“Keyur read The Last Song by Salman Rushdie. Set in Spain, the story follows an old man searching for his mother’s paintings with his dog, Jawahar.”
POCKET DIARY BOOK CLUB
MINUTES OF THE MEETING
YEAR 2024
08/12/2024 03:00 PM
Edition No.: 44
Venue: Akshat Drama Group Studio
Facilitator: Anushri
Written by: Naisargi & Anushri
Edited by: Priya
Keyur read The Last Song by Salman Rushdie
● Set in Spain, the story follows an old man searching for his mother’s paintings with his dog,
Jawahar.
● The narrative explores themes of language barriers and the detailed beauty of streets and
people’s lives.
● Commentary on the emptiness of crowds and life as a sensory experience.
About the Author: Salman Rushdie is an acclaimed author known for blending magical realism and
historical fiction.
“The Last Song” reflects his mastery of storytelling and nuanced character development.
Nija read Barat ki Wapsi from Harishankar Parsai’s Apni Apni Bimari
● A satirical take on Indian weddings, showcasing the burdens (“boj”) and chaos of a baraat.
● When she was reading, it made me visualise everything. It made me feel like a ‘Baarati’ in that
bus.
● Detailed observations of the relationship between people and vehicles, symbolizing fear and
human vulnerability.
● Beautiful lines “Jhooth agar jum jaye to satya se jyada abhay deta he!”
About the Author: Harishankar Parsai was an Indian satirist known for his humorous and critical take on
societal issues. His works often blend sharp wit with insightful commentary on Indian culture.
Prince read Only Veg Kebabs by Davinder Kumar
● The preface discusses the derivation of the word “kebab” and its historical significance.
● Reference to Rajasthan and the Nawabs of Palanpur, known for their culinary expertise.
● Characteristics of kebabs, including the smoky flavor and unique spices.
● Aravali Kebabs and their various vegetarian varieties, breaking the stereotype that kebabs are
exclusively non-vegetarian.
● A deep dive into culinary literature that challenges preconceived notions about vegetarian
kebabs.
About the Author: A connoisseur in the art of cooking, Chef Davinder Kumar has 5 decades of culinary
excellence and played a vital role in promoting Indian cuisine globally. He has been the President of Indian
Culinary Forum (ICF) for the past 20 years
Janvi read from A Midsummer Night’s Dream by William Shakespeare
● A classic play exploring themes of love and magic.
● The story revolves around lovers getting lost in an enchanted wood and encountering whimsical
scenarios.
● The poetic language, with phrases like “thee and thou,” evokes a nostalgic connection to
Shakespeare’s time.
● Comparison to other Shakespearean works, such as “Julius Caesar,” highlighting the range of
Shakespeare’s storytelling.
● Loved the book’s cover design.
About the Author: The most well-known writer in the English language!
Fatima read Mammon and the Archer by O’Henry
● The story explores the tension between wealth (Mammon) and love (the Archer, symbolizing
Cupid).
● The story revolves around Anthony’s belief that money can influence all aspects of life, even love,
and Richard’s contrasting romantic ideals.
● True to O. Henry’s style, the story leaves readers questioning whether love prevailed or if it was
manipulated.
About the Author: William Sydney Porter, better known by his pen name O. Henry, was an American
writer known primarily for his short stories. His tales romanticized the commonplace —in particular the
life of ordinary people in New York City.
Naisargi read The Necessity of Joy from How to love the world by James Crews
● Read an excerpt on why joy is necessary and how being in a dark mood also is evidence of our
aliveness.
● She read a poem on Hope, which talks about going ahead even we are anxious.
About the Author: James Crews is a writer, poet, teacher and the editor of several bestselling anthologies,
including the one above.
Ankit read from The Naga Warriors by Akshat Gupta
● The author’s descriptive writing captures the essence of the land, showcasing the mysterious aura
of the Naga hills, which seem to guard ancient secrets.
● The first chapter introduces the legend of the Naga warriors, protectors of an ancient secret
passed down through generations.
About the Author: Akshat Gupta is an Indian writer, screenwriter, motivational speaker, lyricist, poet and
restaurateur. He is best known for his national best selling mythological, science fiction and adventurous
The Hidden Hindu trilogy series.
Kavita read from The Popular works of Khalil Gibran
● Women are looked upon as a commodity.
● Talks about spiritual progress, strengths and weaknesses of women.
● The reader shared that there is a lot of change in how women are treated today and how they
were treated then. But still the women of today don’t have the actual freedom.
About the Author: Kahlil Gibran, was a Lebanese-American writer, poet and visual artist best known for
his work “The Prophet.”
Abhiraj read Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman! by Richard Feynman
● Anecdotes from Richard Feynman’s life, highlighting his work as a physicist and his quirky sense
of humor.
● Spilling water incident, showcasing his confidence in his experimental process.
● The importance of curiosity and persistence in problem-solving.
About the Author: Richard P. Feynman was a Nobel Prize-winning physicist known for his work in quantum
mechanics and his ability to explain complex scientific ideas simply. The book captures his unconventional
approach to science and life.
Anushri read from Miss Smilla’s Sense of Snow by Peter Hoeg
● Set in Greenland, it explores themes of cultural identity and resentment among children for losing
their native language.
● Ice and its metaphorical significance, tied to isolation and resilience.
● Rich descriptions of ice, nature, and human emotions.
About the Author: Peter Høeg is a Danish author best known for his intricate narratives and psychological
depth. This book is a mystery novel that combines elements of science, culture, and personal conflict.
Asad read from Ziré Buzette by Maurice des Ombiaux
● Focus on Ziré Buzette, a character whose long -awaited death holds significant implications for a
community.
● Themes of anticipation and collective hope.
About the Author: Maurice des Ombiaux (1868-1943) was a Belgian journalist and writer. A very prolific
author and art critic, he was interested in Walloon artists, wrote an “Essay on Walloon Art” (1912) and,
with Jules Destrée, created an association aimed at highlighting the artistic productions of the Walloon
country.
The session ended anticipating the next one, Secret Santa special!
***