As much as I enjoy reading, I also enjoy talking about books. A true bibliophile at heart! Last week I shared the list of books I read for the Blogchatter #TBRChallenge. In the second and final post in the series, I share what I love. My reading statistics.
This year I kept my reading target fairly low. It was to read 24 books for both the Goodreads and the Blogchatter challenges. I didn’t really expect to read as much as I did. I have surpassed the set target and the count now stands at 43 books.
I have been a part of the bookish community for a few years. And finally, I take the plunge into the world of tags with one of my favorites, the book freak out tag. Where I don’t just share about my reading journey but also the books I am looking forward to.
A fair warning. This is going to be one long post.
The Statistics
The one thing I look forward to on the mid-year and year-end posts are the charts and graphs. I am a visual person and I love to see a graphical representation of how my reading has evolved. Since I am a mood reader, it is also interesting to check out the genres I gravitated towards. Read on as I share the statistics of my January 2021 to June 2021 reads.
The genres chart is as expected. From reading in phases, my reading has become more balanced where I explore different genres. The classics are back all thanks to Juggernaut. I had been consciously avoiding the fantasy genre because I tend to get sucked into the rabbit hole. But it did end up being one of the popular ones.
This chart is not surprising at all. I prefer reading in digital format, be it audiobooks or ebooks. Once in a while, I do like to throw in paperbacks for good measure. What I don’t particularly enjoy are hardcover books and you would rarely find them on my charts. On my shelves, of course, you will. I’m not the only one in our house who loves to read.
I like to keep my reading balanced with new and backlist books, with a considerable amount of ARCs. As much as I enjoy new releases, backlist books have my heart. I also don’t shy away from re-reads, picking up the ones I love from time to time.
Due to the increased workload, I have consciously cut down on ARC and review requests. Now with the major launches behind and the Holiday madness a few months away, I can get back to requesting a few ARCs and review copies. The borrowed books make a sizable chunk since they are books from my subscriptions – Storytel, Audible, Scribd, Kindle Unlimited, and Juggernaut.
Mid-Year Freak Out Tag
The best books you’ve read so far in 2021
It has been a good reading year so far. It is difficult to pick just one book. My favorites are Dopehri by Pankaj Kapur in Hindi and The Midnight Library by Matt Haig, both that I thoroughly enjoyed and highly recommend.
The best sequel you have read this year
My reading has been more or less scattered this year. I haven’t really read any series or sequel apart from The Misters Kuru that I did enjoy.
New releases you haven’t read yet but want to?
There are a number of new releases I want to read this year but I shall limit them to the top two. The fourth edition of Indian Lit Readathon begins next week on the 12th of July and I am planning to read The Last Queen by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni for it. Dial A for Aunties by Jesse Sutanto comes highly recommend that I want to pick up soon. And then there are quite a few that are a part of the series that I need to catch up on.
Most anticipated release for the second half of the year?
Redemptor by Jordan Ifueko is on the top of my list as the most anticipated release of 2021. The finale to the Raybearer duology, I can’t wait to read it. Yes, I am going down the rabbit hole again!
Biggest disappointment?
There were quite a few books that disappointed me this year. I tend to DNF the books I don’t enjoy. Too many books, too little time. Not really a big disappointment as such, but I did have mixed feelings about Club You To Death by Anuja Chauhan. She has always been an auto-buy author, but her foray into the mystery/thriller genre did not really work for me. A murder mystery should keep you guessing and make you turn the pages. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case with this one. Although, as an army brat, I did enjoy the true-to-life depictions of the power play in clubs and the inside jokes.
The biggest surprise?
An attempt to convert an illustrated book to an audiobook. This was what piqued my interest and got me to pick this audiobook. I wasn’t expecting The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy audiobook to be as good, and it was indeed a pleasant surprise.
Favourite new author (debut or new to you)
Most of my reads this year have been books by authors I have read before. But Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge is a book I absolutely loved. I plan to check out other books by the author.
Book that made you cry
I am not an emotional reader and very rarely cry when reading a book. That said, there are books that overwhelm and I need to take a break. One such book this year was Committed: A Memoir of Madness in the Family by Paolina Milana.
Book that made you happy
I thoroughly enjoyed Excess Baggage by Richa S. Mukherjee. Smita Punjabi’s character is a lot like my mom and aunts all rolled into one. Quirky, funny, and witty with laugh-out-loud moments, it is a book that is sure to put a smile on your face.
What book(s) do you need to read by the end of the year?
