Books that I enjoyed reading in 2024

The Start-Up Code: Taking Your Company from Seed to Scale - Mukesh Bansal

I have lived through a part of this journey firsthand, from when we backed Mukesh at Myntra to his growth at Flipkart, and ultimately his decision to embark on a new venture with Curefit. I was in the conference room at the Myntra office late that night along with Mukesh and Prabhakar, when the board decided the merger with Flipkart.when the board approved the merger with Flipkart. It was a pivotal moment that left me questioning our choice, but in hindsight, it proved to be a successful move for all involved.

While there is no shortage of books advocating for entrepreneurship, Mukesh's story stands out for its candid portrayal of both triumphs and tribulations. His willingness to openly share his experiences, including the challenges faced along the way, sets a valuable precedent. Not everyone is cut out for the entrepreneurial path, and that's perfectly acceptable. Mukesh's humility and transparency serve as a beacon of inspiration, showcasing that success is not devoid of setbacks and lessons learned.

Prisoners of Geography: Ten Maps That Tell You Everything You Need to Know About Global Politics - Tim Marshal

The title intrigued me at the begining. Tim Marshall offers a fascinating perspective on geopolitics, delving into the impact of geography on historical and contemporary political decisions. He emphasises the crucial role geography plays in shaping nations' destinies, highlighting the cyclical nature of history.

The book takes a cursory look at geopolitics from a standard pro–U.S.-military, neoliberal viewpoint.There is also a sobering reminder that history has a way of repeating itself. Of course, geography doesn’t represent the whole story or full picture – in the end, people and governments always have choices.

Hillbilly Elegy: A Memoir of a Family and Culture in Crisis - J.D. Vance

Intriguing tale of survival and success! Given the odds he should not have, but J.D emerged from his town to achieve remarkable triumphs. Termed a standout success of 2016, Vance’s account of his white working-class origins should be treated with caution says The Gaurdian.

Setting politics aside, delving into the world of the American working class through this book proved to be a captivating and enlightening experience for me.

Silence - Thich Nhat Hanh

Thích Nh?t H?nh, a Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author, and poet, shares profound insights on mindfulness in this easy-to-read book. In the midst of our increasingly hectic lives, his words serve as a gentle reminder of the importance of mindfulness.

As the noise of daily life grows louder, this book offers a valuable opportunity to find moments of tranquility and reflection.

Slow Productivity: The Lost Art of Accomplishment Without Burnout - Cal Newport

I've been a fan of Carl Newport ever since diving into "So Good They Can’t Ignore You" and "Deep Work." His insights on knowledge work are truly enlightening. His talk at Google on YouTube is definitely worth a watch.

Newport advocates for sustainable productivity and a mindful approach to work that transcends mere discipline. While not all his ideas may directly apply to our daily routines, his emphasis on working at a natural pace resonates, especially in today's high-stress work environment.

In a world where work stress seems to have reached new heights, embracing the advice to work at a natural pace could be a game-changer for many of us.