Book of the month : Apr 2015

Don't blame me, blame the sultry summer for making me lazy and hazy with the heat! And for that same reason April was the month of lazy reading. What's lazy reading? Let me give you a context. There are books you read because they are in your bucket list ( a.k.a most classics); ones you read because they sound interesting ( differs from person to person.. for me it's mostly science, non-fiction and philosophy) and last, the books you read because you are too lazy to exert your brain. The last section, which mainly consists of your 'guilty pleasures' reading ie books which you really really enjoy ( spelled as chick lits, and children's section for me) but would not really admit to reading coz you don't want to dent your persona as a (fraud) intellectual! That's lazy reading! But lazy reading has it's perks too. For one, if you are trying to read 100 books in a year, they definitely help to increase your book count. Two, they might just surprise with unexpected depth.

Lazy reading or not, April was definitely a fulfilling month, reading wise. It was full of magic, wonder, excitement and learning.  In short, it was like an adventure. So without further delay, let's start on the...

The Titan's Curse (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #3) by Rick Riordan - 2.7 / 5

This one is strictly for Percy Jackson fans and everyone else should just stay away. No questions asked. Greek mythology has always been a soft corner and Percy Jackson even more so for me. Other than to my 10 year old nephew ( to up my street cred with him) this is one of my guilty pleasures I don't otherwise openly admit.. until now that is. So yes, I really enjoyed it. But that doesn't stop the book or the story from being a little on the flimsy side. But if you are willing to overlook a certain dicey-ness in character growth and just go with the flow, this one would be ok.

The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson and the Olympians #4) by Rick Riordan - 2.8 / 5

Comes with the same warning as the previous one. Actually with a slightly less severe warning perhaps. If you like loads of action in your books, this one is good to go. Super fast paced. Riordan tries to experiment with some deeper themes like 'save earth' but it seemed forced at times. But over all, if you been with Percy, Annabeth and Grover this far, you will enjoy this one too.

A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan - 2.8 / 5

If I had to describe this book in one word, that would be 'underwhelming'. I picked up the book with a lot of expectation, Ms. Egan having won the Pulitzer with this one. And for weird reason I expected it to be like the Goonies. Even though I have not seen the movie and have no idea what it's about other that it being a cult classic.Yeah, dont ask.

But that's not the reason it's disappointing. It's because it's rather unmemorable though it's well written. Of the dozen characters who speak in this book, only a couple of  teenagers stay with you. The rest of the narcissistic, selfish and cynical bunch, all them sort of merge into each other. It's not just their lives which intertwine and connect in odd ways, but their individual motivations and desires also seem to overlap in odd ways. If Egan's purpose was to show us how similar we are even when we think ourselves as snowflakes, I don't think she's been successful in that either. Instead the feeling I came away with was that the characters all seem similar because of their immaturity. Maybe that's why I thought the teenagers seemed the most honest and true. Immaturity is not out of place with a teen. But on the rest of the adults it seemed incongruous. Would recommend you skip this Pulitzer!

PS: It does have a cool chapter written in power point. I'd say skip the rest and just read that!

Natural Acts: A Sidelong View of Science and Nature by David Quammen - 3.5 / 5

Is there every a collections of essay where you read and say all of them were equally brilliant? I'm yet to find one of those. Quammen is at times interesting and at times oddly didactic which is rather at odds with how he presents himself, which is as a layman with a curiosity for science. The description is one I could easily borrow for myself which is why I picked up this one. The initial essays were fun with their counter intuitive logic. He definitely made me look at the crows in new light. Or even wonder whether mosquitoes were actually protecting our rain forests. Then some where in between he lost that quirky sense of humor and it because rather drab. But his style further evolves, into a more serious and thoughtful point of view. And here you again come across some really thought provoking articles with depth. Here the book really challenges you to think how you relate to the world at large. Overall, it's an interesting read and something you can dip into while waiting for a particularly philosophical mood to pass.

Coraline by Neil Gaiman - 3.7 / 5

The book is built with the kind of insidious horror which sort of fully dawns on you just before you close the book. I can't count the number of times as a kid I wanted nicer parents who will give all that I wanted or run away and be adopted by a different set of parents who will appreciate the kind of person I am. But if that was to be true, that it could come with crippling consequences is not something I had thought though as a child. The built up is slow, almost at a sleepy pace though there a vague unease which gnaws at the back of your mind. You almost don't even realise that the unease has grown into panic till Coraline escapes and you exhale a huge sigh of relief. But this is not exactly a horror story in the style of Stephen King ( so no veins frozen with fright ). But if I had read this as a kid, this would rank right along with Chucky (Child's Play) as nightmare material simply because being trapped and unable to reach your loving parents is terrifying. And plus the ending is kind of lovely so would definitely recommend picking it up!

Lady Windermere's Fan by Oscar Wilde - 4.2 / 5

Reading this play made me really wonder if Wilde was really gay like he said he was. I mean it seems ridiculous that a man, that too a gay man, can cut thought straight into a woman's heart with the kind of precision which would make a surgeon envious. His humor and wit aside, it's his grasp of human nature which makes his writing not just fascinating but relevant as long as humanity will exist. If that is not a sign of genius I don't know what is!

The Wondla Series by Tony DiTerlizzi - 4.5 / 5

Picked it up as part of my lazy reading but these surprised me so much. I guess the books would get slotted into Children's books but only because children would enjoy them as well. But I think it's a rather unfair categorization because so often we over look children's book, especially contemporary ones as not being mature enough.

There are 3 books in the series and each one gets better than the last. The gorgeous illustrations by DiTerlizzi alone would make these books a find. The pictures have the kind of clarity and warmth which makes it feel like it's lit from within. But the funny thing is the illustrations, as gorgeous as they are, are only a side to the real beauty in the book.

