On A Windy Friday Evening !

I have been in Sydney for almost 4 months now.Amazing how time flies by.It seems as if we just landed here yesterday.The place where we live is somewhere around the center of civilization.Though it is lonely here and you do not even know who lives next door, you eventually stop letting that bother you after some time.As one of the children in a household, where both parents were employed, you actually get used to being alone by yourself a lot of the time.
Nowadays, I can honestly say that it is actually a drain of energy when associating with people and going to places and events, just because it is the in thing to do.However, there is the shopping complex a fifteen minute walk from our apartment, which I religiously frequent and a friend living next door with whom I chat every other day.I am in love with Sydney.There is no other way to describe this experience.If you are in US, you do not even know what you are missing out on.
Maybe what makes it so beautiful here is the casual, laid back charm of the place and people.It seems to have the combination of the modernity  that is US, the wilderness that is Australia and the mix of multilingual culture, with the overall effect that it makes one feel at ease.
My daughter will be turning 3 years old this month.As a stay at home mom, 24 hours do not seem enough to do the job of looking after the house, cooking, cleaning and looking after my daughter.As a person, who loves to search for good books and movies, I find very limited time to do what I like.I have been freed up a bit since this last month, as we have put our daughter in a daycare/preschool setup.It is quite costly here, especially as the refunds and benefits are only for permanent residents and Australian citizens.We're very lucky to be able to afford this, even on a three day a week basis.

Well, you cannot be in Sydney/NSW without talking about weather.They say that winter starts around the start of June and ends around the end of August, with July being the coldest.The weather changes about 3 to 4 times a day.Sometimes the morning starts out being very sunny, with the afternoons turning cold, the evenings turning warm and the nights turning coldest.This week has been especially windy and cold.All my shopping plans for the week keep getting postponed.I especially wait for the weekends, where we can sleep a bit longer, without having to get up in the cold to complete the daily cooking and cleaning in time for breakfast.

I wanted to write all this, sitting at home today, a windy Friday evening.
Each day is an adventure, and experience teaches you a lot of things which you would not have learned, had you simply been part of a family.The best thing about Sydney for me is that there is the public library within walkable distance, to satisfy my craving for books.I do not have to depend on anyone to get there and absolutely love the freedom and independence.Sure I miss my family, but they would not want me to sit here feeling sad and what seems most important is to live in the present and enjoy the golden sights and sounds that this land has in store for me.
Feel free to drop in a line, if you liked this read

The Joy Of Book Addiction!

Some people are addicted to a strong cup of coffee, some others to the net and social networking.There are many who are addicted to drugs and drink.Ordinary folks like us are addicted to books.While its a known fact that many of these other addictions have an adverse effect on health, book addiction is one, which is guilt free.Can you imagine becoming sick reading too many books? You only become more informed, or creative or sharper in your language skills as the case may be.

However, its not simply information or knowledge which draws us to books, though it is one of those excellent reasons.Here are some other reasons, why we read what we read.

Complementing Our Sense of worth:A book on what we love is a fountain of knowledge.In a world where information is king, being informed and having the opportunity to be tuned to whatever passion it is that one loves makes books indispensable.The more there is an opportunity for exploration , the greater the positive effect on self worth and confidence.Book addiction, many a time enables us to fit  in our social circles by giving us authority to speak on a subject.The most well read are those who have a variety of subjects to touch upon and as such, their company is most sought out to bring meaning and fun into a conversation.

Having fun without being on the run: Books are one of the most pleasurable ways to relax and have fun.The thing with a book is that you do not need to set a goal or read it to achieve anything.There are no points,there is no win and yet there is a guarantee of feeling a sense of accomplishment, which is stimulating.
Whether you realize it or not, the lack of deadlines and the flexibility to proceed at one's own pace and inclination is something which adds incredible value to book addiction.Most of us read, not because it is a chore to be completed, but rather a choice which one can or cannot pursue depending on the mood.

The joy of exploration and discovery:The fascinating world of books has so much to offer by way of variety.There is fiction and non fiction.In that, there is a variety of genre to explore such as adventure, mystery, romance, philosophy, not to mention to do guides to help in pursuit of one's passion.The joy of discovering something interesting or new in the world of books is as real as the euphoria or excitement which Columbus must have experienced on discovering America.

A book is, but a seed of an  idea.Due to their changeable nature and ability to narrate a story or touch a person's heart, books are like gold to be hoarded and treasured.Their value and worth is of the intangible kind, bringing hope and meaning to the elusive definition of life.

Best Books – A Short List Of Absolute Must Reads

Its a crazy world out there and a visit to the library without any set objective, seems a sure waste of valuable time.For the most ardent bookworm out there, its always a challenge to find an interesting book worth the time and effort, not to mention that almost transcient happiness which fills our mind on having read a good book.What I've done here is to present to you the absolute best books which I have had the chance to read.You may have read some or most of these.But if you are just starting out and want the whole goldmine of informaton to help you make your choice for the day or rather the crazy weekend relax and let go night, here is the list.

