books

Page 123

Posted on by Archana K B / 9 Comments

I have been tagged by Sreeram a while ago on the 123 book tag. Initially I thought it to be very easy one, and i thought I would do it the minute I got the time and internet on, but the choice of books have led me crazy. I am supposed to post the next 3 sentences from the fifth line of page 123 of the nearest book. But which book?

I was reading the “3 mistakes of my life” by Chetan Bhagat when I  was tagged. But I didn’t had the pc that time in Chennai. So I thought I would take it up when I am at home, in Bangalore with nothing to do. But now, the number of books are too much lying around to pick one. I then thought of writing something from “Arranged Marriage” but it didn’t seemed to be interesting. It was a collection of short stories, and if I post some lines of some short story, it wouldn’t blend. Then I had “Brida”, but it was already posted by Sujatha. I glanced through some other books too which was unread, but nothing seems to be captivating except for this one. Its by Paulo Coelho again, “By the River Piedra I sat down and wept“. I don’t know what is it that urges me again to buy his books again and again. Maybe its food-for-thought imprint in every line of his book? Maybe. Maybe one day I would get fed up of his books and style too… hmmm.

Anyways here they are:

“The light from his cigarette illuminated our faces. He took my hand and we sat there for sometime. I ran my fingers through his hair.”

I am in real need of more books to feed my idle mind, and hence though the tag is not that interesting, I do want to tag the following few bloggers:

Megha (seems to be dormant.. but does she will accept my offer?)

Archana Raghuram (have been quite busy offlate… is it the work or writer’s block?)

Ashwin (who has that voracious-book-reader look.. do you take up tags??? or always just torrents? 😉 )

and any lazy bloggers who wants to revive up…

Internet/Personal

The Wonder Years…

Posted on by Archana K B / 1 Comment

Its been long that I watched television serials or rather followed them keenly.

I still remember the pre-engineering days or holidays when I had nothing to do at home apart from attending entrance tuitions. I was booming into or outta my adolescence age. My favourite channels were the top notch hindi channels, including Star Plus, Sony TV, Zee Tv, and few others. And if I ever got bored I used to skip to some English ones too but just for a break. The timings were late in the afternoon say, from 2 to 4, and after a while it started as early as 12.30 and extended upto 5pm..! All the K-serials were part of my daily routine, and prime time ones were favorites of mom too… But I alone could watch the re-telecast of the episodes in afternoon, if we ever missed them at night. Of the English ones, I rarely saw the kid-doctor series and the wonder years in Star World aired from 4.30 to 5.30pm. They were stories of boys and girls of my age and why shouldn’t I like them and their experiences retold in the form of a series. I have forgotten almost the English series names and I am trying hard to revive those memories through my various searches in youtube. I caught hold of The Wonder Years, but not the brilliant kid who became doc at 16. The addiction at that age to anything you are gifted with, was clear now when I look back at those years.

Now, being at home full time, I am bestowed upon the full opportunity to view any and all, I don’t feel that urge anymore. Its as if the excitement has worn out. In all the almost three years I lived away from home, I have gone accustomed not watching tv, or movies. And especially not alone. Almost a similar phase, but at different time of life and at a different place. And you find the passion is not there. Is it the same for most of the desires?

films/Reviews

Film review – Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Posted on by Archana K B / 2 Comments

After being smitten by Aditi song from Sree, I was following up with the trailors of Jaane Tu.. everywhere in TV and in papers. The fancy words of friendship and love and the borders and all always excited me as any other young woman with no exception. The only problem is that it triggers me into the world of dreams and adventure of untravelled paths and pulls me into never-answered pool of life-related questions.

Like all other girls, I could only say “ga ga goo goo” over Imran Khan, as he is such a cute and handsome boy. Genelia too was cute and I am sure, almost all the guys who came to watch it, would be “meow“ing in their dreams that night. The rest of the gang played only side kick roles and you are not gonna remember them, unless they reminded you of some persons or events in your own college life.

