What I’m Reading

You might have noticed that I love getting my animals to pose with my books. Sometimes, they just do it naturally. Sometimes, they forget they’re not supposed to eat the darn things. And sometimes, as in the picture below, they can’t really be fussed. I’ve slowed down a bit on my reading this week and have been picking up smaller, quicker reads because my attention span is currently a bit like Nubi’s. And in what has come as a complete surprise to me, I’ve been reading short stories. Hmm, interesting.

Room by Emma Donoghue: After I pestered my friend to finish this book quickly so I could mooch it off her, she gave it to me with the warning that I was going to finish it in one sitting. She wasn’t wrong. Yet, despite the fact that I finished the book very quickly, I can’t say that I was completely blown over by it (something my friend predicted as well). It’s a fantastic novel, written from the point-of-view of a five-year-old who’s been trapped in Room since the day he was born. The book is about him and his mother living in that prison and then escaping it only to learn anew how to live in the world. The book was absolutely gripping right until the last page, and I know I’m in the minority when I say this, but it didn’t stay with me or give me nightmares after. I don’t even know why, which isn’t very helpful I realize, but to me, the anticipation of the experience far outweighed the experience itself.

Play Dead by Harlan Coben: This book is Coben’s first published work. It went out of print a few years into his career, and last year it was brought back into distribution. Coben writes straight up in an author’s note that it’s his first work, he’s not changing a single word and that he didn’t want to deceive readers by bringing this out as a new novel. I think that’s a good move, because… and I can’t believe I’m about to say this about a Harlan Coben book… it’s just not a good book. It’s overwritten, the characters are thinly conceived and if you’ve never read Harlan Coben before, you probably never will again. It’s got certain Coben hallmarks– the wit, the style, the pacing– but unlike his other work, there’s gratuitous sex and violence and some of it is very ill-conceived. I struggled to finish the book (really really struggled), but thankfully, I can now move on to his latest. And yes, I still adore Coben and will continue reading every word he writes, because despite this travesty, he is still an exceptionally brilliant writer.

The Secret Adversary, Why Didn’t They Ask Evans? and They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie: Even though I discovered Agatha Christie books as a teenager, I’m nowhere close to having read all of them. I think I’ve read about a quarter of her work, and I’m so glad there’s more to go because she’s comfort reading for me. She guarantees a quick and page-turning read and because I haven’t read them all already, there’s always something new for me to dig my teeth into. I wasn’t too impressed by these works, which are some of her earliest, but I enjoyed them nonetheless.

What I Talk About When I Talk About Running by Haruki Murakami: There are three sorts of people who will enjoy this book: runners, writers and fans of Murakami’s work. It would be best if you’re at least two of the three. The book is a quick and easy read and because it’s non-fiction/memoir, quite a departure from Murakami’s regular work. He brings the same insights to writing and running that he does to everything else and that’s what makes this book such a treat. Spend an afternoon or a lazy Sunday evening with it, but don’t go in expecting to find out too much about the man himself or his life. The book claims to be about running and that’s exactly what you’ll get.

The Inheritance of Loss by Kiran Desai: A few pages into the book, I posted on Twitter that I was liking this book but not loving it and the flowery language wasn’t something I’m a huge fan of. Little did I know that halfway through the book I would indeed start loving it, and that by the last hundred pages, I would find it difficult to stop reading. This is a complex, heartwarming novel, spanning three continents and taking you to immigrant lives in the three countries asking questions about where we come from, who are we really? Where, to which country, do we belong when we’ve lived in so many different countries, cultures? I got so attached to the characters that the ending seemed quite harsh and painful to me. Apt, but torturous. Clearly the best book I’ve read so far this month.

The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron: I’d read this book before and had a lukewarm reaction to it, but when I saw it in a bookshop in Delhi, I couldn’t help buying it. A writer’s guide? In Delhi? Must have! I love the theory behind this book, insisting that writers and artists care about the process not the product and that they keep producing, no matter what. I was inspired, I was in agreement with the principles, and I found myself feeling more free, as if Cameron had given me permission to just go play with words instead of constantly torturing myself with the what-ifs that would follow after the work was finished. Where I struggled– and obviously I can’t blame the book for this, because the word spirituality is in the title– is with the spirituality part of it. It felt too hokey to me, all this God and abundance and meditation talk. You write, you create, you’re passionate about your work, and sure, there’s an unknown creative itch that pushes you further. Do we need to label everything we don’t understand “God”? Regardless of that, however, this book has been tremendously helpful to me, helping me see beyond what I’m good at and what I can sell into areas of what can I be good at and what can I explore.

