Books Everyone Should Read At Least Once In Their Lives
A frail old man went to live with his son, daughter-in-law, and four-year old grandson. The old man’s hands trembled, his eyesight was blurred, and his step faltered. The family ate together at the table. But the elderly grandfather’s shaky hands and failing sight made eating difficult. Peas rolled off his spoon onto the floor. When he grasped, the glass, milk spilled on the tablecloth.
The son and daughter-in-law became irritated with the mess. “We must do something about Grandfather,” said the son. “I’ve had enough of his spilled milk, noisy eating, and food on the floor.” So the husband and wife set a small table in the corner. There, Grandfather ate alone while the rest of the family enjoyed dinner. Since Grandfather had broken a dish or two, his food was served in a wooden bowl. When the family glanced in Grandfather’s direction, sometimes he had a tear in his eye as he sat alone. Still, the only words the couple had for him were sharp admonitions when he dropped a fork or spilled food. The four-year-old watched it all in silence.
One evening before supper, the father noticed his son playing with wood scraps on the floor. He asked the child sweetly, “What are you making?” Just as sweetly, the boy responded, “Oh, I am making a little bowl for you and Mama to eat your food in when I grow up.” The four-year-old smiled and went back to work. The words so struck the parents that they were speechless. Then tears started to stream down their cheeks. Though no word was spoken, both knew what must be done.
That evening the husband took Grandfather’s hand and gently led him back to the family table. For the remainder of his days he ate every meal with the family. And for some reason, neither husband nor wife seemed to care any longer when a fork was dropped, milk spilled, or the tablecloth soiled.
Children are remarkably perceptive. Their eyes ever observe, their ears ever listen, and their minds ever process the messages they absorb. If they see us patiently provide a happy home atmosphere for family members, they will imitate that attitude for the rest of their lives. The wise parent realizes that every day the building blocks are being laid for the child’s future. Let’s be wise builders and role models.
“Life is about people connecting with people, and making a positive difference.
Take care of yourself, … and those you love, … today, … and everyday!”
“Stop thinking , kiss me to forget.”
“Because of you, I am me.”
Abrasive – showing little concern for the feelings of others; harsh
Absurd – wildly unreasonable, illogical, or inappropriate
Accusatory – suggesting someone has done something wrong, complaining
Acerbic – sharp and forthright
Acidic – harsh or critical
Admiring – approving; think highly of; respectful; praising
Aggressive – hostile; determined; forceful; argumentative
Aggrieved – angry and sad because you think you have been unfairly treated
Airy – giving an impression of being unconcerned or not serious
Ambivalent – having mixed feelings; uncertain; in a dilemma; undecided
Amused – pleasantly; entertain or divert in an enjoyable or cheerful manner
Angry – incensed or enraged; threatening or menacing
Animated – full of life or excitement; lively; spirited; impassioned; vibrant
Anxious – typically with a feeling of unease
Apathetic – showing little interest; lacking concern; indifferent; unemotional
Apologetic – full of regret; repentant; remorseful; acknowledging failure
Appreciative – grateful; thankful; showing pleasure; enthusiastic
Ardent – enthusiastic; passionate
Arrogant – pompous; disdainful; overbearing; condescending; vain; scoffing
Assertive – self-confident; strong-willed; authoritative; insistent
Authoritative – commanding and self-confident
Awestruck – amazed, filled with wonder/awe; reverential
Barbed – deliberately hurtful
Barking – utter a command or question abruptly or aggressively
Belligerent – hostile; aggressive; combatant
Benevolent – sympathetic; tolerant; generous; caring; well meaning
Bitter – angry; acrimonious; antagonistic; spiteful; nasty
Blasé – unimpressed or indifferent to something because one has experienced or seen it so often before
Bleak – without hope or encouragement; depressing; dreary
Bombastic – high-sounding but with little meaning; inflated
Booming – loud, deep, and resonant
Bored – to tire or make weary by being dull, repetitious, or uninteresting
Brash – self-assertive in a rude, noisy, or overbearing way
Braying – speak or laugh loudly and harshly
Breathy – producing or causing an audible sound of breathing, often related to physical exertion or strong feelings
Breezy – appearing relaxed, informal, and cheerily brisk
Brittle – lacking warmth, sensitivity, or compassion; aloof
Bubbly – full of cheerful high spirits
Burbling – speak in an unintelligible or silly way, typically at unnecessary length
Callous – cruel disregard; unfeeling; uncaring; indifferent; ruthless
Candid – truthful, straightforward; honest; unreserved
