Dwitiyo Innings - er Por

দ্বিতীয় ইনিংসের পর 
Author – Mati Nandi

Genre – Fiction, Bengali

Source - Print

Rating - 4

Read - December 2015

A fine novella; based on test cricket what's more, which doesn't diminish at all on re-reading. Not a classic, not among his greatest, but still a fine piece. Mati Nandi is an expert novelist. I am glad to have re-discovered him.

Third Man: Recollections from a life in Cricket

Author – V Ramnarayan

Genre – Autobiography, Sports, Cricket, Ranji Trophy

Source - Print

Rating - 4

Read - Sep-October 2015

Sporting Autobiographies / Biographies: The types I hate:
1. Heavily ghostwritten works, where you do not find the sportsperson, only the ghostwriter (e.g. Arsene Wenger's biography, and way too many others)
2. Ones that play it safe and are over-complimentary to everyone and their grandmothers (e.g. those of most currently playing sportspeople. Andrew Flintoff's)

3. Ones that are just intent on settling scores (e.g. Alex Ferguson's)

4. Ones that go on and on about personal milestones, and have no stories or interesting anecdotes to tell (e.g. Peter Roebuck's Sometimes I Forgot to Laugh, unfortunately. Especially because Roebuck is my favourite cricket writer. Read Roebuck's It Never Rains, instead. It's the journal of one cricketing season, and is absolutely excellent)

5. Ones that lack enthusiasm, humour or warmth (e.g. Sachin Tendulkar - Playing It My Way) 

6. Ones where the sportsperson comes across as a proper ass (e.g. eh... Nope. Many examples, but no names, alright?)

This is none of the above. Stellar stuff. Recommended. The book has its blemishes, but none are significant. The good things about this book, on the other hand, are numerous - the opposite of the six points above, to start with. And many more.

Netherland

Author - Joseph O'Neill

Genre - Cricket, New York, Society

Source - Audiobook

Rating - 5

March 2013

This is incredible. This book tells me that I am relevant. Best book I read this year.