Book Review - The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton

4/5 stars

I just picked this book up on a whim because one of my favorite bookstagrammer recommended it. I hadn't read any book by Edith Wharton. I didn't even have the book. I placed an order for the book so I could read it. Yes, her recommendation was that convincing. And boy, the magic that Edith Wharton brought to the plate, was worth it.

"He sat for a long time on the bench in the thickening dusk, his eyes never turning from the balcony. At length a light shone through the windows, and a moment later a man-servant came out on the balcony, drew up the awnings, and closed the shutters.

At that, as if it had been the signal he waited for, Newland Archer got up slowly and walked back alone to his hotel."

These were the closing lines of the story. I can't explain what weight these ending lines had on me. And, to the story, these lines made all the more impact. It was what bound the story together. It was what made all the difference. It hit me emotionally. It was so clever of the author.

I've never been fond of reading about love triangles. I don't jam well to it. But, this one, Edith Wharton totally tilted my perspective. She casts an eye on society, both sarcastically and affectionately. Now, let us not get carried away by the fact that the main plot of the story revolves around the theme of a love triangle. Nope, it has much more to offer. The depth that this little book has is incomprehensible. This is the story of a man called Newland Archer who is pushed beyond his comfort zone to choose between his Desire and Duty. If you're going to read The Age of Innocence, hold yourself tightly. This isn't an easy romance novel to finish with. It is a tragedy.

"Women ought to be free - as free as we are."

The story was divided into two parts - Book 1 & Book 2. While book 1 was boring, making me think why did I think of reading this book, book 2 was really where Edith Wharton woke me up and grabbed all my attention. The Age of Innocence will continue to be 'An Impossible Love Story' that will resonate with me for a long time.

I didn't the Newland Archer from the very start of the story. His cowardice bothered me, honestly. And then comes the ending. The one I began with. It was one of the most beautiful endings I've ever read.

How ironic is the title of the story! The Age of Innocence was published when Edith Wharton was 60 years old, the age when she had passed all her signs of innocence. Oh, Edith Wharton. If she could know that her story would still ring true almost after hundred years later.

Review Posted: 10 October 2022.

Book Review - The Reluctant Dragon by Kenneth Grahame

5/5 stars

"...my wants are few, and at any rate I had peace and quietness and wasn't always asked to come along and do something. And I've got such an active mind-always occupied, I assure you!"

When you're reading a big book that is consuming most of your time, you must be in want of short books to squeeze in between to keep yourself motivated. Well, The Reluctant Dragon did the same for me. A book to bring a smile to your face. Sometimes you can't ask for anything more.

If you want a great book for children, this is the one for you. It will best be a bedtime story. It tells a charming tale of friendship between a human and an animal. Not to forget, a short read.

This is a tale of a dragon who is sweet, simple, and human friendly. He doesn't want to fight. Yes, he is that good, unlike other folks of his type. Also, he is not afraid of his human mates who are supposed to pose danger to his life. He wants to coexist with them. He likes the place and the people. The question is, will his nature win the confidence of these people who are afraid of him and are planning a way to get rid of him?

Go and read the book and it will bring a positive impact on you and a smile when you close the book. One piece of advice, if you're listening to the audiobook version of The Reluctant Dragon, Anton Lesser is the perfect narrator in my belief. I had such a fun time listening to this book.

Book Review - Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan

3.5/5 stars

"I started my new life in an atmosphere of protest against authority. I reminded myself that a week ago I had been finding the world dull."

I had never heard about this book or the author before. Though a book fair, this book managed to get itself a new home - my bookshelf, on which it has been sitting for the past year and a half. This year I've really developed this newfound love for classics. That made me scan through all the classics on my shelf and I came across this one. Then, I did a little googling about the book and the author and came to know that it made its way to the list of 1001 Books You Must Read Before You Die. Of course, I immediately started reading.
Once I started reading I got engrossed in Richard Hannay's story. Richard Hannay, a mining Engineer is bored and fed up with his life. One day he makes himself a vow to give the Old Country a day to make him fit into it else he'll leave the country for good. The next day he meets with an adventure for himself. However, this adventure looks like bringing danger to his life.

"The secret of playing a part was to think yourself into it. You could never keep it up, he said, unless you could manage to convince yourself that you were it."

Yes, you got it right. Thriller. Mystery. If you're on the hunt for a great thriller mystery to read, Thirty-Nine Steps by John Buchan should not escape your sight. Also, it's a pretty short book to read in a sitting.

