In case you have not guessed it yet – I have been reading a lot. The “Book Bingo” is a great inspiration to get me reading. Here are some books I read and loved. Most of these books are from my to-read list and it feels great catching up with my reading.

The Color Purple by Alice Walker

Loved this book and the characters – Africa, England and the Deep South – the book takes you everywhere. This is one book I would like to see the film adaptation of – maybe I will watch it.
I recently read The Help and after reading this book I could see how alike yet different these two books are. The language takes some getting used to and it has its adult content. So if you are averse to reading about it give it a skip.

This got a 4 on 5

Breakfast at Tiffany’s: A Short Novel and Three Stories by Truman Capote

I have never seen the movie and will never want to see Breakfast at Tiffany’s. This is one great quick read novella. The characters are a refreshing change. Holly Golightly is quite a character. She is not your typical woman of the 1940’s. She breaks everyone of the rules and she does it in an endearing manner. She is not bad – she just does not want to be boxed in. The narrator is another character himself. I actually ended up researching if Capote ever wrote some other book about the narrator. Unfortunately no. Also the novella leaves with no answers or epilogue – Holly just disappears – I did spend one sleepless night wondering about her. I love such a book – a book that keeps me awake in wonder

The book also has 3 of Capote’s famous short stories. Each of the three stories talk about different human emotions. They pull your heartstrings. They do not give answers – they just leave you wondering. A Christmas Memory was my favorite I think or was it A Diamond Guitar? I do not know. They are very different but strong and filled with emotion.

Totally awesome read! 4.5 on 5

Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand by Helen Simonson

It is interesting how we as humans live a life of obligations and traditions. Especially as we grow older. We do a lot of things because we are expected to do it. Major Pettigrew and Mrs. Ali (a Pakistani shopkeeper) break out of the lines their families draw around them. All this is told with humor that makes you laugh out loud at unexpected places. A delightful read

3.5 on 5

English, August: An Indian Story by Upamanyu Chatterjee

10 pages into the book I was in love. The book was off to a great start. I loved Agastya aka August – the US returned IAS graduate, son of a Governor posted on to a training in Madna. He is hilarious and intelligent. He is trying to figure out his place in this world like most 24 year olds. He in in what most folks call “dream job” and he is immensely unhappy. He tries to hide it but he cannot. The characters in the book are so well-defined and in someway stereotypes of the kind one encounters in bureaucratic India. 75 pages into the book – it started dragging. The plot was known and the book dragged on. I wish the book went faster than it did. Worth a read

3 on 5