Anecdotes of a White Collared Slave - Aashish Gupta (Book).

Anecdotes of a White Collared Slave - Aashish Gupta.

I love those Authors whose books have a connect with me in real life and it makes it even more special when one of them hits a hat-trick of sorts. Like here in the case of "Anecdotes of a White Collared Slave" is Aashish's super hat-trick of books for me which worked like a charm, just like his first two books did. And this book is almost one of those very few books that I have read twice now :) first time I read it when it was being written by him and he was kind enough to share with me a chapter or two at a time and I had to eagerly wait for him to finish another chapter to satiate my hunger for his crackling characters and real life like story, I will totally not believe even if he swears that this isn't a real life story :). And I am going to blackmail him (if possible) to read his next book ONLY if he lets me meet with the lead character of this novel in real life as and when he can or else I am definitely not reading his next book for sure :). Also, going by the title this is indeed a book cut out of my own White Collared Slavery days which are not coming to an end anyways. It took me back in time to my very first job which was a great learning experience as far as office politics, power, rivalry and management lessons are concerned. On top of that I finished this one in flat one day :) as this whole week we worked from home, all thanks to working in a an American Firm, this as well as next week is a little too easy on us lesser mortals for this is Holiday season :). What better way to spend time reading a book in office hours, pretending to work miles away from office politics but about what happens in all our offices day in day out, especially if you work in a cut through IT, KPO or a BPO Unit in today's time.

Aashish Gupta's biographical book is full of some amazing characters that we all come across in our daily lives which can be divided in three groups. First one are those who come and go to office to just pass some time, chit chat a little, flirt a little more, look good and worry not about what goes around in the company. Second types are those who work a lot like slaves, hardly get recognized, are never his or her boss's pet yet organizations need them big time, they get bulled all the time yet when they ask for appraisals, their manager's throw a number in front of them which makes them puke. And the Third types are those smart workers, who do not work their arses off but are a charming personality who could never go wrong and they carry the entire project on their own two shoulders, and they do delivery everything on time exactly as expected and climb the success / corporate ladder in very fast & furious mode yet they do not stick to one company for a very longer duration. All these three characters as carved out by the Author were my favorite but the second one (Atmaramani) was the best man as per me, that character and that name, I am going to take to my grave with me, Unforgettable, hilarious as well as heart touching, he is THE MAN of the book. The book is a roller coaster ride from the word go, starting from the interview of a prospective employee to his coming on board and seeing that the promises made by the company on interview and offer are ful-filled in a most hilarious way is precisely how it happens in real life with all of us and how we take it with a pinch of salt is what this book is all about. The story even covers the benefits provided by companies to make their jobs look more lucrative, one of the most hilarious episode was on the Cab service that company offers to its employees. It actually make me laugh out loud like crazy (totally PG Wodehouse way).

I loved it so much that I wish I could gift a copy of this book to all my colleagues, counterparts and friends who work in similar atmosphere all across the globe. And I will make sure that my close buddies are surely going to read this one to find some of their own colleagues in the book or who knows, we too might as well are one of the characters from the book. if you have read this, do let me know how you liked it and if you haven't read it yet and are on the lookout for a book to have a good laugh, life experience and a terrific message in the end, do give this book a try, it will not fail you for sure.

A word of advice to Author (If at all this passes through his eyes). Dude, fire your editors please (at the earliest), I really wonder why this book was only 144 pages, even if this was 300+ pages like the way it was while you were writing it, I would have asked for more. I am sure you have cut this short some 100 odd pages or more, trust me when I say this, the longer the better as your characters were really amazing, I would have loved them even more with more detailing. 

I've Never Been (Un)Happier - Shaheen Bhatt (Book)

I've Never Been (Un)Happier - Shaheen Bhatt.

I can never forget that conversation I had with one of my best buddies last year, when he told me that his elder brother who was our savior back in the college days, committed suicide just like that. He told me his brother called in the dead of the night and precisely said "Bhai, I am going" and disconnected the call. The very next day as the family returned back to house they found him hanging with the ceiling fan, later they realized that he was depressed for quite a few months but as it happens in our part of the world "Depression" is still not considered a disease and the person going through it should consult a professional and seek help. This was a regular person like you and me going through the rut of daily middle class life. I can also not forget the day it flashed all over the news about Jia Khan's suicide, a successful movie career cut short by a drastic step, reason? same, depression due to fall out with a so called boy friend. I really wondered why super successful and rich people too committed suicide, there are so many examples (no point quoting names) that we all know of so very well. So, when a book like that came out in the market written by a celebrity kid (Mahesh Bhatt's Daughter and Alia Bhatt's Sister) I had to grab it to know what it was all about. On top of that the book is being sold at INR 15/- Only (Kindle Version) as we speak. I have been a fan of her half sister Pooja Bhatt all my life but unfortunately I had no idea of her existence till this book actually came out. That is precisely what she claims is one of the main reason behind her Depression and the unsuccessful suicide attempt she had a while ago.

