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William Wilkie Collins (8 January 1824 – 23 September 1889) was an English novelist, playwright and short story writer best known for The Woman in White(1859) and The Moonstone(1868). The last has been called the first modern English detective novel. Born to the family of a painter, William Collins, in London, he grew up in Italy and France, learning French and Italian. 

The moonstone makes for a good 5 star read. I would recommend the readers to read this book. One of the best mystery novels that I have come across after Sherlock Holmes.

The moonstone which is part of Indian legacy for centuries and safeguarded by three Brahmins in India. Until one day colonel Herncastle takes the precious and highly protected stone back to England. It was one of his usual foul deeds in his life.

His niece Rachel, daughter of Lady Verinder receives The moonstone on her eighteenth birthday. But only to lose the precious stone the very next day. On the other side of the story, the three Brahmins who have been given the responsibility to guard the stone have reached to England to get hold of it and bring the stone back to its place

The mystery of the entire story revolves around finding back the diamond from the culprit. Each character plays an equally important and significant role in retrieving the diamond. I loved a few characters loved in the story.

Miss Virender – Loved her for the fact she stood her ground for her choices and opinions. She held her head high and strong for what she wanted, in a time when it trait preferred more in men than women. She stood for her love too

Sergeant Cuff – I loved him for the fact that he was similar in many aspects to Sherlock Holmes. He knew his way around while working cases. He had an acute sense of understanding of people and a great reader of body language. Although he did a few mistakes, he was right on judging who the Culprit was

There two or three others that I loved them for what they and what they stood.

In continuation of my intention to learn and understand economics better, I picked up Poor Economics. Various aspects and factors affecting poverty were discussed in detail. They say there two sides to the same story. Hence when discussing every aspect relating to poverty, they have talked in detail taking into account both sides of the story. They have told what has worked and what hasn’t. Although they haven’t provided the perfect solution, but have proved that with the right intention and focus change can bring about in poverty. Small changes in dealing with various things can have a huge impact. Hopefully, everyone can bring about such small change and create a positive impact

It changed my perspective on how I look at the concept of poor people and poverty as well. I was believing in a few common perceptions the world has on the entire concept of poverty and how to get rid of it. Reading this book has given me a fresh perspective on poverty and would look at it from point of view of all the stakeholders involved with it

I would rate the book 4/5

#qotd: what is your opinion on poverty? Is it a possibility in our lifetime to eradicate poverty?

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#review Paraa “Your choices will gather the courage if a lion, the strength of an elephant, and the wisdom of a monk to face the challenge of life if you want to face the adversity”

The book is story of women who marries a naval officer who is very abusive and possessive. She tried to satisfy him and tries to fit herself as per the set societal norms and the expectations of people around her. She comes of that mold and tried get footing for herself and her daughter’s
Along the way she also shares learning based on her experiences and give tips as well which can helpfull for reader of implemented. It is important that we stand for what we believe in rather than fit into preset norms.

As a women it is important to be financially independent and pursue her dreams. At the same have a partner would accept her as she is and encourage to purse her dreams and desires

That thing about you by @authorabhaidev
My first post and review for this year 2020….. Subodh, who works for a multinational IT firm based in Mumbai. He is introvert, immature, indiscipline and has no goal with what he want to do with his life. Although he is very aware of this, he doesn’t do anything about it. Untill he overhears his crush sneha talking to her friend that she plans to reject for the cited reason.

It is , then he seriously considers and introspects his nature and habits. It is at the same time he happens to hear a voice of the girl, Kalpana who helps him not only to  introspect, but answers all his questions regarding himself. He hears the voice, but she is not visible physically

Another girl undergoes similar experience. I don’t know whether it is a co- incidence or it was  destined to happen. But it happened and helped them in  self analysing themselves.

In case of Subodh, his first rejection on love, takes him into path of introspection and self- discovery about himself. Although it led to chaos in his life for while, at the end of the path, he came out as better person.
Sometimes it is certain incidences that wakes a person up from his sleep and monotony to sharpen him/ her . These  incidence and life experiences can makes bad at the time of occurrence, but they are sometimes good things. They can bring about drastic, yet postive changes

The book also highlights that it is good to visit a psychologist as and when needed. And that is normal for person to do and is not something to feel bad about. It is important to set goal for life and also introspect our lives from time to time. It helps us understand how we have grown as a person

#bookreview of Becoming by Michelle Obama “When they go low, we go high” – Michelle Obama, Becoming

Becoming is a that you must take your time to read to enjoy reading. The book is a very inspirational and motivational read.

