Holiday season is a real treat for all of us. It is a time for indulgence, luxury and extravagance. We all do what relaxes us the most and for a book worm like me, it is a wonderful time to catch up on my reading.

So in these holidays, I read a book given to me very kindly by one of my friends. The name- Icy Sparks. Written by Gwyn Hyman Rubio, it is an unforgettable tale brimming with love and hope.

The story is about a young girl who suffers from a disease that is a source of tremendous agony in her growing up years. She lives in the unforgiving society of Appalachia and has to deal with humiliation and sarcasm. An orphan who is living with her grand parents, Icy has no real company. This is till she meets, Miss Emily, a stout woman who offers her solace and company. Now a grown woman, Icy tells her tale

The story is funny, poignant, and yet heart-breaking; and still it manages to hold your interest till the last letter. Unlike other books, where the protagonist of the story is oh-soperfect, Icy Sparks comes as a fresh breath of air. She is imperfect; she is sublime; she can be ridiculous; and her only qualification is that she loves life more than anyone else.

The book is witty and brings forth the dialect of the South. It is great piece of fiction and the characters are imaginary but you will be sceptical to believe that because the characterisation is so authentic and genuine.

Icy Sparks makes up for absorbing reading. It is comic, wise, intriguing, and absurdly funny. Considering it is the author's first time effort, it is commendable. It is a big-hearted novel for the readers but only those who can connect to the emotionally wounded will appreciate the absolute source of joy that this story is.

Pulkit Singh

BA (Journo, Psy, Eng)