Jayanth's Mission Impossible 2017

[Sankara Jayanth]

Lovesfrost wrote: "@Dely thanks for the reco.
:)
@ Jayanth we both rated it 4 stars -High 5!!:)"

@dely: Yes, thanks for the recommendation :) enjoyed reading it.

[dely]

I'm glad both of you liked it! Now I'm waiting for Smitha to read it :D

[Ahtims]

Am allergic to Kafka >. <

[Sankara Jayanth]

Em wrote: "Am allergic to Kafka >. <"

When you say allergic, I can't help but think how germaphobic people, or perhaps people who feel repulsive towards insects, would react if someone recommends them The Metapmorphosis. I think they'd throw the book in the air after reading the first sentence and call bloody murder on their friends for recommending it. :P Lol

[Lovesfrost]

Hahaha:)

[Sankara Jayanth]

Log entry, January 15:

1. Born a Crime by Trevor Noah (ongoing)
Ebook + Audiobook
Pages read: 100/288
Pages read today: 0
Rating: TBD

2. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (ongoing)
Ebook + Audiobook
Pages read: 50/108
Pages read today: 43
Rating: TBD

3. A Brief History Of Time by Stephen Hawking (ongoing)
Paperback + Ebook
Pages read: 24/208
Pages read today: 24
Rating: TBD


Total pages read today: 67

# # # # # # #

20:00 - Didn't read much today. But I'm enjoying 'The Time Machine'. Started buddy read of 'A Brief History Of Time' with @lovesfrost. I seem to be in mood for science and science fiction simultaneously. Reading batcrazy time travel fiction on one hand and real life science theories on the other :P

[Gorab, TheGunman]

Are you picking titles in rhymes?
Time, Crime, Time!
:)

[Sankara Jayanth]

Gorab wrote: "Are you picking titles in rhymes?
Time, Crime, Time!
:)"

Hahaha, no! I did not realize that :P :D

[Sankara Jayanth]

Log entry, January 15:

1. The Time Machine by H.G. Wells (ongoing)
Ebook + Audiobook
Pages read: 108/108
Pages read today: 65
Rating: 4

2. A Brief History Of Time by Stephen Hawking (ongoing)
Paperback + Ebook
Pages read: 24/208
Pages read today: 0
Rating: TBD

Total pages read today: 65

Notes:
14:10 - Finished reading 'The Time Machine'. Contemplating what to read next.
Also, I just came to know that there is a book exhibition kind of thing tomorrow in my office, YAAY!!!!! :D

[Sankara Jayanth]

Review of The Time Machine by H.G. Wells
Rating: 4

I enjoyed reading this book, at least for the most part of it. This is, if I remember correctly, the first book I read about time travel or one that deals with the concept of it as a major plot tool. So I was very excited and happy when I picked up this classic.

The story started out well, it was very fascinating. I also liked the overall structure of the narrative. The writing was good, but not as attractive as I expected(although, I admit I haven't read H.G. Wells works before). But the story got very dull in the middle and I found myself trying to swiftly turn the pages to see if something more exciting is about to happen.

I cannot comment much on the story without spoiling it. So, (view spoiler)[Once the Time Traveler travels to the future, the world he describes wasn't as captivating as I expected. I know that this futuristic world is the realization of the author's own idea of what our earth and humanity will look like, but if he might have narrated it a bit differently, I might have felt differently. His whole concept of the human race getting divided into two different species isn't realistic enough(even though this is fiction), especially with the speculation/theory that the time traveler resolves to. My problem is not the idea that humans have evolved into two different species but the characteristics of the species the author had described. And also, the Time Traveler stays at one place during his journey through time and observes the changes around him, but decides the whole world must be exactly like place he is at. That's debatable even in fiction, it is quite possible that the city where he has traveled in time to, transformed into what he has seen, but other parts of the world might have evolved and transformed differently. I felt disappointed when the author doesn't acknowledge this possibility and that made me look at the Time Traveler as slightly a less intelligent person.
(hide spoiler)]

But to the author's complete credit, my gripes are only related to the futuristic world and it is understandable that he has imagined it the way he did considering this book was written in 1895.

[Sankara Jayanth]

Review of Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery
Rating: 5

If the path set before her feet was to be narrow, she knew that flowers of quiet happiness would bloom along it.

I'm so glad I read this book. What a delightful book this was! What a jolly good time I had while reading and listening to the book. The writing was excellent to say the least, it was beautiful. This is a beautiful story with a beautiful setting and some very beautiful characters. Anne shines so bright that even a black hole would feel guilty about sucking all the light away from anything that comes close to it.

