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Book Review- The Lost Bookshop by Evie Woods

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Wow, this book made me fall in love with fiction again. My childlike imagination was indulged in this thick saga. Without revealing the story, I will write this review in the shortest possible version. The Lost Bookshop is a time slip kind-of novel telling two stories separated in time but related through its characters, Martha, Opaline, and Henry. The lost and found Emily Brontë's manuscript was the driving plot. And then there was a missing bookshop, which binded the end beautifully. The book features elements of bibliophilia, magical realism, fantasy, historical fiction, and romance by Irish author Evie Woods. The book also brings up grim real-world issues, including alcoholism, domestic violence, and societal misogyny. In conclusion, The Lost Bookshop is a delightful place for anyone who, like me, appreciates the mention of the Lost Generation, bookstores, and the enchanting era when society, relationships, and literature radiate a special kind of wonder and magic. Quotes from...

Book Review- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

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The book "The Five Dysfunctions of a Team" truly stands out, especially for aspiring leaders who might feel unsure about handling daily conflicts or managing teams across different departments. It's not just a collection of theories or policies but emphasizes human understanding and the practical wisdom needed to find effective solutions with teams. The best part of this read is learning about building team through the storytelling! The book narrates a business story focusing on Kathryn, the new CEO of DecisionTech, a struggling high-tech company. Throughout the story, Kathryn strives to identify the root causes of the executive team’s failures. Despite DecisionTech having a great product and ample investor funding, it continues to underperform for unknown reasons. Kathryn, with prior executive experience in the automotive industry, is older than her peers on the executive team. The story vividly depicts her journey in overcoming age and expertise gaps and in helping the ...

Book Review- Things My Son Needs to Know about the World by Fredrik Backman

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This is my third book review by writer Fredrik Backman, following A man called Ove and The Answer Is NO . As usual, the writer offers excellent insights on the theme of “ fatherhood .”   The book lies somewhere between humour and autobiography. The sarcasm in the book is deep , and some parts require slow reading, although the writing is fast-paced, making it both an easy grab and a thought-provoking journey. The chapters vary in length, and the writing is casual, conversational, and less formal than his other novels.  The book captivates anyone who appreciates satire!   “Things My Son Needs to Know about the World” is a collection of cute and sweet essays. Each chapter illustrates what it is like to become a father for the first time. It discusses the love, the care, and the mistakes, covering everyday matters like poop diapers as well as the big “stuff” of life. Occasionally, a few chapters read like love letters to his son and his wife. This book wonderful...

Soft gestures- A lost trait

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At times, I find myself reflecting on people from various eras and childhood times. Their actions, gestures and approaches reveal a genuine care in what they do, clarity of intention, and, most importantly, a sense of belonging as they live their lives. These “lost” actions are rarely “found” these days! I want to clarify from the start that this blog post isn't about labeling anyone or any period as “perfect"; rather, it's simply my way of sharing how I see the world around me and trying to develop a connection with my past without any judgment. This write-up is a page from my diary from post-graduation days. And hence may sound naive (but I am unapologetic) ---- Whenever I see my mother getting ready for any long trip, she makes sure everything is perfectly organized, as if she’s packing not just a travel kit, but Mummy's miniature universe of preparedness. It contains not just a safety pin for a sari pallu gone astray or a little pouch of paste for a quick freshen-u...

Book review- Girl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow

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“Everyone has that moment I think, the moment when something so momentous happens that it rips your very being into small pieces. And then you have to stop. For a long time, you gather your pieces. And it takes such a very long time, not to fit them back together, but to assemble them in a new way, not necessarily a better way. More, a way you can live with until you know for certain that this piece should go there, and that one there.” This recent read is mostly sad, full of struggle and little dark for me. The book is filled with hardship and somewhat gloom for my personal taste. It portrays a world that feels distant from my own experiences. Nevertheless, it serves as a stark reminder that the difficult circumstances depicted are the reality for some individuals in this world. Seventeen-year-old Charlotte Davis is shattered, having experienced more loss than most face in a lifetime. She copes by self-harm, the physical pain offering a temporary escape from the memories of her fathe...

Book review - Tuesdays with Morrie Book by Mitch Albom

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  “So many people walk around with a meaningless life. They seem half-asleep, even when they're busy doing things they think are important. This is because they're chasing the wrong things. The way you get meaning into your life is to devote yourself to loving others, devote yourself to your community around you, and devote yourself to creating something that gives you purpose and meaning.”      I am  yet another  fan and follower of this book. It remains a book I re-read every few months, especially during times of despair and confusion—a ritual I have tried to maintain since 2000. I have watched the videos and movie adaptations of the same title multiple times, but this book offers an escape that helps me connect with the realities of life.      “ Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, A Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson ” is a 1997 memoir by American author Mitch Albom. The book is about a series of conversations that occurred when Albom vis...

Book review- What Got You Here Won’t Get You There by Marshall Goldsmith

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The book “ What Got You Here Won’t Get You There ” is theoretically uncomplicated, easy to understand, and at times, it seems to present nothing “new” in the world of leadership; however, the theory is extremely difficult to apply consistently in practice. It is indeed a self-help book for leaders and those who aspire to be leaders. Marshall Goldsmith is a renowned leadership coach. As expected, his book primarily discusses the practical issues that cause leaders to feel “stuck” on their leadership journey. For example, in one of his chapters, he deliberates on the greatest mistake of successful people based on the assumption, “ I behave this way, and I achieve these results. Therefore, I must be achieving these results because I behave this way. ” However, the reality might be that they are successful “ in spite of ” their behavior. This book captured my full attention, especially at the times when it discussed how to build strong relationships with our colleagues through gratitude a...