Rearview ~ my Roadies journey by Raghu

What is going on in the contestants mind? Does he admire me, respect me and hate me? Fear me? May be all of the above. I don’t understand it.
I don’t understand the Roadies form that has F-k you Raghu, written all over it, I don’t understand the poster that was held up this year during the Chandigarh auditions that read, Baaptohbaaphotahai.

I see equal parts respect, equal parts loathing. Equal parts Raghu, equal parts the bully. There is a man tall, bald, muscular, intimidating who manages to induce terror and awe in all those who dare walk into his interrogation room.

There was once a boy scrawny, weak, easily intimidated, voice unbroken at fifteen, who was bullied consistently through his childhood. This is the story of how that boy became the man he is today: part-time singer, song-writer and jammer, full-time producer, camera man and editor. Sherlock Holmes and Batman worshipper, staunch atheist with an innate fear of water and heights. This is the autobiography of the rudest man on Indian television. Raghu Ram, the original roadie , split wide open.

This book has been on my list from the month ot was published, bit as they say there is a time for each book that comes to you. Last month on world book day , i purchased this book. It seemed a good choice to read about real people on the day devoted to books.

The book is neither too surprising nor disappointing. It is part amusing and part inspiring for me from the beginning to the end. From being the guy who was bullied much at school to being the biggest bully on TV; it never would have been easy and that journey is something you must read here. I am not a roadies fan , nor has it changed now but i always been a Raghu fan and this book has made that respect for him increase. No one is perfect and Raghu candidly admits his flaws and mistakes over the years. Success does change the way you see the world and more so , they way people treat you. It is up to you how you react and shape yourself. This is as honest ( some places arrogant) as anyone's autobiography could be. At the end , Raghu does inspire so many youth to dream , dare , be different and be known for it by being the best at what you do. And no one can manage or could have made Roadies better than this guy.

The book is not just for a roadie fan but more for the people who treat the show as crap. the hard work and the brain that goea in compiling
India's longest running reality show is beyond imagination. Hats off to the team for their work.

The writing of the book is mostly linear though it branches out some where but nothing too confusing. The language is casual and flows well. I actually imagine some of the dialogues of Raghu in the style he carries on TV and that made the reading experience a little more personal to me. The only thing i did not like about the writing was that end of most chapters , wherever there was some twist , Raghi would warn about it. It would not make sense always, this literary style he used.  All in all, an enjoyable book though it could be little boring in the middle.

Bird in a Banyan Tree by Bina Ramani

Title-Bird in a Banyan Tree:My Story
Publisher-Rupa and Co
Price-500 INR
Pages-325
Source-Review Copy via a-lotofpages

