I have been too lazy to type in reviews for the books I read. Here are some of the books I read the past couple of weeks

– Half Life by Roopa Farooki

This book started on such a promising note. I thought I am going to love it. I loved the way Farooki wrote and the way her words made me feel. But the story was a let down. Set in London and Singapore with roots in Pakistan and Bangladesh, the book jumped and lurched leaving a queasy feeling. All along I thought I understood Roonie and Jazz, the protogonists and then suddenly it is like I never knew them. Could have been better.

– One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I have read a lot of books by Chitra Banerjee and I admit I do not love them. Her writing does not touch me. Her stories do not move me or make me think. I hear her short stories are better and I need to grab a copy sometime.

One Amazing Thing is set in a Indian Visa office and the voices of 9 people trapped there during an earthquake make the crux of the story.

Bombay Time by Thrity Umrigar

Finally after many misses, I picked a book I absolutely loved. Bombay Time was a delight to read. It is a peek into the lives of the Parsis in Waudi Baugh. It is the tale of mothers, daughter-in-laws, lovers, widows and it is life. The story line may not be unique but I loved how Thrity made the words sing. The way she describes Bombay and life there in the early chapters is beautiful. I am picking up another book by her soon.

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier

Another book I really loved. I think I am in the phase where I want dramatic words to support the cast and the story. Rebecca is one of those books. Some readers may be put off by the ambling slow phase of the book but not me. I loved the descriptions. It made Manderley alive. The narration has depression in built. I have no clue how the author managed it. A string of words spelling depression. Beautiful and haunting. I am so glad I read this book