TURTLES ALL THE WAY DOWN

This happens to be my last book this year and also my second John Green novel.I admit that I was a bit reluctant to pick this one up because I wasnt too impressed with 'The Fault in our Stars'.However the title seemed intriguing and there was something appealing about the cover.Posting this review today ,the last day of the year.

The Plot:

 16 year old Aza and her fearless friend Daisy investigate the disappearance of a fugitive billionaire Pickett in the hope of getting the hundred-thousand dollar reward.But Aza is friends with Picketts son Davis.
On the one hand she is also prey to a tightening spiral of anxiety and OCD which affects every aspect of her life and impedes normal living.She longs to be a person in control of herself and her thoughts and is fighting her own battle as she simultaneously tries to fulfil the roles of being a good daughter,friend and student.
This is Aza's story and a story of friendship,sacrifice,love,resilience and hope.

My thoughts:

I usually stay away from young adult fiction but somehow I was very curious about what this book was about and decided to take the plunge.I dont regret it.
 I think this book dealt with various issues and was a story about everything and nothing.Though the main plot about the runaway billionaire leaving everything to his pet Tuatara did seem very unrealistic.(Can something like this happen ever?)So though I loved certain parts of this book ,I didnt quite enjoy the central plot much.
However I loved the characters.Their teenage struggles were aptly captured.Aza's struggle with her mental health problem was portrayed in such a hard hitting way that it seemed all too real.The helplessness she feels touched me as a reader. That she has to live in this tightening spiral and the fact that it doesnt get better and it cant be fixed gives one insight into what really goes through the minds of such trapped lives.How she deals with these spiralling thoughts that are entirely out of her control and provoke her to even drink hand sanitiser and how despite all this she struggles to be a good daughter and friend and lead as 'normal' a life as possible.Makes us revaluate our lives.It is very tough to live with anxiety and OCD and it was painful to read about the frustrating and compellling nature of her illness and how it affects those close to her,family and friends.
The friendship between Aza and Daisy captured teenage spirit and  their exchanges were peppered with humor.Daisy is a writer of star wars fan fiction and that was interesting to read.Davis and his brother Noah deal with their own problems despite having material wealth.
However some bits did leave me wondering if American teenagers are really like this.Having the most profound converstaions and unearthing life lessons for themselves.It did get a tad too philosophical in parts.But I also enjoyed reading the entries Davis posts on his blog.Those made a lot of sense.So everything balanced out.
This simple story was about undying friendship,love,family and the power of hope.It reminded me how it felt like to be a teenager.
It does tell us that you dont need to lose yourself in the tightening spiral .This particular quote says it all 

"Spirals grow infinitely small the farther you follow them inward,but they also grow infinitely large the farther you follow them out"

I liked this book much better than 'The Fault in our stars'.

I rate it a 3 out of 5.

THE BIBLIOPHILE'S CORNER IS FOUR YEARS OLD!

I'm thrilled that I could come here today.I really wanted to.This place continues to make me happy whenever I visit but I really would love to live here rather than be an occasional visitor.This virtual space feels so real today.It feels like home.
I created this space four years ago on Christmas Day and I’m just happy that I’m able to come here and feel the way I do.

Im trying hard to not be too disappointed with my reading challenge this year because I don’t believe in having regrets.Instead I’m going to try and change a few things the coming year so that I use up my time more efficiently.Books continue to be an inseparable part of my life.So hopefully I will immediately write what I feel about a book after reading it and that way be able to connect more through this space.


It’s Christmas!
The magic in the air is making me feel a bit hopeful and a bit determined and how wonderful it would be to store it in jars and open a bit of it each day all year through.

So I’m signing off on this magical note that the coming year is full of wonderful possibilities ,lots to be grateful for and good things to look forward to.
Hopefully I can read more and write about it here and hoping this little virtual space never loses its magical charm for me.

So here’s wishing that the coming year is truly magical and fabulous for all of us.

