Going Dutch - Katie Fford

Marrying Anita - Anita Jain

No , this is not your run of the mill love story . Nor is this the story of an Indian living abroad finding her happy ending in India. This is the real life of Anita Jain , a woman in her thirties and her story of how she struggles to find a husband . It is not that she cannot find men , she does. Many. But none that will marry her or that she can marry. The story revolves basically around Anita's life in New York and New Delhi. Set in parts in the same book, both parts revolve around her thoughts , views , her parents , her background , friends . And mainly her many boyfriends  [ at different times ] , her sexual relations/encounters , her dates , friends and travel . 

Being thirty and still single is a situation that most people detest . Especially single women and Anita is one amongst those . What sets her story apart is her intelligence , open mindedness and frank opinions on everything in life. Oh and of course her aspirations of love and dating and quirky observations of new age India . 

Part one of the novel revolves around Anita's life in New York , her parents and their constant worry and nags to get her married .Her historical background of relationships , work and babbles with friends . Her struggles of finding a spouse on shaadi.com and the various situations she lives in the process , make for an interestingly funny read.

Then comes Anita's decision to travel to India in a desperate attempt to find a husband at least there after being unsuccessful in the US. New Delhi is her obvious destination since she lived there once before while on a work stint. Being a woman of the world [she's traveled to Mexico City , London , Singapore ,etc.] her experiences and expectations are sometimes deflated when she meets men. Her previous views of Delhi are completely overturned when she's introduced to the Bollyhood hating , Jimi Hendrix loving hash smokers. She relishes the friendship of gaymen in New Delhi much as she did in New York . Her notes on Indian men , work ethics , encounters with prospective grooms , Indian prices and pubs all give a familiar view to an urban Indian and a not-my-India view to most others. Surviving on her own in her apartment with the help of Amma [her cook] and Chandra [her maid] , Anita throws parties , brings home men and enjoys the Delhi views. 

Read on if you want to enjoy a quirky , funny and refreshingly intelligent views of a thirty-something born Indian-bred American woman who's real life is printed now for the world.

Gifted - Nikita Lalwani

What happens when an extremely intelligent Indian goes abroad and settles down without leaving his roots behind , but only uproots them to replant again and more firmly ? Gifted is one of those rare novels that really makes one question the sanity of cultures , education and strictness imposed by parents and society alike. While we commonly come across books about average persons doing well , 'Gifted' is a novel about an extremely talented child and her despondent life.

Rumi is a 10 year old girl born to Mahesh and Shreene. At the age of five , Rumi was told that she is gifted. A highly intelligent girl with an equally encouraging father , Rumi is always driven to excel in education. Though a vast contrast from ordinary Indian fathers who don't encourage their daughters from studying much , Mahesh tends to overlook the fact that Rumi is just a little girl , even if gifted.

So hard is Mahesh's need to excel and grow academically that he prefers speaking in English within his family . He sets time tables for himself , his wife and even Rumi . The only entertainment Rumi gets is timed for an hour and never exceeds. Shreene is made to go the library so she can read better and be uptodate with current affairs ; to discuss with Mahesh.

Growing up in a foreign land , surrounded by kids who think she's weird and her father weirder , Rumi struggles for a semblance of normalcy. As she slowly starts entering her teen , Rumi begins to despise her father and his strict timetable that make her life misrable and highly constricted. A door opens when Rumi wins a scholarship at 15 to study in Oxford. Her only way of freedom , Rumi embraces it and also indulges in life that she wasn't allowed . But maintaining a balance between what she wants and what her father wants is hard for a 15 year old.

The story moves on to an ending that bodes well in fiction. But makes one wonder about reality and the psychology of controlling parents . Is it really so important to always 'achieve' and not simply live/be ? Read on for a compelling and interesting story.

The Chocolate Run - Dorothy Koomson

The chocolate run is one book that shall definitely appeal to chocolate lovers and chic lit readers  . The usage of chocolate as a metaphor for life and life's characters makes for a funny and highly imaginative read . Further the protagonist's addiction or maybe love for chocolate and her need for chocolate as an instant pacifier makes for a chocolate filled - thought provoking and coming of age novel of love , life and relationships.

Though not one of Koomson's best works , the Chocolate Run makes for a good read on a lazy day . I did not instantly take to this book as I did the rest of her works , but it sure makes a good read if one loves reading.

The story revolves around our choclate lover , Amber , who also runs for good health. She also runs from commitment . She has issues with her parents , which extend to all the relationships she enters . The story deals with her relationship with Jen , her best friend that she adores , Matt ; Jen's boyfriend and Greg. Greg who is playboy personified till his fling with Amber .Amber, a person who prefers chocolate to romance , and has a tough time dealing with life when her best mate wants to become boyfriend . The story makes for a funny and interesting read with the characters evolving with every chapter , Twists and mysteries poking at the perfect intervals . A spicy , quirky chic lit indeed.

