Sunday, June 13, 2010

South Asian Author Challenge



The South Asian Author Challenge is being hosted by S.Krishna at S.Krishna's Books.

A quick look at the challenge details:

  1. This challenge is to encourage people to read books by South Asian Authors – South Asia being India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka.
  2. The books which qualify for this challenge should fulfill 2 requirements:
    • The author must be of South Asian descent.
    • The book must be about South Asia in some way.
  3. The time period for this challenge is between  January 1, 2010 – December 31, 2010.
  4. There are 4 different commitment levels for this challenge namely, 3, 5, 7 or 10 books.
This is the first challenge that I am taking part in the blogging world and am very excited about it....I know it's a little late for me to join this challenge, but well, it's better late than never, right??? 

I have decided to go for a commitment level of 10 books for this challenge. I have a tentative list of books I plan to read for this challenge and have listed them below:

  1. The Weight of Heaven by Thirty Umrigar - I read this book last month and will be posting the review soon.
  2. In the Convent of Little Flowers by Indu Sundaresan - I am currently reading this book.
  3. Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese - This is in my TBR pile.
  4. The Forbidden Daughter by Shobhan Bantwal - This is in my TBR pile.
  5. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga - This is in my TBR pile
  6. The Twentieth Wife by Indu Sundaresan - This is in my TBR pile.
  7. Nectar in a Sieve by Kamala Markandaya - This is in my TBR pile.
  8. yet to decide on a book..
  9. yet to decide on a book..
  10. yet to decide on a book..
 S.Krishna has posted a good collection of books and authors in her South Asian Review Database that would qualify for this challenge and I intend on going over that list before finalizing on my last 3 books...

I am very much open to suggestions from you regarding books and authors for this challenge...so feel free to drop me a comment...

4 comments:

bermudaonion said...

Have fun with the challenge - I loved The Weight of Heaven!

Mystica said...

What about Minal Hajratwala's Leaving India. I have it on my blog in a review. also anything by William Dalrymple (beautiful writing) and Mark Tulley (several books). All Indian based. If you want Pakistan Mohammed Hanif is very good. Sri Lankan - we have Michael Ondaatjie, Michelle de Kretser, Ashok Ferry, Shyam Selvadurai and Romesh Gunasekera just to name a few!

xnikkix said...

Hi ArchanA,

Great blog. Although I have not read The Weight of Heaven, I love the Thrity Umrigar writing style. I really liked her other book The Space Between Us - a sad book but beautiful stories. Will have to give this book a try one of these days.

I really struggled with The White Tiger,and have not managed to make it past the 1st chapter, maybe I should give it a 2nd shot.

I also have The Twentieth Wife, i'm excited to read about that.

Lastly, Nectar in Sieve, was a really good read. Super sad but it gave me a diff. perspective about life, and I try not to take things in life for granted. Also, how resilient and resourceful people can be. Highly recommend.

Arch said...

@ bermudaonion: Thanks, I am excited about this challenge and yes, I loved 'The Weight of Heaven' too...

@ Mystica: I just read a review of "Leaving India" today, at skrishna's blog and it sure sounds like a good read... and a big thanks to you for introducing some new authors to me..I just realized that my book list for this challenge is dominated by Indian authors.. I think am going to try reading some books by the Sri Lankan and Pakistani authors you have suggested...Thanks once again... :)

@ xnikkix aka Nikki: yup I really loved 'The Weight of Heaven' and would recommend it to you...and yes, I have also requested 'The Space Between Us' from the library... and I totally understand your thoughts on 'The White Tiger'- I couldn't go beyond 2 chapters when I read it last year but now I have decided to give it one more try and this time I hope to complete it... :)

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