Book review : The Art of Living

“The Art of Living” is written by Bob Proctor. I have listened to the audio book. I think its mostly a transcript of some of the seminars he has conducted. Some parts of the book is like he is talking to us in some speech and others would be like dialogues between Bob and someone who is attending his course. Bob in many places highlights he’s own journey from rags to riches, how he was able to achieve so much wealth by creating his company to clean offices. His secret is law of attraction. The more one’s thoughts are focused towards positive and aboundance, the more it becomes part of one’s life. He makes many reference to the book by Napolean Hill “Think and Grow Rich”.

Rating: 3/5. And inspiring book with nothing new to offer but pleasant to have gone through.

Book Review : Resilient

“Resilient: How to Grow an Unshakable Core of Calm, Strength, and Happiness” is written by Rick Hanson. I have listened to the audio book. Its a sensible book, a bit over stretch. Its quite long and for most part repetitive and boring. There are many places where you can relate. The book is about centering one-self even when there is struggles going on in life. The book offers good advice and some practical exercise to follow with them.

Rating: 3/5. Book and approach could be contained. Provides many practical ways to work with one’s deficiencies to attain stability.

Book Review : The Science of Self-Learning

“The Science of Self-Learning: How to Teach Yourself Anything, Learn More in Less Time, and Direct Your Own Education” is written by Peter Hollins. I have listened to the audio book. The author speaks about the SQ3R technique, taking Cornell notes and employing Feynman technique. There ar many such tools and techniques mention which will help one to understand and retain knowledge while educating one self.

Rating: 3/5. A well organized book. The author does not deep dive into the topics.

Book Review : The Great Mental Models

“The Great Mental Models: General Thinking Concepts” is written by Shane Parrish and Rhiannon Beaubien. I have gone through this audio-book. In it he provides a brief overview of some of the mental models. To make decisions one should have basic understanding of all the related areas and not just stick to one.

Rating: 3/5. Its a small audiobook and I don’t remember much of it. May be I will revisit and give better review sometime later

Book Review : The Science of Enlightenment

“The Science of Enlightenment: How Meditation Works” is written by Shinzen Young. I have gone through the audio version of this book. The book starts with an introduction of how Young became a monk. Originally he intended to just study about meditation but then became a disciple and went through training himself in Japan. Later returned to US. I think what stuck with me was some advice from him on meditation, initial year one could be sleepy, mindful meditation also called Vipasana (which is observing self), one should stay at meditation practice – even when on is disheartened that there is nothing much happening – slowly and surely perspective is change as more one discovers one self through meditation. His experience are interesting while his description of some process does not appeal much. He wants that there be some day a technology by which anyone could meditate easily.

Rating: 3/5. Some parts are interesting to listen to. But many parts it seems repetitive and not able to connect.

Book Review : Master The Day

“Master The Day: Eat, Move and Live Better With The Power of Daily Habits” is written by Alexander Heyne. I have listened to the audio version of this book. The basic philosophy of the book is instead of having a very rigid goals regarding health like loosing x pounds of weight in y days, one could just have a goal as to loose weights. Then think about what habits would help to achieve that goal. Try accomplishing the habits on daily basis. Keep track and refocus on the habits with some changes. This way one does not lose confidence about one self and would keep trying for better. Habits could also be build up incrementally and its important to start first.

Rating: 3/5. The main theme is quite short and rest of the book just beats around the bush for the same theme.

Book Review : Deep Work

“Deep Work: Rules for Focused Success in a Distracted World” is written
by Cal Newport. I have listened to an audio version of this book. This book basically talks about developing focus on work and the many practical ways to achieve it at work place. The author present ways to manage a busy schedule, keeping minimal use of internet and social network, planning the day, etc. Deep Work is meant for most, except may be those who get involved in frequent interruptions sort of job.

Ratings 3/5. I learnt a lot of time management techniques. Many places the author seems to be boasting about his achievements. I think many topics could be found in any book concerning on focus.

Book Review: The Personal MBA

“The Personal MBA: Master the Art of Business” is written by Josh Kaufman. I have listenend to the audio version of this book. This book doesn’t do much detailed discussions on the MBA topics but it does provide an overview of business related jargoans. It sticks to the topics that is meant to for business. The personal examples provided do not sound very great. The first half of the book seemed interesting. Topics like working with yourself, with others, analyzing systems don’t catch much interest.

Rating : 3/5. Some of the approaches recommended by the author is good. Many of the topics don’t carry much weight.

Book Review: Investing For Dummies

“Investing For Dummies” is written by Eric Tyson. I have listened to an audio version of this book. The author discusses on the various strategies for investment like mutual funds, stock market, real estate. All the discussions are  mostly informative and give overall view on the subjects. There is also some discussion on financial planning according to your personal goal. Author also talks about business and business planning strategies. How to set your budget for your business. This book is for beginners into investing.

Rating:3/5. Good book to understand the various tools for investing. Not for sofisticated investors and if you need to know advanced understanding.

Book Review : Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant

“Rich Dad’s Cashflow Quadrant: Rich Dad’s Guide to Financial Freedom” is written by Robert T. Kiyosaki.  I have listened to an audio version of this book. The 4 quatrants are :- employee, self-employed, business owner and the investor. The employee quadrant is the safest and one does not make much money. Being self employed is risky as it depends on one’s own hardwork and skill. Being a business owner or and investor is what one should aim. In those two quadrants one could have maximum leverage and have maximum chances of making money.

Rating:4/5. Thought ideas for this have been presented in the 1st book. This book discusses more in-depth on this.