Review- English Bites! by Manish Gupta

Goodreads Summary:

English Bites! My Fullproof English Learning Formula is the story of a man who goes from being tongue-tied in school to becoming a smooth talking banker. Through a series of hilarious personal adventures and misadventures, Manish Gupta provides easy solutions to problems faced by language learners. So, whether you're a vernacular speaker, a GRE/ GMAT/CAT/XAT aspirant or just a language nut, English Bites! will expand your vocabulary and improve your verbal ability. It may even help you love the English language a little more! 

• Add over 1000 new words to your vocabulary and figure out easy and effective ways to expand your word bank.
• Combine etymology, mnemonics, jokes and anecdotes to better your understanding of the English language.
• Differentiate between similar sounding words and learn to use them right.
• Improve your general knowledge with trivia that spans brand names, automobiles, fine dining, love, money, banks, science and B-school jargon.

REVIEW:

*NOTE: We (The Readdicts) received a copy of English Bites! from author Manish Gupta in exchange for an honest review. We thank Manish for the book! 

It's safe for me to say that author Manish Gupta's book, English Bites! came to me at the right time. My French Masters studies have me thinking and talking more in French than English or even my mother tongue for that matter. 
My professor had once said that we pursue our higher studies in French under the impression that we have a great comprehension of the English language, which clearly isn't the case. The ever evolving, vast and widespread English language has more to it than we think and English Bites! made me realise that. 
At first glance, English Bites! may seem like a reference type text for competitive exams. Well, I personally haven't referred to any such books but if this is how they actually are, then I don't mind reading them at all because this book was not only packed with interesting facts and lots of intelligence, but it's also an enjoyable and fun read. 
The author speaks a lot about his own, sometimes silly and sometimes sweet, experiences while learning English and it was awesome to accompany him on his journey where we learn heaps of words and some really cool vocabulary relating to topics ranging from economics, coffee, sandwiches, doctoral terminology, educational degrees, marriage, the delivery of babies and lots more. 
Some facts were so interesting that I shared them with my family to enlighten them and also to show them that I know something they don't. For example, did you know that the QANTAS in Qantas Airlines stands for Queensland And Northern Territory Aerial Services Ltd. and French Fries are called French Fries because the act of cutting the potatoes into finger like shapes is called frenching? This and loads more makes English Bites! a book that's  packed with knowledge that's worth knowing and sharing. 
If you love to know the story and facts behind anything but if you, like me, are too lazy to do research on your own, then English Bites! is the perfect book to begin with. I did feel that at certain times, especially when talking about a certain encounter or retelling a certain incident, the author abruptly stopped and moved elsewhere. But what was impressive was that the vocabulary was true to the context. 
I would say that Manish Gupta's book is a great and knowledgeable contribution to the literary world.  

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