Books: A thread for avid readers to reccomend and discuss what they are reading....

[gorah_pindu]

I hope its okay to post a thread entirely for the discussion of books, I couldnt find anything similar using search. Judging by the cool debates ive seen here, im guessing that a lot of people here are well read, so this thread could be interesting. Above are some books which I think provide a balanced view of India, without perticular bias one way or another. Perhaps they arnt 100% right, but I think books like Sen's 'Argumentative Indian', demolish some misconceptions. And others like Talbott's books give a more internationalist perspective. I would have posted more, but there is a five picture limit. Please post your own books, whether fiction or non-fiction.

[Cricketics]

Don't read too many, but Arthur Canon Doyale is one of my fav author.. His Sherlock HOlmes story are gr8..Jai Ho Dr. Watson..and also that Indian author, Ruskin Bond

[gorah_pindu]

There is a lot of classic literature like that, which ive missed out on - because ive mainly grown up on contemporary science fiction and fantasy. Im trying to read more classic authors these days - Tolstoy, Salinger, etc.

[Dhondy]

I am not proud to admit that I haven't read a good book in ages. Read lots of magazines, but simply don't have the patience to go through a full book, just as I can't sit through an entire movie. Is this a curse of the instant gratification era that we live in? Quick searches on the internet to satisfy the information need of the hour, maybe a glance through some journals or magazines, a la fast food, and bugger the weighty stuff?

[Aditi]

I just read both of Chetan Bhagat's novels - Five Point Someone and One Night @ the Call Center. I found Five Point to be very funny, full of dark humor....didn't like Call Center at all.

[Predator_05]

The best book i've ever read about India is Freedom at Midnight. It was absolutely thrilling; one of the most engaging reads ever. Once i began reading it, i found it impossible to put down. Finished it in under 2 days. Would recommend it to anyone.

[varun]

I've read the first one by John Keay. Excellent read. Here's what I'm reading right now. This one above is about the partition and the forces behind it. An Eye-opener and a meticulously well-researched book. The vedanta one is something that I peruse from time to time.

[gorah_pindu]

I am not proud to admit that I haven't read a good book in ages. Read lots of magazines, but simply don't have the patience to go through a full book, just as I can't sit through an entire movie. Is this a curse of the instant gratification era that we live in? Quick searches on the internet to satisfy the information need of the hour, maybe a glance through some journals or magazines, a la fast food, and bugger the weighty stuff?

Ive found having access to fast info has only made me read more - because I find a topic on the internet, milk all readily available info - then move onto detailed books. Besides, fiction is a different matter - books are still one of the world's most creative mediums (compared to the crap on TV). Also Japanese manga and anime have remarkably high standards too - so I mainly read manga, watch anime and read books now.

[gorah_pindu]

Here is a few books which I posted a while back on another site, which show well why literature is still one of the best mediums - its because experimental and original stuff like this rarely makes it to film, and even more rarely makes it to TV, (although ive seen remarkably original games, manga and anime like I mentioned):

"A contemporary masterpiece. A genius author."

"This story about a strange and disturbing subculture that has evolved a sexual obsession and fetish for crashing automobiles is no doubt one of the more bizarre ideas for a novel ever created."

"Here's a bad guy even I could want to see cut down to size: rich, handsome, a hit with the ladies. Alas, he, too, wins in the end."

"The 'moral' of this chubby little novel seems to be "the whole world deserves to die"."

"The story of Julian the Apostate, who rejected Christianity in favour of traditional Roman gods, and Platonism, seeing Christianity as a dogmatic cult."

Dunno about anyone else, but I always seek out more and more new stuff that pushes boundaries, and TV simply dosent, but books still do - whether its Salman Rushdie or JG Ballard.

[gorah_pindu]

Also here is a few books on India's Asian neighbours:

[theguyinallblue]

to make reading a novel an interesting affair..people should start reading the novel from the middle...as it keeps one curious not only about its conclusion but also about its beginning.:giggle:.... as you can see..from my funda of reading a novel...i have never ever touched any novel... but i will surely read the biography of Netaji Subhash and Swami Vivekananda.... if it is available...

