Saturday, December 30, 2023

My Literary Adventure - One Book Per Day in 2023

 



It's been quite a journey – a six-month break from penning down my thoughts. With the New Year on the horizon, as everyone engages in introspection, planning, and resolutions, I find myself compelled to reflect and share the whirlwind of literary adventure that has consumed my world. Yes, it's been a personal journey of self-study, a literary odyssey that led me through the pages of 365+ books in 2023.


While I've always considered myself an avid reader, my commitment soared to new heights when in March, 23 Om Swami ji presented #earnyourmeal challenge on Wildr, a toxicity free social media. The catalyst for this transformative period was the decision to incorporate audiobooks into my routine, seamlessly blending literary exploration with exercise and walks. Remarkably, I discovered I could absorb the essence of one book per day. This realization fueled my determination to maintain this daily ritual. Even if it meant (in the last 2 months only) resorting to summary books, shorter reads, and, on occasion, embracing the enchanting world of children's literature. After all, there's a child within us all.


Allow me to share a curated list of the books that left a lasting impression on me during this odyssey. Should any pick your interest, consider immersing yourself in their narratives. It's important to note that this list exclusively comprises audiobooks and traditional text formats – no podcasts or videos included.


#

Book Name

Author

Category

Type

Link

1

Bhagavan and Bhakta

Sadhvi Vrinda Om

Self Help

Text Book

https://www.amazon.in/Bhagavan-Bhakta-Sadhvi-Vrinda-Om-ebook/dp/B0CK82HNGS

2

Rigveda

Raj Bahadur Pandey

Scripture

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Rigveda-Audiobook/B08VF8MTVC

3

Valmiki Ramayan

Valmiki

Scripture

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Valmiki-Ramayan-Hindi-Edition-Audiobook/B0B2HBBNNQ

4

Devi Mahatmyam

Sage Markandeya, Lyndal Vercoe - translator

Scripture

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Devi-Mahatmyam-Audiobook/1799969916

5

Hitopdesh (Hindi Edition)

Narayan Pandit

Scripture

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Hitopdesh-Hindi-Edition-Audiobook/B0B2ZB6J1M

6

Kurma Puran (Hindi Edition)

Dr. Vinay

Scripture

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Kurma-Puran-Hindi-Edition-Audiobook/B08XN1SRC6

7

Shreemad Devi Bhagwat Mahapuran (re-read)

Geeta Press

Scripture

Text Book

https://www.amazon.in/MPF-Shreemad-Devi-Bhagwat-Mahapuran/dp/B08QJS4LR7

8

Ling Mahapuran 

Geeta Press

Scripture

Text Book

https://www.amazon.in/Ling-Mahapuran-Vyakhyasahit-Sanskrit-Hindi-ebook/dp/B07DVM4XLQ

9

The Purusha Sukta

B.V. Kamesvara Aiyar M.A.

Scripture

Text Book

Rare book

10

Bhagavad Gita for Children

Pegasus Books

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Bhagavad-Gita-for-Children-Audiobook/B09J96BMNC

11

Love Is Freedom

Joseph Murphy 

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.amazon.in/Love-Is-Freedom/dp/B07BNBJ34K

12

Shiv Puran

Dr. Vinay

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Shiv-Puran-Hindi-Edition-Audiobook/B08XN66TSD

13

Garuda Puran

Dr. Vinay

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Garuda-Puran-Audiobook/B08VF8VCCQ

14

Wisdom of the Gods for You and Me

Devdutt Pattanaik

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Wisdom-of-the-Gods-for-You-and-Me-Audiobook/B07YZQ64DH

15

Ramayana Versus Mahabharata

Devdutt Pattanaik

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Ramayana-Versus-Mahabharata-Audiobook/B081P7M6K5

16

My Gita

Devdutt Pattanaik

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/My-Gita-Audiobook/B01MYZV3FY

17

7 Secrets of the Goddess

Devdutt Pattanaik

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/7-Secrets-of-the-Goddess-Audiobook/B01N6T9HC4

18

Abhigyan Shakuntalam

Kalidas, Lashmi Das

Commentary

Audio 

Book

19

7 Secrets of Vishnu

Devdutt Pattanaik

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/7-Secrets-of-Vishnu-Audiobook/B01N5RMNYY

20

7 Secrets of Shiva

Devdutt Pattanaik

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/7-Secrets-of-Shiva-Audiobook/B01N5RM66S

21

Vikramorvashi [Urvashi Won by Valour]

Kalidas

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Vikramorvashi-Urvashi-Won-by-Valour-Audiobook/B09QQPXR3C

22

Raghuvansh 

Kalidas

Commentary

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Raghuvansh-Hindi-Edition-Audiobook/B07NDJXQC4

