Non-Verbal by Molly zenk

NonVerbal by Molly Zenk
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is one of the most meaningful books which I have read in the past few years. This is written in a perspective from a non verbal autistic teen, Emerson, who is labelled to have autism spectrum disorder, sensory processing disorder, Intellectual disability and also non verbal.
It demands a compassionate look into her daily life, her routine and the struggle her parents go through to support her and get her fair share of education. Our heart breaks as we read through her journey, how stressed she is when people around her talk as if she does not understand. Her stress and the pressure her parents go through to help her is so realistic.
I have seen Autism in close quarters , and I can relate to each and everything the author conveys through this book. Hats off for asserting the significance of inclusion of neuro-diversified kids in our education system . Molly zenk, take a bow . Keep writing. We are here to support you and stand up for Autism.

Pulling Together

pulling together by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Lois Wickstrom usually magic up her sleeve for children and this time around it is a Poncho. Grannie knits a poncho for Lila, and there are three holes in it. Lila thinks it makes no sense but Granny sends her out to play nevertheless. She encounters three kids who need help. Will Lila help? This is a book all about kindness, forgiveness, family and friendship. Do not miss this cute adventure.

Noah's not so super summer

Noah's Not So Super Summer by Brittany Tucker
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was like X-Men revisited. Evil mastermind, mutants, bullies, paranormal, sci-fi elements, everything a teen adventure ought to have. Teenager Noah had plans for summer, he had his hopes on a summer program which will shape his future. But all the plans crash when the city is over run with mutants, who are on the path of destruction. To stop these monsters, Noah has to get to the bottom of the mystery and find out the larger hand at play which is causing the destruction.
The book is very engaging from beginning to end, the storylines are well thought of and the characters well rounded. I enjoyed this book thoroughly.

How to Write a Historical Novel and Love it

How To Write A Historical Novel And Love It by T.L. Clark
My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I picked up this book, as I do have a penchant for writing and I was really inspired and impressed with this book. The author has put in a lot of hard work to list out a check list based on her own years of experience.
The points she details out to consider when writing the historic novel, like, when, what happened during the period, could be a change of power or natural calamities and research on what would be appealing to the audience at that point of time. The book also details out the process of writing a novel, pointers from the conception to research, writing, editing, publishing and a lot more.
This book contains a plethora of valuable information and I think I will place an order for a printed copy very soon.

Saving the Gingerbread House

saving the gingerbread house by Lois Wickstrom
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is a very nice twist to the original fairy tale. I picked this book because my son’s friends did a retelling of the fairy tale in a competition, where the witch becomes a vegan. It was a delight to read this book, where the kids reach the witch’s house and realize that she is wanting to win the most beautiful house award in a competition but because of animals and kids nibbling pieces of the house, she is in trouble. She then puts the kids to work.

I have read many books from Lois Wickstrom and it is always a delight. I enjoy her books

A dress to remember

 Author : K.L. Small (Goodreads Author),  Brandon Dorman (Illustrator)

Princess Zarina wants a dress to remember for her Royal Advancement Ceremony. She works with a special dressmaker to get a magical dress. The dress is magical indeed, but not the way she wants. Princess Zarina thinks a lot about herself and does not care much for people around her. When the kingdom is attacked, she must spring to action and save herself and the kingdom.  Can she make some choices for others for a change? Will the magical dress help her?

The story is delightful and as it progresses, the complex character of the main protagonist emerges. Many middle school students can relate to this character.

I really enjoyed reading this book.

Rating : 👍👍👍👍

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what I'd wish I'd known : For writers

 I am currently on a writer’s block right now and I took up this book for personal reasons. It is a very inspiring book, with so many tips and advices from over a 100 authors, it is a very motivating read.

It also changes our perspective towards things and how we approach life. It is always good to get a piece of advice from people who have been through the same journey which one  wants  to step into.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

Rating: 👍👍👍👍👍

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My Inner Critic

 Author : Christine Bernard

Feeling awkward and not fitting in is a situation  all of us have faced in our lives and continue facing it. It is more for introverts, especially those with high anxiety issues. Thirty eight year old Emily Parker is no exception, she suffers with anxiety and is paranoid about social situations. When she was eighteen, she was consoled that it was part of growing up. But her insecurities get worse as she ages, and when avoiding situations does not work, she spends more time trying not to make a fool of herself. The inner critic surfaces and keeps reminding her that she does’nt fit in.

Will Emily ever feel confident and try to accept herself and the people around her for what they truly are? This is a story of self realization and acceptance. I have battled anxiety at one point of  time and I can totally relate to the issues pointed out in this book. It is a very sensitive and an honest effort to convey a message that you are not alone. That is what books are meant to do, to bring people together . Loved it.

 My Rating: 👍👍👍👍

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The invisible life of Addie Larue

Author : V.E.Schwab 

We read a very fine book in our book club this month . It follows the life of a young girl whose ambitions and desires take her life through an unusual path . Adeline( Addie) Larue is born in France country side in 1700s when women are not allowed much freedom . Her parents are simple country folk who live a mundane life . Adeline wishes to live a free life , she wishes to experience a lot of things , anything other than normal mundane stuff . So when she is on the verge of a forced marriage , she prays , she prays to the Gods , desperately to get her out of the situation . One God answers her prayer , but he is darkness himself , a devil, evil , sinister. He grants her wish , but at a price , she will live forever freely but will be forgotten by everyone. Addie struggles to live through this invisible veil , whoever she meets forgets her after the encounter is over . She is chased away by the same person who welcomed her into his/her home in the first place. She is forgotten by her lovers after the night is spent . Her family and friends forget her , without a trace . Like a ghost , she moves places and continents for centuries. Eventually, she learns to bend the curse and use it to her advantage . She makes a mark in the world in her own way . Throughout her long invisible life , she has just one companion , the darkness . But one fine day , her life turns upside down when a man in a bookstore remembers her name , the next day and the day after that . How could it be possible ? Addie is not used to this treatment , to be remembered ,to be acknowledged. Now things have changed with this one human . Will Addie be able to handle it ??

This book is a classic , and we could draw parallels to the Greek mythology , where women were cursed by Gods and lived in exile for long time , like Calypso or Circe . Addie is a very strong woman , it’s been a while that I read a book which has such a strong female lead . It is her journey from being a vulnerable human , who got stabbed by a God , to a Goddess who knows how to play with her powers . As readers , it is impossible not to get attached to Addie and feel sad for her lonely plight . Her initial struggles are heartbreaking .

If there is a flaw in the book , it is that it is too lengthy. It could have been easily a 100 pages shorter . Many authors are very creative with their language of late , so the narrative is very good but not unique .

But the plot is mind blowing and the central characters are exceptional . I thoroughly enjoyed reading this beautiful piece of literature .

Rating: 👍👍👍👍

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True colors

 Author : Krysten Lyndsey Hager

 This book took me back to my teen days. The urge to fit in, urge to stand out. Landry is an 8^th grader who wants to do something amazing but feels her life is normal. She has two good friends, nice parents and is doing very well at school. She enters a modelling competition, gets selected, her friends don’t, and  now she has to face different challenges . She tries to fit in with the new bunch of people, but fails to do so. She becomes an object of envy and jealousy, which leaves her confused and alone. This issue is not typical just to teenagers, success drives people to face many challenges. But the teenager issues, dealing with growing hormones, the emotions are very nicely captured in this book. I really enjoyed reading it. 

Rating: 👍👍👍👍

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