Book Review - Pride & Prejudice

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Blurb:

This collectable edition is beautifully crafted and designed. Perfect for gifting as well as for keeps. A prized edition for any library.

When Elizabeth Bennet meets Fitzwilliam Darcy for the first time at a ball, she writes him off as an arrogant and obnoxious man. He not only acts like an insufferable snob, but she also overhears him rejecting the very idea of asking her for a dance! As life pits them against each other again and again, Darcy begins to fall for Elizabeth's wit and intelligence and Elizabeth begins to question her feelings about Darcy. But when Darcy saves her youngest sister Lydia from a scandal, Elizabeth starts to wonder if her pride has prejudiced her opinion of Darcy. Through this tale about two warring hearts, Jane Austen weaves a witty satire about life in eighteenth century England. And though it was published more than two centuries ago, Pride and Prejudice continues to enthrall readers to this very day.

A beautiful classic leather-bound edition, this book is perfect as keepsake.

Review

He has too much pride, she has too much prejudice, would they be together?

Ever since I watched the movie based on this book, I wanted to read it. And finally, I have.

They say never judge a book by its cover, and it so true.

Pride and prejudice is now my all-time fav. Written by Jane Austin, it a story that you would fall in love with. The words flow so beautifully and easily that you cannot help but go with them.

Oh,  I just loved it.

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Meet Anu - An author, reader and a teacher in an NGO

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• Hello, please tell us something about yourself.

I am a published writer written for several anthologies and a reader and learner. I also teach in an NGO.

• Please tell us something about your book ‘Altitudinis’

This book is a collaborative work. We all were writers with different styles of writing and different wavelengths. But it was a pleasure working with all because everyone was willing to listen to others slash their egos for a larger good. Tireless editing also helped the book into a cohesive whole.

Meet Shagun - Author who writes from the Heart

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• Hello, please tell us something about yourself.

An intuitive Reiki practioner with a scientific background, I believe there’s something good in every individual or situation. A mom, homemaker, friend and writer with heart in the mind spot, I believe in the power of thoughts. To keep my soul ignited I write on my blog Twisted Fabric at the writingsofshagun.wordpress.com.
On a personal note, as a child, I often fantasised about the fairy tales and wanted to write my own. As a grown up woman, it’s been another story altogether. I’ve often felt the restraints of time cut sharply on my day-dreaming thoughts. A mom of two super active and curious young boys, I do not adhere to the mantra of study-study-and-only-study. So for us, its hands-on practical fun too mixed with studies. And in all that fun, my food very often gets burnt …. looking beyond constipated! So while the food gets sorted and the homework gets done, I feel a soft nudge from a grey cell in my mind, to find a quiet corner for my laptop and me. I try to focus as I sit and write away whatever that interests me. I so hope that it would touch the readers’ soul and ignite a spark as they just might read along with me.

Book Review - Great Expectations

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Blurb:

This exquisitely designed leather-bound edition of one of Dickens’ greatest works comes with a gold-foiled cover, a ribbon bookmark, gilded edges and beautiful endpapers. Ideal to be read and treasured, it makes for a perfect addition to any library.

Taken to the Satis House by his Uncle Pumblechook one day, Pip, a young orphan, meets a wealthy, eccentric spinster, Miss Havisham and her beautiful, cold-hearted ward, Estella. Pip instantly falls in love with her. But in the days to come, he is constantly reminded that Estella is heartless.

“You must know,” said Estella, condescending to me as a brilliant and beautiful woman might, “that I have no heart . . .”

Apprenticed as a blacksmith with his brother-in-law, Pip yearns to become a wealthy gentleman in order to be worthy of her. And when he learns of the expectations from a secret benefactor for him to be trained in the gentlemanly arts, he goes to London.

As a series of events follow, including Estella’s marriage to the brutal nobleman, Bentley Drummle, will Pip and Estella ever unite?

Review

"Really didn’t appreciate this book when I read it in syllabus. But now when I read it, I understood the deeper meaning.

Story of Pip and Estelle and their love (or should I say weird relationship)

It is beautifully written, with such passion that you can feel it.

