Thursday 12 September 2019

Book Review: It happened in BENGALURU by ABSUM



Today I have very special book to review, special because my brother-in-law Abhay Mathur with a pen name Absum has written it.  Reading a book when you know author closely makes it a unique read indeed. However this review is as honest as any other book review on this blog.

Book Title & Book Cover:

It happened in Bengaluru, where a winner resigned to Conquer by ABSUM published by Notion Press.

The title is makes the reader to pick the book about a story based in one of the important hub of MNC’s.

The book cover is very expertly designed which has title written in horizontal and vertical manner.  The chess image at the bottom half of the cover also reveals an image on conqueror if you look very sharply.




About the Author:  

Author Abhay Mathur shares his thoughts and experiences of life and corporate world with a purpose of learning from the experience of others. He resides in metro Bengaluru more than a decade and his love for chess is so evident in the book. Being a software professional and chess player he makes use of this sport in management with ease.



Storyline:

The story is about Aryan who is an employee of a leading MNC and how he copes in his life when the recession hit the nation. He is about to resign due to immense pressure when a chat message initiates by Chessboard aka CB makes him rethink of decision. How Aryan follows the advices of him and how the mentors in the Aryan’s life sent by CB makes him a different person altogether.

How a game like chess makes a huge difference in person thinking and ideology are exciting part of the Aryan journey and his friend, Absum is only one who witnesses this journey.


Grandmaster Moves:


·      Author has done a commendable job as a debut where each pointer of management is emphasized with examples that are relatable.

·      Management mantras with life examples are set across neatly in 8 chapters of the book.

·      Advice like “one bad move can tear apart 40 good moves”, makes a person resonate it with and think about the tasks done in haste.


·      How an excellent human relation can turn any difficult situation to an easy piece of cake is described in very poignant way.


Fictional Charmer: Chessboard -CB

·      Apart from characters LKS, Major, Priya and Dr.Neeta and Absum the real charmer of the story is CB.

·      Yes how CB contacts person in need at the right time and the way he notices each single move of life is breathtaking.


·      Though this character is not described facially or by any attire; it plays a charismatic role in the story, which has a gigantic effect on reader.


Chess-o-logy Factors:


·      Chess is the main backdrop of the story and author has very artistically weaved the characters and their scripts.

·      How chess influence people and their life decisions is the key part in the story.

·      Renowned players like Wilhelm Stelnitz and Horonitz are mentioned in the story and their playing analogy.

·      The main task of the ‘Queen on the Chessboard’ is defined dexterously and explains us how anyone can cope up in any emergency situations.



Strategic Indicators


·      A plan does not include execution part. This statement takes time to settle down and is explained in the book relating to Management and by life examples.

·      Focus on the problem and not the person. Can we all do this? It is difficult task but why and how we should do it, a reader learns along with Aryan in this book.

·      One should be far away from any pre-conceived notion is the guru mantra to lead a team.

·      Purpose of life may not be the one we are walking towards. This point will make you ponder upon your living too.




Missed Checks:

·      Excellent tips and advices are not highlighted in special font, which makes it difficult for reader to take a look again for important ones.

·      If reader is unaware of the Chess game and its terminology then it may take time to understand the concepts in the book. 


·      Book loses its pace in the middle and management concepts become lengthy in few chapters.


Final Word:

Grab this book and have an enriching experience when you learn so many important aspects of life from a 32 pieces in 64 squares of chessboard. Must for all working professionals to learn the foundation of management.

Its 4.5/5 rating for this book based on its story line, classical examples that stays with you for longer time and keeping the readers motivated.
 
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Book Details

Book Name: It happened in BENGALURU
Author: ABSUM , Abhay Mathur
Pages: 171
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Notion Press
ISBN: 9781644290217
Available: On leading Stores & Online platforms.
Rating : 4.5/5


We are taking our blog to the next level with Blogchatter's #MyFriendAlexa campaign. You can see our blog raise with varied topics coming up in this month. You can also read all wonderful posts of Week 2 here.

This review is a part of Write Tribe Reading Challenge 2019, where one is supposed to read atleast 12 books this year. This book review is for month August, for the prompt 9 - A book with orange cover.

