' 31' - Book Review

Title : "31"

Author : Upendra Namburi

Genre : Corporate Thriller

Price : Not specified ( its an unrealeased copy :D )

Publisher: Westland

Synopsis : What can happen in a month ? Plenty , as Ravi Shastry, a middle level executive in 'Imperial Bank' is to find out . Here he is, riding high in the last quarter of a tough year for a large multinational, with every prospect of a coveted promotion. Ravi runs a tight ship and delivers results, his team looks up to him, his wife loves him and his hard-driving boss respects his choices and even hints that he is headed for bigger and better things.

But within a week, the bank's Brazil operations are shut down, the US subsidiary is in a mess and soon the global restructuring wave pounds the Indian ops - Ravi and his team. His wife is also under professional and personal pressure; a former girlfriend and now rival, a manipulative HR manager and others are turning hostile; even internal Audit is after him. 

About the Author: Upendra Namburi is an engineer and MBA by qualification.  In an attempt to break the monotony of classrooms and lectures during his college years, he developed a strong inclination towards writing. Over time the love affair blossomed. He now maintains several blogs and has contributed articles to Indian and International publications.

Upendra has written on a wide array of subjects like payments, marketing, loyalty and social media. He has also been invited by several management schools across India to speak and interact with students.

The book is a little slow in the beginning but it soon catches pace. The description of the MNC culture and cut throat competition along is spot on. The pressure of seniors , and wrath of juniors , the struggle to maintain a work life balance and the desire to race ahead by hook or crook. 

    I personally liked the style of writing the most . The book is split into 31 days instead of chapters and you see how the protagonists life changes over a month so drastically. How your friends can turn to foes , how all you wished for can be the cause of your downfall. People working in a corporate will relate to it completely. The role of the Blackberry and Twitter in your life , the usual office grapevine and the sorts. This book is the same old wine in a new bottle. A corporate story you have read many times but with a little twist.And especially its a welcome break from the IIT & IIM crap. It gives us a few of the less explored Sales and Marketing Departments , where literally everyday is a chase.

   The book revolves around the central  character , Ravi and how  he handles all his problems.He is framed in a scam , his family turns against him , someone he least expected is after him . The english is impeccable, grammar nazi is happy. But there are a few typos but that is only cause its a unedited copy (*proud grin*) 

  On an overall basis you can definitely pick it up . Its not exactly a sip a coffee and sit by the window kind of read, but its a I need something to read before I sleep at night kind of reads . 

Overall Rating : 2.75/5

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program at BlogAdda.com. Participate now to get free books!

(PS:  Sincere apology to the author and Blogadda for taking so much time to review this . Really there is no good excuse, just work and all that jazz O:))

The Krishna Key - Book Review

Title : "The Krishna Key"

Author : Ashwin Sanghi

Genre : Mythology, Indian Fiction, Thriller.

Price : Rs.250

Publisher: Westland Book Publications

Synopsis from the back of the book :
"Five thousand years ago, there came to earth a magical being called Krishna, who brought about innumerable miracles for the good of mankind. Humanity despaired of its fate if the Blue God were to die but reassured that he would return in a fresh avatar when needed in the eventual Dark Age - the Kaliyug. In modern times, a poor little rich boy grows up believing that he is that final avatar. Only, he is a serial killer."

     NEVER JUDGE A BOOK BY ITS REVIEW. Way before I got my hands on this book , there were various reviews floating in the blogosphere saying how amazing or not amazing the book is , and that was my strike one. You should never read reviews before you read  a book cause it just leads to an unwanted biased opinion that you don't want to have. Ashwin Sanghi's claim to fame was with his second book 'Chanakya's Chants' and so when this book was up on Blogadda I was very excited. His first book being the 'Rozabal Line' . So the expectations were high.

     The book is 400 pages of excitement , the plot is very strong and crisp. The research is immense and commendable and the characters are dark but what disappoints is the writing , its a little weak if I may say. The words are highly technical and add to the mystic effect, but the narration in general is a little poor.

