Eight Women Authors Who Have Made Reading Worthwhile

I am a woman. An imperfect but completely fabulous woman. I am me.

Happy birthday to…

Our second month of the birthday posts , and we have not three but four Authors to talk about . Why ? Because they are amazing!!! Unfortunately we could pick more , but do tell us who did we miss that you love?

Roald Dahl

Born in 1916 on September 16th , if you are a bibliophile and don't know him , you aren’t bibliophile enough!  Though I myself haven’t read any book by him , I have seen quite a few motion pictures adaptations of his stories and loved them( Charlie & the Chocolate Factory , Matilda and more recently BFG) !
Though his books are primarily meant for children , everyone unbarred by age love his writing. Its time you (and I ) picked one book by this legend and indulge some.

Agatha Christie

September 15th was the birthday of the Queen of Crime. Ms. Marple and Poirot are her brainchild , and are very loved by Crime fiction lovers. 2016 also marks 100 years  since the appearance of Poirot –the second most loved detective after Sherlock.
Do I need to bother explaining as to why you should read this amazing legend’s book ? No , I hope not! The writing is gripping and as one detects and guesses the end ,  the climax by her has you spellbound ! While there may be a small chance you may not like her book , but by and large most of us agree that she is one of the finest Crime fiction writer’s to have ever lived.

Stephen King

This American author was born on September 21st , and writes contemporary horror, supernatural fiction, suspense, science fiction, and fantasy . He is a multi award winner , and the crime fiction lover in me has been eyeing his books for a long time now. I really look forward to reading one of his books that I have with me soon . Do tell us if you have read anything by him , and if you have , which do you recommend we start it ?

“A little talent is a good thing to have if you want to be a writer. But the only real requirement is the ability to remember every scar.”

Cecelia Ahern

You have either watched , or read or watched and read P.S I love you! Written by this young Author , her birthday falls on the 30th of September and we had to include her!
While her books appeal to a wide array of people , they  make sure you shed a tear or two. If you have a soft corner for romances and tear-jerkers , you should try one of her books.
Here are two of the books by her that we reviewed.

“As the rain falls and the sun shines, they grow, grow, grow; minds so open, they go through life aware and accepting, seeing light where there's dark, seeing possibility in dead ends, tasting victory as others spit out failure, questioning where others accept. Just a little less jaded, a little less cynical.”

Books and Travel

Travelling broadens the perspective and books take us a million places. This is a quite-heard-of phrase. 

My recent road trip has inspired me to make a list of my favourite books which contain trips, travel or just beautiful places that I have or want to visit. Here is my list of six books in no particular order.

All the bright places

I know a lot of people who take 'Fault in our stars' as the gateway to young adult fiction, but for me 'All the bright places' did the trick. It is a beautiful book about a boy in depression and a girl who has no will to live. Things happen and they decide to roam around their beloved town to explore the lesser known places. They come across a beautiful lake, a church and a field of flowers. Ah, also the visit to the tank top to view beautiful constellation. 

The travel brings both the protagonists close. As they say, you make best of friends on a road trip! 

Though the book has a sad ending, the exploration is beautiful. Getting to know one's own place from up close fills you with awe. It is often said that chasing the moon makes you oversee the sixpence under your nose. Finch here will definitely not let that happen. 

Paper towns

Often debated as the best work of John Green, this book contains all the excitement of a road trip with a time constraint. Friends bond and walls are broken. There is a search for someone who does not want to be sought. This book also gives us an unforgettable female character. Margo Roth Spiegelman is definitely worth the chase! 'Paper towns' will definitely make you pack your bags and go on a road trip. 

God of small things

Kerala often called as 'God's own country', has been on the list of all the travel buffs. But this book has inspired me to move the place to my priority list. Lent to me by one of the few people who has influenced my reading, this book opened the doors of literary fiction to me. 

The first few pages contain an abundance of beautiful descriptions about the place. The entire book inspires you to visit the lakes, sit under the stars across the river and just fall in love with the place. This Booker prize-winning book should be on every traveler's list to read. God of Small Things makes you fall in love with Kerela. 

