Ananda @ Baghajatin

Location: Near Baghajatin crossing in a lane (the poster can be seen on the main road)
Timings: 11 a.m-9 p.m
Closed on: Mondays

This was a wish for long. The outlet of Ananda Publishers closest to my home was near Lake Market though I never got to visit it. I always wishfully glanced at it while passing by and told myself that I would come here someday though that day never came. Finally this outlet was inaugurated last week near my home, granting my long standing wish.

Today while returning home, I decided to check it out. Sadly, I found that the shutters were about to be downed as it was a few minutes past nine. However, the proprietor (I guess so) sweetly enquired where I lived and asked me to come tomorrow. It may not be before this weekend that I will have a close look at the outlet and the titles that they have on the shelf. Nevertheless, once I check it out, will keep you posted about the details. Till then, it's three cheers to Ananda.

Image courtesy: Ananda Publishers

Contemporary Indian Short Stories in English

This book published by the Sahitya Academy and compiled by Shiv K. Kumar is a compilation of 24 short stories by eminent Indian writers (including some lesser known authors, as well). Each of the stories is rooted in Indianness and is unique in its own style. In brief, the book presents a collage of contemporary India, its values and culture, albeit in a language that some still feel is an alien in this land.

Though it is difficult to pick the best of the lot, I do have my favorites in this book. Some stories that I loved are (in their order of appearance) The Betrayal by Sujatha Balasubramaniam, The eyes are not here by Ruskin Bond, To nun with love (yes, the title reminded me of the much loved story To sir, with Love penned by E.R.Braithwaite) by Shiv K. Kumar, A Pinch of Snuff by Manohar Malgaonkar, Absolution by Dina Mehta and Green Sari by R.K.Narayan. Khuswant Singh is at his raunchiest best in The Bottom Pincher. The stories that I disliked and was quite bored to read are A Fable by Raja Rao, Martand by Nayantara Sehgal, Letters/4, 5 and 6 by Anita Mehta and Not to be loose shunted by Ashok Srinivasan (this last one totally went above my head).

All-in-all, getting to read so many different author's work under the same cover was an interesting thing to do in order to overcome my otherwise bored holidays.

The Adventures of Rusty: Book Review

This is a lovely book written by Ruskin Bond, an author who is mostly famous as a writer of several books for young readers but has an equally big fan following amongst the grown-ups (take my example as a point). Published by NBT, this book is an interesting read and is sure to transport the readers to their own childhood memories. The book is divided into two sections namely Uncle Ken and Running Away. Both the sections give a vivid account of Rusty's adventures. The first part deals with Rusty's eccentric uncle Ken who struggles to find a job for himself and turns at Rusty's granny's home in Dehradun every now and then. The second part deals with Rusty's plans to run away from the school-boarding at Pahargunj to meet uncle Jim (who was a sailor and whose ship was expected to put anchor at Jamnagar). The only problem was that Rusty and his friend Daljit had to cover at least eight hundred miles to pull off this feat, that too without enough money for the trip and a vague notion about the exact road map. What happens finally is for the readers to find out as I dare not spill the beans here and rob you of an interesting and enjoyable read.

So, try to grab a copy of this pocket friendly book (Rs. 25 only) with nice illustrations and take a trip back to those days of entire bliss when you were a child of Rusty's age.