tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63138877132066812712024-03-19T00:58:42.214+05:30The Book LoversA book review blog that aims to reach out to the average reader and book lover.
If you feel strongly about a book you've read and would like to review it, write in to us and we will put your review up on this blog.Priyankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624337933595810465noreply@blogger.comBlogger353125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-1956305000512218812014-08-14T15:50:00.002+05:302014-08-14T15:50:42.770+05:30The Return of the Butterfly by Moni Mohsin<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
One writer that I admire and envy(in a good way) is Moni Mohsin. Every time I read her Butterfly series I wish we had a writer like her in India. Her wit, sarcasm and humour in her books is near perfect. I know this sounds very fan girlish but I have no hesitation in admitting that!<br />
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So Butterfly is back the third time and this time she chronicles her tales post Benazir politics of Pakistan. Butterfly through her tabahi diary entries takes a swipe not just at the hi-fi society ladies of Isloo (uf oh Islamabad) . While Butterfly claims to have zero love for politics but comes across as an astute commentator of the goings on in Pakistan.<br />
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This time in the book though she is at her fiery best, the reader also can feel her concern for her country and how it impacts her 'crack' husband and equally 'crack' son. Her love hate relationship with her sisters in law and her mother in law is something many women will instantly connect with. What makes Butterfly absolutely lovable is her confidence in herself despite the rest of her family thinking otherwise.<br />
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While the author does attempt to show the ugly mess that Pakistan is in right now through the diary jotting of Butterfly but that is something we would want the reader to read and find out.<br />
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The author's razor sharp wit makes this book a must must must read. Highly recommended reading. Long Live Butterfly and more importantly a request to the author to keep writing the life and times of Butterfly!</div>
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Priyankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624337933595810465noreply@blogger.com397tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-86862738895155504072014-08-14T14:46:00.000+05:302014-08-14T15:51:31.139+05:30Scoop by Kuldip Nayar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
There are some people who need no introduction, their work speaks for them, Kuldip Nayar, is one such person. Out of many of his books I recently read Scoop the tagline of the book mentions it as providing 'Inside stories from the partition to the Present' Present being till 1999. The book is a good read that gives insider info to events that unfolded post partition. As a young journalist who started his career with an Urdu Daily to serving as a press information officer to Gobind Ballabh Pant and Lal Bahadur Shastri to Emergency the book covers some anecdotes from all his journalistic years.<br />
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He while sharing some stories from his stint as a press information officer to Lal Bahadur Shastri also ensures that he sticks to fact telling rather than trying to spice up events as they unfolded or show off in anyway his proximity to the leader. What many in today's writers seem to have forgotten when chronicling their lives and times in important roles in the government.</div>
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The book extensively covers the post indepence era from the eyes of a journalist, From Nehruvian period to Shastri era (however short lived) to his scathing attack on the emergency era, also covering the then political upheavals in Bangladesh and Pakistan. </div>
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The book is an interesting and candid collection of some important news events in India's post Independence history. Do read for a quick reckoner to India's contemporary history. </div>
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Priyankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624337933595810465noreply@blogger.com154tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-85940072878491504362014-06-18T15:36:00.003+05:302014-06-18T15:40:43.577+05:30From online popularity to publishing...a tale of two books.<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Recently we read two books authored by people we love to follow on twitter and through their blogs. Their humour, wit and sarcasm on every topic (especially current affairs) has been exceptionally fantastic. So when we heard that the hugely popular blog The Unreal Times had come up with a book on Indian Elections, it was a on our must read list. The book turned out to be as much fun as we had expected. Indian politics with its very complexities has always had people very seriously opining on it but thanks to the authors who through their satire have made our politicians, if we may say so, more likeable. Most of the chapters in the book have their extremely popular FB updates of some well known politicians and the following comments to the updates. The humour will have you laughing out loud literally. The book clearly establishes the author duo C S Krishna and Karthik Laxman have their finger on the political pulse of the nation. It does go a bit over the top in the end but clearly a good read. A great debut and looking forward to many more books from The Unreal Times, till then we continue to read their blog.<br />
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<img src="http://iyatingupta.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/how-to-become-a-billionaire-by-selling-nothing-400x400-imadumbyefcqaskg.jpeg" height="200" width="134" />The second book we read is from Aditya Magal (the man behind the parody account of the renowned stockbroker Rakesh Jhunjhunwala)..Aditya has been extremely popular on twitter with his funny and hilarious tweets as the parody account, his blog The Secret Journal of Rakesh Jhunjhunwala also has many followers. So it came as no surprise when we heard he is writing a book, we expected the book,like his tweets to be larger than largest, grander than grandest, funnier than funniest. Did the book match our expectations? Yes again. For a debut author it is a good effort, How to become a millionaire by selling Nothing, is a fun read. Though it does seem to stretch on a bit at the end and the humour at places does seem a bit forced but nevertheless it makes for a funny read. If you are looking for a crazy, whacky and funny book go for this.<br />
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Priyankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624337933595810465noreply@blogger.com23tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-83877866005314651332014-06-09T14:37:00.001+05:302014-06-09T14:37:17.789+05:30Back with a bang!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Yes the blog has been silent for long, but not anymore. We shall soon be sharing more reviews, author interviews, book events, author interviews and upcoming releases on this blog shortly. If you are a publisher/author please do send us details about book releases, author interviews, book contests to the following email id: bookwelove at gmail dot com<br />
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If you are a passionate book lover and love to review books we will be giving access to a few select people to share their posts, author interactions on this blog. If this sounds interesting write to us at the above mentioned email id with subject line as Book Reviews.<br />
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Looking forward to hearing from our readers and also a new innings on this blog!<br />
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Priyankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624337933595810465noreply@blogger.com49tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-60161464830061082762013-11-04T14:52:00.000+05:302013-11-04T15:46:23.624+05:30Review: Past Perfect by Anna Varughese<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>Battle for survival</i>. One can come up with a dozen things that this phrase could connote - it could be the intrepid attempts of a regiment in a war to stay alive while in the clutches of death or it could be the very battle a species being threatened with extinction employs. Further still, if one were to let the imagination run amok, it could be the very fight the humans are involved in when being overrun by aliens (yeah, harken back to <i>Pullman</i>'s wonderful speech in <i>Independence Day</i>!). Or it could be the arduous and dauntless journey one subjects herself to in order to defeat the disease that is eating her from within, the struggle to stay alive so that her daughter does not end up growing up without the warmth and shelter of a mother. <i>Past Perfect</i> is exactly that and then some.