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).

Bary the Fish with fingers

Title: Barry the Fish with Fingers

Author/Illustrator: Sue Hendra 

Category: Picture Books

 

 

I picked this book because of the beautiful illustrations. The story dint excite me much. BUT, I read this in one of my story telling sessions and the kids listened with rapt attention.

And at the scene where Puffy (Barry's frenemy) was going to be squashed, all the kids were terrified.

This story conveys that its cool to be different...

 

Verdict: Good-read.

 

Naught little monkeys

Title: Naughty little monkeys

Author: Jim Aylesworth

Illustrator: Henry Cole

Category: Picture Books

 

 

 

What a wonderful rhyme book. I was able to maintain the rhythm well when I read this in a story-telling session. This is an ABC book. Meaning there are couple words introduced for each alphabet. Its a very funny story which the kids loved. It lists all the naughty things the 26 monkeys do.. but I was not uncomfortable reading it to kids.

 

I did Phonics with this story-reading session, asked the kids to tell their names too if we were reading the para with the first letter of their name.

 

Age group of 2 to 6 might enjoy this story.

 

Verdict: Must read

 

 

Relic

Title: Relic
Author/Illustrator: Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child
Category: Adult Fiction - Thriller/Science fiction

This is a book that I just grabbed from the "just returned" section of the library with a "library is closed" announcement on the speakers.
Wow.. I am impressed, guess it will figure in my top favourites. The feeling after finishing the book was somewhat similar to when I finished Dan Brown's "Da Vinci Code" - elated at finding a book that I deeply enjoyed. To get an idea of this book, substitute biology in place of history in Da Vinci code to get an idea of what I mean.
I really don't want to give away any bits of the story for the fear of exposing a suspense.

Verdict: Must-read


 

Curious George and the firefighters

Title: Curious George and the Firefighters
Author/Illustrator: Margaret and H.A. Rey's:
Category: Picture Book, 3 years +

This is a story of how George gets onto a fire truck and help (?!!) kids stay calm at the fire site.

A nice story only if you keep insisting to your kid that what George does is dangerous.

Verdict: Ok Read, but add "dangerous" clause when reading to your kid

Curious George and the puppies

Title: Curious George and the puppies
Author/Illustrator: Margaret and H.A. Rey's:
Category: Picture Book, 3 years +

Do I like George, I don't know. But I sure don't want my kids to emulate him. This
story is about how George lets our puppies from their cage and inadvertently helps find a missing puppy.

Verdict: Ok Read

Rangoli

Title: Rangoli

Author: Anuradha Ananth

Illustrator: Shailaja Jain

Category: Picture Books, Indian theme

This is a story of a little girl who sees rangoli, loves it and then learns to draw one. One just right for her high floor apartments.

A great Indian themed story, I was happy that I could read about rangoli (my daughter keeps saying kovanam instead of kolam... LOL) to my daughter.

I did this book in a story-telling session and then taught the kids how to draw a rangoli.

Verdict: Good-read

Mala's Silver Anklets

Title: Mala's Silver Anklets
Author: Annie Beasant
Illustrator: Nancy Raj

A first look at the cover and I dint like Mala... but once I opened the book, I fell in love with the illustrations. In particular, I loved Mala's grandma wearing a nightie and making dosas.  

This is story of naughty girl, who loves to scare everyone. How did her mama put an end to this ? Did Mala quit scaring people? Read the story to know it.

I used this book in a 'Story-telling' session and the kids loved it. We then played "who makes the scariest noise" game too.

Verdict: Good-Read

Where is Maisy?

Title: Where is Maisy?
Author/Illustrator: Lucy Cousins
Category: Picture Book, Very young kids

This I think is my son's first "story book". My daughter (the elder one) is a crazy maisy fan and hence we picked this book. The first time I saw Maisy, I was wondering what kind of illustration and letter was that... but it never mattered anyway... my daughter was hooked on.

Anyways coming to this book, its a very very simple book where we search for Maisy. We can lift the flaps (open doors, peep under sail..) and try to find Maisy. Did we finally find her, oh yes we did. But I wish we found her somewhere else interesting! But this books is not written for me and my son seemed happy with the ending anyway.

Verdict: Good-read

When I went walking

Title: I Went Walking

Author: Sue Williams

Illustrator: Julie Vivas

Category: Picture Books, Very Young

This book follows a little kid who goes for a walk and then meets a lot of animals. The end is neither sagging nor abrupt, so you will smile at the last page.

Since there are animals dedicated for each page, its a great book for teaching animals and animal sounds to very young kids. My son enjoys this book very much (he is 17 months while I am writing this.)

Verdict: Must-Read

Good Night, Gorilla

Title: Good Night, Gorilla
Author & Illustrator: Peggy Rathmann
Category: Picture Books

A great book that could be used to introduce Picture books to young kids. There are not many words per page and you don't need words to understand this book.
The story is about a zoo-keeper and a Gorilla who unlocks many animals from their cage. Guess what the animals do? They follow the zoo-keeper home!

Verdict: Must-Read

The Very Hungry Catepillar

Title: The Very Hungry Catepillar
Author & Illustrator: Eric Carle
Category: Picture Book

This classic (first print 1969) is a great read. I personally dint like Eric Carle's illustrative style, but my kid seemed to love it.

Take away from this book:

1) Days of the week
2) Counting 
3) Fruits
4) 'Eating junk food is bad' Idea
5) Life cycle of a butterfly

So many things a kid could learn..there is a repetitive theme, so kids enjoy the expected. No, wonder it has been a best seller for so many years.

Verdict: Must-read

White Wedding

Book Title: White Wedding 
Author: Milly Johnson
Category: Romance

Wanted to lighten my mood when I picked this up. It was one of my 'rebel' days and read the book at one go. 
But did it lighten .. no.. it made me more rebellious ;) 
Story-line has 3 heroines planning a big, church wedding and tracks how each one of them ends up..

Verdict: So-so. I would have saved lots of time if I just watched a Korean romance movie. It would have given me a better effect.

Mind Games

Book Title: Mind Games 
Author: Kiersten White
Category: Teen/Paranormal

Grabbed this one from the 'just returned' section of the library. Plot revolves around school that identifies and grooms children with special ability to see future, feel the moods of others, can see what others think etc.

Verdict: I liked it. It was bit different and I am able to appreciate it for that.