Caustic – making biting, corrosive comments; critical
Cautionary – gives warning; raises awareness; reminding
Celebratory – praising; pay tribute to; glorify; honour
Chatty – informal; lively; conversational; familiar
Cheery – happy and optimistic
Childish – silly and immature
Chirping – say something in a lively and cheerful way
Clipped – speech that is fast, that uses short sounds and few words, and that is often unfriendly or rude
Cloying – disgust or sicken (someone) with an excess of sweetness, richness, or sentiment
Coarse – rude, crude, or vulgar
Colloquial – familiar; everyday language; informal; colloquial; casual
Comic – humorous; witty; entertaining; diverting
Compassionate – sympathetic; empathetic; warm-hearted; tolerant; kind
Complex – having many varying characteristics; complicated
Compliant – agree or obey rules; acquiescent; flexible; submissive
Concerned – worried; anxious; apprehensive
Conciliatory – intended to placate or pacify; appeasing
Condescending – stooping to the level of one’s inferiors; patronising
Confused – unable to think clearly; bewildered; vague
Contemptuous – showing contempt; scornful; insolent; mocking
Crisp – briskly decisive and matter-of-fact, without hesitation or unnecessary detail
Critical – finding fault; disapproving; scathing; criticizing
Croaking – a characteristic deep hoarse sound
Cruel – causing pain and suffering; unkind; spiteful; severe
Curious – wanting to find out more; inquisitive; questioning
Curt – rudely brief
Cynical – scornful of motives/virtues of others; mocking; sneering
Defensive – defending a position; shielding; guarding; watchful
Defiant – obstinate; argumentative; defiant; contentious
Demeaning – disrespectful; undignified
Depressing – sad, melancholic; discouraging; pessimistic
Derisive – snide; sarcastic; mocking; dismissive; scornful
Detached – aloof; objective; unfeeling; distant
Dignified – serious; respectful; formal; proper
Diplomatic – tactful; subtle; sensitive; thoughtful
Disapproving – displeased; critical; condemnatory
Disheartening – discouraging; demoralising; undermining; depressing
Disparaging – dismissive; critical; scornful
Direct – straightforward; honest
Disappointed – discouraged; unhappy because something has gone wrong
Discordant – harsh and jarring because of a lack of harmony
Dispassionate – impartial; indifferent; unsentimental; cold; unsympathetic
Dispirited – having lost enthusiasm and hope; disheartened
Distressing – heart-breaking; sad; troubling
Docile – compliant; submissive; deferential; accommodating
Drawling – speak in a slow, lazy way with prolonged vowel sounds
Dulcet – sweet and soothing
Dull – lacking interest or excitement
Earnest – showing deep sincerity or feeling; serious
Egotistical – self-absorbed; selfish; conceited; boastful
Empathetic – understanding; kind; sensitive
Encouraging – optimistic; supportive
Enthusiastic – excited; energetic
Evasive – ambiguous; cryptic; unclear
Excited – emotionally aroused; stirred
Facetious – inappropriate; flippant
Farcical – ludicrous; absurd; mocking; humorous and highly improbable
Feathery – extremely light and soft or delicate
Flippant – superficial; glib; shallow; thoughtless; frivolous
Forceful – powerful; energetic; confident; assertive
Formal – respectful; stilted; factual; following accepted styles/rules
Frank – honest; direct; plain; matter-of-fact
Fretful – expressing distress or irritation
Frustrated – annoyed; discouraged
Gentle – kind; considerate; mild; soft
Ghoulish – delighting in the revolting or the loathsome
Glum – dejected; morose
Goofy – foolish; harmlessly eccentric
Grating – harsh and unpleasant
Gravelly – deep and rough-sounding
Grim – serious; gloomy; depressing; lacking humour;macabre
Growling – low grating voice, typically in a threatening manner
Gruff – rough and low in pitch
Gullible – naive; innocent; ignorant
Guttural – produced in the throat; harsh-sounding
Hard – unfeeling; hard-hearted; unyielding
Harsh – cruel or severe
Hearty – loudly vigorous and cheerful
Hoarse – sounding rough and harsh, typically as the result of a sore throat or of shouting
Honeyed – soothing, soft, and intended to please or flatter
Humble – deferential; modest
Humorous – amusing; entertaining; playful
Husky – sounding low-pitched and slightly hoarse
Hypercritical – unreasonably critical; hair splitting; nitpicking
Impartial – unbiased; neutral; objective
Impassioned – filled with emotion; ardent
Imploring – pleading; begging
Impressionable – trusting; child-like
Inane – silly; foolish; stupid; nonsensical
Incensed – enraged
Incredulous – disbelieving; unconvinced; questioning; suspicious
Indifferent – having no particular interest or sympathy; unconcerned
Indignant – annoyed; angry; dissatisfied
Informative – instructive; factual; educational
Insinuating – suggest or hint in an indirect and unpleasant way
Inspirational – encouraging; reassuring
Intense – earnest; passionate; concentrated; deeply felt
Intimate – familiar; informal; confidential; confessional
