Movie tie-in books

Origial Book Cover
(Source: Barnes and Noble)

When I visited a local bookshop to buy a copy of the book 'Life of Pi', I was told by the gentleman at the counter that the book was out of stock and only the movie tie-in version of the book is available, when I visited another bookshop to buy the same book they had the same story to tell me.




Movie Tie-in Book Cover
(Source: Barnes and Noble)

What exactly is a Movie Tie in book ?
A book based on a media franchise e.g: A Movie, television Series, Comic Strip etc.

What exactly is the difference?
Nothing that I noticed, except the cover of the book that may feature the actors or characters in the franchise.

Should I buy them ?
As an adult you should be able to decide what you should buy and what you should not buy.

I am not an adult can you please advice
All Right then!!, I don't see anything special in a book which features a movie star unless I am a fan of that movie or the actor, but as a avid fan of reading I see value in the text rather than its promotional material.

Combatting Cyber Menace

I was quite happy when I saw a news item where the National Child Protection Authority in Sri Lanka has decided to appoint a task force to combat cyber crime.

Though Cyber bullying and stalking is not a familiar term in Sri Lanka, traditional bullying and stalking is a common and overlooked menace in the Country, so it is easy for such perpetrators to transfer their intimidating skills online and modernize their methods with the aid of technology.

Bullying and Stalking is a serious issue not only in Sri Lanka but in many developing Countries, it affects a person's progress and well being. Anyone could be a victim as the perpetrators could be in schools, workplace as well as within families and could range from school children to adults, the attitude that is usually held by the society is 'You should be able to bear and fight back', which is a pathetic situation.

Finally its happy to note that though the government hasn't focused on any attempt to solve the problem of traditional bullying, they have framed and appointed a task force to address the grievances of the cyber menace.

The Dowry Hunter - A (Re)View

My mother occasionally speaks about her past with nostalgia which includes the plays that she had enjoyed during her time and one of them being 'The Dowry Hunter', so needless to say when I saw the advertisement in the newspapers about this vintage production we were eager to see it.

Souvenir of Dowry Hunter

As seen in the front cover of the souvenir, this has been a vintage drama that has been written by one named S.J.K Crowther seventy years ago, which has been reproduced by two prominent dramatists in Sri Lanka, Indu Dharmasena and Jith Peiris

Inside the Souvenir of Dowry Hunter

The plot is about a man's struggle to manage his acquaintances who seems to flock around him after he won a lottery with the aid of his friend. 
This was the first time I witnessed a stage play with two intervals. The play as a whole was good, the actors did an excellent job, the humour was also fine but I personally preferred He Comes from Jaffna (another vintage reproduction which I witnessed some time ago).
The Music score and the stage setting resembled of an olden era that was nice and unique, and finally it was inspiring to see such vintage reproductions as it displays the nostalgic experiences that our mothers would always admire.