Hifi in Bollywood - A Book Review

                               “The root of joy is gratefulness”.


Rishi is back with his second book. 

Before I give more insight on this; let me take a minute to say that I am immensely grateful to all those good people around me who understand my long bouts of silence. One such humble soul is Rishi Vohra. Rishi who was kind enough in sending his second book for my review and even more patient enough in waiting for me to post the review… A humble thank you Rishi.

Rishi's debut book  Once Upon The Tracks of Mumbai touched a chord and I instantly knew his latest offering would also have a warm humane connect. Besides, the book also promised to give an insight into the workings of hindi film industry (HiFI for the insiders) as Rishi himself was once part of this larger than life industry and his own struggles in the by lanes of Mumbai city have been etched.

Now to the review..

I am a huge Hindi Film Buff. Sneaking in film magazines like cineblitz or filmfare and secretly reading them was one of my favorite pastimes during my school days. Anything remotely revolving around the so called ‘Bollywood’ has me excited. So I looked forward to the second book which has Hindi film industry as its backdrop.
The protagonist of the story, Rayhan is one of those endearing Indian faces who like many other nameless Indians follows his father’s/parent’s ambitions. Despite harboring a raging passion to make it big in the Hindi Film Industry, he ends up pursuing a Finance degree in the US of A. But a few underlying pressures from his dad makes him concoct a lie and come back to Mumbai to follow his dreams.

On his way to living his dream, he encounters a mixed box of colorful characters like his maid’s daughter, Viola, Peter, his gay director and an egoist film star. How he juggles with all these characters while conveniently dodging his father’s calls and how the truth finally emerges solving the jigsaw puzzle of his life is the story.

                                        Now for the Yay's & Nay's
Yay's to

• Lucid narration and witty dialogues
• Self introspective mode of writing
• I loved the character of the cheery spot boy. Wish there were more characters like him in real world
• Breezy read
• I could empathize with Rayhan - the patriarchal mindset of the society that stifles him into doing things that his heart is not after is something I could connect with

Nay's to

• Hindi film industry could have been portrayed with much more depth. Yes, the topics of casting couch, drug abuse and closet gays has been shown but lacks the intensity and layered touch.
• Predictive twists

Final Word :-

A quote I saw on Pinterest would sum it all up

(Source:Pinterest)

Author    :   Rishi Vohra

Price       :  INR 299/-

Publisher :  Jaico Publishing House

Category : Fiction

Recommendation : A huge Thumbs Up!

God is a Gamer - A Book Review

A few months back I got a forward that gave a rather cheeky lesson on understanding Banking ----

(Source:uberhumour.com)

Well, we have come a long way from what banking was; modern technological advancements have made the realm of banking easy as well as dangerous. While the many merits of online banking cannot be easily explained, there is equally a virtual assault over innocent victims and an increase in cyber crimes.

I still have a set of wary elders who balk at the idea of net banking and prefer to do it the conventional way. Well, the murky world online does intimidate us but that means we have to be extra alert and cautious !

Talking of uber savvy technological advancements,Bitcoins are another milestone in the domain of virtual banking that promises to take the world by storm. Still at an experimental stage the term was first coined by Satoshi Nakomoto whose real identity remains elusive. It is speculated that the brain(s) behind the virtual currency may be one or a group of people and this train of thought has been given a rich and a well imagined identity by Ravi Subramanian in his latest book "God is a Gamer'.

I have read Ravi's The Bankster and loved his style of writing. So this book was immensely anticipated and it did not let me down. From the sandy beaches of Goa to the Congress in Washington, all traversing effortlessly between FBI head quarters and Mumbai's corporate board rooms, the book is a delightful blend of mystery, suspense, lust, love, and a heady mix of murder and heist.

Aditya, the ex-banker's Indiscape, the top Gaming company is in doldrums and when his estranged son returns , his personal and professional front sees an upswing. And then comes a murder and things go awry.

So who is the hunter and who is hunted? Read the book----

Verdict (Yay's & Nay's)

Yay to

• Juggling many parallel plots all over the globe, the book is well written and has a lucid narrative style. The fact that 99 odd chapters are kept short and crisp adds to the easy understanding. I did not have to constantly go back and remind myself of the characters. 

• Twists & turns keeps you hooked.

• Though loaded with technical jargon, it was easy to understand and relate to.

• Liked the punchlines thrown in the book. Sample these
• The world around you is changing—either adapt or perish.
• Shit was happening— but you have got to clean up the mess and move on.
• Reputation has no insurance.

Nay to

• The plot became predictable at the end though I liked the rationale behind the perpetrator's decision to wreak havoc.

• The many hues of gaming industry has been well explored and in that sense the book is strictly not a banking thriller.

• Sensuous tales weaved in between does not add anything to the story. I thought it was just to titillate the masses and hence totally unwarranted.

• While the story explains all about bitcoins, the wallet and its working, no mention of how to change them into real life currency.

