All Consuming : Kalyan Neelamraju

Why I recommend "The Assault"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 25 Aug 2006 08:41:35 GMT

by Harry Mulisch

This unassuming, short novel doesn’t provide simple answers. It lets the reader judge the choices made by the characters without a heavy moralizing sometimes found in other WWII-related literature.

A story about "British Politics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:44 GMT

British Politics: A Very Short Introduction (Very Short Introductions)

by Anthony Wright

Purchased at the gift shop in Parliament at the end of the tour through Westminster. Completed Aug. 3, 2004.

A story about "Fingersmith"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:42 GMT

Fingersmith

by Sarah Waters

Fingersmith was remarkably enjoyable. I wasn’t expecting much when I picked it up for cheap at a used bookstore in Berkeley, CA.

A story about "The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Today Show Book Club #8)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:42 GMT

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency (Today Show Book Club #8)

by Alexander McCall Smith

Completed Oct 16, 2004

A story about "Cardiff Dead"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:26 GMT

Cardiff Dead

by John Williams

A fast read that I found mildly enjoyable. At times the prose felt a bit too stylized, as if the author was more intent of expressing style over content.

A story about "The Scottish Nation"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:26 GMT

The Scottish Nation

by Thomas Devine

I think I might have lost this book.

A story about "The Polysyllabic Spree"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:24 GMT

The Polysyllabic Spree

by Nick Hornby

The book (mostly Hornby’s views on books and reading itself) was refreshing, but I think it could have used an introduction from the editors of “The Believer.”

A story about "Monstrous Regiment (Discworld Novels (Paperback))"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:23 GMT

Monstrous Regiment (Discworld Novels (Paperback))

by Terry Pratchett

Completed 31 January 2005.

A story about "Why Orwell Matters"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:22 GMT

Why Orwell Matters

by Christopher Hitchens

Hitchens’ work, sectioned into thematic essays, mostly works. He calls other writers on their less-than-kind pinpricks towards Orwell, but he also engages in some petty sniping himself.

A story about "Madras on Rainy Days : A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:21 GMT

Madras on Rainy Days : A Novel

by Samina Ali

Completed on 24 Feb 2005.

Ali’s book is worth a read. The end tends to be a bit more abrupt than I would have expected from the occasionally ponderous prose early in the novel.

A story about "Just a Geek"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:20 GMT

Just a Geek

by Wil Wheaton

Completed on March 3, 2005.

Wil Wheaton’s book allowed me to see beyond the character of Wesley Crusher. I’ll admit that I used to dislike (I wouldn’t say “hate”) his character, and I made the foolish mistake of conflating Wheaton and Crusher. (Gimme a break, I was 12.) Wheaton’s prose, while not the most elegant or flowing, serves its purposes. This is definitely a worth-while read for any Star Trek fan, or anyone who wants to understand that “Actors are people too.”

A story about "Put Out More Flags"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:19 GMT

Put Out More Flags

by Evelyn Waugh

Completed on 13 March 2005.

Perhaps you had to be from a certain generation to find this extremely hilarious, but I am more than a generation removed from WWII. I found this book mildly amusing at points, but the blurbs oversold it for me.

A story about "The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:19 GMT

The Hollow Chocolate Bunnies of the Apocalypse

by Robert Rankin

Completed on March 11, 2005.

Rankin’s book will amuse you, especially if you enjoy the many books of Terry Pratchett.

A story about "Things Fall Apart: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (Kalyan Neelamraju) — Fri, 02 Sep 2005 17:49:18 GMT

Things Fall Apart: A Novel

by Chinua Achebe

Completed on 17 March 2005.

Achebe’s book startled me with its powerful shaping of a colonial story that, unfortunately, was probably all too common in Africa and Asia. I read Heinemann Press’s Classics in Context: African Writers series edition, and I have to give it a mixed review. It provides a useful, though simplistic. description of the Ibo people. However, it is also surprisingly full of proofing errors.