Three Weeks with My Brother - Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks (Book)

Three Weeks with My Brother - Nicholas Sparks and Micah Sparks.

Sometimes some books just magically happen to you and then they become life changing books for us. It happened with me in the past and happened again this weekend :). Nicholas Sparks is one of my favorite romantic writers and I use his books as fillers between two heavy reads (usually) but this time around, starting a new year, just like that I picked up the next from him (in publication order) and this one popped up. With a very interesting title "Three Weeks with My Brother", I thought it must be his own Autobiography throwing some light on the books he had written so far and I wasn't entirely wrong. But what worked big time for me was the uncanny similarity he shared with my own life which made this book a wonderful experience of sort for me. Three siblings (we are four), he is the one in the center (me too), terrific chemistry with elder brother (same here), a Hitler of a dad (same here) who didn't care about him at all (same to same), at times he wasn't even in talking terms with him (same here, I haven't spoken to mine once at a stretch for about 10 years or longer), loving mother who always took the backseat, childhood full of struggles (poor to lower middle class), later in life he turns out to be the most successful among his siblings (almost same), too many deaths in the family (we all do) and finally - the awakening (that me and him are going through right now). Wow!! I was totally shocked, surprised and pleasantly happy to read this one, thinking it may give me a solution by the time it ends, but does it?

Now, if you are a Nicholas Sparks fan, just like me, this is a must must read and you shouldn't miss it at any cost. It works wonderfully well if you have read his earlier works prior to this getting published as this one throws so much light on the stories and the characters that it was totally mind-blowing and got me thinking how much he had gone through to get us those awesome characters, everyone of them is from the real life (totally unbelievable) as you see the making of them in his own life. The book basically starts with Nick taking a break of three weeks with his elder brother Micah, going around the world, visiting half a dozen countries on a trip of a life time. Leaving behind his five kids with his super efficient and loving wife back home. The way he has captured his current life and the terrific past that he shared with his brother Micah and cute sister Dana is something that I just couldn't believe, again it had so many similarities with my own (read our) life as we almost go through the same things one way or other (especially the kids from 60s and 70s). The way his Dad keeps ignoring his family and kids for his job, kids end up hating him more than loving but with time they realize why it was the way it was. Moving now and then to new cities. But his Mother was totally out of this world character, such a beautiful soul with solution to every problem. The way she treats them all and helps them was simply terrific, hats off to her to raise Micah, Nick and Dana to become such awesome kids, The story not only feels real like (it is), it is hilarious, unbelievable and simply too good to be true sorts.

This is almost one of the best books that I ever read on sibling affection (no rivalry), how Nick and Micah go along with their sister and come handy to each other at the time of the need. How they both plan to become millionaire after going through so much struggle in their childhood and at what age they attain those successes is simply too good to read. I totally loved the way they interact and go through the entire trip, the important part of human history which makes no sense to them and how they behave during the entire trip as well the way story keeps going back and forth in the past is simply amazing. It had so many instances when the story made me grin from ear to ear with tears in my eyes and a huge lump in my throat. I simply love those books which are able to do all that to me in one shot. Micah and Nick's chemistry and discussions made me miss my own brother(s) so much that by the time the book ended, I not only spoke to my own brother after ages, made a little peace, told them how much I love them and all that, I also, spoke to my Dad and let him give me some piece of his mind :) it was fun. He (read they) have no idea how a book his impacted me so much that I am craving to see them soon in real and work out the future course of action.

If you have read "Three Weeks with My Brother" (and loved it) do let me know how you like it and if you haven't, you better do it soon. And if you are going through a little trouble with your own siblings and parents then this is the book, you've got to read at the earliest. A terrific book not to be missed by anyone especially Nicholas Sparks fan to say the least.

Hari and Friends (A Holi Adventure) - Rajesh Iyer (Book)

Hari and Friends (A Holi Adventure) - Rajesh Iyer.

I got this book from the Author couple of months back and unfortunately because of my busy schedule (of-course of book reading) couldn't adjust it in between. But this year, I have decided to finish off the Author sent books first before heading back to my heavy duty books planned for this year. Now this one was on the top of the pile that I have on my book-rack, smallest in size and with a very attractive and glossy cover so I decided to read it last night. It was such an easy to read, a breeze of a story and shockingly a chapter out of my own life that I just couldn't believe, how unreal it all felt. I could not only identify with the protagonist of the story (Hari) but felt as if the character was based on my own-self. A bunch of kool colony friends on their own kind of adventure right before the Holi festival, going all out to prove a point that they have grown enough to take care of the festivity in their area. Terrific school life, classmates, a brooding elder sister who is good for nothing (especially for him, I have an elder brother), Dad almost as good as Hitler (not that my dad is any bad. Wink Wink! he is on Facebook), a loving and caring mother who always knew what he was thinking (just like my own) and a little too much of adrenaline for his age to make him a part of crazy adventures that we all did back then (especially in mid 80s).

