The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde - UPDATED REVIEW

The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde  Genre : Classics Blurb (on back of book) : Oscar Wilde’s only novel is the dreamlike story of a young man who sells his soul for eternal youth and beauty. In this celebrated work Wilde forged a devastating portrait of the effects of evil and debauchery on a young aesthete in late-19th-century England. Combining elements of the Gothic horror novel and decadent French fiction, the book centers on a striking premise: As Dorian Gray sinks into a life of crime and gross sensuality, his body retains perfect youth and vigor while his recently painted portrait grows day by day into a hideous record of evil, which he must keep hidden from the world. For over a century, this mesmerizing tale of horror and suspense has enjoyed wide popularity. It ranks as one of Wilde's most important creations and among the classic achievements of its kind. UPDATED REVIEW MY OPINION : ****** I would like to start out this review by stating that this is undoubtedly m

When Dimple Met Rishi - Sandhya Menon

When Dimple Met Rishi by Sandyha Menon
Genre: YA Realistic Fiction

Image result for when dimple met rishiBlurb (on back of book): Dimple Shah has it all figured out. With graduation behind her, she’s more than ready for a break from her family, from Mamma’s inexplicable obsession with her finding the “Ideal Indian Husband.” Ugh. Dimple knows they must respect her principles on some level, though. If they truly believed she needed a husband right now, they wouldn’t have paid for her to attend a summer program for aspiring web developers…right?
Rishi Patel is a hopeless romantic. So when his parents tell him that his future wife will be attending the same summer program as him—wherein he’ll have to woo her—he’s totally on board. Because as silly as it sounds to most people in his life, Rishi wants to be arranged, believes in the power of tradition, stability, and being a part of something much bigger than himself.
The Shahs and Patels didn’t mean to start turning the wheels on this “suggested arrangement” so early in their children’s lives, but when they noticed them both gravitate toward the same summer program, they figured, Why not?
Dimple and Rishi may think they have each other figured out. But when opposites clash, love works hard to prove itself in the most unexpected ways.

MY OPINION: *****

YAY I FINISHED THIS BOOK! I also loved it so there's another great thing to say about it! I've been told to read this book repeatedly by more than two people and I found it quite an enjoyable read. I'm glad I'm able to cross this book off of my to-read list, which is really getting to be too long.

I really enjoyed this book. It's about a girl named Dimple whose parents are pushing her to get married to the "Perfect Ideal Indian Husband" despite the fact that she's adamantly told them that she doesn't want to get married anytime soon. Dimple wants to live life to its fullest before settling down with a husband. She also doesn't want to have to give up her dreams because of a husband.

Rishi, on the other hand, is a hopeless romantic (like me) who is all up for performing his duties and finding a suitable wife. He's actually perfectly fine with an arranged marriage and is willing to dive right in if it means his ultimate settling down.

Dimple has already gotten accepted to Stanford University (lucky her) but she is dead set on going to this web design camp for six weeks. Her parents magically agree to her going and she can't believe her luck.

Until she meets Rishi there.

Dimple learns that this whole idea was a set up for an arranged marriage with Rishi and she's angry. Their first meeting doesn't go so well and some iced coffee is involved. I loved the way that they met because I thought it original and funny.

However, she starts to realize that Rishi is a pretty nice guy, especially after she is paired up with him for the app designing project. In six weeks, she starts to find herself doing the things she said she was never going to do and... falling in love?

I loved this book in all its entirety. It switched from Dimple to Rishi's point of view which I loved because I love multi-perspective books. Books that are told from one point of view make me wild with curiosity because I always want to know how the other person is taking things and what the other character is thinking about what's going on. To have a multi-perspective book is like a dream come true.

The writing was beautiful and there were quotes that made me happy with elation and others that made me want to cry along with the characters.

"But that was Rishi... he was like a pop song you thought you couldn't stand, but found yourself humming in the shower anyway." Page 226

"She walked back out to her car and got in, steeling herself against the pain of a twice-broken heart." Page 371

Was it just me or was Ashish such an amazing character? I loved him, quirks and annoying habits and all. I could definitely understand Celia's feelings towards him and it did not come as a shock to find that they had "hooked up" just moments before.

I loved this book and would recommend it to readers who are looking for a unique and poignant read.

Main Character: Dimple, Rishi
Sidekick(s): Celia, Ashish, etc
Villain(s): Evan, Hari, etc
Realistic Fiction Elements: This book was all very real to life.

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