Your story is what you have, what you will always have. It is something to own.

At fifty-four, I am still in progress, and I hope that I always will be - Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama, First Lady of the United States, quickly became one of the most iconic women of the White House.

Becoming is about Michelle Robinson. A girl that could be any one of us, who grew up and knew that education would be the only way she could reach the next rung on the ladder. she quite literally worked her ass off to be the best at everything, because she had to. Failure wasn't an option. Her story is something that all of us can connect with in one way or another. I wish there was someone like her out there when I was growing up. 

Do we settle for the world as it is, or do we work for the world as it should be?

I have been an admirer of Michelle Obama since she first became the First Lady and this book further extended my wonder of her. I was unaware of much of her professional history prior to the White House and was much impressed by it. After high school, Michelle went to Princeton, then Harvard Law and eventually became a corporate lawyer. But as much as a corporate law was a good career, it was not a fulfilling one. Michelle wanted to do more and she made a daring choice by leaving a well-payed job to join community outreach and non-profit organizations. This move was in part motivated by meeting a guy with a distinct name: Barack Obama. The two had similar ambitions and well, the rest is history. I absolutely love the prose, its masterfully written. I expected to like this book but I did not expect was the profound impact it has on me. I am genuinely floored by this woman and her story.

While I am not a big fan of politics and politician, the Obamas stole my heart when they were in power and I still look on deeply fascinated by the life they live. In Becoming Michelle Obama gave us an inside look at exactly what the race for presidency was like, what living under a spotlight like the First Lady affected her and her children and how she was able to use her platform.

Overall: I enjoyed this memoir. It is one of my fastest, impressing, touching readings.

I loved Michelle Obama’s two quotes that really work as my life mottos which are:

      “Choose people who lift you up” and “Find people who will make you better”

Thankfully I did. And I loved this book. I’d better read more memoirs.

.

.

P.S: This book has very little politics. It is, however, absolutely bursting with hope and humor and heart. My highest possible recommendation, especially if you hate the political world and those who populate it.

 

Beware, readers! Love & Gelato may trigger a dizzying yearning for gelato.

 

“You know, people come to Italy for all sorts of reasons, but when they stay, it’s for the same two things.”

“What?”

“Love and gelato.”

 -------PLOT WITH NO SPOILERS-------

LOVE AND GELATO did the perfect job of fulfilling my wanderlust needs after being stuck at home for so long! The setting of this book was definitely something that really set it apart from other books. I love how Welch describes locations in Italy--I really want to go there now! It had a really good travel vibe, almost like a road trip book even though there was no road trip.

The story follows Lina as she moves to Italy from the States for the summer. A trip to Florence through the eyes of Lina, her mother's journal and the boy who lives in a gingerbread house named Ren

What can you expect when out of nowhere, you're sent to a foreign country where you don't speak the language to live with the father you never knew you had?

A character that's pretty like-able. She's not dim-witted (though at times she was rather unobservant). Her confusion throughout her short journey is relatable. She's grieving her mother - a woman with secrets and facets unbeknownst to her daughter. While she loves her mother, she sometimes feels as though she never knew her. 

Lina’s inner monologue was a literal window to her soul, and I was constantly either crushingly sad or snort-laughing. She experiences grief so honestly, while still managing to hold onto her personality and sense of humor. It’s sometimes a struggle to find three-dimensional characters in YA novels, but Lina came across as a funny and genuine person coping with a horrible situation. 

I really loved Lina as a character. Her thoughts and actions felt really realistic, and I could really place myself in her position. One of the coolest aspects of this story was being able to Google the locations and sights described in the story and experience it simultaneously with Lina :D

Love & Gelato is full of mystery, adventure, and beauty. This is one of the cutest books I've ever read! It was such a quick, easy read, but still left me feeling completely satisfied. I really loved how easy it was to sit down read this book, and then suddenly be finished. It flies by, and you smile the entire time!:) 

If you're looking for something light to read, then this book is the right one for you!

Our identity is wrapped up in what others think of us—or, more accurately, what we think others think of us.

 

If you are looking for a new direction in life, if you are willing to change yourself then this is the book you need to read now.

If you ever watched one of his videos then you will enjoy this book.

What did I like? I’m familiar with Jay because of his Instagram and Facebook posts that always felt uplifting and positive. His stories on Instagram always stirred something in me and this book was no different. What a well written and beautiful, yet a simple book! To sum up the book, I’d say it’s like having Jay Shetty as your personal coach in the beginning of your self-care journey.

The book is divided into three parts (Let Go, Grow and Give). Each chapter is filled with history and lessons from other monks or spiritual leaders, and even regular people. Jay also draws a few parallels from his personal life and how he was able to use what he learned from his time being a student in an ashram to modern day life.

