Fool me once by Harlan Coben

"Fool me once" by Harlan Coben - A whodunit!

This book is published by Random house in 2016 and has 352 pages. 

Maya, an ex military chopper pilot,  is widowed. Her husband, from an uber-rich family, is murdered, shot. But Maya survives. Maya's career is destroyed by a whistle blower earlier. Now she tries to come to terms with her husband's death and take care of her 2 year old daughter. One day she sees her dead husband Joe on the nanny cam.

Is Joe alive? But he was killed, how's that possible? What did the whistle blower have on Maya? Who killed Joe and why?

The story has a decent pace. Readers relate with Maya quickly and remain loyal to her.  She is widowed, she is strong, she is capable and she doesn't rest until she finds the truth. Except the truth is not what readers expect. The only support she has is of Shane, her good friend and colleague. The story starts with a bang. Then there are several surprises in the story to keep the audience interested. 

Maya is the central character. Bourquets are the rich family with their notions about right and wrong and family name. Keers is the detective. Shane is best friend of Maya. Readers keep wondering if he secretly loves Maya.

The climax is also kinda interesting. You feel sad. But you accept the climax. However, there is a time leap of 25 years after the climax and it appears completely unnecessary. An epilogue would have served better.

It took me more than 3 months to read this book. But blame it on lock down rather than book. 

Why did I read this book? It was on hand. 

What I didn't like? A bit slow.

What did I like? Readers keep guessing. 

Read if you have lot of time in lock down.

this let the Dork out by Sidin Vadukut

"Who let the Dork out?" by Sidin Vadukut - The graph comes down!

This book is published by Penguin Books in 2012 and has 260 pages. This is Book 3 of the Dork trilogy. 

Robin 'Einstein' Varghese is now Interim CEO of Ledermam India. He decides to venture in government contracts by getting involved in Allied games organized by Government of India. The games are running very very behind schedule. 

Will he get a contract? Can he make a headway? Will Einstein's "genius" work? Will he get fired or blamed or both?

The book follows the set formula where Robin lands in one trouble after another due to his ineptitude to somehow miraculously, not only, survive but also come out trumps. 

However, in this book Robin thinks more. He makes a few calculated moves. Towards end he is even decisive and manipulative. This is the difference between Robin of past and Robin of present. This is also the reason the book loses its USP. Robin becomes a normal man rather than exceptional character. As a result this book does not appeal, as much as, the previous two books. It also uses much more foul language than previous books. 

Author leaves a few things vague. Is it by design or does he give too much credit to the readers? How does Rajeev get hold of the documents? John knowing Colonel Kalbag, is too much of a coincidence. What exactly happens in marathon?

All in all, not as good as first two books. The graph comes down. 

Why did I read this book? Ravi recommended the trilogy.  

What did I like? The Tihar jail and Tihar Bala parody. 

What I didn't like? Predictably. 

Read if you have read Book 1 and 2.

One arranged murder by Chetan Bhagat

"One arranged murder by Chetan Bhagat -  Bland murder mystery!

This book is published by Westland in Sept 2020 and has 312 pages. This is sequel to 'The girl in room 105'.

Keshav and Saurabh solved their first murder in previous book. The two have fallen out and are not on speaking terms. Saurabh is in love with Prerana Malhotra and they are engaged. Prerana is fasting on Karva Chauth, even though she is not yet married to Saurabh. Saurabh reaches Malhotra residence to break Prerana's fast and discovers a death. 

Is it a murder? Who is murdered? Why? Will Saurabh and Keshav investigate? Will police cooperate? Can they solve the case?

It's a murder mystery in a joint family. Prerana lives in a huge kothi with her mom and dad on 2nd floor. Her unmarried Aditya Chachu, a failing musician, stays on 3rd floor.  Her grandmother,  Bindu bua and cousin Anjali (daughter of another bua from America) stay on 1st floor. Then there is house help Gopika and driver Anwar. Prerana's business partner is also a suspect. Add to it Saurabh and Keshav. Everyone is suspect and no one seems to be the murderer. Inspector Singh and Prerana's dad appear to be in hurry to declare it as an accident. Each has his own reason. But what is the motive for murder? Then there is second murder. 