The complicated religious jargon and verses from the various religious scriptures make it seem like a lesson in religion more than a mythological thriller. The book goes on and on about the search for Krishna's greatest weapon till the last page of the book and the destination and object of the quest changes with every page , confusing and also annoying the reader a little bit .Is it a nuclear bomb , is it an isotope , oh wait its a philosopher's stone.Like what ? That's the best you could come up with it ? Voldemort would be a better weapon. I have always been a fan of Indian mythology even if I only used it as interesting bedtime stories of fascinating fiction,so I quite liked the parts where the story goes back in time and Krishna narrates the story of his life. It brought back the beautiful pictures and books I had read as a child. But besides that the book drags a little. The characters are bearable , just bearable and you don't have an instant liking to any of them. This is probably not my regular genre , you know thrillers so maybe that's why I didn't like the book as much so I repeat 'Don't judge a book by its review' 
      Ravi Mohan Saini is a professor of history of mythology at Stephen's college is framed for the murder of Anil Varshey , his bestfriend and the owner of 4 ancient seals from the period of Krishna . The seals are a key to a puzzle which Ravi Saini has to solve so as to prove his innocence. Taarak Vakil who believes he is the 10th incarnation of Vishnu is on a killing spree under the vigil guidance of 'Mataji' and the prime suspect for all the murders is Ravi Mohan Saini. Many times when the author links two unbelievable things you will see yourself go "Kya kuch bhi" but it is to be read as a fictional account on most things and that is exactly what it is.
    Indian mythology and its ambiguity is beautifully captured along with references and cross references of different cultures/religions/regions , implying how we are all the same . Its a subtle message which will be missed if you aren't looking for it . The plot is indeed  brilliant if only it had been handled a little better.I have read Chanakya's Chant's and loved it ,so my expectations were high. This is a kind of book you will read and forget., worth a read nonetheless. If only for the Krishna story. The ending is a little abrupt/unexpected and not keeping up with the rest of the book. So its slightly disappointing .
   All in all , all I can say is , I didn't loathe the book nor did I love it , its somewhere in the list of books I have read and also, I have ordered my copy of Ashwin Sanghi's "Rozabal Line" online cause seriously if the book is better that this one , its worth a read plus the plot is very interesting

Overall rating : 3.25/5

This review is a part of the Book Reviews Program by Blog Adda. 

Participate now to get free books! 

Twitterati

Mainly because I am having a sort of writer's block and also because I'm more or less a twitter addict for the past few months , I thought I'll just share what I find oh so cool about twitter , just one word the TWEEPS.

Seriously twitter has the most hilarious people. If you are following the right people it is bound to make your day because :
a) You realize that everyone is going through the same shit hole that you are and yes everyone rants.
b) Because some of the tweets are funny and I personally favorite them and then when I have nothing to do , I go through them and smile.
c) The follower count increasing by the day gives you a ego boost . You get to rant too and 200 odd people read it .

So here is a collection of 140 characters that will make you tickle, smile and ponder.

@amysteryunfolds - Never Explain love.

@thisthat_etc - I think married people feel and look like Mondays

@AbhiAndNow - If you know where to look, the object will itself get up , start walking , and settle down at the place where you can find it . True Story

@Coffeegrams - I have spent a lot of time in January charging my smartphone I shall do the same in February.

@DesireMaze - Never drink and derive

@DeeSeelicious - If you are the guy who designed the @VodafoneIn website , you should just hang yourself . Retiring from web designing might not please me.

@Coffeegrams - Twitter is the noise that you can't see.

@tyrantasorus - We fell in love the way you people fall asleep . Slowly ...and then all at once.

@Coffeegrams - People who change their handle and DP regularly are the same people who change their numbers regularly and ask other to guess who they are.

@_shezz - The worst is when you judge yourself . Nah. Don't do it.

@NanguPanguu - I swear if Twitter changes their layout one more time , I'm going to post a rant-tweet about it and then use their site as much as always.

@NanguPanguu - If a bra is called an 'over the shoulder boulder holder' , then what would you call men underwear ? Under the butt nut hut.?

@Cachekeys - I don't click links. I don't believe in detail therapy.

@thedessertwhore - Never lose out on something in life because you didn't  "Ask" . Food definitely comes first on this list.

@PWNeha - If it weren't for twitter , I wouldn't be able to tell 7705 people what I'm having for lunch.   *wipes a tear*

@LoKarlofollow - A day in your life is a waste if you did not learn how to hate someone you should not love and how to love someone whom you should not hate.

@Mojojojo - Coke Studio. Also what Fardeen Khan calls his house.

@UlostMeat_ - My life is utter waste. Haven't even auditioned for Roadies yet.

@NanguPanguu - Hi I am Mala . Mere papa ke pass bohot maal hai aur main khud ek maal hoon. Mally me 'eh ? Marry me ?

@NanguPanguu- "Maa Ki Dua" written only on trucks, buses and auto-rickshaws, because BMWs, Audis and Mercs are usually of "Baap Ka Paisa!"

@zenmaster - The answer to eternal Qs like 'Do I look fat?' 'Am I boring?' is a resounding 'YES!' pronounced in a very un-orgasmic way.
 
@Paanipuri_Lover - Malinga , what did I say about Hair Spa?

@_shezzz - You get the chicken by hatching the egg, not smashing it.

@tjinscot - One day you'll ask me what I love more you or sarcasm. And I'll say "You, of course", and you'll stay, because you don't understand sarcasm.

