This year, with the idea of keeping life simple and uncomplicated I had no book-reading goals except to make headway on the ones I already have. With that thought I stayed away from all reading challenges except the one on Goodreads only because it gave me the freedom to choose my own books. I’ve pledged to read 36, like last year. Three books a month is ambitious enough.
Then Shalz and Soumya came along with a challenge with an almost similar goal – to make a dent in your TBR pile. I went through the prompts and managed to fit almost all the prompts with books I have – 20 out of the 24 required. Can it get any better? This challenge might actually help me stick to my TBR. Also, I have the freedom to read 12 other books to make up my Goodreads Challenge. Sounds like a win-win.
Here is my (almost final) reading list:
- A book from a genre you generally avoid
The Crimson Meniscus by Jason Werbeloff
I once had the notion that science fiction would be boring but one short story changed that for me. Now I’m looking forward to exploring more in this genre. - A book that’s a part of a series
Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Last year I read Cinder and completely loved it. I am now dying to get through the rest of the series and am trying to pace myself, reserving each book for days when I can read it at a stretch. Yeah, that’s how much I loved Cinder. - A book you started but never finished
One Part Woman by Perumal Murugan
I haven’t quite made up my mind about this one. I liked it but didn’t absolutely love it. But I do plan to go back to it. - A book by an author you have been meaning to read but haven’t dared to so far
Letters from a Father to His Daughter by Jawaharlal Nehru
I’ve heard so much about this one but have dismissed it as boring. I hope to give it a shot this year. - A book written 100 years ago/Classic
A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
I’ve been meaning to read this one for ages and yet Dickens’ style of writing is proving a bit much for me. I’ve read him earlier – Oliver Twist, Great Expectations but I just don’t seem to have the patience any longer. Hoping I’ll get thought this one. Maybe I’ll settle for an abridged version. It would be pretty weird though, graduating from originals to abridged versions. - A book picked up after reading a favourable review on a book blogger’s site or a recommendation from a book obsessed friend/relative
The Book of Fate by Parinoush Saniee.
This one was recommended by my sister-in-law, who is an avid reader. Also, she’s completely off social media so her recommendations stem purely from book-merit, not media hype. - A book set in the past or the future
Cress by Marissa Meyer
That’s book three in the Cinder series – Scifi, set in the future. - Re-read an old favourite
Love Story by Eric Segal
What can I say about this book. I just want to re-read it. - A book to be read on a vacation or the plot is based around a holiday (could be a travelogue) – Down Under by Bill Bryson
He’s an author I love for his humour. Looking forward to this one. - A free hit (choose any book you wish here)
City of Girls by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Giving a last chance to this author, despite DNFing Eat Pray Love. - A book that would be a foodies delight
The Lemon Tree Café by Cathy Bramley - A book with the cover in your favourite color
The Blue Between Sky and Water by Susan Abulhawa - A book with a love triangle. TBD
- WWI or WWII drama (could be a true story or fictional)
All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr/ Catch 22 by Joseph Heller
I have had Catch 22 with me for ages. - A book written by a famous personality (could be an autobiography/memoir or just fiction) – Dopehri By Pankaj Kapoor
I stumbled upon this one pretty recently recommended by Shalini and I had to read this because it’s set in my hometown. I’m still trying to decide if I should go for the original Hindi version or the English translation. - A book gifted to you
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak
This one was gifted by Shalz and is by one of my favourite authors. A must read. - A YA book
Fairest by Marissa Meyer
Told you I want to finish the series! That’s the last of the Lunar Chronicles. - A book based on mythology (Indian, Roman, Greek etc)
The Baramullah Bomber by Clark Prasad.
This is ‘a science fiction espionage thriller and India’s first mythological thriller’ according to an online description. Doesn’t it sound intriguing? - A book that’s been on your shelf for more than 5 years
Of Love and Other Demons by Gabriel García Márquez - An award winning book
Girl, Woman, Other by Bernardine Evaristo

Bonus Prompts (Optional):
21. A self help book. TBD
This is not my favourite genre. I thought I’d slot ‘Who Moved my Cheese’ but that has less than 200 pages so I’m still looking for options.
