Posts tagged Book Review

BOOK REVIEW: Forever and a Day by Anthony Horowitz

Books & Reading

As far as I can remember, I’ve always been a James Bond fan. The love affair started with the action-packed movie franchise but soon the love of the written word steered me towards the books.

Love of Bond

Hurdled in front the television set with a ton of snacks, I remember catching every Bond movie that came out with Pa (and of course he brought home the edited versions). As years passed by, my obsession with old movies ensured I turn back the clock and catch all the ones I missed. And then one-by-one devoured the books. To date, a James Bond movie thrills me to my very core and even though I have severe hots for Pierce Brosnan, I always been overly-critical of the movie adaptations. Especially when they ruin the book altogether. Ian Fleming is one of my favorite authors and when I read on Twitter that Anthony Horowitz was coming out with a James Bond novel, I had a list of reservations already prepared.

Anthony Horowitz

My brother has been a Horowitz’s fan for years (thanks to the Alex Rider Books and the Gatekeepers series) and up until last year when I read the Magpie Murders (2016), I had never experienced a Horowtiz story before. And I was pleasantly surprised when a wonderful Christie-esque murder mystery lit up my holidays. Having said that I was skeptical of the idea – I mean James Bond in the hands of someone other than Fleming? The horror! The horror!

How James Bond became 007?!

And then it happened – I read “Forever and a Day” in July and knew I had to take back my initial verdict. Surprisingly this is not the first James Bond novel by the author. Somehow I missed Trigger Mortis (2015) by him but none the less the origin story of James Bond was exciting but with a bit of predictable plot line. But may be that’s only because I’ve read almost all of Bond literature out there. And since this was Bond’s first mission (the book takes place before the events of Casino Royale) you can’t blame him entirely can you?!

Excerpt from the Book

“There is one more thing.” M reached for his pipe, although he didn’t light it. “You’re going to need a number. You’ll be working with 008 and 0011. I don’t know why, but 009 sprung to mind. What do you think?”

Bond had been getting to his feet but he sat down again. “If it’s all the same to you, sir, I’d like to take over the 007 designation.”

M raised an eyebrow. “Really? Why?”

“Well, I suppose there are two reasons. The first is that I knew Richard Blakeney. The man who used to carry that Double-0 number.” Bond named the man who had died. “I’d go so far as to say we were friends and I’d like to keep his memory alive, flying the flag, so to speak.”

“And the second?”

“I think it sends out a message. You can take one of us down but it changes nothing. We’ll come back the same and as strong as ever.”

My Review

On the goodreads.com scale, I gave this book 4 stars and I would’ve been a little more generous but shades of Vesper in a similar character forbid me to do so. Some fans might disagree but many similarities do surface here and there including the ultimate evil plan of the villain. One thing that I am grateful for is a different Bond, we see a different man, we see him make mistakes and watch him often rescued by others. This is exquisite because we see how he was able to develop as a spy in the following years.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk5HDlElHSv/

One of my favorite moments was when we discover the origin of Bond’s signature line — “Shaken, not stirred” and yes you will be surprised (I wonder if Fleming would’ve agree with it or not?). A few favorite, reoccurring characters to the series are obviously absent but are handsomely replaced by similar figures. You’ve a couple of scenic destinations and to my sheer surprise almost no sex. I mean well there is but compared to the book/movies – I should say nothing.

I don’t even feel the need to comment on the action because we can all trust Horowitz to create a series of igniting events. If you enjoy thrillers and have absolutely no idea of Bond’s history, you will still thoroughly enjoy this book. Just be warned you will find yourself predicting a few elements but the easy writing style and an entertaining lineup of characters won’t let you put it down.

For those of you who are interested, ‘Forever and a Day” is available in Pakistan.

Top Ten Books for 2014

Books & Reading

I read a total of 55 books this year and some of them were absolutely remarkable so in line with tradition and without any further delay, presenting my top ten titles for 2014. These are not in any specific order, so here goes!

Oh! One more thing: These have not necessarily published this year just the ones I read this year.

My book year certainly started on a high note, and one of my first books has made it to my top list: The Case of the Deadly Butter Chicken by Tarquin Hall. A Vish Puri mystery number three packed with references from PCB, BCCI, IPL, Pakistani and Indian Cricket players etc which made it all the more interesting for me as I work in the Athlete Management Industry. And please, who would not want to read a book with Butter Chicken in the title, I mean, right? This was an accidental find and I am so glad I did. If you know me at all then you know mystery is my favorite genre to read. I would love to read the remaining Vish Puri mysteries and hopefully soon.

Paper Towns by John Green gained the status of my favorite Green Novel this year. Did I mention the movie adaption production just got complete? I know, I know, TFiOS fans are going mad at the moment, well to be honest, it was a wonderfully heart-wrenching book but for me, Paper Towns did it. And don’t worry; nobody dies in this book, well not technically. And no, I did not spoil the book for you!

Fans of Cormoran Strike will surely include The Silkworm (Cormoran Strike, #2) by Robert Galbraith (J. K. Rowling) in their top favorite books from this year and I am no different. I thoroughly enjoyed The Cuckoo’s Calling but this one tops it all. A much more hard-core murder mystery with Rowling’s impeccable writing style made this one a definite keeper.

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn was a psychological roller-coaster and deserves all the acclaim it received. You will not be able to put this one done. And I am glad, Flynn penned the screenplay for the movie adaption, it made all the right difference. The book is surely going to take you to your ‘dark places’ (which by the way is another novel by the same author). If you are looking for a fast-paced thriller to curl up on New Year’s Eve, make it this one.

