The One Plus One By Jojo Moyes Plus What's Been Happening So Far...

Image Source: alongabbeyworld

Genre: Contemporary Fiction

Back of the Book (Source: Goodreads):

Suppose your life sucks. A lot. Your husband has done a vanishing act, your teenage stepson is being bullied and your math whiz daughter has a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that you can’t afford to pay for. That’s Jess’ life in a nutshell—until an unexpected knight-in-shining-armor offers to rescue them. Only Jess’s knight turns out to be Geeky Ed, the obnoxious tech millionaire whose vacation home she happens to clean. But Ed has big problems of his own, and driving the dysfunctional family to the Math Olympiad feels like his first unselfish act in ages... maybe ever.

What’s it about?
Jess Thomas is an optimist. Even though her teenage stepson is being bullied and her genius daughter has a one-time shot only to get through a prestigious school which otherwise Jess could not even dream to pay for. Her husband is a no-show except for on Skype.
Ed Nicholls seemed to have everything he ever wanted until one silly mistake cost him just that. Four unlikely people and a dog with their paths converged.

My Review:
I watched this video on Facebook a while back when Finding Audrey had released. It was of Sophie Kinsella and Jojo Moyes. I remember them both talking about their books and how Sophie Kinsella adored Jojo’s work. I knew then that I simply must read her work. I started with The One Plus One as the story really appealed to me. There was promise of humour and really interesting characters in the blurb and that always manages to reel me in.
The book has been written from the point of view of all four characters. Normally, I am not a fan of switching POVs but I really liked it in this book. It was very interesting to see the world from four different, very human points of view. Each character has their own set of very real problems. Problems that cannot be solved that easily. Problems that sometimes you just have to live with. If I had to choose a favourite character, it would be Ed. His straight-faced humour, reluctant kind deed and quiet, strong support was a joy to read about.
The storyline is highly unusual and so very real. I look out for unique plotlines and I certainly got what I wanted from this book. Jojo Moyes paints all their worlds so intricately and with such detail that you get pulled in and you want to know what happens to each one of them. I was rooting for them the whole time. :)

I can happily say that I am a fan of Jojo Moyes’ writing and I’m trying very hard to find a copy of Me Before You. I saw the trailer and I was a pile of mush five seconds into the trailer. I’m sure you all have already seen it. If not, I urge you to watch it as soon as possible.

Favourite Character: Ed Nicholls (As explained above)

Favourite Quotes:

1)      “Because even if the whole world was throwing rocks at you, if you still had your mother or father at your back, you’d be okay. Some deep-rooted part of you would know you were loved. That you deserved to be loved.” (I agree! <3)

2)      “If someone wanted to be with you, after all, they just made it happen.” (Uh yeah!)

In other news, I haven’t been able to keep up with my blog as sincerely as I used to because of work, other work and a lot of other writing. I have been writing a lot of stories on Wattpad and am pleased to say that my stories seem to make people happy. And honestly, that is why I love to write. But I realize that I would love to be able to blog as well as keep up with my stories. Shouldn’t be that difficult, right? I also read another book in the last month that I would really like to review. Soon, soon. :)

If anyone is interested in reading my Wattpad stories, here are the links: Fair warning, they’re both romance. :)

1)      The Balcony: https://www.wattpad.com/story/52854627-the-balcony

2)    Imperfect Two: https://www.wattpad.com/story/55747348-imperfect-two

If there are any books that I absolutely must read, please let me know in the comment section. You know the kind of books I like but other genres are certainly welcome. The same applies to movies. I’m a big movie buff. So let me know if there is some cool movie that I may have missed out on.

Gotta go now.

Until the next time, then!

The Perennial Reader :)

My Life Next Door – Huntley Fitzpatrick

Genre: Young Adult

Back of the Book (Source: Goodreads):

The Garretts are everything the Reeds are not. Loud, messy, affectionate. And every day from her rooftop perch, Samantha Reed wishes she was one of them... until one summer evening, Jase Garrett climbs up next to her and changes everything.

As the two fall fiercely for each other, stumbling through the awkwardness and awesomeness of first love, Jase's family embraces Samantha - even as she keeps him a secret from her own. Then something unthinkable happens, and the bottom drops out of Samantha's world. She's suddenly faced with an impossible decision. Which perfect family will save her? Or is it time she saved herself?

A transporting debut about family, friendship, first romance, and how to be true to one person you love without betraying another.

What’s it about?

While Samantha and Jase are alike in terms of age and ideals, their worlds are completely different. Like two sides of a coin, the fence acts as a wall between them for years until Jase crosses over one day and pulls Samantha into his world. A world, that Samantha falls in love with. Along with Jase too. Then, something happens that leads her to choose sides.

My Review:

I have been meaning to write a review for this book for quite some time now. Well, I’ve been meaning to write here for over a month but have been working on some other writing projects on Wattpad so have been super busy with that. However, I am back and I have a great book to talk about.

I kept finding reviews for this book on various blogs and kept getting suggestions from friends to read it but was unable to do so. Finally, after a long wait I got to read it. And I must say it was worth the wait.

There are a lot of things I like about this book. My favourite thing about it is how the author deals with a wide variety of human emotions at various stages in the book for various characters. Everyone is flawed but has a redeeming side to themselves. Except George. George, according to me, is flawless. The four year old Garrett was aptly described by the protagonist as “a university in himself.” He goes around spouting little gems of knowledge and is already in love with Samantha and has a pet name for her for each of her quirky uniforms. The other characters in the form of Alice, Nan, Tim, Samantha’s mother and sister have been described in detail and I really love that about books.

The main characters Samantha and Jase are well sketched. For some odd reason, before I started the book, I thought Jase would be a goofy character. I was pretty wrong here, guys. He’s calm, sorted and mature beyond his years. He’s one of the sweetest characters I’ve come across in fictionland. Not only does he care about Samantha, he goes out of his way for his family and friends. He believes in the inherent goodness of people. He is totally sigh-worthy!

The storyline is pretty good from start to finish and holds the interest of the reader. The conversations are also free-flowing and well written.

