2018 - Book reviews

Hanuman Chalisa – Devdutt Pattanaik

You’ve head the Monkey Lord’s stories, but not all of them. Tales from across India, Asia, with a verse–by-verse deconstruction of the 40 lines (Chalisa) of prayer and why it holds its place as a truly powerful shlok in Hindu spirituality.  Devdutt Pattanaik, through his beautiful illustrations and love for mythological storytelling, tells you more stories and beliefs about Lord Hanuman, in short and informative read.

Norwegian Wood - Haruki Murakami

Love love? Love fiction? Love the simplicity of the story of two young Asians? Murakami has a special way with words. Afterall, not every tea is Matcha green tea and not every Asian author can create a genuine, entrapping read. Murakami makes himself relevant across borders, cultures and decades – proving that human beings are mainly emotional beings, despite all the differences we attach ourselves to. Not a story that has a happy ending, probably why you want to believe in it more.

Menopausal Palestine – Suad Amiry

The Gulf War 2.0 – For women, by women, of women. No two women can be the same (ask any man; better even, ask any woman) But all women are woven by some common threads. The Palestinian women are having their own underground movements to express themselves in the ways they wish to, and you’d appreciate that even in the year 2018, the progress towards liberty for women is slow and not as promising as should be in so many cultures.

Blasphemy – Tehmima Durrani

A controversial bestseller from 1998 Pakistan, based on facts. Old time village horrors of how a woman in rural Pakistan is subjugated to sheer torture in the name of religion, patriarchy and male dominance. If you are a woman reading this book, you will cringe on several occasions. If you are a man reading it, I pray you and your son’s would be better humans. 

Embrace the Chaos: How India taught me to stop over-thinking and start living – Bob Miglani

The American Desi comes back to India to learn, unlearn and relearn life. Like most, India, its people and its culture astonish him on how life is lived differently here in comparison to the West. He is a product of migrant Indians, and tries to balance and make the best of both worlds.

Option B - Sheryl Sandberg

There’s not much of Facebook here, it’s really the story about a successful 21^st century woman who became a widow, unexpectedly. She documents her emotions, daily struggles, learnings, the will to move forward and tell women across all walks of life, that while a setback like losing your life partner certainly does collapse your world, there is hope. There is a way to move on in life, to be resilient, to find purpose and make attempts at normalcy and happiness - all over again.

Ikigai – Hector Garcia and Francesc Miralles

The Japanese are kick-ass now, and they were kick-ass even back then. Ask the centenarians from Osaka. Based on research conducted, the Japanese secrets to a long, happy and fulfilling life are explained in the most simplistic manner. It is a quick read and shares the most important message – keep things simple, find purpose and value relationships.

After Dark - Haruki Murakami

His story-telling ability for narrating even a non-compelling story is remarkable and what sets him apart, high up there in the league of story masters. This story was set in just one night, and is largely about the life of two sisters. What astonishes you as a reader is while a book can be an autobiography spanning 60 years and may not keep you hooked, just how one night can be documented is worth mentioning, despite the inconsequentiality of the story,

Transforming Nokia – the Power of Paranoid Optimism to Lead through Colossal Change - Risto Silasmaa

Management gurus and the successful C-suite guys often write books that may not resonate with non- C suite readers. What I notice about Risto is how genuine he has tried to be in sharing his experiences. While I did not finish reading the entire book, this is a recommended case study. 

Rock and Roll Jihad – Salman Ahmad

Another desi, who tasted the benefits of America in his adolescent years, particularly the influence of rock music, and how returning to the land of radical Islamists and the Taliban-influenced, his homeland, Pakistan is narrated page-by-page through Salman’s own journey, his personal “jihad.” The story is one of guts and glory, and Salman exemplifies the power of self-belief, passion, standing up for truthfulness and chasing dreams.