Book Review: The Gruffalo’s Child by Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler
While I rate Gruffalo one of the best kid books, The Gruffalo’s child comes a close second. The Gruffalo said that no gruffalo should Ever set foot in the deep dark wood. Why? Because there is a big bad mouse!
In this book by Julia Donaldson, Gruffalo has a child of his own and when Gruffalo forbids him to travel to deep dark forest for there’s a big bad mouse, the inquisitive mind of the child makes him go the first opportunity he gets (when his father is fast asleep). The book shows how time extrapolates one’s memory into blowing things out of proportion (something which one loves/ hates now, doesn’t mean it will be the same few years later. But yes, in fictional term, the sense will remain and will be as real as it is and even more so). Will Gruffalo child be able to find out that his father was scared of nothing or will he also get spooked of the mouse? The falling snow throughout the book further adds to the charm of setting a perfect modern (fairy)tale.
But then A correlates more with the baby and that’s why it’s even more of his favourite. It still has got all the flavor of the first book – Gruffalo, the street smart mouse, snake, owl and fox, favorite food names and the super play of shadows. And when the child gets scared, A shouts super excitedly Jump up (that is our favorite game to break boredom – jump up, jump down, jump here, jump there, shake your leg, turn around, wiggle wiggle wiggle, squiggle squiggle squiggle, stretch your hands up and repeat).
So you got your Gruffalo book? Get this one too!
Recommended for kids of all age groups… Keep looking this space for more Julia’s books for I have bought her entire 10 book set
Keep watching my blog for more book reviews!
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About the author: |
| Rating: 10/10 |
| Genre: | Children Book |
| Book Name: | The Gruffalo’s Child |
| Author: | Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler (Illustrator) |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Publication Year: | 2004 |
Book Review: The Gruffalo by Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler
Since this is going to be my first book review in almost a year, I thought let me start this time with children book reviews. Oh, I have got those aplenty, almost 100 in number for my son.
It’s not for nothing that this Julia Donaldson book is hailed as the classic book. A mouse is walking through the forest and he meets fox, owl and snake on his way, they who want to make a feast out of him while so called inviting him to their homes. The mouse, so quick witted that he is, makes up a fictional animal Gruffalo with such scary attributes that the animals run away. And then, the mouse meets the same Gruffalo. What will happen next? Will the smart mouse save himself yet again? Yes, and by making Gruffalo meet the same animals in reverse order, i.e. snake, owl and fox.
What fun toddler A and me had, while reading this, which starts with us making up on our own – shhhh (finger on your lips and whispering) everything is quiet in the deep dark forest. And both of us say the words Julia has written (A saying main words in between) and enact it too like Gruffalo, WHAT’S A GRUFFALO! And ask A about his favourite ice cream and he will say owl ice cream
Check out the starting line from this book and similar kind abound aplenty in the book:
A mouse took a stroll through the deep dark wood.
A fox saw the mouse and the mouse looked good.
Where are you going to, little brown mouse?
Come and have lunch in my underground house.
It’s terribly kind of you, Fox, but no –
I’m going to have lunch with a gruffalo!
Such a nicely sculpted rhyming story which makes a kid learn that it’s better to be street smart and live peacefully. And with such beautiful illustrations that make one’s imagination roam wild!
Recommended for kids of all age groups… Keep looking this space for more Julia’s books for I have bought her entire 10 book set
Keep watching my blog for more book reviews!
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About the author: |
| Rating: 10/10 |
| Genre: | Children Book |
| Book Name: | The Gruffalo |
| Author: | Julia Donaldson, Axel Scheffler (Illustrator) |
| Pages: | 32 |
| Publication Year: | 1999 |
Book Review: In the Presence of the Enemy (Inspector Lynley series #8) by Elizabeth George
When you have a kid, you get more attuned to what may affect them. Thus, reading this book and its character Eve Bowen who was so much career-oriented that even the kidnapping of her daughter, she treated as a symbol of power struggle. No, I am just writing down a different way of synopsis, and my post (book review) is not going to lead to any spoilers. Though the first part of the book In the Presence of the Enemy was lacking (umm, what can I say, I like Sergeant Havers’ characterization better and she was almost absent), the second part of the book, specially the end more than made for the lacuna.