The story is not exciting. It neither has pace nor is it interesting. Reader figuratively dozes off multiple times. There is no chase, little investigation and deduction. The story ambles on till it's concluded. Not a page Turner! Reason for murder appears like an after thought. Although there is confession at the end, the evidence is still circumstantial, not fool proof. Author has created a few red herrings too. I was able to guess the murderer as soon as the character appears in the story. 

At the end of the story, Keshav decides to quit his day job to become detective and starts preparing for IPS. So expect the series to continue. Hopefully new book will be better than this book. 

Chetan Bhagat is a celebrity and is credited for reviving reading culture in India (in general) and young generation (in particular). In this book and previous one he dabbles in murder mystery. I must say this genre is not his forte. 

This book is not in the league of Chetan Bhagat we know.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? Narration. 

What did I like? Umm....

Give it a miss!

DareDreamers: A start-up of superheroes by Kartik Sharma and Ravi 'Nirmal' Sharma

"DareDreamers: A start-up of superheroes" by Kartik Sharma and Ravi 'Nirmal' Sharma -  Urban fantasy!

This book is published by Rupa publications in 2018 and has 288 pages. 

Rasiq, an IIT & IIM, is recruited in investment bank at enviable salary. He slogs like a machine and can't find enough time for his girlfriend Ruchika. Although he earns obscene salary, he is not happy. His heart is not in the job. So after a couple of years he resigns and starts a startup called Daredreamers, with a group of dreamers. What does the startup do? Emergency rescue. All kind of emergencies. 

Why does he leave his job? How does he get this startup idea? Will he succeed? Will he give up? Will they have competitors? What unconventional means will they deploy?

The idea of emergency rescue is interesting. Authors present various rescue missions ranging from failed breaks to sink hole to elephant poop. The rescue missions can make interesting thrilling scenes for a movie. The villain and his reasons for villainy are a bit lame. 

Rasiq the strategist and thinker, Natasha the daredevil, Nick the inventor, Halka the body builder, Arjun (you guessed it right) the archer & Vyom the doctor make the super heroes. They do not have super powers, just skills that they utilize with their quick thinking to rescue those in need. 

Authors spend half the book in Rasiq's life before start-up. That leaves little time for the venture and their rescue acts. The time Rasiq spends in France, though good, wasn't really necessary for the story. Another waste of page space. 

The sentence I liked most from this book is "Tomorrow will be the first day of the rest of my life." Full of positivity. One should really implement it. 

Book cover is interesting. It shows a corporate guy hanging by one hand to the landing gear of a flying chopper.

Authors are a father-son duo. A rare combination with generation gap and all that. This is their second book. 

Why did I read this book? Sub title of the book.

What I didn't like? Time before start up. 

What did I like? Idea, though impractical.

Recommend reading.

Present danger by Stella Remington

"Present danger" by Stella Remington - Northern Ireland backdrop!

This book is published by Quercus in 2010 and has 336 pages. 

Liz Carlyle works for MI5 at Thames House. She and her boss love each other but have never acknowledged it to each other. When wife of boss dies, MI5 decides to transfer Liz to head counter terrorism desk in Northern Ireland. An Irish-American called Sheamus Piggot is running an organization that hasn't accepted peace accord in Northern Ireland. A French arms dealer is involved. MI5 collaborates with French intelligence. But everything goes haywire.

Will there be a threat to Northern Ireland peace process? What is Piggot's ultimate objective? What went wrong? Will Liz acknowledge love?

The concept of splinter IRA groups not agreeing to the peace process is not often used for fictions. It's an interesting angle. An action taken in the heat of the moment turns out to be a costly mistake. British and French intelligence collaborate. 

Liz is the central and only important character. She heads counter terrorism and is a confident woman. She loves her boss but has never confessed it. She cares for her friends and colleagues and doesn't mind putting her life in danger for them. However, in the matter of heart she acts on hearsay. This particular action goes against the grain of her character built by the author. This action also opens up possibilities that position the story for a sequel.

The graph of the novel, however, is not ascending. When the story moves out of Northern Ireland, it loses its USP and becomes like any other thriller. 

Why did I read this book? It was on hand. 

What I didn't like? Liz's acting on hearsay. 

What did I like? Northern Ireland backdrop.  

