jaee jadhav

The author shares, ”The Italians have an unparalleled appreciation for the fine pleasures of daily life. They have figured out how to live in perfect balance. They have understood what it means to work and what It means to relax and enjoy life. They embrace everything with passion. Nothing is mediocre.” Learning about Italians and their no-mediocrity vibe was fascinating. I’m definitely diving into that more soon. Well ,good start to this month’s book I must say! I simply love the fact that even though being an inspiring person himself, the author finds inspiration in people from different countries. Such individuals dive into other cultures, picking up the best parts and showing openness to learn from them. All of it eventually leads to self-growth and becoming the best version of themselves! Isn’t it? The author, Howard Schultz admired the passion Italians had for coffee and the artistry in crafting each cup. He was particularly taken by the baristas’ skill and the customers’ deep appreciation for coffee’s quality and ritual. This experience significantly influenced his vision for his enterprise. He wanted to bring a similar Italian experience to the United States, creating a place where people could enjoy high-quality coffee and connect with others in a warm and inviting atmosphere. August read I am offering my reviews on – “Pour Your Heart Into It: How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time – by Howard Schultz with Dori Jones Yang (Autobiography 1997). The book chronicles Howard’s journey from growing up in a working-class family to leading Starbucks’ transformation from a single coffee shop to a global brand. He strongly repeatedly emphasizes the significance of caring for employees and customers, advocating for ethical business practices, and maintaining authenticity in brand storytelling. If you are an aspiring entrepreneur starting and growing a business – you must read this one book in your starting phase. On the literary side, if you are a reader who enjoys non-fiction books offering personal experiences, business lessons, and cross-cultural details – this book is for you! And of course the fans of coffee especially Starbucks – this is your read with that cuppa at the side. Howard Schultz has been just like any of us with family, friends, ups and downs. But what set him apart was his rock-solid confidence and his never-give-up vision. He always wanted to be in charge of his destiny with an attitude that enough is never enough! The content is in simple English. No fancy stuff. Straight facts. Interesting ones. The flow of the events is easy to follow and understandable. The vibe is very positive and motivational, with lots of “here’s what happened and what I learned” moments. That’s one of my favorite styles. It is indeed a storybook of Starbucks’ business but not a conventional business book. All the details, events put together in this book, offer a behind-the-scenes look at Starbucks’ success. Well, I am not promoting drinking sugar-loaded coffee – unless you like it anyway – but overall this true story, yes it’s totally worth the indulgence.

The book starts with all self pity questions, and clarifications. I hadn’t even gotten through a third of the book – on just the Kindle sample – and it already felt like a ‘pity party’. They say – “Don’t wash your dirty linen in public”. The phrase emphasizes the importance of tactfulness and maintaining the dignity and privacy of personal affairs. Wonder, if Harry was looking for sympathy, support, or validation from others, hoping that sharing all his problems would draw empathy and understanding. The book is indeed a brave attempt, sharing personal details (his and all his near and dear ones) to a great extent – a cry for help when he saw no other solution? Come the second part, I liked the description of his army tenure in Afghanistan, and its related experiences. Well put. Brave soldier like all other soldiers in the world. I liked how he took up helicopter learning for the Army service and the challenging experiences around it. Despite his royal status, he demonstrated a willingness to step out of his comfort zone! Harry has had a rough experience with the press, no doubt. Losing his mom was the hardest hit. He has tried hard to convey this point repeatedly throughout. You start to get to know Harry little in the second part. Maybe he’s not as “spare” or useless as people think. He’s emotional and kind-hearted. Loves nature, good people, animals, stargazing, and just simple family life. But, yes, being born into royalty, he plays that card too. Doesn’t really hurt anyone, right? Late-night parties, drugs, alcohol, unpleasant paparazzi encounters, brawl on the same, etc. All done, enjoyed. The third part of the book is ALL about his current wife and all that she’s gone through since marrying into this royal family. Harry seems to be on a mission to show how innocent she was then, she is now. Again it got boring here. But if you like gossip and thrive on other family feuds, maybe you will enjoy the third part! Way too much drama. It’s an aptly named book title. Overall a revealing, controversial read. Bet his dad and brother aren’t too thrilled about it! The best and only takeaway for me, from this book has been to know about the – “no-complain, no-explain” philosophy! This phrase is often associated with the late Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom. It reflects her patient and dignified approach to handling public and private matters without airing grievances or providing explanations. It shows a mindset of accepting circumstances with grace and focusing on actions rather than words!

