The Poison of Love by K R Meera (Translated from Malayalam)

🆃🅷🅴 🅿🅾🅸🆂🅾🅽 🅾🅵 🅻🅾🆅🅴 - by K. R. Meera

Original: Meerasadhu (Malayalam) 

Translated by Ministhy Nair

Read for:

* March Prompt - She Writes for #letsreadmalayalam #readingchallenge by @bookwormandherchild

*Prompt: for #champacareadingchallenge by @champacabooks

08 - with less than 200 pages

22 - written by and translated by a woman

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴: 😐😐😐/5 

I cannot use stars for this book. 

𝙏𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙜𝙚𝙧 𝙒𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜: manipulative behaviour and extreme vindictiveness.

𝗠𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄:

Tulsi is a bright student with great prospects, coming from a respectable and loving family. And that's until she meets Madhav (a journalist) through her friend Vinay. Everything in her life from there focuses on him - like he is her lodestar. 

She elopes from her engagement (with Vinay) to be with Madhav ….and here begins the story of a 'Meerasadhu'. 

Somewhere this relatable story of a girl in love, a wife , a mother changed into vindictive poison (as indicated by title - expected) of retribution, revenge and madness. The plot is loosely based on the love Meerabhai had toward Kanha.. making him the center of her Universe but twists it in the most toxic of senses.

𝗠𝘆 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:

K R Meera has done a good job highlighting the toxic, male ego and the twisted way our society works to normalise that male behaviour. 

BUT, and that's a big one - The author herself through this story, nor in her afterword, mentions or encourages women to remove themselves from a toxic environment. Nor does she call out such behaviour and take positive steps to self heal and move on. 

Agreed, this is fiction. But when the author says people walk up to her and relate to the character, a word of positive influence is necessary, given the toxic solutions Tulsi found in the book. 

I'd sure have liked the book a bit more if the author could have used this relatability factor to influence positive change in society.

#rashureads #rashu_reads_reviews #malayalambooks #translatedbooks #indianbooks #indianauthors #bookstagramindia #readinggoals #readingisfundamental #bekindtoyourself #mentalhealthmatters #books2022 #booksiread 

Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie

Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie

March Read for #bookclub with my book reading buddies, Anjali, Anu and Ramya.

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

This little piggy went to the market.

This little piggy stayed at home.

This little piggy had roast.

This little piggy had none..

And this little piggy went ...

 ....wee wee wee...

..all the way home!

A young woman, wants to revisit the 'solved' case of her Father's death. 

Reason: To prove her Mother's innocence.. years after she was convicted and is dead too. When she approaches Hercule Poirot, what plays in his mind about the people involved is the nursery rhyme! 

Which little piggy got away with Murder - is what he needs to deduce.

My Experience: A good mystery read with more emphasis on the personalities of the characters in the situation.  Poirot's ability to pick through what seems like an everyday conversation and pull out pearls of deductions is super fun!

In the frame: 

* 2008 Harper Collins publication of the book. 

* A Crochet piggy I made #inspiredbybook. My yarn creations can be found at @rashmibinu_saiasmi

#handmade #bookprop #saiasmidreamzinyarn #crochet #amigurumi #rashureads #agathachristie #agathachristiebooks #herculepoirot #bookclubreads #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #rashu_reads_reviews #books2022 #booksiread #crafters #readers #readingisfundamental #ilovereading #ilovecrafting

The Rising by Tanhee Perry

A book, I was keenly waiting for!!!  Book 2 of the Osiris series! 
🆃🅷🅴 🆁🅸🆂🅸🅽🅶 - by Tahnee (Click for Goodreads)

My Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

Summary of Book 1 - The Killing plot (Click for Goodreads)

When @cherumanalil Tagged me on , last year..  The genre of  #fantasybooks was a new to me. But Tanhee Perry and her writing drew me in. The world of Osiris was both daunting and captivating.

❤ Arela - a character as unique as her name is much loved. A teen in essence but a fighting spirit to find herself, her origins takes her on  journey through Book 1. She meets Cenric Sauer, descendant of the ruling family in a happenstance that takes her further into the mysterious undergrounds and brings to light Thaddeus Grant and his experiments. In trying to expose him,  Arela finds herself sentenced to Exile,  to be banished from the safe igloo of Osiris into the unknows of the outer world,  with un-named terrors. At the cliff-hanger end of Book 1, Arela finds herself pulled from the brink of exile but carried away by  a group of Revolutionists who are looking to overthrow the Sauer's (Cenric's Father) authoritarian rule! 

