Galaxy of Stars - Haiku

Can genius be found

if you fail to look around

head buried in musical ground

Lovely Stars I met 

Can't believe my eyes, still

Galaxy of Stars 

Son - Haiku

Late last night

After my last bite

I tried to write

But I couldn't quite

Now I think the time is right !!!

My son loves me

that alone keeps me happy

how long will this last?

will he always feel this way?

I hear him coming to me ...

Review: We Are All Made of Molecules

Review:

 Title: We Are All Made of Molecules
Author: Susin Nielsen
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Publication date: May 12, 2015
Genre(s): Middle Grade (Contemporary)
Source: Publisher
Format: Hardcover
Pages: 256


Goodreads:Thirteen-year-old Stewart is academically brilliant but socially clueless. Fourteen-year-old Ashley is the undisputed “It” girl in her class, but her grades stink. Their worlds are about to collide when Stewart and his dad move in with Ashley and her mom. Stewart is trying to be 89.9 percent happy about it, but Ashley is 110 percent horrified. She already has to hide the real reason her dad moved out; “Spewart” could further threaten her position at the top of the social ladder. They are complete opposites. And yet, they have one thing in common: they - like everyone else - are made of molecules.

My Rating: 2 Star

My Thoughts on this novel: Very disappointing. In a very long time did I give a 2 star rating.The cover of the book and the synopsis at the back caught my eye. But the story inside is totally different than what I thought it would be. The very disturbing point was "Using rape as a plot device" that was a deal breaker for me right there. And above all wasn't even handled sensitively.

The idea on the whole was nice,  blending two families together, there were some sweet moments, some touching, some grief moments of mom passing away. But later in the story some unpleasant things happens which makes the story inappropriate for the younger age group to read.

My Recommendations: It is recommended for Young Adult and Teens, But if you ask me, as a parent, I wouldn't recommend this for my teen.

Happy Reading !!

HAIKU - TOGETHER

TOGETHER 

Together walking

in the flow of time, we halt

tightening loose ends

Waiting - Haiku

 Waiting in despair 

Though I will not know till weeks 

 still I check my phone

Keep clicking refresh

My inbox remain empty

Hoping to get one

EYES (Haiku)

In love she will fall 

if she will look in his eyes

shez scared of the thought

Dream (Haiku)

Through the rays of moon

My Mom glides down to meet me ;

 Dream ! hold her gently 

Fantasy (Haiku)

I was so happy

then I realized that it 

was all fantasy

Where Hope Takes Root

Review: His Highness The Aga Khan's "Where Hope Takes Root" 

Hardcover, 144 pages

Published May 28th 2008 by Douglas & McIntyre
Original title: Where Hope Takes Root: Democracy and Pluralism in an Independent World

ISBN: 1553653661 (ISBN13: 9781553653660)

Edition language:English

Who? Why? How? Where?  of this book: 

Where did I find this book? 

In a public library. Library has always surprised me with the books that I least expect to be IN LIBRARY. "Where hope takes root" is one of them. "Aga Khan Museum Guide" is the other. I was proud to see these books "ON SHELF" in library. 

Who is Aga Khan and Why you should read this $25 hard book? 

His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV, is the 49th hereditary Imam (Spiritual Leader) of the Shia Imami Ismaili Muslim and the direct descendent of Prophet Muhammad.

This book succinctly highlights AKDN's fifty years of experience, experiments, acheivements and accomplishment in diverse field of health, education, pluralism, civil society and much more. It is the compilation of His thirteen speeches which was delivered between September 2002 and October 2006 and the interviews which is made my Adrienne Clarkson, the former Governor-General of Canada. 

Listed is the titles of the speeches which will want you to read this book. 

1. Enhancing Pluralism @ Armsterdam, The Netherlands

2. Is civil society bankable? @ Tashkent, Uzbekistan

3. The knowledge revolution and the end of ignorance @ Karachi, Pakistan

4. Canada as a global leader @ Gatineau, Canada, 

5. The nature of true regime change @ Toronto, Canada

6. Underwriting human progress @Berlin, Germany

7. Architecture as a force for change @New Delhi, India

8. Democracy, Pluralism and Civil Society @ Oslo, Norway

9. The Bridge That Unites Us @ Ottawa, Canada

10. What Makes Democracy Works @ Evora, Portugal 

11. Renewing Democracy's Promise @ New York, USA

12. The Spiritual Roots of Tolerance @ Tutzing, Germany

13. Towards a common future @ Ottawa, Canada 

14. "Pluralism is a work in progress" in conversation with Peter Mansbridge who is a Canadian TV personality.

