Book Review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

Hi! It's been forever since I put up a post for which I'm going to whip out the mundane 'I was busy' excuse. Well I was genuinely busy due to the holy month of Ramadan and Eid celebrations. Now that I'm back, expect some obscure posts in the coming days.

On with the review!

Pages :  550

Read on : Kindle

Goodreads Rating : 4.35/5

Review:  As you may know, I didn't have the best start to my year in terms of reading. I waltz around way too long with forgettable stories. To most people in the book blogging world, that's a crime. Then when the TBR Jar spits out ' The Book Thief ' I knew it would be something worthwhile.

How did I know you ask? I cheated a bit and watched the movie with my family last year and remember falling in love with Liesel and Rudy. The others around were in perfect harmony. The book has been around for a while and the hype about it is well justified. I stared into the abyss, shaken by the literary adventure I had. I cried till my heart felt sore and then I fell in love with it all over again. It's just one of those stories that give me chills I enjoy. The writing was absolutely beautiful. How? Just how can some one be spot-on in narrations and characterization? It's magical.

Although it's set during the holocaust, the story revolves around Liesel and the scraps of her life she shares with her neighbors and friends. She steals books and uses them to escape the harsh realities of her surroundings. I adored her foster parents for their unusual way of showing love which at some stages did turn out comforting. 

Then there's Rudy.

Rudy. He steals the show. He kills you with his spirit, he'll make you laugh till your sides hurt, he'll make you care about him like your own and it will hurt you. Rudy is a fantastic character for someone so young and everything that happens with him is probably the biggest reason why my heart felt like it was ripped out and shredded to bit because it hurt so much.  

May be that's why I have this unhealthy attachment with The Book Thief. It made realize what life is all about. It will put you in the worst of situations to test your own morals, it will make you happy momentarily, it will steal something you love most dearly and most of all it teaches you compassion. The most routine things leave the biggest void when they are no longer in existence and that pain leaves you helpless. 

Its one of those books I devoured in no time. I did hear that The Book Thief does slow down in some spots, however that wasn't the case for me. Despite watching the film ( which was also very good, by the way ) I was hungry to know more. What I don't really get is the reason as to why it's a Y.A novel? I would highly recommend this people irrespective of age.

Final Rating : 5/5

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Book Review: Living Dead Girl by Elizabeth Scott

Pages :  170

Read on : Kindle

Goodreads Rating : 3.84/5

Review: Most of my book recommendations come from Booktubers and bibliophile bloggers and this was stacked somewhere in my To Be Read pile without much thought given.

So when my TBR jar spits out 'Living Dead Girl', I anticipate a horror or dark comedy. Something morbid but funny and I get into it blindly.

It felt like I was hit by a bus.

Unputdownable is a mild way of saying it, but I don't think I have ever come across something as horrific as the Living Dead Girl. The story is about 10 year old 'Alice'  held captive by a man named Ray who refers to himself as her father. Alice is a name Ray prefers to call his victims while he sexually and mentally abuses them and also physically tortures them. 'Alice' has been in captivity for 5 years with the fear that if she ever manages to escape, bad things will happen to her parents as it happened to the 'Alice' before her. The neighborhood is such that no one seems to notice anything unusual happening nor do they seem to care. In order to escape Ray, 'Alice' needs to look for a new girl who will take her place as 'Annabelle' and the terror never seems to end.

Oh boy. For people who might be wanting to read this, please be warned this book will scar you for sure; Till a point where you just might have nightmares and wouldn't want to let your kids out of your sight even for a minute. Elizabeth Scott is one gutsy lady who has not spared a single detail to our imagination. The graphic description will assault any idea of innocence that you may hold as it's more of a running yet passive narrative of a child facing abuse from the age of 10 to 15. What pained me the most in the book was that she thought one day she would reach out for the knife and plunge it into her own chest - her only route to 'freedom'. Ray doesn't even feed her adequately, the point being that Alice remain small and as child-likeas possible. The perfect ruthless Pedophile profile was created in the form of Ray.  Even now as I write this review and think about that book I fight back tears and the fear in my heart. How many innocent children might have been taken from their families and subject to a kind of tortured that will disturb even the most strong-willed. Are children really that safe?

