95 Books I Read in 2020 - Part 2

In continuation to the previous blog, I am placing other few books that I consider worth reading and sharing. 

6. Just Breathe 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/35688872-just-breathe

In these times of chaos and pandemic, it has become a struggle to breathe, isn't it? Those who have suffered from the deadly Corona Virus may acknowledge how it is to fully breathe when the lungs have been damaged severely. 

There is a pressing and urgent need to establish a meaning in one's life and try to be happy in trying circumstances.  

The author of 'Just Breathe', 'Radhika Vachani has clearly demonstrated through the book, how one can use our simple nature's or life's gift called breathing to bring joy, satisfaction and peace in our lives. 

Without the use of complex techniques and unnecessary jargon, Ms. Radhika has wonderfully demonstrated how we can simply change our pattern of breathing to bring a change in our lives where it matters-Emotional, mental and physical. A must read

7. The Five People You Meet in Heaven

Book Link

I will not spill the beans on the subject of the book as the it is clear on what the book is all about - Afterlife.

No the book is not about what to expect while you lay dying or what awaits in store for you. What the book is trying to explain is finding the meaning of life through an interesting and vivid story. How each one of us on earth are inter-connected with each other and how can we bring some change in their lives, improving our life as well. 

Are you trying to find your true purpose in life? This book may be for you to read.

8. Women and Sabrimala

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50495320-women-and-sabarimala

Have you ever wondered as a Male species why there was or is always a commotion about a particular temple in South India when it concerns the fairer sex-Women?

This book has clearly explained the reason why women between the age of 13 to 50 years are banned from entering the temple. Not only this temple but also similar ones that have these restrictions. 

The author- Sinu Joseph has tried to explain the reason in terms of India's traditional knowledge, science, beliefs and logic through various ancient books like Agama Shastra, Tantra and Ayurveda. 

Are temples connected to a human's physiology and mind? Yes! How? Read this book to know more. 

9.  Autobiography of a Stock

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39934152-the-autobiography-of-a-stock 

Stock market, profits, losses, stocks, news, etc. Ring a bell!

These are everyday words we hear regularly in news, between colleagues, in emails, in whichever other form.

Presently when the Sensex is at or near 50,000 an all time high and Nifty touching all time high as well - 15000, we all wish to know how we can also profit from the euphoria.

If you are a novice who doesn't know a dime about stock market and yet want to profit from stocks through investing - yes, the patient and time enduring system, then this book is for you!  

                                                Do not be afraid of loss from investing anymore!

The Author- Manoj Arora has managed very well to explain to a stock market interested newbie through an interesting, unique and compelling story telling method in the form of a stock's autobiography.

Pick the right stocks from thousands, learn how to identify its potential, learn how to hold on to it and for how long, learn how to identify bad stocks from great ones and more!

Learn how to create long term wealth and receive excellent returns thorough the practical yet simple techniques in this book. 

That's all folks. Do let me know if you found any of the books useful that I recommended. 

95 Books I Read in 2020 - Part 1

 

For any book-lover, it would be futile to be without reading a book for a week. A physical copy or a digital one, they need it. Just as air is essential for human beings, a book is essential for book lovers.

Back in 2019, I had managed to read only 44 books, short of my target of 50 books. Hence, as the year 2020 stumbled in, I made a resolution to read as many books as I could – Atleast more than 50.

Then it happened!

The dreaded Covid19, my marriage, lockdown, etc.  As I sat at home right after the lockdown was announced 10 days after my marriage,  I wondered what would I do as there were restrictions to set foot outside your neighbourhood except for essential goods.

Of course, I got to spend some time with my better-half and we began to know each other well. But as she began to adjust to her new surroundings and helped around at home in the kitchen,  I pranced upon doing some much needed chores- Watching movies, reading books, sleeping... Majja ni life as they say! Of course, the work from home tradition also began as commute to office and the regular office life came to a standstill.

So, gradually, I read some 95 interesting books until December. My kindle app was the ultimate resource for me.  Downloading a particular book from the Amazon website!

 Of all of them, I am sharing 10 books that are very interesting reads that I would like to recommend  anyone who is ever in search of a good companion.

            1. Mudras for Anxiety

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23908338-mudras-for-anxiety

You have heard Indian yoga gurus recommending some hand postures for an ailment or make life better, haven’t you? This book also does, but it is for those who have an anxiety problem or who would like some quick help when things don’t go their way.

Some very excellent and simple hand mudras or postures to try on if you have an anxiety problem. Even if you don’t, nothing wrong to learn something new! (Price - Free if you read digitally)

            2.   Men A From Mars, Women are From Venus

Link - Here 

I had read this book in my childhood, but did not pay attention to the wisdom until now! As I was getting married, it was crucial for me to understand the thinking process of what the women think and feel! 

It’s very important to understand  the what, why and how of communication with your spouse and this book provides a lot of wisdom, insights and ideas right from the author – John Gray’s experience from his personal life and his clients. I am placing a lot of that wisdom in my practical life with my life partner. Of course, I need to work hard and read the book repeatedly if the need be.                          (Price - Only Rs. 89 for digital read) 

           3.  The Secret Diary of Kasturba

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32328803-the-secret-diary-of-kasturba

We all know what Mohandas Gandhi a.k.a Mahatma Gandhi did and who he was! We are also aware of the name of his life partner- Kasturba Gandhi. But how much do we know about her or her life? Hardly anything, right?

The author – Neelima Dalmia Adhar has brilliantly penned her unofficial biography written from the perspective of the great lady herself –Baa or Kasturba.  Her feelings, desires, her struggles with her husband’s ego, behavior and the sacrifices that she has had to endure to raise her kids, the children's relations with the father of the nation and baa's desire to be with Gandhiji in his quest of India’s independence, all explained clearly right from her childhood to her old age in form of a diary as if she herself wrote it.

A must read for all! (Price - Free for digital readers) 

          4. Autobiography of a Sunyogi

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43683041-autobiography-of-sunyogi

Yogi Umashankar! The man who lives by the sun alone and rarely eats. How, we may ask? Well he is a yogi and he teaches the art of doing sun yoga and how one can reduce the dependence on food and live by the power of the sun. Jaadu from  Koi Mil Gaya? Yes, a humanized one.

His autobiography clearly explains how he was introduced to sun yoga and his spiritual wanderings and the benefits of doing sun yoga.  Practical approach indeed!

       5. Nehru’s 97 Blunders

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31559890-nehru-s-97-major-blunders

 I don’t want to rake up a political controversy here, but this book was one of my first choice when I glanced upon it amongst others.  Of course, Jawaharlal Nehru – India’s first prime minister was a learned man and a statesman as many would describe him. He fought for India’s independence alongside Gandhiji and Sardar Patel.

 But there have been many claims and arguments on the number of things he went wrong with when it came to governing India. Right from internal factors such as defense, internal politics to external factors such as relations with neighboring countries, his ignorance or the will to look the other way when it mattered the most, the book claims his major blunders!  A worthy read if you are a political reader and would like to dive into the power lobby of India.

My take? I agree to most of the claims mentioned in the book. (Price - Free Book to Read Digitally) 

 I think this post might be too long, so I divided it into 2 parts. Another part of the blog coming soon with 5 worth readable books.

By the way, if you are a book lover and would like to have some recommendations about the books, goodreads.com is a good resource. You can find me on the website.

Soon, 

Kuldip