Words

I don't like reading a certain genre. But this is 2018. I wanted to do something new. I picked up one from those books I buy when I go out and have a strong urge to stack my bookshelves. So while shopping for furniture at Ikea one day, I bought 'Grace and the Guiltless' from The Dollar Store nearby in Vaughan. This novel is a story of Grace whose family is brutally murdered by 'The Guiltless Gang.' She is the lone survivor who must take revenge. So she does. Her journey from being a normal girl to a victim or desperately wandering in woods, to facing death, and to becoming a bounty hunter sounds real. There is not even a single moment where she loses focus. She knows what she wants. She is determined and not even the love of her life can stop him. I love her clarity of thought, steadfastness, unflinching determination to prove herself. The two things that stood out for me in the book - impeccable language and climax. I googled this book. It falls unde...

I was on a break from reading. This is the first book I read after a gap of over a year. This book is refreshing, not in terms of plot, but in terms of narration. Sentences are simple, crisp and heartfelt. It presents a beautiful picture of Afghanistan... But only to make you miserable by presenting the realistic picture later. There is one big secret or guilt that the main lead carries on his chest. And, later he discovers his father whom he idolizes has a bigger and darker secret - one that betrays everything he ever stood for. The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini is one book that told me that Afghanistan was a beautiful place - with kite flying competition, kids watching English movies, gorgeous winter. I feel sad thinking how they live now. It's a moving story of dealing with flaws where courage is not a trait, but a necessity. Recommendation - YES Happy reading, Saru

A story often comes with a moral. There is a takeaway, moments where one feels connected with either the protagonists or the scenes. It is these parts where we connect - the emotional highs-and-lows that leave an indelible mark on us. I picked up ‘The Story Of A Suicide’ with no idea that I was in for an emotional ride. There were many parts where I felt the pain of Charu. I related to her loneliness - the rebellious nature, spur-of-the-moment manners and her vulnerability. Not only her, I felt helpless for the 6-year-old boy, who was raped by his maternal uncle and longed for an embrace from his mother who was busy battling her own demons. I wanted to magically appear into the book and rescue that little boy - to be his sister, whom he loved and trusted but could never share his agony. I even felt sorry when his friend and the love of his life, asks, ‘ Are you ashamed of being gay?’ ‘The Story Of A Suicide’ by Sriram Ayer is a book that talks about the problems youngsters ...