The History of Love ~ Nicole Krauss

I finally finished this book last week. It took me over 2 months to read this book. I do not think that was because the novel was boring. The beginning was slow. When I saw the book, I thought, "Do I want to read a cheesy love story?" Then I read the back cover and talked to the librarian, and after reading it all the way, I realized it is not a "cheesy love story." It made me go "aaaww" at times, but overall, it was interesting.

The story is little complicated. There is a novel within this novel called "The History of Love." I started explaining and realized that I was doing a horrible job. So I went to Wikipedia entry for "The History of Love." I think they do a very good job providing a summary of the novel.

The story was slow in the beginning and it got little confusing as it was hard to establish how the characters connected. However, as the book went on, it got better and better. I liked it even though at times it was melancholy. It was good book. I would give the book 8 out of 10.

Hopefully I will start The Marriage Bureau for Rich People by Farahad Zama soon. I have been picking that book up every night and putting it down...I already renewed it.

Anyone but You - Jennifer Crusie

I listened to novel while waiting on receipt of The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. The book was waste of my one week of listening. Several people found Jennifer Crusie's books funny. I found first Jennifer Crusie's book I listened to irritating and have no desire to read/listen to any of her other works. Some people compared her to Sophie Kinsella. Sophie Kinsella is better than her, even though Becky Bloomwood from Shopaholic series also gets annoying with her lies and shopping problems. Rebecca's character reminds me of certain someone, but let's not get into that. I loved Sophie Kinsella's Undomestic Goddess, and looking forward to listening/reading to her other novels beside Shopaholic series.

Back to Anyone but You, the story can be summed up in less than a paragraph, and Jennifer Crusie took that one paragraph and extended it into a long lame book. Notice that I am calling the book long when it was only 5 hours long. I felt that it will never end. I still listened to it till the end because I don't like to leave books half-read. I have listened to longer books and enjoyed them.

I would give this book 4 out of 10. Four points are for the picture of the dog on the front cover of the book since that was the only cute thing in the book.

We The Living - Ayn Rand

I picked up this novel based on a recommendation. I must admit that I had heard of Ayn Rand but never expected to pick up one of her novel. Well I finished this about 2 weeks ago, and here is my review of the novel.

When listening to the Introduction, I realized the Ayn Rand actually has humor. I don't know why but I always considered her a very serious personality, and thought that that would be reflected in her works, and make them boring. I am happy to say I was wrong. The introduction was funny and her novel was interesting.

After the introduction, the novel started and it introduced the Argounovas travelling back to Petrograd. The starting didn't capture my interest as much and I had to rewind the chapter few times before I actually understood what was going on. After which, the story went only uphill. The novel revolves around lives of three characters: Kira Argounova, Leo Kovalenski, and Andrei Taganov. Kira is the protagonist. She represents Ayn Rand in her days. Kira is born in a Bourgeois family. Their house was taken away by the government and their factory was nationalized; thus, they were left with nothing. Kira is an individualist, who solely believes in her existence and opposes Communist's views of the society. She meets Leo Kovalenshi, who shares her views. They fall in love, although I feel Leo's love was not really love, and they move in together, which is against the society. At the same time, Kira is attending University of Petrograd with a desire to become an engineer. Again, she expresses herself as an individualist by wanting to do something that is not acceptable by the society, but she wants to do it. Andrei Taganov is introduced at this point. He is an officer in G.P.U., secret police of the Soviet. He is also an idealist. Even though they are opposite, they get along very well. After Kira is expelled from the University due to her past, Leo and she are forced to work odd jobs in order to feed themselves. Leo's personality starts to become indifference toward everything. Kira chooses to ignore this change as she loves him too much. Leo gets sick and Kira tries to do everything in her control to help the situation. Since the income is not stable, she decides to have an affair with Andrei, in return she receives money and gifts. Both, Leo and Andrei, are unaware of Kira's relationship to the other. I think I have said enough about the novel, and won't reveal the end.

My views on the novel and Ayn Rand's philosophy of Objectivism: The novel was good. I agree with Ayn Rand's philosophy to an extent. I feel that Ayn Rand is too extreme, and I see that in her second novel, The Fountainhead. I think one must live for themselves but should not forget those around them. Everyone has something to contribute to one's life and that should not be forgotten. We must learn to appreciate and repay other's good deeds toward us and others. About the novel, I don't disagree with Kira's decisions. I feel that her decision was good considering the situation. I can't say what I "would've" done then, but I don't hate Kira for her actions. I have so much more to say but it is time to get back to work...sigh....

I will give this book 9 out of 10.

Happy Raksha Bandhan

Just wishing everybody Happy Raksha Bandhan.

P.S. Hopefully next few blogs will be review of books I have read since last entry because I am too lazy to blog in time.