The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret AtwoodMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
View all my reviews
Thursday, October 21, 2021
Thursday, September 2, 2021
Wednesday, July 28, 2021
Thursday, July 15, 2021
Wednesday, June 30, 2021
Saturday, June 26, 2021
Review: Emperor of Thorns
Emperor of Thorns by Mark LawrenceMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
Wow! Finally done, I have finally not only completed this book but this trilogy as well. I wanted to read this series for so long and now finally completed during the pandemic and now reduced my reading has become. I was introduced to Mark Lawrence through Goodreads where I saw, read, and enjoyed his reviews for other books. And his joy at the wonderful work done by others. Coming back to the book this keeps on jumping from time to time and sometimes perspective too and slowly we reach the conclusion. It was another good read though through my slump this took almost 3 months to finish after all I read other books throughout the time as well. I already have the next two trilogies set in the world ready to be read but like I said I would first try to finish the books in my Currently reading list so the fool of thieves will have to wait a little bit more yet. So while I put this book in the read booklists and continue to try to finish the books that are waiting for me and I will Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genres but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
View all my reviews
Saturday, June 19, 2021
Sunday, June 13, 2021
Saturday, May 29, 2021
Friday, May 28, 2021
Thursday, May 27, 2021
Wednesday, May 5, 2021
Review: Mr Mercedes
Mr Mercedes by Stephen KingMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Well I read and finished it in double quick time didn't I, I did. I loved this new book and the proof is that I managed to finish this book in 5 days while there are books on my currently-reading list for many years now. I hope to finish them someday but let's come back to the book in question. Maybe it's only me and I haven't read much work of Mr. King but this still felt different but the same time there was some similarities as well and I read through the pages in a daze and of course the newly implemented lockdown helped as well but why didn't it do the same for the other books? Maybe because they didn't get the King Magic but no worries all shall be read. I laughed, cried, dreaded, sighed, and all other emotions throughout the story and of course, I am off to the next part of the trilogy now.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genres but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
View all my reviews
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Tuesday, April 20, 2021
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Review: Notes from a Big Country
Notes from a Big Country by Bill BrysonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
I am apparently going through a reading slump for a few months now but I flew through this book probably because it's a Bryson book or probably because my computer not working while it's waiting for a part so that's that but all I know that I read through this book unlike any other book this year or few months in the last year. It's also possible it's due to the format that is a collection of his weekly articles in a magazine so maybe that's but I have already picked the book in the same format based on the UK, so excuse me while I get lost in the travel experience and thoughts about the UK circa 1995 but I somehow think that I would still find it relevant. So then let's all just Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genres but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
View all my reviews
Monday, April 5, 2021
Thursday, April 1, 2021
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Review: Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets
Stephen Fry's Victorian Secrets by John WoolfMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This free series on Audible was a joy to listen to and I immensely enjoyed my journey to the 1800s of the UK. We Indians were of course supplier of all the wealth to the Britishers at the time but well that's the tale for other times. This is not a narration of a book but rather 12 episodes with music and acting and recreation of the Victorian times to focus on 12 juicy details not discussed normally. Like I said I loved to listen to the episodes and would definitely jump to enjoy the other free series I had added. After all who doesn't love the free stuff? So if you have an Audible subscription then it's a no-brainer to add this and more free series to your library I am sure you would also enjoy the hilarious and funny narration not only from Sir Stephen Fry but also the other narrators. So onto the next one then gotta Keep on Reading.
People who don't read generally ask me my reasons for reading. Simply put I just love reading and so to that end I have made it my motto to just Keep on Reading. I love to read everything except for Self Help books but even those once in a while. I read almost all the genres but YA, Fantasy, Biographies are the most. My favorite series is, of course, Harry Potter but then there are many more books that I just adore. I have bookcases filled with books which are waiting to be read so can't stay and spend more time in this review, so remember I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
View all my reviews
Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Saturday, February 6, 2021
Book Tour Surge on Like A River (Blog Post: Spotlight)
Surge On Like a River
About The Book
Surge On Like a River is the English translation of the Tamil book titled ‘Nee Nadhi Pola Odikondiru’, originally written by Bharathy Bhaskar, a Chemical Engineer and an MBA, who is a banker by profession. She is also a popular columnist and speaker, and a household name in Tamil homes, thanks to the debates and shows she has spoken in.
