Contemporary Reads

Ever read a book that makes you feel – I don’t wanna read it, but at the same time, you are unable to put it down either. A strange feeling of being pulled away and toward at the same time. The Island Of Missing Trees by Elif Shafak is the first book that made me feel that way.

So, is this book good? Sure yes! And is this book enjoyable? Well, no – not that every book needs to be. If there is one word that comes to mind having read the book, it probably is “beautiful”, and one feeling – it would be “overwhelming”.

The book is presented in the form of a Fig Tree narrating the story centered in Cyprus amidst the backdrop of a civil war. So basically, you have two tracks running through the book – one of the fig tree talking about itself, it’s own …

Why did I read this book? That is the question you sometimes ask yourself. And Small Pleasures by Clare Chambers makes me do just this. The answer actually is simple. One, it was longlisted for the Booker Prize 2021. And two, the rave reviews online touting this as one of the best you may find. Unfortunately, I was hugely disappointed.

The second question that comes to mind is – How did I read this book? Actually, when I do not find a book to my liking, I usually discard it midway, not willing to bother myself over something that is not for me. I had basically read past about 80% of the book when I really felt I just wish to stop with it. So, with just some bit of remaining, I rather finish reading it!

Maybe it is just a question of personal taste, since most people have held …