Simply Fly - Captain Gopinath (2009)

400 pages of sheer fast paced active entrepreneurship that will keep you gripping. I think in many senses Capt. Gopinath has presented what an ideal entrepreneur should be. A varied experience of being an army officer to a farmer to sericulturist to politician to founding father of low cost airlines in India is a remarkable journey for someone to explore. I think one cannot quite write a summary of the whole book as it is only a summary to someone with such a vast experience that you can only know more when you read it. Very few people you find in life who are not only learned but are highly pragmatic in their approach. I think Capt. Gopinath fits that very well.

A definite read for anyone interested in understanding entrepreneurship and I guess if someone does not have appreciation for such person he should probably not venture into entrepreneurship. At least one book which highlighted or tried to justify some negative publicity that Deccan received than to completely ignore it in some of the other biographies I have read earlier.

Origin of the Soul & Purpose of Reincarnation - Walter Semkew (2008)

The book presents the concepts of origins of souls and why it reincarnates with a westerner's viewpoint. But when you read through it you will find many similarities of the concepts with Hinduism as well. In fact he explains why souls are a universal being and the religious sentiments are only streams that a soul swims through in each incarnation. In short why a soul reincarnates? In short to get rid of the karmic debt it has created against fellow souls surrounding him. Sometimes to serve the fellow souls so that they can escape their karmic debts. Of all the virtues it's a forgiving soul that marches fastest in getting rid of its debt. I felt these are the biggest takeaways as action items a person needs to directly get benefitted. The rest of the book definitely gives deep insights into how souls were created, where they live when they leave a physical form, what level of spiritual maturity they have attained etc. The book also highlights many cases of known great men who have reincarnated and are engaged in similar professions and have similar looks and strong characteristics that has been aptly ratified by a spiritual master who has not reincarnated to physical form in last 3000 years.

I think this is a book of belief. There is no way to prove of disprove unless you have similar levels of spiritual capability. The takeaways are simple and preached by all spiritual masters. I will recommend reading this book.

Rebirth - Swami Virajeshwar (2012)

When it comes to Spiritual masters, one should refrain from reviewing for content. The reason is one who is not a realized soul cannot really critically appreciate the sof a realized master. At the same time a mention is important for people to be aware of the availability of this book.

This book describes in Vedic terms the process of Rebirth. How a creature moves from one life to another endlessly till he escapes the cycle of birth and death with moksha. Although, the book exposes in minute details what happens to the soul after death, where does it live etc. Ultimate truth is written in the final chapter where the solution is given about the final destination of a soul by realizing oneself. I will consider that as the final message and summary of the short concise presentation on rebirth.

Myth=Mithya - A Handbook of Indian Mythology - Devdutt Pattnaik (2006)

When one talks about Hindu symbolism in 200 pages you tend to wonder, will the author be able to make justice to the topic. Devdutt Pattanaik's attempt is remarkable. Another well researched book. He defines the hierarchy of Gods. Defines the various residents of swarga, Martya and Patala. The definitions of pitruloka are stated very clearly. The book is divided into 3 parts. The creative forces of Brahma, the nurturing and development phase of Vishnu and the destructive forces of Shiva. Rather than making a chronological statement of events the events are classified keeping the larger theme of the 3 ultimate Gods of the Hindu philosophy. The concise nature of the book will make you finish the book in a day.

The book is an eye opener and is recommended.

Timing the Market - Curtis M. Arnold (1993)

... The Ultimate arbitrator of success, becomes the skills of the individual technician.

The book needs no real review or introduction. This has become a standard text on technical analysis. A very concise treatment of a vast topic just touching the surface of various technics. However, mastering each concept will take a lot of time for anyone and needs practical exposure to the concepts. The book is though short needs careful reading to appreciate and follow the concepts.

Definitely recommended !!!

Living with the Himalayan Masters - Swami Rama (1978)

Swami Rama spent 45 years of his spiritual journey in the Himalayas meeting various spiritual leaders as part of his life. This book is a collection of such experiences. More than his own progress in the spiritual path it's about how he was able to meet other great souls and got influenced through them.

One cannot really comment on the content as the ability to review only comes when one is as capable or attains some authority in the topic to discuss. Reading this book will make one tame ones ego and bring oneself to the realities of the frail undeserving battles we fight on a daily basis rather than exploring the ultimate reality.

A must read!!!

Arranged Love - Parul Mittal (2012)

The summary for the story can he seen here. 

Somehow, I could not quite connect to the story and had to leave the book half way. The story did not seem to connect to IIT or IITians as such unlike Heartbreaks. The writing style seemed much better than Heartbreaks. The character Tanu looked much more acceptable but staying unmarried just to look for her lost love in college days seemed very filmy. Unmarried people in mid-thirties is not unusual in successful or ambitious people but getting stuck on to their past relationships cannot be stated as the only reason. Suhani the protagonist of the novel seemed to have a persistent aversion for IIT men looked pretty unusual. There is definitely some aspect of stereotyping involved with people of a group but you still have people who belong to the group but are different. That moderation didn't seem to come out in the novel. It was just all extremes put together. Overall seemed like a medley of well known stories with substantial dosage of double meaning words seemed to be the central theme of the novel. 

Will it attract the audience or keep them glued to it? I am not sure. It could not keep my interest for too long. But definitely a light hearted reading material if you have got a copy. The author could have avoided reference to Chetan Bhagat and his credit issues. That was not relevant to the story at all.