"Wonder" By R.J. Palacio

 

Wonder by R.J. Palacio, a children’s book but was suggested by the Bookstore Chapters and Verses for Adults. I did wonder for a moment what could be in it, do I have the patience to read a children’s book. ( I was tired of reading to the nine year old who had an attention span of five seconds), curiosity got the better and I picked a copy.

What a fantastic book, which makes so many emotions, and thoughts to run across your mind. You are left with the feeling that you should share this with your child. So I suggested the thirteen year old to read it. The thirteen year old took one look at the back page and said “are you serious it sounds depressive so I can’t read it”.

She watched me take the book out and read it and make notes. It was important for me that some of the little lessons in the book should be incorporated into my life. One week later, I found my 13 year old with her nose deep into the pages. So we finished the book and got into a discussion and an agreement that as far as we could we should choose kind over right.

A quote from Book:

MR. BROWNE'S SEPTEMBER PRECEPT:

WHEN GIVEN THE CHOICE BETWEEN BEING

RIGHT AND BEING KIND, CHOOSE KIND.”

― R.J. Palacio, Wonder

Tags: kindness, precept, righteousness

Book Fair 2011

I went yet again to the book fair with D. We thought we ll beat the crowd and be clever about it and go at an odd time at three thirty on a Tuesday afternoon.
Guess what half of Colombo and the outskirts was in there. First, we were shoved in at a rate. You don't have to walk, the crowds just like push u like a wave or something.
It was worth the pain of it all, there was loads of fiction books and D and I had a good time picking up many. The bookshops have really gone to town and picked up loads of Indian editions of books cheaply and did not even have time to take off the prices.
We came out around five pm and there was even more people trying to get in. I saw a mass of thousands trying to walk in... (at the same time, I exaggerate not). I think the crowds increase every year.
It was worth all that since there is quite a bit of discount and more than that to see D's Happy face and bags full of books to read and art stuff to paint.
Warning to anybody trying to go in the weekend, it will be painful.

Purple Hibiscus

This is the book that had me captured for the past few days. The authors name is quite long Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. Her writing has so much depth and captivating is the word. The beauty of Nigeria, the culture of people, the suppression of people in the name of religion. I could go on and on. Beautiful book.

This author had been at the literary festival in Galle. Lucky the ones who got to meet her. I did not get to go this year either. Maybe next year!!

Three Idiots- Hindi Movie at Majestic

A really good light hearted movie. I laughed so much and there were moments that make u think. There were moments which made me tear. A must watch and a good one for the year. It was taken very realistically of some colleges and students in India. Could easily identify myself as one of those college students who had a few gods pictures and praying inside the hostel room in the mornings. Its with English subtitles so well worth the watch. Its three hours long but you wont feel it go by. The last show is at eight pm.

I was doubtful about going for it but after reading its the highest grossing bollywood movie of the year and everyone going on and on about it. Had to go check it out myself.

The story is slightly related to chetan Baghats "Five point Someone". Have not read this one but read one of his other books and must mention he is one of the best promoted new authors in India. His publishers have done a great job of having his books promoted in most bookshops, well displayed and also sold for very cheap affordable prices.

Holy Cow - Book by Sarah Macdonald

A hilarious and thought provoking book by an Australian traveller. I laughed out loud many times but learnt so much about different religions.

It makes you want to travel through India through the dust and heat to visit these places and feel the power of the almighty in different forms.

Books that make u Cry!

First they killed my father by Loung Ung. It was terrifying to read but kept me awake to finish the book.

Genocide by the khmer rouge army in Cambodia, A kids narrative of it all..

Have decided pain becomes bearable when u think of some people surviving different levels of pain...

a friend who visited Cambodia mentioned that some of the taxi drivers there were kids and had seen it all. To think that it was not really that long ago...

Colombo and Bookshops!

What Colombo really needs is a good Bookshop. We have too many coffee shops (where some of the coffee is vile). We have some bookshops. Do we have a really good book shop? Vijitha Yapa has all these books but very cluttered and lay out. Crescat branch is reasonably ok but some kids books u have to sit and find it. Makeens is nice they are kind of getting it right with the layout but we don’t have a Landmark (like from Chennai) or WhSmith (ok asking for too much).

