PT Readers

"The White Tiger" by "Aravind Adiga"

2009-10-04T02:58:00.000-07:00

Well, a fiction after such a long time?? I think the book paid it off. Aravind Adiga as you all must be knowing, is a bookers prize winner for his debut book "The White Tiger". The writing style is quite informal but at the same time quite impressive as well. He formulates his own metaphors and connotations and presents them in such a way that it brings an automatic smile to your face. I got at least 100 new words from the book. So be ready with your dictionary.

The book talks about a man (Balram) from the dark (village) and how he bears and copes with the tough conditions. The person had a strong urge to do something big in his life. He formulates a plan to achieve the quest and breaks the rooster's coop in quite an audacious fashion. I shouldn't be telling you the story I guess. But I must say, it should be the book in your queue.

I am not in great mood to write now. So leaving you here!!!!

All set to go for the next one----Superstar India by "Shobhaa de"

Video Review

Google Story by David A. Vise and Mark Malseed

2009-08-27T09:23:00.000-07:00

Imagine a world without Google. No seriously, a world without google. A world you couldn’t find out with a click of mouse, the GDP of Greece. A world where if you are not feeling well you can’t just sit out in front of your computer and figure out whether it popped out a cup of aspirin or do you need to call 911? It’s amazing, right? Just 12 years ago there was no google and five years before that, there was no way to search the internet. And that posed a big problem because really, what is the use of World Wide Web if you couldn’t navigate and get where you wanted to go. The companies that took a step at search included some of the iconic names in the history of the internet like yahoo, excite and altavista. But even though the guys who started those outfits, were some of the brightest young things in the history of the American business. In the end, they found themselves unable to crack the code.

Then the pair of super-brainy, super-nerdy twenty something solved the search problem. This book tells you how they did it and how they become multi-billionaires in the process. The book has covered the search revolution from the scratch. Google has all kinds of innovative products and is growing like crazy in the current century. It gave birth to many collateral businesses. In essence, it has brought a complete paradigm shift in how things work across the world.

On the web today, we type my name “Gagan Kalra” into a search engine and boom, you can find pretty much everything about me and things that I have ever written. Although there are over a150 millions on websites and billions of web pages out there, the technology that makes the super search possible is kind of a miracle and the miracle that most of us have come to take entirely for guaranteed.

There are many many many many things about Google which have been unleashed in this book. So please go through it once to know the inside story

Farrah Gray: An entrepreneur you must know about

2009-07-24T08:52:00.000-07:00

A look at Dr. Farrah Gray…Celebrity Entrepreneurial Icon, Philanthropist and Business Mogul. His success story is an amazing look at what an “uncomfortable” entrepreneur is. If you enjoy his story, you’ll love his book! Check it out below!

Source: http://www.rodkirby.com/2009/07/24/farrah-gray-reallionaire/trackback/

"Made in America" By Sam Walton

2009-07-06T10:07:00.001-07:00

A man of his words, a man with patience, a man with innovation, a man who is resilient by choice not by force and what else, a man with success flowing towards him all the way from heaven throughout his life, SAM WALTON. An autobiography, you must read because this book is about an ordinary person like you and me who has accomplished some extra-ordinary tasks (not like you and me). From the very early in his life, he had the gumption of what is good and what is not. The man, who had started from a dime and is one of the richest man on earth, well must have done something hefty. The book expatiates how Sam Walton learned to value every single pie he had. The kind of hard-work that Walton has performed, you would really not find it anywhere else. He had personally visited every store which was in competition with Wal-Mart to see the kind of culture they had. He always worked on ethics and justified himself with numbers rather than flamboyance. Not only this, he is still living the same frugal lifestyle which he started when he was born, which really looks odd superficially but I am convinced after reading his thoughts. Undoubtedly, there were some flaws in his way of operating things, which he overcome with the time.

In his personal life, he is gifted with a beautiful wife and blessed with four kids. He had raised the kids with potent principles and fundamentals of life. He had trained and honed specific skills in every kid. One thing that everyone appreciates about Sam is that he has always been welcoming and always embraced everyone’s thoughts which make him adorable.

There are many more things in the book which would make sense only on reading. So what are you waiting for, go get yourself one copy.

This book review has been posted by Gagan Kalra, PT Chandigarh.

