Book Recs from Samhita Adapa

5 Book Recs

After coming off from a HUGE reading slump, I went to Barnes and Noble a while ago and spent almost 200 on a huge load of books and even though I’m still getting through them today, here are 5 books that I read and really enjoyed recently 

1. The Martian by Andy Wier 

This is going to double as a film review because it’s just as great as the novel. I wanted to read this novel for a while but after watching Project Hail Mary, I decided I needed to bump it up my list of priorities(Hail Mary was insanely good, by the way, everyone should go watch it). The Martian is about botanist and astronaut Mark Watney that gets stranded on Mars after he is presumed dead. The book follows his struggle to survive alongside NASA’s mission to get him back to Earth. This book is great if you like science and I found the botany aspect of it especially interesting. Though a lot of it was advanced, I felt like it was explained pretty well. Another thing I really liked was Mark himself. His radical optimism was so contagious and the dude is just hilarious in general. No matter how many bad situations he got into, his humor stayed intact and I had a blast reading his chapters. The movie is just as good because I think Matt Damon perfectly encapsulates Watney’s charisma and humor, and is so great as him. Ridley Scott does a great job of adapting the book and film does take a few liberties compared to Project Hail Mary, which I feel was very close to a 1:1 adaptation of the novel. 

2. There is No Place For Us by Brian Goldstone 

This book won the Pulitzer prize for non-fiction last year and in my opinion, it was absolutely deserved. Goldstone follows 5 families in Atlanta and tackles the secret, underrepresented class of homelessness, those who have jobs but are constantly undermined and sabotaged by society and the circumstances they are in. This book at times had me tearing up because it’s so emotional and at times, a rough read because no matter how hard these women tried, things did not seem to get better. I saw a lot of my own family in the families represented in the book and it goes to show how easy it is to end up in the same position. It’s important to have empGoldstone also explains a lot about our government and the history of homeless laws that were passed. He also goes over the predatory practices of rental offices, which definitely opened up my eyes. This book made me rethink and definitely made me more grateful for the life that I have. 

3. Empire of AI

This was a great read, especially if you aren’t that knowledgeable about the ramifications and origins of chatgpt. I was pretty surprised to learn how far back the development goes, though chatbots seem like a relatively new thing. After reading this, I not only hate AI more, but I am also an educated hater. The book covers Open AI, but also the different players and how they all came into competition with each other to monopolize on this rapidly growing industry. Reading through this, you can tell that Hao put a great ton of effort into this book, with extremely thorough research and great tone. My only gripe with this book is that it felt extremely long and definitely could have been shorter. Nevertheless, it was a great and informative read. In my opinion, a staple if you want to learn more about Chatgpt and AI in general. 

4. Fire and Blood 

With the new House of the Dragon season airing right now on HBO, I decided to read the book to keep up. It is surprising how much this book reads like a textbook. It genuinely feels like I’m reading through a history textbook with dates and people to memorize. It definitely isn’t a chill, easygoing read, though. There were times where I had to write names down to keep track of who is who and when things were happening. However, the book was extremely engaging and not boring at all. One aspect I really liked about the book was that it very much had sort of an unreliable narrator. Many of the events were told through the perspectives of maesters, who probably rewrote history to fit into the boxes that they liked. You can see this particularly with how the book recounts and describes women. It’s insane how rich the history of Westeros is and it’s crazy to me that this isn’t even half of it. There is a planned sequel called Blood and Fire that is supposed to come out after Winds of Winter, which means it’ll probably be another 50 years till we see it. 

5. Heaven 

This book is no heaven, at ALL. The beginning is a little slow but as it went on, I started to get heavily invested. Fair warning though, it does get a little violent and is a bit tough to read in some parts.  Kawakami’s prose is very simple but extremely intimate. I got super attached to the main character, like he’s my close and personal friend now. The nameless protagonist’s relationship with his only friend Kojima is devastating to say the least. Kojima keeps saying that the bullying is happening for a reason and that at the end there'll be a point to all this. It’s all an idealized version of her in her head, a way for her to cope with all that she’s been through. It’s both fascinating and sad to read about. There are lines that stuck with me after finishing the novel, “Listen, if there is a hell, we're in it. And if there's a heaven, we're already there. This is it.” One of the bullies, Momose, says this to the protagonist in a conversation. Later, the protagonist then thinks, “Everything was beautiful. Not that there was anyone to share it with, anyone to tell. Just the beauty.” Overall, this book was probably one of my favorite reads of the year and absolutely devastating. 10/10, would recommend.

