'The Bookshelf' : 2015

Saturday 19 December 2015

Why Should Anyone be Led by You?

     Author                      Rob Goffee & Gareth Jones

     Country                    United States

     Genre                        Management

     Publication Date      2006

     Pages                        217



If you are looking for a management book that's real and authentic, then this could easily be your pick! The fact that this is far removed from any standard leadership theories makes it easily relatable; thereby striking an instant chord. And the title of the book: 'Why should anyone be led by you?' triggers enough curiosity to make one pick up the book.

The authors have done a commendable job in very simply defining true leadership. And this statement of mine is really an oxymoron since the very essence of the book is that there is really no definition of leadership and one has to do what works best for him. 'Being yourself' is a powerful theme in the book. Managing inherent tensions like 'being authentic while conforming enough'; 'establishing intimacy while maintaining a distance' is another core theme espoused by the book.

While there are a number of key messages, personally for me what has been a huge insight is the fact that while it's important to retain one's authenticity, one really does need to conform enough, especially in the beginning to establish oneself in an organisation.

Another interesting insight for me was the entire concept of work life balance and how according to the authors, it's not just about spending more time at home but rather about transforming workplaces into arenas that allow for the display of authenticity. That, to me, is a really fresh way of looking at the concept of work life balance.

Like I have shared before, I am definitely not a fan of management books but reading this one has definitely been a fresh and enriching experience!

If you are thinking of purchasing a copy of this book, try out my favorite site: www.lafalafa.com; an online shopping portal which brings together some awesome deals from all large e commerce sites (Flipkart, eBay, Snapdeal and the likes) while also offering additional cash back; which you only get if you go through Lafalafa and shop at any of your e commerce sites!

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Tuesday 17 November 2015

The Cairo Trilogy

     Author                      Naguib Mahfouz

     Country                    Egypt

     Genre                        Historical Fiction

     Publication Date      1957

     Pages                        1325

'One of the best books I have read in recent times': that's how I would like to describe this book. With some 1300 plus pages, its crazily long but honestly, that's one of the best parts of the book! I have never been a huge fan of short stories and now I know why. Novels or books that are as long as this grow on you and absorb you as an insider. And that is what, it my view, makes the reading experience truly intense and powerful!

The Cairo Trilogy traces the life of a traditional family in Egypt across three generations. Al-Sayyid Ahmad Abd al-Jawad is the tyrannical patriarch who rules his household with a strict hand while leading a secret life of self indulgence. The story of this family and it's upheavals is beautifully interspersed with that of Egypt and its turbulent times.

Through this Nobel prize winning trilogy, Naguib Mahfouz brings to life the themes of family values, traditions and religion, to name a few. Another key theme that is subtly conveyed through the book is the superiority of man over woman. And it's refreshing to see how this is not presented with any judgement, but is rather factually conveyed as a mere reflection of the times. Some quotes that really bring this to life for me are:

'You're just a woman, and no woman has a fully developed mind'

'Zaynab was asking for a divorce. Which of them was the man and which the woman? There was nothing strange about a man casting away a pair of shoes, but shoes were not supposed to throw away their owner'

How women don't even consider most of these circumstances as derogatory since they have not known anything better is another interesting insight for me.

Another powerful and beautifully portrayed theme in the book is the passage of time and how that influences and moulds us along the way. As time passes and Al-Sayyid Ahmad matures from a young man with a secret life of indulgence into an old man, he becomes very different. His wife, Amina who loses her beloved son at a very young age also learns to accept fate and to allow time to take its due course. And this passage of time and its reflection on us as individuals is portrayed through each character and their independent journeys.

In short, The Cairo Trilogy is filled with drama, humour, reality, traditions, history and most essentially a flavour of having been crafted by an excellent artist. And it's no wonder that this won the Nobel Prize.