The characters, both human and alien shine with truth and wisdom. I was genuinely surprised to find myself getting so attached to Eva Nine, the heroine and even minor characters stick to you like burrs. I mean that is the sort of affection I usually reserve for someone like Huckleberry Finn. Someone I have read and loved over and over, every single time I read. Maybe children's books are not your usual pick. Or you have never really like science fiction. But because the magic of a wonderfully written book always stays alive, Wondla is a must read for adults and kids alike!


And finally the Book of the Month goes toooooo....

Moonwalking with Einstein by Joshua Foer  - 4.5 / 5 

While reading this book, I developed such a huge crush on Foer it makes me blush. It reads like a nerdy yet racy novel. The blurb gives vague hints about the contents but it definitely does not prepare you for the fun ride that is this book. It basically follows Foer while he prepares for the U.S. Memory Champion. And while doing so he explore the the concept of memory and the bunch of neurons which helps us remember. So I expected a generous smattering of science but what I did not see coming was the quirky adrenaline pumping narrative of the weirdly hyper competitive world of Memory Championships and how engaging Foer can make it be. It was like a mix of Dan Brown and Big Bang Theory - Funny, entertaining and informative all nicely packaged in a yummy bite of book!

So Until next month, Keep reading!
Take care,
Phil!

Book of the month : Mar 2015

O-M-G.. It's month three and I'm still reading books! o_0

Ok, that's not really surprising. But I've been reading a lot of listicles lately on '# ways to get your audience's attention in like 2 second!'. Clearly I'm not very good at retaining vague numbered pieces of wisdom, but thought I'll give it try anyways.

I still have your attention? Wow.. You are patient. Anyways, my inability to retain and execute listicles ( does it remind anyone else of popsicles every time you hear/read the word?) thankfully is independent of my ability to review books. March had been an unusually busy month of reading with 10 book ( and a short story) most likely because I could spend time with a few of my favorite writers and characters. Discovering a new writer or a book is like meeting someone new. If you like the person, you exchange numbers and promise to meet again. You feel thrilled and excited about the new relationship. But they have yet to be a part of your life in a meaningful way - Someone you turn to when you have bad day.

That can happen only with people you have known and loved a long time. Even if you have not met them in a long time, you know you can always turn to them and they'll envelop you in their arms no matter how awful you been. And re-reading you favorite books and authors have same warmth.

Anyways, I'll save my musing on re-reading for another day. Now to the task at hand.

Funnily I started the month with Christoper Moore and ended it with Moore as well, though in the time gap he really dint improve by much which is why he's starting off my list, at the bottom.

Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore - 2/5

The usual trajectory of a mediocre book is from expectation to disappointment. This one completely misdirects you by disappointing you first and then building up the expectation. All I wanted was a few laughs and something which will not strain my imagination or intellect. Which is why I picked Moore. He's not someone I would classify as great but I felt he's always met the minimum requirement for a decent read. But badly developed characters are a huge pain in my... errrm...neck ( keeping it as PG friendly as possible!) and so are dragged out story lines. Half way through the book I found myself mumbling on character consistency and that Moore should not write about women if he doesn't understand them. In 'Lamb' (which I rather enjoyed), there are very few women and we see only glimpses of their personality. I think that might have been the secret of it's success. But in 'Fiends', he made the mistake of making the central character a woman. And the story line meanders all over the place without much purpose to it's inevitable conclusion. But here, in the last two chapters the story really picks up and in spite of the rather predictable ending, Moore get you hooked. But honestly it felt like 'too little,too late'.

Fluke: Or, I Know Why the Winged Whale Sings by Christopher Moore - 2.5/5

My personality leans on the side of nerdy, and you show me any thing remotely scientific on bugs, bats or whales, you are more or less assured of my attention. And Fluke started out brilliantly. The lead character, a marine behavioral biologist Nate Quinn, had my sympathies from the word go. I was drooling over the goofy surfer dude Kona as expected. The scene with the whale penises ( yes, plural!)  had me in splits and I found myself giggling later thinking of the same. Everything according to script. Even when the story line took a dive from the scientific and probably into the zany, I was still on board. But again, as soon as we started focusing on feminine characters, the book started to sink for me. His women react like men. The fact is, women don't have the same motivations and drives as guys and imagining guys with tits is just not good enough. Which was kinda sad, because this book had so much potential, especially how he could have explored the idea of an alternate gene driven god-ish organism. The ending was so bollywood-ish with it's half baked love story it made me cringe. The only character worth salvaging from the whole wreck was Kona and apparently Moore did use him again else where  ( which I have not read yet). But you know what, it's worth a read coz the whale penises scene .... Priceless!

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust by Alan Bradley - 2.8/5

7th book in the Flavia de Luce series, this was awaited with bated breathe by me. I absolutely adored the 10 year old sleuthing chemist in her previous adventures ( if you haven't read her yet, do pick it up). But moving the Brit girl from her comfortable backyard to a new country was too much of a challenge for the author because I felt he lost a little bit of essence of what makes this extraordinary brat so very addictive. Part of her charm was in being the underdog, with regard to her elder sisters. And moving that out of the equation removed a very human part of Flavia. For me, the murder mysteries were just the icing on top but the real meat lay in watching this hyper intelligent, stoic yet surprisingly fragile little girl deal with her uncommon life. So that ways, the mystery itself was satisfactory, but it was the rest of the background and cast which disappointed me. But I have hope, i.e. I'll see more of her in her old haunts and that should set the balance right.

And of course, being a Flavia fan, I had to read story story 'The Curious Case of the Copper Corpse'. My only complaint was that it was much too short.

The Upside of Irrationality by Dan Ariely - 3/5

I love Dan's TED talk which was funny, engaging and insightful. It figures in my list of TTTT, i.e. Top Ten TED Talks. So, I was looking forward to his book. And it din't disappoint in the sense, it was funny and engaging. But more than once, I found myself questioning his insights. True, almost all of them are counter intuitive so they are not easy conclusions to accept. But I felt it all the more because there was a lack of clarity in how he came to some of his conclusions. Maybe it is not possible to share all the data and perhaps his research papers covers them in detail are you so interested to find out more. And some conclusions, even with data, is a tough pill to swallow. So by the end of the book I felt I was in a dilemma. Either I had to accept all of it, seeming inconsistency and all, or reject all. But the scales seemed to be rather evenly tipped to both sides. Oh well, life can be indecisive as well as irrational I guess!

