You should read, watch and hear

I don’t preach. I don’t teach (though I do want to do it one day). I believe in tolerance and I believe in letting everyone make their own choices. Hence, this post is not so much about telling you what to do as it is about telling you what I have done all this time growing up.

You should read: Erich Segal‘s Love Story

Everyone who knows me, knows how much I am influenced by Julius Ceaser, Sherlock Holmes and even Robert Langdon. But if I had to pick one book, just one to show you that I have a really great taste in books, I would pick Love Story. It’s a small story, around a 100 pages, and that’s a the beauty of it. It’s a story of love found and lost, and its delivered without being soapy and lengthy. Whoever thought men can’t do romance need to read this.

Source: Wikipedia.org

Close seconds: Julius Ceaser, Deception Point, The Dark Knight Returns

Hindi Alternative: Premchand’s Short Stories

I haven’t read a Hindi story book since I left school. But I still know that Premchand is the king when it comes to classic Hindi literature. ‘Gaban’ is a well-acclaimed novelette, but his short stories and their relevance even today reflecting the Indian mindset is uncanny.

You should watch: Fight Club

There are cult movies and then there is fight club. The thing about this movie is that when you watch it during your formative years (your college years), that’s when it really strikes you. Watch it too late, and you would find it too far fetched, watch it too young, and you would find it much ado about nothing. Just watch it for Brad Pitt (that red jacket and aviators, I rocked that look all college long)and Ed Norton.

Source: Wikipedia.org

Close seconds: Taken, Wall E, Shawshank Redemption, Zombieland

Hindi Alternative: Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron

The climax scene from this movie is legendary. I found the movie funny when I watched it the first time around. Years later I realized that it was full of satires and black humor. The beauty of the movie is that it grows with you. You find a new layer every time you watch it, and the best thing is you still find it funny.

You should hear: Here Without You (3 doors down)

I am not going to suggest you a complete album, but just a single song. Once again everyone who knows me, knows how big a fan I am of Linkin Park. I swear by Numb, Faint, and basically everything they throw at me. 3 doors down however made a winner when they made this song. Feeling lonely, hear this; feeling in love, listen to it; feeling heartbroken, cry to this. The band usually does rock alternatives, but this song gives any One Direction’s song a run for their money.

Source: Wikipedia.org

Close Seconds: Numb (Linkin Park), Hall Of Fame (The Script), Rolling in the Deep (Adele)

Hindi Alternatives: Namastey London (Himesh Reshamiya, Gulzaar)

If there ever was a complete Hindi musical album, it is this. I am one of the many who like Himesh’s music, and are not afraid to show it. But its not your typical Himesh or even Hindi soundtracks. Its soulful, giddy, and heart wrenching at times. Check it out, when you have the time.

I didn’t post this to banter about myself you know. I would love to know what you read, watched and heard, that’s what this post is about. A little quid pro quo, thats what this really is.