Book-Reviews

Title: An Orchestra of Minorities Author: Obioma, Chigozie Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Pages: 448 Date Read: 08 October 2019 Bookshelves: read, favorites My Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Let me begin by saying that I am neither a stranger to Obioma nor to his work. In fact, I read his first novel: The Fishermen, a couple of years ago at a time when words meant less than they mean to me now. And even then, I was impressed by the author’s capacity for storytelling. So when I picked up this book, you can understand why I did so with high expectations. ...

Title: The Bastard of Istanbul Author: Shafak, Elif Publisher: Viking Adult Pages: 368 Date Read: 16 September 2019 Bookshelves: read, abandoned My Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐ I started this book on the strength of Shafak’s 40 Rules of Love, a truly beautiful book by all the standards I judge books by. But the writer failed to replicate the work of art that 40 Rules of love truly was. It is difficult to say what exactly made this book a morose read, but i suspect that a combination of slow pace and a general sense of directionlessness made me dump this book at page 72. ...

Title: The Slave Girl Author: Emecheta, Buchi Publisher: George Braziller Inc. Pages: 180 Date Read: 19 August 2019 Bookshelves: read My Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐ Not bad. Not exceptional either.

Title: The Vegetarian Author: Kang, Han Publisher: Hogarth Pages: 158 Date Read: 29 July 2019 Bookshelves: read, favorites My Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This was a very different, even disturbing book to read. But the book’s ability to disturb is a consequence of the author’s almost divine way with words. This is the sort of book that scars and scares as the story progresses but one’s decision to continue till the end speaks to the brilliance of the author. ...

Title: When Breath Becomes Air Author: Kalanithi, Paul Publisher: Random House Pages: 208 Date Read: 14 July 2019 Bookshelves: read My Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Death comes for us all. And in this book death indeed comes for a 36 year old Stanford resident neurosurgeon. He tells us, in this book, how he lived and his quest to understand life’s meaning through medicine. But more importantly, he lets us examine death through the eyes of a man who gave people people a second chance at life. ...

Title: The 48 Laws of Power Author: Greene, Robert Publisher: Penguin Books Pages: 452 Date Read: 04 July 2019 Bookshelves: read, favorites My Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ An absolute masterpiece that draws wisdom from the folly and successes of history. You see, many things were indeed remarkable about this book but what stood out for me was the way the author structured its content. First, he makes you realise why reading his book is a matter of compulsion by arguing that each and every one of us craves power whether in tacit and overt forms. ...

Title: The Broken Wings Author: Gibran, Kahlil Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp. Pages: 132 Date Read: 15 June 2019 Bookshelves: read, favorites My Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ I have no words for Gibran’s brilliance. I will think about this book when I wish to remember that gods, at a point in time, lived among men.

Title: Teaching My Mother How to Give Birth Author: Shire, Warsan Publisher: Flipped Eye Pages: 37 Date Read: 30 May 2019 Bookshelves: read My Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Loved it. Definitely reading it again.

Title: Salt Author: Waheed, Nayyirah Publisher: CreateSpace Pages: 251 Date Read: 29 May 2019 Bookshelves: read My Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Few words. Deep meaning!

Title: Circe Author: Miller, Madeline Publisher: Little, Brown and Company Pages: 393 Date Read: 27 May 2019 Bookshelves: read, favorites My Rating (out of 5): ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ In this book, Circe tells her tale of acceptance, love, and defiance— a story that begins with Circe scrambling in futility for recognition at the golden feet of Helios, her father. Circe struggles with self-worth as she tries to find her place among her beautiful sister nymphs and the vastness of her father’s kingdom. Too many times, she gets battered with harsh words from her gorgeous sisters and is regarded with scorn by both her parents. ...