Books I read in 2011

The Power of Pull: How Small Moves, Smartly Made, Set Big Things in Motion by John Hagel III, John Seely Brown and Lang Davison

This was a reading recommendation from Gauravonomics and I am glad I picked it. After reading Linchpin from Seth Godin, I think this was a good next, since it all kind of moves towards the same direction of how little cog wheel actions of life can help one move towards the bigger goal. How you need to make those little moves to get closer to the road you want to walk.

Mother Pious Lady: Making Sense of Everyday India by Santosh Desai

I picked up this book after listening to Santosh speak at the TEDx Gateway in Mumbai. Great speaker and also does an interesting column in Times of India called City City Bang Bang. I read a few columns and was curious to see what’s in the book. But I was disappointed. Besides a few of the topics I found the others to be a bore, very verbose and over-written. And I was also hoping to get a better picture of the Indian, but it’s very top layer perspective.

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Fiction is a rare pick and this one was purely because of all the hype and noise it created. The trilogy became famous and I decided to make a start. Enjoyed it and thanks to the storyline its a rather quick read. Look forward to the movie next year.

Diana’s Ring by Sunil Bhatia

This had to be read. Diana’s Ring is cousin Sunil’s first book and I think he’s made a great start. Here is my review post.

The Little BIG Things: 163 Ways to Pursue Excellence by Tom Peters

In Search of Excellence was the first book of Tom Peters that I read. I was very impressed with his writing style and rather inspired. I try and shape my presentations around his writing style. I haven’t yet finished reading it, but I like how the 163 ways of excellence are written in short easy to understand chapters. A few personal notes and mini-case study make for an interesting read.

Creative Mischief by Dave Trott

Dave’s blog is an excellent read and soon after I become a regular reader I spotted Dave tweeting about his book. It took a while for the Kindle edition but I am glad it did come out finally. The book is a good read if you’re into anything creative. It helps refresh your perspective and also gives you new thinking methods.

Did you read something interesting this year? Share your favourite books with me in the comments area.

Rarely do I get tempted to read fiction but lately I noticed that one fiction read then helps me do a quick read of some business or digital topics. But when Sunil announced the launch of his first novel – Diana’s Ring, I had to read it.

The book is a thriller and will keep you turning the page. I loved some of the twists and the unexpected turn of events which makes you finish reading the book in just about a week or less. That’s the fun of reading fiction – they are really quick over and out. The book is inspired from the life of Princess Diana and and the happenings on the dreadful night of her car accident, so that was some interesting read. Although, I must make a point here – the end seemed a little too soft. Not sure if I am able to get the right words – poetic or mellow (not sure if that’s the correct word). I would have liked to end it with a bigger bang. Would love to know what Sunil thinks about it and did he get any similar feedback from his other readers.

Diana’s Ring is currently available only as a digital download. No print copy yet but I guess will come soon. Good weekend read or pick it up before you go off on that beach holiday.

Sunil, great job on the first one and we eagerly await the next title.

You Can Negotiate Anything – Herb Cohen

A book recommended by my father-in-law and I am so glad I took time to read it (actually a lot of time to finish it). Picked up some rather important skills and talking points which I am sure are helping me deal with clients and vendors with a lot more confidence.

Call of the Mall – Paco Underhill

This book is like a digest for the mall economy. Although very old now I think some of the key learnings of the mall culture are very important for who has anything to do with retail trade. How consumers behave, what irritates them and what are the essentials for a retailer in the mall. Also how malls just like hospitals need to be designed by retail experts and not just architects with great designs. Next on my reading list is the updated version of Paco’s Why We Buy.

Bollywood: A History – Mihir Bose

Loved this one. Start is a bit boring since you cant connect much, but then as you move into the 50s and 60s cinema you get to know the life of stars, how filmworld behaved back then. How the stars were Gods and producers mere worshippers so that they would be present on their film sets. There is a good chapter on the making of Sholay. Very interesting info from behind the scenes. Highly recommended if film making is your interest area.

Go Kiss The World – Subroto Bagchi

I was expecting a lot more advanced career advice. But I think the book is recommended for those who may have just started their career. And especially entrepreneurs would get some good lessons from how Bagchi quit his job and started Mindtree Consulting.

The Leader Who Had No Title – Robin Sharma

After reading Robin’s Discover your Destiny I truly became addicted to his words and beliefs. The book had tremendously helped me overcome a rather difficult patch of misery and sorrow. So I was very excited to read this next which was based on achieving more success at workplace. However I don’t think it could say something very different from what he’s always been telling in life. But nevertheless his books are always an inspiration and great to read on those nights when you wish you could have done a lot more better in life.

Kitchen Confidential – Anthony Bourdain

I admit. I am not a regular watcher of his TV show ‘No Reservations’ but I think the man got me curious to read more about this foodie experiences. And Kitchen Confidential was a good pick. Great inside story of what happens in restaurant kitchens and the life of chefs and cooks. I think an important lesson I took from this reading was that if I do ever start a restaurant I am going to need a very strong partner in the kitchen – an area where I won’t have no experience at all. So if you’re thinking of getting into restaurant business – read this one for sure.

The Flipside – Adam J. Jackson

Not that I don’t like them but I realised that I end up reading quite a few self-help books. At times they get repetitive but there is nothing more supporting than reading one of these books when going through a tough phase. The Flipside shares the stories of quite a few people who started a new chapter of life when things went wrong. It’s super inspiration and a must view for the pessimistic out there. The author also tries to write a little guide on how to look the positive things in times of crisis.

