Zen and the Art of Admin Tasks by Nic De Castro, Nathan Pettijohn
Published by Lioncrest Publishing on 27/06/2018
Genres: Nonfiction, Business, Entrepreneurship
Pages: 66
Format: eBook
Goodreads

In the world of hustle, we often forget how much time we lose instead of spending it in a useful manner. Time management is an actionable task if you run a startup or a micro business. If you are not managing your time wilfully, you are not only losing time but your energy too in performing mundane tasks. Think about the most mundane task you go through every day that unknowingly consumes a lot of time?

I am a remote worker and I spend a lot of my time reading and answering emails (not from my workmates). Emails in a modern world, consume a lot of our time. I often find myself reading emails on my laptop and if away from that, my mobile phone happily delivers them to me. Zen and the Art of Admin Tasks is a short book, mere 65 pages, about how to outsource these type of administrative tasks. It offers a system that if followed and maintained can add a lot of value to your time and save that energy. It is a tactical guide that might not interest everyone, but let me convince you to read it at least once.

Along with defining the situation by giving a real-life example of the major difference by managing these tasks on your own versus hire someone to manage your inbox, this book offers a variety of tools, mostly free. Written by Nic De Castro and Nathan Pettijohn, both of them are startup owners. They describe by hiring a virtual assistant how they were able to add more value to their personal and work life.

This book even the so short is about implementing the strategies defined in it ASAP. That is the idea both the co-authors want to convey. The writing style is simple and to the point. The tools and systems defined are pragmatic. Two of those tools, I have started using them. However, I do feel this book could have been a longer and tackled other issues for a modern-day hustler. I would have loved to hear about how Nic’s and Nathan’s manage and tackle different situations in their startup world. That zen could have been more descriptive.

3.5 out of 5!

The post BOOK REVIEW: Zen and the Art of Admin Tasks by Nic De Castro and Nathan Pettijohn appeared first on Confessions of a Readaholic.

The Book of M by Peng Shepherd
Published by William Morrow on 05/06/2018
Genres: Fiction, Dystopia
Pages: 492
Format: eBook
Goodreads

When I came across Peng Shepherd’s debut work, I was foremost attracted by the mysteriousness of the cover of her book. There is no drug that can give you that much high than a book’s beautifully designed cover on which you set your skeptical eyes.

Imagine if you lose your shadow today, somehow. How will you respond to that? What will be your reaction? Will you overreact? Will you have thought that you have lost something close to you? The storyline of this dystopian novel toys with the idea of human beings losing shadow due to some vibe. This doesn’t sound creepy and weird at all, does it?

After losing the shadow, an individual’s memory starts to fade. For some, it takes weeks to be completely reborn in their mind for some, it happens overnight. I found this concept fascinating and dark enough if you think about it. The storyline revolves around multiple characters majorly Max and Ory, a wife and her husband who are trying to escape the Forgetting disease. Yes, they have the name for it. Heights of creativity! This Forgetting disease is spreading out like the plague and wiping the memory of all those who are affected. Until one day, Max’s shadow disappears.

Knowing that she will forget everything, Max runs away Ory refuses to give up on her and tries everything in his possession to find her before her memory completely disappears. The adventure starts and a series of events unfold. The history of the disease Forgetting is told to us, about its origin, whom it affected first and how it is related to elephants. Ory’s attempt to find Max is another adventure in itself that runs parallel to the background of the theme.

There’s a difference between when the mind forgets and the heart does. #BookReview The Book of M (Peng Shepherd
Click To Tweet

Written from multiple POVs the book shows feelings and emotions of a being so intense that it gave me goosebumps in between. The overall theme of the book makes it interesting to dwell but the characterization is the core of this book. Everything revolves around them. The start, the ending and even the MAJOR climax in the book.

The writing style is mesmerizing and surreal. The genre of dystopia is well displayed here. The organization of the novel along with ever-changing narration is perfect. Various perceptions make it more thrilling and chilling at the same time. There are twists and turns that caught me off the guard and I am sure, on reading it, you will experience them too.