I initially thought it will be a quick read as the book was hardly 70 odd pages but it took me almost three days to go through her life story, plight and brave attempt to bounce back in life. I just couldn't fathom exactly like she claims she too thought the same that after being born in an illustrious family with loads of fame and money, things could actually go wrong for her. Hardly 29 years of age today, she is been in depression for 15+ years, still going through it but has come out of majority of her issues as she claims in the book. It is not a story that she narrates but just the tidbits of a celebrity kids life from her own family. I was shocked to see that up-to the half mark there was no mention of her own parents, family, siblings, cousins and friends, she was a total loner as if left to fend on her own. Her own set of struggle that is born with a famous last name and expectations from it all. She isn't half as beautiful as her other siblings and she has no talent whatsoever in her to be the part of the world she belongs to by birth. Outcome? Depression. I loved the way she calls a spade a spade in her story and totally blunt about it all as it happens with her, no shying away from the problem or sharing her very personal thoughts with the world. Bravo to the girl as I am sure this book will give strength to so many out there who struggle with the same problem day in day out. The best part of the book is her interaction with her father (Mahesh Bhatt) and his clarity of thoughts. He is anyways famous in good and bad both ways to speak his heart out but the way he talks to his daughter who he knows is going through a rough patch and gives her so much hope, is totally amazing. Also the way she quotes Syliva Plath's words is simply so apt. Those words are definitely worth quoting, although I am too bad in quoting but that is one reason I will say everyone has to read this gem of a book.

There are so many celebrity books out there in the market in today's time that I have been meaning to read but I kept away from them. I am super glad that I picked up this one which is one of the best meaningful book that I have read in a long time. It is much much better than those futile attempts or ghost written books by other celebrity kids making up to bestseller stands. I am doubly sure that neither this book will make a big name of itself nor will be talked about much but it has to be read and recommended big time.

Have you read "I've Never Been (Un)Happier"? or do you plan to read a non-fiction like that?

The Veil - Minal Arora & Kirti D Narang (Book)

The Veil - Minal Arora & Kirti D Narang. When it comes to books I must say I am born lucky :) and this must be the 100th time I will be mentioning that there is nothing which can beat the feeling of getting a signed book by Author and that too with a terrific personal note too :). On top of that if the book turns out to be a beautiful collection of stories from real life that too from past lives with amazing messages, it made it even better for me as a reader. I have read two of Minal's earlier books and found them totally mind-blowing, not only me but my parents too loved her books big time. I have read a lot of books from the Authors from our side of the world, some of them are undoubtedly too good but there are a very few which actually throw some light on spirituality or say on the question of why we are here or what is our purpose in this life. And so far what I have read, none of them talks about the past life experiences or someone's karmic connection and all. Now if you do not know about Minal, let me tell you that she is a Past Life Regression Therapist (Professionally) and a Serenity Surrender Teacher & Therapist other than of-course being a koolest Writer that I know a little bit. What I loved about this collection called "The Veil" is that she has turned the real life experiences of a handful of people into beautiful heart-touching stories for us lesser mortals to understand their deep meanings. If that wasn't enough, her Co-Author Kirti D Narang has further made it more beautiful by putting terrific poems before each story which kind of gives a glimpse of what to expect. Although I am not much into poetry but I must say this book has some amazing ones and the bonus is the last one from Minal herself. And there is a third contributor (Maarisha Chhajta) too to the book in the form of various Geometry Artworks right before the stories. A brilliant package I must call it. Five terrific stories from the lives of regular people like you and me who have no idea why their lives are like the way they are because we have no idea of our past, what went through in our previous lives (if you believe in that) and how it effects our current life. It is totally unbelievable how the Author connects dots from someone past life into their current ones and putting them to ease and offering solutions to various problems they face. All the stories are totally intriguing and were eye openers as it is in the ending that I realized what they actually meant when the Author discloses the characters current lives. My favorite was of-course the one with the Indian Mythological connection :) I so much want to disclose but can only hint that it is about one of the most adored & equally feared Goddess from our part of the world, and how beautifully it is re-told as well as the connect, you've got to read it yourself. Also my second favorite was the last one called "The Spirit" which I will never be able to forget ever in my life as it has a Father-Son connect. The first story about a British woman in love with an Indian man and their failed love was a superb heart-touching start from the pre-independence era. I loved the way these characters were named :) making the stories even more beautiful and believable. Now that I have finished the book and loved it, I am actually finding it very difficult to talk about without disclosing much as I want every one to read it. Almost all the stories have so much pain, trouble, betrayal and what not but of-course there are reasons behind it all as there is a purpose too why it is like that and how it all culminates into someone's present is the best part of it all. If you have read "The Veil" do let me know how you like it and if you haven't read it yet, I suggest you read it ASAP as it is hardly 100 pages yet contains so much. And I will be eagerly looking forward to her next work as and when it comes.