[Lurker]

I hope its okay to post a thread entirely for the discussion of books, I couldnt find anything similar using search. Judging by the cool debates ive seen here, im guessing that a lot of people here are well read, so this thread could be interesting. Above are some books which I think provide a balanced view of India, without perticular bias one way or another. Perhaps they arnt 100% right, but I think books like Sen's 'Argumentative Indian', demolish some misconceptions. And others like Talbott's books give a more internationalist perspective. I would have posted more, but there is a five picture limit. Please post your own books, whether fiction or non-fiction.

I have read/am reading four of them, three I own currently and 1 I am currently reading (The last Mughal). The one that I have not read is the book by Pankaj Mishra. Out of the other books, The Last Mughal & Argumentative Indian stand out for me. Amartya Sen's book is freaking fantastic and it should be read by most Indians. He has done very elaborate research and goes right to the days of Vedanta philosophy to show the inherent discussion going on in Indian society since time immemorial. It is frankly very hard to summarise the book in a few lines, it is such a good book. I would recommend it to everyone who is intersted in Indian history. The Last Mughal has been a real eye opener for me. Not always in a happy mode but an eye opener nonetheless. The book deals exclusively with Bahadur Shah Zafar, 1857 mutiny, the devastation of Delhi first by rebels and then by British and connects all the dots wonderfully well. No wonder then that Khuswant Singh suggested that William Darlymple knows Delhi far better than he does. xxxx

[King]

I haven't read a book for ages. All I read in print is the cricket auto biographies. There hasn't been one released on cricket recently either. I've been reading academic related books not worth mentioning here. I have corporate subscription to books 24x7 and read a lot of techie book s there. I think it is open for public to subscribe too. Check out http://corporate.books24x7.com/home2.asp if you need a professsional referenceware.

[gorah_pindu]

^^ There are probably some interesting technical books around, but im not too interested right now.

I have read/am reading four of them, three I own currently and 1 I am currently reading (The last Mughal). The one that I have not read is the book by Pankaj Mishra. Out of the other books, The Last Mughal & Argumentative Indian stand out for me. Amartya Sen's book is freaking fantastic and it should be read by most Indians. He has done very elaborate research and goes right to the days of Vedanta philosophy to show the inherent discussion going on in Indian society since time immemorial. It is frankly very hard to summarise the book in a few lines, it is such a good book. I would recommend it to everyone who is intersted in Indian history. The Last Mughal has been a real eye opener for me. Not always in a happy mode but an eye opener nonetheless. The book deals exclusively with Bahadur Shah Zafar, 1857 mutiny, the devastation of Delhi first by rebels and then by British and connects all the dots wonderfully well. No wonder then that Khuswant Singh suggested that William Darlymple knows Delhi far better than he does. xxxx

I have to agree with everything you have said there - Amartya Sen's book was a fantastic read that re-enforced my belief in pluralism with compelling philosophical and historical arguments - the only other non-fiction book which has influenced me as much in recent times was 'The World is Flat' by Thomas Friedman, (some people might say it was idealistic, but it certainly opened my eyes away from blind socialism). And im currently reading The Last Mughal - it certainly treads on some people's idea of how modern Indian statehood came about. The last book is the only one I havent read, having only recently encountered it, but from reviews, it seems to put on paper some things which have gone unsaid for too long - such as arguing post-colonial states like India have adopted some of the west's failures like nationalism, and comparing Hinduism with Shinto. Another interesting looking book which I didnt add to the list is this one: It compares South Korea with India - two states that basically started in the same position - one is now a high tech Asian tiger, and the other - we all know India's position. Apart from that, im interesting in reading: And also: Maximum City and City of Djinns seem to be considered by some reviews as the best books on Mumbai and Delhi respectively, so ive gotta give them a try at some point. Dalrymple certainly did a good job with The Last Mughal, and his upcoming multi-volume history of the Mughals will no doubt be a classic. Being Indian ive heard good things about, but I dont want to buy it only to find its a book of anecdotes or something. Apart from that, ive also posted some books above on non-Indian topics which I either have or want - dunno if you have read ay of them. It seems we read alike - what other books (not neccecarily Indian themed) have you enjoyed recently?

