By: Andrew S. Grove
Pages: 184 pages
Business
My recommendation: 8 / 10
Date read: 2nd Sep 2021
Brief review: The book explores how companies must stay constantly alert to major changes that can disrupt their industry. Grove introduces the concept of “strategic inflection points”—critical moments when technology, competition, or customer behavior shifts so dramatically that businesses must rethink their entire strategy. A key example from the book is Intel’s decision in the 1980s to exit the memory-chip business after Japanese manufacturers began dominating the market with better quality and lower prices. Grove and Gordon Moore realized that if a new CEO came in, he would likely abandon the business—so they made that bold decision themselves and shifted Intel’s focus to microprocessors, which later became its biggest success.
By: Phil Knight
Pages: 378 pages
Biography
My recommendation: 9 / 10
Date read: 10th Mar 2022
Brief review: If Nike inspires you, you should read this book. The book chronicles the founding and growth of Nike, one of the world’s most iconic sports brands. The book follows Knight’s journey from a young entrepreneur with a “crazy idea” to import Japanese running shoes into the United States to building a global company that revolutionized athletic footwear. Knight shares the early struggles of starting Blue Ribbon Sports, his partnership with coach Bill Bowerman, constant financial pressures, and the risks involved in building a new brand. The story highlights perseverance, unconventional thinking, and the importance of trusting a passionate team. Honest and engaging, the book provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at entrepreneurship.
By: Reed Hastings \& Erin Meyer
Pages: 288 pages
Business
My recommendation: 10 / 10
Date read: 22nd Aug 2022
Brief review: Netflix has entered millions of homes around the world. And it was not easy. The book explores the unconventional management philosophy that shaped Netflix into one of the world’s most innovative companies. It describes how Netflix built a culture centered on freedom, responsibility, and high performance by abandoning many traditional corporate policies such as strict vacation limits, detailed expense approvals, and rigid hierarchies. Instead, the company focuses on hiring exceptional talent, encouraging radical candor, and promoting transparency across the organization. Through stories from Netflix’s journey, the authors offer valuable insights into modern management and building high-performing teams.
By: Minhaz Merchant
Pages: Pages 258
Business
My recommendation: 6 / 10
Date read: 15th July 2022
Brief review: It narrates the inspiring journey of A. M. Naik and the transformation of Larsen \& Toubro into one of India’s most respected engineering companies. The book traces Naik’s rise from humble beginnings in rural Gujarat to leading L\&T through decades of expansion into infrastructure, defence, nuclear energy and other strategic sectors. Merchant highlights Naik’s discipline, long-term vision and commitment to nation-building, including his efforts to protect L\&T from hostile takeovers. While the story is engaging and insightful, the narrative sometimes feels overly admiring. Overall, a compelling account of leadership and corporate growth.
By: Harsh Mariwala \& Ram Charan
Pages: Pages 210
Business
My recommendation: 8 / 10
Date read: 7th May 2023
Brief review: Harsh Mariwala of Marico Industries is most famously known for saving the 'Parachute' brand from being acquired by Hindustan Unilver. Instead, over time Mariwala acquired HUL's Nihar brand. The book is a candid account of how a traditional family-run commodity business evolved into one of India’s most respected FMCG companies. Through personal experiences, Mariwala narrates the transformation of Marico from a small edible-oil company into a global consumer brand. The book highlights themes such as professionalizing family businesses, building strong organizational culture, empowering professional talent, and staying close to consumer needs. Mariwala shares practical leadership lessons drawn from real business challenges in a simple and honest manner.
By: Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony, and Cass Sunstein
Pages: Pages 454
Non Fiction
My recommendation: 9 / 10
Date read: 24th April 2024
Brief review: We live in a world of noise and it is the biggest problem in decision-making. The authors call “noise”— the unwanted variability in judgments when different people evaluate the same situation differently. They argue that while bias receives much attention, noise is equally dangerous and often ignored. For example, studies cited in the book show that insurance underwriters given identical cases set premiums that differed by as much as 55%, revealing how inconsistent professional judgments can be. Similar variability appears in fields like medicine, law, and hiring decisions. The book emphasizes improving “decision hygiene” to reduce such inconsistencies. Insightful but dense, it is best suited for readers interested in psychology and decision-making.
By: Ram Charan
Pages: 178 Pages
Sales
My recommendation: 7 / 10
Date read: 9th Dec'2025
Brief review: Ram Chandra is among the world's best consultants. In this book, Ram Charan challenges the traditional approach to selling and argues that success in sales comes from helping customers improve their business, not merely pushing products. The author introduces the idea of “value creation selling,” where salespeople deeply understand the customer’s industry, costs, margins, and competitive pressures before offering solutions. For example, instead of simply selling a product at a lower price, a salesperson might help a customer reduce inventory costs or improve profit margins, creating measurable value for the customer’s business. The book emphasizes becoming a trusted partner rather than a vendor.
By: Atul Gawande
Pages: Pages 206
Non Fiction
My recommendation: 7 / 10
Date read: 8th Oct 2025
Brief review: A short book that explains how a simple tool—a checklist—can significantly reduce errors in complex fields such as medicine, aviation, and construction. Published in 2009, the book argues that as professional work becomes more complex, even experts can miss critical steps, and structured checklists help ensure consistency and safety. Gawande supports this idea with examples like aviation checklists adopted after the Boeing B-17 crash and the WHO surgical checklist that reduced complications in hospitals. While the central idea is powerful, the book feels somewhat basic and relies on limited examples. The concept is useful but could have been conveyed in a blog rather than a book.
By: Seth Godin
Pages: Pages 80
Business
My recommendation: 6 / 10
Date read: 15th Nov 2025
Brief review: We all have that moment in life when things are do not go our way. Godin gives this phase a name - The Dip. He explains the idea that success often lies beyond a challenging phase called “the dip”—the difficult period between starting something and mastering it. Many worthwhile pursuits, such as building a business or learning a skill, begin with excitement but soon enter a stage where progress slows and many people quit. Godin introduces concepts like the Dip, the cul-de-sac (a dead end), and the cliff to explain when persistence is worthwhile and when quitting is smarter. While the idea is useful, the book revolves around a single concept and could have been shorter.
By: Ralf Dobelli
Pages: 263
Self Help
My recommendation: 7 / 10
Date read: 2nd Jan 2026
Brief review: The key idea in the book is 'what not to do'. The book presents a collection of cognitive errors and thinking traps that people should avoid in decision-making, business, and everyday life. Through short chapters and practical examples, Dobelli explains how eliminating poor habits and flawed reasoning can improve judgment and outcomes. While the insights are useful and thought-provoking, the book is framed largely around mistakes rather than constructive principles. Compared to some of his earlier works, it feels less impactful. Overall, a decent and reflective read.
