Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard : Hammer of Thor - Rick Riordan

The Hammer of Thor - Rick Riordan

I did not find it as interesting as the first one (Sword of Summer) ... Some places it seemed like that the story was just dragging on... I felt that there was too much of details from the previous book of the series  which was the reason for the drag. The storyline didn't get me hooked. But still I want to read the next book of the series - Ship of the dead. Why????
(Spoiler Alert: Towards the end of the book, when Magnus is talking with Annabeth, she tells that its time for Magnus to meet Percy. ) Hence I'm waiting eagerly for the release of the next book in the series. In the mean time, I will jump of to read "Trials of Apollo"

“You know, Magnus.....sometimes it's best not to look as far as you're able to look, or to listen to everything you're able to hear."

―Heimdall, Magnus Chase : The Hammer of Thor,  Rick Riordan

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard : Sword of Summer - Rick Riordan

Sword of Summer - Rick Riordan

It had been almost a year since I read a book. One of my students, Kavin (who knows I love reading and that I love Rick's books) asked me whether I finished the Magnus Chase series and have I started reading the Apollo series... Needless to say, having not been in touch with the reading world, I did not know what he was talking about. But he piqued my interest. I went home and looked for means of getting my hands on one of these books and I succeeded. And I embarked on the Viking journey along with Magnus....

Rick has a wonderful way of telling stories when it comes to mythological ones. Magnus Chase series is also as interesting as the books of Percy Jackson or Jason Grace. Once you start reading you can't stop reading. I scolded my student lovingly for getting me hooked on to books again!!!

It was a very good read!!! Waiting to finish reading the next book - Hammer of Thor!!!

“The thing about fate, Magnus: even if we can't change the big picture, our choices can alter the details. That's how we rebel against destiny, how we make our mark. What will you choose to do?" 

―Loki, Magnus Chase : Sword of Summer,  Rick Riordan

Me and Mr. Darcy - Alexandra Potter

Me and Mr. Darcy - Alexandra Potter

“We come to love not by finding a perfect person, but by learning to see an imperfect person perfectly.”

- Sam Keen, 
To Love and Be Loved

I JUST LOVED IT!!!!
Its been a long time since I wrote a book review (for that I should find time to read a book!!!) 

On my recent trip to Goa, I started reading this book in the flight. (I find flights scary and what better way to distract my mind than reading a book) Honestly, I have never read a classic. So when the book started with descriptions about Jane Austen's Mr. Darcy, the ultimate fantasy of women since ages, I really could not connect.But still I read on. Maybe because on some level I'm like Emily Albright ( a hopeless romantic) who feels that men in the real world are not good enough, are not chivalrous, are not intense and so on... She compares every man she meets with Mr. Darcy. And when she meets Mr. Darcy - Its all her dreams come true!!!! But let's face it! He is not real!!! 
The similar thing happens to many of us. We want our men to do things in certain ways, we set standards for them (some based on movie characters, some based on book characters and some based on our own high expectations) but those characters are fictional, they are not real.... While dreaming about the perfect man (Which is non-existent) we lose sight of the ones who are meant for us.
I loved the way the story goes through twists and turns. I couldn't just stop reading unless I reached the end, unless I was satisfied that Emily met her "Perfect Man" And after reading I had to write this review immediately. 

“I am a hopeless romantic. A silly, ridiculous, foolish romantic. I live in a fantasy land. I need to get real. And now, for the first time, I want to get real. I want a real relationship with a real man in the real world–-with all the real problems, faults, and whatever comes with it.” 

―Emily Albright, Me and Mr. Darcy,  Alexandra Potter

Why is God laughing? Deepak chopra

  Why is God laughing? - Deepak Chopra

I read this book for "The Book Review" as part of my B.Ed course.

Though basically I’m a fiction lover, I’ve tried reading some self-help books before but could not go past the first chapter.

But this book is written in such a simple language and the use of the story of Mickey Fellows made spirituality really interesting. Not many technical words have been used which may confuse the reader.

It was a very good idea to use a fictional tale of a comedian and his unlikely mentor to show us a path back to hope, joy, and even enlightenment—with a lot of laughter along the way.

