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Book Review- How Women Rise by Sally Helgesen and Marshall Goldsmith

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“Please don’t be too hard on yourself” — “Women are much harder on themselves than men are. They tend to worry more about their perceived faults and feel greater pressure to improve. This can be useful because it makes you willing to change. But getting caught up in self-reproach, or beating yourself up for being a flawed human being, is always counterproductive. You can’t lead, and you can’t make helpful improvements in your behavior, if you’re constantly berating yourself”.- Marshall Goldsmith. Despite being an avid reader my whole life, I have never said no to reading any self-help or self-development type of book. I am a big fan of improving my current version, which requires constant reminders, and what a good way for the books to remind me of what is required next. One such self-help book recommended by a friend was the last read titled “How Women Rise”. This women-specific book that attempts to "tell” how to tailor a woman's “professional suit.” For me, the...

Book Review- All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover

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The book was a great one-day read! I completed it recently while travelling to Jaipur. This was the typical Collen Hoover novel presenting yet another stigma from society - Infertility and how it brings a stall into the lives of married couples. The story delves into the complexities of love, marriage, and the struggles a couple faces in their journey to find happiness. The book alternates between past and present, telling the story of Quinn and Graham—how they met, the promises they made, and their current struggles in a troubled marriage. It artfully presents the pain they experience, making it feel very real. All Your Perfects did a wonderful job capturing the ups and downs of the storyline! It beautifully reflects the chaos we often experience, filled with moments of confusion, heartache, and insecurity. It’s a reminder that everyone makes mistakes and sometimes feels like giving up, because none of us are perfect and we all go through tough times. The book is a recomme...

Book Review- The Door-To-Door Bookstore by Carsten Henn

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  “It has been said that books find their own readers—but sometimes they need someone to show them the way.” A wonderful colleague of mine introduced me to this amazing book, and I'm really thankful to her for it! It's all about the love of books, and I couldn't be happier to have discovered it. Without any spoilers, let me share an exhilarating glimpse into this captivating book!  Meet Carl Christian Kollhoff, a 72-year-old bookseller with a unique mission: he delivers carefully selected books to his special customers under the enchanting glow of moonlight. Each evening, he curates tales that perfectly resonate with the unique personalities of his clients. But one fateful night, Carl's world turns upside down when he encounters the lively and sharp-witted nine-year-old Charlotte, who introduces herself as Schascha. Their dynamic sparks a thrilling adventure that not only transforms the lives of Carl’s customers but also intertwines their destinies in ways t...

Book review- Noise: A Flaw in Human Judgment Book by Daniel Kahneman, Olivier Sibony and Cass R. Sunstein

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“Most of us, most of the time, live with the unquestioned belief that the world looks as it does because that’s the way it is." Understanding the distinction between bias and noise in systems is crucial for our life, mind and peace of heart!  I decided to buy this book on the spot for two compelling reasons: first, my outstanding experience with Daniel Kahneman's earlier work, " Thinking fast and slow ," made me eager for more. Second, the pervasive noisy environments surrounding us highlight the need for insights to help me navigate decisions more effectively. In "Noise," Daniel Kahneman, Cass R. Sunstein, and Olivier Sibony illustrate how noise plays a significant role in causing errors across various fields, including medicine, law, economic forecasting, police behaviour, food safety, bail decisions, airport security checks, strategy, and personnel selection. Although noise is present whenever people make judgments and decisions, individuals and ...

Book Review- The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

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I hesitated for far too long to pick up this book, primarily out of a lingering fear that I wouldn’t enjoy it as much as  Palace of Illusions  by the same author. Sadly, that fear turned out to be justified. It’s not that the writing is subpar; in fact, it’s far from it. The narrative is a remarkable blend of literary, mythological, and fictional elements, showcasing the author’s talent. However, my inner self struggled to connect with the portrayal of a fragile and emotional Sita. The depth of her character didn’t resonate with me, leaving me feeling somewhat unfulfilled in my reading experience. For me, "Sita" embodies the essence of a master strategist! Choosing the forest wasn’t just an emotional decision; it was a calculated move that showcased her brilliance. Raised in a society where women played pivotal roles in governance, she emerged as a fierce warrior. Her unyielding spirit in the face of Ravana’s threats reveals her incredible bravery. Sita is truly a...

Book Review- Positive Intelligence by Shirzad Chamine

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This self-help book can be succinctly summarized as " repackaging old wine in a new bottle ". We Indians have a solid philosophical background and, although, the terms used in this book are new, the basic theme behind them is an age-old Hindu concept which, I guess, is not new for Indian reader.  The book basically says to trust to inner voice/gut (“ sage ”, a term used in the book) when kama (Desire/Lust), Krodha (Anger), Lobha (Greed), Maya (Ego), Moha (Attachment),  Matsarya (Jealousy) and Alasya (laziness) -aka “ saboteurs ”, a term used in the book, start controlling mann ; as Mann (“ judge ”, a term used in the book) later start dictating the life decisions if left uncontrolled. The book does a great job of showing how to shift from a "Saboteur mode" to a "Sage mode" mindset. It explains how to apply positive intelligence and resilience in everyday life using relatable case studies and practical exercises. The book outlines di...

You are special (Advice to my kids)

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Disclaimer- This post is part of the trait-series-for-kids , which I began to search and write for my kids in 2019. With this series of blog posts containing knowledge-slash-experience, I pray from the almighty that our kids have a simple and magical life. The contents of the series are the outcome of some research, readings, first-hand experiences, and self-reflection. Dear Mwana (s) (son in Kenya)!      A s you grow up, life throws all kinds of unexpected stuff at you. You try your best to figure out why things happen and what you can learn from them. Believe me, today, watching you question things and come up with your innocent, unique observations gives me a great chance to learn from you. This blog post is a reminder from your mom that you're one of a kind. Your thoughts, ideas, and actions are totally unique to you, and no one can do things quite like you. I really mean it, and its not just because I'm your mom. So, no matter what anyone says, always sta...