An Indecent Obsession

by Colleen McCullough

After reading Thorn Birds, I was really looking forward to reading this other book of the same author considering the impact the first had had. 

An Indecent Obsession is an unusual tale of an unusual nurse and her unusual patients of Ward X. The title does tickle your brain a bit throughout and you have to wait until the very end to grasp its meaning in the sense the author had wanted. Believe me you'll come up with many explanations for yourself until you realize that they all had the same start and end.

The seven main characters are aptly represented with the correct blend of black and white for all. I was deeply intrigued by the whole World War II end background setup, with Ward X being a ‘troppo’ center for emotionally disturbed and war bitten army men.

Sister Honour Langtry, the protagonist is a young nurse in-charge of the Ward X. She is in every sense quite a woman to look upto with her upright personality and sense of duty. This novel is a revelation in many ways. Not everyday you get read about the life and anxieties of men and women who served in the army during the World Wars. How-so-ever fictional there is always some base and ground to every argument thus presented; the sheer realization of the wastefulness of wars and bloodshed. More than the presented story, such views are going to hold strong on your mind once you're finally through. Simple yet intense, with new discoveries waiting to be read after every few slow-and-monotonous pages, the novel does leave a mark on the minds of its readers.

Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Buys

by Kate Brian

When she was nine, Megan Meade met a group of terrible, mean, Popsicle-goo-covered boys, the sons of her father's friend -- the McGowan boys. Now, seven years later, Megan's army doctor parents are shipping off to Korea and Megan is being sent to live with the little monsters, who are older now and quite different than she remembered them. Living in a house with seven boy When she was nine, Megan Meade met a group of terrible, mean, Popsicle-goo-covered boys, the sons of her father's friend -- the McGowan boys. Now, seven years later, Megan's army doctor parents are shipping off to Korea and Megan is being sent to live with the little monsters, who are older now and quite different than she remembered them. Living in a house with seven boys will give Megan, who has never even been kissed, the perfect opportunity to learn everything there is to know about boys. And she'll send all her notes to her best friend, Tracy, in...
                                     Megan Meade's Guide to the McGowan Boys

Observation #1: Being an army brat sucks. Except that this is definitely a better alternative to moving to Korea. Observation #2: Forget evil, laughing, little monsters. These guys have been touched by the Abercrombie gods. They are a blur of toned, suntanned perfection.
Observation #3: I need a lock on my door. STAT.
Observation #4: Three words: six-pack abs.
Observation #5: Do not even get me started on the state of the bathroom. I'm thinking of calling in a hazmat team. Seriously.
Observation #6: These boys know how to make enemies. Big time.

 Megan Meade will have to juggle a new school, a new family, a new crush -- on the boy next door, as in next bedroom door -- and a new life. Will she survive the McGowan boys?

REVIEW:

I picked up this book as soon as I saw its title. I mean it seemed so funny, girly, light and swoon worthy.
But alas, the world is not a wish granting factory :(
Don't get me wrong. The book is sweet but it doesn't offer anything new. It is cute but cliquey.

Megan Meade, the novel's only saving grace, is an army brat who never got to stay in a place for long. Every time she came even close to settling down, her parents got transferred. However, this one time, she draws the line and refuses to go to another army base in Korea.So, her parents leave her with their family friends, the McGowans, who happen to have 7 children, ALL BOYS.

A single 'never been kissed' girl moves into testosterone heaven.

Her first day at McGowan house was really funny. Unfortunately, the plot just went downhill from there. Mainly because the novel wasn't focused on ALL McGowan boys (it should have included the father too, if you ask me). And it also didn't seem as if Megan was actually living, like living, with so many guys.

McGowan #1 or McSpicy (I really didn't bother with their real names) is school's most popular guy with an annoying girlfriend.

McGowan #2 is the nice guy.

McGowan #3 is the punk.

McGowan #4 is different. I liked him.

There are 3 more but they are just there.

 

The plot also did not offer anything new. It was the same old new girl in town story who abra-ca-dabra becomes popular. Also, the end seemed really incomplete. This book had potential however, it disappointed.

 

RATING:  2/5 Stars

                               

 

Dare You To

by Katie McGarry

Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Ryan lowers his lips to my ear. "Dance with me, Beth."

"No." I whisper the reply. I hate him and I hate myself for wanting him to touch me again....

"I dare you..."

If anyone knew the truth about Beth Risk's home life, they'd send her mother to jail and seventeen-year-old Beth who knows where. So she protects her mom at all costs. Until the day her uncle swoops in and forces Beth to choose between her mom's freedom and her own happiness. That's how Beth finds herself living with an aunt who doesn't want her and going to a school that doesn't understand her. At all. Except for the one guy who shouldn't get her, but does....

Ryan Stone is the town golden boy, a popular baseball star jock-with secrets he can't tell anyone. Not even the friends he shares everything with, including the constant dares to do crazy things. The craziest? Asking out the Skater girl who couldn't be less interested in him.

But what begins as a dare becomes an intense attraction neither Ryan nor Beth expected. Suddenly, the boy with the flawless image risks his dreams-and his life-for the girl he loves, and the girl who won't let anyone get too close is daring herself to want it all...

