Book Review: The Mouse Charmers by Anuradha Goyal

About the book:

The advent of Internet has been a significant game changer for our generation. Mouse Charmers are a new breed of entrepreneurs in emerging India powered by the Internet and the opportunities that it offers to create new markets and to cater to old markets in new ways. Some of them have already achieved success where they can be called iconic and inspiring while others have powerful ideas that put them on the same path. Anuradha Goyal tells the stories of digital entrepreneurs like Flipkart, Zomato, ImagesBazaar, IndiBlogger how they started out, the innovations and technologies involved, their business models and unique marketing strategies. Inspiring and useful, The Mouse Charmers is an essential guide for aspiring entrepreneurs. 

Publisher Random House India
ISBN-10 8184004923
Imprint Random Business
Number of Pages 344 Pages
Publication Year 2014 April
Language English
ISBN-13 9788184004922

Binding Paperback

About the Author:

Anuradha Goyal wears many hats to pursue her three prime passions - innovation, travel and books. She studies business innovation, especially business models and blogs about them. She has earlier co-authored the India Innovates Series published by CII showcasing innovations from across the country. She was a jury member for Economic Times Power of Ideas Contest in 2010. Her papers on business innovation have appeared in various journals and forums. She is one of Indias leading travel bloggers, writing a popular travel blog for a decade now. Her travel story has been published as part of an anthology Celebrating India and her paper on in-city travel appeared in travel journal Earth. Her stories regularly appear in various print and online publications. She has close to 400 book reviews to her credit on her book reviews blog. She is a keen student of Indian art history. She regularly speaks on these topics at various conferences and institutes.In her earlier avatar she worked in the IT industry for over a decade. She studied computer applications for her masters degree and physics for her graduate degree at Panjab University.

Connect with the author:

Website : http://www.anuradhagoyal.com/

My Review:

This book is so much worth every penny spent on it. In a world where we all are netizens more than we are anything else, this book comes as the essential survival guide. 

The book profiles the first generation entrepreneurs and their start-ups most of which have now been in the digital space for over a decade, although their relevance (and that of this book) is now more than ever, at a time when e-commerce seems to have finally arrived.

The book is complete in itself: It starts with an introduction to the evolving digital scenario. The author brings to fore how we have evolved from being skeptical of buying even generic products to buying clothes and accessories which are not even standardized. 

It also encompasses how creative professions have opened up to limitless opportunities owing to the international exposure and ad-revenue models of websites.

Why it is important for everyone, businessperson or not, to read this book is because this is what the future looks like, and the book traces how all opportunities and breakthroughs of the future will source and emanate from these digital pioneers. 

As a result, we have never-heard-of struggles and facts about flipkart, Zomato, Shaadi.com, imagesbazaar, Indiblogger , among many other digital success stories. 

The author has been really careful in the selection of the companies. While discussing about content-driven portals, she has chosen Zomato, Games2win, ImagesBazaar and Chai with Lakshmi. These are diverse and representative of all business models in a way that they are all-encompassing. Zomato is at the zenith of all content aggregator portals, and who are we kidding, it has become a favourite go-to portal for the urbane, metropolitan population. 

The book is replete with case studies and through research which makes it the most insightful piece of Indian contemporary non-fiction I have read.

While it may seem that it caters to the entrepreneurial-minded, this is not the case. It, in fact caters as much to the layman as to the specialist.

Here's hoping we have many more volumes to the series and a flourishing digital future ahead.

My Judgement:

Online portals acquire a life of their own in this informative book, You'd regret not knowing what the author has to share!

Book Links:

Author Spotlight and interview: Priya Narayanan

Priya has two published children’s books to her credit. Her first book for 5-8 year olds titled ‘The 

Moon wants to be Spotless White’ was released in May 2013 by Leadstart Publishing and has 

been received well by readers and reviewers alike. Her second book, ‘When Grandma Climbed 

the Magic Ladder’ was recently released in the e-book format, with the paperback expected to 

release later this year. Priya is currently working on a couple of ideas for picture books as well 

as a book for tweens.
(Our review here.)

