This is What Changed My Mindset Forever

Reading books was not always my forte. I used to be at loggerheads with books until high school when something dramatic changed my mindset and we became best friends.

As I embarked upon my reading journey – I came across innumerable books which changed me in some way or the other and left an indelible mark. Some have left an everlasting impression while some have made me wiser and some happier. These adorn my bookshelf and occupy a place of pride in my most prized possessions. Sharing 10 books which have influenced me in a good way.

1. Gone with the Wind – by Margaret Mitchell
   This American epic historical romance swept me off my feet. It taught me about the famous American Civil war and the reconstruction of the country thereafter. Survival in tough and challenging times, finding love, living by traditions and values – this romantic piece of historical fiction is a must-read. One of the finest books written – I can still read it over and over again.
2. The Bridge Across Forever – By Richard Bach
   An autobiographical non-fiction book, a true love story. This saw me jotting down lines true and relevant to each one of us. I would read and reread the pages just to assimilate what it had to offer and each time a new meaning would emerge. Some lines have stuck with me for years when I first read it in early college days.
3. Palace of Illusions – By Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
   This is a rendition of one of the most famous Hindu epics – The Mahabharat as seen from the eyes of Draupadi. As children, we grew up learning about The Ramayana and The Mahabharat – the rights and wrongs and the virtues and values to be imbibed from them. Here came a novel which presented a very different view of a woman who is a part of a Patriarchal society was the central character causing the great war. Takes one back to a time which is historical, mythical and magical through a straightforward easy to understand the narrative. A must-read for all who love history.
4. Notes to myself – My struggle to become a person – By Hugh Prather
   My go-to book when I was struggling to cope up with life, trying to figure and sort it out. Beautifully written as a collection of simple and complex thoughts – it seemed as if to read my mind. A compilation of thoughts written like a journal, this book remains timeless and insightful, relevant in every era and age. The beauty is that you can pick any page to start and stop without any inhibition.
5. The Road Less Travelled – By M. Scott Peck
   A brilliant book was written by a practising Psychiatrist through his professional experience. Avoidance of problems is not a solution at all and confronting them tactfully head-on is what we all need to practice and inculcate to be able to grow mentally and spiritually. Acceptance of reality, situations, mistakes, true compatibility, loving relationships, how to be a more sensitive parent and a better person are the highlights of this wonderful book. The title of the book itself is thought-provoking and therein lies the essence of the book which made me draw several parallels in my true-life situations.
6. Being Happy – by Andrew Mathews
   Handling a serious subject in a lighter vein – this book is by far the best self-help book I have read. Unusual in its presentation – interspersed with humorous illustrations, it helps you understand yourself better, aiming to raise the happiness quotient and make you more prosperous. At the same time, it gives you the ability to laugh at yourself and be forgiving too. Simple and truthful is how I would sum it up. It made me introspect and increase my happiness quotient tremendously.
7. Malgudi Days – by R.K. Narayan
   A collection of short stories written in a simple style which every Indian can identify with. It is an instant connect with the characters in the stories. Written in his trademark style the stories are delightful, relatable, ordinary yet extraordinary. A must-read for all ages- it never fails to strike a chord. I began valuing the simple things which we had taken almost for granted as we grew up.
8. How to win friends and Influence People – By Dale Carnegie
   Gifted to me by my brother years ago while I was still pursuing college – this became one of my favourites. I have yet to come across anyone who would not want to be popular in their own circles. This self-help book with practical knowledge and guidelines is a treasure house and a must-read for all ages.
9. The Glass Palace – By Amitav Ghosh
   One of the most gripping historical work of fiction interspersed with a few real character references – this book is one you cannot put down once taken up. The story travels back and forth between Burma, India & Malaya – highlighting the difficulties of the last King of Burma, the adversities faced by the people in these countries due to World War II. I had little knowledge about the history of the region and world war II and this book came as great knowledge enhancer.
10. The Namesake – By Jhumpa Lahiri
    Many of us long to live the western dream. This book explores the complexity of growing up in a western world with Indian values and identity. The longing for one’s own people and place – it highlights the immigrant dilemma very well as also the conflict of cultural identity. It effortlessly draws you into it being quite descriptive at times. As the name suggests and indicates – it is a novel about identities centring on the central characters search for self as a first-generation American with a strange Russian name.