Bookreviews on some books

1. Pygmalion
Pygmalion is a play about a poor low class woman named Eliza Doolittle who exhibits the behavior
and voice of someone of her class that is mocked by society making it difficult for her to sell flowers.
Professor of linguistics Henry Higgins takes a bet transform Eliza into a socialite woman. Eventually
he molds Eliza into perfect high society woman. There is a lot of discussion that happens after
transformation that how attitudes to people are determined not by class but by how one behaves.
Attitude of Professor Higgins seems to be controlling throughout the play. No matter how much you
have influenced other person, you have no right over their existence. It shows how the high classes
view working class as nothing more than pawns.
The character of Eliza is a true inspiration as she rise up and makes her own choices. She is aware of
the fact that once a person learns to value themselves, they can’t allow another person to take that
away. This isn’t a typical Cinderella story as so many people wanted it to be. Eliza fights for her soul.
She is survivor and a fighter. She stands up to a man like Higgins who can twist and turn words to
get his way and in that fight of independence she has a support of Higgins’s mother.
She doesn’t try to become a man to fight back. She just fights back.
A refreshing and phenomenal read indeed!
CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE WE SHOULD ALL BE FEMINISTS
With a promise of fairer world, ‘We Should all be Feminists’ is a short 52 pages book that you can
easily finish in a day. The criticism laid against feminist literature is that the feminist texts are too
loud and most of the writers ramble on without making any point. But this book seems to be an
exception. It lays quite convincing arguments in favor of feminism. It only talks about the issues
faced by women but it also talks about men’s issue.
The problem lies in the socialization. We as a society raise girls to see each other as competitors-not
for jobs or accomplishments which can be a good thing but for attention of men. Girls are socialized
in a way they grow up to be a person who silences themselves. Who cannot say what they truly think.
Writer tries to convince that that most of the gender-based discrimination is not well-thought
propaganda, but stem as a result of the perpetuating gender norms prevalent in the society since
ages.
“If we do something over and over again, it becomes normal. If we see the same thing over and over
again, it becomes normal.”
Imagine how much happier we would be, how much freer to be our individual selves, if we didn’t
have the weight of gender expectations. What if in raising children, we focus on ability instead of
gender? What if we focus on interest instead of gender? Book will present a powerful, crucial, and
perhaps somewhat uncomfortable perspective on the injustice and inequality between the sexes but
sometimes we have to ask uncomfortable questions to understand bigger problems
According to Chimamanda feminist is a man or a woman who says, ‘Yes, there’s a problem with
gender as it is today and we must fix it, we must do better’..
All of us, women and men, must do better!
In short it’s not just a rant but hope for a better future!

2. WOMEN WORLD LEADERS
“There is no democracy in our beautifully democratic countries. Why? Women have not the same
part in decision making as men have”
-VIGDI FINNNBOGADOTTIR
PRESIDENT OF ICELAND
The author Laura A. Liswood talked to fifteen women across the world who have been leaders of
their country. Each politician has a riveting - and sometimes surprising - story of her own; but
together, with all their cultural diversities, successes and failures, dramas and tragedies, they form a
stunning collection. Writer tries to explore the motivation which led women leaders to enter politics
and what sort of criticism is leveled at their leadership. It was evident from account of all the political
leaders that for a woman political leader, part of her preparation must simply mean thinking through
what she could be against. Criticism on women leaders tend to be more harsh and personal than
those directed at their male counterparts. Many women leaders mentioned about the double burden
which women carry in being both leaders and homemakers. Some of the qualities that were common
among all the fifteen women leaders were capacity to argue persuasively, powerful analytical insight
and a full grasp of how one’s political system operates . One key takeaway from the book is women
have different point of view, values, experiences, priorities, interests, and conditions of life, Theirs are
not necessarily better , more noble, more important, but they are theirs and world is in dire need of
diverse perspectives.
Writer ends on a positive note that with the passage of time, women are not waiting to be asked to
dance. They are putting aside hesitation, learning how their systems work-as did Margaret Thatcher-
actively seeking out a political career.
Most of the women that Lisa interviewed were the product of dynastic politics. Even today there is a
dearth of women leaders who rise from the local level and make it to the upper echelons of the
government
Book contains insightful information about politics and leadership that is given from a gendered
perspective. An interesting read right from the corridors of power around the world!
A CASE OF EXPLODING MANGOES
A Case of Exploding Mangoes by Mohammed Hanif is a dark political satire that revolves around the
mysterious plane crash of former military dictator and president of Pakistan, Gen Zia-ul-Haq. There
were a lot of conspiracies surrounding the crash, as explored by Muhammad Hanif in the book, and
many speculated that it was an assassination not the plane malfunctioning. The novel is the fictitious
version of the events behind the 1988 crash that changed the course of the country. Throughout the
novel, we get witty commentary and criticism of Zia’s harsh era and a glimpse of the US role in
Middle Eastern politics. Although this novel is framed as a mystery, it ends with rational explanations
for the motives of several suspects that can be blamed for Zia’s plane crash, like Junior Under officer
Ali Shigri, who consider Zia-ul-Haq responsible for the suicide of his father. CIA, Indian Intelligence,
Soviet Union, and rogue elements within Pakistan Army.