Not a must read.

Sniper's eye by Mainak Dhar

"Sniper's eye' by Mainak Dhar - Corporate, intelligence, action!

This book is published by 4 Hour Book in 2018 and has 225 pages. This book is Book 1 of 7even series.

Aaditya Ghosh is roaming in the R-city mall with his girlfriend, Zoya, when a man in front of him is assassinated by a sniper. Aaditya goes after the killer and kills his accomplice. This is just the first of the series of killings and now Aaditya's name is on the list.

Who is Aaditya? Why are ex servicemen being killed? How to stop the sniper? Who is the sniper?

The story starts with a bang. Aaditya appears enigmatic until his past is revealed. Series of killings adds to the mystery. Entry of IB thickens the plot. A solid twist turns the story around. The story has a flow and relatively small size of book makes it tidy. 

Character of Aaditya is hero. He becomes center of attraction. Zoya plays his love interest. Ravi and his wife are his friends and only family he has. Phadke is a rare honest cop. Thapa is typical bureaucrat. Aman, the sniper is a very interesting character. 

However, it's not then end. This is first book of 7even series. So it appears that 6 more are to come. If this book is the benchmark, subsequent books should be readable. Mainak is a well known author of reputation. 

Book cover of view through sniper's scope supports the title. However, the title is not an apt one. Yes, there is a sniper. But his eye is not exactly the subject of the story. 

A large part of the story happens in Powai. So there are many familiar landmarks. 

The sentence I liked most from this book is "Bleeding heart activists who crawl out of the woodworks at every opportunity, talking of how evil our forces are, and in the same breath not hesitating to glorify terrorists as innocents"

Why did I read this book? Author, title.     

What did I like? Story, twist.  

What I didn't like? Title. 

Recommend reading. 

Field of fire by Mark Cameron

"Field of fire" by Mark Cameron - Should have been field of snow!

This book was published by Pinnacle in 2016 and has 448 pages. This is Book 7 of Jericho Quinn series. 

Jericho Quinn and Veronica (Ronnie) Garcia, now a couple, are travelling through Alaska. Jericoh's plans to propose Ronnie goes for a toss when a deadly nerve gas called 'New archangel' goes missing from Russia and is used by Islamist terrorists in America, twice. Multiple casualties. The Russian scientist, who invented it, and his daughter run away from Russia and land in Alaska. 

Two teams are formed. Quinn and Tibido's cousin FBI agent go after the Russian scientist and his daughter who go missing in Alaska. Tibido, Ronnie and August Bowen go after son of the Russian scientist, who is a cage fighter in America. 

Quinn almost dies of hypothermia in cold Alaskan landscape. There is another party after the Russian scientist. Quinn has to fight on multiple fronts. Other team does not have it easy either. 

The story starts well, develops nicely. Backdrop of Alaskan landscape is a novelty. Readers expect the climax to too take them higher.  But the climax is not good. It's abrupt, lacks action, lacks tension and doesn't heighten the graph.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What did I like? Alaska. 

What I didn't like? Climax. 

Read, if you have spare time.

The Peshwa: War of the deceivers

"The Peshwa: War of the deceivers" by Ram Sivasankaran - Fight with scorpions!

This book is published by Westland in 2018 and has 496 pages. This is Book 2 of "The Peshwa" series. 

Book 2 starts 6 years after the end of first book. Now Bajirao is established as Peshwa. Emperor Muhammad Shah of Delhi has hatched a grand plan with Nizam Ul Mulk and Maharana Ram Singh to finish Bajirao Peshwe and Maratha confederacy once and for all. Scorpions, the silent assassins of Mughal empire are unleashed. A man claiming to be dead Chimajiappa, younger brother of Bajirao, is accepted in Shaniwar wada. Anamik, basterd son of traitor Trimbakrao Dabhade, has gained Peshwa's confidence but many in Maratha confederacy distrust him. Anamik is also working for  Nizam.

Is Anamik on Bajirao's side or on Nizam's side? What is the grand plan of Mohammad Shah? Who will Bajirao lose? Will the Scorpions succeed? Will Bajirao meet Mastani?