The most unexpected part was that the story was so simple. I had thought of some twists and turns, but nothing happened. Within 15 mins of the start of the film I could realize what would be the end. And to top it all, my favourite song of the film was missing in it! But later I realized it was not the problem of the theatres, but that of the final editing itself. I love the voice of Sukhwinder Singh for the amount of pain and emotions he puts in every line of any song. And here, the lyrics of that song was also good.As explained in other reviews of the same by Deep, Sreeram and Ashwin, I could also sense the dragging of some guest appearances. The impracticality of the screenplay or the script especially in the later half, drove away all my excitement from me. It was like the much-hyped book “3 mistakes of my life“, of which some parts you love and some you hate. The film had the theme which resembled the Malayalam film “Niram” by Kamal; the similarity being reminded to me by a friend of mine.

But there was humor (would you call it rather situational-comedy kind?), there was freshness (there are so many new faces, and of which many are not so bad ones) and there was the energy, and not to forget the songs and the superb background music. I would rate it for 7/10 as its a good flick, if you want to time pass at home, watching it for over a 40 rs DVD with snacks at reachable distance from you.

And as expected, it has triggered again the thoughts in me, rather the partly answered question: Boys and girls can never remain just close or best friends forever. Is it??? What do you say???

books/Reviews

Book Review – Arranged Marriage

Posted on by Archana K B / 2 Comments

“Arranged Marriage” by Chitra Banerjee is a small collection of short stories. Its been long I read short stories, and I even wondered for a sec whether I did a mistake by buying the book. But I was not that much dissatisfied. Maybe its because of the similar emotions I am dwindling in. Or maybe I could understand what they mean when they bring out the moral ” Perfect life is an illusion”. Now that doesn’t mean anything personal about me, but it somewhere resonates in the mind that its part of the bitter truth.

There are stories dealing with dreams and hopes of a bride to the hidden pains and troubles of marriage amidst the unexplainable bond of happiness or the silent comfort and dependency attached to it. I thought it would contain some reflections of a newly wedded couple and their thoughts, but the book grew beyond the small things to reflect upon the big picture. It talked about the live in relationships, pregnancy and abortion and related feelings, the depth of decision making at various stages in life, including that of a adoption, or the delicacies of hiding infidelity and disdain in absolute blankness. What touched me was the bare blankness attached to every character leaving them raw (or ripe?) enough to bare life with half-closed eyes.

The 350 bucks was too expensive for the collection. But nevertheless, it was a good read and had simple vocabulary enough to keep you bound. It can disturb your mood swings, so I would never recommend to read it unless you are in a state of what-the-hell with the world or are in practical terms with life.

I would rate it at 6.5/10.

Bangalore life

Updates from Bangalore…

Posted on by Archana K B / 0 Comment

Reached Bangalore on July 1st week. A new city, a new phase of life, a new world. And all alone… Its strange how life takes a turn so fast and that too within the blink of your eyes.

To be frank, its boring at home. But then, is it needed to repeat the past of corporate life again. I do wonder. What options do we have in this world…

I have now the company of few books, and few movie reviews pending…

I would be bouncing back soon…  I hope so.

books/Reviews

Book Review – 3 mistakes of my life

Posted on by Archana K B / 7 Comments

Just finished reading the “3 mistakes of my life” by Chetan Bhegat. I had read reviews of Ashwin and many others, and had not much hopes on it. But now I dont feel it as worse as his second book. And the author has always the style of hooking readers till the end, with a superb prologue.

The story plot at times and at many many places may sound very unrealistic. But its a fiction book. Unless you provide the fictionary part it becomes non-fiction. So I discard the irrelevant script of abroad trip and other impractical scenarios.

The twists and turns,the portrayal of the major issues of Gujarat and also India was good. I have seen the riots, the fights over religion in news and also in another film, Kazcha, based on the same and it had always let me down. On top of it, the tint of politics just added to the distaste.

There were instances I loved the subtle humor. The theme of love story didn’t interested me, though the love story did looked cute initially. The struggle of Govind to live, the disappointments, the resurrection after the unsuccessful dreams, and the cinematic climax were the only good points.

Overall I could rate it at around 6/10. Have you read this book? What is the rating???