Legacy - Danielle Steele

One of my favourite writers,definitely a page turner!!

This is the story of a 38 yr old lady named Brigitte whose life changes when she is dumped by her boyfriend after 6 yrs of relationship and is laid off by her employer.She is a gal who would never want to take risks, either personally or professionally. She helps her mom on a family geneology project and falls in love with the character of her ancestor who is a Dakota Sioux named Wachiwi and travels to salt Lake and then to Paris and Brittany in search of her family history.

She happens to meet a writer named Marc at the National Library at Paris who helps a lot in her research of family history and changes her life from then.

Wachiwi is the great-great-great-grandmother of Brigitte, who travels from the Dakota Sioux - New orleans - Paris to marry her man who is the brother of French Marquis but marries the Marquis himself.

I personally fell in love with Wachiwi and Marquis, the perfect couple!!

Matters of the Heart-- Danielle Steel

Hope Dunne a famous photographer, married at an early age of about 22yrs to a doctor and enjoyed the joy of motherhood and also the heartbreak of divorce and loss of her only daughter.She travels to India and Tibet and heals her wounds of heart staying at the ashramas in Rishikesh and Tibet. She falls in love with one of her subject Finn O'Neill, who is a famous Writer. She gets carried away by his warmth but finds it irresistible to get along with him because of his past, lies, jealousy and greed for her money.She discovers that Finn is a Sociopath. Sociopath is someone who destroys you and your heart and your existence as a whole. He appears to be very loving at the beginning but as days pass on leaves her traumatized,and threatens to kill her for money. Her one year relationship with Finn kills her heart and soul.

Hope finds it impossible to continue the relationship with Finn and takes the help of her friend Robert who is an attorney at Dublin and ends up in India in the ashramas to heal.Its a blend of suspense and drama dealt neatly and very close to heart.

Ontari Nakshatram - Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani

Too much of family drama, main lead both male and female very immature, everything revolving around money...somehow was not a pleasant one for me..
For a moment I did not even get what was happening, story ending with a generation leap.

Anuhya - Balabhadrapatruni Ramani

A typical Ramani types with a beautiful and innocent heroine born and brought up in an orthodox family in a remote village, gets married. She seldom tries to express her views and feels suffocated in the relationship. She starts exploring life after the couple plan for divorce on mutual agreement. Time pass story!!

The Prodigal Daughter - Jeffrey Archer

Top writing and a page turner, I could not put the book down literally.

The story is about the daughter of a Polish Immigrant to US of A, who is a famous hotelier. Florentyna daughter of Abel dreams to become the first female President of US of A. Her life in past,future and present involving lots of twists and turns. The endless obstacles in her journey from a daughter of a successful hotelier to President of US of A. Success never comes easily, simple concept explained very well. There is an involvement of real life politicians in this story which is very gripping with good timing. Added advantage is I could know the elections procedure in US of A. A book worth the time spent reading.

Big Girl - Danielle Steele

Victoria, daughter of Jim and christine undergoes a lot of emotional abuse by her own parents since she had no resemblence to them, was obese and a little smart and less beautiful according to her parents. Victoria loves her younger sister Grace who receives unconditional love from her parents based on her beauty and she being their replica. Victoria's accomplishments never get acknowledged by her verbally abusive dad. She accepts a job in NY and moves away from her family to overcome the feeling of worthlessness and realises her value.

This is one of the latest books of DS. I was a little disappointed with the plot, obese daughter treated very badly, and parents never realised their mistake. And to my surprise a blonde with big blue eyes is made to feel inferior in respect to beauty!!! Gal who never had a date all through her college is considered a loser by her parents :) Very light read.

Sudha.

HRF Bulletin…Visthaapana – Vidhwamsam

Ee bulletin lo mana Govt chesthunna (chesthunnaamani cheppukuntunna) development projects gurinchina detailed reports, vaati pros and cons annee vunnaayi…Govt approve chesina SEZs, Projects kosam gather chesina bhoomulu, vaati valana asrayam kolpoyina vaalla problems, Coastal corridor peru tho pollute avuthunna environmental balance ilaanti issues gurinchi enno vishayaalu vunnaayi…

