THE BESTSELLER SHE WROTE - BOOK REVIEW

Title : THE BESTSELLER SHE WROTE
Language : English
Authors : Ravi Subramanian
Genre : Fiction
Publisher : Westland ( October 2015 )
Edition : 1st
ISBN-13 : 9789385152382
ISBN-10 : 9385152386
Binding : Paperback
Price : Rs. 295 ( Buy from Flipkart.com @Rs.280/- ( 5%Off! )
Pages : 392

The Book Summary : He was a bestseller She wanted him to make her one. Paperback king, Aditya Kapoor life is straight out of a modern man's fantasy. His literary stardom is perfectly balanced by a loving wife and a spectacular career. With everything he touches turning to gold, Aditya is on a winning streak. Shreya Kaushik is a student with a heart full of ambition. Young, beautiful and reckless, Shreya speaks her mind and obsessively chases after what she wants. And what she wants is to be a bestselling author. What happens when their worlds collide? Is it possible to love two people at the same time? Can real ambition come in the way of blind passion? Can trust once broken, be regained? Master storyteller Ravi Subramanian, delves into the glitzy world of bestsellers and uncovers a risky dalliance between a superstar novelist and his alluring protege. The Bestseller She Wrote is a combustible cocktail of love, betrayal and redemption.

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : I remember, it was the month of Oct'15, author Ravi Subramanian had given a prompt for a story-writing contest. It was a passage from his latest book - 'The BestSeller she wrote'. I had taken part in it, and every single moment I wrote my own take on the topic, I kept wondering what the original version would be. Three months since, the book actually landed in my hands for review. Imagine my glee! Finally, I was getting to read what I was so curious about all this while. Let me start with the cover of the book. Yellow, summery - it is fresh and appealing to the eyes; the title, no doubt, being very interesting too - one that throws all types of possibilities in our mind. The blurb does give a hint of it being some sort of a love-triangle, but is it just that? Lets find out. ( I can safely say, its not at all like the one I wrote in that contest. )

Firstly, I must say, a welcome change it is for the author to move away from his usual genre of thrillers based on banks/banks/banking etc ( that he's famous for ), and trying a totally different genre this time ( though, the banking part is still there - with the main character being a successful banker himself ). Kudos for that anyways, for trying out a different genre, that is. Romance and relationships ( extra marital affairs, betrayal, redemption etc ), the book greets you with these, along with ambition, desires, conflict of interest ( as in to what extent one can go to achieve their dreams ) etc, that keeps the interest factor alive. Although, there are some dull patches in the book too that can be re-edited ( hopefully ). The main characters in the story are Aditya ( banker cum author ), Shreya ( critic turned Aditya's fan, and aspiring author ), Maya ( Aditya's wife and mother of Aryan - their son ) and Sanjay ( Aditya's friend ), around whom all the story revolves; the plot being set in the publication sphere. There are few other characters too. Things are all good till Aditya runs into Shreya at a lecture session; wherein, she criticises him at first, but soon turns into his fan, and who aspires to write a best-seller. She, however, doesn't hesitate to use him too, to achieve that end. The story, although a bit filmy ( there's going to be a movie based on it soon ), does have reality etched into it ( with some real names from the industry being included in it as well ); hence, is relatable to a great extent. Their relationship ( i.e Aditya and Shreya's ), obviously leads to a string of events unfolding, including chaos in Aditya's marital life. What happens next, is what the story is all about. I won't give away any spoilers. And to really know what happens in their lives, one has to read the book. There are some serious issues that are touched upon in the book by the author, which is really applaudable.

I wish the story was bit fast paced though, like his other thrillers. But then, maybe the author wanted to go bit slow with this particular romantic story-line. However, having read his other stories in the past, I expected something more exciting/gripping. Good thing however is, there is fair amount of suspense in the book, so not all ( i.e time, money, energy in reading ) is lost yet. And must say here, this story although predictable, is a good one-time read!
Note : Don't compare with the author's past works, while reading, you may get bit disappointed.


Positives : Easy language, smooth flow..the story is simple and can be finished at one go. Ideal for light reading during travels. A movie will be made based on it too, so another positive feat.
Negatives : None, except perhaps, more effort could have been made to make the story much richer, faster and also the dull parts re-edited.
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone, specially those who enjoys reading romances.
Buy or Don’t Buy? – Buy, if you love this genre!

About the Author : Ravi Subramanian, an alumnus of IIM Bangalore, has spent two decades working his way up the ladder of power in the amazingly exciting and adrenaline-pumping world of global banks in India. It is but natural that his stories are set against the backdrop of the financial services industry. In 2008, his debut novel, If God Was a Banker, won the Golden Quill Reader's Choice Award. He won the Economist Crossword Book Award in 2012 for The Incredible Banker and the Crossword Book Award in 2013 for The Bankster. His most recent novel is Bankerupt. He lives in Mumbai with his wife, Dharini and daughter, Anusha.


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!
I am reviewing 'The Bestseller She Wrote' by Ravi Subramanian as a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers.