If you’re looking for a YA novel with beautiful first love describing moments, this one is a solid contender. Huntley Fitzpatrick is joining my list of favourite YA authors right alongside Stephanie Perkins.

Favourite Character:

1)      George Garrett(Sorry, Jase :P)

2)      Jase Garrett

Favourite Quote: (How does one not fall in love with George? Like seriously!)

"George gives me a smile, the same dazzling sweet smile as his big brother, although, at this point with green teeth. "I might marry you," he allows, "Do you want a big family?"

I start to cough and feel a hand pat my back.

"George, it's usually better to discuss these kinds of things with your pants on." Jase drops boxer shorts at George's feet, then sets Patsy on the ground next to him.”

Much more later!

The Perennial Reader :)

Why I look for the Chicken Soup Series in Every Bookstore

I went to a book festival yesterday and like any other book lover, had a great time. There were tons of stalls with old books at reduced prices (yes, a total paradise). This is where I found a stack of books of the Chicken Soup series. For anyone who doesn’t know the Chicken Soup series, it is a great series of books that has a collection of real life stories and poems. These stories are sometimes funny, sad and sometimes purely inspirational. There are books for almost every kind of soul: Mother’s soul, daughter’s soul, teenage soul, dog lover’s soul, bride’s soul…

I started reading these books when I was probably a teenager. And I’m grateful for having read them when I did. When I read the Mother’s Soul, I caught a glimpse into the lives of mothers all over the world. There were stories about mothers, being a mother, loving a mother and the unconditional love that a mother has for her little ones even when they’re not so little anymore.

When I read the Teenage Soul, I could see that being a teenager is not always easy. Yes we are young but we are also experiencing so many things for the first time. Reading and knowing about teenagers all over the world going through similar things makes the journey easier.

When I read various books of the Chicken Soup series, I read simple poems that spoke about the importance of never giving up no matter how long a race is and how many times we fall. We win the race just by getting up again. I read a story about how you can change the lives of several people with just one smile. I read the story of a teacher who brought about positive influence in the lives of many of her students. I read several love stories and realized the importance of handwritten love letters, of caring for one another and of being there for each other through thick and thin.

There is a reason I still look out for the Chicken Soup series when I go to the bookstore. I love picking up one of these books at the end of long, hard day and reading refreshing stories about humans all over the world. I like the fact that on this platform, many people come forward to become a writer and share their stories on a global level. I like gathering inspiration from other people’s lives in order to lead my life in a better and more positive way.

Favourite Quotes:

1)      “Get up and win the race!” – The Race

2)      From a child to his mother: “I need a hug. I used up the last one.” – An illustration in one of the books

The Perennial Reader :)

Only Wheat Not White – Varsha Dixit

Image Source: Goodreads

Genre: Contemporary Indian Romance

Back of the Book (Source: Goodreads)

What if the one you completely love is the one you simply can't! Twenty-six-year-old Eila Sood moves to America to mend fences with her estranged older sister, Sheela. Eila and the rest of the family in India had cut off ties with Sheela after she married Steve Jacobs, 'out of caste, and out of color'. Elia soon realizes that Sheela's marriage is on the rocks. To help pay Sheela's household bills, Eila takes a second part-time job. When she crosses paths with the owner, the handsome Brett Wright or 'blue-eyed ogre' as Elia calls him, he both infuriates and fascinates her. Brett turns out to be her reluctant and unquestionably sarcastic knight in shining armour. As Eila and Brett spend more time together, their liking for each other builds. However, when Brett discovers the true reason for Eila's refusal he storms out of her life, accusing her of being a prejudiced coward. Will Eila find the courage to break stereotypes and embrace her love? Will Brett find solace in the arms of his ex-girlfriend Cate? Will Sheela and Steve divorce? All of these questions and more are answered in Varsha Dixit's latest and humorous love story.

What’s it about?

Eila has come to the US to patch things up between her family and her estranged sister. At every turn, she bumps into the vexing but amazing Brett Wright. She knows why her family cut off ties with her sister. Will she risk the same in the name of true love?

The Review Part:

I picked up Varsha Dixit’s Right Fit Wrong Shoe ages back at an airport as I usually do. I enjoy buying books at the airport and I have found some entertaining reads along the way. Right Fit Wrong Shoe was one as well. Ever since, I have been a fan of Varsha Dixit’s work and I make it a point to keep an eye out for her work. Her romances are adorably cute with lovely characters.

I had read Only Wheat Not White once when it came out and I am reading it again for the second time now. The best part of the book according to me is the conversation between the main characters. It is both funny and witty.

I adore the character of Eila. She is fierce, loving, independent and always ready to help. She goes against the tide to be there for her family and friends. Brett and his irritation around Eila provide for some highly entertaining moments in the book. He also secretly dotes on her which is charming to read. He is definitely a great character to read about.

The story is fun from start to finish with lots of ups and downs not just for the main characters but also for the supporting characters. I am looking forward to reading Varsha Dixit’s next! :D

Favourite Character: Eila and Brett (Both make this story super fun to read. I really can’t pick only one. :P)

Until the next book,

The Perennial Reader J

Anna and the French Kiss – Stephanie Perkins

Genre: Young Adult

Back of the Book (Source: Goodreads)

Anna is looking forward to her senior year in Atlanta, where she has a great job, a loyal best friend, and a crush on the verge of becoming more. Which is why she is less than thrilled about being shipped off to boarding school in Paris--until she meets Étienne St. Clair. Smart, charming, beautiful, Étienne has it all...including a serious girlfriend.

But in the City of Light, wishes have a way of coming true. Will a year of romantic near-misses end with their long-awaited French kiss?

What’s it about?

Anna is shipped off to a fancy French boarding school and she’s not happy. The school also houses British accented, French speaking, American citizen Etienne St.Clair. With a name like that and a charm that wins over everyone within a five mile radius, Etienne may be able to make Anna’s senior year in magical Paris a worthy one. The only problem is he has a girlfriend. L

My Review:

So I found the review of this book on my favourite Young Adult review blog and honestly, the review itself was cute. It didn’t take me long to download the book onto my kindle and excitedly dive into the magical story that is set in Paris. And boy did I like it!

