Wednesday, December 30, 2009

Discovering meaning of life


Just rising above the new year resolutions, let us ask ourselves, 'what is the meaning of my life'?

Viktor E Frankl, the author of Man's search for meaning, says we can discover this meaning of life in three different ways: (1) by creating a work or doing a deed (2) by experiencing something or encountering someone (3) by the attitude we take toward unavoidable suffering.


This may too sound philosophical, but the author has undergone a terrific experience where in he lied naked among the flesh and dead bodies in a Nazi camp and finally manage to escape. This experience helped him in devising a psychology study called Logotherapy.

He also speaks of an optimisim in the face of tragedy, where in one (1) turns suffering into a human achievement and accomplishment, (2) derive from guilt the opportunity to change oneself for the better (3) deriving from life's transitoriness (such as death) an incentive to take responsible action.

Especially, with referene to the 3rd point, its just not death, but all the moments of life that are dying and will never recur. This very thought is a reminder that challenges us to make the best possible use of each moment of our lives.

He says, "Live as if you were living for the second time and had acted as wrongly the first time as you are about to act now".  What a powerful statement! Thats going to be my guiding principle for me this new year. I am going to create a poster out of it and stick it to this page sidebar as a constant reminder.

He has a message for students in America and Europe - "Do not pursue success.. as you are going to miss it..as unintended side effect of one's dedication for greater cause than oneself..". 

He also fondly quotes the German philosopher Nietzsche, "He who has a why to live can bear with almost any how".

Friends, lets make the best of our times, we are living in days that is terrific and unique.

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Books - Master Cleaning


There is no enough space on the floor for my books and it did not make sense to me to keep the books in shelves when I would not read them. I strongly believe buying books is a real investment for one.

Just recalling my childhood and school days.  My dad (Mr.Subramanian) was the first one to get me those nice Lifco books which I treasure the most. It is a set of 30 small books from Lifco on various subjects. I treated it as an encyclopedia. I also have the dictionary that I got in school days.  He also got me a membership in the Bhavani Govt Library. Then my uncle (Mr.D.Natarajan), an avid reader of books and all of them were in a trunk box. He has shared with me on various topics and a very knowledgeable person. Then my mentor and family friend, doctor (Dr.V.Srinivasan) who introduced to me all the modern age books. We used to discuss in length about various books. Later, several friends talked to me about books. I need to mention my cousin Surya and my niece Gayathri for their deep interests in reading books and sharing knowledge. More to share on this..may be in another blog entry. I think I touched up on this subject sometime.

Today, I decided to segregate the books - to read and refer for 2010; and those I will not pay attention for 2010. It was not an easy exercise. But I related the books to my new year personal goals and then it was easy to separate them.

Now my book shelves have fresh collection and good locking. The 'see u later ones' are dumped in the loft.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

2 New Books in my shelf

Bought two new books - one is the new release and another one is international bestseller, not too new.

Discover The "Diamond" You by Arindam Chaudhuri

Richard Brandson's Losing my Virginity (The Autobiography)

I had been to Jayanagar Landmark bookshop today. Arindam's book was much hyped by Times of India. A self help book, but very plain style - I just started reading the book.  Will post a review when done.

Another one is Richard Branson's autobiography. I dont know anything of him - I am asking myself : How do I pick books?  I think I go for the autobiographies. Autobiographies have interesting stories to say.

2 books in my bookshelf

Bought two new books - one is the new release and another one is international bestseller, not too new.







Discover The "Diamond" You by Arindam Chaudhuri







Richard Brandson's Losing my Virginity (The Autobiography)







I had been to Jayanagar Landmark bookshop today. Arindam's book was much hyped by Times of India. A self help book, but very plain style - I just started reading the book.  Will post a review when done.







Another one is Richard Branson's autobiography. I dont know anything of him - I am asking myself : How do I pick books?  I think I go for the autobiographies. Autobiographies have interesting stories to say.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Bangalore Book Festival 2009

I had been to the much awaited Bangalore Book Festival 2009 yesterday. For the first time, I had taken my entire family and they certainly enjoyed. I determined not to buy any English books as I can buy them as well from FlipKart.com for a good discount.  My plan was to buy Tamil books as I would get them for a discount of 10%.  My family picked the most of the books. I got an opportunity to interact with Flipkart folks and shared my feedback. Apart from that we also bought several small books for my kid. I will be adding the purchased books details in my online library catalogue.

I am not sure if I would visit them again today or next week.

I am also eagerly waiting for the Strand Book Festival that is expected around Nov 26th or so near Chaluyka Hotel.

Related News
News in Indian Express
DNA India
Times of India

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Online Book Shops


By the way, a mini disclaimer. Its just a coincidence that I write on few websites these days. Recently, I have been frequenting Flipkart.com but have not purchased anything yet.

I have purchased books through firstandsecond.com, rediff, indiatimes and fabmall extensively in the past. I also have received books through Citibank's loyalty points. (Want to share a bad experience here: For a book of worth Rs.96, Citibank took 250 points from my account. They even said 1 point equals 1 Re. but they could not justify how 250 equals 96). 

Many online websites review that Flipkart is similar to Amazon. But I find Flipkart's costs are dead cheap. I get my books from Sapna Books, Books Paradise, Landmark, Crossword, through office library and other book exhibitions. Landmark which never had a discounted sale (probably not realizing the competition from the locals?), recently is running a discount sale.

Next month, we can also expect a discount sale in Palace Grounds followed by one in Strand. 

Flipkart is the online website that provides very discount. No shipping charges!  I am planning to try their services.

Also read:
Interview with Flipkart Founder Binny Bansal

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Google Books

Google Books is a great gift to the book lovers. I guess it recently introduced the Full View option where in one would be able to read the entire book. Many features of Google makes us hooked onto the Internet. I am linking to a book just a test.