• No mention of money recovered from Josh’s apartment being credited back to the customers. The liability of the service render could have been grossly reduced thereby.

• There was no single hero. Was there a hero or a villain ?

Final Word :-

All in all , a thriller that promises to bare the cloudy waters of life online. 

Author    :   Ravi Subramanian
ISBN        :  9780143421399
Price       :  INR 299/-
Publisher :  Penguin
Category  : Fiction 
Recommendation : Thumbs Up !


Thankyou Blogadda for the autographed book.


This review is a part of the Book Review by Bloggers at blogadda. Participate now to get free books!

Sorting Out Sid - A Book Review

I came across this picture from Google Images a few days back and it sent me into peals of laughter. My hubby's comment "spideman's shaadi ke side effects" further sent me into clutching my tummy and rolling over with laughter. 

Jokes apart, marriage is a huge commitment and it is happily-ever-after only if both the parties work towards it. Like Mignon Mclaughlin says 'A successful marriage requires falling in love many times and always with the same person'. 

I love Yashodhara's style of writing. Her blog and later her debut book Just Married Please Excuse showed us her tongue-in-cheek humour. Her latest offering Sorting Out Sid takes her writing skills a notch higher as she effortlessly blends humour into staid and monotonous situations. She highlights today's relationships with panache.

Sid the hero of the story is a happy-go lucky chap; who at the onset appears to have it all. A flourishing career, a happy marriage and a set of cool friends whom he hangs out with regularly - the world sees him as truly blessed. But all is not well as there are a lot of chinks in his armor. His marriage of 15 long years is going nowhere, his work where he gets promoted as the youngest V.P. offers him no respite as he is surrounded by a boss who appears a moron. His life gets a breather when he meets a charming divorcee named Neha through a close friend, with whom he has a few initial fracas. First impression is surely not the last impression vis-a-vis Neha!

I could relate to Sid as he dons on various masks while dealing with people/situations; so out comes the witty office Sid, party Sid etc. Don't we all, at some point of time in our life, resort to such disguises to get through difficult but unavoidable moments? Sid's conversations with his soul mate Brownie gives a glimpse of the solitariness and emptiness within him. Another character that caught my attention was the cheerful albeit intrusive and overbearing pal Aditi. There is a mention of something more to their relationship but she is a rock of support. 

The book is a breezy refreshing read and is laced with dry humour and self deprecating yet light moments. It never goes into a preachy mode;  rather it is something that we all can relate to or probably know someone like the characters in this story. The message of Work-in –progress was profound, implying that we all have our quirks and idiosyncrasies but as long as there is an urge to learn and unlearn we are sorted for life.

Yays & Nays :-

Yays to :-

• Lucid narrative and extremely relatable characters.
• A fun take on the reality of a person's life.
• Sensitivity rules supreme as the protagonist goes through a variety of situations and emotions with an innate goodness.
• An over-bearing father, an ever-doting mom, hectic work schedule, faltering relations, personal issues etc are dealt with by a well rounded balance of seriousness, mirth and laughter.
• Absolutely rocking cover!

Nays to :-

• Mandira’s character was given a weak deal. The author could have delved more in to what her issues really were; probably some couples are never meant to be but still 15 years is a long period of time to get away without some serious talking over.
• The book could have done with a more slick editing. While page 71 talks about 15 years of togetherness, page 113 puts it as a 10 year companionship.

Final Word :-

A light n breezy read of real life situations.

Author    :   Yashodhara Lal
ISBN        :  9789350296912
Price       :  INR 250/-
Publisher :  Harper Collins
Category  : Fiction 
Recommendation : Double Thumbs Up !

P.S. - Thank you Yashodara for the book, my Hubby finished the book in 3 days flat with a smirk on his face and compared me with Sid :( especially for the emotional tantrums.

Prisoner Jailor Prime Minister - A Book Review

Elections are around the corner and the country is gearing up for a change at the grass roots. People are no longer divided between the privileged party and the saffron supremacy. They are willing to experiment and bring to power those who work towards bringing about a visible change. Have you seen the latest advertisement doing the rounds on TV - elections are indeed the biggest talent show and only the truly talented ought to be elected to run the country. With such high stakes it is not surprising that the game of politics played by the parties gets a high voltage adrenaline rush!

I once read a pertinent quote by Plato ~

"One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics, is that you end up being governed by inferiors"

Like any other informed Indian, I take an active interest in what our keepers of democracy are up to. It is but natural that I am much inclined towards political thrillers and the works of many authors like Jeffry Archer, David Baldacci and the likes on the edgy political set up keeps me hooked. 

The blurb of the book Prisoner, Jailor, Prime Minister intrigued me very much as one such political thriller and I must say that the book was truly an edgy read throughout, though not an in depth political thriller. 