Merry Christmas!

The Bibliophile.

CAMINO ISLAND

Brace yourselves ,people! Grisham's 30th novel has just hit the bookstores and the big surprise is that it is lawyerless.

This was supposed to be my weekend read but I just couldnt wait to start it and got so drawn in the plot that I finished reading it in a few hours.

The Plot:

The book begins with a daring heist-a theft of the original manuscripts of the five novels written by F.Scott Fitzgerald from Princeton University's Firestone Library.These priceless manuscripts are sent into the rare books black-market.

Bruce Cable,owns a popular bookstore in the sleepy resort town of Santa Rosa on Camino Island in Florida.But he is a prominent dealer in rare books and manuscripts (stolen or otherwise) and is said to have a vault in the basement of his bookstore specially intended for that purpose.

Mercer Mann ,a young novelist with a writers block and recently laid off from her teaching position is hired to get close to Cable and learn his secrets by infiltrating his circle of literary friends.

To complicate matters,one of the thieves also lands up in the same town and is in search of the manuscripts for himself.

What does all this lead to?Does Mercer fall deeper into the trap?

My Views:

I loved this book and finished it in a single sitting.I was completely taken aback because I had expected a legal thriller and this story came as a total surprise.A good surprise!

I loved the characters and the fast-paced story.It didnt take me long to immerse myself in the plot.Moreover it delved into the world of books and writers and it was thoroughly enjoyable to read about the authors gathering on the island.Their quirks,their alcoholic binges,the literary snobs,the 'vampire girl' who hits pay dirt with a series about vampires and ghosts.Never a dull moment in this book.

The setting of the book was rather charming.The beautiful quaint beach town was somewhere I would gladly pack my bags and go to. 

Mercer learns more than she expects to and  has a tough time making a decision.The characters were all too human and very real.

I didnt really know much about antiquarian bookselling and this offered me a peek into that very fascinating world.I was instantly transported into Bruce Cable's wonderful bookstore and could actually touch the mylar encased books.

The ending was just like I wanted it.It just couldnt have ended any other way.

Excellent book and highly recommended.

Go grab your copy now!

I rate it a 4 and a half out of 5.

STALKER

When I got to know that Kepler remains at the top of the Scandinavian crime fiction list the world over,I knew I just had to read the books.I picked this one up immediately because the title intrigued me .I never start a series with the first book because I feel I can decide better if im to read the series if I randomly choose a book and like it.So this is the fifth book in the Joona Linna series and can also be read as a stand-alone.

The plot:
The story begins with a voyeur clip sent to the National Criminal Investigation Division.The clip is of a woman doing everyday things.However just minutes after ,the woman is found brutally stabbed to death in a frenzied manner,leaving her unrecognisable.When this pattern keeps repeating itself ,they realise they are dealing with a sadistic serial killer and are horrified to know that any attempt to save the victims is impossible because the race against time starts as soon as they've been sent a video clip.
The case is being investigated by Margot Silverman and things get even more complicated when it becomes clear that the Stalkers hallmark style is identical to that of a previous murderer who is currently locked away.The question then arises if theres a copy-cat murderer on the loose or if there is some relation between the case that happened years ago.Things keep getting complicated when the forensic expert and hypnotist Erik Maria Bark is also involved in what has happened.Morover Joona Linna comes back from the dead!

My Views:

This plot unfolded in a maze of narratives and it was high intensity drama from the word go.I pulled an all nighter for this one.I just couldnt put it down.The intrigue level is very high and you dont see the twists coming.The characters are very well written and it can be read as a stand alone.Although its the fifth book in the Joona Linna series,he has very little role to play in this book.
However in the second half on the book the descriptions get too tedious.I was on the edge of my seat and literally tearing my hair out wanting to know what happens next when I was forced to read descriptive passages about the weather and the lake and the surroundings.My patience was wearing thin at this point and I was on the verge of shouting 'Just cut to the chase' more than once.But the unexpected twists saved the day and kept me going.
The part about how Joona Linna deals with things was a bit over the top but then I guess that was expected since he was brought back from the dead and some larger than life drama was on order.
It was just impossible to crack this one.It is a masterful,suspenseful tale and  I really enjoyed it.
What more can i say---Ive just discovered KEPLER!

