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_askthebookbug's Reviews (1.34k)
I love books that are about animals even more so if it has a dog. And who can ever resist a book about a Tibetan Spaniel whose antics are so entertaining and adorable that no one is immune to her charm. This story is non-fiction and comes from the author’s very own household. This ball of fur that came to live with them inevitably became a core family member. This small book captures the enigma that Taniya was and how she saw the world.
When Taniya comes to Anurabh’s house (author’s son) from the foothills of Bhutan, she is instantly liked by everyone. But quite soon, Taniya becomes famous for her never ending mischief. The entire neighbourhood keeps an eye on her so that she doesn’t get into trouble. And yet when burglars were involved, Taniya does her job fabulously and saves the people from any harm. Locally, Taniya was a hero.
One can see how this charming dog secured a prime spot in everyone’s hearts just by being herself. The book comes to a bittersweet end and I couldn’t have thought of a better way to give this story a closure. Arupa writes effortlessly but with her whole heart. The translation by Meenaxi is fantastic never letting me feel that it was in fact a translated book (a true sign of a good translator). And @jahnavibarua ‘s introduction was just icing on the cake :)
If you’re looking for a short yet sweet book to end the year with, this one’s for you. Thanks for the copy @penguinsters ♥️
When Taniya comes to Anurabh’s house (author’s son) from the foothills of Bhutan, she is instantly liked by everyone. But quite soon, Taniya becomes famous for her never ending mischief. The entire neighbourhood keeps an eye on her so that she doesn’t get into trouble. And yet when burglars were involved, Taniya does her job fabulously and saves the people from any harm. Locally, Taniya was a hero.
One can see how this charming dog secured a prime spot in everyone’s hearts just by being herself. The book comes to a bittersweet end and I couldn’t have thought of a better way to give this story a closure. Arupa writes effortlessly but with her whole heart. The translation by Meenaxi is fantastic never letting me feel that it was in fact a translated book (a true sign of a good translator). And @jahnavibarua ‘s introduction was just icing on the cake :)
If you’re looking for a short yet sweet book to end the year with, this one’s for you. Thanks for the copy @penguinsters ♥️
Set during the tumultuous times of Independence, this book was unputdownable. The tensions soared high, nation was on the brink of breaking into two halves and people perhaps for the first time realised how dangerous religion as a concept was. And while all this went on, Chitra zeroes in on the lives of three fictional sisters whose decisions forever changed their lives. This book was like an onion, layer upon layer of emotion, complexity and suspense that slowly came undone with each chapter.
Set in a small village called Ranipur, the story revolves mainly around three sisters, each different from the other. Deepa, whose beauty is known across the villages. Priya, who dreams of becoming a doctor like her father and Jamini, who thinks from her mind because being a cripple has taught her not to use her heart too much. The girls who are so different from each other part ways during Independence , each going after their own fate knowing little about how their decisions will alter their lives. When blood is shed during the partition, the sisters try to reach out to each other but danger runs high and several risks must be taken.
Partition is such a complicated subject to write about. I mean this in the way that we all know what went down in history but writing about it can never be easy. To relearn how our country was forced to split, how brothers turned on each other and women were left traumatised; it’s always hard to both write and read about it. And yet the author does it seamlessly. By wrapping up the story around the girls, she makes it relatively easy for anyone to read and understand how this event affected millions.
This book is so much more than just a story of three girls. It digs deep and speaks of the political turmoil, about love that comes with conditions and sometimes of a love that surpasses everything else, about familial bonds and mainly, sisterhood. It was refreshing to read this novel and I thank @harpercollinsin for sending this across ✨
Set in a small village called Ranipur, the story revolves mainly around three sisters, each different from the other. Deepa, whose beauty is known across the villages. Priya, who dreams of becoming a doctor like her father and Jamini, who thinks from her mind because being a cripple has taught her not to use her heart too much. The girls who are so different from each other part ways during Independence , each going after their own fate knowing little about how their decisions will alter their lives. When blood is shed during the partition, the sisters try to reach out to each other but danger runs high and several risks must be taken.
Partition is such a complicated subject to write about. I mean this in the way that we all know what went down in history but writing about it can never be easy. To relearn how our country was forced to split, how brothers turned on each other and women were left traumatised; it’s always hard to both write and read about it. And yet the author does it seamlessly. By wrapping up the story around the girls, she makes it relatively easy for anyone to read and understand how this event affected millions.
