Where is everyone?

[Sasha]

Hello people!

I keep coming back to this group in the hope of finding a new discussion, comment or something, but it's been really quiet here for a while!

So why don't we take this moment to start again?

Let's begin with our most recent reads. Review your most recent books, and if you've already done that on your profile pages then why don't you post them here so that all of us can read and discuss them?

I'll begin with one of my reviews..

Hope to see some enthusiasm!

Cheers,
Sasha

[Sasha]

"Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption is a prison story about Andy and Red.

Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption is a prison story about Andy and Red. Somehow, I prefer Stephen King's novellas and short stories to his books, because they offer a greater variety. Dave's Cadillac, Apt Pupil, Secret Window, The Body and Shawshank are all about vastly different subjects.

Of course his work is quite large and does cover all aspects of human life, whether a teacher, a family, a schoolgirl or thieves. But he is a master story teller, at least for me, when it comes to the short form.

Andy, like all prisoners claims he is innocent of the crime he is convicted for. Red is a contraband artist who takes Andy under his wing in the prison. The story starts with Andy's declaration that he doesn't believe in hope anymore.

The movie very cleverly gave the story a full bodied, coming full circle feel by showing us that Andy and Red meet in the end and Andy's voiceover is all about hope..The book of course ends differently.

I liked the careful build up, the intricate sub plots, and the plan of the story. I highly recommend this novella to anyone who wants to introduce some variety to his or her readings of Stephen King's works.

[Pranav Mehta]

Yep this group has been quite inactive.

BTW The movie Shawshank Redemption is brilliant.
Don't forget to watch the movie if you love the novel.

[Sasha]

Pranav wrote: "Yep this group has been quite inactive.

BTW The movie Shawshank Redemption is brilliant.
Don't forget to watch the movie if you love the novel."

Hi Pranav.. Yes I have seen the movie. Loved it too, but the novella's much better.

[Atishay]

Thanks Sasha for taking the initiative to bring this group to life. Shawshank Redemption is splendid. The movie is awesome too. Andy Dufresne remains one of the best movie characters I know till date.

[Atishay]

'The Christmas Train' by David Baldacci.
I read this one last month and though it wasn't Christmas, I loved every page in this book. It's not a conventional thriller that Baldacci excels at. Here's what my review says about it:

"This is a very sweet romantic suspenseful story that revolves around a Pulitzer winner, hard-hitting journalist who is banned from flying due to some altercation at the airport and has to take a couple of trains instead - all around the Christmas time to visit his girl. On board, he is faced by a formidable neighbour who will not hesitate to knock him out clean, a girl he had loved, a hotshot movie director who is making a movie on the train and a thief who is stealing things from cabins of passengers. The scene is set for an extraordinary adventure.
Baldacci proves that he is not just another fiction thriller writer. The Christmas Train is one of those novels which will bring a smile to your face years after you've read it. The story and the pace are superb, with the amazing feel of Christmas time. This one is definitely a December must-read."

This is one story that hasn't come out as a movie yet and I'd love to see its screen adaptation.

[Sasha]

Lovely! I am picking this one up. Thanks for sharing! Somehow, I haven't read a single David Baldacci book. It's a good thing the new financial year has started. New budgets and all:)

[Atishay]

Lolz. Good for you.

[Atishay]

Do try 'Split Second', 'Stone Cold' or 'Hour Game' by Baldacci too. They'll give you the real taste of what he is all about.

[Atishay]

Sounds great Megha.

[Sasha]

Megha, your review was quite interesting. I think I should read some more of your reviews from your profile page. Thanks for sharing.

[Atishay]

I had a very bad time with The Mighty Johns and Other Stories. Just had the patience to finish it. The short stories are bad and lead to nowhere. Baldacci's opening work is good but still not as good as his novels. Poor editing and poor selection of stories.

[Atishay]

To get my spirits up, I've picked this one up : Finding Violet Park
I'd loved her earlier work Broken Soup, so I'm hoping this one is as good as the last one.

[Atishay]

I hope I do. I was so much disappointed with the Mighty Johns.

[Sasha]

Started Mrs Dalloway last night. Any Virginia Woolf fans out there?

[Atishay]

Megha wrote How is 'Finding Violet Park' going so far?

Superb! You must try one of her books. Her writing feels like a mixture of Harper Lee's innocence and J.D Sallinger's obtruse satirical lines.

[Atishay]

I have read only one - Broken Soup
This one was a little on the emotional side as the narrator is a troubled teenage girl.
The one I'm reading now - Finding Violet Park, has a satirical teenage boy as a narrator.
Take your pic :)

[Sasha]

Megha wrote: "Sasha wrote: "Started Mrs Dalloway last night. Any Virginia Woolf fans out there?"

What a coincidence! I bought Mrs. Dalloway only recently. But I need to finish my 'to be returned to the library'..."

That's excellent Megha. Tell you what, why don't you tell me when you start Mrs Dalloway. I'll hold off for a bit. We can discuss it as we make progress with it. Let me know?

[Atishay]

I'd recommend Broken Soup because I'm sure it is nice as I've read it. I can't be that sure about Finding Violet Park as I'm reading it. Also, Broken Soup won an award too(Guardian Book Award for something).

[Atishay]

:)

[Sameer]

Hello,
I am currently reading 'The Black Swan' by Nassim Nicholas Taleb and liking it so far.
It deals with impact of improbable things and has interesting examples from what is happening around us. Will keep everyone posted on how it turns out....

Cheers

[Atishay]

Sameer wrote: "Hello,
I am currently reading 'The Black Swan' by Nassim Nicholas Taleb and liking it so far.
It deals with impact of improbable things and has interesting examples from what is happening around..."


Hey Sameer, I've heard a lot of good stuff about Taleb. Do tell us about it when you've finished.

[Sameer]

Hi Megha, Atishay,
Will definitely let you guys know once i have finished.

Cheers.