Ladybirds

We used to visit this library on Infantry Road. We were regulars there. It's been ages since i visited it last.

I remember there was this series of books which were labelled 'Ladybird'. I didn't know anything about it's publishers then, and i don't know about it now. These books told fairy tales, if i'm correct. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs; the usual. The books were small, quite right for a pretty young kid, with big bold letters, and pictures.

These insects; ladybirds are actually very pretty to look at. I fancy them even now, black spots against a very red background. Though i've seen them once or twice, maximum.

When in middle school, i still fingered them, recalling me having read them. As i reached high school, i saw them passing into oblivion. They hardly sat on those racks which housed them for those few years. Speaking of the present, i'm doubtful if today's children are aware of those books.

Another series that was popular amongst my friends at school, were Nancy Drews. These books are still found. I can recollect the author, within a second, Carolyn Keene. We went crazy about the protagonist, her adventures et al. this period lasted for a year or two. At the end of this phase, i used to read one Nancy Drew within a day. There is another version to this -when she a kid, Nancy Drew used to solve mysteries then too. I remember, i used to finish reading them during the time spent in the library, while my father and sister chose books.

And, then i shifted to a genre which was way different from the others; Indian Literature, Robin Cook, Tom Clancy. I read a few titles of Tom Clancy, and quite a bunch of Robin Cooks. But it is Indian Literature; i share my affection with it. I've learnt a lot from it.

home

I visited Strand yesterday to buy a couple of books. That was the first time i'd been there. I was allowed to indulge in my favourite pastime. Despite, me having books which have gathered dust, since i bought them.

It had been ages since i bought nice books, thought i. I was later reminded, that i had bought Satyajit Ray in the middle of last year. When i glanced at those many titles yesterday, i suddenly wanted to buy everything that my eyes saw, Family Matters-Rohington Mistry, Jim Corbett, Sarat Chandra Chatopadhyay, Baumgartner's Bombay-Anita Desai.....This happens whenever i buy books. It is highly impossible, this i know.

'home' was one of the two books that i finally decided on.

home

-Manju Kapoor

Random House India

2007

It talks about a family and its three generations. An Indian traditional family. The daughters-in-law vying for money and supremacy. Going through those pages, I felt i was watching a typical soap on television. It concentrates, according to me, on the eldest daughter-in-law-Sona, who is childless for ten years, and then bears fruit. The attention then shifts to her daughter - Nisha. Who settles in life after having experienced much sorrow.

While selecting this one, i thought there must something exceptional in this. It is ordinary time-pass stuff. To skip this is perfectly fine. But the narrative is pretty ok. the reading proceeds unhindered.

A good book is that which would want a second reading. 'The Village by the Sea' by Anita Desai, is better when compared to 'home', if you ask me.

equaliser...

Is life an equaliser? For any good that occurs to us, is there an equivalent negative?

I've started to think in the affirmative. I don't know whether it's best on my part to do so. But i can't help thinking this way. On the other hand, can only positive events happen in the life of a person? Or can only bad occurrences take place?

Equivalent; perhaps yes. But why? To make sure that we take in both the good and the bad on the same stride? Or to enjoy the goodness with joy after a brief spell of harshness??

I'm officially into my 4th Semester M.Sc.

Classes haven't yet begun, but my 3rd Sem exams are over, so the official statement. Irrespective of the results, of course.

One thing, i can't believe is this: 4th Sem and so quickly. Time does fly. I was telling this to a friend who simply shrugged in reply. 4th sem! Those words still impress me.

This thought crossed my mind. I never thought it would, though. I did think of closing my blog a couple of times. Despite a contradiction to the same within a few seconds. Me, blogging, is a rare event. And i believe that it turn obsolete in a few months time. But, to shut down something that once was a piece of my mind is considered an unforgivable act if you'd ask me.

Who would want to read an article which is posted once in a blue moon? I've been told otherwise. I don't know.