Though I have been reading books without a break, I am not able to update my blog with its reviews. I have currently found out some good mystery writers. I would be obliged, if you would help me with the names of mystery writers. Except Agatha Christie and Perry Mason. I would really like to be acquainted with some good mystery writers.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Friday, May 17, 2013
The Sky is falling - Sydney Sheldon
After a considerable gap, I have read a Sydney Sheldon's book, The sky is falling. It was Sydney Sheldon with whom I got acquainted with when I first ushered into the realm of mysteries and thrillers. Years have gone and I have read so may thrillers and mysteries. But Sydney's craft always allured me. After these long years, I still feel the same. When I was reading ' The sky is falling', I felt like I could even have a wink of sleep before knowing what would be ' Dana Evans', next step. It was as if Dana was leading the way. The reading becomes enjoyable when you start moving along with the characters. There exist no barriers. The long wall that separates the reader and the reading no longer exists. You go along with that character wherever he or she goes. That's what it happened with Sydney. I have been to London, Rome, Russia........When I started reading him ( 10 years back), there were many who constantly asked me ' still in Sydney Sheldon's books. It's high time you moved on. After such long years, I am shouting out ' I am still with him and he is one of the best'.
'Dana Evans', the young and vibrant television anchor was back from Sarajevo after her war reporting. The twist in the tale comes as Gary Winthrop, the last in the Winthrop was family was murdered by some art stealers. It was just a few days before Dana interviewed Gary Winthrop in her television show. But in peculiar circumstances, Dana founds out that it was not only Gary but Winthrops were obliterated from the earth. The book will slowly unravels how she was playing with danger, unknowingly.
'Dana Evans', the young and vibrant television anchor was back from Sarajevo after her war reporting. The twist in the tale comes as Gary Winthrop, the last in the Winthrop was family was murdered by some art stealers. It was just a few days before Dana interviewed Gary Winthrop in her television show. But in peculiar circumstances, Dana founds out that it was not only Gary but Winthrops were obliterated from the earth. The book will slowly unravels how she was playing with danger, unknowingly.
Friday, May 10, 2013
The confessor back with cold feet - Meenakshy Reddy Madhavan
For please log on to http://www.compulsiveconfessions.com/
The picture of a seven year old girl, hiding a small notebook when she goes to her class room, just to jot down whatever comes to her mind was like stating the obvious. No other vocation would interest her but writing. Besides, by bequeathing a strong legacy of writing, Meenakshi Reddy Madhavan could not be anything else but a woman of letters.
But surprisingly whenever she wrote she did not hesitate to take a detour from her parents’ style. Unlike her father, the veteran writer, N S Madhavan who loved to fathom the depths of literary fiction and mother Sheela Reddy who always delved into non-literary fiction, Meenakshy loved to ferret out the possibilities of commercial fiction. Ask her why, she says “I realised that no writer talks about a woman like me, a metro and urbane woman whose heart is global but has not lost the link with the tradition. I wanted to explore the pull between these two extremes,” she says. And because of that, there are no clashes as the family has three different genres of writing, she adds with a mischievous smile.
With her third book Cold Feet hitting the markets, Meenakshi was all excited and was in Kochi as part of its promotional tour conducted by Penguin books. The book is all about the lives of five women who live in the metropolis - Mumbai and an account of their daily lives. But primarily it takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions. “I have also talked about a character who is a lesbian,” she says.
The author appeared extremely happy when I told her that I came to know about the promotional event of her book from her blog Compulsive Confessions.
“I should update it more often,” she says with a grin.
Incidentally, her father N S Madhavan who carved a niche in the perceptions of the Malayali readers with his renowned work Lanthan Batheriyile Luthiniyakal, translated as Litanies of the Dutch Battery, was born and brought up in Kochi. Meenakshi says that she is all excited to be here for her father always said it has one of the prettiest bookstores. “It’s right on the sea front with a huge glass window and you can watch the ships sailing through,” she says. I have been to Kochi several times and I love Fort Kochi the most, she adds.
With more than twenty lakh visitors for her blog, she says that she never expected such a huge response and is happy that she could maintain it for the past ten years. “I started the blog with a pseudonym eM as I was a bit bothered about how people would react to the kind of stuff I was going to write. But in no time, the readers identified and I had to come out of the cocoon. But I am so happy that I could maintain it for such a long period,” she says.
About her parents' reaction to her blog, she says, “They were ‘super supportive’. They like my writing. Hey, I am their daughter, they will definitely not discourage me!” she says.
