1. Little Women Louisa May Alcott.

. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, is set between home and war in America. One could recommend this one book to people of all ages. Clean and healthy, it makes reading pleasant. Little Women, makes one humble when proud, calm when angry, loving and forgiving when revengeful, long-suffering over lifes troubles and tolerating when self-righteous. Alcott, states that beauty and charm are vain. This makes a plump girl stop worrying of her thick waist and helps her to be a sensible little girl seeing life in a different perspective. The book does not turn her into a glutton either! As we read on we get mingled with the characters and its like the qualities actually rub onto us. The book is a must-read for all the girls. Doesnt mean the boys should keep off it, they can give a try by all means. Moreover, the descriptive narration makes us hold on to the book. Little Women, is definitely a book, which will live through centuries. 2. The Man-eater of Malgudi - R.K. Narayan. This witty, yet strange tale is set in a south Indian village, Malgudi. Once when the first forty pages of the reading is over, the reader feels some kind of an absorbing enchantment. The authour surely does carry the enchantment till the end. Not to forget, the last line is simply brilliant. Yes, Sastri, I am at your service'- the significance and the impact the line has on the readers is just transcending. It leaves the readers reflecting the story for quite a good number of times. Only somebody who knows what he is doing can create such impression, and R.K. has proved it very strong. The book is 'some' fun. Spat! 3. Not my thing - James Hadley Chase. Quid pro quo - You scratch my back and I scratch your back. Cleverly based on the Italian saying, Chase has done it again. Though one will not be able to get a nailbiting detection as in other of Chases' Not bad goes the verdict. But, its the end which carries the story working in your mind. Pondering and recollecting. And thats what made me write this book review. A racy read, shifting between the underground mafia, money and love, this books definitely worth a read. 4. Malgudi days R.K.Narayan. Fun and light reading? This book does it. The story is set in Malgudi, revolving around a bunch of primary school boys. Right from fights for freedom to the setting up of a sports club, the boys get involved. Misunderstandings and duels come creeping in, haltering the fun. Then things change. Spun beautifully this book guarantees an effortless reading and does well as a stress-buster. 5. Five point someone Chetan Bhagat. Personally, Oscar Wildes, Picture of Dorian Gray is pardonable and so are my book reviews, but not Bhagats, Five point someone! Firstly, the language: The use of so many swear words?. Secondly: The plot? Save, the authours prelude, the book does not have much of a humour element either. Still, gifted with a talent to keep the readers on and moving, the author does it. The story gears up towards the end. With a beautiful ending, the authour gets the praise from his readers .I would not suggest the book for a clean and healthy reading, but for a mindless reading: Not bad It depends though! 6. Four-Square Jane Edgar Wallace. The story starts with a swift and witty sense and ends with the same. It revolves around a mysterious girl, whose name the police hold as Four square Jane, after the tiny little return gift she leaves every place she steals: A J surrounded by four squares. Shorter sentences, lesser description, more of action and a faster pace make one read on.

