'The Bookshelf'

Thursday, 12 June 2014

Lean In

Author                      Sheryl Sandberg

Country                    United States

Genre                       Non Fiction: Management

Publication Date      2013

Pages                        387

If you have been reading the other book reviews on my blog, you would know that I rarely read non fiction or management books. I mostly find some awesome company in fiction; both contemporary and classics.

However, in keeping with my decision to read different books this year, I ended up with this book 'Lean In' and I am so glad I did. Being on a sabbatical from work has helped me absorb the book somewhat better since it allowed me to reflect on my own personal and professional ethics from a distance. And I have surely ended with a list of aspects I wish to change about how I manage my professional life.

While the book has received its fair share of criticism, I would suffice by saying that Sheryl has done an awesome job in sharing her views on how women should manage their professional lives. And like any other author, these are her personal views and while many have struck a chord with me, there are some that haven't. But those that have are here to stay.

Sheryl's reflections on how most women face insecurity or "feel like a fraud", how even today ambitious and successful women are not liked, how being able "to do it all" is really a myth and how all of us (men & women) together need to embrace changes at home and at the workplace to make it an equal society are relevant and thought provoking.

What has personally stayed with me is that it's important for the women to speak up and acknowledge differences in order that they are treated the same. While this may sound counter intuitive, the essence is that instead of trying hard to "fit in", women should openly talk about their specific needs and demand that they be met. Men and women are not the same in their emotional build up, in the societal expectations and thus, instead of trying to prove that we are the same, we should acknowledge uniqueness and he treated fairly for that.

Exploring the topic of "choices" (between having a career or being a homemaker); Sheryl rightly points that feminism was not supposed to make us feel guilty. It was supposed to make us free by giving us choices and making us comfortable with the choices we make. Unfortunately, that is far from true today. There is hardly a woman who does not feel guilty (mostly, a career woman of not spending time with her kids) and this need for constant validation of our choices is truly an affront to feminism. Let's all start by respecting our choices and those of others.

And finally what has really convinced me that it's critical we all play mixed roles (of bread winning and care giving) is that we owe this to our next generation. As Sheryl says, the more our kids see us playing mixed roles, the more comfortably they will envision choices for themselves. And finally there will be a society where expectations will not be set by gender but by interest, passion and talent.

Before I wrap up, here are two of my favorite quotes from the book:

"Guilt management is almost as important as time management"

"Every job needs some sacrifice. The key is to avoid unnecessary sacrifice"

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You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Animal Farm

Author George Orwell

Country United Kingdom

Genre                            Political Satire

Publication Date           1945

Pages                             112

When I look at this book, I can't help but think of one particular teacher in school who highly recommended this (again & again) but, for some reason, back then, I never managed to lay my hands on it. Maybe because this was a book about animals and I have no special inclination towards four legged creatures. Or because I was just too lazy to try something different.

But life surely keeps surprises in store and I didn't know it then that this book highly recommended by someone in Lucknow would finally get read in Baltimore more than 15 years later.

And I am so glad that this happened. This is a simply but interestingly written short novel about an animal farm where animals, tired of their slavery to humans ("two legged creatures") call upon a rebellion and take over the workings of the farm (after ousting the owner). What starts as a "democracy" with commitment to several commandments like "all animals are equal" quickly degenerates into an autocracy as the assumption of "power" starts to corrupt the pigs. However, sadly enough, it takes long for most of the masses (the "ruled over" animals) to realize that they are being manipulated by the pigs.

While on the outset, the book comes across as a simple tale of animals (and maybe that's all that I would have garnered from this had I perused it 15 years back), the author has indubitably conveyed a far deeper meaning through the same.

Despite being a commentary on the Russian revolution of the early 1900s, the book amazingly is as relevant today as it was in those days. I personally can't help but reflect on how the book is stunningly contemporary to what happens all around us today: in politics and across corporates; both private and public.

