What Readers Are Saying

It tells one person’s story and somehow helps you understand your own.

“An immigrant story, a family story, and ultimately a story about what really matters in life. The Eleventh Kilometer is deeply hopeful and beautifully human. It tells one person's story and somehow helps you understand your own.”

— Rev. Jerry Zehr

Not a celebrity story, but an intentional life.

“Raw, genuine, and deeply reflective, The Eleventh Kilometer traces how the wisdom and strength we inherit from our parents can shape us in ways we may not recognize until much later. Through family, loss, immigration, and the discipline of running, JR Sandadi shows how hardship can be transformed into purpose. This is not a celebrity story, but an intentional life—one that reminds us to stop sleepwalking and move through our own lives with greater awareness and meaning.”

— Upender

An intimate, poetic account of one family’s journey.

“The Eleventh Kilometer is a gift—an intimate, poetic account of one family's journey from a small village in rural India to the American Midwest. It traces the values of perseverance and integrity passed from grandfather to father to son, and the compassion JR and his wife Madhuri showed in overcoming the loss of their first child is especially poignant. A book that helps us see other cultures not as competing forces, but as jewels that complement one another.”

— Charlie Wiles

The book makes an instant connection within the first few chapters.

“An amazing story that readers will find highly relatable—the story of a son, a husband, an engineer, an immigrant, a father, a volunteer. The book makes an instant connection within the first few chapters, and the pace is incredible. It's difficult to put down before reaching the end.”

— Nikhil A.

I read it non-stop for five hours and couldn’t put it down.

“This book is an incredible reading experience—an immigrant's journey told with unusual candidness about struggles and wins. I read it non-stop for five hours and couldn't put it down. You can feel the heart the author poured into being candid about the highs and lows of the human experience. A story of culture, courage, and quiet everyday resilience.”

— Darshan Soni

JR never tries to be the hero of his own story.

“A beautiful story about finding the extraordinary in the seemingly ordinary. What stuck with me most is how honest this book is—JR never tries to be the hero of his own story. He's upfront about his own flaws, and he just keeps showing up for people, even when it would be easier to walk away. There's a real thread of resilience here, pushing past what feels possible and finding steadiness on the other side. Simple, honest, and it stays with you long after you close it.”

— Dr. Aparna

This book could very well be called ‘Roots.’

“An excellent read I couldn't put down. In part it reminded me of my own immigrant journey and the meaning we're all searching for, becoming better versions of ourselves—emotionally raw at times when JR describes dealing with loss and overcoming adversity. His writing weaves motion, arrival, and presence into a memoir that connects his roots to his current journey. Multi-generational, multi-continental wisdom here for everyone—this book could very well be called 'Roots.'”

— Dr. Sanjay Goil

Collective effervescence in running shoes.

“A memoir that melds academic depth with tremendous emotional vulnerability—it brought me to tears so many times. JR's example, rooted in Ubuntu and lived out through volunteer work and six Abbott World Marathon Majors, brings to life Durkheim's idea of collective effervescence: the shared energy of feeling part of something bigger than yourself. It's collective effervescence in running shoes—a meditation on love, grief, purpose, community, and legacy.”

— Swetha Vangala

My twelve-year-old and I could not put this book down.

“My twelve-year-old and I could not put this book down—it does not feel like JR's first work. Central to the book is ‘Charaiveti Charaiveti,’ or ‘keep moving,’ and JR maintains that momentum throughout, much like his marathon runs, describing each of his six majors in great detail. This book offers something for everyone to connect with, whether you're an immigrant, a student, a parent, or a child.”

— Bharath/Sarayu

Each story is a flower whose message lingers like fragrance.

“I've heard many of these stories firsthand, so I tried to set that aside and meet them fresh. The Eleventh Kilometer is a recipe for making and keeping friends, one we'll lose if we don't practice it daily. JR's father taught that adversity is simply part of life, to be endured, and that lesson has quieted a fear in me. Each story is a flower whose message lingers like fragrance. I've plucked mine. I hope you find one that graces your life.”

— Susmita Singh

Every first-generation immigrant should read this book.

“The Eleventh Kilometer deeply resonated with me. It's a fantastic rural story, beautifully told and deeply human, about family, perseverance, identity, and finding the strength to stay the course. Every first-generation immigrant should read this book. It captures something that's hard to put into words: carrying your past with you while trying to build a future of your own.”

— Dr. Shesh Nath Rai

Honest, genuine, and at times beautifully raw.

“A wonderful memoir: honest, genuine, and at times beautifully raw. I found myself connecting many of the immigrant experiences to my own story as I read. I especially appreciated how it explores family relationships, and how our upbringing, culture, and experiences shape the values we carry. Heartfelt, authentic, and very relatable, it stays with you long after you finish.”

