Review : Betrayal by Danielle Steel

Ok, Danielle Steel's novels r very predictable. U'll know wats going to happen next. No twist n turns, no thoughts required, very fast n easy read, but it definately keeps u engaged, the lead character was likable, but the entire premise was unrealistic. That anybody smart enough to be this successful would be so gullible and BLIND to what was going on was far-fetched. This isn't my main gripe with the book, though. My main gripe is that this 320-page story could have been told in 100 pages, if not for all the repetition. I used to believe that Danielle did this for emphasis - saying the exact same thing a different way two sentences later. Now, I'm wondering if she does it to fill pages, because this book had SO much repetition that it became painful.

I've started reading Danielle Steel's ROGUE , m on pg- 47. Looks like its the same as Betrayal. Again fast n easy read, repetition everywhere. Even though m on pg-47, m still in the same scene. I think we won't b wrong if we skip couple of pages. With Large Print book, it's even easier read...lol... we can finish it in one night... I'd still give 4 stars for the time I gave to this book. .. :)

Happy Reading !!

Wattpad

I love reading. I make reading possible anywhere, everywhere, anytime. I carry my current  reading novel everywhere I go. Besides books, I like to read on my devices too. Kindle, e-reader, iPad, iPhone n Blackberry. Many people feel uncomfortable to read on iphone, but if I don't want to turn the pages, I make myself comfortable with my fingers on my phone.

When I was browsing for different site to upload my book, I came across this Wattpad. It has nice stories. People write their fiction and non-fiction stories and call it a book. Some books are like their Diaries. They update them almost daily, atleast the once I'm following. They r easy reads.

I've been reading this book called "My Wattpad Love". Its a Teen-Fiction. Its hilarious. OMG !! I don't have words to express. Jules Jones seemed just like a gurl next door. It's a Internet  love story with all misunderstandings n curiosities. Knowing the fact that I had to wake up very early in the morning to make it to World Partnership Walk 2012 - Toronto , I slept very late and I missed my Walk. All thanks to my unhealthy sleeping n reading habits.

Anyways, other than Wattpad, I'm almost at the end of completing Danielle Steel's Betrayal and will be reviewing soon.

My this weeks read:

Happy Reading !!!

The Fisherman and the Businessman

There was once a businessman who was sitting by the beach in a small Brazilian village. As he sat, he saw a Brazilian fisherman rowing a small boat towards the shore having caught quite a few big fish.
The businessman was impressed and asked the fisherman, “How long does it take you to catch so many fish?” The fisherman replied, “Oh, just a sh...ort while.”

“Then why don’t you stay longer at sea and catch even more?” The businessman was astonished.

“This is enough to feed my whole family,” the fisherman said.

The businessman then asked, “So, what do you do for the rest of the day?”

The fisherman replied, “Well, I usually wake up early in the morning, go out to sea and catch a few fish, then go back and play with my kids. In the afternoon, I take a nap with my wife, and evening comes, I join my buddies in the village for a drink — we play guitar, sing and dance throughout the night.”

The businessman offered a suggestion to the fisherman. “I am a PhD in business management. I could help you to become a more successful person. From now on, you should spend more time at sea and try to catch as many fish as possible. When you have saved enough money, you could buy a bigger boat and catch even more fish. Soon you will be able to afford to buy more boats, set up your own company, your own production plant for canned food and distribution network. By then, you will have moved out of this village and to Sao Paulo, where you can set up HQ to manage your other branches.”

The fisherman continues, “And after that?”

The businessman laughs heartily, “After that, you can live like a king in your own house, and when the time is right, you can go public and float your shares in the Stock Exchange, and you will be rich.”

The fisherman asks, “And after that?”

The businessman says, “After that, you can finally retire, you can move to a house by the fishing village, wake up early in the morning, catch a few fish, then return home to play with kids, have a nice afternoon nap with your wife, and when evening comes, you can join your buddies for a drink, play the guitar, sing and dance throughout the night!”

The fisherman was puzzled, “Isn’t that what I am doing now?”

