The world's best street and yard games

This was a joy read. Did you know there are nine types of Tag? And that the simple game of elastic we played as children might have its origins in China?

Some old and lotsa new games. I am trying to get hold of the copy for keepsakes :)

Err....The tailor in vogue Fashion designing

This book is part of the learn all about series Published by Tiny Tot, Delhi . I got curious about it and the only book available was on fashion designing so I got it. Bad choice! It is written very badly. The illustrations are in Black and white and illegible. And if you are not already into fashion designing you'll not know what the author is talking about!

Only thing I got out of it is that I know the different kind of cottons there is.

Interestingly the series includes topics such as "Ayurveda, Diarroea, Aromatherapy, Hypertension and Graphology for general readers"

I can't wait!

Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency

I sometimes forget that Douglas Adams wrote books other than Hitchhiker's guide to the galaxy. This was a great reminder.

This is no light reading. If you are not clued in you lose the plot very easily.

Like the author describes " A thumping good detective-ghost-horror-who dunnit-time travel-romantic-musical-comedy epic" it is :D

Must read

Indigo

The collection is simply brilliant. This is the first time ever I have read all the short stories in one book at one go.

Extremely quirky, macabre with humour. I was reminded of Roald Dahl but I like Ray's style better.

Taste of Bengal all along. Just the names of the characters evoke that sense in you.

22 stories in all. Fantastic read.

Only no women in the stories. Some three women appear as wives of the main characters and have nothing much to do. Very curious.

I could almost smell the rain!

I wanna do this chasing the monsoon.

Manto, selected stories

An excellent translation by Aatish Taseer.

The magic of Manto is captured so beautifully.

The Great Indian Novel

I was never a big fan of Shashi Tharoor's columns in The Hindu. Though I thought he was very good looking :P But then when he stood for elections in the last general elections, there was so much hoopla around him that I got curious. I decided I should read one of his books before I decide I don't like his writing at all. And so I picked The great Indian Novel. I had absolutely no idea what the book was about, hadn't even read a blurb! Imagine my surprise when I realise that the book is satire on Indian politics written the Mahabharatha way. Maha = Great, Bharatha = Indian Novel...get it?

Anyways the book is a bit difficult to read and my state of affairs doessn't permit me to think too much while reading so I am totally losing on the satire end. I read 30 pages and all i figured out was Bhishma = Gandhi (Gandhiji is Gangaji) But I like what I have read so far. The pun (for I can't think of any other word) we like. I don't think anyone can write a book like this now (this was written 2 decates ago) and get away with it. There would be too many protests and the book might be banned.

But no time for the rest so I will come back to it when I have time.