tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-248586022024-03-12T21:12:15.075-07:00booksireadSmitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-26507712200851073802010-04-19T11:29:00.000-07:002010-04-19T11:36:00.112-07:00Eclipse - Stephanie Meyer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWO7je0UsKwjRtqYrghZwEEin4bkIl5ZPThKwlYZchSPB2FDvRBaRfZqChA9AkgV-EDEvSeWaZz57OVJBspub57WuMCeg-UJdGnRWHmV967nPyf1QLazaI8ktiMOr8lbNxceB9g/s1600/eclipselg.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 132px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCWO7je0UsKwjRtqYrghZwEEin4bkIl5ZPThKwlYZchSPB2FDvRBaRfZqChA9AkgV-EDEvSeWaZz57OVJBspub57WuMCeg-UJdGnRWHmV967nPyf1QLazaI8ktiMOr8lbNxceB9g/s200/eclipselg.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461917552126924818" border="0" /></a><br />This is the best in the series by far and I am authorized to say that now that I am half way through Breaking Dawn. My heart bled for Jacob through this book and I would have loved for Bella to go with him. Sighhhh! The conversations between Jacob and Edwards while they await the newborn vampires is very interesting and I am desperately looking forward to the movie now:D If possible, please please stop at Eclipse and do not venture to read Breaking Dawn.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-39673612580954119092010-04-19T11:20:00.001-07:002010-04-19T11:28:32.731-07:00The Zoya Factor - Anuja Chauhan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtT774AEvrjGqytygZoSs34nLqpwVnvuwGryf4eelTMG44c96qS0o-bj29VB-UX4CdP78_uZzoFHu9YFpj0zS88mrtpHe1gJOf5k2o05iApMsxZpuGHcemw1U9fV6cbjZm60NUw/s1600/101627_zoya-factor_pbilimage1.jpg"><img style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdtT774AEvrjGqytygZoSs34nLqpwVnvuwGryf4eelTMG44c96qS0o-bj29VB-UX4CdP78_uZzoFHu9YFpj0zS88mrtpHe1gJOf5k2o05iApMsxZpuGHcemw1U9fV6cbjZm60NUw/s200/101627_zoya-factor_pbilimage1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5461915476448868482" border="0" /></a><br />This was a recommended fun read by my sister and she even told me of her meeting with the author. Although I am not into cricket, this book was such a fun read and my sister and I kept trying to imagine who would fit the roles of all the character if this movie were to be made in Bollywood. It was also fun to read about Karol bagh and Delhi and the typical huge family that Zoya has. The ads and the campaigns they come up with for Zoya are hilarious and so reflective of some messed up marketing campaigns we see in the ad world today. Overall it was a very fun and entertaining read and I would recommend it as a travel book:)Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-5278762694926904242010-01-26T15:53:00.000-08:002010-01-26T17:17:02.328-08:00New Moon - Stephenie Meyer<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobhhjdZgKnNthxfDWMn02K2-_Y0ux78UWER_gLphKisrj3gF6k6NVm3femTstILtznhpiXfC7ilb902fQw5PWrcbcLnwT1XKPy4P9Lh-JvqG8OcWbAf9XF65JXyKebt2fT6c42A/s1600-h/Newmooncover.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 140px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjobhhjdZgKnNthxfDWMn02K2-_Y0ux78UWER_gLphKisrj3gF6k6NVm3femTstILtznhpiXfC7ilb902fQw5PWrcbcLnwT1XKPy4P9Lh-JvqG8OcWbAf9XF65JXyKebt2fT6c42A/s200/Newmooncover.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431201258878379554" border="0" /></a>I watched Twilight last year and I loved it. I know some of my friends are cringing as they read this:D:D I will still hold on to my view:D. I couldn't understand what caused the teens to faint and behave abnormally but I thought it was an interesting movie. I then went and bought the second book and only got around to reading it now. The book was very intense and gripping and watching the first movie made it easy to imagine the characters. Jacob is my favorite character and he transitions very quickly from the sweet boy next door to the intense man in this story. Bella is very interesting as well and her clumsiness makes her very likable to me for obvious reasons. Edward always seems like the ethereal and unattainable love to me. The book ends on a promising note and I am excited to read the next one 'Eclipse' as well as watch the movie New Moon. I don't have any company so I will wait for the DVD to come out.