en-US Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:13:52 -0700 60 144 41 /images/layout/goodreads_logo_144.jpg Review6931074273 Wed, 16 Oct 2024 07:13:52 -0700 /review/show/6931074273 Aditya gave 5 stars to Indian Cities - Ancient and Medieval (Paperback) by Raghavan Srinivasan
If you wish to read about the history of the Indus Valley Civilisation and how the cities came into existence, this is the book you would need to pick.
The book starts with the history of the Indus Valley and all the cities we excavated in the civilisation. The book talks about Harappa, Mohanjodaro, Lothal, Dholavira and then later talks about medieval Indian cities.

This is a concise form of information about civilisation and how we came into the society that we see today.

The book's portrayal of India's technological and cultural achievements, often surpassing modern standards, is particularly impressive. The well-structured timelines and city comparisons make the historical narrative both captivating and accessible.

I have read other works by Raghavan as well and they all stand out. Research-backed and concise information is his forte. ]]> Review6907989030 Mon, 07 Oct 2024 03:43:40 -0700 /review/show/6907989030 Aditya gave 5 stars to Woebegone鈥檚 Warehouse of Words (Kindle Edition) by Payal Kapadia
Payal Kapadia's Woebegone's Warehouse of Words is a dystopian tale where words are weaponized. Asha and Zeb, two rebellious spirits, fight against the oppressive Word Bloc to liberate language and discover the legendary Word Wood, a place where words can exist freely.

A Word is dying and tells her friends to run away to the Wood, the place where Words started. Words and their Speakers team up to fight against a cruel ruler and discover what they're really about.

The author really wants to show how important it is to be able to say what you think. She mixes fantasy and a bad future world in a really cool way. I loved how the characters grew and changed. ]]> Review6815097487 Mon, 02 Sep 2024 23:24:39 -0700 /review/show/6815097487 Aditya gave 4 stars to Indian Philosophy (Paperback) by Raghavan Srinivasan
Raghavan Srinivasan's "Indian Philosophy" provides a clear and insightful overview of India's rich philosophical traditions. This book thoughtfully presents centuries-old ideas with accuracy and depth, making it an excellent resource for anyone interested in Indian philosophy.

Srinivasan begins by exploring the philosophical beliefs of the Harappan civilization and the Vedic era, setting the foundation for understanding India's diverse intellectual landscape. He then delves into the teachings of Buddhism and Jainism, highlighting their unique perspectives and contributions to Indian thought. The book also covers the philosophies of Saankhya, Yoga, Vedanta, Mimansa, and the Bhagavad Gita, offering a comprehensive look at these influential schools of thought. Additionally, it explores less commonly discussed subjects like Tantra and Ayurveda, providing a well-rounded understanding of Indian philosophy's many dimensions.

One of the book's strengths is its ability to simplify complex concepts. Srinivasan breaks down intricate ideas in a way that is easy to understand, using clear explanations supported by helpful figures, charts, and additional information. His writing is straightforward and engaging, with an accessible style that makes the material approachable for both newcomers and those already familiar with the subject.

Overall, "Indian Philosophy" is a well-crafted and valuable resource for anyone looking to explore the depths of Indian philosophical thought. Srinivasan's careful attention to detail and clarity of expression make this book an enlightening read, offering both a broad overview and a deep dive into India's philosophical heritage. ]]> Review6808441681 Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:50 -0700 /review/show/6808441681 Aditya gave 4 stars to Anthology of the Best Short Stories from France (Paperback) by Guy de Maupassant
The **Anthology of the Best Short Stories from France** is a rich collection that offers a captivating journey for anyone interested in classic French literature. This anthology brings together an impressive array of narratives by some of France's most celebrated authors, originally composed in French but thoughtfully translated into English. This translation allows readers to access the heart and soul of each story, preserving the nuances and spirit that make French literature so unique.

The stories in this collection explore a wide variety of themes鈥攑assion, destiny, love, loss, and the human condition in its many forms. Many of these tales are set against the backdrop of war or the challenging post-war period, capturing the essence of a society grappling with profound change and turmoil. For readers eager to learn about France's rich cultural tapestry and historical evolution, this anthology serves as an excellent introduction to the country's literary heritage. I found myself deeply immersed in these narratives, enjoying not just the storytelling but also the insights they provided into French society, its people, and their way of life.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this collection is the quality of the translation. It faithfully retains the elegance, emotion, and rhythm of the original French prose, allowing readers to experience the beauty of the language even in translation. You can almost feel the cadence of the original words and the depth of the sentiments that were intended by the authors. This careful preservation of the original tone and style is what makes these stories feel so authentic and impactful, even to a non-French-speaking audience.