Anna enters SOAP (School of America in Paris) with a less than excited attitude as she has left behind a baby brother, a best friend and a potential boyfriend back home in Atlanta. What does she have to look forward to in Paris where she doesn’t know the language or the people? Right? Wrong! She becomes friends with Meredith easily on the first day. But things become a lot more interesting when she runs into the gorgeous school sweetheart, Etienne St.Clair.

There are several winning aspects to this amazing book. I’ll start with the characters. Anna is sweet, relatable, self-conscious and caring. Etienne St.Clair takes the cake though. He is one of the best characters I have read in the latest list of YA books. Right from his unusual name to his adorable imperfections to his easy charm, it is nearly impossible to not fall in love with him. There are a host of other supporting characters who are all well written. Among them, I really like Meredith and Rashmi. Meredith is really sweet and I can see why anyone would want to be her friend. It takes time for me to warm up to Rashmi but she’s an interesting character with her heart in the right place.

The book has the advantage of a beautiful backdrop of Paris with fascinating encounters all over the city described in enriching detail. The conversations totally won me over. Whether it was in person or in electronic form, I would always have a smile on my face while reading.

Stephanie Perkins’ writing is probably the only thing that is more beautiful than Etienne St.Clair. As a writer myself, I aspire to be able to capture the essence of first love in such an elegant and evocative manner in a book.

I would suggest Anna and the French Kiss to readers of older age groups as well. It is both good writing and a great romance. I have read Lola and the Boy Next Door as well and Stephanie Perkins is easily the latest to join my “PLEASE READ NOW!” list of recommendations.

Favourite Character: Etienne St.Clair (Duh)

Favourite Quote: There are so many. I will make a little list.

1)      “I wish friends held hands more often, like the children I see on the streets sometimes. I'm not sure why we have to grow up and get embarrassed about it.”

2)      I'm a little distracted by this English French American Boy Masterpiece.”

3)      “Is it possible for home to be a person and not a place?”

Onto the next book!

Until it’s done,

The Perennial Reader J

I met Anuja Chauhan!!!!

You know one of those awesome moments when you get to meet one of your favourite authors? Being The Perennial Reader, I had surprisingly never met any of mine. And then one day I saw a way to remedy that. Anuja Chauhan was the author of the month for Reading Hour in Atta Galatta, Bangalore. I grabbed my best friend and rushed to this fascinating place on the set date.

Now, Anuja Chauhan is one of those authors whose works I recommend to all my friends. You can ask them. If they know me, they would have read her books. :P I have already written an entire post as to why I think her books are awesome and I actually got the chance to tell her this in person. *Pause for jumping around in glee*

The evening began with my friend and I entering this paradise-like place which is both a bookstore and a café. They also hold a number of literary events. Totally my kinda place right?

Andaleeb Wajid, the author of Kite Strings, Blinkers Off, My Brother’s Wedding, among others hosts the Reading Hour every month where she interacts with various authors, latest being Anuja Chauhan.

The event was to begin at 6.30. My friend and I had reached at 6 just so we wouldn’t miss any part of the event with my copies of her books in tow. Who misses such a golden opportunity for an autograph, right??

Anuja Chauhan walked in (my friend and I are star-struck) and greeted the storeowners and Andaleeb Wajid. She sat at a table where people started handing out books for her to sign. My friend and I joined the queue. As soon as she looked up at us when it was our turn, she gave us a big smile and said “Hi!” I think it’s safe to say that both my friend and I began gushing about being huge fans ever since she started writing and that we’re still in love with Dylan Singh Shekhawat. She laughed and said “Thank you so much!” and signed all my copies happily. We also got to pose for photographs with her. :D

We took our seats for the chat session right after. Andaleeb Wajid asked super interesting questions and Anuja Chauhan gave both witty and some hilariously funny answers. It’s so easy to see how she comes up with such great humour in her books. When the audience could ask questions, I mentioned how her books always feature high on my reread list and asked which books appear on her list. She said that it is the highest compliment for an author to be reread and that A Suitable Boy, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, Catch 22 and Meg Cabot’s books feature on her list. The audience posed other really interesting questions to which she happily replied.

My friend and I got some more pictures with her at the end of the session and we walked out of the store with stars in our eyes and happiness in our hearts.

Until the next time then,

The Perennial Reader J

Saris and the City – Rekha Waheed

Back of the Book (Source: Goodreads):

Love, lingerie and family loyalties collide in this sexy, sassy tale of chasing success - but at what cost?

When ambitious City analyst Yasmin Yusuf's hope for a traditional 'happy ever after' in the romance stakes is shattered she decides there's only one course of action: get smart, sexy and successful. And what better way to achieve it than by turning around a failing lingerie company? Swept head-first into her glamorous new job by suave private banker Zachary Khan, Yasmin is soon clashing with snobby fashionistas, pedantic accountants, her culturally conservative Bengali family and, worst of all, Hannah Gibbs-Smythson, Zach's indomitable senior advisor. With the odds stacked against her and her attraction to Zach complicating matters even further, the stakes for Yasmin have never been higher... Is she prepared to risk everything for the success she craves?

The Review Part:

This is one of the books that I hold under people’s noses if they ask for a book recommendation (sometimes they don’t even need to ask). It ranks very high on my reread list.

The highlight of this book is certainly the characters. I loved the strength of Yasmin’s character. Her zest for life, her need to keep moving on and not wanting to compromise in any area of life is what makes me keep going back to this book. She has a beautiful family and a strong set of friends. She is smart, sassy and unapologetically herself in every page of the book. She is one of my favourite lead characters ever!

Another stellar character is Zachary Khan. Every once in a while, there comes a character who stands out from the rest and Zach is one of them. He is reason enough for girls to pick up this book without a second thought.

The story is as strong and fun as the lead character. Rekha Waheed gives descriptions of Yasmin’s professional as well as personal worlds in a way that you root for her throughout the book. Refreshing and smartly written conversations between the characters is another reason I adore this book.

