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"Tell the chef, the beer is on me."
I read my first eBook, The Last Man in Tower, using the Kindle app for iPad, a couple of weeks ago. Husband and I were about to fly out to New Mexico for a short vacation. Since the book was pretty lengthy (650+ pages), I thought it would be convenient to get the Kindle version and download it on my iPad. Admittedly, ever since, I’ve been HOOKED to eBooks. Let me tell you that I strongly disapproved this form of reading a couple of years back when Kindle was making a big splash in the tech world. How can eBooks replace physical, awesome smelling feeling of holding a book, while you comfortably tuck yourself in bed? Well, after reading four books on my iPad over the course of last 3-4 weeks, I think they very well can.
My main argument towards switching to eBooks:
So, inspite of so many great reasons to switch to eBooks, I don’t think I could take this up 100% of the time. Like I mentioned before, there are some books that I will always want to own physically. For example, some valuable graphic novels, an autographed copy of The God of Small Things by Arundhati Roy, my Harry Potter collection to name a few.
Now, what don’t I like?
I understand that companies have made a lot of investment in producing the digital format of books, but I still can’t get mind around the fact that the eBooks cost almost as much as the hardcovers, when a book has been newly published. Why why why? Even after a couple of months, eBooks are NOT that cheap. I understand that we’ve got to pay some premium for the added comfort of carrying our entire collection wherever we go, but the current pricing structure is pretty stupid. Even more stupid if you’ve bought an actual Kindle, in which case you’re probably out of at least $80 even before buying a single copy. And factoring that $80 along with the added price of buying each digital copy brings you right where you were before you made the switch. So, you’ve got to assess if paying almost the same price (and perhaps more after you factor in the cost of your device) is really worth it for you. I didn’t go out and buy a Kindle. We’ve always had an iPad and I just use that to read my books. But my husband just pre-ordered me a Kindle Fire and I don’t know if I want it. Have read all about how it ties into the Amazon eco-system and nothing else and I’m pretty apprehensive about throwing my money on another device at this point. So, I might return it (and ask hubby to use the money to get me the iPhone 4s as soon as I’m eligible for the upgrade next Jan 2012)
This turned out to be a pretty long post. I’m pretty sure all of you are already set in your ways and another post in the cyber world regarding an issue that has been beater to death will hardly make any difference. But I HAD to get my thoughts out there. Also, in case you’re curious, the three other books that I read in the past few weeks are:
Mix 2 ounces of Water, 1/4 Teaspoon of baking soda or Sea Salt, 1 drop of Pure Peppermint Oil, and 1 drop of Tea Tree oil. This Homemade mouthwash recipe leaves a great refreshing minty taste in your mouth and helps prevent bad breathe.
Source: Ultimate Cosmetics
Just made a batch for me and my husband and I’m really amazed by how awesome this tastes. It’s really strong- So I would recommend that you use only about 1 tsp per use. Most importantly, it’s 100% natural and has no preservatives, no alcohol, no parabens, no SLS etc. I used to buy Tom’s of Maine Mint Mouthwash and used to easily use between 1-2 large bottles a month. Well, I can strike off one item from my shopping list. :-)
“ He wonders if it is worth hoping for a future when there is no future, and from now on, he tells himself, he will stop hoping for anything and live only for now, this moment, this passing moment, the now that is here and then not here, the now that is gone forever ”— Sunset Park, Paul Auster
“ Even if man has changed the world around him, man himself has not changed. The facts of life are constant. You live and then you die. ”— Sunset Park, Paul Auster
Having loved The White Tiger, I really wanted to find lots of reasons to love Adiga’s latest book, The Last Man in Tower, but somehow, I felt that the book falls short of the tall expectations that are set when the author is a Booker Prize winner. The book does a great job explaining the typical middle class man’s views and struggles in the ever burgeoning city of Bombay and how perfectly “nice” people are capable of carrying out unpleasant actions and deeds, when faced with making a decision on matters that will alter the courses of their pitiful lives. Beyond this, the book fails to rouse the reader who is already accustomed to the intricacies of India and her people. There are lots of instances where the main plot drags on, with Adiga adding little to the overall storyline. The main protagonist’s (Masterji) character seems half baked, unrealistic and most of us wouldn’t subscribe to his belief system in light of the idealistic stand that he takes against the builder, Mr. Shah. For example, at one point, Masterji is still thinking of turning down Mr. Shah’s generous offer, but before the reader even gets a chance to address the appropriate reasonings, Masterji launches an entire crusade against the builder.
