Reading: Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote

Whenever I finish any book, I open my books cupboard and take a long, long time to decide which one to pick up next. As I say, reading a book is always a unique experience, so it totally depends what can of mood I am in.

I picked up this book because first of all it is quite thin. Considering the fact that I don’t get too much time everyday, and keep reading the same book sometimes for the entire week. So, I thought I should read a short one.

I had bought this book online primarily because I have read so much about it, and there has also been a film with Audrey Hepburn. So, there you go.

Review: The Cradle Snatcher by Tess Stimson

Why I picked up this book?

This was one of the recommendations by Smita. I just wanted to buy a couple of books and I was looking for something which is in the genre of chiklit or quick-read or whatever. I liked the review and ordered for it.

What’s the book about?

The book is about Clare Elias, her husband Marc and their nanny. Clare, a successful businesswoman, planned everything perfectly in her life; she even ‘plans’ the birth of her children. But when the kids actually come into her world, it turns upside down, creating a havoc which Clare never expected. She never thought managing two tiny-tots would be such a difficult job. Reluctantly, she hires a nanny.

It is a fairly engaging story about Clare's desperation to go back to her work, her frustration on not being able to handle her own kids, unexpected troubles in marriage and much, much more. At the same time, the story is also about Jenna, her nanny, their evolving relationship and Jenna's own life and troubles.

Before I started the book, I thought there would be the usual angle of nanny trying to take the place of the wife. But this turns out to be different.

I liked the way in which the author lets us into the perspectives of all the main characters. There are chapters dedicated to each character alternatively so that the reader knows why that character behaved in the way he / she did.

It is quite an interesting read. There’s romance, jealousy, heart-breaks, misunderstandings, issues faced by women pertaining to motherhood, work after having babies, marriage, etc.

My verdict

Again it would mostly appeal to women. Though not really a chicklit but it is quite woman-centered in its approach. I would give it 8 out of 10. I finished it in 3 days again.

Best deals available at Indiaplaza @ Rs 241 but you need to pay Rs 31 for shipping on first book. So definitely the best deal if you are buying a couple of books. And if you are their Book Club Member, then you get this at Rs 220 + shipping. Another option is Flipkart @ Rs 272 (free shipping).

Review: Remember Me? by Sophie Kinsella

After reading a lot about Mahabharata, Mughals and some serious fiction as well, I picked up "Remember Me?" because I wanted to read a quick one this time and something light. Knowing Sophie Kinsella, I was pretty sure I would be able to finish it off quickly. And yes, I did complete it in 3 days straight (and those were weekdays!).

Why I picked up this book?

• Because I have read all of Sophie Kinsella's books and find them absolutely hilarious
• Because this was the only book, apart from the latest "Twenties Girl" that I had not read
• Sophie is the queen of chicklit

What’s the book about?

The book has an interesting plot wherein Lexi Smart wakes upto a perfect life – a perfect body, perfect teeth and a perfect husband. Lexi meets with an accident in her Mercedes, and when she wakes up in the hospital, three years of her life are erased from her memory and she goes back to the day when she had a fall, 3 years back, on the street. So she does not remember anything that happens to her after that. From here starts Lexi’s journey of discovering her last 3 years and her life, because she does not identify with the new Lexi at all.

How is the book?

Though a fat book, it is really a fast-paced one. You don’t get bored. You would want to keep moving. Though it does drag at some places, but you still want to move on to know how Lexi puts together bits and pieces.

There are some places where you do feel certain things difficult to digest, but you let it pass.

My verdict

I will give it 8 out of 10. It is a good pick for all chicklit lovers. May be it is not quite in the league of "Confessions of a Shopaholic" but the plot is quite engaging. Sophie Kinsella's first book was truly outstanding and none of her other books really ever matched upto the novelty of that. I think it happens with all the writers because the first books are generally the most passionate ones. After that you just keep on trying to match the brilliance of your first book.

New Books on my shelf ;-)

This month I have gone super-crazy. I have bought books as if there is no tomorrow. But anyways, I did manage to grab some good ones.

• Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella (Landmark)
• The Space Between Us by Thrity Umrigar (only book which I actually bought on Sale at Landmark; rest all ended up buying in usual price)
• Tamas by Bhishm Sahani (Landmark)
• Divya by Yashpal (Landmark)
• The Strike by Anand Mahadevan (Landmark)
• In the Country of Deceit by Shashi Deshpande (one of my favourite authors; Landmark))
• 3, Zakia Mansion by Gouri Dange (from Crossword Sale)

That's about it!

Reading: The Waiting Room by Anupa Mehta

Right now I am reading "The Waiting Room" by Anupa Mehta. Considering the limited time I have everyday, I picked up this rather thin book, so that I can complete it in 1-2 days. It gets frustrating to go on reading same book for weeks. It just kills the joy of reading completely.

