Indian Readers discussion
READING PROGRESS 2017
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Gorab's 2017 Explorations
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hmmm now I feel like an Idiot to have even mentioned that!"
Just that.. whenever one says one will not BR, or one will not read This until one finishes That,... fate has some othe..."
Absolutely right. ;)
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True that!
I'll try to defy fate!
I'm okay with CnP in June.
Physical copy will be helpful, since Penguin classic series also provides notes.
Physical copy will be helpful, since Penguin classic series also provides notes.
Mod
True that!
I'll try to defy fate!"
How could I think of defying fate! After yesterday's thoughts of dropping from all BRs, wife suggested to BR Rehan Par Ragghu!
Now who would (could?) refuse that!
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Read this in a month and enjoyed it moderately (In spite of the adverse genre!)
Currently reading (actively)
Rehan pe Raggu - 20%. Much different from Kashinath's previous work Kashi ka Assi. Reminds faintly about the famous Godan... At least the basic premsie is same.
India After Gandhi - 36%. This is awesome! Many myths (which were acquired by generalisation and may be social media posts) have been broken.
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serves you right for tempting fate.
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IAG : (At 36%) 30-45 mins. Paused for a couple of days. And I repeat the same statement - The most enjoyable of the current reads. (Bed time reading)
Rehan pe Raggu : 35%. 30 mins. Switching between reading loudly and audiobook (in wife's voice)
The Namesake : 15%. 20 mins. The current coffee break companion.
Maus Part 1 - Started today. 15 mins. Office desk. Hence intermittent reading.
Harivansh Rai Poems - Started today. 5 mins. Just started and already very impressive. These poems read like a prose.
Gorab wrote: "These poems read like a prose."
Is it a good thing? @_@
Is it a good thing? @_@
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28. The Outsiders - ★★☆☆☆
29. प्रतिनिधि कविताएँ - ★★★★☆
Hey!If you read Hindi then do try Dharamveer Bharati. Especially Gunahon Ka Devta and Andha Yug.
This one I sooooo want to read after seeing it in your list. Manto is awesome and so is Ghalib. Also, if you've read Manto, I'm sure you'll like Ismat Chughtai.
Gorab wrote: "Hopping along different books on a whim. Reading these in the order of time given per weekday.IAG : (At 36%) 30-45 mins. Paused for a couple of days. And I repeat the same statement - The most en..."
Bachchan Sahab is my favorite Hindi Poet. Well, second favorite after my grandfather, who used to be his disciple (his favorite disciple according to my Grandfather).
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I read Gunaho ka Devta last year and it is among my all time fav....
That's the only one from Bharati ji I've read. Andha yug is next in the list as recently I got a good hardcover edition. Also aspiring to read Suraj ka Satwan Ghoda... but not before next year.
Not much familiar with Urdu and Ghalib's ghazals, but I do like whatever little Manto stories I've read. (less than 10).
Yet to try Ismat Chughtai and I'm sure I will.... its references were many in Dozakhnama.
Dozakhnama is highly recommended if you read Hindi. Heard from friends that the English translation of Dozakhnama is not that impressive.
What all languages do you read?
I read only Hindi English and so have to do with translations in these languages.
And I'm so glad to find another person here to discuss Hindi books :)
Wow! Has your grandfather published any of his poems?
Gorab wrote: "Meenakshi, I read Gunaho ka Devta last year and it is among my all time fav....
That's the only one from Bharati ji I've read. Andha yug is next in the list as recently I got a good hardcover edit..."
Gorab wrote: "Meenakshi,
I read Gunaho ka Devta last year and it is among my all time fav....
That's the only one from Bharati ji I've read. Andha yug is next in the list as recently I got a good hardcover edit..."
Even the English translation of Andha Yug is terrible.
I also read a little bit of French but I'm not very proficient in the language.
Someday, I hope to read Tagore's works in the Maithili script. I can understand his Bengali because it is very similar to Hindi but I can't read in Bengali.
My grand father has published several of his poems. I'm aware of 9 of his books which include his even Gita and Ramayana but not all of them are in Hindi. Some are in Sanskrit.
