We do not find a book, rather a book finds us...??

Have been tempted for some time to simply write my views on the books I have finished in the last two weeks (and typically this blog should have preceeded the earlier one). Its quite unlike me to read a book and forget it as soon as I shut it .Not only does my mind keep wandering over it, I take the liberty of discussing it with a lot of people also. Some may think this is beating the book (a simple enthralling narrative) to death, but during my Literature days I realised how just reading the story in a book is like drinking the water in a coconut and missing on the soft, yummy "malai" inside. which at least I am very fond of.
During my last visit to Chennai(this is the monthly regional meet), I bought two books- Brida by Paulo Coelho, and P.S I love you by Cecilia Ahern. The latter was the one I picked up to read first, for it had been suggested by quite a few people, all having the common rider : " YOU would love it because its YOUR kind of a novel". I usually tend to take such display of confidence in my taste, by others, as a challenge (or may be simplistic method) to find what is it that "I would so definitely like"!!P S I Love You, for me had an uncanny resemblance to Kuch Kuch Hota hai, for both have letters bridging the gap between the alive and the past of the dead. The novel had nothing new in it, and precisely that would be the reason it went ahead to become such a popular novel- talking about small things that anyone who has even remotely felt being in love, would identify with, and definitely anyone who has undergone the pain of separation, of any form, would swear by. Its easy to go on and on about a book - and end up expressing opinions as long as the book- but for me what touched me most about the book was the way my mind (or rather heart) shifted through the novel. I started by feeling this "spree of identification" with everything the protaganist mentioned, with grief overwhelming my heart and tears wetting the pages of the book. However as Gerry's letters brought something to look forward to in Holly 's life and transformed memories from dreaded recollections to sweet remembrances, I started feeling the same- almost spreading a smile on my tear stained face..even tempting me to thank people who made some of those memories.
The second novel was Brida, which I carried during my tour to Nagercoil. I am not a fan of Coelho in any way, in fact it is one writing style, I find has the most potential to destroy the purpose of philosophy, by being so vulgarly blatant about it. However, it does not hinder me from reading them purely as a "source of information" of the various principles. Brida is a book that talks at length about Irish Mysticism, about the Tradition of the Sun and the Tradition of the Moon, the magic of the forms of existence of a woman and the search that interests every human being at some point in her/his life- that of a Soulmate.I would refrain from saying whether there is justice done to the principles or not, but I did get hooked on to the book as if my life depended on it-- and the 5 hour train journey at least had 4 hours of enriching support. Was reminded of 3rd year during my Literature studies in LSR, when SC (the prof) used to teach Yeats and his use of Irish Mysticism- be it the phases of the moon concept or the Symbology used. These discussions used to almost bewitch me and so Brida for me was peeling another layer of that onion.
My third book was "Acts of Faith" by Erich Segal. I had somehow never read Erich Segal books beyond Love Story, though its one of my favorite. But with Erich Segal books being easily available in e-versions, I ended up downloading some and hence reading them. Against all that is said about the "pulp" nature of his books, I found depth in the simplicity of his narration and style- be it "The Class" (which I read a month back) where the simplest and most common thing - a batch of students, coming from different areas of life, dreams and confidence in their hearts and difference in expectations during college and actual realities on the other side of the college boundary wall, is depicted in the most readable, enjoyable and yet thought provoking manner.So is the case with "Acts of Faith" that juggles between the fundamentals of the two warring religions -the Jewish faith and Christianity and how the simple truth of humanly love is denied by the most profound preachers of priestly and spiritual love. The ending was a true feel good, love overcomes all, Bollywood-ish typicality , but at least in this case, that is what provided justice to the 500 pages before it- at least it did for me- that the strings of the heart are not necessarily frivolous desires but may bring forth the most astounding truths of existence.


Now my Blore visit, (which I would do justice to through a separate post) also gave me the opportunity to buy few books-bought 7 for the moment, in no order of preference of reading, but simply letting my hand wander and pick them up...bacause somehow I have started believeing:
" We do not find a book, rather a book finds us..at a juncture in life, what is to be read may also not be solely our chocie?"