Book Review - The Girl In The Spider’s Web by David Lagercantz

Book Review - The Girl In The Spider’s Web by David Lagercantz 

“The Girl In The Spider’s Web” is the book that I will talk about in my section “Books our best friend: books to read”. The book is written by the acclaimed writer David Lagercrantz who is born and brought up in Sweden.

“The Girl In The Spider’s Web” is the fourth book in the Millennium series, and the story in the book revolves around Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander. The story in the book opens with Frans Balder return, who is a renowned and famous computer scientist working in Sweden.

He decided to leave his prestigious job of working in Solifon which is a well-known company in Silicon Valley as he had to take the custody of his autistic son. Later on in the book “The Girl In The Spider’s Web”, it is learned that he is being contacted by various security agencies in Sweden and America, who disclose him that his life is in danger.

A criminal organization known by the name “Spider Society” is keeping track of his activity. However, Frans Balder is not bothered by it and spends all his time looking after his son. 

Balder later on learns that his son August is suffering from Savant syndrome, but still he shows remarkable ability to make drawings. 

Not only this, he also exhibit wonderful ease with numbers, something which is not seen in patients suffering from savants.

The novel “The Girl In The Spider’s Web” is originally written in Swedish language by David Lagercrantz, however, it has been translated into 38 different languages.

The Guilty By David Baldacci

David Baldacci is a master story teller and he has come up with yet another example of his masterpiece. In this section of “Books Our Best Friend: Books To Read” I highlight about a book “The Guilty” written by the acclaimed and prolific writer David Baldacci.

The book “The Guilty” talks about a government agent, Will Robbie, who is considered as the most disciplined, professional and lethal assassin. He never fears from going into hostile territories regardless of which part of world it is, counter the most advanced security system of enemies and disable any kind of threat before it can reach our borders.

David Baldacci has made a phenomenal description of the character portrayed in the book “The Guilty”.

Even the best of men, may find themselves surrounded by problem in case luck is not on their side. And this is what happened with Will Robbie in “The Guilty”. He was on a critical mission on some unknown hostile land, and from nowhere, his skills left him alone.

For Robbie, in case he is without his talent, it means that he does not have any purpose in life and is without a mission.

Now, in order to regain all his expertise and talent and acquired skills, Robbie will have to face his own past, which had been haunting him for the past twelve years.

How Will Robbie got his skills and talent back? And in the first place did he have it back? Read David Baldacci latest thriller “The Guilty” and uncover the mystery. A wonderful depiction of turning out of events, certainly it fits the criteria of "Books Our Best Friend: Books To Read".

Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life: A Former CIA Officer Reveals Safety And Survival Techniques to keep You and Your Family Protected

The world of secret agents and spies always fascinates us and we often wonder how it is like to be a spy. Many stories are being told that they lead a double life; one among them remains a secret throughout their life.

Let’s hear for a spy himself, and none other than a former CIA Officer. No, he will not trade you with the secrets of spy agencies, but he will help you in leading a good life, one that is more protected one. And it is the topic of this section “books our best friends: books to read”.

The book takes us back in 2003 when Jason Hanson joined the secret service agency CIA. He did not knew that the tricks and techniques used by him during his tenure as a CIA officer can be found effective in providing protection to civilians in their everyday life.

Learn how you can spot someone in case he or she is telling a lie, how you can unlock handcuffs and prepare for yourself a complete emergency kit. You can also learn about the various self-defensive weapons and to find escape routes as and when required.

The former CIA officer Jason Hanson also recommends that we need to be aware of our surroundings and should be able to spot behaviours that are potentially dangerous. These tricks and awareness should be everywhere, particularly when you are at a public place, like a shopping mall, airport etc.

In this wonderful “books our best friend: books to read” the author of the book Spy Secrets That Can Save Your Life, and former CIA officer Jason Hanson shares some intriguing information about various aspects, one that can save your and many other lives.

