Shanghai Girls

I enjoyed reading this novel by Lisa See. It's a historical fiction set in Shanghai and Los Angeles. It is a tale of dreams, war, fate, courage, and two sisters. It's a very easy read and an absolute page-turner. The author has portrayed the sibling rivalry well. The two girls undergo dire circumstances in the face of brutal war, bankrupt father, failed aspirations and bleak chances of survival. They fight their way to America and bravely embrace the harsh reality of their lives.

I've read Lisa's Snow Flower and The Secret Fan before, which is all about friendship between two girls in the 19th century China. If you want to know about Chinese country, the traditions and life in 1800s, especially about women and from a woman's point of view, do not miss this lovely book.

Personally, I took more pleasure in Shanghai Girls than the other. The next in line for me by the same author is Peony in Love. I might allow some time to pass before I pick it up though.

Michael's Techno-Thrillers

If you are bored by the usual murder mysteries or romance flicks or typical thrillers in general, it's time to pick up a techno-thriller by Michael Crichton. Personally for me, his works have always been a wonderful respite from my other serious reading. All his novels, based on thorough research, are certain to inspire awe for many of his fans. Besides the technical and research aspects, one thing I most like in his books is that sex or romance takes a backseat. Even better, it is practically non-existent in many of his works. Aha, what a relief! No formula twists and tricks either. Consequently, some plots might seem a little bland. But all in all, I assure one and all that Michael Crichton's works are engrossing reads.

Some of my favorites:

Prey - An absorbing thriller about Nano-technology, computers, robots

Sphere - A nerve-wrecking thriller about a mysterious spherical Spaceship

Congo - A captivating thriller that takes place in the rain forest Congo

 
 
 
 
State of Fear - A gripping novel on interesting and alarming aspects of Global Warming
 
 
 
 
 
 
Of Course, his Jurassic Park and The Lost World need neither introduction nor recommendation. We all have enjoyed the movies very much.
 
Bibliography.

Please don't bother

I can't believe I read Anything for You Ma'am by Tushar Raheja till the end. I'm a bit ashamed even to admit that. It's so awful. I never read a book so badly written before. The whole narration was very cheap. Gosh, it was horrible. Chetan's seem a lot better compared to this book.

I was repulsed by the beginning paragraph itself and actually attempted a few times to proceed with reading. There is no reason for perusing this novel other than a stupid curiosity about why it has become such a popular title. In retrospection, I didn't really read any positive reviews for it but I guess people are just reading it and falling victims to it as I just did. The IIT saga started by Chetan is definitely an influence. But 'Anything for you Ma'am' is more about love rather than about IIT. It might as well be any other college. The expression, the dialogues and monologues, in fact almost everything sickened me.

I wasted lots of precious time reading it. I'm spending more time writing about it now, just because I felt I should warn other readers out there, who might be considering to try it. My advice: Please don't bother.

Telugu Writers

Found this amazing blogpost listing the famous Telugu writers and their works.:

Famous Writers

Very resourceful.

Yandamoori's Thrillers

I haven't read much of telugu literature, but I guess most people agree with me when I say that Yandamoori

Veerendranath is the most popular contemporary writer. I've read quite a few of his novels and I would like to recommend my favorites to you here.

Casanova 99: I read this novel at least twice and would like to read it again if I get a chance. It never fails to engage me and awe me. It is through this work of fiction that I first grasped the events behind deep-rooted enmity between India and Pakistan. While I can't verify the truth of those details, it pretty much seemed like reality. I thought the basic plot of this novel as mind blowing. I felt that the main character has been idealized very much by the author, but that's what commercial writers usually do, right? By the way, the title of the novel refers to the brother of this perfectionism personified. There is enough romance and action in this book to keep you hooked to it until the end.

Antharmukham: This wonderful novel is actually not a typical thriller. It's a psychological fiction in which the protagonist is a cynic who doesn't believe in love or goodness in people. The story is about how a woman changed his view through love and sacrifice. It's the most favorite of mine of all the Yandamoori's novels and it cast a profound impact on me. Apparently, I read it a number of times. This is a must read novel.

Priyuraalu Piliche: Though I don't remember a lot about about this typical thriller, I do remember being appreciative of it. It's a quite enjoyable read.

I'm not mentioning the other goodies from the author, such as Nallanchu Tellacheera (Movie- Dongamogudu), Dabbu To The Power of Dabbu (Movie - Challenge), Akhariporatam (Movie - Aakhariporatam), Vennello Aadapilla because most of us might already have watched these movies and knew these stories too well enough to make reading them less thrilling. But if you would like to have a recap, go for them too.

