Will the paperback die?

Travelling back home on the evening fast train, I was lost in my battered old Shakespeare Paperback until a lady sitting right across me caught my eye. Well actually it was a chic little black gadget in her hand that caught my eye. No it was not an i-pod or a Blackberry considering the way the lady was intently staring at the screen. On a little closer inspection i realised that it was an e-book reader!!

Smart, sleek, portable and capable of storing hundreds of books at a time, the Electronic Book Reader saves up precious space in you bag while you're on the move and you can practically carry your library with you. I looked depressingly at my paperback... was the e-reader soon going to put the traditional books out of circulation? Was the good ole paperback nearing extinction?

Sitting there, my mind already taken over by the above mentioned depressing thoughts, i decided to do a mental E-Reader v/s Paperback debate :)

What tosses the coin in favour of the E-reader is its portability. Now who wouldn't like their bag to be a little lighter while going to work in the jam packed Mumbai locals? Also, the e-reader has a vast memory and so you can store as many books you like in it... so if mid way you finish off a book, you do not need to wait until you reach home to pick up a new book to read!!

And then there came a deluge of women rushing right inside the compartment and the crowd wouldn't stop knocking our knees!! Let me tell you, in such a situation, it is far more easier to take care of your book as compared to your e-reader. What would happen at the most is that the book might be knocked out of your hands, it will fall, get a little dirty or a page or two might come loose. But the e-reader won't survive such an assault and there goes your Rs. 15,000 down the drain!

Also, while you can flip through the pages of your book easily, the constant tapping and scrolling through your e-reader gets a little frustrating and strains your fingers after a while.

What will happen if your book is stolen? Well you can always go back to the bookstore and buy a new one... 300 bucks are not that heavy on our pocket; but if your e-reader is stolen (and the chances of this happening are very high), how many people will be as willing to shell out 15-20k for a new gadget again?

And lastly, there is no comfort as lying on your soft couch, sipping a nice cup of coffee and reading a book.. the gentle sound of the turning pages is extremely soothing :)

While I do not say that the paperback is Better than the e-reader or vice versa, the mental debate put me at ease because i know that the e-reader along with its amazing pros also has it cons and so it will surely never kill the paperbacks.

5 Books that every Guy should read

OK, so after my hugely popular blog about 7 books that every Woman should read... here is my Must read list of 5 Books for every Guy!!

1. The Kite Runner: Set in the pre Taliban occupied Afghanistan, this is the story of Amir and Hasan, one the son of a Rich man and the other, the son of his servant. This heart wrenching tale is about the enduring power of friendship between these two boys, which spans across a lifetime --- distance, lies, betrayal and war notwithstanding.

2. The Godfather: Arguably one of the best books written about the mafia, the lesser I talk about this book, the better :) A Must Must read for all the guys!!

3.The Picture of Dorian Gray: All that Dorian Gray wanted was to be the best looking chap in town and freeze his handsome looks forever. But good looks come at a heavy cost!! This clever and witty tale by Oscar Wilde tells us about the pitfalls of being...... or wanting to be the most Good-looking guy around.

4. Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus: I put forth my point here again... I Hate Self help books!!! But then this is one book that has to be included in this list... simply because it makes an honest attempt to help Men understand the complexity of a woman's brain (and vice-versa!) ;)

5. Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra: Semi- autobiographical, this is a collection of short stories by Ruskin Bond. Chronicling his life from his childhood days to his youth, the stories are written in a simple, almost lyrical language, and they innocently capture all the emotions and moods of a boy who is on the verge of becoming a Man.

P.S. This list is shorter than the one I wrote for girls simply because I found myself at loss racking my brains over and over again thinking which books would be most suitable for guys.
If any guy is reading this post, please suggest some "Includable" books and i will rewrite this post again :)

Don't judge a Book by its Movie

"Don't judge a Book by its Movie" --- so said the bookmark at Crossword. And I could not help agree more!

I remember the time when I was watching Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone and at least 10 times throughout the movie i was wondering "Heck, was this even there in the book?"

