We are already a week into 2024. Some of us have it all planned out. Some are still finding our footing. As we look towards 2024 with hope, it is also time to reflect on the year gone by with gratitude.
Gratitude is not a fleeting emotion. It is a practice that impacts our emotional well-being. Quoting Cynthia Ozick, “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.” There is a lot to be thankful for.
Thank you, 2023!
Beyond 2017, January is not a month I look forward to. New Year celebrations are always bittersweet. That said, I do plan out the year and set intentions for the future. Setting professional, personal, and of course, blogging goals.
Similar to the previous years, 2023 was a mixed bag on the personal front. Some highs. Some lows. Realizing a decade-old dream. A road trip and catching up with the extended family. Some welcome additions. Some painful goodbyes.
Although blogging took a back seat to work, it was an eventful year nonetheless. Here is a goodbye to the 2023 blogging year with a grateful heart.
Interview with Vinita Dawra Nangia
The highlight of the year was the opportunity to interview the inspirational powerhouse, distinguished editor and author Vinita Dawra Nangia Ma’am for my blog. I have been reading her columns since I moved to Delhi over three decades back. A down-to-earth lady who I had the privilege to interact with personally.
She discussed the literary ventures she leads for the Times, literary festivals, publishing, writing, and the question everyone’s asking – will AI replace writers? Her team including Smita Mishra was an absolute pleasure to work with. Do check out her insightful and motivating interview.
I shall ever be grateful to Jyoti Jha for the opportunity and guidance. Couldn’t have done it without her.
Bookish League
When I joined the book bloggers community in 2019, I connected with Evelina @ Avalinah’s Books on Twitter and consequently joined Book Dragons India hosted by Nandini. Their Discord communities of bloggers were instrumental in teaching me the nitty-gritty of book blogging. Unfortunately, the communities are no longer active.
Bookish League is my attempt to pay it forward. I launched it in early 2022 with just a handful of us bloggers. Health scares and hospitalization, it took a back seat.
What began as a revival with a bookish blog hop is now a vibrant community of book lovers that I cherish. A big thanks to the members for contributing to it with some incredible writing. Forever grateful to Cindy @ BlogaberryFoo for being my sounding board. She is always forthcoming with her guidance and suggestions, with years of experience hosting the Blogaberry Dazzle blog hops with Noor Anand Chawla.
If you are a book blogger or a blogger who blogs about books, you are welcome to join us. Check out the details on our Bookish League sign-up.
Sharing my personal journey
Books have supported me during the darkest phases of my life. Surviving injury. Coping with loss and grief. I am a big believer in bibliotherapy and books always provide solace when my body is in rebel mode.
I am a very private person online (tends to be difficult if you are a blogger) and rarely if ever put up my pics. In 2023, I decided to share my journey and the healing power of books as a part of the Truly Yours Holistic Emotions Blog Hop by Rakhi Jayashankar and Roma Gupta Sinha.
The response and support have been overwhelming. Indeed the power of a community. It is all set to be a part of an anthology edited by Roma that will be out this Spring. My first-ever!
Books close to my heart
How can I not talk about books? I cut down on book review requests and blog tours in 2023 but there are a few that are close to my heart.
Reading Silver Lining by Kamal Shah felt like life coming full circle. An emotional catharsis of sorts. Our journeys may not have been exactly similar but I could relate to the author’s thought process. The strong will to not let the injury define me.
Dust Child by Nguyễn Phan Quế Mai reinstated the importance of sharing stories. How little we know of the world around us and how it is often colored by political narratives.
The Forest Keeper – The True Story of Jadav Payeng by Rina Singh, Ishita Jain (Illustrator) proved that all it takes is one individual and the determination to make a difference. Not all heroes wear capes.
A love story. A recipe book. A book on food trivia. The Indian Café in London by Veena Nagpal was stepped in nostalgia as an army kid. A book I keep returning to for the recipes.
Onwards and upwards, 2024!
As I complete five years of book blogging in April, it has been quite a journey. With decades of experience in the field including managing top-ranking online magazines and blogs, managing my own blog is a whole different ball game. I can handle SEO since I work with some of the best brains in the industry. I still struggle with certain aspects though, particularly social media. Blogging is a marathon, not a sprint. Truer words haven’t been spoken.
This year, I hope to balance my blogging and work better. I would like to get back to book reviews, ARCs, and blog tours. Breaks my heart to refuse them time and again. I also hope to be more active in the Blogchatter community. I had to let go of participating in the #CauseAChatter campaign last year. One that was close to my heart and an active participant since its launch.
As always, I hope this year is kind. I have lots planned in the New Year and am raring to go!
Wishing you all the best 2024 has to offer! Have a blessed one!
This post is part of The Year & You Blog Hop hosted by Swarnali Nath.
January 7, 2024 @ 11:36 am
You are so right, when we look back, nothing is ever even–all highs and lows. Wishing you more highs in 2024. Blogging is therapy in itself, and even I figured out that a community helps. It kind of keeps the momentum going, helps in uplifting and also adds to the knowledge base. I enjoy your blog hop, Ritu. I hope you keep it as meaningful as ever. I don’t know if I will be able to keep the blogging momentum going this year, mine normally picks up when I have no or less work, rest of the time, it just tends to lose pace. But I have managed to work on it since 2012! So, hopefully, despite the lows, it keeps rolling.
