Ekta | wisdomekta

So, I read this one along with "21 Lessons for the 21st Century" (reviewed last week) and found an exciting connection. Both books are optimistic about the future. Both books advocate the urgency of the “new-ness” required in the world and pave a new path for the existing world. "A World of Three Zeros: The New Economics of Zero Poverty, Zero Unemployment, and Zero Net Carbon Emissions", a book by the winner of the Nobel Peace Prize, Muhammad Yunus, presents the case for social business with lots of examples and proposals for economic reform, far from impractical and a thought-cum-action provoking book. The book widely dictates the successful economic experiments done by the writer and others, especially in Bangladesh's Grameen Bank, to offer a framework for using human capital to solve problems such as poverty, environmental degradation and unemployment. The exciting part is when he questions Adam Smith’s assumption that a “human being is basically...

'A wise old man was asked what he learned about the meaning of life. ‘Well,’ he answered, ‘I have learned that I am here on earth in order to help other people. I still haven’t figured out why the other people are here.’ Liberty, equality, community, civilisation- what does this all mean?  Are we ever free or just merely posing for the same?  Are we reliving the matrix world (the movie)… what about our thinking system…are we independent there? This is an utterly fantastic book, the second book I have read by Yuval Harari. It is a perfect book to challenge everything around us…be it the information read, seen or heard, or individual core beliefs.. it opens our minds and broadens our horizons. The book validates one perspective of mine, i.e., the information is slowly converting into a humongous amount of data, making it impossible to focus on anything in particular, leading our mind into a 'paralytic zone'. The book indicates that, as humans, we have to give up ...

Action. Drama. Plot. Twists. This latest read with an exciting title, “The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo”, was the perfect “time pass” novel. I found this book to be un-put-downable, addictive, heartfelt time travel in Hollywood—a story of Old Hollywood that's simultaneously gossipy and poignant. Ready to share her life story, recluse Evelyn Hugo chooses unknown and unconfident reporter Monique Grant to write her biography full of Hollywood glamour and scandal. Invited to Evelyn’s home, Monique listens to Evelyn recall her life of fame, fortune, failed relationships, the journey of deceit, humiliation, friendship, and forbidden love. As Evelyn nears the end of her story, her life crosses with Monique’s heartbreakingly. The book is written in mixed prose, varying from Monique’s point of view to flashbacks as Evelyn recalls past events. The novel also includes ‘articles’, which makes it feel like the reader is living in that time, reading a celebrity gossip page. I recomm...

This read happens to be the parting gift from my office senior cum friend. Even before I began reading it, the book title and I agreed on the single point that listening (through both ears and visually) is required to understand the conversation and the meaning behind the spoken (and unspoken) words. In a world that is glued to the screen and where emotions are getting a reel trend without any real feeling, listening is the rarest of commodities.  Despite acknowledging that listening is crucial for a successful and fulfilling life, this is yet another trait that has yet to be taught formally in academics. “At work, we’re taught to lead the conversation. On social media, we shape our personal narratives. At parties, we talk over one another. So do our politicians. We’re not listening. And we are still waiting for someone to listen to us.” Kate Murphy depicts the problem of not-listening in an elaborate and well-researched manner. She also presents the ways of imbibing th...

Beste zonen ( Dear Sons in Dutch),      I am preparing you to be brave and face the worldly challenge with patience in heart. But the experiences are different for everyone, and I also understand you will face your set of challenges in life. During those times, I urge you to be brave enough to seek help without hesitation.      Recently, while waiting for a flight at Mumbai airport, I overheard a loud conversation that automatically reached my ears. The conversation went like this- ….. Person A- “My sister never help me.” Person B- “Why, what happened…” Person A - “Ärey I helped her so much as soon as she asked me, but she was not there for me when I required.” Person B- “But did you even bother to ask her or seek help by direct communication” Person A- “Well, she should have understood; why do I need to ask her. She is my family and must know what I need then.” …..      I kept thinking about this conversation on my flight, realising...

Believe. Be Different. Journey on unknown paths. Courage. Acceptance. In the days of social-media-wok-ism when everyone (including myself) seems to be in a rigorous search for self, peace, purpose and meaning in life, this re-read of “The Witch of Portobello” by Paulo Coelho gave a fresh insight on spirituality, love, life and hope.  Coelho's books offer an incredible journey not only into the plot of his story but also into the self-discovery of his reader. The Witch of Portobello is the story of a mysterious woman named Athena, aka Sherine, who, at the onset of the novel, has been brutally murdered. The rest of the book is filled with transcripts of interviews with different people in her life- her mother, her ex-husband, a lover journalist, an actress who despised her, her teacher, and others- who claim to know her well—or hardly at all presenting the complex and differing views of “who Athena is” through the eyes of all the characters. As I read this book, I though...

To Kill a Mockingbird, a novel by Harper Lee, was gentle advice from a fellow (in fact… senior ) reader who, after going through my blog post “book review- Siblings without Rivalry” dated 15.04.2023, suggested an “odd” book for “unconventional” parenting tips. The book was already on my to-read list, and I instantly grabbed it. The decision and the suggestion to read this book were fruitful. This 1960-released book was a refreshing treat to my mind and heart as it deals with critical issues most humbly. The plot and characters are loosely based on Harper Lee's observations of her family, her neighbours and an event near her hometown of Monroeville, Alabama, in 1936, when she was ten. The protagonist is Jean Louise (“Scout”) Finch, an intelligent and curious though uncustomary girl who ages from six to nine years old during the course of the novel. She is raised with her brother, Jeremy Atticus (“Jem”), by their widowed father, Atticus Finch. Atticus Finch is a prominent...