Review- Salem Falls by Jodi Picoult

Salem Falls on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Tall, blonde and handsome, Jack St. Bride was once a beloved teacher and football coach at a girls' school, until a student's crush sparked a powder-keg of accusation and robbed him of his career and reputation. Now after an eight-month jail sentence, Jack resolves to pick up the pieces of his life.

Release date: April 1st 2008

Published by: Hodder & Stoughton

Page numbers: 472

REVIEW: 

Before Salem Falls, I have only read Jodi Picoult's My Sister's Keeper. But that one book was enough for me to decide that I wanted to read more books from the part of my shelf dedicated to Jodi Picoult as I have an inexplicable obsession with collecting her books. I had my eye on Salem Falls as it had me extremely intrigued with its blurb so I thought I should pick it up next. And I am super glad I did because it's a book that gave me a major brain blotch which is something I had been waiting for... 

Salem Falls is the story of Jack St. Bride who is accused and convicted of sexually assaulting his student Catherine Marsh. Once he has served his time, he moves out to Salem Falls, a quiet town and stumbles into Do-Or-Diner, owned and managed by Addie Peabody. When Jack and Addie meet, they obviously have no idea what's in store for either of them but it is one incredible journey that I thoroughly loved reading about. Jack is once again accused of raping a teenage girl in Salem Falls and that's when the story picks up pace and turns into a series of events that are super interesting to read about. 

Jack and Addie aren't the only characters in this book. It's basically the entire town that gets involved in Jack's case and like always, Picoult manages to write some smashing characters who stay with you long after you've closed the book and who make you contemplate life in general. I don't know how she does it but the author weaves some magic that makes her books so mind blowing and touching. She knows her art super well and that's super admirable. 

Like My Sister's Keeper, Salem Falls also started on a slow note. I felt like I was reading the book forever. It was only once I crossed the 60% mark that I really got into it and I couldn't wait to find out how everything would turn out. Having said that, the first part of the book was packed with information and clues that help figure out some major information but it was just very difficult to get into. There were times when I felt like giving up or putting it on hold but I am so glad I didn't. It's like they say: Great stuff takes time. And it stands so true for this particular book. 

I would highly, highly recommend this book, whether you are a Jodi Picoult fan or not, this one is going to keep you hooked! 

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Review- Meant To Be Together by Faraaz Kazi

Meant To Be Together on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Preeti Thaker moves to Mumbai to run away from herself, to put behind a painful childhood, plagued adolescent years and the recent death of her only support system – her brother. She is on the verge of ending it all, succumbing to her depression, when the doorbell rings. Little does she know that answering it will change her life forever! The guy on the other end of the door will offer her solutions to all her problems, but in the process, she will end up losing the only thing she had never lost till date – her heart!
Inspired by the true story of an artist who found that love was the only color missing from the palette of her life, 'Meant to be Together' is a tale of love, friendship, courage, determination and above all, hope... hope that makes us look for the rainbow when it rains and for the stars when it is dark! 

Release date: December 1st 2018

Published by: Srishti Publishers 

Page numbers: 224

REVIEW: 

I have previously read and thoroughly enjoyed Faraaz Kazi's debut novel Truly, Madly, Deeply and his venture into horror, The Other Side. I did miss his anthology titled LOVE, but when I got to know about his latest, Meant To Be Together, I couldn't say no; not because it's by Faraaz, but because the story genuinely sounded wonderful and that's exactly how the book ended up being! 

Meant To Be Together is a story inspired by artist Preeti Thaker Arora whose rather interesting and as she herself rightly puts it- full of "love, friendship, loss, regret, hatred"- story is penned down by Faraaz in the way he does best- simple, straightforward and superb. There's something very intriguing about Faraaz's storytelling which makes you want to know more about the characters. That, coupled with his fabulous writing, make for a fantastic combination that doesn't disappoint. 

Preeti Thaker hasn't had the childhood she deserves, but she still manages to get through it all with the beautiful company of her brother. When she faces tragedy after tragedy in life, it seems like giving up is an easy option, until her neighbour Sameer walks into her life and changes it for good. Preeti and Sameer's relationship was beautifully portrayed in a teasing slow burn manner even though there was chemistry from the very beginning. That was definitely the highlight of the book. 