The book kind of took me back in our own times when we did what we did then which now I feel is too embarrassing to tell anyone rather I will be ashamed to say what all we had done, I still can't think of a reason why we were the way we were. Like breaking of the tables, chairs or anything which we could find in the neighborhood which as per us was of no use to the owners and using them to burn in the pyre without asking anyone (a lot of that stuff was actually stolen or jacked). Exactly how Hari and his friends did in the story, as I said earlier it was a chapter out of my own life and too close to the absolute reality. Especially the brother sister bonding (or lake of it) was unbelievably true too, I still remember it was the daily ritual of a fight that we always followed every night, the big question always was "Who will turn off the light before we hit the bed" and it had to be always me as I was the youngest :). Taking a poor man for a ride, never get caught, feel sorry later and try undoing it or regret for life. Wow! I just couldn't believe it. The things that Hari the protagonist goes through in the little story and how he learns a lesson for life is simply mind-blowing. Another terrific thing that I loved about this book was its simplicity and a believable story written in the most subtle way. Take a bow Rajesh M Iyer, you've made me a fan for life and I am looking forward to your other work(s) one of which you have already sent me. And my expectations this time are sky high after reading this.

Have you read "Hari and Friends"? Do let me know how you like it and if you haven't, you better do it soon or do it before Holi :).

Wonder - R J Palacio (Book)

Wonder - R J Palacio.

Technically this qualifies as my last book for the year 2017 and first for 2018 both :) as half of it I read it last year and the rest I finished today. I actually wanted to coincide my reading with the movie release but for some reason they earlier delayed the release by couple of months and then somehow released it before the year end to my shock and surprise. Hence this became one of those very few books which I read after I saw the movie :). Although the movie was too underwhelming to my taste and unfortunately the book isn't that great as I expected it but it was way better than the movie for sure (talking about detailing and some very good things missing). Author has written this book very smartly and it almost feels as if it was actually written by a fifth grader, going by the language, the simplicity and even some intentional mistakes (I am sure about) that she has made in the book. The book and the story is very easy to read, I had a great connect too but somehow felt it was over stretched, even when it was too short in size. May be because the same story is told in different versions by half a dozen people before it comes back to the "Wonder" kid. I am sure I would have totally loved it if it was only one version from only his angle but that doesn't take anything away from the lovely book unfortunately the only grudge that I have is that It didn't make me all emotional as I expected it to be.

Heart touching story of a fifth grader "August Pullman" who is born with a deformed face and his struggle to live a normal life in this thankless world is the story all about. As I believe the book is a grand success already and its been reviewed a million times already. There is not much to tell as its pretty much predictable how it all starts and the way it all goes, it totally feels been there done that thing right from the very start. But I had a huge grin right from the beginning to the very end pasted on my face and it did make me frown a couple of times here and there. Also, it made me put down my Kindle a couple of times in between to look into space and think of the cute little guy and his struggles and passions too. So far, I have been a "Star Wars" fan but the way it is done in the story, I am about to get all Six parts like NOW and watch them back to back :) just because "Auggie the Doggie" was such a huge fan and there were a million instances when he talks about the series and its amazing characters. The amazing set of parents and an adorable sister plus a god send sister was such a fantastic thing to read that I was totally touched. It also took me back in time to my own middle school days when life felt so hard and when I made some amazing friends just like Auggie :) (for life). For a Debut this is a terrific attempt and I will certainly look forward to R J Palacio's upcoming works as and when she gets them published.

I am sure you must have read this by now, if not, you better do it fast as I am already looking forward to its sequel, as and when it comes. Pray, it must come soon as I really really want to know what happens next to Auggie, don't you? Did you love the book or just liked it? Did it work for you big time?

Movie Adaptation: As I said earlier, it was totally underwhelming especially with that kind of casting (read Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson in one movie). Or may be again, my expectations were not right with the movie too. It felt too long and too slow to my taste, although it did miss out so much from the book still felt over stretched for its run-time but nevertheless was a good one time watch. And it actually had some scenes that will go down my memory lane, especially the one where Julia (Mom) waits for her Son (Auggie) to come out of school and he just passes her with his friend in toes talking about whatever stuff. That was the scene to die for and the finale :), simply too good. Overall it was pretty much an average movie and didn't feel that special as I wanted it to be.

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson (Book)

The Girl who Kicked the Hornet's Nest - Stieg Larsson.