3. At certain points, you will not be able to differentiate between truth and fiction. The tension does not
build up until the final chapters and is released too quickly. The writer spends most of the time
exposing the brutality and extremism prevalent in Pakistani society during Zia’s regime. Hanif allows
us to take a peek inside Zia-ul-Haq’s most private thoughts, exposing his insecurities and
contradictions. The writer unapologetically criticizes the powerful elements of Pakistani society that
makes his book stand apart.
Insightful yet entertaining work of historical fiction that is definitely worth reading!
CHIMAMANDA NGOZI ADICHIE NOTES ON GRIEF
''I am filled with disbelieving astonishment that the mailman comes as usual and regular news alerts
appear on my phone screen. How is it that the world keeps going, breathing in and out unchanged,
while in my soul there is a permanent scattering?''
TO KILL A MOCKING BIRD
To Kill a mockingbird is a sensational classic that addresses the issue of rampant racism in America
during 1900s
As a reader, you share the emotions felt by Jem and Scout, two young siblings, as they learn the
nuances of life in the prejudiced American South during the early 1900s. Not only was their
community weakened by the economic collapse of the Great Depression, but also sickened by the
bitter contempt felt among whites and blacks.
The story in To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee is told from the point of view of Scout (Jean-Louise
Finch), a six year old girl, through various events that happen in the town of Maycomb and in
particular, the court case of Tom Robinson as her father Atticus Finch acts as Tom’s defence lawyer.
Tom, a black man who has been accused of raping a young white woman, has to endure multiple
racial attacks. Atticus, widely described as the “most enduring fictional image of racial heroism”,
describes the events to Scout so that she sees that all people should be treated equally.
“You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view… Until you
climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.”
Along with that both the siblings and their friend were wrong about their neighbor Boo Radley who
they thought was scary and dangerous but he saves them several times during the story and turns
out to be a 'mockingbird'
Jem and Scout undergo a number of personal developments during the course of the novel. While at
first, they carry with them a genuine and child-like innocence, the court trial their father has taken on
exposes them to the racist indignity felt by their fellow community members. Jem and Scout struggle
to balance their conflict between the social norms of Maycomb and the morals their father has
instilled in them. With the trial’s end, Jem and Scout are lead to discover the imperfections of their
society and the ways with which they are forced to deal with them. As the reader follows along, they
not only watch Jem and Scout change but they too themselves are shaped through Lee’s captivating

