TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE

Several years ago,one idle summer morning ,I was in Borders ,looking for a quick read,I wanted a small book.Something I could comfortably read and finish fast.

I came across this book while browsing and immediately leafed through it because it was small and because the title 'Tuesdays with Morrie' was so appealing.I liked what I read and continued reading it.

Now,the good thing about Borders is that you can read any book there without actually buying it.They have comfortable sofas and a neat cafe ,which allows you to take the book anywhere in the premise and read it ,as long as you return it to the shelf after you are done.I was immediately hooked and finished reading it in a few hours.I loved the book and over the course of time I forgot about it.

Just a few days ago ,my sister mentioned the book in one of our conversations.She had read it and loved it too and when I told her that I had too ,she immediately asked me,what I liked most about the book.She told me to tell her any one thing that stayed on with me after reading it and I totally blanked out.

I vaguely remembered that its about a student who visits his ailing professor(he is suffering from Lou Gehrig's disease) and how the professor teaches him lifes valuable lessons.However I couldn't recall anything else about the book.That's when I realized that a book like Tuesdays with Morrie isn't something just to be read.Its one of those books that are meant to not only be read, but savoured and remembered always.

I wanted to correct this immediately and re-read the book a second time,this time paying due attention to the detail,to things the book was really trying to tell me.To what Morrie,really wanted to say.

I rediscovered it once more.Its a wonderful book and each chapter begins with a meeting on tuesday when Morrie and his student discuss the issues that haunt all of us in life at some point or the other.Be it love,marriage,work,aging and even death.Things we do think about.Stuff that baffles us because there are no clear answers.

Morrie teaches us valuable lessons ,something each of us needs to incorporate in our lives. At one point I wished I had a teacher like him.

This is a book,I will read again at some point and I know that I will learn from it,each time.It could be a wake-up call for those who are so busy with their lives that they don't take the time to just be and appreciate what they have and be thankful for all the little things.It shows how resilient Morrie is even when he knows he is dying.

Books like these are very hard to come by,but when they do, they leave you a changed person.Changed for the better.These books compel you to stop and think.

Morrie truly lives on!

THE INVENTION OF WINGS

So here I am as promised,I had the sudden urge to sit at my desk and type in a review furiously.In fact when I first thought of starting this blog,I had decided to review books as soon as I read them.I thought it was better that way ,as the story is very fresh and so are my views.However,I find now that I need not worry too much about quick reviews as some books such as these stay with you longer than you thought they would. 

I picked up this book because I had read Sue Monk Kidd's 'The secret lives of bees',a few years ago and had found it very interesting.I do not regret picking this book up.

The Invention of Wings,is a very intense portrayal of slavery ,abolitionism and the Feminist movement.It is set in Charleston,South Carolina,before the Civil War.It tells us the story of Sarah Grimke and her relationship with a slave Hetty who is presented to her as a handmaid on her eleventh birthday.It follows the lives of these two strong women,who fight against all odds for one common goal-freedom,over the next thirty-five years.Sarah,devotes her life to the abolition of slavery and to the women's rights movement in the 1800's along with her sister Nina who holds similar views and opinions. Hetty on the other hand is immensely courageous and fearless and strives relentlessly till the end for her bit of freedom despite facing insurmountable odds.This is a fascinating account based on real life situations which once existed and gives us an insight into the remarkable journeys of these strong,independent women,whose lives are linked in such a way that they dramatically shape each others destiny. 

My Views:This was an amazing read.I knew just a little bit about American History through a few books and movies,but this book was an eye-opener.It is very well researched and deserves a five star for that.Moreover the story held my interest till the very last page.It is narrated alternatively by Sarah Grimke and Hetty.I loved Hetty's narration more than Sarah's.I admired her for the grit determination and resilience with which she leads her life.Sarah on the other hand is shown to be bound by societal restraints and gives in to them until later in life when she decides to stand on her own and follow her mind and heart.I loved the fact that Sarah teaches Hetty to read.I loved Hetty's relationship with her mother.

It was shocking to read about the atrocities meted out to the slaves and I could not even begin to imagine what life must have been like for them.

I was a little disappointed with Sarah at first for not standing up on certain occasions but the climax was such that everything was forgiven.This book,in my opinion is a must read.I cannot recommend it enough.

JUST A BRIEF UPDATE

I have come to realize that as much as I might want to be regular in updating this blog ,I cannot ,coz life and things get in the way.I don't want this to sound like a lame excuse and just because  I am not updating it does not mean I have given up on reading.

There are three reviews coming up from my side soon.Hoping the Ghost Writer has some interesting stuff as well :)

Adios,

The Bibliophile