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LONELY PLANET'S BEST IN TRAVEL 2016 - BOOK REVIEW

Title : LONELY PLANET'S BEST IN TRAVEL 2016
Language : English
Authors : 2016
Genre : Non-Fiction
Publisher : Lonely Planet Publications ( 2015 )
Edition : 1st
ISBN-13 : 9781743607459
ISBN-10 : 1743607458
Binding : Paperback
Price : Rs. 1048 ( Buy from Flipkart.com @Rs. 785/- ( 25%! )
Pages : 206

The Book Summary : From the world’s leading guidebook publisher, Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2016 is the latest edition of the annual headline-making, agenda-setting bestseller. Be an in-the-know traveler this year with Lonely Planet’s collection of the hottest trends, destinations, journeys and all-around best travel experiences for the year ahead. Drawing on the knowledge, passion and miles travelled by Lonely Planet's staff, authors and online community, we present a year's worth of travel inspiration to take you out of the ordinary and into some unforgettable experiences. Whether it's thanks to a sporting event, a revitalised infrastructure, a special anniversary or just that aura of 'right now', each destination featured has passed through our agonising selection process to win a place on Lonely Planet's hallowed Best in Travel list ­- now in its 11th edition. Book comprises of a highly anticipated list of the world’s hottest trends, destinations and experiences for the year 2016. 16 top travel lists to give you fresh ideas for exploring the world from a new perspective. It consist of more than 35 events which is mapped out month by month in the 2016 travel planner. Top 10 cities - From rejuvenated classics to under-the-radar destinations, LP travel experts say these charismatic cities deserve a spot on your wish list for 2016. Top 10 regions - Regions are different. They range from blockbusters to the unknown, but something – scenery, culture, both – marks them out as special. One thing is certain: all our choices for 2016 make a unique case for a visit. [ P.R ]

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : I attended its launch recently, although, not gone through it yet. I flipped it pages at the venue itself, and it does look interesting enough. Review coming up soon...stay tuned!


Book launch at Marine Plaza, Bombay.
UPDATE : Okay, as I promised, here's my review of the book. One interesting facet of this book, is the making of the book itself; wherein, the publishers/editors took into account various inputs, not just from the in-house travel experts at LP, but also, from the vast online community ~ like bloggers/tweeters etc, to compile this edition. So, I feel it has a more genuine feel to it, than other travel guide-books. Its table of contents neatly comprises of four sections - 1. Top 10 Countries, 2. Top 10 Regions, 3. Top 10 Cities and 4. Top Travel Lists. It has an interesting mix of places ( from all over the continents ), that brings out their unique characteristics. I liked Bombay's inclusion in the list of top 10 cities, as it is one city that I still see through, from the eyes of a traveler; inspite of living here for over two decades. Every section in the book, consists of interesting tidbits about the places too, like for example: population facts, foreign visits per year, capital, language spoken, major industries, unit of currency, cost index and also info on festivals etc. Go ahead and get the book if you love travel, and are wondering which would be the best places to include in your tour itinerary in the year 2016. Highly recommended.

Positives : Detailed info of interesting places. And Bombay figures in it ( Page 115 )!
Negatives : None.
Who will enjoy this? - Travel freaks & enthusiasts.
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A Must Buy!

About the Author :


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!

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KARNAS ALTER EGO - BOOK REVIEW

Title : KARNA'S ALTER EGO
Language : English
Authors : Surendra Nath
Genre : Fiction
Publisher : Dream House Publications ( 2015 )
Edition : 1st
ISBN-13 : 9789384180119
ISBN-10 : 9384180114
Binding : Paperback
Price : Rs. 175 ( Buy from Flipkart.com )
Pages : 333

The Book Summary : Karna, the ill-fated hero of Mahabharata. Many feel he deserved to win. If only luck had favoured him...5000 years later, we have a man named Vasu, who is much like Karna – illegitimate birth, very talented but denied all credits in life, rejected in love, misses a medal in the Asian games, gets caught for telling an innocent lie, overlooked for promotion. He begins to identify himself with Karna, and interestingly Karna appears to him after every debacle to assuage and encourage him. It seems Vasu is Karna’s alter ego.

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : I had quite liked the first book by this author ( though, it was quite a short one compared to this novel ), so, when I was requested for a review of his 2nd book, I accepted immediately; although, I've been quite busy and am reviewing this book quite late too ( since the time I received it ). However, all the delay has not gone wasted, because I quite liked the book. The title of the book is also quite interesting and it piques your interest at first glance. The cover too does justice, no doubt. So, what is this book all about? Is it a mythology and based on Karna's life? Well..yes and no! Yes, Karna does make an appearance, but in Vasu's life ( Vasu being the protagonist; whose life-span is covered, right from twelve years of age to forty-six and what happens thereafter ), whose whole life have been somewhat a replica of Karna's - the story being set in the contemporary era. Right from being illegitimate child to the struggles ( also failures ) and injustices he faced, Vasu glaringly reminds one of Karna, and no wonder Karna makes an appearance in his life too and helps him out in the most crucial of times and situations. Its interesting to read Karna's perspective on things, which I feel is quite creative on the part of the author. The story is indeed very original, 'unique' so to say ( touching two entirely different eras, across 5k years ); dealt with meticulously and very sensitively as well. In all its chapters, it has some wonderful philosophical messages too, that a reader can surely apply in their own lives as well. The story starts slow, but gradually picks up momentum and by the end it gets really engrossing. Highly recommended.