I think we all experience the same thing. We resent the thought that anything can please us when someone we love is no longer here to share the pleasure with us, and we almost feel as if we were unfaithful to our sorrow when we find our interest in life returning to us.

Just when I was thinking "wow, there was little no sorrow in this book(not quite true, later on this)", the author slams the reader right in the face and the reader suddenly starts cutting onions. *ahem ahem* But seriously though, there was so much positivity and wisdom in this book that even I, a pessimist, felt fuzzy and cheerful at heart so many times while reading the book. I am personally at a stage in my life where I do not enjoy it anymore, for whatever reasons, I just, you know, live. But this book has spoken to my soul and tried to cheer it up, like your best friend that tugs at you to come play with him/her when you are down in your room skulking over something that did not go your way.

Anne is a 11-year old orphan who is adopted by an elderly brother and sister who live at Green Gables. Anne is talkative(understatement of the century), imaginative(understatement of the century), lovely(understatement of the century), tiring(understatement of the century), trying(understatement of the century), puzzling(understatement of the century), wise(understatement of the century), vain(understatement of the century) and radiant(understatement of the century). I can't properly explain her character, she is a lot of things and all of them are more or less wonderful. There are a few frustrating things about a few characters including Anne, like how she is obsessed with having red-hair and consider it as ugly, or how Marilla holds back kindness and is harsh towards Anne. And there wasn't much in this book about the bond between Anne and Mathew as there is between her and Marilla. Mathew was a very special character personally, his introverted nature and the way he acts around people, I could relate to it all. But the few moments he has with Anne, they were all so beautiful, just like the rest of the book.

I will probably not read the sequels in this series because Anne is now 16 and I'm quite positive I'll have to read about her love interests in the next book and I am not willing to. But if I do, it will only be because of Karen Savage, the narrator of the audiobook I listened too. She is one of the best narrators I have come across on Librivox. Her narration skills are excellent and she does a wonderful job of depicting Anne, the way she says "Oh, Marilla!" is absolutely charming. So I will probably listen to book 2 if there is a Karen Savage audiobook available(I think it is). :)

I take a bow to L.M. Montgomery, for writing this book and Karen Savage, for narrating it. This book has made me think of happy thoughts, no matter how much my mind tried to be its usual, dull, sad and negative. I usually scoff at people when they come to me with their overflowing positivity about life and tell me not to be sad and negative. But I did not feel that way towards this book even though that's exactly what it did. It tells the readers to see the wonder of life each and every day. *I cringe, because such fortuitous statements don't suit me*.

[Ahtims]

As I said earlier it was one of my childhood favorites, which I have read atleast half a dozen times. I continued with the series, but with book 4 or 5 it began to pall and now I am sort of hesitant to read it ever again.

[Sankara Jayanth]

Em wrote: "As I said earlier it was one of my childhood favorites, which I have read atleast half a dozen times. I continued with the series, but with book 4 or 5 it began to pall and now I am sort of hesitan..."

Yeah! I wish I read this when I was kid, it is such a beautiful book. :) But I guess grown ups still need to read a few children's books now and then, it can only do good. :)

[Ahtims]

As a grownup I have become quite cynical... of books that I loved like this series, Little Women etc.
I can still enjoy Enid Blyton and William series by Richmal Crompton.
My best book ever remains Jess And The River Kids - which is the least publicized. I have read it like a dozen times ever since I was 12 or so... even upto a couple of years ago.
Heidi is another chidhood favorite which am sure that I will enjoy even now.

[Lovesfrost]

@Jayanth lovely review ! makes me want to read this one .

I like reading books meant for kids-The last I read was Wonder and now I feel like reading one again :) :)

[Em Lost In Books, EmLo is my Name, PIFM is my Game]

Lovely review Jayanth. :)

[Rebecca]

What a great review of my favouritest book! This book came to me when I too needed much of cheering up and cheering up it did do. If Anne could find happiness in so many small things in life I thought so can I. She has been like a sister , a friend , a part of me. I have read all of Anne upto the last except for the very last The Blythes are quoted which was sort of cynical very unlike the original Anne. Also Montgomery's short stories give the same feeling. They are available in Gutenberg. And Karen Savage is a great reader. I loved The Secret Garden by her. Another one is Elizabeth Klett. She has read some Anne too I think.

[Sankara Jayanth]

Em wrote: "As a grownup I have become quite cynical... of books that I loved like this series, Little Women etc.
I can still enjoy Enid Blyton and William series by Richmal Crompton.
My best book ever remains..."

Nice to hear, looks like you did a lot of reading since you were little. I only got into reading four or so years ago, I wish I read books from a very young age :/

'Heidi' is in my tbr for this year, I don't remember the cartoon series much, is it the same?