23

No Mud, No Lotus:

The Art of Transforming Suffering

Thich Nhat Hanh

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/No-Mud-No-Lotus-Audiobook/B0BT549J21

24

Life Word:

Discover Your One Word to Leave a Legacy

Jon Gordon, Dan Britton, Jimmy Page

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Life-Word-Audiobook/B01N4EHDSL

25

TurboStrategy

Brian Tracy

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/TurboStrategy-Audiobook/B01MRZOJ1A

26

You Are the Guru

Gabrielle Bernstein

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/You-Are-the-Guru-Audiobook/B08DRW5TXW

27

Coaching for Leadership

Marshall Goldsmith, Laurence Lyons

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Coaching-for-Leadership-Audiobook/1663708371

28

The Seed: Finding Purpose and Happiness in Life and Work

Jon Gordon

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Seed-Audiobook/B01MZ26RLV

29

Real Magic: Making Miracles in All Areas of Your Life

Dr. Wayne W. Dyer

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Real-Magic-Audiobook/B079CMF2G6

30

Uttarraamcharit

Bhavbhuti

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Uttarraamcharit-Audiobook/B0B2KQVQCX

31

The Zero Point

Dr. Joe Vitale

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Zero-Point-Audiobook/B079DFMDLS

32

Do One Thing Well

Daniel Roberts, Fortune Contributors

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Do-One-Thing-Well-Audiobook/B07JDTCS1M

33

Steps for a More Fulfilling Life

Dale Carnegie

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Steps-for-a-More-Fulfilling-Life-Audiobook/B079P5FM12

34

The Miracle of Success

Tom Hopkins

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Miracle-of-Success-Audiobook/1982603267

35

Go Slowly, Breathe and Smile

Thich Nhat Hanh, Rashani Réa

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Go-Slowly-Breathe-and-Smile-Audiobook/B0B78BD6XM

36

How to Get Ahead in the World Today

Dale Carnegie

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/How-to-Get-Ahead-in-the-World-Today-Audiobook/B079BFJ1NJ

37

Truths vs. Falsehood

Dr. David Hawkins

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Truths-vs-Falsehood-Audiobook/B07DM3ZP56

38

The Craving Mind

Judson Brewer

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Craving-Mind-Audiobook/B06VYG8PVR

39

Ichigo Ichie: वर्तमान में जीने की कला [The Art of Living in the Present]

Hector Garcia, Fransesc Miralles

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Ichigo-Ichie-Hindi-Edition-Audiobook/B0BKLQHLG5

40

How to Enjoy Your Life and Your Job

Dale Carnegie

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/How-to-Enjoy-Your-Life-and-Your-Job-Audiobook/B07DKTJ5Z6

41

Motivation

Brian Tracy

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Motivation-Audiobook/B07BFQKZTV

42

Leadership

Brian Tracy

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Leadership-Audiobook/B079CDZZN1

43

Time Management

Brian Tracy

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Time-Management-Audiobook/B079R33QXD

44

Detoxing Your Mind

Glenn Harrold

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Detoxing-Your-Mind-Audiobook/B07CQRF36P

45

Thank You Power

Deborah Norville

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Thank-You-Power-Audiobook/B07FK6SDGF

46

Meditations

Marcus Aurelius

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Meditations-Audiobook/B06XVZCTCC

47

Master Your Time, Master Your Life

Brian Tracy

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Master-Your-Time-Master-Your-Life-Audiobook/B079BC7V4M

48

Kiss That Frog!

Brian Tracy, Christina Tracy Stein

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Kiss-That-Frog-Audiobook/B01N6J4WM6

49

The Gratitude Effect

Dr. John F. Demartini

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Gratitude-Effect-Audiobook/B079TJ8F33

50

Meditation in Action

Chögyam Trungpa, Samuel Bercholz - foreword

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Meditation-in-Action-Audiobook/B01N5HSAE8

51

The Now Habit

Neil Fiore Ph.D.

