Reading spree 2014 (Smitha)

[Girish, The Good cop]

Lot of 4 and 4.5 books off late Smitha. Good thread to follow for some good reads!

[Ahtims]

44. -4/5
An epic fantasy, started after much deliberation, and mainly because my curiosity was fanned by the myriad recommendations and discussions to which I was mostly a passive bystander. I was familiar with the names Arya and Tyrion even before I knew exactly who they were.
Finally when I plunged in, I got fully and thoroughly drenched. For the past few days I was in a state of schizophrenia - living partly in fantasy land and partly on the good ol'earth.
It seemed more of a medieval setting than a fantasy land, but the last few pages justified the fantasy label.
would surely continue with the series, but after a breather.

[Ahtims]

Challenges Update:
My challenges:
1. Read my son's name in books
GAUTHAM PRABHU
G - Girls in Trucks, Goldfinch (the)
A-And the mountains echoed
U
T-Three Musketeers, the
H- Heat and Dust
A-Amanda Knox Story, the
M- Murder in the West Wing
P- Pigeon English
R-Reading Lolita in Tehran
Abstinence Teacher, the
B- Bombay Bhel
H-Husband’s Secret, the
U

2. Read 12 different genres
1.Foodie (Last Chinese Chef)
2.Mythology (Jaya)
3. Historical (Heat and Dust, The Yellow Emperor's cure)
4. Contemporary (And the mountains echoed)
5. Magical Realism (Kafka on the shore)
6. Young adult (Pigeon English, The fault in our stars, Every Day, Wonder)
7. Erotica (Lolita)
8. Psychological thriller (The Other Half Lives - Sophie Hannah)
9. Memoir ( I am Malala...)
10. Horror (Carrie)
11. Paranormal (Carrie, Every Day)
12. Cozy mystery (Murder in the West Wing)
13. Anthologies
14. Fantasy (Game of thrones, A. The Eye of the World)
15. Non fiction(Amanda Knox story, the)

3. Three bonafide classics in 2014
1. Lolita
2. The Three Musketeers
3. Anna Karenina (reading)

4. With my son
1. GO ahead secret Seven
2. Wonder


5.5. The Randomiser Challenge
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Am reading 12 books.
These are
14. Into the Wild - didn't capture my interest (9/1/14)
55.Reading Lolita in Tehran
101.The Body Farm
105.Blow Fly
128.The Smoke Jumper
132.The Giver
167.Paths of Glory
193.Staying On
349.Tempest in the Tea Room
375.Em and The Big Hoom
455.Personal Statement
485.Stoner

6.read atleast 12 Good Reads Choice Award nominee books of 2013
1. And the mountains echoed
2. The Lowland
3. I am Malala
4.The Goldfinch
5. The Husband's Secret

7. Monthly Keyword Challenge
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Jan - Deception (Ice)\
Feb - Norwegian Wood (Love, Sad)
March - The Fault in our stars (Magic, luck) - about cancer victims who are down on their luck
April - Mission/Heat - I am Malala - a teenager on a mission to nurture female education in Pakistan
May - Murder/Mystery- Devotion of Suspect X
June - Birthdays/Parties/Road trips - none completed :(
July - Dreams/Spy - A Game of Thrones,Business Doctors: Management Consulting Gone Wild
Aug - Heart break/parents - One Plus One
8. A-Z Challenge - had totally forgotten about this one. Had a tough time updating..
A-And the Mountains Echoed,
B-Bombay Bhel
C-The Carbon Murder
D-Deception
E-Every Day
F-The Fault in Our Stars
G- Girls in Trucks, Game of Thrones,A
H-Heat and Dust
I-I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
J-Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata
K-Kafka on the Shore
L-The Last Chinese Chef
M-Mockingjay
N-The Never List
O-One Pink Line
P-Pigeon English
Q
R-Reading Lolita in Tehran
S-Sorting Out Sid
T-The Tennis Party, now titled as 40 Love
U
V
W-Wonder
X
Y-The Yellow Emperor's Cure
Z

[Ahtims]

45. Nine parts of desire: the hidden world of Muslim women. Nine Parts of Desire: The Hidden World of Islamic Women-4/5
It was gruesome, harrowing, unbelievable. Wish it were a fiction, rather than a fact. After reading the book, my respect for the Muslim women, especially those who thrived in spite of all the religious obstacles grew multifold. It was a quick and thorough journey from the times of Nabi to the present day Muslim countries, well told and breathtaking.
This is my first time -reading the history of Nabi ,his household and the birth and flourishing of Islam. I encountered a platitude of courageous ladies who persevered in face of the most stringent of conditions, despite severe handicaps including genital mutilation. I fervently hope for a better deal for them.

[Tracey]

My challenge is to get through the Divergent Trilogy.

[Ahtims]

watched Divergent movie, after abandoning book 1 which I couldn't muster any enthusiasm for.

[Tracey]

I'm having a hard time finishing the books. The writing is poor.

[Tracey]

Good luck with all the challenges.

[Ahtims]

Thank you, Tracey :-)

[Ahtims]

46.One Plus One-2/5
Disappointed.
yucky mucky sickly sweet romance is SO not for me. Beginning was okayish, though a bit boring, improved for a while, but the last half was torture. Jess, the one - woman wonder and her model kids who face problems, problems and more problems, with level headedness and sanctimony were getting on to my nerves. Then comes the computer nerds, Ed Nichols, who fails at being a macho man. And the numerous trials and tribulations faced by the whole lot, mostly their own doing, if one ruminates on them. There are misunderstandings, reunions, loveydoveyness and lots and lots of co - incidences which get on my nerves.
I was grumbling and reading the book most of the time. Completed due to sheer will power and because I perversely wanted to know what crisis will occur next
My most fave character here -Norman (the dog)

[Tracey]

Lol!

