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theravenkingx's Reviews (336)
It was all sunshine and rainbows until I reached the final chapter, which literally ripped the soul out of me and left me bawling my eyes out. The veritable deluge of emotions I felt after finishing this book was too much to handle for my body. I kept lying in bed for a good half an hour 'cos it had become physically impossible for me to get up. Yeah, it was that intense.
Born a crime is very well written, hilarious account of the tough life Trevor Noah led growing up in a post apartheid Africa. It's a book that will make you laugh one second and cry the other. I have never seen any show of Trevor Noah but now I would really like to consume all Trevor Noah related content out there in the world; i am so intrigued. I really loved the personality of his mother. She is the real life hero for sure.
Like I said I hardly know the person but learning about his life and his experiences has somehow changed my point of view about my life. Thanks to a book club member for recommending me this book. If it weren't of her, I never would have picked this book up.
A must read! One of the best book I have read this year.
Born a crime is very well written, hilarious account of the tough life Trevor Noah led growing up in a post apartheid Africa. It's a book that will make you laugh one second and cry the other. I have never seen any show of Trevor Noah but now I would really like to consume all Trevor Noah related content out there in the world; i am so intrigued. I really loved the personality of his mother. She is the real life hero for sure.
Like I said I hardly know the person but learning about his life and his experiences has somehow changed my point of view about my life. Thanks to a book club member for recommending me this book. If it weren't of her, I never would have picked this book up.
A must read! One of the best book I have read this year.
The last sentence was a real shocker. It blew my mind.
We have all wondered at some point in life, how our lives would have turned out if we had taken a different route, made a different choice. What and if, two innocent words that togther have the power to haunt us for the rest of our lives. This story is about those What ifs.
"All of us can point to a moment in our lives when something happens that causes us to go in a totally different direction. It can be as simple as that time you stepped onto a train and decided to sit next to me."
The story begins with Alexendar Karpenko - a child prodigy - and his mother dealing with the after math of his father's murder. As the events unfold they figure out that the most powerful people in communist Russia are behind the murder of Alexander's father, who was killed for trying to establish a trade union. Alexander and his mother decides to escape Russia and seek refuge elsewhere. This brings them to a life altering crossroad that will define the rest of their lives.
They are given two choices, they can either hop on to a cargo ship headed to America or a cargo ship headed to England. They leave their fate to a coin toss.
At this point the concept of parallel or alternate lives come into play, we are given a version of how their lives would turn out both in American and in England. We stay unsure, however, as to which life is really happening and which one is just an alternate version of it. We switch back and forth between America and England and see Alexander and her mother struggling to create a life for themselves and wondering what there life would have been like if they had chosen a different cargo ship.
It was an enjoyable read. The concept was very unique and original. However, i think it could have been executed better.
Alexander and his mom faced several ordeals over the period of 30 years, but most of their predicaments got resolved before they could become a real challenge or a threat. However, the ending did a decent job, if not the best, of tying all the loose ends together. Another problem I had was with the characters as there were some great characters that disappeared in the middle of the book only to return in the very end. It felt like the author didn't know what to do with these characters and their stories. I also think some parts could have been edited out as they served little to no purpose in the progression of the plot.
With that being said I still really enjoyed the book, despite its shortcomings. The writing had me totally engrossed in the story and the last sentence felt like a punch in the gut. Characters were well written and I loved the relationship Alexander and his mother shared.
Jeffrey Archer is a great story teller and I am eager to read more of his work.
We have all wondered at some point in life, how our lives would have turned out if we had taken a different route, made a different choice. What and if, two innocent words that togther have the power to haunt us for the rest of our lives. This story is about those What ifs.
"All of us can point to a moment in our lives when something happens that causes us to go in a totally different direction. It can be as simple as that time you stepped onto a train and decided to sit next to me."
The story begins with Alexendar Karpenko - a child prodigy - and his mother dealing with the after math of his father's murder. As the events unfold they figure out that the most powerful people in communist Russia are behind the murder of Alexander's father, who was killed for trying to establish a trade union. Alexander and his mother decides to escape Russia and seek refuge elsewhere. This brings them to a life altering crossroad that will define the rest of their lives.