Asked why is she often referred as the Bridget Jones of India, she says “Honestly, I have no idea. Since you are the one who put this question, I have to seriously think about it.”
Most of her stories were centered in the two metropolitan cities - Mumbai and Delhi. As the author lives shuttling between these two cities, she says that most of her writing contains the pulse of them. “Both cities have different feelings. When you land in the Delhi airport, the waves of tension starts hitting you, unlike Mumbai. When Mumbai is crowded, Delhi gives you privacy. But you just can’t take auto in the middle of the night relaxingly in Delhi as you do in Mumbai. You know the kind of stories we are getting now-a-days from Delhi,” she says. She also cautions to stay safe when I said that I usually leave office very late.
Apart from writing Meenakshi is the editor of Brown Paper Bag.
But surprisingly whenever she wrote she did not hesitate to take a detour from her parents’ style. Unlike her father, the veteran writer, N S Madhavan who loved to fathom the depths of literary fiction and mother Sheela Reddy who always delved into non-literary fiction, Meenakshy loved to ferret out the possibilities of commercial fiction. Ask her why, she says “I realised that no writer talks about a woman like me, a metro and urbane woman whose heart is global but has not lost the link with the tradition. I wanted to explore the pull between these two extremes,” she says. And because of that, there are no clashes as the family has three different genres of writing, she adds with a mischievous smile.
With her third book Cold Feet hitting the markets, Meenakshi was all excited and was in Kochi as part of its promotional tour conducted by Penguin books. The book is all about the lives of five women who live in the metropolis - Mumbai and an account of their daily lives. But primarily it takes the reader on a roller coaster ride of emotions. “I have also talked about a character who is a lesbian,” she says.
The author appeared extremely happy when I told her that I came to know about the promotional event of her book from her blog Compulsive Confessions.
“I should update it more often,” she says with a grin.
Incidentally, her father N S Madhavan who carved a niche in the perceptions of the Malayali readers with his renowned work Lanthan Batheriyile Luthiniyakal, translated as Litanies of the Dutch Battery, was born and brought up in Kochi. Meenakshi says that she is all excited to be here for her father always said it has one of the prettiest bookstores. “It’s right on the sea front with a huge glass window and you can watch the ships sailing through,” she says. I have been to Kochi several times and I love Fort Kochi the most, she adds.
With more than twenty lakh visitors for her blog, she says that she never expected such a huge response and is happy that she could maintain it for the past ten years. “I started the blog with a pseudonym eM as I was a bit bothered about how people would react to the kind of stuff I was going to write. But in no time, the readers identified and I had to come out of the cocoon. But I am so happy that I could maintain it for such a long period,” she says.
About her parents' reaction to her blog, she says, “They were ‘super supportive’. They like my writing. Hey, I am their daughter, they will definitely not discourage me!” she says.
Asked why is she often referred as the Bridget Jones of India, she says “Honestly, I have no idea. Since you are the one who put this question, I have to seriously think about it.”
Most of her stories were centered in the two metropolitan cities - Mumbai and Delhi. As the author lives shuttling between these two cities, she says that most of her writing contains the pulse of them. “Both cities have different feelings. When you land in the Delhi airport, the waves of tension starts hitting you, unlike Mumbai. When Mumbai is crowded, Delhi gives you privacy. But you just can’t take auto in the middle of the night relaxingly in Delhi as you do in Mumbai. You know the kind of stories we are getting now-a-days from Delhi,” she says. She also cautions to stay safe when I said that I usually leave office very late.
Apart from writing Meenakshi is the editor of Brown Paper Bag.
Monday, April 15, 2013
Dragonmede by Rona Randall
The story was set in the London of 1800's, when every doors opened for the nobility. It was this privilege which brought Julian Kershaw to Luella's ( Eustacia's mother's )gambling house. A born nonconformist, Luella never wanted her daughter to have a bohemian life which she was indulged in. She gave anything and everything to her daughter which was required for a girl to be a lady. Luella's efforts also did not go in vain as Eustacia grew up with everything needed to be a lady though born to a bohemian mother.
Luella was overtly delighted when Julian, the heir of Dragonmede reached her threshold. Gambling on his passion for cards and his attraction for Eustacia, Luella realised that the time had come for Eustacia to tie the knot. Unaware of her mother's manipulations, Eustacia married Julian and reached Dragonmede, her husband's home which offered her nothing but a house full of mysteries.