"Blink" By Malcolm Gladwell

2009-07-06T08:16:00.000-07:00

Have you ever made some important decisions in your life based on the ‘gut’ feeling? Have you ever trusted your instincts to the extent that they deserve? The importance and the working of this natural instinct of each and every person has been explained in this book. This book is all about those moments when we know something without knowing ‘why’. This book explores the phenomenon of ‘blink’; showing how a snap judgement can prove to be far better than a cautious decision. By trusting our instincts, the author reveals, we’ll never think about thinking in the same way again. The book includes various interesting instances where the people in different parts of the world arrived at correct decisions in a ‘blink’. All these examples make an interesting reading experience. After reading this book, we realize the power of snap judgments and the part that our subconscious mind plays in the same. Also, the book reveals some of the cautions to be observed while tapping on this power of instinct. So, grab your copy of ‘blink’ and realize ‘the power of thinking without thinking…’.

This book review has been published by Paminderjit Sunner, PT Chandigarh

Enjoy the video below.

Malcolm Gladwell - Blink - Funny videos are here

"Monkey Business" By William Oncken

2009-07-06T08:06:00.001-07:00

How often does it happen that we happen to increase our workload because we keep ourselves busy doing the tasks that are actually meant for others. Such an attitude can actually play a havoc in our professional life when we are in a managerial position. This book tells us the problems that managers face because of not knowing how to make others do their own work, without gobbling up our(manager’s) precious time. The various assignments that have to be completed in an organization have been given the name of ‘monkeys’ in this book. The author has clearly mentioned the importance of the ability to let the right monkeys on the right backs for the success of a manager. After reading this book, we come to know how to say ‘no’ when it is actually requisite. We also come to know how to stop our sub-ordinates to hassle us (managers) with the problems that are actually meant for them to solve. Of course, managers are there to help; but not to take the load of subordinates on their backs; managers are there to supervise. The ‘monkey business’ can prove to be a true guide for the work/ time management of a manger. An interesting point to be taken care of by managers is that he has to see if the monkey is on the subordinate’s back when they part ways after a discussion. This can happen only when manager is capable enough to motivate others to think of solutions for their problems rather than taking the burden of thinking about the solution on himself. Thus, a manager can save a lot of time; which can then be used to perform the higher level tasks of the organization, which a manager is actually supposed to do. So, this book, written in an easy to understand manner with interesting examples, is a must read for the future managers.

This book review has been published by Paminderjit Sunner, PT Chandigarh

"The Secret" By Rhonda Byrne

2009-07-06T08:01:00.000-07:00

What if you get the power to manifest your each and every desire in this universe? What if you come to know that you are the root cause of whatever difficulties you face in life? What if you get a secret mantra to have as much money, power, fame, joy and health as you can think of?
Seems impossible!---Actually, it is very much possible.
‘The Secret’ , by Rhonda Byrne, makes you realize the existence of such amazing possibilities , along with guiding you to the way of manifesting those as realities. The reading of this book provides an inner joy, an enlightened spirit and a lifetime experience that can’t be described in words. The core point in the book is ‘The law of attraction’ that prevails in this universe. According to this law, whatever we think and feel, it gets attracted to us; no matter it is positive or negative. We create the pictures of our life by focusing on certain things through our powerful thoughts. The universe is like a powerful genie that keeps on repeating to each one of us---‘Your wish is my command.’ Three simple steps to fulfill all our desires have been given in this book--- 1. Desire, i.e., Be clear of whatever you wish. 2. Believe, i.e., take it as a fact that your desire has been fulfilled and have gratitude for the same. 3. Receive, i.e., finally you actually see your desire manifested in the real world.
It means, this book shows me the way to unlimited health, wealth, fame, power, happiness and much more. It provides an awareness of our own self, its potential and its wonderful nature.
Isn’t it life transforming! It, undoubtedly, is. So, what are you waiting for? Go ahead, get a copy of this book, read, practice and enjoy the magic of ‘The Secret’ in the transformation of your life.

