Resmi Jaimon : Freelance Writer, Kochi - Kerala, Mumbai

Title: The Bankster Author: Ravi Subrahmanian Publisher: Rupa Interesting Storyline. Not very thrilling, but made me curious ‘what next?’ Or else how would I have managed to read over 320 pages in one-go, in around 5 hours? This was the second time I was reading a novel related to finance. Ravi has used simple terminology, which any lay man can understand. After all, the focus was on something that was happening behind the scenes and hence, the storyline was on attempting to solve the mystery. Now, let us talk of the story.   The novel begins with the trading of diamonds in Angola, moves to of the involvement of a man in Kerala and his stand on the Trikakulam nuclear reactor built in his area and finally, moves to a Mumbai based Great Boston Global Bank. The larger part of the story involves the Great Boston Global Bank and its employees. The trouble starts when some of the bank employees are found dead. Everyone looks at the cases as accidents, until clues begin emerging...

Title: The Krishna Key Author: Ashwin Sanghi Publisher: Westland Pages: 485 Price: Rs. 250 Summary: Thriller to reveal the hidden Krishna secret – The Krishna Key and a murder mystery Dr. Anil Varshney, an archaeologist working in Kailbangan hands over one seal each to his research and academic friends for safe keeping. The four seals together should fit in to a base plate that contains the final clue to a hidden secret, referred to as ‘The Krishna Key.’ The base plate, he tells his friend, Dr Ravi Mohan Saini, a professor at St Stephen’s College in New Delhi, is locked away in a locker. Dr. Ravi Mohan Saini is the main signatory and will be contacted if anything happens to Dr.Anil Varshney. Soon, Saini is held responsible for Dr. Varshney’s murder, as Saini was the last person to see Dr.Varshney alive. The cops have enough proof to convict Saini for Dr.Varshney’s murder. Saini’s doctoral student, Priya Ratnani with her leading criminal lawyer father’s help, c...

The past several weeks has kept me busy. In July 2012, my daughter crossed her major milestone - the one-year mark. Till she was around tenth months old, it was easy to work. Now, she believes she can work - interview people and write features!   My writing slowed down for nearly two months, around April-May. I worked only for selected publications. I faced more of disappointments during the May-June period. A privately circulated magazine from a leading corporate group in India, took me for a ride and didn't pay me for the in-depth research based story I wrote on a short deadline. It took several weeks to get the editor to respond. Since I asked for a kill-fee, she has refused to respond again. Similar things happened with a couple of other magazines as well.    Beginning July, I am writing for two new publications and also for three other publications, I have been working earlier as well.   I  wrote 4000+ words for my non-fict...

I have switched to posting book reviews in my book review blog : http://bookandauthors.wordpress.com . The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau is however, a book related to my work. Hence, I am posting a brief of the book here. Rest in the link provided after the brief.   Book Review Brief:   The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau (Pan Macmillan) Price: Rs. 499 Summary: Tells you can change your job to change your life The $100 Startup is largely for the people who already own a job and prefers to walk of the regular 9 to 5 job to work on something on your own. The book will help you brainstorm your ideas and learn how people come up with ideas expectedly or unexpectedly (due to circumstances) to venture out with a new mirco business. Chris Guillebeau focuses on two themes, 'Freedom' and 'Value' throughout the book. He shows you how you can turn your passion to profit, but not all hobbies can be converted to business or profit. To read the ent...

Title : The Devotion of Suspect X Author: Keigo Higashino Pages:378 Price: INR 350 The Devotion of Suspect X is a thriller novel, originally written by Keigo Higashino in Japanese in 2005. I was thrilled to find a Japanese book's Indian edition for review at Blogadda. Since I love to read mysteries, I applied for the book review of The Devotion of Suspect X. Sadly, after reading the book, I couldn't understand how   2 million copies sold' mark is true, though I should admit the characters have been well framed, there is surprising element and there is a surprising twist at the end. It could be because the novel begins with unveiling of the murder, how and why it happens and the rest of the book is about the police chasing the criminal, whom we already know. Everyone has different preferences when it comes to reading. An author can never satisfy all readers. It isn't necessary I like those books others like and rate as the best and vice-versa. Neverthel...

Last week, I had an email interview with Amitabha Bagchi, author ( The Householder and Above Average ) and Assistant Professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department of IIT Delhi. Read about The Householder and more at http://www.techgoss.com/Story/556S12-Bagchi--writer-of-exceptional-talent.aspx .  Pre-order The Householder at Flipkart and save Rs.100/-.

