By: Tim Ferriss
Pages: 674
Health, Motivation, Self Help
My recommendation: 10 / 10
Date read: 20th Oct'17
Brief review: I wish I could give it a rating of 11/10. It's an awesome book. Though it's a long read but it's totally worth the time. The book is divided in 3 sections - healthy, wealthy & wise. Unless you are a complete fitness freak, you can skim/skip through the first section about health. It's too micro and too detailed. I almost threw the book after the first 50 pages. I am glad I didn't as the next two section are worth a goldmine. Beside his own thoughts, Tim interviews over 100 world celebrities and summarizes their wisdom. My top 3 takeaways from the book - (1) Make health as #1 priority in life (2) You have limited time on earth. Use it well and do that you can do best. (3) Take chances & believe in yourself. Absolutely a must read for one and all.
By: Susan Cain
Pages: 276
Psychology, Self Help
My recommendation: 10 / 10
Date read: 3rd Oct'17
Brief review: One third to one half of the world's population is probably introverted. Chances are, either you are an introvert or you live with someone who is an introvert. The book's key message is about 'the power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking'. This book will change the way the world looks at introverts. Not raising voice or not engaging in fights doesn't mean they are weak. They have mighty powers of concentration and relatively immune to the lures of wealth and fame. They are brilliant at solving complex problems. They form a big percentage of the world leaders and yet the society at large somehow has an opinion of this breed being 'soft and timid. It's time we change this view. Excellent book. Well researched. Every person who considers herself an introvert (and even the extroverts) must read this book. I would strongly recommend this to all.
By: Darren Hardy
Pages: 200
Motivation, Self Help
My recommendation: 9 / 10
Date read: 10th Aug'17
Brief review: Everything we do; compounds over time. Darren Hardy himself is quite successful (owner of Success Magazine). He became a multimillionaire in his twenties. He makes his point by brilliant examples. How 125 calories every day can make you lose or gain 33 pounds over 31 months. How the routine of Michael Phelps made him a world champion. I liked this book because I am myself a big believer in the power of compounding. It's a no nonsense book. Concise and to the point. A must read.
By: Epictetus
Pages: 96
Philosophy, Self Help
My recommendation: 10 / 10
Date read: 7th Aug'17
Brief review: It’s not just a book name. It is actually a manual for living which you should keep with yourself and refer each day. Epictetus teaching’s are simple, crisp and effective. It carries wisdom in every word. It answers all your questions; like how should you live and carry out your activities in daily lives. What should be the ultimate purpose of life? How to be worry free? The most important message in the book is to focus on what is under your control and not to waste your energy and life pursuing things which are not in your control. A one hour read carrying wisdom of a lifetime. I would strongly recommend this book to one and all.
By: Miyamoto Musashi
Pages: 160
Self Help, Sports
My recommendation: 9 / 10
Date read: 1st Aug'17
Brief review: Written in the 17th century by undefeated samurai Miyamoto Musashi. Though the book was written for martial artists but it possesses timeless principles which can be learned and applied by anyone reading this book. The book is widely recommended but I was not sure of reading it considering the subject of the book (martial arts). In the end I am glad I read it. It carries deep learning’s in a subtle way. Musashi suggests that we should practice daily to become an expert in whatever we do. When practice accumulates over time you make no misses, ten times out of ten. In his words, 'a thousand days of practice should be followed up with ten thousand days of practice for refinement'. The whole book is full of wisdom. I specially liked a few lines from the book (1) It is essential to see to both sides without moving the eyeballs. It is possible with practice (2) Speed is not the true way, rhythm is. (3) The performance of an expert seems relaxed but does not leave any gaps. A must read book by all.
