5 min readNov 13, 2025 08:01 PM IST
First published on: Oct 30, 2025 at 03:39 PM IST
(Written by Venu Vrinda)
I have long believed that self-help books offer more than advice, they are a great way to develop one’s personality and, of course, become more self reliant. The real challenge is remembering those little lessons and neat tricks when life tests us.
Over the years, I have read some of the greats, including Don Miguel Ruiz’s The Four Agreements, James Clear’s Atomic Habits, and Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life. But my turning point came with Dale Carnegie’s How to Stop Worrying and Start Living. For a mind that tends to spiral and overanalyse, the book was a port in the storm.
One might argue that the best way to learn is to learn from example, and from the life of the greats and so I have decided to pivot from self-help books and plunge head first into biographies. There is so much to learn from the men and women who played a role in shaping our collective consciousness. And, so I have set myself the loft reading goal of reading five biographies before the year ends. Here are the books I want to read:
Lincoln the Unknown by Dale Carnegie’s
Who hasn’t heard of Abraham Lincoln? His name and achievements have been drilled into our heads since we were children. He led the United States through the Civil War and was instrumental in the abolition of slavery.
As a fan of American procedurals, his name keeps popping up. And, when my friend, a history buff, who is working on a dissertation on the history of the “New World” recommended “Lincoln the Unknown,” I promptly borrowed. And, cherry on the cake, Carnegie, my favourite self help book author, had also been influenced by Lincoln.
Abraham Lincoln preserved the Union and championed the end of slavery. (Source: pictures.abebooks.com)
Indira: The Life of Indira Nehru Gandhi, by Katherine Frank
The portrayal of Indira Gandhi in the film ‘Sam Bahadur’ as a figure who was often alone at top, isolated yet determined in her command, created a dramatic mystery. To uncover the mindset and reasons for such drastic transformation in her personality, I really want to read Indira Gandhi’s biography written by Katherine Frank. The idea is to know more about the real-life source of that onscreen strength and to understand the personal cost of such immense power and resiliency.
Indira Gandhi’s journey from having a politically charged childhood as Jawaharlal Nehru’s daughter to her dramatic, powerful tenure as a leader. (Source: bananivista.com)
Elon Musk, by Walter Isaacson
Elon Musk, world’s richest man and emerging trillionaire, is a result of his process. Be it spaceX, Tesla, Starlink or America Party, Musk is establishing his dominance in every field. The transformation he has brought in multiple industries is possible because of his intense and unique approach to work. His life is seen as the ultimate blueprint for achieving massive, world changing goals and to know more about his life situations and aftermath I have decided to read his biography. It must be an immense source of motivation and thus I would suggest everyone to once read about Elon Musk.
Elon Musk, dedicated to accelerating humanity’s transition to sustainable energy on Earth and establishing a multi-planetary civilization on Mars.(Source: info-flash.com)
Ladakh’s Unfinished Struggle: Sonam Wangchuk and the Fight for Justice, by Abass Ali
The character of Phunsukh Wangdu in movie 3 Idiots, introduced me engineer, educator and environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk. The news of his detention ignited the flame of curiosity in my mind that how a person can do so much for his state and is still behind the bars. i intentionally searched for some authentic information about his struggles and found this book. It was remarkable to know about the invention of Ice Stupas and SECMOL in Ladakh.
Struggle for identity, autonomy and environmental justice. Biography of a Ladakhi engineer, educational reformist, and environmental innovator, Sonam Wamgchuk. (Source: amazon.in)
I Too Had a Dream, by Verghese Kurien
After spending 3 long years of my life, studying in an agricultural university, I have always been curious about the Green and White revolution. What was it that inspired people at that time? How did some people managed to improvise the agricultural along with dairy industry? This turned my interest to know more about Verghese Kurien, “Father of White Revolution”.
Verghese Kurien, the Father of the White Revolution, built the farmer-owned cooperative dairy movement (Amul) through “Operation Flood. (Source: bwpeople.in)
Have you managed to meet your reading goals for 2025? If you are struggling like me or have have read these or any of these titles are on your to-read list, do write to me on: venutiwari2004@gmail.com.
(The writer is an intern with indianexpress.com)
My reading goals include biographies of Abraham Lincoln, Indira Gandhi, Elon Musk, Sonam Wangchuk and Verghese Kurien. These are interesting and inspirational at the same time. 
Abraham Lincoln preserved the Union and championed the end of slavery. (Source: pictures.abebooks.com)
Indira Gandhi’s journey from having a politically charged childhood as Jawaharlal Nehru’s daughter to her dramatic, powerful tenure as a leader. (Source: bananivista.com)
Elon Musk, dedicated to accelerating humanity’s transition to sustainable energy on Earth and establishing a multi-planetary civilization on Mars.(Source: info-flash.com)
Struggle for identity, autonomy and environmental justice. Biography of a Ladakhi engineer, educational reformist, and environmental innovator, Sonam Wamgchuk. (Source: amazon.in)
Verghese Kurien, the Father of the White Revolution, built the farmer-owned cooperative dairy movement (Amul) through “Operation Flood. (Source: bwpeople.in)
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