[Book Review] Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands: A Self-help Fiction

 

I recently bought this book copy for a read and review.

Name: [Book Review] Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands: A Self-help Fiction

Author: Sanjay Desai

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjaydesailink/

On the web you can find the book at the publishers site at https://theconsciousleap.com/JasmineBuildsOnShiftingSands

Front Cover Language: English

Publisher: ConsciousLeap Insights Private Limited

Length: 160 pages

Year: 2020

My Overall Rating: 4 on 5

About Sanjay: Author of this book is Mr. Sanjay Desai. He is an alumnus of IIM Bangalore and is the founder and CEO of ConsciousLeap, a life skills training company that helps people to guide through their pursuit of dreams and success by cultivating self-awareness through interactive programs and workshops.

About the Book from the author:

Who is the book meant for?

This book is suitable for all age groups. Anyone on a path to achieve their dreams should definitely read this book to spur self-reflection and contemplation about their journey. It is also meant for people who are looking to set their goals and overcome obstacles or failures.

How to use the book?

This is a unique interactive book that allows you to reflect on your own success journey through exciting interactive e-courses, while you immerse yourself with Jasmine’s life. When you read the story, look out for QR Codes to experience a parallel journey to your success and unlock your true potential by learning more about yourself.

Review – So moving on the review, the next book that I have could get both my eyes and hands on to was “Jasmine Builds on Shifting Sands: A Self-help Fiction”. These days indeed most titles are very catchy and this one definitely stands out!

Before I begin with the review, let me start by saying that I have read umpteen books on self improvement motivation etc. This is the first time I had a book written by Sanjay Desai in my hands. I started reading with mixed feelings not knowing what to expect.  

At the centre of the book is Jasmine's (chief protagonist) journey of making it as a successful model in the cut-throat world of fashion. This is her tale of victory and failure.  Through this journey of ups and downs one gets a realistic view on how life plays out for most of us. Sanjay has to his credit highlighted the need to have ‘anchors’ or ‘mentors’ or whatever else we may chose to call them.

Through a hybrid learning, Sanjay intends us to discover the following:

• Declutter your mind - Keep negativity at bay and gain more clarity
• Reach Clarity for your goals - Focus, prioritise, and keep your eye on the prize
• Take charge of your dreams - Become the master of your journey
• Learn to Configure Outcomes - Chart out your own path to success

All of the above is coupled with the following bottom line message from Sanjay:

As the world copes with the impact of a global pandemic, uncertainty continues to plague us. Despite it all, Jasmine is here to tell you that it is possible to rise to the top, even when everything seems to be going against you. Fulfil your dreams and manifest your desires - don’t let the world derail you from achieving your goals. Jasmine did it, and so can you

Overall, the book is an easy and a great read. The key message has been presented very clearly. I would recommend this to everyone.  As always, you read, you decide.

You can buy the book from the following links:

Amazon
Flipkart

 

Lenovo Smart Display 7 with the Google Assistant Review

Summary - Good Smart Display & speaker, but could have been way better!

In a recent sale, I bought two of these at INR 9999/-. Here is a quick

This is a Display (7 inch) + Speaker with inbuilt Google Assistant that responds through an always on microphone. Since it is a 7 inch screen, it is quite compact. 

[Book Review] Irrationally Passionate: My Turnaround from Rebel to Entrepreneur by Jason Kothari

Pic Credit-Publisher Website

I recently bought a Kindle eBook copy of this one for a read and review.

Name: [Book Review] Irrationally Passionate: My Turnaround from Rebel to Entrepreneur 

Author: Jason Kothari

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonkothari/

On the web you can find the book at the publishers site at https://harpercollins.co.in/product/irrationally-passionate/

Front Cover Language: English

Publisher: Harper Collins

Length: 268 pages

Year: 2020

My Overall Rating: 4 on 5

About Jason: Jason Kothari is an entrepreneur considered by many as a business turnaround leader. Jason to his credit has worked in many critical functions and roles across the globe and was responsible for multiple turnarounds. While still in college(Wharton), he acquired the bankrupt US-based Valiant Entertainment and led its transformation as the CEO to the third-largest superhero entertainment company after Marvel and DC and further went on to sell it for around $100 million.

