Damage - Poornima Manco (Book).

Damage - Poornima Manco. As the year is coming to a close, I wanted to take it easy by reading a collection of stories which was in my wish list for almost a year or longer. And the most amazing thing happened yet again that it came straight from the Author from London. Co-incidentally it became my 50th book of the year and I must say that it is one of the most mind-blowing book that I have read this year. If I have to pick up the top 10 of this year, "Damage" will certainly show up on top. I have read another short story collection from Poornima Manco last year and I loved that one as well but this one is totally unpredictable, although fiction but based on what is going on in our part of the world as we speak. A few of the stories (two of them) are hardly two page long but trust me when I say this, I actually had to read them twice to get the real depth. I totally love those authors who actually challenge their readers like this as it made it even more interesting for me. Hats off to Poornima for the very first story where she opened up the mind and heart of a man for what he feels for his woman. The way she carved out those two terrific characters especially the way that man thinks and take things was totally mind-blowing. Author mist be a superb mind reader to do total justice to her character way beyond my imagination and expectation. You've got to read the story(s) to understand what I am trying to say. Also, I loved the way she isn't any easy on her readers and gives them nothing on a platter on top of that she rather shocked me with the brutality of it all as this is the closest one could ever get in fiction to a reality. I don't want to spoil it for those who would want to read the stories but I am craving to discuss them with someone who has read them already. Going by the title of the book "Damage" I assumed it to be a story of a heart-break but it isn't only that but so much more. It indeed has some beautiful love stories, heart-touching characters and situations that actually put a huge lump in my throat, made me stare in space asking answers to so many questions. A lot of her stories are eye openers of sorts based on some real life characters especially the one with a swami that I hated to the core (as there were so many of them in news not so long ago of-course for all the more bad reasons). I will pick up three of them as my personal favorite which I totally loved and plan to read them again some time soon. "Damage" based on an extra marital affair of a middle aged man, his love interest and her son. How it all starts, where it leads and what it actually damages was totally unbelievable and unpredictable to say the least. My second favorite was "Love Jihaad", as the title suggest an inter-religion love affair and marriage, where it leads the two couples and how their story starts, progresses and ends was a totally chilling affair and unfortunately believable as I have personally witnessed one such story in my own circle not so long ago. But the third from my favorite list and the last story "Like a Boss" totally nails it as it reaches its dreaded yet predictable end shook me to the core. The ease with which someone's life is of no value to those born with a sick mind and no purpose totally gave me goosebumps as the book came to an end with it and left me totally drained. I for one have certainly not read a better collection of stories from our part of the world which were this closer to the real life. Have you read "Damage" yet? If you have, do tell me what you feel about it but if you haven't read it yet, I suggest you get a copy at the earliest and read it ASAP. Also a word of warning, keep it away from your kids (under 15) as it may take a huge toll on them. I am going to make it a mandatory read for all my friends and cousins especially the young audience aged 15+ as they've got to read these stories as a warning on today's situation and making them more aware of the sad state of affairs across the world. And I will be eagerly looking forward to her upcoming full fledged novel as mentioned in the blurb.

Anecdotes of a White Collared Slave - Aashish Gupta (Book).

Anecdotes of a White Collared Slave - Aashish Gupta.

I love those Authors whose books have a connect with me in real life and it makes it even more special when one of them hits a hat-trick of sorts. Like here in the case of "Anecdotes of a White Collared Slave" is Aashish's super hat-trick of books for me which worked like a charm, just like his first two books did. And this book is almost one of those very few books that I have read twice now :) first time I read it when it was being written by him and he was kind enough to share with me a chapter or two at a time and I had to eagerly wait for him to finish another chapter to satiate my hunger for his crackling characters and real life like story, I will totally not believe even if he swears that this isn't a real life story :). And I am going to blackmail him (if possible) to read his next book ONLY if he lets me meet with the lead character of this novel in real life as and when he can or else I am definitely not reading his next book for sure :). Also, going by the title this is indeed a book cut out of my own White Collared Slavery days which are not coming to an end anyways. It took me back in time to my very first job which was a great learning experience as far as office politics, power, rivalry and management lessons are concerned. On top of that I finished this one in flat one day :) as this whole week we worked from home, all thanks to working in a an American Firm, this as well as next week is a little too easy on us lesser mortals for this is Holiday season :). What better way to spend time reading a book in office hours, pretending to work miles away from office politics but about what happens in all our offices day in day out, especially if you work in a cut through IT, KPO or a BPO Unit in today's time.

Aashish Gupta's biographical book is full of some amazing characters that we all come across in our daily lives which can be divided in three groups. First one are those who come and go to office to just pass some time, chit chat a little, flirt a little more, look good and worry not about what goes around in the company. Second types are those who work a lot like slaves, hardly get recognized, are never his or her boss's pet yet organizations need them big time, they get bulled all the time yet when they ask for appraisals, their manager's throw a number in front of them which makes them puke. And the Third types are those smart workers, who do not work their arses off but are a charming personality who could never go wrong and they carry the entire project on their own two shoulders, and they do delivery everything on time exactly as expected and climb the success / corporate ladder in very fast & furious mode yet they do not stick to one company for a very longer duration. All these three characters as carved out by the Author were my favorite but the second one (Atmaramani) was the best man as per me, that character and that name, I am going to take to my grave with me, Unforgettable, hilarious as well as heart touching, he is THE MAN of the book. The book is a roller coaster ride from the word go, starting from the interview of a prospective employee to his coming on board and seeing that the promises made by the company on interview and offer are ful-filled in a most hilarious way is precisely how it happens in real life with all of us and how we take it with a pinch of salt is what this book is all about. The story even covers the benefits provided by companies to make their jobs look more lucrative, one of the most hilarious episode was on the Cab service that company offers to its employees. It actually make me laugh out loud like crazy (totally PG Wodehouse way).

