God is a gamer - A Review

God is a gamer is a bitcoin thriller written by the famous Indian author Ravi Subramanian. I must confess that this is my first book of the author and needless to say that he didn't disappoint me at all.

The author commands good knowledge on the subject, he seamlessly integrates his banking knowledge and also gives a glimpse on what goes behind the bank counters.

The book starts with the current events of how credit card companies monopolies the money market and
what caused the origin of bit coins. It also relates wiki leaks with politics and since it starts with a topic that is currently hot, it gets your attention. And though its a fiction it gives a real explanation for what happened in the bit coin market.

The book has wikileaks, gaming, Facebook, fiction, jihadists, romance, love, lust, drama... overall a good mystery that any reader could relate to. It also gives us a picture on how markets are driven by bankers and also how it gets affected by corruption by anyone.

Apart from the banking industry, it also gives a good perspective about the gaming industry and how it makes users addictive. You feel that the author is though from a banking industry with a good knowledge of it but he didnt monopolies the banking with just the dry facts of banking but he has also done a good homework for the other topics. As you read the book, you feel like shouting out saying 'I knew thats how these industries are flourishing'. What better review required than this level of involvement of the reader.

From start it grips the readers..it starts with wikileaks and assange and from there it grips the reader's attention. The reader can't keep the book down till it's done. The book makes you want to know what's going to happen next.

The author has maintained the pace of the book from start till end. No part is wasted effort. Every scene kind of builds up the mystery and the mystery unfolds spectacularly. It's an ideal mystery book like Agatha Christy ones where the author gives the reader an opportunity to piece together the clues and solve it themselves. And its also a very good mystery book as it gives a twist in the end which makes the reader go 'aaw'. 

Each character like Aditya Rao, Malavika, Tanya, Varun all are done with great care, with no loose or unnecessary details.

After a long time found a book which I wanted to be completed in one go. Though it's the first of this author I have read, it has definitely made me want to read more of the author's book. Surely I will look up for Ravi's books next time in a bookstore.

Any reader who is new to mystery would be hooked after this book.

My rating 5/5!

Well done Ravi Subramanian you have outdone yourself! I would say this would be a great movie script not for Bolloywood but for Hollywood itself. Hope I see the movie at the earliest!

Overview of the book:
        Imagine a scenario where you cross this powerful virtual currency with a Gamer, Banker, Politician and a Terrorist. The result is GOD IS A GAMER – the worlds first Bitcoin Thriller.
A thriller which moves from Washington’s Congress to Delhi’s finance ministry, the beaches of Goa to the corporate boardrooms of Mumbai. A thriller set in a world where money means nothing, martyrs are villains, predators are prey, assassination is taught by the ancient Greeks, and nothing is as it seems.

About the Author:
         Ravi Subramanian is India’s numero uno thriller writer, having written six bestselling books. An alumnus of Indian Institute of Management (Bangalore), he is currently head of a leading financial institution. A career banker and financial services professional, Ravi has worked with various multinational banks (Citibank, ANZ Grindlays Bank and HSBC) for over eighteen years. As a result of his extensive background in foreign banks, writing about banking comes quite naturally to Ravi. Each one of his books thus far have been set in the backdrop of a foreign bank.

This review is a part of the biggest Book Review Program for Indian Bloggers. Participate now to get free books!

Compromise

Few years back, divorcees and breakups were some numbers seen in the paper or some story heard in the news. It basically was a Page3 item, but in the recent past I am seeing its searing head in my close family circle itself. To give a background, mine is a typical conservative Tamil aka Kerala Brahmin family, a closely knit circle. In that circle I am hearing about arranged marriages ending in divorcees, breakups happening just before the day of marriage, basically a lot of broken relationships.
Once you hear the individual stories, all seem to have the same style of after taste. I wont term girls are the victims in a successful relationship. I would define a successful relationship is one in which both have successfully compromised and have made peace with their compromise. Nobody forced them to compromise but they did it in the their own accord and are happy with that. Because those compromises have happened because they had the priorities and to achieve that they compromised. See that all were plurals nowhere its like the girl has alone do sacrifices.
When I was discussing the same with my hubs, he pointed out that in our relationship it was always his say, like his culture, his language so he said the success depends on how well the guy guides and how well the girl follows. I know that a very MCP(Male Chauvinist Pig) way of looking at things. But if I have made my hubs to feel like a King even when in real its not, then I think my mission was a success. That apart, in real, ours was a north-south marriage with stiff opposition. Everybody predicted that ours would fail. Maybe that, along with my character of never going back on my promises laid the foundation for our relationship.
So my priorities was to make the relationship work. I was flexible to learn a new language rather than expect his parent to learn at this age of theirs, I was ok in following their traditions  because as per my belief all pray to the same god, but in their own way. Also since I never learnt my Tamil traditions and my parents never stressed on that, I compromised. I was amicable with his parents because my priority is that my hubs be the same to my parents. I compromised. Compromise is not a bad word, just that we need to justify the compromises with our priorities. Maybe that's what today y-Gen needs to understand and that's where their maturity comes.

