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With a Pinch of Salt...
There are some people who can never come straight to a point. If you ask them a simple question like what is the time? They would probably reply, Time! This is the most horrible time of my life. My father is not sending me more money, I cant understand any damn thing in the lectures, no girl ever seems to be interested in me and the hostel food is pathetic. It is the worst time of my life.
In short, this book is like a handbook of everyday humor. It is based on observation of funny tendencies in people and then creating fictional caricatures and anecdotes around them.
The tendency of beating around the mulberry bush has been converted into a fictional character called Simon Satellite. And yes, there are many more such characters and anecdotes, served With a Pinch of Salt.
In short, this book is like a handbook of everyday humor. It is based on observation of funny tendencies in people and then creating fictional caricatures and anecdotes around them.
The tendency of beating around the mulberry bush has been converted into a fictional character called Simon Satellite. And yes, there are many more such characters and anecdotes, served With a Pinch of Salt.
- GenresHumor
183 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2014
6 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
October 9, 2014
Just fine. I cannot say much about this, as there is nothing to say. Oh after having read this book, I find myself as one of those characters or at least a pinch of their oddity in me. The book was a light read. Like a book to be read while the power goes out and when one has nothing else to do with digital world and want to just take a seat in the balcony to read. While he desperately waits for all the electronic devices to go on, so that he could escape the muddled semi humor. It is not bad, it's passable.
I started this book to see how fast I can read and completed in 190 mins. Anyway it was cheap off the amazon and I was falling behind the reading challenge schedule thing. Good that he said - Work is for excellence, not for competence.
I started this book to see how fast I can read and completed in 190 mins. Anyway it was cheap off the amazon and I was falling behind the reading challenge schedule thing. Good that he said - Work is for excellence, not for competence.
April 13, 2015
Crap! Crap to say the least. The author comes from a management background and has a good eye for observation but has very bad bad writing skills. No control on his story or his narrative wat so ever. I didnt even finish reading. Guess one needs to read his share of crap books to appreciate good books or “goodreads”.(pun intended) This book is a half baked bland story which so needs its pinch'es' and pitchers of salt!!
February 20, 2015
Without being rude,I must say that the only thing funny about the book is that the author believes it to be funny. Exaggeration of trivialities is what the author deems to be funny. I don't think I would ever pick up a book to encourage a debutante.
September 23, 2014
I didn't find it as appealing.. Its just mediocre.. I think I have read better humor based books..
March 28, 2018
The author has good observation.. He brought out the characters of our everyday life that we hardly notice or even if we notice we don't remember. I expected much while picking up this book by the colourful cover and genre which it belonged.. but it is not as much expected.. good approach though..
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September 28, 2017What a narcissist !! I didn't even bother to complete the book which is so against my rules.
June 6, 2014
‘With A Pinch of Salt’ is adorned with a cover that’s bright and colorful, urging you to go for it, and at the same time heightening your expectations with promises of a good humorous read. The cover is attractive, with the right mixture of hues, and a cartooned character peering through a magnifying glass. This introduces the basic premise of the book, which is based upon the observation of people and the funny characteristics exhibited by them. Sounds interesting!
Jas Anand, the author, creates several fictional characters with names like Larry Love, Simon Satellite and Jargon Smith. The names are creatively chosen so that you can easily guess the traits they exhibit. There are chapters and sub-sections that narrate their antics, with the author clearly expressing his views on them, suggesting the readers what to do if they ever come across such people. Keeping these factors in mind, the book does a decent job of coming up with people and their unusual behaviors, shaping them in the form of anecdotes, and highlighting the features.
A few chapters have been written very well, and you exclaim, “Yes, I know this character.” There are events you can relate to, such as incidents happening around your workplace, or in your locality. In that respect, the book does have a tinge of realism associated with it, drawing you in its world. Often, we come across unique people and personalities, and the experiences we share with them amuse us to such an extent that they never leave our memories. The author’s accounts denotes his close observational skills, and his wide experience of meeting people.
However, the book somewhat lacks the humor quotient, the genre to which it belongs. There are hardly any laugh out loud moments, and even if you consider giggles and smiles, they are rare. A few chapters have been executed pretty well, but overall, the tone tends to be monotonous, dragging in parts. For example, the chapters related to love could have been edited better, as I felt that they were deviating from the main theme of the book. Humor should be tight and crisp, and this book fails to live up to that tag.
I felt that a few characteristics were a bit exaggerated. The author describes the people and their traits in extremities, which sometimes appear impractical. True, we all exhibit unique characteristics, but normally these behaviors balance out among themselves. For a sensible person, such extreme behavioral traits appear out of place.
