The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett

This is a rarity. People are usually reading books I haven't read. But, this friendly young bespectacled Indian woman sitting next to me in the metro was engrossed in one of my favorite books! She wasn't even at the end of the 2nd chapter, but agreed with me that it is captivating as hell! (I let her read her book in peace, except for that one statement I elicited out of her! I am therefore not your annoying metro traveler)
 
Back then, here's what I said about the book in my book notes: "A rich and colorful tapestry of life in the 12th century. You almost feel like you are a part of that era. The characters are magnificent. The Pillars of the Earth is one of those books that looks intimidating at first sight but draws you in from the very first page."

While I am tempted to edit it, for I could have said so much more, I want to hold those thoughts for until after I revist the book again before I read its sequel called the "World Without End". The sequel was released only last year and keeps getting pushed down my "to-read" list, as do so many other sequels! 
 
If you are like me and want to keep moving on from one book to the next and the next.. you don't want to read a sequel, no matter how stimulating the previous book had been, because you get antsy about wanting to end the series soon and reading something different! I also have that problem with big books, cos I am the type of person who wants to know little about everything but not a lot about one thing! With a big book, I am constantly aware of the time it is taking away from many books I could have read in that same timespan, about so many different things!
 
I am a Book Baniya!

Anthem by Ayn Rand

A very tall goodlooking guy with long curly hair and kitschy looking clothes, looked as intriguing as I find the author of the book he was reading! :) I’m tempted to read the Anthem because it is supposed to be similar to We and 1984, the latter being one of my most favorite books, if not the most favorite book! Having read Fountainhead, We the Living and Atlas Shrugged I have come to realize that I can never quite agree with her political or social views, even though I find them thoughtprovoking and provocative even. The characters of her story especially are endlessly fascinating! I remember being able to relate a lot to Kira in We in the Living, but now I can't seem to remember why! It may be her independent spirit. (hah!)