For the past few days, I’ve been savoring a nugget with my chai—though not the chili cheese variety you might expect. I’m talking about Nuggets from Lived Experiences by Rajen Garabadu. Here’s my review.
For those of you who follow me at Kurlygirlreads, it’s no secret that I love fiction. In our busy routines, there’s something comforting about being transported into a completely different world. The only nonfiction book I regularly dip in and out of is Atomic Habits by James Clear. I’ve followed Rajen’s blog on LinkedIn for a while, so when I heard about his book, it immediately sparked my interest. And, of course, knowing Rajen personally added to my curiosity.
The book is divided into five themes, each further broken down into chapters. Every chapter is a reflection of the author’s personal experiences, beginning with a thought-provoking question. In these chapters, Rajen takes us through his journey—his student days, workplace experiences, failures, challenges, moments of success, and insights. Each chapter concludes with a takeaway, often inspired by a quote or a simple yet impactful thought that leaves us reflecting. The best part? You don’t need to read it in any specific order—you can pick a topic and dive in for the day.
My Take: Rajen’s book will resonate differently with each reader. It follows a read-and-reflect format, making it an insightful companion through various phases of life. For those navigating the corporate world, it offers valuable lessons on leadership, active listening, and team management. But beyond the workplace, it extends to every role we play—as parents, homemakers, friends, colleagues, and mentors. It reminds us that we make time for what truly matters to us, no matter which hat we wear. I won’t go into detail about the chapters—that’s something for you to explore—but I do want to share this: when I was reading the chapter The Value of a Listening Ear, it was so relatable to conversations I’ve had with a friend. I WhatsApped her a screenshot, and she replied, “This is so us!!”
What I loved most was the personal storytelling. Instead of simply offering advice, Rajen shares his lived experiences—both in his professional and personal life. From his student days and first job to moments spent with his parents, and cousins, and supporting his wife through her career break and restart, he reflects on both the successes and setbacks. Each phase, whether good or bad, becomes a valuable learning experience, shaping how we tackle challenges in the future. Reading it brought back many fond memories for me, especially the chapters that included names and moments from his time at Network18. Rajen also shares his parenting journey, reflecting on the time spent with his daughter and the challenges and joys of guiding her through life. His insights into balancing parenting with career and personal growth highlight how deeply he values the role of a parent. Reading about his experiences prompted me to reflect on my own journey, and I found myself resonating with his view that our children shape us just as much as we shape them.
In 2005, at my first job at CNN-IBN, I got to know Rajen as my department head. Now, reading his newly released book in 2025, I still sense the same vibe from him. His blog-to-book journey reflects his philosophy of learning through experience and empowering others—something he has practiced all along. Much like James Clear, who expanded Atomic Habits from blog posts, Rajen’s Nuggets from Lived Experiences grew from his writings into a book. It’s great to have all these insights in one place. Do give this book a shot—you won’t regret it.
As always, I have plenty of highlights from the book, but I’ll share the one that resonates with me the most:
“I will prioritize myself. No, that doesn’t mean I will stop caring about others. It means I will do what I want without obsessing over what others think.”
You can get your copy here
