Booker Prize Shortlist announced

Read more, there are also two Indian authors in the running -

The White Tiger and

Sea of Poppies.

Get the entire list HERE





Some interesting tidbits just for you (source: The Booker Webpage):

• The Man Booker International Prize can be won by an author of any nationality, providing that his or her work is available in the English language
• It is awarded every second year
• An author can only win the award once.
• In accordance with the rules of the separate prize for translation, if applicable the winner can choose a translator or translators of his or her work into English to receive a prize of £15,000.

Pic Source: www.manbookerprize.com

The Alchemist

I completed the Alchemist by Paulo Coelho a few weeks ago.

It was a book that people were talking about forever. And considering the hype it received, I was quite shocked coz much to my ignorance, I did not know it was a motivational book(yes, you can say it out loud - total DUH reader!). Hence, now when I think back of people who say they loved the book, I wonder, wow, did they really?

Its an easy read, simple and short story of a boy on the way to achieve his dream. Its interesting how the book wants you to make the analogies between things such as 'omens', or the significance of each place or project. e.g. the Pyramids, or the girlfriend, or the Alchemist himself.

It does make me feel proud that I chose my path, different and sometimes hard though it may have been, rather than stuck to the old-fashioned ways.

You go Santiago!!!