A review of John Grisham's classic - The Summons

I have been a fan of John Grisham’s legal thrillers for as long as I can remember. A former lawyer who decided to pursue his passion for storytelling, Grisham writes what he knows - about law, and more interestingly how law impacts the lives of people.

Most of Grisham’s stories are set in Clanton and the Parrish nearby in Mississippi and he has been cranking out a novel a year for the past couple of decades. Each of his stories has ended up on best-seller lists selling millions of copies. 

His cult-like following was evident during a book signing I attended in Winston Salem, NC about 5-6 years ago. In this era of social media, it was interesting to see a hall packed with people who paid $25-$50  to meet their favorite author. Personal selfies with the man were extra. 

The Summons begins with the protagonist, Ray Atlee, a Law professor at the University of Virginia getting a letter from his dad summoning him back to Clanton Mississippi. Ray’s father, “judge” Atlee has been a beloved figure in the town of Clanton for decades and had a falling out with Ray and his brother Forrest. Judge Atlee was dying from cancer, which his estranged sons are acutely aware of. 

Ray calls up Forrest to ask if he’d gotten a similar summons from the Judge and Forrest says nonchalantly that he would try to be there. Ray drives 15 hours to Clanton, arriving an hour before the appointed 5 PM appointment.

He knocks on the door of their old family mansion with trepidation, and when he doesn't get a response, enters the house and walks up to the Judge’s study where the old man is sleeping - or so Ray thinks. He gets a diet soda from the fridge waiting for his old man to wake up. When he realizes that the Judge hasn’t moved even after the clock struck five, Ray suspects something is wrong. He makes small sounds to wake up his father and finally feels his pulse to find the Judge is indeed dead. 

Although the moment was long in coming, Ray is overwhelmed nevertheless. He is not sure what he must do but decides to walk around the house before calling the coroner and Harry Rex, their family friend.

While rummaging through the Judge’s study, Ray comes across a few filing boxes and on opening one is shocked to find stacks and stacks of 100 dollar bills bundled neatly. Ray’s mind begins to whirl and this discovery accentuates the shock of finding his father dead.

That his rather meticulous, honest, and well-known Judge in Clanton had stacks of three million dollars lying around is enough to raise all kinds of questions in Ray’s mind. But before he can begin to investigate, his immediate impulse is to hide the money before the coroner, police and hordes of visitors begin thronging in. Most importantly, Ray must hide the money from his brother who has been an addict for most of his adult life.

Ray’s search for the truth about the source of this amount and how it came into the Judge’s possession is filled with intrigue in Grisham’s classic narrative. 

Spoiler alert: After cheering Ray along on his admirable quest, we the readers are left wondering about the anti-climax.  

A novel like this made me reflect on the art and craft of storytelling along with the art of bringing to life the characters that Grisham has mastered. He does all this while taking the readers through the human side of law and lawyers. 

John Grisham's Camino Ghosts- another Grisham classic read by Whoopi Goldberg #booktube

 I’ve been enjoying audiobooks for over a decade and was thrilled when John Grisham's latest legal thriller, Camino Ghosts, became available in my library. As a longtime Grisham fan who has read most of his thrillers, listening to Whoopi Goldberg’s narration was the icing on the cake.

The story weaves a thread between the past—the saga of a slave ship that brought Nala and crashed off the coast of Florida—and the present-day life of Lovely Jackson, a descendant of those enslaved.

Set on Camino Island, the popular bookseller Bruce Cable shares with local author Mercer Mann the story of Jackson and how a resort developer is scheming to claim ownership of a deserted island. What the developer doesn’t know is that the island holds a remarkable history, and locals believe it is cursed.

Goldberg brings Grisham’s fast-paced narrative to life, making for a mesmerizing audiobook. Another five stars to John Grisham for this legal thriller!

Retreat at AOL for ‘The Art of Living Happiness Program’

 My Wife Suja and I had often discussed visiting the Art of Living (AOL) International Center on Kanakapura Road, especially since our son attends the Sri Sri Ravishankar School in North Bangalore. However, we hadn’t found the right opportunity to go, even though Vijay had made several trips to the Ashram as part of school activities.

