Author: Alex Shaikh

The Rocksburg Railroad Murders by K.C. Constantine
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Mario Balzic is the chief of police in a small Pennsylvania town. He’s an oddball in that he doesn’t even carry a gun, usually. When a senseless murder occurs at the railroad station, and there are no witnesses, Mario must rely on his wits and knowledge of psychology to direct him to the likely killer. Constantine writes very realistic fiction. This is not a glamorous or exciting detective novel, compared to most detective novels. The small-town setting makes it different from most police procedural, also. All the dialogue seems very true-to-life, and the characters are drawn by someone who knows people. The story drew me in further and further as I read. One gets the feeling that Constantine himself must live in a small Pennsylvania town like Rocksburg, just to be able to bring this kind of local flavor to the dish. This is the place to start if you’re interested in this series, since it’s the first novel in the set.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

When Breath Becomes Air by Paul Kalanithi
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After finishing this book, i thought of my late father who died with cancer as well back in 2013. Dealing with the fact of death is unsettling. Yet there is no other way to live. This book’s tremendous impact comes from the obvious fact that Dr. Kalanithi was such a brilliant polymath. And part comes from the way he conveys what happened to him in the book of his life passionately working and striving, deferring gratification, waiting to live, learning to die – so well. None of it is maudlin. Nothing is exaggerated. As he wrote to a friend: “It’s just tragic enough and just imaginable enough.” And just important enough to be unmissable.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Death Clutch: My Story of Determination, Domination, and Survival by Brock Lesnar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

After done reading the book, I find out why he named his book “Death Clutch”. You can learn a lot from Brock who came out from farm in Dakota to Hollywood and become a rock star. I will definitely recommend this book to young youth to learn about his life and how Brock achieved everything what he wanted. When you start reading the book, you carried away and you want to learn everything about the person in the book. This book is that kind, you will not feel bored and you will learn a lot from this guy about life, how you should stick with your family and what you want to achieve in life.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World by Adam M. Grant
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Finished the book in two days. Here is a big heads up, you going to read over 1000 times the word “original”. Although the book has some great advice and hope to read their other book “Give and Take”. The book was very easy to read obviously after I have rad “Absalom, Absalom”. Haha Anyway, do I recommend this book? Originally definitely Yes!! especially for some one whose looking into starting a business. Originals will help you, motivate you, inspire you to become successful entrepreneur.

P.S. Excellent book for IT entrepreneurs.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

We had to read this for 9th grade history. This was difficult as it is about London and Paris and the events leading up to the french revolution. It is a good story line but somewhat confusing for an 8th soon to be 9th grader. If you don’t know the story (it was the best of times, it was the worst of times…) – people flee France to go to England. the storming of the Bastille begins the revolution. The main characters return to France in the midst of all of the executions. There is an ultimate sacrifice in the name of love and honor. Overall good read and I got A- in the quiz.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

Moby-Dick or, The Whale by Herman Melville
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Oh, for pity’s sake, you know what Moby Dick is about. You hated it in school because somebody made you read it. You’re a grownup now so go read it again because you want to. It’s wonderfully written and it’s fun and it’s intensely interesting and you’ll meet some real characters, including a scary captain and the guy they named Starbucks after. This time you can skip the boring parts — there aren’t that many boring parts, honest. Based on a real whale, by the way.

View all my reviews on Goodreads

The End of Summer by Alex M. Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars



View all my reviews

Absalom, Absalom! by William Faulkner
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This book has got depth and lyricism. Read it for the poetry. If you get more out of it, all the better. My recommendation would be to read this book at least twice, the first time just to get accustomed to Faulkner’s use of language, and then another time to concentrate and focus more on the story itself. It can be difficult to get past his use of language and digest his meaning all in one sitting, but many of the scenes, themes and characters will remain in your mind for a long time. Definitely not for everyone, but if you have time, patience, and don’t mind being challenged, give this book a shot, you may love it.

Fun Fact: The Guinness Book of World Records says that the longest sentence in English literature is a 1,287-worder (2 ½ pages long) in Absalom, Absalom!

P.S. I am going to buy a copy of this book

View all my reviews

Windows 10 For Dummies by Andy Rathbone
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Purchasing Windows 10 for Dummies was a worthwhile investment. I am no stranger to Microsoft Products and Operating Systems but I thought that a “How To” book might come in handy after down-loading Windows 10. The book is written for the Novice, the Casual User and even a Seasoned Veteran. If you want a desktop reference book I highly recommend Windows 10 for Dummies.

View all my reviews

Google SEO for Dummies by Akaahan Terungwa
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Rad this ebook from internet from my friend’s laptop. Great tips and tricks about SEO. SEO is indeed a great tool to make your website pop up on 1st SERPs. It is not hard to learn but how to implement the tricks is in this ebook.

View all my reviews

Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Promote Peace … One School at a Time by Greg Mortenson
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

My maternal aunt’s husband (Khalo in Urdu) Neseem present me this book. I just cannot express enough gratitude to the author Greg Mortenson for his humanitarian efforts in Pakistan. His accomplishments are a beacon light for humanity. As a Pakistani, I felt so much guilt that we attribute the ills of our country to the inefficiency of the government and the corrupt bureaucracy. It takes an American to teach us the lesson – that even one person can accomplish a lot, provided the intentions are true and sincere. Mortenson went on a course to change the destiny of a small village in the foothills of the Himalayas -a much neglected part of the earth. How he saved money to fulfill a promise to build a school in the remote village of Korphe, makes this story seem surreal. Mortenson’s humility, sheer passion, respect for traditions, sincerity and nobility make him more than human. He is the stuff that saints are made of. Mortenson’s relentless efforts in the face of utmost hardships are truly inspirational. He was never deterred by the stereotypes and misconceptions about the region that he had ventured into, even after his brush with the fundamentalist elements of the region in the form of `fatwas’ and kidnapping. His initial success propelled him on a mission that has expanded in the region and resulted in more than 50 schools. There are countless moments in the book that touched me so deeply that I felt invigorated to do something for this cause immediately. As long as there are people like Greg Mortenson, there is hope in this world. He has shown the world that the path to succeed is one that surpasses the political, ideological, cultural and religious divides. I also admire the courage and sacrifice of Tara Bishop, who shares the same ideals as her great husband.

View all my reviews