This book review has been submitted by Paminderjit Sunner, PT Chandigarh

"Devil Wears Prada" By Lauren Weisberger

2009-07-06T03:12:00.000-07:00

One of the finest fiction I have ever come across. This novel tells you the importance of sticking to your ethics and morality. As a conventional fiction, this one too has many characters and is quite confusing at times. Anyways the story revolves around a girl, Andrea Sachs a recent Brown University graduate, who works under a formidable and notorious editor-in-chief of a magazine called Runway. Her boss wants everything on time and at any cost which really pisses everyone off around her. Boss has been hated by everyone but no one dares to utter even a single word against her. But Andrea has some different approach in life, although she does everything her boss wanted her to do. There is nothing that goes her way whenever she tries to accomplish goals set by her boss. She seems to be gentle and wise with everyone else in the office and tries her level best to do everything which is supposed to be done by her. The main aim of her life was to work for the Runway magazine for a year or so and then to take a sharp turn with another job. But she gets stuck to it and finds it extremely hard to leave. Her boss reviles everything she does despite being her best efforts put in it. At the end her efforts pay when she apprises her boss that some workers in the office are conspiring against her (boss). The end seems to be a bit dramatic but that is what fictions are all about.

This book review has been posted by Gagan Kalra, PT Chandigarh.

You can also watch the trailer of the movie below.

Enjoy

2009-07-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

Now enjoy the book reviews along with the video reviews. Check out the amendments at www.ptreaders.blogspot.com

"iCon Steve Jobs" By Jeffrey S. Young and William L. Simon

2009-06-26T07:09:00.000-07:00

Well the book is about a nerd who actually ruled the world in his heyday, Steve Jobs. Despite his peculiar modus operandi about different aspects of life, he made it big. The king of organizations like “Apple”, “Pixar” and “Next” and the founder of innovative products like “Macintosh computer”, he often surprised the world. The reclusive nature couldn’t stop him from getting awards after awards. The venal had a unique way of convincing people and had almost succeeded every time.
Jeffery and William expatiated upon every aspect of his life in this book. Starting from the day when he forced his step parents to spend more money than they can afford till the foundation of “Ipod” and “Itunes”. He started the company name “Apple” after dropping out from the Reed College in a garage with another nerd “Steve Woznaik”. The text elaborates enough about the reasons for his expulsion from the company, he started. But the Zen believer still found the way to escape and made a foray in the world of computer graphics. His company “Pixar” made a stupendous impact on the world with the help of computer animation. It also resulted in winning “Oscar” and acted as a life savior for his sinking ship.
The main inspiration I got from this book is how to stand alone. It doesn’t matter you know anything or not. All that matters is how you handle things. Jeffery and William gave the text, a professional touch. So even if you don’t like reading biographies, I can surely say this is the one you can probably go for.

This book review has been contributed by Gagan Kalra, PT Chandigarh

"Made In America" By Sam Walton

2009-06-26T01:41:00.000-07:00

Here I am talking about the book made in america.... the book written by sam walton founder and chairman of wal-mart ..the biggest retail chain ...he tells about the story of wal-mart how he faces so many difficulties at the beigning,but at the end the determination and smart work counts...at the age of 7-8 years he use to sell newspapers and milk but now he is a billionarie so how that become possible...that is what we know when we read the book...its the story about believing yourself your idea and prove you was right ,its the story about risk and hardwork,and how to become the master of your thoughts this is story about a man whose empire was built not with smoke and mirrors,but with good old-fashioned elbow geese....so what are you waiting for beg,buy or borrow but must read this extraordinary story.....

Notice: This book review has been contributed by Sunil Goyal, PT Chandigarh

"The seven spiritual laws of success" By Deepak Chopra

2009-06-22T05:43:00.000-07:00

This book by Deepak Chopra distills the essence of his teachings into seven simple, yet powerful principles that can easily be applied to create success in all areas of our life. The laws given in the book can easily be connected to our religious teachings, as the presentation of the author makes it easy to connect ourselves with those. The book tells us how we can transform our dreams from the unmanifested to the manifested. As we read the book, we enjoy a heartfelt delight and a rejuvenation. The book talks about ‘The law of pure potentiality’ that asks us to be self-refferal instead of being object-referral. Then comes ‘The law of giving’ which tells us how giving is a sort of receiving itself and how we help ourselves when we give something to others with a nice intention . After that, the author introduces ‘The law of karma’, in which it is made clear that how can we control our karma so as to make them realize our dreams. After that comes an interesting law, ‘The law of least effort’, which tells us the recipe to attain maximum with the minimum of effort. Next comes, ‘The law of intention and desire’ that again ensures that a human being has got all the potential to make his/her heartfelt desires come true and tells the way to do the same. Then the author talks about ‘The law of detachment’ which teaches us to keep ourselves detached from the outcomes in order to have better results. The last is ‘The law of dharma’ that is all about realizing our purpose in life and asking ourselves ‘how can we serve humanity?’ At the end of each law’s description, the author gives some simple steps to be followed in order to incorporate these laws into our daily lives; now that can be really helpful. The book is written in easy to understand language, but capable enough to make you feel each word that you read. The book represents an essence of human life. If understood and applied properly, I feel these laws can really lead us to the successful human life, that we all desire.