Whether you are a lover of classic literature, a history enthusiast, or simply someone looking to deepen your understanding of French culture, this anthology is a must-read. It presents a diverse mix of stories that are not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, each one leaving a lasting impression. The collection is a fascinating blend of narrative styles and themes, offering both pleasure and insight, making it a rewarding read for anyone with an interest in the human experience as seen through the lens of French storytelling. ]]> Review6794670427 Tue, 27 Aug 2024 00:19:13 -0700 /review/show/6794670427 Aditya gave 5 stars to The Goa Gambit (Paperback) by Anurag Tripathi
TLDR: A page-turner with a lot of drama and a great plotline.

I will not be kidding if I say that I picked up this story because of Niyogi Books. I like the publication and it has published great stories in the past. However, I have heard a lot about the author Anurag Tripathi because of his book Dalal Street. But I chose this book because of Niyogi and partly because it has Goa in the title and talks about Casinos.

And I am glad that I picked it up.

Reasons why you should pick this up:
1. The storyline is intact and end to end.
2. The book is a page-turner. I completed it in a day and you can do it too鈥攕omething to take you out of your reading slump.
3. Easily recognisable and imaginable characters.

Cover:
I love the cover personally because it has a unique colour palette. With a background of green (the mat used on the poker table tops) and with symbols of all four suits in red and black.
There are two dice on the cover (used in games at the casino) and a crown on the top showing the status of a czar (king) of the casino {spoiler alert: which is our protagonist.}.

It is a 325-page read with paperback binding, easy and comfortable text and good-quality paper.

Concept:
The book runs at different places at different times. The first part has chapters to define all the characters (one character a chapter) with a small story about who/why/where they are. The second part shows the act and the third conclusion.
Character definitions and boundaries are well-defined and one does not leave the trait that the character has. The motive for every action is clear and the readers will love to know.
Also, the plotline is smooth. The whole book runs like a movie and I could imagine every part of this. You feel the tension with the characters.

Conclusion:
Pick it up if you don't feel like watching a movie but want to watch a movie. ]]> Review6765793989 Sat, 17 Aug 2024 00:05:35 -0700 /review/show/6765793989 Aditya gave 4 stars to Oye Hoye! (Kindle Edition) by Anuj Guglani
TLDR: A refreshing read where you read about a classic college story around the '80s-'90s.

I picked up this book because I was born in the late '90s and thought it would have references from the same. The book goes way beyond the era I was growing up. It goes back to the era when my parents were growing up. The book says it on the cover and sticks to the '80s and the '90s. Anuj has done justice to this while writing so that anyone from any age group can pick this one as a reference to the '80s and '90s.

Let me tell you why I liked this book:

1. The storytelling is simple but strong. It remains in its essence even when a classic old reference is taken up and doesn't become irrelevant.
2. The story plot is strong. The protagonist, Ashok has done almost everything that an 80s adolescent must have done and it helps to keep the plot in line. It also talks about all the nostalgia in the same story.
3. The language is simple. You can read it in one go and still feel no stress. The time passes in a jiffy. A fast refreshing read.

Let's talk about this book in detail:

Cover:
The cover is a quality glossy paper with "Oye Hoye" on the top and Anuj Guglani at the bottom. An interesting decision to put a cassette on the cover with "Kishore and Rafi Songs" and a pencil in one of the Tape reels with the action of putting it back in place gets you to the instant nostalgia of cassette players.

A 250-page read, which I completed in a day. The font size is comfortable and easy on the eyes.

Concept:

The story is about Ashok, who grew up in the '80s and '90s. The book starts with a smart start, where Anuj mentions some nostalgic moments without much context for the protagonist. The story later talks about Ashok and how he spent his life as a school student, college student and later parts of life.
There is also an incomplete love story, shown at the start of the book, what happens to it, you need to read the book to know.

Conclusion:
Pick it up on a regular Sunday and enjoy nostalgia. ]]> Review6713976292 Tue, 30 Jul 2024 01:42:54 -0700 /review/show/6713976292 Aditya gave 4 stars to ANGRY JUNGLEE BOSSES (Kindle Edition) by Cross
OMG, what have I read? This expression is because, while developing a concept for a book, one has to think about all the permutations and combinations of how they would react in different situations.

CROSS with their debut novel has done it pretty well. The concept is unique, refreshing, and actually out of the box. Let's talk about this in detail here.

Cover: The red-covered book with the title on the top and a caricature of a fox wearing glasses and a formal dress differentiates the book from others. Also, looking at the author's name to be "CROSS" also instigates curiosity.

The font size is easily readable and the font used is a classic regular font with font size 12-14. The book is a paper bind but sturdy. With the price on which this is available, this looks like a good deal.

Concept:

The concept is pretty simple: the human world vanished after COVID-19 and animals started working in an industry of their own called "We Feed Ya". This runs as an organisation and one can see communism in different segments of this. One would need some time to grasp the concept of the book if they are starting it fresh but the puns used and the misspelling adds humour to the book.

Talking about the writing style, most of the book can be seen in narration and dialogues while some of it is in play format where the characters and dialogues are distinguished with colons and spaces.

