Favorite Books that you've read.

[Surya]

English, Fiction:
Shutter Island - Dennis LeHane. :o
A Drink Before the War - Dennis LeHane :o
When the Wind Blows - James Patterson :o
Kiss the Girls - James Patterson :o
The Monkey's Raincoat - Robert Crais 8) :lol:
Lulluby Town - Robert Crais 8) :lol:
LA Requiem - Robert Crais 8) :lol:
The Pelican Brief - John Grisham 8)
Bless Me Ultima - Rudolfo Anaya :D
Gun Monkeys - Victor Guishzler 8) (I can never spell his last name)
The Lord of the Rings Trilogy & The Hobbit - JRR Tolkien
There Is No Darkness - forgot the author's name.
Post more up later.

Biographies/Auto
Shivaji, The Great Guerilla 8)
Wings of Fire (Abdul Kalam) :D :D
Malcom X :D
Swami Vivekananda :D :D :D
Think of more later.

Fiction-Tamil: (all recomended by Family)
Sila Nerangalil, Sila Manidhargal - Jeyakandhan (also made as a movie)
Oru Manidhanin Kadhai - Shivashankari
Yenge Braminan - CHO (My Favorite)
Priya - Sujatha. (Also made as a movie, but the book is much better 8) )

Religious:
The Gita.
Jeya Jeya Shankarar
Nyana Yogam
The Sages of India
Will post more later.

[Cygnus]

Rings of Fire (Abdul Kalam)

Wings of fire? (Agni chirakukaL)

[Surya]

Thanks Cygnus.
My typing keeps getting worse and worse.
I didn't read the Tamil Version of it.

[Querida]

Surya! Thank you so much for starting this thread..but i have to warn you this is much like my english movies preferences...i have so many....and i dont want to just say famous books like i did for tamil movies....really i thought of starting this thread myself..but then...anyways Thank you! :D I try hard to pin down my faves among faves....which is going to be tough...i think if you removed some of that paint ya...you could type better :D atleast i cannot read tamil enough to read novels....so you are saved in that aspect:P

[Surya]

:lol:
Q, I've just posted my favs, there are much more to come. There's just soo many. Just post all of your favs, if you have time.

Regards. 8)

[Surya]

Q,
You can't read tamil fluently?

[annamalaifan]

harry potter and the sorcerers stone
harry potter and the chamber of secrets
harry potter and the prisoner of azkaban
harry potter and the goblet of fire
harry potter and the order of the phoenix

and im eagerly waiting for "harry potter and the half blood prince"

[Surya]

Wow, we have a harry potter fan here. I've seen the movies, which are just ok, but I guess that the books are much better like always.

[annamalaifan]

Wow, we have a harry potter fan here. I've seen the movies, which are just ok, but I guess that the books are much better like always.

you are right. although the films quite ok but they failed to impress the ardent harry potter readers and jk rowling's supporter.

[Dr. Veena]

annamalaifan, I'm a Harry Potter fan too

And Surya, you are just 25 and have you read up all the books on earth? My, you are a voracious reader, aren't you? That's just great.

I used to be like you but not anymore.

But my all time favourite writers are W. Somerset Maugham, R.K Narayan, Pearl S. Buck and Erich Segal.
Enid Blyton & J.K Rowling too.

[Surya]

Thanks,
I didn't used to read that much, I just got addicted to reading around my second year in College. The Tamil books, my mother made me read, because she didn't want me forget how to read tamil. :) But Generally, I like reading books on Hinduism. I will post more when I have time later. 8)

Dr. Veena,
What's your list? :)

[Surya]

No one's listing!
Querida, Where art thou??

[Dr. Veena]

Hmmm.............I'm not a voracious reader like you.........

My humble list is:

The Painted Veil _ W. Somerset Maugham

The Good Earth - Pearl S. Buck
Letter from Peking - "

The Guide - R. K Narayan

Kane & Abel - Jeffrey Archer

Man, Woman & Child- Erich Segal
Doctors -"

Life of Pi - Yann Martel

The Sister of My Heart - Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni

Interpreter of Maladies - Jhumpa Lahiri

Ancient Promises - Jaisri Misra

[davie]

Ideas & Opinions -Einstein

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire

Thirukkural - Thiruvalluvar

The Bluest Eye - Tony morrison

An American Family in Black and White

[Querida]

ok i have no idea how to do this properly...there are soooo many!

ok let me first list my fav novels based on India or Indians:
Shabanu: Suzanne Fisher Staples
Rollerbirds of Rampur: Indi Rana
Tamarind Mem and The Hero Walk: Anita Rau Badami
Such a Long Journey, Fine Balance, Family Matters: Rohinton Mistry
The God of Small Things: Arundhati Roy
Cinnamon Gardens: Shyam Selvadurai
The Glass Palace, Calcutta Chromosome: Amitav Chosh
A Suitable Boy: Vikram Seth
Clear Light of Day: Anita Desai
The Moor's Last Sigh: Salman Rushdie
Sister of My Heart, Vine of Desire, Mistress of Spices: Chitra Bannerjee Divakaruni
The Better Man: Anita Nair
Cracking India: Bapsi Sidhwa
The Short, Happy Life of Harry Kumar: Ashok Mathur
Bombay Time: Thrity Umrigar
Life of Pi: Yann Martel
Life Isn't All Ha Ha Hee Hee: Meera Syal
The Mystic Masseur: VS Naipaul
Anil's Ghost: Michael Ondaatje
The House of Blue Mangoes: David Davidar

ok well that topic is done...the rest for another day :D

[Surya]

WOW!! Great posts guys. :)

Dr. Veena, Querida, Davie, which ones would you say was you most fav?

8)

[Surya]

WOW!! Great posts guys. :)

Dr. Veena, Querida, Davie, which ones would you recommend as to other people to read?
8)

I'd recomeend all of the James Patterson, Dennis LeHane, and Robert Crais novels, and the Shivaji and Abdul Kalam Bio's, and Yende Braminan, and Sila Nerangalil Sila Manidhargal in the Tamil section.

Regards.
8)

[Surya]

Also,
Anyone read Shakespeare's "Hamlet"? I like it the best, out of the rest of his trkgedies that I've read.

[blahblah]

Annamalaifan,Veena,

I am a Harry Potter fan too.I have all the books and keep reading it repeatedly.Do you know when the next book is coming out?Some people say some one close to Harry is to die in the next book.Who do you think it will be?

[Dr. Veena]

Hi blahblah!

Welcome to the Harry Potter fan Club!

Yeah, J.K Rowling once said in an interviw that she's going to finish off Ron, which is sad.

[Dr. Veena]

[quote="Surya"]WOW!! Great posts guys. :)

Dr. Veena, Querida, Davie, which ones would you recommend as to other people to read?
8)


Wait Surya.............I haven't finished

Far from the madding crowd- Thomas Hardy

Gone with the wind- Margret Mitchel

Wuthering Heights - Emile Bronte

Sons & Lovers - D.H Lawrence

All books by Jane Austen

One hundred years of Solitude - Gabriel Garcia Marques
and

classics like

Great Expectations, Black Beauty, Oliver Twist, 80 days around the world (ALL ORIGINAL ONES, not abridged) Raghuvamsa, Mudra Rakshasa, Chanakya Tales.

[annamalaifan]

Annamalaifan,Veena,

I am a Harry Potter fan too.I have all the books and keep reading it repeatedly.Do you know when the next book is coming out?Some people say some one close to Harry is to die in the next book.Who do you think it will be?

in a current interview jkrowling had mentioned that our hero will survive until the seventh book but she refused to tell whether he will be alive after seven (there are seven hp books)

its also rumoured that ron will die but jkr still tight liped reagarding this. i dont what she has in store for us.......anyway she had hinted that more terrible deaths in the 6th book which rumoured will be out next sumer around june and the publication date will be announced on coming january...........

[Surya]

Cool,
I'm going to start reading the Socerer's Stone.

[Surya]

Just to see what all th HP fuss is about. :D

Regards. 8)

[Querida]

Also,
Anyone read Shakespeare's "Hamlet"? I like it the best, out of the rest of his trkgedies that I've read.

Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello are my favourites..sometimes i find the comedies annoying..like comedy of errors and 12th night....they are not fully resolved like tragedies...but then again that makes you think...you really appreciate Shakespeare when you see it performed by anyone...i still remember Shivaji reciting Hamlet's lines...superb... i've seen Hamlet performed at Stratford (Can.) but it was badly done by some tv show actor....but still it's a different experience..the best person who acts out Shakespeare play faithfully as he can is Brennaugh...

