Krishnaveni (8th Edition)

Just finished reading this popular novel by well-known author - Ranganayakamma. It's her first novel, written at the age of 19 in 1959. The latest edition has a specialty: the author added a new foreword and lots of footnotes. The author has ruthlessly played the role of self-critic and pointed out the many awkward things in her work. She honestly attributed her inadequacy to her immaturity at the time of writing it.

I never read this novel before but reading it along with the author's current analysis of the story and the characters felt like an education to me. The work completely awed me. I'm sure the effect would have not been the same without the footnotes, though I suspect that I would have been appalled by the protagonist's foolish behavior. I couldn't approve the whole love story part since the scenes seemed too far-fetching. Also, Madhav failed to make an impression on me. As the author herself admitted, the characters lacked clarity and are a mix of good and bad. I agree with the author's hindsight that the only solid character was Renuka and she had potential to occupy a greater part of the story.

The way, the author dissected the characters and certain conversations and opinions provided so much food for thought. I know that Krishnaveni doesn't need an introduction to Telugu literature lovers but this 8th edition is truly remarkable for the aforementioned reasons and more.

Tender Hooks

Moni Moshin's Tender Hooks is a delightful read. It's outright hilarious. I couldn't help laughing out load many a times. Decent and nothing over the edge.  It presents the Pakistani high-society life in a slightly sarcastic way and is very entertaining.

The novel is written in the form a dairy, which notes the significant political happenings that affect the country. Tender Hooks is a kind of sequel to Moshin's popular The Dairy of a Social Butterfly. Apparently, Tender Hooks features the gregarious Butterfly of the prequel.

I liked Moshin's writing so much that I'm really looking forward to read her other two works. Besides the two books I mentioned above, she also authored an award-winning novel - End of Innocence.

I discovered Tender Hooks from an article in The Hindu and am glad I did.

Price: Rs. 199

Pages: 250

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.

My first review on books

Hello gals ...ela unnaru....

nenu chadivina chaduvutunna books gurinchi kuda meetho share chesukundam anukuntunna...its not like review on the book ...just my opinion...

Andamaina Jeevitam: Ee book author Malladi Krishnamurthy garu...oka ada maga madya sneham gurinchi ...super book em kadu but chadavachu....bagundi bore anipinchadu

Godavari Kadhalu: pasalapudi kadhalu..chadivina vallaki ee book em anta kotta ga anipinchadu...but godavari teeram meeda abhimanam unna vallu try cheyyandi...timepass book

Illeramma Kathalu gurinchi nenu kotta ga cheppedi emundi...ee book nenu mana Keerthi cherukuri cheppadam tho chadivanu..chala bagundi...

Mahi by Kuppili padma: naku ee book pichha pichha ga nachesindi....kuppili padma fan ni kooda ayipoya..

Manchupoola Vaana by Kuppili padma: ee book kuda nenu keethi reference thone chadivanu...bunch of stories ...bagundi..thank u keerthi..

Sorry Kharidhu: ivi kuda bunch of stories...bagunnayi...

Nemalikannu book kuda nenu oka blog frnd reference tho chadivanu but naku nachaledu...written by maharshi..

inka chala books chadivanu will update them too...but na review meeku kottaga and chettaga anipistey cheppandi elanti points highlight cheyyalo ....

pls post ur comments which will help me to give good comments on books :)

Athagari Kathalu

This collection of stories by Bhanumathi Ramakrishna is a very refreshing read. The stories are both funny and pleasant to read. There is no trace of evil mindedness, that could be attributed to the typical "Athagaru". Bhanumathi's "athagaru" is a very pleasant lady, if only a tad too old-fashioned and orthodox.

This book also includes a few stories that do not feature the "athagaru". These are nice too. The author's writing style is colloquial and reading it makes you feel that you are watching the whole episodes right through your window.

Family saga

Care to read about American family saga in the fifties?? I assure you it's interesting enough. Of course, the drama and the emotions are universal. Reading about them with a different backdrop will definitely be an intriguing affair.



Try Maile Meloy's debut novel Liars and Saints. You'll like it. If you feel like you want more of it, please pick up its  (kind of) sequel - A Family Daughter. Frankly, I liked the former better. But you might think otherwise too.

