When 3 of my favourite things come together Books, Styling and Shots.
After a long period of a reading slump, last year got me really pumped and I read a number of great books. One of the things that I am very proud of is achieving my modest reading goals in Goodreads.
This by any means is not a book review, rather just my thoughts.
I thought it will be fun to share my favourite books in different themes. So this one is with the gorgeous light and shadows from the blinds.
Seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo - Taylor Jenkins
Summary: "Aging and reclusive Hollywood movie icon Evelyn Hugo is finally ready to tell the truth about her glamorous and scandalous life. When she chooses unknown magazine reporter Monique Grant for the job, no one in the journalism community is more astounded than Monique herself. Why her? Why now? Monique is not exactly on top of the world."
My thoughts..
This had to be on top of my list, even though this is in no particular order :). I went into this book with no expectations and infact was pretty sure I wouldn't like it. Oh man, was I completely wrong! I was totally drawn into the 'Glitz and Glamour' of Evelyn's life. And I fell in love with the complicated Evelyn Hugo immediately. The chapters were very well structured and had enough suspense to hold me till the end.
Eleanor Oliphant is completely fine - Gail Honeyman
Summary: "No one’s ever told Eleanor that life should be better than fine
Meet Eleanor Oliphant: she struggles with appropriate social skills and tends to say exactly what she’s thinking.Nothing is missing in her carefully timetabled life of avoiding unnecessary human contact, where weekends are punctuated by frozen pizza, vodka, and phone chats with Mummy."
My Thoughts..
I can totally understand why this book did get a lot of accolades. Though I felt it started a bit slow I continued on because I loved the fact that it was touching some sensitive and heavy topics like anxiety, loneliness, childhood trauma and unlikely friendship .
I absolutely loved Raymond and his kindness towards Eleanor.
This book may not be everyone's cup of tea but definitely worth a read.
Where the crawdad's sing - Delia Owens
Summary: "For years, rumors of the “Marsh Girl” have haunted Barkley Cove, a quiet town on the North Carolina coast. So in late 1969, when handsome Chase Andrews is found dead, the locals immediately suspect Kya Clark, the so-called Marsh Girl. But Kya is not what they say. Sensitive and intelligent, she has survived for years alone in the marsh that she calls home."
My Thoughts..
I will admit, this is one of those books where 'social media made me do it'. But I was pleasantly surprised on how good the book was.
It got me completely hooked just after my initial fumble with the language and slang used. Kya, what a fierce young girl, loved her journey and there were points in the book where I wish I could have given her a tight hug.
I enjoyed the twists and the back and forth timelines.
The Far Field - Madhuri Vijay
Summary: "Gorgeously tactile and sweeping in historical and socio-political scope, Pushcart Prize-winner Madhuri Vijay'sThe Far Field follows a complicated flaneuse across the Indian subcontinent as she reckons with her past, her desires, and the tumultuous present."
My Thoughts..
This is one book in the recent past that brought out almost all my emotions. I was completely invested in the protagonist's journey and her purpose even though it was a bit of a selfish one.
It was heartbreaking to read about the life in Kashmir and I felt the author has done a great job in not only showcasing that but also the beauty that part of the country is.
However, the ending really got to me and I really wish it was a different one. But may be the author wanted us to be realistic and portrayed people as they are with their flaws.
Some books leaves a lasting impression and this was one of them for me.
An American Marriage - Tayari Jones
Summary: "Newlyweds, Celestial and Roy, are the embodiment of both the American Dream and the New South. He is a young executive and she is artist on the brink of an exciting career.This stirring love story is a deeply insightful look into the hearts and minds of three people who are at once bound and separated by forces beyond their control."
My Thoughts..
'You can never really unlove somebody. Maybe it changes shape, but it’s there.' For me this is the essence of the book.
I was gutted and angry at the unjust situation that ripped this couple apart. The author beautifully navigates on the complexity of the marriage and also throws a light on other relationships and the effects.
I really enjoyed the writing in this book, especially the letters exchanged between Celestial & Roy were pure and raw. Half way through I wasn't sure how this would end but I was very satisfied with ending.
The Palace of Illusions - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Summary:"A reimagining of the world-famous Indian epic, the Mahabharat—told from the point of view of an amazing woman.Narrated by Panchaali, the wife of the legendary Pandavas brothers in the Mahabharat, the novel gives us a new interpretation of this ancient tale."
My Thoughts..
As an Indian, I was very aware of our ancient history but it was always narrated from a man's side, so this one certainly intrigued me.
I absolutely loved this book and it gave me a completely different perspective and a lot of 'Oh really!?' moments of the biggest mythology I knew. I admired the author's narration and the level of research that must have gone into writing this. This was a herculean task in retelling the oldest Indian history but I think she has done it beautifully and makes the reader question all the stories we know.
Educated: A Memoir - Tara Westover
Summary: "Tara Westover was 17 the first time she set foot in a classroom. Born to survivalists in the mountains of Idaho, she prepared for the end of the world by stockpiling home-canned peaches and sleeping with her "head-for-the-hills bag". Educated is an account of the struggle for self-invention. It is a tale of fierce family loyalty and of the grief that comes with severing the closest of ties."
My Thoughts..
I generally don't pick memoir's, but was curious when I read this book's summary. I was fascinated and inspired by Tara's life, the extremes she had to endure and her grit to get through and get top level education.
But, I admit there were parts in the book that I felt a bit hard to read like the physical and mental abuse she had to go through. Also there were parts that I couldn't believe would have even happened. May be this is why books are so powerful, it makes us believe even an unbelievable story, though in this case, it was a real one.
PS: Sources: Summary for all book are picked from Goodreads.
Happy to find your views on each and every book.. I loved the set up 🌼😍👏🏼👏🏼Your efforts are amazing 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