A classic of the literary world, it is one book you should read if you wish to feel the depths of life.

A must-must read"

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Meet Madhu - Who Finds Blessings in Everyday Tasks

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• Hello, please tell us something about yourself.

A traveller and seeker, appreciate the daily miracles happeing around like the day and night, than waiting for some. Trying to follow an effortless lifestyle and find happiness in gardening and farming.

Meet Kusum - Journalist turned Writer

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• Hello, please tell us something about yourself.

I’m Kusum Choppra, long time journalist, turned writer, with interests from environment, alternate
medicine to numerology.   In the last decade, Altitudinis is my five book out, this time with company. Novel experience.  BTW voracious reader of material to do with real people n history, total genre gypsy, from hard core history to nostalgia to feminism to senior romance to a thriller! 
You guessed it, crazy as a cookie, headlined the collaborative novel with a chapter written years ago and the oldest in the group at 70.  Love creating stories, tiny grains of truth surrounded by verbal embroidery; twists in the tale are my forte, with verbal emoting rather than yarns of descriptions. 
My literary joy & pride: after over two decades of digging, the only book with two endings: MASTANI that has earned me the prestige of Mastani’s biographer in some circles.

Meet Kalpana - A Content Writer and A Dreamer

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• Hello, please tell us something about yourself.

I am a content writer by profession and a dreamer by hobby. I often need to be dragged from the classrooms at Hogwarts and the gardens at Manderley by my boss, to focus on work. When not earning my dues, I can be found creating little worlds for other dreamers to walk in one day. A non-conformist by nature, I am frequently found scrutinizing social norms and dissecting human nature. My philosophy in life is to create a balance between speech and action. My love for good food and good life is well known, and I believe that when one laughs, it should truly be a loud one. With Altitudinis, I got a chance to channel my wild imagination. I am now hoping to publish my solo novel in the years to come.

Meet Indira - Be the Change, You want to See!

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• Hello, please tell us something about yourself.

As a voracious reader and in the teaching profession for 45 years, I believe in combining the home and workplace to perfection! An avid traveller, I enjoy every moment of life ensuring that when I work I do the best and when I play I enjoy it to the hilt. 

BookReview - Altitudinis - A unique book by 10 authors

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Title:  Altitudinis: Seekers, Sinners and Secrets

Author: 10 Authors

Publisher: MultiPen Publishers

Pages: 364

Price: Rs. 249

My Rating: 4.5/5

Blurb:

Two scientists are inching towards formulation of a serum to enhance oxygenation for high altitude troops posted at the merciless Siachen Glacier.

Meanwhile, MI agent Nirali arrives to investigate an unidentified corpse at MHOW, the hometown of her first love Nikhil, a much married adventure camp entrepreneur. Even as Nirali struggles to keep her emotions in check, a kidnapping drama involving Nikhil’s family and the appearance of a suave NRI stranger in their midst throws everyone in a tizzy.

But when one of the scientists is found dead in his laboratory, the ex-lovers set aside their personal demons and rise to the task of securing the USB that holds the formula, despite a string of disasters.

From the snow-clad peaks of Hanuman Tibba to the sleepy cantonment town of MHOW, Altitudinis is a tale of international intrigue, underworlds dons and romance of intimate couples and disgruntled ones, that intertwines ordinary people in extra ordinary situations.

Review:

To start with the type of book: when I was approached to review this amazing book, I was actually shocked. Writing a book between 2 authors is a complicated task, however, this one book is written by 10 different authors. Kudos to all of them for managing this feat.

Meet Priya Narayanan - Author who hates to be stereotyped

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• Hello, please tell us something about yourself.

You’ve heard of variety being the spice of life, haven’t you? Well, I’m that person for whom the maxim most certainly holds true. So while I run my own design practice under the twin banners Tatva and Soma, I am also a poet, writer, traveller and teacher. Brought up amidst the hustle and bustle of various cities like Mumbai, Chennai, Pune and Ahmedabad, a part of me always yearns for the quite solitude of the countryside at my ancestral village in Kerala. Consequently, I fall back upon writing for that sense of contentment and at times, closure. 