If I haven’t mentioned it enough, I totally recommend this book if you’re looking for a great romance novel.

Favourite Character: Zachary Khan ( <3 )

Favourite Quote: “Enjoy being you: not a wannabe younger or innocent you; enjoy being you now.”

I can’t believe it’s been this long. I have been rereading a lot nowadays. So the Rereader section is going to be full again. Do post suggestions in the comments. I’m always on the lookout for a good book. J

Until then,

The Perennial Reader J

The Rereader - I've Got Your Number - Sophie Kinsella

Genre: Contemporary Romance

The Back of the Book (Source: Goodreads):

I’ve lost it. :( The only thing in the world I wasn’t supposed to lose. My engagement ring. It’s been in Magnus’s family for three generations. And now the very same day his parents are coming, I’ve lost it. The very same day! Do not hyperventilate, Poppy. Stay positive :) !!

Poppy Wyatt has never felt luckier. She is about to marry her ideal man, Magnus Tavish, but in one afternoon her “happily ever after” begins to fall apart. Not only has she lost her engagement ring in a hotel fire drill but in the panic that follows, her phone is stolen. As she paces shakily around the lobby, she spots an abandoned phone in a trash can. Finders keepers! Now she can leave a number for the hotel to contact her when they find her ring. Perfect!

Well, perfect except that the phone’s owner, businessman Sam Roxton, doesn’t agree. He wants his phone back and doesn’t appreciate Poppy reading his messages and wading into his personal life.

What ensues is a hilarious and unpredictable turn of events as Poppy and Sam increasingly upend each other’s lives through emails and text messages. As Poppy juggles wedding preparations, mysterious phone calls, and hiding her left hand from Magnus and his parents . . . she soon realizes that she is in for the biggest surprise of her life.

What’s it about?

Poppy loses her ring and her cell phone in the same day. Fortunately for her, she finds another phone in the dust bin. Minor detail: It just belongs to someone else. Spoiler alert: Not such a minor detail. :) 

My Review:

I remember my brother asking me what I wanted for my birthday a few years back. Like a good book lover, I said “Boooooook!!” Being a major Sophie Kinsella fan, the latest standalone novel “I’ve Got Your Number” was the obvious choice for a birthday gift. So I walked back home with a shiny new copy three years back and a smile on my face. I’ll let you in on a little secret. I still smile whenever I read this book. And I’ve reread it quite a few times.

This book just cannot fail in anyway. The strongest point for it would be the storyline. I mean who would have thought of writing a story about sharing a phone? The very idea of sharing something as intimate as a phone is a little scary but Sophie explores this phenomenon in a fascinating and hilarious manner. She does it in a way only Sophie Kinsella can.

I have a weakness for books with email/SMS conversations so naturally this book wins on that count as well for me. It has some exceptionally funny conversations between the main characters. I have actually been found laughing every time I read this book.

As for the characters, Poppy Wyatt is like a breath of fresh air with her charm and naivety. She exudes warmth for everyone and is a truly lovely person. It is certainly tough to top a character like that. Yet, Sophie manages to do that in the same novel with Sam Roxton. He is brutally honest yet sweet, serious yet has a smile that could disarm a reader let alone Poppy and always, always goes for what he wants! He remains one of my favourite Sophie Kinsella characters of all time.

In case I haven’t reiterated it enough in the review already, I’m going to say it again. This book is not to be missed. It is AMAZING! :)

Favourite Character: Sam Roxton (Nuff said)

Favourite Quote: There are so many! But this one honestly cracks me up every time:

“We're playing Scrabble. It's a nightmare."

"Scrabble?" He sounds surprised. "Scrabble's great."

"Not when you're playing with a family of geniuses, it's not. They all put words like 'iridiums'. And I put 'pig'.”

I know it’s been too long since the last review. I’ll keep up with the books and write some more super soon. :D Thanks for reading!

Until the next one,

The Perennial Reader :)

What Happens in London – Julia Quinn

Genre: Historical Romance

Back of the Book: RUMORS AND GOSSIP ... THE LIFEBLOOD OF LONDON

When Olivia Bevelstoke is told that her new neighbor may have killed his fiancee, she doesn't believe it for a second, but, still, how can she help spying on him, just to be sure? So she stakes out a spot near her bedroom window, cleverly concealed by curtains, watches, and waits ... and discovers a most intriguing man, who is definitely up to something.

Sir Harry Valentine works for the boring branch of the War Office, translating documents vital to national security. He's not a spy, but he's had all the training, and when a gorgeous blonde begins to watch him from her window, he is instantly suspicious. But just when he decides that she's nothing more than an annoyingly nosy debutante, he discovers that she might be engaged to a foreign prince, who might be plotting against England. And when Harry is roped into spying on Olivia, he discovers that he might be falling for her himself ...

What’s it about?

She looks out of the window to spy on him. He knows she is spying on him. Thus begins a war of words between the two characters until it turns into something else. J

My review:

I picked up this book from an old bookstore and I’m really glad I did. I am on a mission to work through my TBR pile that I have already invested in and it’s safe to say that I’m doing really well, thank you for asking. J What Happens in London by Julia Quinn is the first of many such wonderful gems.

To begin with, I must warn you, I haven’t read too many historical romances. I think it’s just that I haven’t picked up too many of them in the past and there is no real reason for it. My favourite historical romance is Nicola and the Viscount by Meg Cabot (Just in case you were wondering. :P) However I digress.

Julia Quinn is an author I am totally going to look out for from now on. She proves that she knows the old timey world of London like the back of her hand with the lovely use of rich language in this book. This was one of my favourite parts of the book. I found myself thinking in the same style as well even after I kept the book down. :P

I adored the dialogue between Olivia and Harry. Their conversation is what makes this book sparkle and their chemistry crackle. The characters have been written well. I like how Olivia knows that she’s pretty but doesn’t enjoy all the perks of being beautiful. She is also intelligent and well read. Harry is smart, teasing, and a loyal friend: all the characteristics you’d need to like a hero. J His friend Sebastian provides many a hilarious moment as well.