22. A book by an author whose name starts with the first letter as your name
The Bones of Grace by Tahmima Anam
23. An Audiobook/e-book or a PDF read
Anne of Green Gables LM Montgomery
24. A crime fiction
The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides
Everyone seems to have read this and I shall get to it too.
So that’s it. Have you read any of these books? Got a better recommendation for any of the prompts? Do share. Also, drop by here if you find the prompts interesting and want to join in.
Yay you made it! I love the way your list is looking and it is giving me goals with the myriad choices you have. All the best for the read, Tuilka. We are in it together 🙂
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Yes I did. And so happy about it. The best bit is I already have almost the entire list of books. Looking forward to making a start.
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That’s an interesting mix!
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Thanks Damyanti. Looking forward to getting on with it.
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First of all a big YAY to have you on board!!
Your book selections are just awesome Tulika and am waiting for the reviews of most of them. I agree on the flexibility of Goodreads – I do this challenge each year too though its only last year that I completed it.
Happy reading in 2020!!!
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Thanks for hosting the challenge Shalini. Looking forward to making a dent in the TBR pile.
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This looks like an impressive list, Tulika!
I haven’t made any such list of TBRs. I decided to read whatever I could find. Presently, I am reading fiction and non-fiction.
The girl who kicked the hornets’ nest is good, has been keeping me hooked.
The nonfiction is The End of Romance, a book on, guess what, lessons on patriarchy, feminism, rights, and privileges.
A man’s take on the difficulties men experience at the hands of dominating women, abuse and conflicts between men and women. It’s pretty difficult, as a woman, to take whatever the author’s written about women and men. But it’s a book I wish to finish reading soon. It’s also made me think deeply about the equation between men and women and, ahem, make some changes in my mindset about men. Yes, I have been pretty impressed by some of the things in here, much to my amazement, coz I have felt rather guilty reading some of the passages in the book.
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End of Romance sounds intriguing. Will wait for your review. I read the first book from Steig Larson – The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo but didn’t like it very much so have given the other ones a miss. There really are too many great books around to squander time on mediocre ones.
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Right you are, Tulika!
End of romance has been tough on my mind. It’s very informative as inn a lot of research has gone into it. But for me- as a woman- it was difficult digesting a few things the writer wrote about women.
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I read books by Charles Dickens when I was younger. At that time I had the motivation to read and admire the old English language. Now I feel like I lose patience and find the books too slow. Never thought I would say this. 🙈
An impressive layout to deal to work TBR. Good luck
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Thank you Raj. I think not having enough patience also has to do with the fact that we truly have less time these days and just too many distractions. We complain our youngsters don’t read enough but at some level that’s true for us too – our attention spans aren’t what they used to be.
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What an impressive list. You know what I will do. Add and read to my TBR as you start sharing reviews 🙂 Letters from a Father to His Daughter by Jawaharlal Nehru is a book that papa gifted me when I was a teen so I would maybe go back to that copy once again. I have totally forgotten now. Let me know what you think of it.
Good luck, Tulika. Know that I am around cheering 🙂
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Thanks Parul. I’ve read so much about that book by Nehru. Perhaps that’ll be my next read.
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Love this list! Had never heard of The Baramullah Bomber, and that is an intriguing description indeed.
Oh and.. pssst.. Fairest is not The Lunar Chronicles finale. Winter is. Fairest is a bridge book #3.5. Winter is book 4. Then there is a novella Stars Above. 😛
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Yeah yeah yeah – I’ve been looking up those two books on Amazon but have decided to get to them after I finish the quartet.
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These prompts sound interesting. I totally feel the same about Dickens too. As a young reader I have read most of his books and I want to reread them as an adult. But I seem to have no patience for his writing. So fingers crossed.
I love Eric Segal’s Love story as well. Good luck on your challenge!
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We all suffer from having too little patience these days. I’m hoping to make it through this one book by Dickens.
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