Personally, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fiction and has the courage to take on a 'massive' book!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Thursday 15 October 2015

An Artist of the Floating World

     Author                          Kazuo Ishiguro

     Country                        United Kingdom

     Genre                            Historical Fiction

     Publication Date          1986

     Pages                             206

I have read a few books by Kazuo Ishiguro but the most memorable amongst those have been 'Nocturnes' and 'Never let me go'. On account of my extremely positive experience with these books; this Booker prize winning author has been a little special to me: his unique style with a little stroke of Japanese is something that has always stayed with me; way beyond the written word!

And it is with exactly these expectations that I picked up another one of his books: 'An Artist of the Floating World'. But as they say, high expectations lead to disappointments and that's exactly what happened here. There is no denying that this is a good book of its own accord but it surely falls short of the Kazuo Ishiguro league! I recognise that this may not be fair to the author or to the book, but such is life and the trap of expectations that it lays for us.

Set in post war Japan (1948), 'An Artist of the Floating World' traces the life of the celebrated painter, Masuji Ono and his coming to terms with the reality of the new Japan. What should have been a tranquil retirement with tasks such as attending to the garden, house repairs, his daughters and grandson, drinking with old friends; turns into an unsettling phase with constant reflection on the past and the beautiful times gone by.

Through the course of the book we see how Masuji can't help but reminiscence about the past and this constant going back is indeed one of the central themes of the book. Our inability to snap completely free from our past is what binds us down and keeps us from moving ahead. And that's perfectly portrayed through the character of Masuji. I can't help but reflect that life would have been so much simpler if we had the ability to just snap free but guess; its this inability that makes us human vs machines.

One of my favourite quotes from the book on the above theme is:
'That little world has passed away and will not be returning. The old district was dear to her heart - much of her life and energy had been invested in it - and one can surely understand her reluctance to accept it has gone forever.'

Another significant focus of the book and my personal take away is how the world of art plays a pivotal role in formulating public opinion; esp. in an evolving society. Masuji's reflection on his pieces of work and those done by his peers, students and others and how they influenced a maturing Japan bear testimony to the above.

In summary, while the book is not a perfect Kazuo Ishiguro book, it does have some interesting and insightful themes and what I have particularly liked is the fact that it ends on a rather optimistic note:
'To see how our city has been rebuilt, how things have recovered so rapidly over these years, fills me with genuine gladness.'

In summary, while this is not as good as I had expected it to be, I would encourage you to read it to find out for yourself!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Tuesday 22 September 2015

The Prophet

Author Kahil Gibran

Country Lebanon

Genre Poetry

Publication Date 1923

Pages 80

This book is an amazing collection of simple and intuitive life concepts. There is no better way to review this than by providing a flavour of some of its best quotes!

Marriage

Sing and dance and be joyous together, but let each one of you be alone.

Children

You may house their bodies but not their souls, for their souls dwell in the house of tomorrow, which you cannot visit, not even in your dreams.

Clothes

Forget not that the earth delights to feel your bare feet and the winds long to play with your hair.

Buying and Selling

It is in exchanging the gifts of the earth that you shall find abundance and be satisfied. Yet unless the exchange be in love and kindly justice it will but lead some to greed and others to hunger.

Crime and Punishment

I say that even as the holy and the righteous cannot rise beyond the highest which is in each of you, so the wicked and the weak cannot fall lower than the lowest which is in you also.

Freedom

You shall be free indeed when your days are not without a care nor your nights without a want and a grief, But rather when these things girdle your life and yet you rise above them naked and unbound. You can only be free when you cease to speak of freedom as a goal and a fulfillment.

Teaching

No man can reveal to you aught but that which already lies half asleep on the dawning of your knowledge.

Friendship

Let there be no purpose in friendship save the deepening of the spirit.

Talking

You talk when you cease to be at peace with your thoughts. In much of your talking, thinking is half murdered.

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Sunday 16 August 2015

Go Set a Watchman

     Author                       Harper Lee

     Country                     United States

     Genre                         Fiction

     Publication Date       July 2015

     Pages                          278

I am not one to pass strong judgements but guess a book review blog wouldn't be worth much if one didn't do that. And hence, my two cents worth on this book is that it's highly avoidable and definitely not worth your time and money. Just as some things are best left unsaid; I would venture that some books are best left unwritten. Once written, they unfortunately do significant disservice (especially to their highly acclaimed prequel) and that's exactly what has happened here.

