Life and Chess

I am not very clear about the term time... I don't know what it means still I spend a lot of it on playing chess. Every time I play chess I realize how similar it is to life. 

• Chess is timed just like life. It is ruthless, very competitive and time management is extremely important.

• Every move has (or should have) a purpose.

• One needs to think before making a move but not so long that you lose all your time. 

• Some play defensive but playing offensive is needed too. Risk takers are rewarded may be later in the game.

• Thinking 3-4 moves ahead helps but what the opponent's move will be is always unpredictable unless you make/allure them to make a certain move... It's a trap! 

• One may sacrifice some pieces or loose material in the trap, try to minimize your losses and move on.

• Be less predictable: that is more interesting.

• You don't have to be a swindler to win... you just have to be better.

• We all blunder from time to time. This does not mean we should give up and run away. There is ALWAYS a lifeline.

• Sometimes people make moves that we simply don't understand, don’t read too much between the lines. They are just silly moves – that’s all there is to it.

• Always have plan B, plan C, plan D ready in your heads.

• Play wisely, start well, how you begin matters!

• If an opportunity (opening) appears, seize it immediately.

• Make every effort to get into the game – ASAP.

• It seldom goes the way you planned – adjust and continue.

• Trade inferior material and positions for important ones, the King being your body, use all the other pieces to give the King happiness, wealth, comforts and mostly health & fitness.

• Latent talent in ordinary people can become obvious after years of hard work and learning.

• (If you do) Lose graciously and learn at least one lesson from it.

• Draw is as good as a win and definitely better than a loss.

• Take your time, but settle on one plan of action… and then do it!

• Most important lesson chess teaches is you are given everything that one needs to win (even if you have sacrificed or lost a few pieces)... rather than thinking about what is gone make the most of what you have on the board. If you don't win then nothing but you yourself is to be blamed...!

I am on chess.com and my id is rasikamahabal. Do add me! Let's play and enjoy it!

Superstardom

I was born in an absolute filmy family where the Father carried Sadhana's (yesteryear actress) photo in his wallet (I think he still does), Brother1 constantly bombarded me with Amitabh Bachchan movies and dialogues while Brother2 covered all the walls and entire furniture of our shared room with Aishwarya Rai's photos.

It crossed all boundaries when the Mother started bribing lord Ganesh with 1/2 kg sweets every year and in return asked to bestow Madhuri Dixit with an award (this went on for years). She also fed me Stardust and Filmfare magazines since I was little. People who haven't seen many Hindi films or do not know about filmy gossip or dialogues will not understand half of the things me and my mother talk about.

There is no denying that I like films but I didn't understand the devotion for a star/actor/actress. I thought they are just freakin entertainers, they are not bringing any social changes, scientific advances or helping us understand the ultimate truth (the origin of universe). Well, definitely not until I saw His films. Today I revere Him, think about Him almost everyday, watch His films over and over again. I want to see Him when I am sad, depressed or happy. When He died I cried for three days and kept calling the Mother... who wasn't of much help as she herself was in complete distress. I am talking about the first (and the last according to me) Superstar - Rajesh Khanna.

The way I feel for RK is beyond my understanding specially considering I have no personal connection with him. (I still don't comprehend the craze for any other actor though... Humans are a society of hypocrites and I am just being human ;-) )

I highly recommend these Rajesh Khanna films if you haven't watched them already - Khamoshi, Safar, Anand, Aaradhana, Ittefaq, Kati Patang, Swarg.

More Books ....

Can You Keep a Secret? - Sophie Kinsella

I must admit that I love Kinsella's books just like I adore those damsel in distress kind of movies starring Sunny Deol... a lady in trouble and a strong man offering to help this weak person.. as she can not take care of herself and needs a MAN to help her out ... and all that crap, then they fall in love and live happily ever after. Remind yourself to leave your feminism aside and enjoy this book... (4/5)

Confessions of a shopaholic - Sophie Kinsella

Sophie Kinsella's books are like deserts ... you love them but feel guilty once indulged. The female leads in her books (generally) are extremely stupid and millionaires happen to fall in love with them anyways. As if the entire goal of womankind is to find a rich boyfriend. Anyhow, I enjoyed reading the book immensely as I have seen so many shopaholic people who take maximum pleasure in owning things without thinking if they need it or not. I give it 4/5.

The Martian - Andy Weir

This probably was the first hardcore science fiction that I read and I simply loved it. There is a movie being made on this book starring Matt Damon, can't wait to see the film. I give it 5/5.

