Riddish
I would be lying if I didn't admit that I struggled to get through this one, but I am glad I stuck with it till the end. A good read, all in all.
“Against boredom even the gods contend in vain.” – Friedrich Nietzsche“The problem with traveling all the time is you have a lot of goodbyes.”
Reads like a very poorly written erotica, very little of the wise quips on pointless travel and the failings of the EFL system, the world over, that had made me read my first ETX novel.
Took up far too much time listing down all the supposed exploits of a man who clearly needed professional help or a bit of soul searching at the very least.
3.5 stars to be precise.
Brings to light the various problems of our South Asian neighbor without really giving any concrete solutions to them!
If one can spare a few hours to get to know their country a little better, this book is a start.
Updated review in 2021:
Funny how much difference 2 years can make. It reeks of survivorship bias, incorrect inferences and the studies do not meet necessary modern standards.
Still has some good ideas though, so yes people should still pick it up.
Original review in 2019 : I don't normally recommend books on Personal Finance, but this time I would like to make an exception. I urge everyone to read this book. The insights provided by the authors are invaluable.
Everything it mentions goes against what popular media tells us. Even though it does not give a point by point strategy to become a millionaire, the study they conducted is so comprehensive that you're sure to find at least one point that sticks with you till the end and helps you towards your own financial goals.
I don't think I've struggled so much for a 300 page novel.
This novel could do without the final 150 pages.
This book changes you! This book talks about everything good and bad about today's world. You cannot finish this book without being thankful for all those things you take for granted in life. Really witty and though the book drags on a bit, it is definitely a good read.
By the Lord Ruler!! Brandon Sanderson, delivers a smack of the wrist to people like me, people, who think they have the whole story all figured out and think they know the characters and their motivations.
I don't think any book has hurt me as much as this one, leaving me with a wounded pride.
Damn, it is unbelievable that books such as these remain unknown to the masses while disturbing pieces of literature(You-Know-Which(No, not Harry Potter, the other ones)) can be found in abundance everywhere. Sigh!
If you want to read something good.YOU MUST READ THIS.
The writing is so simplistic that people can misjudge it to be juvenile, and this is exactly what the author uses to lure you into his simple yet complex universe.
Couldn't have ended any better. The author of this book definitely is one of the wittiest men alive. What started out as a fantasy novel, ended in a biblical fashion of sorts. This book taught me more about faith, belief and trust than any religious scripture(yeah, I've had my share of those too) out there.
Edit: After reading this for the 2nd time after nearly 5 years, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I loved it even more. Brandon Sanderson is an absolute genius. He has ruined the entire fantasy genre for me, no one else's writing comes close to his writing.
Wow, can't believe it took me so long to find a book that helped me finally get over Harry Potter/Eragon/Aragorn.
My my, no dragons, no elves, no magic yet a work of fantasy that deserves to be right there among the best.
And finally, it feels almost liberating to get a female protagonist like Vin, who unlike Katniss/Tris gets over the daze surrounding the responsibilities handed to her very quickly and takes it upon herself to try her very best.
Phew. Can't wait to see how this ends.
Amazingly well written with great observations.
But awfully dry in many parts. Would find it difficult to recommend this to friends.
Great artwork, wonderful insights. Might not be what passes for hard hitting journalism these days, but definitely one of those rare gems that tells you about the bad and ugly without being overtly hyperbolic.
I'll just say this, people like Campbell make the world a much better place to live in.
4* - For the book itself
1* - For audible and a sign of appreciation for the times we live in. To think I had the ex-President of the United States talk to me about his first term in office during morning cycle rides is absolutely ridiculous.
Back in 2008, I was swept up by his campaign and by the things he said. Having heard all the garbage been strewn around by politicians in India, even the notorious Indian media couldn't help but get carried away.
I would recommend this book to everyone. It is great to hear an almost centrist voice in today's highly polarised political climate around the globe. He got a lot done in his first term and genuinely tried to do a lot of good along the way. It was priceless to get to hear how the White House actually views global events. He might not have done everything he promised but he tried his best. In a time when politicians are heavy on promises and absolute lightweights on execution, I do admire the guy.
Ever get tired of the saying, “Good things happen to those who wait”? Well, this book is an embodiment of that very saying. The ending of this book, oh my god, blew my mind to shreds.
Unbelievable stuff from Sarah J. Maas. A recommended read indeed!!
Good premise and a quick read, but it's just missing something.
Maybe a bit more of the past, a bit more about her “affliction”, a bit less of her profession, who knows :/
Well worth the reread, considering the year we've had and all the free time we found on our hands.
More like 3.5 stars.
I used to find Jordan Peterson's arguments coherent before I read this book. Having read it, I realize he isn't beyond criticism either. Many new ideas, some worth pondering, others probably not.
2023 Update:
This book is absolutely fantastic! I am not even a sci-fi nerd and I still loved it so much.
With the final book coming up soon, I'm curious about how it will end.
Original Review:
Without a doubt my favorite Sci-Fi to date. Brandon Sanderson is just a gifted author. For an author who has so far written dystopian/crime/high fantasy, to come up with such an amazing science fiction is just unbelievable.
If he were to write contemporary/chick-lit tomorrow, I know I would read it and love it.
Cannot wait for the next book.
Hit Refresh: The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft's Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone
Very underwhelming. A very generic biography for someone at the helm of a company such as Microsoft.
The only key takeaway is his belief in the need for more empathy in technology.
I have rated this book five stars not just for its merit but also to reflect my adoration for this series.
Never before have I read 7 books of one series in 3 weeks. The Clifton Chronicles might not be the greatest work of literature, but it sure pushes the art of storytelling to new heights.
Jeffrey Archer does great justice to character building as an art-form while at the same time making sure he doesn't overdo it at the expense of the plot. I could write pages for all the characters, singing high praises but I would like to give a shout out to Lady Virginia Fenwick. I do not think I have ever disliked any character as much as her and I hope I do not come across a human being half as despicable as her. I would have preferred if she met with an ending befitting her standing but I guess that's what makes Jeffrey Archer a great author and me a lowly reader.
I will definitely be rereading the CC in entirety again, and would recommend it to my friends.
Had it not been a Harry Potter novel, I would've probably given it 4 stars. I think growing up reading Harry Potter just doesn't allow me to be so easily impressed with these new characters doing their fancy magic.
And Voldemort, you dawg!