Ravi Shah
Book reviewer and newsletter writer focused on reading, learning, and mindset—posts frequent quotes, takeaways, and recommendations.
Self‑Love Burns Like Hot Iron, Others Offer Escape
I get blown away every time I read this paragraph by Carl Jung: To love someone else is easy, but to love what you are, the thing that is yourself, is just as if you were embracing a glowing red-hot iron: it burns into you and that is very painful. Therefore, to love somebody else in the first place is always an escape which we all hope for, and we all enjoy it when we are capable of it. But in the long run, it comes back on us.
When One Book Sparks a Whole Author Obsession
Have you ever read a book by an author that was so good it made you want to read everything else they've written?
Quit Temptation Peaks Right Before Success
There’s an old Chinese saying that I love: “The temptation to quit will be greatest just before you are about to succeed.”
Atomic Habits Offers Timeless Lessons for Lasting Success
Atomic Habits by James Clear is one of the most impactful books on habit formation that will help you achieve success that lasts. A great book to read or reread any time of the year. 9 lessons from the book:
Commit to Change or Make Excuses—Choose Wisely
“If you're serious about changing your life, you'll find a way. If not, you'll find an excuse.” — Jen Sincero
Ask for a Favor, They’ll Like You More
The Ben Franklin Effect: In the eighteenth century, Benjamin Franklin tried to win over someone who disliked him by asking to borrow a book. When he returned the book and offered a sincere thank-you, he noticed their relationship had transformed. They...
Embrace Failure: Key to Success, Says Nvidia CEO
“If you want to be successful, I would encourage you to grow a tolerance for failure.” — Nvidia CEO, Jensen Huang
True Freedom: Let Go, Nothing Truly Belongs to You
Marcus Aurelius wrote this over 1800 years ago: “What are you afraid of losing, when nothing in the world actually belongs to you?”
Feynman's Books: Must‑read, Fun, and Accessible for Youth
This book is extremely readable and enjoyable. Every young person should read Richard Feynman’s books.
Reading or Walking: Universal Remedy for Any Mood
Bored, read a book or go for a walk. Upset, read a book or go for a walk. Happy, read a book or go for a walk. Stressed, read a book or go for a walk.
Read 10 Pages Daily, Finish 12 Books Yearly
Reading 10 pages a day = 3,650 pages a year. That’s about 10–12 books a year. Schedule time for reading and learning in your daily routine.
Learn Faster by Teaching Like a Child
THE FEYNMAN TECHNIQUE FOR LEARNING: 1. Pick and study a topic. 2. Explain the topic to someone, like a child, who is unfamiliar with the topic. Use simple language. 3. Identify any gaps in your understanding. 4. Return to the literature to understand better.
Discipline Wins; Calm Mind Brings Clarity
Two important lessons for 2026: - Discipline is the real flex. - The calmer you are, the clearer you think.
Calm Mind, True Strength: Ancient Wisdom Endures
Marcus Aurelius wrote this over 1800 years ago: “The nearer a man comes to a calm mind, the closer he is to strength.”
Read Daily, Even on Cloudy Days, to Succeed
For anyone starting their reading journey, keep this quote by Paulo Coelho in mind: “If you only walk on sunny days, you'll never reach your destination.” Success comes from showing up consistently, even when it's hard. Read every day, build the habit.