<br /><br />Anna Varughese diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (an abdominal dysfunction) at the age of four saw her relegated to a life of poking and prodding, highly monitored food-on-a-plate and a truckload of medicines. Her condition sometimes improves and often nosedives making a normal life quite impossible. Against these odds, Anna manages a life that had some semblance of routine; she manages to finish her MBA and becomes a mother. The final verdict on her disease came when she got to know that her liver was badly damaged and needed replacement; it was at this juncture that <i>Past Perfect</i> took shape in the form of memoirs to her daughter, a last-ditch attempt at letting a daughter know how much her mother battled for survival and how much she was loved; an account of the lovely childhood that her mother had amidst scores of cousins and family. I am not going to detail the nuances that this book has to offer or the actual occurrences in her life, one has to discover these for oneself for it is the tale of a grueling journey undertaken by a brave woman told in an effortless fashion that is at once compelling and absorbing. I am going to stick to those facets of the book that I found captivating.<br /><br />Tales of personal suffering and individual uphill battles are a dime-a-dozen each carrying their own merits and traumatic experiences but as a book they sometimes fail to deliver the content that makes it engaging enough. So what does Anna do in order to not relegate herself to the <i>common</i> pile? For starters, her love for books and the fact that she is a voracious reader is amply evident in her style of writing. She abstains from resorting to wax eloquent as is a common pitfall of personal tales but she trusts simplicity to do the job. The prose is often breezy and immediate that keeps the reader engrossed enough to keep those pages turning. The anecdotal experiences are narrated so forthrightly that the reader can instinctively connect to the emotion within - that for me is exactly what a personal account should do, it should draw the reader in and invite him to be a part of the story. Another thing that impressed me is the brutal honesty that is present throughout the narration. Anna has no qualms bringing to light her own shortcomings or flaws as much as she criticizes those around her for their faults, a healthy dose of honesty does wonders in helping to understand the person behind the words. She is also candid in stating that she is not a brave person and that the battle she was subjected to was due as much as to a lack of choice than anything else. I, however do not entirely agree with this sentiment for I do not believe that a person can tread such a perilous fight without some trace of will; yes, there was a lack of choice but to <i>give up</i> is always a choice that a human being has to which Anna never resorted to. That, to me speaks volume of the strength that Anna possesses and her will to survive against such heavily stacked odds.<br /><br />Phrases like "Indian culture", "traditional ethics", "family value-system" and many more like those are so often misplaced and confused when narrating a story such as this. But Anna sets it right in the way she enmeshes these aspects into the story. Whether she is at loggerheads with what is accepted as societal norms (daughter-in-law paying obeisance by touching elders' feet) or if she is lauding the irreplaceable devotion of those near and dear to her always ready to lend a support, Anna is at ease; this is another aspect where Anna's candor is at the forefront lending to brilliant narration. Anna is a born raconteur and some of the things she said were actual eye-openers for me. For instance I did not know that some Christian families ancestry traces back to Brahmanism and thus practice customs which I did not know existed in Christianity (like naming the children after maternal and paternal grandparents or the presence of "thali" or "mangal sutra" in their marriage rites) - these facts make the book even more interesting and lend an irrefutable authenticity to the tale. The final icing on the cake that makes <i>Past Perfect</i>, well.... just about perfect is the silent homage it pays to the fundamental importance of the family value system and the beauty that is motherhood. Never in your face extolling the greatness of either, it is indisputably present and tangible enough. At every turn what eggs Anna on to witness the dawn of the next day is Aditi, her daughter. It may sound clichéd but one cannot refute the source of strength that it is. I, for one cannot imagine any reader not envying Anna her rich childhood and the phenomenally tightly-knit family that she got to be a part of (the whole part about Anna in Kerala with her family with games, food and fun is such a pleasant read). Neither their faith in her nor their tireless devotion to her well being is ever in question thus playing a more than significant role in seeing Anna's victory in the end. A special mention that is more than necessary is for Anna's mother (one of her rocks of Gibraltar as Anna puts it herself!) and Tarun (Anna's better half). Tireless in their efforts to keep Anna afloat, they are without question the pillars of support without which this battle would never have been fought, leave alone win. <br /><br />There can be no review without some bellyaches now, can there?! Well, I do not mean to find faults just for the sake of doing it but Anna's pretty frequent use of "What if I am not around tomorrow?", "Will I live to see...?" laments could have definitely been toned down. I do not dare suggest that this is an indulgence on her part, by no means. A story that is this powerful and heart rending would definitely mean that the narrator would have been in throes of self doubt whenever life had a new curve ball to throw at her. I just mean to suggest that on hindsight these could have been fine tuned for the book. A minor gripe, I assure you that takes nothing away from the book. I would have also liked more photos (there is an array of photographs inset in the middle of the book) for putting a face to a name means that much more in a story such as this. <br /><br />I definitely cannot end the review on the note above, that would be injustice! <i>Past Perfect</i> is a story of will and courage that results in triumph. It pays tribute to something that seems to be dwindling in our lives of late - values of family and love, it does so in a fashion that is not pedantic but natural, something that is not forced into its pages. Anna Varughese's debut is well written without doubt; yeah she did have a story already but the presentation is what makes the difference and Anna manages it with panache and skill. This is a book that can be enjoyed as a simple tale without being burdened with the trauma that is present within, the breezy style and matter-of-fact writing makes it possible. Unquestionable is the salute that the books manages to pay to motherhood and its strengths, something that could well use a little bit of reaffirmation in present times. </span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i>(I intend to have an email interview with Anna and I would be following this up with that interview)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><i><a href="http://www.flipkart.com/past-perfect-letters-aditi/p/itmd57c4q2muvhxq" target="_blank">Buy from Flipkart</a></i></span></div>
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ananthakrishnanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11517934279108764668noreply@blogger.com96tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-74987997864223106502013-07-24T23:06:00.000+05:302013-07-24T23:06:06.308+05:30So have you ordered your copy yet?<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
The Superstar Syndrome, Sanjay Jha and Dr. Myra White's book is up for pre-order on Flipkart. The book has already garnered a lot of positive reviews from voices that matter. To order your copy here's the link <a href="http://www.flipkart.com/superstar-syndrome-making-champion/p/itmdmsbgbaqgkh35?pid=9788184004045&ref=8a073cb9-84c4-4ff2-811e-38ee2e5d9387&srno=t_1&otracker=from-search">http://www.flipkart.com/superstar-syndrome-making-champion/p/itmdmsbgbaqgkh35?pid=9788184004045&ref=8a073cb9-84c4-4ff2-811e-38ee2e5d9387&srno=t_1&otracker=from-search</a> and also below a sneak peek into what the book is all about:<br />
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THE SUPERSTAR SYNDROME : THE MAKING OF A CHAMPION (HARDCOVER) PRICE: RS.279</h3>
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Hidden in each of us is a superstar waiting to come to life. Often we struggle to find this, not because we lack talent, desire, or ability, but because we dont know the right steps to take. Frequently, we surrender to a sea of negative emotions and self-doubts right at the very beginning, or give up after a few setbacks. Dr Myra S. White and Sanjay Jha provide a comprehensive nine-step roadmap to help you succeed in the workplace and other areas of your lives.</div>
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The Superstar Syndrome is the ultimate success bible based on the lives of over 80 well-known people, like N.R. Narayana Murthy, M.S. Dhoni, Steve Jobs, Jack Welch, Warren Buffet and Ratan Tata who transformed themselves from ordinary people into exceptional achievers. It covers all aspects of what you need to know and do to successfully make the journey to superstardom how to identify and manage your special talents, build power, influence and deliver A-level performances and illustrates each step with examples from the lives of the well-known superstars that were studied. It makes you believe that the finish line is not just within your reach, but opens up dreams and possibilities beyond.</div>