The activities are too unscrupulous and they get more and more unpredictable as the story moves on. Definitely this books worth a read. After the completion one wouldnt feel the story being repeated or pictured in the mind repeatedly though; it has the essential wit that keeps the readers hooked. Crafty reading! 7. The Case of the Sulky Girl Erle Stanley gardener. A Perry Mason mystery without shrewd and foxy courtroom trials? Doesnt sound that good, does it? Well this is one of a kind. The old fox of the courtroom hardly gets any foxy, save the last and final trial for a few brief moments. As the story moves on Della Strait, Perry Masons confidante cum secretary and Paul Drake, the lawyers private detective provide short but yearning diversions. People with queer interests on law and hard-bound law books will indeed find it interesting. However, for people who just get a book for the Perry Masons courtroom trials, this book is a disappointment in a huge way. 8. The Harry Potter series J.K. Rowling. Humour, wit, plot, description, mesmerism, love, race and heart thumps - Need all in one book? Rowling does it! One can hardly find a dull moment or a part that cannot be re-read. No doubt, it is and will remain an all time favourite in peoples hearts. Harry Potter and the Philosophers stone: The saga starts here, with the defeat of Lord Voldemort, the villainous lord of the wizarding world. People are jubilant at the defeat and awestruck about the boy who lived: Harry Potter. This blissful baby boy was the first and the only one who ever survived Lord Voldemort and more- defeated him. Of the possible measures to prevent the rising of Voldemort, one-step is to guard the Philosophers stone - an elixir of life; the essence of which makes one immortal. The story opens up and takes the readers into an enchanting journey. Once having started to read, it is quite hard to put it down. In addition, the plot is wondrously spun that even the smallest of the details have significance in the later parts. Harry Potter and the Chamber of secrets: Harry Potter is back to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry along with his two mates after the summer hols; but this time Harry and his same-wavelength buddy, Ron Weasly choose to go by the latters flying car as they miss the Hogwarts train. Rowling does come back with a bang. However, things are not the same at Hogwarts; morbid writings and sinister incidents discard the warmth of the baronial castle. This sequel is yet another hit and takes the readers along a serpentine unforgettable journey. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Askaban: Unlike other kids, Harry Potter, the chosen one loathes the summer hols as he spends it with the Dursleys. To worsen things, irked by the Dursleys fiendish scheming Harry decides to leave after he accidentally performs magic (Underage wizardry is illegal). Scared, but left with no other alternative he ventures on his own in the muggle world. The Knight bus, which helps stranded wizards with their transportation, comes to Harrys aid and hes taken to the wizarding world. But to Harrys surprise, the ministry heaves relief that his escapade was safe! Later Harry comes to know that there was an escaped convict and even worse he was after him. As usual, the book casts the same jinx over the readers and keeps us hooked. Not to forget, the Quidditch games (A game played by the wizard folk on broomsticks involving eleven players) are a spectacle to read. Happy Reading!

Harry Potter and the Goblet of fire: Are you game? Hogwarts is! Hogwarts is hosting the game of the century: The Triwizard Tournament. However, an aching body blow is that there is an age limit. That irks! Well, before the tournament, Ron Weasly saves Harry Potter from his dreary summer hols and they buckle up for the most awaited Quidditch World cup. Nevertheless, things change as usual; Harry is thrust into great danger. Only that this time he knows what lies ahead; Harrys own life lies in jeopardy this time. Well, other than that the book provides the same mesmerism as its prequel. Accio Book! (Do pay the delivery owl!) Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix: The wizarding world is in quite a fiasco after the rising of Lord Voldemort. The Ministry is refusing directly to believe Dumbledore, where at the other side Dumbledore and his associates are urging every one to gear up. In Hogwarts for the first time, Dumbledores out of power and things arent well over there. Personally, Harry is emotionally struck with his own problems because of indifference and outright rejection from beloved ones and with the arrival of another new ministry appointed Defense against the dark arts teacher, Harry is struck physically too. This book has a mature story line, out rightly casting it away from just-anotherfiction section. It has a doleful touch and put me to tears quite many times. And, as usual, to summarize it, the book is too good. Harry Potter and the Half-blood Prince: From here, the story takes a serious stride and moves on. The book sees less of pranks, fun, and more of history and legend. After the open come back, the death-eaters are not hiding anymore. Moreover, the castle is not warm and friendly anymore. The Death-eaters shake the wizarding world with their ominous presence and make seem the simplest task a dangerous one. And Harry is no longer a scrawny teenager; but one who has humongous responsibility strewn on his shoulders. To keep in stride and live up to his goal, Harry and Dumbledore are huddled together most of the time gearing up for the unseen future ahead. The one set thats the most missed is the fun element; with both the Wesleys and Darco with his cronies gone the humour is quite lackadaisical. Once again, this book is in no way in a lesser grade in comparison to the other parts. Quite the same enchantment! Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: The final book of the saga and it gives me the shivers even writing about it. The book was just fabulous to read on! Harry Potter along with his mates, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasly join and venture out boldly carrying out their goal for the greater good. Theres nothing much to tell about the book; one reason of which is the fear of letting slip the story, another its enormity and the last the minuscule talent of the reviewer. As the end nears, it is quite disheartening to realize that the end of the seventh part means sadly the end of the saga. Viva Rowling! Viva Harry Potter!

