceforth in the scorching heats. These are essentially white women who are not accustomed to physical labour. More accustomed to desk jobs and ayahs for their biddings. Here they are dealing with Malaria, dengue and dysentery. Trying to keep up strength to look after the children. If this is extraordinary, what follows is more incredible.</p><p>Jean, a prisoner of war, meets Joe, an Australian prisoner of war, truck driver. Joe helps the ladies by stealing chickens and punished brutally for this.</p><p>Six years later, Jean goes on an epic journey to Malaysia to help build a well in a community that helped them. And from there to Australian outback looking for Joe. Jean makes it her life mission to transform a Small town into a desirable destination for young men and women. Transforming a dying community to a thriving one. </p><p>Underneath all this struggle, this is a romance of how far love could take us and how it could transform everything.</p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-27291944194587581572023-07-02T17:33:00.001+01:002023-07-02T17:33:13.332+01:00Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman<p>#14 of 54 BBC Big Read</p><p>In a Dystopian world, the races are reversed, the Blacks are called Crosses and they rule the world, the light-skinned whites are the Noughts who serve the Crosses. Where there is duality, power struggle is not unknown. </p><p>In this dual world reside Romeo and Juliet living in the opposite spectrum. They are teenagers and ideally all they have to think of is exams and teenage crushes. But not so in this dystopian world. There is always struggle and fight. Will the duo fight for their love or do they perish fighting for love.</p><p>This the age old story. We dont have to be different skin coloured to fight for power. But visible differences make us congregate with people who look like us and fight against others who don’t look like us. There will be wars and victors dictate the future and what story is told as history. </p><p>Race, religion, language, land and many other things that separate us. Is there nothing that brings us together. Of course there is love.</p><p>This is first book in a series. Don’t think I will be reading any other books in the series. Its an interesting book, especially where the races are reversed but essentially a love story. </p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-78739794418327197802023-07-02T17:16:00.001+01:002023-07-02T17:16:11.935+01:00Midnight’s Children by Salman Rushdie<p> #13 of 54 BBC Big Read</p><p>Contains Spoilers</p><p>Among the list, I could say there were two books I was really intimidated I would say. Magical Realism and Stream of consciousness not really my cup of tea. And I am a coffee drinker. Lord Jim is one of my favourite books and I think thats how far I could go with Stream of consciousness.</p><p>So this is my third attempt at Midnight’s Children. At my first attempt, after few repeats of perforated sheet, I resigned. Second attempt, I read till Mercurochrome.</p><p>This time, I think, I made a wise choice decided to go for audiobook. I normally don’t go for audiobooks as my mind wavers easily and I loose much on the plot and then I lose interest and eventually pick up the book.</p><p>This is narrated by Homer Todiwala. My mind didn’t waver much. It felt like someone was telling me a story as opposed to someone reading a book to me. I like listening to stories and what a story this is. Liked all the voice modulations made by the narrator especially to emphasise ‘Reverend Mother’ and Whatsitsname. </p><p>Salman Rushdie plays on the favourite Bollywood tropes, babies exchanged at birth. Rich kid growing in poor kids home. Muslim kid growing in Hindu’s house. Vice versa. This big interchange made by a Christian nurse. The amalgamation of religions. There is another trope on amnesia.</p><p>There is a nod to the famous Nanavati case. Reverend Mother and how all women take up a new name. , Black Alphonso and Brass Monkey was a bit haunting not just for Saleem. </p><p>The last 100 pages or so, I read the book as there were still 8 hrs left in the audiobook and I had to get to the end as soon as possible. What was that. What happened to Saleem? Who were the ladies in the Kali temple turning everything transparent? Yup, is that the only thing I am questioning?</p><p>Its kind of poetic justice, that Saleem’s wife is pregnant with Shiva’s kid. Saleem stole Shiva’s life and Shiva wins back the life for his child. </p><p>Narlikar women, William Methwald with fake centre parting, ‘nose and knees’, Rani of Cooch Nahin, Buddha and Buddha, Hairoil and Eyeslice and Joseph D’Costa’s ghost, Cyrus the great, Mrs Braganza’s pickle ana Aliya’s bitterness mixed in everything she cooks, the Widow and the widow’s hand. Dont think I will be forgetting any of these any time soon.</p><p>Its crazy. But it follows India’s unique oral storytelling tradition with million digressions. Not very difficult to listen and but definitely very difficult to read. </p>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4580041009470942950.post-25195315670906673102023-07-01T21:41:00.003+01:002023-09-18T22:45:36.958+01:00Book Challenge by Erin 19.0<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpspgqzLww7bIvXTOkpisIQRzrvXQ5qO19J3vpkBWQaR4NZ89GoZfpQgqftxS1DAvR6PnF7V53VKAL2pIAJDWPqJGWP2YuD4sAu9zyg3zxc77s3kbajfwMexfGnB1FT-fCunn8_XhhIdsxvREEJKzQ89PWlEjU7oB1uGByGtPyEnj8nk4IGk4lsHugWoI/s320/IMG_2233.