Dragonfly

a dragon

flies across my room

breathing fire

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Dragonflies.

Branch

swinging by its hands

I miss the childhood gone by

that familiar shade

This Haiku is shared with Haiku Horizons - branch.

Dusk

park bench, and shadows

lovers giggle in hushed tone

a few birds fly home

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Dusk.

Start, End

(Image Source: http://magpietales.blogspot.in/2014/09/mag-236.html)

light

for you I yearn

fire

and thus I burn

ashes

narrate a trail so thin

blood

lost dreams shall swim

fake

brightness I chase

truth

deceiving phase

lessons

once taught

ideas

long sought

love

weary ruins shall cry

tears

tired soul now dry

start

the journey once again

end

the fear of approaching pain

This Poem is shared with

• Magpie Tales,
• Imaginary Garden - Flash Fiction 55.

Booked @ 10 - My All Time Favorites

1. Great Expectations (Charles Dickens)

If there was ever a book that could be regarded as 'PERFECT' in every sense, Great Expectations would surely be in contention for that spot. A coming-of-age novel, charting the life of narrator Pip, Great Expectations has been my all - time favorite. The dramatic plot twists, the memorable characters and the classy writing surely gives it an edge over other books. Add to that the masterclass of Dickens, and you know you are in for a real treat.

Favorite Characters

Philip Pirrip, Miss Havisham, Estella

Favorite Quotes

"Ask no questions, and you'll be told no lies."

"The broken heart. You think you will die, but you just keep living, day after day after terrible day."

"Suffering has been stronger than all other teaching, and has taught me to understand what your heart used to be. I have been bent and broken, but - I hope - into a better shape."


2. Gone With The Wind (Margaret Mitchell)

When I first picked up this book, I was awed by its sheer thickness. Over a thousand pages, who would read so much, I wondered? And then, when I started reading it, all my apprehensions vanished into thin air. A historical fiction based on the premises of love, Gone With The Wind adds a whole new dimension to the world of literary romance. Termed as a classic, and rightly so, this novel has everything going in its favor - a realistic backdrop, glimpses of history, and the most enigmatic fictional pairing I have ever come across - Rhett Butler and Scarlett O'Hara.

Favorite Characters

Captain Rhett K. Butler, Scarlett O'Hara, Melanie (Hamilton) Wilkes.

Favorite Quotes

"Well, my dear, take heart. Some day, I will kiss you and you will like it. But not now, so I beg you not to be too impatient."

"I'll think of it tomorrow, at Tara. I can stand it then. Tomorrow, I'll think of some way to get him back. After all, tomorrow is another day."

"Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is."


3. If Tomorrow Comes (Sidney Sheldon)

I wasn't an avid reader until a cousin gifted me this book on my birthday, and then, a new passion got imbibed into my soul. Sidney Sheldon undoubtedly is the master of crime fictions, and 'If Tomorrow Comes' surely rates as his best. The struggle and turmoil in the life of Tracy Whitney, and her eventual victory makes this novel a must read. A racy plot with breathtaking twists, and a villain like Orsatti, this is a book I can read again and again.

Favorite Characters

Tracy Whitney, Ernestine Littlechap, Jeff Stevens, Orsatti

Favorite Quotes

"We’re flimflam artists. But remember, sonny, you can’t con people unless they’re greedy to begin with. W. C. Fields had it right. You can’t cheat an honest man."

"I will survive. I face mine enemies naked, and my courage is my shield."


4. The Kite Runner (Khaled Hosseini)

Every time I read this book, I could feel myself living the life of the characters. A father - son story, this is also a book based on friendship and love, and the sense of guilt that seeps in when you know you could have stopped something that was wrong, yet watched on helplessly. Set in Afghanistan, the book also highlights the political turmoil of the region.

Favorite Characters

Amir, Hassan

Favorite Quotes

"For you, a thousand times over."

"There is only one sin. and that is theft... when you tell a lie, you steal someones right to the truth."

"There is a way to be good again..."

"There are a lot of children in Afghanistan, but little childhood."

"I'm so afraid. Because I'm so profoundly happy. Happiness like this is frightening...They only let you this happy if they're preparing to take something from you."


