Verity

Author: Colleen Hoover

Genre: Fiction, Mystery

Rating: 4 out of 5

Pages: 336

Date Started: 13 October 2022

Date Finished: 15 October 2022

In "Verity," Colleen Hoover takes readers on a thrilling ride filled with suspense and unexpected twists. The story revolves around Lowen Ashleigh, a struggling writer who gets a once-in-a-lifetime job offer from Jeremy Crawford. Jeremy's wife, Verity Crawford, is a bestselling author who is unable to complete her series due to an injury. Lowen is tasked with finishing the books by sorting through Verity's notes and outlines. The narrative takes a riveting turn when Lowen discovers an unpublished manuscript, an autobiography by Verity containing shocking revelations, including the truth about her daughter's death. Lowen's decision to keep this manuscript a secret sets off a chain of events that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The book successfully maintains its status as a page-turner. The unexpected twists and the portrayal of evil are captivating, making the story difficult to put down. While the ending holds surprises, it might not be entirely unpredictable, and readers may find themselves pondering the complexities of the characters and their actions. "Verity" is a good novel with a gripping plot, but it's essential to note that it delves into dark and intense themes. The book offers a compelling reading experience and is likely to resonate with those who appreciate suspenseful storytelling and morally complex characters.

Favorite lines from the book:

• Death by routine.

• But here in Manhattan, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle happens so often it's not much more than an inconvenience. A delay in traffic for some, a ruined wardrobe for others. This probably happens so often, it won't even end up in the print.

• You seek out people like you...people worse off than you...and you use them to make yourself feel better about the terrible things that have happened to you.

• I think Verity might have made up the term. After our daughters died, she said chronics. Prone to chronic tragedy. One terrible thing after another.

• What has to go wrong, goes wrong. And then gets worse.

• The richer you are, the more creative you are able to be.

• No one is likable from the inside out.

• Find what you love and let it kill you.

• Most people come to New York to be discovered. The rest of us come here to hide.

The Pearl That Broke Its Shell

Author: Nadia Hashimi

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Pages: 452

Date Started: 20 September 2022

Date Finished: 13 October 2022

Nadia Hashimi's "The Pearl That Broke Its Shell" is a deeply moving and thought-provoking novel that weaves together the stories of Shekiba and Rahima, two Afghan women from different generations who both experience the tradition of "bacha posh," a practice where a girl is dressed and raised as a boy when a family lacks sons. The narrative offers a powerful exploration of the challenges and resilience faced by Afghan women and the constraints imposed upon them by their society. Both Shekiba and Rahima are compelling characters, each navigating the complex realities of their times and standing as symbols of strength in the face of adversity. Rahima's courage in confronting societal norms and fighting for her own voice is a testament to the enduring spirit of Afghan women. The emotional roller coaster experienced throughout the story is a testament to the author's ability to connect readers with the characters and the harsh world they inhabit. The storytelling, which alternates between the past and present, provides a rich and multi-layered reading experience. The struggles and triumphs depicted in the narrative are poignant and timely, shining a light on the harsh realities faced by women in Afghanistan. Hashimi's narrative style keeps readers engaged and emotionally invested in the story, despite moments where the plot may feel a bit looser. "The Pearl That Broke Its Shell" serves as a reminder of the ongoing struggles of women around the world, highlighting the fight for basic rights and survival. The impact of war and societal norms on women is a central theme, and the novel succeeds in shedding light on these important issues. Overall, Nadia Hashimi's book is a powerful and emotionally resonant read that offers insight into the lives of Afghan women. It serves as a compelling narrative that invites readers to reflect on the challenges and triumphs of women in Afghanistan and beyond.

Favorite lines from the book:

• You're a fool to think these girls are better off rotting in this home instead of learning something in school.

• Madar-jan must have died looking at the face of God, Shekiba thought. Nothing else could have brought the look of peace so quickly.

• Why would Amrika be so upset after just one building was attacked? Half of our country had crumbled under Taliban. We are all thinking the same thing. If only Amrika would have been upset about that too.

• That is the problem with gifts, Madar-jan, they are always given away.

• People in our neighborhood weren’t starving but we all thought twice before throwing a scrap to a stray dog.

• Once married, girls no longer belonged to the families that raised them.

• I faintly remember her praying over me, mumbling something about my not having the same fate as her uncle's wives. I wonder if it was her prayers that protected me.

• Tell me this, how do you know what your naseeb is?

• The dress, the husband, the mother-in-law, I wishes I could toss them all aside.

• Naseeb. Was it really Jahangir’s destiny to be taken so young? Was it my naseeb never to see my son grow taller than me, to go to school, to help his father at work?

• I could hear them from down the hall and prayed along with them, hoping it did Jahangir some good. It did me none.

• Even a newborn can tell she is not wanted.

• I may have killed one of Abdul Khaliq’s children. But he had just killed another.

• But sometimes you have to act out of line, I suppose. Sometimes you have to take a chance if you want something badly enough.

• This life is difficult. We lose fathers, brothers, mothers, songbirds and pieces of ourselves. Whips strike the innocent, honors go to the guilty, and there is too much loneliness. I would be a fool to pray for my children to escape all of that. Ask for too much and it might actually turn out worse. But I can pray for small things, like fertile fields, a mother’s love, a child’s smile—a life that’s less bitter than sweet.

The Taste Of Ginger

Author: Mansi Shah

Genre: Fiction

Rating: 3 out of 5

Pages: 317

Date Started: 1 September 2022

Date Finished: 20 September 2022

I randomly picked this book from the library. I should say that the story sounded interesting and I was not sure of what the title meant, so decided to gamble!

After her parents moved her and her brother to America, Preeti Desai never meant to tear her family apart. All she did was fall in love with a white Christian carnivore instead of a conventional Indian boy. Years later, with her parents not speaking to her and her controversial relationship in tatters, all Preeti has left is her career at a prestigious Los Angeles law firm.

But when Preeti receives word of a terrible accident in the city where she was born, she returns to India, where she’ll have to face her estranged parents…and the complicated past they left behind. Surrounded by the sights and sounds of her heritage, Preeti catches a startling glimpse of her family’s battles with class, tradition, and sacrifice. Torn between two beautifully flawed cultures, Preeti must now untangle what home truly means to her. (Excerpt from Goodreads)

There were no favorite characters as such in this book, which kind of surprised me! All the characters are there for a reason and play their parts. I sometimes felt that there were too many characters and some of them for no apparent reason!

This was an interesting book. The story was gripping in the beginning, and eventually lost its grip and just became a rambling of all the characters. I was expecting something fabulous out of the story initially but looks like the author did not have much, and kept going around the caste system to fill the pages. I had to finish this book because I wanted to know the reasons behind some of the incidents mentioned, and how the story would end. The end really caught me by surprise and felt that the story deserved that.

Favorite lines from the book:

• I smiled at her. “I know. The greatest privilege of being born at the top is that you never have to think about how to get there.

• Countries are like people - you have to accept all sides of them.

• Maybe the rest of us were so restless because we were searching for that feeling of belonging that Tushar already had.

• It is better to fail at the right thing than to succeed at the wrong one.

• Acceptance and belonging were moving targets.