We are already two weeks into February. 2024 seems to be just buzzing by at top speed.
I am a bit late in sharing the January reading update. But then, better late than never. I am notorious for dropping the ball midway when sharing updates. Maybe the third time is a charm.
January as always began on a busy note. It is a difficult month personally and reading takes a backseat. It wasn’t a good reading month either as I DNF-ed more books (including an immensely popular bestseller) than the ones I finished. With back-to-back disappointing picks, I switched to my owned TBR and it worked like a charm!
Read on as I share the three books I read in January, all now available on Kindle Unlimited.
Books I read:
The Rossogolla Murders by Debeshi Gooptu
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Genre: Mystery, Format: Kindle Ebook
A retired judge is poisoned at a high-end party and all fingers point to Dolly Luthra. After all, she was the one who served her the poisoned rossogollas. Chilli flavored no less. Mrinalini Sen needs to play the sleuth to clear her friend’s name and solve the murder in the process.
The Rossogolla Murders is the second book in the Dragon Aunty series with all the elements. Some unexpected twists. A lot many laugh out loud moments. Difficult topics well woven into the narrative. Trivia on Kolkata and writing that brings the city to life. All make for an entertaining read.
Highly recommended.
Mangar Mayhem by Debeshi Gooptu
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐, Genre: Mystery, Format: Kindle Ebook
Where Dolly Luthra treads, can trouble be far behind.
I enjoyed the first two books of the Dragon Aunty series. How could I miss Mangar Mayhem: No rest for the wicked?
Dolly and Mrinalini seek a rejuvenating spa holiday but land up in the middle of a murder investigation. Now a seasoned sleuth, Mrinalini puts on her detective’s cap to solve the murder of an environment activist campaigning to protect the sacred Mangar Bani forest. The suspects are aplenty and there’s more than meets the eye.
A quick and easy read with the right amount of humor. Go pick it up.
The Wildings by Nilanjana Roy
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐, Genre: Contemporary Fiction, Format: Audiobook
A band of stray cats living in the labyrinthine alleys and ruins of Nizamuddin, New Delhi. A tiny newbie kitten not quite in control of her “linking” powers. Add a cheel, some squirrels, tigers, a mongoose, and crows to the mix.
The Wildings is a delightful story of ordinary animals in extraordinary circumstances. A fight to maintain the delicate balance where Big Feet take a back seat. It is a book for all cat lovers out there. In fact, all animal lovers.
The book is peppered with some beautiful illustrations. If you enjoy audiobooks, I highly recommend you pick it. The voice modulation by Tania Rodrigues for each of the characters is such a delight. Or you can listen to the book and read the ebook alongside as I did. Best of both worlds!
Currently reading:
Since we are already midway into February and I have finished a couple of books. More about them in the next update. Here are the books I am currently reading.
I am quite enjoying The Haunting of Delhi City: Tales of the Supernatural Jatin Bhasin and Suparna Chawla Bhasin. Not exactly scary (at least by my standards) but an engaging read. If you are a Delhiite, you will not look at the old monuments and places mentioned the same way again.
Alongside, I am listening to The Wishing Game by Meg Shaffer which I picked up yesterday.
February TBR:
I have been planning to get back to reading Hindi books for a while now. Aapka Bunti by Mannu Bhandari comes highly recommended by Tarang Sinha, my go-to for Hindi picks.
Other than that, I will probably pick books that catch my fancy. Setting a TBR was an epic fail in January.
Reading Challenges:
I have gone all out (again) signing up for challenges this year.
As always, I have set a decent target of 24 at Goodreads and Blogchatter’s #TBRChallenge, to begin with. 30+ for the Audiobook Challenge by Caffeinated Reviewer and That’s What I Am Talking About.
I have signed up again for Kal @ Reader Voracious’ Project Backlist Reading Challenge as a Committed Reader (read an owned book a month) and ARCrastinator (clearing overdue ARC list).
Others include Reading with Muffy challenge hosted by Shalini @ Kohleyedme, Shinjini @ Modern Gypsy’s 2024 Book Bingo and Book’d Out’s 2023 Nonfiction Reader Challenge as Nonfiction Nibbler (read and review 6 books, from any 6 listed categories).
Last but not least, 12 Challenge that some of us friends at the Bookish League are participating in. A take on the 12 Books 12 Friends challenge by @shadowbooker. It was difficult to finalize the picks with so many excellent recommendations.
From the Blogosphere
If you are looking for a reading and book blogging tracker, Kal’s Ultimate Book Blogger Reader Spreadsheet is the best one out there. I got the automated spreadsheet this year and it is a steal!
