2021 reading wrap up
What started as a way of journaling the books I read in a calendar year has evolved into a safe ritual that I have been doing now for over a decade. Even I didn't think I would stick to something like this for so long :) Go figure! Guess that's the thing about things one loves to do.
Now I am at a place where I like to capture thoughts about every book I have completed reading in that particular year. It does sound boring, but in my head, there is no other way to do this. Here's the books I read in the first half of this year. I was lazy, busy doing other time and energy-consuming things in the latter half so haven't been able to read much. Here's the bunch of books I read tho:
Anxious people by Fredrick Bakman - It was a pretty manupulative book but I was manipulated by the end of it. I laughed, cried and enjoyed this book and the bunch of weird protagonists and their twisted tales. It also made me think whether its easier to be nice and kind when one is not pushed up against the wall and has some breathing space. The real test is to be nice and kind when the situation doesnt afford us that luxury. I guess?
Being mortal by Atul Gawande - I have had this book since 2017. I would keep on stalling picking it up to read thinking I didn't need to read about death. It took me 4 years and a pandemic to finally gather the courage to pick it up. It was a sobering reminder of what awaits most of us. What I liked the most was how humane the writing was. Given the writer is a well-known doctor made the medical/clinical parts of the book palatable. It had a lot of social commentary (western pov) but it gave me a lot of food for thought.
The future we choose by Christiana Figueres - This book came via a twitter recommendation. If you are already well-versed (and well-read) about climate change then feel free to give it a pass. But if you want to get a quick education on state of affairs and what kind of socio-political will we need today then do give it a read.
Maus by Art Spiegelman - Maus came highly recommended in a non-fiction book club. I could not have been thankful. I picked it up when I needed it the most. It reached corners of my heart I did not think could be reached. Its a biographical account of Art's Polish father's time at various internment camps during WWII. Its a story of survival, guilt and a human portrayal of us. I have read many books around WWII and have also worked on a modern history project, but this book hit me in a totally unique way.
Principles of uncertainy by Maira Kalman - During a book search operation stumbled upon this beauty. Re-read it around my birthday. Just the kind of diversion I needed to feel seen and to view the world through the wonderful Maira Kalman.
Falling in love again by Ruskin Bond - CWC secret santa sent this book for Christmas. Just the perfect pick-me-up I needed during the week long work break. The book is dedicated to Vishal and Rekha Bharadwaj - that itself is all sorts of lovely. Bond's love for the mountains, nature and idyllic life shines through most stories. None of these were seering romances but gentle tales of love, about love instead.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir - PT sent this to me in October. He had heard an audio book and loved it. And he then sheepishly asked me to send him a picture of the book cos he dint know how big or thick it was!!! The cheek! It took me 3 months to finish it. I made it part of my bedtime reading so the long time. Thats not a reflection on the book at all btw. Its a fun, enjoyable science fiction. Loved how palatable the science in the book is. I havent read the Martian or Weir's other books but can see why his books get picked up for movies. Do read it if you want a fast paced, thrilling adventure into the unknown. (I have new found empathy for trauma patients and patients coming out of long illnesses now).
Savitribai Phule and I by Sangeeta Mulay - I went to Pagdandi to buy a book-gift for D and ended up with this book for myself. I have hardly returned empty handed from Pagdandi. The joke is on me. Anyway, loved this short, fast history lesson on Savitribai Phulay. It tells a story of a dalit girl in present day and how Savitribai's journey helps her navigate her own. I would have loved the book to be more about Savitribai than the girl. Afterall we all have her to thank for education today. (The author makes it clear how she is from a privileged background but wanted to tell this story in spite of not having a lived-in dalit experience. Some people may find her appropriation problematic, but I was ok with it).
So that's it from me for this year. I am going to reduce posting/cross-posting on other SM platforms about books. I have realized I am not that regular, plus it consumes energy and sometimes starts feeling like a goal I have to reach. If you have any recommendations do give them here or via other mediums.
Goodreads list for this year's books: https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4760161?shelf=what-i-read-in-2021
Feel free to add me as a friend there. I update books there every once in a while.