This book takes the story forward. Bajirao has plans to conquer Delhi. But there is a truce between Mughal Badshah and Chatrapati Shahu of Satara. Both parties want to throw it in the dustbin. Who will do it first? Although Bajirao has established his reign, he is losing a number of men to the Mughal secret order of assassins, now reporting to Nizam. The die is cast. Nizam plays a very devious game. A game that will destroy Bajirao's reputation and then kill him and install Nizam's agent masquerading as Chimajiappa.

The story is interesting. It slows down on occasions but manages to keep reader interested. In this book, Anamik is the one who moves all the pieces. He is the double agent. He is the real deal. He is trusted by Bajirao despite contrary advise by his close ones. Anamik is the key. Bajirao, on the other hand doesn't appear decisive. He does not appear the supremely confident, brave and decisive like in Book 1. Why Nizam confirms allegiance to Mohammad Shah,  rather than remaining independent, remains unclear. Rasool, the Narban (eunuch) scorpion, is an interesting character, but it's exit is abrupt. Mastani appears in the story along with Chatrasal, but doesn't meet Bajirao yet. Apparently it's for next book. Author doesn't say how many books make this series. There is a big twist towards end of the book, but one can guess as it comes closer. 

Author's lack of knowledge about Peshwe customs is apparent. (I had made this remark while reviewing Book 1 as well). Fir example, author shows that Peshwe women take pallu over their head. They never did. Bajirao is called Rao, whereas he was really called Rau. Kashibai wears vermilion in parting of her hair, which is not a Maharashtra custom. 

In review of first book I wondered the relevance of 'The lion and the Stallion'. It becomes clear in this book. Lion is Mughal empire and Stallion is Maratha confederacy. All in all author had strung together a nice fiction on historical character. Look forward to next book. 

Why did I read this book? Book 1 was good. 

What I didn't like? Confrontation with scorpions.

What did I like? Last twist. 

Recommend reading.

Dark Justice by Jack Higgins

"Dark Justice" by Jack Higgins - Run of the mill!

This book is published by Putnam Adult in 2004 and has 288 pages. 

A plot to assassinate President of America is foiled, but the white assassin prefers suicide to capture and dies with warning 'Beware wrath of Allah'. Dillon, ex IRA, now works for 'Prime minister's army', a secret organization answerable only to the PM of UK. He is tasked to handle the situation. Major Yuri Ashimov, right hand man of billionaire Joseph, is behind this. Joseph has Putin's backing. 

Who is behind the attempted assassination? How come a white man is recruited by Islamist terror group? Are there Irish links? How will Dillon handle? What price will good guys have to pay?

The story is easy. The start is catchy. An attempt to assassinate POTUS is a good beginning. One expects the story to be a complex plot with many twists and turns. But the story is relatively straight forward. Involvement of Russians is not a secret, so it's a situation of 'we know and they know that we know'. The climax is a bit anticlimactic. It happens between 6 people in a house. One expects the climax of an international plot to be very exciting, but that's not what we get. 

Dillon is the enforcer, he is also a legend of IRA, now with the establishment. Greta Novikova is GRU, loves Yuri and also moon lights for Joseph. She shows some liking for Dillon. Yuri Ashimov is Joseph's goon and head of security. Joseph is ex KGB and now Oligarch. Salim is British imam of Iraqi origin,  has a PhD, & is trying to recruit young British muslims. 

However, readers don't understand a number of things. Why Joseph is trying to kill US President? Why a fine angle created by author of spark between Dillon and Greta is wasted. Why Salim tries to recruit? He is not even shown as a hard core jihadi. Why does Dillon act solo when he should have a considerable power of PM to apprehend the perpetrators? Why 'Wrath of Allah' becomes irrelevant for the story? Why does the assassin use silenced AK47 to take shot at the President rather than sniper rifle? Too many loose ends.

Why did I read this book? It was on hand. 

What did I like? Irish angle. 

What I didn't like? Climax. Loose ends. 

Not a must read.

Jaya by Devdutt Pattanaik - More than just a story!

"Jaya" by Devdutt Pattanaik - More than just a story!

This book is published by Penguin India in 2010 and has 372 pages.

Jaya, the itihas, is popularly known as Mahabharat. It's the story of Pandav's and Kaurav's, of Sri Krishna and Bhagwat Geeta, of victory of Dharm over adharm, and of the glorious 18 day war.

