Book Review: Moth Smoke – Mohsin Hamid

“The most simple stories can be told in the most alluring manner “– Mohsin Hamid has just proved that statement right. Kudos to the story telling style of the author.  A dark, bold story is very well said.

A story of two friends, one rich one poor, caught in love with the same woman (wife of one of them) – how many times have we heard this plot before. But wait a minute. Moth Smoke has a lot more to offer. Set in the back drop of Lahore’s rich and party crowd, the book explores the wealthy and desperate of Pakistan along with a mélange of relationships. The characters are so beautifully sketched out that you fall in love with each of them. Worth noting here is that each character has shades of grey (unlike some books that have heroes and villains) this one gets you thinking about right and wrong, skillfully exposing the vulnerability of each of them.

The writing technique of Mohin is praiseworthy. The way he plays his cards, lays out each character on the table is worth  a mention. Moth Smoke begins with a court trial of the protagonist and keeps going back and forth with the story. Each character gives in his or her side of the story as the book progresses.

What I loved the most about the book though was the female character Mumtaz. Thoughtfully sketched, she makes you fall in love with her and hate her at the same time. She plays various roles, that of a wife, lover, friend and a mother. But what she brings out is the deepest and darkest desires of women that no one really dares to explore, particularly that of a mother. Worth reading this book for her alone.

The book is deep, gray and enthralling. Makes you get into the world of its own. Sure shot read for anyone looking at new and innovative writing styles. 

Book Review – Who Will Cry When You Die by Robin Sharma

Surely, one of the finest titles given to a book, this one is sure to grasp your attention. After all, most of us would have had this thought at some point or the other in our lives.

Rather that calling it a book, I would call it a series of pointers or 101 ways to live your life to the fullest. The chapters are of one-two pages each which describes one good thing that you could do on a daily basis to make yourselves memorable (and to lead a happy life).

I would describe this book as your daily dose of goodness. Well cited with examples, this book is something you could read like a cup of coffee…a little bit every day. All at once would suddenly seem too bitter or sweet (as you prefer your coffee!)

Some of the chapters like ‘Take a Walk in the Woods’, ‘Plant a Tree’ and ‘Drink Fresh Fruit Juice’ just makes you realize how we are overlooking life’s simple pleasures. Others like ‘ Learn to Say No Gracefully’, ‘Choose Worthy Opponents’ and ‘Use your Commute Time’ all point out to using your day effectively and adding more meaning to life. The book emphasizes on not just how to merely exist but how to live life.

Unlike other self help books, this one is neither preachy nor too long. It talks about the little stuff of goodness we had learnt as kids which has disappeared during the course of life. A great source of energy and fresh air to all those who have lost themselves in the materialistic world.

Recommended pocket handbook, this one is rated 4/5 by me.

That Grey Hair

That grey hair, those aging hands
Tell me you need me now
More than ever before


The immense energy in you is slowing down.
But what remains shining and glowing
Are those eyes.
With as much love I saw when I was a kid
Those eyes shine with excitement,
They call me to be with you
They tell me how helpless you feel
They tell me I need to love you more

I need to be with you
Like you stood by me
Through all my hardships
Throughout all my life

Please give me a chance to serve you
Please treat me as your blood
Please let me love you too

That grey hair, those aging hands
Tell me you need me now
More than ever before

Book Review - Not My Idea of Heaven by Lindsey Rosa

A memoir, recently made into a BBC documentary, Not My Idea of Heaven is an account of the authors hardships and triumphs being brought up in a very strict religious sect.  A detailed chronicle, it gives a complete view of some of the very stringent sects in the world not much of which is written about.

When she was a child, Lindsey Rosa's every moment was governed by the rules of an extreme separatist sect. It controlled what she wore and what she ate; it forbade her to listen to music, to cut her hair, to watch television, to use a computer. The Fellowship said her family was special. Why would she believe otherwise? Then, when Lindsey was seven, her elder brother was caught listening to music and the family were expelled from the sect. But Lindsey's parents knew nothing but the ways of the Fellowship, so they remained in hope that they would be accepted and continued to make the family live by the sect's strict rules—cutting themselves off from their local community. As Lindsey grew, so did her awareness of a world outside. And, feeling increasingly isolated, she struggled with her own identity. Until finally she was faced with a devastating choice: to continue to live by the rules of the religious sect or to be brutally cast out and leave the family she loved behind forever.

I must admit I have some fascination for religion. More so about the cultural beliefs making people act and become the way they do.  Although the book gives you insights on what the rules of the Fellowship were, it does not speak about the core beliefs of it. I found this a tad bit disappointing.

Unlike most other memories, this one is a lot more honest and thought provoking. A fairly good read if the different religious beliefs of people interest you.

I’m going to give this book 3/5.

And the Mountains Echoed

"An unforgettable novel about finding a lost piece of yourself in someone else"

Never before have I waited for a book as this one. After the Kite Runner and A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini's third book has all the book lovers across the world counting days.

Six years in the writing, Khaled Hosseini says of his new book:
‘My earlier novels were, at heart, tales of fatherhood and motherhood. My new novel is a multi-generational family story as well, this time revolving around brothers and sisters, and the ways in which they love, wound, betray, honour and sacrifice for each other.’