Author website:

http://www.priyanarayanan.com/

Today she joins us for an interview. Read on, and you are sure to find her poetic. personally, I love the stance she takes on different things, and well, we love children's authors because they bring words to life at an age when we need them the most!

Here we go!

Interview: 

Ques: What incited you into authoring a children's book?

PN: Well, I’m basically a poet at heart and writing poetry is an impulsive and ongoing thing for me. 

And then, I also write short stories when I find something interesting to write about. So when I 

became a mother, I instinctively started conjuring a variety of stories for my kids – stories that 

were rooted in the cultural and geographical context of our country, but just as fantastic as 

your Enid Blytons or Hans Christian Andersons. 

The thing is, even though writing for Indian children has picked up in the last decade with a 

number of dedicated publishers doing a wonderful job, the first books that jump out at you at 

any bookstore are Western publications. You’ll find a Ruskin Bond or Sudha Murthy or Anushka 

Ravishankar book nestled comfortably in the rear racks, while the front row is stacked with 

Barbie, Dora, Geronimo Stilton and the Wimpy Kid. And while I’m not against them at all, I feel 

that children here could do with more stories that they can identify with, stories that have 

Indian protagonists doing some fantastic or even crazy stuff! 

So, coming back to your question, the thought of contributing in a small way to the pool of fun-

filled but meaningful stories with an Indian context was what egged me to write for children. 

And to be sure, I found it a whole new ball game! It was exciting to step into the mind space of 

little children and start to think like them.

Ques: The story is very subtle and simple with minimal characters, endearing ones at that. How did you go about the plot etching and character-sketching?

PN: When writing for children of the 5-8 year age group, it is important to keep the plot simple and 

characters to a minimum so that the readers don’t get confused. At the same time, the characters should be strong enough to leave a lasting impression. When I first had my story idea, I was clear about two things. One, that the story would be set in small-town India, because there is an irresistible charm associated with a quaint little town flanked by a river on one side and hills on the other that I hoped to reveal to my urban readers and two, the protagonist would be a girl, because – why not? After that, things kind of just flowed. I spent a lot of time getting the ‘voice’ of the characters right, specially the Moon’s. I wanted him to be the one to add the necessary humour to the story, while Dhobi kaka would add the mature bit. As for Mitu, I wanted my readers to identify with her; so I kept her as real as possible in her moments of wonder, dilemma, gaiety, fright and other emotional ups and downs as she encounters various twists in her adventure. 

Ques: Moon has long been a subject of children's fondness with its  being called the chanda mama, yet it hardly found a place as a character. Your book brings a different side of Moon, and features it as the protagonist. What is your take on this?

PN: That’s true. Even in the best of children’s books, the moon is just the moon. Children’s books 

are filled with animals, trees, toys, vehicles and even maps and backpacks that talk! But never the Moon, even though it’s the one thing that all children are enamoured by in the night sky. However, that never was the case with me. Growing up, I’ve imagined the moon to be so many things – a giant idly, secret door to a parallel universe, a giant’s mouth and what not. So when I was discussing the Moon with my five year old in that vein, I thought -what could be more exciting than having the Moon talk to you? 

And I continue to push the limits of my imagination even now. For instance, in my second book – When Grandma Climbed the Magic Ladder, I’ve come up with a completely different explanation to what the dark spots on the moon are . . .it’s really fun to see things in a different light. Finally, truth be told, I do have a special corner for the Moon in my heart –and he somehow finds himself in every story I write, be it for children or adults!

Ques: Inculcating the habit of reading among children in this age of reliance on devices that have invaded even childhood, your views, observations and endeavour?

PN: Well, there are two sides to your question. The first is inculcating the habit of reading, for which 

I feel we shouldn't restrict the medium –be it an e-book or printed book. This is because the moment you put that kind of restriction, a child will stop reading! So as far as children are ‘reading’ a book and not ‘watching’ an animated version of the book, I think e-books are just fine. And they offer variety for children who get bored too soon, allowing them to switch between the digital and print books. 