Positives : Priced right, its a genuinely nicely written book with easy, simple lucid-style language.
Negatives : Some typos needs to be corrected and a tighter edit.
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone!
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A Must Buy!

About the Author : Surendra tries his hand at writing fiction off and on, but most of his short stories have remained unpublished, though a few have found their way into books and magazines. 'Karna’s Alter Ego' is his first attempt at writing a full length novel. Earlier he wrote a novella that sank without a trace. For a living, at 58, he runs after children in KiiT International School, and the strength needed for all this chasing, he draws from his previous experience in the defence forces. He also publishes a children’s magazine – 'Kloud 9'. He is the architect of a Children’s Lit Fest, that is into its third year now in 2015. Yes, he is married and lives happily with his wife and daughter at Cuttack. He has distant dreams of retiring as an author.


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!

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THE ECONOMIC REACTOR - BOOK REVIEW

Title : THE ECONOMIC REACTOR - A Route to Sustainable Growth and Happiness
Language : English
Authors : Rajiv Bahl
Genre : Non-Fiction
Publisher : Power Publishers ( Dec 2014 )
Edition : 1st
ISBN-13 : 9789384333690
ISBN-10 : 9384333697
Binding : Paperback
Price : Rs. 425 ( Buy from Flipkart.com @Rs. 412/- ( 3%Off! )
Pages : 333

The Book Summary : A well functioning economy should deliver sustainable economic growth and generate greater prospects for human happiness. Every economy is an engine of many parts, each of which has a specific role to play. A malfunctioning part cannot be compensated for by other parts working superlatively. The parts include a sound system of universal education geared towards independent thinking, an effective justice delivery system and some aspects of culture, especially a respect for the property of others and a willingness to countenance views that go against currently accepted beliefs and understandings. Cultural values must also assist in resisting the usurpation of individual rights by governments or others. Economic policies must safeguard the value of currency and ensure equality of opportunity by suppressing monopolistic behavior. Curiously, the working of the economic engine and its parts, correspond exactly with the working and parts of a nuclear reactor and power plant, giving rise to the title of this book.

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : To be frank, non-fiction books, particularly of this genre, is not really my forte. But then, I've found, reading such books once in a while, fills your mind and brains with so much new knowledge that it becomes totally worth it in the end. It happened so with this book, where the author pretty much describes his own personal experiences and journey as an entrepreneur and his vast knowledge gained 'hands-on', on the subject. The book is almost like a text book ( looks like one too ) with minute details, and it deals with the intriguing yet so important subject of 'functioning of an economy' ( that affects one and all ) with a nuclear reactor; although, the author himself is not really an economist. The book is vast and one that may be of interest to those who loves the subject; but for those ignorant ones too, it might come across as a pleasant read - one, which deals with all the possibilities out there. I fall in that 'ignorant' bracket myself; hence, I must say, learning about something new is always a great experience. Is there any connection between an economy and a nuclear reactor? The author seems to think so, and draws compelling comparisions between the two - both of which, almost functions in a similar manner. As in, the economy with its various contributing parts and a nuclear reactor and its power plant. The fact that the author is not an economist himself, is considered more as his strength literally, in writing this book - as he had no pre-conceived notions or any fixed ideas on the subject. Interestingly, the author also includes cultural values and human happiness etc as important ingredients too, while aiming for survival and sustainability of such economy.


Positives : Interesting subject written in elaborate and quite detailed manner.
Negatives : None, except the price perhaps.
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone!
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A Must Buy!

About the Author : Rajiv Bahl is not a trained economist, subscribing to any school of economic thought. He considers that to have been his strength in writing The Economic Reactor. It enabled him to approach the subject without any preconceived and fixed ideas.He went out to sea at a young age and traveled around the word for years, seeing for himself how different economic policies and cultural values generated different rates of economic growth and discernible happiness. It gave him food for thought and long voyages made him a voracious reader. Later, he started and successfully ran a business in India, a difficult place to do business in. That gave him reason to fantasize about how it could have been better. This book germinated in his mind for over a decade before he decided to write it down.


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!

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BRUTAL - BOOK REVIEW

Title : BRUTAL
Language : English
Authors : Uday Satpathy
Genre : Fiction
Publisher : Westland ( 2015 )
ISBN-13 : 9789385152344
ISBN-10 : 9385152343
Binding : Paperback
Price : Rs. 250 ( Buy from Flipkart.com @Rs. 165/- ( 34%Off! )
Pages : 340

The Book Summary : Two journalists find themselves in grave danger when they uncover links between a present day massacre and an incident which had occurred eight years ago. 'You are in real, real danger' - a school teacher gets a creepy warning in his mailbox. Seven days later, he massacres eleven of his own students. Two months later, he is gunned down in broad daylight by an obscure militant outfit. Justice served. The nation pacified. Case closed - the police say. But, two crime reporters think otherwise. Seeking redemption through this case are Prakash and Seema, ace journalists in their professional lives, but broken individuals in the darkness of their personal hells. As they dig deeper into the mystery, they are led into the ominous forests of Bandhavgarh where an eerily similar massacre had occurred eight years ago. They never see it coming what hits them next. One by one their leads start turning up in body bags and they are chased by assassins at every corner. Soon they would realize that they are pitted against evil powers pervading the business and political DNA of the country, with an unbelievably sinister agenda. Always one step ahead of them, there is no place to hide for the two journalists. The only way is to fight back. But, to do that, Prakash and Seema will first have to survive.

