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booksthatstay's reviews
74 reviews
Cobalt Blue by Sachin Kundalkar
5.0
"I had only met men like you in novels, men who lived their own idiosyncrasies. Sometimes I got angry with you. You'd behave as if you were some perverse actor; the poet of your own unreasonable spirit. Now that it's all over, I wonder if I could ever love anyone again." - Sachin Kundalkar (@sachincobaltblue ), Cobalt Blue
This book is a brilliant masterpiece! I feel really fortunate to have come across it and read it! It's a beautiful gem that is so pure, raw, precious and, has its own shine! The writing is heartfelt, engaging, and moving!
This book is a brilliant masterpiece! I feel really fortunate to have come across it and read it! It's a beautiful gem that is so pure, raw, precious and, has its own shine! The writing is heartfelt, engaging, and moving!
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
5.0
Many describe it as a love story but I feel that it is much more than that. It's a satire, a tragedy, a reflection of how shallow one might become in the process of chasing riches and fame.
The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who belonged to a well-to-do family. To him, Gatsby was a man of high morals. Gatsby, who had acquired wealth through illegal ways and threw the most expensive and talked about parties, was considered a great man by Nick. But was he really that great?
Whereas Daisy and her husband were considered way too hollow by Nick. Both of them were born into riches and lead a life of leisure. Were they really shallow?
I won't get into much detail to avoid giving any spoilers.
All the characters (including the narrator) are flawed and they have their reasons for being so. Gatsby was considered great by Nick as he did the wrong deeds only for love. Perhaps! Gatsby figured out that the only way to get the love of his life, Daisy, to be with him was by becoming rich.
Daisy and Tom always seemed too shallow to Nick, as he felt that they were selfish and only valued money. As a reader, there were times when I felt that Daisy also loved Gatsby but didn't have the courage to be with him. And when she finally did muster up some courage, the dreadful tragedy took place. But soon we realize that it was just the beginning of a cascade of tragic events.
And in those final moments, we get to know the real character of Daisy, Tom, and Gatsby.
It is rare to come across such flawed characters in a story and perhaps it is their flaws that make this story seem so real and believable.
The story is narrated by Nick Carraway, who belonged to a well-to-do family. To him, Gatsby was a man of high morals. Gatsby, who had acquired wealth through illegal ways and threw the most expensive and talked about parties, was considered a great man by Nick. But was he really that great?
Whereas Daisy and her husband were considered way too hollow by Nick. Both of them were born into riches and lead a life of leisure. Were they really shallow?
I won't get into much detail to avoid giving any spoilers.
All the characters (including the narrator) are flawed and they have their reasons for being so. Gatsby was considered great by Nick as he did the wrong deeds only for love. Perhaps! Gatsby figured out that the only way to get the love of his life, Daisy, to be with him was by becoming rich.
Daisy and Tom always seemed too shallow to Nick, as he felt that they were selfish and only valued money. As a reader, there were times when I felt that Daisy also loved Gatsby but didn't have the courage to be with him. And when she finally did muster up some courage, the dreadful tragedy took place. But soon we realize that it was just the beginning of a cascade of tragic events.
And in those final moments, we get to know the real character of Daisy, Tom, and Gatsby.
It is rare to come across such flawed characters in a story and perhaps it is their flaws that make this story seem so real and believable.
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
4.0
"Between life and death there is a library, and within that library, the shelves go on forever. Every book provides a chance to try another life you could have lived. To see how things would be if you had made other choices...Would you have done anything differently, if you had the chance to undo your regrets?"- @mattzhaig, The Midnight Library
This truly is an enchanting read! It is a story that makes you wonder how different life could have been had we taken a different route in life. At the same time, it also answers a very important question, i.e. would it be worth going back in time and working upon our present regrets?
Nora Seed, a young woman who has lost her job and her beloved cat, feels a deep void in her life. Her only living relative is her older brother. But she is estranged from him and has grown distant from her only best friend.
Having numerous regrets in life, she decides to end it for once and all. But even after having an overdose of antidepressants she still isn't dead. She wakes up in an immense library and finds her school librarian, Mrs. Elm there. Mrs. Elm tells her that "every life contains many millions of decisions. Some big, some small. But every time one decision is taken over another, the outcomes differ. These books are portals to all the lives you could be living."
Through those books, she was able to find out how different her life could have been had she taken the other route or made a different choice.
However, the librarian warns her about a dangerous book, "The Book of Regrets", which adds so much more depth and meaning to this story.
The concept is super imaginative and interesting! It is a life-affirming and reassuring story that isn't too deep or heavy but is surely thought-provoking. It can actually be best described using one of its own quotes, "Sometimes the only way to learn is to live."