The next three books make up the Charlie Hardie Trilogy by Duane Swierczynski and can I just say, Wow!!! Fun and Games, Hell and Gone, and Point and Shoot together make up this pulp-fiction extravaganza, perfect if you are into cult-crime fiction. I was lucky enough to marathon through the three books back-to-back over a long holiday here in Pakistan and boy did Mr. Swierczynski sweep me off my feet or what! *fans herself* He now sits comfortably with my other favorite authors (Orwell, Coelho and James). You must, must get your hands on these books and you must, must like them or you and I can have some serious problems. Also each chapter starts with a quote from a movie, you must have grown up watching and it will surely set the tone for the entire chapter.

I know there are many fans of The Bastard of Istanbul and Forty Rule of Love by Elif Shafak out there and I also praise these works of literature but Shafak never connected to me until this year. I was not planning to read The Architect’s Apprentice, I picked it up because my late brother wanted to be an Architect and the book reminded of me him. I was delightfully surprised; the book totally spoke to me. If you are into the whole loyalty-business then this book is for you. It also comes with these magnificent epigraphs that took my breath away. Lots of exotic characters and a spell-binding plot will make this for a warm-read this and many future winters.

Mad Women: The Other Side of Life on Madison Avenue in the ’60s and Beyond by Jane Maas certainly knew how to get me emotional and laugh-out-loud at the same time. This book is special to me professionally as well, as it reminds me of many anecdotes of my life as a Copy Writer. If you are a fan of the popular TV show, Mad Men and if you are a Woman then this book is for you. If you are into advertising then this book is for you. In a nut shell, if you are working woman in this wicked world of men then this book is for you!

Hold on a second, folks!

Are you under the impression that my list will not be containing a book by Paulo Coelho?

Silly. That is so silly. (Pardon my FRIENDS reference. Some of you will not find this funny at all).

Adultery by Paulo Coelho continued to augment my love for his writing. It was like by some strange, magical miracle, Coelho understood what women want and how they feel about love. As a woman, you will not deny a single word in this book and you will be forced to reconsider your ways. This book has managed to enchant millions worldwide, don’t hold back, let it go, enter this realm and stay.

I hope my list gave you a few suggestions for the New Year. I am not at all into conventional book reviews and serious, literary type of articles, pardon me if my nonsense humor did not tickle your funny bone.

Wait. I take that back.

Am not actually sorry. =P

I hope my ‘silly’ review was able to make you at least read one of the 10. I’ll consider my job, done.

Follow me on Twitter and Instagram for more Book Magic.

BOOK REVIEW – Dont Lose Out, Work Out!

Books & Reading

The brains behind Kareena Kapoor’s size-zero figure; Rujuta Diwekar is back in the news with her third book, Don’t Lose Out, Work Out! And boy was it a read or what especially when I spent half of my life ‘assuming’ I don’t need to work out owing to my slim and slender body shape. *clears throat*

The book starts with the ‘Maut aur tatti kabhi bhi aa sakti hai’ punch and leads to a fitness journey filled with much of Indo-Pak lingo reeling you in even if you have no previous knowledge on the subject. The Mumbaiya-language in a book based on an international subject was surprisingly refreshing and provided a one-on-one experience to the reader. I felt I was talking to my instructor before starting a gym/yoga/swimming/running regime throughout the book.

In the book, Diwekar basically decodes the science behind fitness, health and nutrition. 15 years of knowledge and experience has come together in one publication and is aimed at making people understand the difference between going to the gym and leading a healthy lifestyle. The book is divided into 6 chapters starting with a prologue necessary to bring yourself into a position where you can not only motivate but also commit yourself to a serious work out.

Diwekar simplifies terminologies and helps a common man understand what really goes inside one’s body when you opt to wait for your car to come to the door or wait for the elevator in your chair. The book is filled with secrets and anecdotes that will leave you smiling to yourself and perhaps connecting to your personal experiences as well.

As the book proceeds, the author attempts to unravel myths and fads related to exercise including: walking is the best exercise, more time in gym = better body and Cardio on an empty stomach (my personal favorite). Each chapter is aided with tables and charts helping the reader not only understand the discipline behind it all but also use as references to devise up one’s own system. Rujuta Diwekar establishes her credence that science has the potential to combat many of today’s lifestyle disorders including diabetes and obesity in way that is believable and practical. Her writing is levelheaded and does not over-promise anything when it comes to matters of your body and mind.

The ‘what to eat pre and post workout’ tables are particularly notable and I am seriously contemplating on forwarding them to my boss who is somewhat of a fitness freak. I was however a little disappointed when I did not find any photographic content to aid work out sets explained primarily in the chapter dedicated entirely to Yoga titled shrewdly as Yoga – Rethink and Relearn.

I will suggest this book to anyone who is dealing with a demanding boss, a difficult partner, heartbreak or even a failed business venture. I give Don’t Lose Out, Work Out! 3.5 out of 5 stars, I am holding back half a star because it would have been nice to have images alongside the charts. And I am thankful to Liberty Books for sending me a title that I am certain I would have never picked out myself believing I am already healthy.

If you are interested in reading a book that does not promise you weight loss but a healthy heart, order you copy today. You can find the book at:

Liberty Books
Website: www.libertybooks.com
Twitter: @LibertyBooks_

And keep up with the pioneer in the field of nutrition, Rujuta Diwekar at:
Website: www.rujutadiwekar.com
Twitter: @RujutaDiwekar