Game of Thrones - Season 3 (TV Series).

Game of Thrones - Season 3 (TV Series).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Game_of_Thrones_(season_3)

I am just done with the last episode of Season 3, the way they ended it on such a high and emotional note, has left me totally speechless (choked and with tears in my eyes). This I believe is only the second time that I have felt these emotions watching a TV series. The only other time it happened was at the end of last season of FRIENDS. This was the third season that I've seen back to back with almost no TV in between (this is the fastest I could do from the last one) and seriously kudos to the makers for maintaining the consistency of the story, characters and the way it all progresses. Imagine six Directors directing ten episodes, still there is no disconnect anywhere, it is smooth like silk and so pleasing on eyes and ears. Now that I am done with it, I must say that story has started diverting (big time) from the books and guess this is the moment that I have to start forgetting what I have read :) and concentrate and enjoy what the TV series has to offer me here onward. Still, let me say this too that the grin refuses to vanish from my face, of-course the way they keep killing my loved characters makes me angry and sad at the same time, but that's what we have to live with when it comes to entertainment.

From the very start to the mid and by the end of the season 3, Starks are no more my favorites :) as Lannisters are ruling my heart as of now. Much to my own shock, amazement and shame too. My loyalty keeps shifting between the three amazing Lannisters, where Tyrion and Jamie are at par but Papa Lannister Tywin has impressed me big time, totally smitten in love with him, my heart knows that he will be killed sooner than later but as long as it lasts. I love his leather jacket and the way he wears that hand on his chest is simply mind-blowing. I pray that they divert the story big time, keep him alive and I get to see so much more of him. Tyrion is the man to die for, his collection and habit of reading books keeps me grinning, his love towards Shae and trying not to let go of her is simply too much. Jamie fighting for Brienne :) and that faint smile on her face was simply too good. Praying for Joffrey to be killed soon, hope they listen to it.

When it comes to my shifting loyalty, no wonder Starks are not too far behind, up-till the end of season 2- Arya Stark was my big time favorite but now as Sansa the girl is turning into a fine fine Woman (even at the bloody age of 14) I feel like I am liking her more now. I kept both my eyes opened throughout the season and let me tell you that Arya Stark smiles only once in the entire season that too when the Dog tells her that he is taking her to her brother :) Wow, what an amazing scene it was. Hope she takes the revenge for all her brothers, sister, father, mother, wolves, kingdom and so much more. Unfortunately Jon Snow still knows nothing and I hated the way his relations turn out with Ygritte :(.

Daenerys Targaryen the Dragon mother is going from strength to strength collecting army. As the Game of Throne gets more intense I really wish and feel that she should get it back ASAP, although the way it is going it doesn't look like a possibility any sooner but I love it the way her story is progressing and totally amazing is the way Barristan and Mormont both standby her :). With the Unsullied army in the background and new empires falling for her, it is going to be a superb battle in the end I believe. Emilia Clarke has seriously gained respect from me personally with this character, although I hate the makers that the "Toker" she wears in the TV series is no match to what she had in the book. If you know what I mean.

The Grejoys have my full sympathy but I know that they will bounce back (hopefully) with Yara the sister who is going to rescue Theon who I would have killed personally at the drop of a hat if that was in my hand :) but I am super happy with what Ramsay doing with him. The King beyond the wall and their struggles are damn thrilling, I loved the brief climb :) and kept asking for so much more. Both the Clegane brothers are never getting their due from the makers yet, would love to see them face to face someday in some season :) but they are gaining respect in my eyes with each episode and chapter. Davos is another of my favorite and his loyalty to Stannis is simply unparalleled.

