One Hundred Names by Cecelia Ahern

“So what are you reading?”

“That blue book, Cecelia Ahern!”

“Weren’t you off fiction?”

“Her stories aren't fiction” (outraged)

“Oh really?” (disbelievingly)

“Her stories are like a giant hug. 

They are my dose of humanity and happiness. 
Real and true."

“What theme does she play on?”

(That’s a tough one) “She picks up a conventional theme and gives it the most unconventional twist. Her books are not ink and paper, they are magic. Her themes might be predictable but her stories move you, inspire you and take you on the most incredibly unpredictable journeys ever. ”

“Okay I’m sold. 

I see you are halfway through; you must have had it for long. 

When will you finish it?”

“Umm, I got it last night and I’ll finish it by today evening. 

You may have it tomorrow morning”

“Oh....”

Self-satisfied grin!

Exceptional authors make their readers want to hug them tight for the gem their minds craft. 

One Hundred Names celebrates the uniqueness we all have to offer. It celebrates the lives we live and enunciates how the experiences we have are what make us different. It isn’t a story of one person, or even of hundred people (as the title suggests), it is a story of everyone. 

Everyone matters. 

Every heart has a story to tell.

It’s been ten minutes since I’ve kept the book down and I’ve already cried once, called up my bibliophile friend and started typing for the next blog.

I honestly want everyone to read it. 

Just once in your life, read it before it's too late for you to cherish yourself and cherish every person you meet be it in the bus, the cafe, the bookstore, anywhere, cherish their story, bask in their experiences and realize how we make ourselves exceptional.

I have deleted and re-typed so many times just so that I write a review fitting this beautiful book. 

But words seem to fail me.

The protagonist is in the middle of a life crisis and everything seems to be falling apart for her. She is pursuing her passion, but has lost her way in the devious roads of salacious journalism. Researching for her mentor and guide’s posthumous last story, she goes on a journey of self-discovery. This is the kind of book where you get to know the plot-line before the protagonist does, you wait for it to dawn on her and suddenly you forget the plot, the climax, and are sucked into the raw emotions of the tale. You might know the crux of the story but the narrative is spellbinding. The emotional roller-coaster, the utter beauty of the setting and the palpable hope you feel puts this novel right at the top of my “Rainy-Day Book Read” list. I don't want to divulge the story or describe the characters because my description will tarnish your take on their authenticity, quirkiness and how every person entwines with the other to create this book called One Hundred Names.

Yes. The story might be clichéd and I might be too much into sappy novels to give an unbiased opinion.

Yes. I have read all her books and I am a loyalist.

Yes. I like feel-good books.

But this, this is not just a book, it's magic!

So, just on my recommendation, borrow it, buy it or download it, but make the effort to read it. I hope your ticket takes you on a similar journey like mine did and if it does, feel ecstatic that you added a page, illustrating a profound experience, in your unique book of life.

Animal Farm by George Orwell

For me the concept of animals ruling was an Utopian concept. 

I, by the virtue of being an animal-lover, thought it would be a perfect sort of world where humans would be replaced by animals. 

The story starts with a back-drop of a farm-house where the "Man", Mr. Jones, is not taking care of his farm animals. His flock is under-nourished, over-worked and abused. This discontentment plants seeds of rebellion in the hearts and minds of animals. 

The bacchanalian farm-owner, under the influence of alcohol, fails to feed his subjects for successive days which pushes the disgruntled animals to revolt. 

They rebel against the anarchic rule motivated by the ideas of the wise pig Major. He infused the animals with thoughts of paradise and painted a picture where there were no men, just animals. 

On the fateful night when they asserted their will of freedom they over-threw the farm manager Mr. Jones and as the sun rose there emerged a new rule of Animals. 

And this is where the story gets interesting.

Here we come across the hypocrisy of rules: "All animals are equal but some are more equal than others".

Not to spoil the climax of this short fairy-story I won't indulge in the aftermath of the rebellion. 

But this novella is a piquant take on not just socialism but also how corrupt get away with balant acts of corruption.  The whole tale shapes into a parody on every form of government, religious teachings and authorities that we have experienced or have read about. In a very simple and succinct manner the author conveys a deep and profound message which tends to jolt the reader into shock at the unexpected turn of events. How the messages are interpreted by the layers of authority and molded in the favor of the rulers by tubs of white paint, how the naive are exploited into believing that everything is happening for their own good and how the staunch believers are ruthlessly exploited in the name of faith and then deported to butcher houses while the loyal supporters witness the massacre. Its a short read but leaves you reeling in the end and when the message finally sinks in you realize how apt this story is for every age and every era. Its a timeless novella, true for every age, its sad yet true, heart-wrenching yet nothing which you don't already know and you will deny experiencing this yet you know that you have unwittingly painted the wall white too.