Last year, for the very first time, I took up a reading challenge – to read 30 books over 365 days. That’s a little over two books a month. With all that goes on outside of books that’s all I could hope for.
I managed 32. That was heartening.
I am a rather disorganised person and I have grown to love Goodreads for the order it brings to my reading. With that support this year I intend to streamline my book adventure further and also bring in some diversity. There are plenty of reading challenges across the Web I know, but I need one that caters to my personal preferences.
The idea is to :
- Include some genres I haven’t much delved into – short stories, translations, travelogues.
- Challenge some prejudices – ‘I cannot read non-fiction’, ‘biographies are boring’.
- Read fiction from countries that intrigue me – North Korea, China, Israel – I’d love to know more about them. I must also add Pakistan and Bangladesh – our neighbours – so like us and yet so distant.
- Try something new, audio books, for instance.
None of this is binding of course. I hereby give myself complete liberty to dump a book mid-way if I don’t like it. Reading shouldn’t be hard work, right?
So here is the list I’ve drawn up
I hope to be ready with my TBR within the week. I’d love for you guys to chip in with suggestions since some categories are completely new to me.
And now, totally awed and satisfied with how organised I’m being this year I shall head out to meet the day. Wish me luck!
Do share your reading plan. Do you have one? Are you following a challenge? If you don’t and if you aren’t, join me and we can read together.
Beat About The Book 
My resolution for 2017 too is to read a lot, write better and click passionately. Will follow you on Goodreads for TBR list.
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That’s a great resolution Rekha – to follow all your loves. Good luck and a happy New Year.
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I love your list! I had quite a good year with Bingo too – while I wasn’t able to complete it, I was able to finish about 75% of the Bingo Board, and I am okay with that. It was meant to be a fun way to track my reading, and I did not want to make it a chore by forcing myself to complete it.
It did however fulfill its prime purpose, which was to help me read diversely. So in that sense, it was a win.
I do have some suggestions for your list – firstly – most definitely give audio books a go, they are total game changers. You could start your audio book journey with personal memoirs, which might also help your cause of reading (or in this case listening to) memoirs/biographies. Trust me on this – if this format is challenging to you, picking a author read memoir is the best way to ease into it. It is not very different from someone narrating their own tale. And we are already used to listening to people tell their stories, right? (Sorry for the super long comment – I had meant to do a blog post on ‘easing into audiobooks’, so this is actually the truncated version. 😛 )
But wait, this comment isn’t over (don’ kill me!).
For the book with the LGBTQ character – have you read Simon & The Homosapiens Agenda? It’s on my TBR this year. If you haven’t read it yet, we could both give it a go together in 2017.
For Books being made into Movies this year – there is Hidden Figures and Wonder. I may not read the former (intend to watch it though), but I will most definitely read Wonder before I see it on screen.
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First things first – I won’t kill you for your long comment – a hug would probably be more appropriate :-). Do write that post on audio books. I have been trawling the Net but haven’t found any one that’s suitable yet. Would love to read Simon and the Homosapiens Agenda with you. I’ve read Wonder. Lovely book. It’s our current read aloud book with the kids.
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That’s a great list! I am planning to concentrate on some books which have been on my tbr for too long in 2017.
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Ah that’s a good idea too. I should have included that in my list. Some books just languish on the TBR.
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I am a disorganised person picking books on the go. I have not sat down ever to think about it and make a reading plan. I am aware of Shantala’s last year’s list and now I am coming across yours. It looks like a great idea to challenge oneself into reading various genres. All the best Tulika 🙂
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Ah you too are disorganised? This is the first time I am attempting something like this to add diverse flavours to my reading.
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Nice plan Tulika. Looking forward to reading about the books you read in 2017 🙂
I will go back to the books I’ve read which have had a deep impact on me. Rereading them should prove beneficial.
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Thank you Vishal. Re-reading books is a great idea. Only, of late, there just doesn’t seem enough time to do that.
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Wish you a very happy New Year and may all your other wishes also come true! I never make lists or resolutions because they somehow stress me into breaking them and then feeling guilty for doing it 🙂
Liked the comment by Shantala asking you to try audio books. My DIL also recommended those. Perhaps I will try out one soon. I like her idea of starting off with autobiographies or memoirs. Makes loads of sense. These days I am more into non fiction so it might just fit into the scheme of things.
