“It’s not what you will get out of the book that is so enriching — it is what the books will get out of you that will ultimately change your life. Books do not teach you anything new.”
Excerpt from the book — ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’
I wasn’t a book reader until two years ago. Except for the prescribed textbooks, not that I have read them cover to cover, and a few blogs, I had not read a single book. Of course, I had tried to read a book but was never successful. I paused and stopped many books I had started reading, and somehow it never caught my interest though I knew the endless advantages of reading one. I had asked for the best book suggestions and scrolled the list of best books online, but none interested me long. The magazines with colorful photographs in between seemed the least books I would be interested in.
The COVID lockdown left few options for entertainment, and books were more accessible. I attempted to read a book or two and tried a few genres, but I couldn’t stick to the habit of reading a book yet. My initial idea of reading a book was to turn all the pages from cover to cover, and I pushed hard but only to realize that it bored me more than a blue day. The lockdown also made us travel-thirsty, which made me look up some magnificent photographs of cities, mountains, rivers, valleys, and oceans. While the pictures kept me enticed, their descriptions gave a significant context. During this hopscotch of finding what interests me, I stumbled upon the movie ‘Seven Years in Tibet.’ The film caught all my senses and quenched my thirst to travel to a large extent. We rode off to Munnar on our motorbike after the week of watching the film, but their snippets still streamed in my mind. Knowing that the film was based on actual incidents, I looked for more details until I found and ordered the book on which the film was based. The book portrayed a much more detailed description which I relished more than the film. I had found my interest — travel-adventure seemed to be my favorite genre for reading a book. Later I read — Into the Thin Air, High Adventure: The True Story of the First Ascent of Everest, Tiger of the Snows: The Autobiography of Tenzing of Everest, and many more.
The travel-adventure books never let me stop reading. I also realized that the books around nature, general writings, and short stories interested me. Broadly, reading about peoples’ experiences seemed particularly interesting. I read a few books by Ruskin Bond and Sudha Murty. I have enjoyed Ruskin Bond’s books and reread several of his chapters for pleasure. I have struggled with self-help books and books heavy on content, so I have restrained myself to those I enjoy reading for the time being.
“… you seem to be full of your own ideas. And how can any more go in… until you first empty your cup?”
Another excerpt from the book — ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’
Books have helped me better realize what I know is just a grain of salt. It has helped me to talk less and listen better, for the books have more to speak and so does the other person. It has humbled me but, at the same time, filled me with a profound confidence that I had not experienced before. Reading has helped me realize that a situation has several perspectives like the authors describe something which may not have come to my mind. I have understood that there are differences that I have to affirm and acknowledge because we are different in our own ways.
Reading a book in a park, under a tree, near a lake, and while traveling has exaggerated the pleasure of reading. I would continue to read for pleasure. It allows me to enjoy an addictive high, a deep concentration level, which I had never experienced earlier, almost meditative.
What is your experience reading a book? Have you developed an indulgence in reading?
Here is the opinion of 2 people on the benefits of reading a book -
Raveesh Sharma
“My name Is Raveesh. I would describe myself as a workaholic. When I am not working, I am with my four-year-old son role-playing as an elephant or taking a stroll through Lalbagh.”
What’s in reading a book?
Knowledge and a chance to lose myself in the author’s world.
What are some of the best books you have read that you recommend?
- Tuesdays with Morrie
- True Dummy
- Fault in Our Stars
- Autobiography of a Yogi
- Atomic Habits
- Make Time
- Left for Dead
Madhukara S Putty
What’s in reading a book?
I have been reading books since I was in primary school, and the reasons for reading books have evolved since then. My first book was 80 ದಿನಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರಪಂಚ ಪ್ರವಾಸ — Kannada translation of Jules Verneʼs classic ʼAround the world iṅ 80 daysʼ. I read it because my father gave it to me! I also remember reading Kannada translations of ‘Coral Island’ and ‘20000 Leagues under the Sea’. I liked the latter so much that I wanted to be a mariner myself! For many years, I didn’t expect anything from a book. I just read them for fun, and I am not like that any more. Now, I read only those books that are ‘useful’ to me. Therefore, the books I read are either directly related to what I want to do for the next decade or so, or they help me improve my approach to life. The consequence of this filtering is quite spectacular: for the next few years, my grand plan is to read three chapters from two text books on physics! Nothing else. I might wander once in a while, but a significant part of my reading time will be spent on those two books. Also, my reading moves at a snail’s pace because I make notes all the way. Until I write, I don’t understand anything I read (Corollary: If a book doesn’t demand note taking, it’s not worth reading!). This approach to reading is quite boring but it is also a recognition of the fact that it is impossible to study multiple areas at great depth.
What are some of the best books you have read that you recommend?
- ‘Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance’ by Angela Duckworth. This book argues that, in the long run, perseverance is more important than talent. This book was an eye-opener for me.
- ‘Verses for the Brave’ by Roddam Narasimha. This is a collection of the English translation of selected verses from Yoga Vasishtha, a Sanskrit work whose author is unknown. It is supposed to be a conversation between a young but dejected Rama and his celebrated Guru Vasishtha. What I like is the author’s emphasis on analysis (ವಿಚಾರ) and self-effort (ಪೌರುಷ) , and his/her strong denial of fate. This is a breath of fresh air at a time when Indian philosophical texts are routinely quoted for their fatalistic view of life.
- ‘As others see us’ by S N Balagangadhara. This is about how our colonial past has influenced the way we look at our own culture. This is a tough book and you need to take breaks in between. This is also an eye-opener for me.
What is your thought about reading a book? What are your recommendations?