     (Bird in a Banyan Tree is entrepreneur-turned-socialite Bina Ramani's autobiography.The book,published by Rupa is also her first released work as an author)
                 Reviewing an autobiography is no easy task.The challenges are multiple.There is always the risk of the review inadvertently turning to an 'opinion' on the author's life/personality/vital decisions taken in his/her life instead of being an un-biased view on the work which he/she has written.If the job is to review a memoir written by someone who was even hailed as the greatest socialite after Maharani Gayathri Devi,the task becomes all the more difficult.So when I first got a chance to review 'Bird in a Banyan Tree',I was a bit apprehensive.But the bibliophile in me couldn't resist the urge to go through the book which made me accept the offer and I'm here reviewing this memoir written by Bina Ramani-the 'Bina' of Binatone.
                  Bina starts off by describing her childhood days in Dadar and Breach Candy.She eloquently writes about her first crush,'Nari' and proceeds to talk about her loving father and her caring,generous Mama who used o remind her of a Banyan Tree which extends it's sturdy,sacred root branches in every direction,providing shelter,food and comfort to all.By the end of the second chapter,we get to know about the crushing blow to her self-esteem when she was forbidden to attend the athletic training camp as her parents felt her wearing shorts and going to the training camps with other boys and girls as in-appropriate.
                   The Memoir also gives insight into her relationship with the Kapoor family of Bollywood,especially the flamboyant Shammi Kapoor.
                   Bina's prose is livid and descriptive.The writer has had the foresight to edit out the irrelevant incidents and the unnecessary details from the final draft of the book and I must say that it has helped this work tremendously.The Memoir manages to hold the reader's attention for most part and there is always a sense of anticipation among the reader regarding what is going to happen next in 'her story'.One thing which I particularly liked about her writing is that at no point in the book,Bina has made a deliberate attempt to glorify or portray herself as an epitome of all virtues.On the other hand,she has tried to be as honest as possible which makes her brave enough to accept that her penchant for dressing differently for every party had sometimes bordered on the obsessive.The Beena we get to know through the book is very much like each one of us-vulnerable and often naive. Likewise,it's heartening to realise that the author is someone who has no qualms in admitting how different she was from her sister Pushpa who was the embodiment of the obedient,conservative daughter that each parent would crave for.There is also the candid admission of her embarassement of being portrayed as 'Shammi's new crush' by the gossip hungry media.
                      It would be grossly inappropriate to call this work as Bina Ramani's life story for it's definitely much more than that.The book is not only about Bina.It's also about the other persons who have strongly influenced her or have played significant roles in her journey of life.For instance,the book reveals the hitherto unknown academic side of Shammi Kapoor and also throws light on to his love for western classical music,philosophy and history.I'm sure atleast a couple of readers might be really surprised to read how much Shammi hated his 'boisterous lover boy' image which seemed to have stuck to him eternally.Similarly this autobiography also gives a marvellous peak into the fading world of royals in the post-independent India.The book is as much a social commentary as it is a memoir.The last few chapters devoted to the Jessica Lal murder case and the media trial which she had to endure will definitely remind the discerning reader about the hypocrisy of the leading media houses and the extend to which they will go for carrying out their hidden agendas.(these days,the national media are having multiple orgasms over a newly formed Delhi based political party.Their deliberate attempt to promote it with a hidden agenda of splitting the anti-congress vote and there by helping their masters in UPA to get a third chance to loot and destroy the great country which India once was is pathetic to say the least.A definite bonus in the book is the never-before-seen black and white photos of a young Bina with other eminent personalities like Indira Gandhi and members of the Kapoor family,to name a few.
                      On the downside,I felt that the book lost track a bit somewhere towards the middle.The excessive descriptions of her frequent visits to elite 'members only' clubs and plush,private salons seemed pointless after a while.Another thing which I found jarring is that though the author has spent a lot of pages for writing about her failed marriage to Andy Ramani and her miserable life in San Francisco,what made her wealthy parents choose 'a normal middle class working man' as their son-in-law has been left largely un explained.
Verdict- On the whole,'Bird in a Banyan Tree' is a moving account of a girl's journey to womanhood and her struggles to overcome the obstacles which almost managed to destroy her.A highly recommended read.Rating-4/5  

-nikhimenon   

I know why the caged bird sings - Maya Angelou

Author: Maya Angelou

Genre: Autobiographical Novel

Price: INR 779 

ISBN: 9780812980028

Synopsis (As given at the back of the book):

A phenomenal #1 bestseller that has appeared on the New York Times bestseller list for nearly three years, this memoir traces Maya Angelou's childhood in a small, rural community during the 1930s. Filled with images and recollections that point to the dignity and courage of black men and women, Angelou paints a sometimes disquieting, but always affecting picture of the people—and the times—that touched her life.

AaishanniA:

I haven't read too many autobiographical novels in my time and out of the ones I have read none of them have made an impact on me as grave as this book.  I went looking for an autobiographical novel just for this blog post and I found a brilliant book. Firstly the author. Such brilliance. She somehow manages to turn black and white words into emotions filled with colour (no pun intended) and exposes the shades of grey. In this book Maya Angelou describes her life as a child till the birth of her first child at the age of 16. Something that makes the book better is its sad reality. The fact that these events actually happened with the author makes you admire her more for her strength during those difficult times.

