My Top 10 Books - 2021

 Hello Everyone

It’s that time of the year when lists come out, whatever it be about it has to be a list. I just thought this year I too would do a list. Why not? So here it is, my list of top 10 books that I have read this year.

These are not the books released this year but the books I have read during the year irrespective of when they released. Many you will know that I have a personal goal of reading 36 or more books in the year. These consist of books (as we know them) kindle editions and even audiobooks (my new muse). I am picking my top 10 of the year for you. If you have already read them and have an opinion, feel free to share with me, and if you have not read but the review does interest you then add it to your reading list for 2022.

The top 10 List for 2021: (Ratings are purely mine and have no external benchmark.) 

 

•   The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah- Rating 9.5/10 - Paperback 

My Review: A book I read a year after I was gifted the book and what a read it turned out to be. What a story!!!. A tale based on real incidents, one that had to be told and made me think why more people have not written about the role women played in the second world war. The women had an equally important role to play, and they also truly served those who remained behind and truly lived through the war. If you (like me) cry while reading the books, then last 50 pages will need many a handkerchief. Heartfelt yet tough yet tender. All I can say is if you have not read it then go for it. Make it a definite read.

•   The Spy and the traitor: The greatest espionage story of the cold war by Ben Macintyre – Rating: 9.5/10 -Audio Book 

My Review: If you have grown up reading thrillers, let me assure you this real-life story beats all thrillers hands down. It is a true story and yet you are on the edge almost every page you turn. A part of history, an event like very few others in the history of espionage. Hats off to MI6 team for standing by their man till the end. If you want to begin your audio book journey this can be a perfect first book. In real life when you think you have a fairy tale ending think again for we all have our own ideas about how we would like it to end.

•   Real Life by Brandon Taylor - Rating: 9/ 10 - Paperback 

My review: A book that must be read many times as once is not enough. I say this because book is layered multiple times over. It has layers of race, sexuality, aspiration, friendship and relationships. A book about struggle of knowing and finding oneself. A book that shares as much as it is silent about. A book that is restless yet moves at its own pace. A thinking person’s book that will give a lot to you yet take something away as it touches you.

•   Anxious People by Fredrick Backman – Rating: 8.5/10 - Hardback 

My Review: A book about nothing yet everything. A story that is about randomness and the chaos it seemingly creates but as they say in chaos and randomness lies the order for those who have the ability to see it. An interesting bunch of characters that make you laugh, frustrate you, excite you, are wicked and mean and yet when you look back you can see the connection which always existed. If you are a Blackman fan it’s time to pick it up if you have not yet. (For the uninitiated he is the same author who wrote - A man called Ove)

•   Elon Musk by Ashlee Vance – Rating: 8/10 – Audio Book 

My Review: I have been wanting to read about Elon Musk for some time and after some finding decided to pick up with book by Ashley Vance. I am so glad I did. This book will absolutely open your mind and inspire you to dream. It is a book about dreaming big, challenging the norms, about Elon’s conviction in self. A fair representation of Elon’s challenges, his dreams, his self-belief, his idiosyncratic attitude, his erratic way of working and yet his clarity and mantras of success. It also left me with a question- Do  successful entrepreneurs need to be brutal? Go read it if you want to know about the man who has the power to influence the fortune of almost everything by a measly tweet and is also the Time Person of year 2021.

•   Swimming in the Dark by Tomasz Jedrowski -Rating: 8/10 - Kindle 

My Review: It’s a book that had been on my Wishlist and wanted to read for many many years and finally one day I just got to it or as I opened my kindle it just called out. A story set in cold war era Poland depicts the challenges life and forbidden love faces in communist Poland. It details how life was behind the iron curtain but is a love story and not a political essay. A prose that is beautiful to read, lyrical at times and truly heartfelt. Written in the voice of the protagonist yet holds the reader at every page and is like a journey where survival triumphs love.

•   Alchemy: The surprising power of ideas that don’t make sense by Rory Sutherland- Rating 8/10 Paperback 

My Review: A book about stories of interplay between logic and behavioural patterns. It talks about kinds of logic, when to do more and when to do nothing at all. It is about sitting up, reading, noticing things around you, paying attention to ideas and patterns that make absolutely no sense yet can be the answer to the questions we all are facing and would make life easier for you and me. Challenge yourself go read it. Will surely make you think more and observe more.

•   Still Life: A graphic Novel by Anoushka khan – Rating: 8/10 - Hardback 

My Review: I have discovered the graphic novels in last 18-24 months in a big way and this one truly stood out and moved me by the power of storytelling. A story so simple, told with emotions and pain and so so much longing that it tugs you. A love story that says so little, leaves so much unsaid and yet the reader knows it and feels it.

•   American Kingpin: The epic hunt for the criminal mastermind behind the Silk Road by Nick Bilton - Rating: 8/10 -Audio book 

My Review: A book as you keep reading you keep saying could not be true, did this actually happen, how come I never heard of it earlier? You marvel at the story and question it at the same time. I could not decide if Ross was a mastermind or just plain naive and idealist? Am still left with many questions like why did Ross not vanish, or give up or go away? This is one book where I wish Ross Albright would one day write his side of the story and answer the questions. It made me follow him on Twitter despite him being in prison.