The storyline as such is fairly usual but has been written really well and that’s what makes the book fun to read. I laughed quite a few times and heard my friend who read the book after me do the same. J The book progresses really well until the end which I feel could have been slightly better. However, the first three quarters of the book more than make up for it.

I am certainly going to read more of Julia Quinn’s works and I’m glad to see that there are quite a few to be read. J

Favourite Character: Olivia Bevelstoke (Her mental lists are hilarious!)

I know it’s been a while. I hope the next review is sooner rather than later. J

Until then,

The Perennial Reader :)

The Rereader: The Zoya Factor – Anuja Chauhan

Back of the Book (Source Goodreads):

When the younger players in India's cricket team find out that advertising executive Zoya Singh Solanki was born at the very moment India won the World Cup back in 1983, they are intrigued. When having breakfast with her is followed by victories on the field, they are impressed. And when not eating with her results in defeat, they decide she's a lucky charm. The nation goes a step further. Amazed at the ragtag team's sudden spurt of victories, it declares her a Goddess. So when the eccentric IBCC president and his mesmeric, always-exquisitely-attired Swamiji invite Zoya to accompany the team to the tenth ICC World Cup, she has no choice but to agree. Pursued by international cricket boards on the one hand, wooed by Cola majors on the other, Zoya struggles to stay grounded in the thick of the world cup action. And it doesn't help that she keeps clashing with the erratically brilliant new skipper who tells her flatly that he doesn't believe in luck...

The Story:

The unusual, Cricket-inclined good luck of Zoya Singh Solanki, an advertising executive is discovered by the Indian Cricket team. For a Cricket worshipping nation, a good luck charm works wonders in cinching wins. But the Indian team captain, Nikhil Khoda doesn’t believe in luck. What happens next?

My Review:

It was a day like every other when I went strolling into a bookshop along with a friend and discovered Anuja Chauhan’s first novel, The Zoya Factor: A book about Cricket and luck. But that is the day I became an Anuja Chauhan fan.

It is difficult to choose the best part about an Anuja Chauhan novel. Whether it’s the fascinating plotlines, the laugh out loud humour, the stellar heroes, the strong supporting cast of characters or the smile-inducing romance, she knows how to get the reader’s attention and hold it till the very end. The Zoya Factor is no different.

The book revolves around Zoya Singh Solanki’s “lucky charm” status being put to test at the Cricket World Cup. The plotline itself is interesting and unique enough to make you want to pick up the book and read it. The author also comes up with charming analogies like “Boost Brown eyes” and Hinglish dialogues that make you like the characters even more.

The romance between the lead characters is warm and endearing with witty banter and adorable settings. Zoya is very relatable with her insecurities, down-to-earth hardworking nature, want for full on romance in her life and resolute self-respect. Nikhil Khoda is my favourite character of the book. His honest, confident, wry demeanour makes him super attractive to both Zoya and us. J

As amply spoken about on this blog, I highly recommend Anuja Chauhan novels. They’re pretty high on my reread list and quite likely to feature in my Rereader reviews. J

Favourite Character: Nikhil Khoda (Boost Brown Eyes. Nuff said! :D)

Favourite Phrase: “Thee eye of thee cupboard” :P

Until the next book,

The Perennial Reader J

Finding Audrey - Sophie Kinsella

Genre: Young Adult

Back of the Book: (Source: Sophie Kinsella’s Website)

Audrey can't leave the house. She can't even take off her dark glasses inside the house.

Then her brother's friend Linus stumbles into her life. With his friendly, orange-slice smile and his funny notes, he starts to entice Audrey out again - well, Starbucks is a start. And with Linus at her side, Audrey feels like she can do the things she'd thought were too scary. Suddenly, finding her way back to the real world seems achievable.

Be prepared to laugh, dream and hope with Audrey as she learns that even when you feel like you have lost yourself, love can still find you...

What’s it about?

Finding Audrey is about a fourteen year old girl named Audrey who has social anxiety disorder. She views life through dark glasses thanks to a bad incident in her school. She has a loving family to support her in her time of need. She also meets Linus, cute note-writer and owner of an orange slice smile. Things seem better again.

My Review:

Finding Audrey is the first Young Adult book by one of my favourite authors of all time, Sophie Kinsella: Inventor of unique plotlines and writer of sweet and laugh-out-loud conversations. :)

The topic is something I, personally, haven’t read about in any other book before. Audrey is unlike other heroines her age. For me, despite what Audrey thinks about herself, she’s a brave person and puts herself out there when she’s ready for it. And I love that about her.

I also love how supportive her family is throughout the whole thing. They all have their own worries and issues but they never fail to pull through for her. Just the way she does for them when they need it. My favourite character is her older brother Frank who is equal parts comical and caring.

The conversations between Audrey and the other characters are sweet. I really enjoyed the simple exchange of notes in the book. In the era of text messaging and email, it is adorably charming. Sophie Kinsella has written another lovely book which joins my already full, specially dedicated “Kinsella” bookshelf. Looking forward to her next. :)

Favourite Character: Frank (Supportive, knows what he wants and is not afraid to go for it and funny!)

Favourite Quote: “I think what I’ve realized is, life is all about climbing up, slipping down, and picking yourself up again. And it doesn’t matter if you slip down. As long as you’re kind of heading more or less upwards. That’s all you can hope for. More or less upwards.”

I hope you like the improved version of my reviewing style. I thought I’d add a few elements that make me happy while I read a book like my favourite characters and quotes. :)

Picking up the next book from the TBR…

Until it’s done,

The Perennial Reader. :)

Heist Society Series – Ally Carter

Back of the Book: (Goodreads)

When Katarina Bishop was three, her parents took her on a trip to the Louvre…to case it. For her seventh birthday, Katarina and her Uncle Eddie traveled to Austria…to steal the crown jewels. When Kat turned fifteen, she planned a con of her own—scamming her way into the best boarding school in the country, determined to leave the family business behind. Unfortunately, leaving “the life” for a normal life proves harder than she’d expected.
Soon, Kat's friend and former co-conspirator, Hale, appears out of nowhere to bring Kat back into the world she tried so hard to escape. But he has a good reason: a powerful mobster has been robbed of his priceless art collection and wants to retrieve it. Only a master thief could have pulled this job, and Kat's father isn't just on the suspect list, he is the list. Kat’s dad needs her help.
For Kat, there is only one solution: track down the paintings and steal them back. So what if it's a spectacularly impossible job? She's got two weeks, a teenage crew, and hopefully just enough talent to pull off the biggest heist in her family's history--and, with any luck, steal her life back along the way.