4. story.
Totally worth your time!
RJPALACIO
Such a simple thing, kindness.Such a simple thing.A nice word of encouragement given when
needed.An act of friendship.A passing smile."
Book starts off with lines
"My name is August. I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse."
It is the story of a boy named August who does normal things like eating ice cream and playing Xbox
but his appearance after 27 operations is not normal.The whole novel is crafted around that. August
lives in a brutal world. Due to his deformed face, things in school and society get difficult for August,
his parents, and his sister Via.
The most interesting aspect of this book is that it has been written from the point of view of six
characters so it accommodates the diverse perspectives of all the stakeholders on the various events
that make it even more compelling.
But this is a story of love strength and resilience, how you can win the hearts of other people with
your kindness. This book covers a range of topics like bullying, identity crisis, and finding courage
and hope in the darkest of times. It slams the reality sometimes with the people like August we react
out of sympathy instead of pure love. The parts of the book where August suffered bullying at the
hands of this classmates and people are really heartbreaking and show how insensitive we have
become as a society. Sometimes you will find it difficult to hold back your tears during those parts.
We really don't care our words have a profound impact on others. One takeaway that I have taken
from this book is to be kind to others. You never know what burdens the other person is carrying
and what he is going through. Kindly avoid judging others.
The book is bound to hook everyone who reads it. It is bold funny and engaging about something
that all of us have experienced at some point of our lives!
Loved the concept!
ALL THE BRIGHT PLACES
"The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places"
It's the heart-wrenching story of a boy named Finch who continuously thinks of different suicide
techniques but always stops before pursuing them. On the other hand, Violet Markley is counting the
days until graduation so that she can move out of Indiana to lessen the pain of her sister's death by
accident when she was driving the car. Both meet at the ledge of the bell tower at school and it
remains unclear who was saving whom. Later on both pair up together for a school project to
discover the wonders of their states and make important discoveries together. But as they spend
more time together, violet's perspective about life grows while finch's world shrinks and leads to an

5. unexpected and shocking end.
This novel written by Jennifer Niven leaves your heart wanting for more even after turning the last
page. Even with the story revolving around suicide, it tries to convey the message of hope when
people around you give up on you, it's your battle that you have to win.
Remember what finch used to say about violet "You are all colors n one, at full brightness. It takes a
lot of courage to give hope to others when you are broken inside. That is exactly the role Finch plays
in Violet's life.
The ending was heartbreaking but the writer leaves you with a lot of lessons that will definitely move
you as a reader.
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHTS
All through the night by Mary Higgins Clark is a classic thriller built around the time of Christmas.
The book features Alvirah's deductive powers and Willy's common sense that they utilize to solve the
mystery of a mother who abandons her child near the church, a thief who stole a precious artifact
from the same church, and scam artists threatening to close after school shelter. How the
protagonists deal with a situation and solve this puzzle, is really gripping that makes it a worthy read!
A Charming Christmas Mystery indeed!
LONG WALK TO FREEDOM
Nelson Mandela was born in 1918. In 1994 he became the first black president of South Africa newly
free of apartheid. In these 7 years, his path was painful and full of obstacles. In this book, the leader
has given a detailed account of his fight for freedom that led to the revolution in South Africa.
During 27 years of prison at Robben Island, he did hard labor in extremes of heat and cold and was
allowed only one visitor every six months, and that too for half an hour through a thick glass
partition. But all these hardships failed to break his spirit.
This book is a work of a man who stood for his people and lead his country by action in an
exemplary manner. Mandela's humanity and unwavering optimism reflect from every page of the
book 'Long Walk to Freedom'.He writes "I never seriously considered the possibility that I would not
emerge from prison one day," he writes. "I never thought that a life sentence truly meant life and
that I would die behind bars...! always knew that someday I would once again feel the grass under
my feet and walk in the sunshine a free man."
Must read book!
THE 4 HOUR WORK WEEK
This is book is a must-read for anyone who is looking to become a digital nomad. The 'new rich 'idea
presented by Tom Ferris in the book forces you to introspect on your current situation and leave the
9 to 5 grind. The 'Four Hour Work Week' is not about how to save and land your dream job, it's
about how you can free up most of the time and can automate your income.
He presented a DEAL strategy for the people who want to join new rich in his book