TW: suicide depression
This truly is an enchanting read! It is a story that makes you wonder how different life could have been had we taken a different route in life. At the same time, it also answers a very important question, i.e. would it be worth going back in time and working upon our present regrets?
Nora Seed, a young woman who has lost her job and her beloved cat, feels a deep void in her life. Her only living relative is her older brother. But she is estranged from him and has grown distant from her only best friend.
Having numerous regrets in life, she decides to end it for once and all. But even after having an overdose of antidepressants she still isn't dead. She wakes up in an immense library and finds her school librarian, Mrs. Elm there. Mrs. Elm tells her that "every life contains many millions of decisions. Some big, some small. But every time one decision is taken over another, the outcomes differ. These books are portals to all the lives you could be living."
Through those books, she was able to find out how different her life could have been had she taken the other route or made a different choice.
However, the librarian warns her about a dangerous book, "The Book of Regrets", which adds so much more depth and meaning to this story.
The concept is super imaginative and interesting! It is a life-affirming and reassuring story that isn't too deep or heavy but is surely thought-provoking. It can actually be best described using one of its own quotes, "Sometimes the only way to learn is to live."
TW: suicide depression
Tortured Innocence by Shantel Brunton
3.0
This book can be best described as a pretty intense, dark horror read! The pages are filled with blood, gore and trauma. I would like to thank the author @shanteldbrunton for providing me an ARC copy of her highly imaginative and super interesting book!☺️
TW: Graphic violence, suicide, torture, sexual assault, death
Publication date- August 1, 2021
This is the story of Nicole who suffered a horrific tragedy at a very young age. Her world turned upside-down when ten years later she suddenly started receiving disturbing letters and haunted by harrowing voices. But who could it be?
To be honest, I have never read a book like this before! Even though I had completed reading it a week back, I was not able to gather all my thoughts and pen them down right away.
It's a pretty fast-paced horror-thriller! An amazing page-turner! I was hooked on it from the very first page! This book has elements of psychological, physical and, emotional trauma. It also has supernatural creatures, which makes this story so much more interesting and much more layered.
At certain points, I felt the story was being a bit rushed. But the author's captivating writing made up for it. I found the concept to be highly intriguing and unique! The vivid writing just sucked me into the story! It's a powerful read with highly imaginative plot twists!
TW: Graphic violence, suicide, torture, sexual assault, death
Publication date- August 1, 2021
This is the story of Nicole who suffered a horrific tragedy at a very young age. Her world turned upside-down when ten years later she suddenly started receiving disturbing letters and haunted by harrowing voices. But who could it be?
To be honest, I have never read a book like this before! Even though I had completed reading it a week back, I was not able to gather all my thoughts and pen them down right away.
It's a pretty fast-paced horror-thriller! An amazing page-turner! I was hooked on it from the very first page! This book has elements of psychological, physical and, emotional trauma. It also has supernatural creatures, which makes this story so much more interesting and much more layered.
At certain points, I felt the story was being a bit rushed. But the author's captivating writing made up for it. I found the concept to be highly intriguing and unique! The vivid writing just sucked me into the story! It's a powerful read with highly imaginative plot twists!
The Houseplant by Jeremy Ray
4.0
The House Plant by @jeremyraystories is one of the most beautiful and heartwarming short stories that I've read this year! I love house plants and just can't get enough of them, which is why this story is very close to my heart.
A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking
5.0
" I am just a child who has never grown up. I still keep asking these 'how' and 'why' questions. Occasionally, I find an answer." - Stephen Hawking, A Brief History of Time
I loved how Hawking broke down some very complex concepts in theoretical physics and explained them using wit, humor, and wonderful analogies. The language is plain and simple, yet very exciting!
I loved how Hawking broke down some very complex concepts in theoretical physics and explained them using wit, humor, and wonderful analogies. The language is plain and simple, yet very exciting!
The Family And The Nation by Acharya Mahapragya, A.P.J. Abdul Kalam
5.0
It talks about the importance of education and the great difference it makes in not just an individual's life but in the society, they live in. It also discusses in great detail the importance of spirituality and mental health, and the many ways by which an individual can take care of it.
I have always been a huge admirer of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam! His accomplishments are so incredible and inspiring! When I saw his name on the cover, I immediately picked it up.
This book is nowhere even near my comfort zone or to the genre that I usually prefer to read (thrillers) but at no point did I feel like DNFing it. Rather, to my surprise, I was amazed by the vast wisdom that this book carries!
