November wrap up post

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I can't believe its December already..I still remember gearing up for New year last year , it just seemed like yesterday..For some unknown reasons December is the favorite month of the year though the spirit of Christmas is low around this part of the year with not many holidays, still the fogy nights and a cool Dusk welcomes me everyday into another year...On the blog front this month has been great, I am slowly learning the art of finding time for my books and blog even through hectic schedule...with just one month to go this is the status of my reading challenges..

Goodreads -117/100
South Asian Reading Challenge 28/30
New Author challenge -12/10
Jule's short story reading challenge- 4/4 to6
TBR pile reading challenge-11/11 to 20
Book Blogger's recommendation challenge-1/10

With  another month to go I hope for a wonderful month ahead.. Enjoy the holidays ahead too

Book Review: Bohemia by Veronika Carnaby

Title:Bohemia
Author: Veronika Carnaby
Pages:192
Price:$9.99
Genre:Fiction
Rating:4 out of 5
Source: Author
Buy Bohemia from amazon.com



Summary
In her debut novel, Veronika Carnaby picks up where the Beat Generation left off. Set in 1960, Bohemia chronicles a group of twenty-somethings who defy the "ideals" of a mid-twentieth century society to seek creative fulfillment. In the process, they spotlight the creative path that artists of all mediums tread, all the while depicting the challenges faced by youth in the decade that changed the world. 

Review
This novel fondly put forward the gone by era of hippies through Valene Freed-Val, Emmaline Tovski- Emm, Lester Evans and Jimmy Ray..High spirited Val and Emm are allured by the freshness of rug and tan of Lester and Jimmy taking off with them for a life of hippies leaving behind home and family a...This gang has a motto to live for the moment and never worry about tomorrow,they never settle down in a place , they call a place home  till monotony grabs them to move over to another place for a fresh beginning....Their first hub in a dark corner of New york city at "The ladybug" a piano bar,Val and Emm dance while Lester and Jimmy serve drinks... For them the performance gives quiet a adrenaline pump rendering a sense of freedom..Waking up at noon, having breakfast at 2 pm, then leaving for work at 4pm returning past midnight tired drunk on ice cream soda was their life..When monotony drives them banana they take off to Nashua where a sense of peace surround them but somehow the gang fall apart with different thoughts and ideas cris- crossing..Roxford a friend of Val's had kept in touch from her former place pops up taking her with him introducing her into a new world of writing, dance drama music....Moving on to Chicago, the book moves ahead, while Val gets back to  her friend Emm sadly finding her to be changed but then what happens at the end well read to find out... The novel narrates us the spirit freaking out , smoke, rock n' roll and an attitude of I don't care...

What clicked  me most was the free spirit of the gang that included venturing any place, accepting any odd job and living to the fullest..Though the book appealed to me in the beginning for its freshness, but it somehow fell apart after mid pages..I felt Lester and Jimmy the cool dude were shunned away too rudely by the author.. I liked the way she created an aura of hippies of sixties to early seventies a life of nomads..The slang was just perfect, the nicknames ,start of gas (oh yea!!) were well done..I only wished that the characters were equally developed just as that of Val's because I grew fond of Emm, Lester, Jimmy too..Roxford had his share to play well ...Val was the one who came out well through the novel as a winner..I recommend this book for people who want an easy breezy read of the freaky timeline of hippie...

 

My support to help a child to study!!!!!!!!!

Activity: Help A Child to Study sponsors the higher education of meritorious underprivileged students, supporting them to achieve dreams of a better future. We sponsor all formal courses above 10th, including 11th and 12th, diploma courses, degree courses, B.E., M.B.B.S. and Postgrad. Through education our students are able to escape the cycle of poverty through their own talents.

Details: We are very proud of our students - who are the children of labourers, small scale farmers, weavers and other families with low incomes. These students have enormous potential to succeed and only need financial support to do so. We are thrilled that today some of our graduates are placed with large companies such as Mahindra Tech, L&T, and TATA Consultancy Services.

