My reflections about books I read in 2022

CAN'T HURT ME

David Goggin's "Can't Hurt Me" inspired me to push my limits. I give him the credit for my new exercising routine. To become that dream person we aspire to be, we need to change certain habits from our roots which can be very difficult. Even though I wanted to improve myself, at the same time, there is a lot of resistance while practicing it. David Goggins put all that struggle in words.

"Can't Hurt Me" is about David Goggins's life. He narrates by telling about his childhood trauma to becoming the best version of himself at each stage of his life. He stops giving excuses about the situation and starts working towards his goal. Then he lands a job that he dreams of as a child. He doesn't stop there, he takes part in the toughest marathons in the world and ends up finishing them. Gradually, he starts enjoying the pain. One thing I loved a lot is how he proved that more than talent, it is the attitude that makes the difference. Initially, when I recommended this book to a friend before finishing the book, she said the reviews were intriguing. He might sound crazy to others, but I liked how he portrayed his growth and what it takes to become one. He also gave some tips to master the judge in our head that prevents us from pushing limits.

I could relate to every thought he said as he ran for a marathon which is way off his limits. Recently our college organised a 33km walk promoting national integrity in which I took part. For the first 12km, it wasn't difficult. It was fun with friends and dancing around as we walked. The afternoon part was very tiring because of the heat. I was trembling after covering most of the walk. Good conversations with friends indeed reduce the burden. All through the walk, I could only remember David Goggins and was surprised how he finished the world's toughest marathons while I am struggling for a 33km walk with friends around.

David Goggins gave me the courage to rock despite all odds. Some of his actions were intimidating, I was afraid he would lose his life but that shows how desperate he is for his goal. I am not a fan of self-help books because they sound boring, but my perspective is slowly changing. There is defiantly a treasure in this book that helps me battle all the odds and redefine myself for the best. I would recommend this book to people who have less confidence in themselves and quits just because of that. 

THE FIVE PEOPLE YOU MEET IN HEAVEN

One of my friends gifted me the book named "The five people you meet in heaven" by Mitch Albom. He is the author of the International bestseller "Tuesdays with Morrie". 

This book begins with the "END", which means every ending is a new beginning. The protagonist in this fictional story is Eddie. He wanted to live a different life, unlike his father. But he ends up taking the same job as his father because of certain situations. He dies at the age of 83 in an accident in Ruby Pier, an amusement park where he worked all his life in maintenance. Then he meets "five people in heaven", who are directly or indirectly related to him during his life. After meeting them, all his agony and regrets go away. He then lands in a place that is called heaven to him.

The author portrays the meaning of life interestingly and uniquely. Some tend to believe in life after death, and some don't. It is not a book that convinces you to believe in life after death but tells what truly matters when we are alive. It is a small and easy read with good meaning.

   ATLAS SHRUGGED

This is a huge book...I never read a book for such a long time. This was also a gift from my friend. One has to read this book to enjoy it rather than having the intention to finish it off. I am in love with the characters in this book. Dagny is a third-gen businesswoman and a younger sister to Jim. Jim always boasts of managing their Rail company and does not consider Dagny's points as good ones. Dagny is very clever and always thinks of work and nothing else. Jim is not quite efficient in his work and Dagny dominates him with her perfection. She takes bold decisions to help her company sustain itself during tough situations. Her goal and dedication are always inspiring. 

Hank Readren also has a similar driving force for the metal he developed. He works 18 hours a day and gives no time to family. Everyone calls him selfish for running after money. But he worked hard to earn it, so I love this character as well. 

Dagny and Hank work together on a project and builds the railroad with the metal from Hank's company. Dagny leaves her company to save it from bankrupt. She started her own railroad company and named "John Galt", which has a meaning. You will get it if you read that. 

In the middle, we come to know about Fransisco who is an excellent businessman and a childhood friend of Dagny, who happened to love each other and break up due to some situation. His character shows that he has a lot of talent and becomes a playboy. 

This book shows so much inner struggle and willpower to achieve something. 

It's a huge one I didn't finish it..... let's see what happens later on.

I stopped it for time being.

 

 EDUCATED

I am totally out of words as I finished this book. 
This is the memoir by Tara Westover which I found out in Malala's book recommendations. This is about a young girl, whose father is against all the government activities and has faith in God. He believes schools are not good and does not send their children to schools. He does not allow to use hospitals or any medicine, he forced his wife to become a mid wife so that they can deliver baby without hospitals. His wife also uses her medical knowledge to treat small diseases.

 One of his son rebels and leaves the family to study, he slowly shows a way for Tara to leave the family and study. The young girl explores various things in life and narrates her story. When Tara enters BYU after clearing her exam, everything that a normal student does was a surprise to her. She took lot of time to become one among the group.

This book covers the perspective from her childhood, and you will be in awe at how she transformed from working in Junkyard to Cambridge.

 

EXIT WEST

This starts as an interesting love story about between Saeed and Nadia in the city of chaos. I read this book around the time when there is war situation in Ukraine so as I read I felt what can be life of a refugee in such chaos. With the civil war in the city Saeed and Nadia live they struggled with the basic essentials like food, water and cloths. The lovers flee from the city after Saeed's mother is killed. Saeed's father refuses to leave his place and advises them to leave. 

It is heart touching at how Nadia takes comfort in a hot shower after staying in a refugee camp with no bathrooms. I can totally relate with her at this point because it is very difficult for me to be in such situation. I read this book as if I am in place of Nadia. 

After a long struggle Saeed and Nadia flees to other place where there is no chaos. Nadia and Saeed realizes they do not have feelings for each other and part their ways. This book is all about letting go. I do accept is was difficult for the characters to let go of dad in the midst of crises, to let go of the place they lived all their life, to let go of the one they loved. Life is a beauty in the midst of crises. 

I read this book without reading the summary before starting. My expectations out of this book were different when I started the book so I could not take most out of this one.