To me Success is : Setting goals but not in concrete. Staying focused but turning aside to help someone. Following a plan but remaining flexible. Moving ahead but not too fast to smell the flowers. Taking a bow but applauding those who had a part in your success. What is Success to you ?
Title: An Inquiry Into Love and Death Author: Simone St. James Genre: Historical, Thriller, Paranormal Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: NAL Trade Publication Date: March 5, 2013 ISBN-10: 0451239253 ISBN-13: 978-0451239259 Goodreads Review:
After her uncle Toby, a renowned ghost hunter, is killed in a fall off a cliff, Oxford student Jillian Leigh must rive to the seaside village of Rothewell to pack up his belongings. Almost immediately, unsettling incidents - a book left in a cold stove, a gate swinging open on its own - escalate into terrifying events that convince Jillian an angry spirit is trying to enter the house and is haunting the woods around Blood Moon Bay. If Toby discovered something sinister during his investigations, was his death no accident? The arrival of handsome Scotland Yard inspector Drew Merriken leaves Jillian with more questions than answers - and with the added complication of a powerful mutual attraction. She suspects someone will do anything to hide the truth and begins to discover secrets that lie deep within Rothewell... and at the very heart of who she is. My Thoughts: Again, one of those murder mysteries that left me guessing till the end. Through the entire read, i kept doubting on each an every character in the city who was involved in the murder including the Inspector. But things kept falling into places when the puzzle pieces were coming together. The other thing that took my breath away was the plot n the writing. These were the two elements that attracted me n hooked me from the start. The way the suspense was forcing u to turn pages n pages, the way the writer added abt the World war and its effect on the England was incredible. Though it is an Adult novel with crossover YA appeal, i wud suggest this for the high school students as well.
Hardcover: 568 pages Published: October 16th 2012 by The Random House Publishing Group ISBN: 0345504984 (ISBN13: 9780345504982) edition language: English original title: The Twelve series: The Passage #2 Goodreads Review: At the end of The Passage, the great viral plague had left a small group of survivors clinging to life amidst a world transformed into a nightmare. In the second volume of this epic trilogy, this same group of survivors, led by the mysterious, charismatic Amy, go on the attack, leading an insurrection against the virals: the first offensives of the Second Viral War. To do this, they must infiltrate a dozen hives, each presided over by one of the original Twelve. Their secret weapon: Alicia, transformed at the end of book one into a half human, half viral—but whose side, in the end, is she really on? My Thoughts: I read The Passage #1, the first book in this series a month ago and m glad i didnt had to wait too long for The Twelve #2, the second book in his trilogy. The third one is coming in 2014 "The City of Mirrors" his final book. I would encourage u all to read the book #1 first and then continue to #2 cuz the way the two books are carried and continued is amazing. Its epic, plot, character, and the history. I dont easily rate a book to 5 until it call me for a nail-biting stand. The Twelve falls in this catagory. In the story, there came a point where i literally screamed and was cursing the characters and woke my husband up while my head was still in the book and in a loud voice said, "ouch !! look at this son of a **** ." not realising that it was 3 in the morning. I hope the final installment will blow me away like the previous two did.
I got this book for 10 cents at the book sale at Central Library couple of weeks ago. I never miss this book sales, cuz all the books for which I was waiting weeks n months to come in my account, they sell it for 10 cents. I have all James Patterson's Hour Series audio books in my shelf and many more. Always lucky in buying books. This is what happens in The Age of Miracles. The earth's rotations has slowed down, the days are 45 minutes longer, then 90 minutes, and at last 72 hours. Nobody knows whats happening, how its happening and what to do to stop this. Government institutes “clock time”, which means that everyone will keep living on the same schedules they’ve always kept, no matter what the sun is doing in the sky. As all of this is happening, thirteen-year-old Julia is growing up, nursing a crush on a boy at her school, going to piano lessons, watching her parents argue. Mother stocks up on canned foods and stores them in the back against the day that groceries are no longer available — and sometimes they are too occupied trying to find some semblance of normalcy to pay attention to what’s coming. I would have enjoyed even more if science was surrounded in slowing and its effect but this was not the story about. Overall its very interesting and easy read.
