The Mystery Of Edwin Drood - Charles Dickens

The last and the unfinished novel of Charles Dickens. It's intended to be a suspense drama. The killer can be John Jasper , but there can be new twists and turns . Who knows? Pity that he has to leave this world without finishing not only this book but many of his dreams.

The Bonesetter's Daughter- Amy Tan

Yet another story , churned out from the tightly packed first novel, deals with delicate filial relationships. The characters, incidents, even the dialogues repeat itself yet her stories are unique and powerful. The plot is fixed- China during second world war and America of '90s. The daughter discovers the extraordinary past of her demented mother and thus rediscovers herself. The novel is heavily autobiographical.

The diary of a young girl- Anne Frank

Ann Frank gets the diary as her 13th birthday gift. She uses it to pen down her most candid and private thoughts. Soon her life changes drastically and for the next two years she pours her heart out to 'kitty'.She records daily happenings, family life, her growing sexuality, conflicts, confusions , hopes, her dreams and aspirations.She passes away at the age of fifteen and the rest is history.

'Dear diary' days have long been replaced by blogs.Still, Anne's diary withstands the test of time, because of its political and literary merits.A must read for all especially teenagers.

The essence of Yoga - Osho

Osho !! Cool , concise and condensed. This is not a yoga guide but a guide to yoga or meditation. Osho here addresses a series of fundamental queries of the unhappy souls. This book has definitely changed some of my attitude towards Osho and on Life and so I can't help but write down some of his powerful words:

• Life is a mirror.
• A person is an infinite mystery.
• When love dies , duty enters.
• Judgment is ready made. Discrimination comes from awareness.
• All comfort is , deep down , womb-like.
• The more you seek your happiness , the more you will help others to be happy.
• Misery is destructive , happiness is creative.
• Anything private is going to be unreal.
• A master is a catalytic agent.
• Life is a gossip in the eternity of silence and existence.
• Myth is nothing but a beautiful gossip , it helps you to live.
• Man is like an iceberg.
• The tongue should not be the controller.
• That which disappears by watching is sin, and that which grows by watching is virtue.
• A stupid mind always acts out of the past.
• Mind is accumulated past, its memory and so is stupid.
• Intelligence is mastery of all the mechanisms within you.
• Introspection is thinking about yourself. Self-remembering is becoming aware of yourself.
• God loves those who make others laugh.
• Cry, weep and laugh - let these be your prayers.
• Nobody is here to fulfill anybody else's expectations.
• All rules exist for averages.
• All great teaching is indirect.
• Whenever you are in love , you are gaining energy to hate.
• Be in the middle.
• In deep love, people breathe together.
• Narrow is the way. Straight of course.
• All choice is of the extreme.
• Balance is totality.
• People who are self conscious have no self.
• When ego dies, you will grow.
• Love is possible only when you have known your depth.
• Senses by themselves are impotent - unless you cooperate.
• Man is a bridge between the animal and the divine.
• Life is a blissful cosmic play.
• To be is to suffer.
• The sin is to fight, not to accept.
• All problems are unreal.

The Kitchen God's Wife- Amy Tan

Amy Tan's second novel explores more into mother-daughter relationship and picks up the thread left by the first novel. Moreover it's the story of 2 Chinese women- their miserable childhood, unhappy married life, ordeal through second world war,escapade to America, new life, more secrets and their love-hate relationship throughout their life. Immigrants and expatriates force their children to follow their values an traditions, but the new generation always refuses causing much stress and strife. The central character is Amy Tan's own mother. It's their story.

 How do my daughters rate me? Totally disturbed.....

The Luminous Sparks - APJ Abdul Kalam

'A biography in verse and colors' is a collection of 8 poems. The book is a visual treat. It is printed as a Deluxe Edition on art paper. The cover design and illustrations are beautifully created by 7 prominent artists ! No wonder the book has won prizes for excellence in  book production and outfit. This volume can be read as his life in verse. And these poems too are written to ignite lazy minds. Be it fond memories or agonies, the underlying theme is to unite people of India , to work hard for peace and harmony and to transform our country from a developing nation into a developed nation.

The best part is the conversation between a toddler bud and its mother. Just imagine..! Such spontaneity, simplicity, transparency and innocence, coming from a scientist and an ex-president is quite phenomenal.

Salaam Kalam Saab...

Ignited minds - APJ Abdul Kalam

Ding-dong ! Here is a book dedicated to the Indian youths. The aim of this book is to turn India to a developed country by the year 2020. Dr. Kalam shares his personal and professional experiences, his visits to different places and states , his interaction with school children and college students and meetings with sadhus and eminent personalities. He often asserts the important role of parents and elementary school teachers as role models to ignite young minds. He not only advocates the Gandhian principle of  rural  development but also has got a foolproof strategy for the same. The chapter on role models, esp on ancient mathematicians and astronomers of India is quite educational and inspiring .


                APJ has added many questions and his answers for sound effects. One student has asked an important question, '' Why Indians, particularly educated Indians excel when they go to the USA and Europe. They become rich also''.Kalam's answer is teamwork and willingness to take risks. That's all? Ha ! In a foreign land, away from one's own people, an expatriate is  scared stiff but ironically works hard to the core to prove his worth. Anyhow, its high time and this book is a gentle but alarming wake up call for all Indians - patriots and expatriates.


               Chak de India !!