Review: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life by Mark Manson

I recently got a copy of this book for a read.

Author: Mark Manson

On the web you can find him at https://markmanson.net

Front Cover Language: English

Publisher: Harper Collins

Length: 224 pages

Year: 2017

So, the next book that I could get both my eyes and hands on to was the “The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck: A Counterintuitive Approach to Living a Good Life” by Mark Manson. What a catchy title! As it so happened this time too when I picked up the book, I said to myself that I will not be writing any book review. However, I will rate the reasons in the review as to why I decided to write this review and share with the everyone.

Before I begin with the review, let me start by saying that this is the first time I had a book written by Mark Manson in my hands. He is a well known personality.

The female Orgasm: By Numbers

This is a forward that i got and it got me hooked completely.



PS: I have not made this i donot claim ownership. All rights rest with the maker. I hope that i am not violating any copyright rules. If there is a copyright violation please let me know and i will remove it.

Gaming heaven in India..Naahh..now a reality!

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How many of us have seen dedicated gaming heavens in India? I can wager that the number would be less than handful. Why? Hmm…primarily because there isn’t one gaming heaven in India that can be compared to the ones present at western countries. All that we have here in India are those old, obsolete machines adjacent to food courts in almost every other mall. But, even they manage to be attractive and are a money minter for mall authorities.

Now comes the good news. All this will soon fade away and be a thing of the past. I was surfing online and came across this article at the gamingindians.com, which talks about this new gaming zone that has come up at Chennai. It is called “Blur”. This largely untapped segment of World class gaming zones is tapped by “Sathyam Cinemas” which has launched “Blur – India’s finest Gaming Zone”. Blur is a massive gaming lounge spread out over 15,000 square feet at the Sathyam Complex in Chennai.

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Blur’s Hardware of Choice:

Any guesses?

Blur offers almost every conceived Hardware platform…Meant Only for Gaming Connoisseurs.

It has everything from PS3s to XBox 360s to Nintendo Wiis to PS2s to PCs to Sony PSPs to Nintendo DSs to Arcades to fully loaded PCs…Do you want more???

Other options at Blur (as if we’ll need it):

Here’s more.

They have a funky looking Blur café where you can satiate your taste buds.

The great guys at Blur are thinking of adding the following options:

# Bowling Alley: The two lane bowling alley is stated to open in the second week of November.

# Retail Store: Merchandise, Games and Hardware including Wii.

# PSPs to game with while waiting for your food at the Blur cafe

# Online Gaming

# Gaming Tournaments, game launches, gaming parties and industry interactions.

# Interact with other gamers on the Blur website

This is a lot of options. What do u say??

Blur’s Offerings:

Xbox 360

Forza 2
Top spin 2
Halo 3
PGR3
Yuvraj Cricket 07
Burnout Paradise
NFS Prostreet
NBA street
Gears of war
Smackdown vs Raw 2008
Call of duty 3
Grid
Euro 2008
Fifa 2008
Saints Row 2
Stuntman Ignition
FIFA 09
FABLE II
DEAD SPACE
BURN OUT REVENGE
Midnight Club Loas Angeles

Playstation 3

Metal gear solid 4
Fifa street 3
Nba street
Fifa 09
F1 Championship
UEFA Euro 2008
Motorstorm
Burnout paradise
Saints Row 2
PGA Tour 08
The orange box Grand tourismo
Resistance: fall of man
The simpsons game
The godfather
Uncharted Drakes Fortune
Heavenly Sword
Devil May Cry 4

Nintendo Wii

Resident evil
Guitar hero
Super smash brawls
Super mario galaxy
Smooth moves
Monster trux arenas
Mario strikers
WII sports
WII play
Top spin 3 Mario kart