Bloodline – Sydney Sheldon:
Sydney Sheldon is one of the best known authors with several amazing masterpieces such as Master Of The Game Rage Of The Angels, The Other Side of Midnight, The Naked face to his credit.I have read all of the titles listed here and they are the absolute best books with amazing plots, suspense and thrill to get your adrenalin pumping.Now, there's a style to each author and I consider Bloodline as his best novel because of the history, pace and intrigue on which the plot strongly falls on.Rhys Williams and Elizabeth Roffe are among the most important characters around whom the story revolves.But its a family business we are talking about and each of the characters featured have a strong weakness and a reason for urgent cash, enough to commit murder for access to the company's shares.Then there is the murder of innocent girls in their moment of esctacy, which is also an important subplot leading up to the final expose.Be assured that this is one book which will have you awake at midnight turning pages.

The Second Lady – Irving Wallace
Irving Wallace has written several books, most of them thoroughly researched and based on sexual themes.The Celestial Bed is virtually a how to guide for pleasure and satisfaction, which many a reader depends on to get his/her method right.While books like The Chapman Report, The Three Sirens do not have strong plot lines, The Second lady excels with a strong plot and enough suspense to keep you going to the last page.Throw in a plot with The First Lady, a kidnap and an exact look alike to replace her, with the Russian secret service involved, you've got everything covered to keep your readers panting for more.This is truly one of the best books I've ever read and frankly speaking , its the only one of Irving Wallace which I've read with a satisfying plot line.

Shall We Tell The President – Jeffrey Archer
Jeffrey Archer, the master story teller has written many page turners such as Kane and Able, Honor Among Thieves, First Among Equals and one of his best books is " Shall We Tell The President?" Set in Washington DC, it features Florentyna Kane as the to be elected US president and is actually featured as the third book of the "Kane and Able" trilogy, though the story tself was written as a stand alone.The plot is absolutely superb and the story moves at a very fast pace.There is researched information with factual tidbits on the working of the US intelligence.It all comes down to one thing: Can the lone surviving FBI agent prevent an assasination attempt on the country's first female President single handedly in a seeming poltical maze in which every one is a pawn.This political thriller with a lean mean plot is a treasure for book lovers everywhere.

The Godfather – Mario Puzo
Though Mario Puzo wrote famous novels like The Fortunate Pilgrim and The Sicilian, the most famous and his absolute masterpiece is "The Godfather".The story set in the streets of New York, featuring the workings of the Italian Mafia and made immortal on screen by Marlon Brando who played Vito Corleoni, is a work of carefully thought plot with significant emphasis on strategy.This is the book which is deemed to have portrayed the changing face of US and the various cultural groups forming a part thereof.
While you may have watched the film, nothing is as interesting as having a peek at the original source which inspired such a breath taking film.

Angels and Demons – Dan Brown
With all talk about best books, no list is complete without featuring a book or two of Dan Brown, one of the best selling authors of thrilling adventure.Though he's written several books such as The Da Vinci Code, Inferno and The Lost Symbol of the Robert Langdon Series, Angels And Demons remains my favorite to date and gets featured in my best books list.
The plot features the Illuminati Diamond, theft of anti matter and a world disaster to be stopped, all set in a 24 hour time frame, with Robert Langdon at hs best ever.Its an amazing plot of fast paced events based on good and evil, love and hate, science and logic hope and joy and you will love every minute of the chase to the end, especially if you love to see a puzzle falling into place.
And that brings us to the end of the first list of best books, all top secret information, provided for your exclusive enjoyment.If you are a newbie and loves the thrill of a chase and want to get going in the right direction, this is the short list of best books for you.Each of these is by a different author and these are all best selling authors as well.If you've not decided on one already, this is the right time to do so.
I would love to hear from all of you who have read this article.Please feel free to write in your comments

What Makes A Romance Sell?

I am a book junkie or book addict as some would prefer to call it.Serious romance reads gets me up and running like nothing else can.So I ask myself, the idea of romance is the same - that of a man and woman committing them selves,or a man and man or woman and woman as the case may be.But you get the point.
Why do some books sell like hotcakes while some others sit on the shelves like rocks?
This is something which many of the writers are no doubt searching the answers for.Now a romance book is not simply a man meets partner, falls for her/him and they live happily ever after.It is amazing if you look at what the readers still look for in a romance read.
From the marketing perspective, it is rather like baiting the fish.Though what makes it so very interesting is that there is a lot more strategy, fine tuning and depth involved is writing a story that sells and even gets made into films.
The Plot: Though the basic plot remains the same, taste changes with time.So I can truthfully say that not all the readers  are looking for a happily ever after.The romance that truly sells takes its cue from real life, which means that there is frustration, disappointments, second chances and bleak realizations, though there may be some unexpected silver linings in the horizon.
Relating and Emoting: Romance books need to be top notch in these two areas to sell hard and fast.Along with the element of love or romance which is a given at any time, the characters need to relate to the audience.On the right note, the characters must also relate to each other.Romance is all made up of emotions.The more intense the interplay between the characters, the better it is for the readers.
The Characters: When a story is simple and touching, it makes for a great romance read.Take "Love Story" by Erich Segal and you will understand what I mean.With a perfect plot swept in currents of intense emotions, it still takes strong independent characters for a story to finally sell.This could be the story of any woman on the street or any man on the road.And everyone loves reading it, because it could well be their story.
Book cover and Presentation: Believe it or not, the title of the book, the picture gracing the cover and the story summary or summing up are often the most important deal breakers.Accepted that there are hundred new ways that a book may be marketed, the reader often picks up a book , intrigued by the title or the story gist or parts thereof tantalizingly presented.Its called teasing the audience and it sure as hell works almost 99% of the time if not 100%.
Needless to say, romance reads are much more than simply good stories.Its rather like being at the right street , in the right time for the right person to pick you up.

