Monday to Saturday, we spend time doing the usual things, the usual way, at the usual time. The weekend is our one chance to do something different, out of the ordinary, special, unusual...So this weekend we thought we should take you into the world of unusual reads! A place where the established facts are questioned and nothing is what it seems....Welcome to another weekend! This week we have for you a reading list that will make you question the accepted. What if things were not the way we always thought they were? Is something true because it has always been told to us that it is true? What if there was more to the story than we know? Could something have happened differently than the way we have always believed it really happened? All this and more this week...enjoy!
1)
The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Detective Fiction
When we talk about questioning the established facts, this the first book in recent times that comes to mind! Questioning the very foundations of a widespread religion, this international bestselling book puts forth shocking alternative scenarios. If you like detective-mystery rife with conspiracy theories, with some nail-biting action thrown in for a good mix; then this is one book you should definitely read! And oh, this book has also been adopted into a movie starring Tom Hanks...and while he is definitely "watch-worthy;" believe us when we say, that it is the book that really takes the prize!
2)
The Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi Genre: General Fiction, Fantasy
Talking about alternative scenarios, here is another book based on a fictional premise involving yet another widespread religion. This book is based on the premise that all Gods started life as human beings and their actions and choices in their human life made people revere, and finally deify them. The critically acclaimed, first book of The Shiva Trilogy by Amish, this is a must read, no matter how rigid or otherwise your religious beliefs, for its beautiful depiction of the archaic ages in true colour!
3)
Gone Girl by Gillian FlynnGenre: Thriller
From questioning established beliefs, lets now move on to stories where nothing is what it seems and the reality is something, you never thought might be possible. Yes, that is what his cracker of a book by Gillian Flynn is all about! If you want an unusual, unpredictable page-turner, you must definitely give this book a try. This psychological thriller with unreliable narration, sudden plot twists and immense suspense will keep you turning pages long into the night!
4)
The Man from St. Petersburg by Ken FolletGenre: Thriller, Romance
Here's is another unpredictable spy novel, with an easy narrative that grips you from the first page and keeps you turning pages! This is a romantic thriller set against the backdrop of Anglo-Russian talks in the run-up to World War I. This is also a story of a young girl who discovers that her sheltered life is far removed from reality. A tale of masterfully interwoven lives of the main characters, this book is a roller coaster ride with nary a dull moment. A must-read to fire up your afternoon!
5)
Ships that Pass by Shashi DeshpandeGenre: General Fiction, Drama
Two people married for fourteen years and yet, strangers to each other - trapped in a marriage that was once ideal, but has now come undone. A sister - engaged almost on a whim, to someone she barely knows; while struggling with her feelings for an older man. And a death in the family, in mysterious circumstances....Talk about unpredictable! A meditation on love, marriages, courage and mystery; and a superbly worded, easy narrative by award-winning author Shashi Deshpande makes this book a must-read if you enjoy the works of vintage authors!
And that wraps up our list of crackling, unusual reads for you this weekend! How many of these have you read? Check them out, now!