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-74887022537423267682010-01-26T15:44:00.001-08:002010-01-26T15:52:22.836-08:00Bombay Girls, Bombay Rains - Anirban Bose<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIJ1CLpK5a1z95TJqlkAv36O_6OUHWoYmlL4YQp2PfStkz2-Ru_tn_-ZWTfn-JhQ-iIY7vn4uwwU7-im1846is_0bsnW1KkFGzRBx54ShaJkNqMYe0VWU20P6rZqQWz0SZVYfvA/s1600-h/101627_bombay-rains_pbilimage1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdIJ1CLpK5a1z95TJqlkAv36O_6OUHWoYmlL4YQp2PfStkz2-Ru_tn_-ZWTfn-JhQ-iIY7vn4uwwU7-im1846is_0bsnW1KkFGzRBx54ShaJkNqMYe0VWU20P6rZqQWz0SZVYfvA/s200/101627_bombay-rains_pbilimage1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431198738446456146" border="0" /></a><br />I read this book right before I saw 3 idiots and my thoughts are all confused and mixed up now. I enjoyed this book immensely and couldn't put it down . It tells the story of a small town boy who gets admission into a prestigious medical college in Mumbai and everything he experiences during those years spent in college. Ragging, friendships made and broken, heartbreaks and every possible life experience that you can imagine and of course all of Mumbai's character put into every single experience. I have read so much about Mumbai by now that I almost wish I was brought up there. Its a city that has a distinct character and this is obvious from every Mumbaite that you meet. Whether I would trade that for my life in Hyderabad is a different story:). This book is a good travel read and I enjoyed my Chennai-Bangalore trip immensely while reading it.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-64127858553356147432010-01-15T10:00:00.000-08:002010-01-15T10:14:30.806-08:00The Storyteller’s Tale - Omair Ahmad<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwf0buZ3Oaj8i62NNwBf5RrJY0fDZTVjZDMDIvCMMCWIY8K6pHJDdo0ILTf6PD6CC6xmTpe0jCoubkh-cEycgBkSo5Hg3B0B5nuNQKeTn8DGmDp40lKNOCg1Ffms6e3ZPdoDFPqw/s1600-h/The+Storyteller%27s+Tale+Cover1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 129px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwf0buZ3Oaj8i62NNwBf5RrJY0fDZTVjZDMDIvCMMCWIY8K6pHJDdo0ILTf6PD6CC6xmTpe0jCoubkh-cEycgBkSo5Hg3B0B5nuNQKeTn8DGmDp40lKNOCg1Ffms6e3ZPdoDFPqw/s200/The+Storyteller%27s+Tale+Cover1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5427028248481628626" border="0" /></a><br />This book reminded me of Arabian nights and similar tales. Although it wasn't full of magic and spells, the feel of the story was the same. The tale of Taka and Wara heart wrenching. The attraction between the storyteller and the begum is very strong and you can almost feel their chemistry through the stories they tell. Overall a very interesting and quick read. I would definitely like to read more by this author.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-22678095364671747462010-01-14T14:27:00.000-08:002010-01-14T14:40:06.664-08:00Two States - Chetan Bhagat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYM1zEvkZHIUb3ci5dy4EjfH2hjDSdjqGHjJyEj8wcGRuVXGFs-0eQ23ZPfde6am5f3VwhVB6h-U0VV_Y7Xco9RLsq7mpZywLRtimkvDFLgk3dn2Cr0wg76sONUDmQOzSw1_76g/s1600-h/2_state_the_story_of_my_marriage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 149px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWYM1zEvkZHIUb3ci5dy4EjfH2hjDSdjqGHjJyEj8wcGRuVXGFs-0eQ23ZPfde6am5f3VwhVB6h-U0VV_Y7Xco9RLsq7mpZywLRtimkvDFLgk3dn2Cr0wg76sONUDmQOzSw1_76g/s200/2_state_the_story_of_my_marriage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5426726046753916034" border="0" /></a><br />This book was very entertaining and funny to me. Especially because I am married to a Tamilian:). The story of Krish, a punjabi boy, in love with Ananya, a tambhram. What more do you need to create a complete book! The only suggestion I have for couples who come from such distint backgrounds is, don't bother convincing your families! Just get married and let them come around to it. This philosophy of trying to have a love marriage that is arranged and accepted, sometimes cause more pain and trouble than just going for it. I would compare it to pulling out a band-aid:D:D. It was fun to read about the wild punjabis and the sober but uptight tamilians. If Krish and Ananya think their struggle has ended with the marriage, well I would say that was the easy part:D:D.<br />I have a wonderful marriage and very loving and caring in-laws, family and extended family. I wouldn't say that my husband and I lived perfectly with each other after marriage, even though it was a love marriage. There are always new things that you discover and learn about each other once you start living with each other. I think with our 4th wedding anniversary, we have got it together - almost:). However I must say that I have become a staunch believer in the concept of arranged marriages. Our forefathers were smart. All they did with arranged marriages was reduce the differences in culture, tradition, financial background/habits and lifestyle so that after marriage, it results in fewer differences between the husband and wife and I think this was a smart way of approaching it. I don't mean to say that arranged marriage involve no effort in adjusting but probably less because you start with a common ground.<br /><br />Back to the book, it was a good and light book to read during my travel in India. I definitely liked it better than One Night at a Call Center.