[Lurker]

I have to agree with everything you have said there - Amartya Sen's book was a fantastic read that re-enforced my belief in pluralism with compelling philosophical and historical arguments - the only other non-fiction book which has influenced me as much in recent times was 'The World is Flat' by Thomas Friedman, (some people might say it was idealistic, but it certainly opened my eyes away from blind socialism).

I had to smile when I heard you mention Thomas Friedman. I have read a few of his book and quite like what he writes. Part of the fascination of course is that he is an Indophile of sorts but what I greatly like in his reading is to articulate complex economics combined with geo-polity into simple words and still make it a great read. I have loved his World is Flat and only recently finished "Lexus and Olive Tree". Seems like we have similar taste in reading eh?

And im currently reading The Last Mughal - it certainly treads on some people's idea of how modern Indian statehood came about. The last book is the only one I havent read, having only recently encountered it, but from reviews, it seems to put on paper some things which have gone unsaid for too long - such as arguing post-colonial states like India have adopted some of the west's failures like nationalism, and comparing Hinduism with Shinto.

Thats the one I am currently reading as well. I am about 80% done but after every 10% or so I take a week off or else I have had an overdose of 1857 era history. You are right on the money about how it treads on some widely held ideas. In fact the more I read the more I wonder if we should celebrate 1857 mutiny? There are great moments of triumph but perhaps as much moments of selfishness, backbiting, mindless violence, religious fanaticism etc etc. What completely blows me away is how much work is gone in the book, I read somewhere it took 7 years or so and about 300 works of literature. Also to note that even though a lot, and I mean A LOT, of the informations(used in the book) are public property held in the archives of National Agencies, they have not been touched for over a century and a half! Seems we are more content in just celebrating the event, and lot less to actually read what happened. Speaking of which you got to hand it to Brits. They kept so much documentation, even of their own atrocities!! Today that would all be the evidence in war crimes!

Another interesting looking book which I didnt add to the list is this one: It compares South Korea with India - two states that basically started in the same position - one is now a high tech Asian tiger, and the other - we all know India's position. Apart from that, im interesting in reading: And also: Maximum City and City of Djinns seem to be considered by some reviews as the best books on Mumbai and Delhi respectively, so ive gotta give them a try at some point. Dalrymple certainly did a good job with The Last Mughal, and his upcoming multi-volume history of the Mughals will no doubt be a classic. Being Indian ive heard good things about, but I dont want to buy it only to find its a book of anecdotes or something. Apart from that, ive also posted some books above on non-Indian topics which I either have or want - dunno if you have read ay of them. It seems we read alike - what other books (not neccecarily Indian themed) have you enjoyed recently?

Of the ones you mentioned I havent read any of them though I am probably gonna order the last one by Darlymple. Also Suketu Mehta is always a good read. The last book I finished was "A Fine Balance" by Rohinton Mistry. Quite a nice yarn this chap spins..goes back to old style summer vacation reading of 1000 pages novel..good stuff though.

[Don]

I prefer french classics. Three Muskeeters by Dumas Around the world in 80 days by Verne Journey to the Centre of the Earth by Verne Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas Les Misarebles by Hugo Almost all of Dumas, Gerritsen, Archer and Vernes collection. I also like Palins travel Journals. Prefer thriller, adeventure and Travel genres.

[Ram]

For anybody interested in world politics , war , nationel security , spying etc "Fist of God" by Fredrick Forsyth is a MUST read. In 800 pages , you can learn sooom much about how this world works..

[gorah_pindu]

Thats the one I am currently reading as well. I am about 80% done but after every 10% or so I take a week off or else I have had an overdose of 1857 era history. You are right on the money about how it treads on some widely held ideas. In fact the more I read the more I wonder if we should celebrate 1857 mutiny? There are great moments of triumph but perhaps as much moments of selfishness' date= backbiting, mindless violence, religious fanaticism etc etc. What completely blows me away is how much work is gone in the book, I read somewhere it took 7 years or so and about 300 works of literature. Also to note that even though a lot, and I mean A LOT, of the informations(used in the book) are public property held in the archives of National Agencies, they have not been touched for over a century and a half! Seems we are more content in just celebrating the event, and lot less to actually read what happened.