Take a bow Stieg Larsson for giving us one of the best trilogy I have ever read which kept getting by the book and what an amazing end it had, totally totally loved it. Also, this (third part of the trilogy) is the fattest book of the series and I am sure was the best-est too :) as it had answers to all my questions, that I had even from the first two books, barring of-course one riddle that he left unsolved which will remain like that since he is no more :(, how sad is that. Having said that, I am sure the people who have read this will totally agree with me on this when I say that this was undoubtedly the terrific story telling with some killer characters that will go down memory lane a long long way. I so much hope that his family and girl friend come to a conclusion soon and let the fourth unpublished part go for publication :) as it must have the answer(s) for what he had left opened in the last of the series. And I am seriously not up-to reading the one's written by someone else after he left, I would rather wait for the issue to get resolved so we actually get to read the real story by Larsson himself (now whenever that happens, I will wait).

What I love(d) about Stieg Larsson the most is the detailing that he gets into, some may find it a little too long for their taste of thriller but it was simply too good to me. The longer he took in developing a character the better it turns out in the end, the way he worked with Lisbeth Salandar's characters, who hardly smiles in the first two parts :) No Spoilers, you've got to read the third one to know if she actually does but the guy (Larsson) had a good sense of humor that he aptly proved with this part and in the finale as the story develops and Lisbeth is about to go behind the bars for a long long time after what all she did in the first two parts and Mikael Bloomqvist for once feels like he will not be able to save her. As in the last part her own past comes haunting her (almost killing her) here I so much hoped and prayed that some of her friends should come forward to save the day as she struggled for her life. And the way it all is done in super details (making it last almost 750+ pages) is an outstanding piece of work. Lisbeth Salandar's histrionics with Bloomqvist's support and some new characters actions indeed put a big big smile on my face throughout and the trial in the end is a huge grand finale of sorts.

I was surprised by the size of the book vs the time it took me to finish it. As it was simply unputdownable I guess I wrapped it up in flat 5 days or less :)of-course I had to follow it up with the movie too. Earlier when I started this, looking at the size I thought this will be the last of the year for me, but the way things turned out, I am still left with one more week to go :). If you have read the trilogy, I am sure you will agree with me that it indeed is one of the best but if you haven't read it yet, my friend :) you have no idea what you have missed, go get it today and do not miss it at any cost.

Movie Adaptation: As is always the case with adaptations, this was the saddest movie of the series as they were not able to cover a fourth of what the book offers :(. But I wont blame the makers as the material in hand is so much that it can surely not be converted into a movie that too of mere three hours. Movie is more like a trailer one is watching on the book and no better. But I had to see it as I saw the earlier two parts too hence I watched it to my utter dismay. But there is after-all some silver lining, the last of the scene where Lisbeth comes to face the court, takes the cake. You've got to watch the preparation, her expressions, body language, make up, attire and so much more :) that it makes the whole of two and a half hour worth waiting for the finale.

Lemoncella Cocktail - Rene Natan (Book)

Lemoncella Cocktail - Rene Natan.

My little brother enrolled me into an online book club and this was the first ebook that I received from them in exchange I have to put an honest review of the same. Going by the title and the cover, I thought it will be some kind of a love story with a little action of sorts (you see a guy swimming on top) but what it turns out to be is a Hodge-podge of a thriller cum comedy of errors. I couldn't decide I was laughing on the book or with the book? Initial 20 pages were good enough for me to know that this is another run of the mill, going nowhere story but unfortunately so far I have a record of never leaving a book midway (barring an exceptional occasion when one book flew out of my 15th floor window). Hence I read it full and still am in a sort of a hangover of what actually the Author wanted to tell us from the story. And who was the actual protagonist in this one. Story of a girl Amelie who witnesses an illegal deal between his boy friend and some crooks. As soon as they realize she had seen them, everyone wants her dead and here comes our hero Patrick as a good Samaritan to save the girl and the family too. I expected it to be at least an average thriller with cat and mouse chase between the good guys and bad guys.

Unfortunately, this one looks like written by someone for a writing competition or as a college project with no research but if this is how Canadian Police and Secret Service works, I am never going to Canada in my life for sure. I mean imagine there is a situation where the bad guy is on the lose to kill the girl who witnessed the episode and wipe out her entire family. The secret service guys go home and sleep saying they will see what they have to do next morning :). I was like laughing out loud but kept going forward with the hopes of something good to come out. Imagine the bad guys actually blow off an Airplane with the entire family in it and they pay like a thousand bucks to the guy who fixes the bomb, can you believe that? On top of that there comes a super rich grandmother who tells a stranger that she has 25 Million Dollars in her bank and yet her son is gone extreme west to make his career (the poor guy has a credit card debt of 280K), I was like Wow!! this is really happening. I cant even tell you how much ransom the bad guys ask for her kidnapped grand daughter and even that looks like a silly change to the old woman :). I mean the Author was totally not serious what she was writing if she really wanted her readers to believe the story. Writing is so freaking casual that I couldn't believe my eyes. The characters, even the secret service guys are so dumb that it was hard to believe even in fiction.

