girish0731's reviews
367 reviews

The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers narrated by Andy Serkis by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Brilliant journey with extremely well done ending for this book. The middle part of the book is where the story did drag out. As I have watched the movie and know the plotline in general the one part which is a drag is the hobbit's journey towards Mount Doom which could have paced up to be quicker. The cast getting split up and the re-introduction of Gandalf or the other hobbits getting kidnapped and coming across Tree Beard. The entire first half of Battle at Helm's Deep and characters introduced with the plot was perfect. When it did move back to the Hobbits is where the story had its ups and downs but as an overall adventure, the books have made me fall in love with Middle Earth more than the movies. Reading from Silmarillion and understanding the world makes it very lived in and fun. Onwards to the last book of the series.

My Years With Apu by Satyajit Ray

adventurous challenging informative inspiring reflective fast-paced

4.25

Interested to read about one of the great Indian directors to have existed. This book was a good start to understanding the genius.
The original manuscript of the story was lost for the book and was put together by his wife.
It is extremely well written to understand the movie making process of a time long faded.
Must read for anyone interested to know first Indian to get an Oscar and talented in so many facets.

The Fellowship of the Ring by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.25

Brilliant start to the OG of fantasy novels and amazing narration by Andy Serkis. The story starts out slow and due to the reading of both Hobbit and Silmarillion, the world and its lore looks extremely vivid and fascinating. The reason as to why a hobbit has to carry the ring and effects of corruption caused by it makes more sense. The characters are extremely well written which doesn't need to be said by me, but the voice used by Andy Serkis for Strider aka Aragorn is brilliant than the rest. On towards Two Towers. 

Shadow Slave: Book8 by Guiltythree _

adventurous funny informative mysterious relaxing medium-paced

4.0

A Guest in the House by E.M. Carroll

dark emotional mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Extremely eerie with grotesque and beautiful artwork. Tells a simple story to an extremely unique perspective with its artistic style and narrative. The characters and the suspense build up is extremely quick paced which makes it tough to put it down. 

Sand and Foam by Kahlil Gibran

hopeful informative inspiring mysterious reflective relaxing fast-paced

4.75

Suggested by a friend to read this and knowing the poets last read work ''The Prophet'' it was beautiful experience. Poetry written by Kahlil are usually my type with deep philosophical questions and themes discussed. Understanding and enjoying the beauty of this poetry is genuinely worth it.

Rise of the Ranger by Philip C. Quaintrell

adventurous dark emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This book was one of the reads which, I dropped and re-picked due to listening of The Silmarillion and with a story based on Elves and humans made me wanna complete the book. There were certain points of the book which bothered me to drop it first time around and after reading it now at better mindset its a solid and quick paced fantasy novel. The characters and the world is very fascinating in nature and with dragons present its always a blast to read. Good solid start to the series.

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

After listening to ''The Silmarillion'' and understanding the world and its characters this simpler adventure story seems very lived in and poetic. The audiobook is perfect for this tale being narrated by Andy Serkis with each characters having distinct voice for each person. Onwards and upwards towards the main books of this world. 

Working: Researching, Interviewing, Writing by Robert A. Caro

dark emotional informative reflective fast-paced

4.75

My interest in reading non fictions related to writers, movie directors or in this case political journalist has usually worked well understanding the essence of the art they are committed too but written in the book gives me a vivid image and description of their craft. Reading this book opened my views to understand politics existing in current time setting and how power being wielded by politicians doesn't seem nothing short of a movie with how reality is more bizarre than fiction.
Caro explaining about Robert Moses or Lyndon Johnson and their rise to power and the using of the power gives us context of political power. Highly appreciate the art of research and writing put by Caro for each and every book makes me interested to read both Power Broker and Biography of Lyndon Johnson.

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

adventurous dark hopeful informative reflective tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

One of the most toughest books to push through. This book and its history with me as been of hate until now. Tried reading it as a book twice and dropped it, picked this audio-book due to Andy Serkis narration. Best decision ever made, be it the narration of the stories, name of the characters (they were quite the mouthful). The story and its brilliance picked up once you cross 15% to 20% in and the payoff was quite worth it being patient for.Due to my current year big book reads being slow paced in general this book joined that but was beautiful in its tales of some amazing character writings and language so poetic in places. The world building so beautiful and history so vivid composed for it way ahead of all the modern fantasies ever written. It orients its name in the classics and was worth my patience and time every single bit.