Books I read

The Kite Runner – Khaled Hosseini
Khaled Hosseini’s debut novel, it is a brilliant piece of reading exploring into human relationships. Friendships, love, life, understanding – it has it all! Its about a young boy Amir, living in Afghanistan and his varied experiences in life that go about making the person that he is. It is in fact, a heart-rendering story of Amir’s friendship with his father’s servant’s son set in the country which in the process of getting destroyed. This epic tale speaks about the relationship between fathers and sons, between friends, betrayal, and finally, redemption.

Daddy-Long-Legs – Jean Webster
I picked up this book wholly on a friend’s suggestion and needless to say that I loved it. Its is charming story of a girl, Jerusha Abott and her life at school and college. Very unseemingly though, it is sweet love story and that’s certainly revealed only at the end of the story. The letter format makes it simple and an interesting read. These are the letters of the young girl, on the brink of womanhood to her benefactor who in the end, we get to know, is the person she is in love with.

The Mayor of Casterbridge – Thomas Hardy
A tragic story of a simple farmer, Michael Henchard, and his relationship with his daughter, I loved the emotions brought to the forth by Hardy. Once again, he displays his literary genius with this novel. I had picked up this novel solely for the author and was very impressed with his style of writing as well as the story. Rightly regarded as Thomas Hardy’s best tragic novel ever.

Q & A – Vikas Swarup
Again , it’s a book which I picked up on my friend’s suggestion. The story is very well written and has a touch of sarcasm and tongue in the cheek humour. It has all the elements that can go in the making of a typical Bollywood flick – love, revenge, betrayal, action, violence, suspense, thrill et all. The use of technical jargon and sophisticated language makes the story more gripping and somewhat melodramatic. Inspite of this, its is one of the most touching stories that I have ever read.

Jonathan Livingston Seagull – Richard Bach
It is a fable presented in a novel style. About a seagull learning about life and its different faces like self-perfection and self-sacrifice. It has a very philosophical and metaphysical touch. Basically, it makes you exemplify your talents and then reduce the shortcomings to a miniscule dot to achieve more and more in life.

The Old Man and the Sea – Ernest Hemingway
Another fable in the novel form, the old man and the sea has had many interpretations by critics. It is a sort of battle between an old, experienced fisherman and a giant marlin said to be the biggest catch of his life. One can also see the relationship between the teacher and student i.e. the old man and Santiago.

The Alchemist – Paulo Coelho
No specific reasons why I chose to read this book except for the fact that it was in the best seller list for quite a long time. That’s how I chose to read this fable which urges a person to follow his dreams and is guided by the Alchemist in his journey to find the treasure. A nice read!

Five Point Someone: What not to do at an IIT – Chetan Bhagat
An amazing story of three friends and their lives at IIT. Fantabulously told and made comic to the very end. Again, a must read!

The Namesake – Jhumpa Lahiri
This book is what I would say, a little too hyped up. Its about the perpetual identity hassles faced by immigrants. They try to maintain as well as get rid of their identities from their roots and in the process, they end up leading a life of internal and societal conflicts. Such is the character, Gogol in the novel. I personally enjoyed the bitter-sweet relation between Gogol and his father. A very poighnant depiction of Indians in the US.

Tuesdays with Morrie – Mitch Albom
I had heard a lot about this book before I actually read it. Refreshingly fresh and original, Albom has succeeding in creating an endearing novel which strikes a chord in the hearts of all who read it. Again about Albom’s relationship with his teacher and mentor, Morrie.

In the Name of Honour – Mukhtar Mai
I was aware of the media buzz involving the gang rape of a Pakistani woman named Mukhtar Main and that’s the sole reason I picked up this book once this came on the stands. After having read this book, I feel that this lady deserves all the respect and admiration one can ever get. IT shows Pakistan as a barabaric country where women are assaulted, beaten, burnt, and raped just to settle down scores. I liked the book inspite of the fact that it was not so well written as Mukhtar Mai’s unsophisticated words were translated and this book was a result of that.

Catcher in the Rye – J. D. Salinger
Essentially a narration by the protagonist, Holden Caulfield, this novel is a scandalous depiction of teenage frustration and sexuality. It was surrounded by controversies all the time for its overt use of issues like prostitution, alcohol, indecent language etc. Overall, a good but a very depressing read!