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-86700808177142799132009-09-22T15:31:00.000-07:002010-01-14T14:27:50.971-08:00Married But Available - Abhijit Bhaduri<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGQHNa4JK1zVWiReMrW7cRTsqWMq5VAnWCj7NKMtdjLuHdeciQ1pMgiduSN_h50IgvUi58312JTKu-eudHpGf7U1wkcaCltY3BCfFx08cYyYe4Ya5f15I-P9hW36cBN-DUtmsEw/s1600-h/2108_Full_Married-But-Available.gif"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 128px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAGQHNa4JK1zVWiReMrW7cRTsqWMq5VAnWCj7NKMtdjLuHdeciQ1pMgiduSN_h50IgvUi58312JTKu-eudHpGf7U1wkcaCltY3BCfFx08cYyYe4Ya5f15I-P9hW36cBN-DUtmsEw/s200/2108_Full_Married-But-Available.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5384423724423486226" border="0" /></a><br />This book continues on Abbeys story where Mediocre But Arrogant left off. It was definitely an interesting read. I loved some of the marketing and HR gyan that was imparted as part of the story. I kept wondering why he marries Ayesha in the first place when he has always been more into Keya and Keya is such a whimsical character. I found her annoying at times. You do end up feeling a little sorry for Abbey when Ayesha leaves him. Overall it has a good flow and I will definitely read the next one:) Keep it coming Abhijit!Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-15194870371741879702009-06-01T11:52:00.000-07:002009-06-01T11:55:53.221-07:00Where are you now? - Mary Higgins Clark<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPOBYImS0tWEGaEkIhLutTcZ2gdaHHsw-fLBr0E8LoGF_qgbAE6YTJB5cG7DHd55lSu_m1lPGPae2Jl2LrZ6gcoP_geCds5EpuECSa52-SdWe3DG4xc9qOPQKytLmumeVXrw57Q/s1600-h/where_are_you_now.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaPOBYImS0tWEGaEkIhLutTcZ2gdaHHsw-fLBr0E8LoGF_qgbAE6YTJB5cG7DHd55lSu_m1lPGPae2Jl2LrZ6gcoP_geCds5EpuECSa52-SdWe3DG4xc9qOPQKytLmumeVXrw57Q/s320/where_are_you_now.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342434350119099810" border="0" /></a><br />This book was a big disappointment to me. Either I have gotten really good with figuring out her endings or she has become repetitive. <spoiler> I really wish the ending was something more exotic like Mack being alive. And it wasn't even half as scary as some of her previous ones. Sigh! I will however still read her next one:)Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-44762186723728545372009-06-01T11:45:00.000-07:002009-06-01T11:52:10.782-07:00The White Tiger - Arvind Adiga<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK4RrCwIKrOcxbbAAvt5DSd32DW9YpAWwP7fYN1UB39kiWD-Oojj7zJ2F4pFWaNscCIpEosZ0wgPfWnuGG7ZY8KmxkWE3hDvu1FVIVvYO_rknnNCuYSxDlwgVrHBRukcBUpWU_g/s1600-h/the_white_tiger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 214px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK4RrCwIKrOcxbbAAvt5DSd32DW9YpAWwP7fYN1UB39kiWD-Oojj7zJ2F4pFWaNscCIpEosZ0wgPfWnuGG7ZY8KmxkWE3hDvu1FVIVvYO_rknnNCuYSxDlwgVrHBRukcBUpWU_g/s320/the_white_tiger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342432503102282834" border="0" /></a><br />This was another highly recommended read by my sister and also a Christmas gift from my husband. I found this book rather depressing and scary. A lot of grim realities that we avoid thinking about in day-to-day life were depicted realistically in this book. My sis even told me that there is a magazine like Murder Weekly that gets published in Delhi. I never got the whole point of the ending and wished the ending was something different from what the story was building up to all along. Also I think the part where he moves to Bangalore and becomes a big shot would have been more interesting to me. But I can see why it won the Booker prize. I do recommend this as an interesting read but do not get your hopes too high.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-69073313151827761072009-04-06T10:39:00.000-07:002009-04-06T10:51:57.485-07:00Monsoon Diary - Shobha Narayan<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZOC2i55VV-8pDuYW7U8K73Q-3zP2_eSrnJy-UsIoZD4X68RLchGTLlOidpAwTWk8d4OWdSfnD25GZNMp7vpF-aEhrvhbliIO-BY9TRGc1Caw9h3QL2vXP7Qdbt3M9BTSJ8-cYg/s1600-h/monsoondiary.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1ZOC2i55VV-8pDuYW7U8K73Q-3zP2_eSrnJy-UsIoZD4X68RLchGTLlOidpAwTWk8d4OWdSfnD25GZNMp7vpF-aEhrvhbliIO-BY9TRGc1Caw9h3QL2vXP7Qdbt3M9BTSJ8-cYg/s320/monsoondiary.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321634891112570402" border="0" /></a><br /><br />How I love books that talk about food! A big thank you to Sindhu for letting me borrow this book from her:) This book is kind of an autobiography of the author where she talks about her childhood and years spent growing up and after but every single description is around food and there are recipes at the end of each chapter. I loved reading about her childhood days in Kerela at her grandparents' home and I really wished I had taken up the offer that my friend Vimi made as a kid to goto her hometown in Kerela. None of the dishes were new to me but it was fun to read about them in the context of her family and life. I really wish there were more pictures in the book but oh well. I recommended it to Asha of foodies hop and to my delight she had already read and reviewed it. This is a highly recommended read if you are a foodie:).Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-87053099495333648572009-04-02T11:44:00.000-07:002009-04-06T10:24:04.537-07:00Thousand Splendid Suns - Khaled Hosseini<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguO_ByOe0TlMn8EifLgpA-mRijgLGy9rImuyHYhQTKvRQdMbPOMSAy8i3tmumjX_X_sKUT55LOihLwlxcDFhKh7QGY2pYT-xbvsIzorQnL-fK5TMiadIQ7ZxtZI45j6yvh20C6GQ/s1600-h/thousandsuns.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguO_ByOe0TlMn8EifLgpA-mRijgLGy9rImuyHYhQTKvRQdMbPOMSAy8i3tmumjX_X_sKUT55LOihLwlxcDFhKh7QGY2pYT-xbvsIzorQnL-fK5TMiadIQ7ZxtZI45j6yvh20C6GQ/s320/thousandsuns.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5320167090539599154" border="0" /></a><br />It has been a while since I posted about books that I have been reading. I blame the TV in my bedroom entirely for my reduced reading. Why would I read when I can go to sleep while watching House, 24, Law and Order and the food network shows that I have on my DVR! Its not like I haven't been reading at all but I ahve been slower. Also to blame is the fact that I have discovered the joy of reading during work out and the joy of reading multiple books at a time. The context switch does not bother me, only makes me go slower.<br /><br />This book was another depressing one like the Kite Runner. The conditions they describe and the life that people become used to left me wondering why people would even continue living like that but I guess if they have not known a better life, they wouldn't know any better. Also I kept asking why the women would take the beating and abuse and not kill their husband sooner. Again, I think people in such situations get used to life the way it is. I would not recommend reading this if you are in a sad place in your life. I am glad I was reading another happy book at the same time.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-15907916525047422042008-10-07T10:42:00.000-07:002009-04-06T10:38:55.505-07:00One Night @ The Call Center<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueh9laH0ibyu4dUUMbFH1T7svLmdKkh9Ejm7-lGkpZsQ4j2tGBZyqcPOqe379zmrc3WyhbIc5c8vIuQJ0aGioV6GxdkX33ZCnOZ25KMp8k22HzVQ0FrhchJI4atrvQMCSXiQUHQ/s1600-h/one-night@the-call-center_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhueh9laH0ibyu4dUUMbFH1T7svLmdKkh9Ejm7-lGkpZsQ4j2tGBZyqcPOqe379zmrc3WyhbIc5c8vIuQJ0aGioV6GxdkX33ZCnOZ25KMp8k22HzVQ0FrhchJI4atrvQMCSXiQUHQ/s320/one-night@the-call-center_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5254469185765089026" border="0" /></a><br />I simply had to read this book before the movie based on it released. I simply had to read the book where Salman Khan comes and dances bare chested on the stage. I simply had to read the book that writes about God making an appearance in the middle of a call center story. The book was bearable but the movie was horrible. Nothing more to say on this one.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-35492662621622665362008-09-15T10:44:00.000-07:002008-09-15T11:17:47.932-07:00The Three Mistake of My Life - Chetan Bhagat<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuyFST5KAxjQqs8_rh_2jwk0wDPWnPi9su4D0hYGLrmxXEvN6ML7tsDWD9UTqfNsZBzN0V4cCVfc6LOuNqihnRGfzTjugQgF0P06wIPgb_72GEfosSptDQXHnJva0Tmo_3I5aLw/s1600-h/3mistakes.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXuyFST5KAxjQqs8_rh_2jwk0wDPWnPi9su4D0hYGLrmxXEvN6ML7tsDWD9UTqfNsZBzN0V4cCVfc6LOuNqihnRGfzTjugQgF0P06wIPgb_72GEfosSptDQXHnJva0Tmo_3I5aLw/s320/3mistakes.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246305657937489938" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This is an very nice and gripping book by Chetan Bhagat set to the backdrop of the Gujarat riots. I somehow didn't expect the book to go so wild towards the end and it caught me by surprise although according my my sis I should have seen it coming all the time with the build up of the Muslim kid and the fanatic mama. She also told me something interesting - my BIL sent some feedback to Chetan Bhagat, one of them being that the way Govind got close so quickly with Vidya and their sexual adventures on the terrace seemed a little too fast for a place like Ahhmedabad (I agreed with this too) and he responded saying that this is how things are these days even in places like these and not just metros of India. I guess I left India a long time ago:). The other funny thing was that by the time I reached the ending of the book I forgot how the book all started with the suicide note. That must tell how gripping the rest of the story was. I am definitely going to read One Night @ a Call Center soon.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-63202075693591920732008-08-11T14:25:00.000-07:002008-09-03T14:26:57.845-07:00Almost Single - Advaita Kala<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2NjeDg2TkDpGL5w1kMdyMsb13REDpb8fyfeSYKxj0iNVGv1AqL7UWVt7IbGIxbeY-qtmU7sPsL-hkYvYA3xX2kehAtFPfE353eNfoKSr_Sh-mvsXKQKbCQushvI2URWR7ANCfw/s1600-h/almost-single-advaita-kala.