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Post by dancelover on Nov 26, 2013 21:00:29 GMT
I start with a copy of my last post from the old "Books we are reading right now" thread in Bollywhat-forum: World At Large. www.bollywhat-forum.com/index.php?topic=502.2200 If the above link attempt does not work, then perhaps a more skillful person can make the link. ====================== THE SIEGE: 68 Hours Inside The Taj Hotel by Cathy Scott-Clark and Adrian Levy c2013 Penguin Books Describes the November 26, 2008 attacks on Mumbai, and their background. Argues that Daood Saleem Gilani aka David Headley, who was born to a Pakistani father and an American mother, was both the Lashkar spy who made the attacks possible, and the American double-agent who gave the warnings of them that India could not use very effectively. Shows how some Mumbai policemen, especially V N Patil and R Sinha, did take the warnings and made some preparations, and how effective they were and weren't. Then this book follows the attackers and defenders, from the departure from the training camps through the first 24 hours of the attacks, with references to later events. I recommend this book, Highly. Dancelover |
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Post by corbie on Nov 27, 2013 3:53:02 GMT
I have this one on hold for download borrow. I had Indian tv for about three months once and in the middle of it is when the attacks happened so I ended up watching it all live on television.
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Post by elizabennet on Nov 27, 2013 12:23:13 GMT
Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood. Exceptionally good, highly recommended.
I also recommend Life by Keith Richards (I always liked Rolling Stones) but even if you don't, the way it is written (with the help of a journalist of course but it works) is very entertaining and interesting.
Currently reading (listening to) Joyland by Stephen King and I love the man (and the book so far). It reminds me of his early work, when he was at his best afaic.
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Post by corbie on Nov 27, 2013 15:07:18 GMT
Reading Cookoo calling by J.K. Rawling on my phone, City of Fallen Angels on the stairs while the dogs eat breakfast and dinner, and listening the The Snow Child for a book club in my car.
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Xas
Guest appearance
Posts: 185 
Favorite actor: Kunal Kapoor, Ranbir, Prabhudheva
Favorite actress: Madhuri, Rani, Vidya, Huma Qureshi, Divya Dutta, Nutan, Asha Parekh, Helen, Mumtaz
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Post by Xas on Nov 30, 2013 20:57:43 GMT
Finished my Colin Cotterill Dr Siri mystery Love Songs From A Shallow Grave. As entertaining as the other Dr Siri books I've read, though some of the scenes in Cambodia were pretty harrowing at times. Now I'm reading another of the Judge Dee mysteries by Robert van Gulik, Necklace and Calabash. One of the things with van Gulik's works is that they always include hand-drawn pictures from the author, and invariably at least one of them involves a Badly Drawn Naked Woman. Sometimes so badly drawn it makes me wonder if the author had ever actually seen a naked woman.  It's a bit like 'Where's Wally?' for me now, so I have to flick through the book to find it before I actually start reading. In the Chicago University paperback edition of this one, she's on pg 111.  |
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Post by konkanikudi on Dec 11, 2013 19:04:03 GMT
I've become addicted to Rhys Bowens who writes the Molly Murphy mysteries (she also has some other series as well) who is a feisty Irish woman in New York in the early 19th century. So Downton Abbey but minus the wealth! So addictive....
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Post by newauntie on Dec 11, 2013 21:20:52 GMT
For Autobiography-lovers only : "My Way" by Paul Anka. Very interesting and well written, it includes many fascinating stories about his life on the road and all the artists he worked with.
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Post by elizabennet on Jan 3, 2014 8:03:45 GMT
The Turk Who Likes Apples - this one is a decent travel book that doesn't so much describe the places but rather how they felt and how they affected the writer at various stages of his life. I can't be objective since I know and like the guy. Give it a try if you feel like finding out how a traveller may feel about travelling at various stages and interesting people he met on the way.
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Xas
Guest appearance
Posts: 185
Favorite actor: Kunal Kapoor, Ranbir, Prabhudheva
Favorite actress: Madhuri, Rani, Vidya, Huma Qureshi, Divya Dutta, Nutan, Asha Parekh, Helen, Mumtaz
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Post by Xas on Feb 4, 2014 21:50:47 GMT
American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Had to stop about 160 pages in because the book fell apart(!), but I've really enjoyed it so far. Reminds me a bit of Terry Pratchett's 'Small Gods', and despite/because of being a stinky heathen, I just generally find the nature of belief and belief systems fascinating. It's also kind of On Topic, because Kali's made an appearance.
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Post by dancelover on Feb 6, 2014 0:29:37 GMT
Gaiman & Pratchett collaborated on a novel called "Good Omens" about a Prophecy of Armageddon. Very famous fantasy novel; often recommended. Dancelover American Gods by Neil Gaiman. Had to stop about 160 pages in because the book fell apart(!), but I've really enjoyed it so far. Reminds me a bit of Terry Pratchett's 'Small Gods', and despite/because of being a stinky heathen, I just generally find the nature of belief and belief systems fascinating. It's also kind of On Topic, because Kali's made an appearance. |
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Xas
Guest appearance
Posts: 185
Favorite actor: Kunal Kapoor, Ranbir, Prabhudheva
Favorite actress: Madhuri, Rani, Vidya, Huma Qureshi, Divya Dutta, Nutan, Asha Parekh, Helen, Mumtaz
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Post by Xas on Feb 6, 2014 4:45:04 GMT
Gaiman & Pratchett collaborated on a novel called "Good Omens" about a Prophecy of Armageddon. Very famous fantasy novel; often recommended. Dancelover Yes, I've read that, and I'd recommend it, too. I'm a big fan of Terry Pratchett, but never quite been able to totally love Neil Gaiman's work as much. Not sure why. |
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Post by dancelover on Feb 6, 2014 18:05:40 GMT
They both write "Fantasy, Salted With Humor In Every Scene." They are both geniuses at that sub-genre. Most Fantasy writers are very serious in their stories. If they put one or two humorous scenes in a volume, then they deem they have made it funny enough. Dancelover Gaiman & Pratchett collaborated on a novel called "Good Omens" about a Prophecy of Armageddon. Very famous fantasy novel; often recommended. Dancelover Yes, I've read that, and I'd recommend it, too. I'm a big fan of Terry Pratchett, but never quite been able to totally love Neil Gaiman's work as much. Not sure why. |
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NewLaura
Dancing in the chorus
Posts: 28
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Post by NewLaura on Feb 10, 2014 19:18:14 GMT
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Post by elizabennet on Feb 13, 2014 7:47:07 GMT
The Windup Girl Loved it. Not much of a science fiction fan here but the world building and the conflicts are done so well that I have instantly found myself in it and the kick ass female characters were an added bonus. Highly recommended.
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Post by Dil Bert on May 21, 2014 1:54:11 GMT
Ghetto at the Center of the WorldReview: www.economist.com/node/21526300'Mr Mathews identifies Chungking Mansions as “a central node in low-end globalisation”, by which he means “the transnational flow of people and goods involving relatively small amounts of capital” and informal transactions that mark “the developing world”.' An anthropologist looks at a building in Hong Kong which is a center for low-end Indian/African trade with China. Interesting, but repetitive.
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It's a bit like 'Where's Wally?' for me now, so I have to flick through the book to find it before I actually start reading. In the Chicago University paperback edition of this one, she's on pg 111. 
Since Sept. 6, 2022, Chiloka has not been reachable. (