My Review:

I found the recommendation for this book on one of my favourite blogs that I like to catch up with whenever I’m looking out for something new. This is a series of three books and I finished the whole series in about three weeks. There is also a crossover story with another popular series (Gallagher Girls) written by the same author which I immediately downloaded onto my Kindle. J So you can clearly see that I’m going to give it a good review. J

When it began, I honestly thought the story would revolve around Kat in a school. I don’t know why I thought this. But I’m glad it didn’t. My favourite part about this series is how the author Ally Carter has put a bunch of really colourful characters as Kat’s heist gang. Each one is different from the rest and each one is more interesting than the next. After Kat, Hale is certainly my next favourite. He’s one smooth talker and he’s always there for Kat no matter what. I especially like how the central characters have been developed throughout the series.

The heists are extremely fun to read and very fast paced. I love how Ally has put in a lot of thought and planned out the heists in each of the books. Fair warning: Some of the heist scenes were jaw-dropping. (I love it when a book surprises me. It’s like saying “No way!” to the book and it replies “Way!” in terms of its story). :P I would totally be the first in line to buy tickets if they made a movie out of this series!

I’d definitely recommend the Heist Society series to anyone who’s looking for a fast paced and clever young adult story with an interesting plotline.

As mentioned before, Ally Carter has also written another popular series called the Gallagher Girls. I have already bought the first two books in the series and am super eager to read them. J  I may be a tad late in joining the Ally Carter fan base but I'm totally enjoying the ride there one series at a time! Needless to say, I'm a fan already. :)

More later,

The Perennial Reader. J

Fangirl - Rainbow Rowell

Back of the Book: (Source: Goodreads)

Cath is a Simon Snow fan.

Okay, the whole world is a Simon Snow fan...

But for Cath, being a fan is her life—and she’s really good at it. She and her twin sister, Wren, ensconced themselves in the Simon Snow series when they were just kids; it’s what got them through their mother leaving.

Reading. Rereading. Hanging out in Simon Snow forums, writing Simon Snow fan fiction, dressing up like the characters for every movie premiere.

Cath’s sister has mostly grown away from fandom, but Cath can’t let go. She doesn’t want to.

Now that they’re going to college, Wren has told Cath she doesn’t want to be roommates. Cath is on her own, completely outside of her comfort zone. She’s got a surly roommate with a charming, always-around boyfriend, a fiction-writing professor who thinks fan fiction is the end of the civilized world, a handsome classmate who only wants to talk about words... And she can’t stop worrying about her dad, who’s loving and fragile and has never really been alone.

For Cath, the question is: Can she do this?

Can she make it without Wren holding her hand? Is she ready to start living her own life? Writing her own stories?

And does she even want to move on if it means leaving Simon Snow behind?

My Review:

A book about fan fiction. Now who would have thought about that? Well we don’t really need to look further. We have Rainbow Rowell to thank for. In her novel, Fangirl, Rainbow Rowell manages to write a beautiful tale weaving two worlds: real and fictional, in a fascinating manner.

What I like most about the characters in this book is that they’re all different and flawed in their own ways. They make mistakes and they learn from it. They all have quirks and Rainbow Rowell describes them in a very personal, “I know you well” manner which is a style I haven’t come across before. I thoroughly enjoyed it of course! J I also loved the fictional characters Simon and Baz.  

The story as I mentioned before is very unique and I love how Cath is so enamoured by a fictional world. We have all been there in some phase of our lives as a reader (Harry Potter for me) and it was great to read about a girl who not only understands it but lives it as well. J The interwoven stories from Cath’s fanfiction is also great fun to read.

The conversation is gripping and makes you want to read what happens next in the various relationships described. This book is not just about a romance between two people. It is about family, love, friends and an undying love for fiction.

This is my second Rainbow Rowell book and I’m already a fan. I intend to read more by this author.

Until then,

Carrying on :P

The Perennial Reader. J

Royal Wedding - Meg Cabot

Back of the Book (Goodreads)

For Princess Mia, the past five years since college graduation have been a whirlwind of activity, what with living in New York City, running her new teen community center, being madly in love, and attending royal engagements. And speaking of engagements. Mia's gorgeous longtime boyfriend Michael managed to clear both their schedules just long enough for an exotic (and very private) Caribbean island interlude where he popped the question! Of course Mia didn't need to consult her diary to know that her answer was a royal oui.

But now Mia has a scandal of majestic proportions to contend with: Her grandmother's leaked "fake" wedding plans to the press that could cause even normally calm Michael to become a runaway groom. Worse, a scheming politico is trying to force Mia's father from the throne, all because of a royal secret that could leave Genovia without a monarch. Can Mia prove to everyone—especially herself—that she's not only ready to wed, but ready to rule as well?

My Review J

Ah the long awaited read! The reunion with one of my favourite series ever! Meeting Mia and Michael all over again! This book is all that and so much more!

I have been a Princess Diaries fan since I was a teenager. One of my favourite parts of the series is that Mia and I grew up together. It makes her so relatable. J

The first thing I noticed when I was reading the Royal Wedding was the feeling of being home again. I couldn’t help smiling my way through the entire book journeying through another super important part of Mia’s life. 

We start off about eight years after the tenth book. Mia is running a community center helping teenagers out and Michael is heading a successful medical robotics firm. We get to meet the old gang comprising Lilly, Tina, Grandmere, and Lars as well. It’s like a reunion with your favourite characters! All that is needed is your favourite reading spot, a big bag of chips and the book!

