On my bookshelf

I am at present holidaying to eternity and a lot of reading is happening.

Sister of my heart - Chitra Banerjee (less than 3 stars)
I was dying to read Indian. yes, the immigrant's life. Nothing compares to a good Indian read, my list would probably be Salman Rushdie, R.K.Narayan and Jhumpa Lahari. Jhumpa lahari probably gets critiqued quite a bit but I think I am very close to the immigrant Indian in her head. Since I was dying to read about India, and also wanted drama, I picked up Chithra banerjee. I had heard some rave reviews and the title of the book sounded tempting. I finished it through the 9 hour flight to Alaska. I thought her writing was desperately Indian. The references to "puchkas" and mangoes were close to nauseating. I was not tempted. And why is every woman's life in India filled so depressing? Why cant Indian women authors boldly infuse humour and happiness? My need to finish every book I pick up kept me on. A very predictable ending, same ol Calcutta - tram, crowd, dirt and widowhood!Bah! I think the present fiction writers have a lot to learn from R.K, Kalki, Salman and Rabindranath Tagore in terms of creativity and wordplay.

Angela's ashes. (4 stars)
Now this is my type of immigrant book. I think I am a little late to discover Frank Mccourt, but he is a word hilarious. Taking my cousin's word and a few google reviews, I had decided not to embark on it during Alaska. It sounded like a sad book. But I was wrong. The author had done a great job in using humor at difficult circumstances. There were times when the "chamber pot" jokes were getting a little out of hand, but my family raising made it easier digesting these jokes. The book was a laughter riot. And, first book where I was not hungry reading it. I am eternally hungry when food is described in books, and sometimes I re read my favourite food parts eating. Now that explains approximately 15 pounds. But this one was either talking about poverty, slushy rain or yucky toilets. Being catholic and Irish made the jokes even better. The book is an easy 1-3 day read and very entertaining. Its not a philosophical or a literary treat, and I do admit I saw the humor coming at times but the sati-rity in it, if that is a word made it awesome.

PS: I am back to re reading all of R.K. Narayan and struggling through Ponniyin selvan. Now you may say I need to go back to work, but here comes my evil grin.