I rate it a 4 out of 5.

16TH SEDUCTION

I am on a thriller reading spree and I spotted this on the top of the NYTimes Bestseller list .Now let me be forthright and say that I am not a James Patterson fan but I picked this one up to see if I could join the fan league.Turns out,some people never learn.

Plot:

This is the 16th book in the Women's Murder Club series.Detective Lindsay Boxer and her husband Joe are fighting to save their marriage when a bomb goes off in downtown San Fransisco killing twenty five people.As if this werent enough,the man she and Joe arrest as the bomber denies the allegations and turns the tables on Lindsay ,demanding she be put on trial.

There is also a parallel story running along in which a wave of mysterious and unnatural heart atttacks claim seemingly unrelated victims across town.

Lindsay must connect the dots and race against time in both the investigations to expose the real culprit and also save herself.

My Views:

This book certainly didnt manage to turn me into a fan.But before I go on and say what I didnt like about it let me begin on a positive note.The chapters are delightfully short,just the way I like them.So I finished reading this book in a few hours.I found it a tad boring at the start but I persisted because I wanted to see where it was going.I must admit ,it got a bit dramatic during the Bombers trial and I began reading it at a fantastic speed thinking at the time that I might have been a bit hasty in writing it off but the plot just fizzled and the interest and intensity plummeted in the latter half.The ending felt flat and I wasnt happy at all with the way it was resolved.Everything seemed made up for extra effect.These seemed like larger than life characters.

Moreover the parallel story was not eased into the main plot but felt hastily pushed when it was least expected and needed just to build the tempo because of a weak main plot.The serial killer story was just ridiculous because it is hard to imagine a mental patient locked up for 40 years can be so ingenious.The idea that he goes out at night through secret subterranean tunnels to commit murders was too far fetched.

I didnt really like any of the characters either but maybe it was the after effect of reading something so predictable or because I didnt have a background about their lives.I have no idea about the other books in the series so its possible that the characters have evolved .This can be read as a stand alone novel if you just have a few hours and want a breezy read.

I rate it a 2 and a half out of 5.

INTO THE WATER

Everyone knows Paula Hawkins.The author who shot to fame after 'The Girl On The Train' was touted as an international bestseller.Honestly, I wasnt too impressed with the debut novel.(reviewed here).But those who read this blog know that I never give up on authors so easily and so when I heard about 'Into The Water',I knew that I had to pick it up.Finished reading it over the last weekend.

The plot:
A single mother, Nel Abbot is found dead at the bottom of the river that runs through town.Earlier in the summer, a teenage girl Katie,who happens to be Nel's daughter's best friend,met the same fate.Nel has always lived in the small town of Beckford in the Mill House by the river.The river has a history of its own and long submerged secrets and Nel was completely obsessesed with the stories of the women who had lost their lives here.Moreover Nel's daughter Lena believes that her mother killed herself.

Are these deaths related?

Lena finds herself in the care of  her mothers sister,Jules who has been summoned to the very town she ran away from and vowed never to return.

Lots of secrets,a haunting past and one explosive finale.

My Views:

I picked this up as a weekend read and I dont regret it.This was exactly what I needed.

'Into the Water' has multiple narrators.And when I say multiple,I mean not just two or three but ....brace yourselves, because there are 11 people telling their viewpoints.Now,it does get a bit difficult to get to know each of these people and I had to turn back a few times to recall who it was I was reading about.So you really need to pay attention while reading because this book sweeps you to the eerie little town of Beckford and makes sure you dont leave it until you find out what has happened.Yes!The story is chilling and fast paced and it made me very curious.I just couldnt wait to find out what it was all about.