The plot was put on a complete fast forward mode, characters were ruthlessly omitted and seriously the Quidditch Matches in the movie did not give me the goosebumps like those in the book.

But then there are exceptions everywhere, and so even here. If me and you think likewise about the whole books into movies trend, then I suggest you have a look at the below list. It took me quite some time to figure out this list, but I feel it was worth all the effort.

Here are 3 Books-made-into-movies, which are worth a watch, simply because they succeed in bringing on the big screen, the original charm and beauty of the plot and the characters, without spoiling its "True Feel". At least now I am satisfied to know that sometimes, just sometimes, it is OK to Judge a Book by its Movie

The Blue Umbrella: Adapted from the story of the same name by Ruskin Bond, this movie is charming, touching and original. Watch out for the rock solid performance by Pankaj Kapoor.

Marley and Me: Adapted from the book of the same name, it tells us the story of the author and his life with his badly behaved dog Marley. The movie rarely strays from what is there in the book, is delightful, funny and tender. Must watch movie for all dog lovers, I bet you will hug your doggie endlessly while watching Marley & Me.

Godfather: Marlon Brando, Al Pacino, Mafia and Francis Ford Coppola---- sheer genius.

A 23 year old Love Affair

A love affair always begins with something simple and harmless-- a simple look, a small conversation, even a seemingly minuscule hello!! An then it turns into something that is all encompassing, passionate and unforgettable!!

Mine began with something as simple and harmless as a Birthday gift... a First Birthday gift to be more precise.

While most parents would pamper their kids silly with toys, clothes and other such goodies, mine decided to give me a set of Childcraft-- 16 volumes covering everything that a child should know-- History, Geography, Biology, Maths, Literature, Art and Cultures + an Atlas and a Dictionary.

Those 16 books where the first ever books that i owned as a year old toddler, the first books from which I learnt to read, the very first Dictionary that I learnt to refer to. They were the truest companions when introvert little Miss Bookworm preferred staying at home than play Hide-n-Seek.

They say you should have something that you are passionate about in life, because Passion makes the world go around!

23 years ago unknowingly I found my Passion :)

My dearest Set of Childcraft .... Here's to You :)

7 Books every Girl should read

Inspiring, Funny, Tearjerkers, Emotional, Tender, Real and Gritty --- this is my compilation of what should be the ultimate 7 books that every girl, every woman has to read at least once in her life.

The Princess Diaries: Every girl secretly dreams of becoming a princess someday :) Except For Mia, whose sole aim in life is to remain as insignificant as humanly possible!!
And as her luck would have it, she wakes up one fine day, to find out that she is in fact a princess, and the only heir to the throne of the minuscule, pear loving country of Genovia.
This book is a roller coaster ride, full of downright hilarious moments and ultimately a touching account of Mia's coming of age story where she finally learns to appreciate and stand up for herself!

I Dare: She was India's first woman IPS officer, the first woman to become the Inspector General of Prisons at the dreaded Tihar Jail, a place known to house the most hardcore criminals, and the first police officer to win the Magsaysay award. I Dare is the story of Kiran Bedi -- immensely inspiring and spellbinding, read this to know that Glass Ceilings are a Myth and women, though the fairer sex can also be the Tougher sex.

The Bridget Jones Diary: She is Bridget Jones, a 30 year old British Woman/Girl who is on a perpetual quest of self improvement. The perfect antithesis of the ideal heroine, she is desperately trying to lose weight, give up smoking and get a life, though not necessarily in that order. A complete laugh riot, this book has become a sort of bible women across the globe.

Not without my Daughter: Betty Mahmoody thought she finally had everything she wanted in life -- a loving husband, a beautiful daughter and a satisfying job. This was until a family vacation to her husband's home country Iran, which turned out to be a nightmare and forced her to become a prisoner.
Every escape route suggests she run away without her daughter, and Betty just isn't ready for that.
A true life story, this is a tale of grit and determination and ultimately about a mothers undying love for her child.

A Thousand Splendid Suns: Set in Afghanistan, this is the story of an unlikely friendship that develops between Mariam and Laila, two women who are victims of circumstances and the cruel unforgiving Taliban rule. Heart wrenching to say the least, this book will at once move you to tears and make you realise the power of friendship, love and sacrifice.