I read this book in two sittings in one day. I could not keep my hands off it. It is gripping, surreal and a delight for fantasy/urban fantasy/dystopian audience. The reason I am giving it 4 stars is that it could have been more mysterious. Sounded like Mad Max in the end.

4 out of 5!

The post BOOK REVIEW: The Book of M by Peng Shepherd appeared first on Confessions of a Readaholic.

The Inheritants Saga by K. M. Mackmurdie
Series: Inheritants Saga
Published by Burton Brown Enterprises on 01/05/2018
Genres: Fiction, Fantasy
Format: ARC, eBook
Goodreads

Kristy Mackmurdie’s latest trilogy, The Inheritants, an urban fantasy, is her debut work. The book is divided into three parts namely: The Funeral March, Invisible Man and The Offering. I recently got the chance to read all three parts.

My experience as a reader with urban fantasy is limited and I am glad I could get my hands on The Inheritants Trilogy. The plot revolves around Meredith Earl who is an Inheritant orphan. Her lover is recently found dead and now his corpse is missing. Meredith is recently feeling lonely after his death and gets obsessed to find the dead body. She embarks in the journey of cruelty, backstabbing, loss and a struggle that needs constant sacrifices from herself. Moreover, her is past is explored and many secrets are revealed.

The storyline in this book starts on a slow note. We are introduced to the main set of characters in the first part and a mystery starts to loom. However, the mystery can soon be solved by the reader as the events inside the novel advances and then starts a journey of a chase and run and hide and revenge. This adventure picks up speed and we as a reader get more insight into the lives of different characters, especially the Meredith and her lover Sloane.

The writing style in this trilogy is excellent and is flawless. The narrative voice sometimes did get in my head comfortably and made me realize that it might leave an impact at the end of it. The main characterization is deeply explored and is given proper time for the reader to absorb the information. Another thing I like about this novel and want to point out is that the constant back flashes provide immense details about these characters. There is R rated content and that upon completing the trilogy, I think to define the nature of some characters is important and also fulfills the nature of a modern day fantasy writing style. I could not find any drag elements that are just there to fill up the pages and a common practice in this genre but I do think supporting characters could have been a bit better.

If you are into fantasy reading or its subgenre urban fantasy or have never read one, this can be a great start.

4 out of 5!

The post BOOK REVIEW: The Inheritants Saga by Kristy Mackmurdie appeared first on Confessions of a Readaholic.

Pages: 232, Kindle Edition

Published: October 2017,  by Harvard Business Review Press

Cover Rating: 4/5

We see startups everywhere. Being a part of the fastest growing economy the word startup is now on the mouth of everyone. Some have their own definitions of it, but as Jeffrey Bussgang mentions it is hard to define the word startup in mere words. To help reader understand the concept and those aspiring to work for startups will definitely get some help by reading this book.

Entering StartupLand: An Essential Guide to Finding Right Job is pragmatic approach to various career options or job profiles and responsibilities that are available almost in every startup. This includes product management, business development, marketing, growth and sales. To help one figure out what to expect when someone joins a startup there are insights from Jeffrey’s own life as he started his career with Open Market that was once a startup in 1997.

The book divides in eight chapters and begins with introduction to the startup culture and then discuss various but essential job profiles. Within the context, Jeffrey has made an effort to clarify and get his readers familiar with terms like Scrum and Agile working methodology. This I feel, is good for the reader to know some of the main buzzwords and make an effort to understand if they are new or not familiar with the context.

Having worked myself in one startup, I will say there are times when you dwell in uncertainty. Be ready for that. You may have to handle multiple responsibilities. Jeffrey has differentiated the two organisational paradigms, what a stable corporate life is and how it is different from the startup.

Since it is a nonfiction work, I don’t have much to write about the narrative voice. The book is written in an expressive and clear language. I do strongly feel that the author could have make an effort to explore the possibility of other skills that are common with startup culture.