The author’s mother had recently got divorced, she was three years old. She and her brother were sent to live with her grandmother who although did not treat them with too much love and made them work hard, instilled values in them and gave them a home. This part of the book is described in detail. She talks about the surrounding, the food and the treatment people of her colour of skin got in that time and some of it is just shocking. After about 5 years, they moved to live with their mother and that is when the real tough times set in. Although they loved their mother and admired her, the turn of events changed their lives forever. Maya was raped by her mother’s boyfriend. At any age this is undoubtedly a horrific experience and it traumatised her all the more as she was just a child. She was placed on the witness stand in court but was shaken up by the threats the boyfriend made towards killing her brother if she dared to say anything. Fortunately for her, this problem was solved as the perpetrator was killed soon after. The children were taken away from their mother and placed in the foster system where they jumped from one house to another all their childhood lives. Unfortunately, the children never got the childhood they deserved and were ripped of their innocence too early in life. Maya Angelou is bluntly honest about all the problems she faced in her life including violence, sexual abuse, conflict and an unwanted pregnancy. She is hard in her manner of speaking and sometimes sounds bitter about her experiences. She also shows strength by deciding to write the book in the first place as a autobiography and by relating real events and reliving those appalling times again.

The best part of the book is that she doesn't only talk about the bad times; she talks about the silver linings, the good times too. I really value that because after all that she has been through I can only imagine how difficult it is to remember the silver linings and appreciate life in general.

I also came across an article that talks about the book being banned for being too explicit, but my opinion on that is that her life was too explicit. She went through things that nobody should ever have to go through, obviously its not all rainbows and unicorns! I mean for God’s sake, I think if this is the criteria that they take into consideration while banning books, I think I’m going to go pick up a few more ‘banned’ books.

This book talks about survival against all odds. This book talks about strength. This book is a must read.

“I know why the caged bird sings — it sings to find its voice, its freedom.”

The Race of my Life - An Autobiography (by Milkha Singh)

Sometimes, to be inspired, you need to have an inspiration. Be it to achieve things, or to even think of what you want to achieve. I remember, a few years ago, I wanted to be a tennis player for India. I used to follow all of Roger Federer’s matches, even collected pictures, wallpapers, stats and what not. I’m digressing here. Sorry. I mean to say that when you’re having a dream, you would also, most likely have an idol. So perhaps, for a sprinter, to be Milkha Singh might have been one dream.

I’ve not yet seen the movie, so to read the story first was quite refreshing. Right from the time before partition, to him fleeing for his life (puts the title into perspective), the book was a very honest read. I wouldn’t criticize the story, because only he could write his life like it is. It isn’t some fiction to say it needed something, and it should have had this. It is an autobiography, and this particular one, is inspiring.

It is the story of an idol, of an Indian great, and a story of courage, determination, belief and excellence. I’m honored to have read it, and I would read it again soon.

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Book details:
Title: The Race of my Life
Author: Milkha Singh
Genre: Autobiography
ISBN: 978-81-291-2910-9
Publishers: Rupa Publishers
Price: INR. 250

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Reviewed by Leo

Shared with

1. First Reads Challenge at b00kr3vi3ws
2. Indian Quills Review Challenge at The Tales Pensieve

This was reviewed for Rupa Publishers, who I thank for the review copy. No other payment was taken for this review.

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Open - Andre Agassi

Open, though its a popular book about world's best tennis player but I first got to hear about it from Delhi Book Club's Facebook group. The book's cover as you can see features Andre Agassi. His eyes look as if they are dying to tell hundreds of stories and he does that in his autobiography. I got this book as a birthday gift from one of my twitter friends, Renu ( @Thodi_c_crazy ) with two other books, thanks to Uread.com ! :P 

Open opens with a shocking fact about Agassi, that he actually hated tennis, why ? Well, you would know about it in the first 2 chapters of the book. It was a heart breaking fact for me. I remember, when he used to play, my dad used to stick to TV during the matches and he used to pray Agassi's style of playing tennis like anything also when he got retired, dad stopped watching tennis! :) 

The book opens with Agassi gearing up for the last match of his career. In extreme pain and myriad of thoughts occupying his mind, his journey from his hotel room to the court, he explains it with such intricate details that you are instantly hooked to the book. His style of writing and the way he has expressed what used to feel in those times makes you feel sad about him. Though, I like one of the quote from the book which I would like to share here 

"Stop Thinking and Start Doing, If You Are Thinking Too Much, You Are Not Doing Anything"

 which is the rule I follow in my own life. I don't think much. I believe in doing and learning ! :) 

Also, the book teaches you a lot about life. Agassi, despite of  hating the game of tennis, seeing its highs and lows, still marvels at it. That is something I really admire about him. His rage, his attitude and his thought process is something that is forever etched on my mind after reading this. Extremely focussed in his own way, fighting with his mind and heart constantly, he achieved what his father had always wanted. I really don't know how to put this across, but I think one must read this book just to understand that how is it like hating something that you do for a living and still excel at it. 