Surya those are my favourites and the ones i like i recommend and those are not all..those are only the desi-related authors... oh then there are those idiots who think they spend one month in india living off a resort and can write a novel about it...alot of brit and american authors like that...it really pisses me off..because it gives such a biased narrowminded view
I forgot to mention What The Body Remembers- Shauna Singh Baldwin

[Dr. Veena]

"Hamlet, Macbeth, Othello are my favourites..sometimes i find the comedies annoying..like comedy of errors and 12th night....they are not fully resolved like tragedies..."

Querida, the reason for this, as our English Teacher once said could be because comedies are often short-lived and grow stale after a while but tragedies are all time tragedies.

A joke of our generation my be "sick" to the next one , but a tragedy doesn't have that problem.

[annamalaifan]

anyway guys and gurls, whats your favourite hp character? i really like our hero harry james potter and ofcourse albus dumbledore. what u guys think about umbridge.......

[Surya]

Querida,
I agree, those novels written by those americans, by spending a few days in a 5 star hotel are very lame. Out of all, my favorite is Hamlet. Otello, and Macbeth are ok too, to Hamlet is my fav. Why is Romeo & Juliete the most popular Shakespeare play in India? Because as soon as someones says Shakespeare, the first thing that comes to the minds of many is R & J. Anyone notice that?

Dr. Veena,
You keep saying that you're not a voracious reader like me, but your list keeps getting bigger. :)

Keep posting and reccomending guys! Thanks!

regards. 8)

[Surya]

annamalai fan,
I like Harry Potter the best. He is the protagonist. :)

regards. 8)

[Querida]

Well i have watched 3 of the hp-movies...because someone's got to take the bratty sister..lol read one of the books..i guess i watched the movie before the book i couldnt be awed like the others....anyways Surya have you ever noticed how R&J is the basic outline to mostly every indian movie made? Dr. Veena long time no see...no i found comedies annoying because of their unsettling resolutions not because of the comedy used...that is also why they are of equal status...did you know that R&J was originally not a tragedy as we see it these days...but a hot/ice play (tragicomedy) but what we all found is that when a play turns tragic it drowns the whole thing in gloom...and all on the death of the comic character Mercutio...

[Surya]

Thats true. R & J is an outline, but instead of Capulet and Montegue, its different castes, or opposing villages, or religion. But still the same. In some the two even die!

[Querida]

my fav cartoons books:

Calvin and Hobbes
Garfield
Opus
The Far Side

[Surya]

Those are cool, how about Tintin? A classic series! Also azteks. :lol:

[Surya]

I used to be hooked on Archies for a while, when I was in the 7th grade.

[annamalaifan]

i like garfield very much. there are days i want a lazy fat cat like garfield.

[Surya]

:o Do you not see the troble that garfield puts Jon through? :lol:

[annamalaifan]

:o Do you not see the troble that garfield puts Jon through? :lol:

but its really nice to have such a cute pet to disturb us......rather than......naan solla mattenpa....neenggala kandu pudichukongga

[Dr. Veena]

"Dr. Veena,
You keep saying that you're not a voracious reader like me, but your list keeps getting bigger."

Ooooooh Surya, this is the list of books I've read in my pre-med days. I haven't read a single work of fiction in the past 2-3 years. All I devour is THICK, GHASTLY Medical Texts. I think, nostalgically , of the days when I could just curl up in bed with a book- I have no such luxury now.
The only interesting thing I've read in the last one year is Harry Potter.

[Dr. Veena]

My fav Hp character- aaah! That's a tough one.
I like all of them- they are all so well-sketched. Each one.

Harry, Ron, Hermione, Hagrid, Dumbledore....

Hey ! I just loved the way J.K>R has portrayed Gilderoy Lockhart! Amazing! But the movie was disapoointing! i also loved the animagus thing & the secret about Lupin! The woman is a Genius, no doubt!

[Dr. Veena]

Q, regarding US settled desi author, Chitra Bannerjee, I found that if you read her one book, the rest of it is the same.

I loved the first book, "Sister of My Heart" but the collection of short stories, "Arranged Marriage" & "Unknown Errors of our lives" were so similar to each other. A Major Disappointment.

[Bad Boy]

My favourite books in tamil was ampuli maamaa because of mahaa baratham and iraamaayanam when I was a small boy of 7 or 8. The Holy Bible when I was 12, quite sexy the bible I must say.

Not a joke, it was like that.

[Surya]

Wow! The Harry Potter fans keep adding up!
8)

///I haven't read a single work of fiction in the past 2-3 years. ///

I can't live like that! Fiction is one of the things that love to read!

Regards. 8)

[Querida]

Q, regarding US settled desi author, Chitra Bannerjee, I found that if you read her one book, the rest of it is the same.

I loved the first book, "Sister of My Heart" but the collection of short stories, "Arranged Marriage" & "Unknown Errors of our lives" were so similar to each other. A Major Disappointment.

yeah about that i dont read short stories....

[camille sundram]

I loved Arranged Marriage and made my mother read it. I have not read any of her other work.

So my list:

Arranged Marriage and other Stories - Chitra Banerjee
The Guide - R.K.Narayan
The Painter of Signs - R.K.Narayan
The Vendor of Sweets - R.K.Narayan
Maneater of Malgudi - R.K.Narayan
Rumpole of the Bailey - John Mortimer
Rumpole for the Defence [John Mortimer
Rumpole's Last Case - John Mortimer
Rumpole and the Age of Miracles - John Mortimer
Rumpole's Return - John Mortimer
Rumpole and the Golden Thread -John Mortimer
The Seven Minutes - Irving Wallace
To Kill A Mocking Bird - Harper Lee
Joy in the Morning - P.G.Wodehouse
Empress of Blandings - P.G.Wodehouse
Jeeves in the Offing- P.G.Wodehouse
Right Ho Jeeves- P.G.Wodehouse
Carry On, Jeeves - P.G.Wodehouse
Psmith in the City - P.G.Wodehouse
Mike and Psmith - P.G.Wodehouse
Do Butlers Burgle Banks? - P.G.Wodehouse
(All Wodehouse books are my favourites) :lol:
Circle of Friends - Maeve Binchy
Murder on the Orient Express - Agatha Christie
Death on the Nile - Agatha Christie
Miles to Go Before I Sleep - Tom Dooley
As I was passing - Sri Delima (Malaysian writer)
The Diary of Bridget Jones - Helen Fielding
Bridget Jones and the Edge of Reason - Helen Fielding
The Elenium trilogy - David Eddings
The Tamuli trilogy - David Eddings
Divine Secret of the Ya-ya Sisterhood - Rebecca Wells
A Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela
A Time to Kill - John Grisham; his first and the only one I ever enjoyed
The Jungle is Neutral - F.Spencer Chapman
The War of the Running Dogs - Noel Barber
A Town Called Alice - Neville Shute
Freedom At Midnight - Dominique Lapierre and Lawrence Collins

Lots more- I haven't even touched the tip of the iceberg. :D

[camille sundram]

Also,
Anyone read Shakespeare's "Hamlet"? I like it the best, out of the rest of his trkgedies that I've read.

My favourites are Julius Caesar and Macbeth.

Double double toil and trouble
Fire burn and cauldron bubble

[Surya]

:shock: :shock:

Malgudi Days was one of fav's of RK.

Another great book by Agatha ACristie, is Ten Little Indians. Also known as And Then there were None.

///A Time to Kill - John Grisham; his first and the only one I ever enjoyed///

Have you read The Pelican Brief?

I'm tempted to post some of my favs, but no time at this moment. Later. :wink:

Regards. 8)

[Querida]

yeah Surya same here...im tempted to sit down and post all the titles i have collected but can't at this time....and seriously find that me listing is really not going to help there are already so many to choose from...yeah have read Pelican Brief though...have you ever watched a movie that does justice to the novel? Camille i see that you like series....im am just waiting to blast the poor harlequin trashy novels :twisted: kidding :P

[camille sundram]

I have read all Grisham's books. I am in the same profession (in a hiatus at the moment) so I find his books exaggeration.

Oh that reminds me:

Vet series

All Creatures Great and Small - James Herriot
All Things Bright and Beautiful - James Herriot
All Things Wise and Wonderful - James Herriot
The Lord God Made Them All- James Herriot
It shouldn't happen to a Vet - James Herriot


Doctor series

Doctor in the House ~ Richard Gordon
Doctor in Love ~ Richard Gordon
Doctor in Clover ~ Richard Gordon
Doctor in the Swim ~ Richard Gordon
Doctor on the Brain ~ Richard Gordon
Doctor at Sea~ Richard Gordon

The barrister series is the Rumpole collection. There is also this:

Brothers-at -Law - Henry Cecil
Alibi For A Judge - Henry Cecil
Friends At Court - Henry Cecil

They are classics. :)

[Sandeep]

I have read some books of John Grisham.

