July is almost here. 2021 has been a difficult year for most of us, much worse than 2020. Almost each and every one of us has lost a loved one or a friend to the pandemic. Some of us sought solace in books, a way to escape reality. Now with things somewhat under control, we can hope for better days to come with the new normal.
This year, I did not sign up for reading challenges apart from the one from Blogchatter. I was aware that once things open up, I would barely have any time to read. As expected, things are back with a bang. So much so that the retail sector in New York went all out during the Memorial Day weekend, an otherwise low-key holiday. One could have easily mistaken it for Thanksgiving. And I am sure the 4th of July weekend will be no different.
I have not been reading as much as I do. Earlier this year, I shared a “tentative” TBR for 2021. I am a mood reader, and it is not surprising that I have barely read a book or two from it.
Unfortunately, due to the increased workload, I have not been regularly updating either at Goodreads or on the reading spreadsheet since March. So I might have missed a few. And there were also some that I DNF-ed. It is not worth reading a book that I am not enjoying.
All said, here goes my list of what I have read this year for the Blogchatter #TBRChallenge.
Books in Hindi
The year began on a good note. One of my bookish resolutions for 2021 was to read more books in Hindi. I checked out some excellent recommendations (Dopehri by Pankaj Kapur) and rediscovered old favorites (Toba Tek Singh by Saadat Hasan Manto and Mitron Marjani by Krishna Sobti).
I also enjoyed comparing the Hindi and English versions, often back to back. No surprises for guessing which version was my favorite. In fact, I struggled with Mitro Marjani in English and had to DNF it. Reading Neena Aunty by one of my favorite authors, Anukrti Upadhyay was a treat.
Audiobooks
I have always enjoyed audiobooks and they are the perfect way to catch up on reading between chores. I made full use of my Scribd, Audible, and Storytel subscriptions over the past six months.
A Promised Land by Barack Obama on Audible is an ongoing one and takes up most of my audiobook time. But in between, I have read a few others too – The Midnight Library by Matt Haig and Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi. The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy was an interesting read. It was an attempt to convert an illustrated book to an audiobook, and the result was quite a success.
Books by Indian and Asian Authors
Books by Indian and South Asian authors always make a sizable chunk of my reading list. It was a mixed bag with some books that pleasantly surprised, and some that were disappointing.
Excess Baggage by Richa S. Mukherjee, Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin, Zoravar by Maharsh Shah, Ms Draupadi Kuru and The Misters Kuru, both by Trisha Das, and The Women Who Forgot to Invent Facebook and Other Stories by Nisha Susan were my favorites.
Short Stories on Juggernaut App
I have a habit of reading every day. My day does not end until I read, even if it is a few pages. It is a way for me to unwind at night.
The Juggernaut Challenge could not have come at a better time. Although I did not sign up for it officially, it was a great way to catch up on reading with bite-sized picks. Primarily short stories, it was an interesting mix of classics and contemporary fiction. Some great and some not so great. Juggernaut has continued with the feature this June and all set to return in July as well.
It would be unfair to include all the books in the #TBRChallenge as some were barely 10-12 pages long. But those below were the ones I loved and definitely make it to the books read for the challenge.
It was also a time to catch up on Indian fiction on the app. Revisiting classics and some old favorites.
About the Women
The purpose of my blog has always been to promote books that deserve more love. I had a chance to read and promote some interesting books. My absolute favorite Libertie by Kaitlyn Greenidge. Committed: A Memoir of Madness in the Family by Paolina Milana, and The Falling Woman by Richard Farrell. And one that was strictly okay, A Theatre for Dreamers by Polly Samson.
I hope I have added to your ever-growing TBR. How is your #TBRChallenge going? What books have you been reading this year? Do share about them in the comments below.
Blogchatter #TBRChallenge Mid-Year Check-in: The Books I Read @blogchatter #BookChatter #TBRChallenge #BohoPonderings Click To Tweet
I’m participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
Photo credit: Canva.com
June 30, 2021 @ 4:20 pm
Wow if this is “less than usual” I wonder how many you read otherwise. Since I used books to escape all the outside madness, I have read better than last year. In fact I may have to increase my goal 😀
July 7, 2021 @ 5:43 pm
Ha ha. I didn’t expect the count to be this high. So true, books are the perfect escape. Now more than ever. Thanks for stopping by, Suchita 🙂
June 30, 2021 @ 5:31 pm
Wow, I counted, total 42 books you read in the last six months!! Amazing, just awesome. What I really like about your collection is you discover lesser known books that have intriguing titles and stunning, aptly designed book covers. Some of your books I have bookmarked to add to my TBR list. More power to your reading and reviewing journey, Ritu. 💛💛
July 7, 2021 @ 5:44 pm
Thank you so much, Swarnali. 💛 I do gravitate towards lesser-known books. The popular ones often disappoint me.
July 1, 2021 @ 1:56 pm
This is such an amazing post, Ritu! Extremely impressed at the number of books you’ve read so far. And we still have 6 more months to go!
Your post is also going to guide me about which book I should add to my list.
July 4, 2021 @ 9:18 pm
Wow! Such an exhaustive list and so many different genres. Even I love reading and I am going to bookmark your list for my further reference.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:50 pm
Thank you Shail 😊 Would love to exchange notes someday!
July 7, 2021 @ 5:46 pm
Thank you so much, Mayuri. I am so happy to read that. I don’t expect to read much during the Holiday madness so this will probably make up for it 🙂
July 1, 2021 @ 4:30 pm
Wow! Halfway through and how amazing you are…I got introduced to so many books through your TBR list early this year. I have become such a slow reader these days, I even started reading 3 books at a time, something I did never before…
July 4, 2021 @ 10:22 am
Wow.. What am exhaustive list of books your have read and now they are going to be in my TBR lidt too thanks for sharing books from different genres. Seriously as I am getting indulge in too many challenges, I hardly get time to read. I think I should go little slow with my writing and focus more on reading.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:54 pm
Thank you Swati 😊 I totally get about the challenges. I have not been able to participate due to the workload, but cannot miss Cause a Chatter.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:52 pm
Thank you Priyanka 😊 Slow reading is perfectly okay. It is all about enjoying what we are reading.