If you want to get familiar with this term and its scions then this book is a great starting point. Perfect target audience are students in colleges and universities, and also recommended to someone looking for a job or career change.

4 out of 5!

The post BOOK REVIEW: Entering StartupLand by Jeffrey Bussgang appeared first on Confessions of a Readaholic.

Who does not like to read a book in one sitting? In this post, I am going to present you with a list of books that can be used for a calm weekend after a tiring week, while traveling or even Readathons! Readers who think are falling behind in their Goodreads Yearly Challenge or want to jumpstart can also use books mentioned in the list below.

I love shorter books. Sometimes it is better to tell a story in less amount of words and leave the rest for the reader to figure out. Novellas are still written by modern-day writers and sold by publishers. In the list below, I will try to diversify as much as I can. Let us prepare for our next Readathon!

The Vegetarian by Han Kang

Page Count: 208

Winner of 2016’s Man Booker International Prize, Han Kang ’s subtle written book, The Vegetarian is a surprise package. It’s a long form of a novella and divided into three parts, first published in 2007. However, the concept of this novel originated in 1997 when Kang wrote a short story titled, ‘The Fruit of My Woman’. Set in modern-day Seoul, it tells the story of Yeong-hye, a homemaker, whose decision to stop eating meat after having a nightmare.

The Grownup by Gillian Flynn

Page Count: 64

The author of the Gone Girl came out with a short story in 2015. about a fraudulent psychic who gets drawn into the life of one of her wealthy customers who is convinced her house is haunted. When the psychic checks out her tale, though, she realizes she might be able to sense a sinister supernatural power after all.

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman

Page Count: 162

First Nonfiction book on this list. It is a collection of essays and is a reader’s delight, written by another reader who tributes her love for the books in her life by writing a book of essays herself.

The Strange Library by Haruki Murakami

Page Count: 96

The Strange Library is an excellent introduction to the dreamy, magical world of Haruki Murakami. In this novella, an unlikely trio—a shy boy, a tortured sheep man, and a strange girl—work to escape a creepy library.

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

Page Count: 264

My favorite Christie book. Don’t go on the length of it. It is so intense that you will be shocked to read it in a lesser amount of time than you expect.

A Single Man by Christopher Isherwood

Page Count: 192

This slim novel about George, a professor grieving the loss of his younger male lover, caused outrage when it was first published in 1964. The story, which takes place over the course of a single day, shocked audiences with its bold and unapologetic grappling with society’s paralyzing stigma towards the gay community and advocating for LGBT rights.

The Misfit’s Manifesto by Lidia Yuknavitch

Page Count: 120

Another non-fiction book is an ode to nonconformity by weaving her misfit history and those of her writing students and notable artists, writers, and creatives. For anyone who has felt like they never fit in, The Misfit Manifesto is a searing manifesto that will inspire a rebel stirring in your weird little heart.

I am accepting books for reviews, email me for inquiries at amandeepmittal@live.com

The post 7 Books You Can Read in One Day for a Readathon appeared first on Confessions of a Readaholic.

Pages: 221, Kindle Edition

Published: 2016, Bloomsbury

Cover Rating: 5/5

Nominated for The Man Booker’s Prize in 2016, Hot Milk by Deborah Levy has been siting on my virtual shelf for over a year. I thought, before this year ends I should give it a go.

With an interesting cover, the plot revolves around Sofia, a twenty five year old anthropologist, born to a British mother and a Greek father. She believes she has spent much of her life trying to solve the mystery of her mother’s unexplainable illness. She is frustrated by her mother’s constant complains and travels with her to the coast of souther Spain to see a famous consultant in the hope that he might be able to cure her mother’s unpredictable limb paralysis. With doctor’s strange methods, Sofia track while tracking down her mother’s symptoms in an attempt to solve this msytery of her pain but along this journey that, she discovers her own desires, her sexual personality and coming on terms with herself.

