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.

Princess Trilogy

Jean Sasson is a distinguished author who writes about Middle East. Her books are real-life stories that reflect the history, culture and lifestyle of those countries. She mostly writes about the plight of women and related social atrocities. Princess trilogy is perhaps the best known work of her. It is supposedly a true story of a Saudi Princess. All the three books - Princess, Princess Sultana's Daughters(Daughters of Arabia), Princess Sultana's Circle - are sure to move a sensitive soul to tears and in general make one outraged against the gender inequality prevalent in Saudi Arabia. My reaction too isn't very different from the above. I distinctly remember my sigh of immense relief at my fortune that I wasn't born in that oil country.

Reading these books has literally been an eye-opening experience for me. It also made me to appreciate my country and what I have in life more than ever. At the same time  I realized yet again, through Sultana's character, that courage to stand up for yourself and others to bring even the slightest change can lead to a better life in terms of satisfaction and purpose, if not always happiness.

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.