Letters To The Moon # 7

Dear Moon,

Apparently, not knowing whether your husband is wearing the new shoes or not is also a crime in the married world.

I need some answers from these so called Desi mothers of ours. Why the hell do you bring up your kids so dependent on you ? They are independent enough to study in international universities, go to work at world renown companies but are not able to match their ties with shirts. How ? And why ? How is it a wife's responsibility to pick up his clothes off the floor ? Or call him every two hours to ask if he had breakfast, lunch etc ? Is he not sane enough to go and eat by himself ? or is he incapable of doing that ?

Please let your kids grow up. Let them do things on their own. Stop doing things for them. You are just creating problems. Nothing else.

You are just creating a grown up child who still wants his mommy at every step of the way. If you want to do that, do it by all means. Do not marry them then. Girls are not lying around waiting to care whether your son has new shoes on or not. Nor are they in a line to get ready every day for your son.

We have lives of our own. Lives we would like to live. We have personalities, habits, hobbies. Our lives are not because of your sons. We are made to parade around them like some sort of peacocks. We have to make sure that we love what they love. And eat what they eat. If they like chocolate and heaven forbids, we don't, that should be declared a crime, punishable by 5 years in jail.

In life, there comes a time, when you have to let go of your kids. If you try to hold onto them, tying the strings tighter, knot after knot, eventually they will break off these ties and go their way. You will be left behind wondering what you did wrong. On the other hand, letting them live their lives will mean that they include you in it as well. They give you the place and love you want and deserve.

Let that love be from the heart. Let it be pure.

Don't try to force something that can never be forced upon.

Yours always,

S

P.S. One day, I will actually say it to people's faces, till then let us just be content with this.

Me And My Bookmarks

I love bookmarks just like any other bibliophile. But my attempts at using them always go to waste.

This is hilarious because I even make bookmarks.

Last summer, I made a ton of bookmarks because school was over and all of us friends were splitting up. So I wanted to gift everyone and bookmarks were included in those gifts.

Following are some of the reasons I do not use bookmarks as often as I should, :

1. I never find my bookmarks in the first place, whenever I am reading. And being impatient, I start reading after 5 seconds.

2. If I am lucky enough to find them, when I finish reading, I always forget them to actually put the bookmark in the book.

3. If I end up doing that, than whenever I restart the reading process, I will put the bookmark down because it keeps irritating me. And than I forget about it.

4. My brain tells me that the time it takes to use the bookmark, I can spend that on reading the book and end up doing that.

5. Also I end up gifting a majority of my bookmarks because I am like, I am not going to use them.

Despite all this I have a few favourites which are honoured despite my laziness.

One of the bookmarks I use a lot is a card out of playing cards.

And I might be slightly obsessed with skulls.

P.S. I had a group called 'Cursed Souls" in 7th grade. And to me, its the coolest thing to this date.

...SAP...

Letters To The Moon # 2

May 18, 2014

Dear Moon,

I was coming back after having an amazing weekend and all along the car ride, my eyes were searching for you. But in vain, I counted six stars but not a single moon. 

I am turning 19 and getting married in exactly three days.

That is huge. And I know it. 

I am nervous. But not over the top nervous. 

The one thing that scares me are the expectations people have of me and with me. And the assumptions everyone seems to make.

I do not care about what people think of me. But people I love, care about what others think. And my love for these people makes me care about people's expectations. Its like they have already decided that I am going to fall off the ladder. And instead of holding the ladder, everyone is just watching and waiting for me to fall.

But I will not fall. I am not that weak. And you know it. I mean, you are a rock yourself. 

I do not know what is going to happen. My life is going to change, that is a given. But one thing I am going to do is make sure that my foremost success is happiness. 

My happiness and the people I love and care about, their happiness.

The rest will follow. 

In time, I plan to accomplish everything I have dreamt of and planned for. 

But you know what, I am still a little scared. 

What do you think ? Do you think I will be able to do it all ? Do you think that life will give me a chance ? Or I will have to snatch it from life itself. Do you think that my optimism will be my doom ? Do you think that I will fall of the ladder ? 

I leave you with that question.

Adieu !

S

.....

Book Review: Throne of Glass by Sarah J.Mass

From Goodread's:
After serving out a year of hard labor in the salt mines of Endovier for her crimes, 18-year-old assassin Celaena Sardothien is dragged before the Crown Prince. Prince Dorian offers her her freedom on one condition: she must act as his champion in a competition to find a new royal assassin. Her opponents are men-thieves and assassins and warriors from across the empire, each sponsored by a member of the king's council. If she beats her opponents in a series of eliminations, she'll serve the kingdom for three years and then be granted her freedom. 

Celaena finds her training sessions with the captain of the guard, Westfall, challenging and exhilirating. But she's bored stiff by court life. Things get a little more interesting when the prince starts to show interest in her... but it's the gruff Captain Westfall who seems to understand her best. 

Then one of the other contestants turns up dead... quickly followed by another. 

