The Secret Wish List

This latest book from Preeti Shenoy is a typical chick-lit one can breeze through. Preeti's  no-nonsense style makes it a very good read. I was very much impressed by the first half of the book, where she depicts the mundane married life, with an insensitive husband, of Diksha interspersed with her that past, which led her to an early marriage. Preeti brings out many simple and otherwise facts of a woman's life. Where it comes to Diksha's liberation in the later half of the story, everything happens like magic - aka fantasy. Super rich lover, who deeply loves her even after 18 years of their brief affair, who in fact didn't ever really stopped loving her, and a super handsome salsa instructor cum friend mark the typical dream-like nature of chick-lit. Of course not to say far-fetching and unrealistic. But that's the kind of stuff light fiction readers like. Once Diksha makes her secret wish list, it seems the fate itself conspires to make it all easy for her to make her wishes come to reality. One interesting aspect is that Diksha has critical and unsupportive parents but understanding and helpful mother-in-law. All in all, it's a good read.

Urban Shots

Urban Shots is a collection of 29 short stories by 13 authors put together by Paritosh Uttam. As the title implies, these stories are set in urban cities and are about relationships, love, friendship, angst and longing. Besides being interesting and engaging, these stories evoke various emotions in one's heart. This is at once both a light and in-depth read. These stories reflect the present life style and provide an insight into the lives of people.

It is priced at Rs.145, which makes it all the more attractive. :-) I got this from flipkart.com at an awesome price of Rs. 100 after discount. And free shipping too! So, what are you waiting for? Go and grab your copy asap. It's worth it all.

Inscrutable Americans

This novel by Anurag Mathur gives a hilarious account of the experiences of an Indian young man, Gopal, during his one year stay in America.  It's outright comical and entertaining. There were many "Lol" and "Rofl" moments in the story. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and I'm sure you'll too.

I don't think I'll ever forget the first taste of side-splitting laugh that is to be continued throughout the book: "The strangest thing about America is that it is full of Americans. "

Initially, the intriguing title got me wondering whether it would have any offensive content. But to my relief I found that it demeans neither America nor India. As one reviewer (on the back cover) expressed, Inscrutable Americans is a celebration of both India and America.

Breeze from the River Manjeera

This is the debut novel by Andhra-born, UK-settled Hema Macherla. It's simple and a very decent attempt. The story isn't unfamiliar but interesting enough. The writing itself flows like a river and makes you want to read more of it.

I came across this novel in a magazine. I was captivated more by the author than the book itself. When Hema migrated to UK after marriage, she couldn't even converse properly in English. Her interest and determination made it possible to learn the language and let her express her thoughts in an eloquent style. Kudos to her.

PS: "Breeze from the River Manjeera" has won the National Reading Hero award.