What hurts me the most is how people like us (like the horse, sheep and others in the book) get taken in again and again by what someone in a position of power promises; and how in our devotion and faithfulness we get blinded to reason. Or maybe that's in our desperation for a better future.

Finally, the book leaves me with just one nagging thought: "Who really is responsible: those who are conniving enough to take advantage or those who are naive enough to be taken advantage of?

And the answer to that is anything but simple.

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Life of Pi

Author    Yann Martel

Country    Canada

Genre                       Fiction

Publication Date    2001

Pages                        356

This again is one of those books that I have been putting off for the longest time. Somehow the theme didn't interest me at the outset. But the fact that this is a "Man Booker prize" winner and people rave about it all the time finally convinced me to go through it. And it was indeed a different and interesting journey.

Through this book, Yann Martel captivatingly builds the story of Pi, a sixteen year old boy who survives a sunken cargo ship only to spend days alone in the sea with a 450 pound Royal Bengal Tiger. This brilliant and extraordinary tale of survival, desperation and winning imparts some profound life lessons to its readers.

Some of my favorite quotes that will help you gauge the flavor of the book are:

"When your life is threatened, your sense of empathy is blunted by a terrible, selfish hunger for survival"

"Fear: it's life's only true opponent. Only fear can defeat life. It is a clever, treacherous adversary"

"If your fear becomes a wordless darkness that you avoid, you open yourself to further attacks of fear because you never truly fought the opponent who defeated you"

Despite my initial hesitation, I was truly raptured by the book. It's an experience I would recommend to others.

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

The Reader

     Author                         Bernhard Schlink

     Country                       Germany

     Genre                          Historical Fiction

     Publication  Date       1995

     Pages                           218

This 1995 book by Bernhard Schlink is a telling tale on how the post war generations in Germany deal with the generation that was a part of the war related atrocities: as perpetrators, victims or just witnesses.

The book starts with Michael as a 15 year old boy who falls in love with a 36 year old bus conductor, Hanna and spends many evenings of passionate indulgence and book readings at her apartment, till she suddenly disappears one day. Later in the book, Michael once again comes face to face with her while attending trials on war crimes (as a law student). Hanna who was a guard at a concentration camp is tried and finally convicted for the part she played in the war related atrocities. The latter part of the book sees Michael struggling to come to terms with his feelings for Hanna and finally Hanna's suicide just before her release from jail.

What strikes me about the book is how it's neither happy nor sad. I am someone who likes clarity and prefer happy or sad endings so that I can then feel the "appropriate feeling". However, this book leaves me "in between". I am not sure what to feel about Hanna: whether she was a criminal or just someone who was part of the overall circumstances. And this feeling is so brilliantly reflected in Michael's character too. As a 15 year old boy, he was obsessed with Hanna but as an adult, once he is aware of her past, his feelings are meshed and he is not sure whether to love or hate her. It is this complexity of emotions that leads him to send her recorded audio versions of books but holds him back from visiting her at the prison.

In one sentence, I would describe this as a simply but realistically written book that has helped evolve my thinking.

You could use the link: http://bit.ly/1MJ4Fh5 to shop.

So, do check it out and Happy Reading!

Wednesday, 21 May 2014

Eat, Pray, Love

     Author                         Elizabeth Gilbert

     Country                       United States

     Genre                          Non Fiction: Memoir

     Publication  Date        2006

     Pages                           352

This is one of those books which I have been wanting to read for sometime. Infact, I had a copy of this comfortably perched on my bookshelf for the longest time. But, as I tell my husband (who mocks me for purchasing more than I end up reading), there is a time in life for everything and my time to read this book was surely not 3 years ago. The time was now and I am glad to have waited. Who knows; maybe the 'maturer' me has absorbed the book better.

This is the true story of Elizabith's search for meaning in her life. Grappling with a painful divorce and other failed relationships, Elizabeth takes on a year of travel to be with herself and come to terms with her changing life. As the name suggests, she pursues pleasure, spirituality and a balance between the two in Italy, India & Indonesia respectively. Through her excellent narration, she has shared her journey, struggles & victories vividly with her readers.