Notice: This book review has been contributed by Paminderjit Sunner, PT Chandigarh

Important Notice

2009-06-21T07:54:00.000-07:00

Fact book is updated almost daily with interesting facts from different fields. So please check them as often as possible. Please copy the link below and paste it in new browser window. Otherwise it will not work
www.ptreaders.50webs.com

"Rich Dad Poor Dad" By Robert Kiyosaki

2009-06-12T14:55:00.000-07:00

After nurturing different categories of novels and books, I was looking for some new taste when i came across this book. Because it was the time to improve my so called "Financial literacy".

The book is largely based on Kiyosaki's upbringing and education in Hawaii, although the degree of fictionalization in his anecdotes is disputed. Because of the heavy use of allegory, some readers believe that Kiyosaki created the Rich Dad character as an author surrogate (a literary device), discussed further in the criticism section below. The book highlights the different attitudes to money, work and life of these two men, and how they in turn influenced key decisions in Kiyosaki's life.

Among some of the book's topics are:

the value of financial intelligence
that corporations spend first, then pay taxes, while individuals must pay taxes first
that corporations are artificial entities that anyone can use, but the poor usually don't know how

This is an excellent book overall, because you will be 100% convinced after reading it and will also start to think about your financial world.

This book was a boom for me and hope it will be the same for you as well

"A Quiver Full of Arrows" By Jeffrey Archer

2009-06-12T14:38:00.000-07:00

So after going through the first phase of reading philosophies and fictions, I made a foray in the world of short stories. The main motive of making this foray was to finish reading these kinds of books in a short span but boy this was a hard book to start with. Jeffrey had used the most difficult words I had ever come across in my life. Seriously, these words took the crap out of me. But I took that lag very positively and today I am having a written vocabulary of more than 550 unusual words.

This book includes following stories

The Chinese Statue
The Luncheon
The Coup- The story of two business rivals who happen to check in at the same hotel in another country in order to expand their business and end up resolving their differences after a military coup that leaves them stranded.
The First Miracle
The Perfect Gentleman
One Night Stand
The Century
Broken Routine
Henry's Hiccup
A Matter of Principle
The Hungarian Professor
Old Love-The love story of two undergraduates at Oxford in the 1930s that begins with bitter rivalry.

Each story in this book has a different taste and theme. It takes only 3-4 pages to make interest in a story and once you have reached there, I promise you, you will not feel like leaving it till the end. That's the magic......
So you can enjoy

"The Secret" By Rhonda Byrne

2009-06-12T14:32:00.000-07:00

This was the real turning point and gave me the whole new vision of looking at things which used to bother me. Its an excellent philosophy written by Rhonda Byrne and my first book by any foreign author.

The Secret is a bookthat presents what is claimed to be a centuries-old technique of the Law of Attraction, which in essence is the power of an individual's positive thinking to change and influence outcomes in their lives. The book claims that by using the "Laws of Attraction", an individual can become wealthier, healthier, and happier. The "Laws of Attraction" are the "secret" that the title of the book suggests to the reader. The book claims that the secrets outlined in the book have been known by famous and influential people for centuries, but that they have conspired to keep these secrets hidden from the general public for their own benefit.

The Secret is described as a New Age spiritual self-help book, with the basis of the claims of the "Laws of Attraction" originate through understanding the cosmos and how an individual can influence it for their own personal gain and benefit.

I would say that if you have even the slightest of interests in philosophy, then this book is surely for you. It really can do wonders if you are an emotional person.

"Three Mistakes Of My Life" By Chetan Bhagat

2009-06-12T14:20:00.000-07:00

Again a novel by "Chetan Bhagat". At this point in my life, i could say that i was in habit of reading books. But it took me long time to be in perpetual motion of reading books one after the other. Not even after this book i could maintain that habit. I am maintaining this blog, just for the sake of this perpetual motion. Anyways for the moment, lets talk about this book only.
The novel, written as if based on real events, is set in the year 2000, when a young boy in Ahemedabad Govind dreams of starting a business. To accommodate his friends Ishaan and Omi's passion, they open a cricket. However, each has a different motive: Govind's goal is to make money; Ishaan desires to nurture Ali, a gifted batsman; Omi just wants to be with his friends. During the story the characters have to deal with religious politics, earthquakes, riots, unacceptable love and their own mistakes.
The other main characters were Vidya and Bitto mama.
This time I would say the story was much compelling than the last one and as usual you have to buy when Chetan sells.