The build up to the climax is too long and repetitive in nature. The climax itself is unbelievable and is filled with logical loopholes.
There are some great one liners in the book which I would love to share, but I really don’t want to spoil the book for anyone who wants to read it.
The Last Man in Tower is still a worthy read, as long as you lower your expectations and don’t compare it to The White Tiger. I think it is time for Indian born authors to stop relying on Bombay and the dreams of middle class people in India to wind up a story.
- This poster is actually a super accurate representation of the way this film plays out…
- In that at least half the running time is spent with Shahid either standing in front of a plane (Look, he’s a pilot! Do you see! ARE YOU SURE YOU GOT IT?!) or brooding off into the distance.
- Not that…
Watched it last night and absolutely HATED it. But Shahid did look very handsome <3 I was getting SO frustrated seeing them being apart- I don’t know how the calamity torn lovers handled it. Bleh. Never again. 4/10.
I gifted four of my favorite books to one of my closest friends (who lives in India) for his birthday. Let me tell you this- finding a reliable online Indian website that offers shipping is not easy. Luckily, there is this renowned book store chain (Crossword) in the country that does offer this service. So, after taking great pains to get his local mailing address, ordering the books, tracking the shipment online, contacting customer care etc., the books have supposedly been delivered to him. He doesn’t know what I’ve sent though. I’ve asked him several times if he received the package. It’s been a week and he still hasn’t responded. I am pretty upset. I would be jumping with joy if someone were to send me stuff. Is it normal to ignore birthday gifts like this?
My Body is a Party that You Weren’t Invited to, no Matter What my Dress “Says.”
Literally the perfect sign
Yep. All you guys who can’t control your dicks- this applies to you.
That is why I hate cats. Selfish creatures. I would never have one as a pet.
“ Being born a woman is an awful tragedy… Yes, my consuming desire to mingle with road crews, sailors and soldiers, bar room regulars - to be a part of a scene, anonymous, listening, recording - all is spoiled by the fact that I am a girl, a female always in danger of assault and battery. My consuming interest in men and their lives is often misconstrued as a desire to seduce them, or as an invitation to intimacy. Yet, God, I want to talk to everybody I can as deeply as I can. I want to be able to sleep in an open field, to travel west, to walk freely at night… ”— Sylvia Plath, on rape culture (via orcrist)
“ You can’t fight murder with murder. ”—
[Ross Byrd], whose father, James Byrd Jr., was kidnapped and killed by three white supremacists. This horrific murder inspired Texas’s James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Act, and the Federal Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr Hate Crimes Prevention Act. One of the killers, Lawrence Russell Brewer, was executed last night in Texas, over the objection of the Byrd family.
Amidst national protest, Troy Davis was also executed last night. Many of the protestors believe Troy Davis was innocent. Many believe that there was simply too much doubt regarding Davis’s guilt. I don’t know about guilt or innocence. We routinely uphold convictions on substantially shakier evidence than that in the Davis case. I think Ross Byrd has it right. We should not try to fight murder with murder. If we are uncomfortable with the life-and-death decision of a unanimous jury, perhaps we are simply uncomfortable with the death penalty.
Another execution is scheduled for tonight. Derrick Mason’s last minute appeal to the Alabama Supreme Court includes a letter from the judge who sentenced him to death acknowledging that he now believes the death penalty was inappropriate in the case.
I do not believe the death penalty is appropriate in any case. Just as many were uncomfortable with the facts in the Davis case, I am uncomfortable with a state (or anybody) who claims the moral authority and moral competency to kill other humans.
(via squashed)
I am 27 currently. Can’t I always be young?
Had a great Sunday- Woke up at noon, ate some lunch, slept again for 4 hours, got ready and went out grocery shopping, followed by some dinner at The Clay Pit.
During our ride to The Clay Pit, we saw this really sad & tired looking, dirty horse dragging a carriage with some people in it. What a sad life…Long time back, I had take a vow never to step inside a carriage. Tonight, my feeling was re-instated again. If you love animals, please protest against these horse drawn carriages and save some horses.
“ Someday, somewhere - anywhere, unfailingly, you’ll find yourself, and that, and only that, can be the happiest or bitterest hour of your life ”— Pablo Neruda
"Tell the chef, the beer is on me."
"Basically the price of a night on the town!"
"I'd love to help kickstart continued development! And 0 EUR/month really does make fiscal sense too...