The essays are written in a simple, engaging style, and filled with profound insights. These nuggets of wisdom primarily draw from the author’s life experiences and her empathetic observations of the people and situations around her.
This English translation by V. Shyamala captures the lively nature of the original, bringing it to a wider audience with the idea that the readers who do not know Tamil should not miss out on the wonderful collection.
Purchase Links
Book Excerpt
Chapter 1
Home sweet home pours love but just drizzles appreciation!
Saro is my friend since school days. One evening, when I ran into her at Mount Road in Chennai, deciding to prolong our happy reunion, we proceeded to the Spencer Plaza to catch up. There, we met my boss, an American.
He noticed me and said ‘Hi’. I responded in kind, and introduced my friend.
Immediately, he complimented Saro, saying, “Your dress is lovely.” She was wearing a magenta-coloured silk sari with a black border. The sole reason for this incident was that the sari was really beautiful, and Americans are usually generous with their compliments.
Even though quite some time had passed since we had met my boss, Saro was visibly uncomfortable. She was not her usual bubbly self, either. Only after my continuous, repeated insistence and queries of “What happened, Saro?” did she reply.
“When your boss complimented me, I could not even say a simple thanks!”
“Yes. I noticed. You could have thanked him”
“The thing is, I have never been praised so I did not know how to respond…”
That night, it was a long time before I could fall asleep. Is there only ‘one’ Saro who has ‘never been praised?’ There are a thousand Saros, Kamalas , Fatimas, and Stellas amongst us, who yearn for appreciation.
Apparently, research shows that women’s chromosomal and genetic makeup craves appreciation and acknowledgment, more than men’s genetics do. Must probably be true.
“Darling… How does my new saree look?”
“Is it new… Superb!”
Did the husband even spare a glance at the saree, or did he say so as there was no other quicker way to end the conversation… God only knows!
“There is a difference in the rasam I made today… Did you not notice?”
“Really? For me it tastes the same, as usual.”
Following a new recipe suggested by a friend, boiling tomato and garlic along with lentils, mashing them all together, mixing with the tamarind extract, boiling it evenly before adding freshly crushed cumin and black pepper, and finally tempering with mustard seeds spluttered in ghee… all this effort only to hear ‘it tastes same as usual!’
A new hairstyle from a rare visit to a beauty parlour, a tastefully drawn peacock kolam, a special adai-avial tiffin made after poring over a different recipe from a book, a newly purchased green silk-cotton saree that had attracted at first sight, a reward gotten at the office… would any of this give us complete happiness, if not layered with praise from close family members?
Could the researchers who proved that ‘women’s chromosomes expect praise and appreciation’, not have also proven that ‘men’s chromosomes limit their ability to give out praise and compliments’?
About the Author
Bharathi Baskar is a Tamil Orator who is popular for her humorous debate talk shows called Pattimandram.com, telecasted on Sun TV. She is also an anchor for the daily talk show called Vaanga Peasalam at 7.15 a.m from Monday to Wednesday on Sun TV. Bharathi Baskar is also a Senior Vice President at Citi Bank, Chenna
About the Translator
V.Shyamala
is a cost accountant, a homemaker, and a writer. She loves to weave stories and
is on a continuous quest to seek new and creative ways to teach children. When
not writing, reading, or thinking up stories, Shyamala mentors CIMA students,
strives to workout, loves tweaking South Indian heritage recipes, and translates Tamil words to English. She is also a member
of AWIC (Association of Writers and Illustrators for Children) and volunteers at
a local library twice a week.
Catch with Up V.Shyamala on Social Media
Tuesday, January 26, 2021
Friday, January 22, 2021
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