5. Harry Potter Series (J. K. Rowling)

I would like to take the liberty here of not naming a particular book, but the entire series. This is because each of the seven books provide the saga with the feeling of completion. Also, once you start reading the first volume, you can't stop yourself from picking up the next. A brilliant continuation is in store, and by the time all the seven books have been read, you know you have witnessed something special. I, who was initially in two minds whether to read this series or not, became a complete fan owing to its brilliant storyline, beautiful characters and the wonderful world of Hogwarts.

Favorite Characters

Snape, Hermione, Harry Potter, Ronald Weasley, Hagrid

Favorite Quotes

"It does not do to dwell on dreams and forget to live."

"It is our choices, Harry, that show us who we truly are, far more than our abilities."

"If you want to know what a man's like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals."

"Working hard is important. But there is something that matters even more, believing in yourself."

"Hogwarts will always be there to welcome you home."


6. Love Story (Erich Segal)

Love Story is romance. Love Story is humor. Love Story is tragedy. A book that will leave no stones unturned to make you feel every emotion that you are capable of, Love Story is the best love fiction I have read. The dialogues exchanged between Oliver and Jenny is the highlight of the book.

Favorite Characters

Oliver, Jenny

Favorite Quotes

"Love means never having to say you're sorry."

"What the hell makes you so smart?" I asked. "I wouldn't go for coffee with you, " she answered. "Listen -- I wouldn't ask you." "That, "she replied "is what makes you stupid.”

"Her handwriting was curious — small sharp little letters with no capitals (who did she think she was, e. e. cummings?)."


7. Digital Fortress (Dan Brown)

I have often wondered how brilliantly he can amalgamate religion and science, but then, that's why he is Dan Brown. A techno-thriller novel based on mathematics, code and crypography, Digital Fortress is the perfect book to get drenched if you are looking for a racy adventure. The detailing is top-notch, and the finesse of Brown rules your mind.

Favorite Characters

Susan Fletcher, David Becker, Ensei Tankado

Favorite Quotes

“Everything is possible. The impossible just takes longer.”

“Please accept this humble fax. My love for you is without wax.”

“Act first, explain later.”


8. The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo (Stieg Larsson)

Never before have I come across a female protagonist like Lisbeth Salander, and that's what brings this book into the list. An enigma of her own, Lisbeth leads a reclusive life, rarely revealing anything about her own self, her past and present as much a secret as her future. She is a genius in ways more than one, and yet, her acts are often perceived to be on the other side of law. A character who will come straight out of the pages, Lisbeth is the reason one should read this book.

Favorite Characters

Lisbeth Salander, Mikael Blomkvist

Favorite Quotes

"Everyone has secrets. It's just a matter of finding out what they are."

"I've had many enemies over the years. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s never engage in a fight you’re sure to lose. On the other hand, never let anyone who has insulted you get away with it. Bide your time and strike back when you’re in a position of strength—even if you no longer need to strike back."


9. Five Point Someone (Chetan Bhagat)

Why did I start writing? The simple reason is this book. A story revolving around three friends studying in IIT, Chetan Bhagat takes the Indian book reading community by storm with his debut. He is hated by critics, and loved by his ardent admirers. Often, he has been bashed 'cause his writings do not follow the literary style. He remains unperturbed, and continues to inspire several young Indians to follow their dreams.

Favorite Characters

Hari, Ryan, Alok

Favorite Quotes

"They say you should not get into a relationship with people you sleepwith on the first date."

"Sometimes,if you just paraphrase everyone's arguments, you get to be the good guy."


10. The Great Indian Novel (Shashi Tharoor)

A satire based on the Mahabharata, the book narrates the Indian Freedom Movement and the events that happened three decades post independence. What really stands out is the way the author has created a sense of resemblance between the characters of Mahabharata and the legends of Indian Freedom struggle. The tongue - in - cheek humor is unabashed, and though it stores high in the fun quotient, the book also provides valuable insight into scenario of India pre and post independence.

Favorite Characters

Ved Vyas, Ganapathi, Ganga Datta, Priya Duryodhani.

Favorite Quotes

"They say every dog has its day, Ganapathi, but for this terrier twilight came before tea-time."

