Showing posts with label and read.. Show all posts
Showing posts with label and read.. Show all posts

(Each book name is linked to its page on goodreads.com for your reference) 

Author: Paula Hawkins
Genre: Mystery, Romance
This book is good. A page turner. No Gone girl but I think one Gone girl was enough ;) Not to be considered for light reading or when travelling alone! Especially in trains.

Author: Colleen Oakley
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Tragedy, Chic lit
This was my first book where I knew how would the book end and yet I read every single word in it. Every. Single. Word. Normally I skip some of the descriptive lines but this book didn't make me want to do that. There is just something about it. Very real. Extremely real. One of those books which so beautifully describes a love which is practical but at the same time makes you go weak in the knees.

CAUTION: Be prepared to cry. Do not read the last pages of the book while you are in office.

Author: Graeme Simsion
Genre: Fiction, Scientific comedy, Romance
Narrated by a socially challenged "encyclopedic" genetics professor, this book is unusually funny. One of those books which makes it easier to just accept yourself as you are! It gets a little boring in the last 30-40 pages but its worth the read.

Author: Kristin Harmel
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Tragedy
If you like books like PS: I love you, you will like this one too. Its not as endearing as the former but its a delightful and an emotional read. There are some surprises and mostly its just very human. 

More books to follow!


 (Each book name is linked to its page on goodreads.com for your reference) 

Author: Indu Sundaresan
Genre: Drama, Mughal history
These books cover the era of Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan with protagonists being the most powerful ladies in their courts. I have always found the Mughal period fascinating and these books were successful in satiating it. They are your perfect sit-in-a-corner-with-a-mug-of-tea (or coffee) type of books. They have your doses of history, tragedy, love, plotting and opulence. Mughal opulence.

Author: Jhumpa Lahiri
Genre: Fiction, Drama, Tragedy, Political history
Lowland is a tragic read. Only a few books are worth welling up for and Lowland is certainly one of them. I love the way Jhumpa Lahiri has intertwined subjects of tradition, love, responsibility, passion, revolution, vulnerability and tragedy into a single book. It's a book you just keep reading and sobbing along.

Author: Gyllian Flynn
Genre: Fiction, Drama, Psychological thriller
When life gets boring, read this novel. It will blow your mind off. The movie is good, but nothing beats the novel. So read it. Please.
Author: Rainbow Rowell
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Music
Author: Jeffrey Archer
Genre: Fiction, Family drama, Suspense
These are five books. The fifth one is yet to release but I have read the first four and have loved the first three. Fourth is good but not as good as the earlier ones. These books follow the typical Jeffrey Archer recipe. There is wealth, there is deceit, people fall in love and off trains and high story buildings and racing cars. The women are strong. These books make for the in-between books reading. Whenever I can't fix my mind on which is the next book I am going to read, I fill the gaps with Clifton Chronicles. And I can't complain.

