sagittarian_bookaholic's reviews
162 reviews

comfortable slaves by Manoj Chenthamarakshan

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funny informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

3.5

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘Ίπ’π’‚π’—π’†π’“π’š π’˜π’‚π’” 𝒏𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓 π’‚π’ƒπ’π’π’Šπ’”π’‰π’†π’…, 𝑰𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒔 π’π’π’π’š 𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒅 π’Šπ’π’•π’ 𝒂 π’π’†π’˜ π’‡π’π’“π’Ž.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️Written by Manoj Chenthamarakshan, The Comfortable Slaves is a self-help book that makes us reflect on our choices. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading short non-fiction books.✳️

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘©π’–π’• 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’π’‚π’˜ 𝒐𝒇 π’„π’π’π’‡π’π’“π’Žπ’Šπ’•π’š 𝒉𝒂𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒉𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒍𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒍 π’˜π’‰π’†π’“π’† π’‡π’π’π’π’π’˜π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒂 π’ˆπ’“π’π’–π’‘ 𝒐𝒇 𝒑𝒆𝒐𝒑𝒍𝒆 π’Šπ’” π’π’π’“π’Žπ’‚π’ 𝒂𝒏𝒅 π’”π’•π’‚π’π’…π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒂𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕 π’Šπ’” π’‚π’ƒπ’π’π’“π’Žπ’‚π’.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️This book is divided into four chapters namely Education, Career, Relegion and Consumerism. We can all relate to most of the things that the author has mentioned in this book. Atleast I can..πŸ˜…. It will make us question whether we are a comfortable slave or not.✳️

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘³π’Šπ’‡π’† π’Šπ’” 𝒕𝒐𝒐 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒓𝒕 𝒕𝒐 π’‡π’Šπ’ˆπ’‰π’• 𝒇𝒐𝒓 π’”π’π’Žπ’†π’•π’‰π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 π’šπ’π’– 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 π’π’Šπ’Œπ’†.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️We won't get bored while reading this book as it is short and up to the point. We can finish this book in one sitting. The author has used quirky and easy-to-understand language here. The diagram on the cover also go well with the book. The quotes mentioned in this book will definitely catch our attention.✳️

Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

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hopeful inspiring

5.0


✳️The funny story behind buying this book is that I only bought this book because of the title. I assumed it was a love story between a boy and a girl named Morrie. Yes I know..!! I am weird..! I should have at least read the writings on the front cover. When I realized it was a memoir, I wasn't in the mood to read this book. But then I saw the reviews, and I thought I should give this book a try. I'm glad I did. This book is valuable to me now. If someone asks me what's one of my best book choices, I would definitely say it's choosing this book to read.✳️

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘»π’‰π’† 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒕𝒉 π’Šπ’”, 𝒐𝒏𝒄𝒆 π’šπ’π’– 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 π’‰π’π’˜ 𝒕𝒐 π’…π’Šπ’†, π’šπ’π’– 𝒍𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒏 π’‰π’π’˜ 𝒕𝒐 π’π’Šπ’—π’†.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️Morrie Schwartz was Mitch's favorite college professor. But along the way he lost the connection with his mentor. After almost 20 years, he got a second chance to meet and talk to Morrie. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of his life. Knowing he was dying of ALS β€” or motor neuron disease β€” Mitch would visit Morrie in his study every Tuesday, just like they used to do in college. Their rekindled relationship morphed into one final "class": Lessons on How to Live.✳️