Agassi's journey with people around him and how he treasured and dealt with them is something to look out for. The way his brother supported him, his mother, always calm and composed took care of him, his friend Perri, his coaches, his opponents and many other people, he has given all the details about each and every one of them. I absolutely loved this book and I might read it again in future. Also, I have made a pact with myself that weekends would be kept for biographies and autobiographies. They teach you a lot and give you thousands of thoughts to introspect on. Open is a MUST READ for all those people who love tennis and Andre Agassi. Pick this book as soon as possible.

Book Source : Personal Copy
Publisher : Harper Collins
Genre : Autobiography
ISBN : 978-0-00-741679-0 

Daughters of Arabia

DAUGHTERS OF ARABIA

AUTHOR: Jean Sasson

Genre: Autobiographical,Non-Fiction

ISBN-13: 9780553813777

NO. OF PAGES: 256 (Bantam books)

PRICE: Rs.288 (at Flipkart )

BOOK COVER SAYS: Readers of Princess Sultana's extraordinary story, princess, were gripped by her powerful indictment of women's lives behind the veil within the royal family of Saudi Arabia. now, the princess turns the spotlight on her two teenage daughters, Maha and Amani.

EXCERPT:  " Was Kareem that rare phenomenon, a Saudi husband who was gentle, virile, practical and intelligent? Had I been wrong in my assessment of his character?"

SWARNALI SPEAKS: Here is the sequel of Princess. Even after calling it a very depressing book, I couldn't help picking up the next one in the series (and am looking forward to reading the next one and all the others written by Sasson). After you have realised the person that Sultana is, we now know what her kids are like. Sultana has 3 children - Abdullah, Maha and Amani.

Each of her three children have taken different traits of their mother - Abdullah has his mother's compassion and respect for women, Maha, her mother's rebellious spirit and Amani, her intelligent mind. Like its prequel,this book also tends to be depressing but the happier parts lessen the reader's misery to some extent. The books is filled with tales of horror that a lot of readers might have been already acquainted with from real life news articles, of torture done on the female sex, on women who are brave enough to try to defy the unjust and often inhuman  laws, who are punished with cruelty unimaginable. The book also had tales of success like that of Fayza, reminding us that the ray of hope isn't extinguished and with a few noble men like Abdullah and his father Kareem (who is truly devoted to his wife Sultana and refuses to follow his mother's instructions to take another wife as his religion permits), change is truly possible, a change towards making the land a better and safer place for the oppressed.

Another very disturbing issue that was introduced was that of circumcision on women which is still practiced in several parts of the world under the name of religion. The severe form of inhumanity practiced during this process cannot be expressed in words. Other tales like that of Majed, Abdullah's cousin is a cruel reminder of the hypocrisy of the royals and the secretive acts done behind the curtains. The bargaining of beautiful women to fill the harems of old royal men,and the effect it has on the young minds like that of Ayesha and Maha is another disturbing area.

The book is a very captivating one despite the maddening cruelty described in the book. Apart from the horror tales, the book also has several entertaining anecdotes like how the young Amani decides to punish her uncle as her child mind finds just, stories of women bonding with each other and standing up for each other when one of them is unjustly treated. The book probes deep into the royal family in Saudi Arab, giving the readers a transparent view into the lives behind the curtains, providing insights into the practices and often unveiling the cruelty and misinterpretation of Islam that is rampantly carried on by corrupt religious leaders to serve their own selfish needs. The book should be read with an open mind, to stop yourself from being too swayed in any direction. The author gives one a clear untainted perspective from a princess's POV but the readers must be prepared to form their own opinions based on their own judgement from the situations described.

All the characters in the book are real but their real names have not been used to protect the princess and her family from harm.