In My Mailbox (2)

In My Mailbox is a weekly feature hosted by Kristi at The Story Siren. Each week we feature the books we received for review, bought at a store, or from the library.

Book given to me by the publisher to review :

Bitter Legacy by H.Terrell Griffin

Books from the library :

Betrayal by Daniel Steel. ( Currently Reading)

Dead of Night by Barbara Nadel ( to-read)

Thunder and Rain by Charles Martin ( to-read)

What's in your mailbox ?

The Time Machine by H.G.Wells

Here again H.G. Wells let us dwell in futuristic landscapes with our feet still in the present. It is amazing how this author manages to bring actual and current topics to fiction and future and mixes them to make you think about reality, it all with the perfect touch of entertainment, good narration, incredible stories and amazing characters you can relate to.

I like the way he tells the story in this book, that first person telling us what he's seeing and how he deals with the situation he find himself into. in my opinion a good piece of science fiction has foundations in reality and Wells is a master on that. I can't give a proper opinion on this book without giving spoilers, so I'll limit myself to say: this is one of the best books you could ever read if you're in love with fantasy, science and philosophical traits that leave a seed on your brain and generate incredible and new ideas on your possible future. He was a visionary. I loved it.

Time or Money

Father was a hardworking man who delivered bread as a living to support his wife and three children. He spent all his evenings after work attending classes, hoping to improve himself so t...hat he could one day find a better paying job. Except for Sundays, Father hardly ate a meal together with his family. He worked and studied very hard because he wanted to provide his family with the best money could buy.

Whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

The day came when the examination results were announced. To his joy, Father passed, and with distinctions too! Soon after, he was offered a good job as a senior supervisor which paid handsomely.

Like a dream come true, Father could now afford to provide his family with life’s little luxuries like nice clothing, fine food and vacation abroad.

However, the family still did not get to see father for most of the week. He continued to work very hard, hoping to be promoted to the position of manager. In fact, to make himself a worthily candidate for the promotion, he enrolled for another course in the open university.

Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

Father’s hard work paid off and he was promoted. Jubilantly, he decided to hire a maid to relieve his wife from her domestic tasks. He also felt that their three-room flat was no longer big enough, it would be nice for his family to be able to enjoy the facilities and comfort of a condominium. Having experienced the rewards of his hard work many times before, Father resolved to further his studies and work at being promoted again. The family still did not get to see much of him. In fact, sometimes Father had to work on Sundays entertaining clients. Again, whenever the family complained that he was not spending enough time with them, he reasoned that he was doing all this for them. But he often yearned to spend more time with his family.

As expected, Father’s hard work paid off again and he bought a beautiful condominium overlooking the coast of Singapore. On the first Sunday evening at their new home, Father declared to his family that he decided not to take anymore courses or pursue any more promotions. From then on he was going to devote more time to his family.

Father did not wake up the next day......

If you only have one life to live.. How do you want to live each day?? What are we really living for?? Are we working to live? Or are we living to work?

Review: The Book of Lost Fragrances by M. J. Rose

Brillant! Can't speak highly enough of this book! Such a great story and so well written. So many aspects that I love and am intrigued by - Egyptology, aromatherapy and reincarnation - all rolled into one riveting story.

For those of you who cannot stand a story without a love story - it's there. If you want a thriller - it's there. If you want history, ancient and more contemporary - it's there. So is science and a host of other issues that all wind around each other to create one of those intricate Chinese decorative knots, each strand necessary and holding together the whole.

Towards the end, I began to wonder about why not as background had been given for one character in particular, and why two other past-life memory aids kept being mentioned. It finally occurred to me that the author had a previous book entitled The Reincarnationist, and that is the term used to describe the troubling character. I need to do a bit of digging, but I bet he showed up in some of her earlier work. Rest assured, however, this book can and does stand on its own quite well.Will most certainly be seeking other books by this author.