What I didn't know was that Thirty-Nine Steps is a part of a series. It has 5 more installments to complete the series and these are not short reads like Thirty-Nine Steps. In the future, if I get my hands on the other copies, I might read and finish the series. Just to see what the other installments have in the package for me because Thirty-Nine Steps, in my belief, can be read as a standalone.

The story reminded me of other thriller stories I'd read so far or the suspense movies I've watched so far. What makes Thirty-Nine Steps different from the rest is that it introduced the world to the Spy genre. This has resulted in many attempted imitations over the years that followed.

The reason why it is getting 3.5 stars is that I read the book this late whereas read and watched its imitations earlier. It didn't feel like I'm reading something new. It's not the author's fault. Had I read the book earlier, I'd have given the book 5 stars. The impact that Thirty-Nine Steps is creating now in my mind is -not new. That's all.

 

Book Review - Our Mutual Friend by Charles Dickens

With this, completing 11 of 339 from The Rory Gilmore Reading List.

2/5 stars

"No one who can read, ever looks at a book, even unopened on a shelf, like one who cannot."

This is the only book among the eleven books I've read that disappointed me the most. The first few chapters came with a bang, especially the first chapter and set my hopes really high not to mention the fact that I must be in for something good because I was reading a book by Dickens. Wasn't I? It really didn't feel like. Alright, I've to give it to Dickens for the first few chapters, but rest of book was trash. Let's just say I'm glad I'm done with the book so that I can now tick it off my tbr list and move on to the next one.

I've read only three books by him including Our Mutual Friend. I loved reading A Christmas Carol as well as Great Expectations and you know about Our Mutual Friend. Although, I'm not giving up on Dickens. Actually, I've plans of reading all of his works. I know, some will be good, some will be bad but you have to read Dickens, don't you think? After all, he has given so much to the field of literature. Also, are you even a reader if you haven't read a book by Dickens?


I opened the book to this beautiful illustrated first page of my copy of Our Mutual Friend, the last complete novels by Charles Dickens. Reading the first chapter, I knew I was in for another five star read. But, everything ended up going in the opposite direction.

"In these times of ours, though concerning the exact year there is no need to be precise, a boat of dirty and disreputable appearance, with two figures in it, floated on the Thames, between Southwark Bridge which is of iron, and London Bridge which is of stone, as an autumn evening was closing in."

Had you opened a book to these opening lines, would you not feel : Wow! I'm going to have a great time with the book? The first chapter was one of the best opening chapters I've read so far. It was simply PERFECT.

A man and his daughter rowing a boat and discussing about something that was making me feel uncomfortable. I was like, I want to know them. I want to know what happened to them. Why that happened to them and how is that going to change things for them. The next few chapters were introduction to new characters that made me feel it will be interesting untangling the knots. As the chapters kept moving, I realized it was going into depth of these new side characters which, frankly speaking, I wasn't paying much head into. I wanted to know about Lizzie. I wanted to learn more about her. Alas, that didn't happen. Then, I made peace with it expecting at least a satisfying ending. But, No. Why Charles Dickens?

It wasn't only the huge number of unnecessary side characters that destroyed the story for me, it was also the numerous irrelevant subplots that made my reading experience pathetic. Those were my two main problems reading the novel. Overall, the experience was confusing, difficult to follow and majorly boring. I could have held with the bad experience had the ending been worth the pain. The ending was so disappointing. The way the story ended, from my point of view, it was impossible to feel satisfied, especially after reading 820 pages. The only reason I read Our Mutual Friend is because of Dickens and I will still continue to read his other novels.

I might also count Our Mutual Friend among my worst reads of 2022. Nevertheless, I'm looking forward to the day when I can say - 'This is why I read Dickens'. Till then, happy reading y'all.

Review Posted: 01 September 2022. 

Book Review - Vanity Fair by William Makepeace Thackeray

With this, completing 10 of 339 from The Rory Gilmore Reading List.

4.5/5 stars

Yet another book from the rory gilmore reading list that I enjoyed reading. The show didn't disappoint me, neither did its reading list. I'd a fantastic time reading Vanity Fair.

"Are not there little chapters in everybody's life, that seem to be nothing, and yet affect all the rest of the history?"

Would you be convinced to read Vanity Fair if I told you that this is a novel without heroes. No? Okay. Would you be convinced enough to read it if I told you that Vanity Fair was an inspiration for Tolstoy's War and Peace? Yes? Thought so.