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz2NjeDg2TkDpGL5w1kMdyMsb13REDpb8fyfeSYKxj0iNVGv1AqL7UWVt7IbGIxbeY-qtmU7sPsL-hkYvYA3xX2kehAtFPfE353eNfoKSr_Sh-mvsXKQKbCQushvI2URWR7ANCfw/s320/almost-single-advaita-kala.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5241862922924251858" border="0" /></a><br /><br />So I have my sister to thank for sending this book with my parents who are visiting....Having just finished an M&B (yeah I still read them and I am ashamed of it but they are fun sometimes:) ), it didnt take much to shift to this chick-lit......This book is an Indian woman meets Bridget Jones meet Sex And The City. Its got elements of clumsiness/cuteness from Bridget Jones and a Charlotte like friend and lots of other similarities. The point where Karan suddenly becomes interested in the protagonist left me a little baffled. There was not much build up leading to that. There were funny moments too and thats what made the book readable in spite of it being a rehas of already written/seen stuff.<br /><br />Now it has been really long since I read a mind blowing book that kept me awake. Any suggestions?Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-88667138540074651722008-07-15T10:34:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:10:00.471-08:00Can you keep a secret? - Sophie Kinsella<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSV61KSUyquFMRFUevS2gFQPB-WI-uJTVH2hU4AQCWGTGzlAbJWUuHiG58tdGXuR2sl2ilZhvZQDXbWeacXSWryKAQBn-ScsYkmh-PjdwcolzboVmSgyuoDPnNSi4tR1LXgZcg3g/s1600-h/canyou.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSV61KSUyquFMRFUevS2gFQPB-WI-uJTVH2hU4AQCWGTGzlAbJWUuHiG58tdGXuR2sl2ilZhvZQDXbWeacXSWryKAQBn-ScsYkmh-PjdwcolzboVmSgyuoDPnNSi4tR1LXgZcg3g/s320/canyou.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5223296082118296866" border="0" /></a><br />I am soooo not ashamed to say that I read yet another chick-lit especially when it is a fun one like this...It took me longer than usual to finish this because chores around the home kept me busy but must say it gave me a few good giggles which annoyed hubby occasionally because they distracted him from the chores:D:D ......Must say that Emma is a totally cute character.......I ROFL when Jack talks about Benhur in front of her parents....I can totally imagine what she is going through.....Imagine what happens when all your secrets are spilled out.........:D:D.....Love the part where she chases Jack and says that she didn't care to know the big secret but wanted to know the small silly secrets of his...:D:D....Thanks to Sindhu for lending me this book and thanks to Sweety for recommending me this one...Definitely enjoyed it better than Undomestic Goddess......Wondering what I'll read next...I started one called Next.....Might get back to that one...:)Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-77975991281666444232008-06-11T10:31:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:10:00.670-08:00A Cry In The Night - Mary Higgins Clark<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsTDVsRO_JlNzUSUQQcRpUw0mZR97VlZiPLVghcCLE1-Mz8sVf-vhfvo9Y8GZAe6sbyz05glRCMkcRaEijyh2d1e_tZP7ANpXTSPcfr4nnqpwKaUqVlz_D5nWXQRrh8bloE7uPg/s1600-h/n298.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNsTDVsRO_JlNzUSUQQcRpUw0mZR97VlZiPLVghcCLE1-Mz8sVf-vhfvo9Y8GZAe6sbyz05glRCMkcRaEijyh2d1e_tZP7ANpXTSPcfr4nnqpwKaUqVlz_D5nWXQRrh8bloE7uPg/s320/n298.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210678167044922354" border="0" /></a>"I solemnly vow that I will not abandon any books in pursuit of real suspense and thrill that I get from Mary Higgins Clark Books" - Because this is what I did again. Sorry Adrian Mole, I had to abandon you for this one:) but I promise to get back to you. So I read the first page and was hooked. The only disappointment was that the bad guy was the one we suspected all along. The revelation of his twisted mind did not fail to send chills down my spine nevertheless. I did not think much of Jenny for ignoring all the warning signs so blatantly and couldn't imagine why she would put on the aqua gown. The characters are etched so well in my memory and I can almost imagine how they look when I close my eyes. I simply love love love her books and I am an ardent fan. I read that she lives in New Jersey. If I ever get a chance I'll meet her in person and tell her so myself:). Not sure what I am reading next but waiting for a friend to finish "Can you keep a secret" by Sophie Kinsella so that I can borrow it from her. :)Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-27497470476493566212008-05-28T13:03:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:10:00.831-08:00All Around The Town - Mary Higgins Clark<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWsRVj_OHE6ZPHMsXA03Lqptg9FO5ifnRiS0x0nj6rkUST1mZnfb_tEBE5q6w8Q7SmOKLlT-cvPWR0zleOET1lk1cQXiTYjIYcdLOMIWnQmdRuXPC10RlCNT79hEW16WF7FvuOQ/s1600-h/product-5337693.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFWsRVj_OHE6ZPHMsXA03Lqptg9FO5ifnRiS0x0nj6rkUST1mZnfb_tEBE5q6w8Q7SmOKLlT-cvPWR0zleOET1lk1cQXiTYjIYcdLOMIWnQmdRuXPC10RlCNT79hEW16WF7FvuOQ/s320/product-5337693.