OCTOBER 2014
Khaas Baat : A Publication for Indian Americans in Florida

Books


Book Reviews By NITISH S. RELE,
Editor@khaasbaat.com
Vision and Wisdom

Vision and Wisdom” (168 pages, $28.43) by Prof. Bala V. Manyam; published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing (available at amazon.com, www.createspace.com/4703245 and Kindle)

Here are some pearls of wisdom (one or two liners) from the Wisdom segment of this book by Tampa-based physician scientist Prof. Bala V. Manyam. “When the devil blends bitter and sour, the result is beer.” “Luck is the spice to the effort put.” “In an arranged marriage the two live together; in love marriage they may live for each other.” “Be kind when you have no power; be even kinder when you have power.” “Everyone should suffer sometimes to learn the value of life; no one should suffer forever to make life meaningless.” “One who believes in the weather forecast is at a risk to believe in everything.” As for the Vision segment, you will need to buy the book and check out some stunning photographs taken by the philosophical author, mostly in Asia.


A Matter of RatsA Matter of Rats” (114 pages, $19.95) by Amitava Kumar; published by Duke University Press (www.dukeupress.edu)

If you haven’t read any of Amitava Kumar’s books, you must. “Passport Photos” and “Husband of a Fanatic: A Personal Journey through India, Pakistan, Love, and Hate” are our favorites by the Helen D. Lockwood professor of English at Vassar College in New York. A word of caution: this book is not just about rats. It’s about the author’s visit to a town he grew up in, Patna, known for corruption, overwhelming poverty, and succulent mangoes. The insightful and keen observer walks us through the streets of one of the world’s oldest cities while chancing up with rats, of course, and poets, artists and politicians, a girl’s picture in a historian’s study, a sheet of paper on his mother’s desk, and a whole lot more. It’s a quick and delightful read, as all Kumar’s books are.

 


The Shenanigans of Time: Related stories of love and longing

The Shenanigans of Time: Related stories of love and longing” (210 pages, $10.95) by P.A. Chawla; published by Pen-n-Mouse Press

Fifteen intertwined short stories shedding light on Indian Americans, including a well-off motel owner, a teacher, and their families, a high school student, among few others make for an interesting tale. The author shows courage in tackling several subjects such as childhood and parenthood, teen pregnancy, sex and love, to focus on the lives of immigrants during the 1990s. The varied, colorful characters, especially the motelier’s wife and daughter, help keep the momentum going in the story. The Related Stories and Cast of Characters at the beginning of the book are helpful. Chawla deserves credit for a decent first-time effort at storytelling. Now, we can look forward to the next.

 


Getaways

Rele Cool Getaways!THE NAPLES BEACH HOTEL & GOLF CLUB
A PICTURE-PERFECT RETREAT

By NITISH S. RELE

Seven miles of white-sand beach. 18-hole golf course. 75,000-square-foot spa and clubhouse. Tennis center. And most important of all, six beachfront buildings that house 317 renovated guest rooms and one-bedroom suites (living room, dining area and kitchenette) decked up in tropical décor, and offering views of the resort or the Gulf of Mexico from your patio or balcony. Amenities include two telephones with voice mail and data port, available wireless Internet, refrigerator, coffeemaker, hair dryer, iron and in-room safe.

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, where we spent a couple days, will keep your stomach full with lunch/dinner at HB’s on the Gulf, convenience outlet The Seminole store, breakfast at Broadwell’s of the Sunset Beach Bar by the pools and whirlpools. Other activities include a fitness center, volleyball, beach Olympics and beachside scavenger hunt. If you have a 5-to-12-year-old, the Kids Club offers swimming, beach walk, face paint under supervision, of course. For plant lovers, there are about 3,000 orchids throughout the property. Also on site are golf, spa, beach, poolshops, and salon at the spa shops. Do drop in at the famous Naples Zoo and the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, both within close distance from the hotel.

The Naples Beach Hotel & Golf Club, just blocks from the city’s renowned shopping districts of fashionable Fifth Avenue South and historic Third Street South, is at 851 Gulf Shore Blvd. N. For information, call 1-800-237-7600, (239) 261-2222 or visit www.NaplesBeachHotel.com

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