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="226" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGpspgqzLww7bIvXTOkpisIQRzrvXQ5qO19J3vpkBWQaR4NZ89GoZfpQgqftxS1DAvR6PnF7V53VKAL2pIAJDWPqJGWP2YuD4sAu9zyg3zxc77s3kbajfwMexfGnB1FT-fCunn8_XhhIdsxvREEJKzQ89PWlEjU7oB1uGByGtPyEnj8nk4IGk4lsHugWoI/s1600/IMG_2233.jpeg" width="226" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/BookChallengeByErin" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #956839; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">Book Challenge by Erin 19.0</a><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: #fff3db; caret-color: rgb(41, 48, 59); color: #29303b; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;"> </span></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(41, 48, 59); color: #29303b; font-family: arial; font-size: 13px;">First and foremost, have fun. Don't stress. No one is being judged, graded, or penalized. Even if you finish only one book the entire challenge, if you enjoy it and it's an accomplishment for you, then that's awesome.</span></p><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(41, 48, 59); clear: both; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(41, 48, 59); clear: both; color: #29303b; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">The challenge runs from July 1, 2023 - October 31, 2023. You submit your book list prior to beginning the challenge. Exchanges are accepted for the first round, but not in the bonus round (announced later). No books started before 12 a.m. on July 1 or finished after 11:59 p.m. on October 31 will count. (We live in different time zones--follow according to your own time zone.) Each book must be at least 200 pages long. Audio books are fine too. Read one book for each category. For full details see Erin's page on Facebook (link above). You will need to join the private group to view (link above).</span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(41, 48, 59); clear: both; color: #29303b; font-size: 13px;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Here’s my list</span></div><div class="separator" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(41, 48, 59); clear: both; color: #29303b; font-size: 13px;"><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">1.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Freebie: <a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/07/northern-lights-by-philip-pullman.html">Northern Lights by Philip Pullman </a></span></p><p class="p2" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">2.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a book set in Ireland: <a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/09/artemis-fowl-by-eoin-colfer.html">Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer </a></span></p><p class="p2" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">3.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a book with one of these words in the title- birthday, birth, day, fifty or fiftieth: <a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/08/clear-light-of-day-by-anita-desai.html">Clear Light Of Day - Anita Desai </a>(1980)</span></p><p class="p2" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">4.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a book that's title starts with E or G: </span></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/07/goodnight-mister-tom-by-michelle.html">Goodnight Mister Tom / Michelle Magorian</a></span></p><p class="p2" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">5.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a book published in the 1970's or set in the 1970's: <a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/09/the-stand-by-stephen-king.html">The Stand by Stephen King</a> </span></p><p class="p2" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">6.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a book inspired by a real event: <a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/08/birdsong-by-sebastain-faulks.html">Birdsong by Sebastian Faulks</a> </span></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p2" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">7.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a book with an animal on the cover or in the title: <a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/07/harry-potter-and-chamber-of-secrets-by.html">Harry potter and chamber of secrets by J K Rowling </a></span></p><p class="p2" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">8.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a book with a one word title: <a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/09/holes-by-louis-sachar.html">Holes by Louis Sachar</a></span></p><p class="p2" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">9.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a book that relates to food, cooking, kitchens, restaurants or chefs:</span><span class="s2" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleEmphasizedBody; font-weight: bold;"> <a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/09/artemis-fowl-by-eoin-colfer.html">The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken</a></span><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"><a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/09/artemis-fowl-by-eoin-colfer.html"> by Tarquin Hall.</a></span></p><p class="p2" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 22px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;"></span><br /></p><p class="p1" style="caret-color: rgb(0, 0, 0); color: black; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size-adjust: none; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s1" style="font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;">10.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Read a book on mental health: <a href="https://srivallip.blogspot.com/2023/07/reasons-to-stay-alive-by-matt-haig.html">Reasons to stay alive by Matt Haig</a></span></p></div>srivallihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09908875938685251911noreply@blogger.com0