This month I was on a reading spree. The pile of books adding up to my TBR list were competing with the Navratri wardrobe refresh that was happening with all the festivities done . I decided I will get this completed before I start adding more to the list. I did a combined reading where at times I read two books..I initially thought that would be difficult but that was an interesting decision that I took and I enjoyed doing it that way. So let me give you a short review of all the books that I read .
A speck of coal dust
Set in the backdrop of coal-mining regions, the book is centered around the land of Khajoori in Bihar where Vipul, the 11-year-old coal mine manager is the protagonist. A come-of-age novel this is an example of meditative prose. The book is a refreshing read with the choice of words used in narration. Vipul and his sibling Sameer explore the fictional village of Khajoori as they navigate their lives.
The author creates a rich, immersive world combining the changes in society of the late period of the 2000s and a vivid depiction of the coal mines. Vipul engages himself in fruitful adventures by saving his energy in doing activities like killing mosquitoes and reading comics. Vipul meets a new person at every stage like Swamiji who promises to make him tall in exchange for his American comics, Father Rocqueforte who introduces him to BBC and Dickens, and the classmate mocked for his appearance. All these characters though appear for a limited period, make Vipul realise something important. Some parts that I loved reading include the ones from where they go jeep riding, the counting of the mosquitoes killed, and the dialogues exchanges between their mother and maasi. The book had its bits of seriousness, humor, anger and adolescence.
The book takes you down memory lane of how we used to enjoy trips to our grandparents’ place, get drenched in rain, and have much room. The attention to detail is commendable and the comeback of this book with all the added elements that would make this likable for the present generation is appreciable. I loved the cover it is simple and makes you inquisitive.In an era of smart phones, the book lets you know how kids spent time and still had more fun. I really wish I had the chance to read the earlier version.
The enclave
Set in the late 2000s, the author explores the changing dynamics and economy of the country through the protagonist, Maya. Middle-aged at 40, she is recently divorced and quite settled, and works as a copywriter in a government-run-academic institution named ‘The Centre’. It is set in the author’s signature style of depicting, the protagonist’s interest.
Maya spends her days mostly doing two things that keep her occupied- thinking about writing which she doesn’t and indulging in the many affairs. She has decent work and many suitors. Going through each day in her life is content. Like every one of us, she has to go through things that make her rethink everything about herself. Because she also understands that nothing comes easily.
The author has a keen eye for details which is evident in his writing that is observant and exuberant capturing the essence of Maya’s existence. Complexities of modern urban life, independence, and self-discovery are some of the themes the novel explores. The book is filled with moments of humor and profound wisdom about emotions. The protagonist’s journey is a captivating exploration of womanhood.
Maya is from the period that understands the Country’s new freedom and wants to enjoy them because she was denied from experiencing them during her young age. All the more the story premise is captivating and promising. It is an entertaining and thought-provoking novel that offers a fresh perspective on Indian Womanhood.
The book of Emperors
History was one of my favourite subjects at school. Weird ? I loved knowing about kingdoms, the Kings and their adventures of capture places, the monuments they built. The palaces they lived in. This book took me back to those days. But the only difference was that, our books used to be in black and white, but this book is truly a masterpiece when it comes to the illustrations.
The first thing that you would comment on once you see the book is the illustrations.
The book begins with notes about the time before the Mughals and then proceeds to the period from Babur, Humayun, Akbar, Jahangir and Shahjahan to name a few. A brilliant one to understand the Mughal period and how they captured places. The book is definitely a trip down memory lane for history lovers and I bet even people not interested in history will definitely fall in love.
The book of emperors is a treasure trove for young adults and also lovers of history.
Missy
Missy is a tale about Savi that begins in Madras and takes you to the United States. A girl who stays in a convent undergoing struggles and who only thinks that her life is etched with unhappiness alone is brought into a family under her perspective of happiness to bloom. Still, something traumatic occurs so she flees the country with her lover Ananda after a traumatic incident.
Forty years later, Savi is now Missy, who built a successful life in Chicago and a happy family. The characters coming alive in each page, the life of Missy along with her happy family gives you a peak in the experience of living alongside them. An unexpected turn with the arrival of a new character that resurfaces her past events which becomes a threat. A threat that has the potential to rekindle the past and shatter her successful life into pieces. Exploring the themes of struggles, identity, sacrifice, and tragedy the book is heart-wrenching and an emotional read.
An engaging and heartfelt read from a debutant author, that combines her struggles in India and her success in America. Forced displacement, the pain of belonging, and the struggle to find an identity are complexities that the author handles in this book. The plot at times is predictable, but the characterization and depth of emotions make it a compelling read. A thought-provoking tale that gives a fresh perspective on migratory life. If the theme of resilience is of interest, the book is a must-read.
A M Naik The Man who built tomorrow
Anil Kumar Manibhai Naik or A.M. Naik as many know has been quite a known personality in our Nation. Transforming a construction company to a global conglomerate is no simple feat but something that requires years of hard work, toiling, and the ability to take risks. A.M.Naik was the visionary entrepreneur who was responsible for this magnanimous achievement. Having been in the corporate sector for long, I’ve only known him as the one who heads Larson and Toubro, but this book here gave me an introduction to a completely different person of who he is.
From his humble beginnings to his rise as one of the top industrialists, this book gives you in-depth descriptions of all the events. Both Authors have made commendable efforts to bring together details about his passion, commitment, and resilience. With lessons and anecdotes brimming in the book, this serves as a guidebook for aspiring leaders and managers for inspiration to be taken into.
What is even more important is that the book also includes his contributions to nation-building and philanthropy in addition to his success in Business. A.M.Naik the man who built tomorrow is a powerful story of grit and determination. This is a must-read for all those who look for inspiration, waiting to take a step, looking for milestones to accomplish, and whoever is connected to the world of business and leadership.
Ghoul school
I
love haunted tales that are themed around spookiness and scream horror. But here in Ghoul School, you’re in for a surprise. What’s even better is that kids would enjoy reading this book and not feel scared at all. Corridors of ISB scream fear, a School that wants to make the Ghouls learn the art of scaring. Our protagonist, Siliguri, a ten-year-old Ghoul, has a different career dream of entertaining humans. With dreams peaking at times during the day of his entertainment shows being a blockbuster, he has often been made to understand their purpose in life to scare the humans.
A friendship blossoms between him and Kachori, a human he believes in, and both of whom devise plans that aim to cater to both school goals and his dreams. The plans make you go haha and also land Siliguri in detention for rule-breaking. The vocabulary is an additional factor that will make you read the book continuously. With words being made to converse to suit the Ghoul world, it was a fun reading experience. A special mention to the illustrations which I found to be cute though it’s supposed to be a story about Ghoul. A charming and entertaining tale that will make you look forward to more of these adventures. The book has many amusing characters and situations that are filled with humor making it an enjoyable read.
Siliguri Jumps in to save his friend, Kachori from an ex-student Ghoullella who is known to be a terrorist, will he take the plunge to save her? Does he fulfill his dreams of being an entertainer? Do the others get to know of their plans? Or does Siliguri end up doing what he is supposed to? Read the book to know more.
If any of these interests you feel free to purchase and enjoy reading.
This post is part of the Bookish League blog hop hosted by Bohemian Bibliophile.
This blog post is part of ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’
hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Dr. Preeti Chauhan.
That Madras Mom 