Suja’s birthday fell in December. While we went out for lunch to celebrate, we couldn’t plan an extended outing or trip as it coincided with Vijay’s preparation for his board exams. Like most schools, his teachers had placed a strong emphasis on pre-board preparation, and he was deeply immersed in his studies.

While Vijay was engrossed in his studies, Suja and I felt the need for a breather—Suja more so than me. I thought a retreat at the Art of Living (AOL) would make a meaningful and “experiential” gift post birthday/New Year. The idea struck me when I received a mailer from the Art of Living the weekend before her birthday, and we discussed it together. The mailer read:

“The Art of Living Happiness Program can help you rediscover your joy, cope with the stresses of everyday life and become a calmer, more confident you.”

The retreat seemed perfect—it offered Suja a well-deserved respite from the monotony of daily life while doubling as an experiential visit to the Ashram. Although intrigued, Suja agreed to sign up for the program with a touch of trepidation. After all, she hadn’t been on any solo overnight outings, except for occasional trips to visit her mother and sisters in Delhi.

Suja spent the next few days eagerly anticipating the break and meticulously planning the logistics for her outing. While packing her bags, she thoughtfully prepared a menu and an itinerary for me to manage the household—ensuring everything was in order for Vijay, my elderly mother who lives with us, and our energetic Beagle. 

The residential program was scheduled for three days, from January 3rd to 5th, with participants required to check in at the Ashram by 9:30 PM on the night of January 2nd. That evening, Suja booked an Ola cab and arrived at the Ashram in plenty of time to settle in for the night.

The next evening, Suja called me and Vijay while waiting to go for dinner. She sounded ambivalent about the first day’s sessions. The initial morning had felt a bit underwhelming, especially after the buildup leading to the workshop. Adjusting to a new bed in an unfamiliar place, along with waking up early for yoga and meditation, added to her discomfort. However, she mentioned the eclectic group of co-participants—many had traveled from across India, and some even from other parts of the world.

During her call on the second day, Suja sounded much more upbeat. She shared how the slow start of the first day had given way to a more engaging pace as the program progressed. The group dynamics—forming, norming, and storming—had begun to settle, and the course structure, designed to gradually immerse participants into the program, started to resonate. By then, Suja had made a few friends and spoke enthusiastically about the serene environment: the sprawling campus, the safe and well-maintained grounds, and the ample space to walk around.

The program was scheduled to conclude early on the third day, as several international participants needed to travel back. I decided to drive down to pick Suja up.

The AOL Ashram campus, spanning 250 acres in South Bangalore, is immaculately maintained. I parked my car in the lot outside the campus and entered through the ‘fountain’ entrance. After calling Suja, she suggested I take a shuttle to Annapurna—the large food court, which also houses a small café. I reached there after lunch, met some of Suja’s new friends, and we enjoyed coffee at the Sri Sri Café just outside the campus.

Suja and I spent some time walking around the campus, admiring the beautifully landscaped grounds and various facilities. Finally, we packed up and began the drive back home, feeling refreshed and content.

Notes from Sujatha’s Reflections After Returning

• The program was structured for self-reflection, guided by experienced teachers or coaches who followed a pre-designed schedule. 
• It is neither overtly religious nor heavily spiritual; the primary focus is to help participants step away from their daily routines and reflect on life and the “bigger picture.” 
• Many participants joined the program with a specific agenda or a pressing issue they wanted to reflect on. 
• While participants were encouraged to share their stories with one another, the teachers maintained their focus on imparting techniques. They skillfully deflected queries about individual personal issues, keeping the sessions aligned with the broader objectives of the program. 
• The program offered participants tools like breathing techniques, kriya and meditation  to seek “inner peace” and techniques for coping with life’s stressors, equipping them to return to their daily routines with a fresh perspective. 
• Designed as a three-day retreat, the program facilitated a journey through the forming, norming, and storming phases of group dynamics, fostering camaraderie among participants. 
• The AOL center provided food and accommodation, both included as part of the course “donation.”