I plunged into Paul Gallico's Mrs.'Arris Series and covered them one after the other. So I'm going to break away a little from the usual system of lowest to highest rating so as to preserve the order of the series.

Mrs Harris Goes to Paris  by Paul Gallico - 4 / 5

If you have not read Paul Gallico, you should. Especially Mrs.'Arris. I remember reading about her Parisian journey in my early teens and being thoroughly delighted. I mean if getting yourself a Dior dress is not a teenage dream come true, then I don't know what is. When I took it up again I wondered if it will be as awesome as I remembered. And it was. If ever there's a modern fairy tale with equal parts magic and equal parts mundane, then this is it! But the part which floored me as a teen, which were all about the wonderful sensation of being around gorgeous creations of satin and lace, was not the ones which plucked at my heartstrings this time. Instead I saw myself being drawn to the more sober part of the tale. Maybe it's a testimony to my growing maturity ( ahem!!) The odd thing is what ought to have been a miserable ending is turned around into a thing of beauty. A tale which will stay with you a very long time, I promise!

Mrs Harris Goes to New York by Paul Gallico - 3 / 5

I would not even know there was a series of  Mrs. 'Arris if not the double feature book I took up! Not as endearing as the first book but you can't help but love Mrs.'Arris, that eternal optimist while she tackles the near impossible!

Mrs. Harris Goes To Moscow  by Paul Gallico - 3 / 5

Fourth in the series, ( I skipped 3rd) the spirit of Mrs.'Arris shines though but the story seemed a little unrealistic. Too many coincidences and lucky breaks to bring about the happy ending according to me. By now, our faith in Ada Harris is such that we can easily predict the ending and the predictability is what reduces the story to just another story.

Every Living Thing by James Herriot - 4.5 / 5

I don't remember when I first picked up Herriot, but he was as much a part of growing up as sip-ups ( that brightly colored, sweet flavored irresistible roadside vendor ices ) because he was a family favorite. Three generations of Thottans have read him and loved him. So every time I pick up his books, it's is not so much as reading as spending time with your favorite uncle. The one who is always ready with delightful stories infused with the unexpected and not afraid to take pot shot at himself. His books are often quoted as must reads for animal lovers because so many of his stories revolve around them. But I say they are a must read for everyone. His humor and warmth will make you laugh, occasionally cry and most of all, reminds you what it means to be human.

The Firm by John Grisham - 4.5 / 5

It's rather ironic but growing up, I managed to skip the popular authors. So never read any Sidney Sheldons or Danielle Steeles. I did read one Harold Robbins as a teen which scared and scarred me for life! Which, I believe, is the reason why I kept away from the popular authors. The reason I'm telling you all this is give you a background why it was only in March 2015 I got hold of my first John Grisham. And boy oh boy, I loved it! I loved everything about it! The book literally had me on the edge of my seat, impatient to know what comes next. Truth be told I was expecting something Dan Brown-ish. Interesting facts/ aspects on law in a weak story line. And there are a lot of people who argue the same. But as far as I'm concerned the title of  the king of 'legal thrillers' can be without doubt conferred on Grisham. I know I might seem a bit hasty in conferring him the title with just one book under my arm, but that's how much I loved it! :P

Through I'm willing to crown Grisham, he is still only the runner up. Annnnd so ( drum roll please) the  BOOK OF THE MONTH goes to..

Blue is the Warmest Color by Julie Maroh - 4.5 / 5

Blue is also my favorite color. But that's not why it's the book of the month. And I don't know if you have noticed, but the last two books have the same rating as this one. So what makes it stand out? For me, it's because Maroh shares a story that feels raw and brutally honest. Because she has shared a story which makes you explore sexuality with sensitivity and sensuality. That is a hard line to toe. She pushes boundaries without pushing the reader away. You would think stepping into shoes of a lesbian, it would never fit, yet it surprises you how incredibly familiar it feels. You also learn how much it can pinch trying to force yourself into a mold which is not meant for you. It's at once every teenager's story, with its share of angst, impossible crushes, rebellion, trying to fit in and stand out; yet it as unique as her fingerprint.

The art work too feels raw at times but you can't help but feel moved by it. A certain sense of life seems to gently throb within in. Her sparing use of color does wonders to heighten your senses. You start feeling the same rush and expectation as Clementine, the narrator, each time you glimpse the color blue. It reads less like a book and more like an experience. Like looking back on your first heart break. Painful yet strangely lovely because it made you wiser, more compassionate. So don't think twice and pick up the book!

Until next time, keep reading! :)
Phil!

PS : Damn, this post was late! Will try not to repeat that! Take care all!

Book of the month : Feb 2015

So it's time to look back at the month and crown the winner! Initially I thought I'll read all love stories, February being all about Valentine's and all.  But guess I have a bit of A.D.D sticking to the topic 'coz I ended up reading pretty much anything I can hold of.. as usual! Oh well!

Anyways, let get back to the point. Starting at the bottom of the list is...

See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson - 1.5 / 5

This book reminded me why I keep off chick lit as a general rule. If well written ones are like your favorite candy, this one was the equivalent of stale popcorn. The book was painfully predictable and characters were so terribly cliched it almost seemed like Gibson was making fun of the genre. The only plus point was the marginally steamy encounters between the main characters. The sex scenes seem to be the only place where Gibson seemed to have bothered to expend a little of her imagination. And that's all there was to the book, so pretty much a waste of time!

