Books - 2018

1. Dozakhnama: Rabishankar Bal
2. A Spot of bother: Mark Haddon
3. Joy in the morning: P.G Wodehouse
4. Dead of Jericho: Colin Dexter
5. The eleventh commandment: Jeffrey Archer
6. And the mountains echoed: Khaled Hosseini
7. The dog who came in from the cold: Alexander McCall Smith
8. At Bertram's hotel-Agatha Christie
9. Relentless: Dean Koontz
10. Animal Farm: George Orwell
11. American psycho: Bret Easton Ellis

Books - 2017

1. The story of a shipwrecked sailor: Gabriel Garcia Marquez
2. The body in the library: Agatha Christie
3. Murder on the Orient Express: Agatha Christie
4. Unnatural Causes: P.D.James
5. The Girl on the Train: Paula Hawkins
6. Glory: Vladamir Nabokov
7. The Infinite Plan: Isabelle Allende 
8. In The company of Cheerful Ladies: Alexander McCall Smith
9. The Hamilton Case: Michelle De Kretser
10. Courdrouy Mansions: Alexander McCall Smith
11. Hickory Dickory Death: Agatha Christie
12. Of Love And Other Demons: Gabriel Garcia Marquez
13. The Forty Rules of Love: Elif Safak
14. Sad Cypress: Agatha Christie
15. The Lost Symbol: Dan Brown
16. ABC  Murders: Agatha Christie
17. Why didn't they ask Evans: Agatha Christie

Today I stumbled upon this poem and fell in love with it. I haven't read any poetry since school but after reading this one, I'm looking to ready more. Words fail to express the emotions I felt on going through this poem. So I decided I need to put it on my blog.

‘The More Loving One’ by W.H. Auden

Looking up at the stars, I know quite well
That, for all they care, I can go to hell,
But on earth indifference is the least
We have to dread from man or beast.

How should we like it were stars to burn
With a passion for us, we could not return?
If equal affection cannot be,
Let the more loving one be me.

Admirer as I think I am
Of stars that do not give a damn,
I cannot, now I see them, say
I missed one terribly all day.

Were all stars to disappear or die,
I should learn to look at an empty sky
And feel its total dark sublime,
Though this might take me a little time.

Book 2016

1. Haroun and the Sea of stories-Salman Rushdie
2. The Odessa Files-Frederick Forsyth
3. Sri Sai Satcharitr- Shri Hemadpant
4. The Hungry Stones & Other Stories-Rabindranath Tagore 
5. Emma- Jane Austen
6. The Strange case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde- R.L. Stevenson
7. Go Set A Watchman- Harper Lee 
8. The House of The Spirits- Isabelle Allende
9. The Woman in White- Wilkie Collins
10. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone- J.K.Rowling
11. Adultery- Paulo Coelho (incomplete)

Compared to the last few years, I've read the least number of books this year. In fact there has been a downward trend which I want to remedy.

I've diversified in the genres (fantasy, short stories, sci-fi) and the authors (all new authors this year) which is a good sign.

The book that impressed me most was The House of the Spirits. I read it as part of a book club and thoroughly enjoyed it. I did watch the movie based on the book and it was horrible.

Keeping my fingers crossed to have a much longer list of books for next year. Some of the books and authors on my wishlist for 2017 are:

• The Moonstone
• Choker Bali
• Selection Day
• Palace Walk
• Nabokov
• Allende
• Wilkie Collins

Books-2015

17 books in 2014! I feel so happy to have read some really amazing books and introduced to new authors. Let's see if I can beat my 2014 record this year.

1. Elephants can remember: Agatha Christie
2. La's orchestra saves the day: Alexander McCall Smith
3. The Black Prince: Iris Murdoch
4. What Mrs McGillicuddy Saw: Agatha Christie
5. The Full Cupboard Of Life: Alexander McCall Smith
6. The Careful use of compliments: Alexander McCall Smith
7. Catcher in the Rye: J.D. Salinger
8. The Kalahari Typing School for Men: Alexander McCall Smith
9. The Sandcastle: Iris Murdoch
10. The Murder of Roger Ackroyd: Agatha Christie
11. The Mystic Masseur: V.S. Naipaul.

2014 Wrap Up

I'm almost a month late for the 2014 wrap up but better late than never!

2014 to me was wonderful. It brought a lot of cheer, adventure and general happiness. Thinking back, there were some unhappy moments but they do not dilute the awesomeness of the year.

To begin with, I took time off from work and I have never felt happier. It gave me a chance to realize that peace of mind is much more valuable than any salary or title. This lesson was a very important one and put things into perspective. I learnt that doing what you like comes at a price but it feels right. I made a bold decision to not stick to a job that made me miserable every day and I have never once regretted it.

The free time helped me immerse myself in something very enjoyable-yoga! I dedicated time for my practice and sure enough the results were there for the world to see. I didn't lose a whole lot of weight but I got toned and looked and felt healthier. My new and improved appearance added confidence. I became more open to meeting new people and making friends.

I found a good group of girlfriends with whom I developed a nice friendship. Having that kind of support system helped me get from day to day. I also volunteered my time to good causes which gave me a deep sense of satisfaction that I am making a difference however small. Some of the fun events with the seniors were very enjoyable.

A big achievement was getting my driver's license. I overcame the fear that held me back for two years and I managed to get past it. I also started oil painting lessons with a lot of nudge from V and I'm so glad I went for it. I explored a creative side to me which I did not know I had. I surprise myself with each painting I finish and it is a great feeling of accomplishment.

Travel wise, 2014 was great. From the typical city attractions of New York, magnificent Niagara Falls, bioluminescence kayaking, the dry yet majestic Death Valley desert to the snow clad mountains of Tahoe; every trip was breath taking and an absolute pleasure.

The year ended with me going back to work at a place I enjoy working.

Sure, there were some hiccups along the way-knee injury, a not-so-smooth job hunt, untimely expiration of the EAD and some general insecurity. But I don't want to dwell on those and give them power to cast a shadow on the year that I think was amazing in all aspects.

Looking forward to an even more awesome 2015!

Lolita: Book Review

I chanced up on 'Lolita' in the local library and was intrigued by the review blurb at the back of the book which read " Nabakov writes prose the only way it should be written: ecstatically!" and in that instant I knew I had to read it.

From pop cultural references I had already gathered that Lolita is a tale about an older man's obsession with a young girl. This is the premise of the book but there is so much more to it than the moral aspect of it. The prose for one is a literary treasure. I was completely engulfed by the powerful writing and fell in love with the characters. The viciousness, desperation, helplessness, innocence and love won me over and it was hard to put the book down.

There is not much happening by way of story yet I found myself turning the next page with curiosity and interest. The book does not wish to bring morality into question and is simply told from the perspective of one character. Humbert Humbert the narrator of the book feels so real, honest despite his crimes. There is no denying or making excuses-only narration. Lolita is also equally complex-an adolescent who is promiscuous, manipulative and victimized.

We know at the beginning of the book that a murder has been committed and also who committed it but the identity of the victim is revealed only in the end. Each episode and character is brought to life by the magical writing. So influenced was I by the book that I was ready to reread the book as soon as I finished it. I have never felt this way about any other book. Nabokov has instantly moved into my five favorite authors list. I intend to read as much of his works as possible.