Can Celaena figure out who the killer is before she becomes a victim? As the young assassin investigates, her search leads her to discover a greater destiny than she could possibly have imagined

Author: Sarah J.Mass
Published: 2012
Pages: 404
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
My Rating: 3.5/5

Assassin + Girl + Crown Prince + Ballrooms + Competitions + Blackmail + Sneaky Past + Corrupt King = One Kick Ass Story

The first half of the story was way more awesome than I expected. I am all for action and I love when the main heroin is strong and has a distinct personality of her own. And when she also happens to be the most famous and feared Assassin of Adarlan i.e. the ruling kingdom, what more could you ask for. I fell in love with her character, her strength and most of all her wit. The way she was able to laugh despite enduring what people couldn't have imagined. Celaena is one beloved heroin. She can kill a man in the time it takes you to drink your juice, loves pretty dresses and favourite hobby happens to be reading books.

I loved the two main guys as well. Prince Dorian is the son of the ruling corrupt king and you would think that he would be his exact replica, that is what he assumes as well. But he turns out to be someone else. Someone who cares about his people. The other guy, Captain of the Guard, Chaol (weird name), has left his rightful position for a better task. The two guys are friends yet the contrast between them is so startling. Chaol being the wise one and Dorian being the fool prince. One thing that really got me confused was the love triangle or lack there off of one. I mean, if you want to put a love triangle in a book. Just do it. One second it is there, the next its not.

When my expectations reached the sky, I literally, fell out of the sky. Because magic and some weird nonsense named Wyrdmarks came between me and my love for the story. Magic and things that just do not make sense to me are such a huge turn off for me. I felt so bad like someone had performed open heart surgery on me. All of that creature leashing from the other side, blah, blah, blah, and the Wyrdmarks protecting her was utter nonsense.

I don't know if I will read finish the series. I wish that the story did not include all that magic nonsense. It would have been such a die hard book. This is one book that I feel sorry for.

...SAP...

I Am Not Desi Anymore

In my mind, I am immune to being sick in Pakistan. I am not one of those people who get sick because of the change in atmosphere or water. I am also immune to all kinds of "Gol Gappy", " Dahi Ballay", "chaat" etc of road side stalls and "Thelas". I have always been VERY proud of this fact.

I love to brag it out to my friends, saying ooh no, I am a total Desi. Just because I live abroad does not make me an outsider.

This trip proved me wrong on so many levels that now my head is hanging in shame. And I am regretting my decision of eating like a Desi.

2nd day in Pakistan and we went to my cousins house where I ate " Laddo Peethi". Than on our numerous shopping adventures, I had "Papri Chaat" and " Paratha Roll" from Lahori Chatkhara. I also drank Slush which is basically flavoured ice for a drink. Ooh and I forgot to mention the ice cream. And Jalaybiyan, Samosay which were delivered to the house for "Sham ki Chai". Hot tendors, Nuggets and Chunks of K & Ns graced us with their presence. All this in one week.

So now I have been in bed for the whole day with a tissue box on my right and used tissue pile on my left. My brain is fuzzy and confused not registering what I am reading. I have the full package which includes high fever, flu and the saddest, meanest, most disgusting cough ever heard. Did I mention the headaches ?

The Desi bacha is sick. Who is not so desi anymore. I don't hate being sick. I just hate not being able to function properly.

So if you want to function properly and have the best travelling experience, than don't assume that you are fool proof. Do as they say about restraining from road side foods.

I know. I know. It sucks.

But lets be honest. Going to Khaadi with a bundle of tissues in your hand, swaying side by side and feeling like crap is no fun either.

P.S. If you were wondering, I did not refrain from anything. I am still eating and drinking all the crappiest awesome stuff Pakistan has to offer. After all you get this chance very rarely. 

......

A Book A Day

A long time ago, I read somewhere that a woman had read a book a day for an year, mainly reading 365 books per year. Which may sound boring to a stranger but to me, it sounds awesome.

Since that day, it became a dream of mine and went on the bucket list to read one book everyday for an year.

But the obvious thing is that it cannot be done right now considering how busy life is. When the time comes to retire with a bend back and half the teeth missing, I will do this.

Last week, I read 7 books in a week reading one book per day. And I did not even realize that I was doing that.

The only reason I could do that was that I am still on vacation from studies and we just shifted houses so we did not have internet connection. We are so used to watching everything either on T.V or the net that we have literally forgotten what DVDs are.

Following are the books I ended up reading in this week:

1. The Last Don -Mario Puzo
2. The 5th Horseman -James Patterson
3. The 6th Target - James Patterson
4. The 8th Confession -James Patterson
5. Clockwork Angel -Cassandra Claire
6. Clockwork Prince
7. Clockwork Princess

.....

Home Is Where The Heart Is

Its been four years since our last move and I have to say that I had forgotten the chaos that comes with it. My house looks like a frat house right now. Piles of clothes lie here and there, cartons have engulfed every inch of the space, keys have been lost, the trash pile is larger than the things we actually need, arguments are going on on what to keep and dispose off ( my mom wants to throw everything) and any attempt at making the house cleaner ends up making it more messy.

After taping and labeling a carton, we find something that has to specifically go that in one. Than we have to open it up again. Its a disaster. We only have two days left till the moving day and let me tell you that only our store has been packed and the books of the house, which occupy more space than rest of the things combined. Abbu had a fit seeing so many books. And he uttered the words "ban" and "books" in the same sentence. I said, lets not go there, my dear daddy. Because more than half are yours.

What I love about moving houses is that you have an excuse for everything. Didn't do your homework. Moving houses. Didn't callback a friend. Moving houses. Missed dental appointment. Moving houses. Ordered pizza three times in a week. Moving houses. Its awesome. And it works every single time.