Moms Are Always Right

There were many words of wisdom I heard from my parents growing up. I’ve recently managed to forget my Mom’s wise advice a couple times and unfortunately suffered the consequences. She always told me not to drop sharp knives into the soapy dishwater but instead hold them by the handle while washing them. Well the other day I reached into the dishwater to retrieve a sharp knife I was letting soak and promptly cut my finger. Ouch!

She also warned me never to leave the kitchen if I had something on the stove. That’s a tough one for me since I love doing more than one thing at a time. I was cooking jelly and decided to go in the basement and continue with the laundry while it came to a boil. You guessed it … I totally forgot about the jelly until I smelled it burning on the stove after it boiled over! What a mess!

Although my mom is out of  my reach, my Mom may have heard me proclaim “Mom, you were right!” I now have a strongly renewed desire to heed her advice! The influence parents have on their children lasts a lifetime.

The Vanishers: A Novel by Heidi Julavits

This book is very weird, ferocious, passionate, funny and heart wrenching, all these adjectives and more come to mind while reading "The Vanishers." Heidi Julavits's strange novel manages to be a surrealistic psychic noir mystery, a satire of academia and modern medicine, while simultaneously exploring female relationships -- mother to daughter, teacher to student, friend to friend, enemy to enemy -- with an intensity that humor can only mask for so long. As odd as all this sounds, it is also eminently readable.

As the book opens, the narrator, Julia Severn is a student of the psychic sciences at the Institute of Paranormal Psychology, also known as The Workshop. Her mentor, the powerful Madame Ackermann, hired Julia to transcribe her regression travels, but has been unable to produce results. While Madame Ackermann sleeps Julia has, without her employer's knowledge, tried to cover for her by making up transcripts of their sessions. Madame Ackermann tumbles to the trick and in retribution launches a psychic attack on Julia that ruins her health and forces her to leave the workshop. After retreating to New York and a mindless job, Julia is approached by a pair of researchers who are seeking a once famous artist and offer Julia treatment in return for using her psychic powers to their advantage. Julia hopes the quest will lead her closer to her mother who committed suicide when she was a month old. As expected, nothing turns out to be what Julia expects.

Who is attacking whom? Who is seeking whom? Where is the border between sanity and insanity? The twists and turns of the plot are complicated by characters who refuse to remain anchored in time and space, life or death and will leave you gasping at the imagination that dreamed up this manic chase. Despite the frenetic forward movement of the story, at its heart, "The Vanishers" is a bildungsroman about dealing with grief and loss, especially when the void is created by suicide or disappearance.

If you get to the end and are left with questions, don't worry, that is Julavits' point. Ambiguity is an essential component of the human condition and learning to live means learning to live with seemingly contradictory impulses governing our relationships.

It is a book worth reading and, in my opinion, rereading.

The Value of a Woman

 

When I was born..!!
A Great Woman was there To hold me.. My Mother..!!

When I grew as a child..!!
A Woman was there to Care for Me & play with me.. My Sister.. !!

... When I went to School..!!
A Woman was there To help me learn.. My Teacher.. !!

When I became depressed & whenever I lost..!!
A Woman was there to offer a shoulder.. My Friend.. !!

When I needed company, compatability & love..!!
A great woman was there for Me.. My Wife.. !!

When I became tough..!!
A Woman was there To melt me.. My Daughter.. !!

And.. When I Die..
A Woman is there to absorb me In My Motherland.. !!

If you are a Man Value Every Woman.. !!

And..

If you are a Woman.. Be proud to be the One.. ! :)

POEM

April is the National Month of Poetry. This reminds me of a very beautiful poem which I read years ago, it came in the newspaper and I kept the cutting of this poem in my Precious Gems binder. This poem was written by African Child and was nominated for the best poem of that year. I'm typing this poem as it is and hope u'll like it as much as I did when I read it the first time.

When I born, I black.
When I grow up, I black.
When I go in sun, I black.
When I cold, I black.
When I scared, I black.
When I sick, I black.
And when I die, I still black.
You white folks...
When you born, you pink.
When you grow up, you white.
When you go in sun, you red.
When you cold, you blue.
When you scared, you yellow.
When you sick, you green.
When you bruised, you purple.
And when you die, you gray.
So who YOU callin' C O L O R E D ??