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The Superstar Syndrome is a captivating and colourful read that through some fascinating stories strengthens our self belief and makes us realize our often untapped potential. A thoroughly engaging and enjoyable book which delves deep into the human psyche and the superstar resident within each one of us.<b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Naina Lal Kidwai, President, FICCI and Country head India and Director Asia Pacific, HSBC.</b></div>
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The Superstar Syndrome is not about how to become one, but to release your natural talent to exhibit your true stardom. This is because you are a natural superstar, whose stardom is hidden. Here is a book that tells you how to take off the covering. Enjoy reading chapters like know where you are going to know how to have fun. All this and more for a few dollars.<b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Gopalakrishnan, Director, TATA Sons Limited.</b></div>
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The Superstar Syndrome is a book filled with wisdom, wit and well-known leadership superstars. There are myriad case studies and tips gleaned from the fascinating success stories of a wide ranging group of famous superstars from Warren Buffet, Lady Gaga and even Dorothy in the Wizard of Oz, to Lee Iacocca, Ratan Tata, Margaret Thatcher and Sam Walton. Dr Myra White and Sanjay Jha have done a superb job. They obviously practice # 9 on their Superstar Roadmap Know How to have Fun. They must have had fun writing this book and I am sure the readers will also have fun reading it.<b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Peter Handal, Chairman and CEO, Dale Carnegie and Associates.</b></div>
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I was fascinated and inspired by the stories narrated and would strongly recommend this book to all who are seeking to make a difference to their own lives and to the world in which they live.<b style="border: 0px; font-family: inherit; font-size: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Rajeev Dubey, President (Group HR, Corporate Services and After Market), Mahindra & Mahindra.</b></div>
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Priyankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624337933595810465noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-58813640390406036292013-03-04T22:07:00.001+05:302013-03-04T22:07:13.709+05:30GREY OAK & THE BOOK LOVERS 'WRITE A STORY, GET PUBLISHED' WINNERS! <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Forgot to mention the winners of Grey Oak and The Book Lovers 'Write a story,get Published' short story competition exclusively for Wassup Andheri. </span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">We received over 100 entries and it was quite a task choosing the final 3 that made it, nevertheless thanking all those who participated and sent their stories to us. </span></span></div>
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<span class="userContent"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">The names of the 3 winners are: Rahul Biswas,Parimal Datta & Subhasis Ghosal. Congratulations to the winners and wish them a great writing career ahead! All the best</span><span style="font-size: x-small;">!</span></span></span></div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com35tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-26210113329867863942013-02-26T16:02:00.000+05:302013-02-26T16:02:00.230+05:30Grey Oak&The Book Lovers present 'Write a story, get published!' <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">An exciting new contest exclusively for all out blog readers and book lovers. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">The Book Lovers and Grey Oak publishing have an exciting short story writing competition lined up only for Wassup!Andheri ! The winners get their stories published in Grey Oak's Urban Shots series. All you budding writers your time starts now! Read the details and send your entries to bookwelove@gmail.com . So read the details real quick and send us your entries NOW! </span></span><br />
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Priyankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624337933595810465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-441793008823855222013-02-21T14:08:00.000+05:302013-02-21T14:12:06.171+05:30The Book Lovers:Day 2&Day 3 at Wassup Andheri<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><u>Day 2: Friday 1st March 2013</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>S. Hussain Zaidi - A man who needs no introduction, his books have been bestsellers, a veteran crime reporter & author of Black Friday, Mafia Queens of Mumbai and the latest Dongri to Dubai that covers the life of Mumbai Mafia Dawood Ibrahim joins us to give his valuable insights on Crime Writing. Be there to get tips from the man who witnessed it all.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr3i1-KgEXqyMUfqC_R65MXidw_5I02JeiljeLMVTk-fmpLOaGLLFRU8ULoFhqUgw2kgXR3Gjy8JKF_aRdQ9pJIxhPzs8mBmonuZas_IHY2H36_nCRB5jSy92pT8ZQdVa1SM7nebmGFk/s1600/salil+desai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEr3i1-KgEXqyMUfqC_R65MXidw_5I02JeiljeLMVTk-fmpLOaGLLFRU8ULoFhqUgw2kgXR3Gjy8JKF_aRdQ9pJIxhPzs8mBmonuZas_IHY2H36_nCRB5jSy92pT8ZQdVa1SM7nebmGFk/s200/salil+desai.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;">Creative Writing workshop by Salil Desai A perfect blend of crime & fiction is his forte and to let you learn this fine art, Salil Desai will be at Wassup Andheri for an exclusive discussion on Crime Writing.</i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><b><u>Day 3- Saturday 2nd March 2013</u></b></i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCh67alZMyIgvuKecdjPwmblfTbNzY_eB6Dl0DhsiR7ze4gCG4jgi1YkAtgwneqo5DA52nATV70XEUbMkxh69lUHwyKoBdXb5U5om4IuwaE0AX6m_FoLMmDrfSmLsnv-0zL2dOK5ayAE/s1600/hot+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisCh67alZMyIgvuKecdjPwmblfTbNzY_eB6Dl0DhsiR7ze4gCG4jgi1YkAtgwneqo5DA52nATV70XEUbMkxh69lUHwyKoBdXb5U5om4IuwaE0AX6m_FoLMmDrfSmLsnv-0zL2dOK5ayAE/s200/hot+tea.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Talk on Travel & Photography Travel Writer & Avid Photographer Rishad Saam Mehta author of Hot Tea Across India talks to the audience about his adventorous experiences while travelling & his anecdotes with photographs of the usual and the unusual during his road trips.</i></span></div>
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Priyankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624337933595810465noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-16425554301225703912013-02-21T13:44:00.001+05:302013-02-21T13:46:33.807+05:30The Book Lovers at Wassup Andheri on Day 1-28th Feb 2013<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Book Lovers is back along with Wassup! Andheri this year. And as promised we are bigger...better and grander this year! With an exciting line up of events. Here is the itinerary we have lined up for you for the four days starting from 28th Feb to 3rd March 2013.</span><br />
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<b><i><u><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">February 28th 2013 Thursday</span></u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-WVPjF6DZmRLVDwvRUTlRItGr4-lpgKylxo2jx9cWe0ppFwITN1v6WJUbwHcXEXuzriOzjOnf2PEVS9vqXUgK5-xP4wWPbrrL1DjR58vFNsB_MMwKGWVuOZ-xDl9L6Zw0PLx8-9QrfU/s1600/oath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
<ul style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLZkEYP_y7kEdTz_lT_BT9fQuaGdr9kayln2CT3EvJqkGSdO9_NgTjT-eoB_ntqyil_8ydnvXdHXINGhZVhHsfHTcnzMmnea6kVSkjiRX7G9pY0lLsreNbOGMs9HlNhz9JoEjJcIISi8/s1600/madhuri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFLZkEYP_y7kEdTz_lT_BT9fQuaGdr9kayln2CT3EvJqkGSdO9_NgTjT-eoB_ntqyil_8ydnvXdHXINGhZVhHsfHTcnzMmnea6kVSkjiRX7G9pY0lLsreNbOGMs9HlNhz9JoEjJcIISi8/s320/madhuri.jpg" width="320" /></a></ul>
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<li><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Panel Discussion : 5-5.30pm</u><span style="font-style: normal;"> Noted women authors Milan Vohra, Madhuri Banerjee and Pia Heikkila who have made their mark in the Literature World are here to get into a discussion on "Writing for the women of Today</span><i style="font-style: normal; font-weight: bold;">"</i></span></span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u>5.30-6pm Book Launch:</u> Harlequin Contest Winner and India's first Mills& Boon Author Milan Vohra launches her 2nd book Tic we're 30 at exclusively at Wassup!</span></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiVwXQwPHij-_s-2dI77ovrW5blSiPaH5ka5xnvfrww_tVozE2oQTpknvFsPCnFuhDRIpf-Ztxn1rh-2lUdku_UoWxvMvnd4ipsY3Z804pWhRNdm-Ju5fKAkHUO5xWrN6v394onHf_q8/s1600/fitnessonthego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfiVwXQwPHij-_s-2dI77ovrW5blSiPaH5ka5xnvfrww_tVozE2oQTpknvFsPCnFuhDRIpf-Ztxn1rh-2lUdku_UoWxvMvnd4ipsY3Z804pWhRNdm-Ju5fKAkHUO5xWrN6v394onHf_q8/s200/fitnessonthego.jpg" width="200" /></a><u>6-6.30pm </u></span></i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>Interaction & Fitness Workshop </u>by Abhishek Sharma author of Fitness on the Go will show us some simple fitness techniques to lead a healthy life without compromising on your daily routine</i></span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>6.30-7pm Music Video Launch of The Oath of Vayuputras -</u> His 3rd book is eagerly awaited, his fans <i></i>have all queued up, the pre-orders have begun. Can you guess which author are we talking about? Yes it is none other than Amish as he launches the full music video for his third book exclusively at Wassup! Andheri and talks about his last book in the Shiva Trilogy series'The Oath of Vayuputras'</i></span></li>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-WVPjF6DZmRLVDwvRUTlRItGr4-lpgKylxo2jx9cWe0ppFwITN1v6WJUbwHcXEXuzriOzjOnf2PEVS9vqXUgK5-xP4wWPbrrL1DjR58vFNsB_MMwKGWVuOZ-xDl9L6Zw0PLx8-9QrfU/s1600/oath.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-WVPjF6DZmRLVDwvRUTlRItGr4-lpgKylxo2jx9cWe0ppFwITN1v6WJUbwHcXEXuzriOzjOnf2PEVS9vqXUgK5-xP4wWPbrrL1DjR58vFNsB_MMwKGWVuOZ-xDl9L6Zw0PLx8-9QrfU/s200/oath.jpg" width="140" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span><br />
