Putting out a list of one’s 10 best read books has
become a rage on the Facebook. I decided to list it out in a blog why I like
them the most? The list I have made is
in the importance of how each of these books changed my way of thinking. Some
of these books have been reviewed by me in my blog and hence the hyperlink has
been provided. A book I read becomes my favourite when a few concepts,
paragraphs, dialogues, etc. stay in my mind much after I have forgotten most of
what I read in it.
1.
Simpleology: The Simple Science of Getting What You
Want by Mark
Joyner
2. Getting Unstuck by
Timothy Butler
3. Museum
of Hoaxes by Alexe Boese
If
you think critically or want to develop critical thinking, this book is a must
read. It lists many hoaxes played on humanity from time immemorial. It should
serve as a warning to the gullible masses but alas even the most literate fall
prey to glib talkers.
4. The
Small Bachelor by PG Wodehouse
Who
would not like P G Wodehouse and as per the master himself this was one of
those books which came out easily. If you want a good laugh read this book, you
won’t be disappointed. A domineering wife Mrs Waddington; a hen pecked husband H
Sigsbee; George Finch; the know all Hamilton Bleamish; the butler & his
girlfriend. There is not one page of the book which does not contain a laugh
out loud moment. Officer Garroway is the star attraction for me in this book.
5. Catch
22 by Joseph Heller
Catch 22 is for me
more a representative of what happens in our offices day to day. The politics, nepotism
and favoritism of work places are liberally spread over this book as liberally
as snow on the Himalayas during winter. Read this and you will be looking for a
copy of this book.
There were three
members of the Action Board, the bloated colonel with the big fat moustache,
Lieutenant Schheisskopf and Major Metcalf, who was trying to develop a steely
gaze. As a member of the action board, Lieutenant Schheisskopf was one of the
judges who would weigh the merits of the case against Clevinger as presented by
the prosecutor. Lieutenant Schheisskopf was also the prosecutor. Clevinger had
an officer defending him. The officer defending him was Lieutenant Schheisskopf
6. The
Devil’s Dictionary by Ambrose Bierce
Given that I love Satire and Sarcasm,
this book had to be in my favorite’s list. Written decades ago, the sarcasm in
this book is still relevant.
7. Decline
and Fall by Evelyn Waugh
This
book is absolutely riveting and mocks the English society. Waugh, another chronicler of
the English aristocracy, half a generation younger, shares a lot of turf with
Wodehouse, but he worked in a more melancholy vein. Waugh observed the sunset
of the English upper classes. For Wodehouse the sun was fixed eternally at
noon. (I read this compliment on the web).
8. Eats,
Shoots & Leaves by Lynne Truss
Did
someone tell you grammar is serious stuff? They said the same thing to me and I
believed it till this book came into my life. My grammar has ever since started
improving.
9. Serious
Men by Manu Joseph
Do
you believe that a lot of serious work takes place in our R&D institutions?
Do you believe that there is no cut-throat politics in such institutions? Do
you believe Dalits are not discriminated in such institutions? If yes, put
aside your bias and read this book written humorously with an open mind written
by Manu Joseph who is in the know of things, your opinion will change
10. The White Tiger by
Arvind Adiga
I should not be liking
this book but somehow I have read it many a times. It is dark satire with not
even a single character with a semblance of positivity. I read this book first
in a phase of my life when used to feel that everything was wrong with this
world, maybe, that’s why I like this book so much.