I loved it so much that I wish I could gift a copy of this book to all my colleagues, counterparts and friends who work in similar atmosphere all across the globe. And I will make sure that my close buddies are surely going to read this one to find some of their own colleagues in the book or who knows, we too might as well are one of the characters from the book. if you have read this, do let me know how you liked it and if you haven't read it yet and are on the lookout for a book to have a good laugh, life experience and a terrific message in the end, do give this book a try, it will not fail you for sure.

A word of advice to Author (If at all this passes through his eyes). Dude, fire your editors please (at the earliest), I really wonder why this book was only 144 pages, even if this was 300+ pages like the way it was while you were writing it, I would have asked for more. I am sure you have cut this short some 100 odd pages or more, trust me when I say this, the longer the better as your characters were really amazing, I would have loved them even more with more detailing. 

I've Never Been (Un)Happier - Shaheen Bhatt (Book)

I've Never Been (Un)Happier - Shaheen Bhatt.

I can never forget that conversation I had with one of my best buddies last year, when he told me that his elder brother who was our savior back in the college days, committed suicide just like that. He told me his brother called in the dead of the night and precisely said "Bhai, I am going" and disconnected the call. The very next day as the family returned back to house they found him hanging with the ceiling fan, later they realized that he was depressed for quite a few months but as it happens in our part of the world "Depression" is still not considered a disease and the person going through it should consult a professional and seek help. This was a regular person like you and me going through the rut of daily middle class life. I can also not forget the day it flashed all over the news about Jia Khan's suicide, a successful movie career cut short by a drastic step, reason? same, depression due to fall out with a so called boy friend. I really wondered why super successful and rich people too committed suicide, there are so many examples (no point quoting names) that we all know of so very well. So, when a book like that came out in the market written by a celebrity kid (Mahesh Bhatt's Daughter and Alia Bhatt's Sister) I had to grab it to know what it was all about. On top of that the book is being sold at INR 15/- Only (Kindle Version) as we speak. I have been a fan of her half sister Pooja Bhatt all my life but unfortunately I had no idea of her existence till this book actually came out. That is precisely what she claims is one of the main reason behind her Depression and the unsuccessful suicide attempt she had a while ago.

I initially thought it will be a quick read as the book was hardly 70 odd pages but it took me almost three days to go through her life story, plight and brave attempt to bounce back in life. I just couldn't fathom exactly like she claims she too thought the same that after being born in an illustrious family with loads of fame and money, things could actually go wrong for her. Hardly 29 years of age today, she is been in depression for 15+ years, still going through it but has come out of majority of her issues as she claims in the book. It is not a story that she narrates but just the tidbits of a celebrity kids life from her own family. I was shocked to see that up-to the half mark there was no mention of her own parents, family, siblings, cousins and friends, she was a total loner as if left to fend on her own. Her own set of struggle that is born with a famous last name and expectations from it all. She isn't half as beautiful as her other siblings and she has no talent whatsoever in her to be the part of the world she belongs to by birth. Outcome? Depression. I loved the way she calls a spade a spade in her story and totally blunt about it all as it happens with her, no shying away from the problem or sharing her very personal thoughts with the world. Bravo to the girl as I am sure this book will give strength to so many out there who struggle with the same problem day in day out. The best part of the book is her interaction with her father (Mahesh Bhatt) and his clarity of thoughts. He is anyways famous in good and bad both ways to speak his heart out but the way he talks to his daughter who he knows is going through a rough patch and gives her so much hope, is totally amazing. Also the way she quotes Syliva Plath's words is simply so apt. Those words are definitely worth quoting, although I am too bad in quoting but that is one reason I will say everyone has to read this gem of a book.

There are so many celebrity books out there in the market in today's time that I have been meaning to read but I kept away from them. I am super glad that I picked up this one which is one of the best meaningful book that I have read in a long time. It is much much better than those futile attempts or ghost written books by other celebrity kids making up to bestseller stands. I am doubly sure that neither this book will make a big name of itself nor will be talked about much but it has to be read and recommended big time.

Have you read "I've Never Been (Un)Happier"? or do you plan to read a non-fiction like that?

The Veil - Minal Arora & Kirti D Narang (Book)