Of course, I will re-read The Outsiders and Mama’s Bank Account at least once more 😛 BTW, if you have not read the reviews of these two books on my blog, do read them as part of your reading list 🙂
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Thank you Zephyr. It is always a pleasure to see you here :-). Yeah Shantala gave some great pointers. I have been looking for audio books but most of them at Amazon are prohibitively priced. Maybe I’m not looking at the right place. I will certainly drop by to check out those two books. Hope you have a wonderful New Year.
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I like your categories. I haven’t read it but have heard that Letters To Sam by Daniel Gottlieb is a good book. All the best Tulika will look forward to reading about the books you read.
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Thank you Suzy. Looking up your recommendation right away.
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All the best for your reading goals, Tulika. I want to read a lot in 2017 as well. These day stories around WW2 are my weakness, let’s see how it evolves. Will look forward to your reviews throughout the year and also will look for suggestions 🙂
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Thanks Naba. WWII is my all time favourite read. If you need recommendations let me know :-). It’s much more fun when we read together, isn’t it?
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Oh yes, most definitely. Please do recommend some WWII books. I just can’t get enough of those.
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Love your categories. What a fun way to keep shaking things up and motivate yourself to keep reading through the year!
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Thank you shopgirl. I hope to step into unchartered territory and enjoy it too.
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Read Sita’s sister if you haven’t already… I aim to read Karna’s wife by the same author this year… Also thoroughly enjoyed reading the palace of illusions…
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Done with both Sheetal. All three actually. And loved them too.
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Love the list. For book on Mythology, hope you will pick up ‘Norse Mythology’ either from Devdutt Pattnaik or Neil Gaiman. I want to read those. For 7 & 18 – I would recommend Homegoing (multiple generations) author Yaa Gyasi, Underground Railroad- Colson Whitehead. Travelogue /Non-Fiction – Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer. Short story collection – Manto, Kamala Das, Kanishk Tharoor or Jerry Pinto. Audiobooks – Librivox.org is my favourite. They have lot of classics. For others, I will follow your list. And goodreads is a blessing. All the best.
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Thanks Lata. Thank you for the suggestions – I was drawing a blank for multiple generations, was hoping Divakaruni would write something this year 🙂 as also the travelogue. Checking out Librivox.org now.
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That’s an exhaustive list tulika. I really haven’t made a list. But have decided to read as much as i can this year. Of course try out different genres. And also read up some classics .
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Yes it is. I’m hoping it will be a fun journey.
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I love the process of planning what to read for the year.
For translation – I would recommend The Red Notebook by Antoine Laurain. It was one of my favorite reads of 2016. Or maybe The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery,
For a food themed read I would recommend The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake by Aimee Bender. It is a very different kind of “food” book.
Good luck and happy reading
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Thank you Vinitha. I’m looking up the books you’ve mentioned. The food book sounds specially interesting.
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Loved your list! The categories are interesting (Except LGBTQ character that I don’t find interesting. Please don’t judge me).
I read 34 (of 30) books in 2016. This year my goal is 36 books. I really like Goodreads.
I’m reading Lanka’s Princess (mythology). Just read the prologue and loved it. I am not fond of non-fiction but I really liked Our Moon Has Blood Clots (Based on Kashmiri Pandits) by Rahul Pandita. Don’t Diet by Kavita Devgan and Everything You Wanted to Know About Freelance Journalism are very helpful books (However, I am not able to lose weight).
For Historical Fiction, Nabanita has recommended ‘The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah’ that’s in my top reading list this year. I am not interested in biographies but heard a lot about Kamala Das’ ‘My Story’ so bought and read a couple of chapters. Found it okay.
All the very best for your reading goal. I wish you and your family a peaceful, blissful and successful New Year! 🙂
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Thank you for the suggestions. This is going to be such fun. Lanka’s Princess sounds intriguing. I picked Rekha’s biography – bound to be good, isn’t it? Considering the colourful life she led. Thanks for dropping by and for your suggestions. Have a great New Year.. maybe with another book, what say? 🙂
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Oh wow, thats an intersting list, and kind of wanna make me make more specific reading goals too. Am in a reading club where we meet and get to read and discuss books I normally wouldnt choose for myself. Very interesting and opens our horizont I believe. Best of luck my dear – will follow you:-)
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Happy New Year Eli. Yes it’s good to meet people who have different reading tastes from yours. It opens up new reading worlds to you.
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Wow! I love how you have all genres sorted and you will read these fabulous categories. I love Goodreads cos like you if helps me stay organized and stay on the top of my reading list. I just finished Lovely Bones this week and heading on to find more. How about a list of books on all genres that you have mentioned above? I am being selfish but if you have something like that on your blog, I can check genres and read one by one 😉
Good luck, Tulika. I am sure you will be able to read all these.