Eloise James - The Ugly Duchess - A Book Review

Its been a long time of inactivity.And most of the time it is either all or none.I love romances.Its always cozy to read a beautiful story with passion filled pages and this activity is one of my best mood lifters on a dull weekend.
Oh what would I not give, to land myself a good old book of unpredictable romance.When you have been through umpteen Mills and Boons romance and have certainly reached a phase where you want romance with a bit of a twist, taking up "The Ugly Duchess" by Eloisa James is such a good idea.I have read two other books by the same author and this is one of the best, especially because this is the romantic version of the age old fairytale "The Ugly Duckling". Substitute Theodora Saxby as the ugly duchess,throw in temptation in the form of the handsome James Ryburn, whose exact reason for marrying Theo seems divided between wealth and love.You have all the elements to make up an interesting, no arresting read.
This is one romance with a difference.The story starts after the happily ever after of a seeming love match and marriage.Turning pages bring in endless twists, not to mention the elated feeling that one experiences, with the transformation of Theo from "The Ugly Duchess" to "The Beautiful Swan".

The title was one of the main reasons, I was tempted to sample this book.If you are also in search of some variety in romance, featuring titled lords and plain Jane ladies, this is a must read.
I have it on the best authority that the twists and turns in this book will have you turning pages, until you reach the end.And then of course, you will be sorry that such a good story ended.....tsk tsk....

Not without my Daughter

This is one of those fantastic films which I got to watch.It was a thrilling and thought provoking in turns and had a solid story base,which kept the ball rolling throughout.Don't go by the reviews which do not do full justice to the storyline and just focuses on the acting of the actress Sally Field.
This film is based on the real life story of American Betty Mahmoody,who went to Iran with her Sayed Bozorg Mahmoody husband and daughter Mahtob.What was to be a short vacation during which she would get the chance to meet with her husband's family and understand the customs and traditions of his land,soon turned into a nightmare for her.He husband has already decided that they would stay in Iran as it would be good for the family and forces Betty to stay against her will,by going to extremes like confiscating her passport and threatening her that as per the Iranian law,the child will remain in Iran,even if Betty wants out of the marriage.How Betty plans her escape all the while under the watchful eyes of her husband and his family and the plight of many other American women in similar circumstances in Iran,is portrayed in a sensitive manner in this film.The films was shot in the US and Israel.
Alfred Molina,who plays the character of Sayed Mahmoody,has acted wonderfully throughout the film and the child actress Sheila Rosenthal,who plays Mahtob,beautifully portrays the culture shock,which a child experiences,when forced to embrace another culture.

While the first half of the film is slow paced and takes time to introduce us to the psyche of the characters,it is only in the second half of the film that the story proceeds in a lively pace and makes us sit through with our hands sweaty waiting for the next scene to play out.
While it can be argued that the culture of Iran and Islam has been portrayed to the extreme as being violent and unforgiving,it does reflect the radical difference of culture between the west and East.It is definitely a different film and one worth watching,just to have a glimpse of the other side of the globe,portrayed as in Iran.

Film name:Not without my Daughter
Language:English
Written  by:Betty Mahmoody
Directed by :Brian Gilbert
Cast:Sally Field,Alfred Molina,Sheila Rosenthal, Roshan Seth,

Outsourced - A different take on all things outsourced

I just watched "Outsourced" and was pleasantly charmed and disarmingly surprised,with the right blend of reality and fiction.If you read the various reviews,you will hear the phrase "a lot of heart" being there in the film.I would just like to add that I am from India and I had a chance to work as a customer service Rep in the USA,in Florida.I surely had to deal with the downside of having an accent.Hence the situations portrayed in the film made it dear to me.Okay,the story was tweaked a bit to the far end.But most of India portrayed here was the real India,which you do not see in films.It may make you decide that India is not worth visiting after all.Despite there being dirt and dust all around,the simple acceptance and friendliness that people bestow upon you is indeed warm.
Ok, back to the story,"Outsourced" deals with an American Todd Anderson,whose job is outsourced to India.How he goes to India to train people there and his take on India...the people,culture etc is told in a lighthearted way.There is Puro,his replacement,Asha,one of the charming women,he gets to meet and get acquainted with.It is no thrill to disclose the full story and spoil the surprise.
Lets just say that there are all sorts of unlikely situations,hardly ever encountered in the West.This film will be a definite eyeopener to the curry that makes India and the people in it.