A thread on

17 BOOKS
THAT HELPED
ME, AND HOW
1

CHARIOTS OF THE GODS

Read it at 17.
Growing up in a religious family, this book
shook me up, with the proposition that
"gods" were actually aliens that visited us.

This book sparked the "let's understand

the other side as well" movement in me.
2

BRIEF HISTORY OF TIME

Read it at 19.
As a physics student, in love with
astronomy, this book became my
Bible. Stephen Hawking's ability to
turn complexity into mass
consumption taught me the power
of an effective teacher.
3

RICH DAD POOR DAD

Read it at 20.
This book shattered all my
preconceived notions about money.
The biggest one being how buying
things is not equal to building
assets.

Classic, in so many ways.

4

FOUNTAINHEAD
Read it at 21.
I recall being obsessed with the
book, reading it in my college library
for hours. It is this book that instilled
in me the idea of "resist the obvious"
through the eyes of Howard Roark.
5

CONTACT
Read it at 22.
This book (later made into a movie)
introduced me to the undying belief of
Ellie and her commitment to her work,
despite all odds.

I wanted to be her.
I wanted to be awesome at my work.
Always!
6

TUESDAYS WITH MORRIE

Read it at 24.
As I began to realize that physics did
not make me happy anymore, I
began looking for answers, to rather
tough questions.

This book helped me realize a bigger

meaning to life, than what I had
decided for myself.
7

LINCHPIN
Read it at 25.
As a student at ISB, I was introduced
to Seth Godin. I picked up this book
and was blown away.

This book taught me how to be an

artist in life. How to create art in
whatever is it that you do.

continued in the next part

8

REWORK
Read it at 29.
Gifted by my cofounder, this book
was the best way to challenge the
current definition of how we work and
reimagine it all together.

Remains my most gifted book ever.

9

ACCIDENTAL BILLIONAIRES
Read it at 30.
This book, documents the founding of
Facebook. An incredible story of deceit.

Made me realize that everyone carries

a burden. Everyone fails. Everyone
destructs. We just do not see it.
10

DELIVERING HAPPINESS
Read it at 32.
As the CEO of a fast growing
consumer company, this book
helped me understand, appreciate
and respect the joys of building a
customer-centric company.

Something I have attempted to live

by, till date.
11

HOW WILL YOU

MEASURE YOU LIFE?
Read it at 34.
I was questioning my work, my
impact, my role and this book saved
me at the right time.

Just as Tuesdays with Morrie, this

book made me understand the true
meaning of life.
12

HARD THINGS ABOUT

HARD THINGS
Read it at 35.
This book coincided with the start
of nearbuy. At a time when building
startups was glamorous, this book
lay bare the truths, like nobody else
had.

It was ok to feel overwhelmed

through the journey.
13

SAPIENS
Read it at 35.
A delightfully wonderful book. Just
as "Brief history of time", Yuval
skillfully simplified the journey of our
civilization. Making me fall in love
with the art of teaching, yet again.
14

BETTER UNDER PRESSURE

Read it at 36.
I had just laid off 80 people in my
team and was devastated. This
book saved me.

It taught me how to rise up, despite

all odds, and face yourself, in order
to eventually face the world.

continued in the next part

15

SKIN IN THE GAME

Read it at 38.
This book blew my mind. Suddenly
the world made sense. Whose view
matters, should matter and should
not, became starkly obvious.
16

COURAGE: JOY OF LIVING

DANGEROUSLY
Read it at 39.
Upon the recommendation of a
follower, I picked up an Osho book
for the first time.

The book wasn't new. Instead it was

a reinforcement, that I needed at
that time in life.

I decided to quit nearbuy.

17

COURAGE TO BE DISLIKED
Read it at 40.
Through this book I was able to
explain so many of my relationships
that I had struggled with, including
the one I had with my own self.

One of the most powerful books I

have read.
 Growing up, I never read books.

It was in the 5th standard, during a visit to

my mom's relatives, that they gave me 17
Enid Blyton books.

For the next 2 years, I read and re-read

them. They were my best friends.
As our financial condition improved, I now
could buy a comic, during the train journey
we undertook during summer holidays.

Thus started my adventure with Chacha

Chaudhary, Pinki, Billu, Nagraaj, Super
Commando Dhruv.
In 11th grade, I became friends with Kunal,
who had ALL the
series of Archies, Asterix and Tintin.

I devoured them in less than 2 months!

We both talked endlessly about Aliens.

One day he mentioned, "Have you read
Chariots of the Gods?"

And that was it...

It blows my mind that in 200-300 rupees,
I get to read about the entire life,
mistakes, adventures, experiences and
lessons of an individual.

And I am so glad that I have the same

child-like enthusiasm approaching any
new book, even today.
Reading books can
change lives.
Which is why, I wanted to write a book
that have the same impact on others
that reading comic books had on me.

"Make one fall in love with books"

There is no friend as loyal as a book
- Ernest Hemingway