Popular Mahabharat starts from Shantanu, but author starts from Budha an Ila and continues to Dushyant Shakuntala then Yayati Devayani, Sharmishtha then Yadu and then Shantanu. Similarly story does not end with Yudhishthir reaching swarg but with him achieving Jaya.

Author tells us this known story in his style. He narrates the story chapter wise and then provides his commentary and analysis at the end of each chapter. This commentary is insightful. He  analyzes the events of the chapter from logical, social and philosophical point of view. (e. g. How the story of shakuntala changed from Mahabharat to Kalidas based on prevailing social practices or Edipus complex VS Yayati complex). Author refers to a number of folk tales across India and neighbouring countries like Indonesia as well as artistic literature to corroborate his deductions or to emphasize a point. 

Author makes some important points:

Philosophy of veda's was not to aspire or achieve but to introspect.

Dharma is not about defeating others but about conquering ourselves. 

India is originator of board games where only luck rules (snakes and ladders), where luck and intelligence rules (Chausar) and where only intelligence rules (Chess).

Disrobing of Draupadi represents collapse of a civilization, fall of Dharma.

In Mahabharat forests are not inky lands but the represent unknown, untamed part of mind. Rishis were the first to explore them. They created trails that connected caves and water bodies. Then it becomes safe for common man to inhibit. These are metaphors for taming of mind.

It's a good read that gives you knowledge about Mahabharat and more. However, you should have patience to read the known story again. 

Why did I read this book? Author and Story. 

What did I like? Commentary. 

What I didn't like? Nothing. 

Recommend reading so that you can look at it as more than just a story.

Dead line by Chris Ewan

"Dead line" by Chris Ewan - Strange!

This book is published by Faber & Faber in 2013 and has 368 pages. 

Trent is following a French businessman, Jerome, when his convoy is attacked and the businessman is kidnapped. Jerome has a kidnap policy. Trent offers to help. The one person he can trust is retired police officer Gerard. 

Why is Trent following the businessman? Is he trying to protect him from kidnapping? How will he deal with the kidnappers? Does he have an ulterior motive?

Story starts well with kidnap of Jerome, the businessman. Trent teams with Stefani (Jerom's young trophy wife), Philippe (his young son) and Alain (his bodyguard). Trent wants to save Jerome, but he needs him to find Emme, his fiancee. The graph of story keeps rising until the ransom demand is made. But after that author loses control over the story. There is an affair, not required for the story. Then there are deaths. Author introduces death expecting to give shock to the audience but ends up making the story jerky. Death after death takes the story off the track. 

The end is also very unconvincing. A dead man becomes alive. The mastermind is revealed but there are no hidden clues in the earlier story, so it appears as afterthought rather than being integral part of the story. At the end, everyone dies but Emme is still missing. Does the author plan a sequel? I hope not. To top it up, guess what, there is no dead line. 

Characterization appears to be shallow. Trent, an experienced negotiator acts rashly. Jerom's sadistic actions in past have no relation to the present story. Author can't decide if Stefani is oppressed or opportunist. Gerard retires, why? Alain's character builds up nicely to make an untimely exit.  

Give it a miss. 

Why did I read this book? It happened to be on hand. 

What I didn't like? Story and execution. 

What did I like? Umm...

Mastaan by Vineet Bajpai

"Mastaan" by Vineet Bajpai - A 1857 fiction!

This book is published by Treeshade books in 2019 and has 290 pages. It's a historical fiction. 

Mastaan is raised by a noble British officer after Mastaan's father sacrifices his life for that officer in battle. Mastaan grows to become one of the most fearsome fighter of East India Company (Company Bahadur). Come 1857, Mastaan is not convinced by the sipoy unrest about cartridges laced with Cow and Pig fat and talk of mutiny. He also has someone to protect. 

Will Mastaan oppose the revolution? Will his loyalty to Company Bahadur waver? Is there a connection to Mangal Pandey? Is there a love angle? Did one man really change the course of history's greatest war for freedom? How is Tipu Sultan's treasure connected to all this? What did the Badshah promise to the half faced dervish?

