The Whimsy Bookworm: A Book Blog from India

Book: Seven Days Author: Alex Lake Pages: 416 Read on: Kindle Read in: 4 hours Plot Summary:  In seven days, Maggie’s son, Max, turns three. But she’s not planning a party or buying presents or updating his baby book. She’s dreading it. Because in her world, third birthdays are the days on which the unthinkable happens… she loses her child. For the last twelve years Maggie has been imprisoned in a basement. Abducted at age fifteen, she gave birth to two sons before Max, and on their third birthdays her captor came and took them from her. She cannot let it happen again. But she has no idea how to stop it. And the clock is ticking.  Things I Liked:  1. This book's premise (a girl being held in captivity, raped and impregnated several times over) is not easy to read. Maggie's abduction and her ordeal at the hands of her unknown kidnapper is ghastly and traumatic! Plus, she has lost two sons on each of their  third birthdays and has seven days to save her sur

Hello!  This was one of the prettiest pandals I saw this year during Pujo.  The theme was Chandrayan.  The Moon and and its many moods.  It was blue and beautiful.  It was like stepping inside a dream world.  The moon.  The sleepy moon.  Maa.  :) I can only imagine the work that must have gone into this pandal.  Everything was handmade and gorgeous. 

Book: The Daughter from the Wishing Tree Author: Sudha Murty Illustrator: Priyankar Gupta Publisher: Puffin India Pages: 180 How Long it Took Me To Read: 3 days Plot Summary:  Did you know that the Trinity often turned to goddesses to defeat the asuras?   Did you know that the first clone in the world was created by a woman? The women in Indian mythology might be fewer in number, but their stories of strength and mystery in the pages of ancient texts and epics are many. They slayed demons and protected their devotees fiercely. From Parvati to Ashokasundari and from Bhamati to Mandodari, this collection features enchanting and fearless women who frequently led wars on behalf of the gods, were the backbone of their families and makers of their own destinies.  Things I Liked:  1. The writing as always was simple and straight forward and perfect for young readers to follow along and learn about Indian mythology. 2. I know a fair bit about Mythology, and know a l

Book: Haunted Author: Jay Alani and Neil D'Silva Pages: 288 Publisher: Penguin India Read On: Kindle How Long it Took Me To Read: 2 days Plot Summary:   An entire town that was abandoned overnight A fort that fell to ruins due to a curse Mines where twenty thousand miners were trapped and perished A village where black magic is a way of life A fair where exorcisms are performed in public Such are the locations dotting the colourful paranormal map of India. Intrepid adventurers and regular tourists alike have often dared to visit these places to experience for themselves their fascinating lure, and to see if ghosts truly haunt these regions. However, those who have ventured there have often returned with more questions than answers-if at all they have returned. Haunted  chronicles the real-life adventures of paranormal investigator Jay Alani in ten of the spookiest locations in India.  Co-authored by Neil D'Silva, these exploits provide a ringside view

Book: The World That We Knew Author: Alice Hoffman Pages: 400 Publisher: Scribner How Long it Took Me To Read: 2 days Read On: Kindle Plot Summary: I n Berlin, at the time when the world changed, Hanni Kohn knows she must send her twelve-year-old daughter away to save her from the Nazi regime. She finds her way to a renowned rabbi, but it’s his daughter, Ettie, who offers hope of salvation when she creates a mystical Jewish creature, a rare and unusual golem, who is sworn to protect Lea. Once Ava is brought to life, she and Lea and Ettie become eternally entwined, their paths fated to cross, their fortunes linked. Lea and Ava travel from Paris, where Lea meets her soulmate, to a convent in western France known for its silver roses; from a school in a mountaintop village where three thousand Jews were saved. Meanwhile, Ettie is in hiding, waiting to become the fighter she's destined to be. What does it mean to lose your mother? How much can one person sacri

Hello November!  Hello Winter!  Hello Cozy Fall Vibes and Cozy Reading!  November is one of my favourite months of the year, simply because it's my sister's birthday month.  So it has always had an air of celebration and joy.  :)  I am so happy November is here.  My Goals for November are fairly simple... 1. Read more...than I did in the last 2 months!  2. Read some non-fiction for Non-Fiction November.  3. Do a little bit of travelling.  4. Go to the hills.  5. Make sure my sister has a happy birthday!!!  In a bid to read more, I started the month with adding some new ebooks to my Kindle.  First up we have some Indian books:  1. The Shape of Family by Shilpi Somaya Gowda  I've read her work previously and enjoyed it, so I wanted to read her newest release. 2. Haunted by Jay Alani and Neil D'Silva  Spooky books are perfect for winter nights and I have read some Neil D'silva before and enjoyed