The Mermaid Chair - Sue Monk Kidd

I was surfing through Shelfari and NY Times Bestsellers List, I came across this book. I never heard of her and was not at all aware about her style or expertise. After reading synopsis, I thought to read it.


The story is about a middle aged woman Jessie who is stay-home happy wife with psychiatrist husband and college going daughter. Her life looks perfect from far but she has started feeling lonely and suffocated lately. One fine morning she gets a call from her mother’s friend Kat to inform that her mother has cut her own finger and hence she must go and look after her. Jessie has stopped talking to her mom for few years, but she cannot say no to situation like this.

She flies to stay with her mother and realizes that her mother has done so as some sort of punishment. Her father was killed in an accident when she was a kid and her mother became very lonely after his demise. After trying several times, her mother is not willing to open up. Fighting with her own state of mind, unknowingly Jessie falls in love with monk, Brother Thomas. She is full of guilt, but she cannot backout. She is scared of losing both her husband and latest love. Brother Thomas helps her understanding her mother, Nelle’s point of view.

Jessie has always suspected that her mother’s illness has something to do with her father’s death and all her mother's friends know about it. After she cuts off her second finger, it becomes unbearable for her friends to keep that secret anymore. Her father suffered from incurable disease and decided to end his life. Nelle and all friends helped him out to carry out his suicide plan which looked like an accident. His father sits on the Mermaid Chair to poison himself. Now after these many years her mother regrets about it and as a punishment starts hurting herself.

After the truth is revealed, Jessie is relaxed enough to tackle her own problems. She decides to go back to her husband Hugh who still loves her unconditionally. Brother Thomas continues his religious journey and Jessie is once again happily married.

So many stories are interwoven – relationship between Jessie and her mother, between Jessie and her daughter Dee, Jessie and Hugh, Jessie and Brother Thomas. Author has said complicated things in very simple, but touching manner.

Best part of the story is the way author has narrated story around Egret Island – an imaginary island near the coast of South Carolina. It’s a small little island where everyone knows everyone. It’s far from even small town’s luxuries and amenities. After reading description of this island in book, it’s impossible for one not to fall in love with ocean.

Deep and profound story narrated in easy and uncomplicated fashion!

A Gentleman of Leisure – P G Wodehouse

During my college days, I asked a friend for her advice about what should I read. She happened to be well read and very much into books. She gave me a book ‘Carry on Jeeves’ by P G Wodehouse. I diligently started reading but somehow could not finish it. These days when I went to library, I thought to start reading his books.


This book revolves around Jim who bets with a friend that he can rob someone’s place. He ends up in a place whose daughter he has fallen in love with. He does not know her name or address and hence later on he has no means to find or contact her. For couple of years, he roams around everywhere and finally happens to meet her on the soil of England. Her father who still thinks of him as a robber has strong dislike for him and is very much against their union. Then series of dramatic events occur and finally things fall into place.

A typical British style smart and witty humor :)

Finding ol’ Time Fascination

Hot bread became our favorite joint in NJ especially when we crave for spicy little bites without spending much time. Vada Pav, Dabeli and Panini Sandwich became our much loved dishes. After moving to MD, we did not get a chance to have food at Hot Breads. We knew that there were couple of them in Gaithersburg – one very good and other with opposite extreme. Though we did not know which one was better.


Anyway, yesterday we went there around early afternoon. We ordered Vada Pav and Samosa Chat. I was extremely happy with Vada Pav but not so happy with Samosa Chat. Obviously rates were higher than those of NJ. Portion size was also quite small. If one is really hungry, one needs at least two dishes, which will add upto 10 plus bucks. But once in a while, it’s worth going and spending money.


Final Word, go for it when you long for spicy Indian Snacks

It has been 4 years!!

Yesterday we completed 4 years of our bond. Just cannot realize it has been long 4 years, days passed so swiftly like small beads between my fingers. I am glad that we are able to keep the same charm :). Our last anniversary we were not together so this time was bit more excited. I wanted to do something special but was exhaustive of all ideas – Cake, flowers, surprises, special gifts, romantic dinner, late night outing, long drive and what not! No stone was untouched as far as celebration is concerned.


