Author Archives: Ireadthereforeiam

What happened when I read a book a week for 3 months

I started a yearlong ‘a book a week’ personal challenge 3 months ago and thought it is a good time to look back and assess the impact of this challenge on my life. I have resolved to stick to non-fiction books and have started off with Naval Ravikant’s recommendations from the ‘Almanack of Naval Ravikant’.Continue reading “What happened when I read a book a week for 3 months”

My thoughts on ‘Siddhartha’

What a beautiful fable! A simple, poignant and symbolic tale about one man’s quest to find the ultimate knowledge and wisdom. The titular ‘Siddhartha’, shares his first name with the ‘Buddha’, whose own journey to enlightenment is well known, is the prodigal son of a revered priest. Siddhartha grows impatient once he begins to realizeContinue reading “My thoughts on ‘Siddhartha’”

My thoughts on Skin in the Game

As I was reading this book, I couldn’t help thinking how there is a lack of coherence and flow, but as I read along, I also realized it’s the very same lack of flow that makes it feel like you are having a conversation with the author. I enjoy Taleb’s witty, bold and fearless style.Continue reading “My thoughts on Skin in the Game”

My Thoughts on the Book of Life

This is a collection of 365 of Krishnamurti’s thoughts about well, everything written to be read one a day for a whole year. This proved to be a wrong choice for my ‘a book a week’ challenge as it is indeed meant to be read one chapter a day for the whole year. I did,Continue reading “My Thoughts on the Book of Life”

My Thoughts on Man’s Search for Meaning

This has by far been the hardest and the most rewarding read for me. The author, Viktor Emil Frankl was an Austrian neurologist, psychiatrist, philosopher, author, and Nazi concentration camp survivor during the Second world war. This is a part autobiographical account of the author’s experiences in the concentration camp and part introduction to ‘logotherapy’Continue reading “My Thoughts on Man’s Search for Meaning”

My Thoughts on Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing

Written in an unassuming conversational style, this book is easy to read as compared to some of the other spiritually inclined books I have read and that’s the whole point of this book. Enlightenment isn’t about complex, understandable quotes, crystals, ceremonies and rituals. You don’t get enlightened magically by denouncing creature comforts. worldly pursuits andContinue reading “My Thoughts on Spiritual Enlightenment: The Damnedest Thing”

My Thoughts on The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable

Book 2 of the 52 weeks = 52 Books Challenge – The Black Swan by Nassim Nicholas Taleb This is a highly engaging book that brilliantly debunks “expert” theories about everything around us. It’s one of those books that challenge what you know, and you can never go back to your old way of thinking.Continue reading “My Thoughts on The Black Swan: The Impact of the Highly Improbable”

My Thoughts on Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind

Week 1 of the 52 weeks = 52 Books Challenge – Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari I recently read the inspirational ‘The Almanack of Naval Ravikant’ and was quite moved by the profound simplicity of Naval’s thoughts. I came across his list of recommended reads on the Almanack website and decided to start my challengeContinue reading “My Thoughts on Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind”

52 Weeks = 52 Books Challenge

I love reading every day but nothing like a challenge for a little more motivation to read more. Every great thinker of our age that I have read about is an avid reader. Warren Buffet encourages every one to read 200 pages a day. Naval Ravikant has said just by reading for 1-2 hours aContinue reading “52 Weeks = 52 Books Challenge”