The Meaning of Liff by Douglas Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am a huge Douglas Adams's fan! and frankly, I will sit and read even a "liff" by him. It is amusing and nostalgic. Surprisingly made me realize how small things have changed over time(way of living). Anyone who has conscious memories of mid-1990's or past will be able to relate to most of the incidents. I enjoyed reading it.


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The End of the Affair by Graham Greene
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So Ugh! IDK! towards the end where Graham Green's hinting at the supernatural made me want to tear apart the book. But, I think that this strong feeling is an indication of well-crafted words (and me taking it way too seriously to be realistic to me and my way thinking!).
Some charterers are complex (Bendrix and Sarah). On the other hand, Henry was quite plainly written (providing details on his perspective would be unnecessary thought). It's interesting to see how the different perspective of a story can totally turn the tables! including both party's point of view changes the "affair's" opinion in the mind of a reader.
In the end, the story left me unsettled for a totally unexpected reason (religion). The affair was portrayed very well and realistically. The book keeps one absolutely interested in it throughout.


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Candide by Voltaire
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OMG! I loved it! It's witty and satirical but, most of all it is short yet encapsulate so many things! It feels like it was too short of a book to cover so much content... It delivers more than written words. Wonderful and impressive!


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Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

If a book makes you feel profound emotions, it passes the test of good writing(, I believe). This book just drowned my heart! There is a strange sense of impending hope throughout the novella. It has a somewhat sad tone but yet it keeps the track filled with anticipate. It was my first John Steinbeck's book and it surprised by the level of spellbinding-ness it imposes on the reader. It is a story about friendship and "dreams" (intended to target the idea of the idealized American dream.). It shines a light on the agony of loneliness and constant rapacious nature of humankind towards each other.
I recommend it to people who want to read about the melancholic dark side of life and human nature.


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The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Milan Kundera
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is a very philosophically written book. It provokes many thoughts as you read through. The characters are portrayed in a very psychoanalytical fashion. Theme revolves around romantic relationships in a disarray about love and sex.The style of writing is fascinating.
I was hoping that it will resolve the concept of relationships in the end. However, the ending does not resolve it into an absolute but makes it clear that the idea of love is not absolute but a nuance. Relationships are complex so is human consciousness. I would like to reread the book someday.( When I am older and wiser in that domain.)


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The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It is an interesting read to get an introduction to the ideas of a great thinker. It explains the social and economic structures of society. I mostly agree with the manifesto.
I recommend this book to everyone. It expresses the power of ideas in society collectively. Moreover, it is critical to be aware of the way people think, may it be from the side of opinion you hold or form the perspective of the contradicting opinion.
Capitalism is inherently unstable and is bound to collapse, no doubt. However, the communist social structure is pretty much too "idealistic" in the current situation. Nevertheless, Communism is not a state of society it is more of an ongoing process to achieve an idealistic social structure. It shall require many iterations in order to include all "classes" of society in unity/equality.


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Book Review ~ Asking For It by Louise O'Neill

Asking For It by Louise O'Neill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book! It is brutal! It is about Rape culture and what comes along with it. It was not easy/fun read, it was heartbreaking! I came across this book last year, it was in my to read list. I started reading this book for #BangingBookClub. I am so glad that I chose to read it. The annihilating feeling that this book gave me, I cannot express in words. This is very Important book. The theme of the book is so vicious, and the fact that it is based on the truth of society make it even more cringeworthy.
The end is realistic. It enforces readers to introspect our society and what we teach/ prioritize to make a norm. How utterly obvious ideas are not in-line with what masses chose to believe.
Questions like: When will it change? , Why do we teach boys and girls to prioritise different things in life? , What I can do to bring about the change? , How would have I behaved, if I was in place of different characters in the book?... Are clouding my head. and it is a good thing if more people read this book and discuss it.
I have personally known a few people who shy away using the word "Rape" which never made sense to me! It's like we treat the idea as Voldemort, by avoiding to name and address it. It should not be so though, as it perpetuates victim blaming. The shame and looking-down-to the victim is wrong because it reflects some twisted ideas of moral codes/ conducts.

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