Today’s blog is written by Decoda’s Program Manager, Aliza Dhungana and her fifteen-year-old daughter Aadhya. 

What happens when a mom and teen decide to read together? A mix of wisdom, giggles, plenty of eye rolls and a little magic along the way.

Every summer, my daughter and I pick a book to read together. It has become a small tradition that somehow turns into a mix of laughter, deep conversations, dramatic eye rolls and even a few ‘aha’ moments. This year, our choice was inspired by a talk we attended by a renowned spiritual leader, Prabhu Rupeshwor Gaur Das. His words about inner growth and purpose stayed with me long after the event.

One of the books he suggested is Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. At first glance, the title might sound like it’s only about money, but the book is really about developing a mindset of growth, resilience, and clarity of vision. For me, it’s a way to reflect on how positive thinking and manifestation can shape the life we create. Reading it with my teenager makes the journey even more meaningful, it gives us space to talk about values, goals, and the kind of life we each want to build.

What I love most is that our summer reading isn’t just about finishing a book. It’s about conversations along the way, chaos, the laughs and the chance to connect to topics we might not normally discuss in our daily lives.

Here, my fifteen-year-old daughter Aadhya shares her own thoughts on reading this book together….

This summer, I have read more than I was expecting to. The books I have read are the first ones that pop up when you search up “beach reads.” A few days ago, I attended a speaking event by Prabhu Rupeshwor Gaur Das. At first, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but my dad encouraged me to go since he had known him for years and thought I could learn something from him. I was not expecting much going into it, but I found myself having a good time. The way he spoke was clear and easy to understand, and I found him relatable. He shared ideas about inner growth and manifestation. Now, I am curious to read the book he recommended Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill and see how mindset and manifestation connect with my own life. I think it will be fun to read it together and explore these ideas.

Here’s to another summer of books, laughs, eye rolls and conversations that never really end!