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : Of Late, I've been doing lots of things that barely gives me the time to sit peacefully, let alone read a book, but alas, I've found a little time and decided to finish the long pending lists of books that were piling up for review. Brutal is one such book, and I picked it up ( of the lot ) as it looked quite interesting at first glance itself. I'm always up for some thriller, and the good words about the book by another author ( a thriller writer himself ), right on the cover of the book, sparked up my interest instantly. The fact that it is a crowd-voted & curated book, was another factor. Indeed, its publishing concept is unique and one of a kind. Hope it brings great many books into the fore, in times to come. About the book, I loved the way the author kept my eyes glued to its pages via its many intriguing twists and turns, as the protagonists ( who have their own set of demons to tackle ), went about trying to solve a complex murder mystery. The story has sub-layers in it, but its all woven well which makes it a rich reading experience. For a debut, the author has done a neat job - so full marks on that. The amount of research he must've done, shows. The story is very believable and characters etched well. The book is divided into 3 separate parts and I feel certain parts towards the end though could've been done away with, to make the book more compact and impactful. All in all its certainly a good thriller! Grab the book if you haven't yet. PS : I'll add more into the review.


Positives : A well written, fast paced and gripping thriller, not to be missed.
Negatives : None.
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone!
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A Must Buy!

About the Author : Uday Satpathy is an Information Technology expert in the world of Healthcare and Life Sciences. He has a degree in electrical engineering and an MBA from one of the top B-schools of the country. Brutal, his first novel, was born out of his love for thrillers with intricate plots. He is a movie connoisseur, a cricket fanatic, a quizzing enthusiast and a travel freak. As if that was not enough, he has a special place in his heart for cooking as well.


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!

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DREAM WITH YOUR EYES OPEN - BOOK REVIEW

Title : DREAM WITH YOUR EYES OPEN: An Entrepreneurial Journey
Language : English
Authors : Ronnie Screwvala
Genre : Non-Fiction
Publisher : Rupa Publications India ( April 2015 )
ISBN-13 : 9788129135889
ISBN-10 : 8129135884
Binding : HardCover
Price : Rs. 500 ( Buy from Flipkart.com @Rs. 217/- ( 56%Off! )
Pages : 208

The Book Summary : Dream with Your Eyes Open brings you the inspirational entrepreneurial story of Ronnie Screwvala, the first-generation entrepreneur and founder of UTV. It hopes to demystify victory, inspire victory, uplift ambitions and help you think big. This title details the entrepreneur’s vast experiences and the numerous lessons learnt from over twenty years of building some successful (and a few not-so-successful) businesses, bringing more clarity to an ever-changing business landscape and presenting an ardent account on the role of entrepreneurship in India's future. It shares thoughts and anecdotes to help you gain better insights into entrepreneurship and give you a fighting chance when it comes to making your dreams come true.

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : I have read many books on success-stories or how to get on top kinda guide and self-help books. However, these were written by third person or were biographical. But 'Dream with your eyes open' is one such book that is more autobiographical in nature, hence, its been more interesting to read straight from the horse's mouth, as they say. The cover of the book is very interesting and totally in sync with the title. I like the fact that the author has kept the book honest and not blown his own trumpet. He has admitted failures in the beginning of the book itself, citing many anecdotes, as well as re-iterating the fact that failures don't stop those who don't want to be stopped. Very inspirational words there. He has given his own method of achieving success, a way which is not necessarily taught in famous management institutions, but achieved by one's own conviction, grit and determination. I always knew him as the ad and UTV honcho, but through this book I came to know that at one point he had a tooth-brush business, which he made into a massive success. This was followed by cable distribution, TV production house, TV channels and films. The book can be read by budding entrepreneurs as well as non-entrepreneurs too - its just amazing to read someone's story who has made it to the top his way! And 'his way' can be applied to any field, to achieve success. There are lots to be learned from the book whose main agenda is to drive home - 'think big, dream big'. Ronnie's style of business is - See the opportunity and start, build it; any age is good so long as you have the passion to pursue it and don't chicken out when you face stumbles. Infact, have the courage to face any struggle and don't hesitate from making tough decisions. Be more attentive, courteous. More than funds, your positive, progressive mindset may help your company more.

So, what next. Interestingly, he has started a movement 'Swades' via which he hopes to provide water and health care in the villages adopted by the foundation. The plan is long term with hopes to eventually stop mass migrations to cities by people from rural places, by creating opportunities in their native - which indeed starts with basic facilities e.g water/health-care being provided first. Where they are content in their villages with good produce and not just living there because of no other option available. I'm really awed by this, as this definitely will make India more developed!


Positives : The language is simple and easy flowing; a one-of-a-kind book. Highly recommended.
Negatives : None.
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone!
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A Must Buy!

About the Author : Rohinton Soli "Ronnie" Screwvala is an Indian first-generation entrepreneur and philanthropist. He was the Founder-CEO of the UTV Group. He was the Managing Director of Disney-UTV India, Managing Trustee of the Swades Foundation and Founder & Advisor at Unilazer Ventures Ltd. Screwvala has been named in the Esquire's List of the 75 Most Influential People of the 21st Century. He ranked 78 among the 100 most influential people in the world list by Time 100. He was also one of the 25 Asia’s Most Powerful by Fortune magazine and was called the Jack Warner of India by Newsweek. Ernst & Young named him the Entrepreneur of the Year. Screwvala says, "It is the growing spirit of entrepreneurship and leadership in India, coupled with the new wave of optimism, passion, aspiration and ambition that inspired me to contribute in a small way and write this book."


