The mistress of spices - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

This was a good read. It starts out with the Tilo who is made a mistress of spices in California and how she uses spices to heal everyone. She is not allowed to touch the people she talks to. But one fine day, a guy comes in and she gets carried away with him. I did not like the love angle as such. But the description of each spice in each chapter and the way it is used to heal people, I somehow felt convinced that spices have powers heheh :) I liked it but not as much as Palace of Illusions.

My Sins against Gender-Stereotypes

I got tagged by Comfy and Smitha to write about – ‘My Sins against Gender-Stereotypes’. which was created by the super blogger IHM 


Here goes my list of 10 things that I have done which I am not supposed to as a woman:
1. I like being in control of every trip, thing that I do. I don't relinquish control that easily :) I take charge of everything.
2. I have stayed alone for more than a year and enjoyed that phase of life. 
3. I don't wear make up that often and detest jewellery. I prefer a jeans and T-shirt any day to  salwars, saris etc
4. I like to read manuals of gadgets and make sure I make maximum usage of the gadget.
5. I love searching for deals for electronic items.
6. I hate heels and do not own a single pair of high-heeled shoe. I think most of the girls will hit me for this :)
7. I like driving because it makes me feel I am independent. I hate depending on anyone for anything.
8. I can change bulbs, fix things with a screw driver - a general handy man of sorts.
9. I like to explore and see around more than anyone. I like to go for walks and check what is around to do.
10. I have a knack to find coupons to use for most of the expensive things that I buy.

And now for the tough part. I’ve got to tag people. Apparently according to IHM, if you read this and you don’t take the tag up , you are  - ‘cursed to wear blue pants if you are a woman and pink shirts if you are a man – for next twelve years’.

Because everyone I know already has been tagged, I tag everyone who reads this blog :) 

The vine of desire - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I thought perhaps the sequel might not be good since the first book was really nice. But this was good too. In this part, Sudha has left her husband since his mother doesn't want a girl and Anju has miscarried her son. Sudha goes to US to console Anju and also to find a better life for herself. Anju's husband has feelings for Sudha and this turns into a web of desire. 

Sister of my Heart - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I liked this book. It talks about Anju and Sudha who are cousins. Anju is the daughter of the Chaterjee family and Sudha is the daughter of a cousin of hte same family. Sudha is very beautiful while Anju is not. Despite this and being born on the same day (i.e. the day their father died), they are sisters of the heart. They are very close to each other.
One day, Sudha learns a secret that threatens to destroy the closeness between the two. Eventually both of them get married and Anju leaves for the US and Sudha is in India. The story continues in the second part - The vine of desire.

The mirror of fire and dreaming - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

I really enjoyed this novel. For me, it was like a Indian version of Harry Potter :) with all magic involved. Anand is in the Silver Valley and his mentor, Abhaydatta, is sent to save a village. Anand gets a vision where in he feels his mentor is in grave danger. He tries to convince the Elders about this fact, but doesn't wait for their answer and sets out with Nisha to find Abhaydatta with the help of the "conch" - a magical and powerful object. In the process he ends up in olden times of the Nawab and Haider Ali. Quite an interesting read! I loved it!

Queen of dreams - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

American-born Rakhi is an artist and later becomes co-owner of a teashop with her friend. She is the daughter of Indian immigrants and is confused as to why her mother, who is a interpreter of dreams, doesn't want to talk about this gift. She is suprised why she has not got the gift. It leaves Rahki bitter and resentful that she cannot share in this part of her mother's life. When September 11 occurs, a series of events unfold and she realises what her mother means by what is missing in her shop. The story is beautiful and is from Rakhi's point of view. And it opened a new view point for me on what would people from India would have faced during that terrible time for no fault.

Thrill

Nothing beats starting your day seeing you have won a badge from Comfy :)

I was so surprised that my answer turned out to be somewhat correct :) Thanks Comfy for making my day!