Food Street!

Though each city has its own food tales, so does Bangalore too. It has got many food joints for various cuisine, from international to desi ones, from Bengali to Kerala. But the best is always the local cuisine, though it self has so many flavors like Uttar Karnataka or Mangalore style or Mysore style or for that matter Bangalore style. Once in college, we had come to Bangalore on a tour. As a college kid, the issue will always be the budget rather than big-shot hotel. So we had our dinner somewhere near majestic circle, a food street. The vendors were selling food in pull along carts, but what an amazing dinner it was and that too all priced for Rs. 10, unbelievable. And to top it the food taste was seriously  mind blowing. We all were like ravaged people, going cart to cart and treating ourselves. Though I returned to Bangalore after marriage I never was able to recall exactly were that street is.
Last week, my BIL took us to yet another food street in VV Puram. Per plate price was ranging from 10 - 20 bucks. The fare were regular Bangalore cuisine, but all were fresh, hot and yummy! The idly was so soft like ice cream, it was a hit with my daughter as she need not even chew it! It had the regular Karnataka style obbutu, avalkai dosa, ragi dosa, akki roti. All the fares were regular ones but it all tasted good. We were all stuffing our selves but still not feeling content. We eventually had to return back since it started to rain!
I truly believe that Bangalore will not let anyone go hungry, it caters to different people from different place and all people with different budget. Also no matter how cheap the food is, it will be always healthy and never hurt one tummy. Hope to explore more food streets.

Private India - My Book Reivew

Private India by Ashwin Sanghi and James Patterson

Let me start off saying that I have read the earlier works of Ashwin Sanghi and after his 'Chanakya's Chant' I am an official fan of his. In his earlier works though the genre is drama or thriller there was an "Indianess" in them which I was personally able to relate and accept. For instance 'Chanakya's Chant' who doesn't know Chanakya, but the way he was related to today's times was too good. In 'Krishna Key' we are all are familiar with the stories of Krishna and Yadav family but the twist that was given was simply amazing and might not be far away from truth if the fiction was reality.

So before I got this book I was pretty excited and had my hopes high in the air.

But with Private India somehow I think that 'Indianess' is missing. So when you take that uniqueness away, I think it just becomes just-another-thriller on the shelf.

I haven't read the other 'Private' series of James Patterson to judge this, may be Mr. Sanghi kept up with Mr. Patterson's style of evolving the characters. I felt like I am just watching yet-another thriller serial. All the characters were identical to characters you see in a thriller series in 'Star World' channel.

Yes the story had its pace and it didn't lose its sight or narration speed, but I was disappointed since it didn't meet up to the standard that Mr Sanghi has already set for himself. I sincerely hope that Mr. Sanghi venture to write more sole works which will continue to 'wow' readers like me.

The main character of the story Sanjay is a typical off the shelf hero. He has a tragic past which make him an alcoholic. But you can see his geniusness shining at the right moment. My previous thriller novel was 'City of Bones' by and somehow Private India and City of Bones seems to have a lot of similarities. For that matter I seemed to draw lot of parallel between Private India and CSI series stories.
Maybe as a author you always will be influenced by what you read & this author has read them or clearly my chioce of order of genre of the books where wrong. May be as a rule going forward I should not read two books of the same genre back to back. All the story characters seems to muddle up. The other character you see is the Alex, who I assume is the main character in all the 'Private' series books. Just because its a series, the author had failed to give a detailed description. For a reader, who is following the series, this would be fine as they would be aware of the character, but for someone like me who is starting afresh, I was left hanging half baked.

Though mine would seem like a negative feedback, would I pick another of Ashwin's books, sure I would, now that I am even more eager to see his other book which I have missed to read so far. But for this book 'Private India' I would say may be Ashwin got rushed with the deadline so was not able to do his full 100% efforts!

So the verdict is pick this book only if you are a real Big fan of thrillers and is a non star world watcher!