Hilarious is the ending of the book, I mean I don't want to put the spoilers for anyone who may still want to read it. But if you do and reach the end, do let me know if you actually fall of the chair you were sitting on while reading the book by that ending :) as I actually did. The only positive that I could gather from the book was that its hardly 160 odd pages and written in short 2-3 page chapters and since I had read a heavy thrilling trilogy (Larsson) before this, it was a jolly good refresher for me. But not a book that I will recommend it to anyone.

The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson (Book)

The Girl Who Played with Fire - Stieg Larsson.

Second book of the series and what a ride this one was, simply amazing, engaging and thrilling. There are a very few sequels which actually not only live up to the original but supersede it too. This is one of those books which not only is almost as good as the first one but in a way goes ahead and feels even better than the first one in many ways. Also, almost after every chapter I had a wide grin on my face and missed someone around me with who I could jump and do a Hi5, this was that great. I was like "You go girl and do what you do best, kick some more....". And Stieg Larsson, you take a bow man, why you had to die so soon, you could have given us some more of Lisbeth :(. The way he ends his books I can say now after reading two of them is that the story ends at the very last page of the book and all you have left is the back cover to look at. No epilogue, no conclusions, no cover ups, just 'The End" and you shut the book, even that kept making me ask for more and I kept the third one quite near me in preparation. I am jumping straight to the third as soon as I post this. This I believe this is the third occasion that I am this keen to read the next after Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter and Clifton Chronicles (Jeffrey Archer), Any other Book(s) never had this magic on me ever.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo ends and Lisbeth goes on a long long vacation (she becomes a millionaire overnight) and breaks all connections with Mikael Blomkvist. A new journalist at Millennium is about to uncover a dark secret behind the sex trade in Sweden and a lot of people are about to be named, somehow Lisbeth's name gets involved in killing of three people including the journalist. Also, her past comes haunting her and Mikael back and comes big time as every one believes she is not the killer and even Blomkvist believes she is capable of killing but his heart says she wont (even I kept praying). How the reality gets uncovered (shockingly) is just a terrific ride a little deeper inside Lisbeth's life as well as into whats goes on in the world around us. This one was such an amazing page turner that my eyes kept cheating, like I was actually at the top left page and my eyes will go to extreme right in the mid to see whats happening ahead :). Just couldn't control it. Stieg Larsson has a habit of overstretching the stuff to my delight and will never give someone something straight on a platter. For example, a world-class boxer who is a Lisbeth fan (and coach) is about to hit one final blow to a guy, may be killing him but it will take two pages of explanation in between telling us what was going through his head while he hit that final blow.

The first book was about 500 pages long, second one goes ahead and crosses 550 pages and as I type this, just checked and imagine my 32 teeth smile because the last one has about 760 pages of fun to unfold :). Have you read these yet? If yes, you already know how and what I am feeling and if not, Oh Boy! You have no idea what you are missing.

Movie Adaptation: One word - SUPERBAD. Oh My God!! What do I say, three hours and this is what they came out with. What a total crap this movie was. So much wished that Fincher was signed up to do the second and third movie too, this one feels like a B grade movie made for television. Almost a disaster of an adaptation, no background score a all, leaves so much which is desired big time from the book to be told untouched and some characters which aren't even mentioned in the movie. And it goes on for about 3 hours or a little longer :), I had to see it because I just had to, but please ignore if you have read the book as it is such a heart break. I am seriously contemplating not to see the movie after I finish the third and the last book of the series.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson (Book)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo - Stieg Larsson.

My first Stieg Larsson book and my reaction to it as I progressed was like: (After 100 pages), Is this The Stieg Larsson that people so much brag about, this is no thriller, so slow, still developing characters. (After 275 pages), WHOA!! what just hit me, so this is how it was to be crossed, O boy, what are they gonna do since they have joined hands, totally couldn't put it down now. (After 400 pages), its office time let me take it to office, big deal eh? I can read in my cabin with the door closed, whose gonna look at me? and finished it same night :). Now that my dear friends is Stieg Larsson, by the time it ended, I was not only in love with the lead character Lisbeth Salander but also with Mikael Bloomqvist around who the whole story revolves as they uncover the truth behind the murdered girl. Also, my heart cried out for Stieg too, a damn good writer gone too soon, wish he was around to take this series forward or should have written more wonderful books like these. Imagine he wrote this trilogy which was published after his death :(. It came to my attention only in 2011/12 when David Fincher made the movie (remake of original Swedish) and our own Censor board advised him three dozen cuts which he denied outright and didn't release the movie in India. I had to get an illegal copy then too to
watch it and compare it with its Swedish counterpart. Had no idea then that this was based on a book and only this year I got to lay my hands on the trilogy and now I am totally hooked to it. As I compose this, the second of the series is waiting for me to pick it up right next to my laptop (that too in office) :).

