Not every one falls in love with reading. Some of us are just born to read. Its something in the head really. The contraction of the brain nerve cells, the buildup of anxiety, that congestive feeling in the chest area and general restlessness when one is the midst of a gripping novel can only best be explained by the ‘READER’. I know it, since i am an avid reader too.
The habit was actually born at school. I wanted to finish everything in the school library before i finished class10 and the library no longer became accessible. If the book was good, i couldn't put it down till i finished it. Come what may – exams,rains,sunshine, dad/mom shouting from across the hall. No power in the world can separate me from a good book. There are others (like my brother) who can read books at their convenience, take breaks in between, socialize and get back to the book only when they find the time. My wife’s a reader too. But she can pick up a really exciting and suspense filled book and stop midway, having feeling bored! My God!
Anyway, i returned to reading after a long gap. Many years to be precise. And that happened quite accidently. A “gift card” from a leading book store can be used in only one sane way – buy books from the same store. I am an old fan of Alistair McLean. It isn’t therefore surprising that i picked up two books.
I’d read many of Alistair McLean’s books earlier – can’t remember their names now, let alone their plot. Thee two however standout :
“San Andreas”
“Night Without End” (one of the better books from McLean)
Now adding two more to this list :
“Bear Island” (again a good book. McLean seems to enjoy weaving his story lines around cold regions – artic, greenland and so on). This one’s based on ‘Bear Island’ and makes for a delightful read. McLean’s language is impeccable. Fluent and glossed with all the fancy words from the Queens English language. I should’ve laid hands on these while at school. Would've definitely improved my language and grammar.
One more “The Golden Gate” (a perfectly boring book. This must’ve made a lot of sense in the 1970’s or 80’s) The main plot is about kidnapping the US President, and anyone reading this book in the 20century will laugh out aloud the the technique. You cannot even dream of kidnapping the US president in the ways described
Well that’s not quite all. My brother and myself have taken a liking to Sidney Sheldon books now. I just finished one in flat two and a half days, a well written thriller (but felt a little dragging towards the end) The murderer is easily guessable and the story drags on and on pat this stage with no new insight to offer.
Angel of the Dark:
Well for the moment my book shelf’s full :
And a 3book box set of… Lord of the Rings! I’ve watched the movies, always wanted to read the books sometime:
(all pictures from the internet)