I'll check out the Jess and kids one too, you say its least publicized got my curiosity :)

[Sankara Jayanth]

Lovesfrost wrote: "@Jayanth lovely review ! makes me want to read this one .

I like reading books meant for kids-The last I read was Wonder and now I feel like reading one again :) :)"

Thank you!! You should read this book, and oh, I urge you to listen to the audiobook!!! It was a lovely experience, this book. As I said in the review, even though it is kind of a children's book, it still had so many wise and encouraging things to tell us adults. :) was the 'wonder' book good?

[Sankara Jayanth]

Manju wrote: "Lovely review Jayanth. :)"

Thank you, Manju! :)

[Ahtims]

Jayanth wrote: "Em wrote: "As a grownup I have become quite cynical... of books that I loved like this series, Little Women etc.
I can still enjoy Enid Blyton and William series by Richmal Crompton.
My best book e..."

Yes, I started reading as soon as I learnt alphabets..
Reading was (and is) my panacea

Heidi- I dont know of any cartoon series. It is about a girl who is brought up by her grandfather high up in the mountains.

But dont worry, you have a long reading life ahead of you. :)

[Sankara Jayanth]

Rebecca wrote: "What a great review of my favouritest book! This book came to me when I too needed much of cheering up and cheering up it did do. If Anne could find happiness in so many small things in life I thou..."

Thanks a lot, Rebecca!! It is so nice to hear that you relate it this book the same way I do:) This book was so good, for the heart. I hope, I will try to remember at least a few positive things from this book and try to appreciate life more, God knows I desperately need it for my own good. When you said it came in the right time, I can't help but agree that I feel the same. :)

I will definitely check this author's short stories and the other narrator you mentioned :) :)

[Lovesfrost]

@ Jayanth I liked Wonder :).It was a fast read -just took a few hours to get through the whole thing :):)

haan I shall read Anne of green gables soon :):)

[Rebecca]

Now I am tempted to listen to Anne as well.

[Sankara Jayanth]

Review of White Fang by Jack London
Rating: 5

Loved it! There was so much intense action and emotion in this book that reading it was exhilarating for the most part of it. The story is constructed very well, the simple and slick writing doing its part in making the book a joy to read. The initial build-up to the actual story, the story of White Fang, a wolf-dog, was amazing. I felt immersed in the world the author so wonderfully created.

This story mixes in a lot of dialogue and arguments that we generally come across when there is a discussion between people on the topic of animal rights. The author sort of plays on these arguments and sentiments as he weaves them into the story of wolves, their lives and their interactions with human species. There were a lot of moments which were profound in regards to the humans' relationship with wild animals. The author makes a curious and probably a symbolic choice of telling us that the wolves see humans as Gods, as in, humans are far more superior than themselves and that humans can do things the wolves dare not dream of. This choice makes a noticeable change in the effect the story has on the reader and for me personally, makes the underlying theme even deeper than it already is.

The story of White Fang itself, from its birth till the end, was a gruelling, touching and fierce journey and most of its trials and tribulations are a result of the insensitive cruelty of man, to whom he surrenders and gives his fealty. Many a time I found that someone around me was cutting onions, so I had to close the book and my eyes for some time before resuming. This story was as epic as it was endearing.

Heads-up to animal lovers: There is a lot of animal cruelty in this tale and it's painful to read. But the good thing is that it also shows, very beautifully, the special bond humans and dogs share - love and loyalty.

[Rebecca]

Lovely Review!

[Sankara Jayanth]

Rebecca wrote: "Lovely Review!"

Thank you, Rebecca :)

[Sankara Jayanth]

Review of His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
Rating: 4

I loved the take on dragons in this book. I throughly enjoyed the story. The battles and clashes between dragons felt a bit difficult to read and grasp, but perhaps that could only be a lack in my own imagination than in the writing itself. Because the dragons are not just dragons in this book, they are so much more and they have a whole crew sitting or hanging on them to accomplish various tasks in battle. So there is a lot going on with, on and around the dragon all the time.

There were a lot of funny moments when I laughed out loud and most of them involved dragons saying something humorous or silly. As I said, the dragons are so much fun in this book.

Freshly coming off from reading 'White Fang', where I nodded and agreed about the unfair and cruel treatment of animals, I time and again felt a bit guilty for enjoying dragons clashing in battle and getting hurt or dead(even though I know it's just all fiction. But we have real life equivalents for dragons, so my feelings aren't misplaced or foolish, in my opinion). But the story also consoled and reassured me in this regard by addressing this sentiment in a sense that the dragons themselves speak up about this argument and express their emotions a few times. But in the end, in this story, they are beings who are conscious of their nature, that is, to be allies of humans in battle.