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Priyankahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06624337933595810465noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-62300209131579095332013-02-04T14:37:00.000+05:302013-02-04T14:37:50.578+05:30Guest Review: Cut Like Wound<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><u><i>Book reviewed by: Mahathi Ramya Vanapalli</i></u></span></b></div>
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Title: Cut like Wound</div>
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Author: Anita Nair</div>
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Publisher: Harper Collins</div>
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This is my first novel of Anita Nair’s. I love reading Indian authors, but never got a chance to read a gripping thriller from them. This is the first phsyco thriller that I read from an Indian author and I loved it.</div>
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Plot is about the investigation of similar serial crimes in Bangalore by an experienced inspector Gowda. Though Gowda is not young and dynamic, he is the hero of our story with his small imperfections.</div>
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Story starts with a burnt body of young male prostitute in Ramzan month and series of murders of random men on every Friday with peculiar ligature strangulation on neck. Author introduces us to corporator Ravi’s life in parallel. What is the relation between murders and Corporator? How Gowda finds the pattern in the killings? Remaining story is about the clues and findings of Gowda. Gowda’s problems in his family life, affair with his ex-girl friend etc., also form a part of the story. Climax is good and unexpected.</div>
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<b>What I liked?</b></div>
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Story seems to be intriguing till the end. It is a medium paced psycho thriller. It met my expectation for sure. Characterization and writing style are impressive. Climax is good, Reader will be sure of the murderer from the middle of the story, but suddenly realizes that it is not that person.</div>
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<b>What I didn’t like.</b>.</div>
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Motive of the crime doesn’t look very convincing. Sometimes, We feel , story is dragging and going no where, but, from the middle of the novel it picks the proper pace.</div>
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<b>My overall rating</b>: 4/5</div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-81839387859503028932013-01-08T16:58:00.000+05:302013-01-08T16:58:05.231+05:30Guest Review: The Householder<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><u>Author Amitabha Bagchi</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><i><u>Reviewed by: Amit Gupta</u></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I must admit i was not a big fan of the writer's debut novel, 'Above Average'. I thought it was a book which was true to its title. But in his next book, the writer explores the dark underbelly of power, greed and corruption in Delhi. It has delicate touches of humour and sensitivity which is rare to find in the India based fiction writing these days.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The novel incorporates two worlds — New Delhi’s babu-dom and the flashy gen-next culture of Gurgaon’s call centres. He takes us into the labyrinth of bureaucracy to meet Naresh Kumar, PA to Shri Asthana, IAS. Although he failed to make the grade as an IAS officer, Naresh learnt early in life how to negotiate the path to success — from upping the dowry amount set by his father to securing his first bribe. Naresh’s moral justification is that he is a householder, a man whose primary duty is to provide for his family.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Naresh’s life progresses satisfactorily until a series of calamities occur. A complaint on a deal — which helped Naresh pay for the catering and the tent-wallah at his daughter’s wedding — leads to a departmental inquiry that results in Naresh being suspended. His daughter Seema’s marriage flounders because she has not borne the obligatory child despite IVF treatments. His son Praveen, who works in a call centre, gets implicated in a murder and runs off to Manali. And moreover, he is attracted to a widow colleague Pinki, who has marriage plans of her own. The Householder is about how Naresh charts his journey through these turbulent waters. </span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The writing is taut in most cases and even though the book does get slow at times, but then picks up pace once more toward the final leg. Amitabha writes about a world where money rules and nothing can be done without it – he presents the dilemma of a common man – of morals, of the metaphoric good and evil and the choices we make.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The writing is taut in most cases and even though the book does get slow at times, but then picks up pace once more toward the final leg. Amitabha writes about a world where money rules and nothing can be done without it – he presents the dilemma of a common man – of morals, of the metaphoric good and evil and the choices we make.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are scenes which stay with you - like the one where the mother and the daughter in a casual dining table conversation discuss about men's approach towards sex or the one where Naresh is fired. The decaying moral fiber of the society and families, in general always loom around in the background and gives us a surprising, yet disturbing overview of each of us as individuals.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>I am going with 4/5 for Amitabha Bachi's 'The Householder'. </b>It is slow at times, but in the end it is an extremely rewarding read. It promises to break new grounds and in make sure, it achieves that with some solid storytelling. Don't miss it.</span></div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-18489782305501636152013-01-07T21:58:00.001+05:302013-01-07T21:58:40.315+05:30Review: Garbage Beat<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMNX3wo8RdKafZKDGWQvQFzlOHl8wKMWv5KbCZcLPznIRw_paVI_gvGBcK5ryf4pHc0g_-piJJeLiP91_Bsfs_aoIOcQSI50BNYbGWme71E-hQBmo7IOITE6EAER00ZmOKtHQfhJlukY/s1600/GARBAGE+BEAT+COVER+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHMNX3wo8RdKafZKDGWQvQFzlOHl8wKMWv5KbCZcLPznIRw_paVI_gvGBcK5ryf4pHc0g_-piJJeLiP91_Bsfs_aoIOcQSI50BNYbGWme71E-hQBmo7IOITE6EAER00ZmOKtHQfhJlukY/s320/GARBAGE+BEAT+COVER+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">What happens when what you see on television news channels
makes you want to be like one of them? When the glamorous news reporters
covering Bollywood beat makes you think that this is the dream job that you got
to have? How would you convince your parents that you want to make a career in
the cut throat television industry instead of becoming a doctor or an engineer
as they had planned?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Meet Laila the protagonist of the book Garbage Beat who does
exactly that. She is ecstatic when she lands up getting her dream job in her
dream channel but not all is as glamorous and beautiful as she thinks it would
be. As she gets busier with her own
role, working odd hours to cover film events and report them for her channel
she ends up distancing herself from her dad- who as per her will never
understand her and her boyfriend Rehan. To top it all her constant fights with
her hard to please boss/ editor Bunny who doesn’t stop to remind her that there
are others waiting in queue to get Laila’s job. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The television industry has its fair share of glamorous people
but the industry also has its set of eccentric but fun bunch working there –
having worked in the television industry I can say it with confidence! So in
every channel you will find the kind of people described in the book. While reading the book I was almost taken back
to my days in the TV industry. The author has managed to capture the essence of
television industry well, could be because she herself comes from there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As Laila struggles her way trying to excel in her chosen career
of TV journalism, as a reader you end up engrossed in her story, her struggles,
her laughter and her tears. It is an endearing story written straight from the
heart by an author who has looked and worked in the industry closely.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A fun fast paced read. For those in television industry will
enjoy reading it and those who wish to make a career in it will get a glimpse
of how the industry works especially the entertainment news industry.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Interesting debut by the author looking forward to many many