6. D for Definition: debunk the old notions, introduces new rules
E for Elimination: calls for elimination of the concept of time
management
A for Automation: Putting your cashflow on automation
L for Liberation: It's about being free from the binds that keep you tied to the single location
Author's insights about business, outsourcing and emails can help you a lot in exponentially
improving your personal and professional life. Most important takeaway from the book is that you
need to learn how to delegate time taking tasks in order to focus on things that really matter. Here
comes the role of virtual assistants who can handle small tasks like doing research, booking
reservations and fixing typos for you.
The most useful part of the book is time management section where writer underscored the
importance of doing similar tasks in one go, taking a break from media and formulating to do lists.
However automation section of the book is not quite realistic as everyone can ask for remote work
from home. But it's not applicable to certain sectors like hospitality and other businesses where
physical presence of staff is mandatory.
The writer is Guinness record holder in tango, national champions in kickboxing and runs a business
that make supplements. These credentials makes you wonder is this guy for real? He has used all the
experience to compile a book that itself speaks for the credibility of the book No doubt the book is
bound to challenge your preconceived notions!
RECLAIM YOUR HEART
“Keep going. You're almost there and remember, the sun is most beautiful as it's going away.”
If you are going through tough times this book is a must-read for you. It talks about different themes
i.e love attachments, gratitude.
The way the author has written the book, each word gives you a feeling that she is talking about the
problems of your life. This book takes you on many journeys that will surely make you nostalgic. The
short chapters throughout the book force you to introspect your own behavior. After reading her
thoughts you start connecting the dots. Each Word of Yasmin Moghad reminds us that the mercy
and wisdom of God are beyond imagination. Also, she makes us realize despite the darkest moments
that leave us with scars, there is always a next moment and hope that is worth living for!
BURNT SHADOWS
"War destroy beautiful things"
Burnt shadows is an enigmatic and moving story that shows all the major conflicts of the 20th
century. From Nagasaki to the partition of India and Pakistan; the cold war to the Afghan war burnt
shadows is a confluence of different stories interconnected with each other. It shows how conflict-
ridden the modern world has become. It shows how these world conflicts and biases that humans

7. have constructed-war, race, religion, nationality, and socioeconomic class affect the individual lives.
It's a tale of Hiroko Tanaka and her voyage across different cultures and geographies after the
atomic bomb in Nagasaki obliterates everything and remains are left in the form of bird-shaped
burns on her back that continuously reminds her of the world she has lost.
Kamila Shamsie has shown the relationship of generations between Ashrafs and Burtons and how the
turn of events affect this relationship. This book will provoke you to question the status quo and
evoke emotions in you. This book has an astonishing climax that will leave a lasting impression on
you even after the completion of the book.
EXTRA
“From that time on, the world was hers for the reading. She would never be lonely again, never miss
the lack of intimate friends. Books became her friends and there was one for every mood.”
— Betty Smith, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
EXTRA
The world breaks everyone, and afterward, many are strong at the broken places.”
— Ernest Hemingway, A Farewell to Arms
THE RELUCTANT FUNDAMENTALIST
Reluctant Fundamentalist by Mohsin Hamid is a grim depiction of the clash of civilizations and the
prevalent discrimination and xenophobia faced by foreigners in the US after 9/11.
It is the story of Changez having an American dream, a Princeton graduated Pakistani who works in a
prestigious firm in New York. Everything was perfect until 9/11 happens and everything starts falling
apart; his dream city and a woman he is in love with.
It is the story of a struggle between Changez's aspirations and inner struggle for identity.
Mohsin Hamid through this powerful novel tries to show the other side of the story that is often
neglected!
MOTH SMOKE
It is the story of striking wealth inequality and two sides of the same city where on one hand elite lot
is busy in parties are drugs while on the other hand, poor people are striving to meet both ends
It is the story of the polarized and vibrant culture of Lahore, the weakness of human nature loyalty,
and people living their lives with different perspectives.

