Against the backdrop of the Great Depression in Texas, circa 1934, The Four Winds paints a haunting portrait of the unyielding spirit of America during one of its toughest times. The story follows Elsa Martinelli, a single mother who embodies the very essence of invincibility as she does everything in her power to protect and provide for her children. The narrative is as heart-wrenching as it is inspiring, illustrating the unwavering tenacity and optimism of the human spirit.

The story is set in the aftermath of a devastating drought and failed crops that have left millions of Americans out of work, with farmers fighting to hold on to their land. Elsa finds herself living with her in-laws after her husband deserts her and their two children. As times grow even harder, she faces a difficult choice: to stay and defend her land or to journey westward in search of a better life for her family. Ultimately, Elsa decides to move to California, where she builds a new life amid great adversity, forming new bonds and finding the love she has always longed for. Elsa also becomes embroiled in the plight of cotton pickers and fights for them as though they were her own people. The Four Winds is a testament to the enduring human spirit that triumphs over adversity and to the power of love and perseverance to help us overcome even the most daunting of challenges.

Siddharta is a novel written by Hermann Hesse - a German author in 1922. It's a story of the self-discovery and spiritual journey of Siddharta during the times of Gautam Buddha. Siddharta lets go of the life of privilege as a young prince to travel and seek knowledge. 

Here are some quotes from the book that are quite enlightening:

" Whether it is good or evil, whether life in itself is pain or pleasure, whether it is uncertain-that it may perhaps be this is not important-but the unity of the world, the coherence of all events, the embracing of the big and the small from the same stream, from the same law of cause, of becoming and dying. "

"When someone seeks, then it easily happens that his eyes see only the thing that he seeks, and he is able to find nothing, to take in nothing because he always thinks only about the one thing he is seeking, because he has only one goal because he is obsessed with his goal. Seeking means having a goal. "

"Never is a man wholly a saint or a sinner."

"Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary which you can to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself."

"Wisdom is not communicable. The wisdom that a wise man tries to communicate always sounds foolish. Knowledge can be communicated but not wisdom. One can find it, live it, do wonders through it, but cannot communicate it. "

"Carrie Soto's triumphant return to the world of professional tennis is chronicled in this captivating novel. Penned by the same author as the bestselling "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo", it's clear that Taylor has a talent for crafting complex, multi-faceted female protagonists that resonate with readers. Through the unforgettable characters of Evelyn and Carrie, we learn the value of persistence and unwavering determination in the pursuit of our dreams.

Following a six-month hiatus from the sport, Carrie embarks on a journey to reclaim her title as a world champion by facing off against Nicki Chan, who is poised to shatter Carrie's record. The narrative explores the trials and tribulations that Carrie endures on her path to the finals, navigating both triumph and disappointment along the way. Ultimately, Carrie discovers that tennis is more than just a game - it's a source of fulfillment and inner peace.

Despite not being an avid tennis fan myself, I was completely engrossed in the story, even looking up tennis terminology to better understand the context. It's a good read!

I devoted a week to reading this book that held my attention until 2 am every night. If only I could experience the thrill of reading it again for the first time. The protagonist, Evelyn Hugo, is a multifaceted character who never failed to surprise me. As the story unfolds through an interview with Monique, just when you think you have figured her out, she becomes even more intriguing and complex. Despite her flaws, I couldn't help but root for her, as she navigates a world that was even more male-dominated than it is today, fighting for her career, love, and what she rightfully deserved. 

I'm hooked on Reid's writing style and will pick up more of her work - Malibu rising and Carrie Soto seem to have good reviews. 

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Nicholas Sparks' books often leave readers feeling emotionally moved, as if waking up from a vivid dream, and this one is no exception. The heartwarming story highlights the enduring power of love and the possibility of finding it at any age, and in any place, often when it is least expected. When Adrienne and Paul seek comfort in each other on a stormy weekend, they begin a friendship that lasts a lifetime, filled with cherished memories and a yearning for what could have been. This compelling novel is a real page-turner that will resonate with anyone who appreciates the complexities of love and the human heart.

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In the house of Helios, god of the sun and mightiest of the Titans, a daughter is born. But Circe is not like any of the Titans - not powerful, neither is she beautiful. In her desperate attempt to find company, she turns to the world of mortals. Later she discovers that she possesses the power of witchcraft which can transform rivals into animals and menace the gods themselves. Circe unwillingly draws the wrath of both gods and mortals. To protect herself and her child, Circe fights a battle with wild beasts and the greatest figures of Greek mythology. 

As I read this book, I got pulled into the rabbit hole of intriguing Greek Mythology and interestingly I found so many similarities with Indian Mythology. Here are some:

1. Zeus and Indra - Both of them rule the Gods themselves, use the same kind of weapons, and reside in the mountains - Zeus on Mount Olympus and Indra on Mount Mery. 

2. Achilles and Karna - Both of them wear armors that are indestructible and impenetrable. They are invincible, highly skilled warriors. They are both mortals and gods. The death of both these warriors leads to the end of the wars. 

3. The Trojan war and the Ramayana - Sounds Cliche but most wars including these two were fought for women - Ramayana when Sita was kidnapped by Ravana; Trojan when Helen runs away with Paris. 

4. The Holy Trinity in Greek mythology and the Trimurti in Indian mythology. Trinity - Zeus, Hades, and Poseidon; Trimurti - Brahma, Vishnu, and Maheshwara

5. Greek Mythology has a god for everything that humans aspire for very similar to Hindu mythology. For instance, wealth, wisdom, underground, education, architects, etc.  

I would love to read more about Greek Mythology as well as Madeline Miller next year.