Author: Meg Cabot
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Comedy
I was in my late teens when I read these books and I loved them. Loved them so much that I read all six of them again within a year of completing them. Not because I didn't have anything else to read, but because I wanted to read about Jesse again. It's been almost five years since I read these books and I still remember Jesse. 
Enough about Jesse :P About the books, they are narrated by a girl, Suze (had to check up her name on Wikipedia, Jesse's  I didn't) who helps people who have died but have not been able to exit the world because they have some unfinished business to attend to. All the characters are adorable, quirky and Jesse is HOT AND SWEET! The books are good for some light reading.
Author: Arthur Golden
Genre: Japanese, Historical culture, Romance
This book transports into a different world altogether. A world which is scary but protective at the same time. A world which is seductive but simple too. I didn't know much about the concept of Geisha before and this book just sucked me into that world. Though not a fair comparison but in today's world of internet, its refreshing to know how conversations over "Sake" and through dance were enough to engage someone for hours. Though I found the book linger and too dramatic at times, but it was overall a delightful read.
Author: Audrey Niffenegger
Genre: Fiction, Romance, Sci-fi, Chick lit
It's a love story. A love story with an unusual caveat. But something everyone who has experienced love can relate to. I love the way the book is written. Both characters just speaking their mind out. Their insecurities, vulnerabilities, guilt - everything just pored out in front of the reader. It's an effortless read. It's real. It's not one of those I-live-for-you-I-will-die-for-you stories. Characters know what they are getting themselves into, make a conscious choice to get into what they get into, fight over it when it's overwhelming, mark their territory with their partner, apologize if they stretch beyond limits and get over it like a normal couple would. I just love it. I specially love Clair's thoughts in the chapter named, "The secret".
Author: Amish
Genre: Hindu mythology, Fiction
I think everyone knows about these books enough. I liked the first one, loved the second one and hated the third one. But I think one has to read all three to do justice to the one or two you love. All in all these are good books and worth a read.
Author: Johanna Lindsey
Genre: Historical fiction, Romance, Chick lit
This book is part of a whole series of books which I found it after picking it up. But it didn't really matter. Each book has its own set of pivotal characters. I think its not worth it to read all but some of the books in the series. This one was my first and I loved it. Set in the old England when ships were the means for inter-continent travel, all female characters in the book are wild and fearless and all male characters are incredible gorgeous, wild, I-am-weak-in-the-knees type. This book shakes you our of your dull routine and takes you into a distant land in a distant time and amazes you with it's forthrightness and wilderness. Read it for a fun and "naughty" time!

 Next post with 10 more books!
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.



(Each book name is linked to its page on goodreads.com for your reference) 

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. 
Author: Nicholas Sparks
Genre: Fiction, Romance
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.

Author: Sidney Sheldon
Genre: Fiction, Thriller
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!)

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!

Next post with 10 more books! 
After a hectic work week, last minute cancellations of a Friday girl's night and a failed attempt to understand a movie everyone on FB was raving about, I really wanted a Sunday that would pat me on my back and tell me that everything is Ok!

In comes (drum-roll moment)  a colorful scarf, a good book and a cafe which was good enough to serve me some hot chocolate on a wooden chair (you could choose to sit on a Grandpa chair or a bean bag or simple a cushioned one as well) with some of my favorite Hindi songs in the background.

Cafe Wanderlust, Galleria Market, Gurgaon

I had a couple of books lying at my place, some mine, some borrowed from friends years ago, some half-read and some barely touched. I took them all in my Jhola bag ( for that's the beauty of them, isn't it?) and headed to Cafe Wanderlust. I finally settled on finishing Lowland  for it is such an endearing read. Only a few books are worth welling up for and Lowland is certainly one of them. I love the way Jhumpa Lahiri has intertwined subjects of traditions, love, responsibilities, passion, revolution, vulnerabilities and tragedy into a single book. It's a book you just keep reading and sobbing along. It's a book which can turn your Sunday into a soulful one.

Top: Melange
Jeans: Only
Jhola bag: Lifestlye
Dupatta: Mysore Silk Udyog, Bangalore
Earrings: CP
I think little deviations from normality is what makes you revel in those simple pleasures of life later. At least that's the case with me. For movies like Interstellar are ingenious but I still love Jab We Met, Devil Wears Prada and Julie and Julia. For a royal blue blazer is really sexy ( I think!) but nothing beats the (conventional) charm of an off white top, a pair of blue jeans with big earrings and a silk dupatta. For there is no world better to escape into than that of a good book.

Keep styling, keep reading and keep wandering!

Eleanor was right. She never looked nice. She looked like art, and art wasn't supposed to look nice; it was supposed to make you feel something. - Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor & Park
There are many love stories I have read which I have found endearing, for example, I always cry (read wail) after reading Love Story by Erich Segal and I have read it like a zillion times ( not because I love to cry but because I genuinely love the book) and then there is The Wedding by Nicholas Sparks which made me well up, but there is just something about Eleanor and Park which got my nerves tingling. And isn't that the fantasy definition of love?