Ironic – the opposite of what is meant
Irreverent – lacking respect for things that are generally taken seriously
Jaded – bored; having had too much of the same thing; lack enthusiasm
Joyful – positive; optimistic; cheerful; elated
Jubilant – expressing great happiness and triumph
Judgmental – critical; finding fault; disparaging
Laudatory – praising; recommending
Lifeless – lacking vigor, vitality, or excitement
Light-Hearted – carefree; relaxed; chatty; humorous
Lively – full of life and energy; active and outgoing
Loving – affectionate; showing intense, deep concern
Macabre – gruesome; horrifying; frightening
Malicious – desiring to harm others or to see others suffer; ill-willed; spiteful
Matter-of-fact – unemotional and practical
Mean-Spirited – inconsiderate; unsympathetic
Mellifluous – sweet or musical; pleasant to hear
Melodious – pleasant-sounding
Mocking – scornful; ridiculing; making fun of someone
Monotonous – lacking in variation in tone or pitch
Mourning – grieving; lamenting; woeful
Muffled – not loud because of being obstructed in some way; muted
Naive – innocent; unsophisticated; immature
Narcissistic – self-admiring; selfish; boastful; self-pitying
Nasty – unpleasant; unkind; disagreeable; abusive
Negative – unhappy, pessimistic
Nonchalant – casually calm and relaxed; not displaying anxiety, interest, or enthusiasm
Nostalgic – thinking about the past; wishing for something from the past
Objective – without prejudice; without discrimination; fair; based on fact
Obsequious – overly obedient and/or submissive; fawning; grovelling
Oily – unpleasantly smooth and ingratiating
Optimistic – hopeful; cheerful
Outraged – angered and resentful; furious; extremely angered
Outspoken – frank; candid; spoken without reserv
Pathetic – expressing pity, sympathy, tenderness
Patronizing – condescending; scornful; pompous
Pensive – reflective; introspective; philosophical; contemplative
Persuasive – convincing; eloquent; influential; plausible
Pessimistic – seeing the negative side of things
Philosophical – theoretical; analytical; rational; logical
Piping – high-pitched.
Playful – full of fun and good spirits; humorous; jesting
Pragmatic – realistic; sensible
Pretentious – affected; artificial; grandiose; rhetorical; flashy
Quavering – shake or tremble in speaking, typically through nervousness or emotion
Querulous – complaining in a petulant or whining manner
Rasping – harsh-sounding and unpleasant; grating
Reedy – high and thin in tone
Refined – elegant; cultured
Regretful – apologetic; remorseful
Resentful – aggrieved; offended; displeased; bitter
Resigned – accepting; unhappy
Restrained – controlled; quiet; unemotional
Reverent – showing deep respect and esteem
Righteous – morally right and just; guiltless; pious; god-fearing
Robust – strong and healthy; vigorous
Saccharine – excessively sweet or sentimental
Satirical – making fun to show a weakness; ridiculing; derisive
Sarcastic – scornful; mocking; ridiculing
Scathing – critical; stinging; unsparing; harsh
Scornful – expressing contempt or derision; scathing; dismissive
Scratchy – rough; grating
Sensationalist – provocative; inaccurate; distasteful
Sentimental – thinking about feelings, especially when remembering the past
Shrill – high-pitched and piercing
Silvery – gentle, clear, and melodious
Sincere – honest; truthful; earnest
Skeptical – disbelieving; unconvinced; doubting
Smarmy – excessively or unctuously flattering; ingratiating; servile
Smoky – a raspy, coarse and tone of quality that is deeper than usual
Snide – derogatory or mocking in an indirect way
Solemn – not funny; in earnest; serious
Somber – oppressively solemn or sober in mood; grave
Sonorous – imposingly deep and full
Sour – resentment, disappointment, or anger
Steely – coldly determined; hard
Strident – loud and harsh; grating
Stony – not having or showing feeling or sympathy
Suave – charming, confident, and elegant
Subjective – prejudiced; biased
Submissive – compliant; passive; accommodating; obedient
Sulking – bad-tempered; grumpy; resentful; sullen
Surly – bad-tempered and unfriendly
Sympathetic – compassionate; understanding of how someone feels
Thoughtful – reflective; serious; absorbed
Throaty – deep and rasping
Tolerant – open-minded; charitable; patient; sympathetic; lenient
Tragic – disastrous; calamitous
Tremulous – shaking or quivering slightly
Unassuming – modest; self-effacing; restrained
Unctuous – excessive piousness or moralistic fervor, especially in an affected manner; excessively smooth, suave, or smug
Uneasy – worried; uncomfortable; edgy; nervous
Urgent – insistent; saying something must be done soon
Velvety – soft; smooth
Vindictive – vengeful; spiteful; bitter; unforgiving
Virtuous – lawful; righteous; moral; upstanding
Whimsical – quaint; playful; mischievous; offbeat
Witty – clever; quick-witted; entertaining
Wonder – awe-struck; admiring; fascinating
World-Weary – bored; cynical; tired
Worried – anxious; stressed; fearful
Wretched – miserable; despairing; sorrowful; distressed
Syed Abir 