The Rainmaker
The Client
The Firm
A Time to Kill

[Surya]

Sandeep,
You haven't read the Polican Brief either?

[camille sundram]

Well, Q, I am a voracious reader but Harlequin?? :evil: Hello sayang, got class lah.

I also have lots of non-fic but I will put the list up later.

[Sandeep]

The Pelican Brief you mean. I have just got it today.

I am not a voracious reader so have a very small list of books that I have read.

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens.
Iliad and Odyssey by homer.
And of cource some Sherlock holmes stuff and Shakespeare plays.

[Surya]

:lol: Yeah Pelican Brief.

Oh ok, Enjoy. Its great! 8)

[Sandeep]

Does anybody like Jeffrey Archer stuff.

Anybody know if the stories of he being jailed and all right?

[Querida]

Well, Q, I am a voracious reader but Harlequin?? :evil: Hello sayang, got class lah.

I also have lots of non-fic but I will put the list up later.

I can't stand Harlequin... :x hence my comment on how i can't wait to blast anyone who upholds it...which i won't cause well 'each to his own'... :D but ugh that and vc andrews can just be thrown into the trash where it belongs :twisted: ...well i heard some ppl praise flowers in the attic..but i haven't read it and doubt i ever will... :roll: oh and thanx for the Sayang but really Q is fine :lol: :lol: :P jokes

[a.ratchasi]

Anybody has read Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code?

[NOV]

Anybody has read Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code?I have AR and also have opened a thread to discuss his works.

[blahblah]

Hi Annamalai fan and Veena,If Ron is to die it will be most unfortunate.I hate the very idea.I thought Ron and Hermione will eventually get married and Harry will get married to Cho Chang.Now if Ron is to die may be Harry will have to make the choice. :cry:

[Thiru]

Anybody has read Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code?I have AR and also have opened a thread to discuss his works.

If you guys havent read this already, Da vinci code is being made into a movie starring Tom hanks... supposed to hit the theatres in spring 2005...

[Querida]

Hi Annamalai fan and Veena,If Ron is to die it will be most unfortunate.I hate the very idea.I thought Ron and Hermione will eventually get married and Harry will get married to Cho Chang.Now if Ron is to die may be Harry will have to make the choice. :cry:

whoa...you sound like ppl when they talk about soaps....like they are real ppl..how many times have i become concerned about someone's tragedy only to find out it's fake... :x these are characters from an exceptional work i agree... :D but geez do you really want to know how Harry's "life" is until he is as old as Dumbledore? :P

[hehehewalrus]

my favorites:

Mahabharata(Amar Chitra Katha series and Rajaji's epic)
Several mythology stories
Gods Demons and Other stories( RK Narayan)
The Bible(not in full)

Almost all of RK Narayan(Swami and Friends, The Bachelor of Arts, My Days, THe vendor of sweets, A Tiger for Malgudi, The Financial Expert, The Guide, Waiting for the Mahatma, The ManEater of Malgudi, The Guide, The World of Nagaraj :lol: :lol: , The Dark Room, The Dark Room, My Dateless Diary, Malgudi Days(stories), A Writer's Nightmare)

Hardy - The Mayor of Casterbridge(Fantastic book!!)
The Return of the Native

The Complete works of Sherlock Holmes(read 75%, baaki in india :( )
THe complete works of Guy de Maupassant(221 short stories)
The complete works of O Henry(read 40%)

Three Men in a Boat :lol: :lol: :lol:

Most of Sir Walter Scott novels
Most of Dickens Novels
I shall not hear the nightingale(Khushwant Singh - crap)

about 20 autobiographies of cricketers, tennis players.

Surya, any favorite dialogues of RKN novels?? :lol:

[Surya]

A few more.
Fiction:
The Forevever War - Joe Haldemen 8)
The Jungle - Upton Sinchlair :)
The Queen's Gambit - Walter Trevis :)
Staling the Angel - Robert Crais 8)
The Last Detective - Robert Crais 8) 8)
Indigo Slam - Rober Crais
Sunset Express - Robert Crais
Voodo River - Robert Crais
A game of Thrones - GRR Martin
Freezer Burn - Joe R Lansdale.
Rumble Tumble - Joe R Lansdale
Night Drive (Short Story) - Joe R Lansdale.

Post more Later. :)

Non Fiction:
Practical Knife Fighting
The Lethal art of Filipino Knife Fighting
Blankets.
Ayodhya.
In The Shadow of No Towers.
Palestine.
Holy War Inc.
Perspolis - Stories of a Childhood.
Sonia Gandhin Maru Uruvam.
Hindhu Rashtra Endrall..

Post More Later. :)


Robert Crais series are just great, Robert Crais's Elvis Cole Series! They are in the Action Adventure/ Humor Genre. Hilarious, @ the same time Serious.

Listing from previous posts:
The Monkey's Raincoat
LA Requiem
Stalking the Angel.
The Last Detective.
Lullyby Town.
Indigo Slam.
Sunset Express.
Voodo River.

Querida, Sandeep, Blahblah, & Dr.Veena, we now await your huge Lists. :)

[annamalaifan]

Hi Annamalai fan and Veena,If Ron is to die it will be most unfortunate.I hate the very idea.I thought Ron and Hermione will eventually get married and Harry will get married to Cho Chang.Now if Ron is to die may be Harry will have to make the choice. :cry:

harry with cho chang.....yuck....i really i dont like her.....she is such a cry baby..... at the end of the OOTP Cho Chang already going out with another guy right? anyway did anybody notice this quote from OOTP--> "die ron die". there are speculation that only ron ron will survive the second voldemort war. die= harry, die= hermione...... anyway did u guys happened to see latest rumours at www.mugglenet.com and at JK Rowling's official site www.jkrowling.com ...... last week she gave a hint that the sixth book has been finished.... but its not been confirmed yet....

[Dr. Veena]

Ah! Surya.............just can't keep pace with your list! Lol! Amazing!

When I was a lot younger, I used to love series by Agatha Christie, Alfred Hitchcock and Erle Stanle Gardner.

[Dr. Veena]

Why isn't Nirosha Sen writing about her fav books? She did seem like a vast reader.

[nirosha sen]

Hiya Veena, wondering where you were???? I had been away from my desk for a whole week myself, so don't know much abt your postings, dear! How've you been??? Good????

Actually, I was hoping this thread might turn out to be like Oprah's Book Club!! You know somebody mentions a good book and the rest who've read it, throw in their 2 sen's worth????

Unfortunately, I haven't been reading much lately. Books are way too expensive in Malaysia these days. May have to check out the local library soon!! The last book I read that kept me in rapt attention was Rohinton Mistry's A Fine Balance. That book kept me glued day and night for days Pa!! But it was one of the books with such a pathetic ending that it actually gave me such a profound sense of impotence and loss for a long time!!! Everybody ends up a loser!!

I had the same sense of bewilderment that the protagonist had that when he died, I saw no vindication or purpose in anything he had done till then. Such a wasted life!

But amidst the pain and torture of everyday life for the common masses in India, I had a rollicking good time laughing away at their antics and self-deprecating sense of humour. I was truly entertained then despite the stark contrast of their tormented lives!!

Anyway, I hope others could also give a brief synopsis of your favourite books to inspire the rest of us??? Appreciate it if you do!!

[davie]

H
Actually, I was hoping this thread might turn out to be like Oprah's Book Club!! You know somebody mentions a good book and the rest who've read it, throw in their 2 sen's worth????
ate it if you do!!
:lol: :lol:
try this website.
www.netlibrary.com
just one website that i love to read ebooks

[nirosha sen]

Thanks Davie!! :D Appreciate it!! But does one need to be a member???? :oops:

[davie]

no u dont have to be a member just to read books.
but if u want to checkout books for a certain period of time then yes.

[Surya]

Thanks for the Link Davie.

Dr.Veena,

Agatha Cristie Noves are pretty good, but Dennis LeHane's a great mystery writer, his work kind-of reminded me of Agatha Cristie's, but I like him better. :)

[Surya]

He wrote:
A Drink Before the War.
Shutter Island.
And much more! I've only read two of his so far.