Unaccustomed Earth by Jhumpa Lahiri: What is brilliant about Lahiri’s work is that it is deceptively simple. This is a book of short stories, hardly what you’d expect to be a page-turner, yet I was turning pages quickly and without noticing. This book is different from Lahiri’s previous book of short stories (which was a surprise bestseller and Pulitzer winner) in that it deals exclusively with the immigrant experience and all the stories are based in the US. I have to admit to liking The Interpreter of Maladies better, though of course, some readers, especially those interested in immigrant stories, may prefer this one.

What I’m Reading

There have been some really fantastic books on my reading list lately, and while most of them have been classics/bestsellers/Booker nominees, they’ve lived up to the hype and the expectations and I’ve immensely enjoyed going through them. In April, I’m going on an Agatha Christie and Booker nominees binge, balancing my literary with my mystery for a nice mix. Current number of books read so far this year: 45.

Love is a Mix Tape by Rob Sheffield: An American writer friend suggested this book to me, which she insisted I would love. This is one of those books that is unputdownable and no matter what else you’re reading, it gets relegated to the back burner while you finish. It’s been a while since I cried reading a book. Sheffield, who is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone, writes about meeting a girl, marrying her, and then watching her die in his arms (no spoiler, you learn this in the first few pages) in a very raw and poignant way using songs as a backdrop. I’d never heard of the book before, even though it was a New York Times bestseller, and I highly recommend it.

Dress Your Family in Corduroy and Denim and When You Are Engulfed in Flames by David Sedaris: I used to be a huge Sedaris fan but have gone off him a bit lately. I never found him laugh out loud hilarious (I rarely find any book laugh out loud hilarious, to be fair) but I enjoyed his work. Now I can only really enjoy it if its in audiobook format, which for Sedaris books is a good way to go. He has the kind of voice and the kind of style that is a comic’s dream. He manages to make the whole thing quite funny the way he tells it. I’ve read both these books before, but this time I listened to them as audiobooks after days of writing when I really couldn’t be motivated enough to get through the heavy tomes on my bedside table.

Nonfiction Book Proposals Anybody Can Write: How to Get a Contract and Advance Before Writing Your Book by Elizabeth Lyon: I read this book because I’m considering writing up a proposal for an idea I’ve been playing with and I’m really glad I had it as a resource, because it’s been very helpful in finding out not only what goes into the proposal (which I knew) but why (which made it easier to get on board). I think the only thing that could have made this book better was if there had been a complete book proposal at the end which would have given an idea of the final product. I have the 2002 edition (I don’t know if there’s another one), so it’s also focused on printing and mailing as opposed to the e-mails that we use today.

Madame Bovary by Gustave Flaubert: The problem with classics like Madame Bovary and 1984 and To Kill a Mockingbird, I used to think, was that they were so much a part of popular culture that even if you’d never set eyes on the books, you already felt like you’d read them. There was no mystery to these books, you knew what happened, you knew how they ended, you even knew the characters intimately. I love Lolita and Don Quixote and Catch-22 because I read them when I was a teenager, much before this popular culture had invaded my life through the Internet and TV , but I didn’t think I could ever fall in love with Wuthering Heights or Madame Bovary, having missed that train when I should have hopped on. I’ll admit I was wrong and that there’s no sell-by date on these books. I just finished this book (I’ve read parts of it before but never the whole thing) and realized that it’s not just the story (there’s not much of a plot here, let’s be honest), but the language and the style that makes this book special. I read some chapters on my iPhone and listened to others in audiobook form. I’m finding that if you find the right reader, classics can be a real treat to listen to. (Currently, my favorite reader is Wanda McCaddon, who also records as Donada Peters, Nadia May, Margaret McKay, Ann Miles and Leonarda Stafford.)