Being a lover of humor, I had high expectations from this book when I first heard about it. Sadly, the book failed to fulfill all of them. Having said that, humor or comedy isn't an easy genre, and it’s difficult to make people laugh in these stressful times. The author’s efforts are commendable, considering he picked up a refreshing plot and not run – of – the – mills stuff for his debut. I would surely pick up his next book, as I know he would again bring up something new that we haven’t read before.
Jas Anand, the author, creates several fictional characters with names like Larry Love, Simon Satellite and Jargon Smith. The names are creatively chosen so that you can easily guess the traits they exhibit. There are chapters and sub-sections that narrate their antics, with the author clearly expressing his views on them, suggesting the readers what to do if they ever come across such people. Keeping these factors in mind, the book does a decent job of coming up with people and their unusual behaviors, shaping them in the form of anecdotes, and highlighting the features.
A few chapters have been written very well, and you exclaim, “Yes, I know this character.” There are events you can relate to, such as incidents happening around your workplace, or in your locality. In that respect, the book does have a tinge of realism associated with it, drawing you in its world. Often, we come across unique people and personalities, and the experiences we share with them amuse us to such an extent that they never leave our memories. The author’s accounts denotes his close observational skills, and his wide experience of meeting people.
However, the book somewhat lacks the humor quotient, the genre to which it belongs. There are hardly any laugh out loud moments, and even if you consider giggles and smiles, they are rare. A few chapters have been executed pretty well, but overall, the tone tends to be monotonous, dragging in parts. For example, the chapters related to love could have been edited better, as I felt that they were deviating from the main theme of the book. Humor should be tight and crisp, and this book fails to live up to that tag.
I felt that a few characteristics were a bit exaggerated. The author describes the people and their traits in extremities, which sometimes appear impractical. True, we all exhibit unique characteristics, but normally these behaviors balance out among themselves. For a sensible person, such extreme behavioral traits appear out of place.
Being a lover of humor, I had high expectations from this book when I first heard about it. Sadly, the book failed to fulfill all of them. Having said that, humor or comedy isn't an easy genre, and it’s difficult to make people laugh in these stressful times. The author’s efforts are commendable, considering he picked up a refreshing plot and not run – of – the – mills stuff for his debut. I would surely pick up his next book, as I know he would again bring up something new that we haven’t read before.
June 21, 2014
On the name & the cover:
The content of the book is as unfamiliar or unique as the title of book. Its good to see the author has concentrated to choose such an appropriate name for this humorous content.
The cover complements the content perfectly. From the funny cartoon to those thought bubbles, everything seems to indicate that this book is going to tickle your funny bones.
On the narrating style:
This book is something I am going to remember for ages. The way the author has presented the book is unique. I can't say that this is the perfect way to write a book, I am sure this imperfect narrating style is going to catch the readers eyes. I liked how the author has described his characters. Wally Wordsworth and Fabio Fibmaster are my favourite characters because I have my own experience of facing them. I can surely say that readers are going to love the creations of the author, which are very much visible in our daily life.
On the storyline:
This would be an understatement if I say this book has a hilarious content. Every chapter of the book have something to make the readers laugh. The book starts with the author describing his readers how to read this book. As soon as the author starts to introduce his characters and their anecdotes, I couldn't stop laughing. Sometime I felt the author has described a bit more to make a clear picture of a character, which looses the interest. But everytime I was about to lose interest, the author very efficiently introduced a new character. This book is an outcome of the author's brilliant observation skills. At the end the 'syndromes' are described in such a way that left me laughing after even closing the book. The 'stage-hijack' part was my favourite.
+ Point: The exceptional characters and the way their tendencies are described.
- Point: Few chapters with less element of humour and overstated description
Final Words:
A wonderful experiment by the author to pen down his observation by creating fictional characters. A unique book in its genre.
Foe more reviews click on the link:
www.timidfingers.blogspot.in
The content of the book is as unfamiliar or unique as the title of book. Its good to see the author has concentrated to choose such an appropriate name for this humorous content.
The cover complements the content perfectly. From the funny cartoon to those thought bubbles, everything seems to indicate that this book is going to tickle your funny bones.
On the narrating style:
This book is something I am going to remember for ages. The way the author has presented the book is unique. I can't say that this is the perfect way to write a book, I am sure this imperfect narrating style is going to catch the readers eyes. I liked how the author has described his characters. Wally Wordsworth and Fabio Fibmaster are my favourite characters because I have my own experience of facing them. I can surely say that readers are going to love the creations of the author, which are very much visible in our daily life.
On the storyline:
This would be an understatement if I say this book has a hilarious content. Every chapter of the book have something to make the readers laugh. The book starts with the author describing his readers how to read this book. As soon as the author starts to introduce his characters and their anecdotes, I couldn't stop laughing. Sometime I felt the author has described a bit more to make a clear picture of a character, which looses the interest. But everytime I was about to lose interest, the author very efficiently introduced a new character. This book is an outcome of the author's brilliant observation skills. At the end the 'syndromes' are described in such a way that left me laughing after even closing the book. The 'stage-hijack' part was my favourite.