[Surya]

He wrote:
A Drink Before the War.
Shutter Island.
Gr8 books, I'd recommend them for a good creepy scare. Shutter Island is the better one.
And much more! I've only read two of his so far.

[Querida]

Nirosha good idea....but next time keep in mind to not ruin the ending...thank goodness i have already read it...so yeah synopsis,what u liked, didn't like etc is good....telling ending not so good :D but your idea is really good so that you dont only have a list but also a sense of the story helps in finding that one that interests you above the rest....i know the first thing i look at is the back of the book to read the layout of the novel :D 8)

[nirosha sen]

Yeah Querida (Spanish for Darling, huh???)!! :) A good synopsis would indeed inspire the rest of us to a go hunting just out of curiosity if nothing else!!

Reminds me of the old English Literature classes that I used to enjoy! So much of fun, as we each tried to outguess each other in terms of motives, ironical contrasts, twist of Fate and general air of each episode that affect the protagonists!! Would be great, if all of us could share that here too!! :P

[Querida]

i think Nirosha you have a knack for letting the cat out of the bag... :P only i think a handful of people what my username meant...and now well let's hope ppl forget i've already been teased enough about it...anyways the literature classes I take are more focussed on theory, history and literary movements much more than plot...though it would be nice to have such conversations as you had...

[nirosha sen]

How could one ignore a name like that, Querida???? Mills and Boons is full of such terms of endearment, each time the hero comes from the Iberian Peninsula or the Latin Americas!! :lol:

Tall, dark and handsome, swashbucklers with smouldering dark eyes to boot!! Men who teased their pale, European heroines with their profuse, flowery language as they swept them into their arms and rode off into the sunset!! :lol: :lol: :lol:

Do you remember any of them???? God, I used to be so glued to Mills and Boons in my teenage years, that I think I sleep-walked my younger days with my head in the clouds for years!! :lol:

[Dr. Veena]

Oh Nirosha! How I overlooked "querida".............I mean strange that I never got curious about this!
But, thankfully, I was never into MBs or Barbara Cartland. The first (& the last time) I started out with an MB, I dozed over it. Lol!
No offence meant, Nirosha. Just voiced my opinion. That's all.

[Querida]

the only romance popular novel i ever succumb to is Nicholas Sparks' novels...i think three of his books have been made into movies: walk to remember, message in a bottle, and recently the notebook....the notebook is my most favourite but i dont like the movies....i think they do the book no justice...but Sparks is raking in then money so he doesnt seem to care....awww Nirosha...can you not leave a wallflower to herself...now all this teasing as well...darn those online dictionaries! :P

[blahblah]

Hi Annamalai fan and Veena,If Ron is to die it will be most unfortunate.I hate the very idea.I thought Ron and Hermione will eventually get married and Harry will get married to Cho Chang.Now if Ron is to die may be Harry will have to make the choice. :cry:

whoa...you sound like ppl when they talk about soaps....like they are real ppl..how many times have i become concerned about someone's tragedy only to find out it's fake... :x these are characters from an exceptional work i agree... :D but geez do you really want to know how Harry's "life" is until he is as old as Dumbledore? :P

Oh,yes,yes man!I've never been so addicted to any character.I am looking forward to the BBC interview with J.K.Rowling next saturday.She is supposed to come out with something that will make her books sell more.

[Surya]

Guys,
Give ma a couple names of her books, so I could look for them @ a library. :)
Thanks.

[Dr. Veena]

Ah! Here's good news finally, Blahblah & Annamalaifan.
J.K Rowliong has completed her sixth book, which is coming out in early 2005

[Hon!!!]

I hav lots of fav books- can't decide

[Hon!!!]

Dat is a gud news but its comin' out next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[soccer_gal]

I don't really have favourite books, but yeh there are only some I just read more than once. Well actually, I enjoy most of the books I read but I never pick out any favourites.

Here are a few:
J.K Rowling-Harry Potter...(Prizoner Of Azkaban,Goblet of Fire,and Order of the Phoenix)
Rohinton Mistry- A Fine Balance
Liz Berry- China Garden

[Surya]

there are those idiots who think they spend one month in india living off a resort and can write a novel about it...alot of brit and american authors like that...it really pisses me off..because it gives such a biased narrowminded view


A good example of that is a Novel that I'm reading right now called "The Song of Kali." it sturred up some controversy, in areas like Offending Hindus. I agree with that. The book is 99% Bullshi*! :x But most novles are, the diff here is that its idiotic, boring bullshi*!! I didn't even have a patience to finish the book! :x :x

[Shakthiprabha.]

There is a poll here ASKING US ABOUT books we read

Poll
Do you read more English booka or Tamil books?
Tamil [ 2 ]
English [11]

Many like me, who read both english and tamizh, could not
participate!!!

[Surya]

Shaktiprabha,
It says,
What do u rear more of?

There's got to be one that u read more of right?

yes? No?

[Shakthiprabha.]

sorry surya, DIDN'T QUITE read it....

Just assumed hehe

yeah now i got it......

[Surya]

No Prob. I see that u voted for English.

Have any favs that u would like to share? :)

regards. 8)

[aravindhan]

I'm currently reading "The Last Samurai", which my wife borrowed from the library. Yabba, it's hilarious. I haven't laughed this long while reading a book in ages. And it's wonderfully written too - the author has a lovely way with words.

On the other extreme, I recently finished read "Kosalai" by Ranjakumar in a tattered copy which a friend from Jaffna lent me. It's about the mothers whose children have left home to fight in the war. The story is heartrendingly beautiful - I can't even begin to describe the depth of emotion which Ranjakumar manages to convey.

[Surya]

The Last Samurai........Was the movie based on the book? I haven't seen the movie either.

[Shakthiprabha.]

surya,

I guess this thread dates back to ages, I had participated long back by mentioning and recollecting some books.
My reading 99 percent limits itself to fiction.
Pathetic thing, is I have loss
of memory, hence forget the book name or the author
in most occasions.

I basically love reading light romance stories. So
mentioning MILLS n BOON wont add to the taste of many here.

I should say, I love reading SYDNEY SHELDON, mainly because his
ladies are EXTREMELY COURAGEOUS AND CARREER ORIENTED in most stories.

MASTER OF THE GAME is my fav. I admire the char there.

I liked Erich segal esp DOCTORS.(Did not love reading
MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD, OR LOVE STORY...I felt it was too
mushy, and NO GREAT SUBSTANCE TO READ)

Loved SECOND LADY.

Also, ROOTS by Eeks forgot who again.

I remember reading lots of IRWING WALLLACE.
I think its his book, which contemplated on
WHAT HAPPENED TO JESUS actually....SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I was quite interesting.

I HAVE READ lil of KEN FOLLET (Night under water
is my fav) and some of HAROLD ROBBINS.

I have not tried Indian authors in English as yet.

Rebecca, was my fav too. Daphne's one more book
was EQUALLY GOOD. It was out and out romance.
Again I forgot the name. (about a tomboy in
early 1900 WHO falls in love with her fiance's
freind and calls off her marriage)...QUITE A BOOK
TO READ!!!

I loved reading kalki's ponniyin selvan
and THARAIYIL IRANGUM VIMAANANGAL by indumathi(not sure
reg the author) recently.

[Shakthiprabha.]

surya,

I guess this thread dates back to ages, I had participated long back by mentioning and recollecting some books.
My reading 99 percent limits itself to fiction.
Pathetic thing, is I have loss
of memory, hence forget the book name or the author
in most occasions.

I basically love reading light romance stories. So
mentioning MILLS n BOON wont add to the taste of many here.

I should say, I love reading SYDNEY SHELDON, mainly because his
ladies are EXTREMELY COURAGEOUS AND CARREER ORIENTED in most stories.

MASTER OF THE GAME is my fav. I admire the char there.

I liked Erich segal esp DOCTORS.(Did not love reading
MAN, WOMAN AND CHILD, OR LOVE STORY...I felt it was too
mushy, and NO GREAT SUBSTANCE TO READ)

Loved SECOND LADY.

Also, ROOTS by Eeks forgot who again.

I remember reading lots of IRWING WALLLACE.
I think its his book, which contemplated on
WHAT HAPPENED TO JESUS actually....SOMETHING LIKE THAT.
I was quite interesting.

I HAVE READ lil of KEN FOLLET (Night under water
is my fav) and some of HAROLD ROBBINS.

I have not tried Indian authors in English as yet.