I didn’t want to stop reading the book in spite of the hectic B.Ed schedule. It kept me wondering what will happen next. The ten principles mentioned at the end makes the learnings from the story much more clearer. We often take too much stress and are always anxious about something or the other. This book teaches us to look at life through a new perspective: There is always something to laugh about and as it is said “Laughter is the best medicine.”

That's the way we met - Sudeep Nagarkar

That's the way we met - Sudeep Nagarkar

After finishing the book, I didn't feel so great about the book... The end was not as expected... The title of the book does not go along with the content.... And the way the two lovers talk about years of love between them, it seems they have been in relationship since a very long time.... But its only two years.... In some parts I don't understand why do they use the term "years of our love"... It gives the wrong impression.... I'm not saying that the love was not great or true, it may be.... But, why the wrong use of the phrase.......

“A person lost in love can win anything in this world.”

- That's the way we met, Sudeep Nagarkar

House of Hades - Rick Riordan

  House of Hades -Rick Riordan

As usual, like all other Rick Riordan books related to Greek mythology, this was also a superb book. Couldn't keep it down. The characters Percy, Annabeth, Jason, Piper, Hazel, Nico, Frank, Leo - all become a part of you... You keep wondering how will they succeed, will they perish, will they defeat their foes... And still the mystery continues... Eagerly waiting for the next book in the series........

“Love is on every side. And no one's side. Don't ask what Love can do for you. Ask what you can do for love.”

- Cupid , House of Hades,Rick Riordan

The Book of Tomorrow - Cecilia Ahern

The Book of Tomorrow - Cecilia Ahern

“Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow.”

-Albert Einstein

I read this one after the book "Girl in the Mirror"... Had no hopes of it being a good book, but started reading it for the sake of it as I had issued the book from the library, so why waste money.... Let me bear the torture....
Initially the book was very boring... Didn't understand the present or the past of the characters, but slowly interest started building up...... The author had simply dragged the beginning, she could have made it more interesting.... Anyways, the book became interesting and then it took a firm grip on my mind... I wanted to know what would happen next... So I take back my words about Cecilia Ahern, she does have good books among her works (though not all)....

            Some things that I liked about the book... It teaches you one important thing "Your actions and words have effects and consequences on your future"

“What if we knew what tomorrow would bring? Would we fix it? Could we?”

- The Book of Tomorrow, Cecelia Ahern

Girl in the Mirror & The Memory Maker - Cecilia Ahern

Girl in the Mirror - Cecelia Ahern

Another flop according to me from Cecelia Ahern..
The book itself is so thin that I wonder now as to why did I choose this book to read.. The thin size itself was an indication of the quality of the book...
Now about the two stories..."Girl in the Mirror" and "The Memory Maker" - both stories were meaningless, hopeless... 

I still wonder if "P.S. I love you" is genuinely a work of Cecelia Ahern......

Wedding Night - Sophie Kinsella

Wedding Night - Sophie Kinsella

“By all means marry. If you get a good wife you will become happy - If you get a bad one you will become a philosopher”

- Socrates

It was a bit boring in the beginning, for the first few chapters.... But faith in Sophie Kinsella kept me going... Later on, I just couldn't stop reading... I just had to know if Fliss was successful in stopping Lottie and Ben... Will Richard go back... It was good... But it didn't measure up to all the other Sophie Kinsella books.

“Youth is still where you left it, and that's where it should stay. Anything that was worth taking on life's journey, you'll already have taken with you”

- Arthur , Wedding Night, Sophie Kinsella

Inferno - Dan Brown

Inferno - Dan Brown

“Remember tonight...for it's the beginning of forever.”

- Dante Alighieri

Another master piece from Dan Brown staring the famous Prof. Robert Langdon. Langdon has to solve an ingenious riddle inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Inferno in order to save the entire world from the invention of a fanatic scientist. As always, no one can guess the twists and turns in the plot.

One negative point for the book was that since the backdrop was based out of Italy, it had a lot of Italian language which I could not understand. (In some places, the meaning was not at all clear.) Overall,  an AWESOME BOOK!!!

“The darkest places in hell are reserved for those who maintain their neutrality in times of moral crisis.”

