A long way gone

By Ishmael Beah is a book I haven't read as yet, but it is on my list ot must reads. Even though I did not own the book, the story sounded interesting, different and thankfully from all the reviews there was no James Frey kind of 'fake' element attached to any words.

I knew then that Ishmael had to be one strong fellow, and 'strong' being a speck of dust, while what I actually mean is strong = all the specks of dust to have ever flown in Sudan. So I made my way to Barnes and Noble at Astor Place and realised that I was one of over a hundred fans. Ishmael is a short guy, very personable, with a hint of accent, but terribly clear in thought. I loved the way he paraphrased a question from the crowd for everyone, and answered it directly without losing his train of thought , or moving to another string of words. He even had a sense of humor...yeah yeah eligible guy you say. In this day and age when single people have a tough time finding a companion, I say that you should send your mom to a book reading and make a case! Some young things mom, did exactly that much to Ishmael's discomfort.

Anyways back to the point - Will write back when I have read the book.

The Secret Life of Bees

'The Secret Life of Bees' by Sue Monk Kidd

It was an enjoyable, easy read; I did not want it to end. I wanted to know more about the lives of the characters thereafter. Did Lily and Zach have a future together? Did Lily's dad come back for her?

The pink house with its serene inhabitants (or so I felt) was a perfect holiday home, with one of my favorite characters 'August', the pillar of strength, infinite wisdom and decades of mortal experience. You go to her for everything, and she will have a reply, the perfect words to make you feel better and the strength to make you want to believe and carry on. The role of the Black Madonna was equally riveting, a legend I have heard about, but know much more about now.

The analogies between the life of bees, and the human circle of life is interesting. Makes me want to read more about them. I was quite taken up with the names of the books referred to at the beginning of each chapter. For e.g. The Queen Must Die: And Other Affairs of Bees and Men. Author: William Longgood, Pamela Johnson. It goes on my 'Potential Books to Read List'. Ms. Kidd's interview at the end of the book was very revealing-the thoughts behind some characters, or reasons for their existence. 

To all those idiotic, annoying people of the world, I quote Rosaleen, 'You Shitbucket.....'

Through his eyes

"The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes" taken from the Hound of the Baskervilles, Christophers favorite book.

The curious incident of the dog in the night time, by Mark Haddon is a simple, yet complex and intelligent world of a 15 yr old autistic boy, Christopher. One of the best books I have ever read.

Such simple and frank thoughts, that for us as readers are rare, due to the complex world of superficialness, diplomacy and mundane routines.

The theory explanations for 'how humans are like computers', or even 'The Monty Hall Problem' were very interesting. I was most thrilled about the coincidence of visual thinking of common phrases, as I was discussing precisely the same thing with a friend four days before I started this book, and we kept comparing notes and sharing new phrases that are part of everyday conversation.

e.g. From the book: I laughed my socks off, They had a skeleton in the cupboard or We had a real pig of a day!

Personal: I'm going to hit the road, or I was shitting bricks. Picture them, its funny!.... to me and my friend anyways!!!

10 Best Books of 2008

The list is out for all to read.

Of the list, there are two that I really do want to read, Jhumpa Lahiri's Unaccustomed Earth, and V.S. Naipaul's autobiography 'The World is what it is' written by Patrick French. The latter was covered in an article in the NY Times a few weeks ago, and it seems like Vidia as he is fondly called, really does share a lot about his personal life, the good, bad and the ugly.

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!!!

Best of the Year so far..

Amazon has listed the best books of the year for 2008 -

Must see the list HERE