Book Review - Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault That Changed A Presidency by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

Book Review - Killing Reagan: The Violent Assault That Changed A Presidency by Bill O'Reilly and Martin Dugard

Killing Reagan is another write-up from the team of best-selling writers Martin Dugard and Bill O’Reilly.

In this section on “Book Our Best Friend: Books To Read” I talk about a book that describes in detail the career path of President Ronald Reagan. The book will take you through the epic journey of the Reagan that lead him to rise in power and become the President and the unavoidable circumstances that led to President Ronald Reagan fall.

President Ronal Reagan escaped death by inches when a bullet just missed from piercing his heart, and it happened just two months after his presidency. At that time, no one thought of him recovering back to normal life ever again.

The grievous injury forced President Ronal Reagan to come across challenges that very few men have faced in their life. Carrying out the responsibility of the most powerful men in the world along with fighting within himself against that traumatic incident speak volume of his determined character.

The book Killing Reagan is told in the same enchanting manner as the other books from the prolific writer Bill O’Reilly and Martin Dugard, such as Killing Jesus, Killing Kennedy, Killing Patton and Killing Lincoln.

This “books our best friend: books to read” will take us back Hollywood’s golden days, where President Ronald Reagan found both heartbreak and fame. You will get to know about the years that were spent working as governor of California and his final march to White House.

Book Review - The Visit by Friedrich Durrenmatt

Book Review - The Visit by Friedrich Durrenmatt

In my today's edition of “Books Our Best Friend: Books to Read”, I would like to mention about a wonderful writer Friedrich Durrenmatt who was born in Switzerland. He gave many wonderful books and this is one of them.

When we talk about the most significant playwrights of our time the list will be incomplete without mentioning Friedrich Durrenmatt. At the time of the cold war we can only think of Brecht, Sartre, Camus and Beckett who were at par with Friedrich.

The Visit is another example of master piece from Friedrich Durrenmatt that has a perfect combination of horror, hilarity and vertigo. The story described in the book “The Visit” takes us to a location somewhere in Central Europe. The place is inhabited by some millionaires who are of old age and through the might of her money, she quickly turned a depressed looking area into a hip and happening town.

However, there is a hidden secret in her largesse which is soon uncovered by the locals, and what they come to know about is a murder. “The Visit” is a good example of what Friedrich Durrenmatt is famous for.

Many critics say that “The Visit” is the finest work from Friedrich Durrenmatt and because of its popularity in its origin country it was translated into English language. A translation attempt was made earlier also to stage a play, but this translation keeps the original spirit of writer intact.

The story in the book “The Visit” has a perfect combination of deeply moving tragedy, a macabre parable and a wonderful description of greed and power.

Book Review - Make Me: A jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child

Book Review - Make Me: A jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child

Let us take a look at another masterly write up from author Lee Child who has been New York Times bestsellers, “Make Me: A Jack Reacher Novel”.

Stephen king describes about Jack Reacher as the coolest character in the continuing series. This time Jack Reacher is in search for an answer to the question “Why is this town called Mother’s Rest?”

Unfortunately, the answer to this question will not come to him so easily. The place he is talking about is tiny and is hidden between thousands of miles of wheat fields.

There is a woman there named Michelle Chang who is worried and mistakes Jack Reacher with someone else. There is no particular place where Reacher wants to go, but he has loads of time with him to reach that place.

Lee Child, the author of the book “Make Me: A Jack Reacher Novel”, has written twenty novels with his lead character Jack Reacher. In all the novels, nearly a dozen people have been killed by the character Jack Reacher in each one of them.

With a simple calculation you can find out that he has killed nearly two hundred people till now. With so much killed, Jack Reacher can easily be labelled as mass murderer.

In the book “Make Me: A Jack Reacher Novel” the character continues on his old expedition only this time he is little faster.

The books written by Lee Child and the portrayal of the character Jack Reacher depicts a person who is fighting for justice and honour although in his own rough style.

Book Review: The Martian: A Novel by Andy Weir

Book Review: The Martian: A Novel by Andy Weir

Hello everyone.

Today I would like to talk about “The Martian: A Novel”. It is my latest addition in the list of “Books Our Best Friend: Books To Read”.

