Alchemist by Paulo Coelho|| Review by Maira Salman and Amna Gillani

PAULO COELHO'S enchanting novel has inspired a devoted following around the world. This story, dazzling in its powerful simplicity and inspiring wisdom, is about an Andalusian shepherd boy named Santiago who travels from his homeland in Spain to the Egyptian desert in search of a treasure buried in the Pyramids. Along the way he meets a Gypsy woman, a man who calls himself king, and an alchemist, all of whom points Santiago in the direction of his quest. No one knows what the treasure is, or if Santiago will be able to surmount the obstacles along the way. But what starts out as a journey to find worldly goods turns into a discovery of the treasure found within. Lush, evocative, and deeply humane, the story of Santiago is an eternal testament to the transformation power of our dreams and the importance of listening to our hearts.

Deeply philosophical, a literary marvel and simply unputdownable, Paulo Coelho's radiant masterpiece will undoubtedly leave his readers spell-bound. "The Alchemist" is an epic Odyssey as a young shepherd struggles to surrender to his heart's desire. His awakening recognition of his Personal Legend( i.e. destiny) led him to sacrifice his family's love. Blindly following his dream, heedless of the dangerous implications, he commences his voyage to the pyramids of Egypt in search of spiritual and literal treasure. Directed by an eccentric monarch, he gambles all his life's work to undertake a perilous expedition only to be manipulated by various individuals who portray loyalty. Losing his carefully accumulated wealth in a   in a sea of moment's distraction, Santiago is engulfed in a sea of despair threatening to drown him in tides of self pity. But he did not fall prey to it. In order to compensate for his inexplicable loss he is forced to earn his living through scrubbing crystal.

Santiago is in a midst of omens portraying his complicated destiny evoking a spiritual awakening in both him and the reader. His dream was to Santiago what water is to survival, what majesty is to an eagle and what inspiration is to an artist .Profound and inspirational, thorough and expressive, compelling and comprehensive, Paulo Coelho's work is a must-read for all book lovers.

Highly Recommended.

Master of Art|| Neil Buchanan's Majestic Paintings

Neil Buchanan ,an incredible artist with tremendous talent and potential, whose show Art Attack taught me all I know about art. The perfect show to instill creativity in children, Neil not only teaches to make amazing, handy things out of waste material and scratch but also teaches the most amazing art techniques from drawing to painting that simplifies art for amateurs. I could not possibly imagine a childhood without illuminating my days with Art Attack and it was greatly appalling for me and my sister to find out that the show would no longer be aired in our country.

A few of Neil's astounding artwork is displayed below.Get ready to get mind-blown.

Mind-blowing Trick

DO NOT SCROLL DOWN.
Okay I want you to think of a shape...any shape e.g. a square. Don't think of a square though.
Now think of another shape e.g. square but NOT a square.
Put the first shape inside the second shape.
Now you have to concentrate on your shape with all your will-power.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
You thought of a circle and a triangle, didn't you?

Pick of the Week|| Portuguese Village Built Among Rocks

Monsanto is a beautiful village built in the Portuguese countryside.Featuring narrow streets carved from rock and granite houses squeezed between giant boulders, it looks like a real life Bedrock. 
At the top of the 400 feet high hill stands a very old square built fortress / castle. The castle played an important role in Medieval times when the Templars Grand Master built a castle which withstood several battles including the Napoleonic invasions. In 1938, Monsanto was bestowed the most "Portuguese town in Portugal."

4

Source=http://www.stumbleupon.com

Bartimaeus's Journal|| New Addition by Jonathan Stroud

     

 Bartimaeus- one of the best books ever written, not only in my opinion but of millions, just a look at its incredible 4.36 rating at Goodreads. One which leaves one with an unexplainable, simply overpowering desire for more and more......and more!In order to sate, to an extent, the craving for more material about Bart, Jonathan Stroud has shared Bart's Journal with us on his blog. Read part of the journal below.

As part of my current charge I have been instructed to provide an occasional journal of my recent activities*. Since my most trivial thoughts are suffused with rare insight and the ringing clarity of true wisdom, this is a good deal for you. So here we go, then. Listen and be enlightened.

