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bookschharming's reviews
478 reviews
The Perils of Being Moderately Famous [Paperback] [Dec 01, 2017] Soha Ali Khan by Soha Ali Khan
3.0
The perils of being moderately famous is a debut book of the author. Soha Ali Khan is a Bollywood actress. This book is an autobiography. It collects the moments she shared with her family and friends.
Soha's family is well known in India. She is a star kid. Her father Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was a well-known cricketer. Her mother Sharmila Tagore is also a Bollywood star and a distant relative of Rabindranath Tagore. Her elder sister Saba is a jewelry designer. Her elder brother Saif Ali Kahn and sister-in-law Kareena Kapoor Khan are well known in Bollywood industry. Pataudi family belongs to royal bloodline.
This book is divided into different parts where the author tells about her family member. This book is a tribute to her family. The book starts with her father's story. How he achieves all the stardom and her relationship with him. Soha was with him when he took his last breath. She explains how she felt at that moment.
In the next chapter, she describes her mother Sharmila Tagore's Bollywood journey. Back in days, inter-caste marriages were uncommon. Sharmila Tagore married to a Muslim Prince which is a big deal. The author didn't talk much about her elder sister, Saba.
"We travel because we know we will come home and when we do, home is the same but we are changed and that changes everything."
She tells about her education and experienced at Oxford University. Back at home, she had a lot of people to do her work. But in the hostel, she had to do everything by herself. She tells about her trips and hitchhiking experiences which changes her perspective.
She worked at Citigroup Pvt. Bank in Mumbai as a Management Associates but faith wants something else. She started her Bollywood career in 2004 by Dil Maange More. She worked in many movies but she didn't get much stardom. She shared her experience that how people ask about Saif and Kareena's child wherever she goes.
She falls in love with Kunal Khemu and ties a knot with him in 2014. He is also a Bollywood actor. They first met at the film set. Their love story is the only part which I enjoy the most. I really like how she describes her pregnancy part. One can feel that excitement by reading that part.
The author's writing is flawless. But she put a story in a jumbled way. One can easily be confused. She talks so much about her father's achievement rather than her own. I know she didn't accomplish much. But I really want to read more about the author rather than her family. There is no gossip about Bollywood and no family drama which is good.
It's a fast-paced story. From growing up as a modern-day princess to her days at Balliol College, from a daughter to be a mother. She describes everything. The author tells her touching moments of her life. How it feels like growing up in one of the most known families of the country. In this book author's family photos are also published. It's a one time read. If you are a Bollywood fan and want to know about Khan's family then you must read it. It's a fun read.
Read more - https://bookscharming.blogspot.com/2018/08/book-review-perils-of-being-moderately.html
Soha's family is well known in India. She is a star kid. Her father Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi was a well-known cricketer. Her mother Sharmila Tagore is also a Bollywood star and a distant relative of Rabindranath Tagore. Her elder sister Saba is a jewelry designer. Her elder brother Saif Ali Kahn and sister-in-law Kareena Kapoor Khan are well known in Bollywood industry. Pataudi family belongs to royal bloodline.
This book is divided into different parts where the author tells about her family member. This book is a tribute to her family. The book starts with her father's story. How he achieves all the stardom and her relationship with him. Soha was with him when he took his last breath. She explains how she felt at that moment.
In the next chapter, she describes her mother Sharmila Tagore's Bollywood journey. Back in days, inter-caste marriages were uncommon. Sharmila Tagore married to a Muslim Prince which is a big deal. The author didn't talk much about her elder sister, Saba.
"We travel because we know we will come home and when we do, home is the same but we are changed and that changes everything."
She tells about her education and experienced at Oxford University. Back at home, she had a lot of people to do her work. But in the hostel, she had to do everything by herself. She tells about her trips and hitchhiking experiences which changes her perspective.
She worked at Citigroup Pvt. Bank in Mumbai as a Management Associates but faith wants something else. She started her Bollywood career in 2004 by Dil Maange More. She worked in many movies but she didn't get much stardom. She shared her experience that how people ask about Saif and Kareena's child wherever she goes.
