This is one of my first book reviews. The author is a well-known blogger - http://justamotheroftwo.blogspot.in - someone whom I have been following for such a long time. Tea for Two and A Piece of Cake is her third book, her first two have been national best-sellers.
The book starts off in the present and keeps alternating between the present and the past. It is a love story between three people but there are several more whose lives are inter-twined with these three. Preeti's writing style is free-flowing and lucid and she manages to keep us engrossed through the entire length of the book (I finished it in one sitting :))
The book explores various relationships as the story moves forward and you tend to want to know what is happening with the protagonist's life; it definitely is a page-turner. You also identify with the ups and downs that she is going through as she questions the decisions she has made at each stage of her life.
The part I liked the most is that Preeti has named all the chapters after a lot of famous songs; that is most certainly unique :) I wish her all the luck and hope this book goes on to become a best-seller as well!
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Movie-books-music tag
Rules:
1.The tag has three parts..Movies,Music, Books/ Authors.
2.Write a movie, book and author with each alphabet of your first name. The book, movie or song should be one that you really liked. If you say why it matters to you, it would be great! We will all discover new songs, movies and books this way.
3.Tag as many people as there are letters in your name.
4.The tag originated here http://justamotheroftwo.blogspot.com/2011/03/fun-movie-books-music-tag.html
5.Copy paste these rules :)
Movies
Parineeta: Saif, Vidya & Sanjay - the trio rocked Box Office...and, of course, Kaisi Paheli Yeh Zindagani
Andaz Apna Apna: See it to believe it! You will never get bored seeing the movie :)
Love: Salman Khan in a much more sober version; Revati at her usual best...
Lakshya: Hrithik, Ladakh, Preity, awesome songs, wonderful script - what's not to like?
Anand: Babu Moshai! Hum sab kattputli hain :) Rajesh/Amitabh's pair worked wonders.
Viruddh: Ageing parents fighting for justice for their dead son.
Indecent Proposal: With Robert Redford suggesting a deal, who could refuse? :)
Authors/books
Paulo Coelho: Inspirational stuff..When you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it
Ayn Rand: Who is John Galt? Read Rand to find out!!!
Love in the Time of Cholera: Gabriel Garcia Marquez's masterpiece
Love Story: What do you say about a 25-year-old who died?
A Suitable Boy: Vikram Seth's magnum opus about a mother's search for a son-in-law :)
Vikram Seth: :) adore him...An Equal Music, yet to read The Golden Gate though
It's Not About The Bike: Lance Armstrong on Tour de France; it's hard not to get inspired...
Songs
Pehla Nasha: song of young romance...song of Aamir with Pooja...we have all sung this at least once :)
Abhi Kuch Dinon Se: Mohit Chauhan in Dil Toh Bachcha Hain Ji!!!
Lakdi Ki Kaathi: Masoom...Naseer...Shabana...
Love Is All Around: Wet Wet Wet...I feel it in my fingers :)
Aaj Din Chaddeya: Kaise khuda hain tu...Saif pleading with God in Love Aaj Kal
Vaada Rahan Sanam: Akshay & Ayesha in Khiladi
In Dino Dil Mera: Life In A Metro
Movies
Parineeta: Saif, Vidya & Sanjay - the trio rocked Box Office...and, of course, Kaisi Paheli Yeh Zindagani
Andaz Apna Apna: See it to believe it! You will never get bored seeing the movie :)
Love: Salman Khan in a much more sober version; Revati at her usual best...
Lakshya: Hrithik, Ladakh, Preity, awesome songs, wonderful script - what's not to like?
Anand: Babu Moshai! Hum sab kattputli hain :) Rajesh/Amitabh's pair worked wonders.
Viruddh: Ageing parents fighting for justice for their dead son.
Indecent Proposal: With Robert Redford suggesting a deal, who could refuse? :)
Authors/books
Paulo Coelho: Inspirational stuff..When you want something, the entire universe conspires in helping you to achieve it
Ayn Rand: Who is John Galt? Read Rand to find out!!!
Love in the Time of Cholera: Gabriel Garcia Marquez's masterpiece
Love Story: What do you say about a 25-year-old who died?
A Suitable Boy: Vikram Seth's magnum opus about a mother's search for a son-in-law :)
Vikram Seth: :) adore him...An Equal Music, yet to read The Golden Gate though
It's Not About The Bike: Lance Armstrong on Tour de France; it's hard not to get inspired...
Songs
Pehla Nasha: song of young romance...song of Aamir with Pooja...we have all sung this at least once :)
Abhi Kuch Dinon Se: Mohit Chauhan in Dil Toh Bachcha Hain Ji!!!
Lakdi Ki Kaathi: Masoom...Naseer...Shabana...
Love Is All Around: Wet Wet Wet...I feel it in my fingers :)
Aaj Din Chaddeya: Kaise khuda hain tu...Saif pleading with God in Love Aaj Kal
Vaada Rahan Sanam: Akshay & Ayesha in Khiladi
In Dino Dil Mera: Life In A Metro
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
A Vanished Friend
Around the corner I have a friend,
In this great city that has no end;
Yet days go by, & weeks rush on,
And before I know it a year is gone,
And I never see my old friend's face,
For life is a swift & terrible race.
He knows I like him just as well
As in the days when I rang his bell
And he rang mine. We were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men:
Tired with playing a foolish game,
Tired with trying to make a name.
