How Sudha Murthy Ma’am’s Books Shaped My Reading Journey

I never imagined that reading books would one day become my favourite pastime. It was during the Covid period that I began reading more frequently, and since then, books have become an important part of my life.

Earlier, I used to build my vocabulary and improve my language skills by listening to interviews, podcasts, and documentaries. But gradually, I realised that physical books—being one of the oldest and most trusted sources of knowledge—offer a much deeper and personal experience. Different genres of books give different insights and emotions that stay with us longer.

My father, an avid reader himself, always encouraged me and my brother to read books beyond our school curriculum. During my school days, I never really understood the importance of additional reading. But later, while visiting book exhibitions, I slowly developed the habit of buying books every now and then.

Over time, my personal collection grew—covering topics like personality development, habit-building, success stories, inspirational works, self-help guides, and autobiographies.

Since I personally prefer simple and clear English rather than complicated vocabulary, I was naturally drawn to Sudha Murthy ma’am’s books. To begin my journey, I explored Google for suggestions and came across highly recommended titles.

Two books—The Man from the Egg and The Serpent’s Revenge—instantly caught my eye. Out of curiosity, I ordered them, and that’s how my reading journey with her writings truly began.

The language in her books is so simple that even a young child of 5–6 years can enjoy them. Her storytelling is engaging, clear, and heartfelt. Even though I already knew the stories of the Mahabharata, her narration made me want to relive them all over again. Very soon, I found myself buying one book after another until I had read almost her entire collection.

Reading Sudha Murthy ma’am’s works has been a beautiful experience. I connected deeply with her stories, her childhood memories, her challenges, and her triumphs—as though I was living them alongside her. Some stories even moved me to tears. Each of her books has been like a candle, guiding me with direction and clarity in life.

Her stories introduce readers to a wide range of characters—rich and poor, honest and selfish, hardworking and lazy—beautifully reflecting real human nature. What I admire most is that her writing always emphasizes culture, ethics, morals, and values.

One book I particularly remember is The Day I Stopped Drinking Milk. In it, Sudha Murthy ma’am narrates an incident from a rural area where a poor family, despite their struggles, showed her immense care and generosity. That heartfelt gesture touched her so deeply that she gave up drinking milk altogether. The honesty and rawness of such stories make them unforgettable.

Mahashweta
This story touched me on a very personal level. It follows the journey of Anupama, a woman diagnosed with leucoderma, who is rejected by her husband and in-laws because of her condition. Despite the pain of rejection and prejudice, she rebuilds her life with dignity, self-respect, and inner strength. Anupama’s resilience teaches us the importance of self-worth and courage in the face of life’s toughest challenges.

I truly love the entire collection of Sudha Murthy ma’am’s writings. I read them multiple times. Each of her books carries a unique pearl of wisdom to learn from—be it empathy, simplicity, kindness, or cultural values. Some stories inspire us to stay humble, some teach us perseverance, while others remind us of the importance of compassion and generosity. What makes her works so special is that every single book leaves the reader with a lesson that can be applied in real life.

Sudha Murthy ma’am’s storytelling is simple, direct, and heartfelt. As a reader, you feel as if you are living each experience yourself. Her books have not only nurtured my love for reading but also inspired me to reflect more deeply on life.

Her writings have truly shaped my journey as a reader—and perhaps even as a person. Today, I often recommend her books to my friends, family, and children, because they carry timeless lessons wrapped in simplicity.

If you are looking to begin your reading journey, I highly recommend starting with Sudha Murthy ma’am’s books. You can find samples on Google Reads and explore collections on Amazon.