Book 2 - The Rising picks up right from the cliffhanger with a smooth transition. Even with the year between reads,  I found myself falling back into the story as if no time had passed! 

My Review of Book 2:

Arela is back, with more mysteries from the land of Osiris. Coming back from the edge of Exile cliffhanger of Book 1, this book delves literally into the depths of human survival.

Finding herself among the Revolutionists,  Arela tries to find her bearings,  to make sense of all she has found out about Thaddeus Grants's nefarious experimenting and worrying for the friends she left behind when she escaped.  She struggles to find peace about Jaela's death and forgiving those responsible for it. She is torn between loyalty to her previous life and the only path she sees ahead. 

We meet some very strong characters and see layers to the ones we know. What more.. We find out more about who Arela is.. Both as in her parentage and as to who she is. This self finding journey she started in Book 1 has now become a mission of survival and perseverance.

🤔The struggle for power is too prominent among the leaders. So much so that they are willing to lose it all rather than think of an alternative. There are too many secrets there. It's not clear in this book, but I am hoping it forms the premise for the next one.

❤ If Cenric and Arela were cute.. Then Harlow and Arela are electric! The indicators are obvious but I totally didn't mind it as I was totally rooting for them. In Harlow we see the passion to fight for the cause, the will to take action to save the ones you love, than with Cenric.

❤ We see a slightly different Cenric, one who when pushed can take up the mantle. But in his case, it's too little and too late, both the situation and with Arela.

Loved the second installment more,  as now  Arela and Osiris were more familiar. Totally recommend it! 

Can't wait for the next installment ❤❤❤

Both books are available on Kindle Unlimited. 

NOTE: I read it as part of 

*𝐀𝐝𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐭 - Read the   second book in series for #readingwithmuffy

* A 𝐅𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 for my personal #readinggoals for January 

* A #Buddyread with @cherumanalil

Persuasion by Jane Austen

Book#3 - Persuasion by Jane Austen. #audiobooks

#audible

This was a complete last minute join for @solennsbooknook #readlong with my bestie @cherumanalil 

The discussion on the group was animated and very insightful.  Loved the experience! Thanks to everyone,  as this checks as my must read genre of 2022!

My rating 🌟🌟🌟/5 for the story. As it reminded me a lot of Pride and Prejudice from the opposite side of things. It wasn't unique but a good depiction of the people and the period it was written in. 

As an Audio book, full credit to the Narrator Greta Scacchi for keeping the interest going. 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

My Review:

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It was narrated very well which was probably the only reason I could finish it. A good story for it's times. The correctness of the language and the writing style unique to Jane Austen were the prominent features of this story.

😍 Anne Elliot comes across as a mature, sensible young lady, who rightly, as she states later in the book has only benefited from not making an acquaintance with the good Captain in her 'youth'. This, because, she is the only character that seems to have grown out of the existing mould and bloomed as a compassionate and kind person.

👨‍🍳 Captain Wentworth is as male as a male protagonist of those times are. The haugtiness, the avoidance of one's emotions and a cherry on top, 'ego'. But he did get brownie points for some key decisions he makes over the course of the story.

🙍‍♀Most memorable is Mary. This character is still present in all of us. More so in some, than others, but evergreen nonetheless! Her self-importance, her afflictions and sufferings, her wish to contradict and insist on being right 😁.

👥Anne's family, bar Mary, are extremely obnoxious as a social connection and proves that money, back then had the reins over civility.

Overall a good Listen.

#rashureads #janeausten #janeaustenbooks #readalongs #classicliterature #booksiread #books2022 #instareads #booksaremyfriends #bookstagrammersindia #classicreads #anneandwentworth 

Finding Julie - by Doris Rangel

Book#2 for the year...  It was a Kindle suggestion that caught my eye.  

Book: Finding Julie by Doris Rangel

My Rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟/5

My Review: James has loved his wife always but cannot live with her anymore as he doesnt recognize the woman he married. Julie has a block amnesia after an accident and remembers everything about everyone.. Just not her marriage or her husband or her life with him.

The book deals with a lot of general emotions and topics. There is always a time to take a step back in any relationship and see what has changed. This one proves that to a large extent.