Long due; it's over two weeks since I posted Dipen Ambalia's LOSER: Life of a software engineer's review. "The hilarious journey of IT industry begins here… To know the life in IT, Dipen probably felt the need to educate the history of software world! Hence, the book starts with the theory of connection between outsourcing and Chirstopher Columbus, which is deeply hilarious. Dipen Ambalia takes a humorous ride through those who work in the IT field while giving comparisons with the non-IT’s or with arranged marriages in India or something else." Read more:  http://bookandauthors.wordpress.com/2012/03/30/book-review-loser-life-of-a-software-engineer-by-dipen-ambalia/   If you have read the book, I would like to hear your review! If you haven't, buy now : LOSER: Life of a Software Engineer .

The book review of 'The Cavansite Conspiracy' is already up in my book and author blog ( http://bookdandauthors.wordpress.com/ ). Title: The Cavansite Conspiracy Author: Manjiri Prabhu Pages: 261 Price: Rs. 195 Publisher: Rupa Publications Excerpt from my review: Being fond of making guesses each time I read a thriller, I made guesses here too, but except two characters, I couldn’t find the ‘real faces’ until I read the whole story.  There were several surprising twists in the novel and the end was very unpredictable. The story, narrated in simple language and with a good flow, keeps the reader guessing until the end of the story. The romance too didn’t have unnecessary ‘masalas’. The romance in between the suspense kept the story exciting. The fast-paced story takes place within 48 hours and yet, Manjiri has done justice to the storyline and the characters. A very well-written story, ‘The Cavansite Conspiracy’ will remain in my bookshelf forever and will...

From mid-February to March, I spent more time on writing, often after my daughter goes to sleep as she keeps me busy during day hours. I also managed to find time to read books. I have just finished reading The Cavansite Conspiracy by Manjiri Prabhu , a very thrilling story. I love thrillers and I couldn't stop reading once I began reading the story. The review will be on my book blog soon. Now, I am reading Dipen Ambalia's LOSER: The Life of a Software Engineer . A very different kind of a book and I am enjoying his humor writing to the core. When I read with my baby in hand, she turns to look at my face as I can't stop laughing as I read through most of the pages. I interviewed Dipen recently for techgoss and it's his first interview! Since techgoss asked for the interview before the book was launched, I didn't have the opportunity to interview Dipen based on his work. Wish I'd read his book before I interviewed him... perhaps, next time and I'll have ...

As you may already know, I launched a new blog for books and authors recently. I just posted a new book review in the above mentioned blog 10 - Tea-20 - Perfect Companion for your teatime by Vinod Kumar S.

Title: Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul - Teens Talk Growing Up Author   :Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Aarti Katoch Pathak Publisher: Westland Ltd. Price : Rs.195 Chicken Soup for the Soul – has always been very close to my heart since I started writing during early 2000’s. I always dreamt to be published in the book and I was successfully able to sell stories to the Indian series of the book for 8 or 9 titles. Each titles brings smile to my lips and I wait eagerly to read the stories. And here’s the latest – Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul – Teens Talk Growing Up! Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul – Teens Talk Growing Up, is a perfect combination of 101 stories, and as the title says ‘inspiring stories about meeting challenges and learning from life.’   There are times you find a friend in the most unexpected person, or someone you hated so far. Teenage is a time of confusion or lack of self-confidence. However, with proper support,   teens can go ...

Begin 2012, and I announce the launch of my new blog : A Window for Books & Authors . A long awaited dream is thus beginning to take shape.  A Window for Books & Authors intends to review books, interview authors, publishers and literary agents. I have interviewed authors and reviewed books in the previous years. For those interviews / book reviews I hold copyright, I'd be republishing in the new blog. Call for Authors, Publishers, Literary Agents I also take this opportunity to invite authors, publishers and literary agents to contact me at bookandauthors@gmail.com  to discuss further regarding publishing interviews in the new blog and also reviewing books.