In a way, you could say I hate being stereotyped for you’ll find variety seeping into everything I do, be it in the kind of professional projects I undertake or the kind of books I read or write. I love both surprising and being surprised :) So while I have three children’s books under my belt with two forthcoming titles, my poems and short stories have appeared in various online and print anthologies and literary magazines and as you know, my latest book - Altitudinis: seekers, sinners & secrets, is a one-of-its-kind collaborative effort with ten authors contributing to create a single novel.

Book Review - Kim

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Blurb:

I am Kim. I am Kim. And what is Kim?'

His soul repeated it again and again.

Kimball “Kim” O’Hara, an Irish orphan, leads a hand-to-mouth existence. He begs on the streets of Lahore, British India and runs small errands for Mahbub Ali, a horse trader and spy.

One day, when he befriends an old Tibetan lama who is on a quest to find the legendary and sacred River of the Arrow, Kim becomes his disciple and follows him on his quest to attain enlightenment.

What happens as they journey together along the Grand Trunk Road and learn about the Great Game?

A riveting coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of the Anglo-Russian rivalry in Central Asia at the end of the nineteenth century, Rudyard Kipling’s Kim is a timeless classic. It has undergone several film and television adaptations and continues to remain noteworthy.

Review:

A book written in 19th century, it reflects upon the struggles and life of that time.

India was under the rule of British back then, and Rudyard Kipling has done an amazing job in penning the emotions.

It is classic tale which takes some time to read and get used to. But once you get a hang of it, it is a nice read.

I really liked the depth it portrays.

I would suggest, don't shy away from it...

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Book Review - The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes

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Blurb:

“When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.”

From cases that baffle the clients to the ones that leave even the police bemused, Sherlock Holmes can solve it all.

A collection of the twelve final adventures of Sherlock Holmes, The Case-Book of Sherlock Holmes includes ‘The Problem of the Thor Bridge,’ ‘The Adventure of the Sussex Vampire,’ ‘The Adventure of the Retired Colourman,’ ‘The Adventure of the Three Garridebs,’ and ‘The Adventure of the Illustrious Client.’

Rip-roaring and spine-chilling, these stories have been intriguing readers for generations.

Review:

"One of the best classics I ever read

The case-book of sherlock holmes is a marvellous collection of 12 stories written by the legend Sir Doyle.

Each story has its own pace and style. Each story is a new case, and they all are fascinating. Reading this book makes me wonder how diverse human mind is, and how well Sir Doyle was able to write.

We all see so many shows that are based on Sherlock holmes, but reading the original piece is absolutely mindblowing.

I just loved every story, and every story has come alive for me.

If you like detective stories, go for it."

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Book Review - Nationalism

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Blurb:

Fingerprint! Pocket Classics are perfect pocket-sized editions with complete original content. Convenient to carry, priced right and ideal for gifting and collecting, each classic with its vibrant cover and flap jacket offers an ultimate reading experience. A compendium of lectures delivered by Tagore during the First World War and the Swadeshi movement in India, Nationalism emphasizes Tagore’s political and philosophical views on human understanding and its weakness for power and material hoardings. The lectures—written in a lucid, metaphoric, poetic prose—are loaded with a piercing vision of the future and are a critique on his views on spirituality and humanity. The book holds much relevance in today’s environment of violence and intolerance.

Review:

We cannot judge Rabindranath Tagore's works. He is a legend and all that he said, explained is only worth learning.

This book 'nationalism' is a compilation of his views over many different topics.

It is a useful book as it narrates his perspective from his time.

A good book to learn his thought process and use it various debates etc.

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Book Review - Kids Books 6

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"A nice and easy way to teach kids hindi varnamala

These days we all are running after English. Everybody wants to first teach 'A for Apple' to kids. And only when school starts, we look into hindi akshar. 

This book contains only hindi varnamala. And with attractive colorful images, it makes it very easy.

The content of the book are attractive, and easily can capture a child's mind.

I really appreciated the book.

A nice one"

"Perfect set of 10 poems

Spread across 20 pages, this small book is a book of wonder. It contains nice 10 poems that could be read to children.

