Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Publication date: 1991

My rating: 5/5 (more like 5 billion)

Goodreads page

Summary:

The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is just back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach—an “outlander”—in a Scotland torn by war and raiding border clans in the year of Our Lord...1743.

Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into the intrigues of lairds and spies that may threaten her life, and shatter her heart. For here James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, shows her a love so absolute that Claire becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire—and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

My thoughts:

There are some books that you know you'll love before you even pick the damn thing up. It's not only that the summary intrigues you, it's almost like the book draws you towards itself and makes you restless to the point that unless you have successfully devoured the pages, you don't feel at peace. Needless to say, this book did just that. Why you ask?

Historical fiction - check.

Time travel aspect - check.

Hot Scot in a kilt - check.

Mindblowing steamy scenes - check.

Heartbreaking moments - check.

This book has it all. After finishing this book, I felt like my outlook on life itself had changed somehow. Maybe I'm exaggerating here but sue me. I was a bundle of nerves, ugly crying towards the end.

On having finished this book, I literally thanked Diana Gabaldon for being born and the universe for making this a longass series. I don't know about you but I need more Jamie. Even 8 books aren't enough. The TV show has done a fantastic job casting Sam Heughan. Let me demonstrate why.

Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

Girl Online by Zoe Sugg

Publication date: Nov 25th, 2014

My rating: 3.75/5 stars

Goodreads page

Summary:

Penny has a secret.

Under the alias GirlOnline, she blogs about school dramas, boys, her mad, whirlwind family - and the panic attacks she's suffered from lately. When things go from bad to worse, her family whisks her away to New York, where she meets the gorgeous, guitar-strumming Noah. Suddenly Penny is falling in love - and capturing every moment of it on her blog.

But Noah has a secret too. One that threatens to ruin Penny's cover - and her closest friendship - forever.

My thoughts:

Let's just get the controversy out of the way, shall we? Ever since this book released last year, many have claimed that this is ghostwritten, i.e. it's been written in part by someone else. Now, I don't know whether that is true but I do know it's been highly edited at least. Am I surprised? Of course not. We need to keep in mind that Zoe is a beauty vlogger and fashion guru. She wanted to write a book and so she did, with some help. Personally, I don't mind it. At the end of the day i got to read a good book and that's all that matters to me. Not everyone who has an idea can put it into words as beautifully as some great writers who have the knack for it. So should we not express our thoughts or publish our story? We should and we will. I don't condone what Zoe has done if the result has contributed a good piece of work to the field of literature.  So keep your controversy to yourself!

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover

Publication date- 18th March, 2014

My rating- 5/5 stars

Goodreads page

Summary:

At twenty-two years old, Sydney is enjoying a great life: She’s in college, working a steady job, in love with her wonderful boyfriend, Hunter, and rooming with her best friend, Tori. But everything changes when she discovers that Hunter is cheating on her—and she’s forced to decide what her next move should be.

Soon, Sydney finds herself captivated by her mysterious and attractive neighbour, Ridge. She can't take her eyes off him or stop listening to the passionate way he plays his guitar every evening out on his balcony. And there’s something about Sydney that Ridge can’t ignore, either. They soon find themselves needing each other in more ways than one.

A passionate tale of friendship, betrayal, and romance, Maybe Someday will immerse readers in Sydney’s tumultuous world from the very first page.

My thoughts:

While reading this book:

I LOVED this book. I'd heard a lot about Colleen Hoover and wanted to read some New Adult so i finally decided to read this one as it's one of her most recommended books. 

Let's just say this book ripped my heart right out of my chest.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Animal Farm by George Orwell

Publication date- August 17, 1945

My rating: 4.5/5 stars

Goodreads page

Summary:

Tired of their servitude to man, a group of farm animals revolt and establish their own society, only to be betrayed into worse servitude by their leaders, the pigs, whose slogan becomes: "All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others." This 1945 satire addresses the socialist/ communist philosophy of Stalin in the Soviet Union.

My thoughts:

This book is a political satire on not only the Russian Revolution and Stalin's era but also politicians and governing bodies in general. 

The animals of Manor Farm are sick and tired of being ruled and ordered around by the owner of the farm and so take it upon themselves to rid themselves of him and be their own leaders and live freely. In an epic battle that follows, Mr. Jones loses and runs for his life. The animals rename it 'Animal Farm' and adopt Seven Commandments which they have to adhere to.

After Old Major, the old boar dies, Snowball and Napolean, the two young pigs assume command but soon there is a fallout between them as they both want to adopt various policies for the benefit of the farm. Napolean through his tricking ways, makes the gullible animals turn against Snowfall who eventually leaves making Napolean their sole master.

As the years pass by, things at the farm keep changing. Old Commandments are forgotten and replaced by new ones thanks to the animals' short memories which Napolean uses to his advantage. The animals are made to work for grueling hours to build a windmill which keeps getting destroyed. They do not get enough food and are deprived of their freedom but they accept it all as they deem it necessary for the welfare of their farm. Napolean slowly takes over Mr.Jones' house and starts wearing clothes trying to resemble humans. The earlier Commandment of 'All animals are created equal' is in a sick turn of events, modified to 'All animals are equal, but some animals are more equal than others' and the name 'Manor Farm' restored.

The novella ends with the animals witnessing Napolean having a dinner party with animals and human allies where they can't differentiate between the two.

Introduction.

Hiiiiiiiii! =)

My name is Sheelalipi Sahana. I'm from India and this is basically me trying my hand at blogging. I've been following Booktube for quite some while now and many of them have blogs too where they share their opinions and ratings on the books they've read.

I don't know if this is silly but every time I finish a book, I have this overwhelming urge to share my thoughts and views on it. I do have a Goodreads account where I rate books and post short reviews but I mostly just use it to discover new books, keep a track of my reading challenge and follow my favourite accounts.

I feel like it is my duty to warn you beforehand of the kind of content that's gonna be posted. I'm no professional. I'm just your regular college girl majoring in English Literature. So yeah.. 

Please bear with me because I will make stupid mistakes as that is the story of my life =D

Thank you and happy reading! xx