This is a self discovery narrative which is real, passionate and enchanting. One striking thought that stays with me is that it is absolutely fine to pursue harmless pleasure (as the Italians are known for doing). Most of us convince ourselves that we are here just to work hard and make a difference and in the bargain foget to pursue pleasure. Or, worst still, we wait for ourselves to deserve a pleasure and then offer it as a treat. Life would be simpler and happier if we were not so harsh and judgmental with ourselves. Infact, as Elizabeth not only shares but successfully displays through her actions, happiness is not a stroke of luck. We must work towards finding happiness and maintaining it.

I would just suffice by saying that we owe it to ourselves to pursue pleasures and find happiness. Most of us talk of our responsibility towards family, children, work; with abolsutely no mention of ourselves. Lets not forget that only a happy self can bring happiness to others.

Beloved

     Author                         Toni Morrison

     Country                        United States

     Genre                           Historical Fiction

     Publication Date         1987

     Pages                            324

This Pulitzer Prize winning book, believed to be one of its kind was picked up by my book club and that's how it ended up with me.

This is the hearth renching story of Sethe who escapes slavery but even after 18 years, is a prisoner to its memories. Through different characters; each with their own history, Toni portrays the long term impact of slavery - how one is never really free from it (even post a physical escape) and how claiming an individual identity or knowing who you really are (after having been 'owned' by others your entire life) is harder than most of us can imagine.

Through Sethe's character, Toni also represents the extent to which a mother would go to protect her children from what she perceives as 'danger'. Sethe is someone who kills her own infant daughter to save her from slavery. While passing no moral judgement on the action, Toni portrays a mother's struggle in killing her own child and then spending the rest of her life justifying the action to herself and to 'Beloved'; the teenage girl who turns up at her doorstep and is presumably a manifestation of her dead daughter.

'Beloved' is an excellent piece of literature but surely qualifies as a difficult read. The complexity of constantly changing timelines and narratives make the book demand your full attention. With my inherent desire for simplicity, I found the book slightly overwhelming but guess good literature comes in different forms and I am so glad, I got myself through this. Completely worth the effort.

My personal take away: Life is a mesh of the past, present and the future and while it may not be possible to completely get over the memories, it's the first step towards a 'free-r' future!

Tuesday, 29 April 2014

Of Human Bondage

     Author                           W Somerset Maugham

     Country                         United States

     Genre                            Fiction: Classic

     Publication Date          1915

     Pages                             680

An effortlessly written real & engaging story; that's how I would describe this age old classic in a few words.

This classic traces the coming of age of Phillip; an ordinary boy who is orphaned at a young age and is consequently brought up by his uncle. Philip is physically disadvantaged (club foot) but is full of passion and an insatiable desire to explore the world. It is this urge to try his hand at new things that takes him to dabbling with arts and accountancy and finally settling in medicine. He travels around the world, makes friends, falls in love (or rather gets crazy while in love) and finally settles down.

The most likable aspect about the book is that it neither carves Phillip as a hero nor as a villain. Philiip is shown as an ordinary human who makes mistakes and unfortunately, ends up making some mistakes again and again. While his mind elucidates that his passion for Mildred is degrading and destructive, his heart refuses to listen till it is finally too late. However, it's this large heartedness and the desire to help others even beyond his means that make his character so lovable and genuine.

Unlike many other classics, what has truly appealed to me about this one is the fact that it beautifully sketches the beliefs and thought processes of Phillip at various stages of his life. The readers are invited to Philips thoughts at every junction. We see how he is made to believe in religion and God as a child and how he questions religion and morality as he grows up and forms his own belief system, not necessarily Christian. Throughout the book, Philip is constantly searching for the true meaning of life and it's is this search (and the associated deliberations) that makes the book a lot deeper and insightful.

Reading this book has been a treat like none else. I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys going deep.