Take a photo of a barcode or cover
jainandsdiary's Reviews (310)
The Paris Novel by Ruth Reichl is the story of Stella, who is working as a copy editor for Vanguard Press, a small publishing company in New York. She likes to spend her time in the comfort of her home and routine and adventure would be the last word in the dictionary of her life. Until her late mother, Celia, left a small legacy for her, and as per it, to have her will, Stella had to use the money to come to Paris. As simple as that! Thus begins the overwhelming adventure in the city of love and life, with the new people, appetite, lifestyle and life decisions. Read the book to be on the journey of self-discovery with Stella.
The book is divided into three parts- Séverine, Victorine and Stella, each part devoted to a woman and their discovery of identity! It comes out as a beautiful concept with the mismatch of emotions and feelings of food.
The beauty of the book lies in the details of the connection of Stella with food. The food is described stunningly and it was a beautiful journey for the readers parallelly with Stella's journey of finding the joy in food.
Apart from the food, the book will stay with me for the camaraderie of the people of Shakespeare and Company and the comfort it brings with it, but apart from that, it's forgettable at the front of characters and relationships.
However, I felt that the writing and story went too far ahead in the discovery of foods, paintings, and places in the city and did not leave much for the character development of any of the characters. Thus, when the book ends, we are only left with the memory of food and paintings but nothing concrete about the people and their journey and life. It also missed out heavily on exploring the complex and dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship, which we are only offered a glimpse of and could have been memorable if served more.
The book has some exceptional elements and concepts but it is a classic case of missed opportunity. It's not a disappointing story per se, but it feels like a disappointment because it could have been much better! Overall, it was a good one-time read for me, and it provided me with some good moments of comfort and calmness.
The book is divided into three parts- Séverine, Victorine and Stella, each part devoted to a woman and their discovery of identity! It comes out as a beautiful concept with the mismatch of emotions and feelings of food.
The beauty of the book lies in the details of the connection of Stella with food. The food is described stunningly and it was a beautiful journey for the readers parallelly with Stella's journey of finding the joy in food.
Apart from the food, the book will stay with me for the camaraderie of the people of Shakespeare and Company and the comfort it brings with it, but apart from that, it's forgettable at the front of characters and relationships.
However, I felt that the writing and story went too far ahead in the discovery of foods, paintings, and places in the city and did not leave much for the character development of any of the characters. Thus, when the book ends, we are only left with the memory of food and paintings but nothing concrete about the people and their journey and life. It also missed out heavily on exploring the complex and dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship, which we are only offered a glimpse of and could have been memorable if served more.
The book has some exceptional elements and concepts but it is a classic case of missed opportunity. It's not a disappointing story per se, but it feels like a disappointment because it could have been much better! Overall, it was a good one-time read for me, and it provided me with some good moments of comfort and calmness.
The Fabulous Mums Of Champion Valley by Zarreen Khan is a contemporary fiction that takes the readers on the journey of lives of the teachers, mums, and students of the Champion Valley School, which is located in Gurugram and famous for its reputation and the associated elites. The story focuses on the life of Ambica, who is the newly appointed Class Teacher of Grade III in the school, who becomes the teacher out of compulsion and as the answer to her problems - as it pays for her bills and her passion for travel. But she wasn't aware that with children comes drama, and not necessarily only from them but from their highly demanding mums as well. The drama is further enhanced when Ambica accidentally sets off a chain of events that shocks everyone and reveals some explosive secrets about the mums. Read the book to find out the chaos, drama, friendships, and humor in their life and amidst all of them, the self-discovery and realizations.
The story has lessons in it, literally! The story is divided into fifteen unique lessons, like Social Sciences, Home Science, Communication & Technology, Economics, Political Science, Philosophy and so on, and through this innovative writing, the author not only gives a fresh perspective to the story but also captures the essence of the lessons in the lives of the characters. Another interesting aspect is that most of the lesson starts with an email from the school (and again majorly from Ambica) and as the story progresses, it reflects the character development of Ambica, and I enjoyed reading them.
The story is written from the point of view of Ambica and Mums in each section with different permutations and combinations and thus gives the readers a chance to delve deeper into the lives, perspectives and perceptions of each of them, which makes it compelling and engaging.