I wouldn't say you Have to read this book or you Should read this book;  But trust me, you Want to read this book.

Where is this book available?

1. Amazon

2. Chapters Indigo  

3. Barnes and Noble 

4. You can borrow it from me :) 

Upcoming Review: 

 Happy Reading !!

My Children - Haiku

The view of my life 

My boys are always sweeter than 

A glazed Strawberry

Happy Reading !! 

Review: Inside Out and Back Again

Inside Out & Back Again by Thanhha Lai

This is the moving story of one girl's year of change, dream, grief, and healing as she journeys from one country to anothe, one life to the next. This is the award winning novel.

The beauty of this book is that, the entire story is written in a form of poem, verses, which so much reminds me of Emily Dickenson's work. 

While i was reading, i found myself imagining as a child when i was in her situation, moving from  India to Canada leaving family and friends behind.

I'd like to quote some lines which, when i read i felt like its my own story. I believe, books don't change people, sometimes paragraphs do or sometimes even sentences. 

"Our lives

will twist and twist,

intermingling the old and the new

untill it doesn't matter 
which is which.

Eternal Peace:

Mother wears
her brown a'o da'i
brought from home.

Each of my brothers
wears a suit,
too small or too big.

I wear a pink dress
of ruffles and lace,
which i hate,
but at least
it's definitely a dress.

Each of us faces that altar,
holding a lit incense stick
between palms in prayer.

Father's portrait
stares back.

Mothers says,
We'll chant
for Father's safe passage
toward eternal peace,
where his parents await him.

She pauses,
voice choked.

Father won't leave
if we hold on to him.
If you feel like crying,
think
.....
....." 


If you're not accostom to reading novel in verse this is the right choice.

Video Link: 

Inside Out & Back Again - Book Trailor 


This is novel is to millions of refugees in the world, may you all find home. 

Happy Reading !!

150 Books in a Year

This year I've pledged to read 150 books.

At first I thought "How can i read 150 book in 365 days? Did I challenge myself a bit too much? Cause my philosophy was "A book a week" But then i did a little math. 

If I focus on little books this year which has 150 pages, than focusing on big books like Stephen King,James Patterson, Daniel Steel, J.K Rowling or Nore Roberts !! I think I can achieve my goal. Now you must be thinking m just reading for the sake of reading or just to complete my goal. Not really, 150 pages books are worth reading too. Any book actually is worth reading irrespective of how many pages it contains. For example; "Heaven is for real" such a popular book which is less then 150 pages. Here is a link that will take you to "Popular Books Under 150 Pages" on Goodreads. I've read the reviews, they are books worth reading. 

A little math for all of us: 

I can read 50 pages in one hour. Thats 150 pages in 3 hours. I think we can read 150 books in 150 days? 1 hour early morning and 2 hours at night? Fair enough? 

Say if i don't stress myself too much and read 150 pages in 6 hours (i.e 2 days). I'd still finish 150 books in 300 days. M still left with 65 days for Stephen King, James Patterson .. all my top 5 authors. 

The bottom line is, if you have a goal and you know how to manage your time, m sure everything is possible. And m just not talking reading. 

What say? M I right or m I right? 

Share your thoughts. 

Happy Reading !! 

Review: The Stand by Stephen King

The Stand: 

My Quick Thoughts: This was an audio book for me. Stephen King is never enough to read. There are only few writers who narrates the story as uniquely as he does. 

I picked this novel for two reasons, knowing the fact that I wont be able to finish in the time I gave to myself as I was in between 2 books. I still chose this as an audio book. Firstly, because of all his past works and secondly, its believed to be the best novel of all times. 

"The Stand" is a novel about an deadly virus that kills the world at large from a very bad cold that generates from a U.S Government Lab. It takes only few weeks for the entire humanity to succumb to the disease. Only few survives to show their appearance. Of course in a plot like this, we have good guys some bad guys, a total different and a new form of government.