Author Andy Weir takes the readers on a never before journey in the book “The Martian: A Novel”. In the book he describes about an Astronaut Mark Watney who made history when he became the first person to land on Mars.

The author then describes that the astronaut will have another feat to his name as and when he becomes the first person to die there.

Astronaut landed on the red planet along with his crew members. Soon a storm raged the area and everyone thought Mark is killed. Mark finds himself completely alone and stranded as his crew left him behind mistaking him to be dead.

Mark does not have anything to send an indication back to earth that he is alive. Moreover, he will soon be over with his supplies much before any help could arrive.

Andy Weir, the author of the book “The Martian: A Novel” went on to describe that it is also possible that he will not be able to live long to starve to death. The old friend of humans, “Humans Error”, unforgiving environment or damaged machinery will most likely make him their prey first before starvation.

However, Mark has not given up to his situations. His refusal to quit, backed by his engineering skills and ingenuity may help him find some way out.

Book Review - Know About Queen Elizabeth II In Her Own Words Through "The Queen’s Speech" by Ingrid Seward

Book Review - Know About Queen Elizabeth II In Her Own Words Through "The Queen’s Speech" by Ingrid Seward

“The Queen’s Speech: An Intimate Portrait of the Queen in her Own Words” is one the many books to read currently. We had long been waiting for this day and it has finally arrived. Queen Elizabeth II became the longest serving monarch on 9^th September 2015 in British history.

It is been 63 years and unfortunately very little is known about her. After a long wait all us can finally get to know about her personality, her thoughts and the issues she faced in one of the books to read “The Queen’s Speech: An Intimate Portrait of the Queen in her Own Words”.

Come Christmas Day and the Queen’s Christmas address has been the most watched programme for the past many years. Millions of people will leave everything and take some time out from holiday to hear Queen Elizabeth II.

Now, in this intimate, wonderful portrait of Her Majesty, a revealing insight has been provided by the author Ingrid Seward by using The Queen’s speeches as a starting point. “The Queen’s Speech: An Intimate Portrait of the Queen in her Own Words” allow us to take a look into the character of a woman whom the world has known since Churchill was prime minister.

Princess Elizabeth first address was broadcast on December 1940 when the nation was going through a war. In this one of the good books to read we get to know about the most important moments in the life of Queen Elizabeth II and how she responded to them.

Book Review - The Missing Kennedy: Rosemary Kennedy and the secret Bonds of Four Women by Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff

Book Review - The Missing Kennedy: Rosemary Kennedy and the secret Bonds of Four Women by Elizabeth Koehler-Pentacoff

In my today's blog on “Books Our Best Friend: Books To Read” I would like to talk about the book “The Missing Kennedy: Rosemary Kennedy and the secret Bonds of Four Women”.

Born in 1918, Rosemary Kennedy was the first child of a wealthy Bostonian family. The family was later known as the matriarch and patriarch of US most celebrated and famous family.

Elizabeth Koehler was the only daughter of Wisconsin family. Elizabeth was born in 1957 and her family was finding it difficult to make ends meet.

Was there anything common in these two completely different women apart from their religion?

“The Missing Kennedy: Rosemary Kennedy and the secret Bonds of Four Women” describes about Stella Koehler who was a charismatic woman and after taking her vows she became Sister Paulus Koehler.

Much of the adult life of Paulus Koehler was spent as a caregiver to Rosie Kennedy. Sister Paulus life as a caregiver was not easy either as Rosie had problems in controlling her temper. Later on she had to undergo one of the first lobotomies in America.

The operation which was thought to make Rosie’s life better, did just the opposite and her condition turned from bad to worse.

“The Missing Kennedy: Rosemary Kennedy and the secret Bonds of Four Women” is a heart touching description of the life of Paulus Koehler and Rosie Kennedy.

Looking into other’s life give us many surprises. We often feel that life of other people is always better, but this is not always the case. It is rightly being said that ‘grass always looks greener on the other side’.

