It's cold. Very cold. I had thought of heading to Goa (Cliche. Tch.) with my friends or cousins or friends and cousins. But it's cold. Because I am home. And I am happy to be home. Not that being happy at home needs any reason, but I am particularly happy because I get to read all cozy in sweaters and blankets with a steaming cup of tea (Yes. Tea. Not Coffee. Without sugar.) and I get to take breaks to find my mom and kiss her on the cheek and see her frowning at me because I woke up late or for so many other possible reasons. But then she smiles because she knows how I am and I know how she is and because we both know how much we love having each other around.
I was always worried that my job will not give me a chance to read (for pleasure). But it does. And I thank God and all concerned parties for that. I have been reading. Definitely not as much as I would like to, but enough to not complain and just be happy. The same holds for this blog. I thought I will write about so much. But I haven't. But I want to. And I have been thinking. I have been thinking about bringing out something meaningful out of it. Because that will help me help others and that in turn is going to help me keep writing in this blog. So this is what I think...
I think writing about my experience with each book is not helping anyone. Not me, not you. Sometimes, though I may be in love with a book but I may not have post-worthy words for it. But that doesn't mean that book is to be left out right? And I am sure you guys have better sources of finding out which books to read than a book by book account in my blog. So here is what I will do now. I will share a list of books that I have loved reading and I will keep updating this list as and when I fall in love with more books. And may be, if you guys can post your suggestions of good books as well! Do you think it's a good idea?
I will begin.
I was always worried that my job will not give me a chance to read (for pleasure). But it does. And I thank God and all concerned parties for that. I have been reading. Definitely not as much as I would like to, but enough to not complain and just be happy. The same holds for this blog. I thought I will write about so much. But I haven't. But I want to. And I have been thinking. I have been thinking about bringing out something meaningful out of it. Because that will help me help others and that in turn is going to help me keep writing in this blog. So this is what I think...
I think writing about my experience with each book is not helping anyone. Not me, not you. Sometimes, though I may be in love with a book but I may not have post-worthy words for it. But that doesn't mean that book is to be left out right? And I am sure you guys have better sources of finding out which books to read than a book by book account in my blog. So here is what I will do now. I will share a list of books that I have loved reading and I will keep updating this list as and when I fall in love with more books. And may be, if you guys can post your suggestions of good books as well! Do you think it's a good idea?
I will begin.
(Each book name is linked to its page on goodreads.com for your reference)
Next post with 10 more books!
Author: Khaled Hosseini
Genre: Drama, Historical fiction
I love the way these novels bring out the various moral predicaments and conundrums an ordinary human being might face in his/her lifetime. Though I have always cried reading these books, I have always come out stronger. Through all three of them.
Though I have read a lot of Nicholas Sparks and have loved most of his books,The Wedding is one book I can’t get enough of. It’s a book which catches you off-guard, is romantic in the most practical of ways, leaves you in tears (as do almost all Nicholas Sparks novels) but most important of all, it caters to something almost all of us can connect to and seek help with.
Anything more I say and I would have ruined this amazing book for you. So I will shut up.
Author: Ramchandra Guha
Genre: Non-fiction, Indian history
This book is long and rightfully so. One should experience this book to get an objective and a comprehensive view of the history of this great country of ours. The detail is just enough to give you sufficient context on various events which have shaped India post-independence but at the same time leave you with a yearning to know more. It took me a good 3-4 months to finish this book but I am glad I did. And I keep referring to certain chapters again and again.
The chapter titled, “Why India survives” is one of my favorites.
Author: Erich Segal
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Tragedy
It’s the best love story I have read till date.
I have read of lot of thrillers by Sidney Sheldon but most of them never stuck.Master of the Game was a first. The characters have a strong foundation, are persevering and conniving and are endearing still. I love how this book is mind numbing-ly spooky one moment and sad the next.
Author: Sophie Kinsella
Genre: Fiction, Comedy, Chic lit, Romance
To tell you the truth, I found this novel really boring in the beginning and was just about to leave it mid-way when it took a surprising turn. I will not say much about this novel lest I spoil it for you but read this novel for some light, adventurous and a quirky read.
Author: Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
Genre: Speculative fiction, Indian mythology
This novel re-tells the story of Mahabharata, so the story is obviously spicy and juicy enough. What I love about the novel is how Chitra Banerjee so beautifully and perfectly brings out the intricacies of Draupadi’s mind. She definitely knows her women characters and even better, how to make her readers fall in love with them.
Author: Daphne du Maurier
Genre: Fiction, Classic, Mystery, Romance
Rebecca is one of those novels where there is nothing special about the lady in the book (who is also the voice and not Rebecca). I cannot say this book is a page turner but there is just something about this book... about the way it is written, about how you connect with the lady despite her desperate and sometimes spineless behavior, about the haunting beauty of Manderley.
(You will realize why I keep calling the lady, "lady" once you have read the book!)
(You will realize why I keep calling the lady, "lady" once you have read the book!)
Author: S. J. Watson
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Oh! Its a page turner. The concept is similar to that of 50 first dates but the similarity ends there. Its nerve wrecking. Its mind numbing. You will literally be at the edge of your chair or your bed. Read this book and you will know memories, good or bad are good to have.
Author: Anuja Chauhan
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Comedy, Chic lit
Chic lit. But an Indian one. With a message. It was a first for me and I loved every bit of it. The characters have a spine, are fun and very romantic. Moms are super cool too!