The engaging nature of the story is further enhanced with the way each perspective of the mums is written - the melodramatic mental monologues of Riddhi in Hinglish along with her weight and diet plan, the listicles of Kainaz, the messages of Jia, the mind maps and unread emails of Giselle, and the period of pregnancy or Pareeta - each perspective giving the insights of their life and thought processes that elevates their character development. The dynamics, preconceived notions, and judgments of every character about each other are very raw and real and thus connect with the readers instantly.
The author very efficiently incorporates social issues and stereotypes that are faced by the majority of people, especially women, with the ongoing humor and drama throughout the story. Through the mums of Champion Valley, who come from as diverse backgrounds as one can think of - a homemaker, a baker, a celebrity wife, a businesswoman, and an employee - the author narrates the problems, issues and stereotypes associated with each of them, that range from late pregnancy, divorce, domestic violence, body shaming, work culture and so on, and did justice to each of them.
As the story progresses, Ambica not only develops a cordial relationship with the children but surpasses her expectations about the feelings she shares with her students, which is very well reciprocated. However I felt that this aspect was underdeveloped and we get to see only one instance where Ambica starts engaging effectively with the students with her teaching techniques and it becomes difficult to understand how the students become so close to her, especially Syra, and thus left with the craving of more character development of Ambica.
The parts that are written from Riddhi's perspective are the most enjoyable and entertaining but it comes from the fact that Hindi is my first language. For the ones who are not, it becomes overwhelming at times with the use of continuous Hinglish. And though it very accurately represents the part of the population whose first language is not English, it would be difficult to read by readers who are not very comfortable with Hindi/Hinglish.
The book very beautifully shows the friendship of the characters and how it evolved. However, the question of why only the mums were the "chosen ones" remained unanswered, and could have been explored more.
The ending of the book is very well executed and deserves special mention, and even though it was a little predictable, the way it's written and is complemented with more drama is commendable.
Overall, the story is very entertaining and delightful with the perfect amount of drama, wit and humor and taps into multiple social issues effectively, which makes it a very heartwarming and engaging read. And even though it's a 300+ page book, it could be finished in a day or two!
The story has lessons in it, literally! The story is divided into fifteen unique lessons, like Social Sciences, Home Science, Communication & Technology, Economics, Political Science, Philosophy and so on, and through this innovative writing, the author not only gives a fresh perspective to the story but also captures the essence of the lessons in the lives of the characters. Another interesting aspect is that most of the lesson starts with an email from the school (and again majorly from Ambica) and as the story progresses, it reflects the character development of Ambica, and I enjoyed reading them.
The story is written from the point of view of Ambica and Mums in each section with different permutations and combinations and thus gives the readers a chance to delve deeper into the lives, perspectives and perceptions of each of them, which makes it compelling and engaging.
The engaging nature of the story is further enhanced with the way each perspective of the mums is written - the melodramatic mental monologues of Riddhi in Hinglish along with her weight and diet plan, the listicles of Kainaz, the messages of Jia, the mind maps and unread emails of Giselle, and the period of pregnancy or Pareeta - each perspective giving the insights of their life and thought processes that elevates their character development. The dynamics, preconceived notions, and judgments of every character about each other are very raw and real and thus connect with the readers instantly.
The author very efficiently incorporates social issues and stereotypes that are faced by the majority of people, especially women, with the ongoing humor and drama throughout the story. Through the mums of Champion Valley, who come from as diverse backgrounds as one can think of - a homemaker, a baker, a celebrity wife, a businesswoman, and an employee - the author narrates the problems, issues and stereotypes associated with each of them, that range from late pregnancy, divorce, domestic violence, body shaming, work culture and so on, and did justice to each of them.
As the story progresses, Ambica not only develops a cordial relationship with the children but surpasses her expectations about the feelings she shares with her students, which is very well reciprocated. However I felt that this aspect was underdeveloped and we get to see only one instance where Ambica starts engaging effectively with the students with her teaching techniques and it becomes difficult to understand how the students become so close to her, especially Syra, and thus left with the craving of more character development of Ambica.
