Books they read: Sylver Kyagulanyi
What you need to know:
Sylver Kyagulanyi is a contemporary writer, performer, producer, song writer and vocalist. He is also working on his manuscript, If Love is Good; Why Does It Hurt? He spoke to Beatrice Lamwaka about his passion for reading and books.
What kind of books do you read?
I read widely in all sectors of life: social, economic, physical, mental and spiritual. For the social aspect: I read biographies like Barack Obama’s Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance and The Audacity of Hope: Thoughts on Reclaiming the American Dream, Gifted Hands and Think Big by Ben Carson. This book, Gandhi, An Autobiography: The Story of My Experiments With Truth by Mohandas Karamchand (Mahatma) Gandhi and Mahadev H. Desai, ignited my interest in other revolutionaries; Fidel and Che by Simon Reid-Henry, Hugo: The Hugo Chavez Story by Bart Jones, Stalin: A Biography by Robert Service, Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln by Doris Kearns Goodwin, A Brief History of the Third Reich by Martyn Whittock, and The Man Who Changed China: The Life and Legacy of Jiang Zemin by Robert Lawrence Kuhn, among others. For Economic aspect: How The Mighty Fall: And Why Some Companies Never Give In by Jim Collins and The Law of Success by Napoleon.
What do you enjoy about reading?
It is in the feeling that I can walk into people’s experiences: people who have paid for the experiences emotionally and physically. I read tested knowledge and it has been proven to work. Reading is a sustainable and affordable hobby. It keeps me away from bad habits. It is my best hobby ever.
What are some of your favorite quotations?
“The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants” Thomas Jefferson. “It doesn’t matter whether it’s a white cat or a black, I think; a cat that catches mice is a good cat.” Deng Xiaoping. “It may be true that the law cannot make a man love me but it can keep him from lynching me and I think that is pretty important also” Dr Martin Luther King
Which are some of the books that you refer to for constant guidance in life?
The Holy Bible for my daily life and my favorite is the book of Ecclesiastes and this quote guides me: “For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow.” I have English and Luganda bibles and I have bibles in my ipad, phone and kindle. The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck teaches me how a loving relationship should be. The Law of Success by Napoleon Hill, which crystallises everything one needs to know to succeed. For light moments, I read, Wit Rides Again by Des MacHale, a collection of witty remarks on different issues like medicine and doctors, media, films, sports, politics, love and marriage, sex, food, education and many other subjects. The quotes are from humorists such as Oscar Wilde and Woody Allen.
Which books would you recommend to people?
I normally give to people; The Road Less Traveled: A New Psychology of Love, Traditional Values and Spiritual Growth by M. Scott Peck and How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie, these are easy to read books and should encourage people to read. It is disappointing to learn that someone you have given such a book has not read them.
Which books are you reading?
I have just completed reading, The State of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence by Martin Meredith, which explore and explain problems that Africa has faced in the past half-century, and faces still. I have started reading, The Preacher and the Presidents: Billy Graham in the White House by Nancy Gibbs and Michael Duffy. Then, I will read, What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell.