(*I avoid the term blog, since coincidentally this word is also the name of a repulsive sub-caste of foliots, characterised by ooze, fleshy folds and gills of blue-grey gristle. Think slugs, but with worse personalities. Magicians send them to harass their enemies in their sleep; after a night of tormented dreams, the sleeper wakes to find his bed-clothes crossed with trails of slime… Where was I? Oh, yes – this being the case, I'll stick with journal if you don't mind.)

. *I'm not one for exact timekeeping, since (a) time doesn't exist in the Other Place, (b) I'm never sure whether to use the Gregorian, Julian, Egyptian or Mayan calendars. So don't expect exact days or months. Or centuries, for that matter. Monday* In Other Place. Did nothing. Tuesday Ditto. Wednesday Yep, same again. Saw a few nice whirling colours and things. That's it. Easy, this journal lark, isn't it? Thursday Still nothing. Long may it continue. *Dangerous because any verbal hiccup while giving me my orders would break my bonds and uncage my savage wrath. Ooh, gave myself a bit of a shiver writing that. That's literary talent. Friday Well, it didn't. Today summoned painfully to earth by a short fat English magician with a dangerous stammer*. She's got some kid sidekick (in adjacent circle) to do her talking for her; a wise precaution. Through him I got my orders. She fears attack by her rival, the so-called 'Archmage of Tunbridge Wells'. I am to guard my master's property and her person. Am currently....read the rest here

The Clock Strikes Twelve by Patricia Wentworth|| Poem and Review by Obsidian Fury

The Paradine family has gathered to celebrate New Year's Eve. Alas, when the clock strikes twelve old Mr. James Paradine, the patriarch, is found murdered. Yet, he seemed to invite his demise when he accused a family member of disloyalty. Now, Miss Silver must unravel the mystery of troubled love and sudden death.

The clock strikes twelve
All the people cry 'O Hell!'
A bomb's been flung
On the family interests which has wrung
Out the secrets, mysteries, unsolved fantasies
Claimed shame, and fame, but who's to be blamed?
Defiance, Distrust, Diabolical schemes
Are being coaxed in their heads...
And all this time,with that sardonic pride
Awaits the one in the Study room...
He can wait all he wants... but who's to come?
Don't bet all your cards
Till the clock strikes twelve
And more than one man cries 'O Hell!'

The Paradine family has gathered to celebrate New Year's Eve. Alas, when the clock strikes twelve old Mr. James Paradine, the patriarch, is found murdered. Yet, he seemed to invite his demise when he accused a family member of disloyalty. Now, Miss Silver must unravel the mystery of troubled love and sudden death.

Review:

So the queer idea is that I'd devoured this lush descriptive read about 2 years ago. Having read and re-read it at various intervals I found it interesting every time. 

There's the dominating, sardonic Mr James Paradine, a tall tower of resolution and that unbeatable personality you find in the 'rich' blooded men... All the characters are introduced in a flow with the central mystery *bang bang*'in in with a finality. There's nothing more to say except that the Clock Strikes Twelve is no wonder a fantastic read when you really want to sink in with a cup of coffee and of course, the read itself.

The story and its highly developed individuals, the clues... all add up to the Miss Silver 'thing' =)

I especially like the so realistic way the writer portrayed the ever-closing knit of distrust, shock, suspicions they experienced as the book proceeded. And other more unexpected surprises... 

Though frankly the appearance of this 'dowdy serenely knitting governess' only made its way in thru about half the book; I'd really have preferred lesser of the sometimes boring details, and more of that zing... 

Anyhow, I've no remorse and by the end of the way, in fact, I'm glad I read this art.

Heroes of Olympus|| Best of Character Art

Heroes of Olympus. Loved by readers because of Mr. Riordan's humorous yet gripping writing style and of course the great character art. Have a look at some of the best yet.

No.1 Hera 

No.2 Arachne

No.3 Ella the Harpy

No.4 Festus the Dragon

No.5 Aphrodite