Its a little weird though. In a way, we don't have a single house to call home. So we make every one of the houses we live in, our home. And you get attached to it. But the fun part is that you have numerous houses all over the continents to call your home.

This house like many before, has been our home. It has seen us BBQ countless times on the roof, than counting the stars in the sky, running upstairs like its a marathon to watch the fireworks. My favourite corner where I have sat, blinded by sunlight, drinking coffee and writing something. The wall that is covered with my incomplete sketches of the Doha Skyline, Huzaifa's disastrous writing on top of it and Moawiz's creepy hand drawn men crawling all over it. Me and Muaaz dancing like we are possessed, in the cold November rains. Our endless arguments on who will sweep the garage floor. The crazy idea we had of painting it ourselves and we did do it.

I sincerely hope that we pack everything and still have our body parts working. Because right now, we look like gypsies who have parked their caravans on the country side and thrown everything in it.

Good luck to you and to us !

Adieu !

S

.......

Accueil hivers !

After giving the last paper today, I was sitting in this little alcove surrounded by a huge piano, reading Robin Hood waiting for Huzaifa to come pick me up. All of a sudden I felt cold air hit me with full force as someone opened the French doors to go outside on the beach. And I realized that for so long, I had waited for Winter to come so I could snuggle in my favourite Blue and Purple striped comforter, drink Chocolate Chai Latte twice a day, wear over sized hoodies and read books. It crept up on me and I didn't even notice that 13'C is here to welcome me into its arms. 

I love Winters. But the thing is that I have never really lived them. I have but I do not remember living them. There is this vague memory of waking up in fog, getting bundled up in a puffy bright blue jacket, mittens, caps and than all the layers coming off one by one as the sun came out and warmed the day. But that was in Pakistan. And after that I never really experienced cold. Qatar is not the best country when it comes to lower temperature. Rather it specializes in roasting us in 48 'C all year around. So forget infinity scarves, thick long coats, beanies, gloves, huge fires and all that good wintry stuff.

Sometimes we wait for something to happen for such a long time that when it finally happens, we forget the true pleasure of it. And then when it goes away, we are reminded of that same thing again and again. So lets take this moment and enjoy it today instead of waiting for tomorrow to bring something better than this. Make your today awesome so when tomorrow comes, you have something to live it up to with.

So I pledge allegiance to wearing Huzaifa's hoodies, dragging Muaaz's blanket through out the house, eating ice cream from Moawiz's pocket money, surviving on coffee and reading as if there is no tomorrow. I cannot wait to wear my knee high Angry Birds socks, have an excuse to live in my PJ's, go on the roof and breathe in the crisp cold air, to go to the beach, have my toes freeze standing in the icy water and hands melt from the heat of the sun at the same time. I feel utterly grateful that Qatar is clean enough to actually feel that air instead of all the Carbon particles going inside us. I guess living in the richest country on earth has its perks.

"Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions."    -Dalai Lama

Adieu !

S 

.....

Book Review: Revolution 2020 by Chetan Bhagat

Goodread's Review:

Once upon a time, in small-town India, there lived two intelligent boys.
One wanted to use his intelligence to make money.
One wanted to use his intelligence to create a revolution.
The problem was, they both loved the same girl.

Welcome to Revolution 2020. A story about childhood friends Gopal, Raghav and Aarti who struggle to find success and love in Varanasi. However, it isn't easy to achieve this in an unfair society that rewards the corrupt. As Gopal gives in to the system, and Raghav fights it, who will win?

Published: 2011
Author: Chetan Bhagat
Pages: 296
Genre: Contemporary, Asian Literature 
My rating: 4/5

I loved this book. I loved everything about it. The story is being told by a person whose point of view is changed by life itself and he does not do all good things. But somehow when you are reading it and even when he is handing out bribes to get the work done, he becomes the hero. I realized that being the narrative helps the character share their point of view, justifying their actions.

The main theme of the book was grate. I loved how Gopal struggles to fulfill the wishes of his father and become a big man. I also loved how his only goal was to make money. Ordinarily, I would have thought that that is very materialistic. But I was like, he does not have money to eat. He is right to set that goal. Gopal takes things into his own hands and decides that life will not give him anything by doing the right thing, so he decided how to get everything himself. Screw life. And I agree. 

But somehow, in between this great battle of earning money and being with the girl Aarti, he has loved all his life, he loses himself. He loses what made him, him. Raghav makes him realize what he has lost. And he somehow tries to make things right. He gives the most important thing in his life, which I have to say, I could not have done that. 

I loved the controversy between him and Raghav. Gopal is bribing and doing what everyone else does and Raghav wants to change that exact system. I loved how Gopal asks the writer at the end whether he thinks he is a good man. I mean, the man gave up his most priceless thing and still isn't sure of his goodness.

P.S. I LOVE the cover of this book. The colour combination is so awesome. I have been drooling over it since its been in my hands.

...SAP...

Book Review: Five Point Someone by Chetan Bhagat

From Goodreads:

Set in IIT, in the early '90s, Five Point Someone portrays the lives of the protagonist Hari and his two friends Ryan and Alok. It explores the darker side of IIT, one in which students- having worked for years to make it into the institute-struggle to maintain their grades, keep their friends and have some kind of life outside studies.

Funny, dark and non-stop, Five Point Someone is the story of three friends whose measly five-point something GPAs come in the way of everything-their friendship, their love life, their future. Will they make it?

