The Rebelle blog

Some books never leave us. They remain fixed in our minds and psyche. One such that remains in mine is A Tree grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.  The title of this novel refers to a tree that grows persistently up through the concrete and harsh conditions of a poor tenement neighbourhood in early 1900's Brooklyn. It also symbolises Francie Nolan's struggle through her life. When I first read it in 2010, I was going through a very important academic submission- an Architecture  thesis. As I read through the pages, I looked at Francie as myself. I grew up with her along the pages. She lived in me. I remember sobbing, and crying while reading her plight but she also gave me tremendous courage and filled me with an undying fighter spirit. The book was written in 1943 and describes a turn of the century story of the Nolans from 1900-1919. I recall reading and visualising Francie sitting in the Fire Escape harbouring dreams of an education and better life for her family and herself...

My friend, Deepa challenged me to compile a list of ten of my favourite books. Here is my list of books that have influenced, encouraged me while growing up, also satiated my curiosities and questioned my conscience and moved me to tears. I would like everyone who read this post to jot down a list of 10 books they've read that cast a lifelong spell on their lives. I am very interested to see what people consider as their favourites. Go ahead.  smile emoticon 1. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee - My first book as a teen that I keep returning to from time to time. It made me realise how Fathers' can influence their children's lives. I saw my Dad in Atticus and he will remain there forever. 2. Children who made it Big by Thangamani, India by AlBeruni published by National Book Trust-  My childhood was filled with books from NBT. Dad made sure I got to read everything substantial right from the time I could read and understand on my own. A very pleasant memory....