My Best Friend's Girl - Dorothy Koomson

Dorothy Koomson is one of those writers who can make me feel for the child as well as the protagonist in the book . Trust me its rarely both together . Her stories intricate a lot of other stories like most modern or contemporary authors . All interwined and connected to the life of the main character but equally intriguing .

My Best Friend's Girl is a book about the life of a british african- Kamryn Matika , who's compelled into a situation of bringing up her best friend's 6 year old daughter . A child [ Tegan/Tiga], who she had last seen four years ago , with whom her only means of contact were the anonymous gifts and occasional cards . A best friend [ Adele / Del] who stopped being one when she broke Kam's trust.

The novel is highly unputdownable . It has a very interesting , sensitive and humorous plot , a typical trait of Koomson books . MBFG is a novel that deals with hurt , love , betrayal , trust , abuse , infidelity all in different contents . But most of all, it deals with the unfurling of a little child , the growing up of a thirty year old woman ; resolving her issues , becoming a mother , forgiving her past and learning to love again.

Kam now lives in Leeds , and Tegan is a six year old who is about to lose her mother to cancer . Del's faith in Kam and their love for each other dispute their past turbulence depicts a beautiful story of friendship over betrayal and hurt . Kam promises to look after Tegan who's father is none other than her own ex-fiancee. The only man she ever truly loved and the one who doesn't know he has a daughter.

Between her career and Tegan , Kam juggles to hold her sanity and get rid of past memories . Then enters Luke ; the man who replaced her boss because she couldn't be promoted due to practical reasons , who instantly falls in love with Tegan and becomes her best friend as much as he hates Kam . Luke becomes an unappointed addition to Kam's life , who unnerving brings stability in all their lives. An unwelcome addition to who is unavoidable due to Tegan's attachment to him . But slowly , they get along , bond and start behaving like a family , begin to like each other or more and things are going pretty well  . Until Nate enters . Nate ; Kam's ex-fiancee who cheated on her with her best friend Del . Who is the biological father of Tegan . And towards whom her feelings of love are still unresolved .

Interesting right ? Read on.. its not one of those boring.tangled plots . Its mature , interesting and funny . And leaves you smiling at some pages !

Marshmallows for Breakfast - Dorothy Koomson

This being the first ever book i read of Dorothy Koomson , I took it from the shelf solely due to the cover . A woman and child and marshmallows. Definitely interesting. And trust me , the story got more interesting and involving as i turned the pages . I expected the book to contain a simple story with a happy ending. I was not prepared for it to make me think or feel for the characters . It is truly a book of love , hurt , healing and moving on . But thankfully does not make for a soppy read , instead the simple writing and evolving characters leave a mark by the end.

As is the set background in most of her novels , Koomson writes about a British African. Returning to UK from Australia is Kendra Tamale. Living in hurt from her past , she rents an apartment from a family that is pretty messed up. Try as does , she cannot help but get involved . She only seeks to gain peace and closure and to be left alone . And that is the last thing that she gets , thanks to the six year twins Jason and Summer . Living with only their dad , the twins take to Kendra like moths to light. But the mystery of their mother's departure is not as simple as they try to put it . The Gadsborough family adopts Kendra as their own , even though she's 'black' ; as noticed by the kids . Her apartment is the kids sanctuary . The kids company is her balm . And then there are the kids parents ; a dad who's beginning to open upto Kendra and a struggling to deal with his wife and life.

Though the cover suggests a soft theme and a light chic lit , the book is definitely a higher dose of thought provoking read . It makes one think and not just about the simple things in life .It is a book that deals with confronting oneself , finding closure and basically healing from hurt and moving on. Definitely a book that one can enjoy but not a light read for sure.

Suzzane's Diary For Nicholas - James Patterson

 James Patternson is basically a crime thriller writer and an amazing one at that . With this novel he has moved slightly away from crimes and has looked into the intense feelings of love. Undoubtedly a bestseller , the story stands true to its theme " For everyone who's loved and lost and learned to love again. "
           

 The story begins with Katie Wilkinson , a young woman living in her New York apartment , crying her heart out in a bathtub , a leather bound book in hand and her cat and dog as the only witnesses . She comes to a conclusion that the person , Matt mentioned in the book is her now ex . The same man who is Suzzane's husband and baby Nicholas's father in the book.

The novel alternates between Katie's present life and Suzzane's life as written in her book/diary . The diary contains Suzzane's love for her child and a description of  the love she shares with Matt  . And Katie's present leaves her in great shock , considering the circumstances that Matt has left her in .

The story comes to an ending ridden with a lot of suspense ; as to whether Matt shall be with Suzzane or Katie . But each page 's ending compelled me to turn to the next . James Patterson has yet again presented us fans with a brilliant literary treat of love and living .

What keeps this book apart from the million other love stories , is the simplicity in writing. The sheer portrayal of love in an ordinary manner that is given heavenly status . But at places , one may find the book corny due to innumerable references to love , but that's only when one is far from romance. It is realistic , practical and each page reminds us of where the simple pleasures in life lie . The underlying theme makes one wonder about one's priorities in life and the position of living , loving and happiness .

Definitely worth a read , even if your not a fan of romance.