[Ahtims]

47. Anna Karenina-4/5
This is my first unabridged Russian classic and my first Tolstoy, discounting the few pages of War and Peace read long long ago.
I was surprised by this book on many accounts.
1. I had heard that Russian classics are tough reads, but this one was easy
2.Misleading title - it's not all about Anna. Levin, Kitty, Dolly, Stepan etc share the space, though not exactly equal.
3. Anna was quite a shallow character, who as the story proceeded, proceeded from bad to worse.
4. Love at first sight is a strange concept, made still stranger by the encounter between Anna and Vronsky. Despite accounting for lust at first sight.
5. The sequences of Anna seeing Vronsky and getting attracted to him, and Anna falling into his arms histrionically proceeded at a rapid pace.
6. Karenina was dull, drab and older - agreed. But Anna wasn't forced into marriage. It was her personal choice. So her lamenting about his disgusting (though harmless) mannerisms come as a surprise. Was it just an excuse to justify her leaving him? or did she really start hating him?
7. Levin is a huge bore. Still I like him better than Anna
8. Towards the end I started sympathising more with Karenina, and then with Vronsky (despite my strong female - supporting instincts
9. The boy Seryozha is shown as a puppet on strings. Perhaps he's relatively young to form opinions of his own.
10. The penultimate part was a shocker. I was increasingly worrying over Anna ' s mental deterioration and it's culmination.
on the whole, though I didn't find any character very likable (at the most they were tolerable) I enjoyed reading the book, perhaps due to its descriptions and languages, and perhaps due to the urge for seeing how predictable (rather unpredictable) the characters are.

[Ahtims]

48. -1.5/5
John Green, You can do better. I liked your , , and reasonably tolerated .
But this one was so lackadaisical, loosely put together, with boring, unbelievable characters, possibly an amalgam of characters from his other books ( I really don't know as I don't know whether this one precedes or proceeds the other books). I wish Alaska remain lost forever, atleast for me.
Putting it in my read folder, and writing a review just because I lost my precious hours reading and lamenting over this one. :/

[Ahtims]

Challenges Update:
My challenges:
1. Read my son's name in books
GAUTHAM PRABHU
G - Girls in Trucks, Goldfinch (the)
A-And the mountains echoed
U
T-Three Musketeers, the
H- Heat and Dust
A-Amanda Knox Story, the
M- Murder in the West Wing
P- Pigeon English
R-Reading Lolita in Tehran
Abstinence Teacher, the
B- Bombay Bhel
H-Husband’s Secret, the
U

2. Read 12 different genres
1.Foodie (Last Chinese Chef)
2.Mythology (Jaya)
3. Historical (Heat and Dust, The Yellow Emperor's cure)
4. Contemporary (And the mountains echoed)
5. Magical Realism (Kafka on the shore)
6. Young adult (Pigeon English, The fault in our stars, Every Day, Wonder)
7. Erotica (Lolita)
8. Psychological thriller (The Other Half Lives - Sophie Hannah)
9. Memoir ( I am Malala...)
10. Horror (Carrie)
11. Paranormal (Carrie, Every Day)
12. Cozy mystery (Murder in the West Wing)
13. Anthologies
14. Fantasy (Game of thrones, A. The Eye of the World)
15. Non fiction(Amanda Knox story, the)

3. Three bonafide classics in 2014
1. Lolita
2. The Three Musketeers
3. Anna Karenina
4. With my son
1. GO ahead secret Seven
2. Wonder


5.5. The Randomiser Challenge
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Am reading 12 books.
These are
14. Into the Wild - didn't capture my interest (9/1/14)
55.Reading Lolita in Tehran
101.The Body Farm
105.Blow Fly
128.The Smoke Jumper
132.The Giver
167.Paths of Glory
193.Staying On
349.Tempest in the Tea Room
375.Em and The Big Hoom
455.Personal Statement
485.Stoner

6.read atleast 12 Good Reads Choice Award nominee books of 2013
1. And the mountains echoed
2. The Lowland
3. I am Malala
4.The Goldfinch
5. The Husband's Secret

7. Monthly Keyword Challenge
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Jan - Deception (Ice)\
Feb - Norwegian Wood (Love, Sad)
March - The Fault in our stars (Magic, luck) - about cancer victims who are down on their luck
April - Mission/Heat - I am Malala - a teenager on a mission to nurture female education in Pakistan
May - Murder/Mystery- Devotion of Suspect X
June - Birthdays/Parties/Road trips - none completed :(
July - Dreams/Spy - A Game of Thrones,Business Doctors: Management Consulting Gone Wild
Aug - Heart break/parents - One Plus One
8. A-Z Challenge - had totally forgotten about this one. Had a tough time updating..
A-And the Mountains Echoed,
B-Bombay Bhel
C-The Carbon Murder
D-Deception
E-Every Day
F-The Fault in Our Stars
G- Girls in Trucks, Game of Thrones,A
H-Heat and Dust
I-I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
J-Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata
K-Kafka on the Shore
L-The Last Chinese Chef
M-Mockingjay
N-The Never List
O-One Pink Line
P-Pigeon English
Q
R-Reading Lolita in Tehran
S-Sorting Out Sid
T-The Tennis Party, now titled as 40 Love
U
V
W-Wonder
X
Y-The Yellow Emperor's Cure
Z