They are given two choices, they can either hop on to a cargo ship headed to America or a cargo ship headed to England. They leave their fate to a coin toss.
At this point the concept of parallel or alternate lives come into play, we are given a version of how their lives would turn out both in American and in England. We stay unsure, however, as to which life is really happening and which one is just an alternate version of it. We switch back and forth between America and England and see Alexander and her mother struggling to create a life for themselves and wondering what there life would have been like if they had chosen a different cargo ship.
It was an enjoyable read. The concept was very unique and original. However, i think it could have been executed better.
Alexander and his mom faced several ordeals over the period of 30 years, but most of their predicaments got resolved before they could become a real challenge or a threat. However, the ending did a decent job, if not the best, of tying all the loose ends together. Another problem I had was with the characters as there were some great characters that disappeared in the middle of the book only to return in the very end. It felt like the author didn't know what to do with these characters and their stories. I also think some parts could have been edited out as they served little to no purpose in the progression of the plot.
With that being said I still really enjoyed the book, despite its shortcomings. The writing had me totally engrossed in the story and the last sentence felt like a punch in the gut. Characters were well written and I loved the relationship Alexander and his mother shared.
Jeffrey Archer is a great story teller and I am eager to read more of his work.
I dont know how to describe this book. It literally has no plot but still manages to be interesting and addictive from start to finish.
In the beginning I vehemently hated Holden - our main character, but as the story progressed I began to like him and relate with him a lot. And as much as I hate to admit it, I related with holden more than I ever have with any other fictional character in my life.
Holden is a contradiction in himself, he hates phonies but he is the most phoniest of them all. You really have to read between the lines to figure him out. He projects his feelings onto others, he is judgemental, he dismisses poeple before they could dismiss him and he come across as misogynistic, mean, hateful person but in reality he is just a lonely boy trying find a place where he could fit. We see the world through his perspective and in doing so we get to learn about his own emotional and mental state, which isn't very stable to say the least.
He is constantly looking for someone to listen to him, to tell him that everything is going to be okay. He is afraid of changing, of growing up and constantly worrying of failing to meet his parents expectations of him. But most of all he is grieving his brother, something he doesn't know how to do. He acts like he doesn't care but that's just a facade. He is one sweet, conflicted Marshmellow. His salaciousness and attempt to hangout with people he never much cared about is another indication of how lonely he feels and how he doesn't want to pass on to adulthood and accept the challenges and responsibilities that comes with it.
We have all felt like this at least once in our lives. I have felt it too. Soon after my university was over my friends got busy with their jobs, while I was still struggling to figuring out what to do with my life. I tried really hard to reach out to my friends but when I couldn't got through to them, I tried to hangout with people I hardly ever knew or liked in an attempt to fill the void. I realized it later that I wasn't just missing my friends or my old life, my irasciblilty and constant desparation had a deeper meaning; I was fearful of leaving my old life behind and afraid of venturing into the unknown. I felt as though I was standing still befumbled when everyone else was running forward. I still haven't joined the horde but I am slowly making my way to embracing the change and letting go of my past. I am trying to coexist with the society where I don't necessarily fit in.
This book has really touched me. The only reasons I am rating it four star is because i think its a little overrated.
In the beginning I vehemently hated Holden - our main character, but as the story progressed I began to like him and relate with him a lot. And as much as I hate to admit it, I related with holden more than I ever have with any other fictional character in my life.
Holden is a contradiction in himself, he hates phonies but he is the most phoniest of them all. You really have to read between the lines to figure him out. He projects his feelings onto others, he is judgemental, he dismisses poeple before they could dismiss him and he come across as misogynistic, mean, hateful person but in reality he is just a lonely boy trying find a place where he could fit. We see the world through his perspective and in doing so we get to learn about his own emotional and mental state, which isn't very stable to say the least.