The storyline starts flat but as it moves forward it becomes interesting and enjoyable. It might take some readers to adjust with the plot but let me tell you this is one of the books where plot is secondary. This I realised after I was done with almost half of the book. The characters are the mai point of this book. These characters are always thinking and feeling. They develop on their own, some of them instantly and are interesting personalities. Whenever the author shifts focus from our protagonist I observed how intelligent the other characters in ths novel are.

Moreover, one gets to see the transformation of some characters as the plot move forward. The writing style has a pace with it and I highly enjoyed the narrative. The writer has clearly captured the strangeness of a mother who demands attention from her child who is an adult. The element of this type complexity is explored through out the novel. The landscape described in the book is limited but I think it has high impact both on the readers of the book and the overall characterisation.

I enjoyed reading Deborah Levy’s work. She is now one of the those authors on my list that I have to explore and read their other published works. This book can be finished in a day as I managed to read. Something different, not your usual contemporary fiction.

4 out of 5

Buy this from Amazon

~ Find me on ~

BLOG |  GOODREADS |  TWITTER | FACEBOOK | MEDIUM

The post BOOK REVIEW: Hot Milk by Deborah Levy appeared first on Confessions of a Readaholic.

My Mute Girlfriend Published by Srishti Publishers & Distributors on 10/02/2018
Genres: Romance, Fiction
Pages: 218
Format: Paperback
Goodreads

Himanshu Rai’s latest book, My Mute Girlfriend is a typical romance fiction. I generally do not adore reading novels in this genre but this one caught my eye because of the title and blurb of the book.

The plot revolves around the boy, Rohan, the protagonist in this story and lives with his family. He has a teenage crush on a girl in his school and decides to propose her. Soon an incident in his life turns around his plans and he finds himself sitting for admit counseling after getting a good result in an entrance exam and fulfill his family’s dreams. This where we meet our second protagonist of the story. The female lead, Vaidehi. She and Rohan soon become friends after being in the same class. She has a reputation for being an egotist but with Rohan, she is a different personality. They love each other until a day when Vaidehi’s behavior towards Rohan changes completely and she stops talking to him. The question this incident arouses is why is she behaving in that manner?

The plot is organized well from to the end of the novel. It does follow the same standard as other romantic novel but the twist and turns do beg it to differ when both the characters have their fate turned around. I cannot talk about the climax as it is the authentic reason that makes the plot a bit different in its own genre. The theme tries to unveil in the end is genuine and beautiful. The use of subplots is done essentially well and above my expectation. They never felt like a dragging element to me.

The characterization in this novel is transparent but for me, it did lack in-depth development. At the start, it did feel good that the author is exploring the protagonist teenage days. But as the plot advances, I was not able to predict or guess their motives even though I’d love to be wrong in that matter. The narrative voice does help sometimes to turn the pages.

The length of the book compliments the plot to develop. I recommend this book if you are looking forward to reading something authentic that might touch your heart in the end, in the romantic fiction world.

3 out of 5

The post BOOK REVIEW: My Mute Girlfriend by Himanshu Rai appeared first on Confessions of a Readaholic.

Your Creative Career by Anna Sabino
Published by Career Press Genres: Self Help, Business, Entrepreneurship, Nonfiction
Pages: 192
Format: eBook
Goodreads

Anna Sabino is an entrepreneur and she wrote her debut work, Your Creative Career for budding entrepreneurs in mind who want to pursue a creative path.

I picked her book in during an important phase of my life. When I needed it. Her suggestions in this book are on how to build a business with a creative mindset that reflects one’s skills and by putting one’s effort, one can have earnings. The book starts with some amount of pep talk that I find essential in the genre this book falls under and motivating personally. A reader who wants to pursue long-term success by being creative and escape can benefit from. Her own story she covers along with some anecdotes from modern day and internet age businesses. It prompts a reader to consider their current situation and position in life and how from at that point, no matter where they are, can move forward with a set of clear goals.

