Nimbupani Designs - book review

Book Reviews for January & February 2011

divya — Thu, 17 Feb 2011 09:47:53 +0000

This year started pretty well for my reading schedule. I managed to finish two huge books in January, but am on a particularly slow pace since. It also doesn’t help that I am in Oslo for the first two weeks of Feb getting to know people in Opera as part of my new position. So these are all I am left with:

The Jewel in the Crown

I was recommended to read this by Coldhead (warning loud music and visuals). I am usually not a fan of colonialist literature, but The Jewel in the Crown breaks new ground. There are characters of different hues, and the experiences are described vividly, while not portraying a flattering picture of the British Raj. It is very well written and a book (for being so wordy) requires as much to describe the story. I can’t wait to read the rest of the books in that series.

Gould’s Book of Fish

When I was embarking on my first trip to Australia, good old Coldhead, recommended I read Gould’s Book of Fish in addition to Voss. I never got around it, but I finally did! It is incredible (except for the ending). I really cannot describe how amazing it is. I only beg you to read it.

Tokyo Vice

This is a horribly written book by someone who was one of the very few white reporters for a Japanese newspaper who worked on the Tokyo police beat. There is an incredible amount of information on how Tokyo’s police/press work, but it is all suppressed by bad writing. Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan is definitely not worth your time unless you have a passing interest in Tokyo Crime scenes.

Ender’s Game

When I finished Ender’s Game I thought it was a plot for a bad science fiction movie, but then I realised it was written more than 30 years ago! It is quite a remarkable modern take on alien invasion with more than a thinly veiled support for wars and war games. I suppose the supporters of the book would claim the ending justifies the pacifist motives of the author, but I think it doesn’t. It is a nice read to escape the tortures of flying, but I don’t think it does anything more than be a precursor to game strategies outlined in Liar’s Poker.

As usual, here is my plea for you to recommend books you liked reading this month!

Book Reviews for December 2010

divya — Wed, 22 Dec 2010 22:25:40 +0000

A year is almost over! I have reviewed about 80 books (& collections) and read about 110 books in total! Not bad given all the mindless travel I have been doing. Here are the last reviews for this year!

The Dispossessed: Living With Multiple Chemical Sensitivities

I actually wanted The Dispossessed that has been hailed as one of the best sci-fi books, but somehow got The Dispossessed: Living With Multiple Chemical Sensitivities at the library :/

In the spirit of letting serendipity taking its course, I read it. It is a set of photo-narratives of people who consider themselves as victims of Multiple Chemical Sensitivities, with a variety of reactions to city-living. It is quite depressing read to see these people trying to find “cleaner” places to live in, losing the relationships they had.

Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity

Ray Bradbury is an excellent writer of fiction, and in this book, sells the practice of writing, like a seasoned salesman. Zen in the Art of Writing: Essays on Creativity is an excellent book because it is a book that practices what it preaches. There are no hidden gotchas or tips other than to keep thinking of ideas and practicing.

Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error

Kathy Schulz has a ball trying to understand why humans detest being wrong. Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error is written in an entertaining and simple way (perhaps, too simplistic?) Each chapter explores stories of people who have discovered they were wrong in different areas of life and Kathy looks into how their life altered (or not) once they grasped that they were wrong. It is an excellent book to read if you would like to understand your own emotions when someone accuses you of being wrong.

Merde Happens

I originally wanted to read Merde Actually, but my library does not seem to have it, so I ended up reading Merde Happens. If you have read PG Wodehouse, you would notice this book reeks of wannabe-ness. It is a page-turner, but not what I would turn to for humour.

Hellboy

I finally finished the 10 volumes of Hellboy. I have been reading them over a few months, but decided to review them all in one go (10, 9, 8,
6, 2). Mike Mignola knows his myths and how to fashion a great story, not to mention find great artists to collaborate with. I can’t wait to get my hands on B.P.R.D.

Any books you liked recently?