He is constantly looking for someone to listen to him, to tell him that everything is going to be okay. He is afraid of changing, of growing up and constantly worrying of failing to meet his parents expectations of him. But most of all he is grieving his brother, something he doesn't know how to do. He acts like he doesn't care but that's just a facade. He is one sweet, conflicted Marshmellow. His salaciousness and attempt to hangout with people he never much cared about is another indication of how lonely he feels and how he doesn't want to pass on to adulthood and accept the challenges and responsibilities that comes with it.
We have all felt like this at least once in our lives. I have felt it too. Soon after my university was over my friends got busy with their jobs, while I was still struggling to figuring out what to do with my life. I tried really hard to reach out to my friends but when I couldn't got through to them, I tried to hangout with people I hardly ever knew or liked in an attempt to fill the void. I realized it later that I wasn't just missing my friends or my old life, my irasciblilty and constant desparation had a deeper meaning; I was fearful of leaving my old life behind and afraid of venturing into the unknown. I felt as though I was standing still befumbled when everyone else was running forward. I still haven't joined the horde but I am slowly making my way to embracing the change and letting go of my past. I am trying to coexist with the society where I don't necessarily fit in.
This book has really touched me. The only reasons I am rating it four star is because i think its a little overrated.
From a serial dater who write blogs about dating and relationships comes a book about his journey from being a white entitled man to a less white and entitled.... Sort of.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed reading this book. it was funny and full of useful knowledge. it's a self-help book unlike any other I have ever read. I really liked the ideas that were shared, but some of the things he said made him sound like a jerk and a guy who had no idea what he was talking about.
I am rating it 4 stars because of the jubilant writing style and opulent life lessons that felt like slaps of reality-check.
Now lets dive into the things that i didn't like about this book. Mark Manson, please take notes.
1. it's not oppression, if a women is choosing to cover her body. it's freedom. it's not oppression if she wants to stay home and look after her family and kids. It means that her husband can earn enough money to provide a decent living without her having to go out and work. unlike west where both partners have to work to run a household.
yes, I agree oppression of women exist, but saying muslims are oppressing women is a huge allegation. you can't just casually write in your book "oh well! oppression of women is common in Muslim countries." For Western women roaming around naked is freedom, but for Muslim women it's different. Their values are different. Mr. Mark needs to learn from his own book.
2. The whole thing about false memory was poorly written. it seemed like he wanted to say that rape doesn't exist, like every rape victim creates a fake story in their mind.
3. He contradicted his statements several times throughout the book. for example: he said certainity is not a healthy thing. When we are certain we are deemed to fail as we don't even bother trying. We should always be uncertain and we should confront without any prior assumption. However, in the next chapter he said that when we confront, we become certain and that's not a good thing. confused ? befuddled? I was, too.
4. He preaches pedantic approach - focusing on only on what you are passionate about. This idea is complete opposite of what Elizabeth Gilbert propounded in her book big magic. She told us to be curious and to be open because what we like today, we might not like it tomorrow. narrow focus, in my opinion, isn't a good thing. And if Mark Manson himself had a narrow approach he wouldn't have switched from blogging to book writing.
Anyway, so despite my issues, the book really left a mark. it had some profound messages that I really intend on applying to my life. I really wanted to give it 3 stars, but I am giving it 4 because it really taught me a thing or two. The book has served its purpose.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed reading this book. it was funny and full of useful knowledge. it's a self-help book unlike any other I have ever read. I really liked the ideas that were shared, but some of the things he said made him sound like a jerk and a guy who had no idea what he was talking about.
I am rating it 4 stars because of the jubilant writing style and opulent life lessons that felt like slaps of reality-check.
Now lets dive into the things that i didn't like about this book. Mark Manson, please take notes.
1. it's not oppression, if a women is choosing to cover her body. it's freedom. it's not oppression if she wants to stay home and look after her family and kids. It means that her husband can earn enough money to provide a decent living without her having to go out and work. unlike west where both partners have to work to run a household.
yes, I agree oppression of women exist, but saying muslims are oppressing women is a huge allegation. you can't just casually write in your book "oh well! oppression of women is common in Muslim countries." For Western women roaming around naked is freedom, but for Muslim women it's different. Their values are different. Mr. Mark needs to learn from his own book.