This book is so much more than just a story of three girls. It digs deep and speaks of the political turmoil, about love that comes with conditions and sometimes of a love that surpasses everything else, about familial bonds and mainly, sisterhood. It was refreshing to read this novel and I thank @harpercollinsin for sending this across ✨
In the early 1900s, the concept of Picture Brides was introduced in America and Hawai'i. Men who had migrated from Japan and Korea were single and indulged in drinking and gambling after working hours and to curb this activity, the American government approved brides to enter the State. The situation in Korea was very disorderly at the time what with Korea being under the Japanese rule. Poverty was at its peak and families survived with only one meal and so when they heard of picture brides, they dreamt of their daughters living a better life abroad.
When Willow is shown her groom’s picture, she is told that he is a landowner in Hawai'i and if she married him, she could even continue her education. Like Willow, many young girls wanted to help their families by working in Hawai'i and by sending money back to Korea. They saw no harm because the men in the photos looked handsome and well settled. Perhaps this was the only way they could ever repay their family, to make their burden a little less heavy. Willow, Hong-ju and Song-hwa travel across the sea to their paradise but what awaits them is something they had never imagined.
The story takes a predictable turn but it doesn’t get boring. The concept in itself was quite unique because I wasn’t aware of Picture Brides until then. The story is tactfully written, pulling the readers in but my only qualm was the ability to not connect with the protagonist.
All in all, I’m still glad to have received this copy because it was very interesting to read about the detailed political aspects of certain nations. If you’re interested in Historical Fiction then this book may just be up your alley.
Thanks to the publisher for the copy.
When Willow is shown her groom’s picture, she is told that he is a landowner in Hawai'i and if she married him, she could even continue her education. Like Willow, many young girls wanted to help their families by working in Hawai'i and by sending money back to Korea. They saw no harm because the men in the photos looked handsome and well settled. Perhaps this was the only way they could ever repay their family, to make their burden a little less heavy. Willow, Hong-ju and Song-hwa travel across the sea to their paradise but what awaits them is something they had never imagined.
The story takes a predictable turn but it doesn’t get boring. The concept in itself was quite unique because I wasn’t aware of Picture Brides until then. The story is tactfully written, pulling the readers in but my only qualm was the ability to not connect with the protagonist.
All in all, I’m still glad to have received this copy because it was very interesting to read about the detailed political aspects of certain nations. If you’re interested in Historical Fiction then this book may just be up your alley.
Thanks to the publisher for the copy.
The Inheritance Games has a strong premise. A teenage girl living hand to mouth is suddenly said to inherit a stranger’s property worth billions of dollars. The girl is now baffled and sets off trying to figure out why she was chosen as heir instead of the deceased billionaire’s four grandsons. Interesting, right? The story is fast paced, a little tense and carries a sense of mystery to it until it doesn’t.
Avery Grambs lives with her stepsister Libby, struggling to make ends meet when she meets Grayson. Grayson, the smart and suit clad grandson of Tobias Hawthorne announces rather icily that Avery is needed to be present at Tobias’s will reading event. Neither of them know each other and Avery is taken aback by this mysterious man and the aura he carries. Soon, she is made the heiress and it sends her head reeling about how her simple life has now turned upside down. When Avery meets the rest of the grandsons, she is immediately made aware of how different their worlds are.
What the old man Tobias liked the most was puzzles and riddles. And when the teenagers are left with clues to solve one which may inevitably reveal why Avery was chosen as the heiress, they all jump into it. Although the story started off well, somewhere in the middle it started to turn quite predictable. The big reveal itself wasn’t too strong to hold the story together. The characters are a mix of moody, good looking, emotionally scarred teenagers who can’t seem to make up their minds about how to treat Avery.
The Inheritance Games had immense potential to be an incredible mystery novel but unfortunately it failed to impress me much. I’ll be reading the other two books in the series so wish me luck ✨
Avery Grambs lives with her stepsister Libby, struggling to make ends meet when she meets Grayson. Grayson, the smart and suit clad grandson of Tobias Hawthorne announces rather icily that Avery is needed to be present at Tobias’s will reading event. Neither of them know each other and Avery is taken aback by this mysterious man and the aura he carries. Soon, she is made the heiress and it sends her head reeling about how her simple life has now turned upside down. When Avery meets the rest of the grandsons, she is immediately made aware of how different their worlds are.