Where do I start! There are so many books that I might as well add my 2021 TBR. I have already begun on Hunted by the Sky by Tanaz Bhathena and loving it. There are a few additions to the TBR including The Stationery Shop by Marjan Kamali and Man Enough: Undefining My Masculinity by Justin Baldoni. And I really want to read the Celestial Trilogy by Sangu Mandanna, this year at least.
Favourite book to film adaptation?
One hundred percent, without a doubt, it has to be Shadow and Bone on Netflix. Very rarely are adaptations better than the book. And this series actually improves on it by incorporating characters from subsequent books (Six of Crows). Do watch it if you haven’t already.
Favorite post you’ve written this year:
It is difficult to pick a favorite but I loved the posts I wrote for the #CauseAChatter series. And I have been overwhelmed by the response they received. This quarter, I will be sharing some more book recommendations on a cause I feel strongly about. Stay tuned.
- Essential Reading to Understand Feminism in India – Non-Fiction
- Indian Feminist Fiction: Must-Read Translated Literature
- Feminism & India: Fiction Book Recommendations
- Mental Health & India – Memoirs and Personal Narratives
- Mental Health & India – Essential Reads for Family Caregivers
- Book Spotlight – Committed: A Memoir of Madness in the Family by Paolina Milana
It has been fun participating in the tag and sharing my favorites. I hope you enjoyed it too. We would be returning to regular programming starting next week.
What have been your favorite books this year? What are the ones you are looking forward to reading? Do share about them in the comments below.
2021 Mid-Year Book Freak Out Tag & Statistics @CindyAnnDSilva @nooranand @heenasodhikhera #BlogaberryDazzle #BohoPonderings Click To Tweet
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla and sponsored by Queen’s Brigade.
Photo credit: Canva.com
July 8, 2021 @ 7:41 am
looks like your reading year is going great
July 8, 2021 @ 11:11 am
It sure is 😊. Curious to know how your reading year has been.
July 9, 2021 @ 9:33 pm
Looking like you’ve spent quite an active year of reading, writing, watching good films . I’ve read a lot as well.
July 11, 2021 @ 10:52 pm
It sure has been a good reading year. Would love to exchange notes with you someday.
July 10, 2021 @ 12:55 pm
It definitely is… You have some great recos. I want to watch Shadow and the bone and also read The boy, the mole, the fox and the horse to my daughter too.
July 11, 2021 @ 10:54 pm
Thank you Seema 😊 Great choices.
July 8, 2021 @ 12:02 pm
Awesome post! Absolutely loved your stats and the visual representation!
July 11, 2021 @ 10:42 pm
Thank you so much Sona 😊
July 8, 2021 @ 1:45 pm
Wow! You have nailed book reading down to a science! Very impressive! I was fortunate to watch Pankaj Kapur’s Dopahari as a play, wasn’t aware that it is available as a book too. Will surely check it out. All the best for the rest of the year, Happy Reading.
PS: It would be great if you could read and review my books, too…I would be honoured to know what you think about them.
July 11, 2021 @ 10:44 pm
Thank you so much Mayura 😊 The play must be quite a treat. I would love to read and review your books.
July 9, 2021 @ 11:48 am
What a variety of books you’ve read so far! I don’t quite like fantasy, but I will watch Shadow and Bone on Netflix since you’ve recommended it.
Your CauseAChatter posts were gold. 🎖️
I bought Excess Baggage but haven’t read it yet. I keep getting distracted by other things! 😁
Also, many people will agree with you when you say that Club You To Death was not as engaging as expected. Seen many opinions when the book was released.
July 11, 2021 @ 10:46 pm
Thank you so much for your kind words Satabdi 😊 You must check out the show!
July 9, 2021 @ 12:05 pm
Woow Loved to know about your book love. I am an avid reader too and this year I am planning to finish 50 books and 50 audiobooks to keep myself updated.
July 11, 2021 @ 10:48 pm
Thank you Pamela 😊. That is quite a target. Great to know another audiobook lover. Would love to check out your recommendations.
July 9, 2021 @ 5:45 pm
What an extensive list. Whenever I read your posts, I feel like putting my head into the sand. I would like to read Excess Baggage for sure. I have got a mental block for books. Have to snap out of it.
July 11, 2021 @ 10:50 pm
Oh no Harjeet. I never meant to make you feel that way. I would love to know your thoughts about Excess Baggage when you read it.
