Holes

 If literary magic were a reality, this book would’ve played a nomination for what it’s worth, unless it carried the bad luck caused by the no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather. Those who know would know.

What sets it apart is that everyone, regardless of age or culture, will find something relatable and meaningful in it. One of the books I took a really short duration to finish for certain reasons:

1.     My vacation lasted the next 3 days, and I had to finish it, or else my younger cousin would’ve traded his academic books if I wished to take this book with me back home.

2.     Well, it’s simply irresistible once you’ve started.

A beautiful story that revolves around crime, punishment, and redemption, all woven together with the threads of humor, details, mystery, adventure, and friendship. What I really carried back home was the feeling of satisfaction of the lessons of courage and resilience I dug through the holes of the book and also, having completed it. You’ll feel everything from butterflies in the stomach to worms in the head, but, thankfully, you’ll not get the yellow-spotted lizards leaping out of the holes through the books because, let me guess, you definitely must’ve had onions in your last meal, or you would’ve already died before reading this. There’s nothing you can do once you’ve seen one. The best part is if any one of you plans a camping vacation on Camp Green Lake, you’ll know how to land an opportunity and exactly what to pack in your backpacks.

Jokes apart, it’s a very thrilling, tingling, and inspiring story that keeps you hooked till the grand exit. And you'll be surprised by the little details it drops and catches just where they were left. Wait, did I miss mentioning the page count of the book? Hmmm, alright, you would’ve dug 233 holes by now if you were digging a hole for each page.

At the end, I would like to have a special mention of the special person to whom I dedicate this book review, my little-godspeed-reader-suspense-breaker-cousin, who held back all the climax and suspense details to himself, so unlike him, for the sake of my joyful reading and occasionally joined in to know where I had reached. Also, who must’ve completed “Small Steps” from the same author by now. 

The Nine Batons

Book: The Nine Batons

Author: Retd Col M P Dinesh

Genre: Self-help

Publisher: Notion Press

Published on: 28 September 2024

Available on:

1.       Amazon: https://amzn.in/d/5ZFY9y3

2.       Notionpress:  https://notionpress.com/read/the-nine-batons

Reviews: The book is a narrative of an NCC Instructor who takes us through his journey of assessing and instructing as the in-charge of training of cadets for “Best Cadets” category at national level. The author profoundly describes his apprehensions, self-doubts, achievements and flaws in taking up this challenging task. It is very common to validate all the struggles that a student takes to reach his/her goals in their lives when they stand out in certain talents and achievements. What is lesser known and brought into the limelight is the struggles and efforts taken by the educators and mentors to train their candidates to reach those goals. This book stands out in that very particular narrative where the reader gets round the retina of a mentor, a teacher, an educator, an instructor or a guide to see things from his point of view. The book uses excellent vocabulary and narrative tools to describe the characters and episodes at the same time ensuring the simplicity of chapters and text. Being a defence aspirant for a fair amount of time in my life, it was pretty easy relating myself to the characters Rashi, Mahesh and Tarun in certain ways and finally rejoicing and celebrating their victories over their past and shortcomings.  

The book is a motivating tool for the lot who look ahead to join the armed forces but, no disparity drawn, it is a book which will help each and every student regardless of their choice of ambition, to work and thrive towards reaching their goals. This book is sure to enrich all the students, aspirants and the younger generations to employ a broader and more detailed process of goal-setting and be more realistic in their efforts and preparations towards their desires. Simultaneously, the readers will understand the importance of manifestation and positive-thinking. This book takes you through a narrative of all the challenges one's pasts and traumas throw, and how a true opportunist will break all those shackles and choose not to be a prisoner of that past rather be the creator of his present.

P.S.: To all those who don’t know the author of this book happens to be my mentor. We initially started working together when I was thriving to reach a goal, I had envisioned for myself and he undeniably has an excellent career as an assessor for the same. Through the years of this work, we’ve crafted a bond for ourselves where he has become my first go-to person when I need guidance and fruitful self-talk whether it is about life, career, family, emotions and work. A “Guru-dakshina” for whose role in my life will forever be an underestimation of my gratitude and his dedication.