Rebecca, was my fav too. Daphne's one more book
was EQUALLY GOOD. It was out and out romance.
Again I forgot the name. (about a tomboy in
early 1900 WHO falls in love with her fiance's
freind and calls off her marriage)...QUITE A BOOK
TO READ!!!

oh yesssssss forgot to mention MICHEAL CRICTON.
I have asked in some thread, reg the making of movie

TIMELINE... noone answered it. That book took me
to diff era, and I took almost a week to get over the
impact the book had on me... WOW..

I loved reading kalki's ponniyin selvan
and THARAIYIL IRANGUM VIMAANANGAL by indumathi(not sure
reg the author) recently.

[aravindhan]

The Last Samurai........Was the movie based on the book? I haven't seen the movie either.

Aah, oops, no, this is a different book. The movie was a serious story about an American captured by the samurai in the wars of the Japanese restoration, who adopts the samurai culture.

The book is a funny story about a single mother who decides her five year old son (a genius who's already managed to learn Ancient Greek, French, and a bunch of other languages) needs a male role model and decides that the characters in Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" will be ideal for that purpose.

[Surya]

Shakthiprabha,
That's a good list of books. I found a few popular ones. :D
Sydney Sheldon....I haven't read any of his, but a lot of people tell me he's good.
I used to read a lot of Fiction, but lately I've gotten absorbed in other genres.



Also, ROOTS by Eeks forgot who again.

Roots. An excellent book. The author is Alex Haley. It's based on a true story. The Author is an African American. He traced his "Roots" all the way back to Africa, and when his gr8, gr8,....grandfather was kidnapped as a slave. It's an excellent book! :D



Aah, oops, no, this is a different book. The movie was a serious story about an American captured by the samurai in the wars of the Japanese restoration, who adopts the samurai culture.

The book is a funny story about a single mother who decides her five year old son (a genius who's already managed to learn Ancient Greek, French, and a bunch of other languages) needs a male role model and decides that the characters in Kurosawa's "Seven Samurai" will be ideal for that purpose.
Thanks for the info! :D The book sounds very entertaining. I'll probably read it. Who is the author again?

Regards. 8)

[malligai]

Shakthi,

//I basically love reading light romance stories. So
mentioning MILLS n BOON wont add to the taste of many here.

I should say, I love reading SYDNEY SHELDON, mainly because his
ladies are EXTREMELY COURAGEOUS AND CARREER ORIENTED in most stories.

MASTER OF THE GAME is my fav. I admire the char there.//

heyy, i love reading Mills & Boon too...i still treasure my collection :) ..though it seems a liitle silly now--i mean the stories :lol:

and ofcourse, follows all the countless Silhouette and Harlequin Romances... :lol:

my all time favorite is Gone With The Wind by Margaret Mitchell...i have have never been engrossed in any another novel as this one...Rhett and Scarlet r such fascinating and enigmatic characters...

and the sequel Scarlett is a must read too...if i had not read Scarlett immediately after GWTW then i would have gone crazy... :D

i suggest these as great books to anyone who wants to read it... :)

[malligai]

oopss...

forgot to mention Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights...this book is a true WOWOW.... :D

and also Charlotte Bronte's Jane Eyre...

[Shakthiprabha.]

HEYYYYYYYY MALLIGAI HOWVE U BEEN.......HOWS POETRY GOING ON?

:( NOT entering the arena these days...

malligai should try out the book uve suggested. also I wanna study PRIDE N PREJUDICE.

I hear my cousin saying, I HAVE THE CHARACTER OF THE LEADING ROLE IN PRIDE IN PREJUDICE....so for KNOWING ME... lol I need to read..

I shall soon come to poetry section, to read all ur works

[Shakthiprabha.]

HEYYYYYYYY MALLIGAI HOWVE U BEEN.......HOWS POETRY GOING ON?

:( NOT entering the arena these days...

malligai should try out the book uve suggested. also I wanna study PRIDE N PREJUDICE.

I hear my cousin saying, I HAVE THE CHARACTER OF THE LEADING ROLE IN PRIDE IN PREJUDICE....so for KNOWING ME... lol I need to read..

I shall soon come to poetry section, to read all ur works

hi surya,

many men dont like sydney sheldon. Atleast they dont prefer given a choice :)

[Shakthiprabha.]

hi surya,

many men dont like sydney sheldon. Atleast they dont prefer given a choice :)

[Surya]

True, Men are more into books like Shutter Island, Kiss The Girls, LA Requiem, etc. Novels that are thrilling and "tick like a bomb."

[a.ratchasi]

If you guys are interested in Sidney Sheldon, I will definitely recommend Windmills of the Gods and The Sands of Time.

These two are in the must read list of Sheldon, says me!

[hehehewalrus]

Onebook of sidney sheldon without obscenity is The Naked Face. It was recommended as part of my college reading project :) Rest are fit for the trash can

[Shekhar]

Normally Sidney Sheldon's novels have a shocking twist..many times siding evil, and leave you with a bitter emotion.
Shakti is right. Most of the men don't like Sidney Sheldon.

One author who brings in "obsene" in his novels and achieves admiration inspite of it, due to his exploration of raw and intense emotions and understanding of human nature, is Harold Robins. Though I don't put him under "greats" category, some scenes are indelible in my mind, though I read him decades ago.

[Roshan]

If you guys are interested in Sidney Sheldon, I will definitely recommend Windmills of the Gods and The Sands of Time.

These two are in the must read list of Sheldon, says me!

AR,

I have read a couple of books of Sheldon including his latest 'Are you afraid of the dark' but have not read the ones you have specified above. I've got 'The Sands of Time' from a collegue and have not started reading it.

And AR, saw your pm - I have a small clarification. Shall pm you during the course of the day. Sorry for the delay :)

[Roshan]

Shakthi,

I wonder why you have repeated your posts :roll: In case of alteration you can use the 'edit' function that appears write on top of every post you make :)

If you make multiple posts by mistake you can always delete by clicking the 'X' symbol which again appears right at the top of your posts . :D

[NOV]

Well, I may be an exception - but I just love Sidney Sheldon books, especially his earlier ones. He proved to be the master in Master of the Game and a conjuror in If Tommorow Comes. True that women are the heroes of his books, whihc is remarkably refreshing from the usual men-heros of most authors. His earlier books were great page-turners and you forget meals and sleep while reading them.

His later books however, became predictable and mostly a rehash of his own works. Too formulaic.

As for Harold Robbins, talk about a resercher! You can learn a lot from his books - for instance his three books on the beginnings of the Hollywood industry - The Inheritors, The Carpetbaggers and one more - are must reads for anyone who wants to do some research.

Again, his later books became diluted and I would advise readers to staw away from them. His late 50s and 60s books are still the best.

[Surya]

Again, his later books became diluted and I would advise readers to staw away from them.

His later books however, became predictable and mostly a rehash of his own works. Too formulaic.

Yes, as authors get older, their work tends to diterierate. James Patterson is also a good example of that kind of diterieration. His earlier books were very good, but his later ones like "When the WInds blow" etc, get boring, and very unrealistic. :cry:
I guess that's inevitable for good writers.

[a.ratchasi]

Roshan, happy reading :)
and have replied to you...thanks so much.

NOV, perhaps you could list the books of Sheldon as per publication for the benefit of the rest of us. :)

[scorpio]

Have you guys discussed about Jeffrey Archer's works?

His 'Kane and Abel' is wonderful and makes a very interesting read.

[Surya]

Scorpio,
Could u be kind enough to give a synopsis? :)

[scorpio]

Surya,

A summary would definitely bring down the thrill of the book. :wink:

Anyway, a two-line description-

"Two men, born on the same day into different worlds, both rise to success and fame -- but neither will be happy until the other is destroyed"

[NOV]

NOV, perhaps you could list the books of Sheldon as per publication for the benefit of the rest of us. :)


The Naked Face .......................................... 1970
The Other Side of Midnight .............................. 1973
A Stranger in the Mirror ................................ 1976
Bloodline ............................................... 1977
Rage of Angels .......................................... 1980
Master of the Game ...................................... 1982
If Tomorrow Comes ....................................... 1985
Windmills of the Gods ................................... 1987
The Sands of Time ....................................... 1988
Memories of Midnight .................................... 1990
The Doomsday Conspiracy ................................. 1991
The Stars Shine Down .................................... 1992
Nothing Lasts Forever ................................... 1994
Morning, Noon and Night ................................. 1995
The Best Laid Plans ..................................... 1997
Tell Me Your Dreams ..................................... 1998
The Sky Is Falling ...................................... 2000
Are You Afraid Of The Dark? ............................. 2004


I have all the above, except the last.
BTW, SS was the favourite fiction writer of Malaysia's ex-PM< Dr. Mahathir Mohamed!

