In Print

“The Da Vinci code” is pure genius — whether we care to entertain Dan Brown‘s premise on this foundation of Christianity as anything beyond fiction, we must admit that it is a work of a genius that creates not merely a fantastic novel with countless sold copies, but also substantial commotion in the Christian world, matched with equally vast curiosity in the public about topics that are brought to surface by the novel: [Read more…] about Dan Brown: “The Da Vinci Code”

I met Sylvia Ann Hewitt at a leadership summit in California in May of 2006. She is a fantastic speaker with sharp presence. She was there to promote her book and also to speak to women managers and leaders about the topic of her book. I had a special invite to the event, and she happened to sit at my table. She was warm and sincere, and signed my book. I enjoyed her company.

As to the book, “Off-ramps and On-ramps” is about handling various challenges in a woman’s career path. The on-ramp represents being full-force on a career path, and off-ramp represents taking a break for a number of reasons, be it a sabbatical, a leave of absence or a permanent departure from the corporate world. Understanding these shifts in a woman’s career pace and their impact on the workforce that we leave behind is the core of Hewitt’s message. [Read more…] about Sylvia Ann Hewitt: “Off-ramps and On-Ramps”

Truth be told, I do not closely follow any best sellers list; I do not make it a point of watching Oscar-nominated movies or popular TV shows. No, I follow my own heart when I choose my entertainment, and so should you. I do not have a particular strategy for choosing my next book either except that it must intrigue me. I peruse Amazon reviews more often than the New York Times best seller list or Oprah’s book club. I usually read the first page and a few random pages of the book – no, not the last page, I am no Harry – to make sure the writing is tolerable and the story worthwhile. I would love to read one great book after another but I do not make that my goal. I like how different books and authors stir up unique emotions and sensations in me. Reading “eat, pray, love“, whilst one of the best sellers and most popular books, happened to stir in me many delights and yearnings. I loved it through and through.

[Read more…] about Elizabeth Gilbert: “eat, pray, love”

Solving puzzles with Microsoft’s Cult of the Puzzle book. World’s smartest companies select the most creative thinkers.Being asked the impossible question in an already intense conversation better known as the “job interview”. I loved this book. I loved the puzzle focus, the questions, the brain teasers combined with the history of some of Silicon Valley’s greatest thinkers.

Poundstone writes well, with a mild sense of humor and good insight into the corporations which use this technique to recruit their talent. He also gives us a glimpse into how the popular IQ concept came about. For a better part of the book, he zones in the Bill Gates and Microsoft mindset, the company’s history of hiring, and stories of the those who have experienced interviews at the hands of the giant software corporation from early 1980s onward. Together, this is an excellent book to read to prepare for the ultimate techie interview or to put your brain through a serious workout, just because you can – and perhaps, once in a while, should. [Read more…] about William Poundstone: “How would you move Mount Fuji?”

I received this book as a gift from someone I dearly love. I wonder if that should that guilt me into liking the book? Should I compromise my honest opinions to respect whence it came to my possession? I am afraid that is not who I am. This is my account of Canfield’s “Life Lessons for Women” – brief but uncensored .

This is by no stretch of imagination the kind of book I would choose to read. My reasons: For one, why single women out and treat us so differently – as though we are a different species than our male counterparts? How would our society welcome a book I may title “Life Lessons for Men“? I would surely be attacked with discrimination, sexual bias, and favoritism, among other heinous accusations. I have come to loathe the ‘special treatment’ bestowed upon women, as though we are a lesser kind, or in need of a more gentle approach to life itself. I am glad to stand extremely successful in every aspect of my life without succumbing to the ‘special treatment’ camp! [Read more…] about Jack Canfield: “Life Lessons for Women”