At first, I was intimidated by the size of the book, but once I started reading the first chapter, there was not stopping it. I just could not put the book down. Thackeray created a classic that stood the test of time and that can still keep us on our toes. Throughout the novel I felt like I was reading a drama series. And I mean that in the best possible way.

Becky Sharp is one who is a master in manipulation. You might hate her but you can't pretend that you don't admire her cleverness and practical attitude. Amelia, on the other hand is the purest soul you can find on Earth. If I've to describe both, Becky is the brain whereas, Amelia is the heart. 

I'd read Gone with the Wind just before Vanity Fair and I somehow found analogy between two of the characters of Vanity Fair to that of Gone with the Wind. Becky's character was somewhat similar to Scarlett O'Hara's and Amelia's character was similar to that of Melanie's. Having said that I want to state this too that Scarlett O'Hara was cleverer. Scarlett was written by a woman after all.

"A woman may possess the wisdom and chastity of Minerva, and we give no heed to her, if she has a plain face. What folly will not a pair of bright eyes make pardonable? What dullness may not red lips are sweet accents render pleasant? And so, with their usual sense of justice, ladies argue that because a woman is handsome, therefore she is a fool. O ladies, ladies! there are some of you who are neither handsome nor wise."

Vanity Fair has brilliance and we can't deny it. I'm glad I read it and experienced Thackeray's satire. His writing style was so on point. It was infuriating. It revealed awful truths about the world we live in. Thackeray didn't care if his readers were having a great time with the novel. He wanted to make a statement. He wanted to disturb us from our comfortable seats and boy do I love him for that.

I would like to end my review with a question that I'm leaving for you. Should we be like Rebecca, smart, intelligent and practical who knows how to extract the best out of a situation and transform according to the situation's demand? Or should we continue to live by our qualities and virtues and never change just to gain worldly belongings?

Review Posted: 19 August 2022.

Book Review - All Summer in a Day by Ray Bradbury

5/5 stars

This is my introduction to Ray Bradbury's works, and I'm impressed. Yesterday I was scrolling through my GR feed and caught an eye on one of the reviews from Kenny. He writes outstanding reviews. You all should go read his reviews. Thanks, Kenny for bringing this book to my notice.

I'd never before read such a short novel that'd such a big impact. Can you believe, All Summer in a Day is a 4 page short story? Okay, now you must be thinking what can an author write in just 4 pages. It takes 50 pages on an average for a story plot to develop. One might wonder, how can you start and conclude a story in 4 pages.



I read All Summer in a Day yesterday evening when it had been raining since the previous night. Heavily. The book was all about heavy rain. I could very well understand and feel what the nine year old children were feeling in the story.

"I think the sun is a flower,
That blooms for just one hour."

This story takes us to the schoolroom of the planet Venus filled with children of rocket men and women who'd come to Venus to set up a civilization. They'd been living there since. What's a strange fact about this is that here, it rains day in and day out, endlessly for the entirety of seven years. On the completion of these seven years the sun comes out but, only for AN HOUR.



I can't even imagine to be in their position. Just imagine, endless rain, and no sun - for seven long years. But, these are children, and they tend to find joy, excitement, and happiness in everything. All of these children are nine years old. So, naturally, they couldn't recall how the sun looked like when it came out for an hour and showed its face.

However, Margot was separate from the rest. She had come to this planet from Earth five years ago. So, her memories are fresh, and she remembers the sun when she was in Ohio. She knew she was different. Therefore, she kept herself away from the other mates. This was the reason why nobody liked her. They all locked her up in the closet. And, when the sun came out, they all ran out to enjoy. Forgetting about Margot.

Just as they all paused for a while, to reflect on how wonderful and joyful the experience had been, we see morality, sense of empathy, and guilt.

"They could not meet each other’s glances. Their faces were solemn and pale. They looked at their hands and feet, their faces down."

Some think the story is too short, ends on a cliffhanger, and leaves without a clue. This isn't just a story about bullying. It tells more than that. If you take a few moments after reading the last line of this story, you'll see a stillness. We need it to comprehend and bring out possibilities. Its about the mysteries of human nature. You see, that's why it ended the way it had too.

Review Posted: 12 August 2022.

Book Review - Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

With this, completing 9 of 339 from The Rory Gilmore Reading List.

5/5 stars

"It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune, must be in want of a wife."

Thereby beginning my review with one of my favorite opening lines I've read till now. If you're a classic romance lover, this is the one you should be picking first. Well, let's just say, you should read Pride and Prejudice at least once in your life.