Rang Manache - Va. Pu. Kale (Marathi book)

Glad that I can read and understand Marathi and can enjoy marvelous books by Marathi writers Va. Pu. Su. Shi. and Pu. La. (4/5)

Book Reviews again

Essentialism: the disciplined pursuit of less - Greg McKeown

Self help books - author telling you how awesome they are, these amazing people they have helped, they share their secret with you - how everything is going to change blah blah blah. But to be honest self help books do work. These self indulgent people (and who isn't?) make us feel motivated, inspired and positive even if they chose to ramble 500 pages on minimalism.

Essentialism talks about how to simplify your life, thinking, purpose and cut out all the extraneous stuff that continually distracts us and focus on what is really important (including people). I liked the book. I would definitely recommend it (4/5)

The Girl In Blue - P.G. Wodehouse

I like P.G.'s books. His humor is always subtle and situational. 3/5.
 
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain

I am not a big fan of Twain's books. I found it quite boring. 1/5

I am Malala - Malala Yousafzai

Malala and her father have quite a story of bravery. I hope that the women in Pakistan will get to enjoy the same privileges as I do. But I am reviewing the book here and I didn't like it even a bit. I wouldn't recommend it. 1/5.

Love Story - Erich Segal  

I was expecting a masterpiece after hearing about its reputation as a great romance novel. Just because something is well known doesn't make it great I guess. 1/5.

Landline - Rainbow Rowell

I read this book because it was voted best book of 2014 (fiction category) on Goodreads. I mean this book voted the best book of the year??? I am dumbfound, must be something wrong with me to say that it was the worst book I ever read (and I have read quite a few). Read at your own risk! 0/5.

Book Reviews

Here are short reviews of books that I 'finished' reading -

On Writing - Stephen King

A must read for everyone who wants to venture into writing. Highly recommended - 5/5. (I haven't read any other books by Stephen King so I don't know how he writes his stories.)

Devotion of Suspect X - Keigo Higashino

This book won a lot of awards for best mystery novel, movies are made on this story. I couldn't keep the book down. Absolutely superb. I give it 5/5.

Dollar Bahu - Sudha Murty

Can not believe Penguin published this book. Absolutely crappy story full of stupid characters and situations. Only book worth reading by Sudha Murty is 'How I Taught My Grandmother To Read'. I give it 1/5.

An Appetite for Wonder: The making of a Scientist - Richard Dawkins

I am a big fan of Dawkin's books but I didn't quite enjoy his autobiography. It was boring to read about his entire family starting from great great grandparents to know names of his each and every teacher. I wouldn't recommend this book. 1/5

1Q84 Book 1: Haruki Murakami

Absolutely mind blowing  book by Murakami, couldn't keep it down. Fell in love with all the characters instantly. I give it 5/5.

1Q84 Book 2: Haruki Murakami

Since I loved first book in this series I had to read the second part which was a complete let down. I was annoyed to the core to have read this book. 1/5.

1Q84 Book 3: Haruki Murakami

How does one give up something mid way (except for classics)? I had to find out what happened to the characters I fell in love with in Book 1. How does it end? I would recommend to not read the first part which will save you from all the irritation of having to read 3 books! Murakami is being considered for Noble prize in literature??? 1/5

Fed up!

All of the young people out there - when you are 60 years old what are the things you would want to have? What are your goals? What is your long term plan?

Money? Career? Family? Knowledge?

And what if at that age you have reached top position in the company, living in a multi-million dollar house, traveled the world, have a gorgeous family but guess what you do not have the most important thing that one would need to have? HEALTH - physical and mental both.

Is it your long term goal? Are you taking any action on it right now?

It is saddening to see that people don't spend any time on their health. Reason? They are too busy! They don't have time to exercise or to cook. Everyone gets 24 hours a day - nothing more nothing less. No one in the world is blessed enough to have a lot of time, seriously! So what makes some people focus on health and some not? Simple - Priority! and a long term plan for health.

Since I spend time exercising, eating healthy and home cooked food everyday am I in best of health shape? Nope! I do get sick now and then, catch colds/sinusitis, feel exhausted on some days and to add more to that I am 8 pounds overweight.

Does it also mean people who have Health as their long term goal are in best of the shape at 60? Not necessarily...

So why plan and spend time on it today that we very well could 'wisely' spend on watching TV or getting more promotions/money??? Well, you need to answer that question yourself.

