Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

 "Tuesdays with Morrie" by Mitch Albom - A teacher to the last ! 

This book is published by Sphere in 1998 and has 208 pages.

Morrie Schwartz, a professor and Doctor of Psychology was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig’s disease), an unforgiving illness of neurological system. Morrie knows that he is dying, but rather than cutting himself off from the world, he decides to meet and interact with people and live life.

The decease also changes his view. He was always empathetic but he becomes even more so. When you know that you are dying one either becomes agitated with ‘why me’ or one becomes stoic. But Morrie doesn’t.

His indefatigable nature is something else. He feels sorry for himself for about ten minutes every morning. He sees the positive side in the illness that he gets more time to say his goodbyes.

The collectible sentences from this book:

1. Everyone knows they are going to die, but nobody believes it. If we did, we would do things differently.
2. Once you learn how to die, you learn how to live.
3. There is a big confusion in this country over what we want and what we need.
4. I meet people who wanted to gobble up something new. There were people so hungry for love that they were accepting substitutes. They were expecting material things expecting a sort of hug back. But it never works.
5. You know what really gives you satisfaction? Offering others what you have to give.
6. Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone.

The book is written in a no frills style.

It covers diverse and important topics like The world, Feeling sorry for yourself, Regrets, Death, Family, Emotions, The fear of aging, Money, How love goes on, Marriage, Our culture, Forgiveness, The perfect day etc.

Author uses O. J. Simpson trial, that had hooked-up everyone to TV at that time, as a counter point to what Morrie was narrating as his life lessons.

This book is a tribute by a student to his teacher and a trove of invaluable advice.

Why did I read this book? Gift by Nachi.

What did I like? The idea.

What I didn't like? Handling is dry.

Recommend reading. 

Way of the Rakshasa by Deepak Thomas

"Way of the Rakshasa" by Deepak Thomas - Digression from main story?

This book is published by Astra Media OPC Private Ltd in 2023 and has 378 pages. This is Book 2 of The Epic of Kautilya.

Story of Adi's birth is revealed. How his father and mother were killed by Rakshasa Prime. Kautilya comes to know how Druma and Yama saved and raised Adi. A Rakshasa approaches Adi and Kautilya and informs that his father is alive and promises to take them to Adi's father. They evade Druma, Yama, Sara and Nina and reach Lankapuram. There he finally meets his father. They reach Rakshasa lands from there.

Why did Rakshasa Prime kill Adi's father? Who killed Adi's mother? Who is Adi's father? 

This book is less about Kautilya and more about Adi, the half Rakshasa and half Demigod. In this book, Kautilya and Adi finally accept their love for each other. Adi decides to stay in Rakshasa lands but Kautilya doesn't. When Rakshasas attack Danavas in Lankapuram, Adi and his friends are on opposite sides.

This book is about Adi's identity conflict. He finds himself closer to Rakshasa, which distances him from his friends. Rakshasa Prime becomes close to him which distances him from Kautilya. On one side are people of his kind and on other side love. Kautilya and her friends are helpless. The can't fight him and they can't be with him.

This book is not as exciting as the first one. The story digresses from the story of Kautilya. The story of the throne of Bharat is sidelined. One wonders if author has overemphasized the Adi angle?

Another book is yet to be published. 

Why did I read this book? First book was good.

What did I like? Story of Adi's birth and the deception.

What I didn't like? Digression from main story.

Read if you plan to read the series, otherwise give it a miss.