A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man by James Joyce: When I was growing up, most of the books I read were borrowed were from the school library and what I remember most was the yellowed pages of these old books, the used-book smell, the small print that required you to literally put your nose in the book when you read it. I borrowed A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Man from an online lending library and the book they sent over was just like that– small print, yellowed pages, the same musty old-book smell. Love love love that. Joyce is difficult, I knew that going in, and I found myself rereading parts repeatedly. It’s a brilliant novel when you look at it as a whole, but the reading experience isn’t a relaxing day at the beach, let’s just say. I struggled to finish it. I’ve not read Ulysses or Finnegan’s Wake and thought I’d get acquainted with Joyce before launching into those monstrosities and unfortunately, I’m not jumping with joy at the thought of tackling them.

Animal’s People by Indra Sinha: I wish this book had won the Booker instead of simply being short-listed, because that might have meant I would have read it sooner. It’s a good thing it was shortlisted, though, because according to the Guardian, it had sold a mere 231 copies before it was shortlisted. Animal, the protagonist, is crass, funny, sex-obsessed, and incredibly lovable. He is, for me, one of the best characters ever written and I can’t wait to get some distance from the book so that I can go back and reread it. The events are based entirely on the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, though the novel is based in the fictional city of Khaufpur and while it is referred to as the American “kampani,” it is quite clear what company and events are being spoken about. I highly recommend this book, and it is now possibly one of my favorite books of all time. 231 copies! What a travesty that such a remarkable book, if not for the Booker shortlist, would have gone by unnoticed.

What I’m Reading

The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath: I’ve tried, in the past, to stay away from books that were dark and depressing. As an adult, I’ve been a voracious reader mostly at the times I’ve felt dark and depressed and hence have gravitated more towards books that are funny and light-hearted and wouldn’t want to make me lunge in front of the next incoming train. Now I’m at a very good point in my life and thought I could handle this. Good thing I waited because this book is a really intense read. I love the style– there’s no shock and awe here, simply telling of the story, which I appreciated.

Reading Lolita in Tehran by Azar Nafisi:  This book is a literature lover’s dream. It’s about a literature professor and seven of her students who get together each week to discuss some of the classics. The book is a memoir and its brilliance is in weaving together the politics of Iran, the literature of a century ago, and the loves and lives of these eight women in revolutionary Iran and during the Iran-Iraq war, each with her unique story to tell. I’m not usually such a fan of non-fiction, but this one is so beautifully and charmingly written, that I couldn’t help but fall in love with it. Reading Lolita in Tehran is not an easy book to read by any means. Stories of brutality, of lashes and beatings, of the little joys not allowed these men and women are going to keep you up at night. But because the book focuses mostly on literature, you’re reminded repeatedly of how lucky you are to have access to book groups, to books themselves, instead of being under a regime where your well-worn copy of The Great Gatsby could be confiscated and bring you punishment.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, The Marvelous Land of Oz and Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz by L. Frank Baum: Madame Bovary had been my middle-of-the-night reading (on the phone) but it’s a long book, and I think may be better suited to paper or Kindle (which I currently don’t own). I kept falling asleep with the phone in my hands with no idea where I was in the book. So after having read a single page almost a dozen times with still no idea of where I was in the story, I decided to give up on that and go for something easier. So children’s literature it is. Didn’t forget once where I was in any of these three books. (And while I’ve seen the movies, heard several different audio and radio versions, I’d actually never read any of these books. I didn’t even realize that some of the dialogue I’ve been quoting hasn’t been from the books or the movies, but some audio version I heard repeatedly as a child!) Also, I do realize there are about 15 more books in the series, but I think I might have to save those for nieces, nephews and future children.

The Post-American World by Fareed Zakaria: Another one of my late-night listens and I’m a bit stuck on what to say about it. I like Zakaria and as with anyone else who doesn’t live under a rock, can’t escape his work (in Time) or his appearances on television. His observations are pretty spot-on, but as I’m prone to do, found myself disagreeing with some of what he had to say: the fact that innovation and ideas would set America apart from the rest of the world, which is unlikely because the rest of the world is getting educated and moving quickly beyond manufacturing and call centers into the idea business as well. That’s the goal, not just for America but for the whole rest-of-the-world. So Zakaria the doctor has found the ailment, but I’m not sure his cure works. And this is where I get into murky and idealistic territory– does there have to be a cure? Isn’t a global environment where each individual, regardless of the country he or she belongs to, can move ahead because of his or her ideas and talent, the ultimate goal? But I suspect the book wouldn’t have become a bestseller in the US if Zakaria had said, “America isn’t better than the rest of the world, we’re all equal,” so fair play to him. Good book, though, and definitely worth a read if you want to understand the new global order a bit better.

