The book I am reading currently

rdst_1 said:
I used to read a lot since I was a kid, right upto my second year in college. And then I got a PC and started watching instead of reading. I had finished the whole library that was in my vicinity in Chandigarh and during summer holidays, used to read 3-4 books a day. Also used to read Harry Potter books in one go on the day of the launch itself.
I have tried getting back to reading, but find it harder to do with digital format and I have no access to a local library anymore and can't buy so many books either. Trouble with reading on phone is that there are other distractions as well. Reading speed has always been very good and I don't think it has deteriorated despite no practice in the last decade and a half. I have picked up Dune because of the movie and it's a famous novel series as well. Have always felt that books are better than movies. Only 'Harry Potter' movies were ok because they copied the books verbatim. Let's see how it goes. It's much easier to leave the book mid-way when reading on a phone than, when reading a hardcover.
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I have generally found that once I have reached a certain momentum, the medium(phone or physical) doesn't matter. Though it is easier to do this for easily digestible books.
 
Thanks to the Kindle. 2021.
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Private Life of the Mughals is showing as an audio book. I read it. Some error on Goodreads.
rdst_1 said:
I used to read a lot since I was a kid, right upto my second year in college. And then I got a PC and started watching instead of reading. I had finished the whole library that was in my vicinity in Chandigarh and during summer holidays, used to read 3-4 books a day. Also used to read Harry Potter books in one go on the day of the launch itself.
I have tried getting back to reading, but find it harder to do with digital format and I have no access to a local library anymore and can't buy so many books either. Trouble with reading on phone is that there are other distractions as well. Reading speed has always been very good and I don't think it has deteriorated despite no practice in the last decade and a half. I have picked up Dune because of the movie and it's a famous novel series as well. Have always felt that books are better than movies. Only 'Harry Potter' movies were ok because they copied the books verbatim. Let's see how it goes. It's much easier to leave the book mid-way when reading on a phone than, when reading a hardcover.
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See if you can invest in a Kindle. My reading has gone up big time. Though the biggest factor is taking out distraction free time. I put in a solid 2H early mornings due to WFH and not having to drive/get ready for office. After getting a Kindle I have a full pipeline of authors (yes I now read author wise vs. title). :)
 
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soulweaver said:
@asingh which one would you rate the best book you've read? @jiith77 same question for you too. I am just looking at expanding my reading horizon. :)
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1) Kafka on the Shore
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Kafka on the Shore

Kafka on the Shore, a tour de force of metaphysical reality, is powered by two remarkable characters: a teenage boy, Kafka Tamura, who ru...
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My first Haruki Murakami. Wont be the last.

2) Never Split the Difference
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Never Split the Difference

A former FBI hostage negotiator offers a new, field-tested approach to negotiating – effective in any situation. After a stint policing ...
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Definitely the new classic on negotiation. This one makes the earlier classic ( getting to yes) no longer relevant except for buzz words.

3) China's Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know
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China's Economy: What Everyone Needs to Know

China's What Everyone Needs to Know is a concise intro…
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Gives a birds eye view of China’s economic policies till Xi. Also clears a lot of myths surrounding China - like Chinese growth economy was capitalist, China is less corrupt or that deng xiaoping copied Singapore model.

4) The Happiness Hypothesis
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The Happiness Hypothesis

In his widely praised book, award-winning psychologist Jonathan Haidt examines the world’s philosophical wisdom through the lens of psych...
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Second Jonathan Haidt book . The first one - Righteous mind - is highly recommended for anyone who is less tolerant of the views of right.
This one is nothing path breaking but has an interesting view on what drives human happiness. Most interesting bit being about religious philosophy and its positive impact on happiness.
 
Thank you for the write up @jiith77 Definitely a nice peek into my least read genre of the least read genre (NF, Self Help). I am just veering towards NF, albeit books about Science (Life, Physics, Climate). But your writeup are interesting.
 
soulweaver said:
Thank you for the write up @jiith77 Definitely a nice peek into my least read genre of the least read genre (NF, Self Help). I am just veering towards NF, albeit books about Science (Life, Physics, Climate). But your writeup are interesting.
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I haven't read anything on climate. Maybe none under Life as well.