Published: April, 2006
Author: Chetan Bhagat
Pages: 267
My Rating: 3.5
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Asian Literature

First of all, the concept was right up to my alley. It felt really good to read what I have felt studying in the system for the past four years. The concept was how the education system of IIT in India is all about rot learning and using your memory not your brain to study. That is exactly what happens in the Pakistani system as well. I am not saying its bad, I am saying, its not something I adjusted well to. That is one of the reasons I decided to do ACCA and not go back into the system to do medicine.

I loved the friendship between the three guys. Usually the guy friendships are very easy but not in this story. Friendship is the one thing that does not require any kind of label with you. It does not matter whether you are rich or poor or a failure. You are a friend. That is all matters. Which is exactly what this story was about.

I loved Ryan's struggle with the system he was studying in. Because that is exactly what I felt in the past two years of my studies. And I did mess up my life. Like Bhagat says' "Life screws you over just when you have figured it out." All the three friends had different problems which they did solve with their own point of view.

All in all, it was a refreshing read which really tallied with the life that Pakistanis and Indians live as students.

...SAP...

Book Review: The Sea Of Tranquility by Katja Millay

From Goodreads:

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.

Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.

Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.


Published: November 2012
Author: Katja Millay
Pages: 448
My Rating: 4/5
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary 

I have been reading about damaged and broken teenagers with life threatening diseases this year and every time I start by expecting just a light hearted everyday story. But that does not happen. Not that I am complaining.

First of all, I loved this book because of all the sarcasm in it. That edgy sarcastic, fun teenager vibe which I really liked. It made me miss my friends so much more because the one thing I love about them is awesome come backs and all those inside jokes. And I am already missing the fact that that will be hard to accomplish now. 

Millay started the story with Nastiya (which I kept pronouncing N-aas-tiya reminding me of 'nasty') starting her life all over again. Instead of hiding herself in oversized sweats and geeky glasses, she does the opposite which I found a little different. And for the first time I read about a popular high school boy having real life issues in his own image instead of just being perfect. So I have to say that the characters were pretty perfect. 

I really liked how the story was not just about two teenagers but in fact three of them. I loved all the Sunday dinners at Drew's house, Nastiya's baking, Josh's wood work and Drew's debating. The concept of hobbies is dying these days making people think that watching movies and listening to songs is a hobby which it really is not. So I loved that some real hobbies were incorporated in this book. 

Although I did get a little sick of all the high school drama going on in the middle of the book. But the ending did not disappoint me at all. Especially the answer to Josh's question. It was a great book.

...SAP...

Book Review: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

From Goodreads:

On a warm summer morning in North Carthage, Missouri, it is Nick and Amy Dunne's fifth wedding anniversary. Presents are being wrapped and reservations are being made when Nick's clever and beautiful wife disappears from their rented McMansion on the Mississippi River. Husband-of-the-Year Nick isn't doing himself any favors with cringe-worthy daydreams about the slope and shape of his wife's head, but passages from Amy's diary reveal the alpha-girl perfectionist could have put anyone dangerously on edge. Under mounting pressure from the police and the media--as well as Amy's fiercely doting parents--the town golden boy parades an endless series of lies, deceits, and inappropriate behavior. Nick is oddly evasive, and he's definitely bitter--but is he really a killer?

As the cops close in, every couple in town is soon wondering how well they know the one that they love. With his twin sister, Margo, at his side, Nick stands by his innocence. Trouble is, if Nick didn't do it, where is that beautiful wife? And what was in that silvery gift box hidden in the back of her bedroom closet?

Published: May, 2012
Author: Gillian Flyn
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Crime
Pages: 395

My Review:

The story starts with Amy, Nick's wife gone missing. At first, we look at their picture perfect marriage but then little by little, when all the layers are peeled back, you get to see the real scenario. It goes from East to West in a single page. At one point Nick is the victim and Amy is to blame but than its vice versa. So you have no idea who is at fault because both of them clearly have made mistakes of their own, you just have to analyze and decide whose mistake is the biggest.

I loved the battle between the good and bad. It is totally up to the reader to decide who is guilty, Amy or Nick. Who is the bigger jack ass ? And for me, both of them were guilty but Amy was down right vicious. She was insane. She should have been in a mental hospital or something. She plans her own murder. Her whole life is about planning and avenging for things like not paying enough attention to her. This was her game. This was the way she lived her life because she had nothing better to do.

It is the creepiest and the most horrific story I have ever read. It is better than a Stephen King horror story. Its so brilliant. I have no words. I was literally shivering and had goosebumps reading this book. It is one of those books which has a lot of intricate details, twists and turns, so everything needs to be perfect for the book to be good. It was more than perfect.

In the starting, I did not think that I would feel sorry for Nick but I did. He constantly battles with himself, to not be his father but be a better person. And thing is you can pretend for so long. The walls you create around yourself, creating a persona that never existed, it all comes crashing down someday.

I do not know if people like Nick and Amy exist in this world. I hope they don't. But if they do, than this world is much more horrifying than we all think. And God have mercy on anyone who ends up with a Nick or an Amy. 

...SAP...

All Answers Bookish

I wanted to do something really fun and interesting and because I have officially started book blogging as well. So I thought I will do this survey. I saw this on Pretty Books and loved what Stacey wrote. It was long and bookish, making it very awesome. This was originally made by  Jamie from the Perpetual Page Turner. I loved her answers as well. And I actually really enjoyed writing this. So here you go:

Author you have read the most books from:

According to Goodreads, its Sidney Sheldon (15), Jeffrey Archer (15) and Agatha Christie (13). But it is Enid Blyton as well. This one has to be countless because I do not remember how many Enid Blyton books I have read.

