Author Author !

Just finished a breathless journey with Prof Robert Langdon thro the Vatican City and its secret lairs and I must say Whew! That was some trip Mr Brown..Can't wait to see the film now ( For those not clued in, talking about the book "Angels and Demons" -now a major motion picture ) For those of you who plan on seeing the film this weekend as it releases here, I have one word of advice..read the book otherwise it may seem like a roller coaster ride that you can't quite figure out. And those who are livid with the creator/film maker for hurting religious sentiments i would say..Keep the faith.

At the risk of sounding snobbish.I have to confess best sellers are not exactly my cup of tea. Give me Murakami, Fitzgerald, Ilosa, Marquez, Hemingway,Amitav Ghosh, Rushdie and that growing breed of talented little known Scottish writers any day..there are books you never want to get out of...have you ever felt that tinge of sadness and longing at the end of a really good book? That you didn't want to wake up from that almost real world you found yourself in ( however improbable and bizzare it may seem..) That is when you truly know a genius. May their tribe increase !

Book shelves in the swanky bookstores are crammed with newer and newer authors Every other guy is an author. Best sellers( ?????!!!!!!) these days are written by CEOs of successful companies , Wannabe Prime Ministers , IITians ( these guys have hit the jackpot though ) a whole lot of people who have joined the bandwagon. Publishers give the contracts to these guys becoz they would guarantee sales of the mandatory 1500 copies, either buying it themselves or forcing it upon their minions..But look beyond the display shelves and browse among darkest and deepest of corners ,you might come up with a treasure which the sales guys don't bother to promote..Good literature never prostituted itself..Book promos these days are undertaken by media -savvy authors..It helps if you are good looking and have an attitude to boot. Smart sound bytes and couple of tete-tete with a TV anchor, you have arrived. Who knows , some editor might reward you with a column ! Where are the reclusive, eccentric,talented writer of yore? You will find them when you look hard enough..

P.S.I have to add a footnote here. Reading is entirely one's personal choice. What works for me may not work for you..Go out and look for your own personal worlds out there.. And one more thing ..Dan Brown rocks ! May not be great writing but rivetting stuff...