— Swapna

Relatable in so many ways, yet truly extraordinary in its trajectory.

“This deeply moving memoir chronicles a life journey that's relatable in so many ways, yet truly extraordinary in its trajectory. It's a powerful story of personal evolution, shaped by family values, silent sacrifice, grief, perseverance, and selfless service.”

— Manas Phadke

Just don’t start reading it too late at night.

“A heartfelt and engaging memoir about family, friendship, perseverance, and discovering your purpose. What I loved most are the life lessons woven throughout: life is about moments and people, not money; family and friends can carry us through the toughest challenges; and no matter how hard the journey gets, keep moving forward. Relatable, inspiring, and beautifully told. Just don't start reading it too late at night. You may not be able to put it down!”

— Dr. Madhavi

Both a well-written memoir and an effective guide for living well.

“The Eleventh Kilometer is both an extremely well-written memoir of a well-lived life and an effective guide for those of us who wish to do the same. Told in five segments, each building on the lessons before it, it shows how JR's parents shaped the perseverance and kindness he carried forward through great loss and great joy. Its theme, ‘Charaiveti Charaiveti,’ isn't movement for its own sake but staying awake inside the life you've been given. The work is always in the present—a lesson for us all.”

— Diane Sargeant

It put my own parents’ journey into a new perspective.

“A compelling journey through family, immigration, identity, and purpose. As a second-generation child of an immigrant family, I found it put my own parents' journey into a new perspective, making me think about the sacrifices and struggles they may have carried quietly while creating opportunities for the next generation. JR shares these experiences with honesty and humility. A meaningful, beautifully personal memoir that stays with you long after the final page.”

— Lekhya

A quiet presence can truly become a prayer.

“Reading The Eleventh Kilometer feels like looking into a mirror of my own life. JR's reflections on discipline, healing, and transformation capture the resilience and grace it takes to navigate health, education, career, and the sudden weight of adult responsibility—a gentle reminder that simply showing up is what matters most. He balances the fire of ambition with the peace of surrender, reminding us that our truest purpose is found not in isolated achievements but in unity, companionship, and deep human connection.”

— Vinod

I have a notepad of quotations captured, nuggets from a richly lived life.

“How does one feel responsibilities deeply, or manage a sense of filial obligation? What does one man's odyssey from Vattem, a town in southern India, to Carmel mean? JR answers these questions in a deeply personal narrative, recounting his hard choices without any soft edges and richly embellished with 3,000 years of Indian thought. The later sections on outreach in Carmel could serve as a non-confrontational primer on religion's role in personal and societal development. The love of community is writ large in this book, and running is a mile marker in this journey of life.”

— SK Prasad

An impact that lingers without imposing.

“As a fellow immigrant, I found The Eleventh Kilometer honest and deeply relatable. JR shares his journey through family, immigration, career, loss, running, and community service without trying to make himself sound perfect. Its theme, ‘Charaiveti Charaiveti’—keep moving—isn't just about pushing through hard times, but about staying present, appreciating the people around us, and carrying forward the sacrifices of those who came before us. Emotional in places, inspiring without feeling preachy, it's a book that stays with you. An impact that lingers without imposing.”

— Dr. Mandar

Like sitting down for a heart-to-heart conversation with the author.

“Reading this book feels like sitting down for a personal, heart-to-heart conversation with the author. The writing is so warm and immersive that you feel as though you're walking right alongside him, and the short, episodic chapters each deliver their message with clarity and deep emotion. It touches on deeply relatable themes: a young immigrant building a life in America, overcoming an early physical condition, heavy personal losses, and caring for aging parents in India from afar. A deeply moving and inspiring read that sparks a quiet desire to record our own family roots, dreams, and hardships for our children. It certainly made me want to write my own someday.”

— Madhu Hebbar

Family and service above self.

“JR's memoir guides readers through the phases of a self-determined life, as he channels his inner energy toward supporting his family and serving the greater good. It's an emotional journey from humble beginnings in India through the struggles of an immigrant, steadied by his father's unwavering commitment to bettering society. It also shows how spirituality and a constant connection to family roots keep you grounded. I was moved, at times even to tears, by this fast-paced book, and I look forward to dedicating some of my time to helping my community, one hour at a time.”

— Harish

The inspiration comes from a story simply and honestly told.

“A genuine and deeply moving memoir, written with honesty and warmth, about a life built on family, perseverance, and service. It begins in Vattem, Telangana, grounded in faith and heritage, with JR's deep respect for his mother and his father, a civil engineer who built a temple for their village. Running then becomes a path to mental and physical strength, carrying him through the Chicago, Big Sur, Berlin, Tokyo, Boston, and New York marathons one steady step at a time, before the book turns to a lifetime of service to students and community. It doesn't try too hard to be motivational; the inspiration comes from a story simply and honestly told. A powerful reminder of what humility, resilience, and steady effort can achieve.”