more.</span></div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-21669808225213389582012-12-23T11:56:00.002+05:302012-12-23T11:56:32.825+05:30Book Synopsis Garbage Beat <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6SXQ4PMw26r6OFRJR3erid675BoYUZ97wffBgW5EwbLXOqUv9NKB4NaEuq9KKuQcu1oVASqZihQwySU3B5ngAm5CnDt7t7wpyJc4fDpDwVMve7eQbRcReUiUtA3ErJYErRKGWecUlow/s1600/GB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT6SXQ4PMw26r6OFRJR3erid675BoYUZ97wffBgW5EwbLXOqUv9NKB4NaEuq9KKuQcu1oVASqZihQwySU3B5ngAm5CnDt7t7wpyJc4fDpDwVMve7eQbRcReUiUtA3ErJYErRKGWecUlow/s320/GB.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Laila is on the entertainment beat—a world where bitchy is sexy, and sexy is everything. Vain heroines, superstars with fragile egoes </span><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt;">who get their ‘bad’ stories dropped by blackmailing editors</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">, spirited item girls, prissy stars … To top it all, life in the newsroom is a series of deadline-driven bloopers till her tv life hits black. <br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Adding to the mayhem is a madcap cast: sexy Bollywood journo-turned-hit item girl Latika; star-struck reporter Chiki, who is obsessed with a superstar; Nandu, the byline-swindler; award-winning super hack Indumati; and their razor sharp and hard to please editor Bunny.<br />Caught between her ambition to excel, a live-in boyfriend who feels ignored, and a super-intelligent and brilliant father who is ashamed of her career choice, Laila realizes that the life of an entertainment reporter is not the glamour ride she had expected … because, on the Garbage Beat, reporting is a harrowing, ball-crushing and back-breaking affair.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt;">Some real love stories, some real heartbreaks, and some real tragedies.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span lang="EN-IN" style="font-size: 12pt;">But life as a reporter gets worse when she crosses powerful producers, has big fights with jealous reporters and adamant cameramen and makes bloopers galore.Its about how tv this very greedy god of the airwaves demands a new pound of flesh from her everyday.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKvPD-9S6cw7UpW-6QiycJk-YZOPH-sni1Cvp8j94Uzh5GSWS4HBWPuuRtq4s_g0u2u8QkmFZvwp1HY4hRX1qeBuw8h2snTpwN28b6wFiYSDtlsenkyh6ezK4Xub5CPIN_SWITSMUbVU/s1600/RICH+PIX.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibKvPD-9S6cw7UpW-6QiycJk-YZOPH-sni1Cvp8j94Uzh5GSWS4HBWPuuRtq4s_g0u2u8QkmFZvwp1HY4hRX1qeBuw8h2snTpwN28b6wFiYSDtlsenkyh6ezK4Xub5CPIN_SWITSMUbVU/s320/RICH+PIX.jpg" width="240" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Profile-<br />Ten years of entertainment journalism. A lifetime of being a manoranjan junkie. Richa </span></span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 12pt;">believes that you should accept your most demented thoughts fears and fantasies. Born in Dehradun. Richa did her Masters in Chemistry from Miranda House, before she studied Journalism. Special Correspondent and TV Anchor Richa is currently Associate Editor, entertainment in a prominent news channel. She has extensively covered Hindi Cinema, Bollywood, Fashion and Art in several prominent national news channels and reported from Mumbai to Malaysia, Seoul to Simla, Johannesberg to Jodhpur, Pretoria to Punjab, Dubai to Delhi to Benaras,Goa, Agra, Ajmer,Kolkata,Nainital and counting. She has produced, anchored and reported for shows like Night Out, Bollywood Quiz show IDBI Sawaal India Ka, Glamour Show, Filmy Friday, Cinema India, Cinema Ke Sikander, Raat Baaki.</span></div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-19303676867679446372012-12-23T10:28:00.003+05:302012-12-23T10:28:32.301+05:30Mumbai Book Launch of Garbage Beat <div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Dear Mumbai Book Lovers</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Here's an invite to a book launch you just wouldn't wanna miss!!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Kareena Kapoor will be launching Richa Lakhera's book Garbage Beat today Sunday 23rd December at 4pm Venue details on the card!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Richa's book is a scandalous novel set in the big bad world of entertainment television.The highs and lows of entertainment reporting.</i></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i>Do join in for the book launch and buy the book for a fun super pacy read!</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><i><a href="http://www.flipkart.com/garbage-beat-9350293978/p/itmdezennajmputh?pid=9789350293973">http://www.flipkart.com/garbage-beat-9350293978/p/itmdezennajmputh?pid=9789350293973</a></i></span></div>
Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-74156565443475922872012-12-14T16:40:00.000+05:302012-12-14T16:41:23.331+05:30Guest Review: Sexy at Sixty<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUpOwJxQx_u3ksspuHITjxx0SGduWSA5-fRY_uxbNHLe4d4LJXEIu0nbXGp7Sy7yP6GsZ1xqTB2xFIQsPvvPeuo-vdxNJF4GvNqp_a-Odzhz-ASASJkCDZ9Ex0802Exg9lazum6TOFvI/s1600/Sexy-@-Sixty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkUpOwJxQx_u3ksspuHITjxx0SGduWSA5-fRY_uxbNHLe4d4LJXEIu0nbXGp7Sy7yP6GsZ1xqTB2xFIQsPvvPeuo-vdxNJF4GvNqp_a-Odzhz-ASASJkCDZ9Ex0802Exg9lazum6TOFvI/s320/Sexy-@-Sixty.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i><u>Book Reviewed By : Dr. ShivaniKapoor</u></i></span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: x-large;"><u>Author: Namita Jain</u></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=6313887713206681271" name="13b6bac7372cc54d__GoBack" style="color: #1155cc;"><br /></a></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">To my chagrin the book had nothing to do with a kinky story of a sixty year old couple. Sexy @ Sixty instead is a book on yoga, exercise and diet. If there is anything to do with the word sexy it is the author, Namita Jain, who is all of that at her age.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Once my disappointment of the book not being the one to satisfy my voyeuristic pallet was overcome, I started actually to enjoy the book. It is simple, and straight to the point- how to celebrate life at sixty. Many tips ranging from exercises to diet plans to feeling positive are offered by her. What catches your attention is the way she makes being slimmer and sexier simple and quick. In fact, those younger can pick it up too that is if you are a lazy bum who has been adding up the body meat. She doesn’t just suggest but also softly motivates you. If you are an exercise freak at 60 and eat measured quantity, read it nevertheless.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The author has specially chosen the common physical problems at sixty and touched upon the relevant solutions. Prostrate, menopause, arthritis and the likes are dealt with well.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Maybe it is a book you could keep for a chapter a day, chew on it and slowly inculcate. The exercises are more of a warm up sessions for those regular at gym, are easy to handle for specially for the very obese elders and for those lethargic few whose simple rule is- If I can’t reach it, I don’t need it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Facts and figures (I meant the mathematical ones) add to the authenticity. Illustrations and tables make reading quick.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My rating: 2.5 of 5</span></div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-9174908662409973682012-12-12T18:39:00.000+05:302012-12-12T18:39:21.897+05:30Winners of the contest: When the Snow Melts<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
To make it a memorable 12-12-12 for the winners we chose to hold on to the names of the winners of our contest! We received many correct replies and the response to the contest was phenomenal. Thank you to all those who participated. Congratulations winners and better luck next time to the other participants.<br />
<br />
Requesting all the winners to send their postal address with contact number to bookwelove at gmail dot com to enable us to send the book across as soon as possible:<br />
<br />
Gunjan S<br />
Vulcan Eager<br />
Dr. Sharmila K<br />
MM Roy<br />
Shilpa Roy<br />
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Send us your address as soon as possible please!<br />
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<br /></div>
Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-43763873480626078272012-12-04T14:44:00.000+05:302012-12-04T14:44:17.102+05:30When the Snow Melts: A Review and a contest!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38ZX3zZPZ1R2QHsCxkm68pgXKuOHCV9_ygVZz96MSZaWfkq5eK1Yey0WUjo2_8CiTPEQGxtp0DIn1LjhDMSk3I-Tq7nbiyjzjIl6RlIiBkcTE5x9vAWw9XIF0Kzj_SYH0XaK5HzXsrr8/s1600/When+the+Snow+Melts.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj38ZX3zZPZ1R2QHsCxkm68pgXKuOHCV9_ygVZz96MSZaWfkq5eK1Yey0WUjo2_8CiTPEQGxtp0DIn1LjhDMSk3I-Tq7nbiyjzjIl6RlIiBkcTE5x9vAWw9XIF0Kzj_SYH0XaK5HzXsrr8/s320/When+the+Snow+Melts.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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I recently
happened to read a book called When the Snow Melts by Vinod Joseph. The book is
Vinod’s debut novel and must say it was a very interesting, fast paced read. What surprises me is the low key or almost
zilch promotions for the book by the publishers- seriously wonder why. It is a
good read, well priced yet not many would have heard of the book. Also have a major bone to pick about the book cover! Anyway that’s
the publisher and author’s call, but I am glad I chose to read the book.<o:p></o:p></div>