The Tudor wife

Tudor history is probably the most read history in the world. This book makes you understand that the head which wears the crown often lies uneasy. Apart from giving my interest in Tudor history a kickstart, this book also describes the castles beautifully. 'The Tudor wife' is not the best book on Tudor history but it definitely explains the grandeur well.

England has a beautiful legacy when it comes to architecture. Every monarch inspires a different style of architecture. This rich architecture puts England on the map for every architecture lover. And mine too, of course!

Safe haven

The King of romance, 'Nicholas Sparks' has romanticised 'North Carolina' to the extent that it has permanently pricked a pin on every traveller's map. Being the hometown of the author, he describes the city most intimately which will make anyone fall in love with the place. 

Definitely, a place to visit at least once in a lifetime. 

Naughty men

This book is a proof that if your life isn't going well, take a road trip. Primarily a story of a middle-aged man who has a sexless life, and a permanent interference of his in-laws in his household activities is not helping. 

He and his friend decide to take a road trip together and then the book goes from being funny to hilarious. A definite read for all bachelors or anyone who enjoys good humour!

India celebrates 70 years of Independence...

We have freed ourselves from the shackles of the British Raj 70 years ago, and since then India has grown exponentially and will continue to do so for many years to come. With it's shares of ups and downs, with it's shares of success and failure , our beautiful mother land will always remain our most prized possession. Here are 15 quotes reminding us about the significance of freedom, equality and liberation from the most profound thinkers from around the world. 

MAY WE GROW OUT OF PETTY IDEAS OF INJUSTICE, INEQUALITY AND RELIGIOUS CONFLICTS AND GROW INTO THE MOST GLORIOUS COUNTRY, THAT INDIA DESERVES TO BE. HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

Photo courtesy : Gazala (click here for more ) 

Celebrating the spirit of friendship with 12 quotes

There is something very sacred about the bond of friendship. Friends are said to be the family that we choose. During the course of our lives we make some friends and we lose some. But here is a day to remind us of what our friends mean us.
As we are reminded of the spirit of friendship this weekend here is what literature has to say about friendship. Happy friendship's day!! 🎉🎈💕💖

PC: ThroughMyScope

Summer specials

While some Countries can’t wait to have Summers knocking at their doorstep , most of us Indians can’t wait to send it packing! While the temperature is merciless in most parts of the Country , most of us still adore summers – reason 01 – Mangoes! , and reason 02 – SUMMER HOLIDAYS!!, and no matter how old you get , there is something about summers that puts you in a lazy ( read tired) mood where all you want to do is stay indoors or go on holiday to the few places that are blessed with more pleasant temperatures. As if bibliophiles need reasons – the summer  heat forces most of us to stay indoor , or have minimal activity ( again , read fatigue and exhaustion)  and the power cuts don't help  too much either leaving us to the mercy of books to keep us from boredom.
Here is a list of  just a few books  that either remind us of the glorious summers of our younger days  , or just a few others which make for a perfect read whilst you are on a holiday  , or are visiting  the ancestral town or are just cooped up indoors.

Swami and friends

Chances are you have either grown up watching , reading or watching and reading this gem by R K Narayan! , oh and if you haven’t you sure have heard about this from them"90’s kids” .The very adorable lead character, Swami will make a mark on you sooner than you know! Also , the fictional town of Malgudi could just be the ancestral village which you are bound to visit in your holidays. If you haven’t read this masterpiece , this Summer would be a good time to do so.

Queen of Babble by Meg Cabot

A series spanning 3 books , this is a lesser known work of the Author. Hands down a favorite , I could spend my entire summer reading this series and not be bored! Queen of Babble , takes you on a humorous journey of love, mistakes , dreams and of course growth . Laced with the too much cuteness and funny somethings , this book comes with tips and ideas for wedding gowns and general preparations , as our leading lady is quite smitten by the idea of love and the big fat fairy tale wedding!
If you are a lover of women-centric books and chic-lits you are sure to love this.

Jungle Book

Might sound cliche but if you are  a 90’s kid , and haven’t spent your TV time watching “Mowgli” swinging from tree to tree , you need to go back and grow up once again! With the amazing Jungle  Book in theaters this year , most of you have already watched ( and maybe mesmerized by)  the movie. How about exploring the story a little more and grabbing this book to follow up the movie!?
Many other books by Rudyard Kipling that document his life and experiences in the mountains and general fiction by him , make for a light and fantastic summer read.

