Fashion, book, movie and music addicts!

Despite the not inconsiderable number of books at my disposal (one of the perks of what I do), I sometimes have a hard time finding a novel that that’s not too heavy but still has enough substance to sustain itself. There are times when I want to read something straightforwardly nice and believe me, this isn’t the most obvious thing to find. I lucked out when I chanced upon Nicholas Drayson’s A Guide to the Birds of East Africa. Contrary to its title, it’s a novel set in Nairobi Kenya and its actually the story of an unusual contest.
Rose Mbikwa has long led the Tuesday morning bird walk of the East African Ornithological Society. One faithful attendee of the walk is Mr. Malik who has long nursed a secret and love for the widowed Rose. Unfortunately he is much to shy to declare his feelings for the fetching Rose. As he attempts to figure out how to ask Rose to the annual Hunt Ball, an unexpected rival, in the shape of the much wealthier Harry Khan, arrives on the scene. And when Mr. Malik unwittingly blurts out his secret, a bet is set between the rivals. Whoever sees the most number of birds in the week, will ask Rose to the ball.
This is a good old fashioned romantic novel that’s at least three notches above the usual chick lit. Drayson writes his characters with great feeling and you can’t help but root for the hapless Malik, who very much resembles David against his rival. The author also ably infuses his book with the vivid color and sounds of Africa. He even manages without being preachy or heavy, to recount the different problems that beset Kenya. But this is not a doom and gloom sort of book, so there is much humor and joy to be found in the passages of the book. Its exactly what the doctor ordered!