It contains beautiful illustration of the poem on the left, and poem on the right.

It is nice collection, colorful book.

This one is a must have to keep kids hooked."

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Book Review - Its All About the Click

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Title: Its All About the Click

Author: Priyanka Mathur

Publisher: Kindle

Pages: 288

Price: Rs. 149 

My Views: A nice read

Blurb:

Meet Mitali, a young IT professional working in Bangalore who decides to take a plunge into the complex world of matrimonial websites to find herself the perfect life partner, only to be sucked right into a quagmire of stereotypes, insane expectations, and outrageous demands.
After dozens of excruciating interviews, heartbreaking rejections, and obnoxious feedbacks, when she finally meets a guy who is refreshingly normal, Mitali agrees to marry him. But destiny has something else in mind for her.
When that magical, elusive moment of 'click' which every girl longs to experience in her life comes to Mitali in the most unexpected of ways, it throws her heart and her life up in turmoil. Caught in the centre of a crazy whirlwind that lands her in a police station in the dead of the night, two days before she is set to get married.


Review:
"A nice witty tale

Starting with the cover and title. The cover is apt to the story and so is the title. The click here doesn't mean 'clicking' on the mouse of your computer, though, it might make sense as well. A part of the story does revolve around finding a perfect match on matrimony sites. But, this 'click' is clicking with someone at one go. Finding perfect partner, no matter the medium.

I read the prologue and was totally hooked. From the very first few pages i wanted to know why she landed up in the police station. The reason sounded a bit stupid, honestly, but the plot buildup and story line was good.

The concept is simple yet interesting. This is one thing most people face in their lives. Choosing a partner and getting harressed by the family and society. Some people get so stressed that they just settle for anyone. But that should not be the case. We should find and wait for the one with whom we really click.

The characters are well-written and one can relate to them easily. I especially liked Tanu and her sense of practicality.

Overall, it is a nice read. If you like to read simple romance story, you won't be disappointed."

Book Review - The Wealth of Nations

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Blurb:

Right from examining the division of labour, the origin and use of money and the division of stock, to the rise and progress of cities and towns after the fall of the Roman Empire, the systems of political economy and the taxes on various private revenues, Adam Smith’s The Wealth of Nations provides an extensive assessment of the creation of a nation’s wealth.

Laying the foundation of classical political economy, this magnum opus is considered one of the best non-fiction books of all time. More than two centuries after its first publication in 1776, The Wealth of Nations continues to remain as influential as ever.

Review:

Amazing book that talks about wealth of Nation.

Adam Smith is a highly knowledeable person, he is known as the father of the economy and it is visible in his writing.

This book is a plethora of information, and I am very impressed by its content.

Everyone who is interested in economics, should read it.

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Book Review - Kids Books 5

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"Nice padded hardback book

This book is a good book to have in your child's education set.

It has numbers from 1-100. 

From 1-20, they have images displayed so that child can count and learn.

From 21 onwards, numbers are just written in beautiful shapes.

A nice book to have."

"Beautiful book full of tables

It is very difficult for kids to learn tables. I know because I couldn't remember tables past 12.

This colorful book is very interesting. It contains tables upto 20 and some good exercises to keep young minds engaged.

Also, next to each table are beautiful pictures depicting count. So, it becomes even more interesting for the kids.

Very happy with the purchase. would go long way in my child's learning career"

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Book Review - Kids Books #4

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"A nice collection of baby objects'.

How I used this book? In a very interesting way. I showed by 2 year old an image and asked him to find it in the house. He was so happy running around and locating his objects. And when he found them, he laughed as if he found a treasure.

This book a nice collection of everything that baby's own these days. Starting from small rattles to high-chairs, it has all.  And what's best, each word is supported by a nice colorful image of the item. 

My kid loves this book."

"Things at home is a basic collection of various things we have at home.

I started with this book, and my son was able to later recognize various things at home too.

I was happy with this development.

A must have for brilliant kids to pick up things even faster"

"Interesting collection.

This one book has collection of a variety of foods. Of course, no one can compile all types of foods ever, but this one has good collection.