A Writer’s Paris by Eric Maisel: I bought this in 2006, having saved money to go to Paris and live there for a while. For reasons too elaborate to get into here and not related to writing, I didn’t and the book got relegated into a corner cupboard, inciting bad memories each time I saw it. But the other day I was talking to a writer friend and complaining about the prevalence of spiritual writing gurus who talk in monotone and go on and on about how they sat down and found peace with themselves (“and then the writing just poured out of me,” etc) and she suggested that I look up Eric Maisel. “The atheist version of the creativity author” she said. So I took this now-dusty book out of my cupboard and fell in love with it. This is a writer after my own heart. He touched upon several of the issues I’ve touched upon on this blog recently (he wrote a book in three weeks after being inspired by George Simenon, who I mentioned recently) and finds it difficult when agents and publishers talk only about how to sell books and not how to write authentic books) and wants to live and learn and be prolific and write and dream and sit in park and write, write, write. I absolutely loved this book and even though I’m not heading to Paris any time soon (although I might be tempted to embark on a literary sojourn in Delhi), the city is only a backdrop in all Maisel has to say. While it’s an important part of the book and he helps you get over all the excuses you have to not go, the real meat of the book is what’s underneath it all: the art (and really, we’re talking art here not craft) of writing and being a writer. I loved the book and will definitely be revisiting it again. And I’ll definitely be reading many of his thirty (or more) other books as well. I think I’m going to read A Writer’s San Francisco next. And throw in a request for A Writer’s Delhi.

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explore the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner: I bought this book because I heard about the Freakonomics movie, and I wanted to be sure I’d read the book before I accidentally saw the movie (though how I’d “accidentally” see the movie, I don’t quite know.) Books like these are typically hard for me to get through because they can sometimes be quite information-heavy. You plough through them somehow because you want to be informed and updated on what’s going on in the world, but you don’t typically enjoy them. This book was different. I quite enjoyed reading it, actually, and learned so much of what I hadn’t already known. I have a file on my computer called “Random Facts,” in which I’ll record things I’ve read somewhere or heard about that are interesting and could come in handy for a future article or book and there were several things from Freakonomics that made it into that file. I especially loved the story of the man in the US named one of his kids Winner and the other Loser. Not the man himself, clearly, but the story. Loser, you’d be happy to hear went on to become quite successful, and Winner… well, read the book!

The Complete Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby: I never thought I’d say this about a Nick Hornby book (because I’m a huge fan of his fiction), or indeed, about a book about books, but I didn’t really like this one. I typically need an “easy” book after I’ve read something intense, so this was one I was really looking forward to after a whole slew of books on difficult subjects (Iranian revolution, Bhopal gas tragedy, etc). It’s good enough, but it does not have a laugh on every page as the cover blurb promises, which is quite disappointing. I actually love reading about other people’s reading habits, tastes, and current choices, but this one, unfortunately, didn’t do it for me. I wish I had a better reason than that I didn’t connect with the voice, but that was the biggest issue for me. It seemed like I was being forced to find the reading list interesting for no other reason than that it was Hornby’s list.

What I’m Reading

I’ve been reading a lot this month, which I personally think is quite impressive considering that I’ve had quite a social life (forced to, I wouldn’t choose to have an active social life, I’m not mad yet), done a substantial amount of writing and have not really tried to meet a goal or anything. I’ve just stopped watching TV, really (there’s nothing on, usually) and so it’s just worked out that I’ve had more time to read. I think I may actually be nearing a book a day for this month.

Dance Dance Dance by Haruki Murakami: This might have become one of my new favorite Murakami novels, second only to Sputnik Sweetheart. The book is a sequel to A Wild Sheep Chase and so those of you who’ve read that one may recognize some of the characters. The themes are classic Murakami, from loneliness to loss, and there’s a haunting quality to the work that stays with you after you’ve finished it. That, of course, could be said of any of his novels, but I thought this one was a bit more pronounced.

