Book Review: tuesdays with Morrie

What can I say about this book, just can't seem to find the right words... there are few books that touch your heart and touch your soul... tuesdays with Morrie is one such book... I will most definitely be recommending it to my friends...

The narrative is simple like an everyday conversation but the lesson that you can learn here are priceless... 

I won't say that it has changed my life but it has definitely made me stop and think about my life and the people in it...

In one chapter, Morrie quotes Auden 'Love each other or perish', come to think of it, it really is that simple...

A book that just has to be read...

Book Review: Shiva Trilogy - Part One: The Immortals of Meluha & Part Two: The Secrets of the Nagas

Picture Courtesy: Booksdirect.co.in

It has been a long time since I got my hands on a can't-put-down book. Both the books proved to be be just that and I'm craving for more... can't wait for the third instalment which is tentatively scheduled for an end of 2012 release. I'm a sucker for mythology and history and loved the way mythology and fiction have been woven to create a cult fiction, I'm a follower for sure.

The Immortals of Meluha lays the premise for Shiva, the Tibetan immigrant's advent into Meluha: the Land of Pure Life.

Is he the one prophesied to rid the land of evil ???

Does he want to be a hero ???

Is this his destiny ???

The story moves along smoothly, is fast paced and quite a page turner, with all the characters perfectly etched and fitting perfectly into the scheme of things. The Secret of the Nagas begins where The Immortals of Meluha ends and the flow is maintained. The secrets continue tumbling out of the closet and the narrative is so compelling the story comes life and with a little imagination you can recreate the grand landscape, scenes, places and characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed both the books and am well on my way through the second reading (As a rule I read a book three times, 1) speed reading, 2) understanding it the second time and 3) savoring it the third time), these two books are truly a must read for every mythology buff...Enjoy!!!

Book Review : Xcess Baggage

I have been a fan of Varsha Dixit's writing ever since I read Right Fit, Wrong Shoe, I love the way her protagonists think and intereact, it really makes for some interesting conversations and monologues (when they are talking to themselves). So, I've been looking forward to for her second book to release... and post that I literally hounded the staff at Crossword, Powai, till they agreed to order the book for me (I am sure they have been dubbed me the "Crazy Book Lady").

Anyways I digress; so I finally managed to get my hands on a copy this week and immediately launched into a full-attention-no-distraction reading mode. The initial write-up for the book promised something interesting and Xcess Baggage delivers just that.

The story is riveting and Meghna's dry wit in the face of certain death keeps you hooked. The name Byron actually suits the male lead as he exudes an aura that is dark, scintillating and something medieval. The questions asked by Meghna, are something that you and me (read Hollywood educated junta) would ask if we had the misfortune of being in her place. The story grows on you to such an extent that you will find it difficult to put the book down. I really cannot and will not say anything more as it will kill the plot.

If you are into sci-fi, vampires, werewolves, crackling wit and have a zany sense of humor, go ahead and buy your copy!!!

Book Review: Right Fit Wrong Shoe!!!

I was at Crossword, Powai recently drooling over all the books. Actually I was just supposed to be giving my colleague company while she picked out her Secret Santa gift, but ended up buying a whole load of books myself. My credit card is actually 30% thinner than what it was at the time the bank sent it over to me. I am sure it is the most used (abused??) card this side of the Atlantic!!!

Anyways I digress; the best books I have picked out have been courtesy The Times of India, Book review section. I liked the review for "Right Fit, Wrong Shoe", it seemed like a good story and a light read and made a mental note to pick this book up on my next visit to Crossword. To cut a long story short I purchased the book and I can honestly say it is the best Rs.95/- I have spent. The book reviews which have gone so far as to say "If you are having a good day 'Right 'Fit Wrong Shoe will make it better, if the day's bad it won't get any worse." are 100% sach aur sach ke siwa kuch bhi nahi, melord!!!. This is a book that you can read when you are low and could use some cheering. Ask me I was sat back at home with nothing to do on New Year’s Eve and decided to read this book. I read it from cover and cover and was grinning like a Cheshire cat when I put it down.

The book is funny from the word go. The witty dialogues and fast pace make this a page turner. The relationships are very delicately explored, the zingers exchanged by the lead pair (Aditya and Nandini) absolutely rock. The bond shared by Nandini and Sneha (her chuddy buddy) a true reflection of how women bond and stick for one another. This story warms the heart as it is set in contemporary times and reflects the society as it is now, where modernisation jostles for space with tradition, so much so that it could be a page out of anyones life.

If you could use a light read, go ahead and buy your copy!!!

Book Review : The White Tiger

Dear Mr Adiga,

This is in response to your matrimonial advertisement in yesterdays Times of India. Yeah, yeah, it was an interview in The Times, but shrewd and calculative me was able to see that you have managed to run a front page matrimonial ad for free. If this candid interview does not result in a shower of matrimonial responses, then I am not sure what will. I hereby present myself as a prospective Mrs. Adiga for I like your style, if you can hoodwink the Times and also win a Booker prize for The White Tiger, you have some serious survival instincts, me like it, me like it a lot.

I seem to be deviating from the point, so from here onwards a book review on your magnum opus The White Tiger it shall be. I have read the book and frankly have not been able to understand as to what is the message you want to give your readers. I grant you that I normally read a book three times to understand it and so far have read The White Tiger just once. But to make me read a book three times it must have something, that something maybe a plot, a conscience, a message or an inspiration. Even crap romance novels have a message, "Love conquers all in the end" or whatever mush, but The White Tiger...nothing!!!

What were you trying to say ??

1) That there is rampant corruption in India, and to make it big you have to grease a few palms...
2) That you should put yourself above others and forget all morals if you want to be someone in life...
3) That foreigners have better souls and conscience than us lowly Indians...
4) The foundations of every big empire is tainted with the blood of the innocent...

All the above happens all over the world, it is a dog eat dog world and it is the survival of the fittest, then why potray an already battered India to the world as such...

Your protagonist comes across as an unrepentant messenger of evil, right from the word go...he sucked up to all the wrong people, did grave injustice to the only man who treated him with some respect, continues to pay silence money...

Chances are I am not seeing the book in the right light...in which case pray enlighten me...

Your Sincerely
Sen