- Bertrand Zobrist , Inferno, Dan Brown

To the Moon and Back - Jill Mansell

To the Moon and Back - Jill Mansell

“Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time.”

-Maya Angelou

Am really happy that I had picked up a Jill Mansell book last time. I must say, she is wonderful. Totally lived up to my expectations. I just couldn’t stop reading it, and the times when I had to, just couldn’t stop thinking about the characters in the book. Just fell in love with Zack and Ellie.  Not to mention the other characters. This book too, like “Take a chance on me” had many characters whose lives were intertwined. At the end, all had a happy ending. J

“Sometimes you just had to take the risk. Maybe it would be a brief but wonderful romance, maybe it would last a lifetime”

- To the Moon and Back , Jill Mansell

Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks

Safe Haven - Nicholas Sparks

“I don't want expensive gifts; I don't want to be bought. I have everything I want. I just want someone to be there for me, to make me feel safe and secure.”

- Princess Diana 

                                                                           

The movie “Safe Haven” was released and I wanted to read the book before I see the movie. That’s how I started reading the book. It is a good read. I didn’t enjoy it as much as other Nicholas Sparks books. I wished the ending was a little more clear.  Though the twist about Jo was a surprise. It was refreshing.

"Sometimes, starting over is exactly what a person needs. And I think it's admirable. A lot of people don't have the courage it takes to do something like that.”

- Safe Haven, Nicholas Spark

Take a Chance on Me - Jill Mansell

Take a Chance on Me - Jill Mansell

“Just because you've been hurt doesn't mean you should stop loving someone else. Take a chance on love.”  

                                                                           - Unknown

This is my first book by Jill Mansell. I was searching for authors like Sophie Kinsella and I came across this book. I took a chance on Jill Mansell and it was rewarding. I couldn’t put it down. It is a fun, romantic and thorough chick-lit.

Many a time, the scars you get in your teens affect your entire life. Our personality is moulded accordingly. Phobias and fears are instilled. Similar is the case with Cleo, the main protagonist in this plot. The book also shows the lives of Abbie (Cleo’s sister) and Ash (Cleo’s friend and neighbor).

All in all, a good read. Looking forward to reading other books by Jill Mansell.

A Bend in the Road - Nicholas Sparks

A Bend in the Road - Nicholas Sparks

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; All that we love deeply, becomes a part of us.”

- Helen Keller

The death of your loved ones leaves you blank…. With the need to prove something to yourself…. It maybe to find the reason of their death…. Were you somehow responsible for it?  Were you not meant to be together forever? Was your love not true? Unless you find the answers to these questions, you cannot make peace with yourself and move on in life.  It feels as if life remains stuck at that point…..

A Bend in the Road has depicted these emotions of Miles Ryan very beautifully. Like all Nicholas Sparks novels, this too is a love story positioned in a small town. But the suspense in this book, makes you want to turn the page and read just the next page even when you are tired, your eyes are drooping.

“If it’s over, then don’t let the past screw up the rest of your life.”

- A Bend in the Road, Nicholas Spark

The Wedding - Nicholas Sparks

The Wedding - Nicholas Sparks

”No one can go back and change how it started but a new future for any marriage can begin the moment one person begins to invest in it.”  
                                                                           -Fawn Weaver

Again, another heart touching book by Nicholas Spark.

Wilson and Jane have been married for 35 years. As many other married couples, they too have drifted apart over the year. They have (or they feel to have) lost their magical love and passion which united them in the first place. Their priorities have changed. Wilson starts taking Jane for granted. He forgets their anniversary.He immerses himself completely in his work.Jane starts losing all hope in her marriage.Its then that Wilson realizes that HE MAY LOSE JANE SOON.He then prepares a surprise for her…A beautiful, romantic surprise….

A very beautiful book for all married couples……. There is still hope….. 

Dear John - Nicholas Sparks

Dear John - Nicholas Sparks

The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost. 
                                                                           -G. K. Chesterton

Nicholas Spark has a magic of reaching out to his readers. His characters deeply touch the readers and they remain with you even after finishing the book. As always, Nicholas Spark has a message about love, about relationships… From the title itself we know that John is the hero of this story… In all love stories, the hero gets the heroine… But not in this one… Nicholas sends out a very important message – “Love means that you care for another person's happiness more than your own, no matter how painful the choices you face might be”.

