My Alleged New-Year Resolutions

Apparently this is my first and last rambling post for the year. I still do not know how my incessant mind did not propagate its chatter in the blog. Well, better late than never!.

New year is right around the corner and the first thing that came to my mind is too obvious - resolutions I took this year (Failed resolutions, to be more accurate). Right from mundane goals to essential targets everything has gone to shambles.

First and foremost, I started with the reading goal of the year. I made a A-Z list of books even before the year started - 2 books for each letter and none of the authors should repeat. Only after the list was ready I found it difficult to the e-books (Hard copies could have made biiiiiggg hole in my wallet). That's when I also realized, there can never be an exhaustive list for books that I wanted to read. 52 was like a drop in an ocean. I could only read 65% of the list and the rest is history. Mind you! I did finish 52 books for  this year. So I get half-a-credit for this one.

Next is the most ill-fated fitness regime resolution. This one has been going on for some years now. I was on and off a walking routine for general health. But my laziness has won the war and I am back to my slothful existence. It suits me better, you know! 😏

In the yesteryear my fervor for trying random things has made me join the driving school, buys books to learn a new language and so on. It has become more a bucket list and less the new-year resolutions.

There was a wave of statements some time ago where people said, 'My resolution this year, is not to have any resolutions.' Doesn't the first part defeat the second part of the statement? 😕😑

Have any of you reading this able to keep-up to the resolutions? What do you think I should try this year? I am thinking of posting something every month from next year to keep the blog alive.

Until next year, Ciao!! 

Book Review: Original Sin

Author: PD James
Genre: Thriller, Mystery, Crime
Type: Fiction

This was my first ever book of PD James. When I started this book, I thought I was going to witness some quick, intelligent, crime solving. Sadly, the author took her time to plough the field for murder and spin the motive for the string of suspects. The story was set in an era where telephones were the quickest means of communications and everything moves at a snail pace. The author also elaborates on every character, their life, thoughts etc. I think the author was besotted with architectures. She gives quite an elaborate note on every other building in the story which I think could have been brief and I had to skip a few descriptions. The style of writing was similar to some of the abridged versions of classics I have come across. The vocabulary was way out of my league and wanted me looking for synonyms of certain words. The long sentences took time to comprehend and makes this story no light reading.

Some novels make us linger on it even after we have completed it but this one does not make my list. I liked how the characters were portrayed and the intelligently the murder was committed. The revelations in the end were also neat. All the loose ends of the plot and tied together in the end, except, I was not convinced by the climax. I wanted it to be more dramatic and I could not conclude if the murderer was right or wrong. 

Verdict: Do not read this if you need a thriller with goosebumps moments.

Book Review: The Hunger Games

Author: Suzanne Collins
Genre: Dystopian, Young Adult, Adventure
Type: Fiction

No-nonsense book after a very long time. The story has all the right elements to make it a page-turner. Katniss, the kickass female protagonist has no emotional outbursts despite standing on a knife-edge situation. Being a dystopian novel, I was expecting a very depressing story line. Of-course, there are no joyful incidents, but they do not bring down the emotional state of the readers, rather, it focuses more on how any tribute is going to win the hunger games. The tragic killings of the fellow tributes were shown in a less gruesome manner than I anticipated. So that's a relief. This book is also a first-person account from Katniss and gives us insight of a young girl hardened by life. She is compassionate, selfish at times, dexterous, not emotionless but is not weak. 

I am still thinking why I never attempted to read this book before. I am looking forward to continue the trilogy. The author demands an applause for the designing the characters and the dystopian world in such a way.

My Verdict: This book is a tease for those who cannot handle anticipation

Book Review: The Year I Met You

Author: Cecelia Ahern
Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Chick-lit
Type: Fiction

The book keeps me wondering how some unconventional friendships can change the perspective towards life.The plot explores the love-hate friendship between two neighbors - Jasmine and Matt and gives the first-person account of Jasmine all the way.

The novel is partitioned into 4 seasons - Winter, Spring Summer, Autumn which I think represents the different moods of the story. Starts with the gloomy mood and the Jasmine's coldness towards Matt, moving towards new revelations, realizations, acquaintances and warming up to Matt during the spring, colorful blooming of relationships happens in the summer and towards autumn, ends with the beautiful satisfaction. 

I like how Jasmine compares her life to different plants when she forays into gardening. I was under the impression that this is going to be a boy-meets-girl kinda story but certainly liked the way it broke my assumption. 

The flow is medium-paced and would suit readers who want to read a few chapters and brood over the thoughts. I grew fond of Heather, Jasmine's sister who has Down's syndrome but is confident, finds happiness in every aspect of life, has only short term goal and truly satisfied with life. 

Unlike any other chick-lit I have read, this plot has very little scope for humor. There are places where you can find yourself smiling but cannot laugh aloud. 

This book has a philosophical stand towards life and you will certainly need some time to think. Do not expect a hearty laugh just because it is a chick-lit.

Book Review: The God of Small Things

Author: Arundhati Roy
Genre: Family Drama
Type: Fiction

This is my first book review on my blog and so I start with an Indian author who won the Man Booker Prize for this piece of work.

I was skeptical and felt it was a drag when I started but it was a good read in the end.

The story is not chronologically aligned and shuttles between different times. The pace is slow and sometimes too slow or I would say I wasn't able to concentrate on certain details. The depth of the characters and how they were revealed at appropriate intervals needs applause. Especially, Rahel and Estha reminds me how a child can know things but at the same time cannot understand the intensity of the knowledge. Almost all the characters have been given a backstory. The language is not very easy to comprehend and the style is complicated. Few places 'Stopitted' and the reading backwards amused me. The reasoning of the characters brings out the caste discrimination during that period. It also gives us sneak-peek on the Communist riot and Syrian Christian lifestyle. 

A special mention the moments between the twins - the twins have their verbal fights and different character and attitude but they stay connected all the time ('We' and 'Us'). 

It makes me imagine of a dark blue and gloomy shade while reading. 

The ups of the novel - Story, Characters and Intense emotions

Setbacks - Complicated and slow paced narration

I would recommend this for one time reading but I doubt if I'll re-read it. 

The Books I Read

A man's basic need is food, shelter and clothing. Mine would include books too. Books are like drugs to me and I can get high just by looking at the bookshelves in the bookstore. Starting my reading habit at class 2, I have read almost anything - from weekly magazines to historical fiction novels. In schools I have spent my breaks scurrying down aisles in the library. With books I've enjoyed, got emotional, frowned upon, been horrified, felt good, had a good laugh - and sometimes I didn't know what I felt after reading some books. Fiction has always been my choice(Non-fiction has never been my cup of tea). Here I will be jotting down my views on the novels I read.