Book review - The statistical probability of love at First sight

When I ordered this book online, I was expecting a thick fat book which I could read for few days and finish. But I was a little disappointed when it appeared that it was not 'Fat' like I wanted. But all the more, the  synopsis made me want to read this book ASAP. I also just loved the Book jacket! I know I know, we should not judge a book by its cover, but this book can be judged by its cover as it is just as pretty in the inside as well as out.

The book starts off as Hadley, the 17 year old reaches the Airport only to realize that she has missed her Flight by just 4 minutes. She is the protagonist and the book emphasis the importance of minutes and even seconds in our lives. She is supposed to go to London for her Father's marriage and it is with great reluctance from her Mother's side that she decides to meet the woman who her Father has decided to get married to.

But little does she know that Fate has other things in store for her. It is at the Airport that she meets the cute Oliver. Immediately they start talking when Oliver helps her at the Airport and she can't hide her delight when  she finds that have got almost adjacent seats. Hers is A & his C. As luck could have it, they end up travelling 7 hours side by side and Hadley finds herself revealing more about herself to this stranger she met just few hours back.

The book spans over 24 hours & it just this 1 day that changes Hadley's life. The imperfect relationship with her Father, her frustrations, fears & hopes are shown very well & though it is a young adult romance, I thoroughly enjoyed reading this one. Do give this one a read if you are a true romantic at heart as it has all the ingredients for a sweet story. This is one which makes us see a fairy tale even in our daily lives. 

Book review- Riot by Shashi Tharoor

Who killed Priscilla Hart? This is the question that is thrown into the readers' minds by Shashi Tharoor right from the start of the novel. Priscilla is the 24 year old American student whose work brings her to Zaligarh, a small town in Uttar Pradesh. Riot receives its rightful title from the Hindu Muslim riot which has been witnessed in India during 1989.

But more than concentrating only on the reasons for the Riot, Shashi Tharoor weaves in it a beautiful love story as well. Was Priscilla murdered by chance or was it a deliberate one by someone? These questions rush through our minds while reading the book. Priscilla comes to India for the project of educating women on Family planning. Is her death the outcome of an enraged Husband?

Lakshaman is the main character in the book other than Priscilla, the District Magistrate. What starts off as simply an affair evolves into something deeper, changing the lives of all around them.

Shashi Tharoor writes beautifully, from the point of all the characters involved in the Riot. From Priscilla's scarp book to Lakshman's journal to the conversation between her parents who are divorced and who come one last time to India to see the place where their daughter has lived her last few days.

Was she simply at the wrong place at the wrong time? "We are where we are at the only time we have. Perhaps its where we are meant to be". This is my most favourite line from the book and it still stays with me even after closing the last few pages. This book is certain to create an emotional disturbance somewhere in the corners of your heart.

I would definitely reccomend this one for all. It may not be a light read, but it it is one definitely worth reading. This is the only book of Shashi Tharoor that I have read and it leaves me wanting to read his other works as well. Definitely a must read for all and it promises to make you see the riots happening all over India in a new light.