I believe, a poem by Rishi Patil

 I believe

That everything happens for a reason

And that people

Eventually

Will get what they deserve

And this only strengthens my resolve to be better

Be kinder

Work harder

But at the end of the day

It’s so hard to believe

So hard to just trust that things will go right if I keep fighting for it

Because at the end of the day

There is no reason for me to believe

People suffer every day

No one deserves that

And people can live lavish lives without lifting a finger

They don’t deserve that

And in this world

With so much injustice

There is a kid

Claiming that everyone gets what they deserve?

It’s ridiculous

It’s stupid

It’s naive and it’s really just dumb

Why should I even believe?

And that is a question I don’t have the answer to

But I can do one even better

Why shouldn’t I believe?

What’s the problem in tricking yourself into being better?

I’m working hard and sometimes I’m still failing

Not every day is amazing

But if I can trick myself into thinking that I’m going to get better

Why wouldn’t I want to get even better?

Even kinder

Even stronger

Even smarter

And if you keep believing that it’s just a matter of effort

Then it’s really a self-fulfilling prophecy

Because you will become better

And your life will turn around

And you won’t need to trick yourself

When you’re back your feet climbing closer and closer towards success

The Power of Mindset by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

The Power of Mindset by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

 Most believe the brain and mind are one—

a single system, fixed and bound,

a quiet machine of thought and nerve,

wired to follow what it’s found.

But the mind sits higher, just out of reach,

unseen behind the waking eye,

pulling silent strings in shadowed rooms,

where doubts are born and truths can die.

It is the cunning voice behind the glass,

the restless figure in the control room,

pacing softly in endless circles,

casting light that feels like gloom.

It whispers doubt at the worst of times,

when confidence begins to rise,

it twists your thoughts, distorts your path,

and dresses fear in clever disguise.

It plants its seeds in moments of stillness,

turns calm into a brewing storm,

builds walls from nothing but fragile thoughts,

until anxiety feels like the norm.

It bends your truth, reshapes your view,

makes small concerns feel vast and wide,

and every step you try to take

feels shadowed by a voice inside.

Yet hidden deep beneath its chaos,

beneath the noise it loves to weave,

there lies a secret few uncover,

a quiet truth most won’t believe:

The mind is powerful, yes—but flawed,

a master skilled in smoke and art,

not all it says is meant as truth,

not every fear comes from the heart.

For the one who pauses, who steps back,

who questions every whispered claim,

who sees the patterns in its tricks

and calls each bluff out by its name—

that person learns to shift the balance,

to take the reins once tightly held,

to silence storms before they rise,

to calm the chaos once it swelled.

The one who dares to blindfold it,

to outwit its endless maze,

to stand unmoved within the noise

and not be lost within its haze—

is the one who takes command at last,

who breaks free from its quiet reign,

who turns the voice into a guide,

instead of chains that bind the brain.

And in that moment, clear and still,

a different power comes to light—

not one of force, but steady will,

not one of fear, but inner sight.

For the mind may speak in endless loops,

but you decide which truths remain—

and in that choice, you find your strength,

and learn to master your own domain.

The Evolution of TV by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

The Evolution of TV by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

 Television has gone through many changes since it was first created, transforming from a simple

invention into one of the most powerful communication tools in the world. Over time, television

has improved in quality, accessibility, and technology, allowing people to share information,

learn about events, and connect with others across the globe. From the first black-and-white

broadcasts to today’s smart TVs and streaming platforms, television has played a major role in

shaping how people communicate.

