Message In a Bottle

chef-d'oeuvre - One word that sums up Nicholas Sparks' beautifully crafted, deeply moving and one of the most touching love stories. Sparks weaves the emotions in words and brings out a sparkling love story.

When I first picked it up, I was apprehensive if I'd understand the emotions of love for I have never fallen in love. Instead, I was expecting it to be a touchy feely, light-hearted teenage love story. But I forgot that when I 'assume', I 'ass u n me'.

'Message In a Bottle' is a mature love story. It's between two people who are struggling with their own lives. It tells us that true love can't be denied, and if you truly love someone, then be prepared to make sacrifices.

Sparks describes the emotions so beautifully that even the most unromantic of species would like to fall in love. There are lots of romantic moments in the story but the one I found most romantic was when Theresa and Garrett part each other.

Theresa says, "Go home, Garrett, and do me a favor?"

"Anything," says Garrett.

"Dream about me, okay?"

And there are lots of funny moments too that make you smile intermittently. Here goes one instance...

"Pulling back, he mumbled," I should really be going." He didn't sound as if he meant it.

"I know."

"But, I don't want to," he said with a boyish smile.

"I know what you mean," she said. "But you've to. You got to teach us how to dive tomorrow."

"I'd rather teach you a couple of other things I know."

"I think you did that the last time I was here," she said coyly.

"I know. But practice makes perfect." :)

And yes! how can I forget those beautiful letters. I was amazed and pleasantly surprised - that a man can be so romantic in his thoughts and so innocent in this actions. Until now, I thought, only women can express themselves so beautifully.

The friend, who recommended this book to me, said it was her first time - I mean, reading a romantic novel :). And proudly claimed that it's the best book she ever read. I was amused at her choice - that a romantic novel can be someone's best read. I have no choice but to confess that it's become my favorite too. Actually, it has become the centre of gravity in my bookshelf. Hey! thanks so much...for recommending this book to me. I think you are a great reviewer...It's ur praise about 'Message In a Bottle' that forced me to read it...It's an immortal possession.

Finally, to all book lovers out there, if you don't mind a few tears in your eyes, read it. If you want to live a tragedy long before you understand it, read it. And if you want to experience a tightness in your chest, read it.

happy reading!! :-)

Stars Shinedown!

IT's thirty minutes past midnight. And I hv been sitting here on the parapet of my terrace for an hour or so. Doing nothing, thinking nothing, just wandering aimlessly. My mind's creating bubble thoughts that diffuse as fast as they pop out. The stars are shining and twinkling as if they are happy to see me. For a moment, it seems they are moving. Am I in a trance? Seconds later I realize, it's not the stars, it's the after-shower clouds - yep! as i like to call them - that are taking their own course after soaking the earth whole evening. I m luvin this after-shower cool breeze. It's caressing my cheeks, as if wanting to tell me that it luvs me n wants me to stay here thruout the night. N i 2 m not able to resist the crispness in the air. It's so calm out here. I m feeling lighter than a leaf. I can see the world around me sleeping, except a few lights are still open in some distant corners.

Hey! wats this? just wen i thot the night sky is getting clearer, the clouds hv again started playin hide n seek. Are they coming back? Will it rain again? Luks like i ll hv to go back to my room. I think, sumthing when given in plenty, spoils its charm. Don't u think so? If it rains again, it might spoil the beautiful weather that was created after the first rain. Neways, the cool breeze that is still blowing, is enticing enuf to force me to stay here for a few more mins. The night sky 2 is beautiful. I feel lik reaching 4 the stars. I want to touch them, feel them, see each one of them closely. i know it sounds childish, but i want to go back in time n be a child again :). I hv been fascinated by all things universe - stars, constellations, planets - since i first read abt them in std X. Since then, it's been 1 of my dreams to buy a big telescope n see wats happening inside those beautiful little..err big, i guess bigger than big..creatures up there in the milky way.

It's one now..n it's getting late. I think i shd get back to my room. Subah uthna bhi to hai. But the pleasant weather, specially this breeze is holding my hand, as if forcing me 2 stay here. I tell her it's 2 late..lemme go...But, she wont budge..Like an innocent child, she wont listen to me. Umm....i guess i'll hv to submit to her 4 a few more mins. Let's see 4 how long... :-)

sweet dreams!!