What the old man Tobias liked the most was puzzles and riddles. And when the teenagers are left with clues to solve one which may inevitably reveal why Avery was chosen as the heiress, they all jump into it. Although the story started off well, somewhere in the middle it started to turn quite predictable. The big reveal itself wasn’t too strong to hold the story together. The characters are a mix of moody, good looking, emotionally scarred teenagers who can’t seem to make up their minds about how to treat Avery.
The Inheritance Games had immense potential to be an incredible mystery novel but unfortunately it failed to impress me much. I’ll be reading the other two books in the series so wish me luck ✨
3.5 rounded off to 3.
My first time reading Agustina Bazterrica was a weird experience. Translated from Spanish this short book has the strangest stories that can be ever written. I don’t often read horror fiction but I’ve managed to squeeze in two books (including this one) in just three months. By the time I was done reading this book of short stories, my mind was whirring away.
Nineteen stories of different kinds, some imbibing fear and some that are plain cold, Agustina pours out her talent onto these pages. The opening story is of a man who drops dead in front of a dentist, his blood pooling around her feet. The second one is about a girl who claims to have a rabbit between her legs. My favourite one is Anita and Happiness. A guy is convinced that his girlfriend is an alien. There’s no link between the stories and I think it’s safe to say that it just keeps getting bizarre. And yet Agustina’s writing shines through. The translator, Sarah Moses has done a splendid job too.
After reading 19 Claws, I’m intrigued to read her first book, Tender is the Flesh. I was previously of the opinion that horror genre isn’t quite for me but I have come to realise that I actually enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone every now and then.
This book will be out in May, and I do think it’s going to create some noise :)
My first time reading Agustina Bazterrica was a weird experience. Translated from Spanish this short book has the strangest stories that can be ever written. I don’t often read horror fiction but I’ve managed to squeeze in two books (including this one) in just three months. By the time I was done reading this book of short stories, my mind was whirring away.
Nineteen stories of different kinds, some imbibing fear and some that are plain cold, Agustina pours out her talent onto these pages. The opening story is of a man who drops dead in front of a dentist, his blood pooling around her feet. The second one is about a girl who claims to have a rabbit between her legs. My favourite one is Anita and Happiness. A guy is convinced that his girlfriend is an alien. There’s no link between the stories and I think it’s safe to say that it just keeps getting bizarre. And yet Agustina’s writing shines through. The translator, Sarah Moses has done a splendid job too.
After reading 19 Claws, I’m intrigued to read her first book, Tender is the Flesh. I was previously of the opinion that horror genre isn’t quite for me but I have come to realise that I actually enjoy stepping out of my comfort zone every now and then.
This book will be out in May, and I do think it’s going to create some noise :)
I first read about Magdalene Laundries sometime early last year when I read Sue Lloyd-Robert’s The War on Women. In between 18th to 20th century, Ireland had a place to send the so-called ‘fallen women’. Family members and others used to drop off young women who were either pregnant out of wedlock or had conceived due to sexual abuse. Slowly other girls joined the asylum and they grew in numbers. This place was run by the Roman Catholic Church where sisters worked the girls to death. They were denied of basic amenities and healthcare. Finally, after decades in 2013, a formal apology was issued by the government with a financial compensation package. This whole situation has always infuriated me and when I knew that Claire’s book was based on this laundry house, I was very intrigued to read it.
Our protagonist is a quiet man named Bill Furlong who is a local timber merchant in 1985, in Ireland. He doesn’t desire luxury but merely wants his wife and five daughters to be happy and content. He loves them dearly. But one day while delivering timber to the convent, he sees something that he shouldn’t have. A young lady in filthy clothes and barefoot, lying in the cold. He suddenly thinks of all the rumours he has heard of the convent. That how this place is just a front for the brutal laundry business for unwed mothers. Now, Bill himself was born to an unwed 16 year old woman and wonders what would have happened if his mother didn’t have the support of the kind Mrs Wilson.
And so Bill has a dilemma to solve, a question of morality. This novella, captures the plight of a regular man’s heart as he struggles to do the right thing. This book is a force to be reckoned with and Claire writes so beautifully, in such less pages. I was captivated until the very end and when I put the book down, I did so with a very satisfied sigh.
My second book of the year and I loved it immensely. I highly recommend it.
