My Gita - Devdutt Pattanaik (2015)

Unlike many commentaries of Bhagavat Gita which have been expression of message of Gita, this text is a thematic representation of the mythological Gita. There is very little spiritual content in the book. There are excellent associations of content to other mythological texts in Indian context. Overall reads like a very well researched representation of the Hindu text. It has details on what is Gita and how many forms of Gita has been described in our puranic scriptures and essence of those. There is also mention in clear terms of puja, dana, dakshina kind of concepts.

To summarize, if your intent is to understand the mythological connection of Bhagavat Gita to Hindu mythology in general the book will have substantial food for thought and a breeze read for a day. However, if you are looking to get a spiritual solace in reading something thoughtful this will be a waste of time. There are many interesting commentaries of Bhagavat Gita by many of the great realized masters.

Big Data Analytics and Future of Marketing and Sales - McKinsey & Co

The book is part of CMO/CSO forum. There are a few introductory chapters on Big Data and how data growth has made marketing decision making harder. How big data is resolving some of the issues. Overall book seemed very much based on common sense. I did not find any spectacular content. The case studies were nice. There are a few terms which are new additions to e-marketing jargon a. Overall I did not find the book anyway extraordinary.

Third Class in Indian Railways - M K Gandhi

A collection of 6 essays with the most prominent being the one on which the book is titled. The unfortunate part of Indian literature is we do not consider Gandhi as an author. Some may actually feel that his number of articles and books are really that large. Most of them are newspaper commentaries or letters he has sent to various important people of the time. But good part is all writings are serious, bringing out certain degree of reality of the period and a strong message of the time. Third class is actually a very apt essay on the apathy of the train travellers of those period. Unfortunately in last 80-90 years the condition of Indian train travel in upper classes also has not improved. The other essays are on Swadeshi, Vernacular media, Indian national dress. Everyone of them are treated in depth and upheld against common criticism of the period. Good read for a person who feels Gandhi still relevant to modern world.