Book Details:

Title: Private India
Author: Ashwin Sanghi & James Patterson
Publisher: Arrow Books
# of Pages: 470

My rating: 2/5

Note: This is part of Review program from Blogadda 

My Home My Style

How will I decorate my home? Why does this sounds like a trick question... When we got into our first apartment, I was a new bride. I never gave thought of the 'Home decorating style', just kept unpacking and arranging things as per the utility of it, like 'various dhaba's go into kitchen', 'crockery into the new shiny showcase', assorted items placed at assorted places as per their size and height. That time I didn't had a clue of 'Home designing'
So next kids came, all the 'Fragile' things either were locked in cupboards or placed at higher altitudes!
Now, kids are bit grown up, but still you know that accidents are always a possibilities. Also I somehow go for this which are not just some eye candy but which have some usage.
Now if I want to redecorate my house, right this instant, my style would be 'eclectic'. I have some collection of old entertainment things like gramophone, electric gramophone, hookahs
I would certainly add these cushions
http://www.makemyhome.com/bestofhomedecor/jeel-koko-maison-inc-foil-printed-cushion-cover-3799.html its bright and gives a regal look and also since my sofa is a functional one in dull brown color this would go along splendidly
The next item I would use is these
http://www.makemyhome.com/bestofhomedecor/the-yellow-door-round-oil-burner.html
Right lights always have that ability to make a place romantic..wont u say?
Last piece I would like is this wall clock http://www.makemyhome.com/bestofhomedecor/marwar-stores-painted-peacock-wall-clock-design-1.html. They are very artistic and can be safe from 'accidents'!
With kids one has to always think about the may-be-accidents before any purchases. I know there are lots of kids who are well behaved, but I am yet to encounter and definitely mine are not in that category!

If done mine will look something like this with the above items placed accordingly...
http://bestlivingroomdesign.com/eclectic-living-room-design.html/simple-eclectic-living-room-design

This post is a part of Makemyhome activity at BlogAdda.com

Book Review!

Coming soon...
Review of 'Private India' by Ashwin Sanghi and James Patterson... #Unbelievable
 

Growing up

As you know after kids I took a break from work sphere, a short term break stretched to a 5 year long break. Though I did some work-from-home stints, those are never considered as 'back to work sphere' things. Anyway this time I did enter back, though my better-half was worried that rather than choosing a different field I am entering the same old one. But as per the saying 'dogs tail cant be straightened' I did end up in the same field.

So was I elated, happy or content.. Actually I was in a panic attack mode, the pressure of whether I could actually 'manage all' was so much I literally was thinking of plans to run away from home. But other than the panic, what I felt like a punch was about the generation gap.

As years pass we never really comprehend that we are also growing. Yes you become a wife, a sister in law, a mother...but that realization of growing never happens. But when I went back to work my conversation were starting with 'in my time...' and suddenly I realize that Huge generation gap existing between me and the person sitting beside me.

With kids you welcome the 'gap' with pleasure, but with colleagues its like a smack-on-the-head. I checked with my better half about this, but he being the Zen said that its not surprising but something that's expected and something that needs to be respected.

It made me realize that I was ok becoming a mom, but never realized that I have Grown to become a mom and that mom part will be with always not just with my kids but I'll be a mom in all my interactions.

Festivals and Rituals

Why is fasting associated with spiritualism... or how does I forgoing my food will make God cheerful.

My uncle always used to say never pray with empty stomach because all your thoughts will be on, when the puja get over and when one can fill the empty stomach.

Puja or prayers should be about how we connect with God but by stressing on the rituals or fasting, the essence of puja or festival is lost.

For instance 'Diwali' the festival of lights, we used to plan the rangoli that we will paint or the various sweets that would be made or the various crackers we will buy. But now its all in the pressure of fasting or which way to perform puja or which pundit in which channel to follow.

At the end of the festival, you feel that no enjoyment was received from it, no wonder my kids have no special attachments to the festivities.

Lessons from being a SHAM

I was a SHAM/WFHM for the past 5 years and only recently moved to being a working mother. So when I say I was a SHAM it means just that, it does not include various vacations, outings or entertainments. So what I learnt
1. Being a mother is The toughest job, give me anytime the hectic work I would say that is easy-peesy, but being a mother is not. Add to it being a mother of 2 kids!
2. Mother is just not responsible for the kids, she is answerable to Everyone, that includes the hubs, his parents, your parents, maids, milkman and literally everyone who walks and talks!
3. Anything wrong with the kids, the blame is on the mother. period.

