Books (by New Authors) read in 2007

My New Year’s Resolutions always have something in it about books. Last year (2006) it was that I shouldn’t buy any new books until I had finished reading all the ones lying at home. More or less broke that resolution in the first month when there was an amazing sale at Strand (whaddya expect with such temptation?!). Anyway, I did manage to read a lot of books last year, so not upset about breaking that resolution.

This year (2007) have made a conscious attempt to step out of my comfort box and read new authors (meaning authors I haven’t read before & not necessarily first time authors). This is because once I get comfortable with an author; I tend to read most of his/her works. So I’ve given myself the task of reading 24 books (2 a month seems a realistic target) by new authors.

You are welcome to suggest any book you think I absolutely “must read” & I’ll definitely give it some thought (if not the actual read).

This page will record the fruit of this resolution of mine & (hopefully) by the year end it’ll be a nice page one can come to & read reviews of the books I have read. So without further ado, I present to you my:

New Authors I’ve read; 2007

(01)

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Book: The Time Traveler’s Wife
Author: Audrey Niffenegger
Date started: 1st January (Monday)
Why I chose this book: Well, I didn’t really choose the book; it was a Christmas ‘06 present from Ajay & Marise (though all credit for choice must go to Marise). Gaurav sealed the deal by telling me what a “fantastic” book it was & that I would “fall in love with it”, so thought it was an appropriate book to start off my list.

My review: Science fiction meets romance meets oxymoronically detailed-simplicity. It’s amazing that though the book is totally different from most reads - ‘unconventional’ is too mild a word - it flows so simply that you move beyond the time travel and see and love the book for what it actually is at heart - a great love story.

Though I started the book on the 1st Jan, due to a conference I was at shortly after I didn’t get a chance to read anything beyond the 168 pages I had read the first two days. And then last night (6th Feb), I just picked up from where I had left off & could put it down till I had finished all 530 pages.

Have now found out that it’s going to be made into a film - and I’m not sure how they will pull it off - but definitely would want to see how it turns out.

(02)

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Book: The Catcher in the Rye
Author: J. D. Salinger
Date started: 9th February (Friday)
Why I chose this book: I love the movie Conspiracy Theory, in which the main character Jerry (played superbly by Mel Gibson) is “programmed” to buy a copy of this book whenever he can (this has reference to the fact that John Lennon’s assassin was caught holding a copy of the book). In one part of the movie, an old man in a bookstore asks Jerry if he had ever read it - and I think it was at that moment I decided, I MUST read this book, lol. I’ve seen the movie several times but only when I got down to making this list I knew this book belonged here. My friend who was with me actually picked it out for me about it when we were at Crossword on Sunday (Jan 14th).

My review: This book is one of the “most famous literary works of the 20th century, and a common part of high-school curricula in many English-speaking countries” cf Wikipedia

Unfortunately India is not one of those countries. As such I had heard nothing about the novel. Even after buying it, I had no idea what it was about as there was no synopsis on the back cover.

I could try and summarise in my own words, but wiki does it better here; “The Catcher in the Rye is a classic novel that explores the struggle of childhood versus adulthood”

It is well worth the read - and a study too - due to the variety of Themes, Motifs & Symbols, such as “Alienation as a Form of Self-Protection, The Painfulness of Growing Up, The Phoniness of the Adult World, Loneliness, Relationships, Intimacy, and Sexuality, Lying and Deception”.

I didn’t find the underlying meanings in the book all at once, but once pointed out, the book takes on a whole new meaning. I think that’s what’s best about this book. It’s great on the superficial level, as a simple narrated story - and it’s simply fantastic when you understand the true depth of the piece.

Lastly, do read the book, if for nothing else, to understand the tons of Cultural references made to the book in modern day movies, tele series, other books & songs (like the one that drew me to the book in the first place & so so so many more).

(03)

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Book: Raisins & Almonds
Author: Kerry Greenwood
Date started: April 07
Why I chose this book: I love a good murder mystery - and I do choose books by their covers (sue me). And these murder mysteries just have such brilliant covers. All of Phryne Fisher’s books (that’s the main character) has a 20’s cover.

My review: Interesting! I was pleasantly surprised by many things in the book.

(a) That the entire novel, like all in the series apparently, is set in the 1920s. The author Kerry Greenwood pays lots of attention to detail - and though I wouldn’t know Melbourne in 1920 from Melbourne in 1940, it was a fascinating ride back in time. I loved the clothes - and I specially loved the fact that I could identify so much of Melbourne (I had bought the book in Australia & was reading it in Australia).

(b) I was suddenly shocked in the middle of this murder mystery when (The Honourable Miss) Phryne Fisher suddenly whoops out her clothes & seduces her love interest. I’ve never been the Mills & Boons type & I was a bit horrified initially & then highly amused - but impressed nevertheless as Kerry Greenwood does seem to manage it all with great ease.

(c) The murder mystery itself was pretty good. I hate the type of books which bore you with false clues & then invent new characters two chapters from the end who’ve done it. If I can solve the crime from pretty early on in the book, then I’m happy. And I did.

(04)

Book: The Purpose Driven Life
Author: (Dr.) Rick Warren
Date started: April 07
Why I chose this book: Was a gift from my dear friend Bex - and it made it’s way into my life at exactly the time I needed it.

My review: I always love good Christian books - and this one definitely is one of the best Christian books I’ve read in a long time. The book is divided into 40 easy one/two page chapters that are designed for daily reading and it is recommended to do a chapter a day - a 40 day course you are asked to commit to before starting the book. As the cover states:

The most basic question everyone faces in life is Why am I here? What is my purpose? Self-help books suggest that people should look within, at their own desires and dreams, but Rick Warren says the starting place must be with God and his eternal purposes for each life. Real meaning and significance comes from understanding and fulfilling God’s purposes for putting us on earth.

I definitely recommend the book for all Christians wanting to add purpose to their lives. 10/10.

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Please Note: This page is bound to increase as & when I add my books read to it, and in the interest of brevity I’ve had to edit some of the comments not related to books.