18 # Year 2015’s Resolution- Read/Listen Books

WARNING : LONG BUT USEFUL BLOG

Dear Readers

This is the end of the year and I am about to cross my annual book reading/listening target of minimum 20 books a year as reading is one of my resolution for year 2015 and will be forever in my resolution list.

Due to time and other commitments, I couldn’t read any of the books through physical copies but thanks to modern day storytelling via audio books, I was able to  listen 28 books till date.

Here is the list of books which may interest you if time is the constraint to you.You can use your commute time to listen such wonderful books.

1. Jaya -An Illustrated Retelling of Mahabharata by Devdutt Pattnaik  – Wonderful peace of ancient epic covering all the stories some of them which you may not have ever heard of with different / logical perspective however it appears that it is high influenced by Wendy Doniger’s ideology and works showing derogatory views on Hinduism.
2. Business Sutra – An Indian Approach to management by Devdutt Pattnaik – An Indian way to understand the management, very interesting illustrations and simple language.
3. 7 Secrets of Shiva by Devdutt Pattnaik – An approach to explain Lord Shiva- An Indian Supreme Deity and his incarnations in simple logical way however it appears that it is high influenced by Wendy Doniger’s ideology and works showing derogatory views on Hinduism.
4. Yatharth Gita (Bhagvad Gita) by Swami Adgadanand – Explaining Bhagvad Gita in its true meanings for life, more for spiritual growth and about winning internal war within your mind. Very different than stereotype Gita explanations. I actually ended up listening more than 3 times. MOST Recommended.
5. Chanakya’s New Manifesto by Pavan K Verma – Very good book explaining India’s core problems and its possible solutions. Author is very well known ex-bureaucrat and politician.
6. Asura : The story of Ravana & His Men by Anand Neelkanthan – A good book if you want to fantasize that Ravan was the victim of Brahim atrocities. This is fiction books which may have little historical facts embedded in it. Well narrated sending subliminal messages however it appears that it is highly influenced by westen liberal (breaking india) ideology showing derogatory views on scriptures, social fabrics and false fault lines.
7. Ajaya : The story of Kaurava Clan by Anand Neelkanthan – Similarly a good book if you want to fantasize that Kauravas were innocents. This is also fiction having little facts sequenced in. Great as fiction book.Well narrated sending subliminal messages however it appears that it is highly influenced by westen liberal (breaking india) ideology showing derogatory views on scriptures, social fabrics and false fault lines.
8. Krushnayan : Story of God Lived as A Human by Kajal Oza Vaidhya – A fiction novel imagining Lord Krishna’s feeling while he was leaving the earth as human. Very well narrated and I fell goosebumps even in some narrations.
9. Stri – Lecture by Kajal Oza Vaidhya – A lecture recording speaking about Gujarati/Indian women, her attitude and empowerment.
10. Gita : Karma and Destiny by Kajal Oza Vaidhya – A lecture on difference between Karma and destiny,which one comes first Karma or Destiny. Very interesting explanation those who are looking for the answers. Fresh perspective to those who wants to know about Karma and Niyati (Destiny).
11. Gandhi and Celibacy by Kajal Oza Vaidhya – A lecture on mis interpretation about Gandhi and his actions especially on celibacy. Gandhi lovers/haters must listen to this.
12. Scarcity and Childhood by Kajal Oza Vaidhya – A very emotional lecture addressing to the kids of orphanage and schools who live in scarcity. Wealthy/ advantaged must listen to this to have an empathy and compassion for disadvantaged ones.
13. Draupadi by Kajal Oza Vaidhya – A lecture on the spirited woman character of Mahabharata, her empowerment and message to modern age women and men.
14. Personality of Krishna by Kajal Oza Vaidhya – A lecture on character of Krishna and his personality explained in epic Mahabharata.
15. Bringing Up the Child by OSHO Rajneesh – Osho speaks in response to a question about the right way to help children to grow without interfering in their natural potentiality.
16. The Oath of Vayuputras by Amish Tripathi – he Oath of the Vayuputras is the final Audio book of the Shiva Trilogy. In the earlier Audio books of the trilogy, Shiva finds out that the Nagas are not his enemies and joins hands with them to reach the root of all evil.
17. Chanakya Neeti by Chanakya –

    Chanakya was not gifted with beauty or looks, however, he was gifted with intelligence, creativity and statesmanship. He is the best administrator to be born to date. The greatest strategist of his time, his hard labour, perseverance and guidance bore fruit to Chandragupta Maurya and who became the Emperor of the great Mauryan Empire.
    Chanakya served as his Prime minister and he is still known for his great wisdom, far -sightedness, power of persuasion, manipulation and spreading dissension.Chanakya Neeti is a treatise on the ideal way of life, and shows Chanakya’s in depth study of the Indian way of life.
    ‘Once you start working on something, don’t be afraid of failure and don’t abandon it. People who work sincerely are the happiest.’ – Chanakya