[Ahtims]

49.Sidney Chambers and the Shadow of Death -2/5
This was a confusing read with a jerky pace. Supposedly a cozy mystery, this book has as its main character, an unmarried Christian priest in his early thirties, Canon Sidney Chambers, and the various women he is acquainted with including a stern housekeeper, his sister,, their common friends, along with a Police inspector friend who drags him into cases which he solves while lumbering about his ministerial tasks. The pace is moderate to slow to frank boring, and his life is more interesting than the cases he solves. This anthology of mysteries is quite boring and I may never take up a book by the author in the near future, or perhaps never again.

[Ahtims]

50. Colorless Tsukuru Tazaki and His Years of Pilgrimage-4.5/5
Another Murakami book which I enjoyed reading. Five stars - not for the flawless story, but for the fact that I kept on going back to the book leaving other important chores aside, so much so that, I was tempted to read it in snatches even seated in a packed hall as an audience. Like all Murakami heroes(Protagonists) Tsukuru is also a slightly weird, but harmless man in his thirties, who is trying to make sense of his life. He lives with a past - which involves a closely knit set of 5 friends - 2 girls and 2 boys, whose names include colors, and the colorless Tsukuru, our hero, whose name just means 'maker'. Suddenly he is ousted out of the group, without any reason, at the age of 20, and it takes him 16 years more, to get motivated enough to go in search for the reason for this punishment, which gravely affected his sanity and further course of life; and that too at the insistence of his new girl friend, who takes the initiative. The story unfolds to show his pilgrimage back in time, his interactions with his friends, the awful truths that unfold, and the way he accepts it. The end, as usual, is left a bit mysterious.
I was too eager to accompany Tsukuru on his quest and to know how things end up. I would recommend this book to all Murakami fans, plus those interested in " Magical Realism" and who read books for the beauty of the narrative, rather than concrete stories and events.

[dely]

Will add it to my wishlist!

[Ahtims]

You may like it, dely. Its melancholic :P

[Ahtims]

51. -4.5/5
A very harrowing read , not for the faint hearted. The book deals with inter family and interpersonal relations gone awry, due to peculiar man made circumstances. More about this in the spoiler, which is perhaps best avoided by those who are planning to read this book. I pitied all the beings involved, I empathized with their weaknesses, troubles, actions, reactions. I tried and tried, but could not come to a workable solution for all the questions posed in this book.
Learnt a lot of new words, had amateur classes on psychology and experimentation, lived the lives of grad students, at least for a brief time.....
(view spoiler)[
Rosemary grows up with her sister Fern, whom we come to know is an adopted chimpanzee later on, elder brother Laurel (I forgot the actual name, this is the closest in my memory) with her emotionally fraught mother and psychologist/animal experiment study guide father, whose idea it is to grow a human kid and a chimpanzee kid of the same age, side by side, as siblings. The research team wants to study the effects of this bonding on both. Things go wrong when they are 5 years old, Fern, the chimpanzee sister is taken somewhere else, and the remaining siblings are so traumatized that they suffer all their lives, and never grow up to be normal humans.
The ending is of mixed hues - some amount of relief tinged with lots of sadness and lost opportunities.
This book opened my eyes to the innumerable ways humans can traumatize and brutalize animals - I am a converted animal rights activist, albeit a passive one... (hide spoiler)]

[Ahtims]

52. -4.5/5
A veritable feast. I come across such books very rarely. Less publicised, with more of low ratings, but the title, blurb or perhaps cover pic catches your fancy and it seems as if the book is yelling out loud -read me, read me.
I enjoyed the eccentric family and it's ways -the Shakespeare spouting bearded father, kind, patient suffering mother, the 3 weird sisters and their strengths and weaknesses. I loved the frequent literary references, appreciated the bibliophilic family, the village library and it's librarian, the priest and all minor characters. I exulted and sympathised. I had a good romp through the quaint American town which somehow seemed anglicised to me.
Would recommend this to all literature lovers, who don't mind a slow paced novel.

[Ahtims]

53. The Hand maid's tale -3/5
Had an interesting beginning, a sustainable middle, but a very disappointing end. The end seemed contrived and whooshed off into a vacuum. Agreed it is dystopia, and bizarre things are the norm. But why leave many things unexplained? Why has not an attempt made to explain pertinent facts. Or is it me who's dumb enough not to understand the clues and cryptic messages.
All in all the book left me with an incomplete and deceived feel.
The story is about the degradation of the society as a whole and females in particular in a ? country called Gilead somewhere in the near future, after the world faces hardship due to dwindling resources, fauna as well as human population. Women are just slaves with different functions to perform, including that of breeding children for higher up officials whose wives are childless. I was loathe to fathom such a future. Felt very much cozy in this imperfect, but free world.
It would have been a great read, but somehow I started feeling disoriented after the halfway mark.

[dely]

Psmith wrote: "53. The Hand maid's tale -3/5
Had an interesting beginning, a sustainable middle, but a very disappointing end. The end seemed contrived and whooshed off into a vacuum. Agreed it is dystopia, and..."

This is in my wishlist since a long time!