All characters were amazing and fully developed. I actually started loving them and didnt wanted them to die. This is a novel about the battle between good and evil in a lengthy epic style. We have Mother Abigail on good side and Flagg on the devil side. Flagg's character was a nightmare. There's Harold, Nick, Lloyd, Tom, Stu, Fran and Larry to name a few character. M not going to spoil it by saying who belongs where. The only thing you need to know is Nick is kickass deaf and mute, Tom is cool. I didn't bother about couple of characters but started liking them as was listening along. 

So to wrap it up, this is just not the king's novel, it is "The King's Novel" broke all his previous records. Would without a doubt recommend this to all King fans. One of the best of 2014. 

Happy Reading !!

Review: Pegasus by Danielle Steel

Pegasus: A Novel

I got this novel when I was christmas shopping for my family last week at a book store. Books are the best gifts i can ever give to my children and myself too. Any day better.

Goodreads Review: 

Nicolas von Bingen and Alex von Hemmerle, titled members of the German aristocracy, have been best friends since childhood. Both widowers, they are raising their children—Nick’s two lively boys and Alex’s adored teenage daughter—in peace and luxury on the vast Bavarian estates that have belonged to their families for generations. While Nick indulges in more glamorous pursuits, Alex devotes himself to breeding the renowned white Lipizzaner horses that enthrall audiences throughout Europe with their ability to dance and spin on command, majestic creatures whose bloodlines are rare and priceless. But it is Nicolas’s bloodline that changes everything, when his father receives a warning from a high-ranking contact inside the Wehrmacht. A secret from the past has left the family vulnerable to the rising tide of Nazism: Nick’s mother, whom he never knew, was of Jewish descent. 

Suddenly Nicolas must flee Germany, wrenching his sons away from the only home they have known, sailing across the Atlantic for a new life in America. Their survival will depend on a precious gift from Alex, their only stake for the future: eight purebred horses, two of them stunning Lipizzaners. In Florida, where Nicolas joins the Ringling Brothers Circus, he becomes Nick Bing, with Alex’s prize white stallion—now named Pegasus—the centerpiece of the show.

In this extraordinary book, Danielle Steel tells the story of a family reinventing itself in America, while the country they left behind is engulfed in flames and madness, and men like Alex von Hemmerle are forced to make unbearable choices. Alex’s daughter will find sanctuary in England. In America, Nick will find love, his sons will find a future, and their left-behind world will eventually find them. A novel of hope and sacrifice, of tragedy, challenge, and rebirth, Pegasus is a brilliant family chronicle that unfolds across half a century—a masterwork from one of our most beloved writers. 

My Thoughts: 

A very a light read. Plot was boring, characters were too good to be true. In between the story keeps you engaged. Ending was interesting and I loved the way in the end horse saved the lives of two German families and reunited them once again, who got seperated during World War II. Overall its a good story, though, I've read even better books of Danielle Steel. This was not at that level. Should this novel have been editied once again before publishing? I'm sure would have been even better read.

Happy Reading !!

Brain Teaser

Example: 24 H in a D

Answer: 24 Hours in a Day.

1. 90 D in a R A

2. 15 P in a R T

3. 12 M in a Y

4. 5 T on a F

5. 23 P of C in the H B

6. 1000 Y in a M

7. 39 B of the O T 

8. 365 D in a Y

9. 26 L of the A

10. 13 S in the USF

Happy Thinking, People !!

PRIME NUMBER - HAIKU

A Number that is
Divisible by just one
And itself is Prime

 Haiku: Haiku is a very short form of Japanese poetry typically characterized by three qualities. Three lines with 5-7-5 structure.

HAPPY READING !!

4 Books That Inspired Me

Every Smart and Thinking Woman Should Read These Four Books

There are many books that inspired me in the last couple of months, but would like to share 
"My Best Four"

1. The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing:

The Story:  One woman's struggle to write a notebook that contains all the compartmentalized facets of her life—her childhood, her politics and her lovers.

Why It Inspires Me:  Lessing tried to do was to bring together a woman's brain and a woman's body, to show the delight in physicality. Womanhood is exuberant—and wonderful.

