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espite getting his undergraduate degree in law, presenter and actor Ben Kasyafani has a deep passion for psychology, especially the way it is featured in books and motion pictures. Ben, who started his career as an announcer on Prambors, a popular radio station in Jakarta, reveals that movies and books are his two favorite things in life, besides sports.  

The Godfather by Mario Puzo

I am aware that it’s not a perfect family story; instead it’s about American mafias with their so-called family values. What I like about The Godfather story is how the writer portrayed the mafias, their authority and charisma. I know it’s about gangsters’ lives but I get a lot of value from it.

I was attracted to acting after reading the book and its film adaptation by director Francis Ford Coppola. I’ve read the book twice, because it’s quite thick, and I’ve watched the film several times because
I like the lines of dialogue.

Kicau Kacau (Chaotic Chirps) by Indra Herlambang

I am a big fan of the writing of presenter Indra Herlambang. He’s a regular writer for a free magazine that’s provided by some cafes. When I hang out with friends and family at any café, I always look for the magazine and read Indra’s piece.

So, when he released the book, I immediately bought and read it from cover to cover. It’s so hilarious that I couldn’t stop laughing as I read it. It’s so addictive that I was even a little sad when I finished reading it.

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Teens by Stephen R. Covey

As a teenager in my final year of high school, this book gave me good examples and values to improve myself as a human being. It became one of the many things that influenced me and helped me to become who I am now, most probably because my mother is a psychologist.

Nevertheless, I indeed learned a lot of good values in terms of self-improvement from The 7 Habits.

— Niken Prathivi