Writer: John Grisham
Genre: Fiction, Short Stories
A quick book from Grisham which consists of 7 short stories set in Mississippi. Lacks the page turning, complex plots attributes that most of his books have. Simple and straight - that’s how all the stories are. At times the simplicity and no-fiction kind of feeling irks you but after the book is done you probably think you have read something from everyday life.
Good book but non Grisham readers can skip it.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Monday, March 15, 2010
Heidi
Writer: Johanna Spyri
Genre: Fiction, Classic, Children's book
Probably the best known book in Swiss literature, it still remains my personal favourite after I got its abridged version as a prize in my 5th standard. My teacher, Ms. Elizabeth's personal line on the first page of the book is another reason why I still hold the book extremely close.
Alright, back to the story! I wonder if classifying this book as a children's novel makes sense. You can read this well past your childhood, probably even when you are into your ripe old age. The story haS been made re-made a thousand times in Bollywood and Hollywood.
Heidi is an orphan raised by her aunt. When her Aunt Dete can no longer take care of her because of her job she drops Heidi to her grandfather's place. Her grandfather is a rough old man who is against odds with the villagers and stays up in the mountains. Heidi however manages to penetrate his heart and lives a delightful life with her friend Peter. As she is enjoying her stay, in comes Aunt Dete again and whisks her off to Frankfurt as a companion for a disabled and wealthy girl, Clara.
The stay in Frankfurt is the second part of the book. Heidi enjoys being with Clara who is also very kind to her. But the strict disciplinarian housekeeper Ms.Rottenmeier disapproves of her village ways. Heidi ends up throwing the well managed household into peals of laughter and chaos with her innocent acts, much to the dismay of Rottenmeier. But Heidi misses her life with her grandfather and Peter and becomes homesick. She is soon sent back home owing to her failing health.
Back home, Heidi manages to convince her anti social grandfather to visit the local church and thus gets him on talking terms with many of the village folks. She also teaches Peter to read and write. Clara soon joins them for a stay. Peter gets jealous of Clara and pushes her wheelchair down the mountain. Without her wheelchair and owing to a better clean climate Clara manages to start walking. And that’s how this beautiful novel ends.
I think I managed to put the whole plot, usually I don’t do it but this time I couldn’t resist. The story may be boring for many because as I said it has been narrated a million times thru different mediums but believe me the book is a classic. A must have in your collection
Genre: Fiction, Classic, Children's book
Probably the best known book in Swiss literature, it still remains my personal favourite after I got its abridged version as a prize in my 5th standard. My teacher, Ms. Elizabeth's personal line on the first page of the book is another reason why I still hold the book extremely close.
Alright, back to the story! I wonder if classifying this book as a children's novel makes sense. You can read this well past your childhood, probably even when you are into your ripe old age. The story haS been made re-made a thousand times in Bollywood and Hollywood.
Heidi is an orphan raised by her aunt. When her Aunt Dete can no longer take care of her because of her job she drops Heidi to her grandfather's place. Her grandfather is a rough old man who is against odds with the villagers and stays up in the mountains. Heidi however manages to penetrate his heart and lives a delightful life with her friend Peter. As she is enjoying her stay, in comes Aunt Dete again and whisks her off to Frankfurt as a companion for a disabled and wealthy girl, Clara.
The stay in Frankfurt is the second part of the book. Heidi enjoys being with Clara who is also very kind to her. But the strict disciplinarian housekeeper Ms.Rottenmeier disapproves of her village ways. Heidi ends up throwing the well managed household into peals of laughter and chaos with her innocent acts, much to the dismay of Rottenmeier. But Heidi misses her life with her grandfather and Peter and becomes homesick. She is soon sent back home owing to her failing health.
Back home, Heidi manages to convince her anti social grandfather to visit the local church and thus gets him on talking terms with many of the village folks. She also teaches Peter to read and write. Clara soon joins them for a stay. Peter gets jealous of Clara and pushes her wheelchair down the mountain. Without her wheelchair and owing to a better clean climate Clara manages to start walking. And that’s how this beautiful novel ends.
