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Riza Satyagraha: A book in one go
JP/Tertiani ZB SimanjuntakReading is not a leisure activity for Jakartan Riza Satyagraha, who owns Toyzone toy store, The Droids Coffee ân Grill and event organizing company Sacca Production
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JP/Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak
Reading is not a leisure activity for Jakartan Riza Satyagraha, who owns Toyzone toy store, The Droids Coffee 'n Grill and event organizing company Sacca Production.
A lawyer by profession, Riza is always on the hunt for books he can use as references for his businesses and hobbies.
In a month, he could spend up to Rp 2 million (US$171) on books that catch his eye. 'I only buy one or two books at one time because I always read the whole book in one sitting. I usually start reading after my family has gone to bed at about 10 p.m.,' he says.
Graphic art books
As the creator of the happening Jakarta Toys and Comics Fair and the founder of Star Wars fan organization Order 66 SITH-Lord, Riza turns to books on toys and comic characters as well as visual design for ideas for the themes of his next events.
'I read the philosophy of cultural art in America and Japan to understand the characters better,' he says.
Most influential people
As a child, his favorite book was Michael H. Hart's The 100: A Ranking of the Most Influential Persons in History. Now, he reads biographies of successful entrepreneurs like Steve Jobs, or self-motivational literature.
He even read Adolf Hitler's Mein Kampf (My Struggle) to understand the man better. 'In my field of work, I deal with different kinds of people. These books help me to recognize people's characters and how to communicate with them,' he said.
'I need to keep up my businesses. I quit my job as a lawyer after three years and use my knowledge to protect my current businesses.'
Religious books
Although he said he prefers light reading, books on religion were among his choices of literature.
Riza, who got his master's degree in law from an Australian university, said he collected books authored by progressive Muslim philosopher Quraish Shihab.
'As a Muslim, the books provide ways of thinking and analyzing our daily lives in accordance with the Koran.'
- JP/Tertiani ZB Simanjuntak
