Angels and Demons by Dan Brown

This is the second novel I picked of Dan Brown. I picked it as lot of my friends told me that it is better than Da Vinci Code.

The style of writing is same of both the novels.

In this novel Brown has shown one organization named ‘Illuminati’ against Church. Again the clues are spearheaded by Robert Langdon.

I came to know a lot about secret scientific societies via this novel.

Now I m looking forward to read other works of Dan Brown

Prey by Michael Chrichton

This is the second novel by Chrichton I ever read. The first one was ‘Timeline’. This novel is similar to Da Vinci Code, as its breathtaking.

The novel is about the fusion of Nanotechnology, Computer Technology and Biotechnology to create Artificial Intelligence. I was unable to sleep many nights after reading it.

And was not able to leave it after 30 pages.

I sometimes, wonder what authors like Chrichton do to write such a novel. Its totally beyond the normal human imagination.

I am sad that Chrichton died, I will miss his good work.

Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown

I picked this novel for the third time. Last two times I couldn’t get past first 30 pages. And I kept on wondering, whats so special about this boring novel, that all my friends are crazy about it.

This is what I realized on my third time. The moment you get past the first 40 pages, its breathtaking. I used to wait whole day in the office to get it over, so that I can get home and read it.

It made me doubt the very foundation of Christianity, and gave me lot of glimpses of Pagan religion.

No wonder, it’s one of the best novels ever I read.

Wheels by Arthur Hailey

This is the second novel of Hailey, which I read.

It was a logical choice for me, as I belong to Automobile Industry. The style of Hailey was as usual, too detailed.

Giving the feeling of how Automobile Industry works in Detroit, and especially by Big Three i.e. GM, Ford and Chrysler.

It gave the visual work details of the Assembly Line, then how the whole process of starting new car to selling it.

It also touched the lifestyle of Detroit, of automotive guys, and then the Black population in Detroit.

Overall, it was a decent read, with a slow story, and without any message for readers. I will say, read it only if you are interested in Automobile Industry.

The Money Changers by Arthur Hailey

This is the first novel by Arthur Hailey, which I read. Before it, I tried to read, Overload, Airport and Detective, but was not able to proceed more than 50 first pages.

I picked this novel, understanding that Arthur Hailey is research oriented author, who gives full ins and outs of the sector, about which it is writing a novel.

So, in the given picture of Global Economic Tsunami, ‘The Money Changers’ by him was the logical choice.

The story is thrilling, giving all the details of Banking industry. And it gave me better picture about how US is pushing its valueless Dollars, projecting it equivalent to gold, in the whole world. Also, it gave me insight what might have happened to Lehman Brothers, Merryl Lynch, J P Morgan Chase, Bank of America…………………

I think if you seek enjoyment in reading and you are interested in Financial Sector, specifically the Banking Sector, it’s the best time to read this

Going Postal by Terry Pratchett

This was my first reading of Terry Pratchett. I read it on strong recommendation of my friend of the whole series. The series is known as Discworld Series.

The plot is about reviving the postal system of Ankh-Morpork. The famous hypothetical city, governed by the tyrant, Lord Vetinari.

But the twist is, that the person assigned to the job, is no government official, but a crook, a fraud, a trickster, Moist Lipwig. Moist Lipwig is the person with many names, many appearances, many personalities. He is hanged to death, for unforgivable crimes he has done. He wakes up wondering, how heaven or hell will be?, only to find he is still alive in front of Lord Vetinari. This is when, Lord Vetinari, gives him choice either to be hanged again, this time to death, or accept to the post of Postmaster, to revive the postal system.

The story is full of modern day things with only different names. Golems for robots, Clacks for Telegraph system, and so on.

Besides the innovative style of Terry, it is simple story of fraudster turning into good man, only to find a bigger fraudster.

The story is full of drama, emotion, conspiracies,…………………….

I will recommend it as a leisure time reading.

Hong Kong by Stephen Coonts

It was the first novel of Stephen Coonts, which I read, as it was highly recommended by my sister.

The plot is about the anti communist revolution in China, with the epicenter in Hong Kong. The novel was good showcase of changes in Hong Kong after Chinese took it over from Britain. The plot was indeed thrilling, with people, emotions, conspiracies, hi tech warfare and what not. But, I will think twice before reading next novel of Stephen. As, though the story line was good, but the flow was very abrupt, which is not a sign of good author.

Still, I will recommend this novel for the people who want to be thrilled via vicarious experience of reading.

Joker in the Pack

By Ritesh Sharma & Neeraj Pahlajani

This is the book, I saw in my friends hand few months back, during the placement season of my college.

I came to know that it’s the story about IIM life, and wanted to read immediately. But, as time was scarce couldn’t pick it.

Few weeks ago, I was out shopping, and saw it in one of the windows of the book shop, and immediately bought it.

The story is indeed about the life in B-Schools in general and IIM’s in specific. While reading it was remniscent of my life in general and my B-School life in specific. The dilemma, whether to do MBA or not? Which B School to choose? How to convert the interview call?

Then it further walked me down the lane of ragging, summers, Business Plan Competitions, Co-curricular activities, Placement fight, and of course academics.

To make the story spicy, it had a estranged love story, lot of funny incidents. And the best part was the insertion of ‘hindi’ dialogues.

I would recommend it to any B-School aspirant, student and alumunus.

Love Story by Eric Segal

Oliver is studying in Harvard and is one of the brightest students there. Well, he is not just Oliver but he is Oliver Barret IV, belonging to one of the most influential families of London. He has a great history, full of achievements ( by his predecessors). He is supposed to carry the legacy of the family. His father, Barret III is just Barret III and nothing else for him. Then comes Jenny. Socially zero as compared to Barrets but as Oliver always quote "Jenny is Jenny", we realize during the book that she is.

The book revolves around the troubles Jenny and Oliver face in order to settle their lives. How they manage their small small issues. How the relationship between in-laws of both side progress? And, lastly their most important battle.

All through the book Oliver is "Preppie" for Jenny and Jenny is the "Witch". Most of their conversations end with one thing "Okay". Still, the book is full of emotions at every point of time. It make you realize the value of those who are very near to you. Read it for realizing their importance before its too late.

Sorry to give you all no clue about the plot. But you can always read it yourself. Just 125 pages.

Why I recommend this book is because it is the most honest love at first sight story. We always wish to have same experience. Lucky Oliver and unlucky too. Why unlucky, please find out yourself. And finally to conclude, this book do state the very important message of life for all of us. " Love means never have to say that you are sorry". Okay Preppie. Okay.

The 3 mistakes of my life by Chetan Bhagat

This is the third book written by Chetan. And also the third book of his, I have read. The other 2 were One night @ call center and Five Point Someone.

The mention of the word Ahmedabad, lead me to believe that this is Five Point Someone at IIM Ahmedabad. But, it turned out to be entirely other way round.

The best part about story is that its based on real life story. Interestingly the author, receives an email by one of its reader fans. The catch, is the email is the 'Suicide Note'.

Now, even the authors like J K Rowling, Mario Puzo, Jeffery Archer..... dont have mettle enough to ignore such mail. Same happened to Chetan.

The story is full of drama, friendship, love and action.

Interesting events covered by the story is Cricket, Gujarat Earthquake and Godhra Riots.

The story is not to the class of the earlier two works of the author. But, reality is seldomly a match of spicy fiction.

I recommend this book, to all the readers as a non-serious leisure time reading.