She has put enough emphasis in her book creating a lifestyle or designing one as she likes to call, as creative enough to suit you. This does not mean one has to be comfortable and procrastinate all their work for the day or quit the job that is there a major source or only source of income. Her words do not convey this message. She urges you as a reader to find your passion or a niche where you can start putting your effort and time. She urges the reader to work hard on their dreams.

This one of the first book I have read that classifies dreamers into three categories: doers, squeezers, and postponers. On reading the book you will be willing to pick one for yourself. Apart from her analogy on dreams, she offers pragmatic suggestions on actual ways to create a career around your passion and almost lays a blueprint on how to induce one’s creative mindset in a field where one earn and thrive. Her own story of leaving Wall Street and starting a jewelry brand in New York is a great example she provides as an entrepreneur and as a writer in this book.

With a direct and straight-forward writing style, one should read this book to be productive. On reading it, I observed that there must have been a huge amount of research she has to go to pick as if the reality references she provides seem right at the moment she introduces in her book for her readers to aspire.

~ Find me on ~

BLOG |  GOODREADS |  TWITTER | FACEBOOK | MEDIUM

Check out my NEW Book for Bloggers and Book Bloggers

The post BOOK REVIEW: Your Creative Career by Anna Sabino appeared first on Confessions of a Readaholic.

Maps Are Lines We Draw by Allison Coffelt
Published by Lanternfish Press on 20/03/2018
Genres: Travel, Memoir, Nonfiction, Autobiography
Pages: 144
Format: eBook
Goodreads

Maps are Lines We Draw is Allison Coffelt’s travel memoir. The book that is actually a novella, deciphers the culture of Haiti. I picked this book because of the cover and the title mainly. They both compliment each other and is a good attraction. Little did I know of Allison’s writing style at that time.

The blurb of the book describes author’s visit to the beautiful island, where beautiful means beautiful for the people of Haiti, as she recalls in the starting pages of her memoir. She is accompanied by a local doctor Jean Gardy Marius is the founder of a public health organization OSAPO. She tries to explore the island itself and everything it constitutes of, the people, their culture, recalls in between which I found very helpful as I was unfamiliar with the tumultuous history. Along being the ordinary travel memoir, it also spotlights the reality in which how aid organizations are trying to help the local economy. This makes this book unique and interesting.

What more unique I found in this book is Allison, the author’s writing style. The way she spread words for the reader has lasting charm. It is because of her writing style I could not put this book down and had to read it in one go. In the end, it left me a feeling that I can best describe as a longing for a travel and weave my own memories.

4 out of 5

Check out my NEW Book for Bloggers and Book Bloggers

The post BOOK REVIEW: Maps are Lines We Draw by Allison Coffelt appeared first on Confessions of a Readaholic.

David Impey’s latest book The October Men is written exquisitely. If you always wanted to read a book on time travel but never had the heart for going into many details. I recently had a chance to interview him.

Q. Hi Mr. David Impey, and thank you for agreeing for this interview. Tell me a little about yourself and your background?

Hello there and thanks for taking the time to read ‘The October Men’. I’m much obliged to you for that.

My background is a bit tangential in that I have spent most of my career working in the life sciences industry mostly in commercial roles. These have involved trying to translate fairly complex technical concepts into everyday language for consumption by the general public, the press and the scientific community as well (they aren’t usually the most articulate of people!).

I have been a writer since way back. I wrote my first novel when I was 13. And set fire to it when I was 14 – my critical faculties had developed sufficiently during that year for me to appreciate quite how awful it was. I got my first article published in a yachting magazine when I was 17. And I’ve been contributing articles and columns to various magazines, journals, and websites since then.

I also developed a TV format on how drugs work which was eventually picked up by a small cable channel in the US.

Q. Congratulations in your book, The October Men. Very thought-provokingly told. What led you to pick a theme based on Time Travelling?

It was two things really. The first was my musing on why there seemed to be a sudden glut of World War 2 documentaries in colour and then chatting about these musings with a friend of mine over a few glasses of wine.

It struck me that, if people were able to go back and get colour footage and return to the present, then what else could they do? The novel sort of spiraled out from there.

