By: Sam Walker
Pages: 352
Sports
My recommendation: 10 / 10
Date read: 4th Mar'18
Brief review: A brilliant book. It's a result of an extensive study and research done by Sam Walker, founding editor of The Wall Street Journal’s sports section, on 'what is the single most important factor in building a successful team?'. He analysed thousands of teams across various sports and shortlisted 16 teams which fitted in his carefully devised formula of most successful teams in the history of sports. Some of names included were - Barcelona and Brazil (Football), All Blacks (Rugby), Yankees (Baseball), Cuba Women's team (Volleyball), France (Handball), beside others. The singular factor that emerged to be the reason for success of these teams was their captains. The book gives an account of these captains - their personality, action and perseverance. It will motivate you to the core. A must read, specially if you are a leader or into sports.
By: Yuval Noah Harari
Pages: 466
History
My recommendation: 10 / 10
Date read: 24th Feb'18
Brief review: A brilliant insight into the history of humankind. A synopsis of how the human species progressed right from the beginning to the current day world. Looking back at history, it seems (surprisingly) we are currently in the most peaceful era of humankind. Because of rapid scientific and technological advancement, humans may be at the cusp of overcoming 'natural selection' and become God. A masterpiece by Yuval Noah Harari. If you have interest in the evolution of human species, history of mankind and the possible future that lie ahead; this book will serve your purpose quite well. It's a long but a worthy read.
By: Deepak Chopra
Pages: 96
Philosophy, Self Help
My recommendation: 9 / 10
Date read: 19th Feb'17
Brief review: In this short book, Deepak Chopra talks about seven laws which when practiced can give you lifelong success and happiness. Explained in simple language and sometimes hard hitting, you will find lots of wisdom in the book. The book is a little philosophical too. Key learnings are - know self, practice meditation, cut ego, doing less can accomplish more, uncertainty is the real freedom and many more. It's kind of a pocket book. Do read.
By: Simon Sinek
Pages: 140
Self Help
My recommendation: 7 / 10
Date read: 15th Feb'18
Brief review: It's not a story. It's a collection of quotes and life lessons in form of a fable. Every message is illustrated through an image which makes it even more powerful and absorbing. The presentation of the book is amazing. It a short read of about an hour. If you want some motivation, inspiration and wisdom, you can get you hands on this book.
By: Derren Brown
Pages: 419
Self Help
My recommendation: 5 / 10
Date read: 12th Feb'18
Brief review: The book explores the meaning of 'happiness' through ancient times until today. It questions many of our beliefs and route to happiness. Some examples and stories shared in the book makes a good reading. However, the punch is missing. Mostly, the author is critical of ideas suggested by other books and philosophers and yet unable to give a straight and simple solution to find happiness. I could not connect the dots and lost my way reading this over 400 page book. It's good to miss this one.
By: Mark Mobius
Pages: 206
Investments
My recommendation: 8 / 10
Date read: 7th Feb'2018
Brief review: If you have interest in stock investing, this book is for you. Mark Mobius is an investment wizard and considered the father of emerging market investing. He advocates investing in the emerging markets as it is there where the growth is. They offer much needed growth and diversification too. He shares his personal experiences when he visited several emerging markets and did on ground research before investing. His advice is - it pays to be contrarian and panic can bring in huge profits. He suggests that own bias must be removed and each investment should be well researched and investment call should be based on merit. Th book offers timeless wisdom for investors looking to invest in emerging markets.
By: Anna Quindlen
Pages: 64
Self Help
My recommendation: 9 / 10
Date read: 1st Feb'18
Brief review: There is nothing new in the book which you have not heard or not read before. Still, it's a great reminder of how beautiful life is and how we can live every bit of it. Simple words and simple examples but deep meaning and impact. Having life and living it are two different things. It will surely re-emphasize your priorities in life and help you regain your focus. It's just an hour of reading but a lifetime of wisdom.
By: David Eagleman
Pages: 129
Fiction
My recommendation: 7 / 10
Date read: 27th Jan'18
Brief review: An interesting imagination about what we may witness in our afterlives. The author brilliantly captures the immense possibilities - including what we wish while we are alive, only to find it no more interesting when we actually get it in our afterlives. Different inferences can be drawn by different readers from the book. For me, the take away was - Enjoy the present and cherish what we have. Who knows, the current life itself could be one of the afterlife. A short read and a different perspective.
By: Bob Burg and John David Mann
Pages: 164
Self Help
My recommendation: 10 / 10
Date read: 19th Jan'18
Brief review: It's a sequel to the book 'The Go-Giver'. It's an amazing book. It's the story about a young and successful executive Ben, who seeks to convince 500 employee shareholders of a company for a merger. He miserably fails. During the process though, the life of Ben goes through a transformation. His approach changes from being authoritative and aggressive to accommodating and humility. Finally, when the shareholders vote, Ben is gets the biggest surprise of his life he could never imagine. The key message in the book is - 'when you decide as a leader, what is in it for the other person?' You will love the story. You will love the characters. You will love the message. Read it today.
By: Michael E Gerber
Pages: 288
Business
My recommendation: 8 / 10
Date read: 14th Jan'18
Brief review: Being a successful entrepreneur is quite different from being a successful employee. Being the boss of your own business requires a different type of skill set. Many a times, the employee leaves his job and become an employee in his own company - that is to say , rather than managing the business he becomes a worker. It says - if you are good at technical's, it doesn't mean you can run a business. If you know how to bake a bread well doesn't mean you can be successful by opening a bakery store. This is an excellent book for people looking to start their own business. It gives deep insight on how to have a vision statement, hire employees and manage business without being involved in every little thing yourself.
