By – V S Ramachandran

This is a special post. I just joined a new and interesting Reading Book which is called as ‘Reading With Sushant’. Yes, I loved the idea and so grateful to the admins to have started in the memory of our beloved, Sushi! ❤

As I came to know, Sushant used to read very interesting books and for it was about Sushant, I had to be a part of it. And what a book to choose for the first one!

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Reading with Sushant (@readingwithsushant)

About The Book

Honestly, I had to google about what ‘tell-tale’ means which is when I understood more on what is this book about. ‘Tell-tale’ means revealing about something and this is what Ramachandran wishes to do. This is one of those interesting books on neuroscience that talks about our brains. But then, there is more to it. Ramachandran puts forward how the brain functions and how we perceive things and act in the real world. He talks about different cases [as in autism, which is pretty known], along with other possible mental conditions which we don’t even know about. Those are the terms we [at least, I], haven’t heard ever. He then starts putting facts or rather the thesis that could explain the phenomenon. I was particularly impressed when he dedicates a chapter to only discuss how do we perceive beauty and why do we perceive it so. This book is about the thoughts put on those things which we don’t normally even think about. This is a different world that will give insights to what a beauty our brain and how differently it can perform under unusual circumstances.

Special Highlights

So, I never felt so helpless but with this one. I was actually struggling to understand the meaning of words. Ramachandran is a master and so adept at using very interesting words and not few, but many. But then again, the language is easy to interpret. And, there are references to the scientific terms as well.

The thing is we need to put in our thought process behind what Ramachandran wants to let us know. You would be surprised to see how interestingly he talks about such ‘unusual’ topics but in a succinct way that has the power to change our attitude towards differently-abled people. Our brain is a gift with immense potentialities and can do wonders!

About The Author

This is my first book by this gentleman and I am particularly impressed by his flair with words and writing. His language and command with the scientific field can be clearly understood. An improved dictionary is a bonus when reading his works!

I would definitely like to read other of his works, which I need to explore.

Motivation To Read

I could of think of only the below;

• Undoubtedly, anyone with an interest in neuroscience and hence, the brain, should and must read this work.
• To get a different perspective on the default perceptions we have in this world.
• Understand how we actually perceive this world.
• Know what is the underlying wiring that leads us to how we are and are perceived around.
• Love for learning new words and a flair for language.

Few Noteworthy Quotes

Any ape can reach for a banana, but only humans can reach for the stars.

Humans write, investigate, create and quest.

In a sense, when we look at the world, we are hallucinating all the time. One could almost regard perception as the act of choosing the one hallucination that best fits the incoming data, which is often fragmentary and fleeting. Both hallucinations and real perceptions emerge from the same set of processes. The crucial difference, is that when we’re perceiving, the stability of external objects and events helps anchor them.

Ending Note

I wouldn’t say much except to read this exclusive book, which is recommended by Sushant. It’s bound to open new doors of perspectives of life.

Happy Reading! ❤

P S – To know more about the book club, do visit the Instagram handle!