Books 2023: What I liked (So Far) and My TBR List

For me, currently, it's a bad reading phase. I won't call it reader's block because I believe if you're not able to read a book, it simply means that the book you're reading is not entertaining enough. 

I have an annoying habit: I can't finish a book if it doesn't grip me by 50-60 pages. So, these days my 'number of books I left unfinished' is more than 'number of books I read'. So, I just quietly removed those books from my goodreads reading list/Kindle. 

But I'm not here to crib about the books I didn't like. I'm saying it because I am annoyed. So let's talk about the books I read and enjoyed this year. 

Aalampanah by Rafia Manjurul Amin

I reread it (the third time, actually) after some 25 years or so. I had loved it back then, loved it yet again. Just the new edition needs another round of proofreading. 

My Lawfully Wedded Husband and other stories by Madhulika Liddle

It is a really cool collection of 12 intriguing, dark and twisted tales. The writing is, of course, neat and crisp; writing style so engaging that grips you right from the beginning. Madhulika Ji builds the intrigue and an aura of mystery so skillfully that you want to know more.

My favourite stories are (most of them are favourites, actually): the title story ―My Lawfully Wedded Husband, Number 63, On the Night Train, Silent Fear, The Crusader and the last story, The Howling Waves of Tranquebar (love the setting, atmosphere and its description).

Just a Regular Boy by Catherine Ryde

It's my third book by Catherine Ryan Hyde (Received an advance review copy from Netgalley). And I have always loved her writing. Absolutely loved 'My Name is Anton', and really liked 'Seven Perfect Things'. Her stories are so endearing, her writing so engaging.

The plot of Just a Regular Boy is so unique; to be honest, I didn't really know what a survivalist meant. Remy and his foster mom, Anne, are the main protagonists of this story and they are both so lovable. Their bonding is so endearing. The secondary characters are also likeable, significant and well defined. I could easily connect with them (and that's a big plus point for me); except for Miri, Anne's friend. I think it's an unnecessary character.

The writing is lucid, and conversations are realistic.

 ~~~

I have so many unread books on my Kindle, so I'll try to finish a few of them before I buy new books, however I have made a list of books that I want to buy, maybe in the next month or so. I am planning to read more Hindi books.

Kunti by Koral Dasgupta (Because I loved Ahalya, loved Koral's lyrical writing style). I have read, liked and reviewed her Summer Holidays as well.

Chasing the Clouds by Debeshi Gooptu (Because she's a wonderful storyteller and I find her writing style very engaging).

Uske Hisse Ki Dhoop by Mridula Garg (because I want to explore Hindi writers. I haven't read this author, sadly, and I love the title).

Ek Plate Sailaab/Aapka Bunti by Mannu Bhandari (because I love the title and Aapka Bunti is very popular. Her book Swami remains my favourite, and I want to read more of her stories).

Nimish by Brajesh Kumar Sharma(Because I like the blurb, reminded me of Professor Diwakar novellas that I loved reading as a teenager). This science fiction is recommended by Vikas Nainwal Ji. Visit his blog Ek Book Journal for book reviews). 

Short Story Collection by Mamta Kalia (Again, because I haven't read this author and really want to).

Rukogi Nahin Radhika? by Usha Priyamvada (again recommended by Vikas Nainwal Ji. And her story Pachpan Khambe Laal Dewaarein remains a favourite, although I had no idea that it was based on a novel. I have its English translation, beautifully translated by

The Daisy Rockwell. I have reviewed it for Kitaab. You can read the review here, if you want to. 

Have you read any of these? Do you have any recommendations? Please share. Thank you for reading. 

Written for Blogchatter