In the entire day while m busy juggling with my schedule, i think, "When is the right time? Right time for me to pen down my thoughts?" And when i get time, thoughts procrastinate to flow from my mind. I do have time to think, to make a map in my mind as to what i have to write, how i have to start and end. Its just the matter of sitting down and doing it is what takes time. There are 24 hrs in a day, sumtimes i think over-time and take it to 36 hrs if i needed to finish what I am thinking. I have always n always valued time. I have never been late anywhere (any major delays or cancellations), i have always kept my commitments. Always been there b4 or on time but never late. Now that I value my time, i value others time too. If I don't let others wait for me, I do not appreciate if others keep me waiting. I read this book "Time Management", not that i don't know how to manage time !! But time to time I like to refresh myself by learning those little techniques so I don't let time slip through my fingers. I've heard people saying "Time is Precious". I wonder how many people take time to evaluate it. I believe time always test us. Why? Cuz when we are doing certain thing, time is not going to give us over-time for that work. Infact we have to keep looking at the clock before time is up. If u have time to read this now, read it. Otherwise leave it for next time. Come and stop by when ever your time permits. But plz, do make time to come back and take time to read. !! Wishing you all great time with your family now and at any time !! And now, its time for me to move on with my time ... !!! Au revoir
Its been long since my last post, got busy with my studies. But now that the main courses are over, m at little ease now. I don't promise but will surely be blogging EVERYDAY from now on. I will NOT be sharing my link on facebook, but will surely share it on my page "MY LIBRARY OF THOUGHTS" on fb. Here's Alex Cross for you :
Details: Title: Alex Cross, Run Author: James Patterson Published: February 2013 Pages: 407 Edition: Hardcover Goodreads Review: Kill Alex Cross was "Patterson at the top of his game" (Washington Post). Alex Cross, Run is even better. DON'T LOOK, ALEX CROSS Top plastic surgeon Elijah Creem is renowned for his skills in the operating room, and for his wild, no-expense-spared "industry parties," bringing in underage exotic dancers and models for nights of drugs, champagne, and uninhibited sex. That is, until Detective Alex Cross busts one of Creem's lavish soirees and ruins his fun. Now Creem is willing to do anything to avoid going to jail. DON'T THINK, ALEX CROSS But Alex doesn't have time to dwell on that case. A beautiful woman has been found murdered in her car, a lock of her hair viciously ripped off. Then a second woman is found hanging from a sixth-floor window with a brutal scar slashed across her stomach. When a third mutilated body is discovered, rumors of three serial killers on the loose send Washington D.C. into an all-out frenzy. JUST RUN Alex is under so much pressure to solve these three grim cases that he hasn't noticed that someone else investigating him-someone so obsessed and so twisted that they'll do anything-ANYTHING- to get the vengeance they require. Alex Cross, Run is James Patterson's most unrelenting story yet-a white-hot, sensational thrill ride with the most extreme and gripping characters Patterson has ever brought to life. My thoughts on this: James Patterson has throughly studied peoples mind now. He knows what we want to read. And he continues to engage readers with what they like abt his characters. He uses his formula of short-chapters to keep creating page-turners. Characters r so beautifully drawn thats its so easy to be fascinated by them. The conclusion holds ur breath and is shocking as always. By the end of the book he leaves all his doors open for the reader to continue reading his next book in the series. This is the true art of the author. As always, i will be waiting for his next book in the series.
"Poetry Friday" is hosted by Jone at"Check it Out". Here's my poem for today which m sharing from a book by Helen Vendler's DICKINSON.