Though I am a die hard of Gothic fiction, the story initially failed to lure my interest. As any other mystery fictions, I was expecting a twist at the very outset which was completely absent in the story. The only cue, the writer leaves is that there is some mystery but not easy for the reader to identify it. No murder, stealing, kidnapping, murder attempts, deaths but an all pervading sense of mystery. But when the story progressed, I could feel my pulse raising and closed the book only when I finished reading it. The reader could definitely identify the culprit but only at the very end, with just two or three pages to complete.
I felt a sense of satisfaction after reading 'Dragonmede'. The moment I finished it, I saw four stars shining. Yes, I am giving it 4/5.
Friday, March 8, 2013
The Night Walker ( Nightmare hall series) by Diana Hoh
Quinn Hadley is a sleep walker. She has done it twice when she came to the Salem university. Nobody except her roomie knows about it. But things takes a bad turn when someone wreaks havoc in the university, sometimes by exploding a stinking bomb and by attacking the couples at other times. The attacking episodes seemed no end. Quinn Hadley was apprehensive by the sudden turn of events, but her apprehensions turns into nightmares when every evidences points that the culprit is nobody but her. Looking at the evidences piled up in front of her, Quinn also doubts that whether her sleep walking is the real cause of all those recurring unfortunate incidents in the university. But a fleeting thought that somebody is taking advantage of her ' sleep walking ' and making her a pawn did not leave her sleep without investigating into the root cause of everything.
It is an easy read and I enjoyed it as I used to enjoy Nancy Drew series. There was suspense and mystery element and at times you would feel that you are quite close to the vandal, but you miss him/ her. Though Diane Hoh do drop some clues here and there did not give away the culprit until the right time.
Long and short, a good and a smooth read....I enjoyed it.
Long and short, a good and a smooth read....I enjoyed it.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Ditching my interests
I was ditching my interests for several months. I love mysteries, thrillers and also feel good kind of books. I could deeply immerse myself in them once I start reading. If I was too much fascinated by any books while reading it, the feeling, emotions, ambiance and lots of other things linger in my heart though years have gone by. I might forget the name of the book and sometimes author's too but the backdrops, the face you gave to any particular character would not fade away. The locale maybe miles apart, but I could feel its pulses. ( I am living in India ) Since I mostly read books of American and British authors, it is the locales in these two countries I feel close to than any parts of my country.
Since I wanted to put me in a list of intelligent people who read intelligent kind of stuff, I started going for books which is the exactly the opposite of my taste. Consequences – That fun part and a sense of satisfaction you get after or while reading books were missing. Hence I bought some books and took one from the public library hoping that I would be back soon on my adventure.
These were some of it that I got hold of :
Under the Durret by Marian Keynes
The Keys to the secret by Ruth Rendell
Nightmare Hall, The Night Walker by Diane Hoh
Dragonmede by Rona Randall
Narnia by C S Lewis ( unabridged version – 7 books)
Hope it would revive those my interests which I conveniently shoved off to the back burner.
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
give me suggestions
It has been a long time since I did an interview of an author. I would love to interview a male blogger. But who? Since I was not quite good stalker of male blogs, I am clueless. If you have any suggestions please leave a note on my blog. I would be grateful.
Saturday, December 29, 2012
Editing and Coming up in a new avatar
2013 is just round the corner...Time for new resolutions and new reading challenges. Sadly, most of my reading challenges remain unaccomplished. I could read only 11 books and my target was 100 books. It was not as I completely lost interest in reading but I got a 24*7 job to attend. ( I am a journalist by profession). But that should not shove off my passion for reading to the back burner. But then I realised that it was not my job alone which is putting hurdles in giving proper inputs in my blog. I sat back and thought for a while.
It has been two years since I started this blog, I still remain a beginner ( as suggested in my blog description) when it comes to book reviews. I did only three interviews of writers, though I got pretty much good response for it.I got the back drop for my blog very recently. It was then only I realised what should my blog contain. Why did I take too much time to realise it? I felt like floating, not able to put my foot firmly in the ground. I felt detached while writing anything in the blog. ( You should be detached while reporting but should not be so when it comes to writing your own blog.
There is only one answer to all these misses. I was emulating other bloggers. I was not giving anything which is my own contribution. When I started this blog on books, I was clueless on getting it started. Hence I went through many blogs. Knowingly or unknowingly I stuck with other bloggers' style. So I am going to undo it and start all over again. ( Background will be retained. I got it after many search and I feel it is perfect for my blog ).