Book Reviews for November 2010

divya — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 01:58:00 +0000

Within 2 weeks of returning from Sydney, I was traipsing through New York. I stayed about 10 days in Albany and another 4 in NYC. I did have my Kindle, which is the main reason I managed to read at least these! Here are the reviews:

Doctor No

I have seen James Bond movies, but this was the first time I picked up one of the books. Wow. While I understand how Doctor No can be gripping, the nauseating racism and sexism completely threw me off. I think reading Nancy Drew novels might be a better idea than reading Ian Fleming’s novels.

Our Kind of Traitor

If you have read the cable on the wedding in Dagestan, you would appreciate this novel much better. Granted, Our Kind of Traitor is a bit more “hollywoody” than usual John Le Carré’s offerings, it nevertheless captures the essence of a good spy thriller.

Mort and The Light Fantastic

I am finally, deliberately, making my way through the Discworld series. Is there a better writer than Terry Pratchett? I enjoyed Mort much more than The Light Fantastic (mainly because I am fascinated by Death, the character).

Live Flesh

It has been quite a while since I read a Ruth Rendell novel. Live Flesh is quite unlike the usual murder mystery that Ruth Rendell is famous for. The story of Live Flesh is not that surprising, but the voice that each character takes on is quite an unexpected and pleasant surprise. I think this is the best I have read from Ruth Rendell. Do read.

What did you all read this month? Anything interesting?

Book Reviews for October 2010

divya — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 18:29:39 +0000

October was a month of traveling and being nervous about my talk at Web Directions South, which meant I managed to read very little. But, it was the first time I read Kindle books — Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest — both on the train from Darwin to Adelaide. A review of the Kindle is pending, and hopefully I should put it out soon!

Meanwhile, here are the reviews!

Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland

I find it so annoying that most books on Kindle cost at least USD10. Luckily, there is a list of popular free books and deservedly Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is listed among the top books. I am amazed this book was popular at the time it was written. I suspect it became so because it was catalogued as a “Children’s book”. It certainly is not just for kids! It is written so well, and Lewis Carroll had a very lively imagination.

The Fourth Bear: A Nursery Crime

I loved Jasper Fforde’s first Thursday Next novel, and The Fourth Bear: A Nursery Crime is adorable too! It is quite silly a story, but has lots of word play and metaphors that delight. If you love funny puns, and metaphors, you should read Jasper Fforde’s books!

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest was the first (and so far the only) book I have purchased on the Kindle. I don’t know why, but the idea of reading Steig Larsson on the train crossing the Australian desert seemed irresistable. I enjoyed reading the first two, this was no different. It all ends quite happily much to my satisfaction. I only wish he was alive to write more books!

Tailor of Panama

Moral of the story for The Tailor of Panama is, Secret Service agents always look for an excuse for conspiracy even when there is none. It is a riveting read, mainly because most of the book rings true (especially when you read declassified information from U.S. or U.K.)

My productivity went for a toss after I discovered Quora, and especially this question. Now I have more books to read — but that should not stop you from suggesting books you found interesting this month in the comments!

Book Reviews for September

divya — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 23:10:42 +0000

Hey, hey, hey, is it September already? I had no idea where all the days went by. Seattle is already moaning with fall weather. But thankfully I will be escaping to Sydney (to give a talk on Oct 15th on Active Web Development). If you are in Sydney or Melbourne, holler in the comments if you want to meet! Meanwhile, here are some books I read this month:

The Laughing Policeman

I love mysteries. Saurabh, on Goodreads, alerted me to The Laughing Policeman. The Laughing Policeman is quite slow but keeps you engaged throughout. Unlike American mysteries, the life of a policeman is completely without glamour. Awesome read.

The Art of Travel

There is a thin line between bullshit and insight, and The Art of Travel keeps zig-zagging that line often. There are several times when travelling I felt exactly what the author talks about. This book certainly is not about the “Art” of Travel, more like musings on the idea of “Travel”.