But then I realized just spending quality time together is the most important (I know I am sounding bit of a jerk, but it’s the fact) Yesterday we talked to both families at length, went to Temple, did some shopping followed by fantastic dinner at home. Nothing Particular, but still very Special!

Smokey Mountains, TN (Nov 23-28, 2010)

The Smoky Mountains or shortly, The Smokies are the mountain range spread in North Carolina and Tennessee. It is a sub range of Appalachian Mountains. The Smoky Mountains National park is the most visited national park in USA (About 10 million visitors per year!)The best time to visit Smokies is Spring/Summer to take advantage of all activities, ranging from hiking to river rafting.

We visited Tennessee side of the park and 3-4 days are sufficient to cover everything. There are mainly 3 towns where most of the attractions are located – Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville, where Gatlinburg being closest to the mountains.

To thoroughly enjoy beauty of the mountains and the park, one should stay in Rental Cabins. Such cabins are available in both Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. One has to book them well in advance (at least a year ago) since there are not too many options. Second best option is to rent a condominium with furnished kitchen and 1/2/3 bedrooms. This option is quite expensive and only feasible if you are going in a group. For a small group or an individual family, there are many hotels and motels in downtown Gatlinburg.

The first and most wonderful attraction is river rafting. Kayaking and Tubing is open from March to October. It offers level 3 and 4 rapids at lower and upper region of the river.

(Day 1)

The most obvious activity is hiking and biking. There are all together 6 trails ranging from 1 to 3 miles. Each offers scenic beauty, waterfalls and of course, splendid photography points. If you are not too much into hiking, visiting one or two trails is enough. One can also drive to peak of the mountains, which offers panoramic view of the entire city. It is about an hour drive from Pigeon Forge. If driving is not your cup of tea, there is couple of more options reach the top – Air Tram and Cable Line. Both will take you to other end, you can get down there and return rides are available every 20 minute. Once you get down at other end, there is lot of activities like mini golf, ice skating, mini zoo, souvenir shops and so on.

(Day 2)

Gatlinburg offers family fun activities. It’s a typical small American Town with just one main street stretching for 3-4 miles. Driving will be a problem, so it’s better to park the car at one place and then either walk or take trolley buses. Both street parking and cheap lot parking are available. One needs almost full day to visit Haunted House, Mirror Maze, Guinness World Records Museum, Museum of Illusion, Mini Golf, Go carting, Laser Tag and Game Arcade.

(Day 3)

The most adventurous activities are for the last day – Wonderworks and Zipline Tours. Wonderworks is located in Pigeon Forge. Also known as a crooked house or upside down house, it offers adventurous activities and mind games- thrilling ride, indoor rock climbing and space walk are a few to name. It takes about 3-4 hours to cover everything. 

Our next and final destination at Smokey Mountains was Zipline tours. It’s a canopy tour via Zipline. I was the most enthusiastic about this tour but after we reached there, I got scared! I was not sure whether I would be able to finish the tour hence spending 60 bucks was also an issue. But I am glad I did not miss it. The entire tour is divided in five lapses and it takes about an hour. Flying through woods at about 40 mile/hr with some spectacular views was certainly an exhilarating experience.

We spent 4 effective days at Smokey Mountains and we did not miss a single activity/attraction. It was indeed a good break. Looking forward to another vacation

The Worst Indian Food

It seems that I am very much bored and frustrated so just to kill time I write reviews. It’s not my personal opinion, but neutral and unbiased review! I’ll write about books, movies, restaurants and any other places I visit. Let me start with a restaurant review. We went out for dinner Saturday at Minerva in Rockville, MD. I rarely crave for Restaurant Indian Food and Saturday was one among those rare incidents.
 This place was recommended by few of our friends hence was a safe take. First impression was not so good since I did not like the ambience and only couple of tables was occupied. We ordered Chhole-Bhature and Paneer Makhani-Roti. And we could not decide which dish was the worst! I had had the worst Indian Food in US. Service was too slow; it took little over half an hour for our first dish to arrive.

Everything was very oily and spicy and staff was also little rude. I guess chef/owner must be South Indian (there were quite many dosa/idli dishes in the menu) and lesson is, never try North Indian Curries in South Indian Restaurants.

t happened for the first time that we did not tip at all and I have made up my mind to never step my foot again!!