Book Review: Best Laid Plans

Best Laid Plans by Sidney Sheldon

This would be the third Sidney Sheldon book I have read and I am loving it! Sidney Sheldon's writing style, to me, is very similar to that of Jeffrey Archer's. In what way, you ask? The sense of thrill that they instill in the reader. They way they capture the audience so much so that keeping the book down (in this case the tab containing the e-book) is very very difficult. Some people say other books of Sheldon's are his best works, I personally don't care. He surely has won my heart over!

Oliver Russell is a power hungry man who would stoop to many levels to achieve his political goals. Of course, the one man who makes President Russell move like a puppet is Senator Todd Davis, aka his father in law. Peter Tager, the Senator's ever present, ever loyal assistant is there for Russell as well. He is a family man and a devout Christian, loved by all.

Leslie Stewart, the owner of a newspaper giant is hell bent on destroying President Russell's life. He is not, according to her, fit for running the country. Co-incidentally, when Oliver Russell takes office in the White House, a series of murders take place. It certainly does not paint a pretty picture when all the facts point to the President of the United States, Oliver Russell. And who is to uncover this case but Dana Evans, Washington Tribune's Foreign Correspondent and the reason for the downfall of an empire?

The book is wonderful, in my opinion.

3.5/5

Book Review: Size 12 is Not Fat

Size 12 is Not Fat

The book screams: chic-lit, chic-lit, chic-lit!!!

Yes, it is a chic-lit book. I won't deny it. But, it was a pleasant read nevertheless. This, mainly because I started reading this book right after 4 weeks of the Harry Potter saga (Yes, I love the series. Yes, I've got a humongous crush on Ronald Weasley. <3) Anyway, I do have plans of writing reviews on the HP saga, but, more on that later.

Size 12 is Not Fat by Meg Cabot is every fat girl or former fat girl's book. A few sentences repeated often in the book:

1. Size 12 is not fat, it is the size of the average American woman
2. Not dorm, sorry, Residence Hall
3. Girls don't elevator surf

Dear Author,

1. It's not just the size of the average American woman. It also happens to be the size of women from yours truly's country! Yes, I was average once, it doesn't matter. I totally get it. I totally support the protagonist, sorry, you, your thoughts.
2. I get it, saying Residence Hall makes the children feel more home-y, if you will, however, saying it in every other page, I got plain annoyed! I mean, seriously, I get it. The protagonist has a sieve for memory, I don't blame her, I'm just saying. The repetitions are avoidable!
3. Eh! This was to support the story line. I don't have a problem with this line.

Anyway, the book is well written. Contains a tiny amount of suspense for a chic-lit novel. If you are a Jeffrey Archer/ Robin Cook/ Sidney Sheldon fan, you will definitely look through it in a heart beat.

Heather Wells, for teen pop star is a Size 12 and is NOT FAT. She lives with her ex-boyfriend's brother (Mind you, they're only friends even though she wants to take him down, every time she sees him and tear his clothes apart with her teeth) and works at the New York College's dorm. I mean, Residence Hall (See, I remember). Two girls die in two weeks' time. Who's next? Why, Heather Wells, of course. But, who would want her dead? Her ex, Jordan, her boss, Rachel, her colleagues, Magda or Sarah, her best friend, Patty, the Vice President? Someone is keen to get her out of their way in order to attain their ambition in life.

It is a quick read. I mean, my e-book was only 217 pages. I finished it in 5 hours (cumulative, split into 3 days.) It's an easy read, easy language. All in all, a very light read, just what you need at the end of a crappy work day with a steaming mug of coffee!

Happy Reading!

Delhi men apologize

Delhi men apologize
This article in the Wall Street Journal was sent to me. Long overdue, I'd say.

Delhi Men Say SorryBy Joanna Sugden

Joanna Sugden for The Wall Street Journal
Men held banners during the meet in New Delhi, Saturday.
Before Yohan Sudheer put up his banner apologizing to Delhi women for the behavior of Indian men, a security guard stepped in to share his opinion on the matter.
“He took me aside and said ‘You know, in that rape case that it was the woman’s fault because of the way she was behaving on the bus,’” said Mr. Sudheer, recalling the conversation at the small gathering at Jantar Mantar, a popular protest ground in New Delhi, Saturday.
Mr. Sudheer, 20, says the security guard was trying to convince him that men should not be held responsible for sexually assaulting women, including in the Delhi rape case, because they should dress more conservatively.
“This is what we’re up against,” said Mr. Sudheer.
India For Integrity, the campaign group of which he is part, met this weekend along with Delhi Bikers, local motorbike enthusiasts, to offer what they called “a public apology from Delhi men to Delhi women” and to commit to change men’s attitudes towards females.
“In the protests after the Delhi gang rape everyone was talking about punishment for the perpetrators but no one was asking ‘How can I change and make Delhi better and respect women more?’” said Jonathan Abraham, 30, one of the founders of India For Integrity.
The group was set up by friends in the wake of the anti-corruption movement in India in 2011.
“The idea of this event is to get men to think more introspectively and to take responsibility,” added Mr. Abraham who is a corporate trainer in the city.
On International Women’s Day earlier this month a significant number of men joinedmainly female protesters calling for greater safety and freedom for women in India.
But Saturday’s event was entirely male as 50 or so men gathered in New Delhi and posed with signs saying “Delhi women, I’m sorry, I’m changing” and wrote out their own pledges including “I will change my views on Delhi women.”
Among those issuing an apology was Shorya Bisla, 23, dressed in a black biker vest and red neckerchief. “I might never consciously have disrespected women, but I feel that I have been mute when the people around me have,” said Mr. Bisla who works in marketing.
Paul Narjinary, 38, said he was taking part as an example to other men. “If hard core bikers can humble themselves and respect women, other men will start realizing that their own attitudes need to change,” Mr. Narjinary said.
Sanjay Kumar, a newspaper distributor, said he saw the men’s demonstration and decided to join in. “I saw the topic and thought there had been so many protests but this one was different,” Mr. Kumar, 34, said.
“Instead of pointing the finger at each other you have to look at yourself and it’s really important for men to start by saying sorry,” he added.
Numbers at the protest were lower than hoped but the organizers said this was to be expected.
“We get messages on our Facebook FB -1.46% page asking why men needed to apologize and saying women should change what they’re wearing,” Mr. Abraham said.
“Taking responsibility and saying sorry is going head to head with a completely different mind set held by many men in the city,” he added.
Geom Abraham, 31, who works for a healthcare NGO, said he was not disheartened by the small turn out. “The ripple will not end here,” he said. “People will hear about it on the Internet and the conversation will continue.”