The Veil - Minal Arora & Kirti D Narang. When it comes to books I must say I am born lucky :) and this must be the 100th time I will be mentioning that there is nothing which can beat the feeling of getting a signed book by Author and that too with a terrific personal note too :). On top of that if the book turns out to be a beautiful collection of stories from real life that too from past lives with amazing messages, it made it even better for me as a reader. I have read two of Minal's earlier books and found them totally mind-blowing, not only me but my parents too loved her books big time. I have read a lot of books from the Authors from our side of the world, some of them are undoubtedly too good but there are a very few which actually throw some light on spirituality or say on the question of why we are here or what is our purpose in this life. And so far what I have read, none of them talks about the past life experiences or someone's karmic connection and all. Now if you do not know about Minal, let me tell you that she is a Past Life Regression Therapist (Professionally) and a Serenity Surrender Teacher & Therapist other than of-course being a koolest Writer that I know a little bit. What I loved about this collection called "The Veil" is that she has turned the real life experiences of a handful of people into beautiful heart-touching stories for us lesser mortals to understand their deep meanings. If that wasn't enough, her Co-Author Kirti D Narang has further made it more beautiful by putting terrific poems before each story which kind of gives a glimpse of what to expect. Although I am not much into poetry but I must say this book has some amazing ones and the bonus is the last one from Minal herself. And there is a third contributor (Maarisha Chhajta) too to the book in the form of various Geometry Artworks right before the stories. A brilliant package I must call it. Five terrific stories from the lives of regular people like you and me who have no idea why their lives are like the way they are because we have no idea of our past, what went through in our previous lives (if you believe in that) and how it effects our current life. It is totally unbelievable how the Author connects dots from someone past life into their current ones and putting them to ease and offering solutions to various problems they face. All the stories are totally intriguing and were eye openers as it is in the ending that I realized what they actually meant when the Author discloses the characters current lives. My favorite was of-course the one with the Indian Mythological connection :) I so much want to disclose but can only hint that it is about one of the most adored & equally feared Goddess from our part of the world, and how beautifully it is re-told as well as the connect, you've got to read it yourself. Also my second favorite was the last one called "The Spirit" which I will never be able to forget ever in my life as it has a Father-Son connect. The first story about a British woman in love with an Indian man and their failed love was a superb heart-touching start from the pre-independence era. I loved the way these characters were named :) making the stories even more beautiful and believable. Now that I have finished the book and loved it, I am actually finding it very difficult to talk about without disclosing much as I want every one to read it. Almost all the stories have so much pain, trouble, betrayal and what not but of-course there are reasons behind it all as there is a purpose too why it is like that and how it all culminates into someone's present is the best part of it all. If you have read "The Veil" do let me know how you like it and if you haven't read it yet, I suggest you read it ASAP as it is hardly 100 pages yet contains so much. And I will be eagerly looking forward to her next work as and when it comes.

Game of Thrones - Season 3 (TV Series).

Game of Thrones - Season 3 (TV Series).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones_(season_3)

I am just done with the last episode of Season 3, the way they ended it on such a high and emotional note, has left me totally speechless (choked and with tears in my eyes). This I believe is only the second time that I have felt these emotions watching a TV series. The only other time it happened was at the end of last season of FRIENDS. This was the third season that I've seen back to back with almost no TV in between (this is the fastest I could do from the last one) and seriously kudos to the makers for maintaining the consistency of the story, characters and the way it all progresses. Imagine six Directors directing ten episodes, still there is no disconnect anywhere, it is smooth like silk and so pleasing on eyes and ears. Now that I am done with it, I must say that story has started diverting (big time) from the books and guess this is the moment that I have to start forgetting what I have read :) and concentrate and enjoy what the TV series has to offer me here onward. Still, let me say this too that the grin refuses to vanish from my face, of-course the way they keep killing my loved characters makes me angry and sad at the same time, but that's what we have to live with when it comes to entertainment.

From the very start to the mid and by the end of the season 3, Starks are no more my favorites :) as Lannisters are ruling my heart as of now. Much to my own shock, amazement and shame too. My loyalty keeps shifting between the three amazing Lannisters, where Tyrion and Jamie are at par but Papa Lannister Tywin has impressed me big time, totally smitten in love with him, my heart knows that he will be killed sooner than later but as long as it lasts. I love his leather jacket and the way he wears that hand on his chest is simply mind-blowing. I pray that they divert the story big time, keep him alive and I get to see so much more of him. Tyrion is the man to die for, his collection and habit of reading books keeps me grinning, his love towards Shae and trying not to let go of her is simply too much. Jamie fighting for Brienne :) and that faint smile on her face was simply too good. Praying for Joffrey to be killed soon, hope they listen to it.

When it comes to my shifting loyalty, no wonder Starks are not too far behind, up-till the end of season 2- Arya Stark was my big time favorite but now as Sansa the girl is turning into a fine fine Woman (even at the bloody age of 14) I feel like I am liking her more now. I kept both my eyes opened throughout the season and let me tell you that Arya Stark smiles only once in the entire season that too when the Dog tells her that he is taking her to her brother :) Wow, what an amazing scene it was. Hope she takes the revenge for all her brothers, sister, father, mother, wolves, kingdom and so much more. Unfortunately Jon Snow still knows nothing and I hated the way his relations turn out with Ygritte :(.

Daenerys Targaryen the Dragon mother is going from strength to strength collecting army. As the Game of Throne gets more intense I really wish and feel that she should get it back ASAP, although the way it is going it doesn't look like a possibility any sooner but I love it the way her story is progressing and totally amazing is the way Barristan and Mormont both standby her :). With the Unsullied army in the background and new empires falling for her, it is going to be a superb battle in the end I believe. Emilia Clarke has seriously gained respect from me personally with this character, although I hate the makers that the "Toker" she wears in the TV series is no match to what she had in the book. If you know what I mean.

The Grejoys have my full sympathy but I know that they will bounce back (hopefully) with Yara the sister who is going to rescue Theon who I would have killed personally at the drop of a hat if that was in my hand :) but I am super happy with what Ramsay doing with him. The King beyond the wall and their struggles are damn thrilling, I loved the brief climb :) and kept asking for so much more. Both the Clegane brothers are never getting their due from the makers yet, would love to see them face to face someday in some season :) but they are gaining respect in my eyes with each episode and chapter. Davos is another of my favorite and his loyalty to Stannis is simply unparalleled.

The less I talk about the women the better it is as I feel weird to say that I am in love with at least half a dozen of them already from the series in no particular order :). Starting from the new changed Sansa to Gilly the love of Samwell Tarly's life, Ygritte who bloody Jon Snow cannot keep up with any longer, I don't want her ever to die. Shae and her expressions in front of Imp, mind-blowing. The Red Woman and her cunning ways to see Stannis on Throne but her loyalty to the man and beauty is simply unbelievable. Meera is the new addition, although she comes late in TV series but I hope she gets more footage now onward. Did I mention Margaery anywhere. The last to show up on my list will be Daenerys.