This book is divided in 3 parts: Fruits, Vegetables, and Food.

Food consists of a variety like veg items, non-veg items, and even sweet dishes.

We recently started with Fruits and my kid loves to learn and identify them now.

It is fun to read and learn from such amazing collection. The padded part of the book is best as it avoids tearing.

Loved it"

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Book Review - The Jungle Book (Pocket Classics)

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Blurb:

Fingerprint! Pocket Classics are perfect pocket-sized editions. Convenient to carry, priced right and ideal for gifting and collecting, each classic with its vibrant cover and flap jacket offers an ultimate reading experience. On a warm evening in the Seeonee hills, a family of wolves finds someone at the threshold of their cave–a human child, who knows nothing of the world of men. Adopted by Father Wolf, the man-cub Mowgli grows up with the pack in the Jungle. He begins his journey and learns the law of the Jungle with the help of his new-found friends. Embark on this adventurous journey with Mowgli and many others, as you read the enchanting The Jungle Book.

Review:

"Jungle jungle baat chali hai pata chala hai…

What an amazing tale… we all have read, heard and watched this story, and reading it was a throughout a different experience.

I am in love with Mogli and cannot express in words how much I have learnt from this one little book.

A must read and must have at all costs."

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Book Review - Kids Books #3

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In continuation to the reviews of the educations books that I bought for my son.

Here are the reviews of 3 more...

Interesting book with nice concept

The book contains many good colorful images to look at and learn.

The title itself is very intriguing. And the concepts shared inside are not just for kids, some are for adults too.

A must have book for kids around 10 year old age. 

Do not buy it for kids under 8-9 years old and it would only confuse them.

"This is one complicated book. Seriously. It is not for small children, it is for 10+ age kids.

I see that is a collection of various scenarios where Wonderhouse has shown how vision helps us in day-to-day scenario. It is a very different book. And truly deserves the award.

As I was scrolling through it, I realized how much efforts author/s must have made to compile this book. 

It is a genuine collection and the way various scenarios are depicted, it is amazing.

I couldn't help but spend couple of minutes on each page, trying to soak in every minute detail mentioned there.

You just cannot skip through it. It is that wonderful.

If you kid is 10+ and has a curiosity level of an Elephant, then this book is a must-buy for you."

Ever missed those childhood days? Well I did recently after going through this marvellous book.
Well, it is not just any book, it is a collection of beautiful poems that we used to hear long ago.
These days our kids only listen to what Youtube offers. But this book is amazing.
Using it, I am now able to sing the poems to my little one. And though he cannot read as of now, he is too young for it, he can relate to the images in the book and recite with me.
I just love this book

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love

Book Review - 100 Selected Poems, W. B. Yeats

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Blurb:

The mastermind behind the Irish literary Renaissance, William Butler Yeats had a remarkable literary career spanning across five decades.

This collectable edition brings together his early poems along with some of his finest verses composed in the years following his Nobel Prize. It includes The Wanderings of Oisin, ‘The Sad Shepherd’, ‘The Stolen Child’, ‘The Lake of Innisfree’, ‘The Sorrow of Love’, ‘When You Are Old’, ‘An Irish Airman foresees his Death’, ‘The Second Coming’, ‘Sailing to Byzantium’, ‘Leda and the Swan’ and ‘Byzantium’.

Each poem gives an insight into Yeats’ beliefs, philosophy and also the times in which he wrote. Each is a specimen of his exquisite craftsmanship.

Review:

"Such a beautiful collection

""When you are old and grey and full of sleep, And nodding by the fire, take down this book, And slowly read…""

The above quote is at the back of the book, however, though I am young, I could not stop myself from reading this amazing collection.

W.B. Yeats, I am now a member of your fanbase. What amazing work. I just loved every word of your poems.

The beauty of the words from this talented poet is that, his words are a combination. Though you are reading a poem, you will feel that it is a story that is being played in front of your eyes. I am mesmerized.

Plus, the hardback makes it so easy to preserve and cherish for life.

If you like to read classics and poems, than this book is for you."

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Lots of Love