It's summertime 1967 in New Jersey, where 13-year-old Ravi lives with his father, a surgeon, and his mother, who wishes for her son to follow in her hIt's summertime 1967 in New Jersey, where 13-year-old Ravi lives with his father, a surgeon, and his mother, who wishes for her son to follow in her husband's footsteps. Ravi dreams of a future in tennis, which his father encourages, and not to partake in the traditions of his Indian heritage. After a carefree afternoon spent with his BFF Billy, Ravi returns home to find his life suddenly and unexpectedly turned upside down...
Abscond is my first experience with Dr. Verghese's writing, and I found it thoughtful and timely. Although it's only a glimpse at this family, you quickly understand how much these parents love their only child, and likewise. I enjoyed watching Ravi tunnel his way through his challenges, big and small, and I love how his kindness always shows through.
An immersion read, the Kindle copy is paired with the audiobook narrated by Fajer Al-Kaisi, whose voicing skills are perfect for this story.
Abscond is a coming-of-age story that examines how a tragedy alters family dynamics, voices the challenge and clash of cultural traditions in modernity, and stresses the value of creating relationships outside the family unit for support.
I must admit, though, I'm left with wanting more...
A lone pilot crashes his plane in the Sahara Desert and is stranded with barely enough drinking water for a week. After an attempt at the repairs, he A lone pilot crashes his plane in the Sahara Desert and is stranded with barely enough drinking water for a week. After an attempt at the repairs, he falls asleep in the sand and awakens at sunrise to the voice of a young boy who asks the pilot to draw him a sheep...
The Little Prince holds its allure in the magic of reading or listening to it for the first time. This was my first venture inside the covers of this delightful book, which is written as an allegory, using symbolism with every object and character. It's the type of story you'll think about and discover more and more within as you do. It's classified as a children's story, but there's enough for adults to ponder, too.
I read a Kindle copy while listening to the audiobook narrated by Stephanie Richardson, whose voicing and recounting give an animated feel to the story.
The Little Prince explores themes of curiosity and wonder, searching for meaning and purpose, the value of relationships, and much more. Right off the bat, you'll find a contrast between adulthood and childhood, and that's just the beginning. I love books that linger with you long after the story ends, don't you?
From Book One: In the vastness of The Library, Evar Eventari and Livira Page meet, then abruptly separate...
The Library Trilogy Continues...
From Book One: In the vastness of The Library, Evar Eventari and Livira Page meet, then abruptly separate...
In Book Two: Livira is trapped in a ghost world, trying to reclaim her book and body. Evar is forced to leave the library, to a world he doesn't know, while searching for Livira. A secret war, and the consequences of a long-ago lie, escalate and threaten the world...
The Book That Broke the World is not the character-driven story I grew to love in Book One. The world-building continues, and additional characters are introduced. I looked forward to becoming better acquainted with those I had previously met. Trust me, there were enough characters already.
The explored themes in Book Two are complex and profound, circling knowledge, war, free will vs fate, and the impact of decisions on the past, present, and future. Mark Lawrence's writing style is beautiful and lyrical, which is the best part of this trilogy.
The Book That Broke the World is a book I wanted to love like I did B00k One, but with skimming to finish, which I rarely do, let's say I like it, but don't love it. I'm undecided if the High-Fantasy genre is for me, but I am committed to reading Book Three to finish this trilogy.
3⭐
Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group | Ace and Mark Lawrence for the gifted DRC through NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review. ...more