8. It is the story of Daru, a banker who starts an affair with the wife of his best friend just before he
loses his job and later indulges in criminal activities of selling drugs and robbery.
The story takes a real strong start but somehow becomes dull in the middle and takes a dramatic
turn at the end compensating for the middle part. Overall it's a good one-time read.
KARREN BRADDY’S RULES FOR SUCCESS
Autobiography by Karren Braddy is an inspirational read for all the women out there that
encapsulates her journey from being an intern at the age of 17 years to the youngest managing
director of the Birmingham football club at the age of 23.
💪Moreover, the diverse nature of her career shows that the sky is a limit for her. Not only she
worked as a managing director for a couple of football clubs, but also she is a columnist and
government ambassador for small businesses.
🔥She has written her experience of how she thrived in the male-dominated field and that is what
makes this book more reliable as it is coming from a woman who has been through the topsy turvy
curve of professional life
✴️Her account of work-life balance serves as a guide for all the women juggling between their
personal and professional life
🌟'Never give up' attitude of Karren Brady when she found about her life-threatening disease also is
motivation for all people going through adversities in life.
ZERO TO ONE
Zero to One is the book to read if you want to succeed in the business of creating new things. That is
the whole idea of going from 0 to 1. The less competition you face, the more you will focus on
development instead of marketing. Companies that innovate something have the power to change
the world like Google, Paypal, and Tesla. This book is a guide for all the aspiring entrepreneurs out
there who want to build a startup that can create a difference in the world.
According to Peter Theil, seven things that determine the successful startup are breakthrough
technology, perfect timing, monopoly or big share of a small market, sales strategy, future prospects
of product, and unique selling point. So the main theme of the book is that be unique in a lot of
noise and saturated market!
WHY NATIONS FAIL
Why some countries prosper while others fail to do so ? Why nations fail tries to answer this
daunting question. Countries with inclusive political and economic institutions are the ones who
succeed while countries with extractive state institutions only serving the elite miserably fail in the
long run. Historical and contemporary examples have been used by the writer to back his argument.
The two Koreas, united until the late 1940s, and sharing common geography and culture, have since
diverged dramatically in institutional and wealth terms. The fence that divides the city of Nogales is
part of a natural experiment in organizing human societies. North of the fence lies the American city
of Nogales, Arizona; south of it lies the Mexican city of Nogales, Sonora. On the American side,
average income and life expectancy are higher, crime and corruption are lower, health and roads are
better, and elections are more democratic. Yet the geographic environment is identical on both sides

9. of the fence, and the ethnic makeup of the human population is similar. The reasons for those
differences between the two Nogaleses are the differences between the current political and
economic institutions of the US and Mexico.
The authors believe that political “inclusiveness” must come first before growth is achievable. Yet,
most examples of economic growth in the last 50 years—the Asian miracles of Hong Kong, Korea,
Taiwan, and Singapore—took place when they were political tended more toward exclusiveness.
At length and in-depth, Why Nations Fail is a book worth reading.
ANIMAL FARM
Animal farm is the story of the revolution of animals against humans who decided to reap the benefit
of shared labor. However, some animals like pigs, later on, backed out of their commitments and
started taking bigger share and animals start to question their supposed utopia. It is the perfect
description of what happens when the political revolution goes astray. Although George Orwell has
narrated the story of animals, in the backdrop, it is the story of the Russian revolution, how it got off
the track while championing equality, and instead became an oligarchy. A true masterpiece indeed!
THE prophet
" The timeless in you is aware of life's timelessness. And knows that yesterday is but today's memory
and tomorrow is today's dream."
A great self-help book full of spirituality that will leave your soul satisfied. Touching different aspects
of life, Khalil Gibran tells us that life is interwoven between the universe and the individual. There is
no separation between the two. Absolutely it's worth reading.
Manuscript found in accra
Manuscripts Found in Accra by Paulo Coelho is a combination of fiction and philosophy. This book
touches all aspects of life; from anxiety to depression, from love to sex, from solitude to inner soul,
from success to defeat, and leave no stone unturned to influence the reader. It is the perfect book for
uplifting people disappointed with life and are on the verge of giving up. A truly thought-provoking
book.
THE zahir
It begins with a glimpse of a passing thought. It ends in obsession. Is your life too-organized? Are
you just okay with what's happening in life? Do you still have a desire to tread the unknown? Or have
you put that in the dark closets of your self?
The Zahir by Paulo Coelho shakes you up and forces you to introspect that what is your obsession.
What's your greater truth.
This book has some interesting insights on obsessive love, the emptiness of celebrity-status success,
and the courage needed to square off against the mysteries and rewards of letting go of ego and
stepping into the dark unknown. Totally worth your time!