New Rules: Polite Musings from a Timid Observer by Bill Maher: I’ve seen a couple of promotional videos for Maher’s comedy routines, but never really quite liked them. Let’s face it, he’s no Billy Connolly. Nowhere near it, actually. I listened to the audio version of this book because comedy’s funnier that way (think David Sedaris) and while I agreed with most of the observations, they rang less funny and more like truisms. Flavored water is not water, George W. Bush was evil, teenage girls getting breast implants is messed up– yes, we’ve heard it all before and it stopped being funny the second time you said it. Then again, this book was published when George Bush was President, so maybe it was the second time he’d said it.

The Path to Tranquility by Dalai Lama: I don’t typically read books like this one, but I got the audio version for free, which unlike the print version isn’t a bunch of quotes but a few “meditations” to help clear your mind. Anyhow, I figured I’d listen to a chapter a day maybe before I start my day, when I’m making tea or breakfast. Would be a good start to the day, I thought. I guess it would be if you’re not averse to religion and spirituality like I am. I hesitate to say anything negative about the book because with a title like “The Path to Tranquility,” really, what did I expect? However, I suppose it annoys me when there are black-and-white statements of the “divorce is bad” variety. Divorce isn’t bad if he’s beating the shit out of you or she’s sleeping with three other men on the side. I’ll just say I’m glad it was a short listen.

Extracts from Adam’s Diary, Eve’s Diary, How to Tell a Story and Other Essays and A Dog’s Tale by Mark Twain: Is it cheating if the “books” you’re reading have fewer than fifteen pages? I’ve not read these stories before, but I love Mark Twain and thought I’d try to get through his complete works. You’ll be seeing more of his books on this list, though several are pretty short.

The Renegade Writer’s Query Letters that Rock by Linda Formichelli and Diana Burrell: I bought this one ages ago but then became a bit disenchanted with articles, so didn’t finish reading it. Over the weekend, I felt like writing articles again, so I picked up this book for inspiration, and lo and behold, it worked. The book is wonderful because not only has it got the section at the beginning for newbies, but also in that there are two dozen query letters that worked, along with notes from the writer and the editor who assigned them as to why they did. I highly recommend this book if you’re starting out as a freelancer and want to know what real query letters look like. I wish I had this resource ten years ago. (Disclaimer: I’m not just saying that because I consider Linda and Diana fellow freelancer friends. Their Renegade books are must-reads for new freelancers.)

Bengal Cats: A Complete Pet Owner’s Manual (Barron’s Complete Pet Owner’s Manuals) by Dan Rice: We have a Bengal named Osama. I need all the help I can get. The problem, however, is that I didn’t get any new information that I hadn’t read online before. My advice: save your money and join www.bengalcatforums.com or www.bengalbanter.co.uk.

Yuganta: The end of an epoch by Irawati Karve: The late Ms. Karve first wrote this book in 1969 and what I have is a 2008 edition that remains true to that early edition. The book, which is more academic than pleasure reading, discusses many of the major characters of the Mahabharata and tries to understand their basic motivations and reasoning. She does away with most of the mythology and bares down some of the intentions in plain language, which may not be everyone’s cup of tea. Can’t imagine anyone not intimately familiar with the Mahabharata enjoying this book, but for those who are, it’s a very interesting and illuminating read.

If You Want to Write by Brenda Ueland: Ueland, to me, is an artiste. She has very strong opinions about creativity and doesn’t want to let money get in the way of that, which she does admit is impractical sometimes. That said, the essays in this book are inspirational and motivating in that they’re a kick in the ass. Everyone has creativity, Ueland writes, and what a shame it would be for you to think otherwise and waste it. She makes a case for good writing, even giving concrete examples as to what works. This is the kind of writing book I like most, it’s about finding your own path instead of being told how to do things in a right or wrong way. It be may be a bit too artsy-fartsy for some, however.

What I’m Reading

I can’t remember where I read the piece or who in particular it was about, but there was an article in the newspaper the other day about a man who wanted to read 10,000 books before he died. He did eventually reach that goal (and he has since died) and his wife talked about how he read almost a book a day, especially after his retirement. She talked about his love for books, his library, and how much he talked about achieving that goal. I loved that story and I have to admit, I’d like to read 10,000 books before I die as well. In fact, every time I come across a “Best of … ” or “Books to read before you die” list, I jot down the names and add it to my growing list of books (now at 1,800) I want to read but haven’t. Geeky me has an Excel sheet devoted to the purpose.