You know those love stories where either the guy or the girl are so gorgeous or both are looking for love and destiny bumps them into each other or one of them is sick and the other has had a similar experience and therefore can relate to it? In short, those love stories where there is always reason for the characters to fall in love? Well, Eleanor & Park doesn't give you that reason. The love between Eleanor and Park is as irrational as it can get. And I think that's how love should be. If someone asks why you love the other person, there should be no answer. Just a, "Yeah. Well. I just do."

I love this book because it caught me in an unexpected romance. The characters were so normal that I was not expecting anything unusual and yet there they were silently exchanging songs, talking over the phone or sending that postcard.

I won't spoil the book for you, just beg you to go pick up this book and read it. You will love it. There is just no reason not to. 

Oh! And if you are wondering how is the picture in this post related to Eleanor & Park, I decorated my room with these birds and these hearts and these lights and that music after I finished reading this book. Read the book and you will know why!
“He wound the scarf around his fingers until her hand was hanging in the space between them. Then he slid the silk and his fingers into her open palm. And Eleanor disintegrated.” - Rainbow Rowell, Eleanor & Park

The daughter, who had been born to Aiafs in the  desert... was educated with the utmost care and attention. In music, in dancing, in poetry, in painting, she had no equal among her sex. Her disposition was volatile, her wit lively and satirical, her spirit lofty and uncontrolled. - (About Nur Jahan), Alexander Dow, The history of Hindostan 

When I was little and was in school and was introduced to the mighty subject called History, I only read about the Mughal Period. Rest I just mugged along. I wanted to sit on the peacock throne, I wanted to wear diamond and ruby studded cholis and ghagras and I wanted to roam around India on an elephant. I wanted to be a Mughal empress.

I had lived only the elephant riding dream until I read Indu Sundaresan's The Twentieth Wife, The Feast of Roses and The Shadow Princess. These three books take you through the reign of three of the most fascinating emperors of the Mughal period, Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan. But we have read so much about them already you might say. The twist is Indu Sundaresan takes you through the daily lives of the most powerful women in these emperor's courts. Women who have seduced, commanded and ruled from behind their veils.

These novels are like historical facts in a gossip filled celeb magazine. Only here the celebs (males) are more open about actually having 20 wives and even more concubines, where women actually have diamonds and rubies studded into their clothes, where hukkas are a part of the routine and where there is wine on tap. 

The first book takes you through the lives of Mehrunissa (known to the world as Nur Jahan and Jahangir's 20th and last wife) and Jahangir on how they struggle in their individual own lives until Jahangir becomes emperor and after many years takes his first true love of over 20 years, Mehrunissa as his last wife .

The second book shows how Alexander Dow (quoted above) was correct in his assessment of Empress Nur Jahan even while she was a child. This book is an exhilarating account of when Empress Nur Jahan ruled the Mughal Empire from behind the veil. It is a racy mix of politics, riches and love, all in the hands of a woman.

The third book is about another powerful woman of the Mughal period, Emperor Shah Jahan's eldest daughter Jahanara. This book gives you a poignant account of what was it like to be an unmarried daughter of a grieving Emperor father while having a passionate lover.

These books helped me live my fantasy of being an Empress in the Mughal Empire. I got my lessons of history, my dose of gossip and a poignant tale of true love.
It is in the nature of democracies, perhaps, that while visionaries are sometimes necessary to make them, once made they can be managed by mediocrities. In India, the sapling was planted by the nation's founders, who lived long enough (and worked hard enough) to nurture it to adulthood. Those who came afterwards could disturb and degrade the tree of democracy but, try as they might, could not uproot or destroy it. - Ramachandra Guha, India after Gandhi

After being "convocat-ed" at the 39th Convocation at IIM Bangalore on 27 March 2014, I had a good 3 months at home to look forward to. These three months were coming to me after 5 long years and I had sworn to myself (for that's not binding :P) that I will make most of this rare time. This included indulging my lovely parents with paying a long due visit to all my relatives (which is fun, still), learning how to cook (serving an ultimatum) and definitely learning how to drive (after my failed attempt in 10th std. and lack of activity ever since). Aah! And getting up early and exercising (we all know that was never going to happen... And it didn't)

Promising my parents that I will be the good daughter, I had some "me" plans as well . These included shopping, travelling and reading (wait, isn't this what my blog is about?).