Nine years ago, till January 13, 6:30 am, I didn't know if my then dream would come true. I had even lost hope of turning my dream into reality. And past 6:30 am, I was delighted to see the main story of Metro Plus, The Hindu (Thiruvanthapuram edition). My first story was published - The Neo-Homework (by Resmi Shaji)! The day marked my career destiny.. and now, 9 years later, working part-time; I've worked for over 80 publications, in print and online, in India and abroad. (Counting the supplements of The Hindu, the series of Chicken Soup for the Indian Soul and other publications, the number would exceed 90 publications!) This year, I celebrate the success with my husband, my 6-month old daughter, parents and my brother! Formal education in creative writing begins... For nearly 8 years, I never felt the desire for a formal education in creative writing or journalism.. but somehow the passion for studying further hit me in Oct 2010. Personal life made me postpone m...

2011 was a very special year for my husband and I. Our daughter joined us in July 2011 and since then, our personal life has changed much. Talking of professional life, I have had a long break in the year 2011. The last article I worked was in February 2011. I have just returned to work and submitted a business story for a leading portal, three weeks back (the story is scheduled to be published next week). Meanwhile, also worked on a couple of personal articles related to pregnancy and motherhood. Over the next few months, I would prefer to stick on to selected assignments. And I would probably be working only on 3-4 assignments per month. On another note, I have applied for a writing course, about which I would mention as soon as the admission procedure is over.  The book ideas I have had and I started working, will probably see light in 2012. As of today (December 31, 2011), the number of blog visitors have crossed 9000! Looking forward to cross the five-...

Volvo Ocean Race - Kochi Stopover Blog is now open to all readers. For more than 1.5 years, it was available only to those who bought my report on volvo ocean race. You can view the blog at http://kochi-volvo.blogspot.com/ .

It's time I put this note, a message for my prospective clients. Yes, to Magazine Writing & Anthologies I am yet to start working in full-swing and all that I can manage at the moment is magazine writing - ie; feature writing / interviews / travelogues. I can also handle such features for reputed portals / websites and personal stories for anthologies. On a break from web content writing Kindly note I am not accepting web content writing assignment at the moment, due to motherhood ( I need time to take care and play with my four-month old daughter!). I may take this up after sometime. When I do, I'll post a note here. Contact Information Whatever reason you are contacting me for, kindly make sure you contact me only via email : resmi.writer@gmail.com and do not call the mobile number given in the advertisement (on the top of this blog) (ie; of Rat Vanisher). Unfortunately, a number of people are calling my father, in the mobile no. provided in t...

(Originally published in Techgoss at  http://www.techgoss.com/Story/398S11-Tech-boss-wins-Snake-Boat-Race.aspx . Available as reprint, contact for pricing and other details. (Copyright @ Resmi Jaimon) While the men and women who head India’s IT-ITES are often in the news for bagging big deals and the wins after the implementation of tech projects, few have the same success in the sporting field as well. Quadra Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd Chairman Joseph Philip recently captained the team which won India’s most popular boating event – the Snake Boat race at Alleppey, Kerala Joseph Philip, whose company Quadra Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd is based in Bangalore & Cochin, always had a passion for boating.  The Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race at Alleppey in Kerala is an annual competition. Each Chundan Vallam (snake boat) is up to 100 feet long and the race is held to commemorate the first visit of Prime Minister of India, Pandit Nehru, to Kerala in 1952. Joseph Ph...

(Originally published at http://www.techgoss.com/Story/392S12-Salman-Khan-s-online-academy-a-hit.aspx on 28/7/2010)  Available as reprint, contact for details. (Copyright @ Resmi Jaimon) USA-based  Salman Khan graduated from Harvard Business School and has had successful stints as a Technical Architect at Scient and as a Senior Product Manager at software giant Oracle.  He has also held key roles in the VC sector. Salman is also an internet phenomenon having launched the online Khan Academy which is a not for profit online NGO that provides free education. The Khan Academy describes its mission as ‘providing a high quality education to anyone, anywhere. Salman has personally created more than 1600 free educational videos which are sometimes seen on YouTube as many as 70,000 times a day.  Salman Khan has walked away from a lucrative six figure income to spend his time helping to educate the world. Techgoss (TG): Share with us your educational and profes...

I had saved four posts, till August for automatic (scheduled) blog posts; but due to some error the first post scheduled on July 7th wasn't published. I was away for 10 days and noticed the error today.  I also would like to share the news of the birth of my daughter. She arrived on July 7th. I will be undertaking only selected assignment in the coming months, till I get adjusted to my new role of motherhood. As for blog posts, I would try to concentrate mostly on published clips to keep this blog lively. 

From next week, read selected published stories in this blog (scheduling stories to be published automatically). I'll be away from work for a while and meanwhile, hope my blog visitors will find these posts interesting and informative.