To answer the second part about the invasion of devices in our lives, frankly, I don’t think that 

can be stopped now. Technology is a double-edged sword, and it is up to parents to regulate 

how much their children use these devices. As for me, I believe everything in moderation is just 

fine. That said, there is a certain charm to print books that can be touched, smelt and toyed 

around with, that an e-book does not offer. Picture books come in various materials – cloth, 

plastic, paper, hard board- and with a play of textures, smells and sounds . . . infants and 

toddlers cannot get these important experiences through e-books. 

So parents should aim to use digital media as tools to complement print books rather than use them in isolation, and help children value and love print books rather than be wary of them. In my opinion, e-books should ideally be introduced when a child is already reading chapter books. That way, since they’re at an age when they can appreciate the pros and cons of things, they can decide for themselves the medium that best suits their sensibilities.

Get to know more here:

Book Review: The Moon Wants to be Spotless White By Priya Narayanan

About the book

The vain Moon is devastated when he finds out about the dirt patch on his otherwise pristine white self. He wants to be scrubbed and cleaned by Dhobi Kaka to regain his spotless beauty. The Moon cunningly manipulates Mitu into helping him out in this mission.

But how will Mitu get the moon down to be cleaned?

Will kaka be able to restore the moon’s spotless beauty?

Will Mitu be turned into an owl for not keeping her promise?

Join in the fun-filled adventure of the Moon, Mitu and Dhobi Kaka, as the trio set out on their mission to help the Moon become spotless

Paperback, 46 pages

Published May 24th 2013 by Leadstart Publishing

About the author:

PRIYA NARAYANAN is an avid traveler, voracious reader, passionate designer, and doting mother of two. Clearly, she loves her adjectives! While as a child, she loved to dream, she now has to make do with daydreaming over many cups of coffee and chocolate chip ice cream. She believes that there are stories lurking around every corner, waiting to be captured and revealed to the world and she hopes to be doing just that year after year after year.

My Review:

First thing of all, I fell in love with the premise of the book: how the moon is vain and superficial, and he wants his beauty to be restored. He asks Mitu for help who, with the help of the Dhobi Kaka, grants his wish. But is a wish getting fulfilled just as delightful as the expectation of it?

This is what a quintessential childrens' book should be. A moral lesson hidden in a simple story which the kids will realize when they grow up, has a symbolic significance that cannot be overlooked. And yet, it makes sense even when you read in the innocence of childhood.

Kids will definitely find the character of Dhobi Kaka endearing, and rightly so, because this character has an old-worldly(no pun intended) charm to it, true to the format of childrens' stories we have been reading till date.

Some dimensions I deem befitting for a mention in the review. One, it emphasizes on the acceptance of imperfections, and flawlessly so. While we must not stop working on ourselves to become a better person, at the same time it is not possible for us to have it all. Striving for perfection is a good thing only as long as it doesnt interfere with out fundamental character.
The book secures brownie points from me for touching on the subject of exterior beauty. Pulchritude is not the be-all and end-all of it all. And this is a lesson kids need to learn as soon as possible in their lives.
Also, going through life, being with loved ones, fighting for your ideals leaves scars on you. We are not our skin. These scars are something to be proud of, not something to be shunned. I cannot thank the author enough for writing so beautifully about these things.

Coming over to the graphics, the accompanying images were so relevant and so accurately done, I reveled in the joy of being a kid back again.

My Judgement:

Brought back the unalloyed innocence of childhood and the lessons I always wished I learnt sooner in my life. Believing plays a great role in the plot, and hence this is a great book for kids!