Anyway, I'm looking so forward to reading the next in the series. I want more of the characters in this story, especially Laurence and Temeraire, goddammit, how can I not want to read more of a dragon that likes reading books.

[Sankara Jayanth]

Review of The Hostile Hospital by Lemony Snicket
Rating: 4

God dammit, Snicket! These books are so entertaining and frustrating. The story kind of progresses and then it doesn't. I look forward to the next book excited about what's about to happen next but also I don't feel that inclined to read it knowing much progress might not happen after all.

The last few pages are the reason for 4 stars, otherwise I would have given only 3. The Baudilaire children are as stupid as they are intelligent. All through the book, I couldn't help but feeling frustrated at how these kids are not making rational choices. But then again they are going through so much shit and also this is a children's book, so it's understandable. The ending at least made up for it all as these 3 kids chose to do something very brave and dangerous that nicely sets up for significant progress in the main plot of the series. By God, Lemony Snicket, if you do not deliver in the next book with regards to the main plot, I'm going to consider reducing the rating of previous books in the series. :/ I hope it doesn't come to that because this is a very unique series and writing, I enjoy every book and story so much even with all my complaints.

[Gorab, TheGunman]

Great going buddy! And nice book choices too.

[dely]

Lol, Jayanth, your new profile pic! How did you manage to have a levitating book?!

[Sankara Jayanth]

Gorab wrote: "Great going buddy! And nice book choices too."

Thanks Gorab!! :)

[Sankara Jayanth]

dely wrote: "Lol, Jayanth, your new profile pic! How did you manage to have a levitating book?!"

Hehehe. I used photoshop to mix two pictures together. One picture is me sitting and starting into empty space. The other picture is me holding a book from behind. And then in pbotoshop, I removed myself from the second picture and overlay the resulting hovering book on the first image. :D ;)

[Ahtims]

I too was curious reg the photo.. but didn't ask :P

[Ahtims]

And chomping away at books as usual...are you ? @-@

[dely]

Jayanth wrote: "dely wrote: "Lol, Jayanth, your new profile pic! How did you manage to have a levitating book?!"

Hehehe. I used photoshop to mix two pictures together. One picture is me sitting and starting into ..."

Lol
I've never used photoshop so I was really wondering because it's very well done! I wasn't able to see the "trick".

[Girish, The Good cop]

wow Jayanth! looks like you are on your Pacman mode with books and some really good ones among them! Your reading log style fits a mission and so good going! :)

[Sankara Jayanth]

Em wrote: "And chomping away at books as usual...are you ? @-@"

Hahha! As much as I can. :D Kindof addicted and in an obsession all day, everyday. :D

[Sankara Jayanth]

dely wrote: "Jayanth wrote: "dely wrote: "Lol, Jayanth, your new profile pic! How did you manage to have a levitating book?!"

Hehehe. I used photoshop to mix two pictures together. One picture is me sitting an..."

:D ;)

[Sankara Jayanth]

Girish wrote: "wow Jayanth! looks like you are on your Pacman mode with books and some really good ones among them! Your reading log style fits a mission and so good going! :)"

Thanks a lot, Girish! :D Pacman never gets his tummy full, but I soon might ;) :D

[Sankara Jayanth]

Review of The BFG by Roald Dahl
Rating: 5

‘Your Majester,’ he said. ‘I is your humbug servant.’ He bowed again.

It is a wonderful book. I was laughing and smiling throughout, the BFG is easily one of the most hilarious characters I've come across. It is a very beautiful children's story, although it has some dark elements like cannybullism and giants gobblin' up human beans.

Going to read more of Roald Dahl's children's books this year.

[Sankara Jayanth]

Review of The Cloak by Nikolai Gogol
Rating: 4

This story of Akakiy Akakievitch was interesting and one that is a common and grim tale of many a man, woman and child in our world who are cursed by money, or the lack of it and of the unforgiving and unjust society that not only fails to lend them a helpful hand, but instead fails to acknowledge their troubles and in many cases, makes a mockery of them.

And the young man covered his face with his hand; and many a time afterwards, in the course of his life, shuddered at seeing how much inhumanity there is in man, how much savage coarseness is concealed beneath delicate, refined worldliness, and even, O God! in that man whom the world acknowledges as honourable and noble.

