Eragon

Book Title : Eragon
Author : Christopher Paolini
Year Published : 2002
Date I Read : 01 june 2012
My Rating : 05/10

This is the book 1 of the Inheritance Cycle written by Christopher Paolini. Though the book had the scope for being a masterpiece the author did not do justice to the story line. Having said that, I am working my way thru the series and don't mind reading it. 

Challenges
Linking this to letter E for A to Z by Book Title

Gifted

Book Title : Gifted
Author : Nikita Lalwani
Year Published : 2007
Date I Read : 5 May 2012
My Rating : 5/10

Theme


Story of a Maths Prodigy who made it to Oxford at the age of 13 and her times with her difficult family

What I thought about the book

The story was catchy. But the narration was poor. I later read that it is based on the life of Sufiah Yusof who was also a Maths Prodigy who made it to Oxford, then ended up being a prostitute after not being able to take the pressure.

In our library there are books on display in the front with themes that change every week. This week was books with birthday/gift/party etc as theme and that is how I ended up with this one. The other theme was books with blue cover :-) that is my next book.

Challenges
Linking this to letter L for A to Z by Author Last Name
Linking this to letter G for A to Z by Book Title
Linking this to #8 for South Asian Books

The World of Nagaraj

Book Title : The World of Nagaraj
Author : R K Narayan
Year Published : 1990
Date I Read : 19 Apr 2012
My Rating : 5/10

Theme


The World of Nagaraj is the story of Nagaraj living a quite life with the wife Sita and his widowed mother. he has inherited money and so does nothing but sit around or gossip around the town of Malgudi. Things don't continue like that for long.

What I thought about the book

It is a typical RK Narayan story set in the imaginary town of Malgudi. It is hilarious reading about the daily activities of Nagaraj. He is a very quite person who cannot stand up for himself which makes his encounters with other people including his elder brother Gopu somewhat funny.

RK Narayan is one of those authors I always feel that I should like. It is like PG Woodhouse. I always want to enjoy them. But somehow I never enjoy them as much as I want to... It is not my kind of book, I guess.

If you like RK Narayan, this one is really really good one.

Related links
World of Nagaraj in Wikipedia


Challenges
Linking this to letter N for A to Z by Author Last Name
Linking this to #7 for South Asian Books

Linking this to #1 for Off the Shelf

The Other Side of Me

Book Title         : The Other Side of Me
Author               : Sidney Sheldon
Year Published  : 2005
Date I Read      : 21 Feb 2012
My Rating         : 5/10

Theme

The Other Side of Me is an Autobiography of Sidney Sheldon. It is also his last book. He describes his early life, his depression and attempt to end his life. Then he moves on to be comes a successful Hollywood writer and later a producer and director. Then finally he becomes a novelist

What I thought about it

I was in my in laws house and had just finished a few books that I already had at hand. Now I was on the look out for new books. I guess this is why you should use a Kindle (We own one and my husband and I are not too keen on reading in it. more on that later.)

I picked up this book from a neighbor. To be honest I almost hated it at first and gave up on it. But picked it again cause I could not find anything else. It was not boring. It was just endless description of all the people he met and how someone gave him a chance to work and someone did not. I was like - why am I interested in it? Anyways, I did finish the book. I was surprised to read that writing novels was the last thing he did. After his film career ended.

Though I do not think highly of his books, I think as a beginner some 15 years ago, I did enjoy some of his books.

Related links

Other Side of Me in Wikipedia


Challenges

Linking this to letter O for A to Z by Title

Revolution 2020

Book Title         : Revolution 2020
Author               : Chetan Bhagat
Year Published  : 2011
Date I Read      : 30 Jan 2012
My Rating         : 5/10

Theme
Revolution 2020 is the story of childhood friends Gopal and Raghav and their love interest Aarthi. It is set in the holy city of Varanasi. The story revolves around Gopal who struggles in his childhood and finds ways to overcome difficulties. It takes us thru the corruption in Indian politics, money involved in educational institutions, coaching centers for IITs etc. 

What I thought about it
This is a typical Chetan Bhagat. When I say that, anyone who likes reading Chetan Bhagat will love reading this as well. If you are not a fan, give it a pass. I share a love hate relationship with the author. I feel that his books do not have the standard to be included as a literature. But I like the quick read aspect of his books.

This book also involves the usual Chetan masala of love, friendship, patriotism, corruption etc. It is a quick read. Don’t expect a classic out of this. 

Related links
Revolution 2020 in Wikipedia



Challenges
Linking this to letter R for A to Z by Title

Linking this to letter B for A to Z by Author Last Name

Linking this to #2 for South Asian Books

P.S I love you : Peter Sellers

Book Title         : P.S I love you : Peter Sellers
Author               : Micheal Sellers
Year Published  : 1981
Date I Read      : 24 Jan 2012
My Rating         : 5/10

Theme

This is the story of Peter Sellers (the actor) written by his son Micheal with his sister Sarah and half sister Victoria. He explores the relationship Peter Sellers had with his children, his 4 marriages, his film life, his illness, his depression and crazy behavior

What I thought about it

I saw a recommendation for the book PS I love you in one of my friend's facebook profile. She said the book brought tears to her eyes. I had skipped this book as a chic flik cause of the title. But when I saw her recommendation, I decided to give it a try. When I started reading it, I knew that it was not a chic flik. Little did I know that there is another book by the same title. Now I am pretty sure my friend was referring to the other one and not this one :-)

Though many people loved PS, I am sure if they knew this side of his they will hate him. I felt sad for the people who had to deal with him in his lifetime. I did not enjoy the book cause though Micheal claims that all of them loved PS, it came off as an effort by the kids to show the world what a bad man their dad really was.

I am not sure why this is happening to me. But the last 4-5 books that I have read have not even gone past rating of 5. This has never happened before. I am keeping my fingers crossed for the next few.

Will catch you all soon with another review soon.

Related links

Peter Sellers in Wikipedia


Challenges

Linking this to letter P for A to Z by Title

Linking this to letter S for A to Z by Author Last Name

Devil Wears Prada

Book Title         : Devil Wears Prada
Author               : Lauren Weisberger
Year Published  : 2003
Date I Read      : 20 Jan 2012
My Rating         : 5/10

Theme

This is the story of Andrea Sachs fresh out of college as an English Major aspiring to get a break in the publishing world. She signs up as a Junior Assistant to Miranda Priestly, editor of a fashion magazine. What transpires in the job and how she struggles to survive in a job she hates is the theme of the book.

What I thought about it

I picked this book up when I saw it in a car boot sale. So I paid only 50p for it. When I was not in a mood for a serious read this week, I decided to get a quick read out of this book. It was a funny book with fast paced narration. We can relate to many of the characters - the struggles to please your boss, the effort to achieve work/life balance, trying to please everyone around you when no one seems to see things from your point of view.

The book is also adapted into a movie starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep. I think they both did a commendable performance in the movie.

Don't expect a great book out of it, but definitely worth it if you are looking for quick light read.

Related links

Lauren Weisberger in Wikipedia
Devil Wears Prada in Wikipedia
Devil Wears Prada in Amazon.co.uk

Challenges

Linking this to letter D for A to Z by Title

Linking this to letter W for A to Z by Author Last Name