Agatha Christie

While I really cannot pick a title for you , if you are a lover of mysteries , you are already aware of this legend. Grab a pitcher of chilled lemonade and immerse yourself in the books by the Queen of Crimes!

Enid Blyton

While the fan in me could dedicate this entire list to this Author, I cant help but recommend Blyton! Chances are you have already read a book or two by her , how about giving one of those intense life changing books a miss and instead grabbing an Enid Blyton –for old times sake!

Rabindranath Tagore

While most other reads mentioned are light reads or books that don’t impact you in complex ways , Tagore is that name is the list who will make your Summer a retrospective one. Leaving the reader a little sad ,  a little surprised and very very moved  , pick a book by Tagore to spend your warm Summer evenings reliving the bygone days in the streets on Bengal  , and expect to be swept away by his unmatched characters , stories and the warm after effect it has on you.

Mark Twain

While most of us were introduced to this Literary legend through academics , the work by Mark Twain is beautiful to say the least. While his books include content appealing to large age group , the style appeals to people from all age groups and this one too makes it to your TBR for the Summer.

Ruskin Bond

His work leaves readers of all ages wanting for more , this list would be incomplete without the mention of this wonderful writer. Having given us a number of very loved books Bond is one of our favorite author’s who’s books are best suited for a holiday , or to savor some pleasant short stories on a hot lazy afternoon.

Mills and Boons

Again , I cannot really pick a topic for you , but if you love mushy romances go get yourself a M & B already! While summer overlaps with spring , and apparently springs screams Romance , could there be a better time to kill your Summer days with romances which are as mushy as they come!

John Green

Can’t say I grew up reading Green . But he is one the most loved Author’s under the Young Adult  category. While his books focus on relationships between young adults , his books have been appreciated by people of a wide age group .
While some of his books have already been made into movies , maybe you could spend your Summer days , first reading and then watching them stories by Green.

A dozen damsels we love.

One of the things a bibliophile is guilty of is falling in love with characters who have been brought to life by our favorite authors. While some are irrevocably in love with that ideal man/woman from their favorite books, some others seek inspiration from some memorable characters who give us useful insights on life and the like.

Celebrating the spirit of womanhood this entire month, here is our  pick of our favorite dozen of women straight out of  the books that we absolutely adore. While some are symbols of inspiration and bravery, some others though not extraordinary in the true sense of it still give us life-lessons and  their journey and growth is extremely relatable in the most elemental way.

Jean Louise Finch (Scout)- To kill a Mockingbird / Go set a Watchman

Harper Lee has created a very impacting character in Jean Louise a.k.a Scout. Apart from being a courageous  and curious one, she has an adventurous and humorous side too, which makes her even more appealing to the readers and a definite look-out.

Scout has portrayed, in numerous incidents, that she can definitely take care of herself but her otherwise  romantic streak makes her all the more adorable. A compassionate one too, which we can see in her  behavior towards her father, her small town and her people, Scout has always given me the hope that  no matter what changes in one's life, one should always stay connected to his roots and his self.

Scarlett O’Hara – Gone With the Wind

Life during a civil war calls for choices to be made. These choices define us. While Rhett Butler maybe infamous for the choices he made during the war, he is has decide to love a woman fiercely, and Scarlett doesn’t deserve anything less than the uproar of ‘Aphrodite’ himself. Scarlett is naive. She is spoilt and stupidly in love with a boy who will soon go off to war. Civil wars are not for the ones like her but she is meant to survive it, any which way. Married to three men in her life, she seems to cast a spell. Men seem to fall for her every time she walks past but she craves for only one- The one she can never have. She is strong when she needs to be and a flower when she craves. Scarlett O’Hara is one of her kind.

The author died before she realized she has given a book to be remembered for generations to come. Scarlett was a female lead that everyone anticipated for during that time and the author fulfilled the wish, and how!

Anne Shirley -Anne of Green Gables.