Life's Amazing Secrets

 

Book: “Life’s amazing secrets”

Author: Gaur Gopal Das

Publishing year: 2018

Review: Self-discovery is a miracle. Surely, the author must have felt one while making his debut as an author in the respective book. What really intrigued me to give a shot to this book were 2 different factors. First, being the title, well, who doesn’t likes secrets. Second, being the fact that the insights are coming from an electrical engineer turned monk.

The author weaves a brief testimonial which runs through the entire length of this book which navigates through the four different yet important wheels of vehicular life. The wheels namely are spiritual practice, association, character and service or simply put personal life, relationships, work life and social contribution.

He has cleverly use timings to add humorous flavors and make learning even more subtle. At the same time, exemplary use of simplicity makes it easy to read and deduce insights from.

A usual response to this book would otherwise have meant a disgusted expression or awkwardness by listeners. Who follows a monk these days? How would his teachings even be implementable in real corporate world? Well, seems like minimalistic way of life isn’t even important for a spiritual life. We don’t need to don saffron at all. We don’t need to sacrifice the luxuries and desires at all. What we need now is to understand basics to be authentic and logical, in our social conduct and otherwise. My valuable takeaways from the book will definitely be all those myths that were unveiled and normalized into real-time realities during the course. 

Today, in this busy life it’s very obvious to get entangled and confused between concrete aspects of life and let the emotions and stress flow to and fro. The book will certainly be a guiding light to finding balance in life i.e., in writer’s words between all the four wheels of life.

 

Grit: How to keep going when you want to give up

 Book: Grit: How to keep going when you want to give up

Author: Martin Meadows

Publishing year: 2015

Review: "A very small and  helpful guide." 

What I thought was going to be a follow-up from the same writer actually compelled me to finish first, maybe because 56 pages looked more accomplishable.

Do not confuse it for a motivational book, it is in every sense a simplified and authentical perception of failures and approach to self-discipline. A book full of well-defined methods and practices one could imbibe and thrive to reach the smallest to  biggest goals. My favourite  takeaway from this book is the ABCDE method I'm sure many haven't heard about, just like it was for me. 

The highlights of this work are:

1. Very simple words

2. Acknowledgment of various books and authors.

3. Very generic flow of solutions

4. Well organized with factors, reasons, and solutions.

5. Techniques, their names, origins, and hows' to follow. 

Last but not least, last chapter is ironically the dessert of a perfect meal. Getting insights from already accomplished yet thriving experts to share their secrets of persistence is the most intriguing part. But there's a tradition, desserts ought to be have had at the last.

The Miracle Morning (Part-I)

 Date: 12 January 2023

While keeping the book in my bag, I was reluctant whether I would be able to take some time out within such a short sojourn to read it. Much to my surprise, I completed the whole book on my return journey (i.e. on 14th January) and also took breaks listening to music.  Yes, the fastest I've ever taken to complete a book. Also, the reason it became even more important for me to add a personal note before I start talking reviews. 

While drafting, I realised that for a work as action-oriented as this one, the book review is incomplete unless implemented. I sensed that I expected a sequel for this book review from myself.  The sequel, however, would be with a deeper dive into the principles and paradigms proposed in this book, when my actions will have articulated what went into me through words and sentences. 

Book: THE MIRACLE MORNING

Author: Hal Elrod

Publisher: John Murray Learning

Year: 2016

An amazing book with very simple English and theme. The author starts with his own short biography, where he briefly talks about his life challenges and struggles. Then, he moves forward to explain how and what changed his life. 

The author has indeed learned from acclaimed sources and very enthusiastically presented his gratification to all the books and authors who have been a part of his transformational journey (especially, "Think and grow rich" by Napoleon Hill). 

A few notable features of the book that kept me energized throughout my read are:

1. Easy vocabulary (One would hardly need a dictionary to refer to.)

2. Very simplified methods (explained step by step with a sample procedure to follow).

3. Besides mentioning books that inspired him, the author has also suggested a few good books to enhance certain aspects of our lives (for me it was like a library within a book).