Book Review - Read About The Courageous Effort from Wilbur and Oliver Wright Brothers from David McCullough

Book Review - ‘The Wright Brothers’ by David McCullough

We all are aware about what Wilbur and Oliver Wright gave to this world. But, very few among us know the courageous effort that the two brothers put forward. Two time Pulitzer Prize winner David McCullough has written a book “The Wright Brothers” which pulls up the curtain from the dramatic story behind the story.

It is definitely a book that can be described as “Books Our Best Friend: Books To Read”

It was just another winter day of 1903, but, history was to be in the making on this day by two unknown brothers from Ohio on the outer banks of North Carolina. What will happen today will be something that the world will take some time to swallow.

Who were Wilbur and Oliver Wright and how did they manage to achieve this remarkable feat?

David McCullough has penned down another wonderful book “The Wright Brothers” and this time he uncovers the mystery surrounding Wilbur and Oliver Wright.

These unschooled Dayton bicycle mechanics were just other neighbourhood guys, before the world came to know and realize about their exceptional determination and courage. The Wright Brothers had endless amount of curiosity and extensive intellectual interests, something which the two brothers attribute to how they were brought up.

There was no indoor plumbing and electricity in the house they lived in, but one thing that was in ample amount was the books. Their preacher father supplied them with loads of book and the Wright Brothers never ceased to read.

Wilbur, without a second thought, was a genius, and Oliver had that phenomenal mechanical ingenuity. With little money in their pocket and just a high school education to back them up, no force was strong enough to stop them from taking to air.

BUY THIS BOOK, CLICK BELOW:

Book Review - I Can See Clearly Now by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Book Review - I Can See Clearly Now by Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Dr Wayne W. Dyer has made all his fans waist for four long decades before they can read a memoir from him. The self-empowerment teacher and author of more than forty best-selling books have finally put the curiosity of his thousands of fans to rest, as he comes up with his memoir “I Can See Clearly Now”.

In my today’s column on “Books Our Best Friend: Books To Read” I will shed some light on this wonderful memoir from Wayne, who has been a source of inspiration for hundreds of people in the past four decades.

Like the artistic writer he has always been, Dr Wayne W. Dyer has not come up with just another ‘me too’ memoir rather his biography is a collection of various moments.

“I Can See Clearly Now” is an engaging and self-revealing book from Dr Wayne W. Dyer wherein dozens of moments from his life have been shared starting from when he was a little boy in Detroit till now.

In unwavering detail he recalls and describes various influential experiences of encountering numerous splits in the road. He also describes what all he learned from these experiences and how he has passed on this wisdom to millions of people in his lifelong work.

“I Can See Clearly Now” will take its reader right beside Dr Wayne W. Dyer as they go through his personal photo album and read how he had spent his time in the service and how he came up with his best-selling books. For many readers it could be a life changing experience as the book will make them to look back in their own life and how their past has effect their present situation.

Book Review - Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap And Others Don’t by Jim Collins

In my today's article on “Books Our Best Friends: Books To Read”, I would like to talk about “Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap And Others Don’t”.

In case you want to have some serious reading on the working of companies and how some companies managed to work their way up from being just good to great, than this is certainly the book for you.

Book Review - Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap And Others Don’t by Jim Collins

“Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap And Others Don’t” takes a look at the management practices that were followed in nineties and it shows how enterprises from very beginning engineer long term performance into their DNA.

The author, Jim Collins, than puts up a question as to what will happen to companies that are not born with such DNA? And how greatness can be achieved by good companies, mediocre companies and even by companies that are downright bad.

For many years Jim Collins has been pondering on the question: Is there a way for average companies and for bad companies as well, to get rid of their dark past and march on to become long term superior?

And in case there is a way.

What are the distinguishing characteristics that are required by a company to move on that path?

Keeping tough benchmarks, some top notch companies were picked up by Collins and his team. These companies made the big turn around and went on to become great in a span of fifteen years.

The author also defines what he means by ‘great’ in his book “Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap And Others Don’t”. As per the benchmark set by the author and his team, a good to great company is the one whose cumulative stock returns were able to beat the general stock market in the past fifteen years by an average of seven times.

