Light Reading

Often comes the time when one does not wish to burden the mind with heavy books containing intricate plots and backgrounds that require a keen concentration by the reader, rather something to ease the mind and sooth the nerves. Such an objective cannot be achieved by reading a Tom Clancy action novel, or perhaps even a Dan Brown thriller, but something that goes slowly, brightens one up with lively yet subtle humor and never fails to lose the interest of the reader. Reading a book of this sort, is what is usually called Light Reading. Now, everyone has their own preference in light reading, because the requirement of nerves and mind to relax differs from person to person, but I think I will be doing a disfavor to my readers by not letting them know of my personal favorite light reading material. This material happens to be the work of the renowned British writer, P.G Wodehouse. Now, I’m sure many of you must already have heard this name and read many of his literary masterpieces, but for those who have yet to discover the wonders that his books have to offer, I will simply say that his books are based on typical British humor, and they never fail to cheer me up, even on a rainy day.

The expressions that the writer makes use of, his singular tone, full of sarcasm and vigor, and the amusing interaction between his cleverly made characters are sure to bring a smile to the face of even the grimmest of people. In contrast to today’s comedy, many a times wrongfully called so, P.G Wodehouse’s books go on to show that one need not necessarily slip off a banana peel on the pavement to entertain an audience but that the subtle humor which is hidden in every sentence easily serves the purpose, rather in manner much more praiseworthy.

 P.G Wodehouse was brought up by aunts and butlers in his childhood, so any reader of his works will not fail to notice the major part these characters play in his novels. My personal favorite is the Jeeves-Wooster series, in which Bertram Wooster narrates many of his experiences with his faithful and highly intellectual butler, Jeeves. Wooster is depicted as a person who is not much appreciated in society as he is not considered to be the among the brightest of people, and often finds himself amidst a problem to which no solution is clear. In all such situation his Butler, whose mental capacities are much in contrast to those of Mr.Wooster, never fails to come up with a brilliant plan to solve the problem. The novels contain a narration of Mr.Wooster’s experiences

 in such problems, and as I mentioned before the singular tone in which he narrates it never fails to brighten me up.

Another aspect of these books, that I find rather amusing is the difference in taste of clothing between Mr.Wooster and his butler. Mr.Wooster often gets piqued at his butler for not appreciating his taste in clothing, but in the end always has to accept defeat when Jeeves brilliantly solves another problem and Mr.Wooster realizes that he owes him this much. And the story often ends up with those articles of clothing either burned or given away somehow. Bertram’s relation with his aunts is rather interesting as well, considering how they look down upon him as a dim witted, fathead, other that one of his aunts, who happens to be his favorite, Aunt Dahlia. There are many other things that I admire about these books, but finding them out on your own will serve as a greater enjoyment. My favorite novels include The Inimitable Jeeves, Carry On Jeeves, Frozen Assets and many others. Do give his books a read and let me know if you like them, which I’m sure you will.

Happy Reading!

What Hollywood is Teaching Us

Hollywood movies have really become a part of our lives, and many of their ideas have crept slowly into the back of our minds, but we, unconsciously, do not pay attention. You only realise how ridiculous they sometimes are when you look back at them, individually.

– Chinese. A Chinese character in the movie can mean only one thing, and that is Kung Fu. According to Hollywood, Chinese people never have anything else to do than Kung Fu. They don’t have to go out and earn money, they just stay in their houses, which are perhaps in the mountains, or maybe a jungle, and practice kicking and punching the air, and of course, saying all wise things when they’re at it.

– Undercover cops and detectives are useless and will never solve a case unless you suspend them from duty which tends to have a drastic effect and gives them back all their intelligence and clever wits. On duty they will always have arguments with their bosses and they’ll ‘make it up to them’ after solving the case, when suspended from duty. There are numerous examples of movies which portray the same message, like Bad Boys and I Robot (the Will Smith movie), and many others.

– The hero in any action film will not show much emotion while getting beaten up, he’ll take a bullet or two, to the chest or maybe a whack to the head, but he’ll be able to contain all his emotions, but when a pretty nurse (that coincidentally happens to be his love) will try to clean his wounds, he will not hold any of those emotions back. People, taking a bullet is NOT painless.

– The sole purpose of American schools is to teach basketball or football.  Whenever a school is made part of a movie, it is to show the sports in which the students indulge. Schools don’t really have anything to do with education.

– If twins are born, one is bound to be evil.

–  Aliens have a special interest in attacking the US only. They are the only ones worried for the ‘existence’  of the world, while the other countries do not take interest as to whether the Earth continues to exist or not, and in the end the US army always solves the problems. Why would the aliens have anything to do with the rest of the countries?

– If a couple of friends are in the mood to start dancing on the street, everyone will already know the steps, and suddenly they’ll start a very organised dancing session.

These are a few things Hollywood is teaching us these days. Please share if you have anything interesting. Looking forward to your comments and opinions.

Memes Make My Day

Quite frequently, these days on the internet, you come across meme comics, and they never fail to make you laugh. Many a times, they contain such fundamental truths and basic actions that we do in life that go unnoticed. And looking at them you think ‘ this is totally me’. All the drawings are so simple yet contain such emotions that any reader is able to relate to them. My personal favourite is the ‘Okay’ meme. 

The sad, frowning face, dejected and uncared for.Makes me a bit sad sometimes too. Again, the thing that strikes you is the simplicity of the drawing and yet the vast emotions it beholds. The ‘Forever Alone’ meme is also full of emotion. A lonely face with no friends, and that is how he has accepted his miserable life.

But then there’s the classic ‘Troll’ face itself, always meddling around with people and annoying them, with that constant grin on his face and the sarcastic comment he always passes after making someone his victim; ‘Problem?’

Troll dad is a real favourite these days as well, with the same grinning face except with a smoke pipe and a hat to make him look like more of an adult. Usually trolling his son, he never fails to make us laugh.

These comics with their hilarious humour can make anyone laugh, at least such is the case with me, I can’t say for the more intellectual of the society. They sometimes even leave me laughing at myself  when I find I have so much in common.No matter how sad I may be , they always make my day. Which are your favourite memes? Looking forward to you comments and opinions.

( p.s You can make a dollar for every comic you make, funny or not, here)