Book review: Calling Mrs Christmas by Carole Matthews

I picked this book instantly when I read its name.. "Calling Mrs Christmas" authored by Carole Matthews - who is known for her heart warming books catching the true spirit of Christmas - put me in Christmas holiday mood (in August:))that very moment. Every time I picked that book to read in my mind I could hear jingle bells and felt like it is snowing..

It is a story of romance, love, relationship beautifully intervened by passion of the three main characters amazing careers, passion for their work. The heart warming story with its twists and turns, festive cheer captures the real spirit of the festive season.

All the characters are warm, real, lovable with interesting, unusual careers - a Christmas planner, a prison officer of a young offenders unit and a self made successful and multimillionaire businessman. The characters seem genuine and interesting with their real-life like good personalities with flaws- not the mushy types.

 The author has made use of events or things in real life as a back drop in the story. I could recognize and relate to the events or happening in the story .. for eg: the advertisements playing on TV during Christmas or the locations, learning Christmas craft, cooking and decor skills from you tube videos etc. 

The theme of the story of unemployed frustrated women who turns into a ' successful' entrepreneur by following her passion makes it so interesting. I love such zero to hero stories. To me  felt like a story of any successful etsy shop owner or a blogger turned entrepreneur. The author has described in details how she does it making it even more interesting and make believe. 

One chapter takes us on a success ride of Cassie's dream career as a Christmas planner and then the next chapter takes to the realistic, hard and sometimes miserable career of her boyfriend Jack. And then there is the glitzy glam life of the millionaire Carter. The chapters about the stunning, breathtaking beauty of Lapland with all its splendor and luxuries makes me want to visit Lapland one day. 

I must add that Carole makes Jack's job interesting as well with true to life details and somewhat heart breaking struggles at the Young offenders unit. It sort of balances the story because then the story does not get sugary, dreamy, happy- happy, perfect life which could have been boring. 

The narration is beautifully simple, a easy read, something the reader can relate to. It has a consistent flow which kept me engrossed till the end. It is definitely a must read. 

All images taken by me@home. Subject to copyright!

Book review :Sights and Secrets of Hong Kong by Loretta E Roberts

In the last few days in Hong Kong I had been craving to find something that could summarize my stay in the energetic and beautiful city. A causal browse in a book store near the hotel I found a treasure - a picture book aptly named Sights and secrets  of Hong Kong. A book which takes you around the city through the beautiful sketches by artist Loretta Roberts. 

I have to give a little background as the book reveals all this.  Hong Kong city has lot of character and culture, history .. Every nook, corner, door and window has a story behind it to tell .. The culture and traditions are varied, beautiful,meaningful and colorful.Mostly the city is made of small narrow lanes and roads with slopes, steep levels on one side and high mountain on the other, roads crossing and curving through the mountains. The curvy roads over the mountains which are covered  with exotic species of plants, flora and fauna.. The views are stunning, breathtaking ..

The beauty of Hong Kong is in the blend of the nature and modernity .. the artist has beautifully captured the true essence of Hong Kong.. The small events in the life of city which I saw every day and admired are sketched amazingly!!! The beauty of the sketches is such that if makes photographs of the same things look so dull!!

The book has pictures of quirky charming detailed nooks and corners.. my favorite are the postboxes, old bright colored doors, the Lantau island and market place pictures are a few of the many. 

This book is a perfect coffee table book, a gift or a souvenir. I found the book a perfect way to store the true essence of the city  and my memories of the wonderful 8 month stay in Hong Kong. As a avid traveller and a artist I wish I had made some sketches of  the things that touched my heart and mind.. 

The artist has similar beautiful sketch book made for Singapore as well.

Book Review: Sudha Murthy's Grandma's bag of stories

While browsing through hundreds of children's books one title caught my attention

 " Grandma's Bag of stories"

After losing my mother a few months back the thought that my son is never going to know his sweet , kind and loving aaji( grandma) has been haunting me...it was then that I found Sudha Murthy's book ...This book completely lives upto its name..The narration is so beautiful that even adults feel compelled and curious to know about what will happen in the story next. .it is as if aaji is speaking directly to you. ..The stories are  new,fresh,uncommon and have a moral and are meaningful..The sketches in the book are pretty with big eyes ..love the idea of keeping the sketches only few in numbers and monochromatic. .

The stories are short ,easy to read and can be narrated to young ones like bedtime stories..reading it reminds me of the childhood stories my mother read/told me..

 I have great respect for Sudha Murthy and this book has given my son a story telling aaji ...

cannot wait to get my hands over the other titles written by the author!!

Image credit: Taken by me and copyrighted to A creative project. 

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