The God Delusion

Writer: Richard Dawkins
Genre: Non-Fiction

Anything that comes from Dawkins does not need an introduction, does it? The British biologist comes up with some hard-hitting questions for people with religious affinities. He focuses directly on a wider range of arguments used for and against belief in the existence of God(s).

If you are a religious fanatic skip it. You need an open mind to understand the rationale behind his non acceptance of god. I read the whole book, liked many parts in it but it did not turn me into an atheist. He has criticized religion only because it seems to be the major contributor to conflicts everywhere. All he asks for is people to be able to question beliefs that have been handed over to them by century old traditions. Come to see it have we all not chosen our religion because our parents made us do it. I mean nowhere in the world is a kids religion determined by his/her own beliefs. As I said there are many things that get you thinking.

But just reading an atheist does not make you an atheist. Atleast i feel so! If you believe your faith why are you so scared of people scrutinizing or questioning it? Humans cannot exist without faith..... Some believe in god, some in nature, some in human mind.....but the bottom line is you have to believe in something. Probably I would not be able to state arguments for my faith the way Dawkins does against it. But what the heck? Someday probably I will if not today!

It’s a great book with real good arguments. Read it if you know you can digest it, don’t run asking for the writer's head. Faith that runs scared on questioning is no faith at all :)

Check also: The blind watchmaker

If tomorrow comes

Author: Sidney Sheldon
Genre: Fiction

My favourite Sidney book after Rage of Angels (I probably like only these two).Tracy Whitney, a character I love almost as much as I love Jennifer Parker. No feminism here....just some fantastic storytelling and ideologies that you identify with.

All set to marry her wealthy and famous boyfriend Tracy doesn’t have any issues in life. Just as she is thinking that life couldn’t get better there comes a phone call informing her of her mother's suicide. Before she knows Tracy is caught in a web of lies and betrayals and lands up in prison.

Probably her jail trauma is the best part of the book. She is broken and almost gives up but a momentary thought that it’s no fault of hers makes her accept life and she chooses to live it her way. That’s when the book turns around as she plans and executes an amazing revenge against those who betrayed her. That completes half of the book.

The final part takes you on a whirlwind tour of some daring and brilliant robberies committed by Tracy sometimes together with Jeff. Read the chess plot carefully and you will admire Sheldon's ingenuity :) That what started for survival now has Tracy hooked and she loves it. But there are people who must stop her before she makes a fool of the entire system. This is a predictable part but yet has amazing humour and probably the optimist in me likes the part and the climax too.

This one is a must for your collection. It’s just amazing story telling with well defined characterizations!

Update: There is another Sidney book that I love - Tell Me your dreams (This time I am sure I adore only 3 of his books ;) )