We are in 1993 - A mountaineer decides to climb K2(the breathtaking second-highest mountain in the world) - failed attempt. Disorientated and lost he lands in Korphe, a small village. He was in a terrible state due to the exhaustion from the climbing adventure. The locals of Korphe(The Balti tribe) take care of him until he recovers. Baltis are known for their warm hospitality. The climber, overwhelmed by the hospitality and care of Korphe's people, promised to build a school there. The book is all about his adventures around this mission. This mountain climber Greg Mortenson, (today) an American professional speaker, writer, and veteran - back then decided to build a school for girls because he noticed that while both boys and girls lacked education, boys had the cultural freedom to explore and go on adventures, whereas girls were stuck in villages doing chores until they got married. It's such a beautiful story. The compassion, determination, and teamwork - all together worked for an American in a remote alien land to relentlessly work for the education of the Balti kids.  Despite all the political, religious, military, Taliban caused turbulences - he persisted in working on his goals! Kudos to his courage indeed. It's an inspiring tale, just one of many about people working at the grass root levels for the greater good.  Three Cups of Tea - The title of the book comes from a Balti proverb - If you want to thrive in Baltistan, you must respect their ways. The first time you share tea with a Balti, you are a stranger. The second time you take tea, you are an honored guest. The third time you share a cup of tea, you become family, and for their family, they are prepared to do anything, even die! So, overall it’s all about slowing down and giving importance to building relationships first than anything else. Deep - isn’t it?!  Coming to the writing style - I found it to be on the complex side. It needs all your attention(wide awake!) to get through the narration. There are constant (super detailed) descriptions painting pictures of the landscapes, people, objects, events, and everything you can think of! I was in the scene, yes, with the characters - but it did slow down the narrative for sure. Extensive background information about the regions, cultures, and political situations added to the complexity!   Ah, another interesting feature was the time shifts(non-linear narrative) throughout the story. Too many actually. Again you need to be attentive when the narrative suddenly shifts from the Pakistan Valley to American snowy roads and back! Out of curiosity, later on casually reading more about Greg, his institutes, work etc unfortunately, for me, the sad part of this complete story, book, author, and highlighted work - is the bad face that’s come up over the years of Greg M. While calling him a "fraud" might be a bit much since he wasn't legally charged, the extensive investigations and findings have uncovered significant discrepancies with the truthfulness of his narratives and the management of funds intended for charitable purposes! Painful. Well, despite the controversy, "Three Cups of Tea" kicks off with a solid message about pushing for education and peace in tough areas.

I wonder (and the same question the protagonist has), ‘How come some of us can be out there running every morning when the sun comes up, while the rest of us are praying for a miracle just to get our feet to cooperate with gravity?’ As the name of the book suggests, naturally runners of all levels, from joggers to ultra-marathoners, will be drawn to this book. It delves into the science of running thus making it compelling for those passionate about the sport. Equally naturally, I skipped pages where intricate details of “running as a sport, timings, races” technicalities were shared. Looking at my track record - doesn’t look like I will venture into serious running (marathons of any kind I mean) any time soon, so saved the time skipping those details.  For me, "Born to Run" by Christopher McDougall was an appreciation for multiculturalism, a hilarious, captivating read. Know that you don't need to be a marathoner or ultra runner to read or understand this book. Firstly if you are a reader, secondly if you are drawn to stories of cultural exploration, adventure, human potential, search for meaning for everything you do, and the enduring connection between humans and running - this book is for you to give a try! The book might not appeal to readers who are not particularly interested in ANY of these above topics though. If that’s the case, feel free to skip reading further and skip reading the book.  I simply loved best the way the writer has explored the cultural significance of running, particularly within the context of the Tarahumara people(Mexico). The book recounts McDougall's journey to uncover the secrets of the Tarahumaras, an indigenous tribe known for their long-distance running abilities. Worth mentioning are their - local made minimalist sandals (used for running), record-breaking pace, and the smile they have when running long distances for hours at a stretch! Tarahumara are among the best runners in the world, who love the simple act of running. They don’t do it for money, fame, or any form of glory!  Moving on in the book, many other pointers like these struck a chord for sure. Christopher McDougall mentions - ‘there is something universal about running. It unites two important impulses - fear and pleasure. We run when we are scared we run when we are ecstatic, we run away from our problems and run around for a good time. As a human, back then you had to love running or you wouldn't live to love anything - to find food, to not be food, to find a mate, to move places with a mate to start a new life!’ Here highlighting the evolutionary perspective of running as a survival mechanism was interesting to read. The author has successfully employed humor, wit, and suspense to keep readers engaged. Disclaimer - there are too many diverse casts of characters and interwoven stories in the book. These might be overwhelming for some readers. Don’t lose the track! Overall, "Born to Run" is a engaging, thought-provoking book that will appeal to runners and non-runners alike for varied reasons. A good blend of gripping storytelling with scientific insights!

The fact that a person, lacking sight and hearing senses, could exhibit such an avid desire for learning is truly remarkable. We are talking about the events from 1887(137 years ago!). Helen’s vivid descriptions of nature, her surroundings, people, and the works of numerous authors she has read are commendable. I particularly found her determination to - understand and engage in the game of chess, which demands a blend of cognitive abilities, strategic thinking, and patience, particularly impressive. Despite the absence of two crucial senses, her consistency and willingness to learn from both victories and defeats without succumbing to frustration is highly commendable. Helen’s passion for learning multiple languages broadened her worldview, enriched her experiences, and fostered a sense of tolerance and flexibility. Her ability to learn and communicate in various languages, despite her sensory impairments, is a testament to her intelligence and determination! Helen's heightened other senses allowed her to perceive details around her. Her fingertips became her eyes, tracing lines, curves, and dots to explore the world of learning. She perceived more through touch than most do through our sight(which we take for granted!). The role of Anne Sullivan, Helen Keller's teacher and lifelong companion, played a pivotal role in shaping Helen's education, character & remarkable achievements. She encouraged her dear student to explore the world through touch, smell, and taste, fostering her intellectual and emotional development! The story of Helen Keller and Anne Sullivan serves as a powerful example of the transformative impact of education, empathy, and strong support. Their extraordinary bond continues to inspire generations of educators, and individuals with disabilities worldwide!