Best sequel ever:

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I think this was the one sequel that was so unexpectedly way more awesome than the first book.

Currently reading:

The Camel Club by David Baldacci, which I am already in love with.

Drink Of Choice While Reading:

I am not really big on any drinks while reading because that leads to spills and who likes that on their brand new books. But I do love coffee and almost all kinds of tea.

E-reader or Physical Book:

Definitely physical book. I get sick of e books very easily so I have to read a physical one with it as well to keep that flow and feel of physical books. But I have to say that e-books have made reading a lot easier and faster in terms of access.

Fictional Character You Probably Would Have Dated In High School:

Ummm...That is a very difficult question because there are so many awesome ones. But the one is Adrian Ivashkov from Bloodlines by Richelle Meade. I would have dated Fatty from the Five Find Outers series in middle school or whatever age he was, as well.  I used to be in love with all the disguises he pulled off and his humour.

Glad You Gave This Book A Chance:

I am not a Stephen King fan but I read The Running Man recently and it was moving to say the least.

Hidden Gem Book:

I would go with the Sidney Sheldon books because I feel like people do not give it a chance labeling it as trashy. If Tomorrow Comes is one awesome book.

Important Moment In Your Reading Life:

 It would probably be when I learnt to read. One of the moments was when I read Harry Potter because I remember my brother forcing me to read it and I completely refused. Than I read it as a bet and that has defined my childhood. And also when I found friends who turned out to be huge bibliophiles. I wrote about it here.

Just Finished:

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami which was such an accomplishment on my part considering how much I hated that book.

Kind Of Book You Will Not Read:

Horror. That is one genre I am not into at all. Somehow I do not feel that horror element and I end up mocking it. I am also not into major romance novels. If the story is set in modern times and is all about love, lust etc, that is a turnoff for me.

Longest Books You Have Read:

The Count Of Monte Cristo by Alexander Dumas (1476 pages) which is also one of my very favourite books. I love it. Its awesome. Also 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami (924 pages).

Major Book Hangover because of:

The most recent book hangover was because of 1Q84 which was only because I meddled over all the flaws I kept finding in it. This was a very bad hangover. The good one I had when I finished The Fault in Our Stars. It was excruciating, just to think about Augustus Waters and all that pain.

Number  Of Bookcases You Own:

That is the sad part. A lot of my books are back in Pakistan. I took my books there on my dear moms suggestion. Yes I was naive and stupid enough to do that. But I was 12. So as of now I have only 1 bookcase which holds double the books it was designed for. Some of the books are in a carton as well.

One Book You Have Read Multiple Times:

If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney Sheldon and Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup. These are the books that I always end up reading while eating or if I am out of books for some reason.

Preferred Place To Read:

Car. Its really weird but car is actually an amazing place to read, ofcourse when you are not the one driving it. You can totally catch up on your reading. And my sofa which has a window over it, so I have the perfect lighting. Have a bag of Chilli Millie, a fluffy blanket around you in an intentional cold room and you are good to go.

Quote that inspire you / gives you all the feels from a book you have read:

There are so many quotes that I love, I do not even know where to start from. But there is one that has stuck with me, "Some people are beautiful. Not in looks, not in what they say, just in what they are." -Markus Zusak

Reading Regret:

I don't really have a major reading regret. But I do wish that I would have read more of Roald Dahl books in my childhood. I read him but not a lot. And a regret which is always with me is reading classics. I do love classics but I find them very hard and time consuming as well. So I always end up taking a lot of time for it. You can imagine that by knowing that I read The Great Gatsby 8 months after buying it.

Series You Started And Need to Finish:

Divergent by Veronica Roth. I have to start the second book but have no idea when that will happen. I am waiting for the third book to be out so I can read them together. The Mortal Instrument series by Cassandra Clare. I just cannot get my head into the series. I am on the second book and its hard to finish it.

Three of your all time favourite books:

Only three ? That is a shame. Well, I already mentioned The Count Of Monte Cristo and If Tomorrow Comes. So these three are The Fault In Our Stars by John Green, Pride and Prejudice and The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Hold on. I totally forgot Harry Potter and 19 Minutes by Jodi Picoult.

Unapologetic fan girl for:

Sidney Sheldon. For a very unreasonable reason, he does not have a good reputation in the literature world. But I love him. He was an excellent author.

Very excited for this release more than all the others:

The next Markus Zusak book actually. And Fiery Heart by Richelle Mead. It is the fourth book in the Bloodline series. I hate reading a series in this whole wait for it form.

Worst Bookish Habit:

Reading while you are eating. This is a very bad habit because you are so engrossed in the book that you end up spilling something on the book, ALWAYS. But I do not read my newest buys while eating. I usually read my brothers books so that I get to destroy his books and not worry about it.

X marks the spot: Start at the top of your shelf and pick the 27th book:

Alex Cross's Trial by James Patterson.

Your Latest Book Purchase:

The Camel Club by David Baldacci.

ZZZ-snatcher book:

The Fault In Our Stars which I read in less than a day. And anyone who has read the book can imagine my condition. I literally cried on every single word. I had a headache from crying and all that feelings. And The Running Man.