Like his previous books, I would highly recommend Meant To Be Together simply because it's a beautiful story that is also quite thought provoking. Not being a very long book, it would make for the perfect weekend read. 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Srishti Publishers in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

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Review- Exit West by Mohsin Hamid

Exit West on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

In a country teetering on the brink of civil war, two young people meet—sensual, fiercely independent Nadia and gentle, restrained Saeed. They embark on a furtive love affair and are soon cloistered in a premature intimacy by the unrest roiling their city. When it explodes, turning familiar streets into a patchwork of checkpoints and bomb blasts, they begin to hear whispers about doors—doors that can whisk people far away, if perilously and for a price. As the violence escalates, Nadia and Saeed decide that they no longer have a choice. Leaving their homeland and their old lives behind, they find a door and step through. 

Exit West follows these characters as they emerge into an alien and uncertain future, struggling to hold on to each other, to their past, to the very sense of who they are. Profoundly intimate and powerfully inventive, it tells an unforgettable story of love, loyalty, and courage that is both completely of our time and for all time.

Release date: March 7th 2017

Published by: Riverhead

Page numbers: 231

REVIEW: 

How do I even begin writing this review? I remember I was completely floored by author Mohsin Hamid's writing when I read his The Reluctant Fundamentalist a few years ago. There was something very captivating about his writing and something very engaging about his storytelling that made me want to keep an eye on him as I was sure I wanted to read more by the author. So when I heard about Exit West, I did not even bother finding out what the book was about, but I got a copy for myself and began reading.

I was not prepared for the emotionally intense ride that was Exit West. In this book, Hamid begins with a very normal day in a very normal- albeit nameless- country, where two people, Saeed and Nadia, meet and keep meeting until the normalcy turns to crisis. With disaster striking their country and with the situation getting worse, they are compelled to move somewhere else through something called the "doors", which was the only fantastical- or as Hamid puts it "magical realism"- element in the book. This way, they keep moving through doors which take them from Greece to England to America.

While watching Hamid's interviews where he talks about Exit West, I noticed that what he insists on in each of them is that the book is not so much about how people move but more about what makes them move. And by move, he means leaving everything and everyone you know behind and just go somewhere hoping there is a better life there. Hence, the concept of these "doors" is not as important as compared to exactly why Saeed and Nadia take them.

What this book made me do is it made me understand the entire concept of refugees, immigration, migration and crisis that the world faces; which is something I was only vaguely aware of initially. I actually ended up doing heaps of research on this topic, and for me, that is a duty well done on the author's part because he created awareness and made me, as a reader, want to know more about the condition and situation that we are in right now. If could say one word to Hamid, it would probably just be a small but very true thank you that would come straight from my heart.

If you are looking for a light read and a book that makes you escape reality for a while, Exit West is not the one for you. The book hits you in the face with reality and is emotionally splendid.

Mohsin Hamid's interview with Wall Street Journal on YouTube

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Review- Dark Blossom by Neel Mullick

Dark Blossom on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Sam returns home from a business trip a day before his son's thirteenth birthday and is looking forward to being with his family, when his world is cruelly shattered in one fell swoop. Initially he thinks he can cope with the loss, but finally seeks the help of Cynthia, an experienced therapist, to regain his equipoise. What he does not know is that Cynthia herself is trying to cope with a debilitating divorce and the sinister shadow of her ex-husband over her daughter...

What happens when doctor and patient find themselves in the same sinking boat? Moreover, when they are rowing in opposite directions--one clinging to the past, and the other unable to get rid of it! In the midst of it all is Lily, Cynthia's daughter, who harbours a secret that has the power to explode the lives around her.

Release date: December 20th 2018

Published by: Rupa Publications

Page numbers: 224

REVIEW: 

When I first saw the cover and read the blurb of Dark Blossom, I knew I had to read the book to find out more. Although the summary provided me with a vague idea as to what the story would be like, I was pleasantly surprised at some unexpected turns which it took and that always makes me satisfied because predictability gets boring sometimes. 