The Brain - is wider than the Sky-
For- put then side by side-
The one of the other will contain
With ease- and You-beside-
The Brain is deeper than the sea-
For-hold them- Blue to Blue-
The one the other will absorb-
As Sponges-Buckets-do-
The Brain is just the weight of God-
For- Heft them- Pound for Pound-
And they will differ-if they do-
As Syllable from Sound-"
I love this poem. Its words, its meaning, the way she has compared Brain to Sky, Sea and the weight of God. In the video below is the analysis of this poem. I have my own written explanation, thoughts on this, but I was fortunate to find the video for you which is very similar to my thoughts.
Series: In death, book 36 Publisher: Putnum Genre: Mystery Suspense Release Date: February 26, 2013 My Rating: 4 out of 5 How did I get this book? Purchased from Chapters Indigo last week. A woman named Marta Dickenson, found dead on the stairs. Cops call it a mugging gone wrong but Lieutenant Eva and his partner Peabody had all the answers with the evidences. Marta was kind of woman who no one can imgine would be in someones hitlist. She was a beautiful wife and a devoted mother. When Eve found the blood in the building, she knew it was not a work of professional killer based on the evidences they found. When she went into Marta's office she found some files missing. She had to take the help of her husband Roarke to delve into the world of finance to find out who killed the innocent woman. I can always count on J.D Robb the way he engages ppl in his stories with all twist and turns. It takes a while to build a momentum, but once its build, u dont want to put the book down. Recommendation: Its needless to recommend this book to any J.D Robb fans. Its a series, they'll for sure read.
Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading To participate : 1. Grab your current read. 2. Open to a random page. 3. Share two "teaser" sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS. This week's teaser comes from:
Until the End of Time
Author: Danielle Steel
TEASER : "He killed her last night. Tony killed Debbie. He came home drunk and threw her down the stairs. She died of brain hemorrhage this morning. I just saw her mother." SUMMARY: Two couples, four decades apart. One believes that if lovers die, they find each other again in another life or perhaps the will wind up as stars side by side in the sky; together forever. Who knows how it ends? MY THOUGHTS: Even m curious to know how its gonna end. Can't wait to continue reading this novel. Got it today and planning to stay up all night n finish it. I love Danielle. Her novels are fast read, this is one reason that I can finish her books in one day or at the most two. Took a break to blog on this.
A Death In Vienna is the fourth book in the fictional Gabriel Allon series.
Its based on revenge and justice themes.
416 pages.
ISBN: 9780399151439
How did I get this copy?
Won a giveaway on a blog.
My thoughts on this:
Very well written with complex plot with full of twist and turns which are not immediately obvoius. A story so unbelievable that even those who suffered through it almost cannot believe it has happened.
Gabriel travels to Vienna to investigate the bombing incident in which two girls were killed and went in coma. He finds in the hospital a man named Max Klein who believes that its cuz of him why Lavon has been attacked. Max tells Gabriel the story of his survival of the Holocaust during which he met a man named Erich Radek who he has recently encountered after sixty years, a man who was then responsible for many deaths and for burying evidence of the genocide who is now a respected businessman living with another name and identity.
Silva's books r not only intelligent and sophisticated but credible. He takes historical research very seriously.
Overall its a gr8 ride. for me it was a bt slow too. I took my own time to finish n review it.
