Time for another update of my reading list.
This is what I am reading right now. I’ve selected all light, breezy novels this time! Just right for spring!
1). The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – The movie tie-in book, originally These Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach.
I deplore books and movies by non-Indians that resort to clichés and stereotypes of Indian behavior and mannerisms. Surprisingly, Moggach mainly focuses on, and draws a caricature of, a group of non-related British men and women well into their golden years. Her Indian characters do use words like “Acha” and eat aloo ke parathe, though they live in a non-Hindi-speaking South Indian city. Yes, I am bugged by little things like that! Yet, this made for good light reading. Will it make me want to watch the movie? No, thanks.
2). The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad
This is all about love and second chances, set in early 19th century Iowa. Nothing major. Just a spur-of-the-moment selection. You can almost predict what is going to happen next, still it makes for a good read.
3). Murder Most Austen by Tracy Kiely
I love the wry, dry humor of Austen novels and her heroines. I am also drawn to the mid-century English life depicted in her books. This book by Kiely is set in contemporary Bath and her heroine is a dedicated Janeite. The stakes are high for this relatively unknown author, if you ask me. I just started the book, and it has been a huge let down so far. There is something about the way the characters have been developed in the first few chapters, that put me off.
You can check out my earlier reading list here.
Have you ever read Eat, Pray, Love? It is about an American woman who visits Italy, India and Indonesia in a quest for personal fulfillment and discovery. It is pretty good so far.
Thanks for the suggestion, Lauren. I have not read it yet.