9. Run Baby Run Nicky Cruz. This book is a true story written by Nicky Cruz- an account of his own life. Nicky Cruz is one of the six kids in his fathers household in Puerto Rico, where his mother and father were renowned witch doctors. Once, his mother adjudicated him as Son of Satan, and it hurt him terribly. Moreover, he constantly got into trouble with his school and was sent to New York, to his brother Frank. It is in New York where he gets into a gang and turns out into most notorious gang leader. Happiness and bliss would have seemed unattainable for eternal to Nicky were it not for a skinny, God-appointed preacher: David

Wilkerson. From then, artlessly, I have nothing to say. Gods intervention in mysterious ways in Nickys life can ward off any heights of disbelief a believer might struggle with. Can God change me?- The question becomes pointless. It is beautiful to read on; tears of joy just tumbled down my cheeks and the deeds just marveled me, that I kept praising my Savior. Truly the books a brilliant work (Should have been Gods guidance too) and a must-read for people of all ages. God indeed works in mysterious ways. 10. Inheritance Cycle Christopher Paolini. Fate can sometimes change your life quite the other way round; and it is the case here with the protagonist, Eragon. Eragon, an austere farm boy accidentally finds a supernaturally polished blue stone whilst he was hunting for food. The stone brought Eragon twists, quite unimaginable and turned his life entirely. Thence, the adventure commences. Eragon: Eragon is the book where the Inheritance cycle commences. The authour was just fifteen and the lack of maturity is reflected in places; though the change is noticed only after one reads the second book of the cycle. About the breadth of the imagination, it isnt that wide. The story just spins itself as it proceeds in a way that the reader just sticks on to it and prefers to complete reading rather than abandoning it. About the plus points in the story; firstly, the exchanges between Saphira and Eragon are just brilliant; secondly, the character of Carvahall storyteller Brom is inspirational and finally, the introduction of Murtagh and revelation of whom is good. About the minuses; firstly, the story does not have a strong enough basis for Eragons departure. An ordinary farm boy usually does not go behind his enemies to avenge his uncles death, when an entire empire fears the same enemies. Secondly, the ending does not have the enough will to make the readers want to get the second book. The book might not be a bestselling one, but still readable. The most striking and beautiful feature of the book is Paolinis acknowledgements; they are just brilliant. It reflects a humble and modest writing, which reflects the authours better nature. Truly, Paolini is in my list of inspirational people solely cause of his acknowledgements. Not just to jump conclusions, but maybe when one reads further one will get hold of the plot as it unravels. To conclude, the book is a good piece of work, if not super. Eldest: The story starts with a twist rather than the mundane sequence of events that usually follow a bloody war. After events abate, Eragon makes his journey to Ellesmera seeking training from The Mourning Sage or The Cripple who is whole. When in Ellesmera, its all about Eragons training experience. The book is mostly about it. This book also says about life at Carvahall after Eragons departure. Then, the story moves quite engagingly. Towards the end, the story gains momentum and then, the book assures a real thrilling and hair-raising experience. Starting with the disclosure of the revelation behind Eldest, the subsequent plots just tumble out revealing a beautifully spun basic story. However, there still lies a feeling of void; maybe that is because the events leading to the final revelation are not that tactfully mentioned in the book. It gives an incomplete feeling as the nuances, intended to bring out revelations in the later part are a little too diminutive. This book sure reflects the maturity the author has grown into and sure wants us to go grab the third book. I take back the two minuses that I had mentioned earlier. This book is better than the first and not to forget, a really good piece of work. One can, with no doubt go get the book and start reading.