Written by author Neel Mullick who contributes to and works towards various social causes, Dark Blossom is the story of Sam, who loses his beloved family in an accident and Cynthia, who, as a therapist, helps Sam cope with his huge loss and she is also the mother of punk-inspired teenager, Lucy. Sam, Cynthia, Lucy and Sam's son, Will are the most important characters in this story and the way in which their lives are intertwined is described fetchingly by the author who opts for a classic, slow burn and super effective way to describe the progress of each relationship. 

While the reader follows Cynthia's narration in the first person point of view, one still gets to know the other characters really well. For a book that's around 200 pages long (or short- depending on how you look at it), the story spans over the period of 18 months. Because of the short length of chapters, Dark Blossom truly was unputdownable. While I did read the book with long pauses, it never felt to me like I had left the story once I got back to it. I found this story to be rather magical and satisfying. 

Dark Blossom- as the name aptly suggests- is a dark read in terms of suffering and coping, but it's also accompanied terrifically by the very positive and hopeful blossoming of both relationships and the individual involved in them. While I did have some issues with the way it ended, the journey itself was relishing. If human emotions, feelings and minds interest you even the slightest, I would suggest you pick up this book ASAP! 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Rupa Publications in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

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Review- And the Mountains Echoed by Khaled Hosseini

And the Mountains Echoed on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

An unforgettable novel about finding a lost piece of yourself in someone else.

Khaled Hosseini, the #1 New York Times–bestselling author of The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, has written a new novel about how we love, how we take care of one another, and how the choices we make resonate through generations. 

In this tale revolving around not just parents and children but brothers and sisters, cousins and caretakers, Hosseini explores the many ways in which families nurture, wound, betray, honor, and sacrifice for one another; and how often we are surprised by the actions of those closest to us, at the times that matter most. 

Following its characters and the ramifications of their lives and choices and loves around the globe—from Kabul to Paris to San Francisco to the Greek island of Tinos—the story expands gradually outward, becoming more emotionally complex and powerful with each turning page.

Release date: May 21st 2013

Published by: Bloomsbury Publishing 

Page numbers: 416

REVIEW: 

I've been reading books for 10 odd years now, and what I've realised is that words make me happy. They're my happy place. They're not an escape from reality for me; they are my reality. I've learned to believe that words speak louder than actions. They've managed to bring a smile to my face. But this time around, with And the Mountains Echoed, somehow these same words that I thought made my day, brought tears to my eyes in a way no words ever have before.

I don't consider myself worthy of reviewing a masterpiece, a work of art that is And the Mountains Echoed. I honestly thought that The Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns were the most incredible, raw, real and heart touching books I've ever read, but of course, trust Khaled Hosseini to prove me wrong. What he has done with this book, it's unreal, it's so incredibly magical and heartbreaking, devastating and tragic that I don't even know what to feel or how to feel. I just don't know.

All I know is that this is a book that's going to bring more tears to my eyes every time I remember it and seeing as I'm never going to forget it, I'm going to be needing many, many tissues. I swear no book has brought tears to my eyes the way And the Mountains Echoed did and no words moved me the way Khaled Hosseini's words did. A master storyteller, he blesses the word with literary gems every time he writes.

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Review- When Our Worlds Meet Again by Aniesha Brahma

When Our Worlds Meet Again on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Two years after the events of 'When Our Worlds Collide', Zayn and Akriti are now leading extremely different lives. Akriti has come back from her stint at the business school and running her mother's café. Zayn has run into trouble in his PhD program and has come home for a break. While he thinks that things are just as he’d left them two years ago, that is far from the truth. In a last ditch attempt to make Akriti remember the connection they had once shared, Zayn tries to recreate all their memories. But things are never the same when collided worlds meet again.

Release date: November 16th 2018

Published by: General Press

Page numbers: 160

REVIEW: 

I have read and enjoyed author Aniesha Brahma’s books in the past. Well, I’ve also met her and she’s a wonderful friend and human being. And guess what? She’s also a great author. When I read When Our Worlds Collide, I felt like I was part of Akriti and Zayn’s rollercoaster story. So when I got to know that the sequel to their story, When Our Worlds Meet Again was out, I had to read the book. 

