Mastering the art of not reading great books this year
And book recommendations if your New Year's resolution is to read
“That’s how it is with books, isn’t it: They’re not in a hurry. They’ll wait for you till you’re ready.” - Charles Bukowski
Well some of them might have to wait another year for me (some, maybe forever).
I wanted to read THIRTY new books last year, even listed them here as the books that were haunting me. How many I read out of these? Four. One trilogy and a sequel to the books I already loved.
Now, give me some time to explain myself. I did read more books, probably more than forty. Most were re-reads of my favorite ones.
I have realized that there should be no judgement on books (judge the covers, not their readers). Reading should be for yourself not others.
So, I gave in to the my basic instincts, read romance after brain rotting romance. Started another Agatha Christie, and if that was not enough, found an Indian thriller, and to put more shame to myself, tore through two Freida Mcfadden books (they were not even famous ones)
Did I stop there? No. I read horror books, from real paranormal investigators. Not to forget the biographies of Bollywood celebrities, Karan Johar and Priyanka Chopra. I don’t even read non fictional books.
Basically, I read every book under the sun but the best ones. I did not read the books guaranteed to make me a better, smarter, more culturally aware, and even spiritually advanced person. Now, I can’t quote Machiavelli to my dogs. Sigh. This was my only chance to impress them. So,
Will I read Kafka this year? No.
Will I improve my reading list this year? Maybe.
Will I read whatever comes my way scrolling through bookstagram? Yes.
Why am I like this?
There is no other reason I could find but the fact that I love reading. But not all books. They have to pass a difficult test first, or bribe me with pets that have better personalities than the main characters.
And when I get into it, I like fast paced books. The books that don’t bore me with long descriptions of that drop of rain that reminds the hero of his home, or exactly the shade of blue lover’s eyes are (hint - it’s almost always ocean blue, calm for female and storm for males)
I like books that run through my head like movies. The ones that make me laugh, or sigh dreamily. On occasion, I also give into my masochist tendencies (please google the meaning and read the second one, you dirty minds) and read books that make me cry.
Anyway, my ship has already sunk, I would like you to take with me.
Let’s drown together. I am looking at all of you who have taken the New Year’s resolution to read more this year.
I am here to help. I will tell you the best ones I read last year that will get you so hooked you would turn up to your office in pajamas, take your book to the loo and get permanent dark circles under your beautiful eyes (See, this was a great opportunity for eye creams that don’t work to get an ad in, but they haven’t found the power of Substack yet).
Here it is.
Immortals of Meluha by Amish Tripathi - When I tell you that I have been shoving this book down my friend’s throats, I am not kidding. I have commented on every polite Substacker asking for a book to read this trilogy. (I would have been able to buy myself a month worth of coffee if I had a commission).
Raavan: Enemy of Aryavarta by Amish Tripathi - I don’t care this is the third one. It is the best. I dare you to call me a fan of villains, I will just write a whole post about this one.
The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi - It took about ten years to bring this book to print. I would just say it was worth it. For us readers, maybe not the author. I would have pulled out all my hair by now. My curls have already thinned with Delhi water while waiting for The Daredevil from Marvel.
Never lie by Frieda McFadden - My first from the author. It made my head spin. At various points, I thought I had the twist. But no, the writer plays you till the end.
Method by Kate Stewart - There are some books you don’t pick up again because they consume you completely. This book was one for me. I deeply resonated with the male lead who lost himself to his art and pain. Yet, I could sympathize with the partner who had to deal with the fall out.
Now that the good people have stopped reading the list, I would also recommend The Fourth Wing book series by Rebecca Yarros. But, I love you all so if you haven’t read it yet, wait till the third one comes out. The wait is excruciating (as if waiting for House of Dragons was not enough, I had to take up this one too).
And lest I forget, the writer that never disappoints, Rina Kent. If you have not heard her name before, start with The Monster Trilogy. You will not be disappointed (I am looking at you girls).
Apart from this, I survive on a healthy dose of my Netflix, prime, and Hotstar subscriptions. As the Capitalists Gods have deemed fit. Thank You.
If you have some book recommendations you think was a writer’s gift to mankind, let me know
If you are still not convinced that you should subscribe to me, you will be missing out on my literary excellence ahead
And if you are already a subscriber, why don’t you want your friends to also have fun. You know gatekeeping is not cool, right? So, share and