When we hear the word "Addiction" it is usually associated with drug abuse, excessive drinking, smoking and even too much gambling are all negative activities that are addictive.But if there is one kind of addiction that is actually beneficial for adults and kids alike, it would be an addiction to sudoku puzzles. Not only sudokus, but also, crosswords, ken ken, kakuro to name a few. As I was doing my research on these kind of puzzles, I came across this site" Startdl.puzzle" which has help me and my kid in our daily exercise. I started off with Sudoku, then Sudoku high-fives ( 5 puzzle in one grid), Sudoku Ball (I donno how many puzzle in one ball). Sudoku was followed by Ken Ken, Kakuro, Anagrams, Qbox ( Qbox game in this site has really captivated my mind. You just don't want to stop doing it.) and then there is "Quote lovers" , you name it. In my son's everyday routine, he has this site in his list. It is a must for him to solve any one of these puzzles a day, which has helped him a lot in his logical thinking skills. Since the puzzles entail the use of logic, common sense, and concentration, his brain is put out of the stupor of doing routine, mundane tasks. In other words, his brain actually gets a break and a good work-out. These puzzles keeps the brain cells healthier. Education is important, but studies actually show that students who do mental workouts like sudoku and other puzzles have higher IQs than students who do not. This only shows that doses of puzzles solving are more than just ways to pass time. They actually help in improving your ability to comprehend more complex ideas. Instead of watching TV, being on laptop and video games, hand them sudoku puzzles. Then, both you and your kids can defend your love of puzzle solving to those poor souls who do not understand the beauty, joy, and benefits of solving it. The nice thing about doing a puzzle is that you know that there is solution. So lets solve some and find solutions !!!
How this book came to me? Today I left my college early as I was done with my exam. I had more than enuf time to pick up kids from school, almost 2 1/2 hour. I stepped in the library and randomly picked this one and started reading without wasting time. The very first sentence itself gave away the ending of the book, "What can u say about a twenty-five-year-old girl who died?" and of course I do wanted to know what had happened in between. Its just 130 pages and finished in less than 2 hrs. My Thought: This love story is no different than any other love story. A typical love story where two college mates, date and fell in love and against all odds, gets married. Face all the life challenges together and sails through the turbulent times. When the time comes for them to live happily ever after, the "Death" calls. But the way Erich has portrayed the two characters is amazing. You almost yourself experience love, despair and evrything else that Oliver faces and overcomes. Being in relationship and being in love is two different things. This story make u feel that love is true, it does exist, and its so beautiful. This is a must read for those who want to know the difference between casual romance and pure love.
This is Young's second book. First was "The Shack" Cross Road is very similar to The Shack, very spiritual, religious oriented. Books like these need to be read very slowly, patiently and carefully, cuz there is always a message n lessons in such fiction books which relates to our every day to day life. This book has reminded me of my mom who had Cancer n later went in coma, right in front of my eyes. I can totally relate, not much, but a lot, cuz of being there, doing that, seeing that !! May her soul R.I.P However, let's talk about Anthony Spencer, the main character of this story !! The problem with him was that he was a very selfish, paranoid, egoistic, ambitious, sociopathic, self-made businessman, who never valued his family, never valued love, who cut himself off from the people who loved him, his ex-wife, his daughter and his son who died at a very young age. A brain tumor and cerebral hemorrhage leaves his body in coma and landed him in ICU. Here he interacts and encounters with the Holy spirits, who reveals the state of his heart to him, and gives him an opportunity to be transformed. Transforming his life from being egoistic to helping others, love others. This is what we take at the end of the day with us. Tony is now visiting in minds of those surrounding him. And what happens when Jesus himself tells Tony that he could heal one person? Will this selfish man win or he will experience a change in his heart? There is this beautiful lines at the end of the book which sums up the book. " Imagery,” added Grandmother, “has never been able to define God, but it is our intention to be known, and each whisper and breath of imagery is a little window into a facet of our nature. Pretty cool, eh?” If u are one in those million people who picked "The Shack", then u shouldn't give a second thought on this one. I got this copy from Chapters, Indigo. Actually i ordered it from library, but I was way way behind for my turn and I couldn't wait. I thought of keeping it in my shelf, but after reading it, I decided to donate it to the library, cuz I don't want others to wait to read this. Of course a MUST read !!
