I’ve been reading a lot lately, but somehow haven’t been covering these books on the blog. Maybe that blogging slump I had was to blame. Wouldn’t call it a slump exactly because I’ve been blogging pretty regularly, but it’s been feeling pretty mechanical.
Anyway, last week I read Bijnis Woman by Tanuja Chandra, and finished it within a couple of sittings.
Bijnis Woman
This is a book of short stories penned by Tanuja Chandra (the Bollywood director). When I got this book for review, I thought the name sounded strangely familiar. It was only later I realized she is the person behind Sangharsh (starring Kajol and Sanjay Dutt). It was a rip-off of one of my all-time favorite English movies (Silence of the Lambs). Even though it was a rip-off I had liked the movie for the lovely music, and good acting. Also, feminist Bollywood movies are such a rarity that I appreciate them however they get made.
Anyway, she turns author with this book, and she’s done a pretty decent job of it too.
Most of the stories are things that she heard from her elderly female relatives – tales that have been passed orally from one generation to the next. The stories are varied but they all have one thing in common – they are all quirky, and they are all UP-based.
Some of my favorite stories were the bizarre chronicle of a lazy daughter-in-law, the court clerk who loved eating chaat, two cousins inseparable even in death, and that of a blind teacher who fell in love with a woman with beautiful eyes.
I found this book short, easy to read, and very unusual.
Recommend.
Fingersmith and My not so perfect life
I then started on the second Sarah Waters book on my TBR – Fingersmith. I finished reading The Night Watch last week, and thought it was good but not as good as The Little Stranger. Fingersmith has also not been very compelling so far.
In fact, yesterday, instead of picking this one up to read during ad breaks in between Game of Thrones (Beyond the Wall – such a thrilling episode), I ended up picking My not so perfect life by Sophie Kinsella. The theme of this book is about how people portray idyllic lives on Instagram when in reality, they are struggling to cope with the reality of their lives.
Considering I am such an Insta-addict, this book was just note-perfect for me, and I am racing along with it happily. I think I will be finishing this up tonight, or definitely before the end of the week.
Very entertaining.
Music
I’ve also been listening to a lot of new (to me) music recently, and one of my current favorite bands is Saint Motel. I know they are not a new group, but I love them so much I had to share here.
Here is my absolute favorite song of theirs – My Type. Give it a listen. I guarantee you will be foot-tapping in no time.
An old favorite that I have rediscovered is Justin Timberlake. Yay for 9-minute love songs. I have Sexyback, What goes around comes around, and Cry me a river on repeat.
This weekend, I plan to watch Angry, Indian Goddesses. My friend strongly recommended this movie to me, it’s going to be a long weekend, it’s on Netflix, and Snubnose’s exams are over, so hopefully I will find the time to watch this.
What have you been doing this week? Any weekend plans? Also do share any favorite music recommendations with me. I’ve been listening to the same songs for a long time now, and looking for something new.