Well, for some, love is not made and people are destined to be on their own, but wait, story abhi khatm nahi hui hai (story is not yet over). Okay okay, I am not writing anything more, for I will end up telling you the end, ah, so good is it really 🙂
Keep watching my blog for more book reviews!
Book blurb: |
| About the author: Elizabeth George is the New York Times and internationally best selling author of twenty British crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his unconventional partner Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. Her crime novels have been translated into 30 languages and featured on television by the BBC. She is also the author of a young adult series set on the island where she lives in the state of Washington. A longtime instructor of creative writing, she has taught at colleges, universities, writers’ retreats, and conferences internationally. She is the recipient of the Anthony Award, the Agatha Award, France’s Grand Prix di Literatture Policiere, and Germany’s MIMI. She has twice been nominated for an Edgar Award, and she is the recipient of an honorary doctorate of humane letters from California State University Fullerton, and an honorary MFA from Northwest Institute of Language Arts (Whidbey Island MFA Program). Website: elizabethgeorgeonline.com |
| Rating: 9/10 |
| Genre: | Mystery Thriller |
| Book Name: | In the Presence of the Enemy (Inspector Lynley #8) |
| Author: | Elizabeth George |
| Pages: | 656 |
| Publication Year: | 1996 |
Book Review: A Suitable Vengeance (Inspector Lynley series #4) by Elizabeth George
Sometimes when I have completed reading a book, I try to read reviews written by others to gauze their reactions, especially when I am ambivalent towards liking the book. And this book A Suitable Vengeance turned out to be one such book. Yes, it was a prequel, so some dissonance with respect to our favorite characters and background was pertinent, still without Sergeant Havers, her special dressing sense and working/practical sensibilities, it seemed there was so much missing (okay okay, she was there but cameo does not amount to much, right?).
The book is all about the central characters (yes yes, except Havers) and a few side ones as well and their linkages and relationships with each others of past and additionally, which revolves around a murder mystery striking so closer to home. The mystery was interesting, but the other parts (characters/relationships) really crazy. But then all that ends well, is well, even if in a whodunnit.
Also, you know, while reading this book, I tried to imagine if closure of a murderer in other books also depend on so much coincidence. I guess, I would need to keep a closer eye when I read the next books in this Inspector Lynley series. What do you think?
Keep watching my blog for more book reviews!
Book blurb: |
| About the author: Elizabeth George is the New York Times and internationally best selling author of twenty British crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his unconventional partner Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. Her crime novels have been translated into 30 languages and featured on television by the BBC. She is also the author of a young adult series set on the island where she lives in the state of Washington. A longtime instructor of creative writing, she has taught at colleges, universities, writers’ retreats, and conferences internationally. She is the recipient of the Anthony Award, the Agatha Award, France’s Grand Prix di Literatture Policiere, and Germany’s MIMI. She has twice been nominated for an Edgar Award, and she is the recipient of an honorary doctorate of humane letters from California State University Fullerton, and an honorary MFA from Northwest Institute of Language Arts (Whidbey Island MFA Program). Website: elizabethgeorgeonline.com |
| Rating: 8/10 |
| Genre: | Mystery Thriller |
| Book Name: | A Suitable Vengeance (Inspector Lynley #4) |
| Author: | Elizabeth George |
| Pages: | 449 |
| Publication Year: | 1991 |
Book Review: A Week in Winter by Maeve Binchy
At times when you are reading so many murder mysteries, an easy to read book with a focus on good relationships gives you a whiff of fresh air. And you really need that! A good balance of everything… And my first Maeve Binchy, A Week in Winter was exactly that for me!