"If you want to know why democracy is held in such scant respect by our present elite, Ganapthi, you need only look at the way it was dispensed to us by those who claimed to be it's guardians."

"No Ganapathi, religion had never had much to do with our national politics. It was the British civil serpent who made our people collectively bite the apple of discord."


This post is my official entry to IndiSpire - Edition 29: Submit a list of your 10 favourite books with reasons as to why they made it to your list. Let us try to complete a circle and compile a list of books we are yet to pick. #loveofreading

Cemetery

footsteps

dried, trampled leaves

I see no one

This Haiku is shared with Carpe Diem - Cemetery.

The Memoirs Of Sherlock Holmes - Review

Sherlock Holmes, the gaunt, ascetic, ruthlessly logical pursuer of crime and mystery created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle needs no introduction. The adventures of this sharply witty and moody detective and his lovably pedantic and faithful friend Dr. Watson are a perennial source of inspiration to lovers of crime fiction.

Sherlock Holmes a predecessor of a long line of amateur detectives elevated criminal investigation to a fine art. His original and imaginative plot races along like a furious roller coaster, leaving the reader guessing which way it will turn next...

Read on to find out how Holmes and Dr. Watson solve mysteries of

• Silver Blaze
• The Crooked Man
• The Yellow Face
• The Resident Patient
• The Stockbroker’s Clerk
• The Greek Interpreter
• The “Gloria Scott"
• The Naval Treaty
• The Musgrave Ritual
• The Reigate Squires
• The Final Problem

About the Author

Sir Arthur Ignatius Conan Doyle KGStJ, DL (22 May 1859 – 7 July 1930) was a Scottish physician and writer who is most noted for his fictional stories about the detective Sherlock Holmes, which are generally considered milestones in the field of crime fiction. He is also known for writing the fictional adventures of a second character he invented, Professor Challenger, and for popularizing the mystery of the Mary Celeste. He was a prolific writer whose other works include fantasy and science fiction stories, plays, romances, poetry, non-fiction, and historical novels.

It’s remarkable how fiction can seem more real than reality, how a character conceived in a few words can live on beyond the pages, assuming a larger than life form, walking, sitting, and talking with you, his singular skills in finding solutions to problems that seem tricky initially, but once he deduces them and provides his reasonings, you feel oh – that – was – so – simple. Sherlock Holmes isn't just a character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Rather, he is the hero, the brilliance, and the star that lives on till eternity.

'The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes' consists of eleven adventures narrated by Dr. Watson, the loyal friend and companion of the detective. His characteristic emphasis on laying down the details add a touch of realism into it, and the visual imagery comes into play. As the events progress, the readers find themselves watching rather than reading what the accounts have to offer. The ‘mystery’ genre is certainly one of the toughest to write, but then, Sir Doyle has made it look so simple with his swashbuckling style and panache.

‘Silver Blaze’ is one of the most popular Sherlock Holmes adventure. A race horse, who was deemed as a favorite to win an important race the following day, disappears and its trainer is mysteriously murdered. As always, the clues apparently doesn't hint out at anything relevant, but Holmes finds out answers from the most mundane of sights, as he so cleverly points out in his conversation with the Scotland Yard detective.

Gregory: “Is there any other point to which you would wish to draw my attention?”

Holmes: “To the curious incident of the dog in the night-time.”

Gregory: “The dog did nothing in the night-time.”

Holmes: “That was the curious incident.”

‘The Yellow Face’ is one of those rare stories where Holmes's deduction fails to match the truth that is finally revealed. The story deals more with love and emotions, and touches a chord with the readers, for its sensitive portrayal of human relationships. Holmes, humbled by what eventually comes to light, admits his failure and tells Watson to remind him of this case whenever he gets overconfident.

“Watson, if it should ever strike you that I am getting a little overconfident in my powers, or giving less pains to a case than it deserves, kindly whisper 'Norbury' in my ear, and I shall be infinitely obliged to you.”

‘The Stockbroker’s Clerk’ case brings Hall Pycroft to the master detective. Hall is approached by one Arthur Pinner who offers him a lucrative job at a newly established organization. However, Hall’s suspicion arises when he notices that Arthur and his brother Harry have a distinctive gold-filling in their teeth in the same place. Not sure of their motive, Hall seeks help from Holmes to shed light into the matter.