In My Mailbox

In My Mailbox (IMM) is weekly meme hosted by The Story Siren It’s a chance for people to tell others about the books they received that week.

Today I received my first book from Ethan, who hosted a Giveaway n I won. THE SNOW CHILD by Eowyn Ivey

Goodreads Review :

Alaska, 1920: a brutal place to homestead, and especially tough for recent arrivals Jack and Mabel. Childless, they are drifting apart--he breaking under the weight of the work of the farm; she crumbling from loneliness and despair. In a moment of levity during the season's first snowfall, they build a child out of snow. The next morning the snow child is gone--but they glimpse a young, blonde-haired girl running through the trees. This little girl, who calls herself Faina, seems to be a child of the woods. She hunts with a red fox at her side, skims lightly across the snow, and somehow survives alone in the Alaskan wilderness. As Jack and Mabel struggle to understand this child who could have stepped from the pages of a fairy tale, they come to love her as their own daughter. But in this beautiful, violent place things are rarely as they appear, and what they eventually learn about Faina will transform all of them.

I'm most looking forward to read The Snow Child and give my own review. What bookish things have you guys received/bought lately?

FATHER-IN-LAW

I knew what you were going through
But I didn't knew what to say
I knew how you were feeling
But I just knew how to pray
I wish I knew more better way to help you than what I did to
relieve your tremendous pain

I wish I had a magic wand
and take away your pain
There isn't much
that I could do but pray which I did
But all my prayers were unanswered
There again I was left with another WHY? of life

You were the second chance given to me by Almighty,

YOU as a FATHER in my life, but I failed even this time to save you
Oh father-in-law of mine

I've seen the joy on your face
When your grandson took his first walk
Seen the worry and anxiety
When things just aren't going your way
We needed your guidance, skill, and wisdom
A better man will never be found
Your son wishes he were half the man
That you were

I agree, and desperately hope
That my children will be like you, some
I wish that I could give you something
For all that you've given us
Your knowledge, love, and your youngest son

Tears rolls down the cheeks, knowing that your not physically present here,

But as a legacy, your words of wisdom, your smile, your guidance will always remain

Feels happy to know that you are in a much better place and in much safer hands

You will always be missed

May you RIP, Papa  

Tuesdays With Morrie

When I was waiting at the airport lounge for my flights depature from Amsterdam, I dropped into the airport bookstore before boarding the flight. As I looked through the latest bestsellers, a small book with a simple cover caught my attention. Its title read "Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson". The title of the book forced me to purchase that book.

After takeoff, I thought I would browse through the book for a few minutes before taking a much-needed nap. A few minutes slipped into a few hours and by the time we landed, I just finished the last page with tears in my eyes. The book is about a man who, after leaving university and building a career, rediscovers his favorite professor, Morrie, in the final months of the olders man's life. Every Tuesday, the former student then visits the dying teacher to learn another lesson about life from this man who lived so richly and completely.

A real-life account, the lessons Morrie offers during these moving Tuesday sessions include: how to avoid a life of regret, the value of family, the importance of forgivness and the meaning of death, where he makes the powerful remark, "Once you learn how to die, you will learn how to live." This beautiful little book will remind you of the importance of counting your blessing daily and having the wisdom to honor life's simplest pleasures no matter how busy your life becomes. One my legacies I will leave to my two children will be a library of books that have inspired and touched me. And "Tuesdays With Morrie" will be one that will sit out in front.

LIFE BETWEEN PAGES

What would I do without books in my life? This question and the answer to this question gives me goosebumps. Since childhood being the only female child in the family, I had a dream of studying higher and higher, but due to sudden and early demise of my parents I had to discontinue my studies. Everyday trying hard to understand Shakespeare's work, Sanskrit Poems and what not. The most painful moment was when I was watching those book falling from my hand n I knew I will never be able to pick those books again.