But these are just that of being a mother...what about SHAM. You know this concept of SHAM itself is recent... In my mother's days there was not distinction. Mothers were always mothers, they were judged if they were not trying to be super mother. All were just mothers. period.

But now we ourselves itself want to justify on why we are not the living Supermom. Since we all have tasted the blood of working and being independent, we always feel that we are lacking if we just settle for being moms. We want more! Its well and good for some who actually raises to that bar, but for those who doesn't....

We were always an ordinary couple, we didn't had honeymoon trips and we don't go on holidays or movies or weekly restaurant's even when were the newly wedded couple.

So when I become SHAM, it was just the kids and me and home. What I misses most of being a working mother, is the coffee breaks and the idle chatters! Also there was that nagging thing on the back of the head which kept saying that I am not being the Supermom.. In that 5 years I tried various thing from painting, art, online tutoring, freelancing and still people were judging as not a super mom. Somehow it was stifling and you are being accused as not trying hard.

Once my mom asked on why you are beating yourself...you can just be a simple mother like me. But see in her days all were just simple mothers and not her or her family had tasted the 'blood' so it was all well and good. But for me its not just me who have tasted 'blood' its my family too. There were days were in hubs would make wayward comment on how I am wasting my good old degree or when kids make casual comments on how she will grow up and be at home while pack box for my office going son. It suddenly pricks you and makes you question on why are you not being a supermom so as to get your family in line.

So now I am back in the grind. But does this means I am super mom....I guess something's will not change and one will always be over judged mother, whether you are a SHAM or a working mother. Everyday is a judgment day!

Decisions

I knew that the decision making process is tough...but all thru my life, if once I decide on which way to go I usually stick to it firmly...no looking back and thinking about the decision again.
But this time...though its been a month every day I wake up with a sick feeling in my stomach as if I have done something monumentally wrong.
Is it so wrong to lookout for oneself when obviously there is no knight-in-shining-armor to do that for me... Or should I do as my hubs says and sacrifice myself yet again? The keyword is not 'sacrifice' in the previous sentence but its 'yet again'.
The audacity of people to ask me to do it again... and the audacity of myself to almost agreeing to it!

Poser

Its very tiring to be a poser and also u cant keep it forever...I say 8 yrs is good enough time to quit being a poser..what say.

First time for everything

As said in title there are first times for everything...So had many first's happening this month. First time rode scotter..first time to office leaving kids home with maid...first time to petrol bunk to fill the said scooter.. and lastly first time kids are going to grandparents house with me left behind... first time of sleeping without kids and that too for one full month. It kills me now itself. Need to bury myself in the new job but even then there will be weekends..nights. I came back to work stating that tomorrow kids will be off to college, work and at that time I don't want to cling to them. But they leaving happened now itself, so have to see what my life will be without them.
It always like this with me...I want two contradicting things at the same time. Like I want my hubs and my parents and like now when I want to work and also kids at home. One part says I have to strap up and be a working lady and not pin for my kids and the other part is lets quit now and go with them.

Contraceptives

Contraception....it's the next hushed up topic after sex. But thanks to today's media, t.v., Internet...sex has become an overrated topic. But the same media seems to have forgotten to hype up the contraceptives too.. Anyway...
During college days after reading too many Sidney Sheldon's n jack Collins.. I used to pride myself with my 'sex' knowledge but never knew or aware of the c word. After marriage happened was so excited to start family so never cared for c word. Within the first year of marriage nunu came along n got busy with baby stuff. Soon after her first bday became Peggy again! This time it was a shocker... Barely was I managing one kid and with that another one! That's when ppl start asking about the c word... Before no one educate you but they somehow except u to be a expert as soon as u start having sex...but I should have learnt it since I am the sufferer.
So anyway after chintu, within a month went back to the doc and checked on the c word options. Since mine was normal delivery doc suggested copper T. She said no side effects n pain free n basically sold it to me. Within year I was having heavy bleedings n bloated body. Rather than doubling my weight during pregnancy I had doubled it after. When I went back, then she says that 'some people' tends to have these effects...
Then I started with OCP pills since going under knife with small kids was not an option for me. When I started pills she said no effects and I can safely take it till I am 35.
It's been two years now...as such no effects, but u read in p papers about it probable link to cancer n that's scares you.

Condoms are out since I can't trust my hubs on this...since if anything goes wrong i will be one to bear it!
Surgeries are out since they are scary.
Now when I ask people for ideas...they give a look saying after two kids why are u still active n start giving advice on absistance

So now at 32 I am waiting for menopause so that I can enjoy my s life!