Book Review: Black, grey and white by Santosh Avvanavar and Santosh I. Biradar

About the book:

This book gifts its readers five fantastic short stories that has a common aim – to spread awareness about AIDS. It is an opportunity for people to unite in the fight against AIDS and show their solidarity for HIV positive people. The book is an eye opener for anyone who wish to see the wave of positive change in society. Everyone including the brave hearts Savita, Chintu, Mithali has the right to live with their head held high without fear of social ostracization. Life does not have to be like this. The time is ripe to act now with one’s sense and sensibility. Break the myths. Come, be the change!

About the Author:

Santosh Avvannavar: Santosh started his career as a consultant and Soft Skills Trainer. After his college education from NITK, Surathkal, he worked as a researcher at University of Eindhoven, University of Twente, and Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore. He was also the Placement President while working at IISC, Bangalore. He has over twenty-five publications of mostly research documents in national and international journals. He has also authored sixteen conference papers and regularly writes articles for a national and worldwide daily paper. He also works as an advisor for different organizations. He also dabbles in fiction writing and is the author of Adhuri Prem Kahaniya; Dear Wife, Your Husband is not a Superhero, Second Heart and Get a Job WITHOUT an Interview; Be A B.A.; Surrogate Author; Title is Untitled. He likes to devote his personal time in writing for a website, namely the Amrita Foundation for HRD (amritafoundation.wordpress.com). He has conducted seminars and training sessions for more than 40,000 people in India and abroad over the last seven years.

Santosh I. Biradar: Santosh is presently pursuing Bachelor's in Social Work from J.G.College of Social Work, Bijapur affiliated to Rani Chennamma University. He is also the founder secretary of Chaitanya Organisation, Bijapur. He is also associated with Deshpande Foundation as a lead ambassador. He won 'Best Reporter' award in Youth for Development Program's and 'Best Education award' from Deshpande Foundation for providing free computer training to the orphan children. He also volunteered various activities such as Google Inktalks, NSS (A special camp for Leprosy people), life skills for orphan children. He participated and evolved many school development programs for drop out children as well.

My Review:

This book reviews in a similar fashion as the author's other books have been. 

The intention of the book is too powerful and too noble. But the words used and the manner of bringing the message fails to do justification to it. 

For one, the intention and the motivation of spreading social awareness about how the social ostracisation of humans of trivial issues and bases  is illogical, is too powerful, and requires a lot of conviction in writing. It is risky in itself to tread such taboo territories. And to go against the stigma and established status quo hence necessitates a lot of conviction from the author penning the plot such that his conviction is transferred to the reader. As an objective even great writers have failed to cater to all diverse groups. So it does not come as a surprise that a contemporary piece falls short. 

One good point about the book is how so many hitherto unspoken issues and social constructs previously not encroached upon have been brought to notice of the reader in a different light.

Juvenile narration, insipid  language and grammatical flaws do little to enhance the reading experience.

Book Review: Fade Into Red By Reshma K. Barshikar

About the book:

Ayra always wanted to be an Art Historian. She saw herself flitting between galleries, talking Michelangelo and Dali with glamorous ease. At twenty–nine, life has decided to make her an underpaid investment banker juggling an eccentric family, a fading career and a long–distance relationship that is becoming a light-year one. On a monsoon day in June, she is suddenly sent packing from Mumbai to Tuscany to buy a vineyard for a star client. What should have been a four day trip turns into a two week treasure hunt that finds her in the middle of midnight wine deals, dodgy vintners, rolling Tuscan hills, a soap opera family and one playboy millionaire who is looking to taste more than just the wine. Towards the end she finds that the road to true happiness is almost as elusive as that perfect glass of Chianti.

About the Author:

After finishing her A Levels at Bridgine School, Windsor, and getting a BA (Hons) at Oxford Brookes University, Oxford, Reshma started her career as a Journalist for India’s national newspaper The Hindu, Business Line but left mid-career to pursue an MBA at the Indian School of Business that led to a  successful career in Investment Banking. After 5 years in Investment Banking she quit her job to travel for two years and visited Europe, China, and the US. She conceptualized the novel during her travels through the Tuscany wine country. She created the eccentric Ms Krishnamurthy, her precocious cat and her dog eat deal environment. Her deep appreciation for the south Indian family dynamic, experience as a freelance journalist and a passion for Italian wine helped create Fade Into Red. Simultaneously she also honed her skills as a Travel Writer and has contributed to India Today Travel Plus, SilverKris, Harper’s Bazaar, Grazia, National Geographic Traveller and The Hindu Business Line. She is also co-founder of the literary blog, The Caterpillar Café.