The parts that are written from Riddhi's perspective are the most enjoyable and entertaining but it comes from the fact that Hindi is my first language. For the ones who are not, it becomes overwhelming at times with the use of continuous Hinglish. And though it very accurately represents the part of the population whose first language is not English, it would be difficult to read by readers who are not very comfortable with Hindi/Hinglish.
The book very beautifully shows the friendship of the characters and how it evolved. However, the question of why only the mums were the "chosen ones" remained unanswered, and could have been explored more.
The ending of the book is very well executed and deserves special mention, and even though it was a little predictable, the way it's written and is complemented with more drama is commendable.
Overall, the story is very entertaining and delightful with the perfect amount of drama, wit and humor and taps into multiple social issues effectively, which makes it a very heartwarming and engaging read. And even though it's a 300+ page book, it could be finished in a day or two!
One of my favourite reads of all time!!!
Set in 1947, the year of partition in Amritsar, A Game of Fire, a sequel to Hymns in Blood introduces us to a new character: Satnam Singh, the leader of the Unity Council. He is trying to keep the communities together and keep the flame of humanity alive, but when the wind of hatred becomes a hurricane, he finds it difficult to sustain his thoughts.
Tormented by his own beliefs and the situation around him, he meets Krishna and her Babaji at Guru Ram Das Serai near the Golden Temple, where they have taken a temporary refuge. What will happen when Satnam invites them to his home for a temporary residence? What will happen to a city that is currently perceived as a symbol of serenity that experienced “Agg di Khed” (A Game Of Fire) before? Read the book to find out.
Throughout history, we rarely come across female personalities and leaders, and their roles and involvement are very much restricted or, even worse, neglected and looked over and discussed only in the context of violence and harassment. Nanak Singh very carefully breaks this narrative through the characters of Krishna and Satnam’s mother, Kesar Kaur.
At a time when one can see the rise of communalism and extremist sentiments very high around them, A Game of Fire and its story find their relevance again, sadly. Thus it becomes a lot more impactful and important story that needs not only to be read but felt.
Detailed review on Purple Pencil Project website! Link : https://www.purplepencilproject.com/nanak-singh-a-game-of-fire-review/
Set in 1947, the year of partition in Amritsar, A Game of Fire, a sequel to Hymns in Blood introduces us to a new character: Satnam Singh, the leader of the Unity Council. He is trying to keep the communities together and keep the flame of humanity alive, but when the wind of hatred becomes a hurricane, he finds it difficult to sustain his thoughts.
Tormented by his own beliefs and the situation around him, he meets Krishna and her Babaji at Guru Ram Das Serai near the Golden Temple, where they have taken a temporary refuge. What will happen when Satnam invites them to his home for a temporary residence? What will happen to a city that is currently perceived as a symbol of serenity that experienced “Agg di Khed” (A Game Of Fire) before? Read the book to find out.
Throughout history, we rarely come across female personalities and leaders, and their roles and involvement are very much restricted or, even worse, neglected and looked over and discussed only in the context of violence and harassment. Nanak Singh very carefully breaks this narrative through the characters of Krishna and Satnam’s mother, Kesar Kaur.
At a time when one can see the rise of communalism and extremist sentiments very high around them, A Game of Fire and its story find their relevance again, sadly. Thus it becomes a lot more impactful and important story that needs not only to be read but felt.
Detailed review on Purple Pencil Project website! Link : https://www.purplepencilproject.com/nanak-singh-a-game-of-fire-review/
I started my reading journey with a fantasy series (the one which can't be named, IYKYK), but after reading that, I haven't read the genre much and touched it very rarely. So it takes a lot for me to pick up a fantasy book, and the book needs to be intriguing enough to keep me hooked till the end. And this one delivered it completely and ticked off all the marks that I would like to have in a book.
The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa is a debut fantasy novel that takes us to the world of eight far-flung kingdoms, each separated from each other by a distant spice but connected through the Spice Gates, which are accessible only to the ones who are born with a special mark. But the thing is that the thing that may make someone special becomes the reason for their subjugation and makes them suffer not only by the rich masters but through the Gate itself by the unbearable pain whenever they pass through it. One such spice carrier is Amir, a boy with the dream of escaping with his family from this carrier duty and pain. But what will happen when the dream of freedom comes with fierce consequences, the ones that can shake the foundation of their world? What will happen when not only the throne keepers but even Gods get involved in it? Read the book to find out.
