The Island of Missing Trees

Details of the Book

No. of Pages: 368 pages

Language: English 

What I think

Elif Shafak’s The Island of Missing Trees holds an element of antiquity in its words. It lets the readers absorb the people’s pain, love, loss, scars and their ability to heal. Also, it reminds us to look around and observe the nature – from the bats to butterflies to songbirds to honeybees to trees to anything and everything that makes this universe what it is. It nudges us to look beyond humans through the eyes of human beings and The Fig tree. I personally loved to read what the fig tree had to say – about ants, rats and even carob tree and eucalyptus. Overall, The Island of Missing Trees is not just a love story of Kostas and Defne. It is also not Ada’s inquisitiveness or the melancholy. It is about what wars could do to people and nature. It is about how meaningless these wars could be in the grander scheme of things.

 

Elif Shafak brings a unique rhythm to her words, they always resonate with us. No matter how unimaginable the times or circumstances, they simply connect with us. They only reaffirm that we humans are still connected with love and grief. These two together would always pull the right strings in our hearts.

It is a pleasure to see that the book also touches various key topics like LGBT, depression and agony generated by sheer helplessness due to uncontrollable situations. There is a subtle air of feminism and what patriarchy has done to women around the world. It is also filled with words of wisdom and gives a glimpse of various superstitions and legends that meanders among the islanders in Cyprus among Greeks and Turks equally.

The Island of Missing Trees is no less a marvel than any of her previous book. It is an assured page turner. There is so much to learn also – about history, nature, trees, birds and what not. Don’t miss the experience! I almost felt like visited those places and met those people personally!

Rating

5/5 (I just insanely adore this one!)

The Comfort Book

As remarked by Francis Bacon, "Some books should be tasted, some devoured, but only a few should be chewed and digested thoroughly". 

Matt Haig's 𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕮𝖔𝖒𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖙 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 is undoubtedly a book that should be chewed and digested. It could be enjoyed as an elaborate royal meal with several dishes and courses... Or just stick to one chapter at a time and let the aftertaste linger. 

Very often than not, we may experience self-doubt, anxiety and uncertainties; Especially in these times of pandemic where life seems to have paused. In such times, we may wish to have someone ro listen to us. To give a gentle nudge. To remind us who we are and that the cloud will be lifted and this too shall pass. Or even generally, we would like to be reassured that we are doing alright. Trust me,  𝕿𝖍𝖊 𝕮𝖔𝖒𝖋𝖔𝖗𝖙 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 will be that someone - forever! They were right when they said a book is man's best friend!

This book is a treasure. Reminds us that being true to oneself is the only way forward. And reiterates, "I am enough". 

I loved this book. I am going to carry these wise words with me all my life. Strongly recommend to all of you. Good books are always a joy!!

Rating: 5/5

Favourite Quote: "Nothing is stronger than a small hope that doesn't give up". It was difficult to just pick one!

The Archer

What can I possibly say about this tiny little book of wisdom. I am a big-big Paulo Coelho fan and have always been inspired and motivated by his books. His books come with some surprise factors which leaves a lasting impact in mind. The Archer is no different. 

What is life? How to stay passionate about mundane stuffs and continue to do the routine with utmost dedication? How to accept failures and be self motivated enough to try again? How to practice and repeat, only to repeat and practice? Is mastery a reality and if yes, is mastery a way of life or a gift? These were some of the questions for which I found answers. Beauty is that they were not explicitly available; rather implied between those thought provoking words.

Honestly, this book was a surprise. Very different from other books by the author as far as the narrative structure is concerned. The illustrations were an added bonanza

I recommend this book... Not only as a one time read but also as a book that could  be cherished as that encouraging friend who stands by us when we doubt ourselves. ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5

Dreams Come True!

Hand in hand; watching -

Both the sunrises and sunsets.

Ah! all dreams come true!

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe

They say, don’t judge a book by its cover. But then there are exceptions to everything! Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe written by Benjamin Alire Sáenz is a beautiful book. I mean the cover page is a marvel. And that’s why I picked the book. Looking at the font and design coupled with the title itself, I was hoping to read a very Paulo Coelho-ish rendition of something magical. I was hoping to read about the secrets, the universe and the journey of self-discovery written in a poetic way, happening in a surreal world. But then, what awaited me across the 350 odd pages was a simple and realistic portrayal of Aristotle and Dante’s friendships, their own inner struggles, and inhibitions in a beautiful way. Beauty was everywhere. In words. In the characters and their character arcs. The inner struggles and the mediums they choose to overcome their demons. And the beauty in it didn’t seem surreal or unattainable; instead it was relatable. That’s where the book wins! In world that is filled with negativity, this is a book that emanates positive vibes. Certainly not that of an ideal world or utopian dream. But it is about how positivity can be seen in everything and be spread with love – something that is universal yet compromised due to which humanity is forced to take the backseat and pride, ego, prejudices, etc. reign.

 

****SPOILER ALERT****

The book is based on LGBT and one of the most positive ones around. While Aristotle and Dante struggle to recognize and try to come in terms with their identity and sexual orientation, their parents support them. They see their children as fellow human beings with compassion and respect. They support their children and explicitly say that they care for their children and accept them the way they are as long as they are good-hearted, decent and loving. Such a perspective is so overwhelming. Maybe its really time to grow beyond all the discriminations. “Normal” as they say is very subjective. So why care defining it or fear defying it.

PS: I am glad that Aristotle and Dante found each other and that they have such amazingly supportive parents (I don’t mean perfect because that’s very subjective again). I so wish that the world is filled with such people and with such people only.

Rating

5/5 (No reason to not like it!)

Recommended to the parents, teenagers, and other adults!

Details of the Book

No. of Pages    : 384 pages

ISBN               : ISBN-10: 1442408936 and ISBN-13:‎ 978-1442408937

Language         : English

From the book blurb

Aristotle is an angry teen with a brother in prison. Dante is a know-it-all who has an unusual way of looking at the world. When the two meet at the swimming pool, they seem to have nothing in common. But as the loners start spending time together, they discover that they share a special friendship—the kind that changes lives and lasts a lifetime. And it is through this friendship that Ari and Dante will learn the most important truths about themselves and the kind of people they want to be. 

Author

Benjamin Alire Sáenz is an author of poetry and prose for adults and teens. He is the winner of the PEN/Faulkner Award and the American Book Award for his books for adults. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe was a Printz Honor Book, the Stonewall Award winner, the Pura Belpre Award winner, the Lambda Literary Award winner, and a finalist for the Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award. His first novel for teens, Sammy and Juliana in Hollywood, was an ALA Top Ten Book for Young Adults and a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize. His second book for teens, He Forgot to Say Goodbye, won the Tomás Rivera Mexican American Children’s Book Award, the Southwest Book Award, and was named a New York Public Library Book for the Teen Age. He teaches creative writing at the University of Texas, El Paso.