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!

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THREE JOBLESS FREAKS - BOOK REVIEW

Title : THREE JOBLESS FREAKS
Language : English
Authors : Bijendra Kumar
Genre : Fiction
Publisher : Blackbuck Publication ( March 2015 )
Edition : 1st
ISBN-13 : 9781634156233
ISBN-10 : 1634156234
Binding : Paperpack
Price : Rs. 180 ( Buy from Flipkart.com )
Pages : 280

The Book Summary : In summer 2005, 3 boys began their job hunt. In the beginning they did everything which was not require and then anything required. Later one day, a boy of heroic abilities amongst them was offered job by a renowned company and then suddenly he disappeared. One from the other two made a phone call to the chief justice of Patna High Court. And revealed that one of his friends had gone missing and the reason why he had called him was that the boy had only his contact. Why an engineer gave up his career on the night of his triumph? Why a boy kept secret about himself with his friends he loves most? And why a chief justice had to investigate this case?

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : The cover doesn't give away much as to what's inside the book, though the title may give a brief hint of it. Moreover, the design is quite simple, nothing too flashy and one might easily give it a pass. But hold on, if you haven't given it a pass yet, it can be quite an interesting read, I assure you that. Mainly directed at younger people ( freshers ), more precisely new pass-outs who may find themselves in similar situation as the protagonists in the book. The book has its share of humor, drama, emotion as well as enough suspense and thrill, so one can be assured of a really good time flipping through its pages, till the end. The book also has some nice message within it, that one can apply in the their life as well, especially when one too is on a similar job-hunt situation. For instance ~ being patient, calm etc. The author has built up the characters and the plot pretty well. I liked the overall simplicity in the narration.


Positives : Written in simple language, the book is sure to hold your interest till the end.
Negatives : None, except perhaps some re-edits.
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone!
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A Must Buy!

About the Author :


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!

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KIDNEY - BOOK REVIEW

Title : KIDNEY - A Drop In The Backdrop Of Swachchh Bharat Abhiyan
Language : English
Authors : R. K. Raj
Genre : Fiction
Publisher : KALPaz Publication ( January 2015 )
ISBN-13 : 9789380222646
ISBN-10 : 9380222645
Binding : Paperpack
Price : Rs. 290 ( Buy from Flipkart.com @Rs.223/- ( 23%Off )
Pages : 346

The Book Summary : After attending an international conference on health well-being and environment in Montreal, Canada, Inder dreams of working with you materialised. His paper, 'Orphan nephron's observation: Red kidneys are Blue to Green the environment, relating the role of ragpicker in the society to that of kidneys in human body, brings him in vicinity of an international environmentalist who manages for him to be part of the conference. However, he finds the same old ground realities ready to welcome him as soon as the aircraft hits the runway at Delhi airport. Death of his mentor, Ranchit, in a road accident makes him seeing organ donation as noble attempt in renewing human lives. He expects an integration of undeclared environmentalists or ragpickers, toiling millions who experience isolation at every step and living in seclusion, into the teeming millions of India. Being human, he strives and struggles to be recognised and/or accepted as a human being.

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : When I first held the book, it seemed like some college text-book. Especially with the cover picture, it can easily pass off for some science or medical text book, with a title that is commonly used for an important organ in a human body. On opening though, a story ( fiction ) begins unwinding that starts off in foreign shores at first and culminates in the landfill areas of India. The story is realistically written, though I must say I found the language too ordinary - as in not very impressive. But, since the book attempts to tell a story very important, in today's time quite an unusual one at that, the errors can be overlooked. The almost 346 pages of the book will definitely take you on a different journey; into a world we tend to ignore mostly, even though we know very well that it exists. The story is essentially based around rag-pickers of the society, who so often picks up our garbage yet we are so indifferent to them or their existence. In real life, we'd hardly pause to think about the lives they live or the challengers they face. This book, however, brings us closer to them. The book also, through its protagonists, highlights many other issues that one often faces in our society, making it an eye-opener of sorts. One realizes the glaring gap that exists, between the two worlds co-existing side by side in India - one that of the filthy rich and the other that of the filthy poor. The book is very engaging and the author has made a tremendous effort to vividly describe the plot, situation, characters etc.

The significance of the term 'Kidney' in relation to the book would be the similarities of the function that a 'kidney' does in keeping our body-system clean and working, so does these rag-pickers who contribute in a great way to the society by collecting our garbage everyday, sending them to govt's waste managements, while themselves live in polluted landfill areas - with the threat of life threatening diseases always lurking around. Though the language of the book is not that great ( as in rich literary piece ), the attempt to write such relevant story gets my full marks.


Positives : The topic and message of the book is very relevant and relatable.
Negatives : Language needs polishing up esp edition in certain parts.
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone!
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A must Buy!

About the Author : A close watch and keen observations enabled R K Raj to write this novel, now, in your hands. He drew his inspirations to pen down this story when he witnessed a ragpicker searching food in the garbage of a colony around midnight. This inspiration is embodied in 'Being Responsible' as a commitment to bring improvement in ragpicker's lives by presenting them with choices of education and skill development as 30 per cent of the royalty from this book is dedicated to create funds for the same. An engineer and strategist by academic training, R K Raj is a certified PMP from PMI and a senior member of IEEE. Hailing from Agra, he is an amateur at Delhi and Mumbai marathons regularly, and presently lives in Vasundhara, Ghaziabad. To know more about him, please visit www.rkraj.corn | facebook.com/rkraj | twitter.com/RK_Raj09
facebook.com/Kidneyby RKRaj


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!

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CAPTURING WILDLIFE MOMENTS IN INDIA - BOOK REVIEW

Title : CAPTURING WILDLIFE MOMENTS IN INDIA
Language : English
Authors : Ashok Mahindra
Genre : Non-Fiction
Publisher : Oxford University Press(OUP) & Bombay Natural History Society(BNHS)
Edition : 1st
ISBN-13 :
ISBN-10 :
Binding : Hardbound
Price : Rs. 1450/- ( Buy from Flipkart.com )
Pages : 160

The Book Summary : Capturing Wildlife Moments in India" contains 120 photographs of animals and birds of India, photographed from visits to over 30 parks,sanctuaries and other locations. It is being published by Oxford University Press(OUP) & Bombay Natural History Society(BNHS).The book will be available at most of the major retail outlets across India and also through online retail sites like Amazon, Flipkart etc.It will also be available for sale through the BNHS website and is priced at Rs.1450

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : I'm a thorough bookworm. If you check the 'book' label in my blog, you'll get an idea about my obsession with books. While all the books I've reviewed so far are physical copies, 'Capturing Wildlife Moments in India' however is a book that came to me in a Ebook/PDF format. I'm not averse to digital books, but given a choice I'll always prefer a book I can hold in my hands. That's the best charm about books. Not to worry, this book comes in a physical format too i.e hardbound copy, so one can still relish it once its available in the market :-)

The cover of the book simply mesmerizes you, with the royal Bengal tiger ( @Ranthambore National Park ) in midst of his royal bath perhaps, with the perfect reflection in the waters he's half submerged in. I had visited a national park few months ago and tried my hand in wildlife photography. I must say its a very long and tedious process and one needs to be really patient to get the perfect shot - because, you are just not in command. You cannot order or even cajole the animals to appear or pose with a 'say cheeze' moment. The animals take their own time and have their own moods. They are the kings of the jungles and you are at their mercy, literally. So, to see such a perfect shot clicked, one immediately can only wonder how much time the photographer must've waited patiently, out there in the jungles by the water-body to get it. And its only just the beginning...

Segregated in different chapters, the book takes you on a fascinating journey as it tell you the stories behind each of the pictures ( yes, each photograph has its own intriguing story to tell ); the locations they were shot at and whole lots of other trivia/facts and anecdotes, including technical details of photography ( be it camera settings or shooting techniques ). It also cautions the readers and tries to create awareness of the dangers that exists to these magnificent creatures of the wild - dangers mostly from men itself ( be it via poaching, deforestation or conflicts between both man vs animal ). Wildlife Photography is not just about the big animals ( bengal tigers, asiatic elephants & lions, one-horned rhinos, himalayan black bears, leopards, wild buffaloes etc ), it is also about the other smaller creatures ( langurs, rhesus macaque, mudskippers, malabar gliding frogs, banded gecko, malabar giant squirrel, river dolphins etc ) or even birds ( little Egret, malabar pied hornbill, spotted owlets, white ibis, common kingfisher, the endangered sparrow etc ) that co-exists alongside, as well as the forests environment that includes the flora - be it trees as in rain forests, mangroves, woodlands, wetlands, swampy marshes or mudflats etc, situated across all national parks and sanctuaries in India ( over 30, both famous as well as the lesser-known ones ), in their most colourful and vibrant self that the author has dedicatedly covered.

This book is certainly a delight to go through and has a plethora of information in it; be it about the animals, the myths/legends/rituals surrounding some of them, the places where to spot them and also travel information on how to get there or places to stay ( with discounted options for students ). It tries to generate interest and awareness amongst readers, specially the youth in taking steps for preservation and conservation of the Wildlife and its fragile ecosystem. The author suggests 'thirteen ways forward' for the same. The book is beautifully presented, with high resolution pictures and is a must-have in your book-shelf or coffee-table!



Positives : Highly visual, informative and engaging book. Recommended.
Negatives : None, except the price perhaps, but given the hard work the author has done, its worth it.
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone!
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A Must Buy!

About the Author : By profession Ashok Mahindra is a Chartered Accountant and also a traver and wildlife photographer. He promotes the protection of fragile ecosystem & conservation of wildlife through the Hemchand Mahindra Wildlife Foundation.


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!

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HIFI IN BOLLYWOOD - BOOK REVIEW

Title : HIFI IN BOLLYWOOD
Language : English
Authors : Rishi Vohra
Genre : Fiction
Publisher : Jaico Publishing House ( January 2015 )
Edition : 1st
ISBN-13 : 9788184956481
ISBN-10 : 8184956487
Binding : Paperpack
Price : Rs. 299 ( Buy from Flipkart.com @Rs.215/- ( 28%Off )
Pages : 264

The Book Summary : An aspiring filmmaker. The dizzying heights of Bollywood. And a strained father-son relationship. Rayhan Aroras long cherished dream is to be a filmmaker in the Hindi Film Industry but his formidable father has other plans, a successful financial career in Corporate America and a marriage of convenience with Vanita, a medical student in the US. In a final act of desperation, Rayhan abandons his promising life in California and secretly returns to Mumbai to work as an Assistant Director in Bollywood. The characters he encounters along the way become part of his journey of self-discovery - a self-proclaimed local goon with a penchant for acting, a powerful local politician who wants to marry Rayhans part-time domestic help, who in turn covets stardom, an angst-ridden, homosexual film director, ego-ridden film stars with twisted agendas and the mysterious Viola who captures his heart. HiFi in Bollywood takes the reader from the streets of Berkeley to the film studios of Mumbai, from red-light areas to police stations and from reality to dreams and back to reality again!

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : I had quite liked Rishi's first book, which became a best-seller ( if I'm not wrong ). So, when he approached me for a review on his 2nd one, I immediately agreed. I loved the title immensely ( its explanation is inside the book ), and had an idea what the story would be like - especially its setting, location etc. In any case, I'm little partial towards books set in Bombay/Mumbai backdrop. I liked the 'doodled' kinda cover a lot, its just perfect. So, would the first impression of the book last till the end? I was very eager and immediately started doing what I do best - reading!
Our hearts aspire to do something, but our parents expects us to do something else altogether. I connected with Rayhan ( the main character ), on this very point. Like many other Indians, Rayhan nourishes a secret dream to be a bollywood director, but is sent off packing by his father to USA, to pursue studies & career in finance. Well, like an obedient son, he respects his father's wishes and tries to fulfil the same. But when his father tries to fix his marriage too ( to Vanita ), Rayhan then rebels - but without really telling anything to his father. Instead, he secretly heads to bollywood, to fulfil his long cherished dream. And of course, it is easy to dream but when one is actually on the ground - reality strikes. Success didn't come easy for Rayhan and till the time it did come - the story is about that and everything in between ( struggles, failures, compromises etc and things like casting-couch, star tantrums ).
In his last story, all the characters were etched really well, in comparison however, in this book, this aspect is a bit feeble/weak ( except for the protagonist and his father ) and could've been better. The author may have subtly included his own story via Rayhan, considering the similar background he has, like the main character. Ending was quite good, with some really nice twist. Overall, I liked the book ( call it bit bias towards bollywood or bombay ); it is entertaining and would certainly recommend it for a light and very engaging read. The message in the book definitely stands out - no matter what, go ahead and chase your dreams.


Ah! The name is 'Nandini'. Well, nevermind :| Thanks for the autographed copy anyways and good luck :-)


Positives : Well narrated and written in simple lucid style language, the book is smooth in its flow and has humour, seriousness, romance, drama, thrill as well as a good message. Quite enjoyable.
Negatives : Predictable story. It needed more depth and emotions at certain places. Some typos at few places.
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone esp bollywood lovers!
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A Must Buy!

About the Author : Rishi Vohra relocated back to Mumbai after completing a Green MBA from San Francisco State University and a Masters Diploma in Environmental Law, prior to which he had an extensive career in the Indian Entertainment Industry. HiFi in Bollywood is his second novel, after Once Upon the Tracks of Mumbai. Visit him here: www.rishivohra.com


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!

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TMS - THATS MY STORY - BOOK REVIEW

Title : TMS - THATS MY STORY
Language : English
Authors : Vinay Mashalkar
Genre : Fiction
Publisher : Leadstart Publishing Pvt Ltd ( Aug 2014 )
Edition : 1st
Imprint : Frog Books
ISBN-13 : 9789384226442
ISBN-10 : 9384226440
Binding : Paperpack
Price : Rs. 145 ( Buy from Flipkart.com @Rs.123/- ( 15%Off )
Pages : 173

The Book Summary : Falling in love is a beautiful feeling. There is an enigma in that feeling, which can take a person to a different world. So many things have been said and written about love, but it still has its mystic charm that attracts people to read some more love stories. TMS is one such simple, but beautiful love story of an IT guy named Vikram, working in Bangalore. It talks about his job, his friendship, his booze parties, his frivolous lifestyle and above all, his love and the emotions that a person goes through when he falls in love. Its a beautiful journey of friendship, love, breakup, destruction, recovery and miracles. Read and walk the path of this beautiful journey with Vikram, Meghna and Aditi.

