Thanks to Abhijith Bontadka for nominating me to tell what I think people should read, but I have not been reading anything seriously for long time now, so I will only share the list of books that impacted my mind, heart and spirit significantly, in no particular order, and I do not invite anyone particular, because I invite all my friends here to follow up with their personal list. 1. Bekkina Kannu - A Kannada novel by Triveni I read and understood at the age of 6, the traumatic psychology associated would have twisted me for life! 2. Ramayana - Read in many ways during age 8-12 including Chandamama version that shaped some of my values 3. Mahabharata - Read during teenage years that helped to appreciate the complexity of life and the spectrum of values that conflict depending on the context 4. Krishnavatara series by K M Munshi, published by Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, read just before age 40, helped me to understand the spirit of Krishna as a human jewel, and how it is possible for one to inculcate those values in ones life. I have attempted some of those values, and succeeded in some of those some! 5. Siddharta by Herman Hesse, which I read in middle of 30s, not a good time to read I guess, I should have read it during mid life crisis instead 6. The Moon and Six Pence - Saumerset Maughaum, read during my early twenties, I could emotionally experience the journey of the protogonist artist into an island, I dont remember the details now, but I am sure this book did influence significantly, for good or bad 7. Bettada Jeeva - Dr Shivarama Karanth, in Kannada, early twenties, influenced me to appreciate living in natural surroundings 8. Marali Mannige - Dr Shivarama Karanth in Kannada, narrating the lives of my native place a century back, read during teenage years, created a sense of loyalty to my roots while it also allowed me to question them. 9. Many books and videos of Jiddu Krishnamurthy - during twenties, while it enhanced curiosity, inquiry and philosophy, it taught me the concept of love through logic, which then I went out and randomly practiced and confirmed through experience! 10. Many books of Vivekananda - during thirties, though I might not have understood, appreciated and picked up everything he said, I did get influenced by his directness, logic and a sense of honesty in expression. 11. Papillon - Henri Charrière, during mid twenties, went through a vicarious experience of the author, came to appreciate ones own experience as a better benchmark 12. God Father - Mario Puzo, during ealry thirties, appreciated the integrity of the protagonist even in grey surroundings 13. A Town like Alice - Nevil Chute, mid twenties, influenced my integrity 14. Amara Chitra Katha series - teen years, helped me to have a good grip on the mythology and history of India 15. Chandamama series - Kannada - childhood through teenage years, firm root in our roots 16. The old man and the sea - Earnest Hemingway, in forties, appreciating solitude, journey and the game associated 17. The Picture of Dorian Gray - Oscar Wilde, mid twenties, vicarious experience of journey to darkness 18. Fountainhead - Ayn Rand, mid twenties, gave me self esteem 19. Arthur Haily books, especially Air Port and The Final Diagnosis, helped to appreciate the thin line between protagonist and antagonist and appreciating different perspectives simultaneously 20. Sayanora - James Michener, mid forties, cross cultural conflicts, role of heart and integrity in a minority stand against majority
Posted on: Mon, 01 Sep 2014 17:38:24 +0000
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