I had read the first book a long time back so I didn’t really remember most of it. But Aniesha does a brilliant job of giving snippet recaps in the second book that it added to good revision of the previous story. A simple and sweet story, When Our Worlds Meet Again is a short read that I wish was slightly longer as I want to know more about Akriti and Zayn’s future. 

In this book, the dynamic duo finally have some real talk and make some important decisions. While I did find myself getting slightly annoyed with the two of them and how they handled their relationship, it all felt worth it in the end. It was nice meeting all the characters again. 

Overall, When Our Worlds Meet Again is a great read that I would highly recommend to fans of When Our Worlds Collide and if you haven’t read that, I suggest you read both books back to back. They’re awesome weekend reads. 

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Review- Caramel Hearts by E.R. Murray

Caramel Hearts on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Liv Bloom’s life is even more complicated than that of your average fourteen-year-old: her father walked out on the family when she was young, her mother is in a recovery centre for alcoholics, and her older sister is struggling to step into Mum’s shoes. The only person she can turn to is her best friend Sarah, who gets out of scrapes at school and is a constant source of advice and companionship. One day Liv discovers a book of recipes written in her mum’s handwriting, which sets her off on a journey towards self-discovery and reconciliation – but a theft, a love rivalry and a school bully are just some of the many obstacles on the way.

Structured around real cake recipes, Caramel Hearts is a coming-of-age novel about love, disappointment and hope, and discovering the true value of friends and family, no matter how dysfunctional they are. 

Release date: May 26th 2016

Published by: Alma Books Ltd.

Page numbers: 300 (paperback), 355 (Kindle)

REVIEW:

Caramel Hearts is the sad story of Olivia who goes through heaps of trauma at a very young age because of a father who left his family and an alcoholic mother. She lives with her sister, Hatty with whom she shares a very typical sister relationship where there are fights, rude comebacks and tension but who still are there for and love each other. Together, the two try as hard as possible to keep everything under control so that the social services don't take underage Olivia away. 

While there were many positives about this book, for me, Olivia got on my nerves more than once. From the very beginning, I found her to be silly. Her actions seemed to contradict her beliefs. Most of the time, she knew what she was doing was reckless and wrong- and while I do understand teenage angst and the need to have purpose- she still made a bunch of mistakes while knowing she was making them and that is so silly. She knew her sister was working hard and yet she kept snapping at her. She could see her mother trying hard and yet she never gave her an opportunity to improve. 

The positives in this one, like any young adult novel, was the importance give to family, friends and school. Olivia's family was not the perfect one, but then which family is perfect? Their problems and shortcomings were portrayed in a raw and real manner. Olivia goes through a roller coaster with her friendships but eventually, everything starts falling in place. Her school life was hard, and while she did mess up many, many times, the hardships always overpowered the silliness. 

The most incredible part of Caramel Hearts was the way in which food was effortlessly incorporated in the story. When author E.R. Murray describes Olivia's state of being while she bakes the delicious treats her parents noted down, it was so easy to believe because I feel the same sense of calm and ease when cooking. The way food was involved in bringing people together was very well done. I am slightly tempted to try a few of the recipes on my own. 

Overall, Caramel Hearts is a quick and great young adult novel that might seem silly at times but that is still very gratifying. 

P.S: I had won this book from a huge Instagram giveaway by Bloomsbury Publishing! 

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Review- I am M-M-Mumbai by Rishi Vohra

I am M-M-Mumbai on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

An intelligent, good-looking young man, Rudra should have been going places, except wherever he goes, he faces ridicule and humiliation because he stammers. His stammering has only ever brought him the wrong kind of attention and he has never been able to overcome it or move past it. Now at 25, he feels completely stifled and embittered that Mumbai, the city of dreams, has always crushed his own dreams, particularly his long-cherished one of becoming a film actor.

Then he meets Richa and love gives him a ray of hope. But heartbreak devastates him and he spins into a downward spiral that eventually pushes him to rock bottom. Now, his only way up is to conquer his fear and insecurity once and for all and speak.

Will Mumbai finally listen? 

Release date: September 2018

Published by: Vishwakarma Publications

Page numbers: 192

REVIEW: 

I always enjoy reading author Rishi Vohra's books. I have read and enjoyed his Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai and Hifi in Bollywood, so when the author contacted me about his latest, I Am M-M-Mumbai, I was elated. 

