Timeline

Title: Timeline
Author: Michael Crichton
Category: Adult fiction, Sci-Fi, Historical

This is quite an old book, published in 1999. Unearthed it just now. Its an SciFi-Historical novel... can you imagine such a setting? Yes... it is what you think it is. Time travel.. umm quantum physics multiverse travel.. ok i stop it..

Its a good one, where I loved the history side more.

Verdict: Good Read.

My Very first book of Colours

Title: My Very first book of Colours
Author: Eric Carle
Category: Children's Picture Book, Infants

I had seen this book before my son was born and hated it (sorry to say). But I did end up picking this up and my son loves it. In fact, now I appreciate it very much too. The colours a splash of it is in first half of the page and the second half of a page has a picture. The kid can then try to match the upper half and the lower half.

Also, for a colour say Blue - a variety of hues are presented. So, a kid knows that a light blue, dark blue and navy blue are still called blue.

Verdict: Good read

Pepper Series

Title: Pepper Series (Pepper eats too much cake, Pepper strays away, Pepper has a new pet,Pepper wants too many toys, Pepper has a fight)
Author: I am not sure :(

I think these books have been there for more than 30 years and that now an Indian publisher has re-published them. This was a book that my daughter first "owned". She got crazy about this and I have read this atleast a 1000 times. Both of us know every word verbatim in these books.

A great book to teach children values. But very simple - don't expect too much, but your kid is likely to love it. Btw, this books costs very less compared to other "international" titles...

Verdict: Good read

A Teardrop on the Cheek of Time: The Story of the Taj Mahal

Title: A Teardrop on the Cheek of Time: The Story of the Taj Mahal
Author: Diana & Michael Preston
Category: Adult Non-Fiction, History

I have never been a Non-Fiction buff neither have I been a Historical Fiction buff. But I loved this book. I picked this up fresh after my Delhi-Agra-Jaipur trip and when I was Gung-ho about Mohul History. 

I thought the guides during my tour exaggerated stuff when they narrated some bizarre or saucy anecdotes... but reading the book I realised that I had heard just maybe 10% of the stuff.

The book touches upon the whole Mohul history and not just the Taj Mahal. It was a real eye-opener for me. I could go on and on...

Verdict: A must-read for someone who had visited the 'Golden Triangle' - a must read even otherwise.

The Casual Vacancy

Title: The Casual Vacany
Author: JK Rowling
Category: Adult Fiction, Drama

I am a die-hard fan of JK Rowling, I have read Harry Potter series at least 8 times. I will read them again given a chance. I was so much looking forward to her next book and it was such a let down.
There is nothing wrong with the writing, I liked the flow et all. But it was so dark and depressing.

The novel seemed to be middle-grade category given all the adolescent characters, but the theme so much adult. The characters were very human with shades of grey.
Anyways, I heard rave reviews from my friends. So, there is just one conclusion, I am not into very dark dramas! I miss you JK Rowling, please do comeback with something for me.

River of Smoke

Title: River of Smoke
Author: Amitav Ghosh
Category: Adult Fiction/Historical

Just finished the second book of Amitav Ghosh's trilogy of Opium saga. I am not disappointed. But neither am I jumping up and down like when I finished the first book (Sea of Poppies).

I missed some of my favorite characters from this book's prequel. But hope to see them in the last book.

The book was historically revealing - I otherwise would have been ignorant about a foreign enclave which had become a home for many Indians in Canton, China.
It was a intriguing to read about how plants got transported across continents.

The main plot is still Opium. I was angry on how lives were wasted for the benefit of East India Company. But this book is a bit dull compared to Sea of poppies.

Sea of Poppies

Title: Sea of Poppies
Author: Amitav Ghosh
Category: Adult Fiction/Historical

I am writing this review within minutes of finishing the novel. I was so much held in sway of this book, that I dint put it down until I finished it (of course, I am a full-time mom.. and my children were rendered motherless - ok that's an exaggeration).

This is a historical novel set in 1800s in and around Calcutta. We have a lot of Bhojpuri thrown in. The setting is atop a ship and hence we are exposed to a lot the Indian nautical slang. It would be revealing for many of us who have never been near a crew. I loved it very much and the ending seemed to be abrupt! Oops, I just did my research and found that this book is the first of a trilogy and it had been nominated for the "Booker prize".

Should I bore you with more details and give out unintended surprises away ? Nay. I will just give my verdict.

Verdict : Must Read (as I am still in the intoxicated state after reading a book. But definitely a Good Read).