Second Thoughts by Niklas Asker - 2 / 5

This month has a lot of graphic novels. And this was the first of the lot. And sadly, the worst of the lot too. The story line is intriguing but the artwork left me kinda cold. Not that Asker's work isn't good but it seemed to be missing a subliminal quality which tends to bring the images to life. They remained strictly two dimensional. I also felt it was missing attention to details within the images. It was missing a master's touch. But then again I don't know if I'm judging it too harshly given that this is Niklas Asker's debut work. I came off with the feeling this could have been so much more because the story line was definitely something offbeat. I can't decide if I should recommend this one or not, but I would be intrigued to see what next he comes up with after a little maturing because the potential is definitely there. 

Good-Bye, Chunky Rice by Craig Thompson 

- ? / 5

I had started Habibi by Craig Thompson (looooong back) and I had loved the artwork. And I have been hearing rave reviews about Blankets ( in fact there's a scene in Asker's Second thoughts which shows the cover of Blankets; and that is how I ended up with this book simply because I could not get hold of Blankets). But this one is an enigma for me. I don't know how I feel about it and honestly for me, that's quite a new sensation. There were parts of it which were touching and parts which I thought was complete drivel. End of the book, I came off feeling like I either completely missed the point or that there was no point what so ever. It is such a funny mixture of poetic and grotesque. Somehow I have a sneaky feeling that this is one of those books which need a couple of re-readings to unravel it's beauty. So why don't you try and let me know how you feel about it :)

Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions by Edwin A. Abbott - 3.5 /5

I had marked it the moment I read this book was one of the inspirations behind Interstellar movie. Both, the director Christopher Nolan and Kip Thorne, the theoretical physicist who was the principle scientific consultant for the movie, referred to the book and as someone who finds such concepts utterly fascinating it sounded like a book I could not miss. And had I read it a decade ago, it would have been a book which would have blown my mind. Not because the book is anything less than absolutely brilliant but because the basic concept would have been so spectacularly new. The basic premise of the story was shared by my mathematics teacher while explaining quadratic equations ( and their co-relation to geometry, and from there to real life.. not explaining how 'coz that would be a spoiler!). Now I can't help but wonder if he had read the book. So while reading the book, the concept itself was not new but that doesn't change the fact that it is wonderful read. 

Apart from the concept of the higher dimensions, what fascinated me was the clarity with which he renders the flatland society. The parallels (pun unintended..mostly ) between flatland society and the 3-D human world is rather uncanny. In this day of 'outward-political-correctness-and-inward-regressive-thinking', to read something which blatantly puts forward the hypocrisy without any apologies is refreshing because it forces you to rethink where you really stand. 

March: Book One (March #1) by John Robert Lewis, Andrew Aydin , Nate Powell (Artist) - 4 / 5

This graphic novel is the first of the trilogy which illustrates the life of John Robert Lewis, an American politician and civil rights leader. Most of the narratives that we hear about the black civil right moment is mainly focused on Martin Luther King Jr. This novel gives a perspective from the lesser known yet equally inspiring personality of John Lewis. It starts out rather slow with John's childhood but builds up momentum as he matures into an adult with strong convictions. This is more of a build up for the second of the series but it's still an interesting read on it's own. Nate Powell's artwork is just so gorgeously emotive, the perfect compliment for Lewis's inspiring story. 

A House of Pomegranates by Oscar Wilde - 4 / 5

Has this man written anything which is not polished to perfection? As usual, Wilde shows his genius and you have four fables of extraordinary simplicity and grace. The birthday of Infanta is one of the most lovely and tragic reads I have read in a long time. As a rule, I'm not fascinated by tragedy. But this one made me cry. Not the blubbering sort. But the one where I ached so badly 'coz I badly wanted to hug the little guy and tell him, it's all lies. And the last short story which moved me as much was when I read O.Henry's Last Leaf in school. The other stories have the innocence of fairy tales and yet something adult and dark underneath. I was rather surprised by the strong Christian theme in them. Somehow seemed at odds with all I know of Wilde's personality. But it doesn't disrupt the storytelling in anyway. Should definitely pick it up for Infanta's birthday.

The Real Jane Austen: A Life in Small Things by Paula Byrne - 4.2 / 5

I have not read the official version of Jane Austen's biography, but I did love Byrne's approach to her life, ie to take her letters and her writings in perspective of the day to day environment Ms.Austen found her self in. Bryne also explores the books that she read, plays she appreciated and the people who influenced her to create a deeper understanding of the English novelist. It was much longer than expected (I started this book in Jan but finished it only in Feb) but that dint diminish the enthusiasm you feel through out the book. With the new information in hand I think I should re-read some of her lesser appreciated novels (by me) like Emma and Mansfield Park. I'm sure the context that is provided by Byrne would help in clarifying the kind of characters that Austen created who seemed rather unnatural to me before. Overall, if you are an Austen fan, then this is one book you'll immensely enjoy!

As we go towards the end of the list, my dilemma starts.. which is the book that truly stood out for me? A perfectly rendered classic or a wonderfully etched out story of a modern day hero? I'm almost tempted to declare a draw yet I feel that would be unfair for some reason. So, after digging a little deeper and splitting a lot of hair, here's the runner up:

Can You Forgive Her? by Anthony Trollope - 4.4 / 5

I have been wanting to read Trollope for a while now. I kept finding a lot of references in other works yet I had not the least bit of familiarity with his work. Plus it helped that I had just started Downton Abbey and this looked like the perfect read to compliment the series ( and it is! ). As soppy as the name sounds, the book is anything but. Trollope narrates a love story, but not one made of grand passions and extravagant gestures. Instead he presents to us a practical and very down to earth love story with all it's confusions and messiness. But he does it with a sense of humor and a certain amount of compassion for the human follies and fickleness. And his style of narration is so very engaging; like you are listening to some good gossip, one that is not mean spirited yet has a hint of secrecy which makes it so much fun to know (even the title hints of it, doesn't it? ). 