Linchpin – Seth Godin

Linchpin is my first Seth Godin book. I think I was saturated at my job and this book came in as a great inspiration just at the right time pushing me off the edge and helping me make a switch. Although Seth says at the end of the book that he does not intend to make you quit your job – for me, I think he just did. The book highlights the changing work scenario where being a cog worker won’t make you big anymore. At the same time the changing scenario demands and makes it easy for you to be linchpin at work. It’s notable to read – You can’t always do what you love, so to be the best start loving what you do. In another few months, I am surely doing a re-read of this book, because it can only add more value and demand you to do the best at work and your life.

So this is how the 2010 reading list looked like. Before the year ended, my wife gifted me the Kindle which I am hoping is going to help me read some more. If not books, more white papers, articles etc.. Currently I am reading Santosh Desai’s Mother Pious Lady – Making Sense of Everyday India and The Power of Pull: How Small Moves, Smartly Made, Can Set Big Things in Motion.

I thought it would be a good idea to share some of my reading habits.

For news and current affairs my source is yet the morning newspaper.

• Times of India is my preferred read, but I also like to flip through the Hindustan Times.
• On Saturdays I enjoy the mint’s Lounge edition.

To keep up with the ad world happenings

• Mornings start with afaqs
• Campaign India – a superb read. Fortnightly [print edition].

My magazine rack includes …

• Better Photography
• I used to read Outlook [Probably my only read for political stories] but guess I am going to switch to OPEN magazine very soon.
• Sometimes I browse through Reader’s Digest.
• And if I am lucky I read borrowed copies of The Economist.

As you would see I am yet a heavy print reader. But there are a few blogs which keep me addicted.

• Thomas Hawk Digital Connection [Photography Enthusiast with a great flickr photostream]
• Dave Trott’s Blog [Creative thinking and critique from Dave Trott]
• Seth Godin
• Chris Brogan [Chris keeps me inspired to keep blogging more & better]

Currently on my book-shelf

• Linchpin – Seth Godin
• The Little Big Things – Tom Peters
• Richard Branson – Business Stripped Bare
• Kitchen Confidential – Anthony Bourdain

Next on my shopping list is the Kindle.

The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga

It’s nice to have some fiction in your collection – makes for a refreshing read while traveling.

Richard Branson – Business Stripped Bare
Didn’t manage to read the first two books by this flamboyant business man. But this one looked very tempting to miss out.

It’s not about the bike by Lance Armstrong
My ex-boss Sangram was a big fan of Lance and while working at Think WhyNot I read a few pages from his copy of this book. Had been on my wish-list for a while now. Finally on the shelf.

My current reads: Superstar India by Shobhaa De – Interesting take on the changing India. Kind of gets glamorous and superficial at certain points but yet been an entertaining read.

Also kept at my office desk is Whatever you think think the opposite by Paul Arden – inspiring & a complete mind-opener for those dull moments at work.

Read other Book-Shelf Update #1, Update #2, Update #3, Update #4, Update #5.

Butter Chicken in Ludhiana by Pankaj Mishra
Gives a good peek into the interiors of India. And I am very keen to explore India and it’s people beyond just it’s metro & satellite towns. This should be a good read.

Stay Hungry Stay Foolish by Rashmi Bansal (View Blog)
Success stories have always inspired me and I think I am going to enjoy this one too.

Superstar India by Shobhaa De
It’s my first pick of a Shobhaa De title, let’s see how interesting this one turns out to be.

Read other Book-Shelf Update #1, Update #2, Update #3, Update #4.

Rude food – the collected food writings of Vir Sanghvi. Picked this one at the Oxford bookstore sale a few weeks back. It’s going to be a different read from the usual strategy, business management and marketing/advertising fundas. He is known to be a big foodie and I hope his writings helps me do better reviews at Khana Peena.

BTW, I’ve been thinking of a book exchange program for which I shall be sharing details soon. If you interested, drop me a line and we can take it forward together.

Book shelf Update #1, Update #2, Update #3.

King of Bollywood Shah Rukh Khan and the Seductive World of Indian Cinema by Anupama Chopra

Mavericks at Work by William C. Taylor & Polly LaBarre

Call of the Mall by Paco Underhill

This book is best recommended for potty time reading. There are various types of insults categorised into Husbands, Nudist, Blondes, Office and of course the inevitable subjects like Woman and Marriage. You can have some great fun reading this book and before you realize it you will be laughing away. It’s good fun to have a small reading session with friends.

To give you a peek of what’s inside I’ll share a few insults which caught my attention:

• He married a female x-ray specialist. Nobody else could see anything in him.
• At seventeen her voice started changing from no to yes.
• Their marriage is the walkie-talkie type. She’s all talkie, which makes him go for a walkie.
• They called him Santa Claus. He won’t leave women’s stocking alone.
• He married his secretary. He thought he could continue to dictate her.
• His mind is like a defective parachute – it doesn’t open when it should.

And the rocker:

• They call her WINDOW DRESSER: She never pulls down the shades while dressing.

However something made me a bit uncomfortable when Mr.Mittal says: “It’s very hard for two Indians to partner well,”. This I am not too sure if holds any merit, although I couldn’t think of any large partnerships I am sure a lot of businesses depend on great partners for their growth and success. Do you know of any such partnerships in India?

Going back to success stories, I recently blogged about Mukesh Ambani. And many years back when I was in college I read Business Maharajas by Gita Piramal which at that age was very inspiring. Although I can’t remember a lot about this book, it’s worth a read even today in the times of Bill Gates and Steve Jobs.