Harper Lee's much hyped and awaited book 'Go Set a Watchman' builds on the same themes as the original and strives to weave together a compelling story. The characters are the same; having matured with time and age. While the issues raised in the book are as powerful as the original 'To Kill a Mocking Bird', the way it's been brought together leaves much to be desired.

Jean Louis is portrayed as a strong willed and independent young woman who has her own points of view and is not afraid to confront her once revered dad "Atticus" on what she believes is unfair and unjust. Her coming to terms with the reality of her dad not being a super human but being humanly flawed just like the others is one of the central themes of the book. The evolution of her relation with Atticus and how she finally accepts him for who he is and forgives him for weaving a perfect world for her child eyes is well depicted through the story.

Some of my favourite quotes from the book that bring these themes to life are:

"Had she insight, could she have pierced the barriers of her highly selective, insular world, she may have discovered that all her life she had been with a visual defect which had gone unnoticed and neglected by herself and by those closest to her; she was born colour blind"

"You confused your father with God. You never saw him as a man with a man's heart., and a man's failings - I'll grant you it may have been hard to see, he makes so few mistakes, but he makes them like all of us. You were an emotional cripple, leaning on him, getting the answers from him, assuming that your answers would always be his answers."

Despite the above seeming powerful inserts, on the whole, the book was really hard to get through and had it not been for my persistence to finish any book I start, I wouldn't have been able to accomplish this!

In a snapshot, I would describe this book as one with a powerful theme but repetitive story line and much talked of issues. And definitely not worth being mentioned in the same breath as 'To Kill a Mocking Bird'.

If you are thinking of purchasing a copy of this book (while I am not sure you are; after this review!), try out my favourite site: www.lafalafa.com; an online shopping portal which brings together some awesome deals from all large e commerce sites (Flipkart, eBay, Snapdeal and the likes) while also offering additional cash back; which you only get if you go through Lafalafa and shop at any of your e commerce sites!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Thursday 23 July 2015

The Forty Rules of Love

     Author                       Elif Shafak

     Country                     Turkey

     Genre                         Spiritual (Sufism)

     Publication Date       February 2010

     Pages                         350

For the first time in a long time, I am finding it hard to pen down my thoughts on a book - and that's probably because this book has meant so much to me! It is indeed one of the most spiritually and conceptually rich books I have read in a long time and hence, the dilemma.

Elif Shafak's 'Forty rules of love' portrays Ella, a housewife who, despite having a seemingly perfect life finds something terribly missing. As part of her new assignment as a reader to a literary agent; she reads a novel by the mysterious Scottish author, Aziz Z Zahara, only to be plunged back into the thirteenth century Anatolia, where the fabled poet Rumi is transformed by the dervish Shams of Tabriz' forty rules of life and love. In her parallel life story, Ella is intrigued by the author Aziz and starts interacting with him via email and phone, only to fall in love with him.

Through the book, Elif has done a tremendous job in conveying the exquisite forty rules of love while also bringing these to life through Ella. The power of love, faith, spirituality and finding soul mates are some of the central themes of the book. Ella's practical and planned outlook to life is contrasted with Aziz's emotional, living in the present and full of love world view; as also depicted by the Rumi and Shams.

Some of my favourite quotes from the book are as below:

'Your destiny is the level where you will play your tune. You might not change your instrument but how well to play is in your hands.'

'People who cannot open up to love and follow its path the way a sunflower follows the sun are not really alive.'

'I believe we each make a covenant with God. I know that I did. When I became a Sufi, I promised God to do my part to the best of my ability and leave the rest to Him and Him only. I accepted the fact that there are things beyond my limits.'

'The totality of religion is far greater and deeper than the sum of its component parts. Instead of searching for the essence of Quran and embracing it as a whole, the bigots single out a specific verse of two.'

'If God had wanted everyone to be the same, he would have made it so.'

