Arjuna: Saga of a Pandava Warrior-Prince

Writer: Anuja Chandramouli
Genre: History


Absolutely nothing new in the book. Its the same story of the Pandavas and their struggle. I expected a different perspective or a new point of view but I got the same stories.

So my take is to skip it!  

Blood Red Sari

Writer: Ashok Banker
Genre: Fiction

 I thought I was not going to like it looking at the synopsis but it eventually surpassed my expectations and I must say it is very well written. The protagonists, who happen to be females, are extremely well carved and practical characters. They are so unlike the general central characters that usually form the center stage in fiction books.

The book is supposed to be the first part in the trilogy named 'Kali Rising' but it’s too small a book to be called the first part of a trilogy. Or so I think!  I disliked the way the book climaxed for the first part has no substantial plot except for the introduction of the characters. And now to satiate my curiosity I have to buy the sequels. Sigh!!

Lean In: Women, Work, and the Will to Lead

Writer: Sheryl Sandberg

Genre: Management/Non Fiction

 The data points and statistics used to explain the thought process of a woman is really the USP of this book. It’s worth a read and especially if at times you are flustered about the choices you thought you had made :)

The Bankster

Writer: Ravi Subramaniam
Genre: Fiction


Another one of Ravi Subramaniam's banker thrillers; its fast paced but not really intriguing. It offers nothing new and one can skip it without really missing much.

Aunts aren't Gentleman

Writer: P G Wodehouse

Genre: Fiction, Humour

Bertie decides to take a small vacation to the country side as per the advice of his doctor. He decides to go to Maiden Eggesford in Somerset. Maiden Eggesford is in the middle of a horse race and the 2 favourite horses are Simla and Potato Chip. Simla belongs to Jimmy Briscoe, a good friend of Bertie's Aunt Dahlia. Potato Chip belongs to Pop Cook who takes an instant dislike to Bertie when he meets him. After his aunt places some heavy bets on Simla and decides to use her own strategic thinking to make Simla win, Bertie becomes and unwanted accomplice in a theft planned by her. How Bertie wriggles his way out of the situation is what the book is all about.

Being a typical Wodehouse it never leaves you with a dull moment. It has to make you smile.

Devil in Pinstripes

Writer: Ravi Subramaniam

Genre: Fiction

Amit is satisfied with his decision on following his mentor Aditya Bhatnagar and joining the New York International Bank. Satisfied even after 13 years! Life is all set and inspite of a few hiccups things are smooth sailing for him. Amit's wife Chanda gives up her personal ambitions and settles for banking career but not without blaming Amit.

Everything is hunky dory till the police come knocking and arrest Amit. Will his mentor bail him out? Will his relationship with Chanda remain?

Typical Ravi Subramaniam book and clichéd but I loved the ending....somehow I did not expect it. So amongst all his books that I have read, this one takes the cake. A good one time read with a great climax :)

The Incredible Banker

Writer: Ravi Subramaniam
Genre: Fiction

Deepak Sarup is called in into Great Boston Global Bank's Audit department for quick fixing some audit issues. Being a star performer, he takes up the challenge and successfully completes it but not before ruffling too many feathers due to his autocratic and rude behavior. The person most affected is Deepak who ends up quitting the bank.

When Deepak moves into another team and manages to rope in his love interest into the team, things seem to be just perfect for him.  However all hell breaks loose when the CBI come knocking. Deepak has no answers and is dazzled at the accusation of being an enemy of the nation. The bank will not support him nor can his family. It’s only his arch rival, Karan who is now a media reporter who can save him. But will he?

It’s a clichéd storyline but very fast paced. One of my “quick and never again” reads!

The Partner

Writer: John Grisham
Genre: Fiction

My favorite John Grisham book! I remember being bowled over when I read it many years ago. I got a chance to read it again and it managed to thrill me even more this time.

Patrick Lanigan, a junior partner in a law firm is presumed dead but only till millions disappear from the firm. Obviously the owner of the money leaves no stone unturned to trace Patrick and succeeds only after four years. He is tortured by his finders but a call to FBI about his whereabouts saves his life. Patrick is bought back to be tried for fraud and murder. At the same time his wife asks for divorce citing desertion. Patrick, thus, has enough lawsuits to attend to on his return and the way he manages to get out of this legal tangle is beautifully weaved by the writer.
And not to forget the climax! As a teenager, I had not liked it because I thought it wasn't endearing. With time I think it’s probably the masterstroke of the book.

This is one fiction book you should not miss. Very highly recommended!

Around India in 80 Trains

Writer: Monisha Rajesh
Genre: Travel


British journalist, Monisha Rajesh's account of her travels across India in as many as 80 trains (She got the idea from Jules Verne's classic)! The book is a good read as it is loaded with humor and stays true to the writer's original intention which is to talk about her adventure as is.

A small book especially endearing during train travels ;)

The Oath of the Vayuputras

Writer: Amish Tripathi

Genre: Fiction

The third and the final part of the Siva trilogy(Immortalsof Meluha being the first and  The secretof the Nagas being the second) is like ordering an exquisite local cuisine and getting a sandwich in return. Not sure if the metaphor makes any sense but yeah compared to my expectations, the book was a total let down.

As Siva reaches Panchavati-the land of Nagas, he finally gets the answer to the question that haunts him - what is evil? Nevertheless he decides to get a second opinion to his answer and the Vasudevs help him in this quest. When he ventures to destroy evil he has to battle the very same people who made him God. And his adversary is not just another human but a person of extraordinary capabilities. Will he succeed?

Three quarters of the book is about war and when I reached the climax it is such a dud that I felt terribly cheated. I was expecting more! Much much more! Finish the book if you do not leave books/stories mid-way else I would probably ask you to skip it.

p.s. Amish Tripathi is probably the only Indian author who has had a heavy pre-order booking for the final part of his trilogy.