Support: Education, higher education, sponsorship of students.

Note: We are looking for financial donations to support the higher education of our students, most of whom live in rural areas of Maharashtra and Karnataka.

This post is a part of BlogAdda's Bloggers Social Responsibility (BSR) initiative. I am exercising my BSR. You can too with three simple steps. Visit http://www.blogadda.com/bsr/ and support the NGO's.

Book review: Delhi 101 by Ajay Jain

Title:Delhi 101
Author:Ajay Jain
Publisher: Kunzum an imprint of TCP media Pvt Ltd.
Price:Rs 395
Pages:145
ISBN:9788190600767
Genre:Travel/coffee table
Rating: 5 out of 5
Source: Publicist


Buy Delhi 101 from flipkart.com
Buy Delhi 101from amazon.com

"The city has been abused like every ruler's mistress, but was often rewarded with palaces as befits a Queen..It shed tears evrytime it was ravaged by those within and from far beyond, but given reasons to smile whenever peace followed."

India has been a traveler's delight  a  hub for various travel writers. From historian's like William Darymple to not so famous others love the country for its diversity and various shades of colors...Right from time immemorial Delhi has been a thing of beauty and power for invaders and rulers alike..Destruction and revamp have been a part and parcel of Delhi, Dilli whatever you choose to call...From being Mughal capital to being the capital of the country this city has seen a hub of commotion like no other..For this particular reason. writing a book on Delhi is easy and difficult at the same time...Easy for the reason that lot of research has been done already, and this reason affects in a negatively too..Now what can a writer tell the reader new about the known city to gain interest... Delhi 101explores 101 hotspots of the place, some famous and some not so famous to give a sense of wholeness to anyone who plan to visitin the future..Apart from describing the history and importance of the place, as a bonus to the reader there are tips given in a coloured box towards the end of the place of description..The book doesn't have a separate chapter dedicated for its history on the other other hand it opens up with Quwwat-Ul-Islam mosque, Jain let the place speak for itself discovering the history..There are known historic facts described in the book and Jain hasn't wasted much of the space in elaboration, he has put in a very comprehensive way that a newbie would get an idea while others don't get bored..Suggested things to do at India Gate may be found in any book but "Colouing tongue purple with Jamuns" is Delhi 101's special treat...

From book lovers to writer's who aspire to be published, from shopping freaks to wanderers, there is something for every category of people..From coin collectors to mud wrestling the unique blend of story  makes take you beyond a coffee table read... If you love the city you are definitely going to treasure this book..Don't take me wrong for all the good things I am putting forth, this book is definitely a wonderful read...
Jain's love for the city comes strikingly as you read through..His research and his deep affection as a traveler also appealed me..Like someone rightly points out when you travel one has to wear the hats of a traveler to see the real face of a place..The book has wonderful pictures to match the description making the read even more delightful..Had I laid my hands on this book before my visit to Delhi I would have enjoyed it even more...99th place is a way of discovering people of Delhi in its natural way,vendors to street dwellers and  few offbeats photos  are all bundled here..100th is the possibility of exploring Delhi through hot air balloon and the final 101 is dedicated to Kunzum travel cafe where you can meet fellow travelers and exchange your experiences..It also talks about club Kunzum and its travel deal, interested people can find more details here..
This book is published by their publishing house..For more details about their books visit their site...If you want to explore Delhi in taking a different path exploring the heart and soul of the city I highly recommend this book..

Disclosure
I was given a free copy in exchange of honest opinion, I am in no way affiliated to them..