Connect with the author:

Website : http://www.reshmakrishnan.com/

My Review:

Somehow, the book had me at its cover. It wasn't anything unusual and zany, but it did capture my interest. Now, on to the story. 

Ayra is the protagonist. She wanted to be an art historian, but alas this cruel life, she also has a thing for expensive things. Money can buy happiness, and she ends up as an investment banker, vying for a bonus, with a frustrated boyfriend who competed with her blackberry for her attention. She still harbors an undying appreciation for art. She is crippled at photography. And she isn't confrontational. Then we have the ever-smirking playboy in the picture too.

The situation created has a lot of potential for hilarity, but I got less than I expected. I'd say the author has a gift for creating a plot. And although it eventually descended into a cliche, it was fun while it lasted. Even after so much, we rarely get to read stories of women investment bankers now.

I liked the characters. I liked the setting. I liked the story.

But somehow, somehow (and I am still trying to figure out why) I didn't enjoy the book.

My judgement:

It was a little something different. A one-time read.

Book Links:

 
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Book received under tour at http://b00kr3vi3wtours.blogspot.in

Post by A Year of Books.

My thoughts on this:

#1. Wow, If Mark Zuckerberg does it, millions on facebook would follow. Now that is called leveraging your "social" networks for a good cause: getting people to read more, learn more, suggest more!

#2 Another book recommendation list. Let me add a few more pages to my to-be-read list.

#3 His first Book club choice:  The End of Power by Moisés Naím is selling well, which is an indication of how good an influence a public personality can be, on people. He will surely ge them to read.

#4 He finds books intellectually fulfilling! *all smiles*

For me, this is all good news, what do you think? Let me know in the comments below!

Which reading challenge will you take?

Another year is here. And while it spells an abundance of resolutions (some of which are never meant to be kept beyond 2 days), a reading challenge is different. You challenge yourself, to read more/ hard/diverse books. You may take one up to discipline your reading, or to increase the speed, add diverse genres to your credit, or to read the book before its movie adaptation comes out.
Reading challenges are always fun, because, oh, well we don't need to elaborate on the pleasures of reading.
Here's a list of my favourite reading challenges.
DISCLAIMER: I am certainly not gonna take all the challenges, but cherry-pick the ones I want to do, from the core of my heart. Because although I like to take up every challenge thrown my way, I have learnt to let go.
Tell me in comments what challenges you would like to take. Maybe you, with all your reading superpowers, decide to take them up all, in which case, I would love to meet you personally. :)

1. The Goodreads Reading Challenge

For most of us, Goodreads is the facebook of books, and by that follows our theory of the Goodreads reading challenge being the God of all challenges.It functions pretty simply: you add the number of books you wish to read in a year, and everytime you read a book and add it to your "read" shelf, it automatically tracks your progress. No complex promises to read a particular genres, author etc.

Best part: You challenge yourself. And you can update the number if you feel you can push a little more, or cannot read much.

2. The Book Riot 2015 Read Harder Challenge

Averaging at two books per month, they have categories like

A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25, A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65, A collection of short stories (either by one person or an anthology by many people), A book published by an indie press, A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ, A book by a person whose gender is different from your own and many more.

Best part: They even have a goodreads group for it!

Check them out here

3. Epic Reads 365 YA challenge

True to their name, they have come out with this EPIC list of 365 YA titles to read: book recommendations for every season, month, week and day of 2015

I have not much to say, I am still reading the infographic below (They also have a very cool gif). More info on their site.