Siddhartha Tagore, the protagonist of the book becomes the resident of 7 RCR in the year 2016/2017. He occupies the highest echelons of the democracy by virtue of his strong opinions and tough stands on hard core issues. That he is a truly gifted musician and considered as 'The Mozart Man' adds to his charming personality. Like they say that there is a thin line between genius and insanity, Siddhartha has his own personal demons to tackle and it is in those instances we get a touching glimpse of his persona.

The love of his life Ruby as he fondly calls is the wind beneath his wings and an inspiration to many of his compositions. Her character as well as the others like her dad, mom and even her twin sister have been very well etched. The book mostly a first person narrative through the eyes of the protagonist, traverses the life of Siddhartha from his days in Harvard to his days as the Prime Minister of India. Set in the backdrop of terrorism and attempts at nuclear warfare, the book highlights the current topical scenario to the core. Seamless weaving of the past and present without losing the plot is yet another highlight for which the author has to be given due credit. Once I started reading, I hardly put the book down and there was a palpable sense of excitement in my heart. At one point of time I secretly hoped that Sid turns out OK at the end; such was the connect! 

Another thing which drew me to the protagonist are his radical ideas to tackle threats. Hope we have such a person at the helm who is ready to take the bull by the horns! In politics, there is always an opposition and in this story too the role is very well essayed by Rukmani Devi. Her no nonsense behaviour as well as her passionate urge to bring about a change is well portrayed. I had guessed the great reveal that comes at the end of the book but it does not take away the gripping drama.

However I would have loved a little more political struggle. No way the book is a total political thriller; the personal drama and battles downs the political fracas of India which the book could have brought out.

Before I give my yays and nays, I have to talk about the author. Tabrik C the debutante author has managed to capture the readers with his fine narrative skills. That he is a perfumer and a political enthusiast/observer is obvious.  What I liked most is that his writing skills has the emotional connect. Looking forward to many more of his books. 

Yay to :-

• Gripping page turner
• Intense emotional connect with the reader
• The book provokes the reader to think about the choices and the power to exercise his vote for the right candidate.
• Loved the moody cover.

Nay to :-

• Tad Predictable 
• Not a hardcore political/power struggle as I expected it to be
• The revenge drama was not top-notch 

Final Word:-

“Sometimes one man must fight for what he feels is right, even against the majority. Something that is wrong does not change to right just because the majority approves it, ignores it, or the government says it is right. It is still wrong.” 

― Kenneth Eade, An Involuntary Spy

The book has its moments and stands out for its brilliant display of emotions. That the book sends across a positive note and a hope filled future is laudable. Despite the fact that it is more of personal struggle of the protagonist rather than his political struggle, the book is edgy to the core.

Author    :   Tabrik C
ISBN        :  9789350096703
Price       :  INR 350/-
Publisher :  Hachette Publications
Category  : Fiction 

Recommendation : Double Thumbs Up !

Thank you blogadda . This review is part of the Book Review Program of blog adda. Participate now to get free books !

Tantra by Adi - Book Review

{Drumrolls} The vampire hunting genre hits Indian shores!

I was excited when I first read the blurb of this book. A female vampire hunter, tantric rituals and action packed thrills beckoned my adventurous self and I wasted no time to apply for reviewing this book. The book promised an engrossing ride throughout and thankfully it delivers.

The story is about Anu Agarwal, a feisty female who is a vampire hunter by night. On a covert mission to avenge her boyfriend's death she shifts her bearings from New York to New Delhi and immediately gets plunged into the thick of things. A few child kidnappings direct her towards a tantric ritual that purports to destroy the city. Together with Amit a fellow vampire hunter, Dr. Sharma and Pandit Grover she sets out to foil the attempts of the evil perpetrators. Will she save the city from being annihilated? Grab the book to find out. 

When Anu is not busy fighting vampires, she has her hands full in warding off the potential grooms her aunt forces her to meet. Anu's character is well etched and her angst and triumphs make her very human despite what she does. The book also traces a warm camaraderie between her and Amit. It is indeed total bliss to have good friends covering your back and whom you can fall back on. She is ably mentored by Dr. Sharma and Pandit Grover whose contribution to her mission is worth mentioning. Also it was amusing to see a vampire called as 'Chandra' become her ally. The book conveys a message that "tantra" is not evil and tantric's are in fact the scientists among priests; it is up to the person using tantric forces to direct the energy towards good or evil.

Yays :-

• The book delivers on its promise of a thriller. No disappointments here as it is completely action packed.
• While the book is a thriller, it also has subtle humor laced all over, specially the banters between Amit & Anu has us smiling.
• It was heartening to see a female lead in command of her life. That she is responsible for all her pains and gains has our appreciation.
• The feisty lady is not shown as a nincompoop or a pathetic wannabe.
• Loved reading in detail about the science of tantra as well as maaya/the illusion that encapsulates us.
• It is not a typical vampire saga and it effortlessly weaves spirituality and religion while keeping a hold on its relevance today.
• The author has painstakingly researched the subjects of tantric and saatvic rituals, astra etc.