It is a great book if you want to understand the dynamics of Indian culture and its evolution. However, in my opinion, the wisdom it carries is immense and, anyone and everyone can benefit from it. It is a super interesting and enlightening read!❤
I feel that it is one of those rare gems that hold the power to build a much better society. It is a book that has something to offer to everyone!
I have always been a huge admirer of Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam! His accomplishments are so incredible and inspiring! When I saw his name on the cover, I immediately picked it up.
This book is nowhere even near my comfort zone or to the genre that I usually prefer to read (thrillers) but at no point did I feel like DNFing it. Rather, to my surprise, I was amazed by the vast wisdom that this book carries!
It is a great book if you want to understand the dynamics of Indian culture and its evolution. However, in my opinion, the wisdom it carries is immense and, anyone and everyone can benefit from it. It is a super interesting and enlightening read!❤
I feel that it is one of those rare gems that hold the power to build a much better society. It is a book that has something to offer to everyone!
Origin by Dan Brown
3.0
"Sometimes, all you have to do is shift your perspective to see someone else's truth" - [a:Dan Brown|630|Dan Brown|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1399396714p2/630.jpg], Origin
This is yet another amazing thriller by Dan Brown! Like all his other books, this too will keep you hooked from the very first page!
The story is set in Spain. Edmond Kirsch, a leading scientist, and Langdon's former student has an announcement to make that according to him, has the potential "to not only shake but shatter the very foundations of modern-day religions." But will he be able to make the announcement? What will be its impact?
Having read The Da Vinci Code and, Angels and Demons, I certainly expected a lot more from this story! I felt that it wasn't as fast-paced as his other stories are. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it! The historical facts and modern-day Artificial Intelligence bits kept me fully engrossed!
Even though it wasn't an amazing page-turner for me, the brilliant mystery and the very captivating writing made this an enjoyable read! My favorite Dan Brown book is still The Da Vinci Code.
This is yet another amazing thriller by Dan Brown! Like all his other books, this too will keep you hooked from the very first page!
The story is set in Spain. Edmond Kirsch, a leading scientist, and Langdon's former student has an announcement to make that according to him, has the potential "to not only shake but shatter the very foundations of modern-day religions." But will he be able to make the announcement? What will be its impact?
Having read The Da Vinci Code and, Angels and Demons, I certainly expected a lot more from this story! I felt that it wasn't as fast-paced as his other stories are. Nevertheless, I enjoyed reading it! The historical facts and modern-day Artificial Intelligence bits kept me fully engrossed!
Even though it wasn't an amazing page-turner for me, the brilliant mystery and the very captivating writing made this an enjoyable read! My favorite Dan Brown book is still The Da Vinci Code.
The Leadership Moment: Nine True Stories of Triumph and Disaster and Their Lessons for Us All by Michael Useem
4.0
This book contains nine true stories of triumph and disaster and the lessons that we can learn from them. It is a book that can be equally enjoyed by fiction-lovers as well as non-fiction lovers!
Crossroads by Jonathan Franzen
4.0
Reading Franzen's books has always been a delight, mostly because of his fluid and vivid writing. This book is for sure my most favorite of his works!
Like his almost every other book, the characters in this too are deeply layered, flawed, and, vulnerable, which makes it much more realistic and believable. This book explores the family dynamics of a Midwestern family in early 1970s America. It delves deeper into their personal lives, their interpersonal relationships, their secrets, moral values, their mental health, social obligations, political inclinations, choices, and, gives us a view of their stand on religion, spirituality, and morality. (TW: drug abuse)
This suspense-filled, masterfully crafted novel is only part one of a trilogy. It has brilliantly covered every single aspect, be it social, political, or intellectual, to give a flavor of the moral crisis that the Hildebrandt family went through in those times.
Even though the book is a bit chunky (600 pages) and might appear intimidating, it is very difficult to keep it down because of the delightful and captivating writing that just absorbs the reader in!
Like his almost every other book, the characters in this too are deeply layered, flawed, and, vulnerable, which makes it much more realistic and believable. This book explores the family dynamics of a Midwestern family in early 1970s America. It delves deeper into their personal lives, their interpersonal relationships, their secrets, moral values, their mental health, social obligations, political inclinations, choices, and, gives us a view of their stand on religion, spirituality, and morality. (TW: drug abuse)
This suspense-filled, masterfully crafted novel is only part one of a trilogy. It has brilliantly covered every single aspect, be it social, political, or intellectual, to give a flavor of the moral crisis that the Hildebrandt family went through in those times.
Even though the book is a bit chunky (600 pages) and might appear intimidating, it is very difficult to keep it down because of the delightful and captivating writing that just absorbs the reader in!