I went into this expecting it to have existential commentary like in 'The Death of Ivan Ilytch' by Leo Tolstoy, but I was disappointed as there wasn't much of it. But it was nevertheless a moving tale. The story of Akakiy is told in a sympathetic and cynical tone which is very apt, for Akakiy was a man who was bullied, disregarded and ridiculed most of his life for his appearance and his eccentricities by his fellow officials. He was an introvert and not at all good at social interactions. Although, his utter clumsiness in even simple conversations might be a hint that he is suffering from some ailment that has such effects on the person's social capabilities.

I thought the writing was great. Along with sympathetic and cynical tones, the author sprinkled sarcastic comments here and there which amused me very much. I would like to read more of Nikolai Gogol's works.

[Sankara Jayanth]

Review of Ward No. 6 by Anton Chekhov
Rating: 5

Loved it!!! What a beautiful, albeit depressing, book this was. I loved the writing most of all and the story next.

I was noting and marking beautiful and moving sentences as I read. At a certain point, the doctor of the asylum says that pain is just the idea of pain and that if the victim wishes, it would but disappear and as would every other mundane suffering. To this, the character Ivan Dimitritich, a mental patient of Ward No. 6, reacts with a rant that goes on and on for pages that I had to mark 2-3 pages. The writing here and the way the existentialism is expressed by a man considered to be a mad man, was awesome and stirring. Here is the rant:

"Comprehension . . ." repeated Ivan Dmitritch frowning. "External, internal. . . . Excuse me, but I don't understand it. I only know," he said, getting up and looking angrily at the doctor—"I only know that God has created me of warm blood and nerves, yes, indeed! If organic tissue is capable of life it must react to every stimulus. And I do! To pain I respond with tears and outcries, to baseness with indignation, to filth with loathing. To my mind, that is just what is called life. The lower the organism, the less sensitive it is, and the more feebly it reacts to stimulus; and the higher it is, the more responsively and vigorously it reacts to reality. How is it you don't know that? A doctor, and not know such trifles! To despise suffering, to be always contented, and to be surprised at nothing, one must reach this condition"—and Ivan Dmitritch pointed to the peasant who was a mass of fat—"or to harden oneself by suffering to such a point that one loses all sensibility to it—that is, in other words, to cease to live. You must excuse me, I am not a sage or a philosopher," Ivan Dmitritch continued with irritation, "and I don't understand anything about it. I am not capable of reasoning."

I might read this story a second time soon, it was such an eloquent tale. The progression of the story is quite unnerving and we have to question who is the actual sane person and who is the insane one. People who like to read existentialism in stories should read this.

[Ahtims]

Will have to read it some day. Never read a book by Gogoi

[Ahtims]

...or Chekov

[Gorab, TheGunman]

Only tried one Russian book in my life - I.E. Irodov!
And now Idiot.
Tempted to try more. Chekhov looks deep.
Oh yeah had abandoned Lolita too.

[Sankara Jayanth]

Em wrote: "Will have to read it some day. Never read a book by Gogoi"

You should definitely try both. I've read two short stories of Chekhov and liked them very much. :)

[Sankara Jayanth]

Gorab wrote: "Only tried one Russian book in my life - I.E. Irodov!
And now Idiot.
Tempted to try more. Chekhov looks deep.
Oh yeah had abandoned Lolita too."

Oh, you should read Chekhov, his works do sound deep and profound. :) Lolita is on tbr, don't know when I'd read it.

[Sankara Jayanth]

Review of Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
Rating: 3

I don't know if I liked this book or not. But surely my expectations after book #1 have not been met.

On one hand, Temeraire's and Laurence's characters have progressed very well and it's hard not to like the dragon and his companion. The bond they share is very endearing.

On the other hand, this book lacked action which was a dominant theme in the first book. The book dragged on so much during our protagonists' journey to China. And also, once they reach there, I couldn't help but feel bored during these parts of the story.

But I'm inclined to say that it did not matter much in me liking the book since this book unexpectedly had delivered better on some other note, on the bigger picture of the book: the history and treatment of the dragons in this book universe. Here I should again say that Temeraire is a great dragon character. I was very much satisfied by the conflict of interests that all interested parties had and their conflicted ideas about what is the correct way to treat dragons, who in this universe are not just any other beast, they are as intelligent and evolved as humans at the least.

Bottom line is that this book, although not as good as the first, is good enough, and more importantly, a necessary book in the series due to the main plot's nature. It surely makes the world in this series more interesting, so I'm looking forward to reading the next one in the series.

[Sankara Jayanth]

Recently bought this used book: Stormy Weather from a Sunday market and was pleasantly surprised to find this written on the inside of the cover page. Showing care and kindness through gifting books is humbling to see. And the guy also meekly slips in a request to lend the book even before it is given to the guy, hahaha. Beautiful gesture. Moved me when I first read it :)