January 7, 2024 @ 12:00 pm
Congratulations on your upcoming anthology. Also, the interview. I’m not aware of your setbacks, but we all have them. I’m also grateful to the blogging community and the writing community, who I always find are more empathetic than non-readers.
January 7, 2024 @ 6:19 pm
Cynthia Ozick’s quote is so true.
A wonderful highlight of the year 2023 for you! -Vinita Dawra Nangia Ma’am’s columns have reached and inspired so many over the years. So glad that you could connect with her and share.
So nice to see your books list too. Congrats for the upcoming milestone- completing 5 years in book blogging in April 2024.
Enjoy 2024!
January 8, 2024 @ 2:11 am
So nice to visit your blog after a long gap. In 2023, blogging took a back seat for me as well. But the tribe that I have created in these years has always been there. Since writing is something which has always given me a sense of fulfillment, I am going tot try to write more this year.
January 9, 2024 @ 12:48 pm
My Dear Ritu,
After reading your 2023 journey I would like to say few things…
❤Ritu you know book blogging better than many other proclaimed reviewers in the industry
❤How much I read your blogs all I can say there is a unique depth in every you write and I love reading your posts.
❤ I am and I will always be a happy participant for you upcoming bloghops for sure because it gives my love for books a good kick.
❤ As you mentioned you are good in SEO, will you be my teacher on this subject 😃
❤ It don’t matter to me what are your achievements in life what matters to me your good which I like. As I know you are pretty talented and fighter lady who is excellent daughter and sister.
❤ keep up the good work in high spirit and the universe will gift you all success and happiness in 2024.
God bless you Ritu ❤🧡💛💚💙💜
Much love 💞
Samata
January 8, 2024 @ 2:57 pm
I have missed reading your insightful wrap ups and book recommendations. Looking forward to reading them in 2024. Here’s hoping 2024 is kinder and gentler towards you. I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of the Bookish League blog hop and I start thinking of a theme for the next month’s blog post a month in advance! Thank you for creating that space for us 😀
January 8, 2024 @ 8:02 pm
Ritu, I want to tell you that reading your posts gives me a sense of calm, earned wisdom, and playing with words to craft a soulful piece. I was expecting reading a bookish blog post from you as you told me, but I am really happy to see such myriad of aspects covered in this post. Congratulations to you for your Bookish League, it’s a wonderful initiative. I will try my best to be a part of it. Thanks for joining us in the blog hop and making it successful with your glorious presence. Gratitude. Wishing you tons of good things in 2024. Happy New Year.
January 10, 2024 @ 12:29 am
Always love your book reviews, Ritu. And this wrap was so exciting to read. Eventful year indeed.
January 10, 2024 @ 9:43 am
I can’t help but admire how you’ve built your life revolving around books. Your blog’s name definitely does justice! It’s wonderful that you’re taking the bookish league activity forward on your own. Wishing you a kind and even more bookish year ahead ❤️.
January 10, 2024 @ 11:38 am
Yes, the SEO queen, we have lots to learn from you! I’m note sure if I have healed with a book but I sure love reading. Even watching TV does not feel like I’m doing something productive like reading a book. All the best for the new year and whatever it is you are raring to do!
January 10, 2024 @ 4:37 pm
Being part of the #BookishLeague has been one of my favorite highlights of 2023 and I’m hoping to continue being an active part of it in 2024 as well. So thank you for starting that and pushing me to be a part of it as well.
Congratulations on bagging an interview with Vinita Dawra Nangia. That’s truly worth bosting and an opportunity that I’m sure left you with make takeaways.
I’m totally with you when you say these:
1. Gratitude is not a fleeting emotion. It is a practice that impacts our emotional well-being.
2. Books have supported me during the darkest phases of my life. I am a big believer in bibliotherapy and books always provide solace when my body is in rebel mode.
I hope 2024 allows you the time and energy to pursue and achieve what you couldn’t in 2023
Onwards and upwards, Ritu.
Keep creating and spearheading content that inspires the community at large.
January 12, 2024 @ 2:15 pm
Ritu, I love your book recommendations as well the reviews . I find your reviews quite unique yet honest giving an in-depth insight in a nutshell. Congratulations!! for your writeup in upcoming anthology. Wishing you all the very best for 2024.
January 12, 2024 @ 11:54 pm
I loved reading about your journey in 2023. It’s great how you appreciate both the highs and lows. The interview with Vinita Dawra Nangia and the Bookish League initiative are amazing accomplishments. Sharing your personal journey is brave, and being part of an anthology is super exciting!
Your reflections on meaningful books, from “Silver Lining” to “Dust Child” and “The Forest Keeper,” really hit home.