Telugu Short Stories

It has always been my pleasure to read Telugu literature. I especially like the short stories in the magazines. I feel that they reflect the current values and society in general. The story in Eenadu's weekly magazine is my all-time favorite. I'm amazed by how the the quality of the stories is maintained over the decades.

I also don't miss any opportunity to read more stories from any of the leading weekly or monthly magazines. One of the Eenadu group's many contributions is Vipula, which presents stories translated from different languages in India and abroad. It gives varied exposure to different forms of writing and different social and cultural values. I also used to love the jokes, which were usually present on almost all pages. Not sure, if the magazine still includes them or not.

In my opinion all these stories in various magazines are much more closer to real life than any other form of fiction.

Enjoy:
Eenadu Sunday Story
One of the Vipula Stories

Danielle Steel

Phew... Sireesha's enthusiasm is infectious, got me to want to do a book post after a real long time...

Below is an excerpt from the post I had done in my personal blog a while ago with some latest edition...

Authors Website Link

The one thought that comes to my mind whenever I see the rate at which she brings out the bestsellers is "She must be superhuman!!!" She is the one author who I read maximum. The first book I read by her was The Lightening which my mom got me for summer holidays and then whenever I got a chance to read her, I did. But the love affair started only after I came to US and from then on got to read a lot more. My God, some people dont read that many books in a lifetime and there she is churning one after the other at a lightening speed.

For those who haven't read her, she is somewhat like "Yaddanapudi Sulochana Rani" of the west, all feel good stories, mostly about women, families, dreams, hopes and happy endings, no-complex word usage, no twists and turns, nothing plain, simple family stories told in her own style.

Was trying to list out what I read so far from the memory
Lightening
Johnny Angel
Sisters
H.R.H.
Coming Out
Zoya
Toxic Bachelors
Amazing Grace
Fine Things
Heartbeat
Jewels
No Greater Love
Vanished
Mixed Blessings
The House
Miracle
Impossible
Echoes
Second Chance
Safe Harbor
Dating Game
Answered Prayers
Sunset in St. Tropez
Lone Eagle
Leap of Faith
Irresistible Forces
Granny Dan
The House on Hope Street
Family Album
The Ring
Bitter Sweet
The Klone and I
The Ranch
Special Delivery
Malice
The Gift
Wings
Accident
Changes
Crossings....

phew, this must be my maximum read author looking at the loong list :)).

******** (End of flicked text from my personal post)*********


If you are one reader looking just for fun, no sense, no logic, goody goody happy endings, Mills and Boon kind of books with good English and sweet characters and a happy world, she is just the right one for you.

I love her work for her simplicity.. typical lady who is caught in a storm, rescues herself and finally finds peace and victory with family or the man in her life is her protagonist. Not a superwoman, just an everyday woman, reading her book is like watching old 70s family movies.

Lauren Weisberger

I'm one of those people who don't like chick-lit much. But there are at times when I appreciate a bit matured and well-written chick-lit. However much I claim to hate that genre, I must confess that I do, if only less frequently, relish certain typical ingredients of such literature. Well, I can't help it - I'm a chick myself! But mind you, I don't entertain, at any cost, the frivolous teen novels. One reason may be that I'm past that age and the other may be that I can't relate to a different culture.

Lauren's Devil Wears Prada is perhaps my first encounter with chick-lit and I really loved it. It was amazing. It's about a ambitious girl who aspires to be a writer. She enters the fashion world by grabbing the job of the personal assistant to a very demanding fashion magazine editor, which she hopes would ultimately lead her to her dream job.

I also read her Lauren's other two novels - Everyone Worth Knowing and Chasing Harry Winston. Both are in fact less interesting compared to 'Devil Wears Prada' but 'Chasing Harry Winston' is the worst.

While the backdrop of Devil Wears Prada is Fashion world, the one for Everyone Worth Knowing is hi-fi party circuit (Public Relations). I definitely recommend these two novels. They make good and enjoyable reads!

Hi!

Hi All,

I'm the new contributor to this blog and I hope you'll enjoy what I can offer. I'm a voracious reader and I love discussing books.
Here's my personal blog, if you wish to know more about me: http://sireeshaavvari.wordpress.com/
My personal bookshelf: http://www.shelfari.com/o1516985450

Come on bibliophiles, we'll make this blog a fun place together!

E Magazines

Koumudi

What We Intend To Put Here

The author reviews from those who have read..

Suggestions and tips to the new readers..

Sharing what is on our book shelf currently and giving reviews of what we have read.

Encouraging new readers...

are a few of the things!! :).

Book Club.. Purpose and Rules

The main purpose is to motivate each other to read books and express the views on the same and discuss as a group..

1. If we plan to read same book, we can share our views and discuss about the book and story.
2. If you need word help you can find here by asking the friends
3. Post reviews and suggestions for the future readers.