The development of television began in the early 20th century when inventors worked on ways

to transmit moving images through electronic signals. The first experimental televisions were

very basic and produced low-quality images. By the 1930s, regular television broadcasts started

appearing in some countries. These early televisions had small black-and-white screens, and

only a limited number of programs were available. Even with these limitations, television was

revolutionary because it allowed people to see events and information instead of only hearing

about them through newspapers or radio.

In the 1950s, television became more popular as more families began buying TV sets for their

homes. Television quickly became a central part of daily life, bringing families together to watch

shows, news programs, and important events. During this time, television became an important

source of communication because it could deliver information to millions of people at the same

time. For example, people could watch speeches from leaders, learn about national events, and

follow major world events without needing to be there in person.

One of the biggest advancements in television was the introduction of color TV. Starting in the

1960s, color broadcasts became more common, making programs more realistic and engaging.

Color television improved communication because it allowed viewers to better understand what

they were seeing, especially in news reports, educational programs, and documentaries. Events

such as sports games, cultural celebrations, and scientific discoveries became easier for people

to experience from their homes.

During the late 20th century, television continued to advance with the introduction of cable and

satellite television. Instead of only having a few channels, viewers could access hundreds of

channels focused on different topics such as news, sports, science, history, and entertainment.

This expansion allowed people to receive more information and communicate ideas with larger

audiences. Educational channels helped students learn outside of school, while news networks

provided updates about events happening around the world.

In the 2000s, television technology improved even further with the creation of high-definition

(HD) and flat-screen televisions. These advancements made images clearer and improved the

overall viewing experience. The introduction of smart TVs connected television with the internet,

allowing people to access websites, social media, and streaming services directly from their

screens. Streaming platforms changed the way people watch television by allowing viewers to

choose what they wanted to watch and when they wanted to watch it.

Today, television continues to be an important method of communication. Modern TVs allow

people to watch live news, video calls, educational content, and entertainment from almost

anywhere in the world. Television helps spread important messages quickly during

emergencies, informs people about current events, and allows different cultures to share their

traditions and stories. It has helped connect people who may live thousands of miles apart by

giving them a way to experience the same events and ideas.

Television has also influenced education and learning. Programs about science, history, nature,

and technology have helped people gain knowledge outside of traditional classrooms. Students

can use television and online video platforms to learn new skills and explore topics they are

interested in. This has made information more accessible to people around the world.

Overall, television has progressed from a simple black-and-white device into an advanced

communication system that connects billions of people. Each improvement, from color screens

to internet-connected smart TVs, has made television faster, clearer, and more useful.

Television has changed the way people receive information, share ideas, and understand the

world, making it one of the most influential inventions in modern communication.

Fire, a poem by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

Fire, a poem by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan  

Prometheus stole it for us.

Zeus tried to keep it from our hands.

What kind of power holds such worth

that even gods would guard its flame?

What force could stir the wrath of heaven,

invite the chains, the endless pain,

just to place within our fragile grasp

a light that would outlive the gods’ domain?

Now it lives within our every day,

a quiet force we rarely name—

resting in embers, roaring in furnaces,

dancing at the edge of every flame.

A flicker, a blaze, a burning line

between survival and the grave,

a fragile glow in darkest nights,

a fierce defender, wild and brave.

It crackles softly in the silence,

yet roars when given breath and space,

it warms the hands that gather near,

yet scars the ones who misplace grace.

It cooks our food, it lights our path,

it forges steel, it shapes the land,

it turns the coldest dark to life

with just a spark from careful hands.

Of all the wilds we cannot tame,

this one bends, yet never breaks;

it listens, waits, then leaps to life

with every risk a human takes.

A living spark, a gift, a curse,

a power balanced thin and tight—

it builds our homes from ash and dust,

then tears them down in a single night.

It carved the path from beast to builder,

from shadowed caves to cities bright,

it fueled the dreams of early minds

who dared to challenge endless night.

From torch to kiln, from flame to engine,

from hearth to rocket’s blazing core,

it carried us beyond our limits,

to places none had reached before.

