The Rebelle blog

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....

This is from chapter 04, titled 'A heart beneath a stone' from Les Miserables. I first read a translated version in Marathi when I was 14. Those were summer holidays, and I had been pestering my Dad to take me book shopping. He was very busy during those days and now that I remember my adamant and angry behaviour I realise what a tough time I gave him. One sunday afternoon, he took me to a travelling book exhibition, and we spent the entire day by ourselves picking up books, making a list of authors and publishers, reading aloud excerpts.That was when he suggested me to read the translated version of Les Miserables in marathi; I read very little literature in hindi and marathi back then. I took to reading Les Miserables immediately after arriving home. Finished it late at night, and while I thought of the pool of sadness it pushed me unto, it got me thinking about human suffering and sorrow. Many years later, during a monsoon stroll through Flora Fountain after college hour...