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Ready with the list Parul. Will be putting it up by tonight or tomorrow morning. It would be great if you joined me. In fact we should make up a BAR book club.
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That’s a cool thought. I’m game. The best person to benefit from such a club would be me 🙂
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This seems like a really good plan, Tulika. I am impressed. Me — I don’t have any plans for what to read and how many. I just I guess pick whatever tickles my fancy or based on reviews of others. Good luck for your reading in 2017.
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Thanks Rachna. I used to do that too and maybe I’ll do it again next year but for now I want to do this. Oh and I’m pretty impressed too – this is so not me :-D.
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I’d recommend A Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne as the classic, Ghachar Ghochar (translated into English from Kannada) by Vivek Shanbhag for translation, The Other Side of the Table by Madhumita Mukherjee for the epistolary, and Following Fish by Samanth Subramanian for the travelogue. I’ve enjoyed reading each of these, and plan to review Following Fish this year after I’m done with re-reading a few chapters. 🙂
I like the list you’ve made, and hope you complete all 25. 🙂 I’m following your blog, so will keep track here and on Goodreads if I find your profile. (Added you on FB long back too, though my ping may have gone to the Other folder 😉 ) 😀
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Thanks a lot Vinay. I’ve added some of your suggestions. Will good to have you for company.
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That’s an awesome challenge you’ve taken up!
If you are into Young Adult fiction, there’s a book by the name ‘We Are Still Tornadoes’ by Michael Kun. You could take it for the 10/23 book. For the 23rd one (books written in a letter format) We Need to Talk About Kevin is in a letter format, if you’re not into YA.
Waiting for your TBR list to get inspired and get some new books. I haven’t ventured into the genres you’ve mentioned above, and I’d like to read something out of my comfort zone this year! 🙂
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I love YA fiction. Thanks for your suggestions. Will be coming back to these. There just are too many wonderful books out there Sigh!
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Good luck with your reading goals, Tulika. I have no goals when it comes to reading. Sometimes I read on my kindle app. Sometimes I borrow books from library. Sometimes I finish reading all the books I choose and sometimes not at all. 🙂 Will come back to see your TBR. 🙂
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Thanks for being around Vinitha. Wishing you more reading this year :-).
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Tulika, I read 30 books last year and have upped the bar in 2017. My goal is 36 books and have accepted the good reads reading challenge for the same.
Loved your list, my favourite genre is missing from here.. spirituality. I am reading quite a few of these and books on philosophy too. I have also made a list and will share soon. Best of luck for the challenge, love reading your blog.
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Ah I missed Spirituality. That’s another genera I’ve barely delved into. We have almost the same goal this year. Looking forward to it.
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My to be read (tbr) pile is huge….much bigger than I would like. I worry that I’ll acquire books, and they’ll lounge around forever, never to be read. Thus! I now challenge myself every year to read as many books from the bottom of the pile by the end of the current year as possible.I acquired a few books from my older wishlist, so currently the Bottom of my TBR Pile has 14 books on it. It is going to be my goal to read 14 books this year, although if I acquire more of my older wished for books, I may end up not completely emptying the pile.
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That’s a good idea. I should also devote one year to cleaning up my TBR :-).
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Hi Tulika. 2016 was a terrible year for me reading-wise. I mostly read bad books I gave up midway or reread old loves! I like your plan for the new year. I’ll follow you on goodreads and hopefully manage to catch some good reads too!
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I know, that happens sometimes. When the kids were small I almost gave up reading for a good two years. Don’t worry you’ll get back at some point.
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Try Chitra Banerjee’s Palace of Illusions and Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad – a take on mythology from the perspective of women characters – Draupadi and Penelope – Also, for world war too, I strongly recommend The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah and The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult. A book from child’s perspective – must must must read Serafina’s Promise by Ann E. Burg and The Red pencil by Andrea Davis Pinkney…..Your list is great and well-organized…..Wish you success in this……
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I loved Palace of Illusions. Will look up Penelopiad. I haven’t read Jodi Picoult but have heard so many good things about her books that I just have to look her up. Thanks a lot for dropping by.
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Audiobooks are great. I listen to books when I am driving to and from work and when I clean. 🙂 Great way to get some extra books in.
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Yeah this is one area I really need to explore. Thanks for the dropping by.
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