In fact, it was like a best of both worlds – a novel + short stories collection, for the stories of the guests was exactly that. Each of the characters feel so real and the place, where the story is set in is truly magical.
Some of the beautiful lines of this book:
“How will I explain it all … to everybody?” “You know, people don’t have to explain things nearly as much as you think they do.”
Her life was like her house—a colorful fantasy where anything was possible if you wanted it badly enough.
So, get a cup of tea/ coffee, find a nice cozy corner of your home and read this book and smile.
Keep watching my blog for more book reviews!
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Book blurb: Sharing a week with this unlikely cast of characters is pure joy, full of Maeve’s trademark warmth and humor. Once again, she embraces us with her grand storytelling. This is the last book that Maeve Binchy wrote before her sudden death. As are all her stories, it is her trademark warmth, humor and the kind of characters that will make her books live on. It is a privilege to be able to share this book with readers. |
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About the author: She studied at University College Dublin and was a teacher for a while. She also loved traveling, and this was how she found her niche as a writer. She liked going to different places, such as a Kibbutz in Israel, and she worked in a camp in the United States. While she was away, she sent letters home to her parents. They were so impressed with these chatty letters from all over the world that they decided to send them to a newspaper. After these letters were published, Maeve left teaching and became a journalist. Maeve married Gordon Snell, writer and editor of children’s books. When they were struggling financially, Light a Penny Candle was published, which made her an overnight success. Many of her books, such as Echoes, are set in the past in Ireland. Some of her later novels, such as Evening Class, take place in more modern times. Her books often deal with people who are young, fall in love, have families, and deal with relationship or family problems. The main characters are people whom readers can empathise with. She passed away on 30 July 2012, at the age of 72. Website: maevebinchy.com |
| Rating: 10/10 |
| Genre: | Chick Lit, Romance |
| Book Name: | A Week in Winter |
| Author: | Maeve Binchy |
| Pages: | 464 |
| Publication Year: | 2012 |
Book Review: A Banquet of Consequences (Inspector Lynley series #19) by Elizabeth George
I am crazy when I like a writer’s book and want to keep on reading the same. So, when I was not able to get another book in the Inspector Lynley series after I completed A Great Deliverance (1st book), I jumped to this book, a 19th one in this series though I would not recommend for anyone to do such a jump for the background stories of Lynley and Havers are equally important. But the murder mystery, especially “the ending” was written so well that I could not care and thought of it as a standalone book only. Any other talk about ending will spoil it for you, so my lips are all sealed when it comes to that…
Okay fine, a few things here and there could have been given a miss – the three affairs, one of which involved Lynley. But then Lynley was at like at the back of this book, and it was all about Havers and Winston, the camaraderie between them is what I absolutely loved. Does it beat the partnership between Havers and Lynley, ah, only time will tell! And I am waiting to find that out for I am no more interested in St. James and Deborah, for that matter (for I have read many other books, all set prior to this book in the series since this book).
So, skip a few pages here and there, if you want, but you must read this book to find out the ugly truth of human relationships (yes, a murder boils all down to relationships).
Keep watching my blog for more book reviews!
| Book Blurb: Inspector Lynley investigates the London end of an ever more darkly disturbing case, with Barbara Havers and Winston Nkata looking behind the peaceful façade of country life to discover a twisted world of desire and deceit. |
| About the author: Elizabeth George is the New York Times and internationally best selling author of twenty British crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his unconventional partner Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. Her crime novels have been translated into 30 languages and featured on television by the BBC. She is also the author of a young adult series set on the island where she lives in the state of Washington. A longtime instructor of creative writing, she has taught at colleges, universities, writers’ retreats, and conferences internationally. She is the recipient of the Anthony Award, the Agatha Award, France’s Grand Prix di Literatture Policiere, and Germany’s MIMI. She has twice been nominated for an Edgar Award, and she is the recipient of an honorary doctorate of humane letters from California State University Fullerton, and an honorary MFA from Northwest Institute of Language Arts (Whidbey Island MFA Program). Website: elizabethgeorgeonline.com |
| Rating: 8/10 |
| Genre: | Mystery Thriller |
| Book Name: | A Banquet of Consequences (Inspector Lynley #19) |
| Author: | Elizabeth George |
| Pages: | 576 |
| Publication Year: | 2015 |
Book Review: Playing for the Ashes (Inspector Lynley series #7) by Elizabeth George
Forget the side characters St. James, Lady Helen and Deborah, this one is all about murder – its background, character sketch of victim and potential murderers, and of course Inspector Lynley and Sergeant Havers (both of them truly rock in this book, what a partnership, wow), and because of that, this book Playing for the Ashes is part of my topmost list of Elizabeth’s books.