MY RATING: 4 / 5

Princess

PRINCESS

AUTHOR: Jean Sasson

Genre: Autobiographical, Non fiction

ISBN-13: 9780553816952

NO. OF PAGES: 329 (Bantam books)

PRICE: Rs.288 (at Flipkart )

BOOK COVER SAYS: Jean Sasson captures the flavour and reality of life in a country full of extremes and contradictions.Princess 'Sultana', a real Saudi princess closely related to the King, lives those contradictions, with priceless jewels,many servants, unlimited funds at her disposal, but no freedom. A prisoner in a gilded cage with no vote, no control, no value but as a mother of sons, she is totally at the mercy of the men in her life...her father, her brother, her husband.

EXCERPT:  "The mere suspiction of sexual misconduct, such as kissing, can bring death to a young girl. in addition, public congratulations are given from the men of religion for the father's 'notable' act of upholding the commands of the Prophet! "

SWARNALI SPEAKS: This is one book which is both entertaining and depressing, very depressing. 

Princess Sultana is a real princess,belonging to the Saudi royal family. Her mother was married at a very tender age to a man completely unknown to her. their union produced 11 children, all daughters but one son, Ali. Ali is a carbon copy of her father, tyrannical and very condescending on women around him. Like his father he has numerous wives and an even larger number of concubines. The narrative is filled with stories about the tortures done to women in Saudi Arabia in the name of religion and propriety. Certain tales like that of the Filipino maids, Sara's first wedding to a 60 year old man, the mental and physical tortures she undergoes due to the union, the sacrifice of a few other women who tried to defy the strict laws of the county, are more than cruel.

Despite the gruesome tales, there are instance which makes the reader laugh. Sultana is a very animated character who is lucky to have married to a man who truly loves her. The description given when her future in-laws come to see her before the wedding is truly hilarious.

Princess Sultana makes it very clear to the reader that it is not Allah, her religion , Prophet Mohammed or the Holy Koran which are responsible for the fates of these women,it is for those fanatics, who have corrupted the message of God.

 I have read other articles and books where I was told that Saudi Arabia is not as open and lenient to its women like many other Arabian and Muslim countries where women are given sufficient freedom regarding their choice of jobs and clothes and wearing a Hijab is not compulsory.

Filled with a lot of historical facts about the royal family and its origin, unknown stories of cruelty and numerous rituals and religious ceremonies, the book makes a very interesting and gripping read. the style and language are very simple and fluid making it an easy read. 

MY RATING: 4.5/5

P.S.- Names of all the characters in the book are fake,to protect the princess and her family.The author has personally told me that they are real people.

P.P.S- Bestselling author of Daughters of Arabia, Desert Royale, Rape of Kuwait, Mayada: Daughter of Iraq and others. The Princess trilogy consists of Princess, Daughters of Arabia and Princess Sultana's Circle.

The Songbird on my Shoulder

Author: Saaz Aggarwal
ISBN: 978-81-922728-1-8
First published: 2012
Pages: 240
Binding: Paperback
Genre: Autobiographical

Every good thing in life has a price tag. My new job close to home, which is as close to a boon as any Mumbaikar can get, has a price tag too. No traveling time has translated to no reading time. And my love for reading is only slightly less than my hatred for traveling. No, I’m not really complaining, but I miss my books. I miss that frenetic reading I did on BEST buses during my six months at the Bandra job. I miss being the object of awe and admiration when I would post a new book review every other day on social networking sites. Now I am like anyone else; I struggle to finish a book and occasionally, stare wistfully at my blog, which begs for a new post.

I was, thus, learning to fit into my new mantle of assistant editorship of not one but two magazines and crawling through the pages of Orhan Pamuk’s much-venerated work, My Name is Red, when my old colleague and friend, Veda asked me to review her mom’s new book. I was more than honoured, because I’ve admired Saaz’s work before, and it was her book review blog that inspired me to start writing my own reviews. I said yes, albeit warily, because I wasn’t sure when I’d find the time to read it; much less, review it.

The book arrived a few days later, and out of the parcel came a happy-coloured cover with Saaz’s distinctive artwork on it. Titled, The Songbird on My Shoulder, the book had a slightly naughty subtitle: Confessions of an Unrepentant Madam. I was drawn in. The fun testimonials on the back cover by Saaz’s friends and family, the terse little introduction and the fact that it was a compilation, which did not need me to read in sequence, drew me further in. It was a welcome break from Pamuk’s need-to-ponder-upon prose.