We booklovers are just a simple and peace-loving bunch of people. As long as you follow certain cardinal rules, that is. Check out Ahana @ Heart’s Content hilarious and on-point Six Tips on How to Make (and Keep) a Bookworm Happy.
Write with passion, and when in doubt, addeth a ghost or two. Don’t miss Tulika @ BeatAboutTheBook‘s interview with the Bard himself – Hello there, Will Shakespeare.
Provocative books that sparked debates and challenged conventional thinking. Do read Jaideep @ Pebble’s Galaxy‘s Literary Dichotomy: Celebrated Authors and their Controversial Works Unveiled.
Hope you enjoyed this short reading wrap-up. What have you been reading in January? Do share in the comments below.
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Bohemian Bibliophile.
I’m participating in the #TBRChallenge by Blogchatter.
Photo credit: Canva.com
February 16, 2024 @ 7:30 am
Mangar Mayhem..I would like to read that as the forest in on my to-be-visited list. It would nice to how the author has portrayed it. I am going crazy with all the reading challenges and keeping up. Got to make a more organised calendar now, I like the way you have put the stats.
February 17, 2024 @ 7:14 pm
Enjoyed the post – thanks for the suggestions. But before that what is DNF? A new acronym for me.
Coming to the suggestions – the dragon aunty series seems very interesting – I like to alternate heavy reads with these light books and mystery genre is a favourite. I also say the 12 challenge – looked interesting. Recently read 40 rules of love from that list – enjoyed it, but also pinched me a bit in some places. Covenant of Water is on my list too. If I may suggest and if you have not read, then All the Light We Cannot See is a super beautiful book. I simple loved it. Also enjoyed reading the Stationery Shop.
February 16, 2024 @ 10:24 am
Hello Ritu. It is so inspiring to be on your blog. I am trudging along with a modest reading target of 25 books. Last year I tried to do a lot and didn’t really enjoy half of the books I read because of the hurry to meet a big target. Deboshi has been on my tbr for very long. Now that I saw the template, I just got this idea of taling about my tbr for this month’s blog.
February 19, 2024 @ 2:23 pm
I hope you complete all the challenges you’ve taken up in 2024 Ritu… actually I am sure you will.
A friend of mine was reading Deboshi(dunno which book) and said she liked it but I was thinking, ‘how come I haven’t read Ritu’s review on any?’ … and there you go!… a bookish telepathy happened. 😊
Thank you for the recommendations.
February 16, 2024 @ 10:58 am
I’m not sure if I’ve read the rasgolla murders. But I have it in my Kindle library for a while now. Let me check that out.
February 16, 2024 @ 4:30 pm
The books The Rossogolla Murders and Mangar Mayhem, written by Debeshi Gooptu, seem amazing to read. The title and the cover picture of the two books are intriguing enough to insist that I read them. Thanks for such a comprehensive list. I can’t wait to start these recommendations soon.
February 17, 2024 @ 1:13 am
You really read a lot Ritu! The year has just started and already you have devoured so many! The Roshogolla murders have intrigued me the most! Would love to read that!
February 18, 2024 @ 4:03 pm
WOW! That’s an extensive list of books for the month of January. “The Rossogolla Murders” sounds like an intriguing addition to the Dragon Aunty series! I love books that blend unexpected twists with moments that make you laugh out loud. Plus, there’s something special about getting lost in a good mystery novel, especially when it’s set in a vibrant and dynamic city like Kolkata.
February 19, 2024 @ 4:42 pm
I liked the books you shared. I am interested and intrigued to read them. Yes taking part in bookish challenge is quite thrilling. I have decided to cut down my books quantity this year.
February 18, 2024 @ 5:56 pm
I loved the entire post, right from your Jan reads to your current reads and especially all the clubs/groups that you are a part of for the reading challenges. It is so inspiring and motivating to an avid reader like me. Being a mommy of 2 schoolgoers and a Math Tutor doesnt leave me as much time to read as I’d like, but am surely upping my game.
February 18, 2024 @ 8:28 pm
An impressive list of books for January! “The Rossogolla Murders” seems like a captivating addition to the Dragon Aunty series. I’m drawn to books that combine surprising twists with moments of laughter. And there’s a unique charm to immersing oneself in a mystery novel set in a lively city like Kolkata. You amaze me with your reading lists. Ritu.
