Potpourri by Ruskin Bond

 I started reading when I was 17 years old. Since then I have been a voracious reader of fiction. But after all these years when I look back, I find it strange that I have read only a few books written by Indian authors in English. And that spell broke only during the pandemic. Since I could not go out or order new books, I turned towards my little book shelf that has handful of a collection. That was how I stumbled upon Ruskin Bond. I had two books of him which I had bought in 2013. I knew the year because I had written it down on the book.

Honestly, he just blew me away with his stories that were drawn up from life experiences and what a fine writing it was….Just like honey dripping from the comb. It had a sort of lyrical nature to it. The writing was simple yet profound.

As the name of the book indicates, this book is certainly a potpourri.

It means a bowl with a mixture of petals of dried flowers, leaves and spices. This was put together to create a pleasant smell in the room. Just like that his short stories also has a mix of intrigue, mystery, romance to create a pleasant and memorable reading experience. He could indeed create such an experience for the reader.

As I already pointed out, this book is a compilation of his short stories and a small book that you could read at a stretch. But I would advise you to take it slow and savour all those emotions each of these stories evoke in you.

If you ask me which of them my favourite were, I would say ‘A Face in the Dark’, ‘A Job well done’, The Girl on the train’, ‘Susanna’s seven Husbands’

Why? …

Because these short stories let me have their share of mystery and intrigue. And I am a great lover of books that could evoke in you, some kind of curiosity which could put you on the edge of your seat.

Most of these stories are written in the first person narrative. And the stories will take you along with his various phases of life. Here, you could meet him as a boy, in his adolescence and also as an adult. There are other stories that have been drawn out of course, from his imagination.

There are poems too based on imagination and even facts. Anybody could read them and understand.

Prior to reading Bond, I have never been a nature lover.

I mean….

Neither did I appreciate nature nor did my focus fall on the nature. I was quite oblivious to the nature around me which was quite sad. For me, Ruskin Bond’s books just opened a whole new world where nature became a significant part. Not only that, he made me look for more books written by Indian authors. His books made me fall in love with Shimla, Mussorie and other Himalayan regions.

Certainly, this is one of my favourite collection of short stories.

Please let me know if you have read any of his books.

- Shalet Jimmy

Almost Single by Advaita Kala

 

For the first time, I realised that be it  Bhatinda or Kerala, the mothers of single women nearing 30 speaks almost the same language. ' Mama Bhatia ', the mother of Aisha Bhatia, the protagonist resembles my mother too strongly and there are times I  had to pinch myself to make sure that it was not my mom who was speaking.

I never had the intention of buying this book when I came across it. I  used to frequent book stores when I am depressed and I chanced upon this  book during one such visit. Went through many books and  the huge amount printed on the cover literally threw cold waters on my  strong inclination to buy a book. But this one was different. It's  title lured me. Besides the price was comparatively low .That's how I bought Advaita Kala's ' Almost Single'.

I would definitely not call this a master work or great piece of art. It is a book which has been written in a simple language and  absolutely apt for casual reading. There is no plot as such. It is the  story of Aisha Bhatia from Bhatinda along with her two friends who are on a groom hunt, to be precise, it would not be wrong if I say ' NRI  groom hunt'. ( One friend just got a divorce and the  other is on a search ).

 As far as Aisha is concerned, unlike her  friends she did not want to flow with the age old tradition of groom  hunting whether it be through social networking sites or by  conventional methods. Her faith eventually triumphs at the end as she  falls for Karan, an NRI. The story concludes with hero and heroine coming together just like a typical bollywood movie.

If you are somebody who needs food for thought after reading a  book, Almost Single is just not for you. You wont get anything serious  out of it. Keeping all those seriousness aside, if you need a light  reading while you are travelling or mired in depression, this could be  a perfect remedy.