Mastaan is described as boisterous, flamboyant, loud mouthed and magnificent. He is the best marksman of Company Bahadur and the speed with which he can reload and fire is unmatched. He is a single man army. With 1857 uprising, he finds himself in the crisis of his life. On one side is his loyalty to Company Bahadur and on another side is his country. On one side is religion and other side duty. On one side love of someone close, on other side a loss of someone close. 

Author has set the story in 1857 (obviously). Mastaan appears to be a confused character. If he was shown as a rational and neutral who chooses one side over other, then his character would not appear confused. But he is shown as patriot and lovelorn. He has to choose a side knowing that he would inflict irreparable damage to other side, it would change the course of history. And he chooses his side. Sujata's story and Mangal Pandey connection also appear to be an afterthought, rather than integral part of the story, inserted to justify actions. 

The story is delivered in bits and pieces. It lacks continuity. So readers won't sit late night to read the book. It's not a page turner. The book ends with implication of Mastaan's death. Author has opened up two stories that he doesn't conclude. One of the pact between Badshah and half faced dervish and another of Tipu's treasure. Readers might have guessed, by now, that there is a sequel or sequels. In fact these open ends make the readers wait for the sequel.

Readers come to know that this is not a one-off book at the end of the book. The book cover does not say that it's a series. I believe it's moral responsibility of author and publisher to clearly state that this is a sequel so that readers have a choice to buy the book or not. I had made same comment in my review of author's first book Harappa,  that turned out to be a trilogy.

Character of Mastaan loses the grandeur it was supposed to have. Probably author will try to repair the damage in sequel by showing how he saved India. 

Why did I read this book? Author.

What I didn't like? Unexciting story. 

What did I like? Setting of 1857. 

Read if you plan to read the sequel too.

Death signs by Vilas Vare translation Prof V. G. Apte

"Death signs" by Vilas Vare translated from Marathi to English by Prof V. G. Apte. This book was published by Neehara Prakashan in 2019 and has 128 pages. 

A new hospital is inaugurated somewhere between Pune and Mumbai. It's first of its kind. It is a speciality hospital for AIDS patients. A number of patients are admitted.

Are they ashamed? Will the patients gel? What impact does the impending death have on them?

This is not a fiction. It's a social novel that handles a rarely discussed topic boldly. AIDS is seen with disgust. It is associated with loose morals and the infected person is percieved as characterless. For the infected it's a social stigma and the hospital provides them the much needed shelter and escape from society. 

A number of new relations take shape in the hospital. Mohan and Kalpana fall in beautiful love. Dattu and Tanu develop a father-daughter bonding. Kundalik regards Dora and Alka as sisters. 

Characters are very good. Dr. Nimbalkar, the lone Doctor. Nurses Rima and Nita. Patients Mohan & Dattu. Defeated in love Kalpana. Warkari Kundalik. Six year old Tanu. Colorful Rekha Pawar. Prostitutes Dora and Alka. They come from all the strata of society. The only lacking representation in the mix was a rich person. 

All of them have lost all their hope and have come to the hospital to make their final stand and to die. Nobody intends to kindle any kind of new relationship. Many of them don't even want to talk to anyone. However human being is a social animal and even when death is staring them in face, they create new relationships and cherish them. They take pleasure in small things, do little things for others and enjoy life till they have it. 

Although death is a foregone conclusion, each death brings immense sorrow for the surviving patients. As if they have lost some one from their own family. It is ironical that people who have lived life without a thought of God make peace with death whereas, a person who has devoted all his life to God turns atheist in his final days. 

Credit to the author for taking up such a subject and carrying it through on his able shoulders. Although the writing lacks the professional finesse, it does not reduce the quality of work. On the contrary, it appears to come from heart. 

I read the English translation of the original Marathi book. Translator has stayed true to the job of translator. He has not added any of his own thoughts while translating and has stuck to the basics. He has also ensured that the beauty of Marathi is not lost in translation. 

A good story and a good change.

Why did I read this book? I was one of the chosen pre-publication readers. 

What I didn't like? Narration is a bit scattered at times. 

What did I like? Subject and conviction. 

Recommend reading. 

Disclosure: Translator of this book is my father.

NLP: Health and well being by Joseph O'connor and Ian McDermott

"NLP: Health and well being" by Joseph O'connor and Ian McDermott - Short and sweet!

