Category: Misc. Reads

Notable books from the past, re-reads, non fiction & classics.
Books in this category are not given ratings.

The Silent Patient : Spoiler Alert!

Posted on 21 September 2023 | Thursday | By Sachin Agrawal | No comments

Title:

The Silent Patient

Series:

Author:

Alex Michaelides

Genre:

Thriller

Publisher:

Orion

Release Date:

5th February, 2019

Format:

Kindle

Pages:

336

Source:

BookForums Book Review Blog 2023

This is a book I had been wanting to read for long. I had read The Maidens by Alex Michaelides and had loved it. The Silent Patient was his debut novel and a runaway success. Yet I somehow kept pushing it back. Finally I got the chance to devour this scintillating thriller, and all I can say is it is worthy of all the huge success it has seen!

Late as it is to review this book, I’d rather just quickly talk of what I loved about it. Usually I put the spoilers under a clickable head, but here it looks more suitable to talk of them in the open to highlight the highs of this book. So those not wanting to …

The Song Of Achilles

Posted on 21 November 2022 | Monday | By Sachin Agrawal | No comments

First Published: 2011; Pros: A strong storyline, based on Greek mythology & legends, evokes strong emotions, a meaningful read.

The Song Of Achilles is a riveting tale of love, pride, war, betrayal & loyalty that comes true as a modern day classic in a most deserved way. It is a compelling read with a captivating narration of the legend of the Trojan War and the characters & events surrounding it.

Prominent Characters

The principal characters of this intense saga from Madeline Miller include – the celebrated warrior Achilles – the prince of Phthia. He is the son of King Peleus & Thetis (a sea nymph). He is later engaged by the Greek allies in the battle of Troy as being indispensable to their cause. Patroclus – son of King Menoitius – is exiled to Phthia after he accidentally kills a boy over a fight for dice. And it is there …

Treasure Island: 139th Anniversary 🔰

Posted on 14 November 2022 | Monday | By Sachin Agrawal | No comments

Treasure Island | Robert Louis Stevenson | Timeless Classics

First Published: 14th November, 1883; Pros: Adventurous Plot, Legendary Characters

Today marks the 139th anniversary of this Timeless Classic by – the beyond compare author – Robert Louis Stevenson. First published on 14th November, 1883, Treasure Island manages to withstand the test of time – being one of the most loved books of all time as it continues to endear itself not just to kids, but readers of all ages. I thought the best way to honour this book on this occasion would be to give it a fresh read and celebrate it by sharing what makes it so special.

My Memories Of Treasure Island

Treasure Island was part of my school text in the 6th standard. Thus, it is technically the first novel I ever read – be it as part of curriculum. I still remember the blurred visuals of my class teacher reading this book out to …

The Giving Tree: An Impactful Moral Story

Posted on 12 November 2022 | Saturday | By Sachin Agrawal | No comments

The Giving Tree | Childrens Book | Shel Silverstein

First Published: 1964; Pros: A moral story usable by kids & adults alike; Cons: None

With most of the reading of the current year books behind me, I am so glad I am getting the opportunity to treat myself to some of these classic tales – simple, heart warming and impactful. That is what The Giving Tree is.

This is a story about the selfless love and kindness of a tree. It keeps sacrificing everything it had to make the little boy happy, till it had nothing left. On one hand, from the tree’s perspective, it so beautifully depicts the virtues of selfless love, generosity and kindness. It is forever giving, so much so – even when it has nothing of value left, it still makes itself useful to the child in some way. On the other, from the human (child’s) perspective, it reflects upon the never ending desire …

Charles Babbage – The Life and Legacy of the Father of Modern Computers

Posted on 12 August 2022 | Friday | By Sachin Agrawal | 1 Comment

Charles Babbage | The Father Of Modern Computers

Published: 2020

Living in the Digital Age that we are, it is so strange and ironical that so little has been said or written about the people who laid the seeds of it. In particular, the man we know as The Father Of Modern Computers – Charles Babbage.

I recall, we were first introduced to computers and programming back in the late 80s. The IBM PCs that booted with floppy disks. And you couldn’t take your shoes into the computer room! Backed with six air conditioners, the room used to be a haven for the curious kids. They were the times of BASIC and dBase and the beginning of an ever lasting love for computers and programming. And amidst this, there used to be a small paragraph in our text on The Father Of Modern Computers. And, it stayed with me ever since.

This book, Charles Babbage – The …

How To Stop Worrying And Start Living (Dale Carnegie) | Life Changing Book

Posted on 25 September 2021 | Saturday | By Sachin Agrawal | 1 Comment

Published: 1948

Have you been a nervous wreck all your life? Do small little things worry you no ends? Do you take things too seriously and never find yourself able to relax or chill? As soon as one of your tasks get accomplished, does your mind – out of nowhere – find another responsibility to fulfill rather than cherishing or celebrating the accomplishment?

Well, I was all of this, and much more. It was instilled in my nature to get worried. “How To Stop Worrying And Start Living” was no less but a Godsend for me. Why else would I have out-of-the-blue logged in to amazon and start browsing their kindle section? And why, out of no where, did this splendid read from Dale Carnegie show up staring into my face, when I had not at all searched for a book on worry? This was being offered for Prime Reading, …

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