Jay doesn't expect you to fast or meditate for hours on end (at one point he blatantly says in the book “Don’t try this at home”), he merely provides you with tools from a monk mindset to deal with a modern life. A life where we're bombarded with news, social media, what everyone is doing constantly, pressure to be better, money, a fast life, newer, better. The moment we open our eyes, a majority of us immediately reach for our phones, meaning, first thing in the morning we are overwhelmed with tons of information, but with no possible way for us to take it all in, and that’s simply modern life.

I'm someone who rarely reaches for self-help books because I always feel that the advice given is a bit abstract. It’s like I’m being told to climb this metaphorical mountain, but I have no idea how. I want more than advice, and this is definitely what Jay does.

we get the overall story of Jay's life and how he ended up doing what he was always meant to do, living his dharma, which I think was very interesting. He grew up in a family where you could become one of three things—a doctor, a lawyer, or a failure. And I’m pretty sure that’s something many people can relate to.

This book is relevant for anyone facing struggles or lacking purpose, but it seems ridiculously relevant given the current state of the world. If there was ever a time to read this book...it is 2020! 

Well what if you're my chance ???

 

You are going to feel uncomfortable in your new world for a bit. It always does feel strange to be knocked out of your comfort zone..There is hunger in you, Clark. You just buried it, like most people do. -Will.

Nothing short of beautiful! An emotionally charged story about healing and learning to believe in yourself after a painful loss. AFTER YOU is the follow-up to ME BEFORE YOU, which was a very popular book written by JOJO MOYES.

before starting with this sequel, I've read some reviews of this book on the internet saw that some readers were not happy with the transformation of Louisa Clark after what she'd been through in Me Before You. But I didn't let those unfavorable reviews stop me from reading the sequel.I loved this book, It feels real, all emotions and characters.

It is like peanut butter and jelly, You cannot have one without the other!

"Eighteen months. Eighteen whole months. So when is it going to be enough? Because this doesn't feel like living. This doesn't feel like anything".

The story set about a year after Will’s death. It was about experiencing new things, taking risks and grabbing the bull by the horns. It was about overcoming fears and it was about living!!! Louisa's journey took a turn I really hadn't expected but one that felt true and honest for the character she was. It was brutal and souls shattering and all I wanted was for there to be a glimmer of hope ... a turning point that would give my nerves a break. I loved Lou's slow struggle to pull herself back together.She wasn't going to bounce back into happy Lou again. These things take time, some longer than others.

PEOPLE GOT OUT, PEOPLE GOT IN Obviously, like in life doesn’t have “endings”, also you never stop to meet new people, and certainly, here, in After You, Louisa Clark will meet several new people, and all of them will make impacts on Louisa’s life, and you have to know that not all impacts are negative, there are positive impacts too.

There was also another set of secondary characters that added a whole new flavor to this novel. The Moving On Circle was a breath of fresh air! Daphne, William, Natasha, Fred, Marc and Jake each complemented the story with their own journey toward recovery. I enjoyed their therapy sessions that revealed their insecurities, fears and hopes. It was all so serious, yet shared with a level of brevity that kept the story flowing with ease.

I wouldn't recommend this book if you're reading it mostly for Will. This book is mostly about Louisa and how she develops after her loss and struggles to move on. It is completely different from the first book, focusing on totally different issues. I reckon it could even be read as a stand alone, but who would want to skip the first book, right? If you feel a sort of connection to Lou's character, I do think you will enjoy reading After You

"You only get one life. It's actually your duty to live it as fully as possible.”

 

Warning: This book is not a "romance" novel.

It has to be said, this book is not what I think of when I think of a romance. Sure, there is love in this book, but that isn't the primary focus. The focus is the psychological struggle that each character goes through. Will and Lou are fascinating characters that will stick with me for a long time. Their journeys are both staggeringly painful and inspiringly transformative.

I told him a story of two people.
Two people who shouldn't have met, and who didn't like each other much when they did, but who found they were the only two people in the world who could possibly have understood each other.

I have to say I hoped and hoped for those excruciating 369 pages for a spark of a happy ending. This book was inspiring but way too much for my emotions.

Will and Lou have nothing in common, however, fate seemed determined to make their paths cross. Will Traynor is a successful, rich, athletic and handsome businessman. He wants to see the world, experience everything, live a full and adventurous life. But he is a victim of an accident that left him stuck in a wheelchair. Will doesn't acclimate well with his new life, he has lost everything, quit his job and broke off any ties with his former friends.Louisa Clark is happy with her plain and foreseeable life, has been in a relationship with Patrick for ages, still live with her parents at 27 and have no real ambition nor dreams except staying in her routine job at the local tea shop. The only thing that stands out is her creative clothing.