Talking about weight issues I feel most of the overweight people deny that they are overweight or else accept to be overweight. One and only thing that we need to realize to get going is IT IS NOT OKAY TO BE OVERWEIGHT.

But is it just about weight? Because some people are thin outside and fat inside.

How about diet? It does not matter even if we have all the knowledge and awareness in the world about food and food products - it is all waste if we do not have common sense and control required to avoid junk food and actions.

It is hard, really hard to not be overweight. We are all surrounded by such amazing food choices, how are we supposed to not indulge in them? We also belong to a culture where parents concentrate more on a thin child than the overweight one, ours is a culture where overweight is considered healthy even if they are lethargic.

In earlier days human race faced two periods - a bountiful period and a famine. In today's times for all of us every single meal is bounty with no famine in sight. Does our body really need so much food?

Fed up is a must watch documentary that shows all the problems associated with obesity and sugar consumption. It absolutely changed the way I eat, may come true for you too.

Book Reviews - November 2014

Persepolis is a humorous and haunting memoir written by Marjane Satrapi. It is the first time ever that I read a graphic novel and realized that plain text books do not take advantage of the massive processing power of our minds. The pictures in Persepolis are absolutely stunning and tell so much more than words do. I have also seen the movie based on this book but I must say that this book is hundred times better than the movie based on it. It is a must read book!

I read 2 books from George R.R.Martin's book series 'A song of Ice and Fire'. The books are way too lengthy and there is lot of information about characters in it than I cared to know or even equipped to remember! HBO TV show 'Game of Thrones' has done more than justice to this book series. 

Other two award winning books that I absolutely didn't like - A wrinkle in time - Madeleine L'Engle (may be it’s a children's book and I happened to read it at a wrong phase in life) and Old Man and the sea by Ernest Hemingway. 

Some Really Good Movies

A Separation - Asghar Farhadi makes us roam endlessly in complicated lives of a group of people. There is no essence no meaning, just like life... simple and pure. His films are like onions, they peel one layer at a time - of characters, their situations, story and the complications. A Separation is not about sex or violence, there is no sentimentalism or philosophical pretense nor is it a morality tale AND yet an extremely beautiful, engaging and a very well deserved Oscar winning film.

The Past - This is one more by Asghar Farhadi. Whatever we are today - our judgement, opinions, decisions and perception is all because of our past. In fact the minute we say "I am" the next moment we become "I was" and though the movie shows what is happening in the present in a way it is all about past, just like our lives. While the viewers wait for a judgement there is no end to Farhadi's movies. To our angst film stops leaving us dismay. There are no epiphanies no miracles no preaching. As a director he doesn't lead us to show who is good who is bad. The viewers get the task to do that! A very beautiful film!


Lucia - There was a time when I didn't miss watching any hit Bollywood film. Since almost 7 years I have seen hardly one Bolly film a year. My thirst to see Indian movies is quenched by watching regional cinema. Lucia is a Kannada film which I thought is loosely based on Murakami's book 'Hard boiled wonderland and the end of the world'. I feel Indian regional films have touched a milestone with Lucia. The conquest of Lucia lies in the twist that overturns the entire story and in its color treatment (colored/ black & white). I strongly recommend this film.

May 2014 - More Book Reviews

1. Catcher in the Rye - J. D. Sallinger

I didn't like a long series of books that I read - like 50 shades of gray, divergent. So I decided to try classics. I feared I might fail to understand these sort of books. Catcher in the Rye has fairly simple language and structure to understand, very well written book but did I like the story? Nah! Its my inability to interpret 'show but don't tell' stories. I am too dumb to decipher any symbolism or anything, so Satanic Verses is out of my league. I couldn't put the book down but at the end of it I thought what exactly was it about? This book was banned for a few years in the US and is considered a classic. Go for it, unlike me you may be able to construe the story.



2. To kill a mockingbird - Harper Lee


This month I read books which are really good examples of writing so I was not frustrated at any point. In US school students have to read certain books as a part of their syllabus like this book 'To kill a mockingbird'. I wonder why there is no such thing in our Indian school syllabus? I had seen the movie based on this book earlier, liked the book too. I would definitely recommend it.





3. Lady with the toy dog - Chekhov

I heard this audio book by BBC, Anton Chekhov is famous for his short stories and his frugal use of words. I thought it was a good story so I would be reading a short story book by Chekhov this month. A lot of his stories are available on audio books too.

