Truth is stranger than fiction

Book Review Title: The Stationary Shop Author: Marjan Kamali Genre: Historical Fiction Set in 1953 amidst the political upheaval in Tehran, The Stationary shop is a powerful love story between two individuals and how circumstances tear them apart. Seventeen year old Roya meets activist Bahman in the city's stationary shop. Their love blossoms over several meetings and exchange of letters.  The owner Mr Fakhri encourages their love to thrive amidst the pages of Rumi and books are used as a vehicle of communication between the 2 lovers. One fine day Roya agrees to meet Bahman near the marriage registrar. He fails to show up.  A shattered Roya is forced to move to America after her efforts to contact him are futile. Years later, an accidental encounter gives her a chance to find answers to her questions. Will Roya gain closure? In her vivid style, the author captures the emotions, political tyranny and the sense of smell of some of the delicious cuisine and spices. R...

Title: The Tenth Muse Author: Catherine Chung Genre: Historical Fiction Set in the 1950s, The Tenth Muse is a story about a mathematics prodigy who is in search of her real identity. Katherine realizes that she is different and that her parents aren’t who they seem to be. She grows up to be a mathematics genuius and finds her place amidst the research scholars and top universities. While trying to conquer the Riemann Hypothesis, she stumbles upon a theorem which holds the key to a secret and her past that is buried during the World War II. What does Katherine discover? Narrated from the first person voice of the protagonist, The Tenth Muse is heartbreaking and insightful at the same time. It’s sort of a coming of age story and showcases a woman’s struggle to gain acceptance and attain success in a man’s world. The author delves deep into the complexity of both mathematics theorems and human emotions. She showcases how several lives were impacted during Workd war II. It’s...

On the occasion of National Wine day (May 25(, I have coined a poem on my favorite red wine. What wouldn’t  I do  For a glass of wine  Red is what I prefer  In the evenings when I dine.  At Napa valley  It was the last time  Two months gone  And not a sip of wine.  The world has shut down  With the Corona Quarantine Low intensity and high risk  The doctors said no wine.  I miss being in high spirits  Every weekend after a run An occasional sip wouldn’t hurt What life without a bit of fun? The runners high no more No triathlons no races No library no meetings  They say it’s just a phase.  Will life ever be normal  Will there be a vaccine  Will there be outings  It remains to be seen.  All I can do is dream That things will be fine  When I can finally celebrate  With a sip of red wine. -- 

Title: We have always lived in the Castle Author: Shirley Jackson Genre: Gothic/ Psychological fiction I was compelled to pick this one based on some rave reviews. 'We have always lived in the castle' is a story about two sisters who have been affected by a tragedy that occurred six years ago.  18 year old Mary Katherine Blackwood aka Merricat and her 28 year old sister Constance live with their rather eccentric uncle Julian in a mansion located in the outskirts of a village. Their other family members were poisoned with arsenic six years ago. The entire village accuses the girls of murdering the family. The three of them are battling their own idiosyncrasies until the arrival of their cousin Charles which causes a change in the most bizarre manner.  The story is narrated in first person from Merricat's point of view. The childlike tone interspersed with curiosity and a tinge of darkness, is the USP of the book. The atmospheric vibe around the mansio...

The year 2020 may not have turned out to be great, especially with the Corona Virus that has made the world come to a standstill.  Its been a dreary two months now, huddled at home and trying to cope up with this new normal. Well it is said that every cloud has a silver lining.  I managed to sign a couple of contracts with publishers.  One is a memoir which should hopefully be out in a couple of months. The other is an academic journal of essays and the third is an anthology of ghost stories.  A big thanks to Koral Dasgupta and Tell me your story for the concept of this e book. It can be purchased here.  https://lnkd.in/gHWVyJH

Title: Between the World and me Author:  Ta-Nehisi Coates Genre: Memoir/ Autobiography This book was highly  recommended to me by my professor at Stanford. Ta- Nehisi Coates is a National corespondent for The Atlantic.  Between the world and me is a letter from Ta- Nehisi Coates to his son Samori which addresses the perils of being trapped in a black body. The author narrates the horrors inflicted upon him- the price he had to pay for the colour of his skin. He talks about cosmic injustice, racial discrimination, witnessing brutal murders-one that involved  his classmate at Howard University- Prince Jones. He also addresses slavery, his experiences in Paris and how he found his true calling in journalism. As he states in his book- “Journalism gave me another tool of exploration, another way of unveiling the laws that bound my body..“ He ends this illuminating letter by encouraging his son to pursue his dreams. He also mentions  meeting his classma...

Title: The English Eagles Author: Nigel Slater Genre: Fiction This book was recommended to me by a runner friend.  Set in a place called Lake District at the border of Scotland, The English eagles is a story about a man and his quest to fiercely protect the breeding of a pair of golden Eagles. Robin leads a simple life of a headmaster until the arrival of a pair of eagles. He takes up the responsibility of protecting them and is supported by two women in this mission.  At the same time he faces opposition from the local farmer who detests the presence of the eagles. Seeing them as a threat to his livestock, he vows to kill them. Will Robin succeed in his mission?  The author's vivid style of writing transports the readers to the picturesque English countryside. It’s interesting to note how the eagles are represented as a symbol of freedom and flight- something that the protagonist is yearning for. Robin is struggling to break free from his dark pas...