Many readers of “Good To Great: Why Some Companies Make The Leap And Others Don’t” will be surprised to see the results.

Book Review - Paper Towns by John Green

Today in my column “Books Our Best Friend” I would like to talk about a young adult novel from writer John Green. The book has already been made into a movie with the same name “Paper Towns”. The novel was surrounded by critical review just around when the film was to be released.

The sexual content in “Paper Towns” has been challenged in a school district, however, has been recognized as best young adult novel by Edgar Award in 2009 and it opened up at number five on the New York Times bestseller list for children’s book. All this surely make it fit for “Books Our Best Friend”.

The novel tells the story about Quentin “Q” Jacobson who has been searching for his childhood love interest Margo Roth Spiegelman. However, when Quentin go out on his search, along with his friends Lacey, Radar and Ben, he uncover things about Margo that he had not expected.

“Paper Towns” has been written in three parts and the name of every part has been given according to the particular metaphor that has been used significantly in the part, therefore, we have the titles as “The Vessel”, “The Grass” and “The String”.

At the back of the book “Paper Towns”, the readers are faced with the question who is the real Margo? Through his life, Quentin had watched Margo Roth from a distance. Margo finally climbs into his life dressed like a ninja. They spend a passionate night together, but as day breaks, Q discovers that the enigma of Margo has turned into a mystery.

Book Review - Elon Musk How The Billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Is Shaping Our Future

Elon Musk Real Life Inspiration For The Iron Man

When I talk about “Books Our Best Friends”, I like to talk most about memoires and biographies and autobiographies. It seems I have a curious nature to read about the lives of successful people.

BUY THIS BOOK ONLINE:



So here I am again with another wonderful book about yet another billionaire Elon Musk and I would take a small glimpse at his book “Elon Musk How The Billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Is Shaping Our Future”

For those of who are not aware, Elon Reeve Musk is an American business magnate who was born in South Africa. He is also an investor, inventor, engineer and entrepreneur.

44 year old Musk has many feathers to his hat as he is the CEO of Tesla Motors and Space X and is the chairman of Solar City.

As if all this is not enough, Elon Musk unveils his super ambitious plan in the book where he talks about forming a colony on Mars by sending citizens into space in an effort to save our planet. 

No, he is not doing any social work, business minded as he is; Elon Musk wants to make money by doing all this.

“Elon Musk How The Billionaire CEO of SpaceX and Tesla Is Shaping Our Future” scripts about the real life of Elon Musk as it is filled with all the drama one can imagine of, abused by his father and bullied relentlessly at school, Musk went on to attend the University of Pennsylvania.

Elon Musk, all that can be said about this person; he is no short of a super hero that we get to see in Sci-fi movies.

Book Review - Lessons from Warren Buffett for Unlimited Success

Warren Buffett: Life Changing Lessons

In this essay on “books our best friends”, I would like to talk about a book that details about a man who is a perfect example from rags to riches. “Warren Buffett: Life Changing Lessons” is a book about a self-made billionaire who almost had nothing when he started his company.

Book Review - Warren Buffett: Life Changing Lessons

Whether you want to place an important investment or start a new business or just want to lead your life in a better way than “Warren Buffett: Life Changing Lessons” makes for a good read. Warren Buffett, in case you are not aware, is one of the richest people alive and is at the top of matters in what he does.

“Warren Buffett: Life Changing Lessons” surely fits the category of books our best friends as it is a compilation of top advices given by Warren Buffett himself. The book starts with an introduction on how one can follow the steps of Warren Buffett.

It highlights on how one should choose a business and what are the things required to understand a business better. The readers will get some tips on how to manage their business and how they need to pick their business associates.

In the end, Warren Buffett highlights some points on how businessperson can lead a stress free life. The book is not a magic wagon that will make you a millionaire overnight, but it certainly will clear out your thought process as a businessman. It makes for a good read and we can certainly put it in the category of “Books our best friends”.