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205522105472361586" border="0" /></a>I enjoyed reading this book immensely. A must read for any Mary Higgins Clark fans and for anyone who is into psychological thrillers. This one was a page turner and even though I couldn't read it at one stretch due to other obligations, I kept going back to it as and when time permitted. The phenomenon of MPD has always interested me and the more I read about, the more I feel I should have chosen the profession of being a psychologist (Those you you laughing right now may kindly stop laughing:D) . The prospect of being engaged in a science with no certainty seems very challenging especially when it deals with the human psyche. When I was very young, I started off with wanting to be a doctor like most kids but then moved on to the more glamorous professions of genetic engineer (from reading all the Robin Cooks), secretary to a lawyer (from reading all the Perry Mason's), interior designer (from reading one particular M&B), and finally psychiatrist. Sad that I never pursued either of these and ended up being a boring software engineer. Even today I feel like I am total misfit for this job and having pursued my instincts in the culinary arena, I think I might be a better chef than a software engineer. But it pays the bills and gives me a luxurious (by some standards) life. So it will have to do for now. Aaaanywaysss, coming back to the book the characters are etched out well and the pace of the book kept me hooked. The ending, albeit predictable, was intriguing and the many chills and thrills that the book takes you through are a total blessing. I was even scared to read this book while I was alone in the room at some points. Childhood abuse is a grim reality for many and developing MPD due to this is not a new concept but it never gets less interesting or less sad. I admired Sarah's character and was happy with the fact that she develops a romantic interest in Justin. Definitely a recommended read if you are in the mood for a spine chiller.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-14108518597147326512008-05-20T10:09:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:10:00.940-08:00Arranged Marriage - Chitra Divakaruni<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg735Lmb1d7LzyIA4FKKRvbvPV6TR12SDSf7X5QL39FgNx1DZu5Enh95ddCyV7QVZAw7b3R9dzzBlwpK0_4gsoBng2QJCDhEOwNcsq-yo1sKYzB-0N0a0XOJLzVk5bYgt2DFr-rZg/s1600-h/arrangedmarriage.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg735Lmb1d7LzyIA4FKKRvbvPV6TR12SDSf7X5QL39FgNx1DZu5Enh95ddCyV7QVZAw7b3R9dzzBlwpK0_4gsoBng2QJCDhEOwNcsq-yo1sKYzB-0N0a0XOJLzVk5bYgt2DFr-rZg/s320/arrangedmarriage.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202508543900641682" border="0" /></a><br />I have been trying to read this book for long now. I tried borrowing it from the the library but had to return it before I got started. I now know that I am not built for borrowing books from the library. I love owning books and reading at my own whims and fancies too much to depend on the library. Unless of course there comes a time where I cannot afford to buy even second hands books. Keeping my future plan in mind (which some of you know by now), I must buy them all:D:D....The book was a good read albeit it had a sad note to some of the stories. As obvious the stories all revolve around arranged marriages and provide an insight into the Indian woman's psyche both in India and abroad. Chitra Bannerjee got me hooked to her books with her previous series "Sister of my heart" and "Vine of Desire"....I didn't appreciate "Mistress of Spices" and I have heard that the movie starring Aishwarya is even worse....<br />I can't remember the names of the stories as I write this but I liked most of them especially the one about the lady of the house and the maid she hires told from the perspective of her sister. All in all a decent read.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-15536801900745139622008-05-05T12:50:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:10:01.085-08:00The Undomestic Goddess - Sophie Kinsella<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E5ICU6dVrYTiR6-Z7rTnZfGBzmKOXGrTKwpTPraTA8x5AXYpkNVJFY_jPyQXoyA_yMOugnqmgNqyCvhZrYNT9HWNIkhj24xxwY4VzAJhAy7Desimiv6wReBMJfF8Y41aC6FNbA/s1600-h/UGusa.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2E5ICU6dVrYTiR6-Z7rTnZfGBzmKOXGrTKwpTPraTA8x5AXYpkNVJFY_jPyQXoyA_yMOugnqmgNqyCvhZrYNT9HWNIkhj24xxwY4VzAJhAy7Desimiv6wReBMJfF8Y41aC6FNbA/s320/UGusa.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5197396108983800818" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This book was a recommended read by my sister knowing how much I enjoyed "Confessions of a Shopaholic". I enjoyed this book very much as well and the next one by Sophie Kinsella on the radar is "Can You Keep a Secret?".