Book Review:The Ordinary Princess by M.M Kayne

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Once upon a time, there lived a girl who was the sweetheart of her father and princess of her mother, growing up as the darling of the house, she came to love stories, fairy tales in particular, every night her father would read to her the lovely illustrated fairy tales or just recall some random tale from his memory..Though she had not picked up the ability to read the, she always knew how all the story began even before her father started them she would start initiate as "Once upon a time", the bedtime stories became a pleasurable routine of the father daughter duo,the daughter looked forward to a new tale every night, at time she would request for a same tale over and over again..Cindrella, Snow White, Sleeping beauty, Beauty and the beast became every night guest taking her into the wonderful world of angels and fairies where everyone lived happily ever after...Her eyes would sparkle full of awe whenever The Prince killed a dragon and took the Princess home..She would laugh with sheer pleasure when good triumphed over the bad..Giggling, tears rolling were all part of the night with Moon and star watching over...After the story father always made it a point to emphasis on the moral of the story , slowly shaping her thoughts for the world beyond wonderful fairies and castles she was not yet ready...Finally when the cool breeze kissed the little girl goodnight she was already too sweetly mesmerized into colorful dreams... Through these tales slowly and steadily she learnt the importance of honesty, friendship, family and integrity, the love for books and tales was strongly rooted in her at a very early age, now that she is quite grown up she is fondly recollecting the tale she shared it with her father..Oh yea by now you would have guessed it right, That's me!!!!!!!!!!

The Ordinary Princess is one of my favorite tale though next to Cindrella...I am again asked to pick a fairy tale for my niece and here I am choosing this illustrated tale of The Ordinary Princess..After reading an ebook of it, I though of sharing it with all..
Long time ago in a far away land there lived a kind hearted King and Queen in a prosperous country with wonderful people.. To make everyday meaningful they were blessed with six beautiful, angelic princess whom they named after precious stone...When it was time for the seventh Princess the country was all eager , as they knew that the best was yet to be..As expected a beautiful, sweet little angel was born with golden curls,deep blue eyes with a twinkle..The baby instantly became a darling of all..When it was time to christian her a grand event was organized , invitations were sent far and wide, every single fairy was invited (with initial reluctance of the King)..Fairies bless her with good health, charm, grace, wit.. But alas!!!! the most powerful fairy god mother in her bitter mood bless or curse with her with with Ordinariness thus taking away the curls and beauty of the princess once for all..Though she was christened as Princess Amethyst Alexandra Augusta Araminta Adelaide Aurelia  Anne, she came to be known as Princess Amy Ordinary..But this became a boon in disguise to her, she was far away from the strict regime of  a royal upbringing, she enjoyed all happiness away from castle running through the meadow, walking in the woods filled with much more life..But then there came a time for her to get married , unfortunately none could look beyond the pain looking princess..Whoever came left unimpressed with her looks...Finally the King comes up with a grand plan of trapping Prince..Unable to bear all of this Princess Amy runs away from her castle to a far away land finding a job of as a maid in the kitchen in some castle, and there she stumbles upon Peregrin, a striking young boy just an ordinary like her..She has a secret to hold on and so does he..How everything culminates into a happily ending tale is enchantingly told The Ordinary Princess...

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When I look at this tale , I see how Kayne spun everyday elements to live by in this one story..The importance to look beyond the physical appearance and how beauty shields away other important traits of a person is cleverly spun through The Ordinary Princess..Kayne  points out that though beauty might appeal  a person initially but its the person within the looks that really matters..Its a must read for middle grade and for those whose carry around the spirit of childhood...What else would you suggest??

Short story: Lady Susan by Jane Austen

Lady Susan is a short story or a novel and one of the less acclaimed works of Austen..Though it was published posthumously , it was written before  the prime of her career...Before reading her letters I thought of giving a try to this...This book is an old version of gossip girl series...This work is unique because of the protagonist Lady Susan, young widow in her mid thirties, she is involved with a married man, yet plotting her way to marry yet another young man manipulating and seducing him with her beauty, charm..She is also on the hunt for finding a suitable boy for her daughter Fredrica who would soon be off marriageable age..She is ready to get her married against her will without real love from her side..Lady Susan got me interested by her way of flirting with wealthy young man, and her feeling of despise and hatred towards her own daughter...She is selfish, egotistic, overbearing, proud, scornful yet honesty flaunts them without any guilt or second thoughts...Reignald De Courcy is lady Susan's new kill who is unable to see through Lady Susan and her real character..Catherine Vernon Lady Susan's sister in-law is all set to save her brother Reignald from Susan..But in between Lady Susan has to compete with her daughter to marry Reignald..Catherine is also determined to save Fredrica from her oppressive mother..The story revolves as an exchange of letters between all these characters and many other additional to the above, and it took me some time to get the hang of it..But after awhile the story went about Lady Susan and Alicia Johnson with whom Lady Susan confides all her secrets..Mrs Johnson is like the other side of the coin who enjoys the plots and Lady Susan's plan..