Seems like we have similar taste in reading eh?

Yeh lol - out of those five books, we were reading, had read, and hadnt read the exact same ones :)

Definatly. Ive never really placed much importance on it, knowing in truth that the uprising probably was glorified - but that book shows from the mouth of Delhites themselves, what the people really thought at the time. I think nationalism itself is just another pointless and potentially fanatical ideal - one which Tagore thought would ultimatly leave generations of Indians closed to ideas and culture which they thought was 'foreign', in a world where such divides are purely artificial. He was right - the independence movement glorified nationalism - so that even today the rejection of 'foreigness' is fashionably 'patriotic' - and so that socialist ideas that held India back were supported by the idea that global capitalism was not 'swaraj'. And the myths surrounding 1857 are the worst example of this - India's very own nationalistic founding myth, just like how the Soviets glorified the Oktober revolution, and the Americans glorified the war of independence.

[CC1981]

Not reading any particular book now ( reading a booklet by David Fontana about meditation) but three book i've read in recent times ( last six months- yes, i am not a very avid reader) that i consider extremely well written are: 1. Thus Spoke Zarusthara ( by Nietzche) : A seminal piece by the greatest western philosopher of the last 2000 years, it is a very robust critique of the moralities of mankind. Ultimately, Neitzche examines all the major religions of mankind (prevalent in his days that he knew about, ie, Abrahamic faiths, hinduism,zoroastrianism & buddhism) and his contrasting of the Abrahamic faiths with the Dharmic one truely underlines how laughably misguided the Islamic/Christian/Jewish mentality is, rooted in revenge and dictatorship. While Neitzche is far more praising of Buddhism, ultimately, his message (written eloquently imbibing zarusthara) is distinctly hindu in its core : Ultimately 'reality' is a dream and our ideas of morals/reality are far removed from the empiric reality. 2. Guns, Germs & Steel ( by Jared Diamond): A groundbreaking recent book on social development of mankind and a very good attempt in looking at the overall picture of human society for the last 10,000 years. This book addresses some of the most basic elements of societerial development. Ever wondered why it was Europe that invaded America and not the other way round ? Well the common answer is 'Europe had steel & guns, native americans didnt' but that is just a symptomatic analysis. WHY is it that Native Americans didnt have guns but Europeans did ? What is it that ancient India/China had that other parts of the world didnt for them to rise to the top ? This book addresses this remarkably well, ultimately proving that mankind is made equal afterall and the only difference between a very ancient & advanced culture (such as say India or China) as opposed to a much younger and topical one ( such as east European) is largely geo-political. If i were a teacher, i'd make this book a 'must read' in social studies classes 3. All Quiet on the Western Front (-by Erich Maria-Remarque). I expect many here have already read the book and i had read it over 10 years ago until recently (when i re-read it again). Everytime i hear the chest-thumping 'desh-bhakts' here, sitting behind their desktops, trying their best to wax eloquent about defending motherland/fighting for motherland, i think of this book. If there is ever a book written through the eyes of a common soldier, underscoring what it does to mankind, how it irreversably f*cks society over, how 99.9999% of wars are unjustified as war almost always makes situation worse on the long-term while addressing laughably short-sighted social issues, then this book would be it. Trying to see life through the eyes of Paul Baummer certainly kills those laughably stupid ideas of nationalism, pride and national duty.

[gorah_pindu]

I prefer french classics. Count of Monte Cristo by Dumas Les Misarebles by Hugo Almost all of Dumas, Gerritsen, Archer and Vernes collection. I also like Palins travel Journals. Prefer thriller, adeventure and Travel genres.

Cool to see you like Verne. However, when reading early science fiction, I cant help but find it primitive when compared to the work we have today. For example, reading Asimov's 'Foundation' today can be kinda boring - the concepts which were revolutionary then, have been covered in a hundred space operas since - and like a lot of the early sci-fi writers, he was more a scientist than a author - his dialogue is dry and chreacterisations lack the complexity of modern works. The genre has grown mind-blowingly since. I guess im firmly a man of post-modern fiction.