— Madhu Sundarajan

Our deepest roots often lead us through the toughest times.

“A heart-wrenching memoir that explores grief, migration, and the intricate connections between fathers and sons. It is a truly rewarding read for anyone who enjoys stories of personal growth, family sacrifice, and finding peace through physical strength. It reminds us that our deepest roots often lead us through the toughest times—and tells the story of common Indian immigrants who came to the USA to establish themselves and contribute to societies here and back in India.”

— Arpit Agrawal

It takes a lot of character and confidence to write about your own life this way.

“This book is shockingly open. It takes a lot of character and confidence to write about your own life this way, with no agenda or brand to build. JR documents tension with his father, marriage dynamics, and personal tragedies—and perhaps because of that openness, there is a lot of food for thought. What kept me reading was how effectively JR communicates the core beliefs behind his decisions. I’m still thinking about a few of them.”

— Anant Garg

Sometimes we read someone else’s story and unexpectedly find parts of our own journey in it.

“I am not a frequent book reader, but I am very glad I picked up The Eleventh Kilometer. What started as reading JR ji’s book became an opportunity to reflect on my own journey, with many parallels along the way. His dedication to family, running, community, and selfless service is truly inspiring. I strongly recommend this book, especially to first- and second-generation immigrants in the US, who may find many parts of this journey familiar and relatable.”

— Jay

We walked seven kilometers to school, carrying our books in our hands.

“The Eleventh Kilometer doesn't just tell you a story—it makes you see your own. Like many who grew up in rural India, I walked about seven kilometers to school through farm fields, with no proper roads and no backpack, just books carried in my hands. Reading this book brought those village paths vividly back to life. What I appreciated most is the author's honesty: there's no attempt to make the journey look more glamorous than it was. The struggles, sacrifices, family values, immigration, and perseverance all come across as genuine and deeply human. Inspiring for immigrants and anyone who has built a better life from a humble beginning. One thought kept coming back to me: ‘Charaiveti, Charaiveti.’ Keep moving forward. Keep going.”

— Arun Sharma

He doesn’t write with a pen; he writes with his heart.

“This book is about life in its truest form: a journey shaped by loss, resilience, humility, and shifting perspectives, and by the quiet conversations we have with ourselves during our hardest moments. It's also about the meaningful encounters that redirect our path and remind us what it means to live with purpose. Every chapter feels lived, not crafted, and that sincerity touched me at my core. A powerful, relatable read, not just at one moment but at many, because it reflects real life.”

— Pavan Peddireddy

A few passages made my heart skip a beat.

“An easy, relatable, and inspiring read. I finished it in just two sittings. The writing is excellent, and it weaves together every phase of a man's life. I empathized with many of the author's experiences and struggles, and a few passages made my heart skip a beat because they brought my own memories rushing back. Highly recommend it.”

— Giri K

The magic is in the journey rather than the destination.

“I must admit that I am a reader of fiction novels, but this is an account of a friend, and an individual I respect for his conscious choices in life. I admire the courage to accept what one cannot change or control, and move forth and live every moment. I admire that the author does not attempt to glaze over his true experiences, admits when he was wrong, and gives credit where it was due, especially to his wife’s support and strength. The journey across the six marathons, interlaced with the drive to make a difference in the community, is truly inspirational. Showing up for each of the marathons, the preparation or the lack thereof, is the true meaning of ‘Charaiveti.’”

— Deepti Krishnan

It inspires readers to preserve their own family stories.

“Reading this book feels like a personal conversation with the author. His warm, engaging writing style draws you in from the first page and makes you feel part of his journey. The memoir explores migration, perseverance, family, loss, and personal growth. What resonated most was his honest account of supporting aging parents from afar and fulfilling his father’s dream. More than a memoir, this book inspires readers to preserve their own family stories and legacy for future generations.”

— VK Moudgalya

A memoir that feels like our own story.

“The Eleventh Kilometer is not just a memoir. It is a mirror for many Indian immigrant families. JR beautifully captures what many of us have lived but rarely articulated: that our journey to America started long before we boarded a plane, in the sacrifices of our parents and grandparents. What makes this book exceptional is its honesty. He writes with rare candor about anger, fear, ambition, grief, and insecurity. A must-read for first-generation immigrants and second-generation youth trying to understand their roots.”

— Venu M

Like looking through a window into your life.

“Engaging. Insightful. I found the book pregnant with one-liners… single sentences that slowed me down and that I read for the second or third time before highlighting them in yellow. ‘Comfort can be a kind of amnesia.’ ‘But grief, even deep grief, does not extinguish the desire for life.’ ‘Numbers do not make eye contact, but space does.’ Thanks for this wonderful opportunity to create a window into your life and a connection with who you are.”

— Ernest Lifferth