The novel was an interesting read for me , unlike Austen's other Protagonist Lady Susan didn't come across as a loveable character, yet she appealed with her self assertion...I also liked the oppressed character of Fredrica who is portrayed in all innocence...Catherine who dislikes Susan is all set to save Reginald from her falseness, she eventually writes letters to her mother, Reignald and letters travel back and forth...The handsome , warm, kind Reignald looked dumb most often..This book is a must read for all Austen fan, others might skip or give it a try for the sake of curiosity ..

Book 11 for TBR reading challenge 2012

Book Review: A world lit only by fire by William Raymond Manchester

Title: A world lit by fire:The Medieval mind And the Renaissance: Portrait of Age
Author: William Raymond Manchester
Publisher: Back Bay books
Price: Rs 894
Pages:336
ISBN:0316545562
Genre: History through Age
Rating: 4.5 out of 5
Source: Borrowed

Buy A world lit only by fire from flipkart.com
Buy A world lit only by fire by amazon.com'

Summary
From tales of chivalrous knights to the barbarity of trial by ordeal, no era has been a greater source of awe, horror, and wonder than the Middle Ages. In handsomely crafted prose, and with the grace and authority of his extraordinary gift for narrative history, William Manchester leads us from a civilization tottering on the brink of collapse to the grandeur of its rebirth-the dense explosion of energy that spawned some of history's greatest poets, philosophers, painters, adventurers, and reformers, as well as some of its most spectacular villains- the Renaissance.

Review:
I came across a list of Best Unappreciated Books in goodreads that really got me curious, One of the books in the list was A world lit by fire..William Manchester its author is a controversial author in his own right who is often labelled as a storyteller than getting his facts right, before plunging into this master piece, I didnt have to find twice... This book is a wonderful window to European Medieval age and Renaissance.. From page one I was deep into the historical chronicle..From the decline of Roman empire to Inquisition every dry topics are presented in such a delightful way that  you get engrossed completely into it...The book is divided into three parts, The Medieval mind,Shattering, One man alone..The first is my very favorite which explores the psychological aspect of thought processing and the behavior, and the way of life, religion that has various categories of superstition and spirituality that got mixed in between, confusing and misleading people.

"The ethnic code then settled in its conquered lands and darkness descended upon the devastated, unstable continent.. It would not until forty medieval generation had suffered, wrought their pathetic destinies and passed on .(p-5)
"Dark Age" that saw extreme level of fear in the mind of people, who thought twice before traveling across countries ..The society was adulterated by dark magic polluting thoughts and actions... Robbers, crooks ruled, normal life was disrupted more than often.....

Reading through Shattering is all about the darker side of Catholic Church , reading is like browsing through the pages of a fictional suspense thriller involving, sex (oh yes sex), treachery, murder, horror, betrayal everything a Church preaches against..Though there were expected ways of events, yet some of them were real scandalous...There are shocking information of pope's take over and their succession the circumstances that led to Protestant reformation till the time of Martin Luther King...Do not miss Erasmus through the curiosity to read further.. The final part is One Man Alone, about Ferdinand Magellian, his expedition failures and the idea that was revolutionized is given in an ever entertaining narration....Though he has reserved his personal opinion upon most of the events, there are few instances where his cynicism comes across evidently...Though this book went onto become the New york bestseller, professional historians have shunned this book..You love it or hate it, but you may not really come across a better historical entertainer...

Book 10 for TBR 2012 reading Challenge