"One Night At The Call Center" By Chetan Bhagat

2009-06-12T13:53:00.000-07:00

After almost about an anticipated time period, Chetan Bhagat came out with his second book, One night at the call center.
I was hoping that this book would even be more interesting than the first one but sadly it banished all my anticipation about the quality. The book dint come even close to intrigue me. But the writing style was again admirable which held me till the end.

The story begins with a train journey from Kanpur to Delhi, During the journey, the author meets a very beautiful girl. The girl offers to tell the author a story on the condition that he has to make it his second book. After a lot of hesitation, the author agrees.

Claimed to be based on a true story, the author chooses a person named Shyam Mehra (Sam Marcy) as the protagonist, who is one among the six call center employees featured.

The story revolves around the personal life of these six characters and the problems they had in their lives. They all wanted to be rich and definitely up for the promotion or salary hike. But the ostensible boss ditched all of them and assured himself a bright future which really pissed them off. They got a call from GOD himself (out of nowhere) which pulled them off from all the troubles they had.

I would personally not recommend you to read this book, but if you are a CHETAN BHAGAT's fan, then go for it because its his antique style which would lead you to the end.

Please post a comment after reading this book

"You Can Win" By Shiv Khera

2009-06-12T13:26:00.000-07:00

After going through "Five Point Someone" By Chetan Bhagat, I came accross this book which was suggested to me by my mom when she came to know that I have started reading books and guess what, this book left a stupendous affect on me as expected by my mom.
According to me the best way to read this book is to read two or three pages daily and then try to implement the ideas in your life. You cann't scurry through it in one go and then try to implement. Seriously you will end up in nothing.
This book is not only meant for younger generation only but for older people as well because it helps you maintain your cool, no matter whatever the circumstances are. It helps you to annihilate negative thoughts and fill your mind with stream of positive ones. The book writing style is very handy and easy to understand. The best part is that it offers the practice excercise at the end of every chapter.
There are many other books of Shiv Khera which are available in the market but i avoided reading that because of two reasons
1) I wanted to implement the philosophy of this book first
2) "One night at the call center" was out..........

"Five Point Someone---What not to do at IIT" by Chetan Bhagat

2009-06-12T13:04:00.000-07:00

This is the first book i had read ever in my life. Yeah i know i started quite late but thats how it is.
Anyways I would like to say that "Chetan Bhagat" became my favorite writer once i read this book. His bohemian and informal style of writing impressed me to the limits. Well i think any Indian who has even a mild habbit of reading books or novels would have read this book. But still i would like to give its synopsis in so called "Gags style".

The novel is set in the Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, in the period 1991 to 1995. It is about the adventures of three mechanical engineering students (and friends), Hari Kumar (the narrator), Ryan Oberoi, and Alok Gupta, who fail to cope with the grading system of the IITs and come to be known as five pointers due to their perennially low 5 point something GPA's.

The book is narrated in the first person by Hari, with some small passages by his friends Ryan and Alok, as well as a letter by Hari's girlfriend Neha Cherian. It deals with the lives of the three friends whose elation on making it to one of the best engineering colleges in India is quickly deflated by the rigor and monotony of academic work. Most of the book deals with the numerous attempts by the trio to cope with and/or beat the system as well as Hari's fling with Neha who just happens to be the daughter of Prof. Cherian, the domineering head of the Mechanical Engineering Department.

While the tone of the novel is humorous, it takes some dark turns every now and then, especially when it comes to the families of the main characters. Most of the action, however, takes place inside the campus as the boys, led by the ever creative Ryan, frequently lamenting how the internationally lauded IIT system has stifled their creativity by forcing them to value grades more than anything else. Uninspiring teaching and numerous assignments adds to their woes although the boys do find a sympathizer in Prof. Veera, the new fluid mechanics professor.

At the end i would like to say that it was mere the writing style of the book that made it best selling rather than the story line-up

ADVISE FOR BEGINNERS: If anyone, especially in India, who is yet to start reading books, I would advise you start with this book. You will easily find its critics but still its my personal experience which says that you can easily built habbit of reading books and novels after going through this book

If you would like to say anything after reading, you are most welcome. Please post a comment