Against my own wishes I am not able to hate Little Finger or even Varys :) the king makers, admire the way they actually go near the Throne all the time even after knowing that they will never be able to sit on it is simply incredible.

I am totally amazed with my own ability of not only remembering but also being able to love so many characters that too from a TV series, this is totally Epic. I wish I was watching this when the whole world was watching but guess it is never too late.

The only grudge that I have with the makers is that they have not put any songs in the series so far :) unlike the books where they had so many interesting songs and singers here there and everywhere. Hope I get to hear some in the upcoming seasons.

PS: If you still remember anything from Season 3, do tell me if any of you got confused between Roose Bolton and Stannis Baratheon :) for a brief moment I was shocked to see Stannis sitting with Starks in Edmure's wedding when I realized it wasn't actually him almost his lookalike Bolton :).

A Couple of Choices - Ajesh Sharma (Book)

A Couple of Choices - Ajesh Sharma.

How do I start my blabber with a blasphemous sentence, a confession of sorts and yet save myself from some brick-bats? That is what was going through my mind as soon as I finished this little gem of a book. Undoubtedly this is the first of its own kind of "Play" that I have ever read in the last couple of decades, loved it totally and now I am hooked, shocked and amazed that why no one forced me to read a Shakespeare or my own personal favorite Oscar Wilde? I am super glad that I finally laid my hands on this incredibly short yet terrific book, written in the play format which makes it further more interesting. And on top of that the story is so real life like that I believe I know quite a few friends who are either going through this phase in their lives, or some may be contemplating doing what the protagonist of this story does with his own life and how it all shapes in the longer run, was totally amazing. As the title suggests, its all about the choices that we make in life and one always has a couple of them only. I myself have been married for almost 14 good years now and I won't shy away from saying that the thought of running away from it all in search of real meaning hasn't crossed my mind ever. Or a thought like - is this what I am supposed to do what I am doing? I don't know if Author really wanted his story to be philosophical or not but it worked big time for me and made me smile, laugh, almost made me look for someone to give a Hi5 and kept me in suspense too as how it all going to end.

Story of Alex, a successful middle aged Author with four amazing books to his credit is living a life of a recluse (by choice). He has his dream home, as exactly how he wanted and has been living like that for a decade or more. It all changes when suddenly his estranged wife Phyllis makes an entry back in his life for a reason unknown to him. His life revolves around his literary Agent (another superb character and a great friend), his Editor and book club fans who look up to him. As the story progresses from one scene to another, the reader discovers more about the man, his wife and the family that he had left behind and more questions are answered for the reader in very intriguing manner by the Author. I loved the way he keeps one of his rooms locked which has a very high emotional or shall I say romantic value for him. What he keeps hidden their from his friends and only opens it up for his estranged wife, is what one should read this book for. As I said the story is so believably true and real life like that I totally loved it especially the way it touches something as simple as that "You don't have time for me" between a Husband and wife and the discussion gets blown out of proportions almost every-time it starts :), had totally me in smile and me think and wish that I could make my wife read this gem :). But would a thing like that make you walk out of life of someone you have loved your entire life? And can there be a resolution once someone actually takes a step in that direction and really walk out? How about others who pay the price for the same without being a part of the actually problem, say kids. Wow! What all this story touches in such a short yet meaningful manner was simply terrific. I never expected so much from such a short book and kept asking for more.

This book will be an eye opener for all the married people out there :) for me it was a huge one telling me "You are not the only one going through this brother, we all are in the same boat" :). I hope and wish that Mr. Ajesh is definitely writing another gem of a book as I post this and I will get to read it as soon as it is out. Even a sequel will get a great welcome from me as I really want to know how Alex's life will go forward :) may be I will ask him that personally as he is available on Facebook :).

Have you read "A Couple of Choices"? Do let me know how you like it, and if you haven't read this one, do not miss it at any cost. Give it a read ASAP, you can finish this one in flat one sitting and it will give you so much food for your thoughts.

PS: And now I will dash to my first Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde play :) Any recommendations for an easy one I can start with?

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott (Book)