Mod
Going by your family roots, you have chosen a perfect course :)
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31. Saaye Mein Dhoop - ★★★★★
32. The Namesake - ★★★★☆
A good week with all the books working out so well :)
Gorab wrote: "Have read only Gora by Tagore and extremely loved it. Yet to try poetry.Going by your family roots, you have chosen a perfect course :)"
Haha! Sure I have. My father wanted me to be an engineer since he is one. My grandfather was a school teacher, a lawyer and a clerk in his career. No one really took up English Literature in my family. Although, all three of my aunts did their Masters (and MPhil) in Hindi or Sanskrit Literature.
There's a Gora by Mahadevi Verma. Nobody seems to have read it and everytime someone talks of Gora, that is the story I think of. Also, Tagore's The Wife's Letter is in my syllabus.
You must have read a poem or two of Gitanjali and at least Kabuliwallah by Tagore if you did your schooling from CBSE.
Gorab wrote: "30. Dilli Darbaar - ★★★★☆ 31. Saaye Mein Dhoop - ★★★★★
32. The Namesake - ★★★★☆
A good week with all the books working out so well :)"
I remember reading Namesake although I forget most of the story. I think I read it when I was in school, that is, at least 4-6 years ago. Now we are working on Diaspora in the meeting I have with my department and my teacher keeps going back to this novel.
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What a coincidence! I am currently reading Mera Parivaar by Mahadevi Verma .... and yesterday night stopped at the chapter title Gaura Gaay :)
Think you're talking about the same? Or is there another distinct work exclusively dedicated to Gaura?
Yes from CBSE I've read Kabuliwala. Don't consciously remember any Tagore poems even if I'd have read them. So will be starting fresh from the scratch for Tagore poems.
Will avoid Wife's letter in the initial phase. If its in your syllabus it can't be that easy!
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lovely and a sad story.
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As a student, do you enjoy the literature when its forced upon you as a part of curriculam? Or read it just for the sake of course?
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So far in Mera parivaar, I've met Neelkanth peacock, Gillu gilahri, Sona hiran, durmukh khargosh.... and within these stories glimpses of Himani, Hemant-Basant.. the cats and dogs.
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would love to read this Mera Parivaar.:)
any help with the book?
I've read the Gillu gilhari story. Such a lovely tale.
@Manju, Gorab strongly reco'd this to me. You up for a BR?
@Manju, Gorab strongly reco'd this to me. You up for a BR?
Mod
@Manju, Gorab strongly reco'd this to me. You up for a BR?"
yes. next month?
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And yes I highly reco it to both of you.
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Manju wrote: "I read Gora in School. There were many other stories by her but I remember only this.:(lovely and a sad story."
I think it was there in my sister's curriculum. She used to tell me all the stories in her textbooks. It was definitely not in my syllabus in school but I once narrated this story in a story telling exercise in school.
Gorab wrote: "Manju you remember the name perfect!So far in Mera parivaar, I've met Neelkanth peacock, Gillu gilahri, Sona hiran, durmukh khargosh.... and within these stories glimpses of Himani, Hemant-Basant...."
I don't think I've read the complete book but several of these characters seem familiar. Maybe my sister narrated these stories or maybe I read these during childhood.
Manju wrote: "@Meenakshi: Isn't there a story about a deer? Sona or something like that or perhaps I am mixing up it with some other story.."Sona is a deer, Gora is a cow.
Gorab wrote: "Meenakshi wrote: "There's a Gora by Mahadevi Verma."What a coincidence! I am currently reading Mera Parivaar by Mahadevi Verma .... and yesterday night stopped at the chapter title Gaura Gaay :)
..."
You must have definitely read Where the Mind is Without Fear. There surely must have been others but this is the one I remember.
We were made to recite Thank you God for the world we see etc etc during recess and after the last period before going home. I used to wish that they'd instead make us recite this poem.
Gorab wrote: "Meenakshi wrote: "I remember reading Namesake although I forget most of the story. I think I read it when I was in school, that is, at least 4-6 years ago. Now we are working on Diaspora in the mee..."Honestly, sometimes I enjoy what I read, sometimes I hate it. My Bachelors and Masters has introduced me to several new authors who have over time become my favorites. Then there were others that I hate. Sadly, I don't really get to choose and I have to read everything no matter what.