But it is worth a read as it brings out the emptiness of being a tourist (traveling on long weekends to “relax” on the beach, and forcing ourselves to feel happy while doing so).

Made By Hand

I was quite disappointed by the book, especially the way it begins. Mark Frauenfelder moves to a tropical island Raratonga and misses the conveniences of the country he left behind. While there, he learns to shred coconuts and that is how his love for hand-made stuff begins. Within 3 months he is back because he got sick of the “malaria, isolation, and ringworms”.

Made by Hand: Searching for Meaning in a Throwaway World documents his mistakes learning how to grow chickens, making furniture, or modding coffee machines. While, it is interesting (as reading anyone’s diary is), there is nothing to inspire you to start doing things on your own. It is also very preachy: less on facts, more on emotions.

There probably is some culture gap between me and Mark, because Amazon has overwhelmingly positive reviews for this book. So, if you have grown up in the US you might possibly like it.

Dictator Styles

Chew Lin recommended Dictator Style: Lifestyles of the World’s Most Colorful Despots. It is not as much of a “read” as it is a “see” Moral of the book: Never ever get inspired by the interior decor on Architectural Digest.

Breakfast of Champions

This is exactly how books should be written. Kurt Vonnegut was the father to absurdist fiction and this book is AMAZING. Just read Breakfast of Champions

Wilson

If you are a hipster, you would want to read Wilson, the graphic novel, every time you feel like complaining about non-hipsters – mainly to remind yourself never to become a Wilson.

Voss

I am going to Australia’s Northern wilderness and I was recommended I read Voss to experience the wilderness as it existed in the 19th century. Voss was written in the early fifties, and has elements of skepticism interwoven with the fictionalized account of a real adventurer who disappeared in Australia, Ludwig Leichhardt. If you like tragedies, read it.

What books did you find interesting lately?

Book Reviews for August 2010

divya — Fri, 03 Sep 2010 02:03:15 +0000

Eeks! I forgot to review books I read for August and now I have way too many! I shall hopefully not read as many in September and can space the reviews better. Anyways, onward!

Palestine

Thanks to Adrianna, I managed to read this awesome book. In Palestine, Joe Sacco documents what Palestinians go through every day. It is not a pretty picture and the violence against Israel is understandable in that context. It seems like the only way to end this issue would be to abandon Palestine and migrate elsewhere (like our ancestors).

Logicomix: An Epic Search for Truth

Logicomix is a fantastic introduction to logic and part-story of Bertrand Russell who was instrumental in creating this field. What is awesome is that it is understandable and interesting to anyone who is interested in rational thinking. All of the logicians featured in the book have a link to schizophrenia, which makes me wonder if the edge of rationality also the edge of madness?

Ways of Seeing

This is a slim but insightful book on art and how indelibly it is linked to our perception of it. The book talks about art appreciation as merely a signaling mechanism at the most and how interpretation of art in a time other than when it was created is a doomed venture.

It also has a great essay on the rise, in western societies, of objectification of women which has continued to this day and is spreading in other cultures.

This book is the result of a BBC mini-series.

Skim

Jillian Tamaki’s art work in Skim is amazing. Her illustrations are quite like Ukiyo-e paintings but also frame the story quite well. It is a beautiful piece of work.

Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service

I have finally caught up to all the back issues. Now I have to wait for the english translations from Vol. 11 onwards. It is a hilarious series (I don’t seem to get tired of mentioning this), well worth a read!

The Art and Science of CSS

I discovered this in my “toread” folder of e-books. The title vastly overestimates what the actual content is, which is a set of tips and tricks to get some popular Web Design patterns of that time (2007). Not something worth referring to.

That is that! As usual, I beg you to leave your recommendations in the comments. I already have another 6 books to review, which I should hopefully do so by end of next week. Meanwhile, there is Bumbershoot to look forward to!