And there is so much of depth for each of the characters that he has created, especially the women. And I like the fact that he has not given his women any of the stereotypical extremes of virtue or vileness. They are neither all good nor all bad, though they might have their preferences to which side they lean. As a feminist there are times I feel I should probably be offended about his portrayal of the female characters, instead I feel that he has done a fantastic job of capturing the female thought process. Occasionally I feel a bit put off by the side narrations which deviate from the main story line because I'm impatient to know what's happening with the main story line. It makes the book rather lengthy and the deviations themselves are a small book by themselves. But it does provide a nice contrast of characters to which you can judge the protagonists with. 

I can't exactly pin point why I enjoyed the book so much, but I did and I can't wait for my next Trollope!

And finally, the BOOK OF THE MONTH...

March: Book Two by John Robert Lewis, Andrew Aydin , Nate Powell (Artist)

This is second of the trilogy illustrating the life of John Lewis. 

The beauty of this book lies in it's powerful storytelling and evocative images. While the story never glosses over the violence that the movement had to face, Nate Powell translates them into incredibly powerful imagery with minimal symbols that stays long after you close the book. Each person in this book brought alive with so much honesty and passion. It's amazing how much depth creations of ink and paper can have. 

The book moves between the present ( i.e January 2009) and 1960s. This simultaneously reminds us the huge struggle and sacrifice that it took for a black man to be the president of United States and the distance that is yet to be covered for that equality to be truly equal. Another beautiful thing I found in the book, was that at no point was 'white' people shown as the enemy. The story clearly points out it is hatred without understanding and blind prejudice is the villain. Given the intolerance that we find growing insidiously everyday, this book is still ever so relevant. The story, the personalities, and the art all comes together wonderfully making this a must read!

So that's all for now. Till next time.. Happy reading y'all! :)

Phil!

Book of the month : Jan 2015

Usually, at the beginning of the year, I don't take resolutions. The last resolution I took was roughly a decade back about never taking resolutions and I'm proud to say I've stuck to it longer than most people do with their annual ones. Instead, I open my dairy or blog and write down all that I had been grateful for the previous year and all that I hope the new year to be. This year I was shifting houses so I din't have time to do my usual reminiscing and hoping. In a way, that was good. It broke the flow. While there is a lot to be said about looking back and being grateful for all the wonderful memories and blessings ( and I firmly believe it should be done regularly for a happy life), the whole new-house-in-the-new-year seemed like a good place to take a few resolutions and I hope I stick to them with the same fervor I had stuck with my last one.

Won't bore you with all the details other than the one which is relevant here i.e to read 100 book this year. I did roughly about 50 last year. But funny thing is I barely read even 5 books in the first half of year. But then out of the blue I decided on a social experiment on myself : to keep off social media as long as I can and see what the difference is.  And the difference was the rest of the 45 books, among other changes. Suddenly I had time for a whole bunch of stuff I always wanted to do. So this year, to keep myself from being tempted to return to the rather soul-sucking-time-consuming-yet-ever-so-shiny-world of social media, I will read. And read a 100 books at that. And while I'm reading I might as well tell people what was worth the time and what wasn't because let's face it, not all books are written equal. And thus born was the 'book of the month' blogging resolution! :)

Ok, now that you have suffered though the back story, let's get to the point.

Books read this month, in random order.. actually why... not all books are written equal so why should they be presented equally. I will present them in the order of my rating.

Assuming Names by Tanya Thompson - 2.3 / 5
Supposedly based on a true story, I found the book dead average. I mention the true story bit because it usually that makes the narrative more compelling/inspiring/horrifying etc etc (depending on what the author is saying). It's not that I completely disbelieve her, it's just that I don't completely believe her. There are some aspects of the story which provide an interesting insight into human nature. But most of it, in spite of being a rather racy read ( and by that I don't mean loads of sex, just how fast paced it is) is lacking.. hmm.. I would have to say soul for the lack of a better word. I'm not really invested at any point in how any of the people in the book are faring. Good, bad, ugly.. it's all the same to me. Just the unusual story line keeps you occupied for a while but when I kept the book down there wasn't really anything for me to take away from the book. But as time pass, it was pretty ok. The only thing I really appreciated about the book was how little time it took as I wanted to make up the time I had taken in reading the next one.

The complete stories of Truman Capote by Truman Capote - 3 / 5
This is a tough book to rate simply because I din't like the early stories but loved the ones at the end. Given that the stories were given in the chronological order of their year of publishing, it was fascinating to see the evolution of the writer. The initial stories felt rather gimmicky or forced at times. But as the years roll by you can see him, moving through words and imageries with grace. I would say definitely pick this 'coz it's not often you realise how a writer changes and grows, plus the stories about him and his aunt are nothing short of literary gems if you ask me. And a word of advice, skip the intro! Such a spoiler!

After the Funeral by Agatha Christie - 3 / 5
Not her best work, but honestly even then she stands out. I'm yet to be disappointed by Poirot and this one doesn't either. But it does fall short of the usual awe he inspires. The plot seems a tad bit contrived else it's impeccable as all of Christie's work.

Heartburn by Nora Ephron - 3.3 / 5
Well written chick lit is such a joy. It's the equivalent of your favorite candy. While it might not always have the best nutritional values, you certainly would have a bland life if you don't bite into one occasionally to celebrate or uplift yourself. This one is funny yet bitter sweet. Which is why I liked it. Unabashedly recommend all the girls to pick up your nearest Ephron.

The Moonstone by Wilkie Collins - 3.5 / 5 
This one has been on my to-read list for a long while being on a lot of 'Must read classics' lists and was finally happy to move it to the other side of the ledger. Well written and deviously plotted out, my only gripe against it is the length. It could easily have been least a 100 pages shorter. In part, it can be justified saying that's the narrative style and all, but you can so easily lose the reader half way though the story... well, almost. He does rather cunningly keep you hooked.