Little Women - Louisa May Alcott. The Shining is one of my all time favorite Stephen King book and the movie based on it is one of my all time favorite Kubrick thrillers that we the entire family watch every year religiously (to keep ourselves brave enough). Now you ask me what is the connection between The Shining and the Little Women? Here's the story behind it all. "FRIENDS" is one of our favorite TV series and we are right now watching its fourth run :) and of-course Joey is our favorite character who is so afraid of "The Shining" that he keeps the book hidden inside the freezer of his refrigerator :). His friend Rachel's favorite book is "Little Women" and somehow Joey ends up not only reading the book but the story makes him so emotional (almost equal to a horror novel) that they both decide to keep it inside the Freezer :) with The Shining. Now, how cute is that :) and that is precisely why I decided to read the Little Women before the year comes to a close for me. I totally loved the way they both talk about those two amazing books who now are my favorites. Especially the way keep throwing spoilers to each other :) fight over it and in the end, he is all emotional and teary when the story takes a sad turn. Other than this, of-course it is one of the most acclaimed classic anyways and I am shocked that this is the very firs time that I read this book, how unbelievably insane is that. But I am glad that I finally read it as it indeed is one of the most beautiful stories ever told and I totally loved it. And I believe the movie based on the book is right round the corner :) how amazing it will be to put faces to the much loved characters. Although I am not expecting much from the movie but won't miss it for sure. I may be the last person on this planet to read this book so late as I am totally sure that all of you must have read it once if not more. How can one not fall in love with the four sisters and their next door neighbor who they call "Our Boy". wow!! simply beautiful and heart touching story a family going through different phases from a missing father to a sick sister to a love triangle of sorts and so much more. Story has so much heart in it and it connected so well with me that it genuinely put a smile on my face, gave me tears of pain and joy at different times and choked me up big time at least twice. A typical middle class (to lower middle class back then) story of four sisters, their mother and an aunt. Each one of them is right opposite from the next yet the bonding that they have and how they always standby each other was totally heartening. And their terrific neighbors are like a cherry on the top with cute Laurie coming to their rescue as and when needed. It sort of sent me back in time to my own childhood when life was so different than how it is nowadays. Where one could actually walk in to their neighbors house at ease especially the way Beth (one of the sister) uses Laurie's Piano and becomes his Grandfather's favorite. How he spends so much time with the little girls and never misses his own parents. I loved the way Author makes her characters fall in love totally unpredictable for the reader in me and how beautiful it turns out in the end. Especially the understanding of the sisters and the ease with which they sacrifice everything (for a greater cause) right from the very start. The very first breakfast the start of the story when they were so young makes so much sense by the time the story comes to an end. It was a wonderful experience reading such a simple story which is not at all predictable and it has its own (sweet) twists and turns to keep the reader hooked to it big time. Right like the way Joey is shocked with the story, I too was much amazed by the way Author keeps the reader in suspense of sisters fate and future. I had a fantastic connect with the story as we too are four brothers (not at all like the sisters though) similarly fashioned in our current lives. Little Women will now show up in my top 100 all time favorites for sure, a book that I will recommend every one to read at least once. If you have read it, do tell me how you like it and who was your favorite character other than Laurie for sure :).

My Dream of You - Nuala O'Faolain (Book).

My Dream of You - Nuala O'Faolain.

How frequently you come across an Author or a book that you never want ever to end? And on top of that how frequently you come across a book that you actually want to give a good five star rating and really look forward to reading it again very soon. And has that ever happened with you that you come across a book which is so unbelievably like your own story that if you plan to write some day, it will look exactly the way the writer has written her or his book. I am a miser when it comes to rating a book 5/5, but her books definitely get a good 5/5 from me back to back twice in a row. The only other book which got a 5/5 from me was "To Kill a Mockingbird" a decade ago I guess. And if that is not all, her thoughts, antics, philosophies, love life, thinking and so much more is a 100% match with your own. Never in my life I have found a book that magical that it will touch my heart, made me cry alone in the dead of the night not because of the pain faced by the character but for the way I could connect with it so genuinely. A book that you would like to share with no one but gift it to someone you genuinely love and admire big time.

Couple of years ago a very dear friend visited us from Jhansi (UP) and since he knew my passion towards books, promised me that he will get me a few good books. I had no idea what kind of books he is going to bring for me and I underrated his choices before even coming across them :) (I am a lousy human after all). And he introduced me to one of the most terrific writers that I have ever read in last three decades of my reading career. The book that he brought in was an Accidental Memoir of a Dublin woman as the Author liked to call it and that book catapulted her to unbelievable fame and fan following. That was the second part of a two book series that she wrote. She wrote three more (lovely) books and passed away in 2008. She starting writing at the age of 60 (2000) and only wrote five books. This is my second from her and I am totally smitten in love with everything about her and not just only her writing, story or characters.

The entire story as narrated from the point of view of a fifty something female (Kathleen) who moves back to her own country Ireland after living in London for good thirty odd years. Working for a Travel magazine she has already traveled the length and breadth of the world already. Never married, no family to fall back on and almost no friends of social life whatsoever. Even in the work of fiction as she likes to call this and I refuse to accept it as that, she has hardly as many characters as you can count on your fingers but each one of them is one character that I fall in love with big time. Her gay colleague who she loves big time and they go around the world hand in hand, becoming each others strength in the time of the need and how she loses him wrecking her own life. Her memory of her friend and how he would have taken on a situation head on plus her reminisce' of their time together was so heart-touching, it made me cry all the time. Her lovely boss is another awesome character, who she partially dislikes at times but on other times admires too big time and how she ends the book with him still around was another thing that I will never forget ever in my life. Kathleen with a heart of Gold that she was, the way she takes care of her handful of friends, still tries to find her lost family and see how she could help in their ongoing lives is another up-lifter in the book.

The most important point why she moves to Ireland is to find about a world famous divorce case of Talbot Vs Talbot from the mid 19th century, the period of great famine where a rich man divorces his wife on the grounds of adultery with their carriage driver (a black-man). The writing is so beautiful, poignant and suspense too at times that is very hard to tell which one is the main track. Her own wreck of a life, the way it chugs forward, goes nowhere, falling in and out of love, ditching people and get ditched by some or the fact finding mission that she is on to find out if the poor man was really responsible for the breaking of the marriage or he was just a scapegoat. How she uncovers the truth behind the case by going through documents, old news papers, the passed judgement some 120 years ago or with the help of a handful locals whose families still have vague memories of how it happened makes up for a very interesting read.