Airhead Runaway - Meg Cabot

Airhead Runaway - Meg Cabot

The third in the Airhead series. Today when much has been achieved by Science, there is always an ethical side to each discovery… Will the technology be used for the good of mankind or will it be misused? Meg Cabot has explored one such development – Organ Transplantation.

Em Watts (in the body of Nikki Howards) have to tolerate Brandon Stark so that she can keep the real Nikki Howard and her family safe from the hands of Robert Stark. In the meantime, none of her family or her boyfriend understands her. When she discovers the real motive of Stark Enterprises, horror grips her. The book then explores how Em Watts & her friends trap Robert Stark. 

The book was not as interesting as the previous one. It did not motivate me to finish reading the book. 

I've Got Your Number - Sophie Kinsella

I've Got Your Number - Sophie Kinsella

Must say, another awesome book by Sophie. The idea and background is so novel and bizzare at the same time. A story about how two absolute strangers meet and share a phone and in the process helps each other in their lives. Poppy Wyatt loses her engagement ring and while asking people to search it for her, she gets mugged off her phone. Her phone- the one thing she cannot live without. Bereaved off her phone, Poppy (losing all ethical values ) finds a phone in the dustbin which she keeps for herself. But Sam Roxton thinks he should get the phone back. (The phone belonged to his PA before she quit her job and dumped the phone in the dustbin. But Poppy feeling that the phone is the only way to find her ring, requests Sam to let her keep it and in return forward all messages and emails received on the phone for Sam. Juggling between all the message forwarding and her wedding preparations, Poppy is all in for a surprise. The book is not as funny as the Shopaholic Series, but it definitely manages to keep you hooked. My rating for this book would be 9.5 on a scale of 10..

Airhead - Being Nikki by Meg Cabot

Airhead - Being Nikki

           Unfortunately I read the second book of the airhead series first. But still no damage done, since the book explains the background (not so much in detail, but sufficient enough to understand the story.)

            A total science fiction!!!!!!  Otherwise how can you explain after the brain transplant of Em into the body of a supermodel Nikki, the brain wanting something and the body responding to certain stimulations differently?? Isn’t the body controlled by the brain????? But still, one has to give credit to Meg Cabot for coming up with such an idea…… She has wonderfully captured the conflicts and emotions of Em Watts (a zero fashion sense girl with a strong hatred for corporate giants destroying the environment) can be faces inside a supermodel's body - Nikki's who didn't care about anyone else other than herself and her looks.

           Like most books by Meg Cabot, this one is also very interesting and keeps you entertained throughout. You just cannot stop reading the book.Waiting to start with the third one in this series!! (Definitely not going back to read the first book which I missed) :D

Twenties Girl by Sophie Kinsella

Twenties Girl

The main character, Lara Lington is shocked and surprised when she can see her great- aunt Sadie at her funeral after she died at an age of 105 years. Lara feels her burdening personal problems have caused her to become crazy as a result of which she can see and talk to ghosts or rather one particular ghost!

Sadie has only 1 request from her great niece: to find a lost necklace with the dragonfly pendant, which was in her possession for more than 75 years and without which she cannot rest in peace. During the time period when Lara hunts for the necklace, they both become best of friends. Sadie (or rather the ghost of Sadie) is not a 100 year old granny, but a strong minded girl from the “Twenties” (1920s) with a sense of fashion which she forces upon Lara during her dates with Mr. Right.

Lara helps Sadie discover that the only person she loved in her lifetime also loved her back with the same passion. In return, Sadie helps Lara and Mr. Right to be united in love (though Sadie initially intended him to be her boyfriend).

In the end, after finding the lost necklace, Sadie finally rests in peace, but before she goes she literally fixes up Lara’s messed life

Twenties girl has been written with the same charm and humor that Sophie Kinsella is famous for. After reading the book, I really wished I too had a fairy (ghost) friend with whom you can share all your deepest secrets and one who can understand you very well. All in all, a very good read J