 

REVIEW:

 

Reading Katie McGarry's books have started giving me the feels that watching One Tree Hill did. Even stronger maybe.

 

What I love about them is that they show what true love actually means.(It is standard raising love really!) Love is about getting to know a person and not going by just first impressions. It is about finding both their admirable qualities and deepest secrets. It is about opening up to that person. It is about making the other person see what's good about them. It is about making them strong and feeling stronger in the process.  Nothing sums love better than this quotes from When Harry Met Sally.

 

 

Okay, I think I got carried away a little.

Sorr~ay!

 

For some reason every person and scene in this book reminded me of a song and honestly naming those songs here can be a non spoilery way to review this book.

 

1) The beginning- Demons by Imagine Dragons

2) Beth- Heart Attack by Demi Lovato. My first impression of her in Pushing the Limits was wrong.

3) Ryan- The Man who can't be Moved by the Script and I won't give up by Jason Mraz. He was the most un-jockish jock slash Shakespeare. I wish I get to read his essay on George and Olivia because it seemed cool.

4) Scott Risk- Count on Me by Bruno Mars.

5) Isiah- Just the line " Where do broken hearts go?"

6) The end- Good Life by One Republic.

 

This book is as moving as the first one. I dare you to read Pushing the Limits because if you do THAT, you will do this voluntarily.

 

RATING:   4/5 stars                     

The Selection

by Kiera Cass

For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn't want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she's made for herself--and realizes that the life she's always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

 

REVIEW:

 

I don't know why I am a sucker for all princessy tales. A 20 year old can definitely read more mature stuff. But NOOOOO

Must be the cover. Its so pretty :')

 

 

The Selection is the fairy tale version of The Bachelorette in a kind of dystopian world. Even though the full-on dystopia action hasn't begun yet, there are some rebels that promise to shake this world in the books to come. However readers do get a cute story with an amazing love triangle. More on that soon!

America Singer is a fifth. Basically a person belonging to the lower middle class who wins a 'lottery', a golden ticket to compete with 34 other girls to win the heart of the crown prince Maxon. She did not even want to apply to competition in the first place but due to some external pressure ends up doing so. (Aspen dug his own grave :p). This leads to her moving into the palace, making friends and enemies, testing her limits and showing courage. I like her so much as she seems like the only feminist in a somewhat sexist setup. (Who run the world?). She stands on her own ground and by her own beliefs.

Prince Charming/Awkward/ Adorable/ Tear Wiper Pro Maxon was not snobbish. Surprisingly. I pictured him as some spoilt brat but he turned out to be different.(geeky?) I personally ship him and America and believe his character will grow in the subsequent books when he will have to show his king-ly side.

Our second guy Aspen  is again an amazing and motivated guy. His family belongs to a class lower than America's, part of the reason why he felt insufficient while providing for her. He is the reason why I love the story's love triangle.

In most stories, it is obvious from the beginning who the lead will end up with. (Unless it is 90210 where everyone ends up with everyone). Here, both guys have their shining moments and so far none of them have done anything unusual and out of character that is deliberately put in the plot to direct the reader towards one person. I don't know who she will end up with and that is sooooooo exciting.

I am definitely going to read The Elite soon. This book is for everyone who wants to pass their time in a fun way and remember their Disney days.

RATING:  3.5/ 5 stars

 

 

 

Pushing The Limits

by Katie McGarry

So wrong for each other …and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-usin So wrong for each other …and yet so right.

No one knows what happened the night Echo Emerson went from popular girl with jock boyfriend to gossiped-about outsider with "freaky" scars on her arms. Even Echo can't remember the whole truth of that horrible night. All she knows is that she wants everything to go back to normal.

But when Noah Hutchins, the smoking-hot, girl-using loner in the black leather jacket, explodes into her life with his tough attitude and surprising understanding, Echo's world shifts in ways she could never have imagined. They should have nothing in common. And with the secrets they both keep, being together is pretty much impossible.

Yet the crazy attraction between them refuses to go away. And Echo has to ask herself just how far they can push the limits and what she'll risk for the one guy who might teach her how to love again.

 

REVIEW:

 

Have you ever felt that when you read a lot, the chances of finding a book absolutely perfect goes down? Because you feel that you have already read something similar before somewhere.

 

After reading a few such books, I read THIS PARTICULAR BOOK. I can't believe I am almost three years late in doing so. 

 

This book was MORE THAN PERFECT. Rather it pushed the definition of perfect up for me. So unique, so beautiful,  so heart warming, so heart breaking, so romantic, so unforgettable. This book will stay with me forever and I totally get why it got such impressive reviews when it released.

 

The title. Sigh. Pushing the Limits. It perfectly sums the book up.

 

This the story of Echo and Noah, two almost adults with pasts that have scarred them, even literally, presents that frustrate them and futures that seem out of reach.

 

Echo almost died one fateful night but she cannot remember the details and people refuse to tell it to her. But what she does know is that her mother tried to kill her which she does not truly believe. On top of that she lost her brother, her father married her babysitter and her (popular) boyfriend and friends disassociated themselves with her . Now, she stuck with a nosey counsellor, long sleeved t shirts and a strict father's aspirations.