Title: The cat in the Hat Author: Dr Seuss Genre: Children’s books  It’s always nice to re visit some books that were a part of your childhood. My six year old daughter and I read this book together. Seemed like a good choice since both my daughter and I are cat lovers.  The cat in the hat is a story about a cat that enters the house of two young children. Sally and her brother are left alone on their house by their mother on a rainy day. A gigantic cat wearing a hat enters their home and attempts to entertain them. It results in a chaos by the cat’s companions which is followed by continuous protests from the children’s’ fish.  The cat in the hat is a fun read. The writing comprises of several rhymes which makes it quite interesting. It’s an experience watching your kid’s reactions and questions on hearing about the cat’s antics.  The open ending is another way to make the kids put on their thinking caps. The answer to the question asked in t...

Book Review Title:  Jasmine Days Author: Benyamin/ Shahnaz Habib Genre: Translation (Malayalam) Jasmine days is the story of a young woman named Sameera Pervin from Pakistan. She moves to a place called The City, somewhere in the Middle East to live with her father.  She works as a Radio Jockey and also harbors her passion for music. When revolution strikes in her country, her life changes and she is forced to make certain decisions. The story is narrated from the first person voice of the protagonist. The tone is honest and defiant in some instances, clearly representing a woman trying to rebel against certain norms. The book showcases the tension  between the Sunnis and Shias- something that was also depicted in Khaled Hosseini's The Kite Runner. Based on a true story, the author touches upon themes of freedom, tyranny, family and forgiveness.  Subtly he also explores the father-daughter relationship and how music is a healer during turbul...

A small story keeping the Mother’s Day theme in mind..  "Its mothers day on Sunday. Let's make a card for our mothers shall we?" she heard her teacher announce to the class. Her downcast face was a contrast to the bright expressions on her friends’ faces, as they brought out their colors and papers.  Reluctantly she got out hers too and stared at the blank page. She recollected that beautiful face surrounded with a mass of black curls as those brown eyes looked at her lovingly. She remembered that beautiful silvery voice that sang rhymes to her. She reminisced that warmth which engulfed her into a hug when she was tucked away to sleep.  One fine day she woke up to an empty bed, her mother’s warmth conspicuous by her absence. "You mother has gone out for a few days," she was told.  The six year old girl couldn't understand what happened. The kitchen was taken over by a pleasant faced matron who churned out her meals. The silence was deafening ...

Book review Title: The Chill Author: Scott Carson Genre: Supernatural thriller  Picked this up based on some good reviews, particularly from author Stephen King.  It’s a case of Science vs Superstition. The Chill is the story of a drowned village that is slated to exist beneath a reservoir in Upstate New York.  In order to bring good to the city and it’s people, a small settlement had to be sacrificed. A hundred years later, the past eventually comes calling.  When the inspector in charge of the dam sees something unbelievable, little does he realize that it would result in a catastrophe.  A number of characters are linked to this past which include the son of the county Sheriff, a woman officer and her father.  Readers get well acquainted with the characters as the author does a fine job of sketching their persona.  The tension in the plot picks up at a gradual pace. With his vivid descriptions, he manages to attain a fine ...

Book review Title: Dear Mrs Bird Author: AJ Pearce Genre: Fiction Set in London during the World War II, Dear Mrs Bird is a story of a young aspiring journalist who ends up working for a columnist. Emmeline Lake harbors dreams of becoming a war corespondent. She jumps at the opportunity when she comes across a job advertisement in the newspaper. However due to a slight misunderstanding about the job profile, she lands up typing letters for Henrietta Bird who is the surly columnist for a women’s magazine. Mrs Bird has strict rules- Letters containing any sort of unpleasantness must be discarded. When Emmy reads some of the problems faced by women with regards to the men or children in their lives, she feels disheartened. Secretly she begins to write to them under the name of Mrs Bird. Meanwhile other incidents involving Emmy’s best friend Bunty, Bunty’s fiancée Willam and her own love life take a complicated turn in the war infested zone. Dear Mrs Bird offe...

It may not have been the ideal  movie to watch on your wedding anniversary. Yet the rave reviews compelled me to do so.  Marriage story is about a stage director Charlie and his actor wife Nicole who are at the brink of a divorce. Seeing a therapist doesn't help matters and Nicole immediately moves to Los Angeles to live with her mother. She takes their son Henry with her while Charlie stays back in New York. Despite deciding on an amicable split, Nicole hires a lawyer named Nora. She reveals her entire story to Nora and describes how she felt neglected with Charlie and suspects his fidelity. She also states her loss of importance and identity and how she wanted to be more than just a wife or a mother. In the meantime Charlie is forced to engage a lawyer to ensure that he doesn't lose the custody of his son.  It spirals into a few dramatic events before the couple get closure.  Marriage story is an engaging drama that explores the complexities of re...

Title: Convenience Store Woman Author: Sayaka Murata Genre: Translation (Japanese) This was recommended to me by a friend. Convenience store woman is the story about a woman named Keiko. Keiko is considered strange by her parents and  is a misfit in the society.  She has few friends and finds comfort in working in a convenience store for 18 years. One fine day day, the arrival of young man disrupts things and gives her a reality check. This is a witty and charming portrayal of a Japanese society. It showcases the pressure to confirm in order to be considered ‘normal’.  You can’t help warming up to Keiko and empathize with her inability to  connect with the  society. The book raises some pertinent questions about being a conformist and gaining acceptance. Despite being set in Japan, it quite resonates with people and society worldwide. Overall an interesting read.