I remember the time when I'd decided to read Pride and Prejudice, and soon my off campus interviews were about to begin. In an interview with the HR, when I said reading books as my hobby, the interviewer asked me what I was currently reading, and what was my feeling about it so far. As I was only halfway through with the novel, I explained to her my feeling about the story at that time. After that I got busy with my job and everything. Let's just say, life. I put down Pride and Prejudice which never got picked up until this time.

I'm so mesmerized by Jane Austen that I feel myself unqualified to write a review of this book. I won't attempt. I can't even. So, I'll just talk about my feelings, more like rambling about it. I don't read a lot of romance. I watch a lot of them, I love to watch them, just not read if that makes sense. That's just me. Also, Pride and Prejudice is the only romance that I loved reading as well as watching equally. Having said that, I also want to state that I'll reread Pride and Prejudice n number of times. It has become a favorite, and I LOVE this book.

Also, this review will have repetitive reread updates in here, in future.

“I could easily forgive his pride, if he had not mortified mine.”

“We all know him to be a proud, unpleasant sort of man; but this would be nothing if you really liked him.”

“Till this moment I never knew myself.”

“My good opinion once lost, is lost forever.”

It's so beautifully and delicately written. Now I know why Jane Austen is being worshipped in the field of literature. My god! I'm going to read all of her novels. I will. I have to. I must. We are so lucky to be blessed with her novels.

I can see everyone today being obsessed with the 'Enemies to Lovers' trope. Now that I've read Pride and Prejudice, I can say that for certain that Elizabeth and Darcy invented this trope.

If you're looking to get your toes dipped into the works of Jane Austen, or classics for that matter in general, I believe Pride and Prejudice is the place to start. It's soft, subtle, and gentle. Those 407 pages are everything you need. Trust me.

Review Posted: 05 August 2022.

Book Review - Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters By Rick Riordan

3.5/5 stars

It hasn't been long enough since I finished reading Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Yet, here I'm, with another book review of the world of Percy Jackson and all the Greek Mythology stuff. When I started reading Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters, my hopes were already too high as I'd loved reading Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. This one didn't quite live up to my expectations. Nevertheless, it wasn't a bad read. You can call it okayish, if that makes sense.

Before I forget to mention, let me tell you these novels are so fast paced that I'm beginning to challenge myself on how fast I can read these novels. Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters was on the shorter end as compared to Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. Also, a little flat in terms of plot development. Still, I'm loving this series and I don't see myself stopping until I finish this series.

I'm not a fan of this book, but the last half of the book made up for it. The venture through the sea of monsters was truly gripping. Also, I missed Grover. It was fun, not as much as the first one but fun nonetheless.

“You weren't able to talk sense into him?"
Well, we kind of tried to kill each other in a duel to the death."
I see. You tried the diplomatic approach.”

To know Rick Riordan has three more installments to the series with such witty dialogues just gives me immense childish joy that I look forward to enjoying.


Review Posted: 28 July 2022.

Book Review - The Help by Kathryn Stockett

2/5 stars

"All I'm saying is, kindness don't have no boundaries."

It's incredibly difficult to write with integrity about race, at the same be completely honest about it. Although, I found it a little difficult to buy everything the author was saying. In one hand, she is trying to show the image of white supremacy as a bad one while, on the other hand, she is making attempts on showing us the good side of the white people. I mean, Come on! How can they be good and bad both? Nope! Sorry, you can't have it both ways.

If you ask me what went wrong for me as far as the writing is concerned? I'd say, most of all. It made me uncomfortable, and not in a good way. That's where the problem began. Despite, the underlying tension and references to violent events that do occur eventually, the book struggled. I'm very okay with reading a book that makes me so uncomfortable that I don't want to stop reading until I know how the story would end. I'm perfectly fine with a story that would make me cry and sob too, once in a while. What I'm not okay with is reading a book that would make me sad and then pull me back to say - 'It's okay!' It is not okay. If you're going to do it, do it all out.

While I wholeheartedly appreciate the well written attempt to such an important theme, the story didn't quite hold my attention. Some of the part I found myself skimming through the pages whereas on some instances I used to find myself lost while reading. I was struggling through the pages. I wanted the story to end just for two reasons. One, to know what happens in the end. Two, so that I can tick the book off my tbr list and pick the next one up.

I don't know what the hype is all about. If its only about horrible time in the history, and in the country where racism is still alive then I get it. But, for the writing aspect of it, I didn't find it overwhelming. I wouldn't recommend the book, to say the least.

Review Posted: 17 July 2022.

 

Book Review - Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell

With this, completing 8 of 339 from The Rory Gilmore Reading List.

