Books

Ten books everyone should read atleast once

1. Endurance: Shackleton’s Incredible Voyage

Published in 1959 & written by Alfred Lansing

I can endlessly praise Shackleton’s heroism but what compels is the brutal extent of what he demanded of himself and his crew to keep everyone alive.

2. A Fine Balance

Published in 1995 & written by Rohinton Mistry

An intricately woven account of survival amid systemic hardship of India.

3. Man’s Search for Meaning

Published in 1946 & written by Victor Frankl

Even in bleakest of circumstances, life has a meaning which is determined by the attitude we elect to hold.

4. A Short History of Nearly Everything

Published in 2003 & written by Bill Bryson

Wonderful scientific writiing. Bryson makes you feel the staggering improbability of your own existence and everything that had to go right for the universe to produce you.

5. The Brothers Karamazov

Published in 1880 & written by Fyodor Dostoevsky

Fundamental human question such as God, free will, guilt, love, rebellion are pressed to its furthest limit inside one murder.

6. Letters from a Stoic

Published 64 AD & written by Seneca

Two thousand years old and still the clearest voice on how to spend your time, face death without flinching, and keep your mind your own.

7. Gödel, Escher, Bach: An Eternal Golden Braid

Published in 1979 & written by Douglas Hofstadter

A book about mathematics, music, and art. How intersection of the three can illuminate on most astounding question: what does it mean to be conscious?

8. Surely You’re Joking, Mr. Feynman!

Published in 1985 & written by Richard Feynman

Feynman single handedly influenced how I learn and teach. Curiosity is contagious, and students engage when it’s invigorated. A must-read for teachers.

9. The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy

Published in 1979 & written by Douglas Adams

Absurdity of life intertwined with humor & science fiction. Also highlights how sometimes, questions are more important than answers.

10. Ethics

Published in 1677 & written by Baruch Spinoza

This book, unlike other philosophical works, is more than just commentary on life’s pertinent questions. It displays rigor of drawing conclusions from first principles, which I believe is the only apt device of rationale at personal level.