Another beautiful thing not only about this book but for that matter with any of her books (I have read two of them now) is the brutal way she writes them. No time lines, No years, No places that she mentions clearly as where she is or the characters are, the reader has to put his own two and two together and to use his or her brains to understand that. The ease with which she goes time travelling in the past, present and dreams of a future, left me totally awestruck with its beauty, although some may find it very challenging to read as there are hardly any dialogues but the prose is so beautiful, it made me read some pages twice, some para's more than that but in the end it did put a huge smile on my face and made me fall even deeper with her. Although she calls her protagonist as Kathleen but my heart says its her and no fictional character, it is indeed so amazing. The way she opens up as a writer in telling about her own personal family life or love life or infidelity was totally amazing. She does what she wants to do throughout her life, in the end she may have some regrets but she is never sorry about what she did, even if that means making love with a man right across the corridor from where she lived with her current boy-friend, just because she wanted to do something, she would do it without thinking of the repercussions. The way she hates her own dad for taking out his belt and beating up the kids as and when he wanted to and the way one fine day she takes a stand and never looks back, come what may, I admired her even better for the same. If these weren't reason enough for me to fall in love with the amazing lady, she even draws a very beautiful line between Love, Sex and Passion, and does it so beautifully that now I will quote her for the rest of my life whenever a discussion goes that ways :).

This I guess is the first book that I have read from Ireland or based in the Irish country and no doubt, her books will be the first things which will come to my mind whenever the country will ever get a mention in front of me. Looking forward to read her three more books as soon as I could lay my hands on them. They are unfortunately quite expensive (upwards of 1500/- a piece). The first one I got as a gift, this one I picked up for a measly 80/- in second hand market, looking forward to sellers of the remaining three to thrown them away so I can grab them at the earliest.

In the end, I will say with a very heavy heart, I wish she had written more.

Have you come across a writer like that ever? If yes, do let me know more about him or her so I can try as Nuala O'Faolain my favorite is no more to write books anyways. Have you read any of her books? If not, you have to read them without fail that too at the earliest.

PS: As far as my memory goes, I've been reading books since last 34 odd years and trust me when I say this. I have NEVER read a book twice (intentionally). But her books, I will proudly read again unless I don't gift them already to my lovely friends or whenever I get them back again.

Karachi, You're Killing Me! - Saba Imtiaz (Book).

Karachi, You're Killing Me! - Saba Imtiaz.

I haven't read a book on Pakistan or for that matter even from Pakistan in a long long time :) So, I had to make a start somewhere. Also, after watching the movie "Noor" with gorgeous Sonakshi Sinha as Ayesha from the book, which totally disappointed me, I had to read this. Now after reading the book I really understand what Movie never worked in the first place is because you can't do a Karachi in Bombay for sure and they changed everything else as well which made it a sad overall experience. The only good thing in the movie was Sonakshi who played the character of Noor (Ayesha from the book) to the T. The book was totally shocking in a better and hilarious way. As I said I haven't read book from the neighboring country in a long long time and have no first or second hand experience of life out there, this was a total shocking account. Imagine, not once the words like a Burqa, Mosque, Azaan, Maulvi, Five time prayers, Eid, Marriage etc were used. On top of that the lead character the journalist Ayesha does all her life (six months of book's timeline) is Eat (Chips), Sleep, Drink (Beer, Whiskey, Wine, Gin, Rum, Scotch etc), Smoke, Smoke and report the news for the paper she works for. And I thought Pakistan was not only a conservative country as far as women were concerned but was a dry state too just like our Gujarat. Although that's a different matter altogether that as many times I visit my friends in Gujarat, the first thing they ask us is "What do you want to drink?". The book is a breeze to read, too short, sweet, hilarious and shockingly fantastic account of an early 20's girl based out of Pakistan. For some reason her wiki page claims she is born in 1950 and is 68 years old :O

Ayesha is 28 year old girl from Karachi who has practically no life :), no friends (just two), sucking job, worst ever boss, no car, no bank balance and on top of that her father, a single parent loves his cat more than his daughter :). Can things get any worse for her? Her survival mantra is to smoke, drink and dream of getting laid by a cute foreigner working for CNN. How things turn out on work, love, country and on getting laid front, you have to read this hilariously fast paced book which is too short and gets finished in a jiffy. Dog eat dog world of journalism is very well captured too, guess the world over situation remains same. The story gives quite a glimpse of the Pakistani way of life (read modern) and no doubt impressed me big time with the happenings in the book. I just couldn't believe (or say digest) that I was reading a book from across the border where people get mugged at the drop of a hat especially on traffic signals. She claims that is one reason why everyone drives faster in Karachi, so they don't have to stop at the signals hence saving themselves from mugging :). What I loved big time about the story is the character of her Father, totally underrated character but the way he stands up in the hour of need and the way he treats her throughout to shock and amazement of not only Ayesha but me the reader too, was simply too good. I am yet to come to terms with my father when it comes to drinking (I quit smoking long back) and the way she smokes and drinks in front of him is totally unbelievable. Pakistan (may be in fiction only) as a country has seriously come of age if this is what the definition of freedom and modernism is. Ayesha's no holds barred approach towards her sex life shocked, amazed, surprised and even made me happy.

My mother is definitely going to love the book big time as it has so much of Imran Khan in it :) Guess all the females from across the borders especially from her generation had/has a huge crush on the man. And their crush on Bollywood stars, movies and music is so much fun to read too. Karachi, You're Killing Me sounds more like a beautiful introduction of not only the city, state, its people and the believable characters. Saba Imtiaz's commentary on Pakistani politics and blame game is another point which mightily impressed me. Book is amazing but what it lacks is a solid story which I kept looking forward to which unfortunately never comes as the protagonist's life goes on from a day to next keeping me glued to what's going to happen next. I will be eagerly waiting for her next book which I believe will be a story she would like to tell us (hopefully).

Have you read "Karachi, You're Killing Me!", do let me know how you like it. I will be on the lookout for some more from the contemporary Pakistani Author's now as I am mighty impressed by this one. Any recommendations will be highly appreciated.