PC

Grid
Command & Conquer: Kanes Wrath
Call Of Duty 2
Call Of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
Call of Duty 5 (should be installed by Friday)
Company Of Heroes
Crysis
Crysis : Warhead
Pirates
Hitman Blood Money
Command & Conquer: Tiberium Wars
FIFA 08
NFS Most Wanted Black Edition
EA Sports Cricket 07
FIFA 09

Review Casio G-Shock GWN-1000B-1BDR(G530) Gulf Master Men's Watch

I was searching for my next Casio watch and while going through the pros and cons of the various series including the one Protek that i had bought in 2013 and few others, I fell head over heels in love with the Gulf Master G530. That is when my search for reviews on the same started and I was initially surprised and later on appalled to see that there were barely any reviews that were specific to India and Indian conditions of harsh summers/winters. So here is my review of the watch for everyone who is a G-Shock fan and who are looking for a hands on user review.

Before I begin my review let me share the basic details about the watch. The GULFMASTER,  G-SHOCK Series is designed and engineered with the maritime adventurer in mind. GULFMASTER includes the first G-SHOCK models to incorporate both Triple Sensor Version 3 and Smart Access in the same watch. In addition to barometric pressure, altitude, bearing, and temperature readings, these new models also feature Tide Graph and Moon Age capabilities to help keep you in close touch with your natural environment. Sudden extreme changes in barometric pressure are alerted using a dial hand, LCD display, and alarm. Double LED lighting illuminates the LCD, and also adds a face light at 6 o’clock to keep information bright and easy to read even in total darkness. The designs of these watches have been modeled after the look of shipboard instruments to create an attractive marine look.

The model number for the Indian watch is GWN-1000B-1. 

MRP: ₹ 32,995 (incl. of all taxes)

Indian Product Code： G530

Size of case : 44.9×55.8×16.2mm
Total weight : 101g  

Case / bezel material: Resin / Stainless steel
Resin Band
Shock Resistant
Mineral Glass
200-meter water resistance 

The New Dewtas : The Rise of Rudra by Suraj Kothiyal - A Review

I recently got a copy of this book from the writer himself Suraj Kothiyal for a read and review.

On the web you can find him at https://surajkothiyal.com/.

Author - Suraj Kothiyal
Publisher - Leadstart Publishing Services Pvt Ltd (2018)
Pages - 222 pages
Price - 249/- INR

The author, Suraj Kothiyal, hails from Dehradun with his family roots belonging to the Himalya region. He has done his schooling from Dehradun. He has done his mechanical engineering and his MBA in marketing from Maharashtra. The blurb and sample chapters can be found here - https://amzn.to/2AuZmEb. You can also have a look at the book trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVzrBuJzt2I

This book is inspired by a popular folklore in Bali that talks of a Hindu saint namely, Maharishi Markandeya, who came to Bali from India and introduced Hinduism on the scenic island.

Moving on with the review: 

When i first heard of this book, the first thought that I had in my mind was "What!! Another book on Indian Mythology". I must say when I picked this up for a read I was of the opinion that this book may just bore me with things that I already know or donot want to know more about.

Parikrama By Radhika Vyas Sharma a Book Review

I recently got this book for review from Leadstart  Publishing. The link for the same on Leadstarts website is following:

http://www.leadstartcorp.com/short-stories/parikrama/

This book is also available on Amazon - http://amzn.to/2nBm8Ds

and Flipkart - https://www.flipkart.com/parikrama/


Pages: 181
Type: Paperback
Genre: Fiction
Author: Radhika Vyas Sharma
Price: INR 195

Radhika Vyas Sharma is the author of Parikrama. Radhika’s writing credits include The Santa Clara Review, The San Francisco Chronicle, The San Jose Mercury News, The SoMa Literary Review, The Times of India, The Economic Times, India Currents, Khabar, Rediff-India Abroad, Little India, In the Fray.com, KQED FM’s Forum, Perspectives and Pacific Time, Curled Up With a Good Book.com among others. Currently at work on a novel, Radhika has volunteered for several nonprofits in the San Francisco Bay area over the past decade. Radhika and her family reside in the San Francisco Bay Area. (source: http://www.radhikavsharma.com/index.php/about-us)