In a House of Lies - Book Review

Author - Ian Rankin.

This book was recommended to me on Amazon. I read it as a Kindle read over a week's time.

Situated in Glasgow, the story covers a reopened missing person investigation, due to the discovery of a body. 

What is interesting are the shades of grey within the police force, even as the investigation progresses through twists and turns. 

The pace is closer to a Hercule Poirot than a Tom Clancy, so one needs patience. But it is an intelligent narrative and keeps one hooked till the twisty end.

Overall, a worthy read to those interested in detective fiction, and likely contextual to folks who have visited Scotland or live near.

Skyward - Book review

A review of Skyward by Brandon Sanderson.

I chanced upon this book based on a recommendation from Goodreads. 

Initially it seemed like yet another science fiction story, but the story picked up pace within a few pages. Once I got engrossed, it was unputdownable. I finished it over a day, staying up to read late into the night and early in the morning. It has been some time since a book got me so engaged!

What is interesting about the book ...

The book felt like Ender’s Game, but with an interesting underdog twist. Liked the way in which they built up the character arc of Spensa from being an unwelcome girl with enormous angst at a missing and disgraced father, to becoming a fighter ace. 

I also loved the construct of the talking spaceship M-Bot, with its own sardonic and wacky personality. The banter between the ship and Spensa clearly is once of the best parts of the story. 

What could’ve been better ...

I thought that the climax came a little too soon and with too little a build-up. It almost seems like a story written with a second part book in mind. (which I guess was intentional)

Could have also developed the character of the spaceship a bit more. It is clearly a core character in the story, and it could have played a better part as Spensa evolved. In fact, in the theme of character sequels, I think M-Bot could have its own series.

Who would love this book …

All those who love science fiction, and a good adventure story.

York-ers

TLDR; York is quaint, historic, picture pretty and laid-back. Wealth of stuff to see, clustered in a small area. Chocolate hub - home of KitKat. Spend at least 2 days.

---

York was a brief weekend trip from London, to close off an eventful year.

Located about 200 miles north of London, it is one of the most tourist-ed cities in the UK.

The LNER train line got us there in a comfortable 2.5 hrs from Kings Cross.

The historic town center has remained structurally unchanged for thousands of years since it was laid out by the Vikings and the Romans before them. It's picture perfect. Even on a post Christmas bleak wintery day, the town was crowded and the shops bustling with activity.

Highlights:

A. The tour of the Chocolate museum. A well spent hour covering the history of chocolate and York's part in it. Did not realise till date that York is the home of KitKat. And Polo. And a lot of other chocolate brands that we take for granted.

B. The Shambles. The narrow streets may once have been used by butchers to sell their wares, but today they are bustling with Harry Potter trivia. A real world Diagon Alley with potions and wand shops. 

C. A walk along the walls of the city. A walk around the longest standing walls in the UK is a good perambulation around the historic areas. And great fun for the kids.

Londonium

We moved London-wards in 2019.

Ah, what a year it has been.

Even for someone who grew up moving to a new town every few years, and being used to a travel heavy consulting career, this was still a heavy lift. For we were comfortably pampered with familial comforts in Bangalore.

We have been lucky that things have worked professionally and at school. For that we are deeply grateful.

And London has been kind. Well, in most.

Society has been welcoming. There is an incredible multicultural diversity. Indian food and cultural activities are widespread. Infrastructure is comfortable and modern. And there is no dearth of places to see. Or parks, which the kiddo loves.

But, we do miss India. Family and friends. Sounds and smells. 

As they say, change is never easy. We will adapt. We are (if M's emerging Brit accent is any indication).

Onward and forward.

Good things come in threes

Ah, so the time has flown. It just seemed like yesterday that she was born. Or was it just yesterday that she turned one?

Three. It is hard to believe how fast time flies.

It has been a delight to see her grow, lost as we are in her smile. Started as it did, with a grin we caught in the X-rays. Then, a sly smile from within her covers. The shrill cry that turned the next moment into a wide smile of happiness. Now, a toothy gregarious laughter that keeps us enthralled. It has been a delight.

Last year, the worries were of her getting to a play school. Thankfully, she loved the one she joined. So much, that she missed it over the weekends. Did I ever miss any of my schools as much?

This year, the worries were of her joining a bigger one. Lucky as she is, a school that she likes has come by. Now we worry how she would take to this. I guess, this too shall pass.

A born traveler she is. Loves the planes. Loves the seas. Loves the cold. Loves the gardens. Loves the zoos.

Ah, the zoos. Bangalore's Bannerghatta. Mysore's impressive spread. Trivandrum's humid trail. Tirupati's drive in wonder. Chennai's Vandalur. Singapore's Zoos, Safaris and Bird parks. Berlin's Zoolischer Garten. Munich's Hellabrun. Innsbruck's Alpenzoo. Here is a zoo-logist in the making.

A non-stop chatterbox. With a vocabulary that has us impressed. Courtesy of Peppa Pig and Mickey.

Born digital. It is hard not to wonder when a small hand deftly scrolls touch screens. "YouTube!" she says, asking for her favorite videos. Wondering why TVs don't have touch screens yet.

Why? O' Why? It is the season of why's. Why do we see through our eyes? Why do we breath only through our nose? Why are leaves green? Time it is, to dust off our books to answer her.

A wonder it is, to see her grow. Time flies, but it is a wonder indeed, to see her grow.