Anne  was introduced to the world in 1908  as the lead of the novel Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery. At the age of eleven, Anne was sent from the Hopetown orphanage to the neighbouring province. Unfortunately, she was sent there by mistake as her sponsors, the siblings duo she ends up living with wanted to adopt a boy to help them on their farm.

Thus begins the journey of this innocent girl who has zeal for life that will make you fall in love with her instantly. She is everything you and I are – quirky, naive, prone to mistakes, and holding on to dreams & working on them tirelessly while growing affectionate bonds with people around her which might be another reason why one can relate to her instantly.

From a naive orphan blending into the town to growing into a fine lady, and her journey all the way, Anne is a lead  in Anne of Green Gables, Anne of Avonlea, Anne of the Island, Anne's House of Dreams, Anne of Windy Poplars and Anne of Ingleside. All these books trace the life and journey of this girl which touches one’s heart in the most gentle ways as every phase that is documented in these books is very relatable in the most intimate way.

Margo Roth Spiegelman – Paper Towns

Quentin believes that everyone gets one miracle in their life. While he may not land in outer space or become a pop star, he has Margo Roth Spiegelman living next door, which is his miracle. Margo is an enigmatic character. Her life is filled with epic adventures. She has spent three weeks with a circus and could have been the girlfriend of a bassist of a popular band. Margo reads. She quotes Whitman. She wants to live her whole life like today is the last day. She is a great friend to have. She rains fire on her enemies and leaves her signature after every attack. She might as well be a ninja.

John green is known for his epic characters and this particular book has been no disappointment. Thank you Mr. Green for giving us Margo. We shall always cherish her!

Laila-The Thousand Splendid Suns

 

One of the protagonists in "The Thousand Splendid Suns", Laila is another character that takes us through her journey and how sometimes  accepting the situations we are in, and making the best of it seems to be the best option.

The absence of both of Laila's older brothers, who have gone to war makes her a smart and sensible girl for her age and  fills her with a sense of purpose.

Laila wishes to use her intelligence and education to for the betterment of the world around her. Falling in love with her best friend at the age of 15, she loses him too as he flees the country due to the war. Continuing to lose her loved ones to war, Laila's parents are also a victim of a rocket attack which leaves her wounded after which she is nursed  back to health by a childless couple.

Laila's idealism and independence are challenged when she decides to marry Rasheed in order to give her unborn child by Tariq a father. The book takes us on a journey of the growth of  this young girl and how the war and the situations she is thrown into, change her. It throws light on how motherhood changes Laila, and how  she is willing to accept limitations  she once would have  mocked. While this character  ranges between varied frequencies which are not necessarily progressive, it shows how in life often the situations we are in bring us down, change our course and make us question every action we take.

Sabina-The Unbearable Lightness of Being

Individuality. That is the perfect description of the character woven by Milan Kundera in his novel "The Unbearable Lightness of Being". Sabina is the one who sees beyond what a common man can see, who perceives notions which the average cannot. Her artistic nature gives her character an added depth that gets to your soul and at the same time leaves you abandoned with her queries about the betrayal hidden behind the concept of idealism.

Every decision she made, and every move  she chose got her closer to her longing for betrayal, or let's say, her longing to not cast away her thoughts to the oblivion existence of idealism. Her journey of and to this spiritual realm, is what got to me.

Jenny – Love Story

Jenny is a commoner. She is smart, witty and passionate. She loves music and despises men who don't. Jenny is everything Oliver with a roman number behind him,  shouldn't fall for. But he does and then begins an epic love saga. Jenny is easily the most loved female character in a love story. She provides the backbone for the entire story and teaches us what love means- never having to say that your are sorry. 

Jenny makes the book a classic and Eric Segal immortalized her.

Katniss Everdeen - Hunger Games Series

Katniss Everdeen here has a great responsibility on her shoulders. She is the sole breadwinner in her family and a life support for her little sister. As a heroine Katniss is very different from other characters that we read about. She is a regular teenager in a dystopian world where she is trying to live by. And one picking changes her life altogether. She is commanded by the fierce instinct to protect her sister. She is brave, she can shoot a bird in the eye and she can fight for survival.

Katniss Everdeen is one of the strongest women in literature. She evolves during the course of the story which makes her all the more interesting. The world of literature owes to Suzanne Collins.

