^ That's what I think. People always tell me that I wasn't 'ready' for it when I tell em I think it's overrated. Ooh well.
Saby, as for recommending a book, I think 'A Fine Balance' is truly one of a kind.
Gutsy-- Thanks for your suggestions, I already have Alchemist and Davinci code will be here in a day or two. Everyone is suggesting Bricklane so i gotta give it a try.
Shinoo-- I saw impressionist at a bookshop. I might give it a try too. And use your mind a bit more and suggest some more names :p. A Fine balance, hmmmm noted.
ravage and shinoo-- Regarding Alchemist, I have read almost half of it and IMO its biggest plus is its simplicty. I have found it quite effective and interesting so far. When i finish it, i will be able to give more accurate answer..
Thanks a lot people, Keep em coming. Summer has just started.
Great thread, I need some culturing over this summer too, literacy wise at least.
However I have read near to all the books suggested above, Daaghs suggestions (the ones which you claim to have not read saby) are brilliant. Definately worth a read.
The Alchamist I read a while back, I think i was 12 :p and at the time I found it capturing, is it worth a reread in your opinions?
1984 is a mediocre book in entertainment terms, it does however make you think. And if indeed you are looking for a philosophical perspective on life the universe and all things, (excluding the amazingness taht is the hitch hikers guide to the galaxy) then I can see why it appeals, I still maintain that "Animal Farm" was the better of his books.
A suitable boy< any more info on that? Is the writing style as rich as Rushdie? If Im to invest a month to reading that baby I need to know taht she will deliver.
May i say I love books, I devour them, I cannot express my absolute love for them enpough, infact i feel my heart is going to explode when i talk of things literature. i amy not be able to spell, but damn-it can i read.
If any one can also help me on this:
I read a book last summer, in fact 2, one was about a political dissident in Nigeria I think, and he was a journalist and a poet, it concerned three friends and was a love story too. It was highly amazing. Very unique and left me reeling. One line taht stood out for me was
"today was the first day of the rest of my life"
I forget the name of the Authur, but he did win several prizes for literature, it was critically aclaimed and was a debut novel. Not autobiographical though.
The second was the story of the black violin, anyone read it?
I’m compiling a “to read” list. I’ll post it once I’m done.
i :love: summer…reading time 
If you're into espionage, try the Bourne trilogy by Robert Ludlum:
- The Bourne Identity
- The Bourne Supremacy
- The Bourne Ultimatum
Classic stuff.
OK, i couldn't leave this thread alone.
Please keep posting book suggestions. I'll steal them from saby, with a brief discription of style of book, genre etc?
The book I have just finished reading is, Monsieur somethings Lemon Tree....
Its an extremist feminist book, talks about female enpowerment, independence from men, etc. Its very radical, for some of you :p and is in the form of several short stories, I would reccomend it, merely for interests sake. It gives a real insight into the mind of a feminist hardliner. The power of the hate.......its something else.
In a strange way its also captivating, as strong emotion often is, there is one particualr story about the woman alone which makes you think about male-female relationships and why poeple pursue them
Some sufi poetry books are also amazing. Although its Cliche, rumis book (I'll look for the name and post later).
Annother good poetry book for those who are not so much into their poems, or even as a gift, is "Real poems for unreal times".
Its diverse and if you are unsure of wheither you like poetry reading or not, it ensures that there will be something you like.
I don't accumilate books myself, simply becasue I cant afford to buy at the same rate taht I read, and then i forget as i have the memory of a goldfish with a sieve. And thus I can only remember partial names.
Lovely bones, as is mentioned in annother thread is an interesting read. The only othre book which has ever looked at rape/murder/death from the perspective of an angel was some kids book from years ago, so not only was this approach really fresh, you were made to empathise with the child angel and it touches you definaltly. It is a debut novel again and so you have to cut the lady a tiny bit of unnecessary slack, however its definatly worth investing ur time in.
I'm also thinking of reading more of the (and I hesitate in putting this
REAL classics such as keats, becasue they have really captured the richness of the english language, however much I'm a fan of minimalism when writing (yea I know) the way they spun their words needs to be admired.
sigh, so little time so many books.
hiccup-- thanks for such an enthusiastic reply. Well my 'to-read' list is growing all the time. I have added most of them through guppies' suggestions. Masha'allah Guppies are 'educated' :D I kept the suggestions genre open to read from variety of books and so far it has proved to be a good option. I have gone through 'Alchemist' since this thread started. SLowly but surely will cover most of the suggestions.
im readin Anils ghost, n im liking it.. actually cant seem to put it down..
God of small things…forget the name of the author however Its taken me 3 months to remember the name.
Hope its appreciated
Amazing amazing book.
^Arundhati Roy.
Amazing book indeed