[Ahtims]

Challenges Update:
My challenges:
1. Read my son's name in books
GAUTHAM PRABHU
G - Girls in Trucks, Goldfinch (the)
A-And the mountains echoed
U
T-Three Musketeers, the
H- Heat and Dust
A-Amanda Knox Story, the
M- Murder in the West Wing
P- Pigeon English
R-Reading Lolita in Tehran
Abstinence Teacher, the
B- Bombay Bhel
H-Husband’s Secret, the
U

2. Read 12 different genres
1.Foodie (Last Chinese Chef)
2.Mythology (Jaya)
3. Historical (Heat and Dust, The Yellow Emperor's cure)
4. Contemporary (And the mountains echoed)
5. Magical Realism (Kafka on the shore)
6. Young adult (Pigeon English, The fault in our stars, Every Day, Wonder)
7. Erotica (Lolita)
8. Psychological thriller (The Other Half Lives - Sophie Hannah)
9. Memoir ( I am Malala...)
10. Horror (Carrie)
11. Paranormal (Carrie, Every Day)
12. Cozy mystery (Murder in the West Wing)
13. Anthologies
14. Fantasy (Game of thrones, A. The Eye of the World)
15. Non fiction(Amanda Knox story, the)

3. Three bonafide classics in 2014
1. Lolita
2. The Three Musketeers
3. Anna Karenina
4. With my son
1. GO ahead secret Seven
2. Wonder


5.5. The Randomiser Challenge
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Am reading 12 books.
These are
14. Into the Wild - didn't capture my interest (9/1/14)
55.Reading Lolita in Tehran
101.The Body Farm
105.Blow Fly
128.The Smoke Jumper
132.The Giver
167.Paths of Glory
193.Staying On
349.Tempest in the Tea Room
375.Em and The Big Hoom
455.Personal Statement
485.Stoner

6.read atleast 12 Good Reads Choice Award nominee books of 2013
1. And the mountains echoed
2. The Lowland
3. I am Malala
4.The Goldfinch
5. The Husband's Secret
6. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

7. Monthly Keyword Challenge
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Jan - Deception (Ice)\
Feb - Norwegian Wood (Love, Sad)
March - The Fault in our stars (Magic, luck) - about cancer victims who are down on their luck
April - Mission/Heat - I am Malala - a teenager on a mission to nurture female education in Pakistan
May - Murder/Mystery- Devotion of Suspect X
June - Birthdays/Parties/Road trips - none completed :(
July - Dreams/Spy - A Game of Thrones,Business Doctors: Management Consulting Gone Wild
Aug - Heart break/parents - One Plus One
Sept - fright - Handmaid's tale - frightful(readers as well as characters exist in a perpetual state of fear throughout), dystopian
8. A-Z Challenge - had totally forgotten about this one. Had a tough time updating..
A-And the Mountains Echoed,
B-Bombay Bhel
C-The Carbon Murder
D-Deception
E-Every Day
F-The Fault in Our Stars
G- Girls in Trucks, Game of Thrones,A
H-Heat and Dust
I-I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
J-Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata
K-Kafka on the Shore
L-The Last Chinese Chef
M-Mockingjay
N-The Never List
O-One Pink Line
P-Pigeon English
Q
R-Reading Lolita in Tehran
S-Sorting Out Sid
T-The Tennis Party, now titled as 40 Love
U
V
W-Wonder
X
Y-The Yellow Emperor's Cure
Z

[Ahtims]

54. -5/5
Reread review:
5 star rating unchanged
Am in sympathy with the characters including Amy and Nick
Eagerly awaiting the next part with the kid playing a prominent role.
I really applaud the perverted intelligence of Amy and perserverence of Nick.
is there an 'undistorted' future for them? I wonder.


Nov 2012: It was a fantabulous read. My kind of a thriller - the story started with suspense, and the suspense kept on building up minute by minute, hour by hour. I was addicted to this story while it lasted. I was lucky enough to listen to the audio book, which I very well enjoyed and I even started picturing the characters in my mind, and was so involved that I might have grimaced or made monkey faces at times, because I got many odd stares during my jogs.
This is the story of a marriage deteriorating slowly and steadily and culminating into unexpected and shocking events. I got interested in all the characters, and I got fooled again and again by the two principals. I just fell in love with the husband and wife, pitying and loathing them by turns. I was sorry to reach the end, but my intuition says that this book will surely have a follow-through, because there are some loose ends to be tied.
I seriously recommend this to all lovers of the 'psychological thriller' genre.

[Ahtims]

55. -2.5/5
I had to read Gone Bitch immediately after. My curiosity was that much. But it was a bit below my expectations.
It was a quickie read with a few laugh out loud moments. The title is self explanatory. Many incidents are ditto gone girl, but the are few alternate directions which show quite a different side of Amy and Nick.
I enjoyed most parts, but only a 2 at the most 3 star rating because it's just a parody with nothing much to offer in the form of insight or knowledge.