The less I talk about the women the better it is as I feel weird to say that I am in love with at least half a dozen of them already from the series in no particular order :). Starting from the new changed Sansa to Gilly the love of Samwell Tarly's life, Ygritte who bloody Jon Snow cannot keep up with any longer, I don't want her ever to die. Shae and her expressions in front of Imp, mind-blowing. The Red Woman and her cunning ways to see Stannis on Throne but her loyalty to the man and beauty is simply unbelievable. Meera is the new addition, although she comes late in TV series but I hope she gets more footage now onward. Did I mention Margaery anywhere. The last to show up on my list will be Daenerys.

Against my own wishes I am not able to hate Little Finger or even Varys :) the king makers, admire the way they actually go near the Throne all the time even after knowing that they will never be able to sit on it is simply incredible.

I am totally amazed with my own ability of not only remembering but also being able to love so many characters that too from a TV series, this is totally Epic. I wish I was watching this when the whole world was watching but guess it is never too late.

The only grudge that I have with the makers is that they have not put any songs in the series so far :) unlike the books where they had so many interesting songs and singers here there and everywhere. Hope I get to hear some in the upcoming seasons.

PS: If you still remember anything from Season 3, do tell me if any of you got confused between Roose Bolton and Stannis Baratheon :) for a brief moment I was shocked to see Stannis sitting with Starks in Edmure's wedding when I realized it wasn't actually him almost his lookalike Bolton :).

A Couple of Choices - Ajesh Sharma (Book)

A Couple of Choices - Ajesh Sharma.

How do I start my blabber with a blasphemous sentence, a confession of sorts and yet save myself from some brick-bats? That is what was going through my mind as soon as I finished this little gem of a book. Undoubtedly this is the first of its own kind of "Play" that I have ever read in the last couple of decades, loved it totally and now I am hooked, shocked and amazed that why no one forced me to read a Shakespeare or my own personal favorite Oscar Wilde? I am super glad that I finally laid my hands on this incredibly short yet terrific book, written in the play format which makes it further more interesting. And on top of that the story is so real life like that I believe I know quite a few friends who are either going through this phase in their lives, or some may be contemplating doing what the protagonist of this story does with his own life and how it all shapes in the longer run, was totally amazing. As the title suggests, its all about the choices that we make in life and one always has a couple of them only. I myself have been married for almost 14 good years now and I won't shy away from saying that the thought of running away from it all in search of real meaning hasn't crossed my mind ever. Or a thought like - is this what I am supposed to do what I am doing? I don't know if Author really wanted his story to be philosophical or not but it worked big time for me and made me smile, laugh, almost made me look for someone to give a Hi5 and kept me in suspense too as how it all going to end.

Story of Alex, a successful middle aged Author with four amazing books to his credit is living a life of a recluse (by choice). He has his dream home, as exactly how he wanted and has been living like that for a decade or more. It all changes when suddenly his estranged wife Phyllis makes an entry back in his life for a reason unknown to him. His life revolves around his literary Agent (another superb character and a great friend), his Editor and book club fans who look up to him. As the story progresses from one scene to another, the reader discovers more about the man, his wife and the family that he had left behind and more questions are answered for the reader in very intriguing manner by the Author. I loved the way he keeps one of his rooms locked which has a very high emotional or shall I say romantic value for him. What he keeps hidden their from his friends and only opens it up for his estranged wife, is what one should read this book for. As I said the story is so believably true and real life like that I totally loved it especially the way it touches something as simple as that "You don't have time for me" between a Husband and wife and the discussion gets blown out of proportions almost every-time it starts :), had totally me in smile and me think and wish that I could make my wife read this gem :). But would a thing like that make you walk out of life of someone you have loved your entire life? And can there be a resolution once someone actually takes a step in that direction and really walk out? How about others who pay the price for the same without being a part of the actually problem, say kids. Wow! What all this story touches in such a short yet meaningful manner was simply terrific. I never expected so much from such a short book and kept asking for more.

This book will be an eye opener for all the married people out there :) for me it was a huge one telling me "You are not the only one going through this brother, we all are in the same boat" :). I hope and wish that Mr. Ajesh is definitely writing another gem of a book as I post this and I will get to read it as soon as it is out. Even a sequel will get a great welcome from me as I really want to know how Alex's life will go forward :) may be I will ask him that personally as he is available on Facebook :).

Have you read "A Couple of Choices"? Do let me know how you like it, and if you haven't read this one, do not miss it at any cost. Give it a read ASAP, you can finish this one in flat one sitting and it will give you so much food for your thoughts.

PS: And now I will dash to my first Shakespeare or Oscar Wilde play :) Any recommendations for an easy one I can start with?