Time passed, got married, well settled but still something was missing. I knew what it was. Routine work of every day makes us monotonous. To break it I often look for interesting and exciting things to do. Books were the best way to divert attention side by side with work. There I was again with the books, but not for the same reason.

It is said that an empty mind is devil’s workshop. The moment we sit idle, devil starts instilling evil in our minds. So it is always better to do something constructive in our spare time. Any thing that we do in our spare time is called our hobby. It may or may not help us earn money or reputation. But it does give us pleasure, peace of mind and satisfaction.

But I think that book reading is far better than any other hobbies as it prepares us for life. It covers all the aspects of man’s life and provides both knowledge and pleasure. In this world of strife and struggle where every body is hankering after money, books are selfless friends. They never leave us in the lurch nor do they reap advantages in our distress. They are helpers to the helpless and friends to the friendless. They are the source of wisdom and pleasure. They teach us how to face and overcome difficulties. They advise us to be sober and dignified both in distress both in distress and happiness.

Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested. I have a small library in my house. I have collected a number of books on different topics.

I go to library every now-n-then, won lots of books giveaways, host Giveaway as well, give reviews. Recently stepped into writing a book. Hoping to go far with that. So, this way I kept myself,  my time, my passion for reading and my love for books alive in me. And will continue to do the same for my two wonderful gifted kids.

 "Anyone who says they have only one life to live must not know how to read a book." ~Author Unknown

Monday Morning

For My Friend: Part 4, Day 3

In the morning of Monday,

Greeted by the sunshine so sunny,

A sweet smile curls to brighten up the day,

Fresh as morning glory, smiling sweetly,

Singing like a sun bird, so joyfully,

Wishing a day of no worry!

If I were ....

For My Friend: Part 3, Day 2

If I were the sponge,

I'd soak up your pain,

Squeeze it in the sun,

Let you smile again.

 

If I were the bird,

I'd sing you nice songs,

Which you never heard,

But you'd hum along.

 

If I were the breeze,

I'd gently sooth your soul,

Not a moment amiss,

Make you great and whole.

For My Friend Who Left Me: Part 2, Day 1

How would I know that
today is the last goodbye
between you and I?

Am so grief stricken
upon the sad news of you
leaving

Crystals of my eyes
drop so weakly one by one
wishing you would stay

Alas, I'm human
having not a single strength
to fight against fate

I watch silently
you go,
trying hard, so you could stay

My prayers for you
in my heart, your name engraved
Wish you could come back, my dear

"It gives me so much pain and sadness in writing this Haiku as a dedication to my beloved friend.

For My Friend Who Left Me: Part 1, Day 1

"Lord, give me the courage to change the things that can be changed, the serenity to accept things that cannot be changed, and the wisdom to know the difference."

What's The Best Book You've Read In One Day?

As a reviewer and writer, it's part of perfecting my craft. I once had a book blogger friend ask me how many books I've read in my lifetime. (Hey, I'm not that old!) I couldn't even begin to come up with a number. But I'll make a guesstimate. I usually read 4-5 books a month. For sure. But then it even depends on how fast I finish reading those books. Sometimes I even read 10 books each month.

So last week, when I noticed the #1daybook hashtag on Twitter, I had to find out what all the fuss was about.

Looks like it started over at Reddit when someone posed the question: What's the best/most unusual/longest/most enthralling book you've read in a day?

It got me thinking. What's the best book I've read in a single day? What book has kidnapped me, held me for ransom, and refused to let go until I closed the back cover?

My answer: Pictures of You by Caroline Leavitt. She had me on page one, and by the time I finished a few hours later, I was a blabbering book reader, tugged in multiple directions by conflicting emotions. I felt such a connection with Isabelle, the photography, the sense of place.

I think about that book often, pull it from the shelf and reread snippets - a snapshot of descriptions and characters - that beg to be read once again.

It takes a special book - and writer - to create that sense of empathy with readers. And Caroline's words and story formed that bond for me.

What's the best book you've read in a single day?