Best Part: We never get tired of YA, do we? So this is our goldmine!

4. Bethany house 2015 Reading Challenge

They have curated a great Bingo-challenge. Hop on!

Best Part: It is so much fun!

5. b00k r3vi3ws Indie Reading challenge:

This is a niche reading challenge, so to say. And the most noble one, so to say.

Rules are simple:  Read and Review as many Indie (Self Published) Books as possible during this year, post a review anywhere, share the link:you know the drill.

Best part:  The books can overlap with other reading challenges.  

I have signed up at the Lover level (26-50 new authors)

http://www.b00kr3vi3ws.in/2014/12/FR15.html

6. PopSugar's Ultimate Reading Challenge

This Ultimate reading challenge is THE ultimate challenge. It has already sent the social media on an uproar. We couldn't have asked for more. Get on it only if you dare.

Best Part: It has already created a furore over social media, maybe if you complete it, fame will knock on your door?

7. Kindred’s 2015 Reading Challenge

Kindred Digital Books has created a challenge. If the previous challenge intimidated you, this one will probably restore your faith in your reading prowess!

Best part: Diversity!

8. 2015 TBR Pile Reading Challenge!

Their challenge is perfectly described in their own words:

"We all have those books. We buy them, win them, they're gifted to us. Then we put them up on a bookshelf and there they stay, collecting dust, waiting for the time when we'll finally decide to pick them up.

Join us on a quest to dust off your TBR Pile and read all the books you've been telling yourself you'll read next time you'll get a chance. This is your chance!"

Best part: You get to unburden your TBR, what more can a biblophile ask for?

9. 2015 Nonfiction Reading Challenge hosted by The Introverted Reader

You sign up, and then post the reviews here. I think it is a very simple challenge, with levels, of course, but it will bring the much-needed attention to the genre of Non-fiction titles.

Best Part: Crossovers with other challenges are acceptable, and feel free to read your books in any format you like.

10.   2015 Feminism Reading Challenge 

Read about feminism. Period.

Best part: Sign up anytime. Read any number, no tags. Read any format! Too flexible!

11. 2015 WOMEN CHALLENGE @ Peek a Book

As the name suggests, you read books by women authors. 

Best Part: You Probably don't even know, but you read a LOT of women authors. No kidding, Everybody does. So this one will be easy-peasy.

12.  A no-book buying challenge

This reading challenge comes in the form of a remedy to the disease of us book hoarders. This is a real challenge. You won't buy anymore until you are done with the ones lying unread on your shelf. I have thought about doing this more times than I can count. But i would probably suck at this challenge if I take one!

Best part: A great way to do what is right: save money and caress the hitherto neglected books!

13. 2015 Debut Author Challenge

The challenge is to read 12 or more (or less! It’s up to you!) middle grade, young adult, and new adult debuts this year.

14. 2015 AudioBooks challenge

If you are into audiobooks, this is the place to be!

Best part: Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed. And you can join in anytime.

15. Back to the Classics Challenge 2015

Classic Novella, classic by a woman author and whatnot. Go explore.

Best Part: one lucky winner will receive a $30 gift from Amazon.com or The Book Depository!

16. Banned Books Challenge 2015

For those of you who are as infuriated by the concept of banned books as me, this is the place for revenge. Hop on and get to read banned books, and get another challenge completed to your credit.

Best part: Hey, reading banned books, duh!

17. BrunchBookChallenge

This one is for you all Indians. Tweet your reading progress. with the hashtag #brunchbookchallenge. Aim is to read 24 atleast. Anything and everything. 

I did it last year and won too!

They are awesome, they send you bookish stuff of your fantasies. Go dive right in.

@PoonamSaxena_ So, I say it: Can't thank you enough. @HTBrunch has brought in the next revolution: reading revolution!
— Kritika Narula (@Kritika_n_books) December 28, 2014

There are so many more! Tell me if you are hosting one too!

And I am still deciding which ones to hop on to.

Here's hoping.