As you enter your fifth year of blogging, I wish you success in finding balance and achieving your blogging goals. May 2024 be filled with fulfillment and blessings… Cheers to another year of growth and success 👍
January 14, 2024 @ 7:26 am
Many congratulations for all your achievements in the past year, girl. I agree that sometimes things don’t go as planned. I hear you, Ritu, It happened to me when I had to step down from the #CauseAChatter campaign, one of my favorites. But no worries; your love for books and writing will not let you leave behind in the new year 2024. I wish you the best of health, success, and happiness, dear.
January 14, 2024 @ 4:05 pm
I always love to read your posts, whether it’s the book recommendations or your writing style–I enjoy it all. I do hope to read more this year, the reason I joined Bookish League, but I’m just falling behind. I’m trying, though. And I hope to read 12 recommended books this year. That said, good luck to you for 2024. May the stars be with you and may you keepi shining and inspiring.
January 14, 2024 @ 11:46 pm
Congratulations for featuring the interview of such an eminent personality and also for the Anthology! I am in awe about how well-read you are and sometimes it does give me a fear that I am not that up to the mark and maybe because of that I tend to distance myself. But this year I have decided to overcome my fear and yes, I have joined the bookish league and yet to take the plunge. I wish you all the very best this year. Keep inspiring.
January 15, 2024 @ 7:37 pm
Somehow I can’t stop reading the quote in the beginning – “We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude.”
We are aware of your book love and how books have helped you stay sane when problems stuck. Wish you a cheerful new year, Ritu! 🙂
January 15, 2024 @ 11:04 pm
Wow Ritu, I didn’t know that you interviewed Vinita Nangia. That’s quite an impressive feat! I’ve always admired you for your consistency and love how seriously you take book blogging. Bibliotherapy is such a wonderful word. We should use it more. Wish you an amazing 2024!
January 16, 2024 @ 8:15 am
Interviewing Vinita ma’am is surely a pleasant experience. You got a lot of opportunities to connect with other bloggers throughout the amazing year. It allows sharing your journey and knowing other’s as well. Wish you all the luck in 2024.
January 16, 2024 @ 6:18 pm
Books have been important companions for me too all my life. So many times I have felt that the right book appeared for me at the right time, exactly when I needed it. Blogging also took a backseat for me last year, but I ended up reading many more books. So was very happy about it! Wish you all the best in the coming year.
January 16, 2024 @ 10:31 pm
hey dear even I couldn’t write much for Blogchatter in 2023. Probably we will meet as authors at A2Z eBook. your book love kind of makes me think I have to read more.
January 17, 2024 @ 12:54 am
I just finished reading your reflective and heartwarming post bidding farewell to 2023, and I couldn’t help but feel a sense of connection and positivity emanating from your words. Your gratitude-filled approach to both the highs and lows of the past year is truly inspiring.
Firstly, congratulations on the interview with Vinita Dawra Nangia. What an incredible opportunity and a testament to your dedication to your craft. It’s evident that your passion for blogging and literature shines through, and the insights shared in that interview are undoubtedly enriching for your readers.
I’m also touched by your commitment to the Bookish League community. It’s heartening to see how a small initiative has blossomed into a vibrant space for book lovers. Your willingness to share your personal journey, especially in the Truly Yours Holistic Emotions Blog Hop, is both courageous and relatable. I’m excited to hear that it will be a part of an anthology – a well-deserved recognition of your contribution.
Your selection of books close to your heart adds a personal touch to the post. The diverse range, from the emotional depth of “Silver Lining” to the inspirational “The Forest Keeper,” reflects a rich tapestry of reading experiences. Your connection with “The Indian Café in London” and its nostalgic resonance is particularly endearing.
As you embark on your fifth year of book blogging, I applaud your honesty about the challenges you’ve faced and your determination to improve. Balancing blogging and work is undoubtedly a marathon, but your positive outlook and eagerness to dive back into book reviews, ARCs, and blog tours are commendable. I’m sure your readers are eagerly awaiting more of your insightful reviews.
Wishing you all the success in your endeavors for 2024! Your genuine warmth and optimism shine through your words, and I’m confident that this year will bring you even more fulfilling experiences and accomplishments.
Here’s to a blessed and wonderful 2024 for you and your blog!
January 17, 2024 @ 3:51 am
I truly admire the way you’ve crafted a life centered around books. The name of your blog beautifully encapsulates your passion! Here’s to a year filled with kindness, exciting literary adventures, and even more bookish joy ahead!
January 17, 2024 @ 12:55 pm
Reflecting on 2023, your gratitude-filled journey resonates deeply, Ritu. From achieving personal milestones to meaningful interviews and fostering a book community, your diverse experiences add richness to your blogging narrative. Your openness in sharing personal struggles and the healing power of books is both courageous and inspiring. As you embark on the next leg of your blogging journey in 2024, may it be a harmonious blend of work, blogging, and personal growth. Wishing you a fulfilling and blessed year ahead!
January 22, 2024 @ 11:42 am
What a lovely wrap up post Ritu. It has been quite a year. I have enjoyed reading each of your posts – they’re detailed and so beautifully presented. Sending a big thank you to you for the Bookish League. Even though I’m not too active on the whatsapp group I read and enjoy the book-related chatter.
I also like your idea of being more invested in cause-a-chatter. My resolve for the year is to actively look for inspiration wherever I can find it.