Brisingr: To begin with, the story takes a mature start. Then the story just moves on as events happen and the greater part of the book has nothing eventful. To be frank, though the story just spins itself and goes ahead, I, in a kind missed the book and its characters when I had to part with it for a brief interlude. Back again, when the book ends, one gets a feeling that the cycle does not have a proper plot but that it just spun itself on so far. In addition, towards the end, it becomes quite rambling that one gets to brand it as rubbish. The concept of Eldunari makes one squirm uncomfortably as one gets a feeling that it is too unlikely or silly. (Despite the fact, the book is a fiction!) Unlike in the previous book the nuances leading to the final twist are plausible but the twist itself seems unwanted. Once again, I ended the book hoping that the final book of the cycle will set right things, as how I felt at the end of the first and was convinced with the way Eldest set things right. Fingers crossed, Paolini! Inheritance: To avoid anticipation, this book is merely the fourth book and not the climax of the book. It starts with the capture of and goes on in a strange languid pace. As a start, the book is a tad too descriptive. Even in the raciest portions, the author takes an evening stroll and dwells on heavy description. Rorans clever scheming seem not so clever and get a little winding. Secondly, the emotions are not real. A slight extra description makes the brother-brother relationship a little gay and other relationships mushy. Thirdly, whatever happens at Vroengard( Read it yourself) seems too farfetched. By that, the author had mentioned not a single syllable regarding it in the previous books, that one ends up with a feeling that it is the authors last minute concoction. All fits together in the end is lack in the book. And, finally the nuclear like phenomenon seems totally out of mind, not so convincing. Apart from these, the books good. Especially portions, like the capture of Dras-Leona, Nasuadas struggle, Murtaghs transformation, quest for true names and the entry into Urubaen with Elva are all so engaging. Moreover, the description of Galbatorix in an avant-garde fashion renders a sense of awe towards the dragon slayer. Sadly, it further shallows the ending. And lastly, the conclusion is good. For a book with continually varying standards of reactions, the conclusion shapes down and forms the perfect missing piece of a zig-zaw puzzle. The book ended with a good-sensed will. A perfect ending for a not so perfect book. And as always Paolinis humble acknowledgements increased my awe and respect for him.

11. The Guide- R.K. Narayanan. If asked for a verdict- Brilliant! The book uplifts the writer's talent to a pinnacle raising the standard of writing. As for the story line, The Guide has got a strange but plausible one. It throws light on the fact that life can take a swirling twist- a kind, which would have seemed but a distant possibility not a little ago. The reader gets so engrossed in the book that at one point towards the end the reader starts feeling uneasy and gets lurches in the stomach. The disambiguation in the ending further adds to the sinister air. As for me it has already entered my list of favourite books- perspectives differ though. 12. The Alchemist- Paulo Coelho. Alchemist is an epic book and by all means everybody can try it. It is a book with a strange genre; in a sense a didactic one. It is about a small Andulasian kid who goes in search of a treasure. In combination with the story, the author parallels on various aspects of psychology such as dreams, achieving dreams, destiny, the world, the forces of nature and on Alchemy. It also has incidents from The Bible paralleled with the journeys the kid