Our protagonist is a quiet man named Bill Furlong who is a local timber merchant in 1985, in Ireland. He doesn’t desire luxury but merely wants his wife and five daughters to be happy and content. He loves them dearly. But one day while delivering timber to the convent, he sees something that he shouldn’t have. A young lady in filthy clothes and barefoot, lying in the cold. He suddenly thinks of all the rumours he has heard of the convent. That how this place is just a front for the brutal laundry business for unwed mothers. Now, Bill himself was born to an unwed 16 year old woman and wonders what would have happened if his mother didn’t have the support of the kind Mrs Wilson.
And so Bill has a dilemma to solve, a question of morality. This novella, captures the plight of a regular man’s heart as he struggles to do the right thing. This book is a force to be reckoned with and Claire writes so beautifully, in such less pages. I was captivated until the very end and when I put the book down, I did so with a very satisfied sigh.
My second book of the year and I loved it immensely. I highly recommend it.
Black River is a riveting read, one that captures the very essence of noir. Set in a rural village called Teetarpur, the story follows a man who leads an honest life of a farmer. But soon he is hit by a tragedy that knocks him out. In this quiet village where everyone knows everyone, chances of this type of crime happening is something unthinkable. So understandably the people are shook when this gentle man’s daughter is snatched away so brutally. Chand is now alone and has to mourn his beloved daughter’s death. But behind his calm facade he also keeps fanning the embers of revenge.
Nilanjana Roy is also a journalist and perhaps this is why her book captures a detailed story of how crimes are reported and dealt with in rural areas. She describes the nature of policemen who waver between washing off the cases of their hands to having a moral conscious, the rich who utilise their power to hide their dark secrets and the description of common folk who melt and become one with big cities. The mystery of the small girl’s death is at the very centre of the book but she seamlessly introduces an array of characters and shines an ample amount of light on their past. Several stories come together, like rivulets before finally flowing as a river.
Black River in question is Yamuna and the book revolves in and around it for the most part. In this dark tale of power, dirt and lies, who will win?
The story gets a bit slow in the middle, which made me wonder if all that detailing is necessary. But overall this was a gripping read.
Thanks for the copy @context_books @westland_books ✨
Nilanjana Roy is also a journalist and perhaps this is why her book captures a detailed story of how crimes are reported and dealt with in rural areas. She describes the nature of policemen who waver between washing off the cases of their hands to having a moral conscious, the rich who utilise their power to hide their dark secrets and the description of common folk who melt and become one with big cities. The mystery of the small girl’s death is at the very centre of the book but she seamlessly introduces an array of characters and shines an ample amount of light on their past. Several stories come together, like rivulets before finally flowing as a river.
Black River in question is Yamuna and the book revolves in and around it for the most part. In this dark tale of power, dirt and lies, who will win?
The story gets a bit slow in the middle, which made me wonder if all that detailing is necessary. But overall this was a gripping read.
Thanks for the copy @context_books @westland_books ✨
Wanted to DNF it at least 5 times. That’s saying something.
When Clemmie is found dead, the cops are quick to suspect her rich boyfriend Rupert. Rupert and his friends are Oxford graduates, snobbish and all posh. A major chunk of this book revolves around unpleasant characters who are again rich and snobbish. The three cops assigned to the case are full of banter (probably the only thing I liked about this book) and as they delve deeper into the case, they realise there’s something more to it.
The Other Half at the core has a murder mystery to be solved but the author has thrown in an array of characters to enhance the story. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a single character that I truly connected with especially the main lady called Nell. The plot was unnecessarily dragged and I almost gave up on it about five times before pushing myself to finally finish it. The ending didn’t sit well with me.
Although I’m aware that mine is an unpopular opinion, this book didn’t quite work for me.
When Clemmie is found dead, the cops are quick to suspect her rich boyfriend Rupert. Rupert and his friends are Oxford graduates, snobbish and all posh. A major chunk of this book revolves around unpleasant characters who are again rich and snobbish. The three cops assigned to the case are full of banter (probably the only thing I liked about this book) and as they delve deeper into the case, they realise there’s something more to it.
The Other Half at the core has a murder mystery to be solved but the author has thrown in an array of characters to enhance the story. Unfortunately, there wasn’t a single character that I truly connected with especially the main lady called Nell. The plot was unnecessarily dragged and I almost gave up on it about five times before pushing myself to finally finish it. The ending didn’t sit well with me.
Although I’m aware that mine is an unpopular opinion, this book didn’t quite work for me.