The Age of Innocence by Edith Wharton - 3.8 / 5
Yet another classic which had been on the to- read list yet I kept delaying it coz I was worried if I would get bored. I'm always secretly worried about classics boring me though more times than not I'm absolutely love them. This was a book that I grew to like the more I thought about it. My immediate reaction after the book was extremely well written but a bit hollow. Yet the more I thought about the characters and their motivations the more the book seemed to shine. More over there's a certain easiness to read, with the light sardonic tone that she uses, that makes the book feel rather fresh. She's kind of like a Rembrandt with words. Rich with details, some characters shine with extraordinary light and others in the background dimmer but no less textured and nuanced which brings the whole scene alive. But unlike the other classics I did not come away with a feeling of awe. The story was fairly predictable which might be the reason I dint immediately take to it.And though in most cases I'm a complete sucker for bitter sweet endings, this one made me dissatisfied. Not because it felt incomplete but because it was too true to life. A little leniency for her characters could have been spared I felt. But then again, perhaps because of the ending the book might stay with me longer. Especially since she stayed true to her characters. But there's no doubt in my mind for whatever flaws it may have, the book is most deservedly a classic and worth the read.

And finally, the BOOK OF THE MONTH...

The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett - 4.5 / 5
Even before I finished the book I knew this was going to be the book of the month. Even though I had at least a couple more books to finish before this month ends, I knew this was going to be the book of the month! It was just simply that lovely. Deliciously endearing book. Weirdly enough I could relate to the main character who incidentally just happens to be the Queen of England. Written so frankly that one is lead to believe that this story might in deed be true. So go, run and pick your copy today! ;)



So until next month, stay calm and keep reading! :D
Phil!

Drifting down the Ayung river

Image courtesy : Brian J. McMorrow

What do you do when you have had one of the most serene and scenic experiences of your life but come home without a photo or video to show for it? You must be wondering how is that even possible given that we live in an age we are almost umbilical-ly connected to our phones which comes loaded with not just cameras but photo filters and photo enhancers to capture every passing movement and moment of our lives. To be honest, the first few minutes of the trip passed in nothing but irritation at the fact that I'm having this great experience and yet am unable to record it for posterity. It took me a few minutes to realise that half of my life was passed blissfully without having taken every wayward flower and road. And yet those memories have not tarnished much thanks to my faithful dairy. And so I settled down to enjoying the moment and commit all the lovely details to memory for another day and another page ( or post as might be the case here ).

Jackets on, game on! :P

We set out in the morning with idea that we'll be rafting down Telega Waja in Bali which is 3-4 grade of rafting rapids classes of white water river.  But to our dismay we found that it was least 2-3 hours away from our hotel without including possible traffic and we already had plans for later. So we decided to head towards the Ayung river which was just half an hour or so from our hotel. In the resulting rescheduling and corresponding confusion, we lost a hour or more. But finally we found ourselves near the inflatable boats in life jackets along with a Japanese family complete with grandparents and a pair of 6 year old sisters in matching pink frilly swim suits. I guess that should have warned me about the excitement levels to be expected from this "rafting" expedition. But I was too excited to really connect the dots at that moment.

Trekked through some really pretty
paddy fields to reach the river

I think it was only when we had to settle ourselves into our respective rafts I wondered how the kids and the grandparents would be able to manage while hoping they would not be in our raft. But then again they blithely trekked the 3 odd kilometers down the rather steep and slippery hill side to where the rafts were ( to my jealousy.. I wondered if I would be able to do the same at 60! ). Each boat gets one experienced handler who told us the basic commands as to when to paddle and when to hold on etc. We also deposited our cameras and phones into his water proof bag with the promise that he'll give it back when we stop for taking pictures. Seemed reasonable enough.

And we were off. There was a couple of jumps at the beginning, just enough to get your adrenaline started in anticipation. But the jumps were the exception rather than the norm and quite misleading about how the rest of the trip is to go. I guess maybe, sometimes, it's the unpredictable and unexpected part of an experience which can make it so memorable. Of course initially, like I already mentioned, I was fretting over all the things I felt were going wrong - the lack of exciting jumps, the lack of camera to capture, the lack of.. I don't know, something more than what I paid for.

I'm not sure when the realization hit me, that I'm missing out. But I think it might have something to do with the moment I looked up. The river is at the bottom of a gorge walled in thick with trees that's at least 30 meters high, reminiscent of amazonian rivers you read about in books. So you look up and see a narrow strip of the blue blue sky with tall green banks. Like you are floating away in a river of sky. Once you slow yourself to the pace of the river it's so blissful that you almost wonder why you wanted to jump around rapids. Almost.

You look up and if the rest of the group is quiet, it's just you floating away to a time far away, to a place long ago. Maybe you are Huckleberry Finn drifting down the Mississippi. Or maybe you are Holly crossing the moon river. Or maybe you are nothing more than the graceful slow swoop of the leaf tumbling down from high. You can get lost within yourself in so many ways.

Image courtesy : sierrastevensmcgeever

And then you hear a sharp command from your handler to paddle this way or that and you come back to earth. There you sit back to observe the immediate and to your surprise it's equally delightful. At unexpected turns, you see rock faces with intricate carved reliefs in the typical Balinese style showing scenes from the Mahabharata, half green and half gray showing the play of the water line. There dint seem to be a rhyme or reason as to when these carvings appear. You pass by large rocks which look a perfect canvas yet they remain as boulders and then under some leafy foliage, half hidden under water you'll see fantastical beasts cavorting with the great heroes.We asked our guide to stop for the pictures but he insisted the water is too deep ( which can't be true as there were people stopping and taking pics ) or that the stop is coming right ahead where we can take pics.

While your sense of time slows down ( you feel like you are suspended in forever), your senses sharpen. There is an intense beauty to every detail. Maybe because after a long time you are paying your full attention without multitasking. And oh so many details. Ropy vines, some rough and bark like and some satin smooth. Some straight and long and some, looping over to build bridges over the rivers. Ferns which fan over a meter wide. The way noon sun scatters white over the tallest tree tops and grades to a deep green by the water. The unexpectedly iridescent flash of color which resolves itself into a purple dragonfly.