All the characters are in some way linked to the dead woman.Moreover they are unreliable narrators which only adds to the intrigue.None of the characters are very likeable but what they have to say is very interesting.I loved the complexity in their nature.There is a psychic to add to the mystery.
There is history entwined with the present.It was creepy to read about the river and what lies beneath its calm exterior.
The emotional thread that runs between the estranged siblings and the cause of all the misunderstanding was remarkably captured.It was a collage of the fragility of human relationships and emotion and mystery.

Loved how it all ended and I must say it left me gobsmacked.I liked it way better than 'The Girl on the Train' and her next book is already on my TBR list.

I rate it a 4 out of 5.

IN A DARK DARK WOOD

I was book hunting when I came across 'The Woman in Cabin 10' by Ruth Ware.I realised that I hadnt read any of her books before and decided to start with the first book.I also happened to read a few months ago that Reese Witherspoons production company is adapting this novel into a major motion picture.Curiosity got the better of me and I picked it up this weekend.

The plot :

This story is being told by Nora, an author by profession,living by herself,is reclusive and is haunted by her past.One day she gets an email from Flo,who is the matron of honour for Clare's (Noras childhood friend)wedding.The email is an invitation to Clare's hen night.

Nora and Clare used to be childhood friends.But Nora leaves her hometown and never looks back after a break up with her boy friend, James.After that she loses contact with everyone she knows from that town and decides to leave her past behind and start fresh.The big question is 'Why?'.

After much thought she accepts the invitation .The hen party is arranged in an isolated glass and steel estate set in the woods in winter..There is no connectivity there.The land phone is dead.And she just finds out that Clare is getting married to her ex,James.
And so the party begins and the next thing she knows is that she is lying battered in a hospital under the suspicion of murder.She has no memory of the events that occur and she is trying hard to fit the pieces together.

My Views:

I have conflicting views about this book.While I was reading it, I loved the fact that it was  incredibly fast-paced and easy to read.I was fascinated and thought that I had got my hands on a super thriller.But after having read it,when I put it down for a minute,I found the plot to be very predictable.The story builds up well but falls flat as it progresses.I figured out the plot even before I reached halfway and that annoyed me.

The poem at the beginning was unnerving and misleading and there was nothing creepy about the story.The characters were a bit exaggerated but from the supporting cast I liked Nina for her sharp wit.There was a lot of rehashing and in places it got a bit repetitive.
The group behaved like they never grew up but  I totally agree with a line in the book which says 'People dont change ,they just get more punctilious about hiding their true selves'.
Maybe it was the seriousness of what happens that it cant be wiped away.However here the whole focus was on the thriller part of it and that went a bit downhill.

Its not like I dont recommend this book.Maybe its something which can be read on a flight or if one is just looking for a quick read.

I rate it a 3 out of 5.

THE ORPHAN'S TALE

Every holocaust novel I read has managed to shock me to the core.I just cannot comprehend how inhuman people were and it is heart-wrenching to even read about the atrocities committed on millions of innocent Jews.
The Story:
Set in a travelling circus during a very dark time in history,The Orphan's Tale is narrated from the POV of two extraordinary women,Noa and Astrid and speaks about the special friendship they forge during a time when there is little hope for survival.

Sixteen year old ,Noa has been cast out in disgrace after becoming pregnant by a Nazi soldier and is forced to give up her baby.She lives above a small rail station where she works as a sweeper.When she discovers a box car containing dozens of Jewish infants bound for a concentration camp,she is reminded of the child that was taken from her.Unable to face the scene before her and overcome by emotion ,she snatches one of the babies and flees into the snowy night.She finds refuge in a German circus but she has to learn the flying trapeze act so that she can be considered one of their own and not arouse any suspicion.The task to train her is handed over to Astrid ,the leading aerialist,who initially is not pleased with the arrangement.But the rivalry slowly changes into friendship.But these are harrowing times and everyone has secrets which threaten their very existence if revealed.Does friendship transcend all barriers and is only friendship enough to save one another?