10. ELEVEN MINUTES
Searching the meaning of life is the main theme of Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho. It is the story of
a Brazilian girl Maria who went to Europe to work as a dancer but ended up being a prostitute. It is
the story of a girl with simple yet complex dreams. Her goal is to earn enough money to support her
parents. Eleven minutes is her story. A story that will touch your soul and will force you to introspect!
THE BASTARD OF ISTANBUL
The bastard of Istanbul is the story of the Istanbul family that shows the complexity of Turkish
society. The Bastard of Istanbul is a novel that resonates deeply; a fictional microcosm of conflicts
playing out around the world. It is the story of two girls that come together from across the oceans
resulting in the series of events that uncover long-buried secrets resulting in the climax that nobody
expected.
Shafak has created an intricately woven tale about the very different but equally difficult struggles of
living with the past and trying to survive without one. Full of bold, unforgettable characters, The
Bastard of Istanbul reveals that even the worst events are important ingredients in the recipes that
make each of us who we are.It's all about connecting the dots!
FORTY RULES OF LOVE
“Every true love and friendship is a story of unexpected transformation. If we are the same person
before and after we loved, that means we haven’t loved enough.”
Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak is a confluence of two tales. One set in contemporary times with
Ella who is a housewife and protagonist of the novel. It is the story of the transformation of Ella
because of the book as a part of her new ob obligation. The second tale is about the relationship of
Shams of Tabriz and Rumi. During the course of reading that story, Ella was mesmerized with lessons
from the philosophy of love laid down by shams of Tabriz. Eventually, her life is transformed by the
author of the book Aziz Zahra as Rumi's life was altered by Shams of Tabriz.A truly mystic book
worth your time.
RETHINKING PAKISTAN
This book is the combined effort of a galaxy of established scholars and intellectuals of Pakistan to
give a way forward to the policymakers of Pakistan for the prosperity of a country by suggesting
pragmatic policies aided by conceptual references and empirical findings.
The book is divided into three major areas of investigation into public life in Pakistan. Firstly, It
investigates historical, sociological, and cultural causes of different political conflicts haunting the
existence of Pakistan. Secondly, this book promotes liberal values thus challenging the shrinking
space for media and patriarchy curbing the rights of women in Pakistan. Finally, the book enters a
domain of hope, planning for a bright future, and focus on some longer-term issues couched in
comprehensive new approaches to development, environment, energy, foreign policy, and feminism.

11. PAKISTAN BEYOND THE CRISIS STATE
This Book has covered a diverse range of topics from economics to politics, terrorism to the security
issues, foreign policy to international relations. But the most compelling point made by Ayesha Jalal
is that a well-orchestrated nationalism campaign has only damaged the social fabric of society and
has promoted radicalization. Moreover, fanaticism produced as a result of this narrative building has
further brutalized the society that can be seen in the form of the assassinations of Salman Taseer and
Shahbaz Bhatti. Free-thinking needs to be promoted among the Pakistani society so that they are
able to differentiate between myth and history and endorse diverse opinions thus leading to the
establishment of a tolerant society.
The resilience of the Pakistani nation is the main theme of the whole book that is why Maleeha Lodhi
in the chapter 'Beyond the Crisis State' is more optimistic about the positive scenario that she has
painted out of five possible future scenarios for the Pakistani state. The book ends on a positive note
hoping that Pakistan will rise when the middle class of Pakistan will spearhead the reform agenda.
The book is a must-read for anyone interested in the internal and external dimensions of Pakistan!
ON WRITING
One of the best books for the aspiring writers out there-On Writing-A momoir of the Craft is the
biography of famous fiction writer Stephen King in which he has hilariously narrated his life events
that played a role in making him one of the best writers in the genre of horror. In the second part of
the book, he has summarized his tips and tricks for brainstorming, writing, and editing.
The most inspiring fact of the book is the way Stephen has told to handle rejection. He used to
collect the rejection slips and pin the on the wall till there was no space left on the wall. Those
rejections were the ultimate motivation for him.
Even after the horrific accident that nearly killed him, he continued following his passion, and little by
little he found his beat again.
Moreover, he has emphasized about finding your passion, but when you find something at which
you are talented, you do it until your fingers bleed or your eyes are ready to fall out of your head. He
used to have strenuous five to six hours sessions of reading and writing despite having full-time and
part-time jobs.
In a nutshell, this book is a wakeup call and guide for all the someday wannabe writers to start
working on your passion before the moment when there will be no breaths and it will all pause!
OUTLIERS
"To build a better world, we need to replace the patchwork of lucky breaks and arbitrary advantages
that today determine success, the fortunate birth dates, and happy accidents of history with a society
that provide opportunities for all"
Malcolm Gladwell has tried to redefine success through his book outliers. According to him, we are
shown only one side of the success story; a lone survivor alone fighting against the odds of life
Malcolm Gladwell has tried to redefine success through his book outliers. According to him, we are