<br /><br />Samantha like the typical protagonist of Sophie's books is an expert at painting herself into a corner. It is nail biting to read what she commits herself to but there is also an exhilaration in her ability to be a quick learner enabling her to wring herself out of the situation she is in. It was rather frustrating to read the number of times she changes her mind before arriving at the conclusion that she should ditch her life as a high profile lawyer. I did not agree with that wholly either. I feel that there was no need for her to go from being a lawyer to a housekeeper. She could have chosen a life somewhere in between - like becoming a part time lawyer who works in her own time. What a waste all those years of working towards the law degree!! But of course this book is not to be taken too seriously:) It was a fun read and I wouldn't mind reading some thing so illogical if it gives me a few laughs which it did. My hubby caught me laughing out loud in the middle of this one;)Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-50571973313296550342008-01-03T15:34:00.000-08:002008-01-03T15:36:37.305-08:00Inheritance of Loss - Kiran DesaiI bought this book but haven't had a chance to read it yet. A very dear friend has graced my blog by agreeing to do a guest review. Find his review <a href="http://browsekid.wordpress.com/2007/12/29/book-review-the-inheritance-of-loss-by-kiran-desai/">here.</a><br />I will follow up with a review of my own once I have read it.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-8452297693737624702007-12-14T13:29:00.000-08:002008-12-08T19:10:01.300-08:00I'll Be Seeing You - Mary Higgins Clark<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wTEatdDBmFgw1VfgbURhnE5HNo4v2_wP3ksbNd8-2X-QBJWtbDnTu8pFQsevR9Zc0uMrZYCpsYsAxkcGSEBV81ZKfHnuEHVfeGeyOYWKeLc5q-QPgX8DNRT9cgYgOkrTPcip9w/s1600-h/maryhigginsillbeseeingyou.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4wTEatdDBmFgw1VfgbURhnE5HNo4v2_wP3ksbNd8-2X-QBJWtbDnTu8pFQsevR9Zc0uMrZYCpsYsAxkcGSEBV81ZKfHnuEHVfeGeyOYWKeLc5q-QPgX8DNRT9cgYgOkrTPcip9w/s320/maryhigginsillbeseeingyou.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5143944013746444882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />This one delivered on all the chills and thrills that are promised by a Mary Higgins Clark book. I have been trying to get a friend of mine to read these with repeated failure:D:D but the fact that I am hooked is evident from the number of her books reviewed on my blog - all thanks to my sister:) . Bernie is a typical character with a sick mind .....There is usually one such character in almost every book of hers.....The way he/she thinks is probably pitiable but as expected the reader would not feel any sympathy for such a person.....The way he spies on women and makes crank calls is chilling.....I think I almost guessed the wrong doer midway through the book but that didn't spoil the rest of it for me...Meghan and her mom are strong independent characters that don't fail to inspire you....The bit about artificially induced pregnancy leading to cloned identical twins being born years apart is intriguing and I ended up doing some reading online to even understand how it happens.....The scam that is revealed at the end is quite predictable given the nature of the clinic but not less shocking...and of course I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre ......Happy reading!!!Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-15977959376867785792007-10-25T11:05:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:10:01.516-08:00A Death In Vienna - Daniel Silva<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx-MIlkbL8wWXxwytcw2geOuZ4YaqHLI56z2IkT7iPvk8FblaEsEeUV5B8oay33zfll9g6foLsayuVLlPMZMr_v0fShJCE2xdIWhgsf1d2bSba0Rk4UN0DGp3WBSe9PGnRIF_7g/s1600-h/deathinvienna.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXx-MIlkbL8wWXxwytcw2geOuZ4YaqHLI56z2IkT7iPvk8FblaEsEeUV5B8oay33zfll9g6foLsayuVLlPMZMr_v0fShJCE2xdIWhgsf1d2bSba0Rk4UN0DGp3WBSe9PGnRIF_7g/s320/deathinvienna.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5125337256843504194" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I made the mistake of reading another Daniel Silva right after the previous one. I did not enjoy this one as much. It was the same as the previous one, only less thrilling because it dragged on and on. I would rather not write anything further but I am guessing it won't be half as bad as I say if someone reads it afresh or after a long break from other Daniel Silva books.Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-2844932924970781252007-10-03T12:28:00.001-07:002008-12-08T19:10:01.690-08:00Salaam Paris - Kavita Daswani<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42bZS9cSnPu7Yrk-H_QcfZ3PiSOHxhUo22Byy9-zd9256pM2dU0ur3GBiAkgPsP_zVrcMAkHhd1KJjSsvs-2v8ZDSFjx2WYP3MAjdfOCl7167cO7qccWQxFeO8bSvZdJT6ZU7rA/s1600-h/salaam_paris.