The world-building is top-notch and fluid and even though the story is fantasy, it has deep connections with Indian roots in the form of spices, caste division and historical events, and thus it makes it more interesting and engaging. The writing is engaging and addictive, and though the pace is not uniform, the story is compelling nevertheless.
The character of Amir is layered and one can witness the growth in his characterization as the story unfolds. His relationship with Karim Bhai and Harini shows the disparities in the hierarchical order, and at the same time, reflects the courage needed to tear the shackles of traditions and oppression.
It is not difficult to find the parallels between the subjugated class in the fantasy world and the real world, where one can find the deep-rooted historical baggage of marginalization, untouchability, oppression and dominion.
I am deeply stunned by this tome of a book, and I have a lot to talk about and discuss this book even after what I have written above (and I wish I had enough courage to come in front of a camera and blabber about how fascinating the book is) but till I do it again, I hope you pick up this book and immerse yourself in the wonder of this book. This is one of my favourite reads of this year, and if you are even considering reading a fantasy, think about it.
The Spice Gate by Prashanth Srivatsa is a debut fantasy novel that takes us to the world of eight far-flung kingdoms, each separated from each other by a distant spice but connected through the Spice Gates, which are accessible only to the ones who are born with a special mark. But the thing is that the thing that may make someone special becomes the reason for their subjugation and makes them suffer not only by the rich masters but through the Gate itself by the unbearable pain whenever they pass through it. One such spice carrier is Amir, a boy with the dream of escaping with his family from this carrier duty and pain. But what will happen when the dream of freedom comes with fierce consequences, the ones that can shake the foundation of their world? What will happen when not only the throne keepers but even Gods get involved in it? Read the book to find out.
The world-building is top-notch and fluid and even though the story is fantasy, it has deep connections with Indian roots in the form of spices, caste division and historical events, and thus it makes it more interesting and engaging. The writing is engaging and addictive, and though the pace is not uniform, the story is compelling nevertheless.
The character of Amir is layered and one can witness the growth in his characterization as the story unfolds. His relationship with Karim Bhai and Harini shows the disparities in the hierarchical order, and at the same time, reflects the courage needed to tear the shackles of traditions and oppression.
It is not difficult to find the parallels between the subjugated class in the fantasy world and the real world, where one can find the deep-rooted historical baggage of marginalization, untouchability, oppression and dominion.
I am deeply stunned by this tome of a book, and I have a lot to talk about and discuss this book even after what I have written above (and I wish I had enough courage to come in front of a camera and blabber about how fascinating the book is) but till I do it again, I hope you pick up this book and immerse yourself in the wonder of this book. This is one of my favourite reads of this year, and if you are even considering reading a fantasy, think about it.
As usual, Elise again created a story that feels like a warm hug after a long tiring day. The romance and the chemistry between Angel and Scotty feels very organic, real and well developed and one can easily root for them to be together!
The theme of single parenting is very well covered throughout the book, and one can feel how every decision of the protagonists was impacted by their children and vice-versa. It was a delight to see both the children together having fun and making the grown-ups take some decisions like grown-ups!
If you are a fan of any of these troupes -
The theme of single parenting is very well covered throughout the book, and one can feel how every decision of the protagonists was impacted by their children and vice-versa. It was a delight to see both the children together having fun and making the grown-ups take some decisions like grown-ups!
If you are a fan of any of these troupes -
Originally published as Khuda Ke Saye Mein Aankh Micholi in 2011 in Urdu, the book that awarded Rahman Abbas with the Maharashtra State Urdu Sahitya Akadami Award for the year, which he returned in 2015 against the wave of intolerance, is now translated by Riyaz Latif in English.
This novel showcases the life of Abdus-Salam, a novelist whose ambition is to publish his Dastan-e-Ishq, a seven-volume 'Saga of Passion' through the lens of another unnamed novelist who is set to write out a novel about Salam, which essentially makes it a novel tracing a novelist by another novelist through the formers novel. Looks a little complicated? Well, it's just a reflection of the complexity of this story, the characters and the themes this book taps into in an attempt to uncomplicate religion, politics, traditions, history, the position of women and Urdu in contemporary society, love and so on.