The first part of the trilogy is totally dedicated I guess to the character building of Mikael Bloomqvist, an investigative journalist and part owner of the magazine "Millennium" whose career is in a soup because he uncovers the dark truth behind a Billionaire when his sources go haywire. Lisbeth Salander has her own story to tell (although they don't tell much and one needs to read between the lines - beautifully) as why she is what she is but behind how she looks and behaves, she is a super intelligent investigator cum hacker and has her own support world too. How she tackles her own personal problems and their paths cross when an Industrialist (Hanrik Vanger) appoints / offers a huge sum to Bloomqvist who is taking a break from his journalism to write his own Biography. But it isnt that simple as it looks like and what happens next is an amazing cat and mouse chase game between the recluse Vanger family, Lisbeth and Bloomqvist, the vanished girl, killer at lose, Billionaire with dark secrets behind them all the time and so much more. Although I loved the relaxed pace of the novel too much, never for a moment I felt like I was reading a thriller the way the story is told but it kept taking me deeper in it with every page I turned. After mid ways, it actually picks up the pace so much that it was too hard to put it down, the second half of the book is simply an awesome read with a super finale that I couldn't predict in my wildest dreams. The way Larsson has given enough footage to the entire Vanger clan was simply outstanding and reminded me so much of Gabriel Garcia Marquez, who will always have a dozen of characters but will always do justice to all of them.

The town of Hedestad (Fictional) is one of the very important characters in the story. The way he covered its geography, I can only visualize it but it sounds to beautiful and real that I actually was imagining if I could visit Sweden and go through it myself. Also, the little nuances that he leaves in the story for the reader to decode i.e. Lisbeth's Tattoos and story(s) behind them, you've got to read it to understand it. I hope and look forward to the second part to see if he uncover them or totally leaves them to the reader to make their own theories but this was an amazingly written awesome book that thriller and suspense lovers should read and watch the movies too. Do let me know if you have read the trilogy as how you like it and any other book from Larsson which you feel is equally good like this one. I would certainly look forward to read it too.

Movie Adaptations (Swedish 2009): Saw both the movies today back to back, first I saw the original Swedish and this was almost 3 hours long. But believe me when I say this that even after that length I kept asking for more and not for one moment I felt like it was too long although it missed out on so many details totally breaking my heart. Totally loved Michael Nyqvist who plays the central character Mikael Bloomqvist and Awesome Noomi Rapace who was a perfect fit for Lisbeth Salander's character. One heck of a movie, although it still no ways comes close to the book but works on most counts.

English (2011): Finally, I saw the movie today and called my wifey and this is how our discussion went. Me: You know who is my favorite Director?
She: (In a fraction of a second without thinking): Quentin Tarantino.
Me: Yes, He was but now today onwards it is David Fincher :) if someone ask you who is yours, please say the same and I will show you a movie this weekend, you will
love it.

No doubt, the David Fincher version is way way better than the original just because of the way it is "Scripted", I mean he has (almost) picked up everything from the book of-course barring the ending and made the reader in me grin from ear to ear that too when his movie is 20 minutes shorter than the original Swedish. Hats off to the man, impeccable casting, mind blowing expressions, amazing editing and what a killer background score. This is going to be my all time favorite Movie adaptation of a book I read and loved ever, now onwards. Still I will maintain that Noomi Rapace was a couple of notches better than Roony Maara in playing Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish version but this one is a better movie of the two.

Stardust – Neil Gaiman (Book)

Stardust – Neil Gaiman.

All thanks to our impromptu Book club meet that I came across this awesome book by Neil Gaiman, my first from him and I am totally bowled over by his imagination. Trust me when I say this that this little gem of a book actually gave me the same kind of pleasure what I last got from Harry Potter (series) and Lord of the Rings trilogy. It is indeed that great, although way bit shorter (hardly 200 pages) but he has wrapped up so much in these many pages that I wished he had written a huge huge book with great details. The mysterious setting, visual spectacle of a background, magical characters, super kool gadgets, Witches, Princes(s), King, Lovers and on top of that a falling star which is the best part about the entire story. It had so much wrapped up in the little book which took me no time to finish but it will definitely become one book that I will never forget and will read it again for sure. I have never read a book twice barring of-course (To Kill a Mockingbird – no one can come close to Atticus Finch). But this one, I am definitely reading again and eagerly waiting for its prequel as he has promised to write it one of these days, if not a sequel for sure. Before this book, I had no idea what actually Neil Gaiman wrote and as is I practice never to learn a review or even a blurb before picking up the book I want to read, this was a big big surprise and now I will be hooked on to his writing(s) till I finish all his books one by one.