My Views:

I read this book in two -sittings and it was certainly unputdownable.It is a well researched book and the writing is flawless.The circus makes for an interesting background.Even with war raging all around ,it is as if this part of the world is untouched by it.People probably came there to forget about what was going on around them.It was like entering a snow-globe.It was heartening to read that the circus did shelter some Jews.Astrid is one of them and has a past of her own.It was horrifying to read how they constantly lived in fear.

The narration alternated between Astrid and Noa.The voices however were not very distinct and I had to turn back a couple of times to confirm who it was I was reading about.But the characters did propel the story forward.The supporting cast of characters have their own stories and bring to light the fact that people are not all black or white but always have shades of grey to them.

It was heartrending to read about the boxcar full of Jewish babies headed for the concentration camp.Noa ,searching for redemption takes one of them and this decision changes everything forever.

The relationship between Astrid and Noa is beautifully etched.Despite having secrets which can ruin their chance at survival they confide in one another.In times like these ,when its difficult to understand who to trust,a friendship is the thread that holds everything together.Eventually Noa and Astrid are more than family to each other.But time changes everything and sacrifices have to be made.It was heartbreaking to read about love found and then lost.It is an ode to the human spirit which does not die even in the bleakest of conditions.In times of uncertain futures and little chance at survival ,this is a riveting story about love,friendship,family,resilience,courage,sacrifice and survival.

The ending made me really emotional and I thought it couldnt have ended any other way.

This book is highly recommended.
I rate it a  5 out of  5.

THE SNOWMAN

AND im BACK!!!!

and I proclaim here in black and white that im a thriller-aficionada ,so no surprises there when I tell you that I abandoned two books mid-way to pick this one up.I love the process of choosing what to read next.The anticipation is thrilling and I never know what ill be reading until the last minute.There was something really compelling about this book which made me pick it up and finish reading it in a couple of sittings.Besides I had been really wanting to read something by Jo Nesbo since quite a while now.

Just what is it about Scandinavian crime writers that they get it right every single time?!First Stieg Larsson and now Jo Nesbo.They really are at the top of their game.But let me not jump the gun.

So coming to the plot:-

This is the seventh book in the Harry Hole series.Set in Oslo.Its the first snow of the season and a boy named Jonas wakes in the night to find his mother gone.Out of his window he sees a snowman that mysteriously appeared in the yard with his mothers pink scarf around its neck.
Hole is assigned the case and suspects a link between a letter he has recieved and the diasppearances.The course of the investigation unearths more unsolved murders happened over the years always with the first snowfall and all clues point towards the diabolical machinations of a serial killer.
As the investigation deepens,the plot gets murkier,with the killer always being a step ahead in the game.

My Views:

Theres a debate about whether these books should be read in order, this being the seventh book in the series.But I dont believe in playing by the rules so I did not and in my opinion this one is pretty much a stand alone novel. I have previously read and loved Stieg Larsson and just like him Jo Nesbo doesnt disappoint.

The hero is just the way I love them-flawed.There is something about perfect characters that I find terribly annoying.So Harry Hole was perfect in an imperfect kind of way.He is eccentric,defies authority,struggles with alcoholism,has trouble with his romantic life,lives alone,fiercely pursues whatever it is he's chasing and lives for his job.

I found the reference to American politics in the 90's a bit out of place but I chose to see beyond that and soon got lost in Holes world

The book managed to create an electrifying atmosphere.The investigation takes the reader on a wild chase ,the plot is really intricate and you dont see whats coming next--the hallmark of a smashing thriller.The story does not waver from the main plot for even a minute and unnecessary details are avoided.The tension runs high throughout and there are red herrings thrown in for good measure.So its cool to see that even the hero goes wrong before he gets it right.

