aayjaysbookshelf's reviews
49 reviews

Frankenstein: The 1818 Text by Mary Shelley

dark reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

4.75

What a heart wrenching book! What a spell binding narration and what a poignant description! Frankenstein by Mary Shelley is classic for a reason. 

The subjects explored in this book, the complexities of human nature and mind, the drive and hunger for knowledge and glory to the point of destruction, the eloquent dialogues and scenery, and the describing of the most sought after emotion of all mortal beings - the longing of a companionship, has been so fervently sketched in this book; a description as comprehensive as this I have read little elsewhere. Shelley's power of narration is wonderful - I found myself siding with both the antagonist and protagonist in their respective narrations, not just with mind but with heart, and the most striking feature being the interchanging roles of the two - the protagonist was antagonist and vice versa in different parts of the story. The harrowing life the creature had led would inflict in me a sorrow, the wretchedness and agony of Frankenstein would cause me to empathize with his pain, and the battle that thus ensued between the two and its consummation was a journey that had me hooked to the end. A heart wrenching read this was, the kind that I would take a while to pick up again.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Gore

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

A wonderfully light hearted read! I found myself smiling at some points and laughing at others. The characters are all drawn in a lovely way, and I could relate to one of them a bit too closely :')  A very wholesome read, more of the children's category which it originally belongs to, but a delight for adults, too, nonetheless. Simple, sweet and festive. That's how I'd define the book. A lovely, lovely read. 💗

To the Lighthouse by Virginia Woolf

dark reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

Woolf's writing feels like trying to understand a water colour painting ; the edges are very blurred out, and it's only when you gaze for too long that you understand what's happening where, and where one story finishes and other starts. Took me more than two months to finish this book, which is partly because of my own preoccupations and partly because of the non gripping style of this book's writing. I would have liked it if it were slightly medium paced, but I understand Woolf kept the pace slow on purpose to reflect the pace at which life moves, with its many turns. 
My favorite part of the book is its metaphorical undertones and subtle comments on human lives, expressions and interactions that we all experience yet are not able to give a name to. The complex way in which families are bound, relationships are nurtured or destroyed, and the effect of it all on one's personality in a deeply engraving way. This book is regarded as Woolf's magnum opus, though I'd say the writing was not exactly the type I am thrilled by. Having said that, I enjoyed this book in its own peculiar, Virginia Woolf way. 

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

funny lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Having watched the movie before the read, the story was known to me, but still, Austen's writing came as a delight! What a lovely, artistically crafted, beautifully penned way of writing novels. A classic for a reason! I loveddddd how the characters were so clearly drawn, and although the lead given the main focus, the supporting weren't ignored either, and had their fair share of display, character development, and story, enough to form a very vivid picture in the mind of the reader. 
My favourite parts in the book, reading wise, were when events encompassing days or weeks were described in a few lines or paragraphs, very very craftfully by the author. Lovely use of words, great choice of sentences. Reading this was a delight. ❤️

The Ultimate Guide to Choosing a Medical Specialty, Fourth Edition by Brian S. Freeman

informative medium-paced

5.0

I couldn't have came across this book at a more needed time! Just in time when I was very actively deciding my specialty. Although I wish I had known about it sooner, preferably in second or third year of medschool. 
Would HIGHLY recommend it to all med students, the sooner the better! Very well written and organized, it will surely help you decide your future specialty with an informed knowledge. 

Khalil tamasha by Ashfaq Ahmed

reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.5

A guest in the house by Maniza Naqvi

inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

5.0

The loveliest, loveliest read I had in a long time! Her words made me travel the depth and the surface, the width and the breadths, and the lanes of the place I have spent 6 years of my academic life at. <Spoiler> Dow Medical College Pioneer is magical place in itself, but if it weren't for a person like Maniza who believed in its magic,  nothing would have been the same. :') 

The words are beautiful, oh so beautiful. I have found myself smiling and smirking and contemplating and getting teary eyed at most places. From the moment I started reading, to today when I finished it after much hesitation (a part of me didn't want it to finish and come out of the book 😭), I have enjoyed it and I have LIVED it. It felt, at times, I am reading my own voice which always nudges me to go on explorations of Karachi city, and it felt so good to come across someone who understands that yearning of mine. I felt related. 

I am just so happy to have read this book. Alhamdulillah. ✨

Boy: Tales of Childhood by Roald Dahl

funny lighthearted relaxing medium-paced

4.75

A lovely, light hearted , wonderful read! Roald Dahl has been amongst my favorite childhood authors, and it was an absolute delight reading about his own childhood and life. A delight to read it, it was!

Snow Falling on Cedars by David Guterson

reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.5

A slow, deliberate read. I liked how the main plot was set to be in a courtroom and the story zoomed in and out of there to different parts of the whole plot, and the transition being really smooth. One would assume so many zooming in and outs to blur out the clarity of different timelines, but the writing was very clear in that aspect. Though a bit drag at some points, made me skip a few paragraphs here and there because of that, but I liked how it touched a very important topic <racism> in an era pretty different from today <early and mind 1900's>. Took too long for me to finish, though.