There is nothing more satisfying than reading a book while sipping a hot cup of tea.
Indian author Manohar Malgonkar's third novel, Combat of Shadows is set in the North-Eastern Indian state of Assam over the course of a few months. When the novel opens in September 1938, we meet Henry Winton, the manager of a tea-estate who is happy with his life, lording over the Indians and delighting in his … Continue reading Forgotten Classic of 1962: Combat of Shadows by Manohar Malgonkar
Today is 14th August. On this day, in 1947, Pakistan, came into being, cleaved out of India. And today to observe what the Indian government has now declared as Vibhajan Vibhishika Smriti Diwas (Partition Horrors Remembrance Day), I finished reading Fikr Taunsvi's Chhata Darya, translated into English as The Sixth River: A Journal from the … Continue reading 14th August: Chhata Darya (The Sixth River) by Fikr Taunsvi (1948)
This July as we celebrate all things French, here's a description of another July in Paris: July is the fireworks season. A whole world, on the brink of extinction, was sending up one last flurry of sparks beneath the foliage and the paper lanterns. People jostled each other, they spoke in loud voices, laughed, pinched … Continue reading #Paris in July: The Occupation Trilogy by Patrick Modiano (1968-72)
I have successfully finished the Back to the Classics challenge hosted by Karen at Books and Chocolate. I read books in seven categories out of a total of 12. Here are the books read: Categories: 1. A 19th century classic. Any book first published from 1800 to 1899 2. A 20th century classic.: # 28: The Double Turn … Continue reading Wrap-Up: Back to the Classics 2022
Signing-Up for the 2017 edition of the Back to the Classics challenge, hosted @ Books and Chocolate.I'll try to read books in as many categories as possible:1. A 19th century classic - any book published between 1800 and 1899.2. A 20th century classic - any book published between 1900 and 1967. Just like last year, all … Continue reading Reading Challenge: Back to the Classics
I have completed 10 categories out of a total of 12 (which means I get two entries), in the Back to Classics 2016 challenge hosted by Karen K @ Books and Chocolate.Here are the classics read:1. A 19th Century Classic - any book published between 1800 and 1899.THE GREAT TONTINE by HAWLEY SMART (1881)2. A … Continue reading Challenge Wrap-Up: Back to Classics 2016
Signing up for the 2016 Classics Challenge hosted @ Pretty Books. This challenge requires one to read a classic [both older (pre 1945) and modern (post 1945)] per month of the year. So a total of 12 classics in all. There are also certain interesting questions that one could include in the review post:WHEN I … Continue reading 2016 Classics Challenge
Out of the 12 Categories mentioned in the Back to the Classics Challenge hosted @ Books and Chocolate, I have been able to complete 10. Here are the books read:1. A 19th Century Classic -- any book published between 1800 and 1899.2. A 20th Century Classic -- The Old Dark House by J.B. Priestley3. A Classic by a … Continue reading Wrap-Up: Back to the Classics 2015
The popular image of a spy is a James Bond like figure - handsome, dashing, a man of the world who can get any number of dames into bed (and earn bonus points when the villain's moll too falls under his charm). Extremely quick to draw his gun, he can also put away enormous amount … Continue reading Forgotten Book: The Human Factor by Graham Greene
I have a fascination for books that have train journeys in them. So when I discovered a book that began with a train journey, I simply had to read it.“Never mind. Never mind. In this brief life, one cannot always be counting the cost.”William Bradshaw is a young English man making his way to Germany … Continue reading The Last Days of Weimar Republic: Christopher Isherwood’s Mr. Norris Changes Trains
a hot cup of pleasure 