18. My Journey : Transforming Dreams into Actions by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam -Transforming Dreams Into Actions documents the life of a young boy from Rameshwaram, who not only became a renowned scientist in India, but also held the highest post that the country could ever offer. Through the course of this book, Kalam tells his readers about key events in his life that brought him to where he is, today. Kalam doesn’t only talk about him being India’s former President, but as a boy, son, student, and scientist. Kalam’s hometown, Rameshwaram, was indeed a serene place to dwell.A very motivational piece of stories about his life.
19. Gautam Buddha by Rahini Chawdhary – Very unknown facts about the life of Gautam Buddha starting from before his birth to after his death. Referenced from Pali Cannon. Very interesting to know more about Gautam Buddha.
20. Swami Vivekananda by Devika Rangachari – I have read Swami Vivekananda’s biography many many times since my childhood however haven’t read from last 10 years which gave me fresh source of inspiration and energy. A great read with all facts about the life of Swami Vivekananda- The youth monk of modern India.
21. Turning Points : A journey through challenges by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam– Dr. Kalam spoke to the PM, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, his life was set for an unexpected change. Turning Points takes up the incredible Kalam story from where Wings of Fire left off. It brings together details from his career and presidency that are not generally known as he speaks out for the first time on certain points of controversy. It offers insight not only into an extraordinary personality but also a vision of how a country with a great heritage can become great in accomplishment, skills and abilities through effort, perseverance and confidence. It is a continuing saga, above all, of a journey, individual and collective, that will take India to 2020 and beyond as a developed nation.
22. Wise and Otherwise by Sudha Murthy – As a chairman of Infosys Foundation-philanthropic foundation, Sudha Murthy come across to variety of people with variety of situations. Their lives and incidents are well narrated in simple language.
23. The Day I stopped Drinking Milk by Sudha Murthy – As a chairman of Infosys Foundation-philanthropic foundation, Sudha Murthy come across to variety of people with variety of situations. Few incidents which made Sudha Murthy to stop herself drinking a milk. Very emotional narration to the heart touching incidents happened to her.
24. Stay Hungry Stay Foolish by Rashmi Bansal– The story of 25 such IIM Ahmedabad graduates who chose the rough road of entrepreneurship. They are diverse in age, in outlook and the industries they made a mark in. But they have one thing in common: they believed in the power of their dreams. This book seeks to inspire young graduates to look beyond placements and salaries. To believe in their dreams. A good read to those who wants to take knowledge based entrepreneurship.
25. Connect the Dots by Rashmi Bansal – The story of 20 enterprising individuals without an MBA, who started their own ventures. They were driven by the desire to prove themselves. To lead interesting, passionate, meaningful lives. Their stories say one thing loud and clear. You don’t need a fancy degree or a rich daddy to dream big and make it happen. It’s all in your head, your heart, your hands.
26. I have a Dream by Rashmi Bansal – This book gave me a motivation for my further course of life. The story of 20 idealists who think and act like entrepreneurs. They are committed to different causes, but they have one thing in common: a belief that principles of management can and must be used to achieve a greater common good. These stories say one thing loud and clear change starts with one person, and that person could be someone next door. Someone like you.
27. Poor Little Rich Slum by Rashmi Bansal – What we think of Dharavi a biggest slum of Asia . Just a filth, poverty and deceases . We are wrong. I was wrong. One little two little three little Indians, four little five little six little Indians, seven little eight little nine little Indians… One million little Indian entrepreneurs. These are the stories of the little people who make up the Big Idea of Dharavi. A slum of energy, enterprise and hope.
    Where every hand is busy, every head held high.Where people could be miserable but choose to be happy. A choice each of us can make.
28. Enterpreur -5pm to 9am by Kanth Miriya – You have a job. And an idea for a business. What do you do then? Crisp, reader-friendly and practical, Entrepreneur 5 p.m. to 9 a.m. tells you how you can become an entrepreneur even if you have a full-time job and are risk-averse. With facts, flowcharts and illustrations, this is a fast and super-useful read through which you will come away with a clear and solid roadmap for converting your idea into a viable enterprise and taking your venture from zero to launch. To be very honest this is the last book I am going through for the year but it is not as interesting as all of the above. This could be my experience only.

The transformation I have found in myself and my thinking is enormous and can’t explain it in words however can tell you one thing for sure that the person I am now was not before. Started to love my own company. I become very inclusive to the various perspectives. I hope it will keep transforming in upward spiral.

I am hungry and I am foolish.

Happy Reading to All