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So what is the
book about? It is a racy thriller about espionage, spies , where everything is
deceptive and trust is rare. The protagonist Ritwik Kumar is the Indian
representative in an International intelligence gathering group named
International Assessment Group. This group has intelligence agents from all over
the world who are trying to pool in their information networks to help fight
global terrorism. Ritwik who is battling his alcohol addiction ends up
borrowing a lot of money and when IAG head General West gets to know of this,
asks him to pay up within 15 days or lose his job. Finding himself isolated and
cornered he finally decides to defect. To get out of the mess he is in, he ends
up getting into a much bigger mess by defecting to terror network of Al-Qaeda. He
realizes he doesn’t fit there either and its ideology is something he can never
agree to.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Is it going to be
such an easy task to switch loyalities? Would the members of Al-Qaeda trust him
enough to let them know of what is going on in their organization? Will Ritwik
be able to get out of the self created trouble he is in? It gets messier still
when he starts falling in love with Nilofer, wife of one of the members of the
Al-Qaeda team. In a hostile place where he can trust not a single soul is he
setting himself up for the worse….<o:p></o:p></div>
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All in all a good
read, nice plot and page turner of a read. For those who like to read such
genres should give reading this book a try. Believe me it is worth your money.<o:p></o:p></div>
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What’s more our
blog also gives you a chance to win an autographed copy of his book by
answering 2 very very simple questions. We have 5 copies to give away.<b><i><u> But
remember the contest closes on 8/12/12</u></i></b>. The rules: You need to be an Indian
Resident above 18 years of age, Judges decision is final…Now for the questions:
<o:p></o:p></div>
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<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><u><i>A)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"> <i>Who was the founder of India’s Research and
Analysis Wing (R&AW)?</i></span><i><o:p></o:p></i></u></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]--><b><u><i>B)<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-style: normal;">
</span></i><!--[endif]--><i><span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">“Mossad” is
Israel’s external intelligence agency. What’s the name of Israel’s internal
intelligence agency?</span></i></u></b><i><o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background: white; color: #222222; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri;">So hurry and send us your answers to
bookwelove(at)gmail(dot)com your time starts now!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-45304222178863388362012-10-25T15:29:00.001+05:302012-10-25T15:29:59.678+05:30Guest Review: Land of the Well<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Author: Sampurna Chattarji</i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Reviewed by: Madhulika Mitra </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Too many elements took away the story.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> Stars:2/5</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">One book which I was totally looking forward to has disappointed me at quite a few places. The snippet behind the book increased my curiosity levels and made me feel that it would be a good read. Quickly getting to the main theme of the book, it’s about youngsters who are totally misguided by the idea of Death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The story is set up in Goa, away from the fun and the frolic (surprised? It was off season in Goa), about a young lad who has just finished his 12<sup>th</sup> exams, brilliant but very protected by his parents. This youngster has a very sad story to share about not having friends ever, always being shielded by his mom and dad, no decision of his own. For a boy of his age where independence is everything, he was being caged. And when you are sad you are vulnerable. This is where the other characters of the story enter Goa and the story begins. And he who is in dire need of friends gives in everything to be in their <i>gang.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">For the first time in life he breaks away from his cage and demands to stay back in Goa for a few more days <i>alone. </i>The strength to take this stand comes from straight from his heart after he sees a pretty girl whom he gets attracted to from the very moment he sees her. But she is not <i>alone. </i>She comes with a group of friends very weird in their own ways but with even more weird names.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He does manage to stay back after his parents leave, finally gets to taste independence but everything comes with a price tag. So what price does he pay: something which really shook me off. He meets them, gets their approval to be one among them, gets their appreciation but is all that for real or a very big trap he is unaware of. The book really held me till he narrates the story of “<i>land of the well” </i>but then the only constant term and feeling in the book was DEATH.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">All these friends are traumatized scared and have almost stopped living their life because they are scared they would die someday. To be very honest I did not understand the book after a point, could be because it was beyond my understanding levels or because I always search stuff which I can relate to or a feel good/bad (<i>this din feel anything-may be too mournful)</i>. There are a lot of crisscrossed love stories, lot of deaths and one murder or maybe not hidden in the story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">My advice: <i>Pick up the book and try to finish it at one go. </i>If not you might lose the flow.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After a point the book had a lot of repetitions of the same incidents, same characters and failed to leave a mark in my mind. I do not know which adjective I should associate with the book: Spiritual, philosophical, or morose. It’s for you if you can associate to one of these attributes closely. I would not agree that it was a mystery or even if it was, it was not carried out properly. A little lesser pages with a little more of suspense/proper story line would have done justice to the book.</span></div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-78127338321266253252012-10-25T15:17:00.000+05:302012-10-25T15:17:31.299+05:30Review: The Edge of Desire<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Author: Tuhin Sinha</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Reviewed by: Purvi Shah</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEdsBj1XIY8TDeCc0LzUE1Mc_8BLuCTAnffqX9_zXZ3sRS8DGbV_02yMj-0OfRby-vygij7OsL2r_uv-J_-jT31wNxQGvOusIYj1W8fan1b6c7SiZmX1nm17Op5Fdeq5l0_8rhG_XfEM/s1600/the-edge-of-desire.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpEdsBj1XIY8TDeCc0LzUE1Mc_8BLuCTAnffqX9_zXZ3sRS8DGbV_02yMj-0OfRby-vygij7OsL2r_uv-J_-jT31wNxQGvOusIYj1W8fan1b6c7SiZmX1nm17Op5Fdeq5l0_8rhG_XfEM/s1600/the-edge-of-desire.jpeg" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Edge of Desire is a story of a female, who is raped and that event shapes up her life as a politician, seemngly changing the future course of events for the country. The inspiration comes from the age old epic "Mahabharata" where Draupadi's cheer haran lays the foundation for the battle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">There are principally two kinds of writers. One , who start a story and shape is up as the heart goes or as the pen prevails, the others who outline a story, chart out the characters, frame the sequence and go by joining the dots. Essentially a difference between way of thinking, but the end product of this book, makes you think of the latter ones.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The two central characters, Shruti and Sharad seem to have a lot in common. They are both enigmatic public personalities with a drive to do something for the country. Both politicians with failed marriages, lonely and depicting shades of grey. Yet they do not have a clearly defined relationship. They are not friends, they do not fall in love, they are colleagues, yes. Tuhin Sinha tries to define their relationship making them the modern day Draupadi and Krishna of the Mahabharata, citing the example many a times comparing various turns of events in the story. Not very convincingly , though.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The story does not rise and fall, or has many , sorry any highs and lows, mostly revolving around the Indian political scenario in the 70's and 80's. Except for the rape of the central female character, which is pivotal in her joining Indian politics, the story moves on pretty much like a daily soap.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Also , an important aspect, I noticed throughout is that: There are descriptions of emotional turmoils Shruti faces many a times (but as would be clearly evident to any female reader) and all of them, I repeat ALL of them are starkly from a male viewpoint. When the author has attempted so much research on politics, the Mahabharata, etc, he should have done a little homework on the female psyche, especially since the book is in the first person, a memoir of Shruti, and if a female cannot relate to the emotional punch at all....I don't know what to say.