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘¬π’—π’†π’“π’šπ’π’π’† π’Œπ’π’π’˜π’” π’•π’‰π’†π’š 𝒓𝒆 π’ˆπ’π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒕𝒐 π’…π’Šπ’†,' 𝒉𝒆 π’”π’‚π’Šπ’… π’‚π’ˆπ’‚π’Šπ’, '𝒃𝒖𝒕 π’π’π’ƒπ’π’…π’š π’ƒπ’†π’π’Šπ’†π’—π’†π’” π’Šπ’•. 𝑰𝒇 π’˜π’† π’…π’Šπ’…, π’˜π’† π’˜π’π’–π’π’… 𝒅𝒐 π’•π’‰π’Šπ’π’ˆπ’” π’…π’Šπ’‡π’‡π’†π’“π’†π’π’•π’π’š.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️The fact that this is a true life story is inspiring. Not everyone is lucky enough to have a teacher like Morrie. The relationship Morrie and Mitch had was so pure and beautiful. I really envy you, Mitch. This book teaches us many things. It can change the way we think about life. The lessons we can learn from this great teacher are tremendous. This book had a great impact on me. As I read a few lines my eyes filled with tears. I cried and smiled, thanks Morrie for that. If every student had a teacher like Morrie, this world would have been a better place. And yes..., this book is really precious to me. This is one of the best books I have ever read - GOAT..!✳️
The Lost Apothecary by Sarah Penner

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adventurous challenging dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

✳️Well, basically I bought this book just because of its cover. Isn't that a beautiful edition? I am so in love with this cover. And best of all, I got it in a steal deal too. Sarah Penner's The Lost Apothecary is a tale of magic and exploration.✳️

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘°π’•'𝒔 π’π’Œπ’‚π’š 𝒕𝒐 π’„π’‰π’‚π’π’ˆπ’†," 𝑰 π’Šπ’π’•π’†π’“π’“π’–π’‘π’•π’†π’…, "𝒃𝒖𝒕 π’Šπ’•'𝒔 𝒏𝒐𝒕 π’π’Œπ’‚π’š 𝒕𝒐 π’‰π’Šπ’…π’†, 𝒕𝒐 π’ƒπ’–π’“π’š 𝒑𝒂𝒓𝒕𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒔𝒆𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒔.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️Two timelines, one mystery.

London 1791-

Nella and her Apothecary shop are well hidden from the surrounding area. Instead of healing people, she sells her apothecary to kill men who have wronged their women. There is a register in which she writes who bought the poison and who used it. When 12-year-old Eliza comes in search of a poison, she gets a little bit shocked. It was not long before a new friendship was established between Nella and Eliza. But will she threaten Nella's world?

London The present -

Caroline Parcewell spends her tenth wedding anniversary alone, devastated by the discovery of her husband's infidelity. When she finds an old apothecary's vial near the River Thames, she can't resist investigating, only to discover that she's found a link to the unsolved 'apothecary murders' that ravaged London over two centuries ago. As she deepens her quest, Caroline's life collides with that of Nella and Eliza in a surprising twist of fate.✳️

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘­π’Šπ’“π’”π’•, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 π’˜π’‚π’” 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒔𝒕. 𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒏, 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 π’˜π’‚π’” π’ƒπ’†π’•π’“π’‚π’šπ’‚π’. 𝒀𝒐𝒖 𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒆 π’˜π’Šπ’•π’‰π’π’–π’• 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒐𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️I enjoyed the past timeline more than the present, mainly it was because of the mysterious and fascinating nature. And I also loved the characters more during this era.✳️ 

✳️This is a simple story. we can read it in one stretch. I really liked her writing style. It's elegant and will draw you into the story from the very start. It won't be your favorite read, but I can assure you it will be a good one. I enjoyed reading it and I will recommend this one if you are looking for a standalone book.✳️


Verity by Colleen Hoover

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘΄π’š π’Žπ’π’•π’‰π’†π’“ 𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝒕𝒐 π’”π’‚π’š 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒂 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍, 𝒂𝒏𝒅 π’Šπ’‡ 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 π’Šπ’” 𝒕𝒓𝒖𝒆, 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒍 𝒐𝒇 π‘½π’†π’“π’Šπ’•π’š π‘ͺπ’“π’‚π’˜π’‡π’π’“π’…β€™π’” 𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒔𝒆 π’Šπ’” 𝒂𝒔 π’…π’‚π’“π’Œ 𝒂𝒔 π’•π’‰π’†π’š π’„π’π’Žπ’†.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️Before I picked it up for reading, I thought Verity was a romantic thriller. But after looking through a few pages, I realized that it's more erotic than romantic. This book was indeed creepy, I'm not lying, but maybe I didn't enjoy it as much as everyone else due to my higher expectations. It's good, but it's not as great as I thought it would be. In addition, I have seen so many horror thrillers, so because of that this story was almost predictable for me. But the closing line took the book to the next level. That one line changed it all.✳️

