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.

The Fire Thief

People at Landmark kept trying to sell me this book when I was looking for The Book Thief. They thought I had the title wrong and I thought this book was some random thing that they were trying to sell. When I came across this book while browsing the library I thought I should try it.

It is hilarious! A super take on greek gods :)

The Comfort of Saturdays

I like the pace at which the book goes. There is a bit of sleuthing in there but it isn't at breakneck speed. Not the book if you want to solve a mystery. That isn't the primary aim of the book.

I think I liked this book because I related to Isabel, the main character at so many levels. On top of it Saturday is my favourite day so.

It was surely comforting. Something I needed right after The Cleft :)

The Cleft

This is my first Doris Lessing book, even though she has been on my reading list for a long time now.

It took me a while to get through the book. It is a bit difficult. Reading a difficult book with a two-month-old on hand isn't the smartest thing to do. But at least it was a girl baby :) If you want an explanation for the statement, read the book. Wiki has a rather flimsy plot summary here, if you are too lazy. But I won't suggest it.

The book tells us what we already know about the gender differences, in a very interesting manner. But the reinforcement is quite forceful. It left me despondent. I am quite an optimist; to the extent that I do believe that men and women will be on the same page in life at some point. If not in my lifetime, sometime in the future.

But The Cleft kinda shattered my hopes.

I suddenly realised something. I probably knew it all along but never had put it in words. See women have evolved, most men haven't. They've just replaced hunting games with car racing or WWE matches. So naturally there are bound to be differences. Big differences. But nothing can be done. Not as yet.

Quite a depressing thought huh?

So to get over that I've got myself some light reading.

And so I have a name

Bibliophile

1. A lover of books.
2. A collector of books.

One more definition: a person who loves or collects books, esp. as examples of fine or unusual printing, binding, or the like.

First of the Shopaholic series

My first book in many months. Easy to read, fun, no thinking kinda books are most welcome at this stage in my life. And this book is nothing but that :)

And surprisingly I actually liked the book!

Yet again one is left feeling one should really write a book. But then, about what is the only question :)