For Physics - Reality is not what it seems - is brilliant
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Reality is Not What it Seems: The Journey to Quantum Gr…

From the best-selling author of Seven Brief Lessons on …
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What i have listed earlier were best books from what i read last year. Most loved ones were probably fictions read during school years (Ludlum, King etc)
 
A few of the best books about life and science I have read are

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The Ends of the World

As new groundbreaking research suggests that climate change played a major role in the most extreme catastrophes in the planet's history,...
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Book about mass extinctions that life has beaten to survive. A book everyone should read


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Life on Earth

In this unique book, David Attenborough has undertaken …
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Attenborough at his finest. This is a diary of life and evolution. Massive in scope but succinct, mesmerising, and with stunning pictures. It is a must for everyone who loves to unravel the mysteries of life.

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Measuring the World

The young Austrian writer Daniel Kehlmann conjures a brilliant and gently comic novel from the lives of two geniuses of the Enlightenment...
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A fun book on the life of eccentric German scientists. In gives a peek into how minds of scientists work!

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The Hidden Life of Trees

The Hidden Life of Trees: What They Feel, How They Communicate – Discoveries from a Secret World. In The Hidden Life of Trees, Peter Woh...
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Giving the hardiest forms of life on the planet the respect they deserve.

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Poincare's Prize

With a reclusive and eccentric hero, dramatic turns, and a million-dollar payoff, Poincaré's Prize is the stuff of great fiction. Amazing...
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A dive into the world of mathematics and the reclusive eccentrics the area of study gives rise to!

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The Elegant Universe: Superstrings, Hidden Dimensions, …

Brian Greene, one of the world's leading string theoris…
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String Theory Ahoy!

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Humankind: A Hopeful History

From the author of Utopia For Realists, a revolutionary…
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The book that absolutely rains on the parades of every known socio-psychological research of the past century. A book well worth reading.

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Sapiens

100,000 years ago, at least six human species inhabited the earth. Today there is just one. Us. Homo sapiens. How did our species succe...
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Who hasn't heard of this one?

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The Soul of an Octopus

In pursuit of the wild, solitary, predatory octopus, popular naturalist Sy Montgomery has practiced true immersion journalism. From New E...
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Respect to what could quite possibly the most over evolved being the planet has ever witnessed!
 
jiith77 said:
Most loved ones were probably fictions read during school years (Ludlum, King etc)
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Robert Ludlum's books are among my favourites. For me his best were The Matarese Circle and its sequel The Matarese Countdown. The Covert One series authored by him were good as well.
 
ibose said:
Robert Ludlum's books are among my favourites. For me his best were The Matarese Circle and its sequel The Matarese Countdown. The Covert One series authored by him were good as well.
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The first Ludlum i read was also my favorite Ludlum - Bourne Identity. That was one of those rare ones where i loved both novel and movie adaptations.

The Matarese ones were also good. However i dont think i have read covert one series. Had quit reading Ludlum by then.
 
ibose said:
Robert Ludlum's books are among my favourites. For me his best were The Matarese Circle and its sequel The Matarese Countdown. The Covert One series authored by him were good as well.
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Ludlum and Forsyth were staple during the school days. I was surprised to see Covert One being good--when they were collaborative in nature regarding Ludlum. The Bourne series are so different to the movies, and much longer in nature and context. Though if you liked racy spy thrillers with exemplary 'trade craft', try David Morell. He is absolute king, absolute. Author of First Blood!
 
asingh said:
Ludlum and Forsyth were staple during the school days. I was surprised to see Covert One being good--when they were collaborative in nature regarding Ludlum. The Bourne series are so different to the movies, and much longer in nature and context. Though if you liked racy spy thrillers with exemplary 'trade craft', try David Morell. He is absolute king, absolute. Author of First Blood!
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I liked the original Covert Ones though. Bourne were the most popular ones he wrote but I somehow found his earlier works better. Thanks for the suggestion of David Morell. Its been part of my rather long bucket list.
I would strongly recommend I am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. That was unputdownable.
 
Going through "The Third Wave" by Alvin Toeflar for second time , will move on to Powershift By Toeflar once i am done with the present one .
 
A couple of them:

1. The Psychology of Money as a weekend leisure reading by Morgan Housel, as I'm looking to understand the stock markets.
2. Wisdom of the Rishis: The Three Upanishads: Ishavasya, Kena & Mandukya by Sri M after work. Helps me relax.
 
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