July 2, 2021 @ 7:07 am
This is huge. I’ve got so nice suggestions for books. I’m also a bookworm and some of them I haven’t explored yet. Thanks for the post.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:54 pm
Thank you Shreemayee 😊
July 2, 2021 @ 9:57 pm
I am flabbergasted by the number of books you read, Ritu. You make me wish to turn the clock back and go back to my reading. Sadly I cannot do that. I can only wish that you keep reading.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:55 pm
Thank you so much Harjeet 😊
July 3, 2021 @ 12:10 pm
You have covered a lot of books and loved your choices. I myself cannot read much in Hindi and trying to finish a book itself has become a task for me these days.
July 6, 2021 @ 12:54 pm
I had not read much books since last 3 months as I age been extremely busy. I am over-whelmed by the number of books you have read.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:58 pm
Oh no Monidipa. Please don’t. I too have had dry reading months.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:56 pm
Thank you Seema 😊 I can relate to that. I too was slow to begin with but now my reading speed has improved.
July 3, 2021 @ 2:45 pm
Wow!! Some great titles to add tonthe to be read list 👍
Your reviewa are always elaborate n informative 👌
July 7, 2021 @ 5:58 pm
Thank you so much Jigna 😊
July 3, 2021 @ 8:33 pm
Wow! Such an interesting post…you read a lot dear…a true book lover you are… keep it up.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:58 pm
Thank you so much Smita 😊
July 3, 2021 @ 9:50 pm
Wow ! What a wonderful lust of books. I plan to read 50 books this year and I have read 22 books. I hope to complete my target of reading 50 books this year.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:59 pm
Thank you so much Simrit 😊 You are well on track too.
July 4, 2021 @ 12:53 am
I’m not much of a reader and rarely manage reading a book or two and never more than one at once, but you have mentioned some really interesting titles from different genres and languages.
July 7, 2021 @ 5:59 pm
Thank you Raunica 😊
July 4, 2021 @ 8:10 am
Wow, these are some great reads and yes ofcourse you have increased my TBR list for sure. I also liked that you have read Hindi books, it has been my conscious effort too this year to read more Hindi books.
July 7, 2021 @ 6:00 pm
Thank you so much. That is music to my ears 😊
July 4, 2021 @ 1:23 pm
Some great picks here. Especially the short stories are completely my kind and I have read many of them multiple times. I am sure you will catchup by the year-end on the challenge. All the best!
July 7, 2021 @ 6:00 pm
Thank you Vasumathi 😊
July 4, 2021 @ 2:44 pm
Wow! what an exhaustive list you have and that too in the mid-year of the TBR challenge. Your reading skill and interest are just outstanding Ritu. Kudos!
July 7, 2021 @ 6:01 pm
Thank you so much for your kind words Archana 😊
July 4, 2021 @ 3:01 pm
Wow, if this is your limited reading, then how many books do you read during normal days! From your list, I’ve shortlisted a couple of books, thanks for sharing 😍
July 7, 2021 @ 6:02 pm
Ha ha. I average 1-2 books a week so this is pretty okay. 😊
July 4, 2021 @ 4:36 pm
Ritu I always love your posts honest reviews and for books to be added to my tbr. This time I’d say my list is getting bigger and better
July 7, 2021 @ 6:02 pm
Thank you so much Sindhu 😊
July 4, 2021 @ 5:31 pm
That is sure quite a list, kid. I have read many of those short stories. The rest I have read indirectly 🙂
July 7, 2021 @ 6:02 pm
Thank you so much 🤗 You know where I get the genes from.
July 4, 2021 @ 6:22 pm
Wow! Now that’s a huge complex!!😉😍 Jokes apart, I so loved your post and shall keep referring to it to add quite a few titles to my list too. Thanks for this awesome share. And I need to get back to my reading which takes me to my happy space. 👍👍
July 7, 2021 @ 6:04 pm
Thank you so much Anjali 😊 I am glad to read that.
July 4, 2021 @ 6:56 pm
Kudos to you. Can see how many books you have read. I also loved to read and almost finished 10 books but I need to read more. Thanks for the suggestions for books. I’ll check these too.
July 7, 2021 @ 6:04 pm
Thank you Pamela 😊
July 4, 2021 @ 8:32 pm
Wow, so many books. That too in so many different formats and genres. I think I need to start simply following your profile to get the ideas for my next read.
July 7, 2021 @ 6:05 pm
Thank you Suhasini 😊 You are too kind.
July 4, 2021 @ 9:40 pm
Amazing, you have read some awesome books. I am sure you are going to add more and more books to your list. I always liked your book recommendation and honest reviews.
July 7, 2021 @ 6:08 pm
Thank you so much Abha 😊
July 16, 2021 @ 6:09 pm
The Juggernaut books are a good read while I’m eating with my hands in the food. I have 90% of the ones you have read but have only selected a few to mention in the TBR challenge. If I thought the stories were too short or I did not really like them, I did not take the trouble to click its photo and insert it into my readerboard. I have only read English. Like I told you before, I’m keeping Audiobooks for the future. Hahaha!
September 15, 2021 @ 6:21 pm
I am a few months late to this post…but certainly what an amazing half-yearly check-in. I wish I could read just half as many books as you listed in this whole year. Best wishes for the last quarter of the challenge and MyFriendAlexa!