[Ahtims]

56. -5/5
May very well be my "remarkable book of the year"
An awesomely horrendous story, rendered more gruesome, once one knows that it is based on true events.
Agnes, the central figure, labelled the murderess (one among three) of 2 farmers in Iceland is awaiting death penalty. She asks for a young priest to help her through her last days and is transported to the home of a lower down official in a provincial farm. The story revolves around her last few days with flashbacks into her dismal past which slowly culminated in the fatal events. I pitied and admired (Yes, I did -for her pluck) Agnes through, enjoyed the interactions between the nineteenth century Icelanders, was mesmerised by the harsh and scenic beauty of the ice cold land (which I saw through my mind's eyes) and spent a bewitching few hours with the characters.
I desperately was rooting for Agnes until the end.
But life is harsh and sometimes circumstances dictate a cascade of events from which none can escape

[Ahtims]

57. -3.5/5
I remember reviewing it earlier, but somehow it got lost in cyber space.
From what I remember, I didn't like this book as much as Atwood's other books that I have read, e.g., The Robber Bride,The MaddAddam Trilogy: Oryx and Crake; The Year of the Flood; MaddAddam, The Robber Bride.
The book is set in a dystopian society in a place called Gilead (a country? a continent?) where women have become oppressed as well as precious. There are different grades of people and women - the aristocratic type, the plebian sort and a group called as the handmaids whose sole purpose is breeding children for rich and powerful men, whose wives fail to do so. There is no artificial insemination, it is by 'natural means' which has been distorted to become unnatural. This is the story of such a Handmaid, who initially was a normal lady with an occupation, a happy family and a young girl, who subsequently faced upheavals leading to a near state of imprisonment in a wealthy man's home, whose wife (obviously) hated her.
This book was faintly repulsive. Left me with a bad taste and a mild depression for a few days.

[Ahtims]

have been too lazy in recent days as I am using goodreads more and more on my mobile app, and it doesn't have the versatility of a desktop/laptop.
The year is almost ending, and I am lagging behind. But no regrets. I read a lot of chunksters, and a lot of diverse books this year. My reading time was less as I had more to do in professional and home front. Hopeful for a better year ahead.

[Ahtims]

58.Tigana-4/5
I have never understood fantasy and people's fascination towards it. At the beginning of this year resolved to tackle the genres I avoid, and obviously fantasy stood prominent. This is my 3rd fantasy book (the eye of the world and Game of thrones being the other 2).Was happy to know that it is a standalone.
The story is set in an alternative world, a place with 2 moons, which has been sundered apart by battling warlords. There are 9 provinces partitioned by 2 Lords, Brand in of Ygarth and Alberico of Barbadior. Brand in, the sorcerer destroyed a province known as Tigana, and put a curse upon it. The story goes on to tell the attempts of the exiled prince of Tigana, along with s few sympathetic warlords and soldiers to reestablish Tigana.
It was funny, scathing, emotional, magical, musical. Liked the reading experience.
Would recommend to fantasy buffs. To others: well , it is a good choice for initial foray into the fantasy realm.

[Ahtims]

59. Three Men in a Boat-4.5/5
One of my eternal favourites- I never tire of reading this one. Jerome vies with Wodehouse when it comes to rib tickling humour. The 3 friends, along with the dog Montmorency plan a boating trip of a week along the Thames. The funny adventure starts, the men get into scrapes which make them relive their previous scrapes - lots of serious musings pertinent to this age too - all sugarcoated with humor. A bit about the history of England, more about the geography in and around Thames, lessons on rowing and punting - all these go on to make this novel unique and adorable.
It is said that this book, initially mean as a travelogue, soon morphed into an item of humour.
Reading this was a totally enjoyable experience , which I'd like to repeat.

[Ahtims]

60. The Fan Club-4/5
Four men from different walks of life meet in a bar. They find that they are united by their admiration for the actress Sharon Fields, who started as a small B grade actor and later achieved prominence. Their admiration turns to obsession, especially to the master mind Mallone. Slowly they come out with plans to kidnap her, hold her captive for a week, and make her willing to have a physical relationship with each. But plans never go smooth; after kidnapping and imprisoning her, Shively, the most ruthless of all, can't wait for her to acquise. What follows is a chillingly deplorable story of abuse, and how one woman, considered to be a beauty without brains, in spite of her captivity and physical abuse, tries and succeeds to escape from the abusers using psychological rather than physical warfare. The book does contain mature adult content and is fraught with violence of words and action, and is definitely not for the faint hearted.

[Ahtims]

61. Accidents of Marriage-4/5
This was a random pick -got intrigued by the title , and my interest was piqued by the blurb .
Agreed it was sentimental and mushy in places, but this book deals with a pertinent topic - the way uncontrolled temper can destroy relationships and lives. Maddy , Ben and their 3 children lead the average upper middle class existence , and would have proceeded with their lives, but for Ben ' s uncontrollable temper bursts , one such which ends up with irreparable damages.
This book made me think a lot. I envied Maddy and her freedom of choice because I have seen umpteen Indian women being subjugated by their husbands who are otherwise considered respectable . Their respect and good nature , unfortunately does not extend towards their benefactories. Most ladies concerned are home makers which further nurture their timidity and heighten their spouse's rude behaviour . Here physical abuse is being looked down upon (at least in recent years - of course a good trend) but emotional abuse is rampant .
This book on domestic emotional abuse touched a chord in me and made me realise Indian women have a long way to go to mentally equip themselves to withstand and raise a voice.

[Ahtims]

Rooms-3/5
A very different sort of story , started with curiosity provoking lines, kept a taut story line in the initial half , but sort of fizzled out towards the end.
A crumbling. old hose, the old owner recently dead;his estranged wife and children come to claim their rights and cremate him
They do not know that the house is haunted by ghosts of the past. Two ladies who died there (at different periods of time ) and who are joined by a younger ghost .
Dead man's family has their own individual secrets , they labour with their personal demons . A couple of new comers enter and everything comes to a boiling point -to the extent of mingling of live and dead folk.
An interesting concept -the name'Roons" because the chapters are divided into events taking place in each room of the house.