@LokarloFollow - Considering the number of fucks I have given in my life. I am a hooker who never got paid.

@raggedtag - Are you home ? Not the building . The state of mind.

@paulocoelho - Make happy those who are near, and those who are far will come.

@taklooman - If your nationality is not listed on youporn as a category then your existence, revolution etc have no importance. No one cares about you.

@Rene - Place your hand over your heart. Feel that? That is called purpose... You're alive for a reason. Don't forget that. ;)

@BedardiRaja - Kripaya So Jayiye... aap So Jayiye... So Jayiye please.... #TweetLikeMeiraKumar

@SatanicPope - Who told you to work , earn money , have kids and all? It's a trap. It's the reason why most humans live in cages and animals freely.

@Scbchbum - If you want something done, ask a lazy person so you'll end up doing it yourself like you planned all along. Control freak.

@Tyrantasorus - I laugh. I cry. I hope. I try. I fear. I love. And I know you do the same things too. So we're really not that different,me and you.

@WordAddict_ - What you fight with maximum vigour, consumes you with the slightest trigger.

@Scotchaholic - She has gone to her parents' home. He's drinking, all alone. Not feeling drunk, he smiles. Now he knows where the intoxication lies.

@Dumbinator - Jesus turned water into wine. Huh? I turned my whole month's salary into wine.

@AbhiandNow - Hey, I just followed you, and this is crazy, but here's a thanks in advance, so #FF me, maybe? #TwitterSongs

@Kyle_lippert - All you need is love. And money. And compatibility. And attraction. And excitement. And patience. And loyalty. But, yeah, love.

@TheMantallBwoy - Love is when you are sleepy and you don't tell her that you are sleepy just to talk to her AND she says that she is sleepy and sleeps.

@AnOddYellow - I shall not expect any promises, please tell me no lies. Stay with me as long as you can and that will be our forever.

@KronoVB - Whenever KRK tweets somewhere a Grammar Nazi dies.

@LiteraryLapses - Longed for him. Got him. The love died and so did its longing.

@Scotchaholic - When everything becomes a joke, that day, we cease to laugh.

@havahawai - Its time I think we should let another country elect our PM.

@tyrantasorus - We're never too young nor too old to love. Most of the time , we're just too afraid.

@AndRyanTF - If I was dating Eva Mendes, anytime she acted bitchy I'd say "What-Eva!" it would be hilarious. Almost as funny as me dating Eva Mendes...

@vivekisms - I lent books to a friend today. Guess I am growing up.

@MohsinSayeed - A black cat crossed my path. Worried. The last black cat got run over, the one before went blind.Black cats don't know I'm manglik for them.

@SupraMario - My mother chose today, of all days, to tell me: "When you were born, I was hoping you'd be a girl. But then, even boy was okay."

@meetasengupta - P&G has the cheek to put out a Mary Kom ad with the tagline: sponsoring Moms. Sorry dear, moms sponsor the firm by buying stuff!

@NanguPanguu - In ancient times,Kings use to say "Taqhlia", to keep the tradition alive,I call my colleague "Taklia".

@vivekisms - Independent bodies. Independent country even. Caged minds.

@Morganfreeman - I hate the word homophobia. It's not a phobia. You are not scared. You are an asshole.

@thetanmay - Dhoni is launching his own perfume ? Lovely. I've always wanted to spend 2K to smell like Jharkhand.

@scissortongue - There’s some song with prabhu deva and sonakshi sinha in it. My tv just exploded due to the collective ugliness.

@WordAddict_ - If you thought I'll tweet 'hungry and still at work', you're wrong. Here you go- sick, hungry and still at work. See, how I surprise. B-)

@Mojorojo - Constipated. Feel like the government may be involved.

@Fashionopolis - The Bald and the Botoxed : A south Bombay love story.

@TheBigDowg - Some of you need a lesson on how to use #TWSS and #TWHSeffectively. Also, most of you need a year long session on sarcasm.

@NehaT_ - A human being is only a tshirt away from being human.

@Salmanmightysam - And on the seventh day God said: " Let there be alcohol, because fuck this shit"

@vivekisms -  Regret will inform you. Melancholy will forewarn. Loss will try & reason with you. You will not pay attention. You will fall in love again. 

@WaterBaker -  I don't know where my son is at the moment, but I know exactly where and how stranded Bombay tweeters are. And I don't even have a son.

@Hardism - Dogs dig with such enthusiasm like there's guaranteed sex beneath the sand.

@WaterBaker - I have a tendency to feel left out of groups that I don't want to be a part of anyway. 

@TheBigDowg - If you love someone, never set them free. Tie them up if the need be . Ignore the age old philosophy. This is 2012, Steal your love.

Happy Thursday :D