This edition of book was published by HarperCollins in 2010. 

Author defines health as physical, social and psychological well-being. Being fit and being healthy is not the same thing. Authors say this new definition was also proposed by Greek philosopher Hippocrates. Authors explain how our thinking can influence our health. People with good network and relationships are found to have lower mortality rate. Negative thoughts impact your health.

Two persons can react to same situation differently. Well-being is related to Social life and fulfilling relationships. Stress is not what happens to you, it's how you respond to what happens to you. Two ways to deal with stress: associate and dissociate. Worry is lot of thinking and no action. 

We worry about what we don't want to happen and what has not happened. Worry is imaginary and complete waste of time. Worry is a loop, break it! We react to a situation based on triggers from our past experiences. 

It's a small book. Authors have tried to keep it simple. It would have been very easy to complicate this book, but authors keep to basics and rather than trying to cover entire gamut of NLP, concentrate on health and well being. 

At the end of the book authors have given exercises to improve health, reduce worrying, sleeping etc. The exercises are interesting and should be tried with concentration. The idea of sleeping exercise is interesting. 

Neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) is a psychological approach that involves analyzing strategies used by successful individuals and applying them to reach a personal goal. It relates thoughts, language, and patterns of behavior learned through experience to specific outcomes.

Definition of health appears to be new for western society, but physical, social and psychological well-being has always been a part of Indian definition. 

Why did I read this book? Wanted to know about NLP.

What I didn't like?  Short length.

What did I like? To the point.

Recommend reading.

Beyond Mars and Venus by John Gray

"Beyond Mars and Venus" by John Gray - It's all about balance!

This book was published by BenBella books in 2016 and has 384 pages. 

Author explains that his most successful book 'Men are from Mars, Women are from venus' was published 25 years ago. The times have changed since then. Now couples have new needs and expectations from their partners. The book tries to address this. Author also clarifies that this book is to improve yourself and warns not to try to get your partner to read it. 

Few years ago men and women were role mates. Each playing the natural role (Male the hunter, provide & female the gatherer, nurturer). A female may have Male traits and vice versa. While playing these roles they suppressed some of their natural tendencies.  This suppression leads to stress. 

In modern times, when a female is at work, she expresses her Male side, so testosterone levels increase. When she returns home she has to go back to her female side, so that estrogen levels increase and balance is achieved. This balance is essential, without which, stress levels increase. The same applies to men. When a man does not revert to male side, his partner tends to compensate by staying on male side, when she should revert to female side. This increases stress for both. 

Men require 10 times more testosterone than women to have a normal health and wellbeing. Women require 10 times more estrogen than men for the same. Increase in level of testosterone decreases stress in man.

Oxytocin lowers testosterone. This is good for females as lower testosterone leads to higher estrogen. But it's not good for men, if their testosterone levels are already low. Author emphasizes the importance of hormonal balance and suggests behavioral solutions to restore it for males and females. 

This book is based on testosterone, estrogen and oxytocin and achieving and/or restoring the balance of them to decrease the stress levels in today's life.

As compared to previous book, this book contains more scientific material, more emphasis on hormone balance and less revelations. Thus it does not give you a feeling of discovery again and again like the first book. Hence, it's less enjoyable, albeit, as important as first book. 

Why did I read this book? Author. Curious about updates. 

What did I like? Science

What I didn't like? Less interesting

Read, but have patience.

The Zero-Cost Mission & The wily agent by Amar Bhushan

"The Zero-Cost Mission & The wily agent" by Amar Bhushan - Real life spy stories!

This book is published by HarperCollins India in 2018 and has 190 pages. This is a collection of two spy stories based on real events. 

The Zero-Cost Mission:

Jamat, a politico- religious outfit in Bangladesh, is spreading anti India venom and actively aids entry of Pakistan sponsored terrorists in India through Bangladesh. A mission is conceived to teach them a lesson by Indian intelligence. Sujal Rath, an unconventional officer, is tasked with the operation. The operation soon runs in funding crisis and is dangerously close to be abandoned. Will it go ahead? How will the funds be secured? Will Sujal and operation succeed? What will be the consequences?