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Now-Habit-Audiobook/B079VMKQMY

52

The Power of Concentration

Theron Q. Dumont

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Power-of-Concentration-Audiobook/B07B6DZFKS

53

The Leadership Sutra

Devdutt Pattanaik

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Leadership-Sutra-Audiobook/B01N5RM7J9

54

How to Do Anything Better

Sunny Sea Gold

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/How-to-Do-Anything-Better-Audiobook/B097S1BGCJ

55

Manifesting Your Goals and Dreams

Glenn Harrold

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Manifesting-Your-Goals-and-Dreams-Audiobook/B07CPFV5NB

56

Public Speaking Success Secrets

Marsha Sue Petrie

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Public-Speaking-Success-Secrets-Audiobook/B07C3KQKF4

57

Man's Search for Meaning

Viktor E. Frankl

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Mans-Search-for-Meaning-Audiobook/B01N1UNFN7

58

How a Branding Mindset Boosts Your Career

Kanika Tolver

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/How-a-Branding-Mindset-Boosts-Your-Career-Audiobook/B09FQGVWTY

59

The Four Purposes of Life

Dan Millman

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Four-Purposes-of-Life-Audiobook/B01N2WBL7G

60

Introduction to Tantra

Lama Thubten Yeshe

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Introduction-to-Tantra-Audiobook/B01N0T5JUL

61

Forge Your Future

A. P. J. Kalam

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Forge-Your-Future-Audiobook/B07JYP863B

62

The Compound Effect: Multiply Your Success One Simple Step at a Time

Darren Hardy

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Compound-Effect-Audiobook/1982648066

63

Following the Path of Jesus

Eknath Easwaran

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Following-the-Path-of-Jesus-Audiobook/B079VS5B6T

64

Living with the Himalayan Masters

Swami Rama

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Living-with-the-Himalayan-Masters-Audiobook/B079R4FXPM

65

Peace Is Every Step

The Path of Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Thich Nhat Hanh

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Peace-Is-Every-Step-Audiobook/B01N2W8R9U

66

The Miracle of Mindfulness

The Classic Guide to Meditation by the World's Most Revered Master

Thich Nhat Hanh

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Miracle-of-Mindfulness-Audiobook/B071LN1XLP

67

Enlightened Sex

David Deida

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Enlightened-Sex-Audiobook/B07GHW9CXC

68

Seedtime and Harvest

Neville Goddard

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Seedtime-and-Harvest-Audiobook/B07B8C5XXP

69

Ikigai (Hindi Edition)

Hector Garcia, Fransesc Miralles

Self Help

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Ikigai-Hindi-Edition-Audiobook/B0BPKR3X5Z

70

Family Wisdom

Robin Sharma

Self Help

Text Book

https://www.amazon.in/Family-Wisdom-Monk-Sold-Ferrari/dp/8179922308

71

Adiyogi: The Source of Yoga

Sadhguru

Other

Text Book

https://www.amazon.in/Adiyogi-Source-Yoga-Sadhguru/dp/9352643925

72

Jim Corbett Omnibus

Jim Corbett

Other

Text Book


73

Just So Stories

Rudyard Kipling

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Just-So-Stories-Audiobook/B079CD5TYJ

74

The Quantum Doctor

Deepak Chopra

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Quantum-Doctor-Audiobook/B07RHQ944T

75

Godaan

Munshi Premchand

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Godaan-Hindi-Edition-Audiobook/B0853ZJSCF

76

Nirmala 

Munshi Premchand

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Nirmala-Hindi-Edition-Audiobook/B085417959

77

Kankal [Eyes]

Jaishankar Prasad

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Kankal-Eyes-Audiobook/B07NDJV8H4

78

Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Power

Rajiv Malhotra

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Artificial-Intelligence-and-the-Future-of-Power-Audiobook/B0C67MHLF4

79

Anne Frank: Her Life and Legacy

Jemma J. Saunders

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Anne-Frank-Audiobook/B07CSD59GV

80

Sahir Ludhiyanvi

Sahir Ludhiyanvi

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Embargo-title-IN-Audiobook/B07NDJY31X

81

Kya Khoya Kya Paya [What Was Lost What Was Found]

Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Kya-Khoya-Kya-Paya-What-Was-Lost-What-Was-Found-Audiobook/B07NDJVKXN

82

The Ambuja Story

Narotam Sekhsaria

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Ambuja-Story-Audiobook/B09V3KVQNK

83

Many Miles to Go

Brian Tracy

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Many-Miles-to-Go-Audiobook/B07DXD8MXV

84

A House Divided

Pearl S. Buck

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/A-House-Divided-Audiobook/B06W2KQZW5

85

Sons

Pearl S. Buck

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Sons-Audiobook/B01N4ROP36

86

Mudrarakshas [Currency Monster]

Vishakdutt

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Mudrarakshas-Currency-Monster-Audiobook/B0B2HQ38HM

87

Chanakya Aur Chandragupt

Rajender Pandya

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Chanakya-Aur-Chandragupt-Chanakya-and-Chandragupta-Audiobook/B08XMWHPLN

88

Why I Am an Atheist and Other Works

Bhagat Singh

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Why-I-Am-an-Atheist-and-Other-Works-Audiobook/B086VTHFQK