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">On that note, I leave it for the reader to figure out whether to like the book or not. Its a difficult one to label and very tough to review. I would give it a 5 on 10. A good read for the political minds, maybe...</span></div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-78041722925170356322012-09-17T22:52:00.002+05:302012-09-17T22:52:53.717+05:30Guest Review: Revolution 2.0<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><u>Author: Wael Ghonim</u></i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><b><i><u>Reviewed by: Pinak Kapadia</u></i></b></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4w4bNApLT92xq1WFTIa5e9NvySQ6VRjLiLWfOtNJJPO2_VFSRKxPXJwNo9TY1afk2k_nb3gZyeasPU48ljAJa7Lw6h5JhtKyZTqH8-1Hpyy3qSMwixSFgdqaS-kYBB12y4pG9ik3Ka4/s1600/revolution+2.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS4w4bNApLT92xq1WFTIa5e9NvySQ6VRjLiLWfOtNJJPO2_VFSRKxPXJwNo9TY1afk2k_nb3gZyeasPU48ljAJa7Lw6h5JhtKyZTqH8-1Hpyy3qSMwixSFgdqaS-kYBB12y4pG9ik3Ka4/s320/revolution+2.bmp" width="212" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Wael Ghonim became a famous name during the Arab spring last year, when his online activism helped change the role of Social Media in the real society, and the way his own country is governed, forever. His book Revolution 2.0 is a chronicle of those heady days in Egypt when the seemingly impossible suddenly became possible, and a dictator ruling for decades was deposed. The book reads like a fast paced thriller, or a news report, and is fun to read. This is precisely because it is a first person account, and Ghonim was very active during those days, in helping to depose Mubarak. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">The book starts off in the days before there was any indication that there was going to be any revolution. The Egyptian Secret Service, their dossiers on prominent people, and their methods of harassment are very interesting to know, and the author describes them well, since he was unfortunate to experience them himself. His description of an absolutely normal life with wife and kids, his anonymous online activism, and his days at work give us an insight of the man. But more than that, it makes you identify with him. Here is this person, who leads a normal life just like you and me, but hates tyranny. He is as far away from politics and activism as you and me. He is the typical computer geek ubiquitous these days across the world, and especially in India. The way his life changes, he changes as a person, finds a cause bigger than his own, and makes a difference to his country, is enough to inspire couch activists like me. Step by step, we can actually see the snowball that was the initial activism, turn into an actual avalanche of a revolution. Ghonim is right at the centre of the avalanche, and one of the persons who threw the first snowball.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">The book is also a must read for those who want to understand the power of social media - facebook and twitter, in the current age. In India, we have a recent example of the Govt attempting to regulate social media and mass communications. The belief that it is as easy for rumours to spread through the social media as actual news, makes governments across the world wary of social media. But the same power is harnessed by Ghonim and other activists to unite people across the country. The fact remains, that it is much easier to be courageous in the virtual world than in the real world.The struggles of the author, to actually come out of the closet from being an anonymous poster, to someone whom people believed in, are something you and me can get inspired from. Ultimately, it requires a lot of bravery, and belief to stand up for what you believe, to give up our cloistered daily life, and become part of a revolution. Ghonim also describes his days in custody of the secret police really well. How would it suddenly feel to you, if the thing you want most, is just a bath and to feel clean? If a gift of undergarments by a police officer makes you grateful? Read this book for a real insight into the days of a normal person whose life turns upside down.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">The revolution 2.0 starts from the social media, and ends up in Tahrir square. A million people gather on the streets, based on an idea conceived in an individual's mind. A dictator who believed himself invincible, is made to flee by the people. And all this starts with a single facebook group? That is the beauty of this story. You should read it to believe it.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Ghonim also conveys the power of a picture. How a single picture of torture is more effective than bland facts such as a 100 people injured. How the pictures can become viral and arouse emotions that no words could. How he was able to utilise this power of pictures. It also gives us an insight into the thinking of those in power. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">The negatives in this book? Well, Ghonim was under custody, and 'missing' during the action that took place in Tahrir square for the main fortnight. Credit to the author for not relying on hearsay, but we do not come to know in detail how the mass of people refusing to leave actually brought down a government. Maybe someone who was there in Tahrir square in those days will come out soon with another book to make up for this void.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px;">Egypt in the arab spring, with its corruption, and its police losing respect, and the unemployment, and the government losing credibility, resembles India of today. Thankfully, we are a democracy, and there is no dictator to depose. But if anyone ever wants to believe that a group of people can bring about actual change, and that online media is just a medium of passing time, please recommend Revolution 2.0 to him. Even if you are in the mood of reading a thriller, you can read this book. It is a great read.</span></span>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-15316993810693481682012-09-17T22:41:00.000+05:302012-09-17T22:41:38.557+05:30Guest Review: Opening Night<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<b><i><u><span style="font-size: large;">Author: Diksha Basu</span></u></i></b><br />
<b><i><u><span style="font-size: large;">Book reviewed by: Madhulika Mitra</span></u></i></b><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBJnGh89HXp9v83QDGk7L7SzqV2mEgiux54QvgvTU7kWl-gm_-Cm-iFZje1MxEoV65so_ddao8zXtVZrPrD1HHkseaLqVnL0Mj-EULCIuSKr97PWtyIO48AjDLGnVbq8iR4paGtr_Ixs/s1600/OpeningNightDikshaBasuEDIT.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLBJnGh89HXp9v83QDGk7L7SzqV2mEgiux54QvgvTU7kWl-gm_-Cm-iFZje1MxEoV65so_ddao8zXtVZrPrD1HHkseaLqVnL0Mj-EULCIuSKr97PWtyIO48AjDLGnVbq8iR4paGtr_Ixs/s320/OpeningNightDikshaBasuEDIT.jpg" width="201" /></a></div>
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Madhu Stars: 2.5/5</div>
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All human beings Rich or poor, black or white, have one thing in common, DREAMS. And it takes tremendous amount of passion to follow them, fulfill them and this journey to hug our desires defines our lifetime.</div>
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Opening Night might not say everything from its name, but it’s a journey of many lows and very few highs of our Lead character, <i>Naiya Kapur. </i> She is an Indian, born and brought up in America. She has a comfortable, sheltered life with her father. Though not very studious, she bagged herself a job in a corporate, wore stylish clothes, but gradually her high heels and pencil skirt life got monotonous like all ours. And just like all of us, at a moment she ponders, “Was this is all I dreamed of? Am I supposed to this work all my life” And then she was bitten, in fact smitten by the Acting Bug. After performing for a small play in theatre, she felt this is what she was made for, and then as you all could have guessed, she packs her bags and ran away to mahanagari Mumbai, leaving her dreary, humdrum life behind. </div>
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In Mumbai She met people, roamed aimlessly on streets of Bandra, fell in love, had a series of disappointments, but her roomies, jess and Dino, add a glow to her life.</div>
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But will Naiya survive? Will her “Happily ever after “dreams come true? Will she ever have an opening Night? Or will she be bored again here in Mumbai and pack her bags back to her life in America? Grab a copy to know.</div>
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I enjoyed the book given the Bollywood touch to it. It’s predictable at times, but still holds you. One thing which stood out for me personally was the traditional culture which Naiya held to, she never fell into bed with every stranger she met, she took her dad’s advice, she knew what she had to do and never compromised on that, may be her dollars helped her as well. :)</div>
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Yes the book drags, and after a point you can guess that she would not make it at all, there is only disappointments and isolation.</div>