I have embellished the fringes of my blog with a lot of reading challenges which will be removed and only those will be retained which I think I can fulfill.
Agatha Christie, Mary Higgins Clark and Alfred Hitch cock will be retained. They are somebody without whose company I can even survive in this blogging world. There will two new additions.Margaret Atwood, though I have not read any of her books, I feel she is of my type when I leafed through her books. The other addition will be biographies and autobiographies.
I have done three author interviews. But with the same questions asked to different persons, I feel the style a bit monotonous. Hence I am thinking of writing them as feature stories. But interviews will be there. Besides I will be trying to bring in more Indian English writers.
There will be an attempt to read classics but will not participate in any of the challenges.
Though I have not reviewed any movies, this year my blog will also see some nice movie reviews. ( Alfred Hitchcock movies tops the list ). Long and short, ' Passion drops' will strive to meet the expectations of 2013.
I pledge efforts will be there to cull out previous flaws and come out with fresh new contributions.
Tuesday, December 11, 2012
' Almost Single by Advaita Kala
December 11
Monday
After a considerable long gap, I was able to read a book - Advaita Kala's ' Almost Single'. For the first time, I realised that be it Bhatinda or Kerala, the mothers of single women nearing 30 speaks
almost the same language. ' Mama Bhatia ', the mother of Aisha Bhatia, the protagonist resembles my mother too strongly and there are times I had to pinch myself to make sure that it was not my mom who was speaking.
I never had the intention of buying this book when I came across it. I used to frequent book stores when I am depressed and I chanced upon this book during one such visit. Went through many books and the huge amount printed on the cover literally threw cold waters on my strong inclination to buy a book. But this one was different. It's title lured me like anything for my age. Besides the price was comparatively low that I had no other alternative other than succumbing to my inclination. That's how I bought Advaita Kala's ' Almost Single'.
I would definitely not call this a master work or great piece of art. It is a book which has been written in a simple language and absolutely apt for casual reading. There is no plot as such. It is the story of Aisha Bhatia from Bhatinda along with her two friends who are on a groom hunt, to be precise, it would not be wrong if I say ' NRI groom hunt'. ( One friend just got a divorce from her husband and the other is on a search ).
Monday
After a considerable long gap, I was able to read a book - Advaita Kala's ' Almost Single'. For the first time, I realised that be it Bhatinda or Kerala, the mothers of single women nearing 30 speaks
almost the same language. ' Mama Bhatia ', the mother of Aisha Bhatia, the protagonist resembles my mother too strongly and there are times I had to pinch myself to make sure that it was not my mom who was speaking.
I never had the intention of buying this book when I came across it. I used to frequent book stores when I am depressed and I chanced upon this book during one such visit. Went through many books and the huge amount printed on the cover literally threw cold waters on my strong inclination to buy a book. But this one was different. It's title lured me like anything for my age. Besides the price was comparatively low that I had no other alternative other than succumbing to my inclination. That's how I bought Advaita Kala's ' Almost Single'.
I would definitely not call this a master work or great piece of art. It is a book which has been written in a simple language and absolutely apt for casual reading. There is no plot as such. It is the story of Aisha Bhatia from Bhatinda along with her two friends who are on a groom hunt, to be precise, it would not be wrong if I say ' NRI groom hunt'. ( One friend just got a divorce from her husband and the other is on a search ).
As far as Aisha is concerned, unlike her friends she did not want to flow with the age old tradition of groom hunting whether it be through social networking sites or by conventional methods. Her faith eventually triumphs at the end as she falls for Karan, an NRI. The story concludes with hero and heroine coming together just like a typical bollywood movie.
If you are somebody who needs food for thought after reading a book, Almost Single is just not for you. You wont get anything serious out of it. Keeping all those seriousness aside, if you need a light reading while you are travelling or mired in depression, this could be a perfect remedy.
My marks – 5/10.
If you are somebody who needs food for thought after reading a book, Almost Single is just not for you. You wont get anything serious out of it. Keeping all those seriousness aside, if you need a light reading while you are travelling or mired in depression, this could be a perfect remedy.
My marks – 5/10.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
I got an award....:D
Hai blogger buddies,
I am happy to announce 'Absolutely Not Sure' http://stilsearching.blogspot.
I am supposed to do this after winning this award.....:D
I need to answer 11 questions, write 11 random things about me, and nominate other bloggers.
Questions and also nominate 5 blogs.
