Vayanashala discussion

Every1 should try reading Dork Trilogy by Sidin . . He is actually a malayali and the book is about an IIM student who just joined for a job . . Sidin keeps it simple. . It is humorous, witty and makes u laugh sometimes . . Moreover he uses some malayalam words like "poda patti" at some places in the book . . He is a malayali and he deserves to be read . . U can download tha 1st book from http://www.penguinbooksindia.com/site...

Haven't heard of the book or the author but I'll definitely try it out... thankx for the suggestion.

. . . :)

I've heard of it. Seen it lying around in bookshops rather. But I've always been a little wary of contemporary Indian authors, especially after some horrendous experiences with Chetan Bhagat. Maybe it's worth a try?

I also dont like Chetan's books . . Only thing u can find in those books are unworthy romance and awfully expressed emotions . .

But Dork is a 100% comedy . . U cant find any kind of emotions . . Some situations make u laugh . . Just consider it as an experiment from a Malayalee . .

U can read it just for fun . . Thats all . . :)

Just downloaded it. I don't enjoy Chetan either. One Night At a Call Centre is a bore.

Yeah . . I stopped reading One night at call centre halfway . . :)

"a bore" is the kind way to put it. I think that was smart of you Nikhil. I actually groaned my way through it. (this was a time when I didn't understand the concept of abandoning books)

I think my wariness stems from the fact that I don't...can't...read ebooks. I've got to buy it. having to spend money on a book really makes you think a little bit more about what you're reading. I've made Chetan Bhagat my test question now though. If someone recommends a book to me, and they say they like chetan bhagat i don't bother with the recommendation.

Stella wrote: ""a bore" is the kind way to put it. I think that was smart of you Nikhil. I actually groaned my way through it. (this was a time when I didn't understand the concept of abandoning books)

I think m..."

If thats the case, I dont think u should go for it . . Better give the first chapter of the e book a try and then decide whether buy the book or not . . Thats what I usually do . . :)

Yeah...usually I open a page at random and read that (if it's an author I've never read, else I just read the blurb). There are some good Indian authors...I recently read 'Narcopolis' and thought that was wonderful! :) The problem I think is cuz bookshops store these nice books next to ones with names like "Untruly Yours"

ha ha . . But Narcopolis is somewhat famous. This book by ex-drug addict Jeeth Thayyil. It was nominated for Booker Prize and was on the verge of making history. I have soft copy , read one chapter and gonna buy it . . :)

Narcopolis is brilliant!! The only reason I picked it up really is because it was a recommendation in a book club I'm part of. And I've been trying to find good Indian authors who write in English. We have authors who write beautifully in other languages right, and there are older Indian authors, like Ruskin Bond and Mulk Raj Anand and R.K. Narayanan who are amazing. Jeet Thayyil isn't in their league of course. But it's a book worth reading! I LOVE how he writes! Reading that book is like falling into an opium river. :)

Ruskin Bond's stories still makes me nostalgic sometimes . . The way he carries us along with his story is fascinating . .
And Narayan, Swami and Friends is my all time favourite . . I read it whenever I feel like a lost child in a serious world . . It always makes me feel good . . :) I havent read Mulkraj Anand . I should give him a try . . :)
Dont ever forget Tagore and Adiga when u mention about Indian authors . . :)

I read a Ruskin Bond last month after almost 6 years, and I almost cried! :) I'd forgotten how wonderful he was. And yeah, Malgudi is something else altogether isn't it? I haven't read any of that in so so long.
The only book I've read by Mulk Raj Anand is Untouchable and I thought it was amazing. It's one of the most simply written, but deeply evocative books I've read. (Another one like that was 'My Story' by Kamala Das)

And oh! how could I forget Tagore?! I practically worship the guy! I recently found a 1941 Calcutta Municipal Gazette dedicated to Tagore at the Calcutta Book Fair. I paid an arm and a leg for it but it's a prized possession! * proud look *

Adiga...well...let's just say I'm not too fond of him. I've had too many fights with this friend of mine who LOVES him to say any more of what I think of Arvind Adiga.

I still remember the first time I read Tagore . . It was that short story 'homecoming' . . That is the most beautiful short story I've ever read in my entire life. At that moment I understood that I would love follow the same path Tagore had once traveled . . The holidays never came to the boy of that story, but it did come to me through that story . .
The way Tagore sees simplest things is what makes his works perfect . .
" "I have lost my dewdrop", cries the flower to the morning sky that lost all its stars" (Stray Birds). .

U should try Kabir . . His poems are a perfect combination of spirituality and philosophy . . :)
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/having... . . . :)

I agree. His writing is so simple and yet, it touches you in such a deep way. And you never forget. I don't remember the name of the first story I read of his..8 years ago..about these 2 friends, although I'm not sure if 'friends' is the right word so close to each other and yet separated by that great barrier of caste. I remember the whole story scene by scene, and I still remember the sadness I felt when one of them had to leave.

Poetry is not much my thing though. There's Tagore of course, and Robert Frost. But the only poet who can really stir my heartstrings, like they say, is Pablo Neruda. I'm not a senti person at all (hate all that pink fuzz usually) but I think that "Tonight I can write the saddest lines" is one of the saddest break up verses in the world! It's beyond perfect.
And when he says (in another poem),
"I love you without knowing how, or when, or from where.
I love you straightforwardly, without complexities or pride
So I love you because I know no other way, than this
where I does not exist, nor you..."
you feel like you've stumbled upon the biggest secret of love or something. :)

Nikhilraj wrote: "I still remember the first time I read Tagore . . It was that short story 'homecoming' . . That is the most beautiful short story I've ever read in my entire life. At that moment I understood that..."

I remember studying Kabir in school. In hindi. :) We used to quote it to each other all the time.

:) . . .

I took your advice and downloaded the ebook. I had no idea that Penguin allowed such things! Whatever happened to all that yelling about copyright violation that publishers always do?!

I think they have made it free to download in order to promote his 2nd and 3rd books . . Its actually a trilogy and those who read d first book are always tempted to read d 2nd . . Seems like a calculated move by Penguin . . :)