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘»π’‰π’† π’ˆπ’π’π’… π’•π’‰π’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒂𝒃𝒐𝒖𝒕 π’”π’Šπ’π’” π’Šπ’” π’•π’‰π’†π’š 𝒅𝒐𝒏'𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒂𝒕𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒅 𝒇𝒐𝒓 π’Šπ’Žπ’Žπ’†π’…π’Šπ’‚π’•π’†π’π’š.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️But whatever the reason, I don't have enough words to commend the amazing Colleen Hoover for her incredible writing. One of the reasons I've always rated her books more than 3⭐ is because of her writing.✳️

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘Άπ’π’† π’Žπ’π’“π’† 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒑𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑰’𝒍𝒍 𝒔𝒕𝒐𝒑. 𝑻𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 π’Šπ’•.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️Jeremy Crawford, husband of bestselling author Verity Crawford, has hired Lowen Ashleigh to finish the remaining books in a successful series his injured wife is unable to complete. When Lowen arrives at the Crawfords' home to go through Verity's notes and drafts, she doesn't expect to discover an unfinished autobiography of Verity.✳️

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘° π’˜π’‚π’” π’…π’Šπ’‡π’‡π’Šπ’„π’–π’π’•. 𝑨𝒏 π’†π’Žπ’π’•π’Šπ’π’π’‚π’π’π’š π’„π’‰π’‚π’π’π’†π’π’ˆπ’Šπ’π’ˆ 𝒑𝒖𝒛𝒛𝒍𝒆 𝒉𝒆 π’˜π’‚π’”π’'𝒕 𝒖𝒑 𝒇𝒐𝒓 π’”π’π’π’—π’Šπ’π’ˆ. π‘Ύπ’‰π’Šπ’„π’‰ π’˜π’‚π’” π’‡π’Šπ’π’†. 𝑰 π’˜π’‚π’”π’'𝒕 π’Šπ’ 𝒕𝒉𝒆 π’Žπ’π’π’… 𝒕𝒐 𝒃𝒆 𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒗𝒆𝒅.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️I didn't like Lowen. I found her even creepier than Verity. This was a quick read for me and I think I finished it in a day. Anyway, I recommend this one if you love thrillers. I hope you'll enjoy it more than I did.✳️
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-joo

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emotional informative sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated

5.0


πŸ’œOur BTS readathon cum bookclub choice for the month of May was Kim Jiyoung Born 1982 / Nature. Since May was a busy month for me, I decided to read the 'featured read' of our book club, 'Kim Jiyoung Born 1982'. In a 2017 V Live, BTS member RM mentioned that he had read this book. His exact words were, "The book's implications were unlike any other, and I was impressed. It's a thought-provoking book." ." What more does an army need to read this book..πŸ’œ

✳️There are stories that touch our hearts, but some stories are strong enough to touch our souls. Kim Jiyoung Born 1982, written by Cho Nam-Joo, was one such book. What I liked the most is the cover. The woman depicted on the cover has no face. If I'm not mistaken, I think it's trying to convey that this isn't the story of one woman, but the story of all women.✳️

✳️I became emotional as I flipped through the pages of this book. Gender discrimination has been with us for centuries. The fact that it still exists in this society is scary. The place where gender inequality first begins is within your own four walls. I'm really privileged because of my parents, but that's not the case for many others. I don't think there is a single woman who hasn't gone through any one of the incidents described in the story. This story made me angry. It made me cry. And I want everyone to go through the same feelings I felt reading this book! That's it..!! This book should be read by every single person on earth.✳️


You Are Mine by Charu Vashishtha Gulati

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fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