February 18, 2024 @ 8:37 pm
I’ve heard good things about The Rossogolla Murders and now your 5/5 has pushed me to add it to my Amazon wishlist. Hopefully I’ll be able to purchase and read it this year itself. You’ve had quite an interesting reading journey so far in 2024 and I must say you’ve motivated to get going with my determination to read new genres and authors.
February 18, 2024 @ 8:41 pm
Murder is exciting ( rubbing hands with glee!) I mean murder mysteries are exciting. So Those two will go on my list of books that is if I get time. I ended up buying so many books in this recently concluded World Book Fair and Now I feel overwhelmed!
February 18, 2024 @ 10:32 pm
Glad to know your progress, I’ve set mine to 23 this year. And thanks to your post I’ve also signed up for the audiobook challenge the first two books from your January reads interests me and I might add them to my TBR
February 18, 2024 @ 10:54 pm
Ritu, you always inspired me to read. Good suggestion and I am bookmarking the post. I would like to read Rasgulla Murder. This year I am having a goal to read at least one book for a month. I have finished two book till mid of February. Let’s hope I manage.
February 18, 2024 @ 11:06 pm
Rasogulla murderers I read about the blogchatter would read it soon. Your post always inspires me to read more dear.
February 19, 2024 @ 1:23 am
Impressive.. Your January book list is quite extensive. “The Rossogolla Murders” caught my attention, especially being part of the Dragon Aunty series. I enjoy books with unexpected twists. Your 5/5 recommendation convinced me to add it to my Amazon wishlist. Thanks for all recommendations.
February 19, 2024 @ 11:00 am
I’ve read good reviews for Rosogulla Murders and have been planning to pick it up for a while now. Will do it. Also, it’s great that you’re reading Hindi too. I’m on a Marathi reading spree since last year.
February 19, 2024 @ 4:40 pm
I liked the books you shared. I am interested and intrigued to read them. Yes taking part in bookish challenge is quite thrilling. I have decided to cut down my books quantity this year.
February 19, 2024 @ 5:52 pm
I really enjoyed reading the horror book by proxy. You should surely post a review about it. The murder mysteries sound like fun.
February 19, 2024 @ 6:24 pm
An interesting reading list … very different from mine, which is what makes reading book reading wrap ups so much fun for me 🙂
also, HOW are you managing to participate in, and keep track of, so many book reading challenges? Like you need to write a how-to tutorial for us folks 🙂
February 19, 2024 @ 7:35 pm
I am quite intrigued by the first two titles written by Debeshi Gooptu. I am adding them to my TBR. Most probably, will pick them up right away once I am done with my current read. I am all game for crime fiction!
My current book series is “Daisy Dalrymple Mysteries” written by Carola Dunn.
February 19, 2024 @ 8:32 pm
Hey there!
I totally get the feeling of January slipping away in a blur! It’s like we blinked and suddenly we’re already halfway through February.
But hey, it’s never too late to catch up on sharing those reading updates, right? And trust me, I’ve been there with dropping the ball on updates too, so you’re definitely not alone on that front
February 19, 2024 @ 10:18 pm
Wow, you read 3 books in January and here I couldn’t even finish the one I picked in December. But I loved your January reading wrap-up! I want to do that too on my blog.
February 19, 2024 @ 10:39 pm
Thank you for the list and recommendations.The books are new to me and I am definitely putting them on my reading list.
February 20, 2024 @ 10:50 am
Looks like an interesting spread! Especially The Wildings
February 20, 2024 @ 1:15 pm
I have read The Rossogolla Murder last year and I loved it. This year I have read 3 books so far. Looking forward for more such recommendations.
February 20, 2024 @ 5:48 pm
The more I read book reviews, I feel guilty because somehow I haven’t picked up a single book yet this year. And to top that I signed up for reading challenges. January is gone and nothing done 🙁
I love your book recommendations, Ritu. Thanks for the Jan wrap-up. Since I’m from Kolkata, these books intrigue me to pick them up….Only if I begin reading again…sigh!
February 21, 2024 @ 2:34 pm
Hi Ritu, you’ve already deepened into the month’s reading and challenges. That is an envious list. However hard I try, I cannot reach your level, yet I aim for it that motivates me. Rosogolla Murder is tempting me to add to my TBR. I have added the 12 Books challenge to the Blogchatter TRB challenge this year.
February 21, 2024 @ 2:57 pm
Woww …it’s just the beginning and you have covered so many from ur list.
You are a great reader who is influencing me to read them .thanks yar for this post
April 2, 2024 @ 5:02 pm
I think I’m going to enjoy Debeshi Gooptu’s books based on your reviews – must pick them soon.