takes. In all, the book cannot be adjudicated on any basis. One can read it because it is a whole lot different from other books and it provides with a new, mature and enlightened experience. Again, it is not just a book. 13. Eight Cousins- Louisa May Alcott. Penchant for Little Women made me grab this at a bookstore. But frankly speaking, its not the same. The first thing that misled me was the cover and the second, the blurb. The cover captures a girl skating with a bunch of boys and the blurb stated that the story was about how a meek girl learns to live with her eight boy cousins after her fathers demise. These, I guess led me to the trap. The books more of a rule book than a storybook. It is all about Roses (The girl), experience with her eight cousins. Through Uncle Alec (Roses paternal uncle), who adopts her and her many aunts, Alcott voices out the rules needed for a whole and sensible living. The book has rich description and beautiful narrations on love, sacrifice, humbleness, servitude, care and concern. Like in Little Women, the book strongly rules out all of a girls vanities and the reader starts to feel happy for the way she is: fat, ugly or whatever as long as she stays sensible. In addition, the book voices on the newer inputs into a childs world such as sensual writings, use of swear words and cool-friend-making. As a rulebook, it fared well for me, if not a storybook. Maybe it was my wrong expectations in the first place that made me disappointed. But in all, it would satiate an eight year old! 14. To Kill A Mocking Bird- Harper Lee. I have never read, as of now, a better novel. Harry Potter stands though, but this is altogether different. It is a simple story in an imaginary Maycomb county. The story is narrated through a six-year-old girl, Scout. Through Scout and her brother, Jim, Lee addresses simplicity, humbleness and above all racial discrimination and societal adamancies. It is about a one-mans struggle for justice against a whole towns indifference. The many little incidents that make up the story- all instigate many an attribute in us. The story is written in such a way that one literally falls in love with the story and the characters. The sinister Boo Radley, Maudie and Stephanie, Calphurnia the housemaid, Aunt Alexandra, Mrs. Dubous, Dill and the many characters make the story engaging. However, it is Atticus Finch, the stories subtle lead, who wins over many hearts. In fact, somewhere in the middle of the book I made him my role model. Actually the book was to be named after him but changed as the story told more than about a single man. Altogether, the book is so likeable and lovable that it would sure keep up the literary remark of one time classic in the years to go. 15. White Fang- Jack London. I stand stupefied with silent adoration for Jack London. Never have I come across such a literary work. The outline of the story is how a wild and savage wolf-dog gets tamed. It is obvious for the question, Whats so special about this? to rise and thats were Jack London is thoroughly lauded. Not only does Jack London imagine but he takes us along with him in his imagination as stated in the after word by Dwight V. Swain. Right from the cubs birth, the writer describes it so beautifully that one falls in love with the wolf-dog. Londons way of describing the animal-point-ofview is so convincing that one starts to feel that is the way things are- let alone Londons conviction be true or false. The one point to be noted is that London subtly brings out the fact that human, animal or any living thing has been created as how God wanted it to be. God shaped his or her clay and thereby underlines the greater quality that we have no right to judge or condemn

anyone but accept people for who they are. For so many of us is it is the society which moulds us the way we are. However, London does not stop there; he says any amount of brute can be transformed by love. Londons apt choice of words and phrases such as man-god and love-master provides the reader with a luxurious pleasure. In all White Fang is a one-of-its-kind book. 16. The Picture of Dorian Gray- Oscar Wilde. The Picture of Dorian Gray is a story of a strange genre. The plot takes a start with the vanity of a handsome man, proceeds with the lingering vanity augmented with pride and ends with the same vanity taking a plunge into oblivion. Its a book of the Victorian age and the way of future living envisaged- a way of Hedonism- looks like is reaching its fulfillment in the current age. With seldom occurrence of racy script, the book is best relished after a good meal or in solitude. Apart from this, any further description would be a spoiler. Have a good contemplative reading to impregnate into the books glories and nuances. 17. Silas Marner- George Elliot. Silas Marner is a classic tale about the various ramifications of efficacies of painful and wondrous love. The story commences with Marner, falsely charged of murder and theft, cutting himself off from the world. In a short while he becomes a recluse and aims at attaining solace in money. He works right from dawn to dusk, hardly making an expenditure and spends long hours gazing at his shiny companions. However, fate smiles at him again and his precious little company are stolen. Unable to bear the sudden loss, he swoons to a wretched state. It was only when life was the darkest, dawn showed itself to him. He wakes up one morning to find a sweet and immaculate baby girl lying near the hearth. Things change and life shows its kindest avatar to the bygone man. The author has portrayed betrayal, lonesomeness, defeats and simple joy in a remarkable way that one feels that one is taking a walk through the humble meadows with the backdrops changing from thorns and bristles to doleful weeping willows and happy spring beds. The book left me with a happy and good-sensed will that it kept coming back to my mind subconsciously 18. Around The World in 80 Days- Jules Verne.