I think I managed to put the whole plot, usually I don’t do it but this time I couldn’t resist. The story may be boring for many because as I said it has been narrated a million times thru different mediums but believe me the book is a classic. A must have in your collection
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
The Appeal
Writer: John Grisham
Genre: Fiction
Back to my fiction reads ;) I had stopped reading Grisham after a few recent misadventures and I guess i ended up skipping his most interesting book in recent years.
When Mary Grace and Wes win a verdict against Krane chemicals for wrongful dumping toxic wastes in Bowmore, they have won a second life because they have lost everything in a trial that has taken up years. However, Krane's owner Carl Trudeau won’t give up without a fight. He hires extra elements to rig the Supreme Court election to elect a justice. Whether or not he succeeds is what the the book is all about. The climax is pragmatic and probably very well written.
One of my favourite writers, Grisham keeps the book interesting enough with his writing style. In his elements completely ‘The Appeal’ makes you forget you are reading a fiction novel. At times, you start wondering about the election process and if it really makes sense.
With another book to go I would yet again reach a state where I have read every single book written by an author. Grisham is probably the only one who has managed that first with me :)
Genre: Fiction
Back to my fiction reads ;) I had stopped reading Grisham after a few recent misadventures and I guess i ended up skipping his most interesting book in recent years.
When Mary Grace and Wes win a verdict against Krane chemicals for wrongful dumping toxic wastes in Bowmore, they have won a second life because they have lost everything in a trial that has taken up years. However, Krane's owner Carl Trudeau won’t give up without a fight. He hires extra elements to rig the Supreme Court election to elect a justice. Whether or not he succeeds is what the the book is all about. The climax is pragmatic and probably very well written.
One of my favourite writers, Grisham keeps the book interesting enough with his writing style. In his elements completely ‘The Appeal’ makes you forget you are reading a fiction novel. At times, you start wondering about the election process and if it really makes sense.
With another book to go I would yet again reach a state where I have read every single book written by an author. Grisham is probably the only one who has managed that first with me :)
Thursday, March 4, 2010
Outliers
Writer: Malcolm Gladwell
Genre: Non Fiction
Another top notch book from Gladwell, where he tries and brings before us the factors that contribute in making somebody famous.
What’s common between Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Steve Jobs apart from the fact that they created millions with computers? How much of a person's IQ really matters in making him a celebrity. Ever heard of Christopher Langdan! He is the man with an IQ that ranges between 192 - 200...even Einstein didn’t have that much, then why doesn’t that name ring a bell in our ears?
Compelling questions and a strong statistical analysis to get the answers. Outliers does more than make you think. It shakes a lot of faithfully adhered concepts.
On a personal note, the book was so overwhelming that I had to compulsorily google 'Gladwell Criticism' to let my mind think about the other side of the coin!
Must in your collection but again heavy on statistics. Read the first 5 pages, if it entices you (I am sure it would) buy it :)
Genre: Non Fiction
Another top notch book from Gladwell, where he tries and brings before us the factors that contribute in making somebody famous.
What’s common between Bill Gates, Paul Allen, Steve Jobs apart from the fact that they created millions with computers? How much of a person's IQ really matters in making him a celebrity. Ever heard of Christopher Langdan! He is the man with an IQ that ranges between 192 - 200...even Einstein didn’t have that much, then why doesn’t that name ring a bell in our ears?
Compelling questions and a strong statistical analysis to get the answers. Outliers does more than make you think. It shakes a lot of faithfully adhered concepts.
On a personal note, the book was so overwhelming that I had to compulsorily google 'Gladwell Criticism' to let my mind think about the other side of the coin!
Must in your collection but again heavy on statistics. Read the first 5 pages, if it entices you (I am sure it would) buy it :)
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