This book has meant a lot to me and I would highly recommend it to each and everyone of you! Have fun and be spiritual!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Monday 6 July 2015

Good Wives

     Author                    Louisa May Alcott

     Country                  United States

     Genre                      Classical Fiction

     Publication Date    1869

     Pages                       248

There are some books that possess an old library book smell - an amazing, yummy one that reminds one of days gone by. And 'Good Wives' was one such book. A sequel to my most favourite childhood book: ('Little Women'); 'Good Wives' helped me relive those lovely carefree days. And the story itself built around four sisters who each go through their own experiences but come together as a family to bear any extraneous events is an awesome reminder of everything that's good in the world!

True to its inherent nature of being an old world classic, this book is written in an exquisite language that's endearing. The story goes on at a favourable and comforting pace with positivity, hope and freshness as the central themes. One of my favourite quotes from the book that brings the general goodness to life is:

'I want to be above the little meannesses and follies and faults that spoil so many women. I'm far from it now, but I do my best, and hope in time to be what Mother is.'

The trials and tribulations of daily life are brought to light in the book through the lives of the four sisters. While Meg matures in her marriage and strives to be an exemplary wife and mother, Amy travels abroad to explore her independence and gain new life experiences. Jo tries her hand at writing while more significantly devoting herself to the care of her dying sister, Beth. The love and tenderness with which she caters to Beth in her last days is a lesson for all.

In short, 'Good Wives' is a 'feel good' read that absolutely matches up to the high standards set by the prequel! So, if you are looking for something that's fun, meaningful and plain nice, you won't be let down!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Tuesday 9 June 2015

Still Alice

Author Lisa Genova

Country America

Genre Fiction

Publication Date July 2007

Pages 292

Still Alice is a beautifully written story of a fifty year old Harvard professor whose life turns topsy turvy as she is detected with early onset Alziemers disease. The erstwhile busy, formidably intelligent and confident Alice, married to a Harvard scientist, with three grown up children finds it hard to come to terms with the new forgetful, dependent and struggling Alice. Through the course of the book, Lisa intimately and empathetically pursues Alice's journey from her regrets and frustrations to finally accepting and embracing her current reality.

Alice's struggle with the erosion of her long cherished identity is in a way the central theme of the book. It's unbelievably real and relatable and that's precisely what makes it intimidating to the reader. During the course of our lives, we start attaching varying elements to identify ourselves - like a high profile career, being a professor, being a sky diver etc; and the thought that one day, at the drop of a hat, this could be taken away from us is indeed scary. It's like not being able to identify oneself all of a sudden!

Lisa's skill at conveying a delicate and mature story with passion and empathy is unparalleled. Also, the subtlety with which a lot of connotations are delivered add a unique zing to the book. The fact that the narrator starts addressing John (Alice's husband) as 'the man who owned the house'; Lydia (the youngest daughter) as 'the actress' are interesting twists and a true reflection of how with the progress of Alziemers disease; Alice's recollection of everything (including her immediate family) starts diminishing. The purposeful repetition of a few scenarios in the narrative (from Alice's perspective) is another telling reflection of her progressing disease.

All in all, a book that makes you cry, in my view, leaves a special place in your heart. And that is exactly what 'Still Alice' has done to me. It made me cry, it made me reflect and it has indeed left an indelible impression on my heart!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Saturday 25 April 2015

Atonement

Author Ian McEwan

Country United Kingdom

Genre Fiction

Publication date 2001

Pages 371

I vaguely recollect watching the movie but nothing comes close to reading a book cover to cover. And when it's a book that has to its claim an impressive quality of language and an interesting and fairly unique plot; its a treat like none other. Shortlisted for the Booker Prize in 2001, 'Atonement' is a great piece of art by Ian McEwan.

Set in 1935, 'Atonement' tells the story of Cecilia, a young, Cambridge educated girl who falls in love with childhood friend, Robbie but her new and strangely vague relationship takes an unexpected turn when Briony, her younger sister accuses Robbie of a crime he has not committed. As a consequence of this, Cecilia and Robbie's lives change forever while Briony, realising her mistake spends the rest of her life trying to atone.