She falls in love with Kunal Khemu and ties a knot with him in 2014. He is also a Bollywood actor. They first met at the film set. Their love story is the only part which I enjoy the most. I really like how she describes her pregnancy part. One can feel that excitement by reading that part.
The author's writing is flawless. But she put a story in a jumbled way. One can easily be confused. She talks so much about her father's achievement rather than her own. I know she didn't accomplish much. But I really want to read more about the author rather than her family. There is no gossip about Bollywood and no family drama which is good.
It's a fast-paced story. From growing up as a modern-day princess to her days at Balliol College, from a daughter to be a mother. She describes everything. The author tells her touching moments of her life. How it feels like growing up in one of the most known families of the country. In this book author's family photos are also published. It's a one time read. If you are a Bollywood fan and want to know about Khan's family then you must read it. It's a fun read.
Read more - https://bookscharming.blogspot.com/2018/08/book-review-perils-of-being-moderately.html
When I Imagine by Sophie Carmen
5.0
It's a short bedtime read for children. The author gives a message that parents must believe in their childhood imaginations and encourage them for their development. It's a fun to read it.
PS- Get a free copy for honest review.
PS- Get a free copy for honest review.
The Fragile Thread of Hope by Pankaj Giri
4.0
The fragile thread of hope is author's debut book. It's a contemporary fiction. The main characters of this book are Fiona and Soham. The story revolves around their family and love life. Both felt the loss of their loved ones at very young age & this tragedy continues in future. Soham and Fiona are very different but their pain brings them close to each other. Soham is an engineer worked in Bangalore while Fiona is a school teacher. They have fears and tragic past memories which made them think that they didn't deserve to be happy. They lost the purpose of their life. But later they overcame with the help of each other.
The plot based on Gangtok. The story is slow paced. The author described characters and events in detail which is unnecessary and made the story boring. I felt the pain of characters. It's been an emotional roller coaster ride for me. The characters grow slowly.
I like Fiona's mother Sharon character. She is a strong woman. The main character Soham and Fiona are little dull maybe because of their past. The author can do much better with these two characters. The writing and vocabulary are good. But there are few words which I don't like especially the word Nani. It's a self-published book. I really appreciate the author's writing and effort he put in this story. It's heart melting story and a piece of art. This book tells that never gives up and never loses hope. I recommend this to all.
PS- Get a free e-book copy in exchange for a review.
The plot based on Gangtok. The story is slow paced. The author described characters and events in detail which is unnecessary and made the story boring. I felt the pain of characters. It's been an emotional roller coaster ride for me. The characters grow slowly.
I like Fiona's mother Sharon character. She is a strong woman. The main character Soham and Fiona are little dull maybe because of their past. The author can do much better with these two characters. The writing and vocabulary are good. But there are few words which I don't like especially the word Nani. It's a self-published book. I really appreciate the author's writing and effort he put in this story. It's heart melting story and a piece of art. This book tells that never gives up and never loses hope. I recommend this to all.
PS- Get a free e-book copy in exchange for a review.
Mysteries of Ancient Egypt by Lorna Oakes
4.0
The mysteries of ancient Egypt is one of my favorite reads till now. This book is a fascinating guide to the mythology and religion of ancient Egypt, and to the awe-inspiring temples and tombs of the world's first great civilization. With maps, chronologies, and artworks supplementing with photographs, this book captures the essence of this fascinating epoch.
This book has chronological charts of events that happened in ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians emerged about 5,000 years ago and the society flourished for three millennia. Their most striking monuments - notably the pyramids and the Great Sphinx at Giza, and the royal tombs in the valley of the Kings - were tourist attractions in Classical times just as they are today.
The atmosphere created of mystery and speculation by ancient Egyptians gave a rise to a superstition that survived into the modern age. Religion was a fundamental part of the life of every Egyptian. Many archaeological sites were the focus of religious activity. For most of its ancient history, Egypt was ruled by all-powerful kings or pharaohs. This book is divided into two parts. First, consist of all the sacred sites of ancient Egypt. Second, consisting of Gods, myths and religion of ancient Egypt. I like the second part most.
