Zachary Ying and the Dragon Empire by Xiran Jay Zhao

 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. 

The Stand by Stephen King

# 21.33 of 54 BBC Big Read

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.

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.

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.

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. 

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.

I will find you by Harlan Coben

‘ 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. 

Will he find his child? What happened that fateful night? Did he kill his son in a fugue state? Will he find the truth? 

Don’t people perform postmortem when there is unnatural death? 

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. 

Elevator Pitch by Linwood Barclay

 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. 

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.

Holes by Louis Sachar

 #20.33 of 54 BBC Big Read

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. 

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. 

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer

# 19.33 of 54 BBC Big Read

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.

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. 

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.

The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken by Tarquin Hall

 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.

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. 

Interesting and funny. Would I read another book featuring Vish Puri? Sure, I would. See no reason, why not.