[Ahtims]

63.The Other Side Of The Table-4/5
A very simple and poignant story told via letters shared by friends living in 2 continents. Uma , at the beginning is an aspiring medical student, who later completes her course, does her post graduation and survives many upheavals . Abhi is an orphan , 10 years her senior and already a neurosurgeon practising in London. They share their lives via letters.
I was so, so astonished to see that her thoughts and actions eerily paralleled mine. It was as if the writer accessed my thoughts and emotions. Thankful to say that I had a better deal in life. But if I were in her shoes, I would have behaved the same.
This is a must read for all Indian females (males too), especially if they are in the medical profession . The views on love, friendship , marriage and expectations are really really pertinent to the Indian setup .

[Ahtims]

64.The Lies of Locke Lamora-4.5/5
5 stars isn't what I usually expect of fantasy lore. But this one was a pleasant exception. From the very beginning , the story captured my attention . The writing was taut, matter of fact, wittily sarcastic. The characters interesting and loveable .
Locke Lamora is an orphan who grows up.in a den of clever and sophisticated thieves and who quickly imbibes all the quirky tricks of the trade. He acquires a couple of loyal friends on the way -they call themselves the Gentlemen Bastards and a la Robin Hood, steal from the rich and greedy. There's lots of alchemy , magic, deceit, greed. All charters, including the negative ones, are interesting and engaging .
All in all, a very very engaging read.

[Ahtims]

Challenges Update:
My challenges:
1. Read my son's name in books
GAUTHAM PRABHU - U still elusive. And I need 2.
G - Girls in Trucks, Goldfinch (the)
A-And the mountains echoed
U
T-Three Musketeers, the
H- Heat and Dust
A-Amanda Knox Story, the
M- Murder in the West Wing
P- Pigeon English
R-Reading Lolita in Tehran
Abstinence Teacher, the
B- Bombay Bhel
H-Husband’s Secret, the
U

2. Read 12 different genres - COMPLETED :D
1.Foodie (Last Chinese Chef)
2.Mythology (Jaya)
3. Historical (Heat and Dust, The Yellow Emperor's cure)
4. Contemporary (And the mountains echoed)
5. Magical Realism (Kafka on the shore)
6. Young adult (Pigeon English, The fault in our stars, Every Day, Wonder)
7. Erotica (Lolita)
8. Psychological thriller (The Other Half Lives - Sophie Hannah)
9. Memoir ( I am Malala...)
10. Horror (Carrie)
11. Paranormal (Carrie, Every Day)
12. Cozy mystery (Murder in the West Wing)
13. Anthologies
14. Fantasy (Game of thrones, A. The Eye of the World)
15. Non fiction(Amanda Knox story, the)

3. Three bonafide classics in 2014 COMPLETED :D
1. Lolita
2. The Three Musketeers
3. Anna Karenina

4. With my son - 3 more to go
1. GO ahead secret Seven
2. Wonder


5.5. The Randomiser Challenge - GIVEN UP :/
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Am reading 12 books.
These are
14. Into the Wild - didn't capture my interest (9/1/14)
55.Reading Lolita in Tehran
101.The Body Farm
105.Blow Fly
128.The Smoke Jumper
132.The Giver
167.Paths of Glory
193.Staying On
349.Tempest in the Tea Room
375.Em and The Big Hoom
455.Personal Statement
485.Stoner

6.read atleast 12 Good Reads Choice Award nominee books of 2013 COMPLETED
1. And the mountains echoed
2. The Lowland
3. I am Malala
4.The Goldfinch
5. The Husband's Secret
6. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
7. Tangled
8.Burial Rites
9. MaddAddam
10. The Cuckoo's Calling
11. Necessary Lies
12. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves

7. Monthly Keyword Challenge
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Jan - Deception (Ice)\
Feb - Norwegian Wood (Love, Sad)
March - The Fault in our stars (Magic, luck) - about cancer victims who are down on their luck
April - Mission/Heat - I am Malala - a teenager on a mission to nurture female education in Pakistan
May - Murder/Mystery- Devotion of Suspect X
June - Birthdays/Parties/Road trips - none completed :(
July - Dreams/Spy - A Game of Thrones,Business Doctors: Management Consulting Gone Wild
Aug - Heart break/parents - One Plus One
Sept - fright - Handmaid's tale - frightful(readers as well as characters exist in a perpetual state of fear throughout), dystopian
October - rewards, dancing, happiness - Three Men in a Boat felt happy reading about these happy-go-lucky men
November - crime - The Lies of Locke Lamora, Shutter Island
December - Christmas, gifts, ending - yet to decide
8. A-Z Challenge - had totally forgotten about this one. Had a tough time updating..
A-And the Mountains Echoed,
B-Bombay Bhel
C-The Carbon Murder
D-Deception
E-Every Day
F-The Fault in Our Stars
G- Girls in Trucks, Game of Thrones,A
H-Heat and Dust
I-I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
J-Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata
K-Kafka on the Shore
L-The Last Chinese Chef
M-Mockingjay
N-The Never List
O-One Pink Line
P-Pigeon English
Q
R-Reading Lolita in Tehran
S-Sorting Out Sid
T-The Tennis Party, now titled as 40 Love
U
V
W-Wonder
X
Y-The Yellow Emperor's Cure
Z

[Ahtims]

65.Shutter Island-4.5/5


whoosh . ...
A very dark, a very thrilling psychological mystery with lots of red herring , set in a storm ravaged island. Was immersed in the stormy read - to the extent of having related nightmares on 2 consecutive days and a feeling of surrealism throughout these days.
The ending baffled me. I would really love to watch the movie now.

