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.

Book Review - Heartstopper: Volume Two by Alice Oseman

4/5 stars

Heartstopper is so hyped up over the internet that I'd to pick it up. I read volume one last month and was amazed by it.

I watch way too many movies and TV shows. If I hear of one that is an adaptation of a book, I immediately pick that one up keeping my current read on hold for sometime, and watch the adaptation of the same. If I haven't dnef it, I will watch the movie/adaptation of the book even if I end up disliking the book, merely to see if the show did a better job at it. As soon as I finish reading this series, I will watch the Netflix show that everyone is loving so much.

Heartstopper volume two was such a delightful read. So much gave me butterfly in my stomach vibes. This is my first time reading a graphic novel. And I'm really hoping to like this series at the end. I ended up giving volume one 4 starts just like this one. Although, volume two hit my heart slightly more than the earlier one.

I might end up reading every novel by Alice Oseman, let me tell you that.

Review Posted: 16 May 2022.

Book Review - Heartstopper: Volume One by Alice Oseman

 

4/5 stars

I did see it on GR a number of times. I saw people read it with glorious remarks. I didn't know that it's a graphic novel series. I always prefer a series of books over a standalone. And if it's a series like Heartstopper, I'm all ready to keep all my books aside to read this first.

I'd not read many graphic novels before Heartstopper. Although, I've watched many adaptations of the graphic novels. It was my first time, and will not be the last time, for sure. Alice Oseman is turning out to form a place quickly in my read-her-first author list. She definitely is one such author who will not disappoint you.

Heartstopper was the series I got into solely because of the hype it has been creating in the past few months. Is it worth the hype? Yes. It is this cute, emotional, cozy story that everyone is rooting for these days. Nick and Charlie are surely setting perfect couple goals. They are giving all the right pure relationship motos. Plus, it is such a short read. You can finish reading it in one sitting. It only took about an hour for me to read.

What can I say? It is charming. It is comforting. It is wholesome. It is adorable. In short, it is everything you need for a spring read. I can see myself rereading this series every time I'm on a reading slump. I can't resist but finish reading all the volumes and start watching the Netflix show. I've no self-control.

Review Posted: 07 May 2022.