I hated the fact that I couldnt figure out the case before Harry Hole did and at one point I began suspecting everyone in the book.

The letter he recieves is bizarre.The killer is someone who thinks that he is the best in Norway and does everything he can to prove that point.Totally edge of the seat thriller with a satisfying ending.

And as if this werent enough the movie with Michael Fassbender as Harry Hole is slated for release this year.

The book was totally worth my time.

I rate it a 4 out of 5.

A MAN CALLED OVE

I guess I might have mentioned this before but I usually refrain from reading translations.Primarily because I   feel a lot is lost in translation and I often end up not liking the book all that much.However I made an exception this time around because I was curious to know what the hype surrounding this book was all about.Everyone was just raving about how super this book was and curiosity got the better of me.This has been originally published in Swedish.

Without further ado , let me get to telling you what this story is about.

Ove is a curmudgeon , a grouchy anti-social old man who finds reasons to dislike people and stay away from them.Moreover he has strict routines, a short-temper and staunch principles.A potent combination for  a cantankerous personality.

But behind this cranky exterior there is a story of sadness, so when a chatty couple with two daughters move in next door he finds his world unexpectedely turned upside down.This story is about transformations,friendship and touching lives.

My Views:

First things first.Let me just be completely honest and say that it took me a good while to get into this story.I usually finish an engaging book in three or four days and here I was languishing in limbo with this book in hand.I hate to give up on books despite that being a major hurdle to my reading.So I depressingly got into an indefinite reading slump  because I just couldnt bring myself to enagage with this story.It was a no win situation and I grudgingly trudged through the first few chapters at a snails pace.I didnt share Ove's worldview.I couldnt bring myself to like him and he failed to charm me.

However ,not one to give up,I persisted and as the story proceeded I found myself slowly getting to know what makes our protagonist the way he is.I think the way most people behave or connect with others depends largely on what they've faced in life.Man is after all a creature of circumstances to a large extent.The pain of loss and love can be so devastating that it can change a person completely.The loss of his wife, the only person who truly understood him and who mattered to him was heart-rending.

But the arrival of the new neighbours totally turned the story around and it picked pace.It was heart warming to see Ove's frozen heart, thaw.Sometimes people touch our lives in unexpected ways and bring out emotions we never knew existed.It can only be called a miracle to have someone change ones perspective about life in a positive way.Ove's transformation was miraculous indeed and just goes to show that sometimes simply reaching out to people can help bring light into their lives.

This story however was very predictable and though it did succeed in engaging me towards the end,I just cannot forgive it for the time it took me to get there.Go on,call me a curmudgeon!

I rate it a 3 out of 5.

Note:It has also been made into a film which I will grudgingly watch.

A DOG'S PURPOSE

How can you not love an animal that gives you its undivided attention , who is always uncontrollably excited when you get home after a long day and who immediately senses when something is wrong.Whats not to adore about such an animal when all they ask in return is love.

So when I chanced upon this book , I knew I had to read it.

This book chronicles a dog's journey through several lives (reincarnations) and how he discovers the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans it touches.The story is divided into four parts-the first part it is born as a stray dog , a feral puppy named Toby.The second life-as a pure bred Golden Retriever named Bailey.The third life as a female German Shepherd named Ellie and the fourth and last time as a black Labrador.He tells us about each life ,the adventures along the way and takes us with him on his journey of self-dicovery .

This is an emotional and heartwarming story of this dog's many lives which also serves as an eye opener to us humans about the unbreakable bonds between man and his best friend.

My Views:
What can I say about this book except that it is a winner all the way!Bruce Cameron is a masterful story teller who has gives us a heartwarming and insightful story about the everlasting,unbreakable bonds between man and his dog.The way this story is simply told through a dog's perspective makes it so enjoyable and provokes so many thoughts.I cant stop gushing about it.Goes to show us that animals feel so much but are unable to say it and how the only way they can show this is by giving their unconditional love and loyalty.I had a lump in my throat and couldnt bear to read some really emotional parts, so please keep a box of tissues at hand.However the book doesnt get overly sentimental and as it takes you on another journey ,you find yourself in a happy space once again.Bittersweet is how I would describe it.