PS: I wonder what was the general reaction of people in Pakistan on this book.

PS2: I have decided not to send the book to my mom as this will not only change her opinion of Pakistani girls (and definitely not for good) as well as it will break her heart a little. Since we had an arranged marriage (Girl of her choice) and she has asked me thrice in last five years if my wife drinks and smokes. My response: Silence.

The Girl in Room 105 - Chetan Bhagat (Book)

The Girl in Room 105 - Chetan Bhagat.

The very first page of the book says that Chetan Bhagat is the author of eight bestselling novels (including this one - of-course) which have sold over twelve million copies and have been translated in over twenty languages worldwide. Not only that but also that The New York Times has called him "The biggest selling author in India's history". I am not sure how true this claim is but thats what is published as his introduction and so much more like so many successful Bollywood movies based on his books, his column writing prowess and public speaking talent and how can we forget his acclaimed degrees from India's prestigious IIT and IIM :). On top of that what hurt me the most (post reading the book) is that he is still writing meaningless stories which will not qualify as "Literature" from any standard and this one fails big time even on entertainment grounds. I will call it the weakest of his books which is way below and boring than his own worst "One Night @ The Call Center". I guess his name is big enough that neither his editors spend anytime on his writing nor the proof readers or publisher. I am no expert but if I am able to point out a dozen grammatical mistakes and so many spelling mistakes and I am not even talking about the plot here (or lack of it as some of my friends will say post reading or some may claim without reading too). A complete disaster from the very start, which just drags, goes no where, gives nothing to the reader and refuses to end. The most challenging book ever written by Mr. Bhagat so far and I guess my last from him, I will certainly not look forward to any more books from him now-onward. This is Goodbye and Good-riddance to Mr. Bhagat from me.

I don't know why but I seriously expected that he will not mention IIT in this book :) right from the day it was declared but as someone said "You can take a man out of IIT but you can never take IIT out a man from IIT" :D. Here the main protagonist is a loser from IIT who doesn't gets a campus selection even after passing from IIT, if that is some respite for people like me :). Not only that, he ends up coaching in a institute where they prepare candidates for IIT entrance exams :). So Mr. Loser has a girlfriend, who breaks off with him, meets another guy (super successful IITian), goes around with him and then she dies or gets killed. With Mr. Loser as the prime suspect and Delhi police investigating (read not doing anything) on the case. How Mr. Loser takes it on himself to solve the case on his own Ex Dead Girlfriend makes up for the rest of the book. He even has a Watson with him for support and that guy actually is a savior of sorts on this sinking boat with every page. If not for his comic timing, this would have become the second book in the history of my reading to have flown out of my 6th floor window. But I must say rather I guarantee that Mr. Bhagat has never touched a Agatha Christie or Conan Doyle for sure, let alone touching them, he has never ever read a Surendra Mohan Pathak even. If he had, he would certainly have written a better cat and mouse chase game or could have at least made it a little interesting for his readers. Now after reading this, I am actually ashamed to confess that I was clueless as for who are these people that he is writing these gems? What tortured me in the course of finding the killer and the reason behind all that was happening, was that he picks the most important character from Kashmir (A Muslim girl on top of that) and has no opinion whatsoever on the Kashmir conflict :) as he keeps steering clear of it throughout with his characters saying nothing about the political situation out there. I guess he should have chosen a girl from Manali to be safe and opinionated.

Main characters to look forward to, if you plan to read this book: A loser IITian (Hindu), A (Muslim) girl who refuses to join MIT and stays back for her love doing a PhD from IIT, A Super successful IITian (Dark South Indian Hindu), A not so corrupt Delhi police inspector, A ready for Padma Vibhushan IIT professor (wont go to Harvard or Stanford), A Jihadi, A very handsome Army officer. Still the story just doesn't take off or flies at all. Hindu Muslim inter-cast marriage is still not a cake walk in India. The only way Mr. Bhagat can can think of empowering his women is by letting them have sex with multiple partners (twice in a row now).

As the book comes to a conclusion, Mr. Bhagat proves that IIT not only churns out good writers but is also capable of giving us detectives too. If you plan not to read this book, I will still very highly insist that you go to your nearest book store, pick up the book and the read the very last page :) it gives out nothing about the story or the book but you must know what Mr. Holmes and Mr. Watson do in the end. How he delivers his punch line "An Unlove Story" deserves a standing ovation. As that was the only point where I actually laughed out loud in the last four days of me reading this.

If you have read "The Girl in Room 105", you know that you have my sympathies for spending your precious money and time but if you haven't read, you are lucky and please keep it that way. But if there is anyone who has read and liked it, we really need to talk.

Although, I am an atheist but I prayed as I finished the book that "God, if you exist, please please please make sure that no movie maker buys this book's rights and makes a movie on it, please, mercy". Amen to that.

PS: To the darling Friend who sent me this book, OK, lets not debate on how I would have thrown it out of the window half read. You know how much I love you for saving my precious money ;) so lets skip the debate.

Calling Sehmat - Harinder Sikka (Book)

Calling Sehmat - Harinder Sikka.

Majority of times when we watch a movie based on a book (especially these days) they usually fall in between underwhelming to lousy :). Now that I have read the book and loved it as it gave me an in-depth idea on the character of Sehmat Khan as well as how and why she did what she did, I can very well say that the movie is Fantastically made and almost at par with the book if not better. I wanted to read the book before the movie came but the time was so short between the trailer, release and book becoming famous in no time, that I just couldn't squeeze it in my busy schedule (of reading books of-course). Hence I finally managed to finish it today and I must tell you that I started the book yesterday only. Either the book is too short, or the pace is so nice that it took me only two sittings to finish it and I will very highly recommend it to everyone, especially to those who have seen and loved the movie. It is a totally unbelievable yet true story of Sehmat Khan a Kashmiri girl who goes to impossible heights in fulfilling her father's last wishes to save the country from an imminent enemy attack.