Nays :-

• There is no mention of how the guardians get inducted into the 'centre'. It would be interesting to read how a child gets picked for this coveted job.
• The whole book talks of 'shifting'; but there is absolutely no mention of what the process actually is.
• The inner demons that Anu battles could have a more detailed introspection; this would also help us know her background in detail.
• A couple of errors points at incomplete proof reading. Example - instead of 'he was still yanking out files', the line went as 'he we still yanking out files' (pg 122)

Final Word:-

"Age is a commodity that is sold in markets. Those who do not reinvent themselves find time to be a cruel mistress without mercy" ~ {from the book}

Author    :   Adi
ISBN        :  978-81-908636-2-9
Price       :  INR 195/-
Publisher :  Apeejay Stya PUblishing
Category :  Fiction
Recommendation :  Thumbs Up!

Thank you Blogadda for the book. Participate in the Book Review Program for free books.

F?@K Knows - A Book Review

I am not a huge fan of self-help/motivational/inspiring sorta books. And it was with a lot of hesitation that I applied for review of this book. And the only reason I did was the weight behind the author's name ! Shailendra Singh is the joint managing director of Percept Limited - the largest and only entertainment, media and communications conglomerate (which he reiterates more than once in his book) , and is a popular name in the ad world. He is the creative force behind so many memorable path breaking ad-campaigns including "Desh Ki Dhadkan" & Bharat Nirman. Besides advertisements  he has also been responsible for some meaningful movies like Phir Milenge ( I love that film) . And who can forget his visionary contribution to Sports especially Cricket ? He has been largely responsible for marketing & managing of the sport to eye-popping levels. With so many things under his belt, I was curious to know how he wields his pen? And that alone let me to nod a yes for reviewing this genre.

I must say that,  I am glad I grabbed this book; it is a fun ride, a cool read alright !
And what had me in splits right from the beginning was the 'HOW TO READ THE BOOK' - pure fun :)

Shailendra has poured his heart out in to his debut. He oozes charm and connects with the readers in his own inimitable style. Right from the word go, the book is bindaas and a no-holds barred type of narration. Weaving fact with figures and loading the book with a lot of his personal experiences, Shailendra urges the readers to live life on their own terms .The book is the result of the author's search for answers to the 2 most important questions- 'Who are you ?' , 'What do you want from life' ?  It led him in to reevaluating his priorities and essentially shaking down all the cobwebs

Shailendra urges the readers to make a F?@K list of things to be done - it is a bucket list of sorts that the readers must make to realise who they are and what they want in life ? To make the job of compiling the list easier, he insists on making a 'Don't ever want to be' list. I especially loved his invite to the readers to email him their F?@K List which he promises to email them back after 6 months as a reminder of sorts.

If you are someone who swears by the works of Hemingway,Sheldon & Keats, then this book may give you a cultural alarm as the language is a shocker and the use of profanities  may give rise to an acidic reaction. But the appeal of the book lies in its rustic charm ; the narration is down-to earth and easily comprehensible. 

Few of the  chapters and its morals  that stuck with me are :-

• Math of Life - 'You don't have as long as you think'
• CTRL+ALT+DELETE - 'Reboot yourself & start afresh'
• Your body is your temple - Respect & Take care of it
• Being Human - 'Realise the power to make a difference'
• Don't 'Just Do it' instead say ' Just Done it' !

Now to the Yays & Nays

Yay to:-

• The 230 odd pages are woven with a lot of humour & wit
• Light-hearted narrative and no high funda mumbo -jumbo 
• Most of what Shailendra says is 'heard already' stuff, but the presentation is  smart & fun
• It motivates the readers to listen to their heart a lot & listen often
• Honest penning by the author
• The book is not preachy but subtly conveys its message across !

Nays

• Liberal use of the word F?@K may affect the sensibilities of people. { I really liked the book and hence refrained from any nay picking }

Final Word :-

“In life, it’s not about the destination; it’s all about the journey…” - Shailendra Singh

Author    :   Shailendra Singh

ISBN        :  978-81-291-2399-6

Price       :  INR 195/-

Publisher :  Rupa Publications

Category :  Non Fiction

Recommendation :  Thumbs Up !

Thank you Blogadda for the book. Participate in the Book Review Program for free books.

P.S : My review is late by 2-3 days and it is only because the author had specifically insisted that the readers take long breaks between chapters to grasp the intense logic in the book  

ONCE UPON THE TRACKS OF MUMBAI - A Book Review

The society is inflicted with a strange disease - the disease of looking down upon people who are differently abled. Despite a whole lot of awareness than earlier times and an increase in the general sensitivity to the issues of mental and physical disabilities, the differently abled still have a lots of odds facing them. The novel 'Once upon the tracks of Mumbai' gives us a glimpse into the lives of one such person. 