All of Rishi's books are set in Mumbai, a city I don't visit frequently and one that I'm not fond of either. But there's something so charming and engrossing in the way the author describes his beloved city that manages to bring a smile to my face. 

I Am M-M-Mumbai is the story of Rudra Talpade, who comes from a simple family and has dreams of becoming an actor but he stammers and that is what keeps him from achieving his goals. Rudra was a very realistic and lovely character and it was difficult not to like him. There were times when I felt he was naive or he was being really stupid, but he always had his reasons for doing what he did and that's admirable. 

Rudra's struggle from being an assistant director to reaching the goals he set for himself was great fun to read about. His family and love interests played an important role and there were some amazing side characters who left a mark. All the people that our hero comes across end up helping in making him who he eventually becomes. 

As always, it was wonderful to try and get to know the fascinating world of Bollywood which Rishi Vohra always nails. Overall, this one is a complete entertainer that I enjoyed oh so much and would highly recommend. 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by author Rishi Vohra in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

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Review- Raising Rihaan by Ketaki Latkar and Annushka Hardikar

Raising Rihaan on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Raising Rihaan is a graphic anthology. Simply put, it is a collection of comic strips and speaks about the protagonist Rihaan, and a range of his daily antics. Rihaan is an adorable 12-year old adolescent, who is inquisitive, cheeky, and bright. His millennial parents are heavily invested in his upbringing.

Release date: September 29th 2018

Published by: Comp-Print Kalpana Pvt Ltd 

REVIEW: 

It is always super exciting to read something written by a family friend. So when I got to know that Ketaki was writing Raising Rihaan, I was extremely happy. Raising Rihaan is a graphic anthology that features snippets from the life of Rihaan, who is raised by millenial parents. Now this was soemthing that really caught my fancy as I am a school teacher and everyday, I get to see how kids these days are. 

I found Rihaan to be exactly like my students in school who are super smart, admirably practical, tech savvy and also slightly confused about most of the stuff adults around them do and say (but then, who isn't?). His parents are very much like parents I meet often. The characters in this anthology are very relatable in a way that's both fun and serious as it does raise the question of upbringing. 

What I liked most about Raising Rihaan is the interviews with people special in thier own fields that deal with childhood and parenting, which makes the book not just a fun and quick read but also something that will end up teaching the reader a thing or two. And the illustrations deserve a special mention as well. Annushka Hardikar's attention to detail is mesmerising. As a French teacher, to see the typical picture of a baguette, a glass of wine and some cheese in Rihaan's French textbook put a smile on my face. 

Overall, author Ketaki Latkar has done a brilliant job in making this book a very easy, quick and fun read. It took me less than an hour to finish it. It would've taken less but I did stop here and there to admire the illustrations. Ketaki's easy writing coupled with Annushka's fantastic designs make this one a super fun read. I would highly recommend Raising Rihaan to fans of contemporaries who are looking for something different on a Sunday evening. 

Buy the book: From author Ketaki Latkar on Facebook, Instagram or drop an email at raisingrihaan@gmail.com 

Review- Tides Don't Cross by Simar Malhotra

Tides Don't Cross on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Sparks fly immediately when Rukmani—fierce and assertive in the best and worst possible ways—meets the gentle Ayaan in the magical city Paris. Meanwhile, back in India, her reticent sister, Mrinalini struggles to cope with the void of a loveless marriage and an early pregnancy.

Tides Don’t Cross follows these extremely interesting characters as their lives cross in surprising ways. Mrinalini, Ayaan and Rukmani wade through choppy tides, unaware of their common destiny. Deeply touching, this is an unforgettable story of thwarted desires, of love and its loss, of losing and finding oneself, and of falling and learning to rise.

Young and talented author Simar Malhotra has created yet another piercing and riveting read.

Release date: October 1st 2018

Published by: Rupa Publications

Page numbers: 256

REVIEW: 

I haven't read many books by Indian authors this year, so when I picked up Tides Don't Cross, I wasn't quite sure what to expect. When I first saw the cover and read the summary of the book, I thought it sounded really good and unique. Prior to reading this one, however, I was in a reading slump, so all I wanted was a book that would keep me engaged and entertained. Fortunately, Tides Don't Cross was a very refreshing and wonderful read. 

