I’ve been doing a ton of reading since I came to India. There’s a great bookstore right on Assi Ghat, where I can get almost any book I want. The problem is, since there’s so much selection, sometimes it’s impossible to choose – more than once I’ve found myself sitting on the floor in there for hours, not knowing which book to pick.
This is what I’ve read so far.
Deception Point by Dan Brown
--> The writing isn’t amazing, but Brown knows something about suspense. Lizzie was teasing me for reading him until she started reading DP recently. Totally hooked.
God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut
--> I LOVE KURT VONNEGUT. It wasn’t nearly as good as Slaughterhouse Five, but it was still brilliant.
Are You Experienced? by William Sutcliffe
--> Possibly the worst published writing I’ve ever read. But hilarious, sometimes because the writing’s so bad, but also because it captures hippies in India very well.
Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
--> Could not put it down. BYPies were constantly getting updates on the state of my crush on Rhett Butler.
Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner
--> SO GOOD. Everything blew my mind. What a genius book.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
--> Definitely my favorite of the books I’ve read so far here. Hilarious, meaningful, so well done.
The Romantics by Pankaj Mishra
--> If you want to know what life is like in the exact neighborhood I’m staying in, read this book. I couldn’t believe how accurate the description of the environment was. Too bad the story was pretty boring.
The Mysteries of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
--> Love… love.
Interpreter of Maladies by Jhumpa Lahiri
--> I think my expectations were too high because it had won a Pulitzer for fiction. It was really good, though.
Okay. I can’t remember any more that I’ve read. There are some I’d like to go back to. I had to stop reading Inheritance of Loss (Kiran Desai) in the middle, because it was part of a library in Kanda, and we had to leave. I also got distracted from reading Gandhi’s autobiography, which I do eventually want to finish. But I really need suggestions. Right now I’m reading Marquez’ Love in the Time of Cholera, which is great. What should I read next!?
In other news, the Guria concert series, Pearls of Love, is going well. Tonight a new group of marginalized artists are coming, so I’m excited to see their acts. After the show tonight, Joe, his homestay brother, Sourabh, and I are going to see the latest 459374 hour music vide- I mean, Bollywood movie, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. We saw Blue last month. It’ll be interesting to see if Katrina Kaif is as good without her chin stud.
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Two suggestions come to mind:
ReplyDeleteAngela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
An autobiographical story of growing up poor in Ireland. And he was Mom's teacher!
Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Two perspectives on life in the circus -- an old man remembering and a young man experiencing it. And they merge nicely in the end!
Here are some suggestions:
ReplyDeleteAngela's Ashes by Frank McCourt
This is an amazing read. It is one of the most powerful books.
Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides (who teaches at Princeton)
I know you would love it. It is a wonderful saga.
The Physick Book of Deliverance Dane by Katherine Howe
Very interesting. Combines witch trials and present day events. The writer's ancestors were part of the trials.
Misconception by Ryan Boudinot
It talks about memory and truth.
The last two are pretty new. I don't know if they will be difficult to get.
Check your email! I just sent you a list of books that I want to read, so maybe one will pique your interest.
ReplyDeleteKurt Vonnegut -- Man Without a Country --> quick read but very entertaining
ReplyDeleteKurt Vonnegut -- Cat's Cradle --> haven't read it yet but have heard fantastic things
Jhumpa Lahiri -- Unaccustomed Earth --> I loved the book. I thought it required a knowledge of the indian culture but you definitely have that
<3 always, Parth