Gerald Durrell

I love reading books. One of my favorite styles of writing is one where the narrative is a first-person account of events and people. It gives you a feel of being in the author's shoes and trying to see the world as he/she describes it.
Currently I am reading Gerald Durrell's "Marrying off mother and other stories". This is the third book by Durrell that I have gotten my hands upon other than the most famous "My family and other animals" and "Birds, beasts and relatives". I was first introduced to the author during my school days.....the English reader had a very interesting humorous account of a boy and his pet donkey in "My donkey Sally". Besides being in the autobiographical style, Durrell's books have this subtle "fun" element in them. Because he is describing real-life events involving himself and his family (including poking fun at them and the absurdity of situations) there is this sincerity which touches you. His ability to delightfully put into words the simplest of events is definitely worth a mention. Additionally, I admire his ability to recall so many of his childhood events, especially in My family and other animals and Birds, beasts and relatives. He claims to have semi-fictionalized some of the stories but most anecdotal accounts involving his brothers Larry and Leslie, sister Margo, mother, Roger the dog and the driver Spiro are true. They are a delight to read, and I must admit I enjoyed them more in comparison to his stories which narrate events of his adult life and his adventures around the world.
One thing that I find interesting about him is that he has not written these lovely books and accounts out of his love for writing; instead, in his own words "they were simply a means to make money to enable me to do my animal work"!! His love for animals definitely shows up in his work and stories.
For anyone who enjoys simple, fun, light reading, Gerald Durrell's works are highly recommended by me. :)

The Magic of Enid Blyton

"Parp, Parp" :D Anyone who has read stories about the wooden little boy who stayed in Toyland would know this sound. Yup, I'm talking about Noddy and his bright red and yellow taxi.

Now where did this suddenly come from? Well, the other day my friend and I were talking about all the different types of books that we have read over the past many years, the variety of genres, and the importance of reading books other than those of course which are a part of school curriculum. She suddenly asked me which was the first book that I remembered having read as a non "school book". I promptly (well, perhaps a moment's hesitation was there) answered Noddy!! in Class I :D I have no memory of "book-reading" before that, but I definitely remembered this because starting from Class I to X we have always had a "library period" once a week. There was this large stack of Noddys in our class cupboard to be rotated amongst us and I remember eagerly waiting for that period. That was the time when I entered the wonderful world of BOOKS and discovered the Magic of Enid Blyton :)

It is not that I didn't read books by any other author or enjoy them as much; considering, however, that Enid Blyton has written over 600 books for young children, it is no surprise to me now that every other book that I could get my hands on (via school library or collections from friends' homes) was an Enid Blyton. Be it the Adventures of the Wishing Chair, The Naughty Children series, The Magic Faraway Tree series, Famous Fives, Secret Sevens, The Five Find Outers and the Dog :D or Malory Towers and St. Clare's....I was always in the possession of two or more ( no less, mind you ;) ) of these books. I did have my share of hindi books too...Panchatantra, Heeray-Moti, Nanihaal mein Guzre Din.....but being in an English medium school the ease of access to these books was more.
The world that was woven by her pen was so very enchanting! Anyone who has grown up on these books would know exactly what I mean. Vivid descriptions of the colourful scenery, characters, the delicateness of fairies, wit of the pixies, cunning of goblins and gnomes, power of magicians and wizards and not to forget the portraiture of the scrumptious food :D Toadstool houses and Blue cup cakes!!! I was soooooo fascinated by the thought of it! Funny animals, creatures and plants that could walk and talk!! There were of course lessons to be learnt too from these stories, the rewards of being good, brave, courageous and consequences of being otherwise. Then there were stories of these young children (at least one of whom you could completely identify with) and their adventures, escapades and secret clubs. I remember spending a lot of my holidays with friends pretending we were camping (a bed-sheet tent on the terrace/garden) or having a secret meeting (under the bed) complete with passwords and all :D It was a lot of fun. I sometimes used to wonder why I don't have access to a forest or a river or a haunted castle or caves! Whenever mom couldn't find me/see me/hear me in the house, it would be obvious that I am in "my reading corner" absorbed in one of these books oblivious to whats happening around me :P And what would be a perfect birthday gift for me would be no secret either!! As much as I used to enjoy getting lost in her books, I do owe a lot of my knowledge and development of vocabulary to her too.

If I went into details of the details of what was so great in each of her book series or description of the characters that I find so interesting etc. I would probably be writing a reallllllllly long article :P But I do believe (as would any other person who has grown up reading Enid Blyton books) that those who did not read her books in their childhood have indeed missed something, which unfortunately cannot be caught up with now. I am convinced that reading and immensely enjoying her work developed the "reader's bug" in me and I gradually moved on to other types of books. The kid in me still admits that I would love to flip through pages of her books anytime even today! No prizes for guessing what 5yr olds around me will be reading ;) Thanks Enid for all the magic and joy.

Books Books Books ..... !!!

Today I visited the International Book Fair at Pragati Maidan. Made it finally!!! This is one of the times when I actually did not miss out on the announcements of the fair and actually saw the announcement pre-commencement of the fair....but in the mad rush of everyday things to do finally did manage to squeeze it into my schedule on the very last day....had to sacrifice my weekend trip home (mum's complaining a bit :P ) but it was definitely worth it. Come to think of it......any trip to a book-store, exhibition or fair is always worth it for me :D I think I need to be prevented from time to time from visiting book stores....I invariably end up buying something even if I have some pending unread stuff with me.
I had given up hope of visiting the book fair this time due to my busy schedule and then consoled myself saying "I have enough books to keep me occupied for quite some time". But unexpectedly, yesterday when Tanu (my labmate) suggested a visit, I half-heartedly said yes and being exhausted almost cancelled it too....but finally did keep my promise. A step into the hall full of books and the smell of fresh untouched pages of brand new books was all it took to make me feel really glad that I did come :)
Books...books...books....everywhere....and all kinds.... it was simply wonderful.......some stalls bring back such wonderful memories.....MacMillan, Longman, Orient and you think of all your school readers.....all the children's books....those that I used to look at longingly back then and didn't buy...and all those that I would love to buy for kids (I think I will make a nice storybook mom-aunt :P ) Cambridge, Wiley, Pearson etc. ....and it reminds me of all the exams that I have given :D
Then of course the favourites......Penguin, Rupa, Harper Collins.....aaaahhhh..... so much to read and so many constraints! Well, I did empty my pockets...and so much more than what I had anticipated :D (but I had the reassurance from Rahul....they could count as my b'day gifts..yayyy :D ).

Today's loot included "Open" Andre Agassi's autobiography, two books by Shashi Tharoor, Cyrus Broacha's latest and a collection of George Orwell books. And I get a book free for buying so many!!
Visited several other publisher stalls too and returned all happy and satisfied (well...almost....you leave with the hope of returning again and re-visiting the joy of being lost among the books). Four hours well spent!! And the first attack has been made already....target Agassi :P :D
I promise to be good and finish all these before I buy any more books ;)