I hope you enjoyed reading this as much as I enjoyed writing this. And kudos if you read all of that.

...SAP...

Reading And How It Has Changed

A couple of days ago a friend of mine shared a quote from The Fault In Our Stars and a very heated bookish conversation started between us friends on that status. This usually happens, one of us reads an awesome book, word gets around and everyone else reads it instantly and we start our very intense discussions involving major verbal arguments over fictional characters. The most recent ones are Dimitri Belikov and Augustus Waters. But it was not always like this.

Photograph by Saliha Jamil

Almost six years back, I used to be the only girl in the class who read books till I came to know that someone else reads as well. Than it was two instead of one. We were allowed to borrow only one book at a time from our library and we had library period once a week. Our school being very conservative, did not let us go otherwise because it was in the boys wing. Anyway, so in 7th grade, I made my whole class get library cards so I could borrow books on their cards and read them. That was my love for books. It used to be only me and my best friend. We had the best of our time with it. It was like our own secret garden. Instead of growing flowers in it, we grew worlds full of alluring words. Our class assignments were based on the recent books that were read. I was caught numerous times reading in the class instead of listening to boring Pakistan Studies lectures. 

But things changed in the past couple of years. Firstly, we met another awesome friend and bookaholic who brought tons of books with her. Not only did she introduce us to new authors but also to the vast book collection that her mother had.Then more of our friends became bibliophiles as well, which simply meant more books for us to read. And the circle just grew. We started sharing books with each other, discovering new authors, having intense character or story oriented conversations but the reading in the class, it did not stop. We passed it on to others. We made a Reading Club and failed miserably at it, though in my defence, it was not my fault. I did try, if not my very best. 

It is very different than it used to be. Where there were just two friends sharing their love of books, now there is a whole group who loves books. I used to think that finding a friend who loves to read as much as you do is the best thing in the world, I did not know how much better is finding a whole bunch of them. Books are your best friends but people who love books are your whole world.  

...SAP...

Book Review: The Running Man by Stephen King

Ben Richards signs up for The Running Man. What is The Running Man ? For some, it is an entertainment series and a brutal way of getting rid of the poor population. Or it is a way of earning money and feeding their family for others. But nonetheless, it is a very dangerous game in which you are on the run from the government and you get paid for every hour that you do not get caught. Unfortunately for Ben Richards, he falls in the latter category. He has a 18 month old sick daughter and a wife but no job to support this family. Now the question is, will he survive the games ? More like, how long will he last in them ? 

Published: January, 1982
Author: Stephen King writing as Richard Bachman
Genre: Dystopia, Science Fiction

Goodreads Review: The Running Man

Amazon: The Running Man

I am not a fan of Stephen King, mainly because I do not enjoy horror . But a friend forced me to read this and I loved it. It is a dystopian novel set in the future. And the way he has written the story is worth a standing ovation. Some authors portray something through meaningful quotes but I felt everything through the story itself.

Ben Richards is just another victim of the government now being used as an entertainment. The guy goes against his beliefs for his family and his whole world shatters in the end. I knew from the start what will happen to him but any other thing I really did not expect. There were so many twists and turns being thrown at me that I was processing the previous shock when I started reading another one.

The story itself is so honest portraying the life of an everyday simple man. And how poverty is really the worse things you can imagine. It is one thing to go hungry yourself but it is entirely another to see your kid starve and wait for death to knock at your door.

I salute Ben Richards courage and guts. Being a very bold girl myself, I loved that he did not give a damn shit about what others think or do, about him. He did what he had to and stuck to it, till the end. It was not a matter of his survival. It was a matter of survival of his only kid and wife.

I have to say, I had no idea how all the action was going on because for one second he is in a car, driving, the next he is threatening to blow the whole place up with a bomb, playing a buff and hijacking a plane. It was that fast but I loved it. I think Stephen King really did justice to this book.

...SAP...

Summers In Pakistan

Its been a month since Summer Vacations officially started and all I have done is sleep, eat and waste time. Though, in my defence, it has been very hot here. So there is no way you can go out and do anything outdoors. Summers in Qatar are like Winters in Alaska. Then came Ramadan and I was fasting for 16 hours. Considering all that I really did not do much this summer like always.

Photograph by Saleha Jamil

But summers used to be very different in my childhood back in Pakistan. I remember the excitement and anticipation of going to Wah Cantt from Lahore, where my grand parents lived. They would have already made preparations for us. My Nano would have bought crates of mangoes, refrigerated them, made plans for hunting, picnics and all sorts of things. That used be our fortress where the Piracha kids ruled. My Khala (Aunt) would have baked cakes, biscuits and all kinds of that good stuff. My Nani would have made the Pickles of Mangoes. And so would begin two months of bliss.

In the evenings, us three siblings and Nani would explore the hills around their house. Then she would ring a random house to use their bathroom, because she has Diabetes. And we always ended up drinking different kinds of Lemonade from different people. We could come back home laden, with Samosas, Jalibis etc. Late at night, my Mamo (Uncle) would make us watch horror movies in the basement and then get a scolding from Nani. One of the things we loved, was eating mangoes in the garden, wearing shorts, with Silky aka Nano's dog beside us, and getting as dirty as we could. We rarely got a chance to do that.

