Ruskin Bond always brings comfort to me. After having a terrible day and in desperate need of something to make me feel better, it’s always his books that makes everything seem okay. This book is no exception. I picked this up only yesterday and I couldn’t put it down. Few stories made me chuckle and some, melancholic. In this book of short stories, Mr Bond recollects his childhood spent with his grandparents and then life as an adult in the hills. But mostly, he writes about animals. Animals of all kinds.

Mr Bond has had a very interesting childhood which he spent with his grandparents. His grandfather brought in all sorts of creatures into his house including a chameleon and also a snake! But when you read these stories, you don’t feel afraid or even mildly nervous about them. In fact, I found the unique mix of animals very amusing. His growing up years were spent watching his grandparent’s relationship with these wonderful creatures. And when he grows up and moves to the mountains, he embraces the birds, insects and other animals that visit his cottage occasionally.

These stories are absolutely delightful, making me believe in the goodness of people. The ease with which Mr Bond writes, describes the many quirks of the animals and people that star in his stories, the new yet familiar beauty of the hills that he describes; all these are what makes his books so very special.

If you’re looking for a book to get you out of a slump or to simply unwind, this is the one you. Thanks for the copy @alephbookco ♥️