Yet still it whispers ancient warnings,

in every forest set alight,

in every spark that leaps too far

and turns control to helpless fright.

For fire remembers what it once was—

untamed, relentless, fierce, and free,

a force that bows but never yields,

a shadow of what it could be.

And still we hold it, close and careful,

this stolen gift, this burning art,

a symbol of both our creation

and the danger within the human heart.

For in its glow we see ourselves—

our hunger, brilliance, fear, desire—

the power to build, the power to break,

all mirrored in a single fire.

So we guard it now, as gods once did,

not with chains, but watchful eyes,

knowing its worth, its endless hunger,

its truth no myth can fully disguise.

A spark, a flame, a legacy—

our greatest tool, our oldest escape,

the line between what was and is,

the force that helped our future take:

fire.

A Change of Views by Sarvessh Senthamarai Kannan

 When I started playing tennis, I was never scared, too young to understand that it was a

competition. Walking onto the court, I imagined myself as a professional tennis player stepping

onto the Centre Court of Wimbledon. The crowd in my head was loud, the moment felt

important, and every swing carried a kind of confidence that didn’t need to be earned—it just

existed. I wasn’t thinking about winning or losing. I was just playing, fully, freely, without

hesitation.

There was something simple about it back then. Every point felt like an opportunity, not a test. I

chased every ball, swung without overthinking, and moved with a kind of belief that didn’t

question itself. The court wasn’t a place to prove anything—it was a place to enjoy the game. I

didn’t keep track of mistakes or let them define me. If I missed, I moved on. If I lost a point, I ran

for the next one. Everything felt light, and because of that, I played with a kind of natural

confidence that I didn’t even realize I had.

As time went on, I began to notice more—the scoreboard, the reactions of others, the

importance placed on results. Matches started to feel different. Points weren’t just points

anymore; they felt like judgments. Slowly, without a clear moment of change, the way I thought

about the game began to shift.

However, that impression started to fade as the purpose for playing tennis began to change. As

I grew older, the game slowly became more serious. Matches started to mean something.

Scores mattered. Expectations—both from others and from myself—began to grow. The same

court that once felt like a stage for imagination started to feel like a place where I was being

judged, where every point carried pressure.

Without even noticing it, my mindset shifted. I stopped picturing Wimbledon and started thinking

about outcomes. Instead of playing to experience the moment, I started playing to avoid

mistakes. I became more cautious, more aware of what could go wrong. The freedom I once

had began to shrink, replaced by hesitation. Every missed shot felt heavier, every lost point

harder to ignore. I started replaying mistakes in my head instead of letting them go, turning

single moments into lingering doubts.

And that shift made a difference. When I played with doubt, I held back. When I focused too

much on the result, I stopped trusting my instincts. The same shots that once felt natural started

to feel forced. I hesitated on swings I used to take without thinking, and that hesitation changed

everything. I wasn’t playing the game anymore—I was thinking my way through it, and that

made everything harder.

Looking back, I realize the younger version of me had something I didn’t fully understand at the

time. It wasn’t skill or experience—it was mindset. I played without fear because I wasn’t

thinking about failure. I believed without needing proof. And that belief allowed me to play in a

way that was free, confident, and real.

That’s the lesson: the biggest difference between who we are and who we aspire to be isn’t

skill—it’s mindset.

If I want to reach those big aspirations, to stand on my own version of Centre Court one day, I

don’t just need better technique or more practice. I need to rediscover that fearless

mindset—the one that believed before it doubted, that dreamed before it worried. Because in

the end, greatness doesn’t start with winning—it starts with believing that you belong there in

the first place.

Bright Side, a poem by Rishi Patil

 Why do we just love complaining?

Why is it so much easier to criticize than it is to compliment?

And why are we always negative?

Why do we constantly talk about the faults in the world?

Say that everything is going wrong?

Why?

Why do we subject ourselves to hating everything?

When everything would turn around if we simply look the other way

Look at the bright side

Spend an extra moment to appreciate everything

And with love and praise

The world will heal

And all we have to do

Is believe