Abbas made an interesting and smart choice by making the narrator a novelist, which gave him the space, voice and medium to come one-on-one and have a chat with the readers and express his opinions and views. At one point, the narrator starts wondering about the artistic approach and position of a novelist, and it blurs the line between the narrator and Abbas, literally!
The character of Abdus-Salam is a contradiction with his actions from his thoughts at multiple junctions in this novel. On one hand, he is an atheist and questions the authority and existence of God throughout the novel, but at the same time, he talks with 'Him' continuously where 'He' exists and with the frequency that sometimes even the believer of 'Him' would try to learn from him. But it looks like a part and parcel of his existence, which even the 'narrator' novelist feels and mentions - "I am thinking, how shall I compose in the classical form of a novel the story of a man whose life there was nothing but disintegration."
The author made various remarks through Abbas and the narrator on the Urdu literature and its position in the current scenario. He also dived deeper into the lives of Muslims and their faith and how it's navigation in today's world. And not to forget, there's a lot of conversation around love, through Saga of Passion and the circumstances leading to it - something that consciously or subconsciously shows a tint of male gaze.
Overall, it was a great book for me to enter into Urdu literature and I would love to explore more of it.
This novel showcases the life of Abdus-Salam, a novelist whose ambition is to publish his Dastan-e-Ishq, a seven-volume 'Saga of Passion' through the lens of another unnamed novelist who is set to write out a novel about Salam, which essentially makes it a novel tracing a novelist by another novelist through the formers novel. Looks a little complicated? Well, it's just a reflection of the complexity of this story, the characters and the themes this book taps into in an attempt to uncomplicate religion, politics, traditions, history, the position of women and Urdu in contemporary society, love and so on.
Abbas made an interesting and smart choice by making the narrator a novelist, which gave him the space, voice and medium to come one-on-one and have a chat with the readers and express his opinions and views. At one point, the narrator starts wondering about the artistic approach and position of a novelist, and it blurs the line between the narrator and Abbas, literally!
The character of Abdus-Salam is a contradiction with his actions from his thoughts at multiple junctions in this novel. On one hand, he is an atheist and questions the authority and existence of God throughout the novel, but at the same time, he talks with 'Him' continuously where 'He' exists and with the frequency that sometimes even the believer of 'Him' would try to learn from him. But it looks like a part and parcel of his existence, which even the 'narrator' novelist feels and mentions - "I am thinking, how shall I compose in the classical form of a novel the story of a man whose life there was nothing but disintegration."
The author made various remarks through Abbas and the narrator on the Urdu literature and its position in the current scenario. He also dived deeper into the lives of Muslims and their faith and how it's navigation in today's world. And not to forget, there's a lot of conversation around love, through Saga of Passion and the circumstances leading to it - something that consciously or subconsciously shows a tint of male gaze.
Overall, it was a great book for me to enter into Urdu literature and I would love to explore more of it.
Jyotirlingam: Shiva and the Twelve Columns of Light is a compilation of four narratives/essays/columns that try to capture the essence of Jyotirlingams through different perspectives - spiritual, mythological, artistic, and the Western by Amit Kapoor, Bibek Debroy, Vibhav Kapoor, and Conor Martin respectively.
The book starts with the essay "The Idea of Shiva" by Amit Kapoor. It was a bold yet interesting choice to start a book about a deity from an author who is a 'staunch believer-turned-atheist'. His 'views' on Shaivism and religion make one question one's own beliefs and thoughts and help in self-reflection and deeper understanding.
"The Big Essay on Jyotirlingam" by Bibek Debroy breaks the misconceptions regarding the terminology of lingam and how its perception in recent times is the result of misinterpretation. He then delves deeper into the meanings associated with the shlokas and the stories associated with each Jyotirlingam.
In "Mahadeva's Guide", Vibhav Kapoor adds another perspective as an artist, specifically a photographer. It exposes the readers to the lens of an artist and the view of an observer simultaneously.
"Here and Everywhere" by Conor Martin concludes the book with a Western perspective and draws parallels in the journey of spirituality, representing a fresh angle where one gets to see a place with a completely new view that isn't thought of generally.