Those summers saw frequent trips to the the Golf Clubs in Abbotabad, Bhourban, Islamabad and Rawalpindi. They saw the swinging championships between all the kids of that lane. They saw us, late night going out for a drink or chips in our case to the grocery store. They saw us sleeping outside under the magnificent sky laden with stars, asking Nani to tell a bedtime story. They saw us asking all kinds of favours from out grand parents. They saw us going all out when my other Massi (Aunt) used to visit us from Rawalpindi.

 Summers at your gran parents house with all of your cousins and family doing whatever the hell you want, what else could a kid ask for ? That happiness and joy is very different. Growing up without a care in the world, looking forward to the summers, then finally sitting in that Daewoo Bus knowing that we are hours away from our fortress.

Those were the days. Now its hot like hell and I am lazy as an ass. But not anymore. I am going to make it worth wile by working on my pending writing and updating this blog, reading more books. Sometimes I do wish that those summers could come back but then I have the satisfaction of having all those beautiful memories.

Henry James has put my feelings rightly into words by saying,

“Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.”

...SAP...

Author Review: Sidney Sheldon

Date of birth : February 11, 1917.
Date of death: January 30. 2007

Nationality: American

Sidney Sheldon is my moms favourite writer and she was the one who introduced me to him. Master of the Game was the first book of his that I read, given to me by a friend. I love the way he turns a simple, normal story into an  adventure but keeping it very real and true to life. His books always have a very strong story line and it is hard to find loopholes. His books are on my to make a collection list.

When I started reading Sheldon books, I realised that people have a very bad image of his books in their minds. They have this idea that his books are filled with explicit content. His books have been called 'trashy' and 'melodramatic'. I was accused of reading his books due to this reason. What people fail to notice is the fact that every author has nude scenes in their books. One example is Nora Roberts. She gets a free pass because of writing romance.

Honestly, I love the fact that he has written about women and from every angle. Even today women are underestimated everywhere in everything. He portrays his women as beautiful protagonists who are storng and charming. Moreover, they use their femininity as their weapon.

He is the seventh best fiction selling author of all time, selling over 600 million copies. He also holds the record of being the most translated author, his books being translated into 51 languages.

His Words:

"I try to write my books so the reader can't put them down," he explained in a 1982 interview. "I try to construct them so when the reader gets to the end of it, he or she has to read just one more chapter. It's the technique of the old Saturday afternoon serial: leave the guy hanging on the edge of the cliff at the end of the chapter."

"I like to write about women who are talented and capable, but most important, retain their femininity. Women have tremendous power — their femininity, because men can't do without it."

 "I love writing books. Movies are a collaborative medium, and everyone is second-guessing you. When you do a novel you're on your own. It's a freedom that doesn't exist in any other medium."

" If I write about a place, I have been there. If I write about a meal in Indonesia, I have eaten there in that restaurant. I don’t think you can fool the reader’.

Author of books:

The Naked Face (1970, novel)
The Other Side of Midnight (1974, novel)
A Stranger in the Mirror (1975, novel)
Bloodline (1977, novel)
Rage of Angels (1980, novel)
Master of the Game (1982, novel)
If Tomorrow Comes (1985, novel)
Windmills of the Gods (1987, novel)
The Sands of Time (1988, novel)
Memories of Midnight (1990, novel)
The Doomsday Conspiracy (1991, novel)
Nothing Lasts Forever (1994, novel)
Morning, Noon & Night (1995, novel)
The Best Laid Plans (1997, novel)
Tell Me Your Dreams (1998, novel)
The Sky is Falling (2000, novel)
The Other Side of Me (2005, memoir)

...SAP...

Book Review: 1, If Tomorrow Comes, Sidney Sheldon

The story follows Tracy Whitney, who is a happy women about to get married. But her world is turned upside down on hearing about her mother committing suicide. She promises to avenge her mothers death but instead she lands in jail because of the thugs who forced her mother into bankruptcy. After getting out of jail, she goes on the hunt again. Se tries living an honest life but to no avail. So she becomes a charmingly beautiful thief. Her adventures take her all over Europe making her a Baroness to a Lady at times. On her journey, she meets a fellow con artist named Jeff Stevens who is no less then her. What happens when their world collides with each other ?

Published: 1985
Author: Sidney Sheldon
Genres: Crime Fiction, Thriller, Suspense Novel.

Goodreads review: If Tomorrow Comes

Middle East Shipping: If Tomorrow Come


First of all, I love Sidney Sheldon and this book is definitely my favourite. I can read it over and over again. And I re-read this book. This is one of those books that hooks you on from the first word and does not let go till the end. I loved how everybody underestimates her and she proves everyone wrong. She avenges her mothers death not by killing the people responsible. But by using her brain and defeating them in their own game. Joe Romano, Orsatti, public defender Perry Pope and Judge Lawrence are left with nothing.

I really like the way things are describe in the book. Her whole jail experience. Everyone thinks she is a felon when deep down she is just a normal girl with dreams. I love the way Sidney Sheldon practically gave me a tour of Europe in a book. He told everything from places to different types of food. I also liked the way Jeff and Tracy like each other but do not trust each other because of who they are. There are certain moment in the book when I literally died laughing. I kept guessing the story till the end and lets just say I was surprised.

I also liked how Sheldon has shown Tracy from Daniel Coopers point of view, who is a detective on her trail. Because at the end of the day she is a criminal. All in all, I loved the way Sheldon told a story of a normal girl turned thief and her colourful adventures taking us through the history and creating an air of suspense.

