Indian Social Media Landscape 2011 – Video By Nielsen

Johnny Gone Down - A Review

Author: Karan Bajaj

Pages: 324

List Price: Rs. 99

My review of this book is again spot on.

To begin with I was really apprehensive about reading this book. The reason was Karan Bajaj’s earlier fiction novel - Keep off the Grass. I never liked that novel. Why I didn’t like it was because it seemed like it was completely inspired by the novel that is touted to have started a revolution in Indian fiction – Five point Someone.

However, one friend recommended this book as a good fast paced read and I for once paid heed to her advice.

So here, in was on the very first page of the book and it went something like this:

“‘Stop staring,’ said the woman through clenched teeth.

The little boy, presumably her son, looked away reluctantly. ‘His left arm is missing,’ he burst out finally.”

These first few paragraphs along with the synopsis had me hooked on. And to my utter amazement once I crossed the first nine pages, I could not put the book down and when I had to it was agonizing.

This book is a complete package (a la Bollywood). It offers a good dose of romance & love (for people looking for it). It offers quite a bit of spirituality (Buddhism, to be precise). And it does have its fair share of violence (for people looking for action). The protagonist has seen it all and has gone through all. He in many ways is similar to ‘Shantaram’.

It all depends on what one is looking for. If it is a casual enjoyable read that you are looking for then this is the ideal book. However, if you are looking for a piece of literature then you obviously are at the wrong place. The best part is that it is an inexpensive book available for only 99 Indian Rupees. You can find it online for a much lesser late.

You can download the first chapter- The Prologue from here: http://www.karanbajaj.com/Johnny-Gone-Down-Complete-Prologue.pdf

This book is a good read. As always, you read and decide! My final verdict: 3.5 on 5.

Brilliant - World Ending video (in punjabi)

I received this video as a forward and loved it instantly. Uploading the same here :-)




PS: I have not made this video and i donot claim ownership. All rights rest with the maker. I hope that i am not violating any copyright rules.

Lovely, Nostalgic,Old Indian Ads

I just happened to reach these ads and nostalgia gripped me tight before i could get a grip on myself. I recalled the lovely days when i as still very young-a school goer. Here are some ads that i loved to recollect.

1. Jalebee



2. Hamaraa Bajaj



3. Paan Parag



4. Asian Paints



5. Rasna



6. Lijjat Paapad



7. Bajaj Bulbs




8. Luna Ad




The ordering and numbering is not on the basis of preference and is random.

Also some worthy mentions would be the Nataraj pencil Ad, Liril soap Ads, Vico Vjridanti Ads, etc etc.

The Silent Indian National Anthem

The Girl who Played with Fire - (Millennium Trilogy Book 2)

A Review

Author: Stieg Larsson

512 pages

List Price: Rs. 380

My review of this book is again right on. But before I shed more light on the same here is some background info on the author.

Stieg Larsson (1954-2004) was a Swedish writer and journalist who passed away in 2004. Prior to his death he finished three novels (Genre: detective novels) in his trilogy "The Millenium-series" all of which were published posthumously. They are:

1. "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo",
2. "The Girl Who Played With Fire" and
3. "The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets' Nest"

You can read more about the author here: http://www.stieglarsson.com/

Let me get back to the book and talk about my thoughts on the same. This book, part – 2 in the three book series is again a complete page turner and a thriller.

I give the author a 4.5 on 5 for packing another great thriller in the 500 plus pages.

This book starts where the first book left off. It begins with Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist going their separate ways and Blomkovist having revived his career as a top financial journalist.

Soon enough you get a taste of the wizardry of Stieg Larsson when he spuns the story quickly and makes Lisbeth Salander the ‘most wanted’, fugitive woman of the country. And guess what Mikael Blomkovist comes to the defense of this woman for whom all have the vilest of thoughts and comments to share.

From here on the story moves ahead in rapid strides that make the book almost impossible to put down.

The only downside is that a person who would start into this series from this book, Book no. – 2 might find it a little touch to cope up with the who’s who of the novels’ characters.

Apart from that this book is a must read! As always, you read and decide! My final verdict: 4 on 5.

2011 South Asian Challenge

This is one challenge that I am looking forward to. Want to know what this challenge is all about?

This challenge is about reading books, simple. The more you read the better it is. Now, the catch here is that the books need to be either written by a South Asian author or are about South Asia (fair enough). Both these conditions are again easy and simple. To know more about the criterion of qualification and participation please refer to the following link:

http://www.skrishnasbooks.com/2010/11/2011-south-asian-challenge-faq.html

This link will answer most of questions like whether you need to be a blogger or if you need to write a review etc .etc. I have signed up already and I look forward to breezing through South Asian books :-). And that too all in good time and best of faith :)

Oh! Almost forgot the important point. The contest dates:

January 1, 2011 - December 31, 2011

Happy reading!!