Before you breathe

Overview – Before the breathe is a crime thriller book written by Tanushree Podder and published by Harper Collins. A small town called “Ramsar” which believed to be “free from crime” baffled after two consecutive break-ins, first in a doctor’s clinic and second one is at Shekhar Sharma’s residence but surprisingly nothing is stolen. Shekhar Sharma is a affluent inhabitant of Ramsar.

A retired Colonel Arjun H. Acharya along with a local inspector Timothy Thapa started the investigation of unusual crime but next day another tragedy was waiting for them, Shekhar Sharma died in a suspicious circumstances. Now they have to find out whether it is an accident or murder. As investigation proceeds Colonel discover new facts about Sharma family which involve Sharma’s wife Supriya, niece Naina and niece’s husband Alok Rajpal.

Review – The book is a part of a Colonel Acharya mystery books. It was a gripping read. I love the writing style, it is a bit descriptive. The Colonel Acharya seems like desi poirot. He himself confess in the book that “H” in his name stands for Hercule and is a big fan of Agatha Christie’s book (like me).

I like Naina’s character development, she is depicted as shy and introvert at first but gradually she became more confident. The background stories of three main characters are well written and not at a single point you feel confused. The Characters like Geeta, Laila, JJ, judge are not used that much in the plot line but discussion among them shows the possible things that can happen and guide the Colonel in investigation.

If I have to opt a favorite character, I will go for Timothy Thapa. He sounds reasonable and take a stand against his nagging and stupid boss whenever needed. The book keeps me guessing all the time but end is bit predictable.

About Author – Before you breathe is written by Tanushree Podder. This is her seventh novel. She was born in Delhi and worked for corporate sector few years. Then she quit the job and follow her passion of writing. When she is not writing, she loves to travel around the world.

The review is done as a part of blog chatter review program. More details are available here

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World of Motivational Books and Me

The market is full of motivational books and motivational speakers. I know few people, who buy only motivational books but I am not sure they are reading it or not (following the things mentioned in the books is different question). My question is “Are these books are really helpful”? Sometimes, may be for some people it can be life changing and for some people it may be not that effective. I heard few people saying that “The Secret” was a big help for them.

I was a big fan of motivational books in childhood but when I grew up I kind of lost faith in it, not any particular reason but I found some more interesting books like fictional novels. Sometimes some character inspire me from these novels books too.

Recently after a long time I have read a motivational book thanks to my husband (he bought it for himself and I can’t resist reading any book lying in front of me). Only things I can say my experience was good because it motivate me to develop some good habits.

This post is written for inspire topic proposed by me Edition 274

The Monk Who Sold Ferrari

I am reading this book second time but I have to confess that first time I left it in the middle. I was a teenager back then and this book was full of “gyaan”. This time situation is different and I am able to understand the essence of the book. May be sometimes we need something to motivate us.

The benefit of motivational books is you always feel good after reading it and try to implement some good habits in our life. The things mentioned in the book are not unknown but it often disappears in our busy life schedule.

The story is not very interesting but in between motivational paragraphs are good. The story is about a lawyer who quits the practice after getting depressed from the monotonous life and get serenity among the Sages of Sivana from Himalayas.

Few lines from the book :

• Ancient Rule of Twenty-one: if you do anything for twenty-one days in a row, it will be installed as a habit
• Every second you spend thinking about someone else’s dreams, you take time away from your own.
• Enlightened people are priority driven.
• What a life! All that money and all I could eat was bread and water.

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

If you are an Indian, this book will make you think “What going on my servant’s mind. Is he/she plotting something?”. But then you realize we are middle class people, what will they get from us? We are also someone’s servant (may be sophisticated one but yes we are servants).

I like the book, it portrays bitter truth of India, mainly focuses on master/servant relationship. It is a story of a servant working for rich family in New Delhi. His dream of becoming rich and getting rid of servant’s life (which he called rooster coop in the book) bring twist in his life.

It is like emotional ride, first you sympathize with the narrator then you hate him and at the end it seems like may be he is right. Writer used metaphor creatively and language is simple. The book is good, writer got few awards too but if you don’t like India to be criticized, this book is not for you.

Few lines from the book go straight to your mind like :

• “Do we loathe our masters behind a facade of love – or do we love them behind a facade of loathing”.
• Just because drivers and cooks in Delhi are reading Murder Weekly, it doesn’t mean that they are all about to slit their masters’ necks. Of course they’d like to. Of course, a billion servants are secretly fantasizing about
  strangling their bosses.
• “But I complain about the police the way the rich complain; not the way the poor complain. The difference is everything.”
• “Go to Old Delhi,and look at the way they keep chickens there in the market. Hundred of pale hens and brightly colored roosters, stuffed tightly into wire-mesh cages. They see the organs of their brothers lying around them.They know they are next, yet they cannot rebel. They do not try to get out of the coop. The very same thing is done with humans in this country.”

Mrs Funnybones: She’s just like You and a lot like Me

Yes, She is like me. The book is the collection of her daily journal entries. Mostly her funny moments with the family including her mother, son (called her Prodigal son in book), daughter (baby), husband (Man of the house) and servant (desi Jeeves).

Unfortunately, I have read “Legend of Laxmi Prasad” before this book, which is not as good as this one. She writes non fiction better than fiction, it’s understandable as it is hard to write about the things which is not relevant to you.

There are few incidences mentioned in the book that I can relate with, like I also found Karva Chauth most overrated festival and a bit filmy, I also don’t believe in magical black thread, magical godmen, don’t think much about dresses while going out etc etc.

She is good with sarcasm. It is a fun book and good for light reading.

Loved these lines :

1. There are 146 countries above us where the men have longer lifespans, and the biggest blow is that even with four wives who don’t fast for them, the Arab men outlive our good old Indian dudes.
2. A wise woman keeps her hands firmly in her pockets and does not accidentally unzip anything, including her mouth.
3. I misfit here, like most women that enter families which are so different from theirs.
4. Our little satellite reached Mars because it was called MOM. If it was called DAD, it would still be circling the Earth, lost, but not willing to ask for directions.
5. Life is full of contradictions. We crave security and independence in equal measures.

Godaan

Munsi Premchand was a great writer indeed. Every character was so well written, while reading the book you feel like living in a village.

It’s not a kind of book I usually read but it feels wonderful to read the old classics belongs to your own country. Few chapters are dedicated to women not women empowerment but what writers thinks about women. He expresses his feelings through Mr. Mehta’s character. I like this character the most. He is a philosopher and the women coming to his contact realizes their true self.

I loved the book, it is bit depressing but in the end everything was coming on the track (except the debt part).I would recommend this book to those who love the real hindi literature.

Who Will Cry When You Die?

Everyone is familiar with Robin Sharma’s work. He does not need any introduction. I am not a big fan of motivational books but this book is quite different. You feel connected with the book.

Best part of the book is small chapters. Each chapter is not more than 2-3 pages. You can read 2 chapters a day and keep the book aside. Mr Sharma tried to cover every aspect of life in the book, professional, personal, health, spiritual, etc. There is no new information but sometimes we need reminders.

My few favorite excerpts from the book :

• Why brain surgeon is paid so much more than a MacDonald’s employee because he has accumulated far more specialized knowledge and specific know how than the McDonald’s employee.
• I’ ve had a lot of trouble in my life, some of which actually happened.
• Joining the “Five o’Clock Club” will allow you to start controlling your day rather than letting your day control you.