 

Noah. You know every girl wants a bad boy who will be good just for her? Noah happens to lead that line of guys. Eternally grateful to Katy McGarry for creating him <3

At an early age, Noah and his younger brothers lost their parents to fire. Soon after, they were separated and moved into foster care. His experience at his first foster home was bad to say the least. His subsequent  transfers too did nothing for his good. He lost his innocence, acquired an image and supressed his potential. Now, he is stuck with another foster family. He has two best friends who mean the world to him and he would do anything to get custody of his brothers so that he can have a family again.

 

Innocent twisted souls, these two. 

 

Ms Collins, Noah and Echo's counsellor is downright amazing. I could hear 'How to Save a Life' by The Fray playing in the background during her scenes with these two. She makes Echo tutor Noah and in the process, earns their (and mine)trust and love. She is like the fairy godmother of this Cinderella.

 

Pushing the Limits perfectly captures the difficulty in opening up to someone, trusting them, saving them, getting saved and finding peace. Read it. Read it. Read it. Borrow it from me if you want to but read it.

 

RATING:   5/ 5 Stars

 

 

Storm (Elemental #1)

by Brigid Kemmerer

Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and Earth, Fire, Air, Water – they have more power than you dream.

Ever since her ex-boyfriend spread those lies about her, Becca Chandler is suddenly getting all the guys—all the ones she doesn't want. Then she saves Chris Merrick from a beating in the school parking lot. Chris is different. Way different: he can control water—just like his brothers can control fire, wind, and earth. They’re powerful. Dangerous. Marked for death.

And now that she knows the truth, so is Becca.

Secrets are hard to keep when your life’s at stake. When Hunter, the mysterious new kid around school, turns up with a talent for being in the wrong place at the right time, Becca thinks she can trust him. But then Hunter goes head-to-head with Chris, and Becca wonders who’s hiding the most dangerous truth of all.

The storm is coming .

 

Review:

 

This book is awesome from like page 2. Reading it felt like reading the script of a teenaged centric, paranormal tv show that has the potential to become huge.

 

Merrick Brothers Micheal, Gabriel, Nick and Chris have a very strong connection to the four elements earth, fire, air and water respectively. Their connection is so strong that people want them to DIE. (They are jealous.)

 

Our story revolves mainly around the youngest Merrick, Chris. When two bad guys ambush him and beat him up, he is saved by an Aquafina bottle and Becca Chandler, who apparently, has a 'reputation' in school. However, that is not true.

 

And from that time onwards, she ends up getting involved in Elemental business which needless to say is life threatening. Enters new boy slash self defence trainer slash *spoiler* Hunter Garrity. What we get is a love triangle in a backdrop of a very action packed and heart warming plot.

 

The best thing about this book is the relationships between the four brothers. The family vibe. All four of them are so different and you cross your fingers for them. As far as the love story is concerned, I was confused about whom Becca would end up with at the end of the first book but it was sweet. Romantic. Brigid Kemmerer has a very simple yet impactful way of writing that keeps on promising you more and more in the pages to come. And it never disappoints.

This book has everything: love, action, suspense, drama and the x factor!

RATING:  4/5 stars

 

 

 

The Story of My Experiments with Truth

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi. I never had great regard for this man. I could never digest his larger-than-life-solemn sacrificing self, a riddle which has intrigued me ever since I was introduced to this father of our nation. When history became referring to this man for his morals and values that India and Indians had imbibed from him; I became suspicious. Some articles on the Internet revealed his other side; hideous.

And then one day, I laid my hands on his autobiography, The Story of My Experiments with Truth; I almost thought that maybe now I will find the answers to my questions. This book is a diary of his life from his birth till 1921. But yes...there has to be a BUT in between, trust me now I’m confused about my POV towards him after putting the book down.
It has been quite a while since I’ve read a book so closely, pondering over many instances for long. I was impressed by the way he worked himself towards life, his meticulous and calculated actions. What impressed me more was his outright acceptance of the down trodden class/caste.
 What did not impress me at all, were his confessions. Acts of malice once done cannot be rectified, they can only be repented. But this repentance should come across through your actions and not confessions. If he knew he was wrong in the way he treated his wife, did correct the same even after realizing it at such an early stage in his marriage?

Mr. Gandhi was apparently a man who was righteous and believed in doing what was right. But universal ‘right’ and his ‘right’ weren’t quite in harmony

One or two circumstances were out-right unacceptable. I somehow could not keep pace with his ideologies on many things. His hypocrisy allowed him to experiment with his way of life but he didn’t allow any of his children to experiment and enlighten themselves as their father had.  He almost postulated his actions upon them.

I have a question that unsettles me again and again. What made him accept the title bestowed upon him?

Though I thank him for bringing concepts of Swaraj and Ahimsa home, I still won’t stop till I find answers. Until then, I refuse to accept this respect-worthy man as a true Mahatma.

I suggest that all Indians must read this book and not to keep accepting things as they are.

It is truly a learning experience.

(Ps. I know that many would not accept my opinions. I apologize to them before-hand. Reviews are very subjective after-all.)