Author has based the story on a real mission. As the author states in the introduction, real operations have boring phases. This story too has its share. Title of the story is best suited for the story. 

Buildup and planning of the operation is interesting. Quirky nature of the character of Sujal makes one wonders if such officers exist and are allowed to work freely. Climax is anticlimactic. The climax comes to the reader as a news from a cable. It saddens that even a successful mission has a price to pay. 

The wily agent:

Jeevanathan heads unit of India's external intelligence agency in the Indian High Commission in Dhaka. A Bangladeshi source is identified and recruited. The source provides quality input and also tries to recruit additional sources. He accuses Jeev as insensitive and aloof. How long can Jeev run this source? Is he insensitive?

It's a tale that hangs in balance. Is the source real or fraud? Is he scheming or simply greedy? Is he confident or over enthusiastic? Who is Wiley? Author has managed to maintain the see-saw. Readers keep guessing where the story is headed. 

Author does a fine job. He keeps the story interesting and also gives a small surprise at the end. 

There are some important points made by the author either overly or covertly in these two stories. Officers in high places either retire or are transfered. This causes loss of continuity and adversely impacts missions and officers. Our intelligence agencies are still marred in bureaucracy and petty politics that hamper missions. Decision making is still an issue and rather than national security, other implications of mission play a very important role. External intelligence agencies are short of cash. 

The book has two stories but the printing is unconventional. Second story does not start after end of first. You have to rotate book by 180 degrees and then flip it and you read second story. In short one side of book is one story and second side of book is second story. 

Why did I read this book? Curiosity. 

What did I like? Concept of double sided book. 

What I didn't like? Climax

Read if you want to read crossover spy stories rather than pure fiction.

The mists of Brahma by Christopher C. Doyle

"The mists of Brahma" by Christopher C. Doyle - Nothing to do with Brahma!

This edition of book is published by Westland in 2019 and has 462 pages. This is Book 2 of 'The Patala Prophecy" series. 

Shukra's army of Nagas attack another gurukul in Corbett national park. Maya is taking training from Satyavachan trying to demonstrate that she is not a Sadh. The Saptas (Tanveer, Agastya, Varun, Maya, Adira, Amyra and Arjun) are separated as reward for valour of some of them. Maya enters into the mists of Brahma. Something is pulling Maya. She is sentenced. Raman Kapoor, the investigating officer, is still investigating and slowly but surely he is getting somewhere. Saptas take a decision. 

Why is another Gurukul attacked? Can Maya save this one? What does she find in the mists of Brahma? What is pulling her? What decision do Saptas take?

Author launches into story directly, this being a sequel of 'Son of Bhrigu'. The adventures are interesting. The story flourishes nicely. It doesn't become uninteresting at any time. In fact, it becomes a page turner. What is Shukras plan and what is the counter plan still remains to be revealed, wait for sequel. Death of an important member makes the matters even more interesting. 

Maya takes center stage. She is capable of Atma travel, learns instant travel from Satyavachan, but still struggles with normal mantras and is considered Sadh (one with no special abilities) and is on borrowed time in the Gurukul to prove that she can be a Rishi. She goes through five adventures, second and fifth being Mists of Brahma. Although the book is titled after it, the adventures last only few pages. Also, there is no apparent connection with Brahma. It could have been Mists of Vishnu, Mahesh or simply only Mists; and it would have made no difference.

Shukra's plans are not known. The counter plans of the good guys are not known. Where will the police investigation go is also not known. Author has opened up numerous possibilities. They should now converge in next book. Looking at where the story stands at the end of Book 2, I think this may not complete in a trilogy and if it does, third part will be a big one. 

Although author presents the story as an authentic Indian fiction, the basic ideas are lifted from Harry Potter and Percy Jackson. E.g. Gurukul like Hogwarts, One or two word mantras like spells, Sadhs like muggles, Saptas like Percy and friends etc. Detailing, however, is Indian mythology and history based and authentic. A lot has been inspired by various parvas of Mahabharat, Upanishads and Vedas.

Christopher is an author of various historical and mythological fictions and all his works are somehow related to Mahabharat.

Why did I read this book? Author. 

What I didn't like? No relation to Brahma. Lifted ideas. 

What did I like? Story. Narration. 

Recommend reading.