4. The Pluto files - Neil Tyson
This depicts the history and geography of Pluto, didn't like it much. 

Idiot Box : Part 7

Last week tonight with John Oliver -
I do see a few talk shows now and then like 'The daily show with John Stewart' or the 'Colbert Report' but John Oliver is the best of all. It is Oliver's satirical take on the current happenings. I give it 5/5.






True Detective -


I was totally completely absolutely impressed by the dialogues, story and music. Finale was a little bit let down but worth to watch this show for those first 7 good episodes.
I give it 4/5.







Cosmos -

 It needs skill to express or write ones feelings in exact words. I don't know what to say about this brilliant series except the fact that I cried after watching each episode just by looking at the vastness of the cosmos and the futility of life. Kudos to the makers! I give it 100/10. A must watch show for people from all ages. I watched it on Fox channel but I think all episodes are available here - http://www.cosmosontv.com/

May 2014: Book Reviews

1. Matilda - Roald Dahl

Matilda is a children's book. I loved the audio book by BBC. I give it 4/5 stars.






2. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins

I haven't read the first two books in the series but have seen the movies. Couldn't wait any longer to know the end of hunger games so read the book. The book is better written than other fast food effect books like divergent or 50 shades of gray (I fail to fathom how the later one became a bestseller~). I give it 3/5 stars and feel that there was no need to make 2 part movie based on this book.



3. Seven pillars of health - Donald Colbert

I absolutely loved the book it talks about 7 pillars of health - water, food, sleep, nutrients, exercise etc. Each pillar is covered in depth starting from what kind of water you should drink, what are its constituents, what are the filtering methods available, which ones are the best to if your body requires supplements. The book is targeted for Christians but the author does not over stress on his faith or religion. Jesus appearing in one or two sentences in the book was fine by me. I highly recommend this book, I give it 4.5/5 stars.

Book Reviews : April 2014

1. Mind Body Medicine : The science of Optimal Health - Jason M. Satterfield

This is an audio/video series of 36 lectures, each covering different topics like why some people catch cold, exercise, sleep, stress, depression, personality types and diseases, cardiovascular diseases.

The most interesting part was listening about new research in the field of biology. I listened to one chapter everyday and almost for a month talked about just these lectures to everyone around me. I strongly recommend you listen to this series. I give it 5/5.

2. Monk who sold his Ferrari - Robin Sharma

 This book gives a step-by-step approach to living with greater courage, balance, abundance, and joy. I absolutely loved the book and wondered why I didn't read it earlier. I give it 5/5.

3. Fermat's Last Theorem - Simon Singh

I majored in Mathematics, I assure you I am not good at it. I did it simply because I love problem solving. During last year of graduation we had 9 different subjects in Math like Real Analysis, Modern Analysis, Complex Analysis and what not. Each having hundreds of theorems and their proofs. None of the textbooks mentioned where these theorems were applied, how are they used in the real world? I found it frustrating. Fermat's Last Theorem is a book that covers the story of how Fermat's last theorem was proved in the 90s. The book is very well written, it has a mystery kind of a feel to it but again fails to make readers understand if the proof helped resolve any real world problems? or was it just a challenge for people who like to play with numbers and find some random co-relations between them. I give it 4/5.

Nothing Something

How and why did it begin? Is there an end to it?  Was there space before the big bang? Or then big bang created the space? What exactly is space? Why is it there?
Is the universe open? Are there multiple universes?

What created life? Is there a creator? If yes then what created the creator? What is the purpose of life in the universe? Is there even a purpose? Did nature want to let out its secret and that is why humans evolved the way they did?

It is all perplexing.  I am sure most of you think about these questions. These sorts of questions bother me many times. I am not helping in any way to find the answers but some are - of course I am not talking about Gurus/Sadhus who say they know it all, I am talking about finding it scientifically.

I totally feel that humans have the capacity to find answers. It may take many years to get there. I have utmost respect for those who are making efforts in understanding the process of creation.

A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather than Nothing  by Lawrence M Krauss is a must read book - brilliant and easy to understand. Does it have an answer to all the above questions? NO! but It shows that we are on the track and gives a summary of things we know today.

March Book Reviews

A fine Balance - Rohinton Mistry

There are some books which I love and still have no patience to finish reading -
various factors like number of pages/ pace of the story affects affects the interest level. I recommend 'A fine balance' and 'Cutting for Stone' to anyone who like long books - both have really good reviews and ratings on goodreads.






