Vishal Srivastava Newsletter

My 5 Favorite Books On Love

Hello friend

This week, I wanted to write something about love and Valentine’s day.

I actually wrote 3 incomplete drafts only to stop midway. I realized I was just ranting. And I did not like that because two of my biggest fears related to this newsletter are-

It should not become a dumping ground of my random thoughts and feel like a “Dear Diary” entry
There should be at least one takeaway for the person reading it, even if it is in the form of a helpful article or a book recommendation

The next best thing I can do is to share books that have somewhat shaped my perception of love and relationships.

These include a few books that talk about a few esoteric concepts of universal love and spirituality that go beyond conventional romantic love and relationships.

So here we go:

5 Books on Love

1. The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion

It is the only fiction book on this list. It is about a 39-year old associate professor who basically feels like a toned-down version of Sheldon Cooper- highly intelligent, lacks empathy, extremely particular about the schedule, and single.

What happens when he comes up with a scientific questionnaire to find a perfect partner?

The writing is light, funny, and makes you care for the characters. That is all I want in a good weekend read.

Favorite Quote:

A window went dark, a traffic light changed from red to green, an ambulance’s flashing lights bounced off the buildings. And it dawned on me that I had not designed the questionnaire to find a woman I could accept, but to find someone who might accept me.

2. The Mastery of Love by Don Miguel Ruiz

I love Don Miguel Ruiz for his book, The Four Agreements. However, it was this book that helped me cope with a silly heartbreak that happened in my early 20s. It taught me the value of self-love and the perils of seeking love from others when all you can see in them is your own shadow/worst fears reflected.

Favorite Quote:

You are aware that no one else can make you happy, and that happiness is the result of love coming out of you, this becomes the greatest mastery of the Toltecs, the Mastery of Love.

3. A Return to Love by Marianne Williamson

As far as I remember, I had picked up this book only because of the movie, Coach Carter. A popular dialogue in that movie was inspired by a passage in this book.

Have a look, it gave me goosebumps watching it just now!

Favorite Quote:

We all have demons and dragons within us, but we also have the dashing prince.

4. Tiny Beautiful Things by Cheryl Strayed

Though most people know Cheryl because of her NYT bestselling memoir, Wild, I love this book because of the real and raw stories of common people. It is a series of essays compiled from the author’s column (under the name Dear Sugar) in a literary magazine. Great for some nighttime bed reading!

Favorite Quote:

Don’t be strategic or coy. Strategic and coy are for jackasses. Be brave. Be authentic. Practice saying the word “love” to the people you love so when it matters the most to say it, you will.

5. Signs by Laura Lynne Jackson

This is a different book in this list because it is not exactly about love or relationships.

The basic premise of the book is about how one can communicate with the universe for specific signs to lead a more authentic life that is aligned to one’s soul purpose. The concept and things mentioned in this book might be a bit “out there” for some.

However, I place it high on this list as I was drawn to this book at a particularly low point in my life where I was feeling extremely alone, unsupported, and unloved. At that time, a small yet significant incident had occurred while reading this book that made me really want to believe in whatever the author was saying.

Favorite Quote:

We cross into each other’s path for a reason—to teach each other useful lessons and help each other grow. But sometimes, in order to keep growing, we have to venture onto a new, higher path by ourselves. And that is okay. You can love someone and still not be meant to spend your whole life with them.

So this was all about it from me in the week of love! 😀

I also wrote about my 5 All-time favorite books a few weeks back. If you liked the above list, you might want to check that out as well!

Until next time
Love
Vishal

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