+ Point: The exceptional characters and the way their tendencies are described.
- Point: Few chapters with less element of humour and overstated description
Final Words:
A wonderful experiment by the author to pen down his observation by creating fictional characters. A unique book in its genre.
Foe more reviews click on the link:
www.timidfingers.blogspot.in
May 13, 2014
Well I bought this book because it featured second in the genre-wise list of books in "Humor" at www.amazon.in.
Obviously having read the number one book in that catagory, I had great expectations with this book too. But actually it failed to satisfy them. Not that the books is not good but it not great. Further, personally speaking I found tone of the book rather shabby. Each chapter describes funny habits of people the author claims to have encountered in his life and then mocks them sarcastically. For example one chapter describes a person who keeps on boasting about himself where other chapter describes one person who never talks to the point and always beats around the bush. Having said that, personally I felt that author could have been less bleak or cold rather than generating slander humor. He could have even described some good people who have touch of humor in their own unique style.
Having said this, I repeat that I found this book less interesting because I already had expected it to be awesome. If you read it without such perception, you may find it funny enough to tickle your bones. Specially I liked chapters called "Cardamom Kiss" and even few ones from Section 1. Having said this, this is fairly a good book considering it is first work of the author. I would suggest to author that in second book, he should try to generate humor from positive people or try to generate the humor on his own self. It would become more interesting that way.
To summarise it is a good one time read but not more than that.
Obviously having read the number one book in that catagory, I had great expectations with this book too. But actually it failed to satisfy them. Not that the books is not good but it not great. Further, personally speaking I found tone of the book rather shabby. Each chapter describes funny habits of people the author claims to have encountered in his life and then mocks them sarcastically. For example one chapter describes a person who keeps on boasting about himself where other chapter describes one person who never talks to the point and always beats around the bush. Having said that, personally I felt that author could have been less bleak or cold rather than generating slander humor. He could have even described some good people who have touch of humor in their own unique style.
Having said this, I repeat that I found this book less interesting because I already had expected it to be awesome. If you read it without such perception, you may find it funny enough to tickle your bones. Specially I liked chapters called "Cardamom Kiss" and even few ones from Section 1. Having said this, this is fairly a good book considering it is first work of the author. I would suggest to author that in second book, he should try to generate humor from positive people or try to generate the humor on his own self. It would become more interesting that way.
To summarise it is a good one time read but not more than that.
June 14, 2015
With a Pinch of Salt is like a 'handbook of everyday humour'. It is based on observations of funny tendencies in people and then creating fictional caricatures and anecdotes around them. The author creates solid characters based on their quirky behaviour - each of them from your every day life and one which everyone can relate to on an emotional level. They talk in detail about each of their quirkiness, vivaciousness and other funny tendencies but at the same time it creates such long, draining stories around them that your patience is tested on reading about them.
Any one with a good sense of humour will tell you that crisp and to the point humour works best. If you stretch it too far, it will fall flat and difficult to endorse. For a book who is actually feeding off humour as the main lynchpin to tell a story, it is way too long and verbose to start with. Humour books should be easy on the senses, need to be mercilessly edited and it should allow you to turn pages effortlessly. This one fails on those accounts.
Divided into four sections - Stupidity and its derivatives, Matter of hearts, Mind, intelligentsia and pseudo appeal and lastly, Titbits, the book is not long at 180 odd pages but the first three sections stretch too far. You can see that fourth section which is shortest of the lot creates most impact and the maximum LOL moments. You can see the talent, you just wish it was properly packaged and edited.
Any one with a good sense of humour will tell you that crisp and to the point humour works best. If you stretch it too far, it will fall flat and difficult to endorse. For a book who is actually feeding off humour as the main lynchpin to tell a story, it is way too long and verbose to start with. Humour books should be easy on the senses, need to be mercilessly edited and it should allow you to turn pages effortlessly. This one fails on those accounts.
Divided into four sections - Stupidity and its derivatives, Matter of hearts, Mind, intelligentsia and pseudo appeal and lastly, Titbits, the book is not long at 180 odd pages but the first three sections stretch too far. You can see that fourth section which is shortest of the lot creates most impact and the maximum LOL moments. You can see the talent, you just wish it was properly packaged and edited.
January 4, 2015
Book Review India Verdict: ✪✪✪✰✰
Review: “A little pinch of humor sprinkled between our daily life. Light humor tickles your funny bones.”
