Friday, August 30, 2013

Stargazing Memories

One of the wonderful things which I love about Sydney is that, this is one part of the world where I can see the stars.If you have been in the crowded places like Chennai or New York recently, you would understand why this is a strange fascination for me.One of the fast disappearing scenes of this modern world is the sight of the beautiful starry night sky.Maybe due to too many lights in use or whatever other reason, you no longer get to see any stars in many places.
Gazing at the starry night holds special memories for me.When we were kids living in Chennai, there used to be the occasional power cut then.This is not like the scheduled power cuts, which are happening nowadays in Tamil Nadu, especially in the very hot summers.Those were times of carefree childhood.I remember how along with my sister, I used to frequent the  fenced roof top, and sit there having many silly as well as heart to heart conversations.We would recount what happened in the day, sharing secrets as only sisters can.She used to tell me about all her fights and we used to talk about the various teachers and how they were always giving us endless tests.She is happily settled in some other part of the world and I am also busy with my family.But whenever I gaze at the night stars here in Sydney, I am taken back to my childhood with her, filled with precious memories.
There is something so very final about being surrounded by the vast sky, which makes you realize how small you are and an insubstantial part of the universe.It also makes you feel really silly for worrying about things over which you have little or no control.It reminds you to look to your passion and not waste that precious time doing something just for the sake of it.
Even if I wish for it, those carefree days of childhood are not withing my reach.It is only my  slowly fading memory which keeps them alive.At that time, I remember being excited thinking about what the future had in store for us - where we would be 10-15 years later and what we would be doing - what things would have changed.Today is one of those times of nostalgia, when I wish I had the chance to go back to those days and just stay there forever.

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Veronica Roth - Divergent - A Book review

This is my first time reading an official dystopian novel and I must say that it was a thrilling ride from start to end.Somewhere on another blog, I had read that dystopian novels were selling like hotcakes.I had read the Twilight Saga by Stephanie Myers, and while it was about vampires and werewolves - both other worldly creatures, it was set in the present world.The first fascinating thing which I notice about Divergent by Veronica Roth is that it is a story all about people - but set in a world with different rules.I consider this fascinating in so many different levels.

The Story: Beatrice Prior, part of Abnegation makes her choice.However her tests are inconclusive and that can only mean one thing - she is part of the endangered divergents. She chooses Dauntless and works her way through initiation, forming friendships and managing enemies.No one can be trusted and each answer brings in more questions than before.There is only a fine line between right and wrong and little clue to aid her in her decisions.Its a beautifully tale of hope and despair, right and wrong, very much in touch with the characters.This haunting portrayal only whets our appetite for more.

The Rules Are New And So Is Belonging : The world in which the story is set is bleak and is made up of various factions.Everyone has to choose a faction to belong to and must follow the rules which make up each faction.There is the Candor for honesty,Amity for peace ,Dauntless for bravery,Abnegation for selflessness and Erudite for knowledge.Divergent mainly focuses on Abnegation and Dauntless, though a bit of Erudite is included.If you're wondering what the people who do not choose or not chosen by any of these factions fall into, they form part of the factionless which is equivalent to being homeless.

Coming Of Age Means Embracing The Unknown:The novel itself starts with the self narration of  the main character Beatrice Prior, who is just turning 16 and would have to go through an evaluation and choose a faction.Its stunningly stark in portraying the city and through the eyes of Beatrice, the readers get a feel of what it would be to belong to Abnegation.Though subtle, there is a hint at the kind of anxiety one would face while having to take a major decision, without having full information on the consequences.In this world of factions, the process of choosing a faction and completing the initiation ritual implies coming into contact with your deepest fears and accepting your dark side as part of yourself.No one is perfect and the trials and tribulations of Beatrice Prior, who later evolves as Tris touch a part of the uncertainity and questions that each of us have in our lives.This, I think is the USP, which has caused many a reader to root for Tris and become a part of her world.

Its Definitely A Saga: The first book is complete as far as the main plot is concerned.But there are still a lot of unanswered questions and we are sure that there is another book waiting to tell you the continuing story of the world of factions.I just could not resist and hence checked out the author site as well.Other than being super cool, Veronica Roth also shares her excitement on the first book being made into a film right now.There is her second book of the series which is called Insurgent already published.Her third book called Allegiant has been okayed for publishing and is expected to be out in October 2013.

What Could Be Better: I honestly don't think there is much to add here, as Divergent is already fantastic as it is.Still, I feel a brief introduction to how this faction was formed and the operations in detail,the reason which brought this about could have been added in the beginning to make the reader feel more in tune with the book and happenings.

I have just reserved my copy of Insurgent and eagerly waiting for the third book to hit the shelves.For those of you who would like to follow up on the film and Veronica Roth, see here.Not only does it have the latest updates about her writings, but she also reviews a lot of other authors and their new writings which is very interesting and helpful for those of us who are searching for similar reads.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Sherry Thomas - Private Arrangements - A Book Review

I actually went to collect something else which I had reserved and waited for a long time.Took this book mainly because I was curious about the title with the front cover showing a beautiful maiden in white.The plot summarized at the back seemed very interesting - the sort with a lot of unanswered questions hanging, a clear bait for a curious reader on the look out for just such a drama in pages.

The storyline, if you look at it from a reader's point of view is astonishingly simple.I wager you may have read a similar plot sometime or the other because it is the sort on which many tales are written.But to her credit, the way in which Sheryl Thomas narrates her story sets it apart from various other books I've had the chance to read.Set against wealth and opulence, there is a certain strength of character, which lends itself to the stars of the story - Gigi Rowland and Camden Saybrook, who are introduced at the start as Lord and Lady Tremaine between whom these unusual "Private Arrangements" exist.Known for their perfect marriage, Lord and Lady Tremaine have lived on separate continents for ten years after their marriage.Gigi wants to be free of this arrangement to carry on with her life and that brings us back to the present - that of Camden Alias Lord Tremaine agreeing to it under certain conditions.The author seamlessly weaves her tale between past and present taking us on a wild ride, with particular attention to detail by a thorough account of certain incidents of the past and how they affect the present.

Gigi is presented as a strong woman who is industrious, has a fortune to her name and does not see any harm in using the influence of her wealth to get what she wants, be it a title or love.The result of her actions follow her throughout and the punishment in the form of private arrangements, is Camden's way of rewarding her betrayal.Only, the punishment seems to bring him more pain than her.When there seems to be a way to finally set things right, he has not bargained for Gigi to pledge herself to someone else.

Somehow, Shelby Thomas manages to portray that spark, desire and betrayal with an emotional depth and urbane charm, which makes this a must read for those searching for a different romance.For me, I am enraptured by her way of story telling that I have just ended up searching for her other books, to read at my leisure.

Friday, August 23, 2013

On A Windy Friday Evening !

I have been in Sydney for almost 4 months now.Amazing how time flies by.It seems as if we just landed here yesterday.The place where we live is somewhere around the center of civilization.Though it is lonely here and you do not even know who lives next door, you eventually stop letting that bother you after some time.As one of the children in a household, where both parents were employed, you actually get used to being alone by yourself a lot of the time.
Nowadays, I can honestly say that it is actually a drain of energy when associating with people and going to places and events, just because it is the in thing to do.However, there is the shopping complex a fifteen minute walk from our apartment, which I religiously frequent and a friend living next door with whom I chat every other day.I am in love with Sydney.There is no other way to describe this experience.If you are in US, you do not even know what you are missing out on.
Maybe what makes it so beautiful here is the casual, laid back charm of the place and people.It seems to have the combination of the modernity  that is US, the wilderness that is Australia and the mix of multilingual culture, with the overall effect that it makes one feel at ease.
My daughter will be turning 3 years old this month.As a stay at home mom, 24 hours do not seem enough to do the job of looking after the house, cooking, cleaning and looking after my daughter.As a person, who loves to search for good books and movies, I find very limited time to do what I like.I have been freed up a bit since this last month, as we have put our daughter in a daycare/preschool setup.It is quite costly here, especially as the refunds and benefits are only for permanent residents and Australian citizens.We're very lucky to be able to afford this, even on a three day a week basis.

Well, you cannot be in Sydney/NSW without talking about weather.They say that winter starts around the start of June and ends around the end of August, with July being the coldest.The weather changes about 3 to 4 times a day.Sometimes the morning starts out being very sunny, with the afternoons turning cold, the evenings turning warm and the nights turning coldest.This week has been especially windy and cold.All my shopping plans for the week keep getting postponed.I especially wait for the weekends, where we can sleep a bit longer, without having to get up in the cold to complete the daily cooking and cleaning in time for breakfast.

I wanted to write all this, sitting at home today, a windy Friday evening.
Each day is an adventure, and experience teaches you a lot of things which you would not have learned, had you simply been part of a family.The best thing about Sydney for me is that there is the public library within walkable distance, to satisfy my craving for books.I do not have to depend on anyone to get there and absolutely love the freedom and independence.Sure I miss my family, but they would not want me to sit here feeling sad and what seems most important is to live in the present and enjoy the golden sights and sounds that this land has in store for me.
Feel free to drop in a line, if you liked this read

The Joy Of Book Addiction!

Some people are addicted to a strong cup of coffee, some others to the net and social networking.There are many who are addicted to drugs and drink.Ordinary folks like us are addicted to books.While its a known fact that many of these other addictions have an adverse effect on health, book addiction is one, which is guilt free.Can you imagine becoming sick reading too many books? You only become more informed, or creative or sharper in your language skills as the case may be.

However, its not simply information or knowledge which draws us to books, though it is one of those excellent reasons.Here are some other reasons, why we read what we read.

Complementing Our Sense of worth:A book on what we love is a fountain of knowledge.In a world where information is king, being informed and having the opportunity to be tuned to whatever passion it is that one loves makes books indispensable.The more there is an opportunity for exploration , the greater the positive effect on self worth and confidence.Book addiction, many a time enables us to fit  in our social circles by giving us authority to speak on a subject.The most well read are those who have a variety of subjects to touch upon and as such, their company is most sought out to bring meaning and fun into a conversation.

Having fun without being on the run: Books are one of the most pleasurable ways to relax and have fun.The thing with a book is that you do not need to set a goal or read it to achieve anything.There are no points,there is no win and yet there is a guarantee of feeling a sense of accomplishment, which is stimulating.
Whether you realize it or not, the lack of deadlines and the flexibility to proceed at one's own pace and inclination is something which adds incredible value to book addiction.Most of us read, not because it is a chore to be completed, but rather a choice which one can or cannot pursue depending on the mood.

The joy of exploration and discovery:The fascinating world of books has so much to offer by way of variety.There is fiction and non fiction.In that, there is a variety of genre to explore such as adventure, mystery, romance, philosophy, not to mention to do guides to help in pursuit of one's passion.The joy of discovering something interesting or new in the world of books is as real as the euphoria or excitement which Columbus must have experienced on discovering America.

A book is, but a seed of an  idea.Due to their changeable nature and ability to narrate a story or touch a person's heart, books are like gold to be hoarded and treasured.Their value and worth is of the intangible kind, bringing hope and meaning to the elusive definition of life.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Best Books – A Short List Of Absolute Must Reads


Its a crazy world out there and a visit to the library without any set objective, seems a sure waste of valuable time.For the most ardent bookworm out there, its always a challenge to find an interesting book worth the time and effort, not to mention that almost transcient happiness which fills our mind on having read a good book.What I've done here is to present to you the absolute best books which I have had the chance to read.You may have read some or most of these.But if you are just starting out and want the whole goldmine of informaton to help you make your choice for the day or rather the crazy weekend relax and let go night, here is the list.

Bloodline – Sydney Sheldon:
Sydney Sheldon is one of the best known authors with several amazing masterpieces such as Master Of The Game Rage Of The Angels, The Other Side of Midnight, The Naked face to his credit.I have read all of the titles listed here and they are the absolute best books with amazing plots, suspense and thrill to get your adrenalin pumping.Now, there's a style to each author and I consider Bloodline as his best novel because of the history, pace and intrigue on which the plot strongly falls on.Rhys Williams and Elizabeth Roffe are among the most important characters around whom the story revolves.But its a family business we are talking about and each of the characters featured have a strong weakness and a reason for urgent cash, enough to commit murder for access to the company's shares.Then there is the murder of innocent girls in their moment of esctacy, which is also an important subplot leading up to the final expose.Be assured that this is one book which will have you awake at midnight turning pages.

The Second Lady – Irving Wallace
Irving Wallace has written several books, most of them thoroughly researched and based on sexual themes.The Celestial Bed is virtually a how to guide for pleasure and satisfaction, which many a reader depends on to get his/her method right.While books like The Chapman Report, The Three Sirens do not have strong plot lines, The Second lady excels with a strong plot and enough suspense to keep you going to the last page.Throw in a plot with The First Lady, a kidnap and an exact look alike to replace her, with the Russian secret service involved, you've got everything covered to keep your readers panting for more.This is truly one of the best books I've ever read and frankly speaking , its the only one of Irving Wallace which I've read with a satisfying plot line.

Shall We Tell The President – Jeffrey Archer
Jeffrey Archer, the master story teller has written many page turners such as Kane and Able, Honor Among Thieves, First Among Equals and one of his best books is " Shall We Tell The President?" Set in Washington DC, it features Florentyna Kane as the to be elected US president and is actually featured as the third book of the "Kane and Able" trilogy, though the story tself was written as a stand alone.The plot is absolutely superb and the story moves at a very fast pace.There is researched information with factual tidbits on the working of the US intelligence.It all comes down to one thing: Can the lone surviving FBI agent prevent an assasination attempt on the country's first female President single handedly in a seeming poltical maze in which every one is a pawn.This political thriller with a lean mean plot is a treasure for book lovers everywhere.

The Godfather – Mario Puzo
Though Mario Puzo wrote famous novels like The Fortunate Pilgrim and The Sicilian, the most famous and his absolute masterpiece is "The Godfather".The story set in the streets of New York, featuring the workings of the Italian Mafia and made immortal on screen by Marlon Brando who played Vito Corleoni, is a work of carefully thought plot with significant emphasis on strategy.This is the book which is deemed to have portrayed the changing face of US and the various cultural groups forming a part thereof.
While you may have watched the film, nothing is as interesting as having a peek at the original source which inspired such a breath taking film.

Angels and Demons – Dan Brown
With all talk about best books, no list is complete without featuring a book or two of Dan Brown, one of the best selling authors of thrilling adventure.Though he's written several books such as The Da Vinci Code, Inferno and The Lost Symbol of the Robert Langdon Series, Angels And Demons remains my favorite to date and gets featured in my best books list.
The plot features the Illuminati Diamond, theft of anti matter and a world disaster to be stopped, all set in a 24 hour time frame, with Robert Langdon at hs best ever.Its an amazing plot of fast paced events based on good and evil, love and hate, science and logic hope and joy and you will love every minute of the chase to the end, especially if you love to see a puzzle falling into place.
And that brings us to the end of the first list of best books, all top secret information, provided for your exclusive enjoyment.If you are a newbie and loves the thrill of a chase and want to get going in the right direction, this is the short list of best books for you.Each of these is by a different author and these are all best selling authors as well.If you've not decided on one already, this is the right time to do so.
I would love to hear from all of you who have read this article.Please feel free to write in your comments

What Makes A Romance Sell?

I am a book junkie or book addict as some would prefer to call it.Serious romance reads gets me up and running like nothing else can.So I ask myself, the idea of romance is the same - that of a man and woman committing them selves,or a man and man or woman and woman as the case may be.But you get the point.
Why do some books sell like hotcakes while some others sit on the shelves like rocks?
This is something which many of the writers are no doubt searching the answers for.Now a romance book is not simply a man meets partner, falls for her/him and they live happily ever after.It is amazing if you look at what the readers still look for in a romance read.
From the marketing perspective, it is rather like baiting the fish.Though what makes it so very interesting is that there is a lot more strategy, fine tuning and depth involved is writing a story that sells and even gets made into films.
The Plot: Though the basic plot remains the same, taste changes with time.So I can truthfully say that not all the readers  are looking for a happily ever after.The romance that truly sells takes its cue from real life, which means that there is frustration, disappointments, second chances and bleak realizations, though there may be some unexpected silver linings in the horizon.
Relating and Emoting: Romance books need to be top notch in these two areas to sell hard and fast.Along with the element of love or romance which is a given at any time, the characters need to relate to the audience.On the right note, the characters must also relate to each other.Romance is all made up of emotions.The more intense the interplay between the characters, the better it is for the readers.
The Characters: When a story is simple and touching, it makes for a great romance read.Take "Love Story" by Erich Segal and you will understand what I mean.With a perfect plot swept in currents of intense emotions, it still takes strong independent characters for a story to finally sell.This could be the story of any woman on the street or any man on the road.And everyone loves reading it, because it could well be their story.
Book cover and Presentation: Believe it or not, the title of the book, the picture gracing the cover and the story summary or summing up are often the most important deal breakers.Accepted that there are hundred new ways that a book may be marketed, the reader often picks up a book , intrigued by the title or the story gist or parts thereof tantalizingly presented.Its called teasing the audience and it sure as hell works almost 99% of the time if not 100%.
Needless to say, romance reads are much more than simply good stories.Its rather like being at the right street , in the right time for the right person to pick you up.