[dely]

Some interesting books, above all "The other side of the table" and "Accidents of marriage". By Jerome K. Jerome I have Idle Thoughts of an Idle Fellow but I must still read it.
I have seen Shutter Island and it was good (though I don't like Leonardo di Caprio) and I don't know if I will read the book because I already know the end so there wouldn't be anymore the suspence and the surprise.

[Ahtims]

dely, both the books are good. But you may find them too simple . I liked Dicaprio in Beach and Titanic .

[dely]

PSmith wrote: "dely, both the books are good. But you may find them too simple . I liked Dicaprio in Beach and Titanic ."

I looked for them and, as usual, there isn't an Italian translation and sometimes I'm too lazy to read in a different language. Perhaps next year because I want to add a new personal challenge: read in the original language.

[Ahtims]

66. Knots and Crosses -2.5/5
A serial killer/police procedural thriller wherein young girls are being abducted from the streets of Edinburgh and are later found dead. Inspector Rebus is assigned the case. He also starts receiving anonymous semi threatening letters. He , along with his partner Jack Mort on are at a loss to as the identity of the killer, till events start escalating and things gets linked to his commando past, estranged wife and daughter .
I found it a quick, though average read - the sort of book, which one neither recommends, nor tears apart in frustration .

[Ahtims]

67. The long haul - 3/5
Continues the saga of Greg and his dysfunctional family. This book is full of the road trip they indulge in -his mom's great idea of family time. As usual there are umpteen number of hilarious goof ups and adventures. Rodrick is as evil and Manny as impish as ever, the poor suffering parents continue to suffer with good grace, and Greg , the non - controversial middle brother bears the brunt many a time. I thoroughly enjoyed the read. This one earned a star less because many of my favourites including Huffley aren't their and certain incidents seemed contrived. Nevertheless , a much enjoyable series.

[Ahtims]

68. Memories of my melancholy whores -2/5
Didn't like it .
Will never attempt Marquez for a long, long time.
The book deals with the reminiscences of a man approaching his 90 th birthday . He is sprightly for his age, and wants continual indulgence in all sorts of pleasure .
Perhaps if one were a pleasure loving 90 year old man, one would try to enjoy life to the utmost as a final attempt to hold ageing at bay.
But why trouble a 14 year old child.
The old goon spoke as if women were intended only for one purpose . I hated all women (for the matter all people ) in the book.
I wish the old fellow died on his 90 th birthday itself.
A few lines which caught my fancy :
'Age isn't how old you are , but how you feel'
'We already are old. What happens is that you don't feel it in the inside , but from the outside everybody can see it'
"Don't let yourself die without knowing the wonder of ****ing with love.
Mighty happy about one thing -the size of the book.

[Ahtims]

69. -3.5
A gripping story of a death which took place on a parents day in a small seaside down, prestigious, preschool. Egos clash, personalities clash, relationships are tested, kids are not spared, the central figures being the 24 year old single mom Jane, her cute and clever son, Ziggy, her older friends Celeste and Marta? (I forgot the name) and a few other ladies who are at loggerheads with Jane and co. and the sweet, woozy Bonnie, one of the quirkiest characters, and of course all the kids and their siblings.
This is a book of mixed ratings.
An almost 5 star for the way the events are juggled - the incident and death, witness statements, prior events all are deliciously juggled and different POVs obtained. I love such a format.
4 star - for the evolving story, the slow crescendo of events which subsequently lead to the event.
- also for the story line - lots of preschool kiddos with their almost neurotic parents and the webs of interactions
- I love premature geniuses, and shy but sharp kids
- also for quirky female characters (whom I loved)
2 star - for the ease and convenience with which things fell into place - I hate it when things are contrived to give a happy ending, though I have nothing against happy endings.
- also for bringing in hot themes to add spice to the storyline
On the whole, 3.5 stars --> 4 stars.

[Ahtims]

70. Saraswati Park -4/5
It was an enjoyable read . I love such languid, easy paced , middle class Indian existence of ordinary people -their hopes, disappointments , desires, achievements , frienships, insecurities etc. Te story revolves around Mohan - small time letter writer (an obscure occupation ) with a secret desire to be a writer, his wife Lakshmi and his nephew Ashish who is forced to stay with them to complete his education .
Ashish has a secret to hide and Mohan fears that his wife is slowly but steadily drifting apart from him. There is Madhavi , a bubbly , intelligent , neighbour who befriends Ashish , and Sunder and Narayan two greyish characters.
I relished Mumbai , it's streets, it's crowd and furore; overall enjoyed peeping into Ashish and co.s lives.

[Ahtims]

71. A Christmas Carol-4/5
This book was an eye opener. Not that I am as bad as Scrooge , but sometimes in the hussle bussle of day to day life , we tend to be self occupied , a teeny bit selfish and somewhat greedy. Reading the man Scrooge was , and the dramatic change he underwent on Christmas Eve , makes me optimistic about the humankind. Agreed it's just fiction , but then who knows, some other Scrooge or near -Scrooge might have been moved by this book to change into a better person and spread munificence and cheer throughout their lifetime . A heartening thought indeed.
A much awaited second read , this book was.