Before I knew it, I had breezed through the book, even as the incessant wheels of domesticity and profession whirred. I wishfully flipped through the pages, taking in snippets from Saaz’s life, enjoying the randomness of it all. Here was a 30-something Saaz writing a poignant poem that betrayed her youth, and here was a 50-something Saaz reminiscing about a quaint little episode from her life, her perspectives firmly in place. Here I was laughing one moment at her toilet humour, and here I was weeping at her emotional journey into (step) motherhood. Here I was marveling at the depth of her 3-line poems, and here I was identifying strongly with her experiences as a woman, a writer, a wife and a mother.

Saaz is an easy writer to read, without her being flippant. She’s witty without being comical, deep without being pretentious and articulate without being verbose. The Songbird on my Shoulder is a compilation of articles and poetry she has written over the years, of things published and unpublished, of matters great and small. It is a pretty picture of a life lived full and well. Her life; but you will very easily see many scenes and shades from your life in it too.

Rating: 3.5/5

Price: INR 300

Bossypants by Tina Fey

Bossypants


ISBN: 978-0316056861
Pages: 277
Genre: Autobiography, humor
1st Published: 2011


Synopsis:
Liz Lemon bares it all. Apart from the fact that Tina Fey is a funny woman, in this book she talks about her upbringing, Chicago theater days, SNL and 30 rock experience. Full of anecdotes from the show business, takes you gently into the world of stand up comedy and then cracks your ribs!


Excerpt:

“The Mother’s Prayer for Its Daughter,” from Bossypants:

First, Lord: No tattoos. May neither Chinese symbol for truth nor Winnie-the-Pooh holding the FSU logo stain her tender haunches.

May she be Beautiful but not Damaged, for it’s the Damage that draws the creepy soccer coach’s eye, not the Beauty.

When the Crystal Meth is offered, May she remember the parents who cut her grapes in half And stick with Beer.

Guide her, protect her

When crossing the street, stepping onto boats, swimming in the ocean, swimming in pools, walking near pools, standing on the subway platform, crossing 86th Street, stepping off of boats, using mall restrooms, getting on and off escalators, driving on country roads while arguing, leaning on large windows, walking in parking lots, riding Ferris wheels, roller-coasters, log flumes, or anything called “Hell Drop,” “Tower of Torture,” or “The Death Spiral Rock ‘N Zero G Roll featuring Aerosmith,” and standing on any kind of balcony ever, anywhere, at any age. ..."

Nightflier Speaks:

I love 30 rock and I like Tina Fey. I like her nonchalance in being herself and using that same image to deliver comedy. So I was really pepped up to read her autobiography when a friend gifted this book, despite the fact that I don't gel well with biographies. Also its great to read something which lightens you up after a heavy read (Kiran Nagarkar's cuckold).

This book is more of a memoir. Fey sticks to timeline and starts from the start. She describes growing up in a family with a very strong father figure, hanging out with the most weird bunch of friends from an early age, summer theaters, teenage heartbreaks, bad jobs, stint with the chicago theater group, touring across America, getting married, the big break with SNL (saturday night live), having a baby and finally as a producer and boss for 30 Rock. This pretty much provides the insights into the person she is now. It is a fun story. She also tries to throw light on her 'boss' techniques which are very frankly non existent. She talks about sharing work space with a lot of talented and powerful people at the same time, which does tell you one thing. 'Dont ever come in the way of talent', let it be.

Tina Fey has had (is having) a glorious TV career, and it shows in her writing, and her anecdotes and her funny streak. And that is what makes the book a light, breezy read. But if you are expecting to take back a lot and get inspired then this is not the biography for you. It is one girl's journey from a nerdy teenager to a boss, full of energy, enthusiasm, hard work and focus.

Nonchalant, nonfussy. Signature Tina Fey-ish stuff.

Rating: 3.5/5


Price: INR 624 (Flipkart)

Wings of Fire- An Autobiography

WRITTEN BY: Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam, and Arun Tiwari

1ST PUBLISHED: 1999

ISBN 13: 978-81-7371-146-6

ISBN 10: 81-7371-146-6

SYNOPSIS:

Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam has come to personally represent to many of his countrymen the best aspects of Indian life. In his autobiography, he ascribes, with characteristic modesty, the greatness of his achievements to the influence of his teachers and mentors. He describes the struggles of his boyhood and youth, bringing alive everyday life in a small town in South India and the inspirational role of educators.