Also, Literature does put a break to casual reading as I never get the time. I'm always busy with the titles in the syllabus to read a book or two of my choosing. Sometimes I steal time though ;)
It is nonetheless awesome. In Literature we do more than just read. We discuss, debate, dissent, disagree. We do all this openly and unabashedly. That's my favorite part because it leads to great personal growth. Since 4 years ago when I joined English Honors thinking that all we'll need to do is read and analyze novels, plays, and poetry; I have grown so much and my knowledge and understanding of what is Literature, why study literature, what constitutes the study of Literature has increased tenfold.
Meenakshi wrote: "It is nonetheless awesome. In Literature we do more than just read. We discuss, debate, dissent, disagree. We do all this openly and unabashedly. That's my favorite part because it leads to great personal growth. Since 4 years ago when I joined English Honors thinking that ...."
Oh, now I want to abandon my engg and get enrolled in some literature course :P
Oh, now I want to abandon my engg and get enrolled in some literature course :P
Manju wrote: "Arpit wrote: "I've read the Gillu gilhari story. Such a lovely tale.
@Manju, Gorab strongly reco'd this to me. You up for a BR?"
yes. next month?"
Next month is perfectly fine :)
@Manju, Gorab strongly reco'd this to me. You up for a BR?"
yes. next month?"
Next month is perfectly fine :)
Arpit wrote: "Meenakshi wrote: "It is nonetheless awesome. In Literature we do more than just read. We discuss, debate, dissent, disagree. We do all this openly and unabashedly. That's my favorite part because i..."If you seriously wish to do that, you can join IGNOU anytime. I'm sure it can't be very difficult.
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Don't recall reading this. Would read it nevertheless :)
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Totally agree lit study must be much much more than reading. Have gathered similar notion from friends studying lit. And also noticed that their horizons are way wider than just readers,..... May be because they don't have a choice as you pointed earlier.
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33. Kuchh Ishq Kiya Kuchh Kaam Kiya - ★★★☆☆
34. इश्क में शहर होना / Ishq Mein Sheher Hona - ★★☆☆☆
35. Maus I: A Survivor's Tale: My Father Bleeds History - ★★★☆☆
36. Mera Parivar - Perfect 5! ✪✪✪✪✪
37. Rehan Par Ragghu - ★★★★☆
38. Chess Story - ★★★★☆
39. तरकश /ترکش / Tarkash - ★★★☆☆
And with this, I am taking a few days off reading. Will be back soon :)
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Hoping to see you back soon :)
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Only wish I could have enjoyed Maus slightly better -__-
Wanted to read Mera Parivar with wife but she denied parallel BRs since we were already reading Rehan Par Ragghu.
Awesome list! And I wish you'd liked Maus more than 3 stars...planning to read the second part?
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Yes for sure. Not immediately though.
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41. A Room of One's Own - ★★★☆☆
42. Ateet Ke Chalchitra - ★★★☆☆
43. Hard Boiled - ★★☆☆☆
And I'm back... reading lightweight Kindle Unlimited titles, and books suitable for weekend reads.
Only exception - progressed to 45% in India After Gandhi.
Upcoming reads:
No idea! Picking impulsively from KU as of now.
@Gorab wow ! my jaw falls when I look the number of books you have finished
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This month average book length is 100 odd.
But yeah, I'm reading the max so far in my lifetime.
OMG!! You read a Room of One's Own. I've been meaning to read it since the past 2.5 years. Actually, I should have read it by now. I'll read it soon.Do review the book if you can.
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I review most of the books I read... I mean personal ramblings and not exactly a review for all.
For Room of One's own (and other books), click on the stars and it will take you to my review page.
And I do keep updating message 1 for collating all books and reviews together :)
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hmmm now I feel like an Idiot to have even mentioned that!"
Just that.. whenever one says one will not BR, or one will not read This until one finishes That,... fate has some other plans :P