2017 is
underway and I am in a jolly land of books. I can sincerely say that books make
me feel the way I do when S and Ana kutti are around – make my heart beat
faster, in case you were wondering. I love the whole idea of meticulously
reading book reviews and coming up with a list of books that I’d like to read
or own, and then the wait to hold them in my hands and if it is a new book then
to smell the pages and admire the covers and the fonts, and then to actually
sit and read them. The last part has become pretty challenging with Ana kutti
zooming around seeking attention. But my nights are for my books...at least
that minuscule time frame I have between checking social media and almost
dropping off to sleep. When you have an active, naughty 20 month old, you’ll be
surprised how innovative you get to find ways to do things you like. That’s
another post anyway.
2016 was
a good year considering I surprised myself by reading quite a few books and
enjoying many. In order to not make this a long post, I have written a small
review of the books I liked. In no particular order:
The RosieProject: I am writing a separate blog post for this book and that should say
something about how I felt about it, I hope J
These two
books have been written on the Second World War. Coming from an era that has
really not seen a war of this proportion, and having studied in schools where
the syllabus didn’t dive deep into world history, I have constantly tried to
read up on books that give an inkling about the struggles and horror that
people went through at that time. These two books are exceptional in relaying a
feel of the people during/after the war.
The
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by American authors Mary Ann
Shaffer and Annie Barrows is written in true English style as it conveys the
story of people living in Guernsey, in the Channel Islands, England. The story starts on a charming tone that
slowly turns to a sobering one and then lifts into a positive one. The language
is mellifluous and the humour is so English.
Many times I have felt that only
the English could lay bare such sober and heart rending sentiments in such a
light manner, as is seen in the conversation of the principal characters in the
book. There is no escaping the effects of the war throughout the book, which
play out in the form of letters (oh that forgotten art) to various characters
in the book. I laughed and smiled and felt connected to the characters as they
recount their side of the story of how the book club was born and I sobered up
pretty soon as the dark face of the war is revealed by them through the same
letters. Was a definite must read.
The Book
Thief, is different in tone from the former book. It has no cheerfulness at
all; the little humour that does shine through actually pinches the heart with
its overtones of impending doom. The story is narrated by the greatest leveller
of humanity, Death. He or it tells a surprisingly sensitive story, not really
how one would expect Death to be. He is busy throughout the war and amongst the
gory, bloody, grey background of the war he finds a narrative to share. The
Book Thief is brilliant and is rightfully featured in innumerable versions of
the books to read in your lifetime lists.
There are so many quotes and
statements that have touched me, but what truly leaves a mark is the last line
of the book. It is so befitting what transpires in the life of the protagonist
Liesel Memimger. Here it is below.
The book
is peppered with such quotable quotes and though initially I did feel the
writing was simple, probably because it was intended for a young adult audience,
the feel and the way the story played out really pulled me in. This book made
me realise how in the pre-media days people had time to just think and
contemplate stuff. Not much is spoken between characters, perhaps words are not
even needed when so much could be said through silences and expressions. This
is an irony in the book and is brought out so beautifully through out the book. Oh! And please do have a hanky near by.
This was an un-putdown-able book for me. If
you like a story that touches your heart and stories set during the World War then
do pick it up right now, if you already haven’t.
This book
comes from the Tharoor family stables. Written by Kanishk Tharoor, this book
sparkled in prose and style. More than once I found myself writing down a
phrase or a word so that I could ponder about it later. What was a small let
down for me, not that I can blame it on the writer, was the rather sober,
matter-of-fact endings of the chapters. Maybe if I revisited this book later on
in life, I might be more appreciative of it. It still figures in my list of
books that is good. Do tell me if it worked for you.
 |
This book
has now been made into a movie and you must’ve even watched it by now. I heard
that it hadn’t done very well at the box office. But that’s completely opposite
when it comes to the book. The book has been a super duper hit. The story starts slow with a wretched, despairing, down in the dumps
protagonist who is trying to pick up the pieces of her life after the loss of
her marriage. On the verge of becoming an alcoholic, she finds a thrilling case
that helps to get back her identity and reason to live. It’s a nice, easy read
and the pages just keep turning as you try to keep abreast of the story. The
first half is a bit slow, but I think it was necessary to set the story and to
make the readers buy in on how wretched the protagonist is. The second half picks
up speed and has a superb twist to it. Suspense at its best!
So what
are the books that have made your year last year? What are you reading now?
Please suggest some good ones based on what I have written above. The next best
thing after reading a book is to dissect it a bit with similar book crazies. J happy reading!
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