A sojourn in the fascinating world of books...

"A book is the best of all friends; the same today and same forever...". I had come across this wonderful thought when I was in High School in a book gifted by my aunt on my 13th birthday.

I am unfortunate that I have usually neglected the habit of devouring good books. The regular ones have been the text books that I used to quickly scan just few days (hours) before exams during my under-grad days. Once, I graduated seldom did I indulge myself into reading anything.

I now am convinced of the thought that the way food nourishes the body, helps us survive and flourish; similarly good books play a parallel role for our mind and helps us build great characteristics, gain motivation and get ready to face the world with more ease and confidence. My shelf now contains the following:

1. Lee Iococca: An Autobiography - Lee Iococca
2. High-Performance Entrepreneur - Subroto Bagchi
3. The Last Lecture - Dr. Randy Pausch
4. Go Kiss the World - Subroto Bagchi
5. Speed of Trust - Stephen M.R. Covey
6. Six Thinking Hats - Edward de Bono
7. The Road Less Travelled - M. Scott Peck


Though I am yet to finish reading the last three books mentioned in the above list. I understand that they are best sellers in the market and will provide a great reading. In my personal opinion, 'Lee Iococca: An Autobiography' and Randy Pausch's 'Last lecture' are the gems in my shelf. I have enjoyed these two books and they have provided me some great learnings: directly or indirectly.

Lee Iococca's Autobiography is a story highlighting the ups and downs of his life, starting his career at Ford at the entry level and then rising all the way to the Presidentship of the company, being recognized as the 'Father of Mustang' and then being fired for problems with the Fords. Iococca could had retired and opted for a life of solace after his long stint at Ford and being at the helm of affairs. His greatness lies in the fact that he takes over as the President of a sinking rival automobile company and his fight against all odds to save the company from bankruptcy and get it back on its feet. Indeed, an extraordinary story of one of the biggest names in the US automobile industry.

Dr. Randy Pausch's 'Last Lecture' is not something that I bought out of curiosity to read. I had already viewed the recording of his last lecture to his students and colleagues at Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) on 'You Tube' several times when I was in San Francisco early this year. This book I bought mainly as my humble tribute to this great man as his thoughts are so fresh and motivating. The backdrop is of a Professor in his 40s and dying of Pancreatic Cancer (he passed away on July 25, 2008) and was invited to deliver a lecture to his students and colleagues as part of 'Last Lecture Series' hosted by CMU. Dr. Pausch delivers the lecture with the title 'How to really achieve your childhood dreams' and goes on to deliver some of the most important stuffs that we need to understand to lead a well contended life. A must read for everyone!

I have always been an admirer of Subroto Bagchi and reading two of his books has been a great feeling. I got my hands on his first book 'High Performance Entrepreneur' in Hyderabad International Airport when I was flying to Washington, D.C. last month on a business trip. I virtually spent all the wait time I had catching my connecting flights at Frankfurt Airport savoring this book. Seriously speaking, Mr. Bagchi gives some great insights on must knows for budding entrepreneurs. Good book to read. But, the one I really loved reading from Mr. Bagchi is 'Go Kiss the World', his latest release and a best seller. The book basically talks of his struggle and his learnings from different events in his life and how the foundation was laid to build a million dollar Mindtree Consulting from a shared vision of its founders. A great book and again a must read, especially for the young professionals to develop a broad vision of life and help excel as more dynamic and successful professionals.

Now, I am reading the 'Road Less Travelled'. What really impressed me about this book is its starting lines which says a single sentence-'Life is difficult'. That's it! Just realize this fact and things will ease for you and you will take everything that comes to you with more resilience and fighting spirit. The book at my initial glance speaks about the importance of discipline in life and how it helps us to face and solve problems, a concept that was thought at schools and most of us abandoned when we moved out of adolescence.

I hope you also will agree that books are a great value add and you also must have experienced moments cherishing some of the books that you came across. Will keep you posted!

Thanks!
Damu