Mountain of Light - Indu Sundaresan

There are times when I skip a few passages here and there but in this book I didn't want to miss even a word. This is the story about Kohinoor diamond and its journey. Liked it, 3.5/5 stars



Perks of being a wallflower - Stephen Chbosky


 Loved the story telling in this book. Chbosky portrays a character of innocent and naive 15 year old boy - Charlie - who is bright but shy. I give it 3/5 stars. If I had read this book a bit younger this would definitely have been 4 stars.

March Book Reviews

Tu bhramat Aahasi Vaya (Marathi) - Va. Pu. Kale

Va. Pu. Kale is one of my most favorite writers. Each one of his book amazes me. 
I am in absolute awe of his work. Tu Bhramaat aahesi Waaya is one such astonishing book by Va. Pu.
I give it 4/5 stars.







Lava (Hindi) - Javed Akhtar

Knowing multiple languages is a boon. One can enjoy the literature/ movies and know the culture in a 
true sense. Lava is a Hindi-Urdu poetry book by Javed Akhtar.
I liked Akhtar's book Tarkash a lot more than this. Tarkash is also available in English (with name Quiver).



I absolutely recommend both books. I give Lava 4/5 and Tarkash 5/5.



Ayushya Bahartana (Marathi) - Pravin Davane

Sawar Re series is Davane's best work by far. He writes short articles on everything about life. Sometimes his thinking comes as too strong and too old for this generation.
If I ever meet him I want to tell him "Davane, take a chill pill" :-). But definitely a very good
writer - thought provoking and inspirational. I give Ayushya Baharatana 3/5 stars.

W O R D S

Many of you must have heard sentences from others 'You are the most X person I have met in my life'. X can be anything  - stupid, ugly, cold, emotional, wonderful, beautiful...

Does it matter to you what others opinions are about you? Be it good or bad? Or you are self confident about who you are and you take nothing personally?

If the comments are bad then do they impact you? Do you ignore it knowing the immaturity of the person?

We judge ourselves and mostly we judge everything and everyone around us. 

Since we are being judged we pretend to be what we are not because we are afraid of being rejected.So do we keep pretending? Or stay the way we are even if we are rejected? Believe in ourselves and gather the strength to feel positive even though seeds of words rot our fertile mind?

I have seen talented people who feel low self esteem/inferiority complex simply because of bullying/bad words at an early age by their friends-relatives-parents-siblings. 

When I weighed 171 pounds someone commented "Oh My God Rasika you look terribly FAT". This was coming from a person thrice my size. I found it hilarious but I did not retaliate. I knew her state of mind - happiness over other's misery comes with jealousy. 

I weigh 40 pounds lesser now while that person keeps growing. 

My point being we don't look in a mirror before we gossip/comment or pass judgement.

When people pass comments they are ignorant of their own miserable state. Also our success or failure depends on how we process and filter words. Our strength is shown by not throwing any swords of words.

Each of us draws a circle around ourselves and we think whatever is outside that circle is wrong/ not good/ not acceptable and then we try to domesticate others based on our perception of the world. Should we get domesticated or rebel? Rebel for freedom... to be true to ourselves... to be true to who we are...

You absolutely need to read the book 'The Four Agreements' if you feel low by words/gossip/judgement. Make your children read it too so that they know how to deal with words and also think twice before they use (s)words.

Respect Me!

She was a newly wed and I was at her in-law's house laughing and chatting. Her mother in law showed up in the room and told her that some elders had come to give her their blessings. After the MIL left the girl expressed her displeasure about the tradition of touching elder's feet and how she was having backache because of bending down so many times. I could see she was angry and had no interest in meeting the guests. Anyhow, she went out and acted like a perfect bahu (daughter in law).

Yes this post is about the Indian custom of touching feet of the elderly. They say it is the way of showing respect. So in the above example was there any respect? or simply a hassle/an act? Not bending down shows egoistic nature? disrespect? Does that mean everyone except Hindus disrespect the elderly?

I saw the brothers bowing down half way and touching the elder's feet with one hand, when I did the same the Mother got furious. Girls are supposed to bend down all the way and do pranam thrice. Why? Girls need to 'act' to be more respectful? 

I touched my grandmother's feet on every birthday - no one ever told me to do that, I did it by choice. I might have forgotten to do it on a few birthdays, who knows, but no one got mad about it or reminded me to do it including the Grandmother. 

