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.