The essays and narratives are complimented by the pictures of the Jyotirlingams by Vibhav Kapoor and Conor Martin, and though they try to hold the essence of the places with a fresh angle, they left me a little underwhelmed as I have seen some of them in real, and felt that the pictures don't justify the beauty and the enriching experience of the places.
For me, Debroy's essay shines the most, because, through it, I get to know more about the twelve Jyotirlingams and the stories that I did not hear much. It made me connect with my faith more deeply and that's very rewarding. I am grateful that I got to read his words just a few days before his demise.
Overall, I found the book to be enriching, and with the different narrations, it asks the readers to be engaged and open up for new experiences and reflections. It's a must-read book.
The book starts with the essay "The Idea of Shiva" by Amit Kapoor. It was a bold yet interesting choice to start a book about a deity from an author who is a 'staunch believer-turned-atheist'. His 'views' on Shaivism and religion make one question one's own beliefs and thoughts and help in self-reflection and deeper understanding.
"The Big Essay on Jyotirlingam" by Bibek Debroy breaks the misconceptions regarding the terminology of lingam and how its perception in recent times is the result of misinterpretation. He then delves deeper into the meanings associated with the shlokas and the stories associated with each Jyotirlingam.
In "Mahadeva's Guide", Vibhav Kapoor adds another perspective as an artist, specifically a photographer. It exposes the readers to the lens of an artist and the view of an observer simultaneously.
"Here and Everywhere" by Conor Martin concludes the book with a Western perspective and draws parallels in the journey of spirituality, representing a fresh angle where one gets to see a place with a completely new view that isn't thought of generally.
The essays and narratives are complimented by the pictures of the Jyotirlingams by Vibhav Kapoor and Conor Martin, and though they try to hold the essence of the places with a fresh angle, they left me a little underwhelmed as I have seen some of them in real, and felt that the pictures don't justify the beauty and the enriching experience of the places.
For me, Debroy's essay shines the most, because, through it, I get to know more about the twelve Jyotirlingams and the stories that I did not hear much. It made me connect with my faith more deeply and that's very rewarding. I am grateful that I got to read his words just a few days before his demise.
Overall, I found the book to be enriching, and with the different narrations, it asks the readers to be engaged and open up for new experiences and reflections. It's a must-read book.
Ramayana is not just an epic, it's an emotion, a tradition, a tale that binds the generations and provides moral values for everyone. Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan in the 1980s created a new wave which was again recreated during the pandemic with its repeat telecast. The historic Ayodya Ram Mandir opened in January this year and the sentiments are high! And amidst all of these, a lot of questions arise related to the epic tale, with its relevance in today's time and the Rm Rajya!
Rama: A Man of Dharma by Priya Arora is a retelling of Valmiki's Ramayana that brings alive the Sanskrit epic for a wider audience without diluting the intent of the original.
Ram Rajya is an inspiration for the democratic values in today's time - liberty, equality, fraternity and justice - and with the increasing focus on its implementation, it's vital to understand the source material, and Arora tried to present it very well.
The footnotes are given at every important junction that needs elaboration in context to today's time and the question that the epic faces. The 'Appendices' is the heart of the book, and though it comes at the end, it dives deeper into Vedic life, Yoga and Purushartha, Varna system, the position of women in Vedic Society, the message of Ramayana, and the debate of historicity of Shri Ram, it covers everything that one can looking forward to and generates curiosity to explore it more.
Rama: A Man of Dharma by Priya Arora is a retelling of Valmiki's Ramayana that brings alive the Sanskrit epic for a wider audience without diluting the intent of the original.
Ram Rajya is an inspiration for the democratic values in today's time - liberty, equality, fraternity and justice - and with the increasing focus on its implementation, it's vital to understand the source material, and Arora tried to present it very well.
The footnotes are given at every important junction that needs elaboration in context to today's time and the question that the epic faces. The 'Appendices' is the heart of the book, and though it comes at the end, it dives deeper into Vedic life, Yoga and Purushartha, Varna system, the position of women in Vedic Society, the message of Ramayana, and the debate of historicity of Shri Ram, it covers everything that one can looking forward to and generates curiosity to explore it more.