The kite runner

When I bought the book I didn’t expect much from it and thought it might turn out to be a typical eastern plot consisting of violence, vicious murders, ruthless cold blooded killers, women being tortured and killed etc and to some extent I was right but I couldn’t have imagined that it would completely blow me away as well. What made it different from others was the fact that it reflected the weaker side of an eastern man, which has been an untold reality or somewhat a taboo in our society, like all the other men in the world even eastern men can have their moments of cowardice. An Afghani man is perceived as a strong, hot-blooded being who would kill or die in the name of honor, who would indulge in all sorts manly activities and would never find solace in books and writing but the book proved that he can. It also portrayed the extremely frictional relation between Pashtuns and Hazaras and the tale of destruction of a country and exploitation of a religion for personal agendas.

The illustration was so vivid so detailed and so engrossing. It’s extremely emotional, heart- touching, heart-breaking, horrifying and intoxicating. A tale of an unmatchable loyalty, generosity and most importantly it is painfully honest. In the beginning I was genuinely shocked when Amir (main character) would witness such a vice and couldn’t get the courage to help his friend, in fact I really wanted to talk sense into the guy and kept telling him in my mind that it is not too late turn back ….be a man… help your friend but as if that would change anything. Later in life he faces many tragic events but nothing helps in curbing the guilt or in controlling the damage that has been already done. Somewhere I wish that it would have been a little less tragic.

Overall it was completely marvelous, a timeless eastern tale and a true page turner for me.

My Rating 4/5

Basic Plot:

It’s based on the conditions of 1970’s Afghanistan and revolves around the strange friendship of Amir and Hassan they both have been brought up together somewhat as brothers. When Amir was 12 years old there was a local kite-fighting tournament, which he was desperate to win as to him that was the only hope to win his father’s love and like always Hassan promised to help. But neither one of them could have known what will happen to Hassan that afternoon, an event that is to shatter their lives as they know it. After Russians invade Afghanistan the family is forced to flee to America, Amir realises that one day he must return to find the thing that his new world cannot grant him: REDEMPTION.

Are you afraid of the dark?

Sidney Sheldon is called the 'Master of the Unexpected' as he never failed in keeping up with his fan's expectations infact he always out did himself in his each book. Sadly for me 'Are you afraid of the dark'  was quite predictable and apparent. It was something you could call a typical Sheldon plot. The fact that I predicted each upcoming twist didn't put me off immediately. I forced myself to read the whole thing and kept reassuring myself that may be something new and thrilling pops up but that never happened and the book ended just like I thought so.
One thing that I found interesting is the realization of the fact that US and Russia do have technology to control the weather of the world which earlier in my knowledge was just a myth.
Well I didn't completely dislike the book as reading Sidney's books is all about transcending to another world with his vivid illustration of each moment and he didn't fail me in that part.

My rating: 2.5/5  

Basic Plot:

Two widows of two scientists Mark Harris and Richard Stevens, who worked for the same company KIG but in different localities, find themselves under brutal attacks and it was adamant that somebody wanted to kill them. They are thrown together in fear and seems like they cannot trust anyone except for each other. Apart from these two there are many other mysterious deaths of other scientists.
Meanwhile chief executive of KIG an international think tank, is on cusp of an amazing discovery which could alter the future of the world but the mysterious deaths are being connected to this  volatile secret and he will do anything in the world to protect it.

The Lost Symbol

My very first review

It was definitely a book I really liked. Mystic, intriguing, interesting and most importantly perceptive. A plot that keeps you guessing and leaves you thinking and wondering. So many twists one cannot predict, one thing it highlights is the importance of observing small details that hide in plain sight and it stimulates a thought process, makes you wonder about simple routine rituals .A few of its logics might be conflicting to some peoples beliefs but if one tries to understand and look at it the in light of their own belief there is still much to understand and learn.

Basic Plot
In The Lost Symbol, Robert Langdon must race to save a friend of his, 33rd Degree Freemason Peter Solomon, who has been abducted. The abductor, who goes by the name of Mal'akh, warns Langdon that he must locate the Mason's Pyramid and The Lost Word before a specific deadline, or Solomon will be executed.

Favourite Quote:

The Secret Teachings of All Ages

"To live in the world without becoming aware of the meaning of the world is like wandering about in a great library without touching the books."