Hey guys!
Welcome to the third installment of The Monthly Wrap Ups, a series where I wrap up my month in books and movies, within the first week of the next month (which this clearly is NOT, but hey, better late than never – right?).
BOOKS:
I will recap the books I read chronologically (outside of audio-books that is).
The Raven King (4.5 stars)
I know, I know, what you guys are thinking – there she goes blabbering about The Raven Cycle again. But it’s not that. I promise. This is only included here because I happened to finish this book in the first few days of June. My love for it though is unchanged. In case you have missed my expression of undying love for this series (which seems pretty impossible), you can check it out here, here, here or here.
GET THIS BOOK HERE:
Amazon One Link: Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
Amazon India: Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
Only Wheat Not White (4.5 stars)
I picked this book up right after reading (and re-reading) The Raven Cycle Series, and when, oddly enough, I was drifting into a reading slump. I say oddly enough, because I had loved the series, and it should have energized me to read more, but it didn’t. I was in a strange lethargy.
And my go-to genre in such situations is – romance. A simple, light-hearted, fun, romantic comedy always picks me back up, and gets me going. And this book – Only Wheat, Not White (OWNW), fit the bill perfectly.
OWNW follows the life of Eila Sood, a 20 something, who takes up a project/job in USA to spend time (and mend fences) with her estranged elder sister – Sheela (who had a falling out with her family due to her inter-racial marriage 7 years back). While coming to US, the one advice/warning Eila’s mother chose to give her was – Only Wheat, Not White. And nope, this wasn’t nutritional, but matrimonial advice/warning!
The plot then revolves around Eila’s life, as she lands in the country, starts a new job, meets different people, makes friends, and (eventually) falls in love.
This book has all the ingredients of a great rom-com. It is funny, witty, charming, and adorable. It’s also pretty fast paced with many twists and turns, and not a single boring moment. While reading this book, I felt like I was watching this story unfold on the screen. That itself says a lot about the writing, characterization, and the author’s story-telling ability.
A perfect light read for the summer. Highly recommended to fans of this genre.
GET THIS BOOK HERE:
Amazon One Link: Paperback | Kindle
Amazon India: Paperback | Kindle
The Yoga of Max’s Discontent (5 stars)
This book. If you follow my blog, you have seen me gush over it here, but truly, this was a completely unexpected gem.
When I got offered an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) of this book to review, I was unsure if I should take it up, as it was way out of my comfort zone (so far out that I couldn’t even see my comfort zone from there!).
Books on spirituality and spiritual journeys are not my thing. Not because I don’t believe in a higher spirit. I do. It’s just that most books written on this topic are either immensely dull and boring, or I find them hard to relate to.
So I was extremely wary of this one, but I went for it nonetheless. Best. Decision. Ever.
It might look like one of those others – westerners looking for Nirvana type things- but it’s not that at all. It has a very authentic feel to it, and that’s pretty difficult to achieve.
I can’t fully express how deeply this book has affected me, but I will say this – it has certainly compelled me to look into yoga as a way of life ( for health and fitness), and for that alone, I am eternally grateful that the author chose to write this book.
Needless to say – I highly recommend it. To everyone.
GET THIS BOOK HERE:
Amazon One Link: Paperback | Kindle | Audiobook
Amazon India: Paperback | Audiobook
Audiobooks!
This month I also made my way through some audio-books, but they deserve their own full reviews (which will be coming up soon). Watch out for them.
MOVIES:
Just one thing – please don’t kill me for what follows.
A Walk To Remember
I solemnly swear that I don’t hate Nicholas Sparks, and have no personal agenda against him – whatsoever. I actually enjoy the genre of romance, but I just can’t seem to get into the romances he puts out.
Wait, that’s not completely true. So far, while his books are overly sappy for my taste, I have liked the movie versions of them. While I haven’t read The Best of Me and Safe Haven, I enjoyed watching them on screen. Then there was The Longest Ride, which was okay too. And finally The Notebook (my review here) – that was a book I had read before I saw the movie, and I felt that the movie was light years better than the book.
Which makes this movie (A Walk to Remember) an exception. I really did not care for it. I mean I didn’t hate it. There were *sparks* (pun intended) of awesomeness, but overall it just felt meh. I couldn’t get into the romance, nor did I care very much about anything or anyone in that movie, which is never a good thing.
I don’t think me and Sparks are meant to be. I have kinda given up on his books, but will possibly be checking out more of the movie adaptations. I know Message in a Bottle is highly recommended by many.
Check this out on Amazon HERE.
Have you read any of these books or watched this movie? Any others that you recently read/watched that you really enjoyed? Do share!
Disclaimer: I received review copies of The Yoga of Max’s Discontent and Only Wheat, Not White, but the opinions, as always, are my own.
Avada Kedavra
I love the movie A Walk to Remember. I love all the movies based on Nicholas Sparks’ books actually 🙂
I so badly want to read Raven cycle but I am scared to start a new series before finishing the ones that I own already. Waiting for your post on audiobooks.
Shanaya Tales
Yeah, I love his movies better than the books, but I just couldn’t get into this one. It is also a timing thing, I guess.
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Maliny Mohan
I love going through the month-en, year-end posts. It gives me ideas and recommedations regarding books and movies which I make a note of for future use. I have heard so much about Karan Bajaj and I think it is high time I gave his books a try.
Maliny Mohan recently posted…Between Right And Wrong – Fiction
Shanaya Tales
Yes, yes, do give him a shot. I am pretty sure you won’t regret it. 🙂
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Geets
I don’t read that extensively. I know I should but I don’t. It sucks. But you are doing an amazing job with books. You sure are a voracious reader, aren’t Shantala?