There's no bright-side to the book. Yes, you will know of the dangers lurking outside for the young ones and what possible can happen to them. Knowing that is vital, however if you are a mom, you just might have a hard time to fathom the concept and still look at your children the way you always did. I have no clue as to why 'Living Dead Girl' is deemed as YA. The recommendation doesn't even extend to teenagers or sensitive adults. Everything in the book was so wrong, it manages to rip your heart out. You'll end up feeling sore and tender. The sense of helplessness will takeover your mind and body. I didn't know whether to cry or scream or do both.

This is one of those situations where the book is absolutely terrible at the same time manages to be highly rated.

Final Rating : 5/5

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Book Review: Fasting Feasting by Anita Desai

Pages :  240

Read on : Paperback

Goodreads Rating : 3.28/5

Review: A bit disappointed by Ms Desai. I didn't expect a book so closely missed for the Man Booker Prize 1999 to be such a drag. In all fairness, I picked Fasting Feasting for that nomination as a vouch for it's credibility and the assumption that it might be her best to almost attain such an esteemed tittle. Near miss nominations must not be exempted. You never know what treasures it might hold. This however was a let down of a whole new level.

As per the description, the story is of two siblings, Uneducated Uma and her brother , Arun who is sent to Massachusetts for University. Uma is stated as dull, not very pretty and unmarried. Her lack of any appeal has made it difficult to find an suitors thus she is now spending her existence on serving her parents. Arun is the promising child in the family. Under the burden of his parent's aspirations, poor Arun is shipped off to USA for college where one summer he has a strange encounter with the Pattons. Other than Uma and Arun, there's Aruna, the middle daughter- pretty, married and distraught. Caught in her own tides of having everything perfect. 

I'm not going to go into much detail about the story because honestly I really didn't understand what was the whole point of the book. Harsh but true. At several stages we do understand that this book is a direct hit to the kind of society India used to have. Uma was pushed and pulled by her family for their whims and fancy and there Arun was the only semi-liberated one with the easy access to high-quality education. Aruna was as pointless as a doormat. She was there, she was pretty , she was in demand and she was married off. The end. 

Even though I have come across books that lack a definite plot, at least the characters manage to salvage it. However here if anything I felt Uma was constantly made a mockery of. In no way were there any good things about her mentioned which saddened me. Surely she must have had something to her or someone who went close to understanding her. With way too many things happening in Uma's share of the book, it was impossible for me to draw any connection with any character.  On the other hand, there's Arun who encounters all kinds of absurdity in the Pattons house. New to the American 'culture'  but he could see the imbalance in both the households despite the cultural difference. The only part that I somewhat liked and also a marginally better ending than Uma's tale.

Desai's writing is simplistic to where she is to the point yet the whole concept has gone completely amiss. She opens her chapters sharply and quickly with no dilly-dally. That is the only reason I rated it as such. If you were intending to read 'Fasting, Feasting', don't bother. You aren't missing out on much.

Final Rating : 2/5

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Perceived Mistresses and Married men

I guess I needed some serious shaking up when I just analyzed and found out majority of my friends are all much older to me. Lately the people I've been casually chatting with are all men much above my age but me being frivoulous or foolish free-spirit ( call it what you may ) I don't think of consequences, unless I foresee it to happen rather too soon.

Don't get me wrong, I'm not one to roll my eyes (LIES!)  at the 'marriage talk'. Considering now that I am approaching a certain age, the gossip spreads like wildfire more among relations than anywhere else. My problem here is of a different kind. Ignorance is bliss as they say and at times we never think such-and-such thing could ever happen to us. Until it does. 

Two words. Married. Men.

Before you jump to conclusions, let me clarify I am NOT talking about affairs. But hey, interest taken can be misinterpreted in several ways. Easy to slander regardless. 

There are two sides to this, like every story. There are friends you have know since the being of time who get hitched and then there are those who become friends while they are sailing in the ' I'm married ' vessel. The former = no troubles. The latter however, cause of all troubles.