Women and the Weight loss Tamasha: What is it with us women and wieghtloss anyways?? Do we really have to starve ourselves and stare longingly at all those pastries to look beautiful? "Stop all this tamasha and eat!!!" is what the author says :)
An amazing book by Rujuta Diwekar, this is Nutrition Bible for women of all ages and professions. And the best part of this book? It teaches you to love yourself (even after you have eaten a big chocolate pastry) :D

Shobhaa at 60: though personally I detest self help and self improvement books of all sorts, this one is an exception simply because it is a one of a kind book telling us women that life DOES NOT end after we turn 60... or for that matter 50. Full of tips and tricks on topics ranging from health and personal grooming to travel and coping with the loss of your partner, this book sure is a must read and a must have on your book shelf.

P.S. Do you feel I have missed out on any significant book which should have been a part of this list?? Or have I included a book which should rather NOT be on this list?? Post a comment and let me know :)

If you have never read a book before.. but want to :)

There are, according to me, 3 categories of people when it comes to books:

1. Those who HATE reading and do not have anything to do with books at all!!
2. Those who are curious about the "habit" called reading but do not know where to start.
3. Those who have "attempted" reading but have unfortunately started off with some heavy duty stuff and have been freaked out by their experience.

If you fall in the first category, read no further, this is not for you! For those who fall in the second and third category, I have compiled below a list of five "easy on the mind" books to guide you and hopefully get you hooked on to reading!! :)

• Five Point Someone - Chetan Bhagat: Written by an ex IITian this is a story about 3 average guys at the IIT Delhi. Light, breezy and funny, it makes for an ideal read because of the simplicity of the language that the author has used. With its fair share of twists and turns and a few "Oh my gosh" incidents, this book is sure to leave you smiling for a long time after you have finished reading it. And my personal opinion.... This is the best book written by Chetan Bhagat.

• Short Stories by Ruskin Bond: Set majorly in North India especially Mussorie and Shimla, his stories are written in an easy flowing language that is simply mesmerising and soothing. Two collections I recommend are : The Room on the Roof and Our Trees still grow in Dehra. Try also to read some of his unforgettable stories like "The Blue Umbrella", "Time stops at Shamli", "The night train at Deoli" and "The last Tonga ride".

• Swami and Friends- R.K. Narayan: All time favourite stories, unforgettable characters, a language that is easily understood, this is a masterpiece by R.K. Narayan and a must read if you want to relive the magical, innocent and carefree childhood days :)

• Matilda- Roald Dahl: Though actually a children's novel, this story of five year old Matilda, will be enjoyed by young and old alike. Humorous, quirky and magical, this book is a quick and enjoyable read especially for those who have never ever touched a book before and do not have the courage to read through a thick one at the first go ;)

• The Notebook- Nicholas Sparks: This is the story of an old man who reads out to an old woman, from a faded old notebook about the story of Aly and Noah, a passionately in love couple, who is separated, only to be reunited again 7 years later. At times tender, at times heartbreaking, this story manages to keep you engrossed and you will want to read it in one go....

Book Shopping: Destination Two

Flora Fountain

What do you do if you are an incurable Bibliophile, need something new to read every 15 days and don't have much money to spend?? Beg, borrow, steal??

Take my advice and take a train to Churchgate. Get down and walk a bit till you are at Flora fountain and you will be in a literal Fantasy land. Books in every size and shape, every author you can dream of, every genre, subject and edition you want... available at throwaway prices!!! Why you can even get a copy of the very controversial "The Satanic Verses" by Salman Rushdie here!!

These pavement book sellers of Flora Fountain have been around for as much as 50 years now and are considered as a very important part of Mumbai's rich and varied landscape. Starting at prices as low as Rs.20 are the all time favourites Archie comics and Mills and Boons (store Price for Archie comics is Rs.60 per copy by the way) going up to the most "expensive" ones which are at Rs.600-700 (these are usually the heavy Management and Law books).