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42bZS9cSnPu7Yrk-H_QcfZ3PiSOHxhUo22Byy9-zd9256pM2dU0ur3GBiAkgPsP_zVrcMAkHhd1KJjSsvs-2v8ZDSFjx2WYP3MAjdfOCl7167cO7qccWQxFeO8bSvZdJT6ZU7rA/s320/salaam_paris.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5117194707798532098" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Salaam Paris - another book about Paris...Hmm...wonder why I am picking all these books about Paris these days...;).......Besides Paris, what drew me to this one was Amulya Malladi's recommendation and the fact that the author was Kavita Daswani. Her previous work (The Village Bride of Beverly Hills) I must say, I enjoyed immensely:) . Salaam Paris was a fun read too but I didn't quite admire how the protagonist kept reprimanding herself for the choice she made. Now chick-lit is a term I have become familiar with and no matter what anyone thinks, I love it:D:D. Its good to read a chick-lit every once in a while and keep in touch with the "chick" in me:D:D. I can't say I identify with the background Tanaya comes from because, touchwood, my parents were always very liberal and in fact no one would have been happier than my mom if I had gone into the movie or modeling industry;) And my dad has always been the one to push us to be independent and earn our own living. I must say it was a real blessing to have such parents and to grow up with two very independent, smart and confident older sisters. I didn't really have to look outside for role models when I had such strong women around me all my life. I simply abhorred the way Tariq treated her and was surprised that a woman would even be willing to speak with a man again when he has treated her so shabbily. There were instances in the book which left me fuming. Needless to say, I didn't sleep too peacefully that night. But that at least means that the book got me hooked and was a good read. I do enjoy reading about the fashion industry and about the lives of models and this book gave me some entertainment in the form of Tanaya's life as model. It was fun to read of her fake affair and before she becomes famous about her waitressing and one time random ramp stint. I finished this book in two days and have now moved on to another Daniel Silva book. That isn't going too fast as I am now caught up in some personal tasks. It might be a while before i blog again...But keep watching....:)Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-19665707168289190042007-09-20T14:58:00.000-07:002008-12-08T19:10:01.884-08:00The Messenger - Daniel Silva<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4m79zYnZnvBJ4gL1KYOJNnbQ1hJbyelQFLCPnQzphod5Unm8aH2cr6vc9jLMZUpixOHN3Ea8jywYcNsyaxwvFZeJzMFELJpRHaAww1ZCmUWARrQ-xAsQHaPQ9p4wWvuaoNJzVOg/s1600-h/themessenger.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4m79zYnZnvBJ4gL1KYOJNnbQ1hJbyelQFLCPnQzphod5Unm8aH2cr6vc9jLMZUpixOHN3Ea8jywYcNsyaxwvFZeJzMFELJpRHaAww1ZCmUWARrQ-xAsQHaPQ9p4wWvuaoNJzVOg/s320/themessenger.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5112409401266216882" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Museum curator turned secret agents, hidden classic paintings, Arabs with terrorist plots, vivid descriptions of Paris, Rome, Italy, Saudi Arabia, Israel, USA are what make up "The messenger" and kept me hooked.....It was especially exciting to read about Paris since I recently made my first visit to Paris. It really is a magical city and you fall in love with it as soon as you set your foot there. The central character of Gabriel <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Allon</span> is pretty intriguing. However, I feel that Daniel Silva gives in to stereotypes and sketches the typical image of Gabriel - a guy who rarely shows emotions and always thinks through his head. Sarah is a welcome change in the repertoire of characters - a smart, intelligent and brave woman who takes up the task of being a spy in a hostile environment without fearing for her life. It was exciting to read some of the codes and signals agreed upon for the communication between the spy and her team. Imagining lounging on a ship with the ruthless enemy while pretending to be something you are not gave me goose bumps. I did enjoy the author's style of writing and I will be going back for more of his books:) Shall keep you posted on which ones I pick up. Next up is another book covering Paris - "Salaam Paris by Kavita Daswani"Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-24858602.post-50866487317819058282007-09-13T14:22:00.000-07:002007-09-13T14:27:33.350-07:00Reprimanding self.....I am kicking myself in the rear right now for not having blogged about some of the books I read previously...I read the Mango Season by Amulya Malladi and I think For MAtrimonial Purposes by Kavita Daswani.....I also remember having some wonderful things to say about them and some wonderful memories that were evoked by some incidents in the books but i never did put them down......Damn my lazy self!!!!Smitahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11784498326174009697noreply@blogger.com0