4. Every chapter begins with two beautiful and captivating thoughts from great people (which, of course, intrigues one to keep reading).

The book quite often brought a smile on my face. There were many learnings and fundamentals that sounded familiar to me. Credit goes to my mentor, who always kept repeating and reaffirming the importance of certain things that he imbibed from the book. 

Statements such as "how you do anything is how you do everything", "discipline creates lifestyle", "the day when you feel like not doing it, you should definitely do it", etc. (loads to mention), to me, were just like an awe moment to how meticulously he has remembered each of them and dissipated to us in an unfiltered and thorough manner.

The best takeaway I carry from here is "The biggest adventure you can ever take is to live the life of your dreams". 

Next War India Pakistan China

 Book: Next War India, Pakistan, China

Author: Dr NC Asthana, IPS

Publishing Year: 2017

"Very intense yet simplified" is how I would describe my experience of reading this book. Coming from someone who has authored 46 books and 76 research papers besides his dignified service as an IPS [a nuclear physicist and having extensive experience in intelligence and counterinsurgency operations in Kashmir, left-wing extremism and North-east]. Also, who adorns 7 medals and 7 commendation discs.

If not for this book, every Indian is bound to overlook many significant factors or atleast underestimate a few factors he or she may know to predict if we could ever go to war with our neighbors. This book is indeed a roller-coaster ride which will take one through all the overrated factors whether it be social, political, media related, strategies  thoughts, skills and mentality not just as Armies but as Nations too.

Excellent use of vocabulary, I must say, and occasional yet sarcastic humor.  This book definitely sticks to theme and demystifies all the misconceptions that we've borrowed from social medias' and informations (supporting public opinion and not actual facts) lacking authority.

Dr NC Asthana has cited various historical wars (not just between India, Pakistan or China but also, from the world history), practices, plans and strategies to pronouncingly declare, explain and justify his opinions which he has gained through his first-hand experience and research. 

War at sea, War on land or war mid-air,  presenting all the possibilities, various triggers, terrains and climates, complementary weapon-systems, inter-relations, dependencies, pursuits, intelligence, tanks, battle plan, counteracting, national interests and character, this book is a wholesome. Period.

Concluding on a very important and often unemphasized aspect of whether, we are ready for what comes forth, not just between the armies but between the nations involved. Well, we rightfully deserve this knowledge.

The Conquest of Worry

 Book: The Conquest of Worry

Author: Orison Swett Marden

Genre: Self-help

Year: 1961

"Efficiency is a matter of concentration. And concentration is only possible when the mind is free from worry and is harmonious.".

Aptly, as the name suggests, the book will take one through a pattern of worries, we people pursue in our average lives.  It explains the significance or insignificance of each in our lifestyle whether it be physical, mental or emotional.  The author puts emphasis on fabricating positive thoughts instead of trepidating situations, crisis, confusions, etc. 

He takes us through various life aspects such as health, examinations and interviews, expectations, parenting, inferiority complex, self-control, workaholics, sleeping patterns and so on, to explain the depth of our worry habits and how each of them should be encountered in their own specific ways. 

Some might draw a parallel of the book with the popular  "The secret" authored by Rhonda Byrne.  Although, I have a different opinion regarding the approaches they've subjected to "law of attraction".  Swett has remarkably pointed out the patterns we blindly follow and doubt our efficiency, capabilities and skills to achieve our ideals in elaborate pages of our lives and thus, keeps us from reaching the zenith of our potentials. 

At some points, however, I felt as though the sentences used a lot of vocabulary which were repetitive in their individual meanings and could have been brought down to enhance readability. 

Keeping the flaws aside, it was a good read which made me realize that even so many decades ago, people had same issues and worries, and although we might have excelled in every possible way, we still are in pursuit of "peace of mind" as badly as they did then.  The book ends with a conclusion in its very last chapter, what in true sense is "well-being". 

At last, I would like to mention a few inspiring quotes from the book "The Conquest of Worry".

We are placed into this world to do a certain task, and this task is never beyond our power, if we but realize the strength.

It's not what you've lost but what you still have left, it's the residue that will tell the story.