In fact there are even sellers who "specialise" in just one genre and if you are regular enough in this area of the city, then you would know whom to approach for Fiction, Non fiction and Educational books.

The most interesting part is that if you buy a particularly expensive book, you are even allowed to re-sell the book (especially the GMAT, GRE, CAT books) for half the price!! Neat profit, isn't it??

The nature of sale here is non-intrusive. No hawking, calling out or shouting unlike fashion street or Causeway. But bargain you can and bargain you must! :)

This place is my personal favourite, mainly because the vendors here are extra helpful in sourcing out the rarest of titles which sometimes even established book stores find difficult to do. Also being on a perpetual cash crunch, i find it easier on my pocket because here i can buy 4 books for Rs.400 as against 1 book for 400 bucks from Crossword or Landmark.

And each book you buy from here has story... sometimes an inscription on the first page of a Birthday greeting, sometimes notes scribbled in the margins, sometimes the meanings of some particularly difficult English words explained in Hindi or Marathi. Flip through the pages and be lost in a world of its own.....

Verdict: If you don't find a book here, you won't find it in Crosswords either! Go here to get the best deals you will ever find!! And an ambiance that is a class apart ;)

Book Shopping: Destination One

Crossword

Location: Sion West

I always think of bookstores as small quaint little places filled with dusty old classics and shiny fresh smelly new books and an old man in glasses who is ever ready to help you. You get to browse to your hearts content without being disturbed by screaming children or loud music in the background. there are no colorful garish posters to cause an eye sore and no spic span marble floors that shine and make you slip and fall!

In the huge sprawling city of Mumbai, it is quite difficult to find such a store, especially with the state of art bookstores coming up at every street corner. But being the optimist that I am, i located one such store and that is the Crossword outlet @ Sion.

Located in a not so prime location, away from the well known Sion circle and a few blocks walking distance from the well known SIES college, is this quait little outlet. Spread over two levels, the top level is dedicated exclusively for books. The books have been arranged in the trademark Crossword/any other bookstore style as per their genres.

But what endears me to THIS particular store is that it is very very quite here, more so in the books section. The carpets are warm enough for you to slip of your shoes and sit cross legged on the floor. They have a huge glass wall facing the street with a cozy couch where you can sink in and lose yourself.

Of all the Crossword/Landmark/Oxford that i have been to in this city, I love this one... i prefer this one simply for its old world charm!

My Verdict: Quaint, Old world and Charming. Try to grab the couch before anyone else does and you are guaranteed to lose track of time! (:

The Immortals of Meluha

The foreigner's words came flooding back to Shiva "Come to our land. It lies beyond the great mountains. Others call it Meluha. I call it Heaven."

And thus begins this gripping novel "The Immortals of Meluha"

Set in 1900 BC, what is interesting about this book is that it gives a completely new twist to our age old commonly accepted mythological beliefs. Here Lord Shiva is a simple tribal man from Mansarovar who is invited to move with his tribe to the immensely prosperous land of Meluha, whose inhabitants are the descendants of lord Ram, the Suryavanshis. This kingdom is seething for a war with their neighbours the Chandravanshis and they hope that Shiva will be their saviour.

This is what forms the basic premise of this novel. Moving at a fast pace, the author challenges us to lay aside our preconceived notions for here Nandi is not the bull as w know him to be, but rather a faithful Human companion of Shiva. Most importantly he has shown Shiva as a simple human being, rather that the Lord Shiva or Mahadev that we know and worship him as, a man who rose to become Godlike purely because of his karma.

The downside of this book I would say is the usage of colloquial terms like Goddammit, O Hell with you, What the hell and so on. It sort of disturbs the feel of the story, making it seem a bit casual, when actually it is quite the opposite.

Except for that small little glitch "the Immortals of Meluha" is definitely a winner and leaves the reader anticipating for the next two parts. Thumbs up to the Amazing climax!!

My Verdict: A Must Read, but only for serious readers and those having a bit of knowledge and interest about Indian Mythology. First time readers or ones who are looking for something light to read might find this book a bit intense and heavy. Enjoy!