I must say I am very happy with the new set of books that Makeens has got. Most of the books which were not available a year back from all these authors of chicklit is now available for us to read.

The service at the bookshops are also autrocious. They have never heard of most of the authors and cannot be bothered to help out. Sometimes the pronounciation of some of the sales people will make the author cringe if she/ he was to hear it. So thats what we need a good bookshop.

In liberty plaza there is a cute shop filled with books a tiny place where u can get stuff (in front of uthum pathum).....

Book fair

Went to the book fair last morning, every year it’s the same old same old. Crowds were huge. Books everywhere I was getting a bit dizzy seeing all these books. I love books (I think on par with shoes and bags).

At the BMICH entrance was refused to enter politely but firmly since we were suppose to have a pass. Nobody told me that. Went to the side entrance where we could supposedly find parking but none. It was full on an early Sunday morning. Drove back, took an auto.

I had a field day; I bought crappy books, nice books, kids books. Took nine year old D, who also has got the book craze, she picked these teenage kind of books. Said no, watched her face fall, then did quick mental calculation that if I say no, she would still borrow from a friend and read it. So did the next thing bought it for her. Whatever she asked I got her. I think I am kind of getting better in the parenting skills.

Got some books for s on moral values and good habits. He was not impressed to say the least and immediately jumped on noddy. Well who am I trying to kid, the five year old knows what he wants.

The best part of the book fair most of the stalls are giving a 20% discount. It’s full worth the visit. Its on until the 28th of Sep at BMICH.

Eat, Pray, Love

This is the book by Elizabeth Gilbert that I picked up in Chennai and have been reading the past few days. I have finished the Eat part only. So far its been funny, sorrowful and makes you think about life in general. I read a lot of Chick lit stuff and no this books not like that. Its different and made me think about different bits in my life.

It’s about a woman’s search for different things in life. So she travels to Italy to learn the beautiful language and enjoy the pleasure of eating. She goes to India to learn about the spiritual side of life and then on to Indonesia to find out about love (I think love since I have not got to Pray and love yet)

All my life the one place that I have wanted to visit is Italy (ok well make it two places add Spain as well). So reading this book made me really want to visit Italy. When I took up my job last year the one condition that I had requested is that I wont travel on work very far since I never wanted to leave the kids and travel for more than a weekend. I do travel extensively within Sri Lanka. Now, I have decided that I shall change my stand and on the traveling work related bit and take up whatever comes across. Since I doubt I am going to be able to afford to visit all over the world on my savings on vacation. I have to thank the book which made me make this decision that I am missing out on life by not traveling.

For the love of Chick Lit !

Last week I had the opportunity of meeting up with a friend from London lets call her R. She always brings me a list of stuff that I ask, and usually its books. Books that I read are varied from booker prizes to my all time favorite Chick lit. I love reading chick lit. When I say this in public, usually people just laugh at it including friend from London. She always makes it a point to give me her five minutes lecture on wastage of time reading these books and I should expand my horizons. I do expand my horizons and read serious stuff once in a way but have built a vast collection of some great Chick Lit books (which I hope to donate to charity soon).

Anyways dropped in to see R and she gave me my stuff and gave her usual lecture. While the conversation was going on I mistakenly dropped my mobile ( which I seem to do a lot, time to get a new one). Bend to pick up mobile and there is a book under the sofa, I quickly grab it and look at the title. Surprise!!! It’s a good chick lit book. Turned to see R who is red in her face and goes OH that was for my cousin she likes this too. I was like uhm ok. ( wonder why u had to put it under the sofa then) I guess that will be the end of her advising me to stop reading what I like.

I think the best advise I ever got in my life was in a Bangalore Book store. I was browsing around the bookstore and an Indian aunty walk in. The guy in charge was no help the aunty kept asking him different things and he was blank. She scolded at him and started talking to me. It’s sometimes weird how you can have conversations with strangers. She was like you should read these books and rambled off some books (not chick lit). Surprisingly, I had read all of them and she gave me a compliment I shall always treasure. You are well read, I just wish youngsters today read that much and please do not stop. She happens to be one famous Indian authors mum, and am very glad that I got a moment to chat with her….