[NOV]

Harold Robbins

Never Love A Stranger (1948)
The Dream Merchants (1949)
A Stone for Danny Fisher (1952)
Never Leave Me (1953)
79 Park Avenue (1955)
Stiletto (1960)
The Carpetbaggers (1961)
Where Love Has Gone (1962)
The Adventurers (1966)
The Inheritors (1969)
The Betsy (1971)
The Pirate (1974)
The Lonely Lady (1976)
Dreams Die First (1977)
Memories of Another Day (1979)
Goodbye, Janette (1981)
The Storyteller (1982)
Descent from Xanadu (1984)
The Piranhas (1986)
The Raiders (1994)
The Stallion (1996)
Tycoon (1997)
The Predators (1998)
The Secret (2000)
Never Enough (2001)
Sin City (2002)
Heat of Passion (2003)
The Betrayers (2004) (with Junius Podrug)

My recommendations: Go for his pre-80s books.

[Hemant Trived1]

EXODUS and MILA 18 are my all time favourits.

[NOV]

And now my current favourite: John Grisham


A Time to Kill (1989)
The Firm (1991)
The Pelican Brief (1992)
The Client (1993)
The Chamber (1994)
The Rainmaker (1995)
The Runaway Jury (1996)
The Partner (1997)
The Street Lawyer (1998)
The Testament (1999)
The Brethren (2000)
A Painted House (2001)
Skipping Christmas (2001)
The Summons (2002)
King of Torts (2003)
Bleachers (2003)
The Last Juror (2004)
The Broker (2005)

[NOV]

EXODUS and MILA 18 are my all time favourits.I've read Exodus at least a dozen times, the last time about a month ago.


DAN BROWN

Digital Fortress (1998)
Angels and Demons (2000)
Deception Point (2001)
The Da Vinci Code (2003)
The Solomon Key (2005)

[Shekhar]

EXODUS and MILA 18 are my all time favourits.I've read Exodus at least a dozen times, the last time about a month ago.

I have enjoyed all the novels of Leon Uris including Exodus. But I think his greatest work is Trinity set in background of Irish freedom struggle. Aramageddon is another great book I read many times.
Exodus is extremely touching.. such novel could only be written by a jewish writer.

[Maxwell]

Favorite Books:

(I) Ramayana

(II) Gita

(III) Vedas

[Surya]

Maxwell,
Those are great books. Very knowledgeble. (wrong spelling, I know. :oops: ) In fact, there's almost nothing that a person can't learn from those books. :)




Surya,

A summary would definitely bring down the thrill of the book. :wink:

Anyway, a two-line description-

"Two men, born on the same day into different worlds, both rise to success and fame -- but neither will be happy until the other is destroyed"

Wow, That is a good discription. :) That's what I call a hook. :D

[nirosha sen]

Kane and Abel - I've only watched the serial on TV. Good performance by Peter Strauss and Sam Neil!!

[NM]

Kane and Abel - I've only watched the serial on TV. Good performance by Peter Strauss and Sam Neil!!
Nirosha..
The novel reduced me to tears !! Very sad and the author was evry expressive....
I think there were sequels to it too, remember reading those but can't remember the names.

[scorpio]

Surya,

Now, one more reason why u should read 'Kane and Abel'. :)

[Surya]

For Sure! If I find it in a library, then I'm jumping for it. :)

[NM]

The Naked Face .......................................... 1970
The Other Side of Midnight .............................. 1973
A Stranger in the Mirror ................................ 1976
Bloodline ............................................... 1977
Rage of Angels .......................................... 1980
Master of the Game ...................................... 1982
If Tomorrow Comes ....................................... 1985
Windmills of the Gods ................................... 1987
The Sands of Time ....................................... 1988
Memories of Midnight .................................... 1990
..
Nov, I read al the pre-90's and they were excellent!!
Post 90..anything you would recommend?

[NM]

And now my current favourite: John Grisham
I heard JG's is not as good as it used to be ....?

[Shekhar]

Normally when we see a movie of a novel we have read, we will be terribly disappointed..perhaps for the following reasons
(a) our imagination doesn't need technology, and no technology can match human imagination.
(b) by sheer limitation in the length of the movie, it is not possible to bring even a fraction of the action an author has put in the book.

Films that disappointed me most, though they won awards and accolades are Papilon and Odessa File.

The only movie which I felt better than the book is "Force Ten from Navrone" (Allistor Maclean)

[NOV]

The Doomsday Conspiracy ................................. 1991
The Stars Shine Down .................................... 1992
Nothing Lasts Forever ................................... 1994
Morning, Noon and Night ................................. 1995
The Best Laid Plans ..................................... 1997
Tell Me Your Dreams ..................................... 1998
The Sky Is Falling ...................................... 2000
Are You Afraid Of The Dark? ............................. 2004


NM, there isnt much worthy stuff in the above list. Sidney Sheldon fans would have read his books, regardless.

The Best Laid Plans may offer a little, but if you are a staunch fan, you will guess the ending. :D

[NM]

Nov,
I used to be a staunch fan of his but now.......
Thanks Nov..... :D :D

[a.ratchasi]

NOV, thanks for the list.
And I didnt know that Dr M was a fan. :)


The Best Laid Plans may offer a little, but if you are a staunch fan, you will guess the ending. :D

That's true!

[nirosha sen]

Hmmm....Odessa File??? Thought I saw the movie with Jon Voight and Mary Fran in the lead!!! Good and exciting!! But honestly, I was too young to understand the motive behind the cat and mouse game, Pa!!

But for me Harold Robbins' The Carpetbaggers was a must read!! And for the first time, I read and actually had my heart race was Peyton Place!! :oops:

[Shekhar]

One Novel that changed my whole outlook towards life is "FOUNTAIN HEAD" by Ayn Rand.
The book is really a semi fiction. I shifted on to non fiction reading, from then on, to a point that I hardly read fiction now a days.
Exponense of the philosophy evolved in "Fountain Head" is "Atlas Shrugged"... an other novel that could change you.

[Roshan]

NOV, thanks for the list.
And I didnt know that Dr M was a fan. :)


The Best Laid Plans may offer a little, but if you are a staunch fan, you will guess the ending. :D

That's true!

I agree!!

[mandangi]

I mostly like books related to society and politics.

[Shakthiprabha.]

mandagi,

Can u list some book which u read. Its nice that u read
non-fiction books :)

[mandangi]

I need not list. If you go to book shop you can find many such books.

[Surya]

Just give us an example. What's ur fav? :)

[hehehewalrus]

Mandangi,
Tell us what tamil books you have read.

Yippee, i gave u the chance to notch up ur 186th post!

[Surya]

:lol2:

Seriously! I don't know Mr.Mandange very well. Why does everyone pick on him so much. I'm dyin to know. :D

[scorpio]

Upon NOV's recommendation (backed by many others) I just finished reading Dan Brown's ' Angels and Demons'.

Very interesting read, came to know a lot of things on symbology. Great work! :clap:

Started 'Da Vinci Code' now 8)

[scorpio]

Hmm, wonder why good threads like these go into oblivion, anyway, I'm happy to do a 'Mandangi' and revive it back.

Just finished 'The Da vinci Code' by Dan Brown. As usual, great wealth of info and an unexpected twist. Eagerly looking forward to the movie in the making now! 8)

[Roshan]

scorpio,

I know how you feel after reading it. Please post your views on 'da vinci code' in "Dan Brown' thread as well :)

[scorpio]

Roshan,

Posted there first and here only next! 8)

[Badri]

I'm happy to do a 'Mandangi' and revive it back.

Where is he anyway? Run off to implement his no porn cyber cafes in AP?

[Roshan]

Roshan,

Posted there first and here only next! 8)

Yes ! saw it just now :oops: :oops:

[tomato]

My all time fav authurs r :
Agatha Christie( Read more than 50 books of hers)

Sidney Sheldon( Quite good , I liked 'Tell me your dreams' and also 'If tomoorow come' is a very satisfying read. no doubt 'the naked face ' is his best npvel since it is first)

J K Rowling ( enjoyed reading all the five books and eagerly waiting for the 6Th. I too do not want Ron to die, I really like him more than I like Harry. )

Daniel Steel ( I'm sure nobody on this thread likes her- never been mentioned, but it is good Timepass, nothing more)

Among Indian Author R. K. narayan is my favorite. I have read
Swami and friends
Vendor of sweets ( there used to be a serial on tv long back - 'mithaiwala' quite good actually)
The maneater of malgudi
Salt and sawdust
The world of nagraj
the guide
The financial expert
The bachelor of arts

Tried reading Jeffery Archer ( Sky dancer ) but did not have the inclinataion to complete it.