There were two reasons as to y I picked this book. First being heard gud things abt it, got my curiosity. The other reason, when the movie hit the theaters and that lead to my attention. I chose book over movie, cuz for me book is any day better. I can't give my 3 hrs to movie but can happily give 6 hours to book. My Thoughts: Pi Patel (Piscine Molitor Patel), age 16, Indian boy who is from Pondicherry, India and is a son of zookeeper, is the only sole survivor of the cargo ship and returns to the land after 227 days. He spent 227 days in the sea and he shares his boat with Zebra, Orangutan, Hyena and an adult Royal Bengal Tiger. By the end of the novel he provides two different explanations for how things went and what happened. 1st Part: The first quarter of the book is about his spirituality. His spiritual growth. He is Hindu but how he discovers and adopts Christianity and Islam. 2nd Part: The next part was about his childhood in Pondicherry. That moved very slow and I just became more n more impatient to move forward. His childhood experiences were entertaining and a little humorous but again a little too draggy and nor did i find writing too compelling as well. As the story takes it's course through his childhood, there comes a time when his father announces that they r going to sell their zoo and move to Canada. I was convinced that the Life of Pi is going to change.
3rd Part: From here the novel is very different. Pi and hid family and all their zoo animals embark on a Japanese freighter bound to Canada, but ship never makes it. The only animal left are Zebra, Orangutan, Hyena an the tiger and of course Pi. One by one all the remaining animals meet their demise until only Pi and tiger are left.
Its a novel of suffering, spirituality and survival. I recommend this book for the lover of adventure stories. Trust me, m not one of them but, I loved this one. Just enjoy this book with active and open imagination by not going deep into religious aspect of the story. Upcoming reviews: 1. The Broker by John Grisham ( Audio) 2. You Made Me Love You by Joanna Goodman (Book) 3. Private London by James Patterson (Book) 4. The Tourist by Olen Steinhauer (Audio) 5. Cross Roads by Wm. Paul Young (Book)
Sometimes the cover, and the title of the book says everything. "Her Best Friend" is one such. The cover of the book reads "Her Best Friend" .... "More than friends" ..... "He's back, he's hot and he's single .. oh, my!"
Most of them associate Harlequin books to be cheap indulgences for lonely night .. it may be true, but for me its a piece of chocolate. They a very hilarious !! And it also depends on when, u r reading? What time of the day? And it makes a lot of difference when its a book format or an Audio format. Book like these, in the audio format sounds very funny. Face it, sometimes u r in a mood of Harlequin. Without much ado, here's my thought on this novel. Plot: Will it be friendship or romance? What's a girl to do when she's secretly in love with a friend and he's married to someone else? She gets over it. That's what Amy Parker has done. Rather than lose her best bud Quinn Whitfield with an ill-timed, crazy confession of affection, she's taken the smart route. She's eased away from him. Just enough to get past the unrequited bits. And you know, it's working. Until the day Quinn announces he's now single. That's right. He's single. And he wants to hang out. With her. Get reconnected the way they used to be. Oh, this is so not good for Amy's equilibrium. Daily doses of Quinn remind her of everything she loves about him. But if he's free…and she's free…well, maybe the time has come for one of those crazy confessions.
What I think ? It made me laugh, it made me think, some parts added to my dreams. You feel an instant connection between Amy and Quinn. I thoroughly enjoyed the re-living of their childhood, like when Amy first noticed Quinn's transformation from boy to man. Your sympathy goes out to Amy for her unrequited love for Quinn. I mean, c'mon, we've all had that feeling where you like someone and that person doesn't give you a second peek. And when Amy loses Quinn to her other friend! Well, that just sucks! After all, nobody likes being the third wheel.
I'm reminded of the "Jerry and Elaine" relationship on Seinfeld. They went out, broke up, and became the best of friends--the kind you can't imagine living day-to-day without. Can you imagine that? Most people who break up can't be friends, even if that's where it started, because it's just too weird for them. But Jerry and Elaine pulled it off. Friendships are the best! Love is not only for lovers, it is also for friends who love each other better than lovers and still be friends.
