Reading Room: "I ended up reading it in one sitting": Manish Agarwal

Manish Agarwal, CEO, Reliance Entertainment Digital talks about his love for historical and culturally rich books.

I have recently read Tuesday With Morrie, a non-fiction by Mitch Albom. I like Morrie; he is like a true guru demonstrated in very simple terms, a great example of positive mental attitude and compassion for everyone around. It explains the art of giving and receiving love and trust.

The book is a wonderfully honest exchange between a terminally ill professor and his 'successful' student. They both gave and received wonderful gifts of love and friendship. Their beautiful exchange lovingly captures the simplicity beyond life's complexities.

I was so enthralled that I ended up reading it in one sitting. I was moved to tears in certain parts of the book. Morrie made me look at my life as well and face some questions about the direction I'm heading in. I went through a roller coaster ride of many emotions while reading this book, ranging from happiness to sadness.

I love reading historical and cultural books because they give you a perspective of why things are like the way they are today along with a glimpse into a rich cultural and historical background. I also like a mélange of fictional and non fictional worlds like the way Salman Rushdie does it.

Some of my favourites include India after Gandhi by Ramchandra Guha, Biography of Indira Nehru Gandhi by Katherine Frank, the Rabindra Nath Tagore books and of course Tuesday With Morrie has entered the list now.

Next, I am ready to lay my hands on A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth. I am actually planning to revisit this book. I read it way back in 2000 and now I want to re-read it for its vibrant prose and profundity of scope which will always remain a deep and joyful memory. The satire and the lyrical style of writing make all Vikram Seth's books extremely enjoyable.

Apart from all these wonderful writings, I love the writings by Salman Rushdie and Amitav Ghosh. The way they intertwine fiction and non-fiction beautifully and suddenly there comes a phase where you can have a glimpse at history with a completely fresh and unique perspective, which is very engaging.