Prasthutham adhikaaramlo, prathipaksham lo vunna ye party ni adiginaa thama aim state ni develop cheyyadame ani chepthaaru…but development ante vaalla definition enti? Andarikee manchi education, thindi, arogyam, illu veetitho comfortable life ivi provide cheyyadam anukundaam…kaanee jaruguthunnadi totally different…Abhivrudhi perutho corporate companies ki mana statelo vunna human and natural resources oppachepthunnaaru kadaa…deeni valla equal oppurtunities atunchi pedda pedda companies laabha paduthunnaayi….. poor ppl emo vunna kastha aadhaaram (bhoomi, neeru, adavulu veeti meeda depend ayi brathukuthunna ppl) pogottukuni homeless avuthunnaaru…Societylo differences peruguthaayi + Natural resourcesni chethulaara maname nasanam chesukuni muppu techukuntunnaam…chaalaa mandi argue chesthaaru…Govt vaallaki vere alternatives provide chesi, kothaga start chesthunna works lo vallaki employment provide chesthondi kadaa ani…Deeniki example gaa mana Govt approve chesina SEZs gurinchi discuss chesaaru….

Kotha companies, industries pedithe andulo employement provide chesthaam asrayam pogottkunna vaallaki ani chepthaaru…Mana govt approve chesina 57 SEZs lo 39 IT related vi…veetilo poor n uneducated ppl ki udyogaalu ivvaleru…so baagupadedi chaduvukunna vaallu, nastapoyedi chaduvuleni (chaduvukoleni) village ppl…vaalla lands, houses annee govtki dhaaradhattam chesi…alanee Pharma SEZlu…ee IT companies construction stagelo vundagaa labour work avee vuntaayi, kaanee avi temperory ne kadaa..aa tarvatha vaallu ekkadiki vellaali? Ponee kotha industries ki related townships lo veellaki employment vuntundaa ante enthamandiki provide cheyyagalaru? Factorieslo labour work ichinaa andulo labour laws n rights ki sambandhinchi chaalaa exceptions ichaaruta….Ee SEZla kosam bhoo sekarana valla niraasrayulayyedi ekkuva mandi elaanti technical skills, chaduvu, exposure leni aadivaaseelu, chepalu patte vaallu, tribals…edo real estate market perigi ekara, rendekaraalu vunna farmers polaalu ammukuni aa dabbutho bagupaddaa, oorlaki oorlu khaalee chesthunnappudu ee chinna raithula sankhya enthalo vuntundi? polaalu leni, unnaa sarayina documents choopinchaleni vaalla sangathi enti? asalivemee leni tribals, fishermen veellanem chesthaaru? Inni lakshala mandiki upadhi (permanentga) ekkada, elaa provide chesthaaru? Ee issues annee ee bulletinlo discuss chesaaru.

Idanthaa oka vepu ayithe, maro vepu future generations ni effect chese environmental pollution…ee points annee validgaane anipinchaayi naaku…ye party powerlo vunnaa development ante ento question chesukokundaa ilaantivannee approve chesthundemo…so independant organisations, prajaa sanghaalu, victims veellantha kalsi fight chesthene ilaanti disastrous development ni aapagalaru…and alaanti fights mana statelo chaalaa takkuva rangelo jaruguthunnaayi…ee vishayaalu manam books chadivo, meetingski attend ayo thelsukuntaam…asalu veeti valana directgaa nastapoye vaariki matram ee information anthaa elaa cheruthundo, vallani gather chesi protest elaa cheyyaalo mari…Govt edo relief package provide chesthundi ane kaanee daani valana labha nastaalu ento identify chesukunelaa vaallunnaara?

Ee bulletinlo Vizag agency area lo Baxite ganula thavvakam, Singareni opencast projects ilaa chaalaa vaati gurinchina details vunnaayi….and HRF vaallu last year publish chesina pamplets annee koodaa vunnaayi…thappakundaa manamanthaa chadivi thelsukovaalsina vishayaalu chaalaa vunnaayi…ee books Navodaya bookhouse lo dorukuthaayi.

--Keerthi Cherukuri

Recommendations from fellow TIAians - III

Veellanem Cheddam

This novel by Yandamoori Veerendranath first came out in 2009, almost a decade after he wrote his last novel Antharmukham. Ever since that novel, which was triggered by his father's death, he hasn't written any fiction. However, he commenced writing non-fiction a short while later and managed to gain popularity in that genre too.

Veellanem Cheddam addresses the increasingly corrupted, greedy and selfish nature of the current society. He questions why someone needs to amass huge amounts of wealth by corrupt means only to leave it to one's future generations who wouldn't even remember them. He points out that by leaving almost unlimited wealth to the youngsters, the immensely rich are responsible for making them lazy, irresponsible and spoiled. He also calls attention to the role of writers to influence the society.

This is the most matured novel by Yandamoori I've read. And it's both though provoking and highly readable. The latest edition (fourth) also comes with an interview of the author, which is an added attraction.

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.