What I read in July 2021
Beat monsoon blues with these books!
Dear Reader,
Say hello to August!
This monsoon season in India, we are still braving the pandemic from the comfort of our homes and dreaming of the day when we can finally stop stressing ourselves about it. For those who love to travel (like me!!) and are stuck indoors (sigh!), books show us a world beyond the boundaries of self, home and space.
As you know, July is the month of monsoon for the northern part of India. Not a sign of it but on July 13th, the spell was broken. Yes, time to get your umbrellas packed whenever stepping out, Delhiites! There's nothing to break the continuous rain spell or the cool breeze it brings along.
Wait...you are reading my newsletter, though we haven't been formally introduced and I haven't even gotten around to telling you a bit about myself.
Some funny stuff about me that I probably haven't told anyone but you - my dear reader -
I have a terrible fear of flights, cats and dogs, not necessarily in that order.
To overcome my flying fear, I chant the Gayatri mantra, which urges my co-passengers to look at me with genuine sympathy. Yes, their looks too shall pass....!
Things I love besides books: Thayir Sadam, French Fries, Pizzas, Ice cream, not necessarily in that order.
Little things I observe in human nature irritate me........people taking shortcuts in everything when a little patience can go a long way....for example, airport queues are the worst, if you know what I mean...
Onto the more serious stuff, I love, live, breathe, dream books. I read as many books as I can and live inside the heads and hearts of characters, sometimes their tragic stories seep into my tears and their laughter spills into my smiles....does this ever happen to you or is this just a "me" thing?
The funny thing is that as it rained, I kept myself glued to 'Written on the Wind' by Anuradha Jain. Wonderful book!
Set in pre-partition Lahore, the story revolves around the frailty of human relationships, the ugliness that follows when faith is conquered by senseless violence and how the Independence movement, the formation of the Muslim League and the Partition affected the people of Lahore. Revolving around Gautam and Amiya, a couple who are drawn but not married to each other, the story travels with their uncertainties and flaws as a parallel to the growing fault lines that finally lead to the Partition.
Just as the first raindrops fell on my windowpane, these words I was reading from the book put a spell on my consciousness:
"Our entire life, from the moment we are born to the day we die, every experience, every instant, is written on the wind, which like a sorcerer acquires different names in different lands and different seasons; Karma and Bhagawan and Kismet. The wind is omnipresent, it knows everything about us, the past and the future, right up to eternity and there is little we can do other than to let it blow as it will, surrendering to the gales and reposing in the calms, all the while trying to learn the acceptance it seeks to teach us."
Spellbound by the very thought and idea of the wind being my constant companion, an eternal Witness to the Past, the Present and the Future.
Film makers, poets and writers have visualised rain as a sign of romance, melancholy and emotional upheavals. Rarely has wind been eulogised the same way as it is in Anuradha Jain's 'Written on the Wind'.
Added to this, I am waiting for my second dose of COVID-19 vaccine and wherever you are, I hope you've got your full dose too. At the same time, do stay safe, take care and wear masks every time you step out.
Remember: Staying hydrated is as much a necessity in summer, as wearing a mask is.
Drink water, have fresh salads, eat fruits and if possible, get sloshed on refreshing natural coconut water! And there's nothing easier on keeping your gut system light as eating curd rice or tamarind rice - yes, take the Southern route this summer. It's great for your health and most importantly, for your digestion.
Now let me confess to my tribe! I went on a reading spree this June. Two books I recommend for all you book lovers:
Neena Gupta's memoirs: Sach Kahun Toh - read my book review here.
Kabir Bedi's memoirs: Stories I Must Tell - watch out - the book review will be published soon!
I loved reading both books, don't ask me to choose just one!
Growing up as a kid whose films were largely restricted to those seen and approved by the family elders, I've not had much luck watching either of the actors' movies. But I absolutely enjoyed their books for two entirely different reasons.
Neena Gupta's memoirs: What's Special?
In Neena Gupta's memoirs, I loved the refreshing candid struggles that she shares as an actor from theatre who somehow cannot find her footing easily in Bollywood and how at every step she has to struggle her way despite her remarkable talent. The actor talks candidly about her early marriage and divorce and later, about the tough journey she embarks on as a single mother in a highly conservative and judgmental society. Her love for her parents and her daughter come through beautifully in this book, as does her love for Indian cinema.
For those who are creative and struggling, for those who are bold and worried about their future, for those not ready to give up hope, here's a book that will lift your spirit with its authenticity and charm.
Don't miss reading my detailed book review here!
Kabir Bedi's memoirs: So what's the big deal?
Coming to Kabir Bedi's memoirs, reading the book is like opening a box of delicious premium chocolates. It spells luxury and indulgence but you know you can't help trying it once. The spellbinding book cover can make one wonder - who is this Greek god and why is it that we never really recognised him before? Check out the cover and you will know what I am talking about.
Starting with his early childhood memories with no less than Sanjay Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi, the actor goes on to talk about his early years, the winning streak showcased with his historic first-ever interview with none other than the Beatles! Gosh, that impressed me more than his early childhood playmates! That was just so super cool!
I have watched only two films of the actor. 'Khoon Bhari Maang' had impressed me beyond words when I watched it as a teenager. The plot, the story and its unexpected twists were something totally gripping. As we all know now, the audiences loved it.
The other movie I've watched of Kabir Bedi is the Malayalam Prithviraj starrer 'Anarkali'. With two films, one can hardly understand the depth of an actor's talent.
Notably, this book has much to offer in terms of not only the actor but his struggles to make a mark in Bollywood and how global acceptance came to him through films that he did in foreign languages, particularly in Italy, where he became a super star and got regularly mobbed.
Wrapping up this week's newsletter with some fun reads!
Read Pramod Grover's The Saga of Parvati: From Lahore to New Delhiand
Chitra Banerji Divakaruni's must-read slice of history in 'The Last Queen'!
Love to read translated books? Check out some top picks!
For some culinary monsoon magic, here's a 'FERNTASTIC' adventure to taste!
For those who enjoy bicycling and a nostalgic dose of the early 80s, read Vishy's blog post on this.
A brilliant column on the 'Tyranny of Time'.
Monsoons are a great time to take up bird watching as a serious hobby. Yes, I am talking about real birds with feathers!
Sharing a wonderful newsletter on birds that I have personally subscribed to: Join the Flock!
If you have enjoyed reading this newsletter, SHARE this with others and invite them to sign up too!
Drop me a mail at swapnazanand@gmail and let me know your book reccos too!
You will definitely receive a response from me.
Till next week, as we Indians in the 80s used to say: "tata......bye bye!"