When a book leaves a deep impression on me, I talk about it to anyone who will listen. And when I began reading Pico Iyer’s Falling off the Map, I found it at once witty, enjoyable and poignant. So I spoke about it to several people including Sudha — and kept up a virtual barrage of praise over the following days. So much so, that she asked if I would review it for her blog — perhaps hoping to keep me quiet! It didn’t work, but made me nervous instead, for I consider her reviews the ultimate benchmark of a good book review and here I was, a reviewer of all of two books! I had even politely declined the offer by Random House to do reviews for them.
In a fit of recklessness, I agreed, but when the import of my commitment struck me, I panicked. At the same time, I didn’t want to miss being featured on her blog. And so folks, to cut a long story short, this post is to inform you guys that the my review of the book Falling off the Map has been featured as a guest post on My Favourite Things. Do hop over there, and tell me if you liked it!
The Cybernag 
Awesome review, Zephyr. This book now added to my 2013 reading list!
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I didn’t know I could review a book till I did this one. Thanks for appreciating 🙂
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I cannot think of anyone better who would dissect a book in a better way. Going over 🙂
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hopping over to read the review 🙂
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heading over 🙂
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Will check sudha’s site. There cannot be a bad book review if you are sharing your experience with the book right? it is just what you felt 🙂
I have never read this author before though I have heard of Pico Iyer on a few blogs 🙂 Time to check this one out! But only after I hop onto sudha’s space for the needful 🙂
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Thank you for the comment you left on Sudha’s site, Toffee 🙂 You are bang on about a review being subjective and so can’t be good or bad.
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I love reading his travel columns. Recently read one in an Australian paper and felt terribly proud.
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He is a wonderful writer, isn’t he?
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Great review …would like to grab the book as soon as possible.. 🙂
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Thank you Odyzz, do grab a copy!
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Interesting review 🙂
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Thank you Geetashree! Welcome here 🙂
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Happy Pongal, BM!! Read the review…read a book review after long time and now you made me curious to pick it up 🙂
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I am glad that you liked the review and want to read the book. You won’t be disappointed!
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Happy SANKRANTI
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Thank you Chowlaji!
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Happy Pongal Zephyr !!!! Read the review “Excellent” is the apt word to describe Zephyr’s new role. All these days my reading pattern was channelised by bharathi except for fiction. Now for the first time the roles will be changed I spoke to her about your review of the book and asked her whether she has read the book she said ‘No’ that reverses the role I will be suggesting the book for the first time.Now that’s going to cost me some money. Well ! We had seen Zephyr as author,writer, blogger and now as reviewer. To sum up I can say it was wonderful experience to read your review and book has been marked as ‘Must Read’. I have posted the comment here since I am at comfort zone here.
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That is cool, to suggest a book to the one who devours them 😀 It is not too expensive since Flipkart offers a good discount. I am afraid, Sudha has unleashed a monster and I might just take myself as a reviewer seriously. And all the compliments are going right to my head! It is ok you have posted the comment here, and I understand your reasons, but on her blog would have been great 🙂
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Happy Sankranti! I am hopping over to read your review now. I
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Thanks Amrita. I knew this one would bring you here 😀
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will definitely go to her site! Happy Sankranti!
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Thank you Roshni! And happy belated Sankranti to you too 🙂
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Happy Sankranti! I am hopping over to read your review now. I know the review is going to be great just like your other posts. So in advance: Nice review 🙂
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Thanks for the advance wishes. I am humbled by the confidence 🙂
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Morrningsss and wishing you a Happy Pongal 🙂
Wow Pico Iyer…I am currently reading Abandon by him…My first book by Pico Iyer….Oh Nothing like a quest for a lost manuscript of Rumi. Set in both Iran and California…a worth read book… And I love the quotes off his books…
So gonna read your review of Falling off the Map and will mark it for a read later for sure 🙂 With the way you write I am sure you would have given a fab review of the book….
And plssss if you are into Romance novels (Sheepish smile from me…Coz I still read romantic novels and get a high off them)…Would love your recommendations on few titles… and yep Indian Authors…Love reading their works…
Good Day
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How did you pick up Pico Iyer just when I had too? Coincidence? But the genres are different, speaking for his versatality. No Dimple, I don’t read romances. The only one which I remember reading was Love Story. Not even M&B when all my classmates were going ga-ga over them 😀
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The whole of yesterday was a string of beautiful coincidence’s for me….1st your blog on Pico Iyer when I just started reading it last week…Had been to churchgate quite some time back…and had chanced upon this book at a book exhibition and picked it only for my love of Sufism and Rumi poems….And not to forget I am a self confessed Romantic freak….I can sniff romance even in a thriller novel…hehehe
Rightly said the genres are totally different from what you have reviewed…A truly versatile writer and I wont be surprised that this is the only romantic writing by him seeing his bibliography…
My second beautiful coincidence yesterday meeting Sudha via your post…so thanks on that.
P.S. I still read M&B novels from my school days 🙂
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After I complete all his other books, I might pick up Abandon, not before. I would love to see you sniff romance in this book of Iyer 😀
You finding Sudha was really a happy coincidence, isn’t it?
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I dont think you will pick Abandon in a long long time….unless I gift it to you…heheh
O I shall keep you posted of the romance factor in the book review you have done 🙂
One book which I am sure you would love to read or If I may recommend is ‘Remember Me’ by Lesley Pearse…A woman’s determination and struggle and I always take this book as an inspiration…its based on true events of Mary Broad Bryant’s life…
Meeting Sudha was truly a happy coincidence…Have met her once at my sis in laws place and yes always heard highly of her in all my talks with my inlaws…so truly was good to connect..
How was Pongal?? Hope you njoyed a traditional Pongal feast…I surely missed that.
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Hopped over and read :). You are right; her reviews are sterling! She has amazing tastes in art and books.
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She has indeed! That is why I was more than a little nervous writing on her blog and when I kept fretting, she threatened to clobber me 😀
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Super cool! Hopping over right now to Sudhagee’s blog to read your review!
I have no doubts that you are a fantastic book reviewer too.
I haven’t read any books by Pico Iyer yet, but have read that they are fantastic. I must give them a try soon. 🙂
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Do read him. I am sure you will fall in love with his style!
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