He describes the role of visionary Indian scientists, such as Dr. Vikram Sarabhai, and of the creation of a coordinated network of research institutions. This is also the saga of independent India’s struggle for technological self sufficiency and defensive autonomy- a story as much about politics, domestic and international, as it is about science.

EXCERPT:

Each individual creature on this beautiful planet is created by God to fulfill a particular role. Whatever I have achieved in life is through His help, and an expression of His will. He showered His grace on me through some outstanding teachers and colleagues, and when I pay my tributes to these fine persons, I am merely praising His glory. All these rockets and missiles are His work through a small person called Kalam, in order to tell the several million mass of India to never feel small or helpless. We are all born with a divine fire in us. Our efforts should be to give wings to this fire and fill the world with the glow of its goodness.

ARPITA SPEAKS:

It’s a book that needs no introduction. I had been thinking of reading this one ever since I went to a painting exhibition inaugurated by Dr. Kalam some time ago, at the art gallery of the Triveni Kala Sangam, in New Delhi. And I am really glad that I finally got down to reading it- thanks to the reading challenge, and a dear friend of mine who has lent it to me. However, I am actually thinking of getting my own copy now.

It was quite tough choosing the excerpt- I would quote nearly everything if I could! I finally decided on the one above, for what I love most about Dr. Kalam is his love for God as well as his interest in, and regard for, all religions. The autobiography, co-written with Arun Tiwari, who worked under Dr. Kalam for over a decade in the Defense Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), is not just a book about science and politics, but also a collection of anecdotes, recollections, and pictures from the former President’s life.

Dr. Kalam recounts incidents from his childhood, and emphasizes on the profound impact that his family, friends, teachers and relatives had on him. He reminisces about his relative Ahmed Jallaluddin’s “special connection to God” that he used to wonder about as a child; he thinks back on his interaction with his best friends Ramanadha Sastry, Aravindan, and Sivaprakasan.

There’s his love for English literature, Philosophy, and of course, Physics that he shares with us. What’s extraordinary, and remarkable, is his firm belief that there’s an intimate connection between science and spirituality. He refers to his childhood dreams, his love for aeronautics and his passion for science and, indeed, for life. What touches the heart is the humility and honesty that is ever so evident in every word. Enjoyable and, more importantly, truly inspirational- it’s an autobiography I feel proud to have read.

RATING: 4 on 5

PRICE: Rs.250/- (Universities Press)

NUMBER OF PAGES: 180

A million little pieces - James Frey

A MILLION LITTLE PIECES

GENRE - Semi-fictional Memoir 

AUTHOR - James Frey

BEST-SELLERS - A Million Little Pieces, My Friend Leonard

SYNOPSIS - 

Aged just twenty-three, James Frey has destroyed his body and his mind almost beyond repair. When he enters a rehabilitation center to try to reclaim his life, he has to fight to determine what future, if any, he has. His lack of self-pity, cynicism and piety gives him an unflinching honesty - a fearless candor is that once charming and appalling, searing and darkly funny.

EXCERPT - 

I look at my clothes and my clothes are covered with a colorful mixture of spit, snot, urine, vomit and blood. I reach for the call button and I find it and push it and I wait and thirty seconds later an Attendant arrives.

How can I help you?

Where am I going?

You don't know?

No.

You're going to Chicago, Sir.

How did I get here?

A Doctor and two men brought you on.

They say anything?

They talked to the Captain Sir. We were told to let you sleep.

How long till we land?

About twenty minutes

Thank you.

Although I never look up, I know she smiles and feels sorry for me. She shouldn't.

Chandana Speaks -

I refused to pick this book up the first two times, seeing that it was a memoir (which I am not really a fan of). But something made me pick it up the third time (maybe the name?) and boy! Am i glad! By the time you read one-fourth of the book you would be feverently wishing that it WAS fiction just so you can tell yourself that the pain the author was going through wasn't real. 

It starts with James finding himself half-conscious, delirious, with a broken nose, covered in his own vomit and blood, en route to chicago on a plane and with no clue as to how he got on the plane. After he lands he is picked up by his parents who put him in a rehabilitation center. And from there his inspirational and courageous journey starts. 