I recently started going to the office, and CROSS has beautifully and humorously portrayed the scenes in any office.

If you are someone who wants to see office politics and understand it in a better format with all the characters as animals. The book is for you.

Conclusion:
This is a pretty good read for someone who is into fantasy and would like to explore what can go wrong/right in a workplace.
A good workplace humour and also a great book to gift to your boss/manager.


]]> Review6705397381 Fri, 26 Jul 2024 22:13:42 -0700 /review/show/6705397381 Aditya gave 4 stars to The Earnicorns: Stories of Rare Profitable Unicorns: Naukri.com, Zerodha, Dream11, Zoho (Paperback) by Dhruv Nath
I read some books and I am grateful to myself that I read that. Earnicorns is one of them. I talked to the author Dhruv Nath about the book while reading it and he said, " I believe a book should be fun to write - only then will it be fun to read " and he was right.
The book is fun to read.
Here are the reasons why you should read this:

1. This gives stories about the unicorns which made it big profitably.
2. Discusses the good and bad decisions a company has made.
3. Feels like you know the founders personally.

Here are other details:

Cover:
The green cover catches the attention with the word EARNICORNS in black and Dhruv Nath in white gives good details about the book. Also, it makes it stand out from the pile as green is usually seen as a book cover colour.

Also, the green seems like a representation of a green portfolio, which these companies are making, so yes a good choice of colour there.

Concept:

Earnicorns, when discussed in the book prologue, are the companies that got unicorn status sustainably.

The book talks about four companies, Info Edge, Zerodha, Dream 11, Zoho.

I personally loved the story of Info Edge and learnt the most from there but Zoho also has an interesting story and how they came into existence. The book also talks about the importance of fundraising in a company and when should one try to raise funds.

You should read the book to know more about the companies.

Conclusion:

I would suggest this book to someone who is into startups and would want to learn more about company building and sustainable company development.
]]> Review6634922716 Tue, 02 Jul 2024 10:26:05 -0700 /review/show/6634922716 Aditya gave 5 stars to Kalee and the Mysterious Twins: Keepers of the Big Secret (Paperback) by Ms Sunita Lad Bhamray
TLDR: If you have a kid at home, this book is for them. Such great storytelling; and how Sunita has created a world where Kalee and her best friends exist. The book is full of twists and turns with a children's point of view.

Here you can find a detailed review.

1. Cover:
The cover is a mixture of purple, blue and green where one can see the shapes of different animals. Reading page one of the book explains why the cover is such a way. Also, the back of the book is an extension of the front cover; one can see the whole picture when they hold both front and back together. The scenery looks like a garden. There are shadows of three-person which can also be seen on the front cover.

The font size is 12 and does not strain your eyes while reading. Along with this, the readers will be looking st some illustrations middle of the chapters to understand the scene better.

The name of the book is written in white and that of the author in yellow. The back of the book talks about the blurb and about the author.

2. Characters:

The book is filled with characters. In order of occurrence: Kalee, Uncle VJ, Baji. There are other characters in the book but you need to read the book to know about them.

Talking about characterisation, Sunita has a great sense of developing remarkable characters. All the characters came with their not-boring backstories. They are backed with puns and wits to keep them interesting and whenever a new character is introduced, Sunita has taken care of showing the relation and relevance of the character. All the characters are happy-go-lucky and maintains the overall positive vibe of the novel.

3. Story Arc:

The story revolves around a garden that is managed by Uncle VJ and his daughter Kalee. Kalee finds some interesting objects in the garden making it a garden of secrets.

The arc is defined well for kids and helps kids learn morals and values during the course of reading this book. The anti-protagonists introduced are easy to understand and every (of the 8 chapters) ends with a good habit that children can develop.

4. Conclusion:

If you have a kid at home, do buy it for them. With the easiest language and understandable story plot, you will be able to make it a good night time story for your kids. If you are an adult, you might find it too good to be true but I can attest as a 26 year old adult that sometimes I read stories which are too good to be true just to feel a positive vibe.

Definitely a 5/5 for the kids. ]]> Review6628204590 Sun, 30 Jun 2024 06:39:55 -0700 /review/show/6628204590 Aditya gave 4 stars to The DREAM Founder: Creating a Successful Start-up (Paperback) by Dhruv Nath
The Dream Founder by Dhruv Nath is a must-read by every first-time entrepreneur. The book explains all the aspects of entrepreneurship with proper examples. The book explains DREAM as:


路 Dream big
路 Right team
路 Execution
路 Attitude
路 Make opportunities out of crises

It provides great insight into the startup ecosystem and helps the new-age founder understand how to build a resilient startup that can handle harsh market conditions. The book shares great case studies in different markets.

The book talks about the Indian startup system and how to develop a business from a mere idea.

Talking about the build quality of the book, Penguin has done a great job in designing a cover and build a great book with the author.

The book is a great deal in the price range it is serving. ]]>