Q. I see you your writing style is excellent and it is what kept me going throughout the novel. What is the easiest thing about writing you find?

Thanks for the compliment. I’m not sure that ‘easy’ is the right word. The key thing is planning out the story in advance. I use a rather complex set of spreadsheets and diagrams to make sure that the whole thing flows, despite being told from multiple viewpoints, and to make sure that certain characters don’t end up being in totally different places at the same time. As happened at one stage in the draft – I had to go back and do some serious re-writes to amend this.

Once the plan is there, then I have a fairly vivid mental image of what is occurring – I also try to write about places I have visited in the past and can see clearly – and it becomes a lot more straight-forward to write.

Q. What motivates you to write?

There isn’t a simple answer to this one. I suppose I wanted to see if I could actually do it.

I was a bit nervous about making an ass of myself so I had a friend, who is a published author, read through the first draft of the first 50 pages. I asked her to put me out of my misery if I was deluding myself and she was adamant that it was worth persevering with.

Q. When did you decide that you want to be a writer?

I’ve been entertaining dreams of being a writer since I was a kid, if I’m honest. I was always making up stories on the way to school. I’ve finally got round to it.

Q. What are your thoughts on good/bad reviews?

Obviously, I love getting a good review; it’s like being told you’re a fine parent. As for bad reviews, I suppose I take it a bit personally, although I am quietly satisfied if I elicited some sort of response as long as it’s objective and not a grandiloquent critic trying to get a laugh at my expense.

Q. What do you prefer: Pen or Computer? And how do you stay organised (any methods, systems, tools you use)?

Computer. I’m a much faster typist than writer and, besides, my handwriting has deteriorated since the days when I started using PCs as standard.

As for organisation, I file everything and anything I can on the hard drive. I’m a lousy librarian so filing systems don’t come naturally to me. That said, putting ‘The October Men’ together was not too onerous in that regard

Q. How do you relax?

I am a very keen musician. I have a recording studio which I use to write and record material for use as soundtrack music as well as commercial release. I also very occasionally play live with other musicians. I used to be a singer but I hate my voice so I leave that sort of thing to people who are talented.

I love listening to music – especially classical – whilst doing the crossword. In addition to all that, I occasionally play cricket and I enjoy walking my dog Dino.

Q. What would you have done differently if you could do it again?

Oh gosh. That way madness lies.

Q. Something personal about you people may be surprised to know?

I tend to compartmentalize my life a bit so people from one part don’t really get to know much about the stuff from another part. To some extent, I feel that I’m rather forcing myself on them if I keep bouncing up saying “Oh yes, I also do that… and that… etc.”

So people from my life sciences / commercial side of things were very surprised to hear about the book launch.

Other than that, I don’t have any deep secrets that I keep hidden from the world. I just don’t tell everybody everything either.

Q. Do you re-read books? One book that you would read again & again?

Yes. Sometimes, the books one reads as a child take on new detail and significance as an adult. ‘The Lord of the Rings’ was one such and ‘The Wind in the Willows’ made me sob twice (Mole getting homesick and ‘The Piper at the Gates of Dawn’ being the two episodes).

The one book that I would read again and again is probably ‘The Sixth Day’ by Primo Levi or ‘1Q84’ by Haruki Murakami. Both very philosophical and which reveal themselves through repeated study.

Q. Your influence(s)/ favourite author(s)?

JP Donleavy, E Annie Proulx, John Irving, Alistair Maclean (his early stuff was brilliant!)

Q. Are you working on anything at the moment? When can we see your next work?

Yes I am. I have just been taken on by a literary agent (thanks Helen) and she immediately asked me to draught up the plot for a second novel and the first 50 pages. Which I have just done. As for when it will come out depends largely on the success of ‘The October Men’ and the speed with which Helen and I can get a publishing deal for the follow-up. As for when: this time next year..?

Author’s Blog | Publisher Website | Goodreads

The post Blog Tour: David Impey’s October Men and Interview appeared first on Confessions of a Readaholic.