This book is an illustrated reference to the myths, religions, pyramids, and temples of the land of the pharaohs. A compelling guide to the most famous burial sites, including Giza, Saqqara and the Valley of the Kings. It's like a tour to sacred sites from the impressive mortuary temples of the pharaohs to those dedicated to the many Gods and Goddesses. The author did an in-depth search before writing. It has information of the crucial role that religious beliefs and mythology played in one of the most intriguing periods of ancient history.
I find so many interesting facts about Egypt in this book. Egypt was one of the earliest places to accept Christianity, which was said to have been introduced in the middle of the first century AD by St Mark. Stories or myths evolved in all cultures in order to provide a divine explanation for the fundamentals of human existence. Many sources reveal that the King was identified with a God, both in life and after death.
The people of ancient Egypt were terrified by the prospect of dying away from their beloved Egypt in case this meant they would not be buried close to the Nile, and would not receive the all-important funeral. The intriguing process of mummification developed because of the belief that the survival of the body was necessary in order to reborn into the Afterlife.
Magic and superstition played a crucial part in daily life and were by no means considered unorthodox or an alternative to the religion of the state temples. A priest used to perform rituals in the cult of a state deity could also be called upon to carry out what we would term magic or sorcery. State and popular religion were clearly interrelated.
The Egyptian history is vast and it is very difficult, to sum up, all the possible information in one book. The author tried her best in doing so. I like the detailed information on every topic. But sometimes the pictures and content are used again and again. I don't like that very much. This book is lavishly illustrated with more than 750 photographs. But I really recommend this book, especially to all the history lovers. It's a must-read.
Actual rating - 4.5 stars
Read more - https://bookscharming.blogspot.com/2018/09/book-review-mysteries-of-ancient-egypt.html
This book has chronological charts of events that happened in ancient Egypt. The ancient Egyptians emerged about 5,000 years ago and the society flourished for three millennia. Their most striking monuments - notably the pyramids and the Great Sphinx at Giza, and the royal tombs in the valley of the Kings - were tourist attractions in Classical times just as they are today.
The atmosphere created of mystery and speculation by ancient Egyptians gave a rise to a superstition that survived into the modern age. Religion was a fundamental part of the life of every Egyptian. Many archaeological sites were the focus of religious activity. For most of its ancient history, Egypt was ruled by all-powerful kings or pharaohs. This book is divided into two parts. First, consist of all the sacred sites of ancient Egypt. Second, consisting of Gods, myths and religion of ancient Egypt. I like the second part most.
This book is an illustrated reference to the myths, religions, pyramids, and temples of the land of the pharaohs. A compelling guide to the most famous burial sites, including Giza, Saqqara and the Valley of the Kings. It's like a tour to sacred sites from the impressive mortuary temples of the pharaohs to those dedicated to the many Gods and Goddesses. The author did an in-depth search before writing. It has information of the crucial role that religious beliefs and mythology played in one of the most intriguing periods of ancient history.
I find so many interesting facts about Egypt in this book. Egypt was one of the earliest places to accept Christianity, which was said to have been introduced in the middle of the first century AD by St Mark. Stories or myths evolved in all cultures in order to provide a divine explanation for the fundamentals of human existence. Many sources reveal that the King was identified with a God, both in life and after death.
The people of ancient Egypt were terrified by the prospect of dying away from their beloved Egypt in case this meant they would not be buried close to the Nile, and would not receive the all-important funeral. The intriguing process of mummification developed because of the belief that the survival of the body was necessary in order to reborn into the Afterlife.
Magic and superstition played a crucial part in daily life and were by no means considered unorthodox or an alternative to the religion of the state temples. A priest used to perform rituals in the cult of a state deity could also be called upon to carry out what we would term magic or sorcery. State and popular religion were clearly interrelated.
The Egyptian history is vast and it is very difficult, to sum up, all the possible information in one book. The author tried her best in doing so. I like the detailed information on every topic. But sometimes the pictures and content are used again and again. I don't like that very much. This book is lavishly illustrated with more than 750 photographs. But I really recommend this book, especially to all the history lovers. It's a must-read.
Actual rating - 4.5 stars
Read more - https://bookscharming.blogspot.com/2018/09/book-review-mysteries-of-ancient-egypt.html