14. Parallel Reads II

Reading at a time when I am besieged with burdens galore can be the most exciting part of my life. Sneaking in between to read a page or two and then resneaking. Ah! What bliss!

Though I had bought Next Door by Jahnavi Barua a couple of years back, yet the right moment was only a month back when I opened the first page and started reading. Today as I completed the book, I could only sigh and regret, wishing I could have continued reading more stories of my land, woven so intricately by the words of Jahnavi, who is nothing less than a master story-teller. Her stories left  that lingering desire to know more about the characters just like Jayanta Hazarika kept his songs half-finished, leaving me in a dire state of mind to ask him to sing further. But alas! My Jayanta da is not here to listen to me. 

Next Door is so full of visual nuances, laced with a peculiar romance that is so intrinsic to Assam. Eleven stories, endless characters and that musky aroma of my beloved land. Jahnavi has done more than justice in bringing alive original stories from this bounteous land, now home to many from across the country. A fantastic read!

The phenomenal #1 Bestselling Author is what they call him and not for nothing. Robin Sharma knows he is good and actually does a great job at writing some fantastic stories. 

I am pretty much impressed by his 'teachings' if I might say in his book, "The secret letters of the Monk who sold his Ferrari."

The monk, Julian, finding his cousin Jonathan, in trouble with his life, sends him on a tour around the world. The tour entails collecting some precious talismans and the messages which come with them. Robin Sharma does an enormously great job at getting his words across to the reader. In short, he surely rubs that cooling balm where the readers need it the most. 

Loved reading this book, which can be life-changing for some if they so desire!