If You Had To Read Only 6 Books This Year..

I often recommend books that inspire my content in specific sessions. Here I've written about 6 such books. This is not a list-drop but what I've tried to do is share moments from each that really stayed with me.

If you've already read any of them or pick one up, I'd love to know what you thought.

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Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl

"Everything can be taken from a man but one thing...the last of the human freedoms - to choose one's attitude."

Viktor Frankl was a Jewish psychologist imprisoned in the Nazi concentration camp between 1942-45. He sweeps you into his writing where you feel the tragedy of the author - losing his wife, parents, livelihood, and dignity in conditions that are both brutal and heartbreaking.

Why it stayed with me

Viktor was one of the few survivors when the prisoners were liberated in 1945. He writes extensively about the perseverance of the human spirit, and the meaning you can find in unimaginable suffering. He said that while we cannot always control what happens to us, we can always choose how we respond.

Whether its a tiring job, or other demanding responsibilities - circumstances you feel trapped by - this book helps you cultivate an outlook where you're moving with purpose instead of despair.

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Hidden Potential by Adam Grant

"Personality is how you respond on a typical day; character is how you show up on a hard day."

When I first read about 'Raging Rooks' - a chess team comprising of teenagers from poor and violent homes, who beat the most elite schools to become national champions - I was blown away. Its the first case study of this book and it talks about 'character traits' that make someone succeed, more than talent or resources.

What you'll love about it

This book is filled with incredible case studies that the author scientifically breaks down. You will be surprised to see how relatable some moments from all the different people written about feel to your own life.

But let me just say, you are underestimating yourself when you think you'll never be the one to command a room, give stellar presentations, or be seen as a promising leader. This book will prove you otherwise.

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Stories That Stick by Kendra Hall

"People don't buy the thing. They buy what the thing will do for them. In order for them to do that, you have to tell them a story."

One case study I freshly remember from the book is of Wrigley's 2015 TV ad. From being the top chewing gum, it slipped to third place. They tried discounts, combo marketing offers but nothing worked. But it was this advert that changed everything for them.

The ad is a simple story about young teenage love that discovers itself, grows, breaks apart and then finds its way back again many years later.

What sticks from this book

Though this book refers to brand or organizational storytelling, it reveals how stories in general connect us to one another.

Talking to people - new or familiar - grows from creating a rapport to sharing an emotional bond when there's an exchange of stories. You'll see several reasons why you should adopt stories in your communication through this book.

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Adweek Copywriting Handbook by Joseph Sugarman

"The sole purpose of the first sentence... is to get you to read the second sentence."

The author is considered a copywriting maverick, having written some of the most compelling ad campaigns from the 60s - 90s. When I read this book, I was literally drawn from sentence to sentence and I could see why good writing is an important piece of overall communication.

One thing I'll remember

Spoken communication is essential but how you speak through written words with a prospective client, or a customer - for promoting an event, pitching an idea or collaboration - is where the methods from this book could be very useful.

A case study from this book that's stuck with me is one about how the author is able to sell home alarm systems in crime-free neighborhoods through copy alone.

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Story by Robert McKee

"Show, don't explain."

I'm a big fan of the art of movie making and this book combines storytelling in movies and human psychology seamlessly. Robert McKee is an illustrious screenwriter and he breaks down movie moments that reflect how we humans make certain choices in our lives.

One concept I teach from the book

It was through this book I was introduced to the concept called subtext which I've facilitated in a Talk to Anyone workshop. Subtext refers to what is actually being said underneath the words.

He taught me that conversations carry two layers - what people say and what they actually mean. You'll get plenty more of such gems from this book.

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Connecting the Dots by Rashmi Bansal

"Success belongs to those who keep learning by doing."

Rashmi Bansal tells the stories of ordinary Indians who built extraordinary businesses. What makes the book compelling isn't just their success, but how resourceful they became long before they had money, connections or experience.

What you'll take back from this book

One story that stayed with me is of Prem Ganapathy, founder of Dosa Plaza. Before becoming an entrepreneur, he waited tables at a small tea shop. He learnt people skills, long before he learnt how to run a business.

Yes, you'll be reading a book about entrepreneurs but you'll find amazing details on how these people built their human skills of earning trust, building relationships and noticing things others overlooked.

What also made the book special was how Indian it felt. The places, the challenges of building something and the stories felt familiar, making it quite relatable.