2. Memories of a Catholic Girlhood by Mary McCarthy: 

The Story: The nonfictional account of Mary McCarthy's idyllic childhood, cut short by the death of her parents.

Why It Inspires Me: McCarthy was orphaned by the influenza epidemic that followed WWI; both of her parents died in a flash. She was then raised by her grandparents in Seattle. The wonderful thing she does in the book is to tell what happened, and then to write about what might have happened. It takes 'memoir' to a whole other level. It gives you a shot of adrenaline; it makes you ask yourself, What was the transformational moment in my life when my story really begins?

3. The Bell Jar by Silvia Plath: 

The Story: A young woman suffers a breakdown while pursuing her dream of being a magazine editor. 

Why It Inspires Me: Plath made it possible for women to confront our anger and make literature out of it. She made it acceptable to declare our rage.

4. The Country Girls Trilogy by Edna O'Brien: 

The Story: The coming-of-age story of two young Catholic girls in Ireland. 

Why It Inspires me:  This is a writer who is a woman, a lover, a daughter, a mother and she tries to bring all that together in her work. So few women writers were doing that in the 1960s. Instead, they were writing through a male persona, because they knew that otherwise they wouldn't be taken seriously. But as O'Brien says, 'I am the mother of sons; my sons have given me joy. I am a lover of men, and men have broken my heart—but they've also given me joy.

Which Books Have Inspired You and Why?  

I love Blogging

I know this title sounds weird after being silent on blog for a such a long time. Well, I've my own reasons for it which I'll share in my upcoming posts. This definitely didn't mean that i've left reading. I can never do that. In fact, anything but that. It's just that I was too busy enjoying life with family and my work (My new passion, new crush, new love.) Reading was and will always be there. Blogging took a back seat. Not too back tough, Third place to be exact ...lol.. I am content to blog when i can find time without sacrificing my family's time and work time. I still love n enjoy blogging so much so that i can't imagine ever stopping.

I've been blogging since 2011. Blogging came to me when I was a stay at home mom, taking care of my little one. As my little one grew older started going to school full time, I joined college too to continue my education. And thus, got busy. But now I think I've settled in my new routine so think I can come back with lots n lots of book reviews, some experiences,some laughter, some poems and so much to share. But just in case I disappear for a bit, assume m busy and will be back as soon as I can be.

Happy Reading !!

HAIKU POEM

Impossible Things

I close my eyes and

Try to imagine all the 

Impossible things

Haiku: Haiku is a very short form of Japanese poetry typically characterized by three qualities. Three lines with 5-7-5 structure.

Enjoy my Haiku and share yours. 

Review: Mr.Mercedes by Stephen King

Mr.Mercedes by Stephen King

Title: Mr. Mercedes
Author: Stephen King
Pages: 448
Genre: Fiction; mystery/thriller
Publisher: Scribner (Simon & Schuster)
Pub. Date: June 3, 2014


Stephen King has been my all time favorite author, and remains so today. Mr. Mercedes is a multi-level story, combining mystery, crime, romance and psychology into one epic novel. You go inside the mind of the killer and follow along on this crazy journey that could end in an epic, bloody catastrophe.You’ll gasp, you’ll cry a little, you’ll hold ur breath, and then you’ll gasp some more as the story envelops you right until the very last sentence. Amazing work from an amazing mind! As usual, never disappoints u.

I'll be blunt when a writer or any profession for that matter has been around for over 35-40 years, their work gets a little sleazy,though there are always expections to rule like Clint Eastwood and James Patterson and John Grisham 

Mr. Mercedes, starts off with a psychopathic killer driving his car through a mass of people waiting in line for a job fair, murdering several and hurting others. He manages to escape and his case essentially becomes cold. The owner of the car whom he stole it from then kills herself, presumably from the guilt of leaving her car accessible.

Retired Detective Hodges then enters the story; he's experiencing a newly retired life which feels pointless until he is drawn into this case, basically by Mr. Mercedes himself, and decides to try to find the killer on his own. In the meantime, Mr. Mercedes has plans for more evil, so the retired detective's search for him becomes a race to save thousands of people.

Mr.Mercedes is his first book in this trilogy. The second book comes in 2015. And of course i recommend this book to all Stephen King fans. Hope you enjoy reading this book as much as i did.

Happy Reading !!