Book Reviews for July - Part 2

divya — Wed, 04 Aug 2010 14:57:26 +0000

I have racked up too many books unreviewed, which means (un)fortunately means shorter reviews. Here goes:

Landing Page Optimization: The Definitive Guide to Testing and Tuning for Conversions

Landing Page Optimization covers a lot on statistical models necessary to analyze a “landing page” to “convert” more people. I found the repeated need for “conversions” unnerving. The author found the need to write on how everyone (except the marketing expert) can block the process of optimizing the landing page and tactics to get around that. Sad.
Superman: Whatever Happened to the Man of Tomorrow?

As far as I know, This is the only set of Superman stories written by Alan Moore. Stylistically, the stories are drawn to resemble Jack Kirby's work (it is lovely!) It is a great read if you like Superman.
Murder Mysteries

Murder Mysteries is an adaptation of a Neil Gaiman story and brings same joy as Sandman series with an extra benefit of also being a whodunnit.
A Mosque in Munich: Nazis, the CIA, and the Rise of the Muslim Brotherhood in the West

In the early 30s, the Nazis established an organization to get Muslim refugees from USSR together to foment uprisings in Muslim provinces of USSR (now independent nations). After WWII, US joined in this scramble, literally stealing prized Muslim leaders from Germans (meanwhile the Nazi head of said organization goes unpunished, and retained his privileged status, in the new German government). Similar techniques were in play to drive out the Soviets from Afghanistan. If there is one book that will strip away the romance of diplomacy and notions of noble intentions of any country, this would be it.
The Vampire Files

The Vampire Files, Volume Two was a random pick from the Library’s recommended books section. This is a pulp whodunit featuring a vampire as a detective. I thought it would be as wonderful as The Automatic Detective, alas, it is not.
Fantasies of a Bollywood Love Thief: Inside the World of Indian Moviemaking

Fantasies of a Bollywood Love Thief is an absurdly tacky title for a book on the making of Omkara by Stephen Alter (cousin of Tom Alter). The narrator takes a backseat and lets the conversations speak for themselves. The book does not take any stereotyped view of Bollywood and is a glimpse into the power-play and process involved in making movies. Do read if you like seeing Bollywood movies.
Tea Time for the Traditionally Built

Tea Time for the Traditionally Built is the new book in my favourite series ever: No 1 Ladies Detective Agency. The TV show based on this series, does full justice to the book (though a touch too arty). I will never get tired of this series. Long live Mma Ramotswe!

Do comment with books you found interesting this month! Meanwhile, I will dive back into obscurity to finish my backlog of books!

Book Reviews for July 2010 - Part 1

divya — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 23:35:24 +0000

I seem to be reading more and more Manga comics. I am in the middle of three manga series and they all are fantastic (Kurosagi Corpse Delivery Service, Psycho, and Pluto) and I regret not reading manga comics earlier. I recommend all of these series!

Pluto Vol 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8

I am a new fan of manga comics, but Pluto has sucked me in unlike any other graphic novel/comic. This is the first Manga series I have completed, and I could not stop thinking of the future imagined in Pluto. I am amazed at how Naoki Urasawa has weaved a beautiful web around murder mysteries, Roboethics, and transhumanism. That it is an adaptation of an arc of Astroboy only makes it better. Anyone who sniggers at Manga comics needs to be pointed to Pluto, just to show how engrossing they can be!

We Wish to Inform you that tomorrow we will be killed with our families: Stories from Rwanda

We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will be Killed With Our Families: Stories from Rwanda is a heart-wrenching narration of the Rwandan genocide. Unlike similar books of this genre, Philip Gourevitch also informs us about the crimes committed by the Rwandan Patriotic Front (ruling party of Rwanda). Philip Gourevitch is brutal in his assessment of the inadequacy of the United Nations and the deliberate inaction on part of United States. The existence of genocide criminals like Georges Ruggiu seems to validate that view.