Release Date: May 21st, 2013

Book Review – Girls of Riyadh by Rajaa Al-Sanea

An upright, modern book on women, coming straight from the heart of Riyadh – this one is sure to capture your imagination right from the start. The book is a story of four friends living in Riyadh, their struggles and learning’s as they work to find a balance between the conservative Saudi society and the West. Essentially a chick flick, it stands apart from the fact that it is based out of Riyadh, and there are very few books that would give you an account of some of the women staying there (in this case barely 2 % of the women population).

The story telling of the author at first caught my attention. Every chapter begins with her sending mails to random people telling them her story. It always starts with a verse or poetry. The book is a bold attempt by the author as she tries to bring into light lives of a certain section of the society of Riyadh, breaking all the cliché’ surrounding Saudi women.

The girls here are the ‘velvet’ Riyadh upper class, similar in their upbringing but different in their choices. The plot revolves around all of them as they discover friendship, love and marriage, retaining the strong chains of their conservative upbringing. The book is a series of beginnings and break ups for each of the girls. The double standards of the Saudi society, particularly of men, have been highlighted with every narrative within.

Yet another chick lit, I would recommend this book if you are looking to understand the lives of girls in Saudi. It is a captivating insight into a concealed culture. The story telling is simple, and descriptive and the girls are a lot more than “which nail polish do I wear today” types. 

Coffeeology

Book Review – The India I love by Ruskin Bond

Clean. Simple. Fresh. Entertaining. These are the first few words that come to my mind when I think of Ruskin Bond’s book, The India I love.  The book speaks about the authors love for India, his life in the mountains, his extended family and all the everyday things a common man misses to notice in his day to day life.

The book, very beautifully describes the hills and the simple life of the author. The neat and uncomplicated way in which the author has put forward his thoughts would make you go back and appreciate the little things that life has to offer. He talks about his journey into India, why he loves this place, his thoughts of different subjects, and his relationships with people here throwing in a bit of philosophy here and there. The book is so effortless and beautifully structured that you’d almost feel that you are listening to the author over a cup of coffee.

There is one quote that I particularly liked – "I prefer walking alone to walking with others. That ladybird on the wild rose would escape my attention if I was engaged in a lively conversation with a companion. Not that the ladybird is going to change my life. But by acknowledging its presence, stopping to admire its beauty, I have paid obeisance to the natural scheme of things of which I am only a small part."

This is one book that speaks volumes of the knack of story telling of Ruskin Bond. I don’t see any other author so effortlessly put across his life in such a simple and beautiful manner that you would want to go all out and live it.

I just cannot resist this but it is one of the very few books that gets a rating of 5/5 by me.

Book Review: Priya – By Namita Gokhle

Browsing through the packed book shelves of a library, a little lilac book instantly caught my eye. The book, with the image of a regular chick lit had something a lot more to offer- my intuition said. And I was not disappointed. Priya, by Namita Gokhle (of 1984’s cult book Paro) is a definitely a good, light breezy read, putting a smile on the readers face.

The story revolves around Priya, the wife of an Minister, as she finds her space and footing between her home and the demanding life of a socialite. Unlike most other chick lits, Priya speaks about the journey of a mid-aged woman which brings in different perspectives to the same, run-of-the-mill situations.  The reader views the world through the eyes of a protagonist who is a lot more mature and easily lovable.

Based on the Indian aristocrat, the novel  succeeds in bringing out the development of the country both economically and socially. Satire and humor is very well used to point out the life and times of India’s rich and dory.

The language is simple and the flow is consistent.  The protagonist is very well sketched, making her not a victim of social hop notch but a woman with a mind of her own. She would command respect right from the beginning. Although she falters and is trying hard to create her own , she is easily relatable and at times, reminds you of a simple middle class woman next door.

A definite read if you love to read good humor and satire on the economically and socially developing India.

I would rate this novel 3/5.

Book Review: The Krishna Key

The Krishna Key is author Ashwin Sanghi’s third book and I must say that he does live up to the high expectations of a seasoned reader. The book – heavily based on Indian mythology - is very well researched and presented making the innumerable facts of history simple and easy to understand. The author also needs to be commended for his effort and technical brilliance of merging mythology with modern science giving the reader a logical explanation to all the myths. The reader is left in complete awe and amazement at the depth of knowledge provided. Hats off to the author!!!

The book however draws a lot of similarity to Dan Brown’s Da Vinici Code. I would go to the extent of saying that this is the Indian version of the book. The writing style, the story line and pace of the book is very similar to the Da Vinci Code. Having said that, this is definitely a great read for anyone interested in Indian mythology.

The plot, with its twists and turns, moves at a very fast pace keeping the reader engrossed at all points in time.  The constant movement between the present narrative and the mythological background is done suitably, giving the reader enough background and understanding. Pictures, maps, symbols through the book makes it very easy for the reader to keep pace with the author.

The Krishna Key completely engrosses you from the beginning to the end. With so much of information at a very high cadence, the reader does stop for a brief moment to digest it. If you are looking at a pure thriller, you may not like this book for its regular breakouts into history and mythology. Otherwise, a great read.

Here’s wishing Mr Sanghi all the very best. 

I would rate this book 4.5/5