Weeks and weeks and weeks ago, when I saw that Michael Ondaatje would be doing a reading at the Union Square Barnes & Noble tonight as part of the book tour for his delightful latest novel (The Cat’s Table), I noted it on my calendar with an idea to go and see him, as I am wont to do.

I’ve loved his writing and storytelling ever since stumbling across a remaindered copy of The English Patient at a bookshop in Camden town eons ago, which I eventually got signed at a post-Oscar celebratory evening at NYC’s Town Hall which featured him, along with the late, wonderful screenwriter-director Anthony Minghella (who brought the book to life on screen) and composer Gabriel Yared (who scored the film), reading and discussing the book, the screenplay and the making of the epic movie.

As it turns out, I’m going to see Alan Rickman tonight on Broadway in the play Seminar, but since the curtain doesn’t rise ’til 8pm, I had still thought to go for the author’s reading and the first few questions and answers, then nip out at 7:30 to hop on the subway uptown.

But then I saw this on the description of tonight’s Michael Ondaatje reading:

Special Instructions
Event space opens at 5:00 pm. Please do not arrive for this event prior to 5:00 pm. Priority seating available with purchase of The Cat’s Table. Standby customers who do not wish to purchase the book will be seated at management’s discretion as space allows.

Well, excuse me!  While I am already reading (and relishing!) a copy of The Cat’s Table that I got from the UK, it’s extremely rare that I walk into any Barnes & Noble and don’t come out with something (or, more often, some things).  But if B&N is gonna take that kind of American-airline-nickel-and-diming-you-to-death attitude, then I shall pass on this opportunity to enjoy some 30 or so minutes with Mr. Ondaatje and go straight to the theater instead.  Harumph!

Very interested to see that AMC will be developing a TV series of Vikram Chandra’s wonderful, hulking big opus Sacred Games to TV.

Chandra touched on the possibility of the novel making it to a film screen here, in an evening he spent at the Asia Society in NY a few years ago.

Author Madhur Jaffrey with IAAC founder Aroon Shivdasani

Last week the Indo-American Arts Council hosted a book launch event to celebrate actor and author Madhur Jaffrey‘s latest release, a cookbook designed for busy people who love Indian food but find the prep time overwhelming.   Loins of Punjab Presents star Ajay Naidu stopped by briefly to offer his good wishes, followed later in the evening by author, former diplomat and Minister Shashi Tharoor, with his recent bride in tow.

At Home with Madhur Jaffrey: Simple Delectable Dishes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka is full of enticing photographs and uncluttered pages, accented by Jaffrey’s charming illustrations on the chapter dividers and her own adorable variation on the Knopf Borzoi.   The book starts with starters – even though, as the author explains, the service of a first course is a concept Indian restaurants adopted to please non-Indian diners – and proceeds to cover vegetable dishes, meat, fish, rice, breads and desserts.

Madhur Jaffrey’s purpose in writing this book was to help those pressed for time spend less of it grinding spices and browning and the like, by exploring flavorful shortcuts that one could use “and then go and watch Mad Men.”

I am particularly keen to try her recipe for sweet-and-sour butternut squash (given that we’re in that season right now) and to try the kheer.   As we discussed her early days in New York as a United Nations tour guide and friend to Ismail Merchant and James Ivory, I confessed to Madhur Jaffrey that as much as I love Indian food, I find replicating it at home rather intimidating.   “Then this is the book for you!” she exclaimed.

(As soon as I have a chance to try out the recipes – maybe for Thanksgiving? – I’ll provide an update.)

Madhur Jaffrey got into the cookbook line by accident, finding herself alone in London and missing her mother’s ghar ka khana.   Soon, her Mum was sending detailed instructions in her letters, and Madhur was on her way.   I asked if she still has those missives, and she confirmed that she does indeed.

If you’d like to read more about a day in the life on the road for the author as she cooks and chats with people in Dublin, check out this Irish Times article on her recent visit.

And if you’d like to see some of her recent wonderful film work, catch her in a moving role that will break your heart in Hiding Divya and as a web-surfing, matchmaking Mom in Today’s Special.

At Home with Madhur Jaffrey: Simple Delectable Dishes from India, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Sri Lanka
Knopf – 320 pages – $35

Received the following heartfelt message from author Rakesh Satyal this morning.

Do pass on the word to anyone you think might benefit from a free download of his funny and touching debut novel, Blue Boy, and its tale of the irrepressible and gifted Kiran, a young boy who loves boys (and fashion and music and dance and so much more) and uses his talents to cope with classmates’ bullying.   The offer is only valid today, October 6th:

Dear friends:

Whenever people ask me why I wrote BLUE BOY, I always say that I wrote the book that I needed as a kid but didn’t have.   Every week, I receive messages from people around the world who have come to the book one way or the other, and it is always very heartening to see that books really can change people, that they have the chance to transcend boundaries and difficulties.

In light of the tragic news stories of the past couple of weeks, my publisher and Amazon have been gracious enough to make the book available for a free Kindle download today, October 6.

Kiran, the main character of BLUE BOY, is spurned by his classmates and peers, but the point of the book is that children, even when faced with tough circumstances, can have a beautiful resilience that sees them through their dark times if they trust their own imagination, creativity, and spirit.   I think that this is a point that continues to be of the highest importance, especially now.

To purchase a Kindle edition of the book for free, please follow this link:   http://amzn.to/bJI4es

Please help me spread the word by sending this along to any avid readers you know — or just to that one person who might benefit from reading Kiran’s story.   Thank you very much, and please take care.

Rakesh