Stardust is a terrific love story cum fantasy story of Tristran Thorn, his entire life is a big mystery. A simple boy who works at a grocery store one days falls in love with beautiful Victoria Forester, hilarious is the way he proposes her and makes a thousand promises if only she will accept his love. What she asks him is nothing else but a fallen star and his journey starts. The poor simple guy who is good at heart actually crosses the “Wall” beyond which no one has ever stepped out for 100’s of years. The only respite in the life of the villagers is a “Market” which takes place every nine years. I don’t want to disclose much but this all takes place in the very initial 20 odd pages and he sets his course for the terrific journey ahead. There are two more parallel (very interesting) tracks too, three almost four hundred year old Witches almost at the end of their life-time need a heart of a star to revive their youth and powers which they are losing by the day. A King, whose kingdom is right across the “Wall” is on his deathbed, with three of his sons dead out of seven. The rein of kingdom will go to that surviving son who will fetch him the Topaz he throws in the same direction where the star falls from the sky. And the hunt begins. How their paths criss-cross or do they have a history of relations earlier too makes up for a very interesting and intriguing story. It has everything as I said from Magic to terrific (lovable) characters to the eye popping situations. I totally loved it and the way it all ends was beyond my wildest imagination but was very pleasing.

If you have read the book, do let me know how you like it and if you haven’t read it or are as ignorant fool as I am to have missed Neil Gaiman so long, you better get this and read it ASAP. You have no idea what you are missing in life. Also, keep an eye on the Epilogue, Prologue, Credits and Question Answers in the end of the book – they are totally Hahalarious. Neil Gaiman has some sense of humor and I am totally in love with the guy and his work(s). Looking forward to read all of his works like NOW, do let me know what I should read next.

Movie Adaptation: As I sat reading the book, a friend told me about its movie adaptation too and I got it before I started to read the book (as usual). If you have read the book and watching the movie in comparison with the book, its a big heart-break (as usual) but if you watch it as an individual attempt, its damn good and a visual treat. On top of that they have roped in Robert DeNiro, Michelle Pfeiffer and host of other stars, even the current Super-Man plays a character. I saw the movie with my kiddo (11 years) and even she loved it, as it came highly recommended and I actually wanted to give faces to the characters as I imagined. Mostly it worked but the movie feels like a very fast forward version of the story and they have made quite big changes in the story too, I wonder why they feel their audience is not so smart to make out the story on their own and end up explaining everything through a voice over, time constraint may be. But I am glad that the even the voice over was done by Gandalf (LOTR) / Magneto (X-Men) that put a wide smile on my face. But the climax takes the cake, they have done it very well almost at par with the book or even better visually at least. The setting of the village, The Wall, The Market, Journey and the Beautiful Star, were something that I will never be able to forget. A must watch if you loved the book but be ready for the liberties that they take to make a movie out of a book.

Spider-Man Homecoming (2017) - Movie.

Spider-Man Homecoming (2017) - Movie.

I guess there is something seriously wrong either with me or with the Super-Hero movies that I am being served these days. I couldn't believe my luck when I watched "Spider-Man Homecoming" today, as it became the third disaster Super-Hero movie for me flat in one week. Followed by Transformers The Last Night (Yesterday) and Justice League a few days back. Oh My God!! Whats with the makers? I so much expected that I am going to love this one as a lot of friends said it was a good movie unfortunately that wasn't the case, not for me at least. I know that Spider-Man is now a part of Avengers but how much stake Avengers are going to have in a bloody individual Spider-Man movie? First I was pissed by Tony Stark (Iron-Man) in this one and then I was super pissed by the way he has advanced the Spider-Man suit to give him more powers and what not. And then I cant even describe in words as what I felt by watching a third actor in I believe last five years who is now the New Spider-Man. Why was he so desperate to impress Iron-Man so he gotta be a part of Avengers? Wow! I cant believe this. That's alright that they have now changed the guy, I have no issues with that but what about the re-boot of a re-boot? Didn't they re-boot it couple of years back when they fired Toby McGuire from the role and took the new guy? Why this new guy is still in college and isn't yet aware of his super powers? Why is he still training and doing almost the same stuff? Going behind his classmate whose dad has to be a villain, hiding from the world that he is the Spider-Man?

On top of that, they have screwed another of my all time favorite actor (Michael Keaton) by making him a villain. The guy is too good to play bad and he had my full sympathies, unfortunately he took his last acclaimed role of "Bird-Man" too seriously and they made him a Bird-Man yet again in this one. Even that didn't work for me in totality and left me asking for so much more, guy literally had nothing to do in this movie but go after Iron-Man's stuff to hi-jack, C'Mon man, are all the writers dead in the west that they couldn't come out with a better idea? Marisa Tomei as Peter Parker's new aunt was a pleasing surprise but even she has hardly anything to do in the movie and totally wasted in such an inconsequential role, though I loved her presence for as long as it lasted. Even the reason why Keaton was behind Tony Stark looked like a fluke, not convincing enough reason to become what he becomes and we already know the fate by the time it all ends. The only two things that worked for me in the entire movie was the background score at the very start, the old tune of Spider-Man animation relived was too good and the ending, what Peter Parker does with Tony Stark was a shocker and I was happy about it :). Hope they make the next Spider-Man movie as an individual Super Hero movie with nothing to do with Avengers (I pray).