“With a pinch of salt” the title and its cover gives a clear idea of a puckery humor. Each chapter describes funny habits of people the author claims to have encountered in his life and then mocks them sarcastically. This book gives a perspective of looking at the funny side of each and every human being. This book is an outcome of the author’s brilliant observation skills. At the end the ‘syndromes’ are described in such a way that left me laughing after even closing the book. The content is quite innovative, fresh and authors efforts are commendable, considering he picked up a refreshing plot and not run – of – the – mills stuff for his debut. The author describes the people and their traits in extremities, which sometimes appear impractical. True, we all exhibit unique characteristics, but normally these behaviors balance out among themselves. For a sensible person, such extreme behavioral traits appear out of place.
All in all this book is a one time read for sure.
Review: “A little pinch of humor sprinkled between our daily life. Light humor tickles your funny bones.”
“With a pinch of salt” the title and its cover gives a clear idea of a puckery humor. Each chapter describes funny habits of people the author claims to have encountered in his life and then mocks them sarcastically. This book gives a perspective of looking at the funny side of each and every human being. This book is an outcome of the author’s brilliant observation skills. At the end the ‘syndromes’ are described in such a way that left me laughing after even closing the book. The content is quite innovative, fresh and authors efforts are commendable, considering he picked up a refreshing plot and not run – of – the – mills stuff for his debut. The author describes the people and their traits in extremities, which sometimes appear impractical. True, we all exhibit unique characteristics, but normally these behaviors balance out among themselves. For a sensible person, such extreme behavioral traits appear out of place.
All in all this book is a one time read for sure.
October 30, 2014
The first thing which you will find grasping about the book is it’s title. ‘With a pinch of salt’ is a kind of title which promises to deliver what you wish from a humorous category. The cover is interesting too.
In the chapter one, Jas introduces you to his new discovery called ‘ The Human Microscope’ and that’s where the journey of turning the pages starts. Various characters, anecdotes, theories will keep you entangled with the flow of the book.
Each character described in the book can be related to someone you have met before in your life and that’s the best part of the book. There are some chapters in the book in which I can bet that you can’t stop yourself from laughing like hell, one of which, for me, was ‘Miss Chutney Spears’.
Well now coming to the narration of the book, it looked amateur but as its unique and experimental it can surely be neglected.
Overall I would say, if you really want to know how to live life happily, grab this book and try to fetch the humour around you rather than gathering the negativity.
FULL REVIEW AT 'THE AUTHOR'S BLOG'...
In the chapter one, Jas introduces you to his new discovery called ‘ The Human Microscope’ and that’s where the journey of turning the pages starts. Various characters, anecdotes, theories will keep you entangled with the flow of the book.
Each character described in the book can be related to someone you have met before in your life and that’s the best part of the book. There are some chapters in the book in which I can bet that you can’t stop yourself from laughing like hell, one of which, for me, was ‘Miss Chutney Spears’.
Well now coming to the narration of the book, it looked amateur but as its unique and experimental it can surely be neglected.
Overall I would say, if you really want to know how to live life happily, grab this book and try to fetch the humour around you rather than gathering the negativity.
FULL REVIEW AT 'THE AUTHOR'S BLOG'...
October 23, 2015
Ever keen to check out new Indian writers, and seeing Amazon offering this book at next to nothing (Rs 24 including shipping), I ordered it. This, despite the profusion of 1-star and 2-star ratings on GR and Amazon. What the heck, I thought, it costs no more than a couple of cigarettes.
Well, the book completely justifies the 1-star and 2-star ratings.
Well, the book completely justifies the 1-star and 2-star ratings.
July 8, 2014
The original review of this book is posted on my blog...
To read the original review of this book, click here...
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July 12, 2015beautiful, i enjoyed your metaphors and simple writing.Enormously related to my experiences which i cherished utmost.but that love affair of four friends seems a bit extrapolating,hostel buddies usually share.
May 22, 2014
With a Pinch of Salt is pretty okay one time read.
Detailed review on the Blog : http://shilpaagarg.com/2014/05/pinch-...
Detailed review on the Blog : http://shilpaagarg.com/2014/05/pinch-...
May 26, 2014
Its been a refreshing change...A light read ... Gives a different take on daily life.Love pentagon had me in splits.Overall an innovative write.
June 25, 2014
LOL!! I really laughed out loud on many pages while reading..
Good book for time pass and there few things to learn.
Good book for time pass and there few things to learn.
May 1, 2015
Total waste of time on the part of the author in writing this and on the reader for picking it up and surviving it. This one goes as the least likely book I will ever recommend anyone.
November 24, 2015
A light hearted read.Has a few really good laugh-out-loud moments.Writing is average.There have been better books in this genre.
October 2, 2016
Nice and quirky. I finished this book in just one day. Quite interesting and comical!!
August 10, 2015
I don't think it counts as read since I abandoned it mid way.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews