***
With no prejudice whatsoever, here are the five books that I fortunately happened to encounter. There are many more that could have been in the list. And there are many more waiting to be read and assimilated.
Its all about following your dream. A simple story woven around a simple theme. The simplicity is what astonishes us. Talks about certain ways of life that can be considered most natural, but sadly and unfortunately forgotten. For those of us daring to dream, or simply put, having the courage the dream, it is better to follow the dream and bear with the consequences rather than live with that regret.
An enquiry into the past as Alex Haley traces his roots back to Africa. A deeply moving book. We often wonder about our ancestry and for Alex Haley, this daring adventure would have been both satisfying and horrendous (courtesy the cruelties heaped on his ancestors). Provides valuable insights into the psychology of the individual.
The only romantic novel to feature in this list. Set admist romantic settings of Europe (Vienna, Italy, UK, etc.) and Classical Music, Vikram Seth sensuously glides us along the main theme with his poetic prose. Provides valuable insights into the musical life of a musician. How music unifies the people and how music makes and destroys the fragile fabric of relationships.
Surely You're Jokin! Mr. Feynman by Richard Feynman
To Define is to Limit. This book takes you along the seemingly funny adventures of a curious character - Richard Feynman, himself. His eclectic and esoteric tastes, philosophy of dignified tolerance and enthusiasm to importantly try out new things leave one with mixed feelings - zeal and frustration.
Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach
A simple story. There definitely is a Jonathan Livingston Seagull in each one of us. Highlights the seemingly thin shade of difference between living and existing. Often, we are so entangled in the web of life, that we often cease to live. We simply exist.
***
Others that happened to narrowly miss the list were The Bridge Across Forever by Richard Bach, Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom, Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho, Fountainhead and Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand, Fine Things by Danielle Steele, The Luck of the Bodkins by P G Wodehouse (my first book by Plum), The Dark Room (my first book by RKN), Trustee from the toolroom by Nevil Shute, Nirmala by Premchand, Kane and Abel by Jeffrey Archer, The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom, and so on.
As an extension, here are the five authors/authoresses who have had a great impact in my life. I bow down to them in deep reverence, love and gratitude. I have read the same books over and over; and I happen to love each and every book. Well, love might be an understatement. I happen to be dangerously crazy of each one of them.
Pelham Grenville Wodehouse (Plum)
R K Narayan (RKN)
Enid Blyton
Paulo Coelho
James Hadley Chase
Well, Chase might be a revolutionary inclusion. Famous/infamous for their paperback covers, they are nevertheless, amazing books on the psychology of the criminal. Written solely from the criminal's point, they delve into the reasons behind the shattering metamorphosis from an innocent peace-loving individual to a violent, often helpless, criminal.
Lastly, I request Abilin, Saurav, Arun, Ajay, Nitin and Abhilash to come up with their list of five books. Subtle recommendations do work.
Hesam, I am beginning to love this. :)
8 comments:
Very interesting list, Ranga. Thanks for responding to my tagging. Well there were book you hadn't told me before and I am happy I tagged you! I came to this conclusion that with all great books out there the only way to get a taste of the best is first to try "must-reads" so to have a bit advantage over those who don't read @ all, as Mark twain says :)
I am gonna track the tagged ones too.
well, ranga, you have most of my books in your five books list.
to narrow down books to five is a thoughtful exercise. i'll do a blog on the same and you can read it there.
Hesam: Sensible approach. I must admit it was a difficult task, narrowing it down to a shameful 5.
Abhi: Thank you.
An_Anonymous_Blogger: Well, thanks for passing by my blog. You cannot be that anonymous, rite? You seem to know me (well, atleast my field). Thanks for the recommendation. Haven't read that book. Would definitely give it a shot.
Well, Mr. Anon,
I would prefer not to talk about my academic status in a public forum like this.
Hmmm.. a goofup on my side.. I forgot for a moment that the omnipresent google exists! :)
Somehow, something tells me that you are not all that anonymous to me. Let's see how this intuition works out. :)
- Ranga
Mr. Anon,
If you want to discuss abt electronics, then come out in the open. This is not the forum for that.
Interesting connection between the blog title and supposedly
"my passion" for electronics. :)
-Ranga
A very well written blog....and a good choice in books.....
Priyanka : Thanks for your comments. Glad that you liked my choice of books.
AG: Thanks for passing by my blogsite. Your comments are definitely flattering. :)
Wow!!! I am really grateful for your recommendations. I haven't read a single one; and this is real good news for me.
I am really glad that I decided to oblige my friend Hesam. People have been so generous in their recommendations. I seem to gain more. :)
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