I like this thread a lot, gives me an idea which books to borrow on my next visit to the library.

I also used to read read Femina regularly when I was in India. Now I occasiaonally reda their online version.

[nirosha sen]

Tomato : Welcome Pa!!

A favour to ask?? Could you please be kind enough to give us the Femina magazine's website????? Would love to browse there too. :D

[lordstanher]

Glad to see HP book lovers here as well :wink:
Needless to say those r currently the books tat I'd be most anxious to read! :D jus keep wondering when I can get my hands on the next book (I've long finished Order of the Phoenix).....!
Among suspense/thrillers, I also like Stephen King's novels, which I'd started reading recently.......the ones I've read so far r:
-From a Buick 8
-Christine
-Pet Sematary

The last onez quite scary but personally, I prefer such ones to romance/erotic novels (ugh!) :P
Among Indian authors, its so far been R K Narayan only, of course :wink: (I did read halfway thru V S Naipul's "India- a million mutinees..." but can't form an opinion abt him as yet.....besides he isn't exactly 'Indian'..... :wink: )

[Surya]

Lord,
COuld u give us a synopsis of Pet Sematary? It's quite known, but I can't fine a synopsis.

[tomato]

Femina's website :

http://www.feminaindia.com/

[lordstanher]

Lord,
COuld u give us a synopsis of Pet Sematary? It's quite known, but I can't fine a synopsis.

Um....herez sum links I found abt it on google search:

http://www.moviesonline.ca/movienews_222.html

http://members.aol.com/CQKRIS/story.html

http://www.csd99.k12.il.us/north/library/books/p2.htm

Hope they're informative enuff :wink:

[a.ratchasi]

Managed to get hold of Naked Face by Sheldon.
Was highly disappointed with the protagonist and the storyline!
The plot just fell flat.
:(
Perhaps, I would have liked it more if I was a newbie to Sheldon.

[Kavitha Ravi]

Dear Tomato, thanks for the link.
I too love to read all the womans magazines.
Thanks.

[Surya]

Thanks Lord! :D

Anyone read "The Song Of Kali"? If not....DON'T!!!!!!! One of the worst, narrow minded books ever!!! :evil: :evil: Just a waste of time!! :evil: :evil:

[Deep_Secrets]

All of Harry Potter!

[scorpio]

Hi Gooshi,

Welcome to the HP fan club!

BTW, The cover art for Half Blood Prince has been released.. saw it??

[Deep_Secrets]

Nope...is it available on net?

When are they going to start on the movie version of The Order of Pheonix!??? :cry:

[scorpio]

Yeah, try www.mugglenet.com for the cover arts.

Casting for OOTP is beginning only in 2006. Only the director has been finalized. :cry:

[tomato]

Thanz for the bit of news scorpio, can't wait to get my hands on the copy, will have to wait for 128 days though.

[Deep_Secrets]

Its a nice cover, very mysterious....

2006!! Well, I hope I live that long.... :cry:

[scorpio]

Yeah Gooshi, the cover art has left the fans wondering what is it Harry and dumbledore are peering into. The adult cover art has them amidst flames of fire. Quite eerie and the book will be intense.

Read today, Dan Brown is writing his next book -The Solomon Key which will bring 'Robert Langdon' back. Liked the professor character both in Angels and Demons and The Da vinci code. Waiting for that book too..

[Roshan]

scorpio,

Thanks for the news on Brown's - Solomon Key. The "Solomon" part indirectly says that it's going to be another controversial subject. I just cant wait for it !!!!

[Nosferatu]

To kill a mocking bird - Harper Lee
Beyond love - Dominique Lapierre
City of joy - Dominique Lapierre
A time to kill - John Grisham
Jonathan livingston seagull - Richard Bach
Love story - Erich Segal
The notebook - Nicholas Sparks
The wedding - Nicholas Sparks

these r just a few i can think of now.... of these " to kill a mocking bird" and " beyond love" are the best....

[Nosferatu]

i forgot one of my favs.... "The lord of the rings" and "The Silmarillion" by JRR Tolkien

[Nosferatu]

i forgot another of the all time greats....... " The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho......

[Deep_Secrets]

Did anyone read Pet Sematary by Stephen King? Its soooo disturbing.

[lordstanher]

Did anyone read Pet Sematary by Stephen King? Its soooo disturbing.

Yea I just read it.....yep its reeeally creepy all rite! :wink: King himself admits in the book tat it was the scariest novel he'd ever written!

[Deep_Secrets]

Right....it made me feel so 'messed-up' afterwards. Couldn't get it out of my mind.

Lordstanher, would you recommend any other Stephen King books? Pet Sametery(did I spell it right? :roll: ) is the only one I've read....

[NOV]

Try "Misery".

Kate Bates did good justice to the role as the menacing fan in the movie version and even won an Oscar.
Our own Sarita did the role again in Balu Mahendra's Tamil remake, but could only capture Bates chubbiness. :D

[Deep_Secrets]

Definetely 'll read it.......... :thumbsup:

[lordstanher]

Lordstanher, would you recommend any other Stephen King books? Pet Sametery(did I spell it right? :roll: ) is the only one I've read...

Its Pet Sematary (tats the way kids pronounce Cemetary..... :) )
Well, I liked 'From a Buick 8' & 'Christine' but both these books r feature old cars! So I liked them since I like old cars..... :wink:
but nevertheless do try them..... :)
I'm presently reading 'Cujo'......lets see how this turns out!

On a not-too-related note, I highly recommend this book "The great Indian dream..." by Arindam Chowdhry.....dunno if u all r familiar w/ it.....its really informative reg. our countryz development etc.! Bought it last year at Hyd'bad @ Rs. 295.......

[Deep_Secrets]

Thanks...I find cars boring :P but I will read them as you must have recommended them for their qualities and not cars.

I used to like RL. Stines books as a child but I find them too boring and unoriginal now that I'm grown up. :)

[scorpio]

Continuing the Dan Brown tradition, I finished 'Deception Point' yesterday. Very different from Angels and Da Vinci code. Nothing on symbology but more on politics and meteors. As usual, the villian was the most unexpected person. Read if you have time but I definitely missed Robert Langdon!

Started 'Digital Fortress' now, let me see how it goes!

[NOV]

Me too. Digital Fortress is completely different - this time the story revolves around computer codes and code-breaking. It is hard to put down the book every night. :D

[dr#]

Pet Sematary is very good, but The Shining is better, and scarier.

[scorpio]

There I am! Completed Dan Brown's Digital Fortress too. Interesting and racy. Liked it much better than Deception Point.

NOV,

Did u finish it??

[Roshan]

scorpio,

unga office-la novelum padikka viduraangaLaa ?? :lol: Hope you are not working for a charity organization :lol: Just kidding pa :lol:

[scorpio]

Roshan,

Chinna vayasulerthe saapidum bothu kaiyil book illamal saapida varaathu.. that's the only time I get all for myself and read books while eating, much,much to the displeasure of my hubby! While reading DF, as the book was racy, needless to say, I spent more time eating! :lol:

Wanted to post this in the morning itself, forgot pa..

[Roshan]

OK OK !! :D

[scorpio]

Moral polees-nnu summa pattam kodutha, ippadiya investigate panrathu??

Hmm, romba mosam!

[Roshan]

antha pattathukku romba thaguthiyaana oruthanga inga irukaanga. avangaLa vittuttu enna pOi moral polees athu ithunnuttu :wink:

[Badri]

Yaaru pa athu? Appadi pattathukku uriya vanga? Ungalayum Minjiya, Roshan? Irukkathe!!

[Roshan]

Guys,

I got Angels and Demons and Deception Point yesterday ! Digital Fortress was sold out. Started with A&D. They had the special illustrated collector's edition of Da Vinci Code as well. Book soooper -A irukku ! Nicely designed and printed with coloured pictures of da vinci's paintings and comparative works of other artists - pictures of buildings and locations, diagroms etc.. Well illustrated !! With great difficulty I controlled my temptation to purchase it yesterday. But I dont think I can resist. Very soon I'm going to get the book. Really worth buying it !

[scorpio]

Roshan,

Collector's edition-aa?? I envy you!

If u liked Da vinci code, you'll definitely love A& D too. Make good use of the long weekend then ( Good Friday leave thaane??)