Joanna Sugden is freelance journalist living in Delhi. Before coming to India in 2011 she spent four-and-a-half years as a reporter at The Times of London, covering religion and education. You can follow her on Twitter @jhsugden.

I hate to say this. I really, really do. But, this article is apt for men like my Dad and women like my Mum. People who believe that a girl necessarily has to dress conservatively in order to avert attention. Why!? Seriously! You people don't deserve to live in the 21st century with mindsets like we live in the Dark Ages!! 

Beautiful Ends to your Beautiful Braids!

Back in school, getting my hair braided by Amma was part of the routine. Everyday at 0630 Appa made me sit on the floor, he sat on the sofa and he used to apply Keo Karpin Oil on my hair. "Mudi nalla vasanaya irrukanam," he used to say (Read: Your hair should be ever-fragrant.) Next was Amma's turn. She braided my hair and completed it by saying "Evlao nanna irruku illa ivalodu mudi?" (Read: She has such lovely hair, doesn't she?)

If the above scene didn't happen, it had to be a different day.

I remember, I used to want to braid my hair, just like Amma. My sibling was my hamster. One day, Amma was indisposed. All bright eyed and bushy tailed, I braided my hair, high, almost above my ears. It came out beautifully (Yes, it did). I used Dove Shampoo and my hair looked "silky" (the school girl term for un-oiled hair) and had a nice fall. And, well, what happened at school? In an instant everybody came to know that Amma hadn't braided my hair that day and had to endure a whole lot of "There goes the braided pony!"

Aaahh, my Amma's still the Master Braid-er!

Now-a-days, who has the time? Meeting my parents is a weekly activity. Oiling my hair is a big question mark when I am rushing all the time! Not only did my hair look all crooked (thanks to the split ends), well, my hair fled my scalp! Which is where Dove Split End Rescue System came to my rescue. It replaced my Amma's daily oil and braid routine on a daily basis (yes, even Amma was impressed), giving my hair the necessary nutrients and keeping it as it was in school. It makes my hair looked untouched :) :)

Girls, (and, well, boys with long hair,) Never Split Ever!

Girly Girl

I am a girly girl. I just won't admit it. Nope. Not a chance in hell.

1. I will not admit that I cry when I watch Oprah, The Pursuit of Happyness or when I am watching the Season X finale of F.R.I.E.N.D.S
2. I will not admit that I like to, scratch that, LOVE to look at myself in the mirror and admire myself (on my good days)
3. I will not admit that I have my notion of prince charming
4. I will not admit that I watch romantic comedies
5. I will not admit that once the romcom has ended, I have a stupid dreamy grin on my face
6. I will not admit that I day dream myself being the female lead in that particular romcom
7. I will not admit that I wish to be swept off my feet
8. I will not admit that I want a handsome educated (not in finance) guy to fall head over heals in love with me and go to the end of the world to get me
9. I will not admit that I like to shop (and try clothes on, keep them back in the rack in the rack after my heart skips a beat over the price
10. I will not admit that I love curling up with coffee and a romantic book every once in a while
11. I will not admit that the notion of marriage is appealing, indeed (but not something that can be forced on an individual)
12. I will not admit that the idea of a child is appealing (the only thing that I shudder thinking is the big head coming out of you-know-where and turning out to be a mini-Shreesha)
13. I will not admit that I still have hopes that I will have a college romance
14. I will not admit that I loved all three parts of 50 Shades of Grey
15. I will not admit that I have fantasized about Christian Grey numerous times, still do
16. I will not admit that I want a man to want me badly and do absolutely anything to get me
17. I will not admit that I sometimes like behaving shy and cute when with an insanely hot/ cute guy (yeah, yeah, sue me)
18. I will not admit that the sound of becoming a home maker for some chap is appealing
19. I will not admit that I sometimes hate my overtly manly voice
20. Have I missed out anything yet??

I will not admit that I am a girly girl.

Regards