One of my closest girlfriends is getting married in under a month and I'm the one losing my sh*t. ( No, I don't have diarrhea, thankyouverymuch )  It's because I feel like I'm about to lose something. Relationships equations change, priorities change and I'm praying desperately she doesn't become one of those people who starts suggesting marriage to anyone one of us with zero prospects. ( JK Bluwis ).

Naturally, the people surrounding my work area are mostly men. Married men, to be precise. A casual cup of tea and a catch up seems harmless to us, but not to the world around us. If my momma was to find out, I'd be slapped right in the face. Because good women don't befriend married men.

It doesn't always strike me that the mere exchange of words in the same room can be misled to believe that something is on -going. Believe me when I say, I'm just a friend. Till that side of their life is well concealed, I don't tend to pay much attention to it. At times, when I do learn the fact that they are married, I gradually pull away. By then it dawns on me that what I've done was probably not  wrong but not right either. Lets just say it wasn't appropriate. Part of me says why not? You were just friends. Can't married people have single female friends?

Can they really have single female friends? Newly made friends I mean.

While researching on the topic, I read words of caution from women AND MEN saying that if your hubby is spending time or talking a lot about a new friend of the opposite sex, you've got to be careful. When I read it that way it does make it sound like something's up. Although from the other side, the woman might have been a genuine friend and nothing more.

My conscious only starts to tug on me when I'm introduced to the wife herself. I begin to think, what would I do if I were her? How would I feel if my husband went on and on about a woman, a young one that too. Hurtful, isn't it? Even when you've managed to spending so many trusting years and do not want to begin being the nosy, nagging wife, still the mind can't stop racing. A mountain is made of a mole hill. Or may be the root cause was me from the very beginning.

'But we were just friends!'  The opposing side of me says. A mistress is well hidden, but not a friend.
It could be highly possible that doubt might also make it impossible to give friendship a fair shot among the two women.

It's amazing to see how fragile relationships are and  to nurture them, we treat them with utmost tenderness. We try our best not to falter. Sometimes it just happens.

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Book Review: The Final Empire ( Mistborn Book 1 ) by Brandon Sanderson

Pages :  541

Read on : Kindle

Goodreads Rating : 4.40/5

Review:  It's very rare that a fantasy novel impresses me so much. The Final Empire is filled with genuine-ness. Don't get me wrong, I love reading fantasy but there's always that inevitable whiny lead character that puts a damper on the whole story. This is different. One of those rare gems where each and every character is so beautiful and amazing at the same time that when I imagine them, it's easier for me to see them as individuals with their own variant personality

My favorite characters were Vin and Sazed, well, for obvious reasons. Vin was probably one of the best female characters I have come across. She's clueless but isn't dumb. At the same time doesn't try to be over-smart  As dormant as she is you can see her as observant and strong with her instincts which mostly do turn out right.

She isn't one of those characters who is seen as meek and timid throughout with a sudden surge of power. You can see as she's been part of a thieving group, she stays in the shadows and her potential is well realized in the book. Same goes for Sazed. Even though he is there to wait on her, his intelligence and wit will not diminish his value. He's smart, loyal, well-opinionated and most strikingly, a eunuch. I was floored. I have never read a book ever featuring a eunuch and Brandon Sanderson should be applauded for this absolutely stunning character. He gives them power; equal to the other sexes instead  patronizing them.

Getting down to the plot. The concept is based on the usage of metals. Allomancy and Feruchemy are how the characters get power. They swallow metals which in-turn generates a certain strength. Similarly, combination of metals are used to release special powers too. The author has researched well into the subject and has produced such convincing elements that I almost believed them to be real. Kelsier, his army along with Vin and Sazed are using this power to overthrow the Lord Ruler who is keeping the ordinary people of the Final Kingdom deprived and suppressed. The world no longer lush and vibrant like it used to be, ash falls from the sky, basically a dark fantasy world. There are some points in the book that were more conversation/brain-storming based that felt like a drag on. Other than that, each and every character is firm in persona and engaging.

Lengthy but definitely a must-read by all fantasy lovers.

