What I’m listening to
“I’ve been listening to Queen, particularly their song Bohemian Rhapsody. I could listen to this all day or watch the band’s different renditions at live concerts. The way Freddie Mercury combined what are essentially three different and disparate styles of music into one song – and make it work so well – is sheer genius. The song really takes off for me when it hits the hard rock section – it is simply head-banging stuff! I saw Queen performing this on TV at the Live Aid concert in 1985, a segment which was also included in the movie Bohemian Rhapsody in 2018, and it has been a favourite of mine ever since.”
– Anil Daryanani, Chief Financial Officer of Thakral Corporation Ltd.
What I’m reading
I recommend How to Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie. It’s a great book for those who are seeking ways to improve their lives. The author talks about the soft skills people need to work on and also explains why. He also talks about why we need to think about the fundamental rules in our social relationships, instead of blindly applying soft skills. The book will teach you win respect from others and also how to respect others, as doing both can lead to success.
– Kaz Suen, Partner at Ben P W Hui & Co. (CPA) Limited
I was very much drawn to the title of this book 我們的日子為什麼這麼難, when I first read it 10 years ago. I recently read it again. The author 郎咸平 is an economist who doesn’t shy away from telling the truth, and in this book, he tries to answer why the lives of people are so difficult. The author’s sharp wit and ideas come together to enrich our understanding of society’s complexities through this thought-provoking book. It is a book which might help you understand the philosophy of life.
– Timothy Cheung, Founder of Mytianran
I recommend 天行閣詞稿 by Nellie Chow, a former colleague and friend of mine at the Treasury. This book talks about Chinese poems, more specifically, how they are written, their structure, length of each line and rhyming. Short poems, for example, have to follow strict rules especially when there is history involved and a story to tell. The book makes good use of examples and references from ancient poems for readers. I find it very fascinating to study these poems and also read them out loud. They always make me feel better.
– Wendy Hui, retired
