ON WRITING

Book Name: On Writing: A Memoir Of The Craft

Author Name: Stephen King

Publisher: Pocket Books

My Opinion:

I got to know about this book from Pinterest. Like there were many pins titled ‘Writing Tips by Stephen King’. When I was researching on how to improve my writing craft, I came across this book as recommendation. This book is for those who are serious about getting there writing right.

The book is divided into two parts. The first part being how the author’s journey started. It had some great takeaways too. In addition to that some quotes which you might seen popping on Pinterest. (If your search history has writing related stuff.)

The second part is about actual writing, the tips on making it more sharp and some straight forward truths. Things like if you, as a writer find it boring, then your reader will too.

A must read book for all those who aspire to writer better.

THE MALGUDI DAYS

Book Name: The Malgudi Days

Author Name: R. K. Narayan

Publisher: Indian Thought Publications

My Opinion:

For a book of short stories that has been a part of curriculum in the schools for many Indians and adapted into a TV show, you know you’re in for a great read.

I knew about the author because I had a chapter in my school textbook from ‘Swami and His Friends’. Then for board exams we had another story, ‘An Astrologer’s Day’, which this book also has. I thought the twisted end was amazing.

Little did I know that all the stories in the book will have an unexpected twist. First of all writing short stories, believe me, is difficult. Having every story ending with a twist is much difficult. If this doesn’t explain how genius the author is then I don’t know what will.

The beauty of this book is that it can be read anytime. Bookholics like me can read a story from this book and go back to reading another story. Even if you open the book after a month, you can easily read the next story.

Also, the universe of Malgudi is real, raw and authentic. This book has people with different traits, coming from different walks of life making no two characters the same. This point was for those who didn’t understand the author’s level of creativity.

AJAYA – RISE OF KALI

Book Name: Ajaya – Rise Of Kali

Author Name: Anand Neelakantan

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing Corp

My Opinion:

When I said I felt that something was amiss in the first installment of the book, the second installment covers it. What a book!

The story starts with Draupadi being summoned to the court right after Pandavas loose. From there it is a roller coaster journey.

The caste – divide is not explored much in retellings except to use it to mock Karna. Here, it is shown that it was Suryodhana’s dream to blur these caste lines.

Also, many retellings tend to overlook the fact that the southern part of India had contributed to this war. This book spoke of the involvement which was a huge plus point for me.

In process of white-washing Kauravas, the characters of Pandavas fell flat. Also, I personally didn’t like portrayal of Draupadi as a little hysterical woman.

The ending felt little rushed because the story was being built beautifully. Nonetheless, it’s is a good installment.

AJAYA – ROLL OF THE DICE

Book Name: Ajaya – Roll Of The Dice

Author Name: Anand Neelakantan

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing Corp

My Opinion:

This book was gifted by my friend and I am grateful for I might have missed this gem.

When a book is a retelling of Mahabharata, the stakes are already high because it is an epic. Also, there have been retellings in different vernacular languages. Yet usually stories are written from victor’s POV not the villain.

What makes this one different? Well, firstly it is from Suryodhana’s POV and his journey of becoming Duryodhana. Then the retelling has been written in an unbelievable way which resonates with today’s society.

There are some 2-3 pages of conversation between Karna and Kripacharya on the actual reason for genesis of caste system and how it is being exploited. This part, I feel is important, because caste system is one of the factors that accelerated the war.

Yet I felt something amiss in this part. Maybe because the characters in Mahabharata are usually more grey shades, the author has tried to picture the supposed villains in more white light.

JAYA – AN ILLUSTRATED RETELLING OF MAHABHARATA

Book Name: Jaya – An Illustrated Retelling of Mahabharata

Author Name: Devdutt Pattanaik

Publisher: Penguin Global

My Opinion:

When a book is a retelling of Mahabharata, the stakes are already high because it is an epic. This retelling puts the Mahabharata in a more neutral perspective by the use of simple language.

Also the interesting fact of this book was to use the dates provided by B.N. Narahari Achar of the Dept of Physics, Memphis University, USA in dating the epic using the Planetarium software. Then the author proves that this war might have taken place in Vedic times because Kunti and Madri invoke Surya, Indra, Yama, Vayu and Ashwin Twins (Vedic God’s) rather than Brahma, Vishnu or Shiva (their importance was established after Vedic ages).

There are 18 parts to this book while the there are total of 108 chapters. At the end of each chapter, in bullet points, the author explains his ideology, state of balance and duality noticed in Hindu epics and/or retellings from different folklores surrounding this war and from different languages. This provided a fresh perspective on different ways the same war was retold.

