So this is for all the booklovers out there? What is your fallbook? As in which is the book you read when you don't feel very good, or need to take a break from the Universe?
Consolations by David Whyte. subtitled The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words
disrupts assumed superficiality of language through which we live our lives, and delves into the slower, attentive point/path of what is possible with it.
excerpt for the word Procrastination-
What looks from the outside like our delay; our lack of commitment; even our laziness may have more to do with a slow, necessary ripening through time and the central struggle with the realities of any endeavor to which we have set our minds. To hate our procrastinating tendencies is in some way to hate our relationship with time itself, to be unequal to the phenomenology of revelation and the way it works its own way in its very own gifted time, only emerging when the very qualities it represents have a firm correspondence in our necessarily struggling heart and imagination.
Procrastination helps us to be a student of our own reluctance, to understand the hidden darker side of the first enthusiastic idea, to learn what we are afraid of in the endeavor itself; to put an underbelly into the work itself so that it becomes a living, satisfying whole, not a surface trying to manipulate us in the moment.
Procrastination does not stop a project from coming to fruition, what stops us is giving up on an original idea because we have not got to the heart of the reason we are delaying, nor let the true form of our reluctance instruct us in the way ahead.
I almost procrastinated on reading that excerpt (like I had addedwaitbutwhy'sTED talk/blog on watch/read later) :D
May Kasahara,
Any book from the Discworld series by Terry Pratchett. He's a satirical fantasy fiction writer who passed away 6 years ago. You can find many 2nd-hand copies of his books in 2nd hand markets, especially in Daryaganj.
It's incredibly clever writing, deeply hilarious, and full of heart. He writes about humanity and the human condition in a way that's very unparalleled. The morality of his characters is also really moving to read; I almost feel like the set of Discworld novels that centre around Samuel Vimes, a police captain, should be required reading for IPS officers because it describes very brilliantly the poignant struggle of dealing with corruption without losing your humanity, among other really important things. He's also the rare fantasy writer who writes strong and sensible female characters.
ssver2,JhansiKiRanii
ssver2,SankozaIf you're looking for books to push you specifically on days you don't feel like doing anything, try 1) Can't Hurt MebyDavid Goggins2)Discipline is FreedombyJocko Willink3)RelentlessbyTim Grover.
Their worldview isn't something I'd hold on normal days (It's too dark). But when you need to push yourself beyond your limits, these three are the masters. Check out some of their interviews on various podcasts before you dive into their books
Thanks for writing this :')
"I find people developing contrarian opinion over ubiquitous things. When something goes too mainstream, people like to avoid it, like Game of Thrones."
lol I actually did this. saw only few episodes of GoT since everyone was talking about it. also used to feel bad when some of my fav Indie bands went mainstream :D
Adams also taught me that it's perfectly ok if doesn't make sense. #42 #dontPanic and his signature wit<3
"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move. Many races believe that it was created by some sort of God, though the Jatravartids believe that it was in fact sneezed out of the nose of a being called the Great Green Arkleseizure. They live in perpetual fear ofThe Coming of The Great White Handkerchief."
āThere is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.ā
and more: Douglas Adams Quotes (Author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) | Goodreads
How are we so similar? Absolutely hated how mainstream indie artists like Prateek Kuhad, Beach Fossils, Novo Amor, Bon Iver or Cigarettes After *** have gotten (whilst simultaneously being stoked for their success) :P
Also never thought I'd meet another human being IRL who knows of Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. World is indeed a small place :)
ssver2,
- The Manual: A Philosopher's Guide To Life by Epictetus (Its really short like 40-50 pages only)
- Courage Under Fire: Testing Epictetus' Doctrines in a laboratory of Human Behavior by James B. Stockdale (32 pages in total)
- How To Be Free: An Ancient Guide To the Stoic Life by Epictetus
- Musonius Rufus: Lectures and Sayings
@TheSherlock
If you're looking for books to push you specifically on days you don't feel like doing anything, try 1) Can't Hurt MebyDavid Goggins2)Discipline is FreedombyJocko Willink3)RelentlessbyTim Grover.Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL and long distance runner. Jocko is a retired SEAL and naval officer. Tim is a personal trainer with former clients like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant etc. All three are extremely intense fellows. (Goggins is called the world's toughest guy for a reason)
Their worldview isn't something I'd hold on normal days (It's too dark). But when you need to push yourself beyond your limits, these three are the masters. Check out some of their interviews on various podcasts before you dive into their booksAnother way of inspiration is reading biographies of people doing what you want to do. So if you want to be an IAS officer, check out some memoirs of retired IAS officers. I haven't read much in this genre so better wait for someone else's recommendations
Absolutely agree with the last para.
