The first book in the series – Red Rising – I started on a solo drive to Chennai sometime in 2016. The book has a solid platform and interesting characters – everyone’s favourite Savero is missing in action in this part. Other characters are developing very well – Lyria for instance and Pax – our Hero’s son is evolving too. When I started I had forgotten the plot of Book 4 and took some time to get back to the story. And it gets better and better. There were parts where I had tears while listening. 45 hours on audible. Eagerly waiting for #6.

2. Endymion (#3 of Hyperion Cantos )

Very enjoyable read. They should make a movie of this so everyone can enjoy the story / plot. The mind game battle between the Commander and the little “messiah” girl was quite interesting.

Fiction

3. Beartown




Sometimes I watch a movie and say – this is like reading a novel. This book is the inverse – while reading it felt as if I am watching a movie.

I picked this book because I wanted some sports story – sports is the backdrop but there are some very deep character portrayals and plots. The story moves in a steady pace and culminates in a very riveting climax.

This author has a good style and has flow. Best discovery of 2019 for me.

4. A Man called Ove

After Beartown wanted to read another book from the same author – Fredrik Backman – and picked his best till date.

It started slowly, Ove trying to commit suicide, and a Persian family moves next door and how he continues being a grumpy old man but becomes the central character around the entire neighbourhood.

At times it drove me to tears – both with laughter and emotion.

This is a beautiful book – a masterpiece – in my opinion

5. The 7 deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle

Every day – in the end Evelyn Hardcastle gets shot and killed. Every day – the narrator is born as one of the inhabitants of that castle. Whatever the narrator does – he cannot stop the murder. The same story gets unravelled from different angles. Till the narrator solves it in the end.

It’s like Agatha Christie got drunk with Sherlock Homes and solved a mystery together.

This is not for the faint of heart. It is a difficult read – but the joy is in the grind when it comes to tough books

6. Raavan 

This book was quite dark and was siding towards mild pornography. After Ram and Sita I was expecting a different portrayal of Raavan ( who is this kind misunderstood soul ) – but here Raavan is portrayed as Raavan we all know of. Not sure he did not want to take risk – or – the publishers wanted another best seller – so write how the masses would want.

Disappointed.

Work / Productivity

7. Delivering Happiness

Have heard of Zappos on its exemplary customer service. This book gives a good insight into it. Picked some good lessons.

8. Business Sutra

Was interesting in the beginning, but got boring towards the middle. He has drawn interesting parallels with Indian Mythology – not sure how much I could use or adapt.

9. Start with the Why

Highly recommend this book. It helped us spell out our company’s purpose clearly. Anyone running a startup – the sooner you read this the better it is. The “Why” forms the nucleus – everything else evolves from that

10. 12 Rules for Life : An Antidote to Chaos


The author is a Canadian Professor of Clinical Psychology. He had written this quota post ( https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-most-valuable-things-everyone-should-know/answer/Jordan-B-Peterson ) which was quite popular and the book picks 12 of these rules.

The first chapter is fantastic – why we should stand straight. After that now when I think back do not remember the 11 other rules.

However, I only remember the essence – it is about creating deep and meaningful relationships – with everyone – your spouse, your parents, your co-workers.

There is lot of references to Christianity – and I could sense some patterns

Life is a struggle – and we can make it enjoyable by playing it well.

Its not an exciting read but would recommend for the lessons it teaches.

Biography

11. Swami Vivekananda

I bought this in audible, ( even though could have returned ) and sat through it. This one is very boring – like a History book – with too many dates and facts.

I love visiting Belur Math in Kolkata and was curious about the origins. This book had all the details how Vivekananda established this place.

I was looking more for a philosophical treatise which sadly this book missed. However did pick up some interesting facts – I thought Vivekananda is from Tamil Nadu – given his popularity in this region. Apparently he was a Bengali but had developed a huge following in Tamil Nadu.

12. I am Jackie Chan

I loved this one. The first movie of his I saw was Armour of the Gods ( or was it Police Story? don’t remember correctly ) and I will never miss any of his films.

His early childhood ( which was quite miserable ) and how he became a star after multiple failures – and how he recovered from a spoilt rich star – love this personality even more.

Spiritual

13. Inner Engineering by Sadhguru

Even if you don’t believe in Guru’s or God – you should read it. It questions some beliefs and shines some light on the power we Humans have – and how we are wasting it in petty things and not going for Greater Glory.

14. Mystery of Death by Swami Abhedananda

The entire book is the interpretation of conversation between Yama Dharmaraja – the God of Death – and Nachiketa – a smart young man. The more books I read on Spirituality – the mind starts seeing some patterns repeating in all these – be it Hinduism, Chirstianity, Buddhism… I am yet to read Koran or Islamic discourses – in my todo for this year.

15. The Secret of Secrets – by Osho

This is an audio compilation of Osho’s talks. His discourse derives from Tao and Buddhism. He makes controversial remarks – if one can ignore it – one can appreciate his philosophy. This is some 50+ Hours. I am half way through – I turn this on now and then. Will sail through 2020 also with this.

Comics

Riveting. I thought Comics was only for children, or adult children who dreamt of super heroes. Did not know this can be used effectively to portray the Croatia-Serbia conflict. How this little piece of land got cut off and how their inhabitants struggled for years. It will make one sad  and wonder why? Want to some day visit this place – hopefully it turns peaceful. Many times we read about car bombs going off or genocide happening – I really feel sad for the people going through this. The world depresses me.

Ciao.