Review: Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama

The vibrant and attractive cover of this book and a good review in one of the magazines, made me decide that I surely wanted to check out this book. It also helped that one of my friends had bought it by chance.

Mr Ali is the main protagonist. After retirement, both he and his wife feels that rather than whiling away his time and interfering in the matters of household, opening a marriage bureau could be a great way to keep oneself engaged. A Marriage Bureau appeared to be a good business option because it hardly requires any investment and does not need too much of physical work or running around either. This book is a slow read. You can read it at your pace because for a long, long time there is no gripping story. The book is based in Vishakhapatnam and paints a beautiful picture of the city and the life there. This book is a clear winner in illustrating the sights and sounds of Vizag or for any small Indian city quite beautifully. More than the story, what stands out is the writer’s eye for detail and the pain he has taken to re-create the place and its life through his masterful words. When I read about this book, what caught my attention was the “marriage bureau” angle. It sounded like a very interesting background for any story. It can present an opportunity to explore the interesting facets of how an Indian marriage takes place.

There is a plethora of characters that walk in and out of the story, and eventually we are led to the story of Aruna, Mr Ali’s assistant, and her marriage. But frankly, there’s no “once upon a time” or “…and then one day” moment. I kept waiting for the “real” story but the characters come and go and they do not become key characters of this book.

The book does not work for me atleast; I don’t like fiction that does not tell a story. I will give it 5.5 or maximum 6 out of 10 only for the writer’s efforts in understanding the nuances of ‘true’ India and crafting the daily life in absolute detail – what with the troubles of a lower class house maid, to the dynamics of a retired couple, to the trials of a lower middle class young girl and the even the ordinariness of daily life in a quaint Indian city. It is also interesting to see the mirror of a person’s prejudices and expectations in the partner one is looking at.

It is not a page-turner but it keeps you interested in a different kind of charm that spells ‘India’. May be you can try this book when you have read a couple of heavy duty books and want a slow read.

New Books on my shelf

I buy books practically every week. So, not having bought any book for a couple of days, I was itching to get some. But can’t just pick up anything, so I visited Smita’s Blog and hunted for my kind of books. Right now, after having read serious stuff like about Mahabharata and Mughal dynasty, I wanted to read some god chiklit or anything refreshingly different.

I finally zeroed in on the following books:

• The Waiting Room by Anupa Mehta
• Time Stops at Shamli by Ruskin Bond (can you believe it, I have never read a Ruskin Bond!)
• The Cradle Snatcher by Tim Stimson
• Faking it by Amrita Chowdhury

I have already lined up the following books for my next binge:

• Remember Me? By Sophie Kinsella (‘Twenties Girl’ not available yet)
• Dreams Die Young by C.V.Murali
• Curfewed Night by Basharat Peer

Reading: Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama

I first came across this book in one of the magazines, and it definitely aroused curiosity. As luck would have it, one of my friends picked it up. I have just started it, so review will come later but the beginning had that warm, familiar feeling of everything Indian. That is the best thing about Indian English fiction, you totally relate to it - no pan-cakes, no divorces at the drop of the hat, no frivolous dating!

for the PEOPLE

Few months back, I chanced upon PEOPLE magazine. I was completely bowled over by it. In fact, I would go on to say that PEOPLE is the best celebrity magazine in India right now. It does not have trashy celebrity gossip, and unnecessary interviews on crazy hookups that are purely for publicity stunts. All the film magazines have become trashy right now, they do not have any content. Same filmstars, same questions. How much can one read about Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif really. Every time they have a release, they are back on Covers. Agh!

But PEOPLE has exclusive pics, fashion and celebrities from all walks of life. It is surely interesting.

I wanted to subscribe, but the Offer was not that lucrative. My local vendor gave me much better offer and I sort of subscribed it. If you are into celebrity magazines, this is the best on stands. Go Grab it!

Image courtesy: Pinkvilla.com

New Books on my Shelf!

While reading 'The Feast of Roses', I got incredibly interested in reading more about the Mughal era in general and women in particular. Nurjahan's story was fascinating; and her ambition to possess the power to rule the kingdom, considered preposterous at that time, was in fact very courageous for a lady.

So, a little research, led me to 2 books:

The Twentieth Wife

This book is also by Indu Sundaresan and deals with Nurjahan’s life before marrying Jahangir. I have read good reviews about this book too. And after having read 'The Feast of Roses' myself, I can vouch for Indu Sundaresan. I liked her snese of detailing and making every character come alive. Best deal at Indiaplaza for Rs 287 with some shipping charges if this is the only book you are buying.

Taj: A Story Of Mughal India: A Story Of Mughal India

A book on one of the most remarkable architectures of India, not about the building but the story behind building it. It is written by Timeri N. Murari. Best Deal at Flipkart for Rs 275 with free shipping.

I’m itching to complete both at the earliest and will be back for the reviews for sure.