The Whimsy Bookworm: A Book Blog from India

Book: A Very Pukka Murder Author: Arjun Raj Gaind Pages: 328 Read: The paperback pictured above Read in: Over 2-3 days (total of 5 hours) Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press Plot Summary:  From the borders of icy Kashmir to the shark-infested shores of the Malabar Coast, Major William Russell, the English Resident of the small, princely state of Rajpore, is renowned as a straitlaced man of rigorous habit. When his valet knocks on his bedroom door the morning after the 1909 New Year's Ball and receives no response, he and the Resident's elderly secretary eventually task the English Commandant of Cavalry with breaking it down. The Resident is dead in his bed.  His Highness Farzand-i-Khas-i-Daulat-i-Inglishia Mansur-i-Zaman Maharaja Sikander Singh, Light of Heaven, Sword of Justice, Shield of the Faithful, sole ruler of Rajpore, is slow to rise after the night of revelry. But news of the murder galvanizes him. The fabulously wealthy Maharaja, who perforce has surrender

Hello!  Today I want to share the contents of my make-up bag that I took to Landour recently.  I took a few key bits of make-up. I didn't intend to put on a full face of make-up while I was on holiday but I still wanted to have some of my favourite bits incase I wanted to dress-up.  My make-up bag is from Forever 21.   Isn't she the cutest?!  This is pretty much all I carried. The only thing not pictured is a small pot of foundation.  In my make-up bag.. Maybelline Fit Me Compact  Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara  Rimmel Blush Trio in Winter  Benefit Gimme Brow  Maybelline Concealer and Highlighter  MAC Studio Fix Powder  MAC Eyeshadow Palette in Burgundy Times Nine  "    Archie's Girl  MAC lipstick in See Sheer and Fast Play  Lakme Lip and Cheek Tint in Blush Velvet and Coffee Lite  NYX Soft Matte Lip Creme in Abu Dhabi  MAC Paint Pot in Painterly  I want to use more of this palette. I had bought it be

Hello!  My week in Landour was spent waiting for this ranunculus to bloom. It was a mere bud when we first arrived and everyday it would open a little, teasing us with promise.  On our second last day, there it was. In all of it's glory.  It was right out side of our room and every morning as we'd stumble out to breakfast and first check on the flower, to see if it had bloomed.  Also, see my pretty little wool slip-ons I bought from Mussoorie.  They are made in Kullu and are medium warm and will be a great cozy little treat during winter...not in Bombay but when I visit my parents in the hometown.  More yellow happiness all over the property.  Something, actually everything about yellow is so cheerful.  You can't be wearing it or seeing it and be morose.  I wear yellow on days I crave some joy.  And yellow flowers are a sure shot way of feeling cheerful.  :) 

Hello!  March is almost drawing to a close and I figured it's time I shared all of the books I bought in the month of March. TBH, there aren't that many books.  I went to Kitab Khana in the beginning of the month and spent some time perusing the shelves and came back with these books that caught my eye.  Most of these books were bought because I came across them. They weren't on my radar at all.  Let's see what I've added to my bookshelves in the month of March.  I saw this almost leaflet like book on the shelves and I couldn't leave it behind. Plus Orwell is certainly having a moment since the Trump administration has been in power. So a good time to read this little ditty.  This one was bought with the express purpose of reading in Landour.  I have already read this book and I really loved it.  It feels like reading snippets of someone's diary and it's full of charming illustrations.  A very enjoyable and fun readin

Hello!  I spent over a week at La Villa Bethany in Landour and, as a bookworm, their library was the first thing I noticed as I walked into the homestay.  This was the first room I saw as we arrived and we spent the first hour sitting there with Sunita (the owner) talking over a cup of divine lemon-ginger-honey tea. I did a quick look around and made a mental note to come check out the shelves once I was done reading the 2 books I had carried with me to read on this holiday. Once I read my books I popped in to check out the bookshelves and borrow some reading material.  Unsurprisingly, I stuck to Ruskin Bond while my sister picked up a murder mystery that is written by an author that has visited and stayed at Bethany.  :)  Let's look at the charming little library.. Cozy chairs and sunlight streaming in through the windows.   A look at the many bookshelves.  The selection of books is a good mix between fiction and non-fiction (travel,

Hello!  I hate the sun with a passion that is unparalleled. Most of this strong feeling comes from living in Bombay year round where the sun is no one's friend, except perhaps drying laundry :)  But in the hills I can't get enough sunshine.  Most of my time in Landour was spent sitting in the patio outside our room sunning myself silly.  I read and journaled and just watched the clouds flit across the sky sitting in my favourite spot.  I loved the sun and the sun loved me right back.  :) I  am now 3 shades darker and ever-so-slightly-sunburnt in parts.  :( Don't even ask.  I kinda forgot to pack my sunscreen and didn't end up buying a new tube some 4 days into our holiday and so I am now tanned silly.  My sister's nose is kinda sunburnt and if it weren't hilarious we'd be concerned. But nothing some soothing aloe vera gel can't help.  The sun kissed trees and plants at the homestay.  Tall majestic trees al

Hello!  I am still in beautiful Landour.  I am still very much in love with everything around me.  Since I last blogged, I have finished one and a half book, both by Ruskin Bond and I love them both.  I have also taken some nice walks.  Taken a bunch of pictures.  Cuddled some cute dogs.  & Met some seriously fun and like minded people and had some truly wonderful conversations.  :)  A few evenings back I snapped some pictures of the gorgeous sunset in the hills and want to share them today.  Golden hour at it's prettiest.  :)  Ah!  I could see this every single day and not tire of it.  The winter line in all it's glory.  I love how almost lilac-ish the sky looks.  Sir Bearington (the mini backpack) in all of this slightly morose glory!  This has been my bag of choice while exploring the hills. It is tiny enough so that I don't get weighed down by stuff and yet roomy enough for me to carry around my w