Final Rating : 4/5

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Book Review: Death of A Salesman by Arthur Miller

Pages :  117

Read on : Kindle

Goodreads Rating : 3.45/5

Review:  This is my first time reading a play other than the ones we read in school. For the longest time I had Arthur Miller in my kindle yet never got to it.

I knew 'Death of A Salesman' was a short story about a man who's life revolves around the notion of his 'success' or what he could do once he would get that success. Willy Loman, delusional, kept chasing that dream of making it big someday despite that fact that he was already well into his 60s.  He lives in his created bubble world where he feels everything is going well and that there is still time to achieve that greatness that he dreams of ever so often. Even though in reality, it's quite the opposite. 

I wouldn't call it a split personality disorder, but more a psychological issue that has gotten to him so much that he doesn't realize what is happening around him. Excepting the truth is not something that has happened till late in his home. His wife, Linda, and sons, Biff and Happy play along to his 'perfect salesman' alter ego until one day everything comes crashing down. Willy has lived his life solely for his career, a career that didn't give him anything but travesty. His family, pretends to be happy and jovial around him. Except his son Biff, who years ago found a secret about his father who he idolized, causing him to despise the man.

Due to the obsession of living the ' American ' dream of success, Happy and Biff feel pressurized leading them to alter facts about their lives too, so that their father doesn't see them as a let down.

I loved it all. It's the perfect tale that will make you think, that even in this day and age what happens when you let work or the idea of achieving monetary success will rob of you of everything good around you. On several occasions in the book, you will notice the boys mentioning how they want to simply enjoy the day, the natural beauty around them without really being worried about money or a 9 to 5 desk job. After all of Willy's big ideas and woven dreams, nothing is left behind. 

Since this is a play, getting to know who the characters are, the flashback scenes and timeline was confusing to me. I got the idea of the story, what it was trying to convey and everything else. Just not the best in terms of placement. May be because it's my first time reading a play.

The great thing about reading a short story/play is that the focus is more on the plot and emotions than the descriptive language, which you know I love. For me this was a much needed change to get more variety in my reading. The language is typical American classic, I could imagine the vintage cars, Linda's dress, Willy's suit, hat and briefcase, the boys' side slicked and lightly coifed hairdo. It definitely was something different for me compared to what I usually read. I would recommend this to readers of all age groups. 

Final Rating : 4/5

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Top 5 Books I Wanted to Start Yesterday

This blog post is where we, I, candidly confess how terribly I've been slacking on my book challenges.
 Mentioned will be some books that will for sure generate some gasps and 'haww' from all my readers. Trust me when I say that I WILL get to them this year.

5. Mortal Instruments Series by Cassandra Clare

This book series is what was all over the booktubing and book blogging community for all of 2014 and me, the attention deficit that I am decided to read the Infernal Devices trilogy instead. Again, LOVED IT. Probably one of my favorite series ever, so by default I should probably keep an eye out for Cassandra Clare's work. We are almost done with April and I haven't even picked up the first book yet. And I intend to finish this series this year. Talk about being realistic.

4. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller

I only recently acquired this book from the local second-hand book store for a steal. A lot of people have quote this book enough around me to make me annoyingly curious. I am hoping my TBR Jar will spit out the 'Catch-22' chit soon enough.

3. L.A Confidential by James Ellroy

Everyone knows of this stellar Russell Crowe starrer and the enticing mystery movie it was. Unfortunate for impatient me, I watched the movie in fast forward with minimal interest. For longest time, I had absolutely no idea this was book till I spotted it at a thrift market. Now I intend to give it a fair chance.

2. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

The most shameful act of my life ever. I bought this book in a massive book fair at Holiday Inn Muscat when I was in the 8th grade and have not read it yet. 9 years or so and it lays abandoned. Fail, would not even cut it. A must-read for a feminist writer for me I'm aware and I am determined to get to it. Soon.

1. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee

An iconic book and a pioneer in civil rights era based literature. Just recently my father watched the film and said it's worth every word of the hype. As a literary enthusiast, missing out on this book would be like a cardinal sin in the book blogging community. however I do feel I would want to spend a good amount of time reading this.

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What books have you been eyeing to read ?