Sunday, January 3, 2021

Review: Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies

Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared Diamond
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Exhaustive Read. Huge and intense amount of information starting from the evolution to farming to development of the nations to race creation to staple food trajectory to body and facial features reasoning.

At some point I wasn’t convinced about several research observations. Being an Indian, we are sure about having a deep rooted history of our evolution. However, the author has only spread light on the Europeanised way of development and superiority.

The book has some wonderful detailed information on the Radiocarbon Dating. As an Indian reader I feel that this book

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Wednesday, October 7, 2020

Review: Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day

Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day Think Like a Monk: Train Your Mind for Peace and Purpose Every Day by Jay Shetty
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In this modern world where we are anxious and confused most of the time, we definitely need to take this time out and read/listen this book. It is a must must read/listen. Monk life is what we need to inculcate in our modern life. Very well written, very well read by the Jay himself. It was a truly enlightening experience to have listened to his book in his own voice. I will definitely get an ebook of this and read the book all over again. This book shows us and tell us what most of us feel but either we are too busy to acknowledge it or too afraid to admit it. It gives us modernized way of Monk approach to deal almost everything. The key take away is Meditation. Know yourself to know the world. Be gentle on yourself first. Then try to be gentle on others. There are very interesting anecdotes spread all across the book to give you a proper perception of the subject being discussed. It helps you relate to the topics. The book empowered me with the self confidence and acceptance about myself. The author tell about the Three different meditations we must include in our life. Breath Meditation, Visualization Meditation and Gratitude Mediation. These meditations will change your life and the book will help you do that. I highly recommend this book to everyone of every age group. The sooner you read/listen this book, the better.

"Read books to reach your soul"

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Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Review: Before I Die

Before I Die Before I Die by Jackie Morrissey
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one book that I think I have finished the fastest in the recent days. It is a gripping thriller with fast paced events. I was at the edge of my seat until I finished the book. In some way it has a disturbing plot where you can feel the helplessness of the main character who happens to be an old lady.

This story gives us creeps and definitely warns us about the setbacks and the limitations of being old. I would say in a way after reading this book I will surely live my youth with more spark and responsibility.

All the characters in the book are created close to reality. Maureen is the protagonist who is wise but old. Alva, her daughter is very nervous and too busy in her own life but still lovers her mother. Ross, his grandson is sweet and caring. Frank, his friend and admirer. Michael, Franks son is a very interesting character of the story. He keeps the plot tight and really makes us ponder on life as we know it.. Then there is Dolores, the reason why you should read the book. This books comes out as a warning to a lot of issues we see around us. It gives us a perspective to under why someone behaves the way they do. So be caring, be understanding and always try to step in others shoe before judging them.

I would say the ending was a little unexpected. I was hoping for a cleaner ending. Nevertheless, it did justify the plot and the story. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who likes fast paced dark themed thriller.

Thank you publisher, author and NetGalley for providing the ARC of this book in exchange of an honest review! #BeforeIDie #NetGalley

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Tuesday, March 17, 2020

Book Review: For Whom the Book Tolls (An Antique Bookshop Mystery #1) - Laura Gail Black

Jenna Quinn is just the character everyone would like to meet but no one would like to own it. Ranging from her past to the present roller coaster she has been in, she is a face of strength and weakness throughout the story. The story starts with a very gloomy incident that takes place in the town of Holks Folly. Slowly the story starts to take decent pace. Chapter after chapter you are more and more involved and your mind starts to behave like a detective and you start evaluating the facts provided.

Talking about the character build up in the book is outstanding. You get connected to the characters very easily and feel like you know someone just like them. Author has done a wonderful job in presenting the basic characteristics of the human nature to work as a paddle to push the story forward.

Though its a murder mystery there are no thrills or awe taking moments. Here the author somehow how fails to provide the twist that was expected from a mystery thriller. I wouldn't call it a thriller though. Apart from that, the author does whole hearted justice to the genre by connecting the dots from beginning till the end. I felt the mind talking of the main character Jenna Quinn could have been a little less which the author did to make it somewhat witty. It wasn't required as the story was quite strong.

Over all its a wonderful mystery book with the pinch of importance of relationships which that most of us take it for granted. Over all it was a wonderful read. Thank you #NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of the book #ForWhomtheBookTolls

Book Review: A Kite at the Edge of the World - Katy Grant

I just revisited the part of my life that was long forgotten. This book definitely takes you to an era when you saw the world, as a world of grown ups. The story of two kids and their friendship is narrated in a most lucid and witty way possible. You get engaged from the first line of the book until it ends. The story is so beautifully narrated that it takes you along the places where they go, familiarize the people they meet, make you feel the joy about the time they spend together, and everything is clearly visible in front of your eyes. The eyes that will blur out emotionally multiple times.

This was my first Children Fiction genre book and am glad about it. It was a quick read with short and beautiful chapters. The author has done full justice to the readers by keeping the story crisp. I actually wanted the book to be a little more detailed. I would have loved this book with 3 times its actual size!

Anyone who wants to start reading as a habit, this book is highly recommended. It is written in a very simple yet power language. Thank you #NetGalley and the author for the arc of the book #AKiteAtTheEdgeOfTheWorld

Book Review: Die Now to Live Forever - Dr Sanjay Singh

This is a wonderful book for anyone who is suffering from a meltdown. I do not know how this book came in my recommendation but it was long due. It did help me a lot in overcoming my own fears and insecurities. Its a small read but very healthy one. I would definitely recommend this book to everyone who is looking for some inspirational and change of thought sort of book to read.

My major take away from the book was self love. It is something we often forget to do. We try to be compassionate, we try to be kind, we try to be helpful but to others. We do not find the need to do that to ourselves. It is okay to be selfish in the process of self love. A person who can not love himself, can not love anyone else.

Also, there was one point that did not go down well with my conscience. The author considers the hunger for materialistic pleasure and luxuries the cause for our mental breakdown as there is no end to the lust for money. According to him this thirst never ends and aptly gives an example of Alexander the great. However his opinion about the philanthropist of our era does not do the justice. The author says once the wealthy have piled up all the money their hunger for fame and popularity arises and that is when they indulge in the act of philanthropy. Apart from this single page every thing else is absolutely worth digesting and implementing.