1. What makes you blog?
The answer is simple.I always wanted to write. The world of blog was opened to me at a time when by one of my friend who is also a wonderful blogger spoke to me about the vast opportuinities for writing. One of my short term goal is to review book. I am giving reviews
through my blog but not satisfied. Dreaming of those when I can review a by closing my eyes....chuckles
2. Which part of your life inspires you the most?
3. Who is your favorite author?
Since I love mysteries, Agatha Christie is all my favourite. I am also a huge fan of Mary Higgins Clark . But I love to read all kinds of stories.
4. Which day is most memorable for you?
Yet to come
5. Which song describes you most?
I am sorry. I do not have any idea... 6. If given, which will be your last wish?
If I die before materialising the dream of becoming awriter, I would like to write a book which could bring in accolades and awards. And dance before a packed audience.
7. What makes you feel blessed?
That I am always under the wings of God almightly. I am speaking from my experience.
8. Beaches or mountains?
Beaches of course. But would like to see ' Himalaya'
9. Your favorite item in your closet?
hmmm......so sad nothing I cannot live without.
10. Your most desired birthday gift?
hmm.....may be a shelf full of mystery books. 11. Why you loved this award?
This award means a lot to me. This is my first award for this blog. It came at a time when I was feeling too depressed. I did get an award for my other blog ' Rain Drops' www.thedoveandthe raven.blogspot.com when I was feeling too low and was too cynical about my writing career. Surprisingly, the award which received was titled ' Life is Good' award. Surprisingly, my life became more good after that. I hope this award would also bring me luck.
12. 11 random things about me :
Drama Queen :D
Sagittarian
Absolute foodie
Love my nose pin.
Loves Jesus and Lord Krishna
Love to Dance which is my passion. Sagittarian
Absolute foodie
Love my nose pin.
Loves Jesus and Lord Krishna
Wearing Mehandi ( Mailanji in Malayalam) in traditional South Indian style...
Do not like reading self help books but always resort to one when I feel low.
Believes that life started changing miraculously when read Shiv Khera's ' You can win' for the first time.
Love to be cooker ( I mean Cook)...But yet to become one.
Believes that life started changing miraculously when read Shiv Khera's ' You can win' for the first time.
Love to be cooker ( I mean Cook)...But yet to become one.
Here I am nominating 5 blogs for the aforementioned award
(I was supposed to select 5 blogs. But I am adding one more to it....)
Congratulations to all the winners... I love their blogs....
Friday, August 3, 2012
While my pretty one sleeps by Mary Higgins Clark
I am glad that I could complete it and come up with yet another review.
Ethel Lambston, a best selling author who was famous for articles which exposed well known personalities had disappeared all of a sudden. But nobody was bothered about it but Neeve Kearny from whose boutique Ethel purchased almost all of her costumes. Ethel was living alone. Except a nephew who was a parasite and an ex husband who was tired of paying alimony to her were the only close persons with whom she was in close contact. But neither of them noticed her disappearance.
The real twist in the story comes when Ethel was found with her throat cut which reminded of Neeve's mother's death. Her mother Renata was also killed in the same manner. Her throat was slit. Neeve's father who was an ex commissioner was worried about Neeve as he had a strong intuition that like his wife some one was after his daughter. But as the suspects in his list got eliminated one by one, he brushed aside his fear. But Neeve was not ready to accept that. Her hunch was proved right in the end when the real culprit whom she was very fond of was nabbed for the murder.
Saturday, July 21, 2012
Confused
I am so confused. I have got lots of books spread on my floor.( Don't worry. I have neatly arranged it. There are suspense books (my all time favourite), serious books and non- fictions. But I am cluless on what to read. It's been months since I posted on my blogs. Yesterday I spent some time with one of my neighbour ( Lakshmi Aunty). She was so insightful and well read that I could n't help thinking that I should give more priority to do things which I really like. In my effort to make a sudden change, I have started reading a non -fiction ' An intimate Seshan'. Though I was sleepy all along while reading I could atleast console me for having finished a chapter of the book. I still remember what I read so far. I could write a review of this book but not in this blog but in my other blog www.ajournotalks.blogspot.com as the book is a pure non fiction stuff and suits this journo blog. But that alone wont work. The new books and reviews on various blogs always tells me where I am and what I should do.I miss reading all those reviews and enjoying their companionship of my fellow bloggers.
Please do tell me. What Should I Read first - Suspense which is my all time favourite or Non - fiction which I also love reading, but could not review it in my two favourite blogs. Or should I read both books Simultanously.
Expecting a suggestion.
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