✳️'You are Mine' is a short contemporary romance novella written by the author Charu Vashishtha Gulati.✳️

πŸ”Ήβ€œπ‘»π’‰π’Šπ’” π’Šπ’” 𝒏𝒐𝒕 π’Žπ’†, 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅 π’”π’„π’“π’†π’‚π’Žπ’†π’…, 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒅𝒐 π’‡π’π’Šπ’π’ˆπ’”.β€πŸ”Ή

✳️Meera is a bright, hard working young lady. She has no time in her life for anything but work and career. However, there is one exception. She adores visiting the orphanage near her place. She enjoys spending her free time with the children.
Neil is a very talented, handsome young guy. He is famous among ladies and he has had a lot of casual relationships. Neil has been assigned to Meera's Company to provide training and guidance to employees on software nuances. It was love at first sight for her, when she met Neil. But when she came to know about Neil's personality,  she made up her mind to forget about her first crush. But Can she?✳️

✳️This is a 58-page short novel. If you have a busy schedule or something, try reading this book. The story progresses at a fast rate and can be read with ease. The language used here is quite simple and lucid. We can finish reading this book in one sitting. The story is cute and sweet. There is nothing serious going on in here. So you can enjoy reading it without any emotional turmoils. There are two pencil sketches here too. It reminded me of my childhood drawings. The book is packed with some twists and turns and I recommend this book to beginners and short story readers.✳️
09/10 - The Night by Namita Srivastava

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reflective fast-paced

3.5

✳️ '09/10- The Night' is a contemporary romance fiction written by Namita Srivastava. The story revolves around the life of Neh, who is the main protagonist in the story.✳️

✳️Kiara, Terrard, Neet and Neh were close friends and they spent their days in college having fun. When Neet proposed Neh, she was over the moon. Their love, friendship, trust everything were perfect. But one day, something terrible happens in Neh's life. Read the full story to learn about Neh and what happened to her.✳️

✳️Neh and Neet, at times I got confused by their names because of their similarity. Or perhaps I wasn't focusing properly πŸ˜…. Anyway, this is a short read. We can finish this book in one sitting. The author has written it in a clear-cut language and it can be read with ease. The story advances at a fast pace and has had some good twists and turns. This story deals with a sensitive topic. Hence, there are some triggers in the book. But I really loved the way it ended. This story will hook you to the book from the very start. And speaking of the cover, I absolutely loved it. I recommend this book if you're looking for a short and engaging read.✳️
Erika: A Thriller by Mansi Narula Kashyap

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dark mysterious tense fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? N/A
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

✳️If you are interested in reading a short psychological thriller novella, then 'Erika: A Thriller' by Mansi Narula Kashyap is a good choice. The author has written this novel in a fascinating way that will draw us into the story from the very start.✳️

✳️The story begins with Erika crying and screaming at her husband's dead body, saying that she killed him. The crime scene was bloody and creepy.

πŸ”Ήβ€œ 𝑾𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒉𝒂𝒗𝒆 𝑰 𝒅𝒐𝒏𝒆 𝒕𝒐 π’‰π’Šπ’Ž? 𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒅 π’‰π’Šπ’Ž 𝒔𝒐 π’Žπ’–π’„π’‰ !β€πŸ”Ή

Keep reading to uncover the mystery behind this crime.✳️

✳️This was a really good suspense thriller. I was excited to see what would happen to Erica. Since I've read a lot of thrillers, it wasn't easy to predict. I mean I had some predictions but I never thought it would end like this. The ending was really great and it took the book to the next level.✳️

✳️It was a quick read, we can read it in one sitting, but I would have loved it more if it was a little longer. Everything goes very fast here. I mean, I didn't even know why she married Ethan so quickly. So it was difficult to grasp certain things, but overall it was a good read and I enjoyed it. I also liked how the author used Bible verses at the beginning of each chapter. So try reading this if you need a quick read during your hectic schedule. I am sure you will enjoy it.✳️

New Kid by Jerry Craft

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4.0

A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas

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5.0