The first life begins as a feral puppy and here he learns to live with other dogs and compete with them for human affection.The second life pulled me right into the story, where he is a golden retriever with a loving family and his undying love for 'the boy',Ethan.I loved this part and wanted it to last forever.Its the most heartwarming and emotional of them all.He finds here that his purpose is to be with Ethan.The third life is surprisingly very different and he is born as a police dog, a German Shepherd and her purpose is to find and save people.And the fouth and last life as a labrador retriever is the most surprising and I wont ruin it by giving out spoilers.

This is a beautiful, thought-provoking and inspiring story.A delight for dog-lovers and non dog lovers alike.The way he even transgresses lifetimes to be with the people he loves and love him back.Makes us think what our purpose is as humans and proves to us that we dont save the dogs we own but its our dogs that eventually save us.

A film based on the book was just released and I am yet to watch it.This novel was on the NYT bestseller list for forty-nine weeks.

I unreservedly rate it a 5 out of 5.

A CHRISTMAS MEMORY

I am utterly spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing books to read , primarily because of my ever expanding TBR pile.Wasnt it Maud Casey who rightly said 'I was born with a reading list I will never finish'?!But I am determined to at least successfully complete the 50 book challenge I have so gullibly taken on.Now,I know its not a mean feat in the book blogging world but at least its a humble start somewhere! So in keeping that in mind I endeavour to write about a book every week.

Here goes the first one.

I picked up  ' A Christmas Memory' because I had always been very intrigued about Truman Capote and his writing and especially because I enjoyed 'Breakfast At Tiffanys' ,what with Holly Golightly and her curious lifestyle! Moreover this book promised to be a much sought after autobiographical recollection of his childhood in rural Alabama.Also theres something special about Christmas and it makes me feel good about everything around me and I wanted to temporarily bask in the warmth of the season.

Based on memories from Truman Capotes childhood where he lived with a family of distant , elderly cousins, this reads like a memoir wherein he recounts memories of one special holiday Christmas when he is barely 7 years old , spent with his elderly cousin who he refers to as a 'friend'.The cousin is an old woman,looked upon as senile but exceedingly sharp in her observations and having the sincerity and innocence of a child.It is an unforgettable portrayal of an odd but endearing friendship and the memories they share of holiday rituals.

My Views:

Very few books literally manage to transport you to another world and this one managed to not only do that but it took me back in time as well ,right in the cozy kitchen in Alabama ,redolent with the aroma of fruitcake baking.It is a book which talks about the innocence of simple emotions,the joy of sharing despite having so little,the unexpected happiness in the simplest things.Inspite of their poverty , they celebrate the simple pleasures of life--gathering ingredients for the annual fruit cake baking,searching for the perfect Christmas tree and exchanging hand made gifts.There is warmth exuding from each page and it is one of those books in which the underlying message is so impactful though it is not blatantly stated that it shakes you to the core.

"Its bad enough in life to do without something you want, but confound it, what gets my goat is not being able to give somebody, something you want them to have"---This is said when the cousin (Miss Sook) is unable to give a bicycle to Buddy as a present.The selflesness in those lines is so visible yet they are said so simply.

What a terrific contrast it is to the times we live in today,when everything is so easily available and yet we lead dissatisfied lives.What a remarkable friendship which transcends age!I will aways delight in Sooks excited call to Buddy, "Its fruitcake weather"!

I was overwhelmed after reading it.Just too many emotions coursing through.

And as Sook rightly remarked ,albeit in a different context ,"Theres never two of anything in this world" and this is indeed one gem of a book.

I rate it a 4 out of 5.