By: Clayton Christensen
Pages: 256
Self Help
My recommendation: 7 / 10
Date read: 26th May'17
Brief review: Written by a Harvard Professor who was also adjudged as the best business brain in the world in year 2011, the book provides a case for living a balanced life with several examples, case studies and his own experiences.
By: Dan Ariely
Pages: 247
Non Fiction, Psychology
My recommendation: 8 / 10
Date read: 18th May'17
Brief review: Dan Ariely makes an excellent case to prove that we think irrationally. We think we are in control but we are not. You will relate to so many examples he gives. Why our headaches persist after taking a cheap painkiller but disappear when we take a more expensive one? Why dealing with cash makes us more honest? Why the mind gets what it expects? Why we are happy to do things, but not when paid to do them? A well researched book and interesting read. I am sure you would like this. If you do, also read 'The Art of Creative Thinking' by Rolf Dobelli.
By: Paramhansa Yoginanda
Pages: 510
Biography
My recommendation: 9 / 10
Date read: 11th May'17
Brief review: It's an autobiography of Sri Paramahansa Yogananda who lived between 1893 & 1952. He narrates several of his encounters with spiritual figures. It is invigorating, touching and also sensational. We have heard of super natural powers possessed by saints and this book gives an account of exactly that. During my growing years, I already came across a few spiritual figures referred in the book and so it made a big influence on me.
By: Henry Ford
Pages: 222
Biography, Business
My recommendation: 10 / 10
Date read: 5th May'17
Brief review: Without a doubt, Henry Ford was an industrial genius whose contributions to industry changed the world. He was a thinker much ahead of time and his innovative ideas gave him a place in history. The book gives an account of his life through various challenges and success. It captures the clarity of thought he possessed along with a vision which is unmatched. Published 100 years ago, this book can send shivers to your nerves even today for the decisions he took back then.
By: Straight from the Gut
Pages: 496
Biography, Business
My recommendation: 8 / 10
Date read: 2nd May'17
Brief review: Jack Welch was arguably the best manager in the world. He was the CEO of GE for 20 years and is widely credit to have transformed the company. In this autobiography, he narrates his life story, his struggles, challenges at work and how he made GE one of the most admired company in the world. A must read.
By: Chet Holmes
Pages: 245
Business, Sales
My recommendation: 6 / 10
Date read: 28th Apr'17
Brief review: A routine book for sales people. The big ideas in the book are 1. 1. Focus on key areas, not a thousand things. 2. Spend maximum time on the most important works every day. 3. Followup well with clients to increase profits. A lot of big claims are made in the book to increase your sales and profits multi fold which, though possible, seems far fetched. I would say, it is mostly a motivational sales book.
By: Thomas Paine
Pages: 112
Philosophy
My recommendation: 6 / 10
Date read: 26th Apr'17
Brief review: Written in the 18th century, this book discusses about the faulty British political system. It is credited to make an impact in the creation of modern United States. Concepts are too deep. I started well but lost way in between. May be I will read it again when I understand politics and governance a bit better. Readers who are interested in politics can give it a try.
By: Ravi Subramanian
Pages: 344
Fiction
My recommendation: 9 / 10
Date read: 23rd Apr'17
Brief review: Ravi Subramanian is a great story teller. It’s a fiction, though seems like real life incident. It's about a best selling author and an aggressive and ambitious girl who want to become successful. A good way to refresh yourself by diving into this read in free time. If you like fiction (a bit of thriller and suspense too), you will enjoy this book.
By: David Lim
Pages: 231
Motivation, Non Fiction
My recommendation: 7 / 10
Date read: 20th Apr'17
Brief review: David Lim was the leader of the first Singapore expedition to Mount Everest in 1998. He narrates what it takes to get on top of Mount Everest. It took them 4 years of practice and team work to achieve this enormous feat. It required tough decisions even if it meant leaving a friend from the final list of climbers. It required tremendous amount of discipline and patience. At one point of time they came within 100 metres of the summit only to turn back. Leaders are tough and so was David in the quest to conquer the highest peak in the world, the Mount Everest. The team finally made it to the summit on 25th May'1998. I don't have keen interest in mountaineering but I enjoyed reading this book and I hope you too will.
By: Louise L Hay
Pages: 229
Health
My recommendation: 8 / 10
Date read: 15th Apr'17
Brief review: The book talks about healing ailments through the power of positive thinking, belief system, law of attraction and meditation. Some of the crucial factors that affects our well being is lack of self love and negative thoughts. Louis uses the term 'mental housecleaning' which essentially means 'to examine our thoughts without bias'. She believes that awareness is the first step in healing and we must practice 'letting go'. When we hold on to our unpleasant past, we suffer. One of the most successful books of all times. Over 40 million copies sold worldwide. For me, I have read such content in many other books. So, I skimmed through this book. For first time readers on this topic, this is an excellent book.