The memoir is a journey of amazing women whose first choice wasn’t to be first lady, yet she took in her stride and made an effort to bring about as much change and impact she could make on young girls, education among others

Michelle Obama talks about finding your voice and how powerful tool it can be if used efficiently. She not only used it to voice her opinions, but also to have imapact on various issues and people of US.
She mainly worked in areas of improving health, reducing obesity, inculcating healthy eating habits and improving life of families of army who have lost thier loved ones.

To conclude, make sure your voice is heard. Allow yourself to be known, own your unique story and use your voice. I would recommend to read this book.

Pic courtesy: @pinterest

The book is collection of poems which are categorised into different sections.

The poems covers various aspects of life  ranging from romance, breakup, harsh realities, the dilemma that we face on different situations etc…

He even touches on few topics that are relevant to society and politics such the communal riots, caste divide etc and it’s impact on lives of the people part of it

There are few poems that I connected to and few i was touched by reading it. The poems do talk talk about the reality that we face in life or might in the future. It is important to be open minded about life and face the ups and downs that life has to offer us.

I would rate the 3.5/5

And then there were done by Agatha Christie and published by @harpercollinsin
Yet another amazing mystery novel by Agatha Christie. She has an charm of writing an thriller which makes for a gripping read.
Ten strangers were invited to soldier island which is cut off from the mainland. The host  is absent for some mysterious reason from the island.
On their arrival in the island, each one is accused of murder that they were directly  or indirectly responsible for. A copy of rhyme is place in each room of the guests. Over the course of time, one of the ten guests dies in mysterious way. It doesn’t stop there,the Murderer strikes again.This brings about fear and self-doubt against each other.  The Murderer was successful in  inventing a murder mystery that provides no clue or whatsoever to solve the crime. The police is left baffled at the crime scene with ten bodies and with no way proceed or no clues to solve

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I do what I do is authored by Raghuram Rajan, an economist and former RBI governor. He came up with the title of the book from one the statement he made in his initial speeches when he took over as the governor

I am Raghuram Rajan and I do What I do”

– I do What I do, Raghuram Rajan

The book is collection of the speeches given by him on various policies that were implemented by RBI and work and reasoning behind the what he did during his tenure. He set various framework around which various policy making were done, committee set by him to give recommendation on various critical issues such as inflation, monetary stability, stabilizing the Indian rupee value etc. He did modify, implement the recommendation and suggestion given to him and make sure he communicated about the new and modified policies to public.

He is a person with proper clarity and clear intent. Has practical approach towards issues.He also gave importance to communication and made sure to put across his opinions to the press. It also gave insight on how various issues were looked into by various committees set up and he and the team came up with  solutions. The decision were based on sound reasoning, not only brought the issues under control and help growth of the country.

I would rate the 5/5

Set in backdrop of Kolkata, Winter poems by Sabarna Roy is collection of poetry. The poems are a take on various facets of life including death. The message the each poem is trying to convey is deep. Language and words used by the author is amazing and convey the right emotions.

The poems talks about cherishing the memories of past, looking into future for hope. Trauma and pain which are part and parcel of life and how people try to live with it.  They also about how the environment and world has changed due to the advent of technology and has changed for drastically and how they caused serious damage to the environment.

I would rate the book 3/5

The books comprises a short story and collection of poems. It deals with complexities of love, relationship and companionship in this  complex world.
The author has expressed all the emotions in the story very well. But with the short story I am curious to know to what happens with the relationship between Rohini and Mr Sen? Also his relationship with seemanti  ghosh. Does he meet his mom and how life changes after that?

The poems and story covers various aspects such loneliness, failure in love, trauma faced by son after mom leaves him and father away. The trauma faced by people due circumstances in Thier life and how they struggle to deal with it.  The author has covered all the aspects and complexities faced in life and relationships with ease.

The short story had an abrupt ending leaving with questions unanswered. I would have preferred a better ending. The poems conveyed a lot of emotions and each one was a story. The author has a good flow in writing and English. I would rate the book 3.5/5