Tides Don't Cross is divided into three parts and follows the story of sisters Mrinalini and Rukmani who have a very strict mother which ends up making one sister very submissive, while the other lives life on her own terms. While there wasn't a lot of interaction between the two sisters, their relationship was beautifully portrayed. From being polar opposites to finding a smooth rhythm and from being far away to being emotionally connected, Mrinalini and Rukmani's relationship survived it all and made for a wonderful story. 

The story also revolves around Ayaan who finds himself being a very important part of the lives of both the sisters. Ayaan's was truly the best character in the book. He just naturally brought out the best in people and seeing Mrinalini and Rukmani with him was amazing. It's hard to express how he made an impact on both their lives without giving away any spoilers. It's something that you have to read to find out and devour. 

Overall, Tides Don't Cross is a wonderful read that I would highly recommend to lovers of contemporary fiction. Author Simar Malholtra managed to keep me wanting to know more and more and the most awesome fact was that I wasn't able to figure out the ending, which is very rare. A different and fresh story, you do not want to miss this one! 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Rupa Publications in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

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Review- Love Spell by Mia Kerick

Love Spell on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Chance César is fabulously gay, but his gender identity—or, as he phrases it, “being stuck in the gray area between girl and boy”—remains confusing. Nonetheless, he struts his stuff on the catwalk in black patent leather pumps and a snug-in-all-the-right (wrong)-places orange tuxedo as the winner of this year’s Miss (ter) Harvest Moon Festival. He rules supreme at the local Beans and Greens Farm’s annual fall celebration, serenaded by the enthusiastic catcalls of his BFF, Emily Benson. 

Although he refuses to visually fade into the background of his rural New Hampshire town, Chance is socially invisible—except when being tormented by familiar bullies. But sparks fly when Chance, Pumpkin Pageant Queen, meets Jasper (Jazz) Donahue, winner of the Pumpkin Carving King contest. Chance wants to be noticed and admired and romantically embraced by Jazz, in all of his neon-orange-haired glory.

And so at a sleepover, Chance and Emily conduct intense, late-night research, and find an online article: “Ten Scientifically Proven Ways to Make a Man Fall in Love With You.” Along with a bonus love spell thrown in for good measure, it becomes the basis of their strategy to capture Jazz’s heart. 

But will this “no-fail” plan work? Can Chance and Jazz fall under the fickle spell of love?'

Release date: August 27th 2018

Published by: NineStar Press

Page numbers: 200

REVIEW: 

After reading author Mia Kerick's It Could Happen, The Weekend Bucket List and My Crunchy Life- all of which I absolutely loved- I'm become a huge fan of hers, so when I got to know about Love Spell, no way was I going to let it pass. Just like her previous works, Love Spell was also an adorable, fun and believable read. 

Chance César, our male protagonist is a very average teenager who is trying to figure himself out. I found Chance to be super fun and extremely relatable with all his realistic problems and his plan to get the person of his dreams. His faith in an article that would help him win this person over was so fun to read as it reminded me of my silly but fun teenage years. 

When Chance meets Jasper, sparks instantly fly but Chance doesn't quite know if he has a chance with Jazz. This is where his mission with his friend Emily begins. Emily was one of the most adorable characters in the book who seemed super cool and fun. Jasper is portrayed as the brooding, mysterious and too kind to be true guy who helps run his home and at the same time perform his duties as a student. 

Even though it took me a long time to finish Love Spell, every time I got back to it, it felt like I hadn't left. I instantly connected with Chance and his addictive and attractive personality. Mia Kerick has yet again written a brilliant novel about teenage confusion and human nature. I would highly, highly recommend this one. 

*Note: A copy of this book was provided by Mia Kerick and YA Bound in exchange for an honest review. We thank them.

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Review- You Against Me by Jenny Downham

You Against Me by Jenny Downham

 BOOK SUMMARY:

If someone hurts your sister and you're any kind of man, you seek revenge, right?