5/5 stars

"Hardships make or break people."

Scarlett O'Hara doesn't hold herself like every other girl. Full of spirit and courage, she can climb onto trees like other boys. She doesn't find interest in girly conversations. Scarlett is unlike other girls. She loves herself. Yes, we all should. The stubborn Scarlett O'Hara. When she wants something, she gets it anyhow. She is soft in one instance and bold in the other. I want to applaud you for certain things you did. For most parts, she is stupid, selfish, and spoiled.

It takes guts to write the main character like that. I can see why this is a classic. The book is a monster.

Before I go further with my thoughts, I want to address the fact that the unjust treatment of black, the description of racism, and other Civil War-era activities made me really sad. There were times when I felt why is this happening and how long is this going to happen. Reading about it meant feeling about it.

"Most of the misery of the world has been caused by wars."

Honestly speaking, Gone with the Wind stands to be the most tragic, disturbing, engrossing, and epic piece of literature I've ever read.

The book was 800 pages long, and I was expecting something good to happen in the story. At least somewhere in the story. To my disappointment, the way the story turned in the last part was upsetting. I read the last 50 pages with my jaws wide open, unable to believe that it was going to be THAT tragically sad. It never got happy. There wasn't any redemption.

I finished reading Gone with the Wind last week. It took me a few days to absorb the story. To gather my shattered thoughts to sit back and write about it. No matter how unlikeable the main character was, I'm still thinking about her days after I've finished reading Gone with the Wind. This book deserves the highest rating for creating that strong effect on the reader. Besides, who doesn't like an emotional roller coaster ride?

War destroys not only a region but an entire civilization for thousands of people. Gone with the Wind. And you can see Margaret Mitchell mourning for the lost era on every page. I think I'll pause for a while every time I hear about Gone with the Wind.

I think everyone should read this book at least once in their lifetime to understand the loss that envelops the lives of people affected by war. If you haven't read this Pulitzer Prize winner, go read it, because it could very well be one of the best books you've ever read.

Review Posted: 13 July 2022.

Book Review - Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

4.5/5 stars

The Percy Jackson series had been sitting on my shelf for a number of years. And, I'd not pick them up until this month. I don't know what inspired or pushed me into reading the series I'd not been eying all this time. What I know is that I'm not putting the series unfinished. Yes, I'm so into it.

Before I begin, to talk about how and why I liked Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief, I'd like to make this clear that I haven't watched the movie adaption. Also, I do not plan on doing so. However, I'm really looking forward to the TV adaptation of the same. No particular reasons for such unjust biasness. I guess I prefer the book to TV adaptations more when compared to book to movie adaptations.

Beginning with Greek Mythology. I have not read any Greek Mythology stuff (please don't kill me). Wow! Such bold confessions. But yes, I loved reading everything about Greek Mythology in the book. Which really inspired me to read more of Greek Mythology books/Greek Mythology inspired books. Thanks, Rick Riordan for doing so.

I absolutely loved camp Halfblood. Rick Riordan outdid himself in writing the camp.

The story is fast-paced which makes you want to read more and more of it.

About Percy, what can I say? As I kept on turning the pages, I adored him more and more. I so want to know him in the later installments. He's the kind of kid you can't help sympathizing with. Apart from the MC, I loved reading about Annabeth the most.

The book had so many similarities to the Harry Potter series. I can't say about the later books in the series. Reading Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief definitely gave me some of the Harry Potter feels. For instance, reading about Percy reminded me of Harry, Annabeth of Hermione, Chiron of Dumbledore, Kronos of Voldemort, etc.

Why do I want to go on with the series despite the analogy? Because it was super fun. The fact that it's kind of a Harry Potter rip-off makes me, even more, want to read it. I can't wait to read the second installment in the series.

If you like the Harry Potter series, you should definitely read the Percy Jackson series.


Review Posted: 25 June 2022.

Book Review - How Much Land Does A Man Need? by Leo Tolstoy

5/5 stars

I always have mixed feelings about short stories. There are times when I feel I prefer long books that can keep me engrossed in its story for a really really long time. Sometimes, I feel short stories are equally capable of keeping me captivated. I had read How Much Land Does A Man Need? in my school days. The story got etched in my heart then. I'm equally amazed by the story on my reread as I was the first time I read the story.

It tells a story of a man's need slowly, gradually, and exponentially getting converted into greed. Tolstoy uses greed as an allegory for a man's ever-growing ambitions.

