The Underdog - aNobii

Books (291)

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- The Picture of Dorian Gray (95)
- By Oscar Wilde
- Reading since Nov 14, 2009
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- Man Who Mistook His Wife for a Hat (18)
- By Oliver Sacks
- Reading since Jul 16, 2009
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- A history of Palestine
- from the Ottoman conquest to the founding of the state of Israel
- By Gudrun Krämer
- Reading since Apr 12, 2009
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- The Spare Room
- By Helen Garner
- Finished on Dec 4, 2009
  
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The Spare Room

This is the story of two friends - Helen, and Nicola. Nicola has terminal cancer and is desperately ill, yet she seeks all sorts of alternative treatments believing that death is not about to claim her. Helen patiently nurses Nicola, and battles through helplessness, sadness, rage, guilt and self-re ... (continue)

This is the story of two friends - Helen, and Nicola. Nicola has terminal cancer and is desperately ill, yet she seeks all sorts of alternative treatments believing that death is not about to claim her. Helen patiently nurses Nicola, and battles through helplessness, sadness, rage, guilt and self-reproach as she wants to protect her friend from the quake doctors who want to make a quick buck, and yet on the other hand, reluctant to take the last remaining glimmer of hope from her friend.
The author brilliantly describes the complex emotions that Helen went through in simple comprehensible, and easy-to-relate-to language. The author successfully demonstrated that death can be a huge strain on even the most solid of friendships, and it is normal to feel overwhelmed and give up the good fight sometimes.
There were hilarious parts and sobering ones. I read this book easily in a few hours, and found myself pausing several times to take a breath and reflect on the book.
Certainly a good book to read.

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— Dec 4, 2009 | Add your feedback

- In my skin
- A memoir
- By Kate Holden
- Finished on Nov 14, 2009
  
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In my skin

In My Skin is a memoir about a former Heroin addict who turned to prostitution to support her habit.
Kate Holden is a University graduate who was introduced to Heroin, became dependent on the drug, attempted several unsuccessful attempts to stop her addiction, and became a prostitute. Through ... (continue)

In My Skin is a memoir about a former Heroin addict who turned to prostitution to support her habit.
Kate Holden is a University graduate who was introduced to Heroin, became dependent on the drug, attempted several unsuccessful attempts to stop her addiction, and became a prostitute. Through her days as a prostitute, she moved from working the streets to becoming a full time worker in a brothel. And it was here where she remarkably regained her dreams, remembered herself, and finally found the motivation to become clean again.
Kate Holden is a very articulate writer, expressing her thoughts and reflections very accurately and successfully conveying herself to her readers. I never understood why it was so difficult for drug addicts to become clean but i was offered a very brief glimpse and insight to the challenges facing a drug addict. I was truly quite dumbfounded and have new found respect for those who managed to kick their habits.
A major part of the book was focused on the writer's days as a prostitute which offered fascinating views into the lives of sex workers. However, i grew quite bored towards the end of the book because the accounts usually revolved around the same theme. I was more interested in what was the final straw that led to the resolution of becoming clean and i was surprised that it wasn't a huge revelation or miracle that occurred but rather a gradual accumulation of events that surreptitiously gained pace and took hold of the person.
Kate Holden has a strong grasp of the language and her flair for writing and honest thought-provoking reflections actually at times provide justifications for her decisions in life. I would highly recommend this book.

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— Nov 14, 2009 | Add your feedback
- The Island of the Colour-blind
- By Oliver Sacks
- Finished on Nov 10, 2009
  
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The Island of the Colour-blind

The stories in this book revolved around four islands and two medical conditions namely achromatopsia (colour blindness) and lytico-bodigo (a neurological condition).
There was a lot of description involved which isn't my cup of tea. And Oliver Sacks has an intense liking for plants, so botan ... (continue)

The stories in this book revolved around four islands and two medical conditions namely achromatopsia (colour blindness) and lytico-bodigo (a neurological condition).
There was a lot of description involved which isn't my cup of tea. And Oliver Sacks has an intense liking for plants, so botany enthusiasts may want to look into this book. In particular, i gathered that Cycads were one of Oliver Sack's favourites.
I was quite bored with the description of the high incidence of achromatopsia on the island of Pingelap but i felt the pace picked up when it came to lytico-bodigo on the island of Guam. The medical findings regarding this condition were fascinating and this is when i found the book slightly more bearable.
Oliver Sacks described many of the patients he saw and their clinical signs and symptoms. Perhaps it is because i have a medical background but i found this aspect to be quite interesting. And that was the only plus point in this book for me.
If you like descriptive books particularly about plants and islands, this book would probably be a joy to read. If you are interested in rare isolated genetic conditions, this book may appeal a little. Otherwise, read only when you have little else to do.