I am no knight. Do not call me Sir
Celeborn,Proton9
Thanks for writing this :')
"I find people developing contrarian opinion over ubiquitous things. When something goes too mainstream, people like to avoid it, like Game of Thrones."
lol I actually did this. saw only few episodes of GoT since everyone was talking about it. also used to feel bad when some of my fav Indie bands went mainstream :D
Adams also taught me that it's perfectly ok if doesn't make sense. #42 #dontPanic and his signature wit<3
"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move. Many races believe that it was created by some sort of God, though the Jatravartids believe that it was in fact sneezed out of the nose of a being called the Great Green Arkleseizure. They live in perpetual fear ofThe Coming of The Great White Handkerchief."
āThere is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.ā
and more: Douglas Adams Quotes (Author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) | Goodreads
How are we so similar? Absolutely hated how mainstream indie artists like Prateek Kuhad, Beach Fossils, Novo Amor, Bon Iver or Cigarettes After *** have gotten (whilst simultaneously being stoked for their success) :P
Also never thought I'd meet another human being IRL who knows of Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. World is indeed a small place :)
cc:@Patootie
Wow! Good to see so many fellow aspirants who are book lovers. I want to read something that is inspiring.....gives you that push to work harder. CSE prep is tough and I sometimes feel a bit low and do not feel like studying on some days. So any recommendations on self help book/motivating book/inspiring biography ?
Seneca's On the Shortness of Life
May Kasahara,
Thanks for writing this :')
"I find people developing contrarian opinion over ubiquitous things. When something goes too mainstream, people like to avoid it, like Game of Thrones."
lol I actually did this. saw only few episodes of GoT since everyone was talking about it. also used to feel bad when some of my fav Indie bands went mainstream :D
Adams also taught me that it's perfectly ok if doesn't make sense. #42 #dontPanic and his signature wit<3
"In the beginning the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry and been widely regarded as a bad move. Many races believe that it was created by some sort of God, though the Jatravartids believe that it was in fact sneezed out of the nose of a being called the Great Green Arkleseizure. They live in perpetual fear ofThe Coming of The Great White Handkerchief."
āThere is a theory which states that if ever anyone discovers exactly what the Universe is for and why it is here, it will instantly disappear and be replaced by something even more bizarre and inexplicable. There is another theory which states that this has already happened.ā
and more: Douglas Adams Quotes (Author of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy) | Goodreads
How are we so similar? Absolutely hated how mainstream indie artists like Prateek Kuhad, Beach Fossils, Novo Amor, Bon Iver or Cigarettes After *** have gotten (whilst simultaneously being stoked for their success) :P
Also never thought I'd meet another human being IRL who knows of Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows. World is indeed a small place :)cc:@Patootie
It feels like a betrayal of some sort when your favourite artists become more famous. They are not your little secret anymore. However, you understand why they had to do it. At some level, you are also proud of them.š
Right now, thatās what is happening between me and Hollow Coves.š„²
@TheSherlock
If you're looking for books to push you specifically on days you don't feel like doing anything, try 1) Can't Hurt MebyDavid Goggins2)Discipline is FreedombyJocko Willink3)RelentlessbyTim Grover.Goggins is a retired Navy SEAL and long distance runner. Jocko is a retired SEAL and naval officer. Tim is a personal trainer with former clients like Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant etc. All three are extremely intense fellows. (Goggins is called the world's toughest guy for a reason)
Their worldview isn't something I'd hold on normal days (It's too dark). But when you need to push yourself beyond your limits, these three are the masters. Check out some of their interviews on various podcasts before you dive into their booksAnother way of inspiration is reading biographies of people doing what you want to do. So if you want to be an IAS officer, check out some memoirs of retired IAS officers. I haven't read much in this genre so better wait for someone else's recommendations
Advice and Dissent by YV Reddy is something I would recommend. It takes us through the life of the man in the most humorous manner.
An excerpt (from memory)
A journalist asks YV Reddy, the then Governor of RBI: āSir, how independent is the RBI?ā
He replies: āI am very independent. I have the permission of my Finance Minister to tell you that!ā
Jiddu Krishnamurtiās Commentaries on Living is a simple yet utterly profound read. Sort of anti-philosophy and analytically meditative taking one within oneās own self as a witness. Offers some solace, helping me accept and live with the uncertainty there is to the exam.
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