The protagonist is autistic, schizophrenic as well as psychotic. His hallucinations as well as odd behaviour puts him into a whole lot of public glare, humiliation and mirth. We are privy to the tumultuous shades his life goes through resulting from a lack of inclusion from everyone including his own family.  With this disorder is Balwant Srivastav aka Babloo who lives an isolated life and is happy in his own world. His family rarely interacts with him and their indifference stems from the lack of awareness of his infliction.  The only thing that keeps him going is his interactions with Vandana. This lady in turn has her share of inner troubles and wants to break free from the shackles of middle class living and yearns for a soul mate.

Due to this lady, Babloo strives to better himself. The story gets a new boost with the entry of Rail Man, who is portrayed as a super hero and a do gooder. The entry of this character sets the tone of the novel and is practically a turning point. Besides the main characters, the story comes alive with the side characters like the lively taxi driver Manjeet, the parents and relatives involved etc. There is also a villain and a small sub plot that is integrated into the main story. It also talks about how young girls are mislead and taken advantage of.

The books ends nicely with an unexpected twist, though its "All Well that Ends Well".

The review would be incomplete without a special word about the author. Rishi Vohra, the debutante novelist has varied experience and is a certified wine specialist. How cool is that? His style of writing is lucid and the narration is quite engaging. I especially loved the fresh perspective from him on the differently abled. My special thanks to him for sending me the autographed copy for a review. For more information about him, do look in to his website

Now for the yays and nays !

Yay to :-

• A lot of first person narratives.
• The real hero of the film is the railway tracks. For it is the tracks that gives a boost to the protagonist and the Rail Man.
• Refreshing and engaging read.
• Author's ability to keep the story real and stay clear off becoming judgmental.
• The story brings a lot of hope and sunshine.
• It also talks about how neglected children could turn out in real life.

Nay to :-

• Would have loved it to have a few more sub plots and a bit more racier.
• The end could have been more realistic. I found it a little cliched and typical Bollywoodish.

Final Word :-

“I know of nobody who is purely autistic, or purely neurotypical. Even God has some autistic moments, which is why the planets spin.”  ― Jerry Newport

Author    :   Rishi Vohra
ISBN        :  978-81-8495-305-3
Price       :  INR 175/-
Publisher :  Jaico Publishing House
Category : Fiction
Recommendation :  Thumbs Up !

RIP by Mukul Deva - A Book Review

I have never read a book of Mukul Deva before though rave reviews of his previous works and especially that of Lashkar had my attention. And the high praises for the author is totally deserved. RIP is one of the most edge of the seat thriller I have read in recent times . And my hubby agrees too. What ensured that we finished the book in a very short time was the mind blowing action that is seamlessly woven in to  the very topical plot that every Indian can relate to. Corruption, the stigma that has rotten the very fabric of the democracy our beloved country prides, is given a thumping smack on the face. The smack stems not from a Gandhian measure but from a deep rooted anguish of a group of people who resort to dealing with the conniving lot of corrupt politicians and civil servants in their own way. In this process RIP ( Resurgent Indian Patriots) as the  group christens themselves hope to a unleash a surge of terror warning the sleazy lot to tide up their act. Besides the continuous adrenaline rush, I loved the passion and the sincerity of the story. The author has taken utmost pain in engaging the readers and the plot does not falter a bit. As a common man we are gripped with a sense of utmost outrage at the rampant corruption all around us. Yes the likes of Anna Hazare are shaking up the system and the many candle light protests, hunger strikes as well as support marches are increasingly creating sensitivity and awareness in the common man but  they are not  enough to bring home earth shattering revolution. In that light, the premise of RIP though spells extremism is heartening and evokes sympathy.

The story begins with back-to-back killings. Responsible for these assassinations is Colonel Krishna Athawale and his Special force officers who have retired from the armed forces. This group calling themselves the RIP become the self appointed doers of justice. Their modus operandi though extreme in nature evokes sympathy from us. On their trail is Raghav Bhagat, a rogue para commando and Vinod Bedi a Special Director- CBI.  The cat and mouse chase keeps us engrossed and  all the characters and especially that of Krishna and Raghav are well etched  and has our attention. The narrative is lucid and keeps you glued till the very end.  Of course there is a glamour quotient in the form of Reena Bhagat - a news anchor.  

Incidentally, the book reminded me of a similar premise in an old Tamil film Ramana where the protagonist hatches a similar plan of meting out justice.


Will the chase lead to the capture of RIP ? Do the vigilantes of justice reach their goal ? Grab the book and enjoy the ride.

Yay to :- 

• The characters have a real life connect and the theme is topical
• Action packed adventure 
• It promises hope and a corrupt free society
• We are left wondering whether this could come true and be replicated in real life

Nay to :-

• For such a wonderful read, I really could not pinpoint any nay's. The only grouse I had is, for all his versatility and veteran innings as a Special Ops person , it is surprising that Krishna does not pick up the trail of people tailing him.  
• Also, would have loved if Reena the female lead could have been given a more prominent role

Final Word :-

A gripping, realistic, wish it were true kind of novel.

Author    :   Mukul Deva
ISBN        :  978-93-82618-19-5
Price       :  INR 200/-
Publisher :  Westland
Category : Fiction/Thriller 
Recommendation :  Double Thumbs Up !

Thank you Blogadda . This review is part of the Book Review Program of blog adda. Participate now to get free books !

Thrills and Chills @ THE BANKSTER - A Book Review

I saw an online trailer of 'THE BANKSTER' sometime back and was instantly hooked. The short video promised a lot of high flying action across a global platform in the background of a banking arena. What more to woo a thriller junkie like me? A few searches in the net about the author and I very much looked forward to grab a copy of his writings. When Blogadda Team contacted me for the review, I was elated. You can judge how excited I was about this book by knowing that I finished reading the book within a day and this while juggling 2 hyper kids. 

The first thing that got my attention was the gun toting, briefcase holding and shades sporting rogue looking guy on the cover. The slick cover design of the book thus hinted at the mysteries to unfold. The story begins with a covert exchange operation in Angola. Weapons for Blood Diamonds by a CIA agent Joseph Braganza. Do I have your attention now? It switches effortlessly to happenings in Greater Boston Global Bank (GB2) in Mumbai. A global conspiracy theory is at the helm with this bank as a backdrop for all the nefarious activities and corporate connivance. Money laundering, scams and cover-up is expertly delved into and the best part is that it is simplified for the readers to understand. A key character is Vikram Behl who heads the retail banking exploiting the resources at his disposal to the core. Various characters like Tanuja, Zinaida and Nikhil are shown as pawns in his game of chess. The murder of a few bank employees ignites the doubt of some wrong doing and in jumps the protagonist Karan Panjabi. This flamboyant press reporter who had earlier worked with GB2, does his bit of stylish sleuthing to bring the perpetrators to justice is winsome.   

In the meanwhile a third story of a common man fighting for a just cause is juxtaposed to the Angola & Mumbai plots. The Keralite is on a mission to stop the government from commissioning a nuclear plant in Trikakulam,Kerala. Does it ring a bell? Yup, the connection to kudankulam project cannot be missed. This man, Menon, befriends Jayakumar and kindles a fiery friendship that results in them uniting to bring his cause to a justifiable end. How he is "used", in the broader scope of things and how he comes out of the mess was heart tugging.

How these stories connect with each other in the end makes it for a thrilling finish. It was nail biting to read who is behind the entire conspiracy. 

Verdict (Yays & Nays):-

Yay to

• This book is a fine read because Ravi a banker himself has taken utmost care to simplify all the banking mumbo jumbo for the  layman reader. He has deftly explored  the nuances of banking politics as well as the behind the scene drama. The language is simple and the narration is lucid. The various characters are well etched and explores in depth their behaviour.

• A very unusual aspect of the plot was Cafe Coffee Day. A lot can happen over coffee and the motto of this joint is aptly used in the story. And yes, this Bengaluru based cafe has an outlet in Vienna.

• A very nice closing given in the end with most loose knots tied up.

Nay to

• How often does it happen that a media investigative reporter is called in to connect the dots. It was amusing that the Head of the Bank, Indrani reposes complete faith in Karan to unravel the mystery. And the reporter does that within 48 hours by sitting in the board room of the bank is another amusing fact. Beats Sherlock Holmes. Also his entry is quite later in the story. If I can use a filmi word to describe it, the hero glides in after the intermission when the story is almost 50 % done. 

• There is a liberal use of hinglish words that would connect well with the Indian readers.  These words in the interaction between the characters must however be a dampener to the global audience. 

• Nothing is mentioned about Joseph Braganza who is one of the key characters of the plot.

• It sounds abrupt as to why the Vienna Police decide to take action by themselves instead of involving Interpol or the Israeli Security establishment.

Final Word :-

A gripping financial thriller with an intriguing plot and well timed thrills. Still some way to go before Ravi truly becomes "The John Grisham of Banking'

Author    :   Ravi Subramanian

ISBN      :  9788129120489

Price       :  INR 250/-

Publisher :  Rupa Publications

Category  : Fiction 

Recommendation : Thumbs Up !


Thankyou Blogadda for the autographed book. Also Check Ravi's presence at Facebook ; Twitter and his website too !

This review is a part of the Book Review by Bloggers at Blogadda. Participate now to get free books!




Love,Peace & Happiness - A Book Review

I was pleasantly surprised when the author Rituraj Verma contacted me by commenting on my book review of The Immortals of Meluha . His book 'Love,Peace & Happiness' very soon reached me for a review. I loved the cover design of the book. Appealing ain't it ? The tagline of the book 'What more can you want' signifies the 3 things we constantly strive for !