Both characters touched me deeply, Lou who used to live in the shadow of her younger sister becomes a grown and mature girl. Will, at the beginning of the book, is grim and sarcastic, but he opens up as our reading goes on. They find in each other a way to bare life, to go on and be a better person.

I enjoyed this book so much and I found that so many of the things Will told Lou was something that myself, and possibly everyone, needs to hear at some point in their lives. He tells her to live boldly. To explore, to discover and move beyond who and what you are now, and for me, that's something I must do.

If you're like me and you're not really sure about these type of novels, give this one a go as I think it's a book for most people. 

Can't wait to start with the sequel "After you" and I'll update it as My next Blog Post.

Happy Readings ;)

We must not cower in the Dark, because we're afraid of the spark within us !!

                 ⭐⭐⭐ CLAIM THE STARS ⭐⭐⭐

ALL THE STARS IN THE UNIVERSE/5 ⭐️

---NO SPOILERS---

Skyward was my first book by Brandon Sanderson and certainly it will not be the last. This all began when My friend suggested me to try his books since she was obsessed over cosmere collection, Eventually one day this book was on my recommendation list in the good reads and yeah that's where all it started. I didn't know much about this author so I haven't had any expectations with this book at first. I am so happy that I finally did! ALL CREDITS GOES TO YOU MY PAL anu almas !!

I've to admit it that at first it was a kind of bit slow and scared I wouldn't like it at, but stars above I was totally wrong.It took me a bit to get into the technical terms of the fighting & flying and all that but HOLY CRAP! this book was just soo good! It took me in, and as I was completing every chapter I felt that this story swallowed me as an whole !!!. SCI-FI is my favorite genre of all time and this book just gave me everything that I've wanted and even more.  

Skyward follows Spensa, the daughter of a coward, who is used to have to fight to get her way through life and to survive in a world that defines her only because of the actions of her father, a former pilot from the DDF. However, Spensa, who grew up hearing the stories from heroes of the past from her grandmother, wishes to become a pilot to honor her father's memory and clear his name. Through incredible stubbornness and hilariously fierce sarcasm, Spensa manages to get her way inside the flight school and is faced with the reality of what being a pilot truly means.

Spensa was a character that when I first started reading from her perspective I did not at all care about her. She was headstrong, and over the top. But while reading this book I came to actually see that she was a lot of talk and had a wonderful heart underneath it all. Her relationship with all the other characters from the story felt genuine. The character development in all of them is real and truly appreciable, nobody felt flat or badly written. This book is a masterpiece, I'm telling you. Although, now I'm legit scared for what's going to happen in Starsight(sequel)

Also, can we please talk about M-Bot?- THE ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)  ROBOT  Oh my goodness, I loved him so much. He was just so much fun and the way he talks is hilarious. 

To conclude, I highly recommend this book to everybody, not just Sci-Fi fans, because it is guaranteed to be a new favorite of yours. The storytelling and the writing was flawless, the characterization was masterful and the world-building is way too wonderful. I could literally picture everything which was happening in my head and that is only the sign of the most fantastic adventure. I cannot wait to pick up more books by Brandon Sanderson

But she was looking into the past , Trying to understand when it was that all the laughter died

This is the book I have always wanted to read, Finally after a long break I got this book and I have completed it. Do you wanna know what I felt about this book, Then Let's dig deeper into this.

After reading rage of angels, I am certain that I so much adore the girls who're Independent, who loves their freedom, who are not driven by what other tells me to do, who are on their own in this jungle . 

I want to know what was not their in this book,love, hatred , agony, betrayal , intrigue , passion , just name it. 

JENNIFER PARKER, ADAM WARNER and MICHAEL MORETTI , I'm in love with the names , Also I'm going to be terrified for the rest of my life with the last lines of this book 

"But she was looking into the past , Trying to understand when it was that all the laughter died ".                                                                                                               

 This is exactly What I felt after finishing the book .

                              

                            **********THIS CONTAINS SPOILERS **********

Brilliant book !This is the first sidney sheldon book I have ever read , and wow !! words do not do him justice.He is a great author although I am judging him by one book only.Even though this book was published before I was born, It did not feel outdated at all (except for the lack of technology which is understandable, obviously )!

So briefly- Jennifer is the protagonist of the book .She is fresh out of law school and decides to join the district attorney, Unfortunately due to turn of events she has a bad day.Her day goes from bad to worse when she encounters a stupid mistake which not only gets her unemployed but threatens her character as an attorney . Her struggle to make the most out of a bad situation and to keep going even though the whole world is against her which is written brilliantly . Her love affairs are understandable although a happy ending and /or a sequel would have been an added bonus .  

Rage of angels is truly a page turner. Sheldon has given life to each and every character in a very unique way that touches the hearts of everyone who will read it and I have to say that Rage of angels is most likely to remain in the hearts of it's readers over the years .