Read more
5 Books Every College Student Must Read
1 The Alchemist
The Alchemist Written by the famous writer Paulo Coelho. Alchemist is a book that somehow resonates with each one of us through the protagonist Santiago, an Andalusian shepherd boy. It tells you about the basic human desires, we all have passion for something which some of us follow whereas the other hide within, due to the fear of the society and the world. This book teaches us the essential wisdom of listening to our hearts, recognizing the opportunities and learning to read the omens strewn along life’s path and most importantly to follow your dreams.
2 The Last Lecture
A lot of professors give talks titled "The Last Lecture." Professors are asked to consider their demise and to ruminate on what matters most to them. And while they speak, audiences can't help but mull the same question: What wisdom would we impart to the world if we knew it was our last chance? If we had to vanish tomorrow, what would we want as our legacy?
When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.
In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come.
When Randy Pausch, a computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon, was asked to give such a lecture, he didn't have to imagine it as his last, since he had recently been diagnosed with terminal cancer. But the lecture he gave--"Really Achieving Your Childhood Dreams"--wasn't about dying. It was about the importance of overcoming obstacles, of enabling the dreams of others, of seizing every moment (because "time is all you have...and you may find one day that you have less than you think"). It was a summation of everything Randy had come to believe. It was about living.
In this book, Randy Pausch has combined the humor, inspiration and intelligence that made his lecture such a phenomenon and given it an indelible form. It is a book that will be shared for generations to come.
3 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Written by Stephen R. Covey in the awake condition of 90s when Americans needed higher productivity in business, this book concentrates on how habits are developed and what types of habits are needed to be highly productive. The author believes that habits are the results of repeated actions and a certain level of commitment. The seven habits are :
Pro-active
Begin with the end in mind
Put first things first
Think win-win
Seek first to understand than be understood
Synergize
Sharpen the saw
New York Times bestseller — over 25 million copies sold the no. 1 most influential business book of the twentieth century “[thirty] years after it first appeared, the wisdom of the 7 habits is more relevant than ever. On an individual level people are burning out, and on a collective level we are burning up the planet. So Dr. Covey’s emphasis on self-renewal and his understanding that leadership and creativity require us to tap into our own physical, mental, and spiritual resources are exactly what we need now.” Arianna Huffington one of the most inspiring and impactful books ever written, the 7 habits of highly effective people has captivated readers for nearly three decades. It has transformed the lives of presidents and CEO, teachers and parents - millions of people of all ages and occupations. Now, this 30th anniversary edition of the timeless classic commemorates the wisdom of the 7 habits with modern additions from Sean Covey. The 7 habits have become famous and are integrated into everyday thinking by millions and millions of people. Why? Because they work! With Sean covey’s added take a ways on how the habits can be used in our modern age, The wisdom of the 7 habits will be refreshed for a new generation of leaders. This beloved classic presents a principle-centered approach for solving both personal and professional problems. With penetrating insights and practical anecdotes, Stephen R. Covey reveals a step-by-step pathway for living with fairness, integrity, honesty, and human dignity - principles that give us the security to adapt to change and the wisdom and power to take advantage of the opportunities that change creates.
4 The Fountainhead
Right from our childhood we are advised to be crazy for your passion. Only when you follow it with your heart and mind you get what you dream of. Well in this book Ayn Rand beautifully crafts a story around 5 characters with her protagonist being Howard Roark. The book may not grab your attention at first but as it moves forward, the life of Roark makes you question your own ethics. Ayn describes how some people just settle for what is offered to them while only the talented and the dreamers shape their life their style. Roark is very passionate and dedicated to his dream of being an architect but he refuses to design buildings in a regular way. He is also very humble and secure about his talent which is why he does not mind helping his friend, Keating, in designing building though he gains absolutely nothing out of it.
Howard Roark, the protagonist of the story is an architect and a firm opposer of collectivism. It is his firm belief than only an individual's vision can be effective in producing genuine art. Mediocrity in art may get rampant if interference by committees and councils is allowed. The Fountainhead is his journey against tradition and his fight against the system.
Peter Keating, Howard's arch rival has beliefs that are the opposite of Howard.'s There are also others that stand in Howard's way. Dominique Francon, the heroine of the story is shown to emerge as a strong, independent woman as the story develops.
Through much of the book the author has expressed her strong personal views against collectivism through the protagonist. It is a journey of a single person against an entire tradition and system to break free. Will Howard survive the war or will be forced to accept the system? The Fountainhead was published by Signet in the year 1996 and is available in paperback.
All the characters in the book describe different types of people one encounters in their journey of life. Without focusing on any single person the author gives you the choice of choosing your own path and your own story. The main theme of “The Fountainhead” is the struggle of the free mind, struggle for creativity and individualism and struggle against the common opinion, the “second-handers”, the people who think only about what other people think.
Peter Keating, Howard's arch rival has beliefs that are the opposite of Howard.'s There are also others that stand in Howard's way. Dominique Francon, the heroine of the story is shown to emerge as a strong, independent woman as the story develops.
Through much of the book the author has expressed her strong personal views against collectivism through the protagonist. It is a journey of a single person against an entire tradition and system to break free. Will Howard survive the war or will be forced to accept the system? The Fountainhead was published by Signet in the year 1996 and is available in paperback.
All the characters in the book describe different types of people one encounters in their journey of life. Without focusing on any single person the author gives you the choice of choosing your own path and your own story. The main theme of “The Fountainhead” is the struggle of the free mind, struggle for creativity and individualism and struggle against the common opinion, the “second-handers”, the people who think only about what other people think.
5 Ignited Minds: Unleashing the power within india
Authored by the most influential Indian President yet, this book delves into the obstacles that are preventing India from rising up to the challenge of development. India has unmatched talent and ambition with an inherent tendency to work hard, then what is it that keeps India from overtaking the world. Why does India as a nation settle for the ordinary when the extraordinary is well within the reach?
Dr. Kalam shares his dream of a nation that is unrivaled, he discusses how he has, from his experience, met such skilled people whose visions can transform the nation. It is imperative that one searches for own solutions and find role-models in countrymen instead of looking towards the other nations. India must not strive to be the next America or Japan but has to be the strong nation that she is capable of becoming. For this, all the trapped energies and initiatives need to be freed instead of suppressing them.
Through his experiences and interactions with people from different spheres of the society, including school and college students, eminent scientists and visionaries, saints and industrialists he urges the people of India to unite and to work with a mission.
In the book, we are introduced to numerous role models that are hiding amongst us. Words of wisdom from saints and seers that the author encountered through his life have been quoted. The book proceeds to address the issues at hand and mentions some reforms that have to be incorporated in politics and policies. The policy making procedure of the nation requires major reforms. The youth has to be given a stage and the reins of the nation need to be passed on. The book motivates the young minds and forces the positive auras together to build the face of a new nation.
A book dedicated to the youth and the students of the country; Ignited Minds is a blessing Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam has bestowed on us before leaving. The book begins with an inspirational message to the youth of India to dream big and to believe that their dream will come true. Dr. Kalam talks about the fusion of science and spirituality, where he emphasis how important spiritual development is along with the development in other areas like education, agriculture, Information Technology, etc.