Our needs have no boundaries. Nothing is ever enough for us. We all should be ambitious. The question is, what is the extent to it?

It is a perfect life lesson teacher. It is a true masterpiece. It is what we all need to know. It is what we all should know.

Review Posted: 25 June 2022.

Book Review - Heartstopper: Volume Four by Alice Oseman

5/5 stars

I began reading heartstopper series because bookstagram made me do it . Little did I know, I'll get sucked into the charm of this series so quickly. I loved reading this series more than I'd anticipated.

Here are few reasons why you should be pushing heartstopper up your tbr list. It's a heartwarming series that will make you fall in love with the characters. Heartstopper is an LGBTQ series that talks about love, friendship, identity, self care and self acceptance. It's a graphic novel with beautiful illustrations.

If the reasons above mentioned aren't enough to convince you. Then there is a Netflix Tv adaptation of the same that everyone is loving so much it the makers had to renew the show for two additional seasons. Just go an read heartstopper already.

I'm so excited to now watch Heartstopper show. It has got great ratings, I'm already convinced I'll love watching the show too.

Review Posted: 03 June 2022.

Book Review - Great Expectations by Charles Dickens

5/5 stars

With every read book, I get more and more fond of Dickens' emotion capturing capabilities. Great Expectations had always been on my radar. Needles to say, due to it's immense popularity in classics world. Therefore, I had great expectations from it. And, I must say, Great Expectations stands head and shoulders above some of the other works I've read by him.

The plot of romance that Dickens portrayed is by far the best I've read invented by him. Most of my reads are based out of recommendations. I like going into a book blind and explore the joy as I unfold the story. I'd no idea Great Expectations was so much about the romance aspect of it. That being said, there was something about the story that hit me hard on so many levels I can't begin to elaborate.

Pip is our hero. Is he? We shall see. Week, dreamy, principle oriented and aspiring is the subject and victim of his great expectations.

We see Pip, growing from a child to this matured and transformed individual. He has so many aspirations and expectations from himself as well from his life. All he wanted was to grow into a noble and worthy gentleman to deserve the love of Estella. But, his ambitions blurs his vision of the more important aspects of life. One of which was seeing the social class from the colors of black and white.

There was a contrast in characters of an individual that Dickens wanted to put before it's readers. What is the definition of a real gentleman? Rich, hat wearing men with all the luxuries of life? Pip, who got the opportunity to become one? Or Joe Gargery, the blacksmith who even after years later addresses Pip as Sir, and tells him, 'You and me was ever friends. '?

Pip, tells the story of fortune and misfortune. He tells the story of passion, regret and obsession. If you haven't yet read Great Expectations, I urgue all to keep a place for it in your reading life. You will surely not regret!

Review Posted: 23 May 2022.

Book Review - The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain

4.5/5 stars

Although, it might look as if this The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a sequel to The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, it is not the same. Apart from the names, there is no other similarity between the two.

I was baffled by the style of writing. It was different. The tone was different too. I enjoyed reading about Huckleberry Finn more than Tom Sawyer.

If you happen to be one who's always in the hunt of character development while picking a book. Sadly, this one might not be the one for you. I for one couldn't find any difference in Huckleberry Finn from start to end, as far as character is concerned. He remains the same throughout the story.

This book has racism, misogyny and bad parenting behaviour. So look out for those while you decide to read it.

Review Posted: 21 May 2022.

Book Review - The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain

4/5 stars

I haven't read works of many great authors that everyone talk about. I know, they need my clear attention. Hence, I'm trying to read them all, one at a time. Slowing progressing my way up the ladder.

I'd planned on reading The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn two months back. As I read the first page, I came to know that this is part of a quartet. I've come past half way in The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn after reading The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. All I can say is that I'm liking The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn more.

This book is considered as a masterpiece in modern American classic literature. It is a beautiful well crafted story that flows through it's chapters with it's adventurous rides.

It shows the joy of childhood as well as the acceptance of change. As a reader I could see how we all have a Tom Sawyer inside us.

Review Posted: 20 May 2022.

Book Review - Heartstopper: Volume Three by Alice Oseman

4.5/5 stars

Yesterday I finished reading this beautiful piece of graphic novel and loved every bit of it. It's very difficult to keep from flipping through the pages when you're reading this series.

This series has all attention right now. It has my WHOLE heart. I can't get enough of it.

I liked Heartstopper: Volume Three more than it's previous volume. Ended up giving it half a star more. I'm really want the final volume to get it's full glowing five stars which I'll be starting later this evening.

Review Posted: 16 May 2022.