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : With every other IT guy/gal these days turning to write a book ( and perhaps aspiring to become the next Chetan Bhagat ), the market is littered with such books of IT pass-outs. So, when I first saw this book, my thoughts were - ah! not another one. I applied just to see if the book could prove me wrong, and really prove to be different than all others out there. I quite liked the cover of the book - it gives an 'arty' kinda feeling. But as I began reading, the casual colloquial style of writing didn't impress me much nor did its dragging pace. Nevertheless, I read on, and finished it quite soon too - it is quite a short book.
The story is interesting enough though, but I feel, with some more effort it could've turned out much better. Infact, in certain parts I wanted more depth, but the author seemed to be in a hurry. It does get a little better in the middle/second part onwards; so, that's a relief of sorts. The characters in the book are kept simple and one can easily identify with them as the story progresses. The story being primarily of the trio Vikram, Meghna and Aditi, with a host of others. There are certain amount of twists and turns ( though not much ), so it keeps the curiosity and interest level 'on', the entire time. Good thing about the book is the overall story in it ( though must add, its nothing extraordinary ); the newly passing out from institute-and-hunting-jobs backdrop may appeal to some, as it'll make readers nostalgic about their own days right after graduation; their times spent with friends, relationships built, the ups and downs in it etc. The end is good, though I'd have preferred a more elaborate kinda ending and not abrupt, as it did. Will recommend only for light reading, as literary seekers may not find it to their taste.


Positives : Written in easy, and lucid style simple language, the story is relatable.
Negatives : Cannot be considered a literary piece, at times it seems too random. Will suggest some re-edits especially the typos/grammar.
Who will enjoy this? - Those wanting to read a light romance.
Buy or Don’t Buy? – Buy, but don't expect too much from it!

About the Author : Vinay has completed his B.tech in Electronics and Communica­tion and works in the Chip Designing Domain. He loves reading books and aspires to become an author. This work is his first attempt to achieve that dream. He also likes listening to music, watching movies, and docu­mentaries on philosophy. He likes nature and its vivid faces that reflect in the form of beaches, lush green landscapes, and mountains.


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕ - It was Okay!
This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers.

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RAMAYANA THE GAME OF LIFE - SHATTERED DREAMS - BOOK REVIEW

Title : RAMAYANA THE GAME OF LIFE - SHATTERED DREAMS
Language : English
Authors : Shubha Vilas
Genre : Fiction
Publisher : Jaico Publishing House ( 2015 )
Edition : 1st
ISBN-13 : 9788184955316
ISBN-10 : 8184955316
Binding : Paperpack
Price : Rs. 350 ( Buy from Flipkart.com @Rs.300/- ( 14%Off )
Pages : 402

The Book Summary : Shattered Dreams is the sequel to the national bestseller, Rise of the Sun Prince, in the new spiritual and motivational series Ramayana- The Game of Life. Twelve joyful years have passed in Ayodhya since the wedding of Rama and Sita at the end of Book 1. Now, in Shattered Dreams, Shubha Vilas narrates the riveting drama of Rama's exile. Through tales of Rama's unwavering and enigmatic persona, the book teaches us how to handle reversals positively; through Bharata's actions, it teaches us to handle temptation; and through Sita's courage, to explore beyond our comfort zone. This complicated family drama provides deep insights on how human relationships work and how they fail. With Valimik's Ramayana as its guiding light, Shattered Dreams deftly entwines poetic beauty from the Kamba Ramayana and the Ramacharitramanas, as well as folk philosophy from the Loka Pramana tales, to demonstrate how the ancient epic holds immediate relevance to modern life. Experience the ancient saga of the Ramayana like never before!,Power of the Powerless,When Losing Is Winning,Test of Intentions,) A Forest Weeps,Ayodhya Parts with Life,Accepting Difficulty with Dignity,Boons Become Curses,The Ego Maniac,In Hope and In Despair

My Point of View ( P.O.V ) : I had read the first part of this book, and quite liked it. So, was naturally looking forward for the second part. And not before long, it landed in my hands too ( sent by the author himself ). The second book smoothly takes over where the first one left off, and this one too has the footnotes in the bottom of the pages filled with various wisdom, philosophies, lessons and explanations. This makes the reading experience quite enriching, as these add value to our own lives and can be applied in our lifestyles or work place as well.
The first part had Rama's childhood years mainly, this part starts off with how Dasaratha got his name from Nemi ( and the nightmare he had - in the beginning of the book ) and all events like Rama's coronation as king of Ayodhya till his exile and all the drama that unfolds in between ( mainly connected to Manthara and Kaikeyi - their scheming, wishes, plans etc ); and Bharata's agony on learning what all had happened in his absence. Lakshman and Sita joins Rama in this exile and also explanation of Sita's attraction for the golden deer is given, how she was being warned of it repeatedly prior. The book also has interesting information about Ravana, how he i.e Dasagriva was born, with qualities of both the best races - rakashas and brahmana. The character sketch is vivid, giving spotlight to each in details as well as the lesser known subjects too, that are given ample importance. You can almost visualize the epic as it unfolds, scene by scene, with its good descriptions. That the effort and research the author must have done, I had observed in the 1st sequel too, and in this book also one doesn't get disappointed as the flow is maintained throughout. Loved it totally. Now waiting for 3rd part eagerly :-)




Positives : Written beautifully in simply lucid style language, this is one volume that one must definitely have in their reading shelf/library. It'll appeal to all age groups. Highly recommended.
Negatives : None.
Who will enjoy this? - Everyone!
Buy or Don’t Buy? – A Must Buy!

About the Author : Shubha Vilas is a motivational speaker and a spiritual seeker. He helps top-level management in corporate firms through leadership seminars. He draws on the ancient spiritual texts like The Bhagavad Gita, Mahabharata and Ramayana, to help individuals deal with contemporary dilemmas of life.


Our Rating Scale is : 1 to 5 = ◕◕◕ - I liked it!

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