@Sonal


75 comments:

  1. Wow this is a very different way of reviewing a book. The narrative sound interesting which makes me all the more curious to read it. #MyFriendAlexa #ShubhraReads

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  2. Seems intriguing storyline. Examples from practical life are good for understanding and relating.

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    Replies
    1. Experience counts in every matter and changes the methodologies to solve any problem and this is very well explained in the book.

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  3. Practical life experiences are simpler to understand anything.

    Like the title and post.
    #TraptiReads #MyFriendAlexa

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  4. That's a nice and a different kind of review. Looks interesting.

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  5. woow seems like an interesting read!

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  6. Wow! A chess board as one of the characters in a book! That is definitely a novel idea. I will definitely pick this book.

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  7. Loved the way u have reviewed your book. The book looks really nice. Will definitely read the book!

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  8. Looks like a great read. I love the way you have reviewed this book.

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    1. Yes definitely, the management tips are of great help !

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  9. Great review, reveals only as much as needed

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  10. Chess and management tips are actually the drivers of successful life at work. Your review makes this book very interesting to grab.

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    Replies
    1. This book grabs many examples which we come across daily at our work.

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  11. Sounds like an interesting book.Your review has tickled my curiosity. Maybe I will go for it. #wordsmithkaurreads #MyFriendAlexa #BlogChatter

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  12. The chess board being a character makes it sound very interesting. Id like to check!

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    Replies
    1. Non living thing with a human life touch easily explains things

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  13. That's such a refreshing story, look interesting looking forward to read. #millennialscribbler #myfriendalexa

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  14. Reminds me of my diya in Bangalore working for IBM and Accenture. #damurureads #myfriendalexa damurucreations.com

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  15. Very nice and honest review...would definitely love to read it!! :)

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  16. Looks like an interesting read. Thanks for sharing.

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  17. This is such an interesting premise, although I do not understand chess, the way you have described the book, it makes me want to read it. Definitely adding it to my to-read list

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    1. The author has used simple language to put his point.

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  18. Seems to be interesting! Your description made me decide, I should get the book in my hands:)

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  19. Honest and interesting way of reviewing. Thanks for sharing

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  20. This certainly looks like an interesting book. I am looking forward to read this! :)

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  21. I really like the way you have shared your view about the book. I'm definitely going to give it a read too.

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  22. I agree when we know author personally, it makes a huge difference in reviewing. and I had observed same thing in your review too, loved the way you had narrated it. I am not very fond of chess, so not sure how will be my experience with book. but, thanks a lot for sharing detail review. #Surbhireads #MyfriendAlexa

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  23. I liked your review about this book and I might pick this up from a store if I find one.

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  24. Seems an interesting books. Amazing review. :)

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  25. the book great and the review too sure will be checking out...

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  26. Wow ! Chess board turned into a character, keen to read how exactly author plotted it

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  27. You have written this review very nicely. It was a good read.

    #LovelyReads

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  28. I liked your honest review when the author happens to be someone so close to you. And, the comparison of Chess and Management surely looks like something I would enjoy a lot.

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  29. Nice review. Looks liek an interesting read. will definitely check out. Many congratulations to your brother in law ..

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    1. Thank you Neha... will convey your wishes to him.

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  30. Great Review. CB caught my interest for sure. Have to add this to my TBR to know more about this unusual character.
    #readbypreetispanorama

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    1. We are sure Preeti, CB will keep you mesmerised by its moves.

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  31. Yours is totally a different kind of review and I liked it. Thanks for sharing another interesting book

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    1. Thank you Suhavijay for appreciating our review style.

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  32. Its always amazing to discover new books by latest authors through your blog! Thank you for the detailed review. I will surely check out the book. Keep writing such informative posts. #MyFriendAlexa #DiaryOfAnInsaneWriter

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    1. Thanks Mayura, we are sure you can relate well as you are from management background.

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  33. I liked the way you made sections to explain the book. That's very unique and held me throughout.

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  34. i like the fact that real life examples have been used to illustrate also a very interesting plot
    #myfriendalexa #princyreads

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    1. Yes Princy, when real life characters are used readers feel the connect.

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  35. This is a lovely one. i have read it and yes worth the time. Thanks for sharing.

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  36. The book sounds interesting and well executed. Good review post.

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  37. This looks so intriguing I am surely going to give it a read soon.

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