"Tomorrow," I say, "I will call on Jim,
Just to show I am thinking of him."
But tomorrow comes & tomorrow goes,
And the distance between us grows & grows.
Around the corner – yet miles away…
"Here's the telegram, Sir…
'Jim died today'."
And that's what we get, & deserve in the end:
Around the corner, a vanished friend.
- Charles Hanson Towne
I was reminded of this poem yesterday when I got a call from one of my oldest & very dear friends. We’ve been friends for over 13 years now; which I would like to believe is a pretty long time. But we haven’t really been in touch for a LONG time now, always citing the reason of being “busy” with work.
Yesterday, I felt terrible when I had to ask him who it was; I didn’t even recognize his voice. He commented it showed how less we were in contact & both of us realized that work has taken such a huge toll on us that we could not even make the effort to remain in touch; forget meeting personally (considering he stays only 15 minutes away from my house).
Makes me wonder whether all this is worth it. I am reminded of another poem by William Henry Davies – “What is this life if full of care, We have no time to stand & stare”
In this great city that has no end;
Yet days go by, & weeks rush on,
And before I know it a year is gone,
And I never see my old friend's face,
For life is a swift & terrible race.
He knows I like him just as well
As in the days when I rang his bell
And he rang mine. We were younger then,
And now we are busy, tired men:
Tired with playing a foolish game,
Tired with trying to make a name.
"Tomorrow," I say, "I will call on Jim,
Just to show I am thinking of him."
But tomorrow comes & tomorrow goes,
And the distance between us grows & grows.
Around the corner – yet miles away…
"Here's the telegram, Sir…
'Jim died today'."
And that's what we get, & deserve in the end:
Around the corner, a vanished friend.
- Charles Hanson Towne
I was reminded of this poem yesterday when I got a call from one of my oldest & very dear friends. We’ve been friends for over 13 years now; which I would like to believe is a pretty long time. But we haven’t really been in touch for a LONG time now, always citing the reason of being “busy” with work.
Yesterday, I felt terrible when I had to ask him who it was; I didn’t even recognize his voice. He commented it showed how less we were in contact & both of us realized that work has taken such a huge toll on us that we could not even make the effort to remain in touch; forget meeting personally (considering he stays only 15 minutes away from my house).
Makes me wonder whether all this is worth it. I am reminded of another poem by William Henry Davies – “What is this life if full of care, We have no time to stand & stare”
Monday, May 21, 2007
Appreciating People
The other day, one of my very good friends, sent me an sms as part of her personality development programme. It read: “Hi…Wanted to tell you that am very lucky to have someone as wonderful, caring & loving as you in my life. Thanks for being there.”
Instead of being delighted about it, the very first thought that came to mind was “Is she contemplating suicide or elopement”? I know it sounds pretty disgusting but isn’t that how we all are? I mean, just recollect the last time someone gave you a compliment/an appreciation note. Instead of accepting the same gracefully, we either question the person’s intentions or think that the message may not be for us after all. That was what I thought as well. Did she really intend sending me this message???
I decided to try out the same on my friends – people who I believe are really important in my life. The following were their responses:
“What happened? Are you sure this message was for me? If it was, I am very flattered. Thanks.
“What happened? Was that forwarded message? Or you really mean it?”
“Eh? Was that for me?”
“Hey, what’s with you? Did that message come to me by mistake?”
“Just wanted to know what prompted that”
Not a single friend of mine gracefully accepted the acknowledgement I was giving him / her. Only after I replied that nothing was the matter with me & it indeed was meant for the intended person, did responses pour in like, “The feeling is mutual”, “I am thankful for having you in my life as well”, etc.
I know the importance I have in my friend’s life & she in mine. It’s only that we have never got around probably to appreciating it like this – in writing!!!!! But I really liked the “experiment” & would suggest all of you to try out the same on your friends as well. It’s a wonderful way to assure them of the things they probably take for granted.
The other day, one of my very good friends, sent me an sms as part of her personality development programme. It read: “Hi…Wanted to tell you that am very lucky to have someone as wonderful, caring & loving as you in my life. Thanks for being there.”
Instead of being delighted about it, the very first thought that came to mind was “Is she contemplating suicide or elopement”? I know it sounds pretty disgusting but isn’t that how we all are? I mean, just recollect the last time someone gave you a compliment/an appreciation note. Instead of accepting the same gracefully, we either question the person’s intentions or think that the message may not be for us after all. That was what I thought as well. Did she really intend sending me this message???
I decided to try out the same on my friends – people who I believe are really important in my life. The following were their responses:
“What happened? Are you sure this message was for me? If it was, I am very flattered. Thanks.
“What happened? Was that forwarded message? Or you really mean it?”
“Eh? Was that for me?”
“Hey, what’s with you? Did that message come to me by mistake?”
“Just wanted to know what prompted that”
Not a single friend of mine gracefully accepted the acknowledgement I was giving him / her. Only after I replied that nothing was the matter with me & it indeed was meant for the intended person, did responses pour in like, “The feeling is mutual”, “I am thankful for having you in my life as well”, etc.
I know the importance I have in my friend’s life & she in mine. It’s only that we have never got around probably to appreciating it like this – in writing!!!!! But I really liked the “experiment” & would suggest all of you to try out the same on your friends as well. It’s a wonderful way to assure them of the things they probably take for granted.
Saturday, September 02, 2006
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