By: Robert Greene
Pages: 318
Motivation, Self Help
My recommendation: 6 / 10
Date read: 5th Nov'17
Brief review: The book is about getting mastery in your chosen field which will eventually yield and wealth and power. Robert Greene did extensive research on the subject and shares the secret path to greatness citing examples of several known personalities of the the past and present. The message of the book is good and you will surely get a dose of motivation and executable ideas. On the flip side, you may find the examples pretty long and it gets boring a bit. I also did not like the format of the book which is not very user friendly.
By: Marcus Aurelius
Pages: 221
Philosophy
My recommendation: 10 / 10
Date read: 28th Oct'17
Brief review: This book is one of the finest piece of philosophy ever written. Marcus Aurelius (AD 121 - 180) wrote a series of reflections which he called simply 'To Himself'. This later took the name of the book 'Meditations'. In this fast paced world, the teachings of Marcus may look stale and old but it remains a gem and timeless wisdom. The key message in the book is that - 'We all will be dead soon and so we must live our life well and as per the laws of nature'. The book is of 221 pages but the actual reading content is only 122 pages. It is easy to read but very deep in meaning. Each line will give you a perspective on life. I would recommend to go slow in reading this and understand the essence to the fullest. If you are looking to know the meaning of life and how to find peace and happiness, this book is for you. Strongly recommended.
By: Sam Walton
Pages: 334
Biography, Business, Sales
My recommendation: 10 / 10
Date read: 25th Oct'17
Brief review: Walmart is the largest retailer in the world having over 11,000 stores spreading over more than 25 countries. It's sales were over US$485 billion in 2016. It all started with a single store in 1962 and within 25 years, Sam Walton became the richest American. How did he do it? What were the core philosophies, regrets and high points in the life of Sam Walton? The book is the inside story of Walmart and Sam Walton himself. It is rich, engaging and inspirational. I would recommend this book to everyone - from CEO of a fortune 500 company to someone considering a startup and from a seasoned business person to young adults.
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: Nicholas Epley
Pages: 242
Psychology
My recommendation: 8 / 10
Date read: 13th Oct'17
Brief review: Can you read other people's mind? Forget that, are you sure you can read your own mind? How well do you know people around you? Why were surgeries performed on infants without anesthesia a few decades ago? Why soldiers are bad shooters from close range? Nicholas reveals some surprising findings to these questions and more. Our mind acts as a sixth sense and yet it is prone to critical errors. How can we do better? Hundreds of research and experiments are quoted in the book which will keep you engaged while you read this one.
By: William Zinsser
Pages: 303
Non Fiction
My recommendation: 7 / 10
Date read: 8th Oct'17
Brief review: I bought this book as it was recommended by a blogger on the web. I was not disappointed. The book teaches the various nuances of writing. The importance of simplicity, style, unity, how to start and end and other bits and pieces. Simple things can turn a plain essay into a delightful reading. I definitely got few ideas to improve upon my writings. The first part was interesting. The second part was more technical and boring. If you are a professional writer or your job involves some forms of writing, I would suggest you read this book.
By: Raghuram G Rajan
Pages: 312
Business
My recommendation: 7 / 10
Date read: 6th Oct'17
Brief review: Raghuram Rajan almost had a celebrity status as the governor of RBI during 2013-16. Young, articulative and bold, Rajan is credited with taking several steps to streamline the Indian economy. After a one year silence (after his term got over as RBI), in this book Rajan gives his account of the affairs during his term, the challenges he faced and the difficult decisions he took, the pressure of the bureaucrats and handling the perspective of media which was always a double edged sword. The book incorporates many of his verbatim speeches he gave as the governor of RBI. It's the inside story of Indian economy, the power of top business houses/loan defaulters over the banking system in the matter of NPAs and the challenge to push banks to go deep inside the rural demography of India. He also breaks his silence on the issue of demonetization in India in 2016, his role and views. If you have interest in the Indian banking system and also the economy of a country, you can read this book.
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: Benjamin Franklin
Pages: 231
Biography
My recommendation: 8 / 10
Date read: 29th Sep'17
Brief review: This is probably among the most impactful autobiographies in the world. Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. He achieved great success in his lifetime. The book is a testimony to his hard work, discipline and vision. For me, the message in the book was; 'if you do your job sincerely, use your time well and be unbiased; you can achieve great success in life. You may find the language of the book a little tough. The book will provide you with great insights but may not be the very reader friendly.
By: Marshall Goldsmith
Pages: 288
Self Help
My recommendation: 8 / 10
Date read: 24th Sep'17
Brief review: A good book on self development. The book is divided into four sections. (1) The trouble with success. (2) The twenty habits that hold you back from the top. (3) How we can change for the better and (4) Pulling out the stops. Marshall has been an executive coach for hundreds of CEOs and potential CEOs over the last 2 decades. He is considered an authority on bringing change in personal habits which can bring remarkable results at work place and personal life. We know most of the things he writes in the book; still it makes a huge impact on reader with the examples he gives and the way he explains. I certainly got few great ideas from the book. I am sure you will also benefit from reading it.