[Roshan]

Yes !! naaLaikku holiday in view of Good Friday :D

[Pras]

guys if you have read Tolkien's Lord of the rings ... try David Eddings "The belgariad" (5 books) and "the mallorean" (5 books) ... you will definitely love them ;)

[Deep_Secrets]

You know when you guys write in a language other than English, it seems as if there is sudden silence in my head when I scan over it, but BOOOOOOOOM!!!! comes in the noise in my head when I read a post in English after that.....Must be because of the voice in the mind, like the voice when you're thinking to yourself :? :? hm?

[Pras]

deep_secrets,

gnnnééé ??

[Deep_Secrets]

deep_secrets,

gnnnééé ??

:lol: ...no idea what you asked :cry:..it does sound like you are asking for a genie, hmm? So you like Aladdin :D ?

[Pras]

i wanted to mean that i haven't understood your post :D

[Deep_Secrets]

i wanted to mean that i haven't understood your post :D

:lol: :lol: ....How do I go about explaining it in simpler english :? ?

Lets give it a try...

1) foreign language>no voice in my head when looking over it
2) English>hear my head voice when looking over it
It was a dumb thought to post anyways, but I did :shock: ...

[Pras]

that means you love english ? .... understood 8)

[scorpio]

Is there any one who had read 'The Godfather' by Mario Puzo. That's the book I'm going to read next. Welcome yr views and recommendations!

[Roshan]

scorpio,

I have not read the book . May I know whether you have seen the film God Father? If so it would be interesting to make a comparison between the book and the film while reading. And I sincerely hope it doesnt undermine your reading pleasure. Most of the time we read the story and then see the film and end up dissapointed. Would like to know the opinion when it's the other way around. So scorpio, once you finish reading, please give your comparative analysis on the book and the film.

BTW, I have finished with Angels and Demons. Finished reading during the week end and I'm now in the process of repeating certain chapters - specially the chapters which involve the camerlengo. I'll give my detail opinion once i'm done.

[scorpio]

Illai Roshan, antha padam innum paarkavillai. I only know the book is about a Don but nothing more. I do have that habit of comparing the movie and the book, that's what I did for all Harry Potter movies and didn't find the movies upto the mark!

I'll try to get the DVD once I finish the book. Already, I'm waiting to see Jurassic Park and Pride and Prejudice. Read these 2 books along with daughter couple of months back and would like to see the movies as well. Exams for children would be over by the time I complete Godfather and I'll have more time to see some movies. :D

Did u like A & D better than Da Vinci?? Hope u've become a fan of Robert Langdon.

[Roshan]

Jurassic park innum paakalaiyA???? :shock: :shock: :shock: It's really a shock !!


I do have that habit of comparing the movie and the book, that's what I did for all Harry Potter movies and didn't find the movies upto the mark!

Every body has that habit I guess .

BTW Except your avatar, Harry Potter paththi vERa enakku ethuvumE theriyaathu :P

I'll answer your questions regarding Dan Brown's books later.

[jaiganes]

I have read both Da vinci Code and Angels and Demons. Two things were clearly noticeable:
1. Dan Brown has a good grasp over history and arts.
2. Dan Brown has taken James Bond and humanized him and made Robert Lagdon.

This is a trap most autors get into, when they create a character, they become addicts of it and hence lose sight of the big picture, focussing more on glorifying the character. I could observe this more in the last few chapters of Angels and Demons. No wonder Da Vinci Code became a bigger hit.

[king of chennai]

the Da vinci Code is based on untrue or gnostic gospels.It was written by people who wanted to show christianity in a bad light.they showed Jesus as a god who had weaknesses.In one of them it was written jesus gave life to a clay bird and in another it was written he killed some boys of his age just because they irritated him.Dan Brown has cleary ignored the fact that The Bible exists as nothing out of it is taken.i think its just a laughable peice of literature.if u haven't read the book dont worry a movie based on it is comming out soon and it has tom hanks in the lead.

[Roshan]

Cygnus , scorpio and others ,

Sorry for the late response. I have finished reading Angels and Demons and repeated the chapters involved the camerlengo.

Another racy fiction by Dan Brown with plethora of historical info. This time it was around Rome , Vatican and the secret society Illuminati. The author has touched Religion and Science. I had a hard time putting the book down. The plot was so suspenseful with so many twists, turns and cliff hangers.

Dan Brown has this marvelous ability of weaving the facts and imagination in such a way that makes us feel the strory real. The details about the Vatican procedures and rituals were quite informative. But the descriptions on other locations, religious places and sculptures in Rome did not interest me much.

Though I like the character Robert Langdon - I should admit that the character was not as impressive as in the Da Vinci Code.

All the characters have depth including the Hassassin.

And a big WOW !!! for the ending !! That was really a GREAT one !!

I dont want to make a comparison between DVC and A&D as both novels deal with two different issues and the credit should go to the author for not sticking to imagination entirely , but for mixing the facts of Art, History, Religion and Science and giving us such racy, exciting and action filled novels.

Great job by Brown once again !!

My next read is going to be "Deception Point" !

[Cygnus]

Roshan, replied in the Dan Brown thread!

Let us know how Deception Point turns out. I asked in our local library, they don't seem to have it :(

If you recommend it I'll buy it :)

[Roshan]

Cygnus,

Sure I'll give you the feedback once I'm finished. Planning to read it during the Tamil new year holidays. :)

[Deep_Secrets]

Did anyone read A Child Called "It" by Dave Pelzer? How about the sequels?

How can a mother be so cruel :( ?

Surya could you fix the poll title? Booka :P ?

[Surya]

Deep Secrets,
Welcome back. :D I don't kow how to fix the poll. :oops:

Has anyone ever read the "Series of Unfortunate Events." Series?

Later on, the first three books were made into a movie starring Jim Carey, but as always, the books a much better.

[Deep_Secrets]

Deep Secrets,
Welcome back. :D I don't kow how to fix the poll. :oops:

Has anyone ever read the "Series of Unfortunate Events." Series?

Later on, the first three books were made into a movie starring Jim Carey, but as always, the books a much better.

I didn't.

To fix it, you could click on edit in your first post and....oh I guess that's only for thread title...well maybe you could try for poll too. Edit, go to where poll is and see if you can change it.

[Surya]

I tried. Didn't work.

[Girish11]

Hi Everyone,

Anyone read "Error of judgement" by Henry Denkins?
Any views? Does anybody know of any other good
books written by this author?

[lordstanher]

Neone read 'Count Your Chickens before they hatch' by Arindam Chaudhri?? Really informative/thought-provoking! :D
Its books like these tat r really worth reading by Indian public! I wish more ppl. try reading these for a change, rather than the Khushwant Singh types! :wink:

[Niranjana]

I've liked these-

Arms & the Man
Pygmallion
Antony & Cleopatra
Plays by Shakespeare

[NM]

My list...

Fiction..:

Kane & Abel, plus the sequel

Flowers in the Attic and the sequels - VC Andrews
My sweet Audrina - VC Andrews
'Till we meet Again

Pet Sematary
Misery

Sydney Sheldon's If Tomorrow Comes, Promise
Rage of the Angels, Windmills of God.

Da Vinci Code

Agatha Christie's books - whole lot of them
Little Women (plus all the sequels)

Non-fiction : The Diary of Anne Frank

More when I remember.....

[Anoushka]

I wish the poll had one more choice - Both Tamizh and English! I read both Tamizh and English :)

My all time favourites are Atlas Shrugged and The Fountain head by Ayn Rand. I also love Kalki's Ponniyin Selvan. Another one is Douglas Adam's Hitch hicker's guide to the galaxy - hilarious!

I am a big fan of Sidney Sheldon and have read nearly all his books.
I like Robin Cook too, the only book of his that took me ages to finish was The Sphinx - wasn't to impressed with it!

The Second Sex - non fiction - is an interesting book.

Ofcourse, I would go back to Enid Blyton and Archie comics any time!

And I enjoy reading Bill Bryson's travel books.

More later

[Surya]

Neone read 'Count Your Chickens before they hatch' by Arindam Chaudhri?? Really informative/thought-provoking! :D
Its books like these tat r really worth reading by Indian public! I wish more ppl. try reading these for a change, rather than the Khushwant Singh types! :wink:

What is it about? Can you give a summary? :)

[NM]

Ofcourse, I would go back to Enid Blyton and Archie comics any time!..Anu...me too...would go back to Enid Blyton anytime...love the books!!!

Two more I forgot to mention - Thornbirds & Shogun - very good novels and the tele-series were excellent adaptations, with Richard Chamberlain in the lead role.. :D