Quotes From The Book:

" I will survive, Tracy thought.I face mine enemies naked, and my courage is my shield. "

"We are flimflam artists. But remember, sonny, you can't con people unless they are greedy to begin with. W.C.Fields had it right. You can't cheat an honest man."

"She was going to make them pay....Tomorrow, she thought. If tomorrow comes." 

 ...SAP...

When I Was In 2nd Grade

When I was in second grade, I had a Math teacher. She was just love. I do not even remember her name but I do remember her awesomeness. I remember the way she used to flip her hair and that boots she wore that told you from a mile that she was coming. In her class, my hand always used to shoot up just like Hermione's. My mom told me that I used to hold her finger tight in my hand and never used to let it go

Unfortunately, our teacher got changed and she started teaching some other section. I tried liking the new teacher but it just didn't work. So I went up to her and said that I do not like the new teacher. She should come back etc. And I started crying. She wiped away my tears and said,

"Sumaica, you know tears are actually your energy. So whenever you cry, you are wasting your energy. And you, you are a horse. You have so many races ahead of you that you have to win. You cannot afford to waste one bit of that energy of yours."

By now I was hooked up and her words were leaving an impression on my mind. She continued,

"And maybe the new teacher is not like me. But someday you will get a teacher who will be better than me. And then you will get to see a part of me in her. Because every teacher like every parent is the same at heart."

I am not even in contact with her anymore. But I want her to know. Ma'am, your horse has grown up. She is winning her races. She lost some as well. But she says, if not this one, then the other. She has learnt not to waste her energy, just like you told her. And yes, she did find teachers who were better than you. But nobody was you. She saw your reflection in the teachers that taught her. And your words still echo in her mind from time to time.

...SAP...

A Letter To My Dad

February 14, 2013

Dear Abbu,

I do not know from where to start, so I guess I will start with I love you. I love you to moon and back. And honestly, I never can imagine my life without you. You are the most important person in my life and will always be. I love how when at 10 in the night (which is late for you) I tell you I need something, you always go get it for me. I love how you always crush my hand every SINGLE time I shake yours. I remember I use to tell every single person that my dad is a Gold Medalist because I always have been so proud to be your daughter.

Abbu, you are my everything. You are my one in a million. I do not need the moon to come out or the sun to shine because I have you. You are better than Koh-I-Noor ( the worlds largest and priceless diamond), Bugatti Veyron, Taj Mehal or all of my favourite books. I love books and writing. You and mom are the only two people who are better than any book, any piece of writing, any poem, any poet and any author out there in the world.

I cannot compare you to anything in this world because you simply are one of a kind. I look at you and I see a person beyond awesome. I see someone whose kindness to strangers amazes me everyday. Who is calm before the biggest storm comes, at even the worst disasters or Huzaifa crashing his car for the millionth time.  I see kindness, compassion, determination, calmness, hard work, beauty. I see perfection.My deepest desire is to be exactly like you, like the person who has loved and pampered me for the past 17 years and will always continue to do so. I love you. I love the guy who would not notice that he needs new shoes or a new shirt, who would think ten times before buying a single thing for himself and would not think twice before getting the same thing for his kids.

I remember once, someone said to you that all your kids have the latest cell phones in their hands whereas you use the same old one, why ? You laughed and said, well their dad is an Architect and mine, unfortunately is dead. I wish I could have met Dada because I bet you are exactly like him.

It is amazing whoever meets Asad Latif Piracha, even for the first time says, what a remarkable man. Well, I happen to be the daughter of that same remarkable man, and the ONLY one.

When other fathers were stopping their daughter from doing stupid things, you were prompting me and were fully involved. I remember how you always dared us to see who goes the furthest in the sea. The day when you took me to the Bakra Mandi in Pakistan on my insistence. When you made me drive your car at 11. When you showed us Abu Hamour on the bonnet of your car. I, now realise that you have never given the authority to Huzaifa to mind me, at times it is the other way around. I never knew that a thing called discrimination existed between sons and daughters in the world because I am the one being favoured at home.

Every "My favourite personality" or "Role Model" essay has been written on you. Growing up I have always wanted to be like you. The way you smile, a very rare one once in a while and I can sense it being sent from your heart. You know why I love Math, because you love Math. Why I eat peas, because you eat peas. Why money is not important to me, because it is not important to you. Why my anger is so impulsive, because yours is as well. Why I have 1.5 sketching skills, because you have like 100% sketching skills.

I am sorry. For all the times I was a jerk, brat and an ass. For things that I have done wrong. For being a disappointment at times.

Thank you. For asking for a daughter from Allah. Thank you, for loving me unconditionally. Thank you for always being there for me. Thank you, for ignoring all my mistakes. Thank you, for never scolding me. Thank you, for always taking my side. (Please, continue to do so in the future) Thank you, for never imposing anything on me. Thank you, for believing in me. Thank you, for letting us do things our way. Thank you, for being who you are. Thank you, for being my dad.

I promise to be a better person. Well, I promise to try and be like you, that will automatically make me a good person. I promise you that one day, I will make you proud.

Happy Birthday ! May you live thousand years more. May the worlds happiness and success be yours, today and always. May you always remain like you are today.

I am glad that I am your daughter and that I can look up to you anytime. I hope someday I become exactly like the person you are today.

Yours always,
Your one and only daughter.

P.S. Happy Half A Century ! That does make you old.

...SAP...