Nirupama P.R.V.'s Blog: Catty Opinions of a Book Loving Couch Potato, page 3
August 8, 2021
Book Club Discussion: Harry Potter
This week DD and I finally started our book club discussion. We went with Harry Potter Book One. We also limited ourselves to Chapters 1-8 since we both wanted to revisit the book.
I shortlisted the book simply because we have been reading it together. Something getting rarer since the DD can read all in her own and I am usually reading to the toddler now. Plus, we had such gorgeous props.
My whole intent was to get the kiddo excited about book clubs and see if she was actually comprehending those books and not simply reading. And what parent doesn’t want to see their child geeking over books? Better than video games and Roblox.
The kiddo of course simply wanted a chance to down her favorite snacks and talk. She’s heard my accounts of book club discussions- debates, appetizers and beverages of choice. What’s not to love?
The evening went better than I imagined. The toddler cooperated with a solemn expression while golfing down mango chunks and a portion of snack mix. The kiddo waxed eloquent on every question, clearly a fan! We even recalled our Disney- Harry Potter rides and experiences- that train ride with the Dementors is quite the memorable moment!
My heart swelled when in the last few minutes T exclaimed that we totally needed to do a Bonus question. The reader and mommy part of me did a resounding high-five!
Thanks to building up anticipation for a fortnight, snacks bought by the husband in anticipation (dude has talents!!) and some excellent tips on how to run a fantastic book discussion (with kids) by the amazing proprietor of Joy of Books. They add details about their events on Instagram as well as excellent games and tips for readers of all ages. They conducted online events in the lockdown which is why I am nerding over a library in India. Insta handle is here.
What are your favorite activities to make reading a shared experience? Share your favorite tips in the comments.
Before closing: here’s the list of our actual questions:
In lieu of an intro, we recited our favorite authors and genresWhat was your favorite part among the chapters read?Describe an episode that you disliked in the book.An activity or event from the chapters read that you would like to experience yourself. What and why?Harry meets the boa and empathizes immediately. He makes friends with Ron right away though not with Draco. Have you ever made an instant connection with another person? Who? How? What did you have in common?Have you ever visited a place that was unique or fantastic? Describe and explain what made it good (or bad).Do you get post? What was the last item you received?Describe your favorite pet. (Real, imagined, anticipated, all ok.)
August 2, 2021
July 28, 2021
DIY Veggie Marketplace
Today’s post is a deviation from the books, reading and travel posts of late. (Stay tuned for a Harry Potter book club discussion coming up though)
This is a DIY post about how I made a Veggie Marketplace. What’s so amazing about it that I felt the need to blog about this?
I made it in under five minutes from an empty Cheerios box.
It’s not Instagram worthy or aesthetically pleasing- sure! But is did lead to loads of fun and sanity saving. And it held up to two days of play already despite the unruly, rambunctious hefting it’s been subjected to. That’s worth blogging for certain.
Without much ado, here’s what I did.
Step 1: Roughly cut away empty Cheerios carton. The two ends make for two baskets.
Step2: Glue it together. The brown inner parts look so realistic.
Step 3: Next I taped old pages to the front. I was not very artistic or precise. I wanted minimum fuss and more of a working functioning basket that prompts creative play.
Step 4: Arrange the veggies.
This is what it finally looks like:
Now let your imagination go wild!
Shopping, restaurant inventory, you can make it anything you like. While the older kiddo showed a lot of thought and role play, the toddler is simply content to dump the veggies in and out, count (with varying degrees of inaccuracy
) and randomly toss veggies with a few other toys in.
I also gave away the remaining Box remains – basically the flat sides left over to T to use as a menu. She was thrilled! She even cut a portion to make card paper money!
Best out of Waste! So cool.
I have to mention my best friend N for the inspiration. She makes beautiful objects of (coveted) art from seemingly random household stuff. Definitely check her blog over at: https://creativpedia.wordpress.com
July 26, 2021
July 19, 2021
Monday Motivation
Reading With Props!
July 18, 2021
Summer and Outdoors
With summer in full swing and the older kiddo out of school, we have been enjoying the great outdoors.
From botanical gardens, local hiking spots to being in the mountains, traveling has held a special appeal after the cooped up year of the past.
Today’s photo post is a short summary of the gorgeous sights:
Have you been exploring your local areas and tourist spots and taking advantage of the sunshine and ?
Let me know in the comments below.
July 12, 2021
Addiction
This post delves into the topic of addiction in fiction.
The Queen of Mystery Agatha Christie has used addiction in quite a few stories including the famed The Horses of Diomedes.
Some of the other books that explore the concept of addiction are The Victory Ball Affair, The Capture of Cerberus. These two stories deal with plain drug addiction.
In Curtain, she writes about addiction to power and blood in the character of X.
In some stories like Herb of Death, (spoiler alert!) addiction to a young ward results in murder.
In stories such as After the Funeral and Pocket Full to Rye, an obsession for money turns into an addiction to the idea of getting at money. And this leads to gruesome murders and deception. It also can be seen in Mysterious Affair at Styles.
Allied to this, the story that best matches the masterful writing of Agatha Christie in the theme of addiction is Amanda Prowse‘s Food of Love.
This is an emotional roller coaster as far as the story is concerned. It’s basic story is how the lives of a family of four is turned on its head when the younger child is discovered to have an eating and body image disorder.
The descriptions are simply brilliant.
Whether it’s the emotions of helpless parents, the sibling who is scared, and resentful and just confused or the child herself trying to battle her demons, peer pressure and hide her condition- they were authentic and scarily real.
The descriptions of the clinics and interactions with doctors were limited but they serve their purpose well.
And of course, the way ordinary lives get devastated is what I felt was most powerful. Because it can happen to anyone, any family and leave its scars forever. A frightening reminder of the scary times children and teens go through in this age.
I loved the book. While reading I was constantly teetering between I can’t read: take this anymore and I need to see how it ends. The best sort of riveting book, in my opinion. Do give it a shot and let me know what you think.
Also, what book comes to your mind when you think of addiction? Also, which one of Agatha Christie is your favorite?
Share your thoughts in the comments below.
July 5, 2021
Monday Motivation
Life is Beautiful!