Such a thick book and so many characters with each of them having one reason or the other to lie, but it is Elizabeth George‘s writing which could pull it all together with such clarity of words (okay fine, the thoughts of Olivia Whitelaw could have been given a break). Though the name was a bit misleading for I kept on thinking round and round about the reason for murder being cricket, but no, it is the character sketch and circumstances of a person who can murder. So, basically, anyone can be a murderer, when it comes to that! What do you think, my dear reader? Can you be a murderer? Hmm, I can be, for all you know…Shhhh…….
Keep watching my blog for more book reviews!
| Book Blurb: “The story begins with my father, actually, and the fact that I’m the one who’s answerable for his death. It was not my first crime, as you will see, but it is the one my mother couldn’t forgive.” |
| About the author: Elizabeth George is the New York Times and internationally best selling author of twenty British crime novels featuring Detective Inspector Thomas Lynley and his unconventional partner Detective Sergeant Barbara Havers. Her crime novels have been translated into 30 languages and featured on television by the BBC. She is also the author of a young adult series set on the island where she lives in the state of Washington. A longtime instructor of creative writing, she has taught at colleges, universities, writers’ retreats, and conferences internationally. She is the recipient of the Anthony Award, the Agatha Award, France’s Grand Prix di Literatture Policiere, and Germany’s MIMI. She has twice been nominated for an Edgar Award, and she is the recipient of an honorary doctorate of humane letters from California State University Fullerton, and an honorary MFA from Northwest Institute of Language Arts (Whidbey Island MFA Program). Website: elizabethgeorgeonline.com |
| Rating: 9/10 |
| Genre: | Mystery Thriller |
| Book Name: | Missing Joseph (Inspector Lynley #6) |
| Author: | Elizabeth George |
| Pages: | 619 |
| Publication Year: | 1994 |
Book Review: The Snowman (Harry Hole #7) by Jo Nesbø
At times, there is a book which you keep on repetitively hearing about and even though it is a part of series, you cannot wait to pick that one up (no patience to go through the other 6 books in that series). Yes, I know many of you do not do that, even my book friend keeps on telling me to go through the reading order as is mentioned in Fantastic Fiction. I am too much of an impatient person when it comes to anything!
It was such a killer book with power packed primal dialogues. Sample this: I’ve read that it’s the smell some carnivores use to find their prey. Imagine the trembling victim trying to hide, but knowing that the smell of its own fear will kill it. And this: Evil is not a thing. It cannot take possession of you. It’s the opposite; it’s a void, an absence of goodness. The only thing you can be frightened of here is yourself.
Depressing and intense is this book with killer closer to home. Umm, aren’t they all? I mean recently whichever book and author I pick up – Elizabeth George or Tami Hoag, I am in that way finding similarity. But then the writing style is different and that makes all the difference. So, do I want to switch genres? Naah. So pick this book if you enjoy murder mysteries and cheers to this genre to keep you engaged.