Cheers
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Shanaya Tales
Not as voracious as I used to be. And for some years in between, I hardly read. I guess we all go through phases, so don’t beat yourself up about it.
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preethi shanbhag
Hi, Thanks for the reviews. Will definitely pick up ‘Only wheat not white’. Karan Bajaj’s “the seeker” is also an awesome book. Do have alook.
Shanaya Tales
Only Wheat Not White is a light fun read, especially if you like romances. Let me know how you found it once you read it. I would love to hear. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…July Wrap Up – Books and #HarryPotter fever!
preethi shanbhag
Hi,Thanks for the reviews. Have you tried reading Karan Bajaj’s The seeker? It is really awesome too.Looks like he has used the hero’s name from that book in this!
Shanaya Tales
I had heard of The Seeker, but only after your comments, did I go and look it up. Seems to be the same exact book, probably improvised though. Not sure.
Thank you for stopping by, Preethi. Glad to have you here. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…July Wrap Up – Books and #HarryPotter fever!
Anmol Rawat
Ha ha 😀 I do know a lot of people who don’t like Sparks.
Well, Sparks is my idol and I love many of his books. I can tell you that The Notebook is literally the best movie based on his books. You won’t find any other movie even brushing that level. A walk to Remember is the best you are going to get after that. 😀
Anmol Rawat recently posted…A Letter to My Ex
Shanaya Tales
Well I did like The Best of Me over this one. The ending sucked, but that’s the case for both of them. So overall, yes, The Notebook is probably the best by him so far. But wait, there’s Safe Haven too – I did like that too, over A Walk To Remember, I mean.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…July Wrap Up – Books and #HarryPotter fever!
shubhangi
karan bajaj, that good, eh? I must pick it up then, totally my genre! and I have read Only wheat not white, agree with you. I loved it too. Nic sparks, a couple of them are interesting, but they are all the same, you read one, you’ve read it all.
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Shanaya Tales
Exactly! That’s how I feel about his books too. You have read one, you’ve read them all. Some stand out, but the themes are very similar.
Karan Bajaj – that good, yes. Actually, when I finished this book, you were among the people I thought of. I am sure you will enjoy this one.
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Damyanti
I’m going to get myself audio books: haven’t tried them yet.
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Shanaya Tales
You must, you must. They are total game changers.
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Nabanita Dhar
I read ‘The Nightingale’ recently and I’m in love with the book. I just can’t get over the warm feeling of having read something so nice…I remember watching A walk to remember in college..I loved the movie, It was very sweet..His movie versions are actually really good 🙂
Shanaya Tales
Ohh..I have heard SO much about The Nightingale. Adding it to my TBR right now. Thanks for the reco.
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Tarang Sinha
I am not a fan of Nicholas Sparks. I have The Notebook, unfinished. Read two chapters of Only Wheat Not White. Overuse of exclamation marks!! Did you notice that? 🙂 Will read it soon.
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Shanaya Tales
OWNW – read on – the story and the narration will ensure you overlook punctuation. Having said that, I think the editing is decent, it’s just down to writing style, I guess.
Shanaya Tales recently posted…July Wrap Up – Books and #HarryPotter fever!
Tarang Sinha
Err…reading (I will as I trust your words, plus I like her heroes especially Byron in Xcess baggage) but I think it’s very slow, I mean so many chapters and the protagonist hasn’t even reached home. Every single thing is described. But, maybe, I’ll start enjoying later.
Have you read Love Virtually? Eager to read the sequel. Waiting for my copy.
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Vishal
Waiting for the review of Tina Fey’s audio book. Am a huge fan of her 🙂
Really encouraged to read The Yoga of Max’s Discontent by reading your review. That one’s going on my TBR list.
Shanaya Tales
Yay! So glad. I look forward to hearing your thoughts on The Yoga of Max’s Discontent. I have a feeling, you especially, will enjoy it. 🙂
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Lisa Thomson
I look forward to your reviews of the audio books (Jenny Lawson’s and Tina Fey’s). I’ve read neither but adore both of these women. AS for nicholas Sparks, I’m luke warm on his books. They’re okay. I wasn’t crazy for ” A Walk to Remember” but I was totally CRAZY for The Notebook. That’s a movie my Beau and I watch together on Valentine’s Day (although I think we missed last Valentine’s).
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Shanaya Tales
Oh yes, The Notebook is one of the better movies by him. That and The Best of Me. Though I did not like the ending of the latter.
As for the audio books, the reviews will be up soon. I too adore both these ladies. 😀
Glad to have you here. Thank you for stopping by. Hope to see you around. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…July Wrap Up – Books and #HarryPotter fever!
Beat About the Book
I always enjoy your wrap up posts Shantala. The Raven Cycle remains on my TBR. After reading a particularly good series a slump always hits me because of the hangover of the good story. And yes – a romance is the best antidote. OWNW sounds like a good read. I like their rhyming names Eila and Sheela :-D.
PS: A request: Can you check if my comments from Obsessivemom are lying in your spam folder?
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Shanaya Tales
They were going in Spam, yes. I got them out now. Thank you for letting me know. 🙂
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Lata Sunil
I am liking this format. Interesting reads. My reading has been slow in June / July.. but will pick up pace.
Shanaya Tales
Glad you like the wrap-ups. 🙂 What are you currently reading?
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Sid
Ah! Not a ‘Nicholas Sparks’ novel fanatic myself. So not quite sure what I can add to this conversation 🙂
Thanks for the round up, Shan!
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Shanaya Tales
Thank you for stopping by, Sid. Glad to have you here, as always. 🙂
Shanaya Tales recently posted…July Wrap Up – Books and #HarryPotter fever!