James has been an alcoholic for ten years and a crack addict for three. He is also wanted by the police in several states for different charges. In the rehab clinic he butts head with the unit supervisors when he doesn't agree with their methods. As stubborn as he is, that he's going to follow his own route to recovery, there is a certain charm to it. His agonizingly self-critical nature is something that will touch your heart. As part of his recovery he is forced to undergo a series of painful root canals without any anesthesia because even that is considered as substance abuse. The 10 page description of his root canal is something I haven't yet dared to read word to word! He copes with the pain by squeezing tennis balls until his nails crack

He also forms an unlikely friendship with Leonard(who happens to be a mafia boss). Leonard's advice to James to just "Hold on" until things get better is one of the things that helps him recover. At the end of the book he begins to care deeply for James and starts to regard him as his Son. Then there is also Lily, James's love interest. He meets Lily a fellow patient with whom he falls in love despite the strict rules against contact between Men and Women in the center. James also starts to build his almost crumbling relationship with his parents with the help of the 'Family Program'. He speaks of his 'Fury' which he thinks is the cause of all his drinking and drugs.

Another thing that hits you as soon as you start reading the book is the absence of "quotation marks". His style of writing is very unique. Its more like reading his thoughts rather than a conversation between two or more people.

All-in-all its a heartbreaking memoir. Its brutal, its candid, its a book that will make you think about family, friendship, love, death and perhaps most of all the never-say-die human spirit.

Rating - 4.5/5

PRICE - INR 295/-

Idli, Orchid and Willpower

Idli, Orchid and Willpower

Author: Vithal Venkatesh Kamat

English version by: Sanjit Narwekar

Published by: Orchid Books.

Synopsis: This inspiring autobiography of Vithal Kamat who relives his journey from the run-of-the-mill corner-store restaurateur to the owner of a unique five-star ecotel: the orchid, mumbai. ‘My journey was complete. This was not a dream. This was a fulfillment of a dream,’ he says.

Excerpt: The Taj wasn’t built in a day! How then could The Orchid be any different? At that time, even the concept of The Orchid was not in my mind. At that time I was merely a restauteur Vithal Kamat! And then, one day at a party, I met the Governor of the Reserve Bank of India…and the roller coaster ride began. No logic to it! At this party, as is my habit, I was networking, trying to meet as many people as possible, chatting with them.

The Governor asked me, “How long would you need to set up a restaurant?”

“If the place is ready, I can set up a restaurant within 24 hours,” I replied confidently.

He laughed and said, “Come and meet me tomorrow and we’ll talk about it.”

The Reserve Bank’s new high-rise had just been completed. The next day I went and met the governor. Many of the departments had still not shifted into the building. In some places work was still going on and in others, there were huge empty spaces. The governor showed me a huge empty space of about 5000 square feet and said, “I want you to start a canteen here. When do you think you can start?”

I replied, “There is light as soon as you switch on a button. That is all it will take to start it.”

He laughed at what he thought was a joke, but for me, it was not a joke. It was a challenge!

My Review: As unique as the name suggests, is the story of vithal kamat. It is the story of a man who would not let failure stand in the was of his dreams. The author’s father, who was his guide throughout, owned a few udpi restaurants in Mumbai. Right from a young age, the author was exposed to the hospitality business. “Atithi devo bhava” or "a guest is like god" was the principle followed in his father’s restaurants. Punctuality was necessary and so was the happiness of the customers. The author took these principles to heart. He was an entrepreneur and even before The Orchid, he had participated in opening and managing quite a few restaurants.

He travelled the world in search of experience and found plenty of it. Like the time when he broke into an instant jig at a food outlet to collect money when he had none, to the time when he rolled out motichoor laddus all through the night.

A collection of all such experiences helped him build ‘The Orchid,’ the first five star ecotel in India! The ups and downs that come with business, betrayal by a loved one, and mistakes one makes in his journey are all portrayed in a very charming and candid manner in this book.

The author does not shirk from admitting his mistakes and nor does he refrain 

from taking credit where it is deserved. The book portrays truth and not for one moment do you think that san incident has been over-stated.

All in all a wonderful book to read on a cozy Saturday afternoon; complete with illustrations and loads of incidents that will make you smile to yourself.

Rating:4 on 5

Price:M.R.P INR 150/-