89

Radhakrishnan Centenary Volume 

G. Patha

sarathi

Other

Text Book

Rare book

90

Bhujia Barons

Pavitra Kumar

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Bhujia-Barons-Audiobook/0143497391

91

Caffeine

Michael Pollan

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Caffeine-Audiobook/B083MQMXNF

92

The Unusual Billionaires

Saurabh Mukherjea

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Unusual-Billionaires-Audiobook/0143495488

93

The Jungle Book

Rudyard Kipling

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Jungle-Book-Audiobook/B0798VJ715

94

Padmavat

Purushottam Agrawal, Devdutt Pattanaik

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Padmavat-Audiobook/B07H43XQWJ

95

The Bed of Procrustes

Nassim Nicholas Taleb

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Bed-of-Procrustes-Audiobook/B079CLRMN2

96

Meri Priya Kahaniyaan

PhanishwarNath Renu

Other

Audio Book

https://www.amazon.in/Meri-Priya-Kahaniyaan-Phanishwarnath-Favorite/dp/B07NDJ4BDQ

97

Aksharo Ke Saye [Shadows of Letters]

Amrita Pritam

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Aksharo-Ke-Saye-Shadows-of-Letters-Audiobook/B07NDJZGDR

98

Meri Priya Kahaniyaan

Pratibha Rai

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Meri-Priya-Kahaniyaan-Pratibha-Rai-My-Favorite-Stories-Pratibha-Rai-Audiobook/B07NDJHMGQ

99

Cyber Crisis

Eric Cole

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Cyber-Crisis-Audiobook/166612530X

100

The Art of War

Sun Tzu

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Art-of-War-Audiobook/B01N5HP6HL

101

Satyajit Ray Ki Kahaniyan

Satyajit Rai

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Satyajit-Ray-Ki-Kahaniyan-Stories-of-Satyajit-Ray-Audiobook/B07NDKHQR1

102

The Trees of Dehra

Ruskin Bond

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Trees-of-Dehra-Audiobook/B08N8LWSZM

103

Shivaji

Dennis Kincaid

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Shivaji-Audiobook/B01N6S0JJQ

104

A Sacred Life - His Holiness the Dalai Lama

rajiv malhotra

Other

Audio Book

105

A Life Of J R D : Beyond The Last Blue Mountain

RM Lala

Other

Audio Book

106

NR Narayana Murthy - A Biography

Ritu Singh

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/NR-Narayana-Murthy-A-Biography-Audiobook/B07NDKN4V8

107

Corporate Guru Dhirubhai Ambani

Prateeksha M. Tiwari

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Corporate-Guru-Dhirubhai-Ambani-Audiobook/B08VF7KQ6F

108

Nothing Like I Imagined

(Except for Sometimes)

Mindy Kaling

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Nothing-Like-I-Imagined-Audiobook/1713554887

109

Big Billion Startup: The Untold Flipkart Story

Mihir Dalal

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Big-Billion-Startup-Audiobook/B097RZKCQB

110

The Tatas

How a Family Built a Business and a Nation

Girish Kuber, Vikrant Pande - translator

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Tatas-Audiobook/B085WC2YM2

111

Aavarana

Sandeep Balakrishna - translator, S. L. Bhyrappa

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Aavarana-Audiobook/B01N9HPWXL

112

Gitanjali

Rabindranath Tagore

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/Gitanjali-Audiobook/B07YSV8R2R

113

One Mind

Larry Dossey

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/One-Mind-Audiobook/B01MZ26WI9

114

Rangeela Geedad

Gulzar

Other

Audio Book


115

The Pilgrim's Regress

C. S. Lewis

Other

Audio Book

https://www.audible.in/pd/The-Pilgrims-Regress-Audiobook/B01MY0MZU7



In Swami Ji's enlightening discourses in 3rd December, 23 He amusingly expressed a keen interest in His disciples’ mental wealth. This resonated deeply with me, becoming the driving force behind my ambitious goal of delving into 365 books this year. Looking ahead, my sights are set on surpassing this feat, reaching for more than 400 books and embracing more extensive works such as Eknath Ishwaran's 'The Bhagavad Gita for Daily Living' and 'Do You Quantum Think?' by Dianne Collins – works that demand significant time investments, 50 & 27 hours respectively.


I've cultivated this mental wealth through a blend of Audible for audiobooks and direct purchases from Sri Badrika Ashram or Amazon for printed texts. I have also utilized The District Library, Gurugram to full extent. Engaging with the diverse experiences captured in these pages and spoken words has proven invaluable in broadening my horizons – a journey that undoubtedly contributes to the expansion of one's mental wealth. Why not embark on your own literary adventure? The rewards are boundless!


Pic :Pexels