The only good thing about the movie that actually put a huge smile on my face was the girl Michelle, the one who reads a book throughout, helps them win the quiz and goes on to become the team lead in the end :). That did made me happy and by the looks of it, I can predict she will come back in the next part or may be she will become the love interest of the dumb Spider-Man that we have. Also, whats with the title of the movie? Homecoming? They didn't explain it anywhere and it didn't make any sense to me, barring of-course I noticed a huge banner being put in the college with "Homecoming" on top, what does it mean? I really wonder what others felt about this movie? If box office collections are concerned, I am sure it must have made a huge profit but as a movie it never works. May be they should put a disclaimer on trailer releases now a days claiming that if "You are born in the 70's, do not watch this". I will stay away from these movies now and will watch them as and when just for the curiosity sake. I was so inclined to watch "Thor Ragnorak" but I guess I will pass it for now.

Justice League (2017) - Movie

Justice League (2017) - Movie.

A movie is a flop (read crap) if you see it and don't want to talk about it with anyone. Imagine they can make a bad movie with half a dozen super heroes in it and a heck of a huge alien villain too. DC has actually lost the plot altogether, they need new writers as well as new Directors. Earlier they made me question my own loyalty when they put two of my favorite characters against each other, Batman VS Superman. And then they killed one, C'mon man, fine, that was OK, now the one who is responsible for others death wants to revive him back to save the world (Yes, we are kids, let it come). Two hours of run-time and only thrice it actually made me smile and feel a bit happy. First of-course is the Wonder Woman's entry and sequence saving the hostages, terrifically shot and Gal Gadot is a darling, so sweet on the eyes and terrific in character, she is actually the saving grace for me for this movie at least. Second that little guy Flash has some good lines, reminded me of new Spider-Man :), but how much he could save. And the villain too was no good, Guess Loki could have done the job better.

I just cant believe my eyes that our own Super Heroes could get this boring. I mean I just couldn't make out what was wrong with this Batman (Ben Affleck) he looks so tired and out of character as if he is forced to work in this movie, they really need to put him on steroids for upcoming parts or fire him altogether and get Bale back (I so much wish). I still cant forget "The Dark Knight" where my loyalty kept shifting between him and the joker but in the end joker wins by a huge margin still some sympathy remains for Batman too. That earth shattering Bat-Mobile, who could forget that, they are still beating it, now it can fly, crawl and what not but isn't a thing of Awe anymore. I remember the goosebumps it gave me in Dark Knight and I cant even put my feelings to words when the Bike comes out of the crashed Bat-Mobile. How much they can screw a character? I just couldn't believe it. This is another of those Super Hero movies which has no repeat value and I for sure am never watching it again. On top of that I am glad that I didn't take my Kiddo with me to this one or else she would have grilled me by asking if this is THE Batman that I loved and carry a tattoo on my body. Unbelievable.

I have no idea, how much they spent on this crap but I am sure they must have made millions profit on the movie including my contribution :) but they are losing fans big time and breaking hearts in the process. Unfortunately the movie freak that we are, we will still be watching the next and still be looking forward to our much loved characters to be revived back to glory once again. It feels so sad to not to recommend a movie with my own favorite characters in it. I am sure if you have loved them the way I do and have seen the movie, you will agree with me. Did it work for you? Do let me know if you like it.

The Origin of Species - Charles Darwin (Book)

The Origin of Species - Charles Darwin.

I have read about 175+ books in last two years and not exaggerating that almost every tenth book mentions either Darwin's theory or the book in question one way or the other. So much so that I was very curious for almost last two years to pick it up myself and read what actually he had written way back in 1859. I was shocked the way it gets mention not only in Non Fiction (mostly), but also in Fiction and even in a love story (Imagine it gets mentioned in a Jojo Moyes book too). But when I read Yuval Noah Harari's (Sapiens) and followed it with a book written way back in 60's about a court case where they debated over Bible Vs Darwin, it was simply too much for me to resist it anymore :). And then, my favorite Dan Brown came out with his new book called "Origin" exploring "Where do we come from" and "Where are we going". Curiosity actually killed the cat and I picked it up some 15 days ago, mind it, it isn't an easy read like any other book but way too interesting. Specially if you have any interest in "Origin", History, Geography, Biology and even Science, this is a must must read. Even if those subjects do not interest someone, it can be read for its literary merit too, I totally loved it. Although after reading I can claim that this book is actually a summary of his findings and these 700 pages are way too short to explain everything, going by his writing I am doubly sure that the actual theory must not be any less than 10000 pages for sure as he mentioned at so many places that he wasn't going in great details due to space constraints. On top of it, his findings weren't finished by the time he started writing this and as his health wasn't too good, his good friends and colleagues forced him to come out with this. Unbelievable that is to know and surprising is the entire book.

