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ash_bibliophile's reviews
118 reviews
Turtles All the Way Down by John Green
2.0
Having read all of John Green's previous books I did go in with a few expectations. Which in typical John Green's style of wanting to do something new with this book didn't meet but his potrayal of a protagonist that suffers from OCD and is socially awkward was beautiful captured. The teen angst and clumsiness of first romance was fun to read . All in all a good book for a light read or if you want to go back to the days of being a teen in your head by reading some YA fiction.
Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
5.0
This book was one of its kind. The kind where you read it and years down the row your brain still finds observations connected to it . The journey that mankind has made since the very beginning is captured with such nuance and details that even if someone who's not interested in scientific evidence will lean in . As a person who enjoys reading about history , this book craved all my idiosyncrasies about facts and knowledge about homo sapiens. In short, if you too wonder looking around at the world about how did we get here?( Both in a solemn and curious way) this book might be the one with answers for you. One book that all us homo sapiens must read.
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
4.0
How many times in our life have we thought if we are doing the right thing or not? If the decision that we are making will lead to good memories or just regrets? Tuesdays with Morrie takes you on a journey. A journey that like the protagonist many of us are already on. Like the protagonist many of us are closed off and just trying to get to the next thing on our to-do list set by society. In such a hustle bustle world Morrie is like an old relative that teaches you to focus on the more important things in life- People. I would recommend this book as a must read for everyone. As well could use a little more kindness in the world , wouldn't we?
Ladies Coupé by Anita Nair
4.0
Ladies Coupe was a fascinating read. Kind of like looking through a small window into the lives of so many Indian women before me . The lives they've lead, the sacrifices they made or were made to make and the pain and iota of expectations that all Desi women are required to make or else they will just be labelled as 'selfish' and not a 'good woman'. Ranging from different age groups, we also get small glimpses of what life used to be in different time periods in India. A very insightful book into what makes up of being an Indian Desi woman.
Men Without Women by Haruki Murakami
3.0
Often as a woman I wonder what goes on in the heads of men . Turns out ,once the layers of toxic masculinity and patriarchy wear off they too are emotional creatures just trying to get through the day. The book has different types of encounters between Men and Women and topped off by Murakami's distinct style of description it's a treat. Much of the book deals with the loss of prominent female figures in the life of men and how they are trying to cope with the void these women left behind. It's a good book for trying to understand the other side of the story and definitely worth a read for all the men as they won't feel alone in their journyes of love life and loss.
When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
3.0
A good read to remind us of how limited control we have over our lives and how short our lives are. However this book is not everyone's cup of tea since the subject matter is heavy and will make your feel existential.
A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
4.0
Ove is a peculiar character. Much of the book ensures that you do get acquainted with all his idiosyncrasies and the things that make him grumpy but hold on there's more in store. Throughout the book you meet different characters and get attached to them emotionally. This book explains why Ove is the way he is, what circumstances led him to being this grumpy old man. This book had stayed with me after years of reading it like a warm hug from an old friend.
Indira Gandhi: A Biography by Pupul Jayakar
2.0
A comprehensive look into the life of still the only Female Prime Minister of India till date. Written by Pupul Jaykar who was a close friend of Indira and hence got a close look into her life story . It was amazing to read this book since I have always been wanting to read about the emergency and what exactly brought it on . It provided a close look at what exactly entails about being a Prime Minister and the struggles faced by Indira. Her paranoia that she faced in later life, family struggles all are described in the book. All in all a good read if you want to know about what exactly happened in her reign as PM.
The Spy by Paulo Coelho
2.0
Having read Paulo Coelho's previous works , I did expect a few things from this work as well. However , it did not live upto the usual works by him. The story seemed not detailed enough and the plot was haywire. Leaving you with a sense of incomplete plot when you finish the book.