Heidi by Joanna Spyri

My childhood friend, 'Heidi'... Hiding in my bookshelves for many years.... One of my very favourite book among many given by my father to me... Illustrated classic edition! An old, used, second hand book bought from a seller by roadside in Mumbai.

Even now, many beautiful, used books are sold on the footpaths of Mumbai city. We had bought many such old, used books from sellers by the roadside and I had re-read them infinite times.

Orphaned little Heidi living with her maternal aunt is brought to her grandfather (father's father), who is living alone in the mountains. Heidi loves the ambience, enjoys staying up at the mountains in the wooden house. She befriends a little shepherd of her age, Peter. Initially, the strictness of her grandfather who has been nurturing prejudices gradually starts melting down. Rather than saying that he started showering her with his care and love, it was Heidi's spontaneity and innocence awakens the love of her grandfather.

Suddenly, a day arises when Heidi is being sent to a city where she is made to accompany a girl named Clara, of her age, who is a wheelchair user. Clara's father who is a businessman has to be frequently away from her home. Clara has already lost her mother forever. Clara is looked after and her home is being managed by a strict governess. Heidi slowly starts adapting to the life in city and it's hustle and bustle. Heidi and Clara become best friends over the period of time. Their friendship transcends any kind of differences. But, there comes a day when the circumstances make Heidi return to her grandfather's home in the mountains. Clara misses Heidi a lot and visits her. The beauty of the nature, the healthy and nutritious food, friendship with Heidi and Peter, the use of knowledge of physiotherapy by Heidi's grandfather changes Clara's life wonderfully forever.

'Heidi', a beautiful story of innocence and true friendship, written by Johanna Spyri! Do read! Not just for children but for the people who long for the true friendship! 

Later, I got to know that there are many adaptations of this story. This beautiful story was also broadcasted by the Cartoon Network TV channel in animated form.

Here is the link to the video episodes of animated version of Heidi :

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLS6WGd3J_H0rzQvtmkDDs0_8Jg70wZOn0

My ratings 5-stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Five Point Someone : by Chetan Bhagat (Rupa Publication)

Generally, a bachelor's life is considered to be fun, full of hopes and dreams, expectations, failures and despairs, love and breakups and moving on, to seek settlement in life and gradually maturing. This is what is reflected in this fictional novel. The location in the story is based from real life, that is, IIT (Mumbai), a dream institute for aspiring 'scholar' engineers. Of course, there are always exceptions. Not all are on the same side of typically considered notions of being a scholar. Such students do struggle with mentalities that try to measure everyone's success on same scales. That doesn't mean that their brilliance is left futile. They find one way or another to channelize it while some get themselves bogged down in some subdued jobs or work which isn't actually suitable for their capabilities. Also, some students have their aims clearly set and they pursue it till they fulfil them and settle down with a fixed routine in life. That's their definition of success. 

This story reflects the facts that the students, especially in India, face in their lives.

Three friends - Hari, Ryan and Alok - coming from three different backgrounds are students of IIT (Mumbai). Their entrance in the institute, introductory ragging by seniors, studies, dreams, projects, friendships, love and relationships with their families, all are tied together. Hari's relationship with Neha, the daughter of a very strict professor takes the central part of the story gradually and the whole theme of the novel revolves around it. Years and years pass on with details of their college life till the graduation nears, so does the end of the novel. A requirement of five points or more is determining their future. An unexpected change in behaviour of their strict professor helps them to pursue their dreams. Of course, the reason behind such change in his behaviour is to be found by the readers themselves between the lines. 

This novel written by Indian author Chetan Bhagat, published by Rupa Publications in 2004, later formed the base of the famous Hindi Bollywood movie '3 Idiots'. 

I myself was the only one in family who studied arts while my cousins studied engineering. I got to know about this novel from one of them. While reading it by borrowing, I found some of concepts like points for projects bit tough to understand but, it didn't hamper my interest in reading. I was engrossed in reading till the end. The way the story is narrated engages the readers. 

Worth reading if you wish to go down the memory lane of your college life. Good one for young adults and also for those who are young at heart, always. 

My rating 3-stars ⭐⭐⭐