There are so many lovely moments in this book that make you want to give it a book hug (Michael has a lot to do with these moments :D). The characters are as colourful and humourous as ever. 

Princess Diaries Fans will love this book and it will join the reread list for sure! This series is, of course, on my recommendation list to those who haven't read it already. 

I am now looking forward to Meg Cabot’s next instalment in The Boy Series. Let the next wait begin! J

Until then,

The Perennial Reader :)

The Rereader: Twenties Girl – Sophie Kinsella

Every reader has a select group of books and authors that they have on their reread lists. Those books that you feel like visiting again because you love the story so much or that the characters are so lovable or simply because it takes you back to a time in your life that you really liked. So I thought I’d come up with a new section on my blog for my reread list: The Rereader!

As mentioned in my previous post, Sophie Kinsella ranks super high on my reread list. The charm of Twenties Girl pulled me to reread it for the …um…I’ve lost count of the count. :P

Sophie Kinsella is also holding The Great Sophie Kinsella Summer Readalong. I think it’s a perfect time I chose to reread Twenties Girl. Although if you ask me, any time is a good time for a Sophie Kinsella novel. J

Back of the Book (Source: Sophie Kinsella’s Website)

“Lara has always had an overactive imagination. Now she wonders if she is losing her mind. Normal twenty-something girls just don’t get visited by ghosts! But inexplicably, the spirit of Lara’s great aunt Sadie – in the form of a bold, demanding Charleston-dancing girl – has appeared to make one last request: Lara must track down a missing necklace Sadie simply can’t rest without.

Lara’s got enough problems of her own. Her start-up company is floundering, her best friend and business partner has run off to Goa, and she’s just been dumped by the love of her life.

But as Lara spends time with Sadie, life becomes more glamorous and their treasure hunt turns into something intriguing and romantic. Could Sadie’s ghost be the answer to Lara’s problems and can two girls from different times end up learning something special from each other?”

The Review Part:

I thought the best book to start off a new feature on my blog should be by one of my favourite authors. That would be the ever amazing and witty Sophie Kinsella’s Twenties Girl. Sophie always comes up with brilliant, unique plots with hilarious conversations and lovely characters in every novel.

I read this book a while back and just reread it again for the joy of it (I’m pretty sure you have done it too, with your favourite books J). It starts off with the main protagonist, Lara Lington attending her great-aunt’s funeral along with the rest of her family. Little does she know that she is going to have the company of her great aunt in ghost form throughout the book. (Much to our delight)

My favourite character, Sadie, the great-aunt is a joy to read about. Her only request from Lara is to find a dragonfly necklace. That takes Lara on a wild chase and she joyfully takes us along with us. One of the great things about this book is that it shows us glimpses of clothes, dancing, music and how life was in the 1920s.

Romance-wise, this book has some wonderful moments and I personally found the conversation hilarious. It definitely has some butterfly-in-stomach inducing pages. J

If you are looking for an amazing romance and haven’t read this one yet, you should go for it! If you have read it already, it’s always a fun reread! J

Much more later,

The Perennial Reader J

Fictional Characters Written by Sophie Kinsella that I Love and Admire! (Part I)

I have a select group of authors that I absolutely love. Sophie Kinsella ranks very high on this list. Ever since I laid eyes on the book with glossy shopping bags and Isla Fisher on the cover, I just knew I was going to love her books. So, I thought I’d do a list of characters written by Sophie Kinsella that I have come to love and admire. I have included "Part I" in the title as I know I will love the characters she writes about in her books in the future as well. :) So here goes (In no particular order):   

1)      Becky Bloomwood (Brandon) – The Shopaholic Series

If I ever actually got to meet Becky Bloomwood, I would thank her for introducing me to one of my favourite writers, Sophie Kinsella. Apart from that, Becky’s love for shopping, hilarious inner monologues, relationship with Luke, friendship with Suze and others and a warm and endearing personality are some of the many reasons I enjoy reading this series.

2)      Luke Brandon – The Shopaholic Series

He is one of my favourite characters that Sophie has ever written. The stable and patient side of the Shopaholic series, he is there every time Becky even thinks of the word “Shopping”. His poker-faced, at times flabbergasted sense of humour has me falling over in peals of laughter.

Favourite Luke Quote (Among many others): “Rule of life. If you bother to ask someone’s advice, then bother to listen to it.”

3)      Suze Cleath-Stuart – The Shopaholic Series

Suze is one of my favourite besties of all time. She is the sort that would jump up and down with excitement because something good happened to her best friend but at the same time would be brutally honest with Becky if the situation demanded it.

4)      Sadie Lancaster – Twenties Girl

Ah Sadie! When the beautiful, vintage character from Twenties Girl said “Darling, when things go wrong in life, you lift your chin, put on a ravishing smile, mix yourself a little cocktail...” I knew this book was going to be something magical. She is the heart and soul of this book. I adore her attitude towards life and her love for dancing.

5)      Samantha Sweeting – The Undomestic Goddess

The premise of this book is fantastic and so unique. I absolutely love the range of characters in this story but my favourite is the main character, Samantha Sweeting. I think the best part about her is that she is just like us in so many ways and is learning more about herself and life every day. I loved being part of her journey while reading this book.

6)      Poppy Wyatt – I’ve Got Your Number

This is my favourite Sophie Kinsella novel ever! The book had me at the storyline itself. If that weren’t enough, the conversations are so funny and amazingly witty. Poppy Wyatt is vibrant, optimistic, smart and charming. I found her relatable as well. This book ranks high on my recommendations as well as reread lists. J

7)      Sam Roxton – I’ve Got Your Number

As you can see, I love this book. Sam Roxton is the perfect combination of sensible, practical, funny and awesome. It was very difficult for me to finish the book and not fall in love with him. End result: I did not succeed. Not that I was trying very hard to begin with. :P

I am totally looking forward to Sophie Kinsella’s latest book, Finding Audrey. It is her first Young Adult novel and as I’m a fan of both the genre as well as the writer, I can’t wait to read it. J

Until then,

The Perennial Reader. J

The House that BJ Built - Anuja Chauhan

Back of the Book (Goodreads):

I’ll make my sisters squirm like well-salted earthworms. I won’t sell. Even my jutti won’t sell. And if I die na, then even my gosht won’t sell!

