Book Review - 2

Have been doing quite a bit of reading over the last few days. Thats practically the only thing to do when you are in a state of isolation. :) 7 books in the last 10 days, Not bad I think to myself. You see, I havnt been doing a lot of reading over the last year or so... so it is with a little guilt smeared in vengence and sprinked with the irritation of the isolation that I read. :)


Shiva Triliogy: Part-1 and Part-2. (Meluha and Nagas)
Reading speed: Fast
Language: Easy


Interesting plot, but the books tried too hard to fit mythology into history (read archeology). It just seemed like in some places, the mythology just didnt want to fit there! I found a particular scene at a temple involving a beggar interesting.


Buy/Buy if you have space on the shelf/Burn it : Burn it. But having said that, I might just read the Part-3 when it gets released, just to see how it goes/ends... just coz I read the other two. In the future, I am going to be cautious of IIT/IIM grads who dump their 'Investment banker' careers to become writers. Mass production, Marketing and Mass popularity are all fine, but doesnt necessarily make it good litterature (Mass production, meagre price, marketing, mass popularity, money...mmmm on one side and Litterature on the other...).  

Book review -1

The king's speech Reading speed: medium to slow Language: high The book was interestingly written after the release of the critically acclaimed movie by the same name based on materials that surfaced after the release. The story that the book presents has been beautifully woven around the screenplay of the movie itself, much like a supplement to it. A reader who has not seen the movie, will however, miss the intensity of the situation itself. The brilliance of acting in the movie would place it amongst the classics of all times. The book however takes a much softer stand, that at some point, it does seem as if it is intended to appease a particular section of readership. The language itself is beautiful, charming rather. It is overall, a good read. But I Would recommend the movie. But do read it for the language. The book : Buy/Buy if you have space on the shelf/Burn it : buy if you have space. Note: the phrase 'burn it' is inspired from a certain dialogue in the movie 'the book of Eli'. (I am sure the scene intended no offense to Dan Brown either)

Soup for the chicken poxed soul !

I am down with chicken pox. It is quite common in my part of the world in this time of the year, this time when it is still cold, chilly in the mornings and after sunset, but warm during the day. I am generally cautious of communicable diseases, this one caught me off guard for the very fact that I had considered myself immune to it, coz I had had a vaccine taken two years ago. Speaks a lot about Indian medical system doesn't it? I am all red and polka dotted now I am on heavy medication right now and almost cut off from the rest of the world. My skin is recovering fast from the onslaught of fluid filled bubbles and the itch they have left behind. Neem (margosa) leaves are also said to contain the infection, kill the germs. I have them handy as well. I however, stick to my theory. You see, I devised a theory some time back that life in the grihastashrama has begun when things beyond your normal ability to cope with (good and bad mind you) come stare at you/come hit at you, right on the face, one every 2 months or so. 2 months for me, maybe less or more for others. On a positive note, I am getting a lot of sleep and rest and loving care and attention :). In my medical state of isolation, I miss the sensation of touch, touch in it's most simple sense, I do miss the sensation of being touched by another person. In other words, I need a proper hug. :) I have been reading a bit to pass time, to put it badly. I needed this very much, I have been too lazy to read, often too tired, too tied up, never out of excuses. I have a small but good collection of books, a 130 or so, according to my husbands count. I would have read about half of them or even fewer. In the last 6 days, I am proud I finished 4 more. On my way with the fifth. My speed of reading has decreased considerably, from my younger days, but the enthusiasm is still youthful. :) let me dedicate the next few posts to book reviews. Disclaimer: The views expressed here are my personal views and do not in any way intent to promote or demote any author or book in any way. It is just my way of seeing books for what is important to me as a reader. Nothing more, nothing less. I do hope this is taken in the right spirit and not as material for legal proceedings!