Briony, all of thirteen years old at the start of the book is portrayed as a strong and mature character who spends her time writing and thinking. Ian spends a fair amount of time delving upon Briony's sudden foray into adulthood by virtue of observing some interactions between adults. This delicate stepping up as a result of circumstances is an interesting central theme in the book. Not unrelated to this is the overpowering sense of guilt that Briony harbours as a result of her decisions and how this guilt determines the course of her life. Robbie and Cecilia's inability to forgive Briony; another poignant theme in the book; is best portrayed by the below quote:

'Of course she was a child on 1935. He had told himself, he and Cecilia had told each other, over and again. Yes, she was just a child. But not every child sends a man to prison with a lie. Not every child is so purposeful and malign, so consistent over time, never wavering, never doubted'

In a snapshot, I would describe 'Atonement' as a well written, articulate book that somehow (without explicitly saying so) urges me to forgive, forget and embrace life's chosen path!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Tuesday 31 March 2015

The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe (The No.1 Ladies Detective Agency)

Author Alexander McCall Smith

Country Scotland

Genre Fiction

Publication date 2014

Pages 240

This is another charming and absolutely refreshing book of 'The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency' series. Alexander McCall Smith continues to do an impeccable job of pulling together a story set in Bostwana, Africa with characters that reflect an inherent goodness. And that's just one of the many aspects that ensures that all his books stand apart. The stories are generic but the simplicity and the genuineness with which they are weaved together and conveyed is what makes them exquisite.

The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe is built around the story of a woman who seeks Mma Ramotswe's help to find out about her past. Interspersed with this is the tale of Mma Makutsi who, as the proud owner of The Handsome Man's Deluxe Cafe is trying to find her feet in the world of business.

Not surprisingly, the book carries with itself the spirit of Bostwana and a profound sense of Bostwana morality. It's against this backdrop that Mma Ramotswe operates in both her personal and professional life. Infact, her sense of purpose in her detective work emanates from this belief in righteousness and moral uprightness.

Bringing this to life are the following quotes from the book:

'Bostwana was a good place - it always had been - and Mma Ramotswe knew that she would fight to keep it that way'

'When other people behaved dishonestly it was the business of others, because if we did not react to the bad behaviour of others, then we weakened the whole of society, and that was definitely part of everybody's business'

While Mma Ramotswe, as we can see above, is a completely 'from the heart' person, her once assistant and now business partner, Mma Makutsi is a more practical person who isn't afraid to speak her mind. In some ways, a contrast to Mma Ramotswe, she reflects passion and ambition and forms a core part of this absolutely light yet meaningful read.

As I conclude this note, I can't help recall Mma Ramotswe's closing lines from the book:

'The world is not always a place of pain and loss, but a place where our simple human affairs - those matters that for all their pettiness still sometimes confound us - are not insoluble, are not without the possibility of resolution'

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Thursday 5 March 2015

One Day

Author David Nicholls

Country United Kingdom

Genre Fiction

Publication Date 2009

Pages 448

There are some books that you don't plan to read but just happen to read. And this was one of those. I chanced upon this book at a bookstore and having heard vaguely about it earlier, found myself picking it up.

After having finished this book at a rather quick pace, my staunch faith that the best things in life tend to happen by chance is restored.

One Day is a remarkable tale of two friends and their evolving relationship over a span of about 20 years. Having met on the last day of graduation, they make no plans for the future but end up as the best of friends and finally as man and wife. These 20 years have seen them mature, succeed, fail, have many relationships; finally to find solace only in each other's friendship.

David Nicholls has done a brilliant job with the narrative by portraying the story on July 15 every year; thereby helping the readers glimpse at the 20 years through 20 days!

I would describe this as a modern day book about people, emotions and the relationships that bind them together. Some relationships are hard to describe and Dex and Em's relationship is one of those. From mere acquaintance to platonic friendship to sexual intimacy to close confidants; splattered with intermittent periods of dislike; their relationship is no different from a constantly colour changing chameleon.