The book can become very preachy at times which I felt was the only shortcoming I could point out.

A NATION OF IDIOTS

Book Name: A Nation of Idiots

Author Name: Daksh Tyagi

Publisher: Every Protest Publishers

My Opinion:

This book was gifted by my friend and I am grateful for I might have missed this gem.

The book is a guide on how to avoid a nation of idiots. To help you with that, the book is divided into ten parts wiht the last part that helps you how to defuse an idiot.

The book is based on one sentence, or rather two words – ‘Question Everything’. That questioning has shaped this book with ample amount of sarcasm. I found some questions which were raised in my mind too.

The author also talks on topics like LGBTQ, feminism, chauvinism, insights on public listed companies and news becoming news churning machines.

Use of real life incidents added a funny twist yet it helped in understanding an idiot’s perception. In the process, somewhere I rectified my perception too.

A must read book which will definitely prove an eye-opener for the readers.

WINGS OF FIRE

Book Name: Wings of Fire

Author Name: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam

Publisher: University Press

My Opinion:

One of my friend’s recommended to read this book and I can easily say I couldn’t have been more happier.

This book is an autobiography of late Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam. It speaks of how he rose from a humble background, overcome many difficulties. Like each person has different POV, each person can takeaway different things from it.

Indians can beat the world without need to have any foreign degrees – an advice better than any management books. Also, he talks about giving his heart and soul to a few projects which were later not required. Though he was shattered, he quickly understood the necessity of the decision.

Problems come to you not to destroy you but to realise your hidden potential.

The book also has a great deal of technical terms which Dr. Kalam sir has explained with detail and also the building of Indian’s PSLV. Reading about the great scientists, Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, Satish Dhawan, UR Rao, who laid foundations of Indian space science gave me goosebumps.

Do not miss reading this book.

I AM SO HACKED

Book Name: I Am So Hacked

Author Name: Gautam Mayekar

Publisher: Leadstart Publishing Corp

My Opinion:

Before I start writing the review, can we take a moment to appreciate the cover? It is fantastic and catchy!

This book is a very cleverly written, witty book having equal amount of suspense. The book is suitable for anyone having computer science background though the author has explained necessary computer related things.

The story is about a hacker called Avi and he narrates, how he got a job in a anti-virus firm QuickBit. He has excellent hacking skills and likes to delve deep into other person’s computers and in turn, into their lives. He meets an ex-Army man and then transpires the story.

Though the story is not only narrated from Avi’s pov, but also two other people – Sam and Killer. The switch from one character’s pov to another is not a regular one. Instead author makes it interesting by adding the username and password of that character.

In the course of story, I came up with a lot of theories nad guesses but I was wrong. Except for one thing that I guesses correctly was identities of Avi, Sam and Madri (not revealing as it a spoiler).

Especially the climax of the story. You read it and then just wonder what happened. I felt like, my mind was… hacked!

A must read book for the ones who want to read a different, engrossing and thrilling read.

THE OATH OF VAYUPUTRAS

Book Name: The Oath of Vayuputras

Author Name: Amish

Publisher: Westland Books

My Opinion:

If the book is the last one in the series, it will tie all the loose ends. This book does that yet leaves some ends to be revealed in the author’s mythological universe, in some other books.

The first fifty pages were interesting after which next 150-200 pages couldn’t keep reader’s grip intact.

Rest of the story was filled with myraid range of emotions. Though there’s one thing which I couldn’t understand – Kartik was administered Somras but still that doesn’t qualify a six-year-old kid to wage a war and kill people. Also, a philosophical talk with Bhirgu? It seemed too far-fetched.

For me, the best part was the fight between Sati and the Egyptian in the pre-climax.

Overall a good book but not as good as it’s predecessors.

THE SECRET OF NAGAS

Book Name: The Secret of Nagas

Author Name: Amish

Publisher: Westland Books

My Opinion:

It’s quite rare when the predecessor sets the bar high yet the successor supersedes it. Such is the case with this book.

Remember in the previous post I had told how I had read the second book first? Well, the worst part, I knew what were to happen to Brihaspati.

Anyways, Shiva wants to avenge his friend, Brihaspati’s death. So he decides to launch an attack on Nagas. I won’t tell you more, because anything more than that would be a spoiler.

Naga’s identity, weird customs in Branga, conspiracy in Maika and master puppeteer – these elements just prove to be perfect page turners.

There are a few loose ends which are explained in the third book.

Overall a good second installment of series.