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maahi's Reviews (241)
4.5 stars
In 2009, Botton spent a week at Heathrow as a ‘writer in residence’, thanks to British Airways. I’m not sure if any other writer would have managed to hook me quite as well as he did. Never have I ever been more intrigued reading about ceilings or about the layout of hotel rooms! Botton has the unique quality of exalting the ordinary without sounding like a bore or coming off as vain. I never knew airports could serve as areas of such profound wisdom!
I was shocked at how much I enjoyed the book! Alain’s keen eye, mixed with his eloquent and concise writing, is sure to captivate the reader even when talking about the dullest of things. The book is a short read (112 pages), accompanied with photos that ordinarily wouldn’t have inspired any strong emotions if it weren’t for Alain’s beautiful writing.
I have a deep desire to devour everything he writes, and hopefully learn to write with his brevity and sharpness.
In 2009, Botton spent a week at Heathrow as a ‘writer in residence’, thanks to British Airways. I’m not sure if any other writer would have managed to hook me quite as well as he did. Never have I ever been more intrigued reading about ceilings or about the layout of hotel rooms! Botton has the unique quality of exalting the ordinary without sounding like a bore or coming off as vain. I never knew airports could serve as areas of such profound wisdom!
I was shocked at how much I enjoyed the book! Alain’s keen eye, mixed with his eloquent and concise writing, is sure to captivate the reader even when talking about the dullest of things. The book is a short read (112 pages), accompanied with photos that ordinarily wouldn’t have inspired any strong emotions if it weren’t for Alain’s beautiful writing.
I have a deep desire to devour everything he writes, and hopefully learn to write with his brevity and sharpness.
Only the Good Die Young by Akash Verma is the sequel to You Never Know : Sometimes Love Can Drag You Through Hell, but can be read as a standalone.
Synopsis:
“Anuradha left Delhi when Dhruv chose his family over her. She thought that that chapter of her life was over and so she began building a new life in Mumbai. But strangely, the moment she leaves her past behind, her past begins to catch up with her. Dhruv suddenly comes back into her life and even as they begin to figure out their relationship, horrible things begin to happen to people around them.
Who is it that cannot see them together? Who is carrying out these shocking crimes? Are they really soulmates cursed to stay apart or is there a karmic debt that they must pay back together?”
It is a dark and twisted thriller. The story is told from multiple perspectives and is easy to follow. I haven’t read the first part, but I could piece the story together. A tad bit too aggressive for my taste, but a good story nonetheless. I found certain parts a little too far-fetched and hard to believe, but overall it was a good read.
Possible trigger warnings : mention of violence, death, depression, suicide, sexual harassment, strong language, murder.
Synopsis:
“Anuradha left Delhi when Dhruv chose his family over her. She thought that that chapter of her life was over and so she began building a new life in Mumbai. But strangely, the moment she leaves her past behind, her past begins to catch up with her. Dhruv suddenly comes back into her life and even as they begin to figure out their relationship, horrible things begin to happen to people around them.
Who is it that cannot see them together? Who is carrying out these shocking crimes? Are they really soulmates cursed to stay apart or is there a karmic debt that they must pay back together?”
It is a dark and twisted thriller. The story is told from multiple perspectives and is easy to follow. I haven’t read the first part, but I could piece the story together. A tad bit too aggressive for my taste, but a good story nonetheless. I found certain parts a little too far-fetched and hard to believe, but overall it was a good read.
Possible trigger warnings : mention of violence, death, depression, suicide, sexual harassment, strong language, murder.
Bride of the Sea is the debut novel of Eman, centred around a young woman torn between her parents, and consequently between her culture, family, identity and love. It is a slow yet spellbinding family saga set in Saudi Arabia and the US. It’s a fascinating exploration of freedom, love, loss, heartbreak, betrayal, hope and healing.
If I had to describe this book in one word, I’d say it is messy. The narration skips timelines with such an ease that it’s a shock, albeit a delightful one. It is set across decades and regularly shifts perspective.
You know how some writers deliberately try to make their characters overtly likeable or detestable? It was the complete opposite in this book! The plot raises a series of moral questions, but you can’t try to write off what the characters do as simply right or wrong. The book beautifully captures how deeply complicated and imperfect our choices are.
It is a punctured family saga, and portrays just how far we’re willing to go for love. The second half of the book focuses more on the shifting political climate in both Saudi Arabia and the US - due to the Gulf War and 9/11 - and its devastating impact on the characters.
Definitely recommend!
If I had to describe this book in one word, I’d say it is messy. The narration skips timelines with such an ease that it’s a shock, albeit a delightful one. It is set across decades and regularly shifts perspective.
You know how some writers deliberately try to make their characters overtly likeable or detestable? It was the complete opposite in this book! The plot raises a series of moral questions, but you can’t try to write off what the characters do as simply right or wrong. The book beautifully captures how deeply complicated and imperfect our choices are.
It is a punctured family saga, and portrays just how far we’re willing to go for love. The second half of the book focuses more on the shifting political climate in both Saudi Arabia and the US - due to the Gulf War and 9/11 - and its devastating impact on the characters.
Definitely recommend!
Milk Fed follows the life of a 24-year-old Jewish girl called Rachel, and her struggles with food, sex and god.
I have mixed feelings about this book. I quite liked the beginning, it gave a vivid description about Rachel’s struggle with an eating disorder, obsessive calorie counting and a shocking diet. It felt good to realise that I’m not the only one who has ever thought that way.
The story progresses as she meets Miriam, an orthodox Jewish woman. Miriam is described as “medically obese”, and initially Rachel is repulsed by her, but Miriam’s carefree attitude towards food causes Rachel to be infatuated with her. Then there’s some bits about Rachel rediscovering her faith, but frankly it felt a little too forced. After that, the story got repetitive, random and boring for me. I struggled to finish it. The hundreds of vivid Freudian sexual descriptions really grossed me out…
possible trigger warnings : mention of eating disorders, body dysmorphia, self-harm, homophobia, fatphobia, suicidal ideation
I have mixed feelings about this book. I quite liked the beginning, it gave a vivid description about Rachel’s struggle with an eating disorder, obsessive calorie counting and a shocking diet. It felt good to realise that I’m not the only one who has ever thought that way.
The story progresses as she meets Miriam, an orthodox Jewish woman. Miriam is described as “medically obese”, and initially Rachel is repulsed by her, but Miriam’s carefree attitude towards food causes Rachel to be infatuated with her. Then there’s some bits about Rachel rediscovering her faith, but frankly it felt a little too forced. After that, the story got repetitive, random and boring for me. I struggled to finish it. The hundreds of vivid Freudian sexual descriptions really grossed me out…
possible trigger warnings : mention of eating disorders, body dysmorphia, self-harm, homophobia, fatphobia, suicidal ideation
Unfinished is a heart-warming memoir by Priyanka. She talks about her unexpected rise to fame, the sacrifices her family made for her, the ups and downs of her career, the battles she fought, her relationship with Nick, facing racism, sexism, online bullying, nepotism...
I’m not a fan of memoirs but I quite enjoyed this book. Priyanka’s writing is clear, crisp and sincere. Her candour and humour shine throughout the book. Her story is inspiring and she does a splendid job of expressing her journey for what it is without delving into titbits.
I’m not a fan of memoirs but I quite enjoyed this book. Priyanka’s writing is clear, crisp and sincere. Her candour and humour shine throughout the book. Her story is inspiring and she does a splendid job of expressing her journey for what it is without delving into titbits.