Nancy Drew- Nancy Drew Mystery Stories

She’s the daughter of famous mystery case attorney and it looks like flair for crime runs in the family. This daring 16 year old  has from the very beginning posed a fine  challenge to gender stereotypes as she has to criminals that she goes after.

A University of Iowa conference devoted to Nancy Drew declared that she was a true role model for young girls, citing her 'physical courage' as one particularly positive.She is not just brave, confident and daring but also polite, caring, sensitive and kind. In addition, she is a thoughtful daughter.

Be it tackling situations usually reserved  for her male literary counterparts, or showing her sharp intuitive skills as a crime solver, Nancy Drew is one of those female crime solvers who has inspired the likes of me to fall in love with mysteries and thrillers.  She is a fine mix of characters and traits, and she is portrayed as a girl skilled with auto mechanics as well as cooking, horseback riding, dancing, sewing and athletics.  She is a lead character in the Nancy Drew Series by  Edward Stratemeyer, and remains an inspiration for little girls getting hooked to stories dedicated to her field of interest.

Dominique Francon-The Fountainhead

 

When Ayn Rand introduces and character to her novel, they depict the path the  entire novel progresses through. Dominique, is a dark and mysterious character. Her idea of living, of shielding  herself from being hurt or disappointed and her fear of losing things or people  that make her happy is what intrigued me while reading the novel.

Although the  novel has set a certain frame for the protagonist, Howard Roark (a definite  favorite character again), Dominique's journey to self-discovery eventually  leads the reader to the another exceptional concept behind this novel. From surrounding herself with bitter people and memories so as to keep herself from being hurt if she loses  the people she actually loves, Dominique's ways definitely stand out in this novel, which  has managed to grow around so many other characters.

Hermione Jean Granger - Harry Potter series.

Hermione is a fictional character in J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series.

She is one of the most famous and loved character in this fantasy fiction. A person with in-born magical abilities born to normal humans, she is chosen for her abilities to attend the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Hermione does show us that being smart is not only cool but desirable.

She is everything that we seek in a friend, like when Harry is overwhelmed by the pressure  surrounding him, it is Hermione that never gives up nor does she let her friends give up.It is Hermione that is the constant source of 'we can do this - we can survive'.

Another significant feature is that Hermione is flawed, she is ruthless, casts reckless spells with no remorse  etc but these are the qualities that make her likable and relatable as nobody real has ever been a perfect person. It is not only unrealistic, but unfair, to create the idealistically perfect character and hence it is characters like Hermione that make us realize that every one is flawed, every one makes mistakes and how one must gracefully accept their moments of shortcomings. All in all, she is one of those magical characters who casts a spell on us with not only how extra ordinary she is,  but how truly ordinary she can be which nonetheless does not stop her from being the ideal girl who is our hero (err…heroine).

Arjumand Banu a.k.a Mumtaz Mahal- Taj

Arjumand is the love interest of Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, and among many novels, Taj by Timeri Murari is a winner for me. The sheer intensity of this love story set in the royal Mughal household amidst politics, rebellion and greed for power is very gripping.

She is no warrior but a woman to reckon with nevertheless. It always intrigued me to understand how intense could love be, if it manifested itself into a building that is the greatest symbol of love, and it is Arjumand, later known as Mumtaz Mahal who answers my questions.

This pretty lass revolted for love, her faith in love for her Prince even when he is married off is commendable. The determination and dedication with which she loves unites her with her King. The book takes us on the journey of this innocent girl who falls in love with the Prince, waits for him to wed her against the very will of the king , and continues to love him intensely through her lifetime.

She may have never waged a war in the battlefield, but she always accompanied her King to most of his wars, as unpleasant as the conditions would be due to war and also due to her constantly bearing children.

Her journey, all for the sake of love often makes me ponder on the significance of it. Is love truly so consuming that one could go all the way for it? and Arjumand here answers for me, that yes love is all consuming and everything that is done for love, and with love is never an ordeal. Often when one says that behind every successful man is a woman and Arjumand’s life proves this.

P.S: The pictures used are either artist impressions or actors immortalizing the characters and are used for representation purpose only!