-----------------------------------------------

My personal take - The struggle Julie goes through was relatable.  Though in the extreme,  the panic of losing someone you love,  puts a tiny glimmer of fear.  When we are emotionally vulnerable,  it's very easy to jump to the worst possible consclusion about a loved one.  How many times have i wondered, letting my kids go out but somewhere in the back of my mind wondering, will they be ok?  What if they get hurt? Do I hold them back and keep them safe, or let them go and think positive? As a parent, a spouse, a daughter, or just a friend, there are so many people I'm emotionally connected to.  So when I read Julie's struggle,  i did empathise with her. 

QUESTION: If you'd read a plot like this..  What  would your reaction be? 

*READ

*NAAAH

*OOOH INTERESTING! 

Drop in comments, on this post.  Would love to hear your take on this!

Book is available for free on Kindle Unlimited (India) Currently. 

#rashureads #goodreadschallenge2022 #goodreadschallenge

#goodreads #romancebooks

#bookstagrammers #lovestory #interestingread #booksiread #books2022 #bookstagrammersindia #bookblog #bookblogger 

The Liar Next Door - Audible book

The Liar Next Door by Nicola Marsh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was an amazing narrative. People all around us have many layers, emotions, past and histories. What happens when you welcome someone next door, only to have the carpet pulled out from under your feet soon after.
How do you trust someone? How well do we know who lives next door?

A wonderful complex plot of human relations, lies and a complicated mesh of relations. Welcome to the neighborhood 😜"

View all my reviews  

Some books take you along with the words, wrap around you, pull you in. This is one such book.  As an audible listen, this was a great one. I love such mystery-next-door stories. The characters are so close to the ones you'd come across in you own lives. The nosy neighbors, to the wierd ones.. The over enthusiastic, to the mysterious ones. Everyone has a story to tell, if one can listen, if one can observe. 

Book #100 for 2021!!! - A Pinch of Magic!

 

A Pinch of Magic by Michelle Harrison
My rating: 4 of 5 stars 

All things magical and mysterious, rolled into a story with family history and some very interesting character thrown in. This eclectic mix of teen spirit, experienced Grandmas and a gossip tale that's whispered in town from time to time, makes for a very compelling read!


View all my reviews

This book marks my 100th book for the Reading Challenge of 2021! Hence a lot of thought went into picking the perfect book to read. A book that was 'me' all the way. Those who know me, know that I'm a sucker of all things Magic! So when I came across this book with a beautiful cover, as a suggestion on Amazon - I was intrigued 😁. And Boy! Am I happy with the chance I took!!! 

Three sisters, en-magicked daily objects and a family curse! These were the next three words that drew me in. IKR?! The book was an enticing fish net 😉. What's even more amazing is that I got to #buddyread it with my bestie @Cherumanalil

Book: A Pinch Of Magic 

Author: Michelle Harrison

 

Enough with the digressing though. Let's talk about what the book was all about. 

Betty is a 13 year old, with an older sister (Felicity/ Flis) and a younger one (Charlie). The three girls are under the care of their seemingly strict Grandmother, closeted in a small town with dreams bigger than the horizon. She yearns to travel, she longs to see the farther lands she has heard so much about.

But what's stopping her you ask? Well she isn't allowed to. Grandma's rules 🙄. And as every self-respecting teen, she does her rightful bit to protest and rebel. This leads to the opening of a Pandora's box (literally), that weighs down the new teen. 

A family curse, that's come down through the generations, as the girls learn, shackles them to this dreary prison town. And with it, silver linings (if you would call it so), come three en-magicked objects with special magical power. One to each sister. Along with it is a tale. A long whispered tale in town - Of Sorsha's magic!

The sisters are determined to break the curse and savor the freedom, it would bring. The book journeys through what they do in the process. 

Do they break it? 

At what costs?

How do they get there?

Well that would be telling it all. But this much I would say 😊, the book will take you on an adventure. Get ready to cross the marshy waters with Betty, Flis and Charlie.

 

Q: What I loved about the writing?

A: The attention to small details. The names of the places, businesses, coins. Everything is ornithological (birds - especially ravens/crows). I personally love it when authors take time to think up these details as it shows how much they are invested in giving you the experience of the fantasy they are building. This book had the right balance of it, and that's what I really ❤.

The book is a part of a series and I'm so looking forward to reading the next. 

Q: Where can I get the book?

A: You can get the book/ebook on Amazon. Other sources, as per Goodreads (Link will take you to goodreads.com shop listings)

I'd recommend a paperback. This is a book with an amazing cover... Just saying 😜