I had no idea before reading the book that what I was getting into, this isn't just a book or a theory given by the great Charles Darwin but an encyclopedia of his theories about the origin of life on planet earth. How everything came to be and moved from one place to another, mind-blowing is his research, theory and conclusions which he kept open to debate with people and imagine even after 150 years, we are still debating on it. I just couldn't imagine what kind of Lab he must have at that time and how far and wide he must have traveled to gather the data he has put in his theory, unbelievable. Another fantastic thing about Darwin was, not once he was afraid of giving credit to so many of his colleagues, eminent scientists and professors as he kept mentioning their names with what they thought and how it helped him to come to the conclusions that he had drawn, simply too good. Starting from the bacteria's to germs to insects, birds, animals, humans and even dinosaurs, he hasn't left anything which doesn't gets a detailed mention in this book. I really wonder how deep and terrific would be his actual detailed findings which may not be available for us lesser mortals but the scientific community must have access to those works. Although those details may not make any sense to us unscientific and god fearing people, but he was always open to other parallel theories too and never made fun of them.

The way it covers the Human Origin timeline and the life on planet earth is just superb. Darwin was sure that no one can predict the exact time how long life has been here on this planet (at that time). The way he calculates the life as well as what data do we have in our hands as of now a mere negligible that we haven't yet explored an iota of what is actually there on this planet is simply mind-blowing and convincing too. This will now be one book that I am going to force every teenager that I know to read without fail, more than for sure Blyton's and Dahl's. Its an amazing encyclopedia on Darwinism that everyone should read. I am glad and sad both to have read a Kindle version of the book. Glad that I could actually access the meanings immediately by tapping on the terms that I had never previously heard and sad that it didn't had any of the diagrams that he made which should be available on a paperback :(. Also, now, I guess I have to go ahead and read Yuval Noah Harari's "Homo Deus" which takes it all to couple of steps ahead where Darwin left it. Surprisingly when I bought this book (almost a year ago) it was absolutely free on Amazon (for Kindle).

If you have read this, do let me know how you like it, if not, you've got to read this without fail. This will now-onward be one of my all time favorite Non-Fiction for sure. A very highly recommended back for all.

Wonder Woman (2017) - Movie

Wonder Woman (2017) - Movie.

Finally, I saw Wonder Woman today and regretted big time for not seeing it on big screen while it was running. The movie sort of sent me back in time about 31 years when I saw my first Super Hero movie back then in 1986 while in sixth standard and instantly fell in love with Christopher Reeves for playing the awesome hunk "Superman" (Part 2). Wonder Woman was actually that much fun after a long long time. it came quite close to my all time favorite movie(s) that includes SuperMan (Part 2), Terminator: Judgement Day, Matrix and of-course the daddy of them all "The Dark Knight". No movie (read Super Hero movie) in the last decade has come any closer to any of them that I would look forward to watch it again. And seriously I have lost count as how many times I have seen these movies in the last so many years. Latest I saw was T2 on 3D as they re-released it and totally loved it on big screen.

I really wonder why they keep churning out Super Hero movies back to back almost every month now with no heart and almost nothing new to offer, that me as an audience will cherish for sometime before moving on with the new or upcoming one. I have stopped watching them of-course as is evident because the speed with which these movies are coming and almost all are throwing the same old story of world coming to an end or a villain hard to defeat and almost all the super heroes will come to make a team to kill the menace. But Wonder Woman was different, the movie has a heart and at the right place. Pace and background is extremely good, totally loved it the way they do not hurry up anything and let it grow at its own pace. Gal Gadot is a superb choice for the character and the girl is expressive, loved her expressions when she comes to "our World" from "her World" and finds it in chaos to her shock and amazement making her mothers belief true that "we don't deserve her", too good.

Entire story and even the action sequences are done in such a subtle way, never going overboard, works so well for the movie, totally loved it. From a little girl with determination to the "Wonder Woman" who herself doesn't know of her own powers, it was a superb joy ride as I had no idea what to expect rather had zero expectations after so many run of the mill disaster Super Hero movies that has been thrown my way in the recent past. Two of them are still running in theaters that I am yet to make up my mind to watch or plainly ignore (Thor Ragnarok and Justice League). And I guess an Avenger outing is right round the corner before the year end spoiling it further for me.

No doubt the movie has gone on to break some important records from the recent past and has become including the highest-grossing live-action film directed by a woman, the biggest domestic opening for a film directed by a woman, the highest-grossing superhero origin film in the United States and worldwide, as well as the largest opening for a female-led comic book film. Even the length of the movie around 2 hours and twenty minutes later as it came to an end, I was actually asking for more. End up watching the seven minutes of credits too in the hope of something to look forward to next but to no avail :).