Image courtesy : lookinforjonny.com

And the impromptu waterfalls made of the water drained from the paddy fields hidden from sight. And no kingfisher has looked so blue; or so large. We were waiting at a bend for the other group to catch up and we see this brilliantly blue kingfisher perched right above us. Unfortunately our cries of excitement annoyed the bird who was looking out for his next meal and decided to go to a less noisier part of the river. Again my fingers were itching for the camera as you never know when again you'll find yourself at a hand's length from a creature as colorful as this! Some habits die hard.

Things were not always quiet and serene. One, there were the other rafting boats from other operators. And then there was the other boat with the rest of the Jap family. I don't know who started it, but every time the other boat came within splashing distance, someone would try to drench the others which would soon have everyone splashing and squealing when the cold water runs down your back. And it was not restricted to just the other boat. Any mischievous minded rafter, whether he (or she ) knew us or not, would start the splashing when least expected. And then there was our own impish guide. Occasionally when all of us are day dreaming away, he would turn the boat to purposefully knock it against a rock knocking people off their seats. Which means that one minute I'm contemplating the silhouette of the leaves against the oh-so-blue sky and next minute I'm seeing my feet silhouetted against the same blue sky.

We did stop half way though our trip but it was merely a tiny patch of sand with a makeshift shop for soft drinks and coconut water and no where as scenic as the rest of the places where we had asked him to stop. It was clear that the guides from different operators have marked out different parts of the river for the stops and the more expensive ones got to pick first. Oh well.

Looks so exciting, right? ;)

After the stop is when we start to see signs of civilization, mainly isolated and expensive resorts and restaurants which over look the river. Thankfully all very tastefully done and so doesn't really disrupt the natural beauty of the place. Instinctively we realise that the trip is almost at the end, especially when our guide tells us to be ready for the photo. Photo?? Huh? Right before the end, there is a jump which is shallow enough to be safe but with enough foam and froth to make it look exciting. There you'll find the photographer strategically positioned to take a picture of the group as they pass by. Obviously at the sight of the camera the whole group galvanized into ready smiles, victory signs and raised paddles looking fully like intrepid conquers of the wild river (LOL! Amazing how much a camera can change people's reactions! )

Soon after we are hauled off the boat and we trek back up the hill, already reality crowding in with the hot sun and sweaty weather leaving nothing but memories of the surreal ride down the Ayung river.

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If you liked this, may be you'll also enjoy some of my other travel writings, like this and this!

Take care,
Phil (and his muse!)

Blog fright!

Oh wait.. too late!

I have blog fright. It's not a blogger's block. Quite the opposite of it. There are words running amok, sentences screaming bloody murder for being cooped up inside, virtually under house arrest in my head. And yet, I'm scared to let them out on to the clean white slate of the compose sheet. Why? About the same reason most people are more scared of public speaking than death: the irrational and completely unproportional fear of potential self humiliation and embarrassment. Well, least that's the reason for stage fright. Blog fright also stems from an irrational and completely unproportional but slightly different fear. While I'm pretty certain that I'm not the only one afflicted I don't know if it's as common as stage fright. Either ways this post is both to get over it as well know for sure that I might not be the only dysfunctional blogger( in this particular aspect.. Of course I'm not the only one) in cyberspace.

Yep, looks like a blog I know

Keeping a blog, it's a bit like keeping a gold fish for a pet- relatively low maintenance but you still need to feed it regularly and occasionally it's also healthy to change the water. Most blog die because people don't have enough time/creativity to dedicate to keeping one alive. Or least that's what's tooted around and the statistic does hold true for a good number of deaths. But I don't buy that can be the only reason. Some deaths can be blamed on blog fright as well- the fear of being known.

It's ironic that the very reason you started the blog might be the end of it. True, there are some private blogs whose notes and thoughts accessible to none but the creator. It might be possible you created it for convenience's sake compared to lugging around a diary and a pen. And yes to a million other reasons why you din't create one in the secret hope of anyone who's ever penned anything- that posterity might prove you right if not now and you are/were brilliant. That the world will shuffle through your mundane dreams and hopes and hit pay dirts of wisdom. Well, it worked out rather well for Anne Frank so why not for you, right?  

Whether you admit it or not, you write for the sole reason to give and communicate some permanence to your thoughts. The need to imprint ourselves on others,something more than our share of genes, is hardwired into us. Else, whisper it to the wind. Why else do you stain the pristine white with scratches of black (ink)?! But the permanence has meaning only if they are alive and for words to live they need to be read and shared. 

Though in all fairness, whatever secret megalomania we may harbour deep within ourselves, in reality we bloggers are humbled the moment we start because we realise when we finally write it down it is quite mundane and are quite overwhelmingly grateful when someone likes a post. 

Anyways, where were we? Oh yeah, the need for some permanence though writing. So we write to reach out and pass on bit of ourselves. And a couple of people ( mostly friends and family) read it, comment on it... some even like what you wrote. We get our kick and feel quite validated. It's all hunky dory so far. Then all of a sudden some of us get blog fright. Let me see if I can break it down to what it is.

Those dark stains we leave of ourselves.

The problem starts when we want to write something more personal and intimate. Not because the content or what we want to say is something controversial or anything, It's just something we have never told anyone because we thought it was too trivial or too random and occasionally more happy/dark/philosophical than some people expect out of you.  We hold back because suddenly we are wondering what will all those people think. Actually, no. It's not that we are bothered by what people will think as much as what people will know. Not because people will misunderstand, but precisely because it'll help people understand. 

Most people are scared of being misunderstood but this special breed of sane looking people are even more terrified of being understood. It usually afflicts those of us who are more closed in the real world but tends to be more forthcoming while writing. This usually happens because when we are communicating to the clean white sheet,  we have the perfectly non-committal and perfectly non-judgmental ear to our wisdom/follies. Wish people, even the ones who love and cherish us, could be so non-judgmental.

