The BestSeller She Wrote - Book Review

 Ravi Subramanian has been in my favorite authors list for very long. And with The Best Seller She Wrote, he just managed to bag a lifetime membership there. Though The BestSeller She Wrote was significantly different from his earlier works in terms of plot and mildly predictable at certain points, it does not miss the thrill, the twists and superlative storytelling which are Subramanian's trademark. There is also an uncanny similarity between the lead character and famed author Chetan Bhagat. At some point during the first few pages, I had to stop and check that I wasn't reading his bio. However, the character developed on its own as the story progressed.

Aditya, is a successful banker and an illustrious author. He has had a near perfect personal and professional life till Shreya Kaushik comes into picture. This vibrant, aggressive and aspiring author initially criticizes Aditya for considering books as product that need to be marketed. Later on, she falls in love(?) with the banker cum author. Now the feeling mentioned here is genuine or derived out of the prospective benefits that this relationship could bring to Shreya is for the reader to decide. Aditya, completely in awe of Shreya's youth and beauty finds himself falling for her almost instantly. The thrill of this illicit relationship soon overtakes the guilt of cheating on his wife. The story takes amazing turns as the manipulative character of Shreya slowly over-shadows Aditya's life so much that he risks everything. The turning point was where you find out that it was someone else who was playing the master here and cashing in on the vulnerabilities of Shreya, Aditya and his wife. This twist was the high point of the plot.

The BestSeller She Wrote for me was a notch lesser than any of his older works. At many points I felt that the story was highly predictable. Now this may also be due to the reason that when you read an author over and over again, you start thinking on the same lines. But all credit to the author to maintain the thrill and brownie points for the pace at which the story gushes forward. Love,betrayal, redemption at its best.

I think that I as reader I have come at a level where I prefer profound and meaningful books rather than thrillers. But I confess here unabashedly that I will never be too old for Ravi Subramanian's works.

What Is on Your Best Books List

 Many people are so caught up in the news of the day that they miss the great treasure that within themselves. There are many things that can influence someone, whether it is the news, commercials, or even other people. The best way to be influenced is by choosing how we want to be influenced. How many people do you know who can still quote lines from The Godfather? There is an old saying that if you don't take control of your own mind, someone else will. There are many ways to take control of the mind, and one of the most enjoyable ways is by reading a good book.

If you want to know more about a person, ask what books they read? That is one of the best ways to find out what makes a person tick, how they think, what is in their head. If I see someone who is very successful, meaning happy and healthy, I want to know what books they read. I met a person once who looked much younger than his age. He told me he practices yoga and eats good food. He recommended a book to me, The China Study. I bought the book and read it and I am so glad I did. It confirmed many things I knew, and now I know for sure and why. It is always a treat when I can get a recommendation for a book to read.

I will now state the obvious. If you want to be healthy, read a book about nutrition, and exercise. If you want to be financially independent, read books about finances and how others became that way. If you want to be better at sports, read books about sports. If you want to know more about what is going on in the world or about the lives of the famous and not so famous, there are many books to choose from. Some books you can read over and over again. Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill comes to mind.

The Bible says you can be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2. We have the power each day to shape our thoughts, if we choose to. What is on your best books list? What books have you read in the past year, and how have they affected you. Would you recommend any of these books to others? Are they keepers to read again one day, or do you give them away? Is there a skill or knowledge that you would like to have or learn about? What books would you like to read in this coming year? Do you read all of the same types of books or do you read books on a variety of subjects? Is there anyone who you would like to learn more about? Believe it or not, you can learn more about Donald Trump by reading some of the many biographies about him. I have read many books about him, and that is why I know he will make an outstanding president. I wonder what is on his best books list.