Category: Philosophy

1. Read ASAP! · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Novel Concepts and Interesting Research · Philosophy · Psychology

BR 100: The Happiness Hypothesis by Jonathan Haidt

alearningaday9 Comments

Category: 1 – Read ASAP! (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: Fitting that the 100th book review would be about one of the best books I have read.

Top 3 Learnings:

1. Emotions trump logic ANY day! The relationship between the two is akin to a rider atop an elephant. If the elephant (emotions) decides to go some place, the rider makes up reasons to go to that place.

2. We all have natural thresholds for happiness. Some have higher thresholds – that’s natural. What that means is that our happiness levels fluctuate between a range. And it gives us a simple goal –  stay on the top end of the range!

3. Everything in moderation..

4. Little things done daily have huge impact on our happiness. Keeping a journal, reflecting, counting our blessings etc

I really could go on. This is one of those books that you will never regret reading. A true masterpiece. Go get it.

3. SHELF it · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Philosophy

BR 60: The Pilgrimage by Paulo Coelho

alearningaday

Category: 3 – SHELF it (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: A very interesting book. If you have an interest in the mystical, this is definitely a good book. This the real life story of Paulo Coelho going on a pilgrimage (on the Camino trail) along with a ‘guide’. Along the way, Coelho faces many a test, fights many a force and learns lessons for life. It was a tad too mystical for my taste but it had some good learnings. But, I had a few very interesting learnings from it –
1. A quote that said something to the nature – ‘Why do we try to convince people – do we do it because we feel convincing more will make it true?’
2. And a lovely line about the importance of dreaming – “We must never stop dreaming. Dreams provide nourishment for the soul, just as a meal does for the body.”
3. The idea of “fighting the good fight” that has stuck with me.

1. Read ASAP! · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Philosophy

BR 49: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

alearningaday

Category: 1 – Read ASAP! (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: The Alchemist is one of the best selling books of all time and it isn’t without reason. Very touching, very metaphorical yet, very real. The book tells the journey of a Spanish sheperd who decides to follow his dream of finding a treasure. This is fraught with complications, of course, as it requires him to go to the pyramids and as a result, cross the Sahara desert. And that journey is one that changes his life..
(Saying any more would spoil the plot if you haven’t read it)

This is one of those books that deserves to be right on top of your priority list. I remember being SO excited to finish listening to this book (especially thanks to the fascinating narrative) that I finished the book in 2 sittings  – the 2nd of which involved forsaking sleep so I could get to the end of the story.

My favorite quote – “And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

1. Read ASAP! · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Novel Concepts and Interesting Research · Philosophy · Self Improvement

BR 47: The 7 Habits of highly effective people by Stephen R Covey

alearningaday

Category: 1 – Read ASAP! (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: The 7 Habits is the best book I’ve read – judging by its impact on my life. It’s not a book to be ‘read’ – it’s a book to be ‘studied’. I liken it to a manual that gives you a new way of thinking about life. And your approach can make all the difference in the world. You can look at it as a book wherein you expect to find a cool concept or two to apply, and that’s what you’ll find. You can look at it as a book you’re reading JUST because a few others recommended it and expect to find nothing amazing, and hey, guess what – that’s what you’ll find.

Or you can read it expecting it to give you ideas that will change your life, and that’s exactly what you will find.

In this book, I found many a framework which has helped me think about life. The guiding framework of moving from being a kid -> being a “teenager” of sorts (independence) -> being an adult (interdependence) was powerful. Lots of very meaningful stories and tons and tons of wisdom.

These are 3 things that changed within me post reading the book –

1) Got me started on changing my mentality to one that believed in abundance and hence, gradually took me away from the ‘envy’ path to the ‘happiness’ one.
2) Got me to write my own set of principles to live life by and follow them.
3) Got me to start ‘responding’ to every situation rather than ‘reacting’ to it by drilling in the concept that I had full control over my response to any problem.

And lots more – but these are probably the 3 biggest areas of impact. Give the book a chance and I’m sure you’ll never regret it!

Add on Mar 16, 2016: Many years since I studied this book, all of what I’ve written here still holds true. An incredible book.

2. BUY it! · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Philosophy

BR 20: Stillness Speaks – Echkart Tolle

alearningaday

Category: 2 – BUY it! (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: This is a book I read typically during one of the following 3 situations –

1) When I’m struggling to sleep and need to make sure I get rest before morning..
2) When I’m feeling restless on a flight..
3) When I need something calming..

And in all 3 of the above times, this book is simply brilliant. It is deep, extremely thought provoking and narrated in Eckhart Tolle’s calm and sleep-inducing voice..

What to expect: The following –

1) A book that cannot be read or understood in 1 sitting.
2) A book that can be read and re-read many times and still enjoyed..
3) A brilliant book for relfection..
4) Lot’s of silence and pauses during the book ..
5) Tons of insight..

1. Read ASAP! · Book Review Actions · Book Reviews · Philosophy · Relationships

BR 3: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

alearningaday8 Comments

Category: 1 – Read ASAP! (All Categories are 1 – Read ASAP!, 2 – BUY it!, 3 – SHELF it, 4 – SOMEDAY it)

Comments: This books needs no review but just in case you haven’t read it, I hope you do. If you are a movie person, Oprah Winfrey’s done us a great favor by making a lovely 100 minute odd movie out of it as well! The link to the first part of 11 is here. I’ve watched the movie 5 times till date and would not hesitate watching it again soon..

What to expect: A reflective and philosophical journey. The story is a real life tale of a student who has built a career as a successful journalist and all of a sudden sees his old university Professor, his first real mentor and inspiration, on TV being interviewed as he’s fighting a deadly disease. Morrie Schwartz, his professor, on the other hand is on a mission to make the most of what remains of his life and after much deliberation thanks to not having kept in touch for 16 years, Mitch decides to go down and meet his Professor. And it’s then that Morrie teaches his last lesson, a lesson in life..