The Magic of Reality: How We Know What's Really True by Richard Dawkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

It was interesting to read about the mythological stories from different cultures and eras. I was rather more impressed by "The God Delusion" than by "The magic of reality". Perhaps, because it was my first Richard Dawkins's book and I was hugely impressed by the argument made there (as the same was in my subconscious all my life). The debunking of myth in this book is something not very new to me. However, it includes bits and peaces of information that I was not aware of and I profoundly enjoyed gaining information about those bits.
I specifically liked the part related to "sleep paralysis" as I experience the same quite often. Back in my "Theistic" days, I use to relate it with supernatural (Guilty as charged). But as I started to think rationally over things, it was not quite logical to follow.
I recommend this book to people seeking an empirical evidence against the so-called "miracle" of past. A typical Dawkins style approach to encourage people to think rationally.
I enjoyed reading it.


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Maus II : And Here My Troubles Began by Art Spiegelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Heartbreaking! The time in Auschwitz reflected in Vladic's actions and haunted him for all his life. His stinginess and possessiveness as a materialist come from his experience during the war. I felt sad for him.
What preoccupied me the most is how Art Spiegelman was called "Richieu" by his father in the end. The depth of sibling rivalry with a dead child hits the readers at this point, Indeed very intense.


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Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History by Art Spiegelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Maus, I: A Survivor's Tale: My father bleeds history, is a book about conversations between Art Spiegelman and his father (Vladek Spiegelman), about Vladek's life during WW2 as a polish Jew. As all Holocaust stories this one is also sad and fascinating (for the very reason that, how could human beings let that happen!).
It is very interesting how Nazi and Jew are portrayed as Cat and Mouse. In the animal analogy of the book, the Poles are Pigs and the Americans are Dogs (interestingly who saved the Maus from Cat). This distinction though on the surface may seem meaningless even racist but, the first quote in the book “The Jews are undoubtedly a race, but they are not human.” by Adolf Hitler is represented in this analogy. In my opinion, it is the impact of Holocaust on the survivor's psychology that reflects in the book. Moreover, dehumanization of Jews during that era is no hidden fact.
The book ends with a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to reading Part 2.


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We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

It is a wonderful read. Gender is not a comfortable topic for many. People are often repelled by the word "Feminist". It IS challenging to change the status quo. However, we need to address the elephant in the room and unlearn the lessons of gender that we have internalized. To make world a better place for future of humankind.


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The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I read The Little Prince few years back and after re-reading it, I realized that I had missed out on the metaphorical essence of The Little Prince back then. It's really wonderful when you see it falling into place and understand what everyone refers to when they talk about the deeper meaning of this piece. It teaches a lot about life and relationships, one has to have knack or experience to pick up the metaphors and understand the gist. It is a beautiful book, makes you read between the lines.


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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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