If your brother's accused of a terrible crime but says he didn't do it, you defend him, don't you?

When Mikey's sister claims a boy assaulted her, his world begins to fall apart.

When Ellie's brother is charged with the offence, her world begins to unravel.

When Mikey and Ellie meet, two worlds collide.

This is a brave and unflinching novel from the bestselling author of Before I Die. It's a book about loyalty and the choices that come with it. But above all it's a book about love.

Release date: December 2nd 2010

Published by: David Fickling

Page numbers: 413

REVIEW: 

I remember it was 2012 when I first came across You Against Me. When I saw the cover, I knew I had to read the book. I put off reading the ebook for a very, very long time. Recently, however, I came across a paperback copy of the book at a local book sale and bought it. I took it as a sign and finally picked it up from my shelf to read. And man, what a book! 

I'm actually glad I read the book in 2018, and not 2012 because I understood it better and I found so much depth in it in the really small stuff which I probably would've ignored back in the day. Author Jenny Downham has written a beautiful book and her writing is so very beautiful that even though the book is slow and very long, once it ended, I wanted more of her words because they were so beautiful. 

When Karyn files a rape case against Tom, both her and Tom's families are shattered. Family relations are my most favourite part about young adult books, and both families were amazingly portrayed. Tom comes from a very rich family who will do whatever it takes to defend him and his future. Karen's family is poor, troubled but a close knit family who tries their best to be there for her. 

Tom's sister Ellie and Karyn's brother Mikey meet once and sparks fly. Although both want to protect their siblings, they know what's right and what needs to be done to serve justice. I loved how their relationship blossomed throughout the book. These two had some of the hardest decisions to make and they did it with brains and poise. The character and relationship development was wonderful. 

I highly recommend You Against Me to fans of young adult and anyone really, because this is a deep, sad and beautiful book. And since it's set in England, you get to know so much about the country added knowlegde is always a plus. 

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Review- Turtles All the Way Down by John Green

Turtles All the Way Down on Goodreads

 BOOK SUMMARY:

Sixteen-year-old Aza never intended to pursue the mystery of fugitive billionaire Russell Pickett, but there’s a hundred-thousand-dollar reward at stake and her Best and Most Fearless Friend, Daisy, is eager to investigate. So together, they navigate the short distance and broad divides that separate them from Russell Pickett’s son, Davis. Aza is trying. She is trying to be a good daughter, a good friend, a good student, and maybe even a good detective, while also living within the ever-tightening spiral of her own thoughts. In his long-awaited return,

Release date: October 10th 2017

Published by: Dutton Books for Young Readers

Page numbers: 304

REVIEW: 

Like most readers who have read and loved John Green's books in the past, I too was excited for Turtles All the Way Down. While it took me a really long time to get to it, when I finally did, I literally felt like I was at home with a John Green book in my hand. 

I have practically read every John Green book out there- The Fault in Our Stars, Looking for Alaska, Paper Towns, An Abundance of Katherines and Will Grayson, Will Grayson. When I finally got to Turtles All the Way Down, it was like any other John Green book where the teens talk like extremely mature adults, the protagonist is hard to like but the writing is incredible. 

Turtles All the Way Down is the story of Aza whose mental health is portrayed terrifically. While I found it extremely difficult to get used to and like Aza because of her- as her friend rightly puts it "narcissism", I did connect to her on a mental level. Aza meets up with her childhood friend Davis whose billionaire father has suddenly disappeared. There is a reward for the person who finds him. So Aza's friend Daisy takes up the task of doing some investigation.  

For a plot that sounds quite mysterious and interesting, it was neither mysterious nor interesting. Had the summary not mentioned anything about detectives and mysteries, I would've liked the book more because clearly it lacked a strong plot. While it barely took me a couple of days to finish the book, Turtles All the Way Down didn't really have me pumped up or excited to get back to it like some other books by the author have in the past. I hate saying this, but I was really disappointed. 

Although not his most incredible book, I would still recommend Turtles All the Way Down to fans of John Green for his brilliant writing, the on point portrayal of mental health, the superb character of Daisy and for the moment where you realise why it's called Turtles All the Way Down. I wasn't impressed by this one, but I'm glad I didn't miss it. 

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