What strikes me the most about this book is the importance of clinging to old friends and the fact that, come what may, life and destiny take their own chosen course. We may try our best to manoeuvre the course, but beyond a point, we have to give in. And that's something that I hold close to my heart. Operating within one's circle of influence and letting other forces take care of the rest is my unwavering maxim in life!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Monday 16 February 2015

Siddhartha

Author Herman Hesse

Country Germany

Genre Fiction (Spiritual)

Publication Date 1922

Pages 119

We recently moved countries and as mostly happens with travel related upheavals, I ended up reading this book intermittently. Impressively and unexpectedly, this lack of a smooth flow failed to cast its shadow over the beauty of the book.

Siddhartha is a simple but enigmatic read, written by someone who; despite being an outsider, reflects a deep understanding of the country's rich spiritual identity. The brevity of the book along with the depth of the message make this a quick and unforgettable read.

Through this 119 page novella, Herman has traced the life of Siddhartha, a bright and intelligent young man with an insatiable thirst to seek. A 'Brahmin' by birth, he soon renounces that to become a 'Samana' till he no longer finds that meaningful and enriching enough. As a consequence of no profound results from his ascetic lifestyle, he decides to become a part of the world and gets lured by sensual love and by the riches and luxuries of man. Unfortunately, he soon finds his soul empty as he imbibes the negativity of the world around him. Deeply entangled in the world, he loses his strengths (of control over the mind) and becomes miserable only to finally wake up as a new person; who chooses to lead a more meaningful life.

Through the life span of Siddhartha; Herman has conveyed some powerful messages: the importance of having control over the mind, listening to the voice within, staying connected with our inner selves and striving to become free of desire. Not surprisingly; these are what the Indian spiritual teachings convey.

The light at the end of the tunnel is another theme touched upon by Herman and as Siddhartha says:

I had to experience despair, I had to sink to great mental depths, to thoughts of suicide, in order to experience grace, to hear Om again, to sleep deeply again and to awaken refreshed.

To me, this has been a wonderful and enriching read which urges each of us, like Siddhartha, to listen to the 'bird in out breast' or our inner voice. I highly recommend this to one and all!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Thursday 8 January 2015

Adultery

     Author                     Paulo Coelho

     Country                   Brazil

     Genre                      Fiction

     Publication Date     2014

     Pages                       272

This is another Paulo Coelho book that I loved. I call myself an 'almost' Paulo Coelho fan with the exception of a few books. Most of his books are deep, insightful and deliver a strong message and that's what makes me cherish them.

The beauty of 'Adultery' lies in it being an extremely simple story while also being profusely complicated. It's an everyday tale of someone who has everything in life but craves for something 'more'. However, the complexity of challenging and seemingly contradictory human emotions is what adds the jing to the otherwise simple story.

One of the core themes of the book is the lack of passion and adventure in our everyday lives and how that makes our life void and lacking. It's the fear of change and the equal fear of stagnancy that locks most of us in our existing cage-like existence. One of my favorite quotes from the book that brings this to life is:

'I am a woman torn between the terror that everything might change and the equal terror that everything might carry on exactly the same for the rest of my days'

The coexistence of good and evil in each of us is another over-riding theme of 'Adultery'. While I have heard this before, I am still left thinking each time this comes up: the fact that each of us possesses both sides of the coin and some of us just control the evil better than the others. And then there are times when we can't exercise our self control as always and get driven to doing previously unthinkable acts. And probably that's where the root of adultery is. Driven to otherwise unimaginable deeds by the all pervasive loneliness despite being surrounded by loved ones.

Like most Paulo Coelho books, 'Adultery' is insightful and thought provoking. Most of the thoughts, while not unique are presented beautifully and meaningfully. However, to be absolutely honest, I find most of the central themes of the book slightly unnerving. I choose to believe that I and the people around me have fundamentally defeated the evil within us and the thought that this might not be cent percent accurate is scary, to say the least!

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!