Maa Pasalapudi Kadhalu

This book is a collection of short stories, 72 of them at one place, the stories by Vamsee, the director I have come to admire a lot more after reading his stories.. these were published in the weekly Swathi, which again, I personally admire a lot.. followed by the sequel Maa Diguva Godavari Kadhalu, which I guess, is yet to take a book form.  Thanks to Vemuri Bala Raam for such wonderful publications in the magazine.

Baapu provided pictures to the stories and as usual it is tough to say which one is the best, the stories or the pictures.  The combo of these two writer and artist to me is awesome.

I have never really been to Godavari districts but through his writings he makes me smell the river Godavari, play in the sand next to the river, enjoy the moonlit nights by the river, smell the pootarekulu and almost hear the voice of the characters and even go through ups and downs in the lives of the characters that are so realistic.  I read in an interview of his that his technique is part real and part fiction but it seems so real to read, just like someone is telling you the story or actually it is happening in front of your eyes.. someone with an association to villages, not just Godavari would most certainly relate to the stories in a most personal touching way.. I do.. and you may like as well, so this book falls in my suggestions for GREAT READS.


Image Source.

The Help

I take this opportunity to earnestly urge one and all not to miss this compelling read by Kathryn Stockett. The Help is a story of three women set during a time when segregation is still at large in America. This novel mainly explores the lives of the black domestic help in a  small southern town. The story is told not only from the view point of Aibileen and Minny both black maids in white American houses but also from Miss Skeeter, a young white woman who wants to write a book about "the help".

I especially liked the ending because it seemed realistic. There were consequences for the risk taken and all was not so well in the end. But of course, it could have been worse. 

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.

Bram Stoker's Dracula

When I first picked it up, I thought that it would be cheap read cause I had seen n number of vampire movies, and had watched all the versions of the movie, based on the original classic, including the first black and white one.


But when I read the book, I was AMAZED! Brilliant book. The best horror I have read to date. Can chill u to ur bones!! I just LOVED the book!!! 
If any of u like horror fiction, and enjoy a good 100% worthwhile scare, try Dracula.
- Swetha


Recommendations from fellow TIAians - II

Come Easy, Go Easy

I've always been a fan of James Hadley Chase. I love reading his mysteries. As a matter of fact, I like them more than of the legendary Agatha Christie's. There is usually more action in Chase's novels for me to savor on. :-)

Come Easy, Go Easy is one of the better books by James. This suspense thriller is all about money. Enjoy it!

Meeru Manchi Ammayi Kadu

Meeru Manchi Ammayi Kadu

Caption: Ayithenem manchi swabawam unna Ammayi. 

A precious book composed and written by Yendamuri Veerendranath.

This Book is all about gals' life. How people around a Girl try to dominate over her life as early stage Parents, then Husband, Then In-Laws later even kids. A very obidient lady after listening life long to people around her without any individuality what she gets while she is at end of her life ? A Must to be read novel by everyone. It is a book which changed my life, it is the book which has shown me my identity.

- Sush

Recommendations from fellow TIAians - I

Nine Rooms of Happiness

A very helpful, thought-provoking and entertaining book for women. This book makes us reflect on the little problems we face in day-to-day life. Read my review of it here.

The Joy Luck Club

I read this amazing book by Amy Tan a while ago. This book is about 4 Chinese women, who migrated to America in 1940s and their daughters. It's a collection of 16 stories divided into 4 parts, which deal with different aspects of the mother-daughter relationships.

As a daughter of immigrant Chinese parents herself, it seemed to me that the author has put her soul into the book. It's no surprise to find that one of her daughter-characters, Jing-mei Woo, falls short of her mother's expectations and fails to be a pianist and/or a child prodigy. Amy herself had failed her mother's expectations of her that she become a doctor and a concert pianist.

Getting inside the book,

The Joy Luck Club was first formed by Suyuan Woo in China during war time, grouping together 3 other free-thinking women, one for each corner of the Mahjong table. The main purpose was to meet once a week and spend time feasting and playing mahjong. The idea was to forget all the misery around for just that day and keep their dreams of freedom and happiness alive. Even after immigrating to America, the leader Suyuan Woo, forms another Joy Club with three other immigrant Chinese women.

While these stories are mainly about the immigrant Chinese mothers and their American daughters, they also explore the relationship of those mothers with their own mothers. Each generation has different tales to tell and different circumstances to deal with. There is also combat between Chinese and American ways of thinking.