•   Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Start-up by John Carreyrou - Rating: 7.5/10 Audio book

My Review: A story about a start-up, its rise and rise and rise and then the mighty fall. Unbelievable and so unreal that it amazes you that it actually happened. A female founder who is feted and celebrated by the world as a star only to be surprised by the blackholes. A real-life story of fake it till you make it at its best. Also, a superb example of how and when founders lose their moral compass. Read it for knowing how you can fool all the people and almost, just almost get away. A tad too long for comfort but then investigative books do go into details. You can also follow the Trail of the founder currently underway in US courts 

 

As I started to write I thought I would struggle to find my top 10 and now I am struggling to limit the list to top 10. If you want to know, more feel free to go to Goodreads and look up my list.

 

Thank you for reading the blog and wish you a super reading 2022.

 

 

 

Goodbye Sir!

Dear NNR,

Its been 13 days today and I have thought of you every day. Ever since I heard the news I was like wish I had another chance to speak to you. I know it is not possible to have that conversation so instead I have decided to write a letter to you hoping that it will get to you. 

I still remember the day you had first come to campus to administer a test for placement and I was a hopeful student sitting in the hall writing it, hoping to make it. As president of the college body I did get to interact with the SB team (Yes I had joined when it was still SB) but don’t remember if I had any conversation with you in specific other that you were an alumnus.

We started to interact after you had returned from Thailand stint and I was doing the HR manager role for north sales. Then one day I got to know that I will be working with you directly in the HO doing a role I knew very little about. Those 2 years were great learning and you like true leader gave me the opportunity to do some path breaking work. You shared my disappointment when I was told due to my grade I could not go to the HR offsite to Colombo though I had done all the work for the HR survey that was the basis of the offsite. You like a true leader not only ensured credit came my way despite my absence but also convinced the Sri Lankan Head of HR that he should offer me a project assignment  to work with Sri Lankan business. My first overseas journey and work experience. The joy in my eyes was truly reflected by your smile on seeing it. You have no idea what impact this one thing has had on me and I have paid it forward many a times with many young people in my team.

Our mutual liking for Thai food has been a reason for many meals we shared. Those were times when we spoke openly about issues, views and what we actually thought of people always wishing no one overheard us. Our discussions, jokes, funny anecdotes and stories always made us look forward to next meal as soon as one ended.  Every time I have a good Thai meal I have remembered you and in our next conversation told you about it and even going forward I don’t think I will ever eat one without remembering you. I hope they serve good Thai food in heaven.  

As a leader I still remember our discussion about work like balance wherein you would and I would discuss our views which greatly differed at that time of no laptops and email on mobile times. I later on many times told you how I had modified the thinking and you quietly smiled as if saying I knew experience will bring you around. But thank you for letting me go swimming in the evenings, on the Rooftop of the plaza tower office and then letting me finish work in my tracks post that.

I hope you have had a chance to meet Princess Diana in the heaven. Our mutual liking for her has been only between us and a little known fact. Next time when you speak to her please do tell her about me (I am sure you would have already done). I have had that silver spoon with me for years, the one you got for me when you had gone to London and visited her grave. I have made many visits to London and been thinking of doing the same but never got to. I always said to myself I will also get something for you when I go there but it was never to be. Anyways now that you are a fellow traveler with her enjoy the time and company.

NNR I still remember the conversation you and I had when I was deciding to take up the Aviva Job of Head of HR.  You ended by saying 2 things – its time Amit for you to take that step and do the big job and remember I am there for you 24X7 if you ever need me. I did call you within 45 days feeling lost about an issue and you were in Guhwati and made time to have a long late night conversation. When I took over the business role you told me that’s the way to go and telling me people who get Head of HR jobs early can only do it for a certain period of time. When I called to tell you about the CEO role, I could hear the joy and pride in your voice. Like always, you and I agreed to have a Thai celebration once covid was over and I owe that party to you. 

Diwali will never be the same for us. Having breakfast at your place had become a ritual that all of us Surbhi & boys looked forward to. I know you also looked forward because every time I called before to fix, you would just say yes on Diwali day and that was it. It was like you always telling us, you are family and we always felt it.

You were always so proud of Sandeep and Monica. Every time we spoke you would fill me in on them and I loved to see the father in you always. My constantly teasing you of the time you would not let Sandeep drive the Audi, you in your own way sharing without saying how you missed both kids as they were away from home and finding their own path. 

Not many have known of us to be really close. Its something both of us never much talked about with others. Both of us liked to keep it that way and as I now think back as to why? I have no answer and actually don’t need one too.

I am sure that heavens are treating you well and looking after you.

Its time to let you go NNR, to let you know that you will be missed and remembered. I will cherish our times together always.

Goodbye my boss, my guide and my friend. Till we meet again on the other side for a good Thai meal and long conversation.

Rest in Peace.