Keep watching my blog for more book reviews!
| Book Blurb: Internationally acclaimed crime writer Jo Nesbø’s antihero police investigator, Harry Hole, is back: in a bone-chilling thriller that will take Hole to the brink of insanity. |
| About the author: Jo Nesbo is one of the world’s bestselling crime writers, with The Leopard, Phantom, Police, The Son and his latest Harry Hole novel, The Thirst, all topping the Sunday Times bestseller charts. He is an international number one bestseller and his books are published in 50 languages, selling over 33 million copies around the world. Website: jonesbo.com |
| Rating: 9/10 |
| Genre: | Mystery Thriller |
| Book Name: | The Snowman (Harry Hole #7) |
| Author: | Jo Nesbø |
| Pages: | 383 |
| Publication Year: | 2007 |
Book Review: The Bitter Season (Kovac and Liska #5) by Tami Hoag
Frankly speaking, I do not like coincidences in a murder mystery which solves on its own, just for the heck of it. I mean detectives do need to put proper efforts, right because how many such coincidences do occur, especially in cold cases.
If the start of the book made you think you were going to miss the chemistry of Kovac and Liska for Liska’s case was cold, very cold, you were so so wrong! Oh, never mind. I am sure reviews are mostly checked out by one who has not yet read a book, I mean, that is my perception and that is what I do. Tell me, am I correct or wrong in the comments below.
Well, rest of the book is good because in books, cold cases are not so cold. And Kovac and Liska are ever more better partners without actually being (can they become life partners? Umm, some relationships are happier just the way it is). And murders are more gruesome, total yuck. And has an unexpected conclusion with innocents (or not so?) getting hurt.
Keep watching my blog for more book reviews!
| Book Blurb: EVERY FAMILY HAS A SECRET. THEIRS WILL CHILL YOU TO THE CORE. |
| About the author: Tami Hoag is the #1 international bestselling author of more than thirty books published in more than thirty languages worldwide, including her latest thrillers—The Bitter Season, Cold Cold Heart, and The 9th Girl. Hoag first hit the New York Times Bestseller List with Night Sins, and each of her books since has been a bestseller. Website: tamihoag.com |
| Rating: 7/10 |
| Genre: | Mystery Thriller |
| Book Name: | The Bitter Season (Kovac and Liska #5) |
| Author: | Tami Hoag |
| Pages: | 416 |
| Publication Year: | 2016 |
Book Review: The 9th Girl (Kovac and Liska #4) by Tami Hoag
The 9th Girl fits into the theme of gruesome murder and questioning relationships, which now I have gone accustomed to after reading Elizabeth George books, but when I was reading this book (ummm, this review is also being posted late), it was shocking. By the way, just a small ‘chhotu sa’ hint – though the banter between detectives get tiring at a few times, they still do not solve either of the two crimes mentioned in the book.
The book is a fast paced read with teenage thoughts well expressed and tattoos being central to that. The quote “Tattoos are a road map of the bearer’s personal journey” suitably puts the same into perspective. And I personally know a girl who believes in the same (though not a teenager). By the way, do we not all remember the TV series The Prison Break of tattoo actually being a road map of gaining freedom. Well, back to the book, in fact, because of tattoos only, the victim is identified. I am waiting to read The 1st Victim and how it was left open-ended, for it must have been, else this book would not have taken place with Doc Holiday.
Keep watching my blog for more book reviews!
| Book Blurb: “Kovac had seen more dead bodies than he could count: Men, women, children; victims of shootings, stabbings, strangulations, beatings; fresh corpses and bodies that had been left for days in the trunks of cars in the dead of summer. But he had never seen anything quite like this . . . “ |
| About the author: Tami Hoag is the #1 international bestselling author of more than thirty books published in more than thirty languages worldwide, including her latest thrillers—The Bitter Season, Cold Cold Heart, and The 9th Girl. Hoag first hit the New York Times Bestseller List with Night Sins, and each of her books since has been a bestseller. Website: tamihoag.com |
| Rating: 9/10 |
| Genre: | Mystery Thriller |
| Book Name: | The 9th Girl (Kovac and Liska #4) |
| Author: | Tami Hoag |
| Pages: | 405 |
| Publication Year: | 2013 |