‘The Gloria Scott’ narrates how time plays a crucial role in a man’s life. When the past meets the present, the future is sure to change. Holmes’s friend, Victor Trevor, calls upon his assistance, regarding a mysterious letter that his father had received and which made him turn pale. Though the contents of the letter seems vague at first, Holmes decodes it and brings forth the hidden story.

Holmes narrates the incidents of ‘The Musgrave Ritual’ to Watson, stating that it was one of the earliest cases on which he had worked. Reginald Musgrave, the client in this story, reports the missing of his maid and butler to Holmes. Also, what is interesting is that the butler was found secretly reading a family document, which looked more like a puzzle. Holmes help in uncovering the mystery of the document, and what lay beyond that which seemed to be a mere collection of verses.

Holmes was supposed to be on rest in an estate that belonged to one of Watson’s friend. However, the adventure of ‘The Reigate Suires’ pops up and his adventure seeking mind jumps on to the trail. A burglary is committed in which the thieves steal several things, but nothing much of value. Soon, news of a murder is also reported, which makes the case all the more curious and deadly.

In ‘The Crooked Man’, Colonel James Barclay is found dead, and his wife Nancy is considered to be the prime suspect. Holmes invites Watson to accompany him as he is working on the final stage of this investigation. This again, deals more with emotions than with crime, and is based on the backdrops of love, loyalty and deceit.

‘The Resident Patient’ is another of those stories where the past returns to haunt the present. Dr. Trevelyan is approached by a man named Blessington, who would like to invest on his practice. The Doctor is set up in a prestigious premise, and he doesn't suspect anything initially. However, Blessington is found dead one day, and the events take a completely unexpected turn.

In ‘The Greek Interpreter’ we meet Mycroft, Holmes’s elder brother. Holmes admits to Watson that his brother has a stronger sense of reasoning, but is disinterested to perform investigations to prove his thinking. The story deals with Melas, a Greek Interpreter, who was called upon by some people to perform some translation work for them. However, he soon comes to know that they are a bunch of criminals, and could harm him as well.

‘The Naval Treaty’ falls in the genre of spy story, and excels in it. Percy Phelps, a former schoolmate of Watson, works in the Foreign Office. An important naval treaty on which he was working goes missing, and that leads him to extreme anguish and brain fever. The document contains secrets that shouldn't fall into the wrong hands, and thus it’s loss poses potential threat of national integrity and security.

‘The Final Problem’ is perhaps the most heartbreaking story featuring Sherlock Holmes. The sad tone can even be found out in the narration of Dr. Watson. The story introduces Professor James Moriarty, Holmes’s greatest opponent, and possessing the same skills and mastery as the detective. A sad conclusion to his adventures, indeed, as the story ends with the supposed death of Holmes.

Title: The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes 

Authors: Sir Arthur Conan Doyle 

Publisher: Jaico Publishing House

Publication Year: 2013

Language: English

Binding: Paperback

Genre: Short Fiction, Mystery

No. of Pages: 256

Price: Rs 135

My Rating: 5/5

Rain On My Window

rain on my window

brought back memories today

I had once erased

This Haiku is shared with

• Carpe Diem - Grief,
• Heeding Haiku - Instinctual Thoughts and Raw Creations.

Love's Guilt

nights of haunting tears

clearing all memories past

but not sweet love's guilt

This Haiku is shared with Haiku Horizons - Clear.

Choice

The disagreement was mutual - his opinions opposing hers, while her ideas never found a place in his good books.
And then, as obvious as the summer breeze that knocked at their window panes on tired evenings, the string binding their relationship, sealed in what they call as the bond of marriage, snapped.

Seven year old Joey suffered the dilemma of the worst kind, not knowing whether to go to a new house with his Dad or stay back with his Mom.

Things took a legal turn and the Judge finally gave Joey the right to choose - "With whom would you like to live, my child?"

After a moment of silence, Joey murmured, "I was never taught the answer to this question, neither at home, not in school."


This Micro-Fiction is shared with Five Sentence Fiction - Conflict.