Sunday, October 30, 2016

The Silkworm - Robert Galbraith


Private investigator Cormoran Strike returns in a new mystery from Robert Galbraith, author of the #1 international bestseller The Cuckoo's Calling.
When novelist Owen Quine goes missing, his wife calls in private detective Cormoran Strike. 
At first, Mrs. Quine just thinks her husband has gone off by himself for a few days--as he has done before--and she wants Strike to find him and bring him home.

But as Strike investigates, it becomes clear that there is more to Quine's disappearance than his wife realizes. 
The novelist has just completed a manuscript featuring poisonous pen-portraits of almost everyone he knows.
 If the novel were to be published, it would ruin lives--meaning that there are a lot of people who might want him silenced.

When Quine is found brutally murdered under bizarre circumstances, it becomes a race against time to understand the motivation of a ruthless killer, a killer unlike any Strike has encountered before...

A compulsively readable crime novel with twists at every turn, THE SILKWORM is the second in the highly acclaimed series featuring Cormoran Strike and his determined young assistant, Robin Ellacott.

[Book Description Source: www.amazon.com ] 



Ratings
Goodreads Rating - 4.02 out of 5 (122,451 Ratings; 12,225 Reviews - As on October 30 2016)
My Rating 3 out of 5
My Comments:  Not as good as the first book in Coromoran Strike series "The Cuckoo's Calling".


Buying Options 
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Tuesday, October 11, 2016

The Power of Compassion - The Dalai Lama


“Genuine compassion is based on a clear acceptance or recognition that others, like oneself, want happiness and have the right to overcome suffering. On that basis one develops concern about the welfare of others, irrespective of one’s attitude to oneself. 
That is compassion.” - THE DALAI LAMA

Many people have asked the Dalai Lama to address the current difficulties facing humanity. 
In these talks given in London he speaks about a wide range of issues including: Bosnia, racial hatred, gender and environmental protection.
Modern life is so full of confusion and suffering that people need the courage to face their anger and hatred, in order to transform their lives and relationships.
The Dalai Lama describes in a clear and simple style how to live and die well and how to bring wisdom and compassion into our everyday lives.
[Book Description Source: www.amazon.in ] 

Ratings
Goodreads Rating - 4.13 out of 5 (150 Ratings; 14 Reviews - As on October 11 2016)
My Rating 4 out of 5
My Comments: Very thought provoking and inspiring talks by  Dalai Lama on following topics:
1) Contentment, Joy and Living Well
2) Facing Death and Dying Well
3) Dealing with Anger and Emotion
4) Giving and Receiving: A Practical Way of Directing Love and Compassion
5) Interdependence, Inter-connectedness and the nature of Reality
6) The Challenge for Humanity: An Interfaith Address



Buying Options 
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Monday, October 10, 2016

Visual Meetings - David Sibbet


How Graphics, Sticky Notes and Idea Mapping Can Transform Group Productivity
Use eye-popping visual tools to energize your people!
Just as social networking has reclaimed the Internet for human interactivity and co-creation, the visual meetings movement is reclaiming creativity, productivity, and playful exchange for serious work in groups.
Visual Meetings explains how anyone can implement powerful visual tools, and how these tools are being used in Silicon Valley and elsewhere to facilitate both face-to-face and virtual group work. 
This dynamic and richly illustrated resource gives meeting leaders, presenters, and consultants a slew of exciting tricks and tools, including
  • Graphic recording, visual planning, story boarding, graphic templates, idea mapping, etc.
  • Creative ways to energize team building, sales presentations, staff meetings, strategy sessions, brainstorming, and more
  • Getting beyond paper and whiteboards to engage new media platforms
  • Understanding emerging visual language for leading groups
Unlocking formerly untapped creative resources for business success, Visual Meetings will help you and your team communicate ideas more effectively and engagingly.
   
[Book Description Source: www.amazon.com ] 

Ratings
Goodreads Rating - 3.79 out of 5 (783 Ratings; 22 Reviews - As on October 9 2016)
My Rating  2 out of 5
My Review: Lots of interesting ideas but too much of self-promotion. Felt like I was reading a  long and dry brochure of the author's company. OK for people who have never been exposed to the concept of Visual Meeting but the rest can look elsewhere.


Buying Options 
Buy from Amazon.com  Buy from Amazon.in  Buy Kindle Version
(Anybody can read Kindle books—even without a Kindle device—with the FREE Kindle app for smartphones and tablets.)