Essential Iron Man

I am amazed how close the movie is to the comic book. Essential Iron Man, Vol. 1. So, instead of Vietnamese villains we have Arabic ones. Though, Iron Man comics are definitely more mushy (and sexist) than what the movie portrays, and hence, not that interesting (in one of the stories, Stan Lee pleads with the reader to stay with the comics despite reading like a romance novel).

Dreamer

The Dreamer is an autobiographical graphic novel about Will Eisner’s struggle as a comic artist. It is a good story, but I am pretty sure success did not come as simply as it is narrated. I liked The Contract with God better.

I have a bunch of dreary books to finish, so off I go.

Book Reviews for June 2010 - Part 2

divya — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 21:44:05 +0000

It took me 2 weeks to get over jet lag from my marathon India trip. So, there are less books to review as I was finally sane enough to do other stuff :)

Chameleon Days

This is the narration of the author’s childhood experiences growing up in Ethiopia as a son of evangelist parents. It was an engrossing read which also describes some of the work that evangelical missions do. No, it did not alter my perspective of religious evangelism. Chameleon Days: An American Boyhood in Ethiopia certainly did not convey anything interesting about Ethiopia either.
The Arrival

The Arrival is the first wordless Graphic Novel I read. The novel is set in a fantasy world where a man leaves his family to seek his fortune in a strange city. I am amazed at how many thoughts about belonging, culture and immigration that Shaun managed to convey without using any words. If you are an immigrant, you would love “reading” The Arrival.
The Complete Crumb Comics, Vol. 17

This is my attempt at reading all works by Robert Crumb, the fantastic comic book artist. The Complete Crumb Comics, Vol. 17: Cave Wimp is funny and irreverent like the cover promises.
Designing the moment

Designing the Moment: Web Interface Design Concepts in Action is a book by Robert Hoekman Jr. who spoke at An Event Apart Seattle 2009. Most of it seems “obvious” to me, but I know many people might not think so.

As usual, here is a plea for you to recommend interesting books you read recently!

Book Reviews for June 2010 - Part 1

divya — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 23:44:20 +0000

There were a lot of comics I borrowed as soon as I landed in Seattle. As a result, I have lots of books to review, even though it is only half-way through June. So here are the reviews:

Six-Word Memoirs on Love and Heartbreak

This book began as a twitter project, but also includes offline six-word stories. Most are not that interesting though, but some do impact deeply.
Six-Word Memoirs is a good read for those few six-words.

Slaughterhouse-Five

I have no idea why I waited this long to start reading Vonnegut. But I am glad I did finally. Slaughterhouse-Five: A Novel is absurd and insightful and definitely a must-read. I am amused it gets classified as “anti-war”. Apparently, narrating incidents of war without displaying bias makes it “anti-war”.

Pluto

Wow, what an amazing start to a series! Pluto has been adapted from Astro Boy by Naoki Urasawa. It is fantastic murder mystery. The World’s top robot-killing robots are being murdered one by one and one of the them investigates the mystery. The manga series confronts the issues of what “life” and “music” mean to robots and how humans deal with robots that have “feelings”. Cannot wait to read the rest of it!

Psycho

This is the wrong book to read as I had no context to the plot. I should have begun with Volume 1 of MPD-Psycho.

Nightschool

This series is a wannabe Twilight. Avoid Nightschool if you hate Twilight!

The Contract with God Trilogy: Life on Dropsie Avenue

Will Eisner was one of the early pioneers of the art of graphic novel, this book is a great testimony to his genius illustration and story-telling skills.

This set of novels is about the life and times of fictitious Dropsie Avenue that is based on the real-life stories of the places Eisner grew up in. It is amazing, how racism plays out over the years (first Irish vs. Jews, then the whites vs. blacks) and how politics and crime went hand-in-glove. One thing that has irked me about American media is how it treats rampant corruption as something that occurs only in other nations. The Contract with God Trilogy: Life on Dropsie Avenue and this long article on Arnold Rothstein, shatter that myth.

Hopefully, I should have more books to review by end of June. As always, I welcome suggestions for books to add to my queue.