There are books that I finish in one sitting or at the most finish in 1-2 days and there are books that like take an eternity to finish. There is nothing wrong about taking time to read the book if that means contemplating over the characters and delving deeper in to the rationale behind a particular character's personality. Love, Peace & Happiness took me more time than usual to finish. 

This book is a compilation of 9 short stories by Rituraj Verma and is high on myriad emotions of people all around us and promises of situations that may or may not be in their control.  The author has penned  these stories based on what could happen in day-to-day life and the confict of the mind in some of these characters is well etched. None of the stories were gripping enougth to stay in the mind and force an instant recall! Further, he has tried to bring in a sexual appeal in most of the stories which appear very forced and artificial.

However, a very novel thing I found about the book was the URL's at the end of every story with an alternate ending, posted in the author's website.The author also invites any other end that the reader can think of and I found this concept to be interesting.

The stories and the end to every plot is different  and at times edgy. The language is simple in general though the situations in some of the stories seemed contrived. Some of the characters make an appearance in a few stories and blend seamlessly to the thick of things. The foreword by his wife sets the tone of the book and I especially liked 2 stories. - The practioner of austerity and The victim of many loves.

Having put in my 2 cents of the way I perceived this book my husband also an avid reader finds the book more interesting as he is able to relate to the stories and finds them more down to earth and something that could happen to you & me !

FINAL WORD :-

All in all a nice effort by the author !

Author    :  Rituraj Verma
ISBN      :  978-93-81836-34-7
Price       :  INR 145/-
Publisher :  Leadstart Corp
Category  :  Fiction
Recommendation : Read to while away a bored afternoon !

The Krishna Key - A Book Review

The other day I was reading an interview of the author Ashwin Sanghi. His passion and sincerity shone through the chat and that in essence can be said about his writing too. The constant comparison to Dan Brown must be amusing to him and not entirely unjustified as he explores the exciting mix of historical,religious,theological and mythological issues.The Krishna Key his latest release is a thrilling read till the very end and promises a delightful as well as suprising turn of events. The book a heady cocktail of interesting and original story-line and an imaginative and thought provoking plot manages to keep us riveted. The narrative is slick and fast paced and what captures your attention is the effortless blending of mythology and fantasty along with a scientific explanation.

The story begins begins with a renowned linguist and symbolist Dr.Anil Varshney murdered in a brutal manner. The killing is carried by a  religious psychopath who believes himself to be the 10th incarnation of Vishnu -Kalki Avtar. The killer also snatches an ancient seal from the murder scene which is one of the 4 seals that is believed to unlock the secret behind the Krishna Key. When there is a murder, there is a suspect and this is where we have the protagonist Ravi Mohan Saini. Saini, a historian races against time not only to vindicate himself but also find out the answers to the mystery behind the Krishna Key. Thus begins his arduous trail and the various challenges thrown before him are efficiently faced with logical reasoning and knowledgeable correlation of facts.

One can never ignore the uncanny similarities with the Da Vinci Code - the setting behind the murder with religious overtones,the framing of the protagonist, escaping the clutches of law along with a female accomplice have an eerie similarity with Dan Brown's writing, however it should in no way rob the credit from the author's originality. The book is a treat to the mind and soul and is a heart felt account of looking at the ancient with a fresh perspective. It forces us to think and possibly accept that our civilization may have been very advanced in the past and the current progress can improve many a leaps and bounds by learning from the past.

The book throws some interesting theories like how the lost city of Atlantis is indeed Dwarka or that the war of Mahabharata used Nuclear Weapons. Besides, the Big Bang Theory gets a spiritual twist too.

The internet is full of how Taj Mahal was infact a Shiva temple, and this story delves in to it further and manages to keep us sufficiently enthralled. 

In-fact the 464 pages is dotted with such provoking ideas and is a treasure house of exciting tidbits.  The story does an informative travel around Rajasthan (Kalibangan/Jaipur), Gujarat (Somnath/Dwarka) and UP (Agra/Vrindavan) . The author has done extensive research and due credit is given to the source of the information.So what is The Krishna Key ? -  Grab the book and get lost in the enchanted world of history and fiction ! 

The central character of the book, Lord Krishna around whom the plot is woven adopts the role of story teller from the past. So every chapter begins with  a crisp rendering of his lifetime  in small nuggets from birth till he breathes his last. The book has 108 (of course !) chapters and breezes through 464 pages. What I absolutely loved about the book was the diagrams that give a lucid understanding of the narrative.

Ashwin Sanghi is a businessman who claims to be a reluctant writer. This is his 3rd book, the first two being The Rozabal Line and the Chankya Chant. He has done an amazing job with the book and I am looking forward to reading his other 2 books.