What are your views on 50cr flat bought by Infosys founder?

Digital Trolls are probably referring to articles like these: - Infosys' Narayana Murthy buys luxury flat in Kingfisher Towers for Rs 50 crore - Times of India

Almost everyone—including myself—loves to hate and troll a humble brag. Narayana Murthy and his wife are practically the definition of a humble brag in India. Look no further than the (in)famous Kapil Sharma Show, where their sound bites, meant for entertainment, were heavily trolled for months

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HSsBwAU3KQ

Let’s start with a few facts: while the founders of Infosys are billionaires, the company has created scores of millionaires among its employees. Back in 2003, when I joined Infosys, employees with an "E number" under 2000 were considered VIPs. (My E# was 20K.) These VIPs were literally vested in peace—employees who held onto their ESOPs and stock grants from the 1990s.

And the millions of non-VIP techies? They launched successful global IT careers, thanks to Infosys. Over the years, Infosys has been a bellwether IT services company, paying rich dividends to shareholders. Not much to troll here.

Full disclosure: I too received “a few” ESOPs upon joining Infosys, and these shares, after vesting, continue to provide me with decent taxable dividends year after year.

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Now back to the Trolls

Forget Narayana Murthy’s contributions to offshoring in the 1980s and 1990s that propelled India’s globalization. Instead, we latch onto sound bites like “traveling by economy class” and “70-hour workweek,” which he is most (in)famously known for.

Indians love a good troll session, and the more successful someone is, the easier it becomes for us keyboard warriors to launch off on a tangent.

Make no mistake—this is a mega-billionaire. Narayana Murthy has a net-worth of ₹39,908.06 crore (approximately $4.8 billion). But, of course, he has also offloaded millions of Infosys shares to his wife, son, daughter, and even grandchildren - Millionaire grandchildren! Not just Narayana Murthy's grandson, these Infosys co-founders' grandkids also hold stake in company - Times of India

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A billionaire buying a million-dollar property anywhere in the world wouldn’t make headlines, but this is Narayana Murthy—someone we all love to hate. So troll we must.

But folks, the show is over. The 78-year-old billionarie will retire to his multi-million-dollar penthouse with soundproof windows, beyond our earshot.

Time to move on with our humdrum lives.

Today I received a royalty check 20 years after my book was published

The other day I was pleasantly surprised to receive a mail from McGrawHill that a royalty amount was due to me

This brought back memories of the grind in writing the book going through the editorial cycle and finally holding a copy in hand

My book was published much before the proliferation of self-publication and eBooks where one can simply push any good, bad or ugly piece of work online on the largest bookstore in the world with a click of a button. So here are my experiences.

Working with a publisher

Working with a publisher can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it also requires clear communication, understanding, and patience. When you partner with a publisher, they handle many elements of the publishing process, from editing and design to marketing and distribution. A good publisher brings professional editors who help polish your manuscript, ensuring it’s free of grammatical errors, consistent in style, and engaging for readers. Editors may suggest content edits to improve structure, clarity, and pacing, and it's essential to be open to their feedback to enhance the final product.  

• About 20 years ago, I was an active blogger and columnist for Express computers – which I did in addition to my day-job as an IT manager 
• One of my popular pieces on the growth of offshoring IT services caught the attention of editors at McGraw Hill
•  They reached out to me and asked if I could write a book on the topic I had explored in my blog. After all, working at Infosys, an upstart offshoring company, I was best positioned to share my insights 
• McGraw Hill assigned, Deepa V, an editor who began reviewing my draft narrative for content flow, clarity and readability.

The publication

One important aspect of working with a publisher is understanding the contract. This document outlines your rights and responsibilities, the publisher’s rights, royalties, and timelines for publication. It’s wise to review it carefully, and even consult a literary agent or lawyer, to ensure you’re comfortable with the terms. Throughout the process, maintaining open communication with your publisher is essential. Publishing can be slow-moving, so staying proactive and responsive can help keep your project on track. 