The late Binodini Thakur had been very clear that she would never agree to sell her hissa in her Bauji’s big old house on Hailey Road. And her daughter Bonu, is determined to honour her mother’s wishes.

But what to do about her four pushy aunts who are insisting she sell? One is bald and stingy, one is jobless and manless, one needs the money to ‘save the nation’ and one is stepmother to Bonu’s childhood crush-brilliant young Bollywood director Samar Vir Singh, who promised BJ upon his deathbed that he would get the house sold, divvy the money equally and end all the bickering within the family.

Is Bonu strong enough to weather emotional blackmail by the spadefull? Not to mention shady builders, wily politicians, spies, lies and the knee-buckling hotness of Samar’s intense eyes?

The Review Part:

I remember the time I first read Battle for Bittora, the second book by Anuja Chauhan. I went through the whole book in the span of a few days. I read through meals as well. I experienced something of a similar nature with the House that BJ Built. Being a huge fan, I have always recommended Anuja Chauhan’s books to my friends. In case you haven’t read Those Pricey Thakur Girls already, it would be a good idea to do so before picking up The House that BJ Built in order to get the basic setting of the plot line.

The book starts out at a slower pace and Anuja Chauhan takes her time to lay out the groundwork for the characters and the story to properly build up. It’s like preparing all the ingredients for a sumptuous feast to be made the next day. We get to understand what the characters from the previous book have been up to for the last twenty years. We also see who the book is circled around essentially and where they stand now. But, this being Anuja Chauhan’s book, we also know that she will do justice to all the characters and sub-plots.

Now to the sumptuous meal part. After the introductory pages, it’s a rollercoaster ride from there. I had such a difficult time keeping the book down. Anuja Chauhan delves into the story of a familial property dispute with great gusto coming up with exceptionally interesting sub-plots. There are inner monologues of several interesting minds, outright family drama, politicians, an age old story, lawyers, Bollywood and so much more all weaved in and out of an electricity bhara romance (An ode to the charming use of Hinglish in the book J)

One of my favourite things about this book is the humour. I think I must have giggled out loud too many times while reading certain hilarious parts of the book. The conversations between not just the main protagonists but also the multitude of other characters is witty and fast-paced throughout the four hundred pages of the novel.

The romance between Bonu Singh and Samar Vir Singh is adorably cute, gripping and worth rooting for. Bonu is certainly different from her previous female leads. I liked her gutsy spirit and disarming innocence. Samar is another stellar hero that worthily joins the ranks of Nikhil, Zain and Dylan. 

This is my “What Next?” novel for sure. By that, I mean I kept wondering what would happen next at the turn of every page. A lot of questions that I was curious about in the previous book were answered in this one. The only thing I am sad about is that I have to wait for a while till she writes the next book.

Until then!

The Perennial Reader J

Interesting Places I’ve Found Book Recommendations (Part 1)

Lately, I have been trying to find new books to read and have been looking around for recommendations everywhere. So I thought it was a good idea to pull up a list of where I’ve found these recommendations. We all have friends who give us great suggestions and my ultimate favourite is to go stand in the middle of a bookstore and spend hours trying to pick out the perfect book (or two! We’ve all been there, right?) But there are some great places online as well that have gotten me some great recommendations! Here are a few of them:

1)      Review Blogs:

There are so many of these great blogs out there on the internet that you can spend hours just browsing the thoughts of fellow book lovers and trying to find the next great read. I have been binge reading a lot of Young Adult literature and my latest favourite blog is called YA Crush. They have reviewed tons and tons of YA books and I have them to thank for introducing me to great reads like Anna and the French Kiss (St.Clair!), Lola and the Boy Next Door (Cricket Bell!!!), The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau Banks (Go Frankie!) and many more. I knew I could count on this blog the minute I saw a list of reasons “why Michael Moscovitz is the fake man of her dreams” on the blog. I have been in love with Michael Moscovitz since I was 16. And thanks to the glorious Meg Cabot, we get to meet him again this June in the eleventh Princess Diaries book, The Royal Wedding!

2)      Instagram

This is one place I honestly did not think I would find books. But I was pleasantly surprised. There are these amazing book lovers who post pictures of their books and beautiful bookshelves crammed with tons and tons of great reading material (Translation: Great recommendations!). When I spotted my favourites Harry Potter (Ah Harry! I am yet to meet a book better than you!) Divergent (Four. Nuff said), Fangirl (Baz Fan through and through) and many more such gems peeking through the many beautiful filters of Instagram, I knew I just had to follow some of these accounts!

3)      Goodreads

This is a website where you can create an account and keep track of all the books you have read, see what other people are saying about the books you want to read and join groups for book suggestions and discussions. I found this awesome website a few years back and have actually become friends with a few authors. I enjoy reading the reviews for the books I really want to read and Goodreads automatically shows suggestions based on what you’ve browsed. There are lists, quizzes, giveaways and so much more.

4)      Amazon

I love the recommendations (“Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought” part) that appear at the end of the page after you scroll through some of the books that you’re actually looking for. These recommendations look like virtual suggestions from people who like to read the same kind of books that you do. I found Kasie West’s The Distance Between Us like this. And if you read my review, you’ll know I adored the book. J

5)      Lists from various Websites (Buzzfeed)

Nowadays, lists are all the rage. There is a list for almost every genre. I’ll admit, these lists are sometimes fun to read. My favourite type is the one that gives me book recommendations (27 books falling off the TBR shelf but oh yeah! We totally need more!) or the ones that give us reasons why readers are so awesome (right right??). My browser bookmarks section is filled with these lists just so that I can go back and check out the new reads when I’m in need of one.

I’m going to leave it at this and call it Part 1. I’ll give it time and come up with Part 2 hopefully someday soon.

Gotta go!

The Perennial Reader. J