Books I Have Read This Year

This has been a good reading year. I am having so much fun with books. I am borderline addicted to reading this summer. The best part is that I enjoy reading all genres. I have no particular favorite. It just depends on my mood. And now since I am capable of having different moods at different times of the day, for the first time in my whole life, I am reading three books at one time (who am I?). I have never done that before. I was always a one-book-at-a-time-kinda-person.

 I have started enjoying long commutes because that mean I can listen to my audio book for that much longer. I am so grateful to my mother for instilling the habit of reading in me from childhood because today books are my best friends. Till I have a book in my bag I can never be bored or lonely again. Sigh! 

[ Related: How To Make Time To Read More ] 

Now enough with my dramatics, and moving on to the books I have read + heard this year in the sequence of when I read them, starting with January ...

1. The Golden Son - Shilpi Somaya Gowda

I really enjoyed this book. The author paints a picture which is both realist and yet makes for an entertaining read. You root for Anil and his friends. I could completely relate to his plight of not feeling at home both in India or America. For more watch my vlog here. 

2. An Unsuitable Boy - Karan Johar

This is easily a passable read. Poorly written and edited. For being a memoir it shares nothing that you already don't know barring a few pages. For more watch my vlog here. 

3. Paris for One and Other Stories - Jojo Moyes

This was a heart-warming read. The first, Paris for One, is the length of a novella while the others are all short stories. It would be perfect to read on a trip, as it is easy to pick up and put down between the short stories. This is only the second book I have read of Jojo Moyes (first was Me Before You) and I found it extremely relatable. Can't wait to read her other books. 

4. What Alice Forgot - Liane Moriarty 

I was on a waitlist for this book t my library for forever. It was never available. Speaks to it's popularity. Once I did get my hands on it, I couldn't keep it down. I enjoyed the story, the pace of the book and the characters. It was humorous, uplifting and an enjoyable with the right balance of heartache and mystery.

5. Three Wishes - Liane Moriarty

One thing you might not know about me is that when I like a author, I end up reading all his/her present and previous work. That is what I have been doing with Liane Moriarty. This was her first book (written in 2005) and yet the characters seemed well developed and I could relate to all three sisters and had started to understand how they think and behave. This had a similar style to her other books, were a big public event happens, and the details are slowly revealed. The story is both funny and heartwarming!

6. Khullam Khulla - Rishi Kapoor

Sigh! Another memoir from Hindi Movie actor. I was expecting big things from this book, as Rishi Kapoor is known to be blunt and straight forward. While the book is quite unapologetic about whatever happened in his career, his personal life or in the lives of people around him. However, again it is a poorly written and edited book. And after reading these memoirs I am convinced that most people in the Hindi movie industry and self centered and all-about-themselves. 

7. Essentialism - Greg McKeown

Have you ever found yourself stretched too thin? Do you simultaneously feel overworked and underutilized? Are you often busy but not productive? Do you feel like your time is constantly being hijacked by other people’s agendas? If you answered yes to any of these, the way out is the Way of the Essentialist.

This book convinced me that I am on the right path. Earlier this year I changed the way I see and do things and after reading this book, I am more than committed to stick to my new principles. If you answered "yes" to any of the above questions, if could benefit from this book. The book itself though, could have been a lot shorter to be more effective. 

8. The Girl with the Lower Back Tattoo - Amy Schumer

I am not an Amy Schumer fan, but I have always appreciate her honesty and straight-forwardness. While this is definitely not a 'must-read' or anything path breaking but I enjoyed listening to her life anecdotes. I better understand why she is, the way she is. If you are looking for a easy audio book, for while you are out on a walk or a driving, this would do. 

9. Year of Yes - Shonda Rhimes 

I had heard good things about this book from everyone who had read it, so I decided to give it a shot. I found the book and Shonda's perspective positive and encouraging. She tries to show a small change in behavior and trying new things can open doors to new possibilities and opportunities. Her writing is funny and gives food for thought. She is very honest about herself and the choices she makes in her life. Having said that while I liked the message behind this book, I didn't quite enjoy the writing. It was repetitive and I wanted to to get to the point already.

10. Modern Romance - Aziz Ansari 

I found it to be a complete waste of my time. All I gained from this book was the relief that, "Thank God! I am not dating!" It sure sounds quite a lot of hard work now. Other than that this seems like an essay (rather a long essay) on the ups and downs of dating in this decade.

11. My Not So Perfect Life - Sophie Kinsella

Hit play here, to hear my views. 

12. Palace of Illusions - Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni

This is the only book I have read twice. Voluntarily. Hit play here, to hear my views. 

13. The Rumor - Elin Hilderbrand

This is the book I am read right now and I am on the last chapter. It is an easy breezy summer read. Nothing that would stay with you, but intriguing enough for you to keep going. I cannot wait to checkout other books from this author. 

14. I Don't Know Where You Know Me From - Judy Greer

Another book, I am listening to while driving (and or waiting). Will keep you posted on what I think. 

15. First Comes Love - Emily Giffin

I have loved most of Emily's work. I started reading her books back in 2007 and have read them all ever since. I am three chapters in and so far so good. 

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