181. In Paris With You by Clementine Beauvais

BOOK REVIEW: In Paris With You by Clementine Beauvais (courtesy of Times)

I'm a fan of romance novels as they tug at my heartstrings and never fail to put a smile on my face. But this book was fresh and made me appreciate these genre novels more than I actually used to. 

It is a story of star-crossed lovers written with prose that will send any romance fan into a frenzy. At first I couldn't comprehend what was going on, as everything is written in a semi-poem language. But as I continued reading, I immersed myself into the almost lyrical beauty of true feelings, broken hearts and love at first sight.

In the beginning, Eugene and Tatiana cross paths as teenagers. Both of them are smart beyond their age, however Eugene is pessimistic about life while Tatiana's voracious reading (ahhhhh...there's our bookish heroine) makes her fantasize about true love and being in a relationship just like in the many novels she has read.

Eugene and Tatiana could have could have fallen in love, if things had gone differently. If they had really tried to know each other, if it had just been them, and not the others. But that was years ago and time has found them far apart, leading separate lives. Until they meet again in Paris. What really happened back then? And now? Could they ever be together again after everything?

I found this novel to be really beautiful, though it is an understatement, because the words woven throughout the book made me actually feel each of the character's current feelings. Prosaic and luscious, some of the paragraphs are written where the flow of words form the silhouette of a guy's and girl's face. 

This book is a true tear-jerker and I felt pain ebbing through my veins when Tatiana and Eugene couldn't express their love when their love was pure and innocent. Truly a book to be gifted to a hopeless romantic or even an avid reader, I highly recommend this book. WARNING: lock yourself in a room (so that nobody hears your audible sobbing) with a pack of tissues (your eyes will run dry from tears).

180. Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right: The Food Solution That Lets Kids be Kids by Joanna Dolgoff

BOOK REVIEW: Red Light, Green Light, Eat Right - The Food Solution That Lets Kids be Kids by Joanna Dolgoff

With hundreds of books on diets, even for young urchins, it seems a tad too difficult to choose one that suits your family's needs. However, after reading this book, this seems like an almost perfect fit to any family.

As any parent knows, getting your kids to eat the right foods in the right portions can be a challenge. But with many children at risk for developing obesity-related diseases, it's time to give our kids the tools they need for a healthy future.

Determined to help her young patients - and their families - who struggle with this issue, the author (who is a pediatrician) created this book, a safe, effective plan for the whole family that uses the colors of the traffic light to divide food into 3 categories: Green (Go!), Yellow (Slow!) and Red (Uh Oh!). On this plan:

• No foods are off limits - in fact, occasional treats are essential.
• Children get the nutrients they need to grow strong, healthy bodies.
• Busy parents can use sample menus, meal plans, and delicious recipes.
• Eating out is a breeze with an index of more than 1000 color-coded foods.

Customizable, interactive and fun, this book will help your family lose weight and start living healthier, together. Actually, this diet works out even if you don't have kids as it is fun and easy to follow without restrictions like most other diets do. Go figure!