July 9, 2021 @ 9:33 pm
Looking like you’ve spent quite an active year of reading, writing, watching good films . I’ve read a lot as well.
July 11, 2021 @ 11:24 pm
Thank you Shreemayee 🙂 Would love to exchange notes someday.
July 10, 2021 @ 8:44 pm
Looks like a complete data analytics of your readings 🙂 You are a true passionate bibliophile and I have always come across so many new books through your blogs.
July 11, 2021 @ 10:55 pm
I am so glad to know that. Thank you Priyanka 😊
July 10, 2021 @ 11:02 pm
Wow you have complied a detailed list of amazing books. Enjoyed the post. Thanks for sharing it.
July 11, 2021 @ 10:56 pm
Thank you Smita 😊
July 11, 2021 @ 2:37 am
Uff…charts for your reading! This is a new one but so cool. I can see that you too are partial to the classics like me. Again some great suggestions in the books that you have featured.
July 11, 2021 @ 4:23 pm
I am in awe of your reading capabilities. You are doing great on that front
July 11, 2021 @ 11:00 pm
Thank you Suhasini 😊
July 11, 2021 @ 10:57 pm
Thank you Vasumathi 😊 That is what I love about the mid year and year end posts.
July 11, 2021 @ 7:18 am
Wow! Someone actually ran analytics on their reading patterns. How did you source this data? I reckon that you might be reading digitally only. Also, please share if you use some tool or native feature to get to these charts.
July 11, 2021 @ 11:19 pm
Thank you Raghav. 😊 There are quite a few spreadsheets available for tracking reading and charts. I prefer using Kal’s since it is perfect for book bloggers – tracking upcoming releases, ARCs etc. You can check it out at https://readervoracious.com/2021-reader-spreadsheet-template/
For non book bloggers, there is one from Brock Roberts. It has less blogging related stuff and more charts. https://bit.ly/38GzEMI.
July 11, 2021 @ 3:09 pm
I love the graphs, kid. And the audiobooks because I can also read them. You talk so much about Hunted by the Sky. It feels like I am reading it with you.
July 11, 2021 @ 10:58 pm
Thank you 😊 And I am going to bug you until you pick it up. 😁
July 11, 2021 @ 4:14 pm
Looking at the number of books you have written I feel I am lagging back. I have taken the challenge too but for a reason am not able to keep it up. I vl jump back. Thanks.
July 11, 2021 @ 11:00 pm
We all go through reading blocks, Sweta. I am sure you would catch up. 😊
July 11, 2021 @ 7:53 pm
Wow..now I am so jealous of you. There was a time I would read a book in 2-3 days. But after the baby I just can’t finish a page in a day. Have so many books in my library that are yet to be read.
July 11, 2021 @ 11:03 pm
I am sure you have your hands full. As for the unread list, I totally get you. 😊
July 11, 2021 @ 8:42 pm
Wow, you have read so many books this year. Loved your list and recommendation. I would love to read Dophari by Pankaj Kapoor and watch Shadow and Bone on Netflix.
July 11, 2021 @ 11:04 pm
Great picks Abha. 😊 Dopehri is delightful. And I am sure you will love Shadow and Bone.
July 11, 2021 @ 9:40 pm
There are so many varieties of book to read really find it difficult to even choose. Your list is great and so are your statistics but I would still be lost. I love reading but confined to 2 books a week.
July 11, 2021 @ 11:06 pm
Ha ha. I can totally relate to that, Shail. 😊 It does get difficult to choose. 2 books a week is a pretty good average.
July 11, 2021 @ 10:27 pm
A dream reading/writing year for you, I must say. I will pick up a book or two recommended by you. Excellent stats. Thanks for inspiring me to read more.
July 11, 2021 @ 11:06 pm
Thank you, Mehul 😊 I am so glad to know that.
July 11, 2021 @ 11:29 pm
Oooh, I love seeing my template’s charts & stats in action!
I also REALLY enjoyed The Midnight Library, and am super excited for Redemptor! Happy reading the rest of 2021
July 13, 2021 @ 12:07 am
Your templates are a life-saver, Kal. Cannot do without them. Thanks for stopping by 🙂.
July 17, 2021 @ 12:40 am
I enjoyed this intimate glimpse of your book life! 43 books is amazing. My goal is 30 for this year… I’m at 17 and was feeling super proud till I read your post!
July 21, 2021 @ 7:18 pm
Glad you enjoyed it, Noor. 17 is pretty good for a half year mark. I know I am barely going to get any time to read this Holiday season.