[Ahtims]

72.The Paying Guests-3/5
My last book of 2014 . I wish I could say it was scintillating, but sadly it wasn't. The beginning was impressive with the slow and steady build up of the story and characters. The story revolves around a genteel mother and her spinster daughter who lose their male family members to war and disease, and who are forced to scrimp and take on paying guests to make ends meet. Frances the daughter, and the young married lady paying guest, Lillian, forge an unlikely friendship. But then halfway through, things changed. Sensational issues were thrown in, but in an unconvincing manner. I couldn't relate the characters and behaviours. By three quarters through , I started positively disliking the characters. I just wanted to finish the book and find out the end, because the fates of the two main women were in the balance.

[Ahtims]

READING YEAR 2014
Was not a very good year in terms of quantity, but I surely made up in terms of diversity and quality. I failed to complete certain challenges, but no regrets, since I value my pleasure over reading far more than my pleasure over striving to complete my challenges.
Challenges Update:
My challenges:
1. Read my son's name in books
GAUTHAM PRABHU - U still elusive. And I need 2.
G - Girls in Trucks, Goldfinch (the)
A-And the mountains echoed
U
T-Three Musketeers, the
H- Heat and Dust
A-Amanda Knox Story, the
M- Murder in the West Wing
P- Pigeon English
R-Reading Lolita in Tehran
Abstinence Teacher, the
B- Bombay Bhel
H-Husband’s Secret, the
U
Didn't find any suitable U's - Hence it is GATHAM PRABH.. :P
2. Read 12 different genres - COMPLETED :D
1.Foodie (Last Chinese Chef)
2.Mythology (Jaya)
3. Historical (Heat and Dust, The Yellow Emperor's cure)
4. Contemporary (And the mountains echoed)
5. Magical Realism (Kafka on the shore)
6. Young adult (Pigeon English, The fault in our stars, Every Day, Wonder)
7. Erotica (Lolita)
8. Psychological thriller (The Other Half Lives - Sophie Hannah)
9. Memoir ( I am Malala...)
10. Horror (Carrie)
11. Paranormal (Carrie, Every Day)
12. Cozy mystery (Murder in the West Wing)
13. Anthologies
14. Fantasy (Game of thrones, A. The Eye of the World)
15. Non fiction(Amanda Knox story, the)

3. Three bonafide classics in 2014 COMPLETED :D
1. Lolita
2. The Three Musketeers
3. Anna Karenina
4. A Christmas Carol

4. With my son - 3 more to go
1. GO ahead secret Seven
2. Wonder
again, failed. But I would like to blame my son over this :P


5.5. The Randomiser Challenge - GIVEN UP :/
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Am reading 12 books.
These are
14. Into the Wild - didn't capture my interest (9/1/14)
55.Reading Lolita in Tehran
101.The Body Farm
105.Blow Fly
128.The Smoke Jumper
132.The Giver
167.Paths of Glory
193.Staying On
349.Tempest in the Tea Room
375.Em and The Big Hoom
455.Personal Statement
485.Stoner
But I promise myself that in 2015 I will do better.

6.read atleast 12 Good Reads Choice Award nominee books of 2013 COMPLETED
1. And the mountains echoed
2. The Lowland
3. I am Malala
4.The Goldfinch
5. The Husband's Secret
6. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
7. Tangled
8.Burial Rites
9. MaddAddam
10. The Cuckoo's Calling
11. Necessary Lies
12. We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves
13. The Paying Guests

7. Monthly Keyword Challenge- COMPLETED
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Jan - Deception (Ice)\
Feb - Norwegian Wood (Love, Sad)
March - The Fault in our stars (Magic, luck) - about cancer victims who are down on their luck
April - Mission/Heat - I am Malala - a teenager on a mission to nurture female education in Pakistan
May - Murder/Mystery- Devotion of Suspect X
June - Birthdays/Parties/Road trips - none completed :(
July - Dreams/Spy - A Game of Thrones,Business Doctors: Management Consulting Gone Wild
Aug - Heart break/parents - One Plus One
Sept - fright - Handmaid's tale - frightful(readers as well as characters exist in a perpetual state of fear throughout), dystopian
October - rewards, dancing, happiness - Three Men in a Boat felt happy reading about these happy-go-lucky men
November - crime - The Lies of Locke Lamora, Shutter Island
December - Christmas, gifts, ending - yet to decide

8. A-Z Challenge - had totally forgotten about this one. Had a tough time updating..
A-And the Mountains Echoed,
B-Bombay Bhel
C-The Carbon Murder
D-Deception
E-Every Day
F-The Fault in Our Stars
G- Girls in Trucks, Game of Thrones,A
H-Heat and Dust
I-I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban
J-Jaya: An Illustrated Retelling of the Mahabharata
K-Kafka on the Shore
L-The Last Chinese Chef
M-Mockingjay
N-The Never List
O-One Pink Line
P-Pigeon English
Q
R-Reading Lolita in Tehran
S-Sorting Out Sid
T-The Tennis Party, now titled as 40 Love
U
V
W-Wonder
X
Y-The Yellow Emperor's Cure
Z
All except Q,U,V,X,Z

Closing the thread here. Now off to my 2015 one.
bidding adieus to 2014....

[Misha]

blamed your son, & changed his name too ..... :D :D

[Ahtims]

Mothers can do anything ;-)