‘The Book Thief’ Book Review

My favorite thing about reading is the perspective shifts that come with being exposed to glimpses of other people’s realities. My favorite thing about fiction is the boundless amount of possibilities that humans’ imagination allows for exploration. Add a fictional perspective to realistic events and you got yourself a book guaranteed to be on my favorites list.

In ‘The Book Thief’, Markus Zusak chose death to narrate his story. Death, the most thought about, discussed, and feared event of every human’s life. An event that humans spend their entire lives trying to avoid yet know so little about. But what if death was a man? What would he have to say on the mess we’ve made of our little world?

‘Animal Farm’ Book Review

A few months after I finished reading ‘1984’, I had developed an invested interest in dystopian novels generally and George Orwell’s writing particularly. I was highly keen on reading this brilliant writer’s other celebrated novel.

Though the novel is supposed to symbolize the communist system of Soviet Russia, its message and symbolism run far deeper than politics. From social structures and humanitarian issues to preaching the role of education, or lack of, in shaping cultures. I could almost hear Orwell screaming “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength” throughout the whole book.

‘Overload’ Book Review

I bought this book when I was twelvish/ thirteen..around that time but only got around to reading it at nineteen. And I’m really glad I did, I don’t think I would’ve fully absorbed the depth of it had I read it back when I bought it.

‘Overload’ is a fictional novel about the power industry and how electricity generation companies in the United States function. The book follows Nim Goldman, vice president of GSP&L (the main power provider for the state of California), in the midst of all the drama that comes with being in charge through a very rough power famine. The plot explores the dilemma of utility companies and the difficulties they face as they fight to satisfy the ever increasing demands for electricity. It goes to show the amount of challenges that face a corporation fighting to stay afloat through terrorism, power theft, extremely bureaucratic procedures imposed by politicians to win over the public, all while keeping the peace with environmentalists protesting their every move.

‘To Kill A Mockingbird’ Book Review

There’s a reason ‘To Kill a Mockingbird’ is a classic. Harper Lee created a truly timeless novel. Though it is set in the old Southern county of Maycomb (1934-1935), it is a representation of almost every modern day society. It weaved together a beautiful canvas of various social issues including gender role definitions, racism and its ramifications on society, social classes and structures, as well as delivers some deep moral lessons that I believe should be firmly planted in every young adult if there is ever hope for a functional and healthy society. It’s one of those books you just have to have on your reading list. It  will make you feel all warm inside and give you hope in humanity.

‘Veronika Decides to Die’ Book Review

I am not a fan of Paulo Coelho’s writing, but this book managed to leave an impression on me. I randomly picked it up on a summer vacation not expecting much of it and didn’t put it down till I was done with it the next day. And it was perfectly suited for a vacation indeed, a fun, insightful, quick read. I’d say it’s the best of Coelho’s books so far.

‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’ Book Review

One of my favorite movies ‘Adam’ is about a man with Asperger’s syndrome who finds himself completely alone after his father dies. So when I found a book about a kid with Asperger’s syndrome, I thought this should be interesting. Add to that the fact that my best friend has been obsessing about it and you get why I was so excited to read this book.

‘If I Stay’ Book Review

‘If I Stay’ by Gayle Forman is the story of a seventeen year old cellist, Mia Hall, who was gravely injured in a car accident that took both her parents along with her baby brother, Teddy. While in a coma, Mia’s soul gets to wander around and is completely aware of the events that are unfolding around her. She’s aware of her loss, aware of the friends and family members visiting her, and more importantly, she’s fully aware of the choice she has to make. Does she stay? Or does she pass on and join her family? In the process of making such a decision, she takes us on a trip down memory lane in an attempt to imagine how life would go, or not, once she does decide.

‘1984’ Book Review

When I started reading this book, I didn’t expect it to end up on my favorites list. I had heard a lot about it, and had several people recommend it to me. But then again, I never end up liking popular books anyway. Still, I thought I’d give it a chance. George Orwell’s ‘1984’ is the most disturbing, depressing book I have ever read. Also, the most brilliant thing you could ever read. This one is truly worthy of being called a classic.

‘The First Phone Call from Heaven’ Book Review

When I started reading this book, my first thought was that the premise was an interesting one, but one that could very easily go wrong if not properly tackled and well written. Mitch Albom’s “The First Phone Call from Heaven” is an attempt to explore faith, hope, loss, and what motivates people to believe.

‘The Sanctuary’ Book Review

There are two types of good books, there are those mind-blowingly awesome books that touch you so deeply you feel the urge to chase the writer halfway across the galaxy just to let him/her know how great their work is. And then there are those books that are ‘just good’. You enjoy reading them and that’s it. To me, ‘The Sanctuary’ was of the latter type. Despite it not being exactly the ‘keep you on the edge of your seat’ type of thriller and the plot being highly predictable (I predicted the book’s major twist more than a hundred pages before it was actually revealed), I enjoyed reading this book.