I know.. So emo kid! :-P

Keeping aside my wish for an unblemished humanity, the unflinching honesty with which we write doesn't always make for happy writing and sometimes, for an unhappy reading. What do you do in these situations? This is usually the start for blog fright. The more practical lot will choose to edit it and draw up the post with the acceptable lines of ourselves and spend the rest of the time rationalizing the lack of honesty as perhaps poetic license(?). The more unreasonable lot will be torn between facing the consequences of honesty ( and the corresponding acceptance or un-acceptance) and letting the post dwell in that dusty place called 'Drafts' rather than be faced with the terrifying possibility of being understood. 

I guess the main fear of being understood is perhaps we fear being predictable. If all our motivations are understood then what mystery will be left? Or maybe because we are not sure where the line is between the mundane and the monstrous. And finding out where we lie, on which side of the line, is something we really don't want to know because both are equally chilling. What ever your subconscious reason is, once these thoughts creep in, it seems almost impossible to click that 'Publish' button. That's when you realise you have fully manifested a case of 'Blog fright'! And there seems no cure in sight either.

SIGH!
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'After Earth' quote.

I wrote this sometime in the space between last year when I was in the middle of  blog fright. Like most  irrational fears it can be vanquished if faced, or well, as in this case written about. I wish I had written it to completion because looking back, it all seems so funny! And hopefully it helps some other frightened blogger to realise that s/he is not alone! And hopefully this is the last time I get a bout of the fright!

Take care,
Phil and his muse! :)

Book review: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

I found my way to the book thief purely by chance. Well if I'm being perfectly honest it's actually due to a faulty memory. I was browsing for some light reading preferably something on the lines of fantasy. I did my share of Terry Pratchett and Gaiman and was looking for a change of flavor. Racking my brain for a name I have not yet tried, the book thief fell out. Its only after I started did I realise that I was looking for 'The thief lord'. 

And its a mistake I'm rather grateful for. Had I actually remembered the Funke series correctly who knows how long it would have taken me to find my way to the book thief.

And being completely unprepared, the book managed to take away even more of my breathe than if I chose it knowingly. On so many levels. Just thinking back on the book makes my heart ache again. And after I finished the book I could not bring my self to believe this is a work of fiction. Though set in the dreary and grey background of the 2nd world war, the characters shine through with the kind of light that is reminiscent of Anne Frank; imperfect yet captivating to say the least.

Because there are so many aspects to explore the book from, I don't know where to start. To start with, the book felt intensely personal. Maybe because it mixed children and books and quiet rebels, my favorite kind of mix in a novel ( of course it comes as no surprise that my favorite book should be 'To kill the mockingbird', with roughly the same mix). But honestly, it transcended for me the space of a book telling an extraordinary tale and rather felt more like I was reading like a lost diary of mine, of life I had perhaps lost. That is not to imply that I write half as wonderfully as Mr. Zusak but that I could identify with the emotions like it was my own. This even when you know the narrator is Death himself. 

For such a morbid sounding narrator the book is full of color and light. How easily we paint death with shades of black. Maybe because the finality of death seems so harsh and unyielding to us, the living. Like a rock. So we imagine Death to have the same unyielding, hard character. But this book reminds us how we can be so wrong. That death can be tender, comforting and beautiful. And that Death can be understanding. I love the way Zusak gently guides us to different perspectives which breaks away from the hard and unconscious  prejudices we have formed. 

Its one of the hardest things to write from a child's point of view because they can be such contractions. At once unconditional and unforgiving in love. And for all their innocence and nativity they can be intuitive in a way no adult can be. They are fierce in their wants and yet pliable their demands. And we always tend to believe children to be so easily swayed by adult idiosyncrasies, that they grow up pumped up with ideas of their environs, like rudderless boats in a swift stream, helpless about the direction of their lives. Markus Zusak politely and firmly points us our follies by creating characters which sparkle with all that is human like Liesel and Rudy in an atmosphere which was tense with inexplicable hate, a demonstration of considerable skill since he also keeps them true with the kind of pettiness and pride only children can have. 

And the magic of a book. Of it's ability to warp or transform if you only let it. Of all the aspects of the story that is told, it's that unabashed and wild love of books which spoke to me. Every time Liesel stole a book from the mayor's wife, taking one at a time, I was, weirdly enough, proud of her. 

I was lucky enough to have been born into a household with loads of books and of love of reading. If I have to choose to reduce myself to one word, the word I would pick would be 'reader'. And maybe this is why I feel like this could have been a lost life of mine. Like Liesel, with life and odds disproportionately in favor of not reading anything leave alone anything worthwhile, I might have still found a way to books simply because it's encoded in my DNA. Or so I like to believe. Who is say who and how I would have turned out to be without books in my life. 

Every time I speak of Liesel I realise I end up talking more of myself than of her. But that is how the experience of reading her was. Usually when writing a review I try to separate the emotional experience of reading the book and try being more objective( I don't believe anyone can truly divorce the two). But this time I don't want to because it is a rare and wonderful experience to be immersed so completely within the character and the story. I don't even want to try to dilute it by looking at it rationally least I lose the feeling. 

And I'm also well aware that this feeling might be skewing this review by speaking only of Liesel and having thus far made no mention of Hans and Rosa Hubermann and of Max.

 As much as I love Liesel, she's not by far the favorite character in the book. The whole book lights up because of all the delicately etched characters. When we realise how stubborn the gentle Hans is (FYI, he's my favorite, the unsung hero ) and how soft the iron fisted Rosa is. And I can't start on Rudy without tearing up. Hell, Death himself gets all cut up about this specimen of boyhood so you can hardly blame me.

If you ask me, this whole book is a testimony to humanity. Both the best and worst of it. The dark history is the large background against which Zusak's people shine. That within grime and grit, it is still possible to love and find beauty. So do yourself a favor and pick up the book. You won't regret it! :)