I don’t think I can read a book a day and still have a life (though wouldn’t that be a nice challenge?), but I do remember thinking in 2007 that I could only really consider writing fiction if I had read at least 100 good novels. So I went ahead and read over a hundred books that year. I’ve seen been trying to top that, but haven’t. Could this be the year? I read two books a week, on average, in January, so we’ll just have to see.

The Undomestic Goddess by Sophie Kinsella: I’m not a huge chick lit fan, though once in a while there will be the rare novel that will catch my fancy and that I’ll love. I’m sorry to report that this was not one of those novels. I read it over two afternoons and enjoyed it, but totally couldn’t see any realism in the characters. If you’re a Sophie Kinsella fan, there’s a likelihood you’ll find it to your satisfaction. I, however, needed a quick easy read, got that out of my system, and am now ready to get back to some serious Mistry.

House Rules by Jodi Picoult: This, for me, is typical Picoult– great story, intimate portrayal of characters, a twist at the end, and an issue that’s controversial but important. I don’t particularly agree with the stances she’s taken or the science she refers to about vaccination and Autism (especially given the recent information about the fraudulent study) and that comes on pretty heavy in the beginning of the book, but once you’re over that part, it’s Picoult in best form. I love that she helps you get into the mind of the characters in such intimate ways that you feel a bit sad once the book is over and it’s time to move on.

Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby: There’s one thing that’s almost guaranteed with a Hornby novel: intelligent discussion of music. This one takes it a step further with a former singer/songwriter, a character who’s obsessed with the history of this singer, and a girlfriend who’s tired of this obsession with the singer. It’s not the plot that moves the book forward, though Hornby does like to place his characters in precarious situations, but the language and the humor of the book that make it a good read. That said, I didn’t quite love the novel and kept hoping that I would have.

Monday or Tuesday by Virginia Woolf: I’m not a huge fan of short stories and there are only a few exceptions to that, such as Jhumpa Lahiri’s Pulitzer-winning book of short stories, Interpreter of Maladies. I love Virginia Woolf’s stream of consciousness writing, but while I enjoyed reading this while it lasted, it just wasn’t my thing and I haven’t thought about it since.

Bookless in Baghdad by Shashi Tharoor: The title of this book is a bit misleading, since the book has absolutely nothing to do with being bookless or being in Baghdad. It is, in fact, a collection of Tharoor’s writings on the subject of books, particularly books in India, about authors (both Indian and foreign) who’ve achieved a mass following in India, and about the state of literature itself in this country. I loved some of the musings, for instance, about how for some inexplicable reason P.G. Wodehouse who no longer has a following in his own country, continues to remain one of the most popular writers in India, and didn’t quite enjoy the others– an essay on Salman Rushdie was more about the politics of India and what it means to be Indian than Rushdie’s ideas of India. One of my complaints about Tharoor’s books remains that there are entire sections repeated, even in the same book. And if you’ve read any of his other non-fiction works, as I have, you’ve ended up reading the same section, sometimes as many as four times. Nothing a bit of editing couldn’t have fixed. A good book, though, and a must-read for a glimpse into the sensibilities of Indian readers.

Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen: I’m trying to get through all of Jane Austen’s books and this is one I hadn’t read yet, probably because it’s considered one of Austen’s weakest works. I thought it was quite interesting though, in that it’s different from her more popular novels in substance and in the characters. This was late-night reading for me, and I liked it a lot.

100 Bollywood Films by Rachel Dwyer: This book was pure nostalgia for me. As the title suggests, Dwyer outlines 100 of her pick of best Bollywood movies and even though I don’t agree with many of the choices and found some lacking, it was really interesting to read about the movies and some of the stories behind them. This being a Bollywood book, I was hoping there would be more interesting stories and less fact-based information, but overall, it was interesting to read. I don’t think anyone who isn’t familiar with Bollywood is going to get much out of it, however. Bared down the basics, the movies sound quite pedestrian and boring.

The Elephant, the Tiger & the Cellphone by Shashi Tharoor: I think this book is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand India beyond the cliches of hot, dusty, yoga, call centers and cows on the roads. It covers almost everything dear to Indians and what makes us the people we are, including the books we read, the politics of our lives, and the everyday contradictions that make up our cities, towns and villages. It is a bit repetitive and at places, unnecessarily serious, which makes it hard to read in one or two sittings. I read it over a period of a whole month. That said, next time a journalist writes to me asking for advice about reporting in India, I might recommend this as necessary reading.