2. The whole thing about false memory was poorly written. it seemed like he wanted to say that rape doesn't exist, like every rape victim creates a fake story in their mind.
3. He contradicted his statements several times throughout the book. for example: he said certainity is not a healthy thing. When we are certain we are deemed to fail as we don't even bother trying. We should always be uncertain and we should confront without any prior assumption. However, in the next chapter he said that when we confront, we become certain and that's not a good thing. confused ? befuddled? I was, too.
4. He preaches pedantic approach - focusing on only on what you are passionate about. This idea is complete opposite of what Elizabeth Gilbert propounded in her book big magic. She told us to be curious and to be open because what we like today, we might not like it tomorrow. narrow focus, in my opinion, isn't a good thing. And if Mark Manson himself had a narrow approach he wouldn't have switched from blogging to book writing.
Anyway, so despite my issues, the book really left a mark. it had some profound messages that I really intend on applying to my life. I really wanted to give it 3 stars, but I am giving it 4 because it really taught me a thing or two. The book has served its purpose.
A space thriller revolving around clones. check.
Creepy and mysterious murders. Check.
AI with questionable intentions. Check.
what more could you possibly ask from a book?
It's is one of the most orginal stories I have read in a while. It has well written characters, very interesting world building and a story that is unlike anything I have ever read. I love when authors go an extra mile and include religion, politics and other tiny details to make their world seem more real, complex and intricate.
This book was a bird eye view of how people would lose their mind and moral compass, if someone announced one day that cloning could be done. There would definitely be serious religious uprisings against the clones, world politics would change so would the definition of war. I mean how can you kill when nobody can stay dead for long?
Ending was satisfactory. It wasn't absolutely shocking but I am pretty satisfied with how things wrapped up. The major twist we got towards the end of the book regarding the AI was a good one.
Overall, an interesting read. Sci-fi lovers and altered carbon fans should definitely check this one out.
Creepy and mysterious murders. Check.
AI with questionable intentions. Check.
what more could you possibly ask from a book?
It's is one of the most orginal stories I have read in a while. It has well written characters, very interesting world building and a story that is unlike anything I have ever read. I love when authors go an extra mile and include religion, politics and other tiny details to make their world seem more real, complex and intricate.
This book was a bird eye view of how people would lose their mind and moral compass, if someone announced one day that cloning could be done. There would definitely be serious religious uprisings against the clones, world politics would change so would the definition of war. I mean how can you kill when nobody can stay dead for long?
Ending was satisfactory. It wasn't absolutely shocking but I am pretty satisfied with how things wrapped up. The major twist we got towards the end of the book regarding the AI was a good one.
Overall, an interesting read. Sci-fi lovers and altered carbon fans should definitely check this one out.
An Emotional whiplash. A very short book that carries a big punch. However, it wasn't life changing or anything like I had been told. Life lessons from Morrie resembled Buddha's teachings and weren't any different from my own believes but it was good to reminded of them once again. What actually got me in this book was the relationship between Morrie and his student - Mitch . We often take our teachers for granted and often disrespect them when the only thing they want is to see us grow. They give and give and we only take and forget. A thought provoking and emotionally imparing book that everyone should read at some point in their life.
All respect to Michelle McNamara but this book is a mess. It's not her fault tho. If she was alive, she would have articulated it better. This book is more like a scrapbook created using the notes and research McNamara left behind. It was hard to follow at times, and became pretty repetitive specially in part two.
But I salute her for her contribution in this case. Her obsession with Golden state killer is pretty obvious in the book and the length she went for this case is equally disturbing and inspiring. I am just sad she isn't alive to see Golden state killer behind bars.
But I salute her for her contribution in this case. Her obsession with Golden state killer is pretty obvious in the book and the length she went for this case is equally disturbing and inspiring. I am just sad she isn't alive to see Golden state killer behind bars.