12. shown only one side of the success story; a lone survivor alone fighting against the odds of life.
He makes an argument that both luck and hard work contributes to the success of an individual.
Along with that, the ability to grab the right opportunity at the right time, and circumstances also
play their role in making a person successful. He backs his argument with several stories including
that of bill gates. So Bill Gates is introduced as a young computer programmer from Seattle whose
brilliance and ambition outshine the brilliance and ambition of the thousands of other young
programmers. But then Gladwell takes us back to Seattle, and we discover that Gates’s high school
happened to have a computer club when almost no other high schools did. He then lucked into the
opportunity to use the computers at the University of Washington, for hours on end. By the time he
turned 20, he had spent well more than 10,000 hours as a programmer. In short, Gladwell exposes
the flaws in these success stories we tell ourselves! An interesting read!
MAKE TIME
We do not remember days; we remember moments"
Coming from tech junkies, this book is all about enhancing productivity combining urgency,
satisfaction, and joy by ditching technology. This book doesn't only offer you motivational harangue
but provides step by step pragmatic strategy to break someday's cycle and start working on your
secret project.
SELECTING THE HIGHLIGHT OF THE DAY
-Make a list of the things that matter
-Choose the most meaningful and urgent thing out of the list
-Batch up small tasks in one highlight session
-Morning is the most effective time to focus on your highlight and secret project but that depends
on the person because not one size fits all
Moreover, this book also highlights the time wasted on social media only gives you mental stress by
seeing all those fake wins and nothing else and emphasizes the limited intake of social media
applications, email, and television. Furthermore, calm time or me- the time is very important to
refresh your mind. Boredom often takes you to interesting places and ideas.
Once, you start working on anything stuck to that and you'll be happy later that you didn't give up
after seeing the end result. Go all in the task
HOW TO ENERGIZE
-Keep it moving
-Eat real food
-Optimize caffeine
-Go for a walk or gaze out of the window after a hectic session instead of scrolling social media feed
-Spend time with family and friends that matter
-Eat without screen
-There should be a book in the bedroom instead of a mobile phone
-Quick naps

13. REFLECT
-Jot down what worked and what didn't and make a plan for tactics that you will try tomorrow.
So start reading this book and start creating a barrier around the busy bandwagon and infinity pools
and don't wait for someday to make time for what makes you come alive!
THE PLEASURES OF PHILOSOPHY
The most important takeaway from this book is the realization of the true power of love.
"Our wealth is a weariness, and our wisdom is a little light that chills, but love warms the heart with
unspeakable solace even more, when it is given than what it is received"
The pleasures of philosophy discuss a gamut of topics including truth, morality, love, modern
women, marriage, character, beauty, history, freedom, democracy, aristocracy, religion, life, and
death. Will Durant presents a fresh perspective in each topic different from cliched ideas prevalent in
mainstream society. Reading this book will expand your knowledge and will broaden your horizon
for sure.