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But all in all, it’s a good pass time book, with very few moments which makes you stare at the page and think for a while. </div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-66120946117845885162012-08-17T17:55:00.000+05:302012-08-17T17:55:39.960+05:30Review: The Taj Conspiracy<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej8xb0okjJ4U7RpC4DwtttgHXCwxzmSOcEVXMuj8EolzwRXgsd3ByOZrX9ncGkuENXbRPaI7AIYZ96Av-YtW-Nlw1CgqBdqJUuZ5S41MC0uEuGF8lyLlPJCi1lndZG0DGKcDS3kp_GR4/s1600/Taj-Conspiracy-blue-frog-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhej8xb0okjJ4U7RpC4DwtttgHXCwxzmSOcEVXMuj8EolzwRXgsd3ByOZrX9ncGkuENXbRPaI7AIYZ96Av-YtW-Nlw1CgqBdqJUuZ5S41MC0uEuGF8lyLlPJCi1lndZG0DGKcDS3kp_GR4/s320/Taj-Conspiracy-blue-frog-1.jpg" width="266" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Now here's a book I totally enjoyed reading! Move over Dan Brown, our very own desi lady Dan Brown is here. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The book centers around the Taj Mahal as a conspiracy is afoot to create tensions between two faiths. Time is running out, death is knocking on the door and Mehrunissa Khosa, the protagonist in the book has to get to the bottom of this conspiracy else it will lead to chaos and clashes in the country.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Mehrunisa Khosa, a Mughal scholar stumbles on a controversy to destroy the Taj Mahal when she discovers the murder of the Taj supervisor inside the tomb, what she also notes are some changes made in the calligraphy at the tomb to suggest that the monument was of Hindu origin. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Who is behind this conspiracy? What is the agenda? To save the Taj Mahal Mehrunisa has to not just overcome prejudiced police but also battle her inner demons that will lead her to the conspirator.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Though the book is a good read there are some places where one feels the author has excessively tried to maintain high intrigue when there is none. In case of the Islamic militants planning an attack just doesn't tie up at the end. Then the climax where the Home Minister, Prime Minister all are involved and the surging crowd scenario at the monument makes it laughable.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But all in all a good read, fast paced, edge of the seat kind of a read.</span><br />
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-41079344338063091622012-08-17T17:31:00.001+05:302012-08-17T17:31:24.414+05:30Review: Just Married, Please Excuse<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLchfhpZ0rykWAEiONNSuqO2BJ8ynK9kh8l4ri0vs7wMAyqpc0ApsWM0CKm64HPq74tZ_mcsKjU6nR3A71J-NwKkra2dvrH72Bhh3QmtQlALvg-1j_SGMTi4KbSio1R52iYX1O31YY0a4/s1600/justmarried.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLchfhpZ0rykWAEiONNSuqO2BJ8ynK9kh8l4ri0vs7wMAyqpc0ApsWM0CKm64HPq74tZ_mcsKjU6nR3A71J-NwKkra2dvrH72Bhh3QmtQlALvg-1j_SGMTi4KbSio1R52iYX1O31YY0a4/s320/justmarried.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Okay if you want to read a favourable review of this book, I'd suggest you skip reading this entire post right away since I do not have anything really great to say about the book. </span><div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The story predictable, the characters more so, humour forced at many places. The story? A hip girl from the city meets a small town guy living in the city, love happens leading to marriage, all is hunky dory till baby arrives, but then all is well that ends well. Yes that's the story.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So yes during the romance phase we have the predictable fights, then when they choose to marry the mandatory meet the parents chapter, followed by the after marriage sequence, fights, where has all the love gone scenario.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Chetan Bhagat's 2 States seems to have inspired a lot many authors to write about their romance and marriages. But alas these book ends up reading the same facing more or less the same challenges everyone faces in their married life, leading to a bored to death reader. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">But then that is just my opinion. In case, such stories interest you please do read the book. It does end up being a light, breezy read.</span></div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6313887713206681271.post-72611847021973344282012-08-17T16:41:00.002+05:302012-08-17T16:41:37.938+05:30Guest Review: The Evolution of Gods<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Author: Ajay Kansal</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><i>Reviewed by : Reshmy Pillai</i></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Did gods create mankind, or
did mankind created gods?<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The back
cover screams this question at the reader with the preamble concluding that
this book by <b>Ajay Kansal</b> deals with
establishing the fact that anthropologies and histories lead to one conclusion
- mankind created gods!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The
writer starts off with a very arresting question in the preface – Why are there
many religions but only one science on the earth and you would expect a
atheist’s rant coming along in the next 200 odd pages. But he surprises with
the balance and poise of his argument with never the book turning onto an
anti-theist track. Ajay Kansal takes us along on the journey of the evolution
of mankind from the nomadic human to the agriculturist to the social animal by
tracing his religious evolution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">He tells
us that the religious journey of man began right in his nomadic days with
abundant mysteries of nature boggling him scared like night, animals, pregnancy,
ghosts, etc. This fear of man gave birth to the concept of a superhuman
somewhere with immense powers – the very concept of god. Nomadic man began
worshipping the things that relived him from his fears – Fire, Sun and Sky and
thus began nature worship. Later with him turning to agriculture the fear of
food scarcity came in and with it developed the fertility cult – the worship of
the goddess. Agriculture led to settlements that led to diseases, which proved
another mystery for human minds, and up came the concept of a punishing god –
The Yahweh of Judaism. The beliefs were prominent that diseases are punishments
from the super power and ways to please the punishing god were sort out which
led to the barbaric practice to sacrifices – human and animal. With the
punishment culture settling in, came the problems of cruelty, injustice and
exploitation which it required some relief. This requirement of mankind gets
fulfilled in the form of a kind merciful god – Jesus of Christianity. While
this was the story of the western side of the globe the eastern side too
underwent similar change patterns with fire, sky and sun worships being
followed in the name of <i>yagnas </i>leading
to only affluent strata’s of the society understanding worships and gods. The
need was simplification of religion and a prince-turned-ascetic is the answer –
Buddha of Buddhism. With a major part of the population understanding and
following Buddhism the priests of the earlier practiced religion of the land –
Hinduism revamp the teachings to revolve around thousands of gods and millions
of folklores about the gods getting it back to be the favorite of the
people. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ajay
Kansal has written an excellent book about the religious evolution of mankind
filled with historical facts and scientific proofs. There is hardly any invalid
talk that is not supported by hard facts concerning the discussion. Be it the
proof of first human burials at Skhul caves in Israel or talk of a solar cult,
with the Stonehenge in England as a proof of its existence, he talks in facts.
While he talks about the temple snake healers in Greece, he also questions on
why only domesticated animals like bull or goat were offered to the gods in
sacrifice by priests; why not a tiger? He challenges the reader to question
beliefs and rituals not for the faith but for their authenticity and need. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A work
that talks so well based on facts is weakened some what in narration by the
writer’s continuous projection of priests of every religion, in every era as
clever self-centered beings who created gods, rituals, traditions etc. for more
selfish reasons than social ones. Also the writer being a doctor and Hindu
unwittingly emphasizes more on the chapters dealing with diseases and Hinduism,
which form the two longest chapters in the book while an equal depth in other
areas is missing. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Not one
of the best books on the subject but a very decent one for overall
understanding of Religious Evolution of Mankind which moved from new problems
to new gods to new religions. It’s a 3 on 5 for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Happy
Reading.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">(</span><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">Reshmy loves stories and books that tell those stories, corporate slave by the day, obsessed reader, writer and reviewer by any other time available. She blogs at </span><a href="http://reshmypillai.wordpress.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;" target="_blank">http://reshmypillai.wordpress.<wbr></wbr>com</a> and tweets <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-size: 13px; text-align: left;">@ReshmyPillai )</span></span></i></div>
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Bookwormhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09872148601927314309noreply@blogger.com1