I seem to have hit a reading block as I wrap up February. I just don’t want to read (but that doesn’t stop me from adding books to my to-be read list). I am also getting picky about what I read and I think that is a good thing. I am actually re-reading a best-seller to soak it all in again & dissect it in my mind. Just what I wanted to do this year as part of evolving as a reader.

Here are some book recommendations

Stray Birds by Tagore

I chanced up this book at my in-laws library and got hooked. A collection of random verses by Tagore, Stray Birds is for everyone. It has something that my daughter likes and lots of things I enjoy. It is one of those few books that I would love to have on my bookshelf. A lazy day by the window with Stray Birds will be my idea of perfection.

I Quit Sugar by Sarah Wilson

Sugar seems to be the culprit and I usually indulge in it quite a bit. In a conscious effort to eat cleaner, I have been trying to slowly reduce my sugar intake and I had hoped Sarah Wilson’s book will give me a push. It was more a recipe book than a science book. I wasn’t very sure about all the science in the book. Well I guess I am the skeptic. While I agree sugar is bad, I am not going to stop eating fruits. It was quite enlightening and has some great recipes.

Vivienne Westwood by Vivienne Westwood

I am not a fashionista but I know of Vivienne Westwood. Probably because her name keeps popping up in environmental protection and climate change issues I am passionate about. I picked this book out of sheer curiosity. It was quite interesting. While I admit, I am still not sure why she stayed through bad and abusive relationships it is quite an eye-opener. A must-read for anyone who is interested in fashion and biographies.

Paper Towns by John Green

The young adult book market seems to explode with top-selling books and quite often curiosity drives me to pick one. The title of this book was quite interesting and so was the cover. The book started out as a great fun read and I enjoyed it quite a bit. Q and Margo were fun, quirky and real. Then suddenly I wasn’t sure I could relate to the characters and their way of thinking (a reminder that I am not a young adult). Race against time, race around the world, breaking rules – usual YA fare.

The Hundred – Foot Journey by Richard C Morais

Born to a culinary family Hassan Haji learns the basics of cooking and restaurant management from his family in Mumbai. This part of the book is wonderful. Filled with colour and spice. Drama and reality. The family is forced to move to a small village in French Alps. The journey to the place seems a bit of a drag especially their time in England. But they get back to their feet and start an Indian restaurant opposite to the Michelin starred restaurant of Madame Mallory. Culinary wars. Madame Mallory ends up mentoring Hassan & Hassan’s life moves to Paris. He owns a restaurant there, reunites with his ex and all is well.

I really wanted to like this book after the way it started. Somewhere along the way I got lost & barely managed to finish it.

5 books is a monthly series featuring some of the books I read and loved recently. For more book updates and to check my current reading list, head to my Goodreads account