A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens

Here are my favourite illustrated versions of this classic.

Roberto Innocenti

 

 

P. J. Lynch

 

John Leech

  

Arthur Rackham

 

Every Book-Lover's Dream

My New Purshase

Flavours of the Middle East by Ghillie Basan

Aromatic, fragrant and spicy, the flavours of the middle east are steeped in a fascinating history of ancient empires and dynasties, wars and diverse religions, and the east-west trade routes, all of which have had a lasting influence on the culinary cultures of this vast and turbulent region. This exciting new book chronicles the essential dishes that you would encounter should you travel these ancient lands - they are the recipes that have truly stood the test of time. Mezze, Salads and Soups start the feast; enjoy Hot Hummus with Samna and Pine Nuts or Broad Beans with Eggs and Dukkah. Meat and Poultry Main Courses include Roasted Meat-stuffed Onions with Honey and Tamarind, while Poached Fish with Saffron Rice is an option for a Fish and Shellfish Main Course. Vegetables and Preserves include Turmeric Potatoes with Chillies, Lime, and Coriander, while Sweet Dishes, Conserves, and Drinks features Quinces Poached in Clove Syrup. With feature spreads profiling the essential ingredients and more than 60 authentic recipes, Flavours of the Middle East makes it easy to prepare an exciting aromatic feast at home.
Flavoursof Middle East
The back-cover

 

 

Winter

Winter is boring without Books and Tea!

Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

This book of Roald Dahl was on my reading list for a long time. I have a habit of reading each book in a specific season. I associate this book with 'winter' and so decided to read it this year in the month of December. Although, the story takes place during the end of January and the month of February.
The story starts with the introduction to our hero Charlie Bucket who belongs to a very very poor family of six people....two pairs of grandparents and his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Bucket in a small wooden house on the edge of town.

Charlie Bucket, who's a goodhearted charitable boy, gets lucky and finds one of the five Golden Tickets that qualifies him for a tour to Willy Wonka's amazing and magical chocolate factory. The factory holds a special place in Charlie's life because of all the magical stories he's been told by his "grandpa Joe".



Willy Wonka is the owner of the chocolate factory, he wears a black top-hat, a purple tailcoat, and green stripy trousers. Although, Mr. Wonka has a sense of fairness but still I couldn't help but notice the sinister hue coming out of him.

Charlie chooses to take his grandpa Joe along with him while the other four kids are accompanied by their parents. The other four children are nasty, and get punished by Mr. Wonka in the most dark but humorous manner.

Augustus Gloop, a very greedy boy.
Violet Beauregarde, a silly, full of herself gum-chewer.
Veruca Salt, a spoiled brat always wanting and asking everything that catches her attention.
 Mike Teavee, obsessed with television and annoying.

It's a funny, magical, and full of adventure journey. All in all, a wonderful treat that would warm the cockles of your heart this winter. 

Book Shopping

There was a sale on in my local bookstore...I think I got some good deals and also got to buy some books I was eyeing for some time.

My Winter Reading (2014-2015)

I've chosen 11 books for this winter. Here they are:

 1) The Shadow of the Wind

This is the first book in The Cemetery of Forgotten Books series. Ruiz Carlos' historical-fictitious mystery based during the time of Spanish Civil War.

2) & 3) Roald Dahl's classics Charlie and Chocolate Factory, and Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator.

4) Little Women

A classic by Louisa May Alcott. I actually read first 100 pages this spring but gave up...now want to finish it as it's timed during Christmas.







5) The Giver

First book in The Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry. A YA dystopian fantasy.








6) Eragon

 First book in The Inheritance Cycle series...winter and dragons go hand in hand.






7) The Quick

by Owen Lauren...1800s, London, Mystery, Murders, Vampires...what else can you ask for...probably the most awaited book of 2014.







8) Wildwood

For Narnia fans...








9) The Luminaries

Another historical-fictitious murder mystery in my list based during 1800s








10)  Little House in Big Woods

First book in Laura Ingalls Wilder's Little House series...will be reading aloud to my kids.







11) Peter Nimble and His Fantastic Eyes

Middle-grader fantasy adventure by Jonathan Auxier