• After initial editorial reviews, Deepa worked with the typesetting team and graphics editor to update images and diagrams I had shared. A cover was selected and we were ready to move
• The initial print run was about 1,000 copies which is normal for non-fiction works  
• The initial print run quickly sold out since the book was topical – offshoring was just taking off 
• The next print run was about 5,00 copies 
• Infosys, my employer and their marketing  got interested in this project and assigned Vijay to work with me 
• Vijay suggested I start an internal corporate blog making me one of the first corporate bloggers in India

Royalty

Book royalties are payments authors receive from the sales of their books, typically calculated as a percentage of the sales price. Royalties are an essential component of the income authors make from their published works, and they’re usually outlined in the publishing contract, specifying the royalty rate, payment schedule, and any specific terms.

Royalty rates can vary significantly depending on the publisher, the format of the book, and the sales channel. For traditionally published print books, royalties often range from 5-15% of the book’s retail price. Hardcover editions typically offer a higher percentage than paperbacks. For ebooks, royalties are generally higher, often ranging from 25-50% of the net proceeds, as digital production costs are lower. Self-published authors usually retain a higher percentage of royalties because they take on more of the upfront costs.

• McGraw Hill and I had a contract agreeing to a royalty of 15% of the sale price of a copy, which is quite common in the industry 
• Unlike popular authors with bestsellers no advance was offered 
• I began receiving annual royalty statements that was exciting for a few years when the book continued to sell well 
• If you are wondering, for most authors the royalty doesn’t pay the bills. 
• One time writers, especially in non-fiction genera rarely get rich from royalty 
• But the reflected glory of being a published author and the egoBoo that comes with it is worth the effort!

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Writing

Most authors will agree that writing is a lonely endeavor and what keeps you going is a muse and the urge to finish the project. You need to write what you know and you are passionate about

The real effort begins after the book is published –

• Thousands of books are added to marketplaces like Amazon every day. How do you stand out?
• Authors must hustle to ensure that the book stands out in the crowded marketplace
• As an old Chinese saying goes - you might make the best candle in the world but your neighbors will buy it only if they know about it.  

A young CA succumbs to work stress - Reflecting on how Work-life-balance IS a personal choice

A young Chartered Accountant, Anna Sebastian Perayil died, supposedly due to overwork. Here's EY India boss on employee Anna Sebastian Perayil's death: 'Don’t believe work pressure claimed her life'

Work-life-balance IS a personal choice

In my decades long career in corporate world, I have never been a workaholic but have worked with many such managers. I learnt to stick my personal balance early on 

If you are like me, you've got to remember the basics 

• Ignore it when your managers quotes leaders like Narayana Murthy when they preach about "70 hour workweek" 
• That's not everyone’s cup of tea
• Your health is the most precious asset you have 
• Listen to your body – it will send clear signs to if it is on the verge of a breakdown
• You are dispensable in a job; and some managers will let you go if you aren’t a workaholic like them 

Remember, you are free to chose a job that fits your personal goals and health

Some people are workaholics

Some people can take on more stress than others - For instance, those recruited as marine commandos in military or a few managers in the corporate world like Steve Jobs or Elon Musk who tweets night and day in addition to designing EVs and rockets

Some business leaders are willing to sacrifice everything for a professional goal

• Be ready with a suitcase packed to travel 3-4 times a month
• Be ready for calls and meetings any time of the day or night

The rewards are tremendous – fast track promotions, making a EY or Big-5 Partner at 30, ESOPs and bonuses, bragging rights for parents etc etc

Youngsters planning to emigrate from India should watch Aadujeevitham and Dunki first

The two movies Aadujeevitham and Dunki hold a mirror to the desperation some Indian youth have to get out of India and seek opportunities in foreign shores. Such moves can sometimes backfire as the movies vividly portray. 

Drama in Real life - Aadujeevitham or The Goat Life is a 2024 Malayalam-language survival drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Blessy. It is an adaptation of the 2008 best-selling Malayalam novel Aadujeevitham by Benyamin, which is based on the real-life story of Najeeb, a Malayali immigrant laborer, one among thousands of Indians who were forced into slavery in Saudi Arabia as goatherds on secluded farms in the deserts by the native Arabs.