I have seen people getting angry if the young ones did not touch their feet. This girl/boy does not have any sanskar (family values) they said. 

There were some elders who always stopped me from touching their feet and instead shook hands with me. I felt closer to them, opened up more and of course still respect them. Reason?

They didn't command respect! 

Old generations reading this post - The young generation might not touch your feet but they do show respect in their own way, youngest generation reading this post - young generation is smart enough to understand if you really respect them ;-)

... Education

When I was 10 I asked my mother 'how is a baby made?'. She told me I will know about it when I grow a little old. To think of it now, why was I perfectly fine with this explanation?

Sometimes the BFF's elder brother and his friends would be watching something on the TV which needed to be switched off as soon as they heard us. What were they watching? Neither any of my friends talked to me about this topic nor did I have the curiosity.

Today's generation is more curious by nature. All they need to do is ask Google "how is a baby made?". They have too many resources available. Is it good to have so much exposure to the good bad and the ugly information at such an early age?

Are today's parents worried about it? Why is it hard for parents to talk with their children about the very cause of our beautiful existence? Is there anything shameful about it? After all it is the reason we are here today, writing and reading this.

I am not sure why I did not put the very much required first word in the title...

Marathi movie 'Balak Palak' revolves around the topic of sex education to adolescent children. It could very well have been something awkward to watch but on the contrary it has a very gentle treatment and is simply hilarious. Definitely a must watch.

Facebook Woes

Last year on Facebook I hid the news feed from all those who posted:

 (i) what they made or ate for breakfast/ lunch/ dinner - I got hungry each time I saw such statuses.

 (ii) the ones who made it their children's growth diary - it is simply boring to see what people's kids are drawing or wearing.

 (iii) the ones who posted photos of their social gatherings - That made me feel lonely and in many cases unwanted as I was not invited ;-).

 (iv) people who made it their minute by minute diary - 'reached gym', 'at the airport' - I mean who gives a sh**

(v) and the ones who were acquaintances 

By the year end I was subscribed to just 5 people who posted their opinions - thoughts - information on various topics, whose statuses motivated me to exercise/eat healthy, be organized/creative or inspired me in some way.

I am not on Facebook anymore, as they say Ignorance is Bliss - it truly is. I feel lighter because of less information overload. 

While reading Facebook statuses I always had a feeling that I am the only one having problems while life is rosy for the rest. People generally tend to share only their happy moments on Facebook, we are deceived into believing that they are happier than they actually are. I also started to feel this urge for constant recognition of all my actions.

  

Not so good/tough times still continue in life but I do feel happier than before...!

Almost Single

Almost Single - Advaita Kala

Women today are independent, they get married late, get separated/ divorced without having to be stuck in nasty marriages. They live alone and do not depend on any man to take care of them. Indian society is still not very accepting of the situation. Advaita in this book Almost Single writes a story about such three independent women. I loved the book, couldn't put it down, it is simply hilarious. I give it 3.5/5 stars.

Getting things done - David Allen

I always end up taking more projects than I can devote time for and so the need to read these type of books. Nothing new that we do not know about but reading these type of books keeps me on track. I give it 3/5 stars.

Eat that frog - Brian Tracy

This book is on the similar lines of Getting things done, I liked this one better. It talks about 21 ways to get more things done in less time. I give it 3.5/5 stars.

Become a better you - Joel Osteen

I have way too many self help audio books that I play while driving/ cleaning. Though the material in this book is very good don't read it if you are an atheist or agnostic. Not unless you can ignore the word 'God' that appears in every sentence (I am not exaggerating). I am not rating this book simply because it was not meant for me.

Studio Ghibli Films

When I watch Studio Ghibli films I feel a strong sense of familiarity and at the same time experience a feeling of strangeness!

There are no heroes or villains in their films; it would be an overly simplistic theme for Ghibli.

Ghibli films are about witches, robots, war-torn wastelands, wonder, love and about simple everyday things. These films are brilliant work of creation.

How does one recommend a first Ghibli film? They are ALL so good. 

Except spirited away and the cat returns I am in awe of all their films.

Here is a list of some Ghibli Films that I liked:

1. Castle in the sky

2. Grave of Fireflies

3. My neighbor Totoro

4. Only Yesterday

5. Whisper of the Heart

6. My neighbors the Yamadas

7. Howl's moving castle

8. Arriety

9. From up on Poppy hill