Life Book List

My life goals:

1. Understand how humans came to be: Sapiens: A Brief History of Mankind by Yuval Noah Harari

The next chapter of my life begins with education. In fact, lots of education. 12-15 years of grinding through college, medical school, residency, and maybe a fellowship to one day put on a white coat and respond to "Dr. Ghosalkar..." I can't wait for that day. But I know that until I get there, I'm going to have to learn how to deal with people. Medicine is a people industry, and as a science nerd, I want to understand it from a book. Why are people the way they are? Perhaps, Harari's dense account of mankind will teach me a thing or two. 

2. Learn how to love: 8 Rules of Love by Jay Shetty

Ah, love. Your 20s are supposed to be the time you fall in love. But it seems like no one really get it, so I thought why not read a book about it because that sounds totally unique ;) I've followed Jay Shetty and his work for some time, and I really like it. He's a story-teller, podcaster, author, motivational speaker and so many more things, and it seems like all of his content has a magical feel. Love meets Jay Shetty: 8 Rules of Love. 

3. Rediscover my "why": Start With Why by Simon Sinek

Like I said before, the next 12-15 years are going to be rough. I said "rediscover" and not find because I already know what my purpose is, but I know sometime in next several years, I'm going to ask myself why I want to be doctor, and being led by the inspirational Simon Sinek will certainly help me answer that question again.  

4. Learn how to be an underdog: Moneyball: The Art of Winning an Unfair Game by Michael Lewis

Not just in residency, but in general, you're an underdog in your 20s. You don't really have any expectations because most people know you're a mess. You're broke and still figuring life out. Why not learn from the Oakland A's what it's like for no one to expect anything from you. Change the timeline, if you will, and rise up to actually have expectations so that I can be seen as something significant. 

5. Learn to stop caring so much: The Subtle Art of Not Giving A F*ck by Mark Manson

As I build up my career, I'm going to have all kinds of worries in my head about my colleagues, bosses, and patients perceive me. On top of all that, the looming idea of having my own family will haunt me. At a time, when my career is just beginning to take off, I need to be in a position to succeed, and that means to focus on myself and stop caring so much about what others think or feel about me. Ultimately, I need to do what's best for me, and this book will teach me exactly that. 

6. Learn how to be a Dad: From Dude to Dad: The Diaper Dude Guide to Pregnancy by Peter Downey

This definitely launches me several years into the future, but once my career becomes stable, it'll be time to start thinking about a family, and I want to do it right. I need to understand my role as a father so I can give everything to my kids and more. The transition period is surely challenging from dude to dad, so why not consult a book? 

7. Form tight habits: Atomic Habits by James Clear

Now having a family, I probably have lost touch with having good habits. Going to the gym probably went out the window, along with a bunch of other things. I need to bring discipline back into my life, so Clear's novel will help me do just that, and form lasting habits that will keep me disciplined and orderly. 

8. Learn about the natural world: A Brief History of Time by Stephen Hawking

In my late 40s, I haven't been in school for 2 decades now, and I want to oil my machines of learning again to make sure my mind is still just as sharp. I thought the best place would be to learn from the great Stephen Hawking himself. This book talks so much about the start of the universe which already fascinates me, and I know I will culminate an enriching educational experience through this book. 

9. Connect back with my culture and India's history: Midnight's Children by Salman Rushdie 

If I'm anything like my parents, I may have a spiritual and cultural awakening when I'm in my 50s, and I want to make sure I have the perfect book for that time. I want to learn about how colonialism took place in India and the impact it had. My 50s will be the perfect time for this because this is when I will start to reflect on my life and recall early childhood experiences seeing my parents rejuvenating their interest in their home country's history. 

10. Learn to let go: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

As I progress deeper into the latter half of my life, I want to learn how to let of things. This book specifically talks about the rules and beliefs we have in our minds that chain us down to an old way of thinking. It's time to break past those barriers and build new rules for myself, ones that don't restrain me. Ruiz will definitely help me rediscover myself at a time when it seems like the rest of my life's fate seems decided.