Now that my holidays are nearing their not-so-awaited end, all I can say is there is no place like home. But we all know that! So apart from enjoying the obvious pleasures of home, I did visit all my relatives (and got pretty gifts), learnt how to cook (or that's what I would like to believe)  and can drive a car (my dad doesn't hold the hand brake while I am driving now). I also exercise (in the evening and quite sporadically :P). As for my plans, I shopped (never enough), travelled (Rishikesh, Kashmir and Himachal) and I read.

 Why am I writing my holidays story in the reading section? Because reading during these holidays has been the most satisfying (though a visit to Kashmir is close)! Finding a good book to read has always been a challenge but these holidays I seemed to have gotten lucky. The luckiest I got was when I decided to finish reading the 800+ page history of the world's largest democracy - India after Gandhi by Ramchandra Guha.

Image Courtesy: Google Images
Having taken almost 3 months to complete this book, I want to keep this book on a shelf and worship it everyday. I have always loved my country for its food, colors and variety in general. But having spent the past 2 years in a B-school and being required to read business newspapers and magazines, I read only about red-tape, corruption, inflation, deficits, poor sanitation, communal politics, poor leadership or in short all that could go wrong in a country. The only good news in India seemed to be D. Subbarao and his successor Raghuram Rajan.  When all my judgments and opinions about my country seemed to be indelible, I decided to read this much heard about book.

This book got me to appreciate the very essence of our country which we often take for granted – it being a sovereign, secular, democratic republic. Such an elaborate history of such an elaborate country has been written so beautifully. This book is a comprehensive guide to why India is what it is today. Today’s generation needs to read this book to understand the definition of a visionary leader. Today’s generation should read this book to know what sometimes misunderstood men like Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, J P Narayan, C. Rajagopalachari etc. have done for this country. One will truly appreciate the common phrase in Indian schools, “Unity in diversity” after reading this book. It takes you through various historical incidents(communal, political, geographical, lingual etc.) which threatened the Indian democracy time and again and yet how India today is the only democratic country in the world to be united despite have no shared language, a shared religious faith, a shared territory or a common enemy.

India is not a perfect country. It has its set of economic, political and social problems. What this book has done is tell me that India has survived many predicted deaths by scholars all over the world and that I should be a hopeful citizen. For India is worth it.



P. S. My eyes welled up while reading the last chapter titled, “Why India survives”.

I don't remember much of what I did back when I was a child. Watching Mahabharata or Ramayana or Shree Krishna was certainly not it.

And now that I am all grown-up (or so says my driving license)  and I have Flipkart and Amazon in my life and a wonderful concept called word of mouth, I decided to read The Palace of Illusions in the hope that I will learn something about the great epic without being overwhelmed by the sheer size of it.

And The Palace of Illusions truly lived up to its expectations. The facts are obviously right. For who would dare change the Mahabharata? But the initial chapters on the childhood of the spirited Draupadi are a wonderful ad on. I just could not put the book down. Though the book might get boring for people who know the entire story of Mahabharata already, I would definitely suggest this book for the first half because its spirited, its juicy and it has never been written before. As for me, I was really slow towards the last chapters because I didn't want to keep this book down!

Thanks to this book, now I know who the five Pandavas are, what is their story and what led to the battle of Kurukshetra. And I got to know all this from the perspective of the woman who was married to five men at the same time and who was born to bring this world to that war!

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