Baffled Heart

Many times I have been asked from several angles to recommend books and I feel awkward to respond. How on earth shall I choose one? How do I know what is his/her interest? Is he looking for a time pass in a travel? Should I endorse Chetan Bhagat then? Or is he interested in fantasy stories? Perhaps J.K.Rowling would be in my mind then. Or he is an amateur reader and wants to make reading as a habit. Sidney Sheldon, Jeffery Archer, John Grisham are on the line. I also don’t know if he is aiming towards literature. Salman Rushdie and Kiran Desai can give a good start.

“Sorry Dude, it’s a difficult question. I am afraid if I can answer you” is my spontaneous reply. The disappointed pal takes his/her turn.

Some other times I sit opposite veteran readers, I get pings from expert columnists (of course on Gmail). I face a very fundamental question, “Who’s your favorite Author?” I mumble. I sign out of chat without delay. Once a thought had come across my mind that some man-booker or costa winner author would be my favorite. Is it Aravind Adiga then? If his humor pleased me in the book, Yann Martel’s intelligence has to be considered. No, some Nobel Laureate will definitely be my favorite. Is it Orhan Pamuk or J.M.Coetzee or Doris Lessing? Long time back when I had read ‘Atlas Shrugged’, Ayn Rand delivered speech in every chapter. When I am reading ‘Diary of a Bad Year’ (It’s all about Australia which will be my next blog), J.M.Coetzee speaks utter truth every page!! In one paragraph, he mentions Leo Tolstoy as a great author for all time. But I was not able to understand Tolstoy’s philosophy in ‘War & Peace’ though ‘Anne Karenina’ bored me to some extent. Is Coetzee going to occupy the ‘Most Favorite’ chair in my heart? Perhaps he is on the way. Then what wrong Orhan Pamuk or Doris Lessing did? My rack contains ‘Prophet’ & ‘Grass Is Singing’ to be next read. Where is Wodehouse? Where is Kahlil Gibron? Where is R.N.Tagore? Can’t they run to take the seat?

Sorry Dude, it’s also a difficult question at even a position of 200+ stage. I am confused. My heart is confused. Perhaps 5 years up the line when I shall complete 500 books, I shall ask this question to myself and spontaneously my heart will snap one name and (s)he will be my favorite.

Uncle Sam asked, “Are you looking for ‘Product Manager’ position or ‘Sales Manager’ in Landmarks Bookshop?”

Signature : God Bless You.

                Satyabrata.