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Book Review: The Testaments by Margaret Atwood
The TestamentsAuthor: Margaret AtwoodPublisher: Penguin Random HouseRating: 4/5 (PS: This review contains a few spoilers) Having read The Handmaid’s Tale last month, I was sure to pick up The Testaments, which is a sequel to the first part. Leaving the door ajar with Offred’s sudden disappearance, Atwood transitions the narrative to a sombre yet equally bleak and disgusting tone. The setting of this book, too, remains the same- Gilead- where vox populi doesn’t matter. For those who haven’t read the first part, here is the link to the review (a brief summary included) of the first part. The Testaments follows the life of three characters- Daisy, Agnes and Aunt Lydia.…
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Book Review: Karma Meets a Zombie by Evan Purcell
Karma Meets a ZombieAuthor: Evan PurcellPublisher: Duckbill Books It is often considered a pleasure when one is given a chance to escape into a fictitious world where fairies get things done, elves play around with you, witches and wizards fight all the bad and the best things of the world come for free. However, a concocted world might not always be a good world; a world of the dead might as well be used as a setting. Well mixing and merging the good and the bad, Evan Purcell’s Karma Meets a Zombie is a thrilling ride into the world of the Zombies. It is a little scary (for the children)…
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Book Review: Journey to the Forbidden City by Deepa Agarwal
Journey to the Forbidden CityAuthor: Deepa AgarwalPublisher: Puffin Publishers How many of us are aware of the expedition stories of Nain Singh Rawat, the first of the late 19th century Indian explorers? Surveying a trade route through Nepal to Tibet, he calculated the altitude and location of Lhasa. Journey to the Forbidden City is the story of grit and determination of Nain Singh Rawat in overcoming all odds and exploring the mighty Himalayas for the British. This story explores how a young man, who had committed to himself, explored the harsh terrain and made his way to Tibet by taking a road less travelled. His wit, patience and street smartness…
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Book Review: Who’s There? by Hansda Sowvendra Shekhar
Who’s There?Author: Hansda Sowvendra ShekharPublisher: Penguin Publishers Often we think that children’s fiction cannot impart valuable life lessons. They are merely for fun and entertainment. To some extent, this is right, for not every book comes along with subtext. Well, I got lucky when I received the Hook Book Series because these four stories are set in non-urban India. These stories are simple yet have a strong appeal. Who’s There? is a comical take on a horror story. It will come across as a delight for the kids. The story describes the life of a farmer and his family who are terrified of the unknown presence in their attic. When…
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Book Review: Hey Diddle Diddle by Anushka Ravishankar
Hey Diddle DiddleAuthor: Anushka RavishankarPublisher: Penguin Publishers Often we think that children’s fiction cannot impart valuable life lessons. They are merely for fun and entertainment. To some extent, this is right, for not every book comes along with subtext. Well, I got lucky when I received the Hook Book Series because these four stories are set in non-urban India. These stories are simple yet have a strong appeal. Hey Diddle Diddle is a short story that beautifully shows the importance of believing your heart. When the two friends Susan and Minootty decide to part ways because of a petty issue, it is Minootty’s belief on Susie, the calf, that proves…
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Book Review: A Quiet Girl by Paro Anand
A Quiet GirlAuthor: Paro AnandPublisher: Penguin Publishers Often we think that children’s fiction cannot impart valuable life lessons. They are merely for fun and entertainment. To some extent, this is right, for not every book comes along with subtext. Well, I got lucky when I received the Hook Book Series because these four stories are set in non-urban India. These stories are simple yet have a strong appeal. A Quiet Girl is a short story that beautifully portrays the relationship between children and animals. There is an uncanny similarity between an infant and an animal- both cannot speak. Puja, an adorable child, is happy yet reluctant to speak. It doesn’t…
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Book Review: My Daddy and the Well by Jerry Pinto
My Daddy and the WellAuthor: Jerry PintoPublisher: Penguin Publishers Often we think that children’s fiction cannot impart valuable life lessons. They are merely for fun and entertainment. To some extent, this is right, for not every book comes along with subtext. Well, I got lucky when I received the Hook Book Series because these four stories are set in non-urban India. These stories are simple yet have a strong appeal. My Daddy and the Well is a short story that highlights the importance of staying attached to the roots. When the protagonist’s daddy narrates his experience as a child in the village, the protagonist feels like witnessing the joy his…
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Book Review: Unlocking the Universe by Stephan & Lucy Hawking
Unlocking the UniverseAuthor (s): Stephen Hawking & Lucy HawkingPublisher: Puffin Publishers I am so fortunate to have been coming across books that are not only informative but also easy to understand. When we were taught about the basic terminologies of Physical Cosmology in school, not all of us could understand the technicalities associated with Physics and Astrophysics at that time. Thankfully, ‘Unlocking the Universe’ is the book that unlocks all the doors to understanding the universe by referring and reading information that has been collated in one single volume. Unlocking the Universe explores the concepts of Big Bang Theory, the Theory of Relativity, Schrodinger’s Principle, Black Hole, the Drake Equation…
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Book Review: Fearless- Stories of Amazing Women from Pakistan
Fearless-Stories of Amazing Women from PakistanPublisher: Penguin Publishers Women are known for their indomitable spirit and unapologetic ambitions. When they decide to take the reigns in their hands, no power in the world can stop them from realizing their dreams. ‘Fearless’ is a collation of those wonderful stories that need to be brought out in public irrespective of their origin or religion. Inspiration can be drawn from anyone. It does not matter whether the source of inspiration is black or white or brown. The sex, caste or religion do not matter as well. Right from Benazir Bhutto, Fatima Jinnah, Malala Yousafzai to Nighat Dad, Qandeel Baloch and Namira Salim- all…
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Book Review: The Little Book of Everything by Ruskin Bond
A Little Book of EverythingAuthor: Ruskin BondPublisher: Penguin Publishers With a treasure trove of experiences and learnings, Ruskin Bond holds the secret to a peaceful and enjoyable life. In his new book, ‘A little Book of Everything’, he collates life lessons in the form of short quotes that can be read on a daily basis to feel motivated, to feel hopeful and to feel alive. There is a magic about this book that each page speaks volumes even though there are very few words printed on the page. The Little Book of Everything is a book that is a storehouse of optimism, courage, hope and love. When one is down…