2 States and Chetan Bhagat’s Writing

Just finished 2 states and I hated to drop the book if I had to to other work. What impresses most is the simplicity and wittiness of the language. Chetan tries to create a sense and scene out of his creation and in all his writings, I guess ’2 states’ is best. May be some of his own experiences have brought the great content on the pages and it creates a cohesive story till the end. And marriage is such a vital issues to all the Indians, so its easy to connect and visualize.

Chetan has created a niche in the Indian story telling market, which started with Ruskin long time back. Ruskin also used small sentences and little

Keep Off the Grass – Karan Bajaj

Just finished this book from Karan Bajaj…  An interesting and dramatic read.  Didn’t leave it till I finished it.

Also, while browsing Karan’ site, stumbled on a good poem from Ruskin Bond:

As I walked home last night
I saw a lone fox dancing
In the cold moonlight.

I stood and watched.
Then took the low road, knowing
The night was his by right.

Sometimes, when words ring true,
I’m like a lone fox dancing
In the morning dew.

Veronika Decides to Die

Just finished this book, though it has dramtic start, and tries to put forth the idea of living ones true passion and living life to one’s true call…

but end could have been better…

Still wondering why the title include ‘decides’ rather ‘wants’….

Other links

Book

Wiki Page

You may get some free copies here

Paulo Coelho – The Alchemist

I finished reading ‘The Alchemist’ second time.  I read it in 2006 but wanted to chew some more lines of the book and to read the end again. So I did.

Here are the excerpts from the epilogue:

The boy reached the small, abandoned church just as night was falling. The sycamore
was still there in the sacristy, and the stars could still be seen through the half-destroyed roof. He remembered the time he had been there with his sheep; it had been a peaceful night…except for the dream.

“You old sorcerer,” the boy shouted up to the sky. “You knew the whole story. You even left a bit of gold at the monastery so I could get back to this church. The monk laughed when he saw me come back in tatters. Couldn’t you have saved me from that?”

“No,” he heard a voice on the wind say. “If I had told you, you wouldn’t have seen the Pyramids. They’re beautiful, aren’t they?”

Its all about fulfilling one’s heart’ desire, isn’t it?

Here is the blog of Paulo Coelho.

Randy Pausch – The Last Lecture

Just finished Randy Pausch’s – Last Lecture. Its mostly a personal account of his life and his legacy. But I liked some of his views around time management, family values and the team skills.

Built To Last

Was planning to buy this book for a long time but landed in buying the audio and it was amazing. Finished most of the stuff listening while driving to/from office. It has given insights for enduring companies  which have managed to change with change successfully and last. These companies are not centered around one great idea but getting the right people and then doing the business. Likes of HP, GE, IBM, Marriott, Boeing cases are eye openers. They have these successful companies at one side and the comparison companies on the other side. At the end it has thrown some light on values and vision on personal and the collective leadership which is worth emulating. Overall a great read and a great audio. Audio has the feel of the passion through which these authors has crafted the ideas to perfection.