I don't think I need to talk much about the plot as the Movie has already made it pretty famous. What I loved about both, the movie and the book is the way they have shown so beautifully as how it was all done that too in the late 60's to early 70's. Bravo!! The ease with which Sehmat a girl in 20's takes up the challenge and on top of that comes out a winner in the end is simply superb. The movie was an edge of the seat thriller yet it leaves so many questions unanswered which book responds in greater details, of-course it is again a fictionalized account of how it all must have happened. It also actually made me wonder if the Syeed's (Sehmat's In-laws) were actually so simple, yet were in those high positions in Pakistani Army and ISI, that they were fooled by a simple almost untrained girl, was a little unbelievable. But I will not counter or criticize it as it makes up for a superbly thrilling story in the end. We will never know the reality behind it as the real life Sehmat Khan, who never got her due has already passed away. The way it is done in the book, I really couldn't believe that a R&AW agent who does something like that will ever get a Red-Carpet Welcome in our country at any point of time and will not be killed by the enemy country's agent who are roaming around us since last three decades or more. But again, its a work of fiction with some reality in it, so we better take it with a pinch of salt and cherish it.

The philosophical touch in the end was very nice and the great details as what Sehmat does for the country while in Pakistan and how it all pays back heavy dividends was simply mind-blowing. The things that movie lacks in, the book fulfills like I said earlier. Even in the character development department, background story and aftermath is so beautifully done in the book. I totally loved it.

Have you read "Calling Sehmat"? Do let me know how you like it. As per you, which one was better? The Book or the Movie?

Alex - Pierre Lemaitre (Book)

Alex - Pierre Lemaitre.
Translation by: Frank Wynne.

Another day, another book and another dear friend who indeed put a gun of sorts on my head and swore to never to speak to if I didn't read this book :). And I must say, what a fool I was to miss the terrific Pierre Lemaitre so far and this co-incidentally became the second book that I read from the land of French after recently finishing and loving "The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth" which was a conspiracy to kill the French President. This was although a totally different ball game as far as killings are concerned and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it, another page turner from France. I love detective stories and this was an exceptional one of an agent that I so much reminded me of my recent other read from Robert Galbraith and his awesome detective Cormoran Strike with his partner Robin always in toes with him solving the cases. Here we have terrific Camille Verhoeven with his team of team of agents solving the mysterious case of "Alex's" kidnapping and subsequent murder trails. What I loved about Pierre's style is the background story that each character has and the way he keeps opening them as the story progresses forward and doesn't give out anything in the very start as an introduction. The ease with which the reader in me actually fell in love with the Agent first, followed by falling in love with the victim and to my own shock I found myself actually rooting and cheering (by the time it ends) for the killer too. Now he Pierre did that, you've got to read the book to know. Also, before I forget, let me mention this too that the book isn't for the faint hearted, the gruesome killing and torture may be a little too much for some, I although enjoyed it thoroughly. If you plan to read this, the racy fast paced book that it is, do have your breakfast, lunch or dinner before you pick up the awesome book.

Alex is a beautiful girl who gets kidnapped at the very start of the story, with barely one vague witness and nothing much of a background as where she works, stays or for that matter who she is, the cat and mouse chase game starts. Camille Verhoeven is the agent on whose table the case lands, he himself is recovering from his pregnant wife's murder who was kidnapped and killed some 4 odd year ago. Now, Author has smartly disclosed almost no details about his wife's case on this one as the prequel to this book is actually a book called "Irene" and that's what Camille's wife's name was. So, we better get that too now to get to know Camille a little bit better (I am going to do that very soon, can't keep myself hanging in suspense for too long you see). Camille himself is one heck of a character, with hardly 5 feet in height, bald, over weight, almost hitting an age of 50 with no life to look forward to but just a bunch of professional friends and irritatingly for his superiors, brilliant. A very helpful boss who always comes to his rescue and with a judge who is hell bent in proving him wrong plus on top of that a superb support agent who is the mi-serest best I have ever read a character in any-book and who is always hungry. The story is poised right from the very start to a terrific finale as Camille has to not only find the kidnapped girl, save her from being killed, find the reason and the person who is doing it, why he is doing it, find her background, family, friends and what not whereas no one has any clue as who she is. On top of that even after being kidnapped for a few days, there is no missing person report anywhere. Imagine, all that happening in the first 50 odd pages of the book and I had no idea what to expect from it. And I must say the way it blew my mind off, I regretted not knowing French big time. If Frank Wynne's translation is so good, imagine how terrific it will be in Original.

Although judging a writer by just one book is way too early but I must say Pierre Lemaitre came too close to one of my all time favorite writer Stieg Larsson as far as the suspense, thrill and characterization is concerned. He actually made me fall in love so much with the characters that I had no choice but to compare them with Larsson's amazing characters. Gotta read more of him now and see how fantastic his other works are. Another thing that I loved about Pierre's book is the way so subtly he shows the filth and ugly side of Paris / France to us who know nothing about the city / country in general which surprised and shocked me big time.

Have you read Alex or Irene? or any of Pierre Lemaitre's books. Do let me know which is your favorite, if you have read any of his works. I am big time looking forward to Irene now at the earliest before my dear friend puts a gun on my head, I will get it and read it now on my own.