Lady Susan by Jane Austen: This is a departure from Austen’s other works and was never submitted by Austen for publication, which is why you don’t usually see it among her list of works. I like the character portrayal in this one– nice good ladies don’t always make for the best reading– but what I appreciated most was the structure of the novel. It’s basically a compilation of letters from each of the characters to one another. I love that style of writing– so much more personal and intimate– and as a result, enjoyed the novel a lot more than I would have had it been in the third person.

What I’m Reading

The Courage to be Rich: Creating a Life of Material and Spiritual Abundance by Suze Orman: I enjoyed this book very much. I like that not only is there practical advice (and lots of it), but Orman makes a gigantic effort to talk about the place of money in our lives, and the importance of being spiritually and emotionally aware of our finances. It isn’t just about the money and maximizing it. It’s doing so in relation to our lives and the people in it.

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte: The Guardian Books blog published a post a few months ago asserting that you were either a Jane Eyre person or a Wuthering Heights person and couldn’t be both. I’m not sure how accurate that theory is, but of course, they’re very different books and it’s likely that someone who liked one wouldn’t like the other. Well, as it turns out, I like them both, but nowhere near the same degree. I’m definitely a Wuthering Heights person, which is funny, because even as recently as seven or eight years ago, I was most definitely a Jane Eyre person. And the fact that I’m any of these people at all irrevocably proves of course, that I’m a geeky person.

Black Beauty by Anna Sewell: One of the many reasons I’m currently going through a classics phase is because I like to read at night right before I fall asleep and I’ve got 23,000+ books on my iPhone that I can read while the lights are off. It’s a necessity thing. I started reading Black Beauty in school because it was part of our curriculum, but as they do, they took out the disturbing and difficult bits and only left bits in that weren’t negative or emotional at all. Which is why I never ever understood what the heck this book was about (wait, how did Beauty suddenly get a new owner?) Many a book has been ruined this way for me (The Jungle Book, Little Women, etc) and I figured it was time to rectify that.

Mugging the Muse: Writing Fiction for Love and Money by Holly Lisle: This e-book is a free download, and you can get it from HollyLisle.com. As the title suggests, the book is about writing fiction and how to go about making it your full-time career. I don’t intend to make fiction my full-time career, though I wouldn’t mind writing a novel every couple of years between my regular non-fiction work. But that’s not why I picked up this book. I picked it up because it looked interesting, because Lisle is a very good writer, and because I’ve been meaning to get to it a while. And when I’m working on something completely different, I like to read books that are about writing but not particularly about the genre I’m writing in (so that it doesn’t influence my work).

Goodbye Byline, Hello Big Bucks: The Writer’s Guide to Making Money and Ghostwriting and Coauthoring Books By Kelly James-Enger: I was already negotiating one ghostwriting and one co-authoring offer (details later) when I decided to take Kelly’s e-course and buy her book so that one, I was sure I knew what I was talking about during the negotiations, two, I got the best terms and conditions for myself and knew what to watch out for, and three, was able to learn things that I hadn’t known about. Kelly’s is the only current book on the market that talks about ghostwriting (I think there are a few older titles published in the UK), and it didn’t disappoint. Part of my career plan involves ghostwriting (with credit) and coauthoring books in addition to writing my own, and I found this book to be a very helpful resource in understanding the ins and outs of the industry.

The ABC Murders and Cards on the Table by Agatha Christie: I know some people think that nobody with anything called taste should be reading Agatha Christie, or anyone over the age of 12. I choose to ignore them. I loved Christie when I was a kid and I continue to love her books now. In fact, I’m currently on a read-all-Christie-books mission. It may last a while. You’ve been warned.

Names My Sisters Call Me by Megan Crane: The last book of 2010 and I wanted something that would be an easy read, relaxing, and hopefully, intelligent at the same time. This book didn’t disappoint. It is typical chick lit so it’s not going to rock your world if you don’t like that sort of thing, but for me, it came at the perfect time. Great writing, nice insight into female relationships, and the perfect easy note to end the year on.