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— Nov 10, 2009 | Add your feedback
- Of Mice and Men (144)
- By John Steinbeck
- Finished on Nov 6, 2009
  
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Of Mice and Men

I gave this book three and not four stars because i didn't like how it ended, how the reader is left empty and shocked. But i believe that is also the beauty of this story. The prose was easy to understand, the dialogue simple enough to appreciate. I am still reeling with the magnitude of the ending ... (continue)

I gave this book three and not four stars because i didn't like how it ended, how the reader is left empty and shocked. But i believe that is also the beauty of this story. The prose was easy to understand, the dialogue simple enough to appreciate. I am still reeling with the magnitude of the ending and i am imagining in my own head exactly how George is managing. I suppose this is what makes a story ticks? It forces you to ponder over it, even days after reading the book.

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— Nov 6, 2009 | Add your feedback
- The Poet (14)
- By Michael Connelly
- Finished on Oct 25, 2009
  
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The Poet

This is my first Michael Connelly's novel, and i am very surprised and impressed by his style of writing. The plot was a bit different, a bit more psychological as compared to other authors in this genre. I was hoping for more romance, maybe a spin off starring the same characters?

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— Oct 25, 2009 | Add your feedback

- Marley & Me (52)
- Life and Love with the World's Worst Dog (Thorndike Distribution - Large Print)
- By John Grogan
- Finished on Oct 8, 2009
  
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Marley & Me

This book touched me in a way no other book has. I have lost a dog before, and no one around me could understand the anguish. But John Grogan put these emotions so precisely into words, that for once i felt acknowledged.

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— Oct 9, 2009 | Add your feedback
- The Lost Symbol (39)
- By Dan Brown
- Finished on Oct 4, 2009
  
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The Lost Symbol

1 person find this helpful

On the first few pages, Dan Brown sounds like he is trying too hard to match the hype of his previous bestsellers, but thankfully he found his footing after the next few chapters.
His writing is not terrible as many critics have stated, but it is not remarkable, like those of Jeffery Deaver, ... (continue)

On the first few pages, Dan Brown sounds like he is trying too hard to match the hype of his previous bestsellers, but thankfully he found his footing after the next few chapters.
His writing is not terrible as many critics have stated, but it is not remarkable, like those of Jeffery Deaver, Lisa Gardner or Harlan Coben. However, his plots are certainly refreshing, and i like the puzzles that are in the novel. It is rare to find a novel where you can gain general knowledge and enjoy the fiction simultaneously.
Also, i like that Dan Brown brings up issues, in this novel - Masons and New Age science. It provides motivation to read up on all these side issues.
Hence despite the hype or the condemnations, i really like Dan Brown's style of writing.

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— Oct 4, 2009 | Add your feedback
- Code
- Veronica (Resident Evil #6)
- By S.D. Perry
- Finished on Sep 26, 2009
  
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Code

Perhaps the coolest mutant was featured in this book, but this last book of the series was getting a bit boring. Events happened just because the author felt like it, and nothing more was explained. I think the fifth book held the most answers to the Resident Evil puzzle, and was probably also the m ... (continue)

Perhaps the coolest mutant was featured in this book, but this last book of the series was getting a bit boring. Events happened just because the author felt like it, and nothing more was explained. I think the fifth book held the most answers to the Resident Evil puzzle, and was probably also the most engaging of the lot.
Overall, i am pretty glad i read the entire Resident Evil series. If only, all the novels could be adapted into movies, that would be great!

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— Sep 26, 2009 | Add your feedback
- Hold Tight (1)
- By Harlan Coben
- Finished on Sep 18, 2009
  
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Hold Tight

This book was just fantastic. Harlan Coben is a master of suspense. I could not put the book down from page 1, literally. The plot was intriguing, and while i am usually good at figuring mysteries out, it took me quite a while and towards the end before the pieces of this puzzle fell together. Brill ... (continue)

This book was just fantastic. Harlan Coben is a master of suspense. I could not put the book down from page 1, literally. The plot was intriguing, and while i am usually good at figuring mysteries out, it took me quite a while and towards the end before the pieces of this puzzle fell together. Brilliant.

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— Sep 19, 2009 | Add your feedback