The book is not without flaws. The proof reading of the book has not been spot on. For instance the name of the characters has been mixed up in more than one instance (ex: page 301), and there is also a spelling mistake (Page 95). Besides there were a few half-baked explanations and the end was not totally spectacular compared to the meteoric rise of the adrenalin throughout the book. However, it stimulates and incites us to connect with our spiritual and philosophical self rather than looking at the materialistic end of things. 

Final Word :-

The author has made the genre of historical thrillers a mighty force to reckon with.  
Despite the end being a little spirit-buster, the book is a high flying octane thriller. 
The author connects with the reader through a lucid narrative and exhibits a nice command of the language.The passion behind the work is palpable and the characters are well etched and gives a multi dimensional touch. The ginormous amount of information Vis-a-vis the Vedic ages and the Mahabharata is something I will treasure for a long time to come.

Author    :  Ashwin Sanghi
ISBN        :  978-93-81626-68-9
Price       :  INR 250/-
Publisher :  Westland
Category  : Thriller
Recommendation : Thumbs Up !

Have a look at the exciting online trailer of the book 

This review is part of the Book Review Program of the  blogadda . Participate for free books.

Life, Spice and all things Nice @ Just Married ,Please Excuse - A Book Review

I was thrilled to get an autographed book from the author Yashodhara Lal or Y as she is fondly called for winning the contest on the hilarity of situation(s) in married life and had to agree with hubby when he commented "something good out of the lil mayhem ".   The fun part was hubby eyed the book as soon as it came home and we took turns in reading it. The moment I would put it down he picked it up and vice versa. We both finished reading the book roughly around the same time and agreed it was a pleasant read.

She is an IIM-B educated girl working in a MNC and He is a laid back dude working in the same company. That he is a couple of years elder to her does not deter the sparks that was bound to fly. Y's effervescent charm coupled with a quick tempered nature crosses path with the practical and witty side of V and after some quirky and interesting routine of wooing and dating, marriage is on the cards.

Did I tell you that they belong to very different backgrounds ? V is from a conservative Brahmin family in Jaipur while Y is from a Rajput clan and they set about winning their would be families. The meeting as narrated by Y is amusing and all is set for the D-Day.  What follows is how they evolve post marriage for life is seldom all fun. It is in fact a roller-coaster ride and the book showcases how the relationship matures with turn of events. Both the characters have to get used to each other’s quirks and mannerisms while living under the same roof. Then comes along a baby and their lives becomes topsy-turvy with myriad emotions ruling roost. The baby whom they uniquely nickname peanut brings in a whiff of sunshine and also brings along many revelations including their undying love for each other.

In essence, the book is all about how an young urban couple from different backgrounds meet, fall in love, get hitched, face whiffs of troubles and live life. It is an honest and straight from the heart account of Y and her life. The book is laced with subtle humor  as well as in your face guffaws. I laughed out loud at the non existent drumming skills bragged by V in his effort to woo Y, as well as the mediocre scissor wielding skills of Y executed on V. 

What impressed me about the book was the lucid language and the conversational flow of the narrative. It is also interspersed with  Hindi phrases that brings a certain personal touch.Besides the protagonists, various other characters are immensely likeable like the doting Kajal & zareena, the spunky vivi and the immediate family.

I could relate to the emotions of the book at various points. The pangs of a first time mother is sensitively etched and so is the trauma of moving out of the city to a newer pasture. I appreciated the couple going for the marriage counselling as it highlights their efforts in making the relationship work.However,the tsunameee/earthquake incident at the fag end of the book sounded a bit dramatic and was not that amusing, though the event was instrumental in drawing the couple closer.

How can I not say anything about the lovable Y & V. They are modern and sensitive couple with a fun albeit a different take on life and priorities. Y is an independent woman and is a vibrant personality. She is fun loving though at times she comes across as slightly spoilt too.  However, her efforts in facing troubles is praise-worthy as is her yearning to be recognized for her true self. 

V is this sensitive and caring dude who often lands himself in trouble for think- after-you-speak attitude. He is a loving hubby and a doting father. I loved the way he relentlessly made sure that Y overcomes her fear of driving. However, what surprised me was that a person with such a fun personality had to harbour negative feelings about the SMS from GARY. He could have simply asked Y as to who Gary was instead of sulking and becoming cold and passive. Nevertheless, V is fun !

Final Word :-

The book from the debutante author never falters and manages to keep your attention till the end.You can relate to the couple and celebrate life with all its accompanying baggage. It ends on a positive note and that brings cheer.

What stayed with me was a profound observation by V’s mother on trials & tribulations of marriages ---

"Ladne ki kya baat hain ? kabhi main maan jaati hoon, toh kabhi woh"

(What is there to fight ? Sometimes, I agree with what he's saying and sometimes he agrees with what I'm saying !)


Author    :  Yashodhara Lal
ISBN        :  9789350292273
Price       :  INR 199/-
Publisher :  Harper Collins

Category  : Fiction

Recommendation : Thumbs Up !