My last post about my free home workouts didn’t do too well. Satarupa’s post from about Korean dramas on Netflix is still one of highest read posts we have. So yes, I have gotten the hint. More Netflix, less workouts! So I learnt from my mistakes and I asked all of you on Instagram stories what I should write about next. Surprisingly, this TBR 2020 list got the most votes – hands down! Like a friend messaged me and said “food, beverage and books are binding the whole world right now” – what a lovely thought and I guess I will add Netflix to that!
Current situation: sitting down on Sunday evening with a glass of wine writing up this TBR 2020 post. I have divided this post into 3 different parts. Don’t worry about missing links to the books – all the TBR 2020 books including ones I mention in passing in the post are linked at the end.
First, my ‘new’ book stack.
Now I am not a big book buyer. My flat is way to small and I am not very emotional about the physical aspect of books and don’t care if I actually own the books I like or not. I do have a signed copy Summer Sisters by Judy Blume (my favourite book ever) which am a little possessive about. But other than this I am not a big fan of owning books since I very rarely re-read. I also don’t like stuff for the sake of stuff and once I have read the book (especially if I didn’t like it too much) I see it as clutter and want it out. I know this is blasphemy for some book lovers but what can I say – Marie Kondo has influenced me!
So I mostly borrow books from my library which I miss intensely right now. I was one of these weirdos who you see in the library almost everyday. It was a place for me to drop in on my way back home from work to check out anything new thats come in. Anyway, of course, the library has been closed and I finally gave in and ordered a few books on World of Books. They have second hand books and they are a little cheaper and are in very good condition. (I left the books for about 3-4 days before I touched them in light of current Coronavirus situation).
- Anatomy of a Scandal by Sarah Vaughan.
Sarah Vaughan’s new book, Little Disasters is all over Goodreads and every ‘books to read this summer’ list so I checked it out. It sounded interesting but didn’t appeal to me that much since the main themes were motherhood. Then I ended up checking out her other books with this one, Anatomy of a Scandal being her most famous book so added it to my cart. Its about a (woman) lawyer, a society scandal of a politician ending with a court-room drama. Do I need to say anymore? This book was written for me. It feels like the kind of book I will read in bed instead of sleeping – perfect.
2. Bitter Orange by Claire Fuller
Having read the blurb this sounds like one of those beautifully set, summery books with an uneasy vibe. And I love these kind of books. This was originally recommended by one of my favourite podcasts, the High Low (in the same episode they recommend Normal People by Sally Rooney) so when I saw it was available it was an easy choice.
3. Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage by Alice Munroe
I have been wanting to read this book for years now. I remember when it had just come out and was a hardbound only and so expensive! Finally managed to get hold of a second hand copy so I am happy.
4. City of Friends by Joanna Trollope
This one was a total spontaneous buy. I saw the book on the website and it looked interesting and light so just ordered it. (Ok, I admit it wasn’t that spontaneous. I obviously checked Goodreads before I bought it).
5. How Do You Like Me Now? by Holly Bourne
This book was again thanks to the High Low podcast. Holly Bourne the writer was on an episode talking about another of her books (Pretending) which got me digging into her other works. Ultimately, I landed on this book which sounded very interesting.
Second, ebooks from my library
I am not a audio book person but ebooks I am there! I find it so convenient and read them either on Dj’s iPad or on my phone.
6. Girl, Woman, Other by Bernado (Booker winner, 2019)
I just finished this one – what a beautiful book! Oddly, I really liked the sound of the book when I read the blurb when I picked it up in Daunt but lost interest when it won the Man Booker. I have to admit I was prejudiced and had a specific idea of the kind of book that wins the Man Booker and I was so wrong. I don’t know how else to say it but READ THIS BOOK.
7. The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker
This book falls under what I think of as the genre of ‘Herstory’ – I refuse to call it historical fiction. Basically historical events through the perspective of the women whom our current telling of history has erased. Note no. 12 on the list is also under this genre. I love Greek mythology and history so this would be an epic read.
8. Home Fire by Kamila Shamsie (Women’s Prize for Fiction, 2018)
I’ll be honest – I am a little done with the whole immigrant in the USA stories. The closest to me was the Namesake and yes, that was beautiful but it was also a long time ago. I am not sure there is really anything new to say about this concept anymore. But when I dug into it a little bit it appears to be more about family politics than the typical immigrant experience. Also the rave reviews and awards drew me in.
9. Little Deaths by Emma Flint
I love the whole psychological thriller genre and this sounded like the perfect book to devour as an ebook. I am sure its not going to take me too long to read through!
10. Three Women by Lisa Taddeo
I have to admit – this book is a bit of a hate read. I listened to quite a poor review of this book on the Slate Waves podcast. But I was curious when I saw it in the library app. I know its horrible to get into a book with a mindset of not being impressed by it but I will try and keep an open mind.
11. The Break by Marian Keyes
I keep hearing really positive reviews about Marian Keyes. I think she has a new book out soon and all the news about it reminded me of her and I ordered one of her old books. The lives and situations she writes about are very intriguing – domestic, women and family life centred which I specially enjoy reading about.
12. No. 1 Chinese Restaurant by Lillian Li
I have been watching this show called Kim’s Convenience on Netflix and adding this book to the list seems to be an extension of this. Again, this is a little bit the immigrant experience with family politics thrown in so should be a good read. But yes, I have to say I am not looking forward to this as much. Hopefully it will be a nice surprise.
Third, shopping my own bookshelf.
I was recently telling a friend about how I keep ignoring my own bookshelf. Basically I have so many books unread on my shelf. I end up buying books every time I go to India since they are cheaper there and I like picking up Indian writers whose books are not as easily available in London. But I get back home and get library books which have a return date I prioritise them and forget about the books I already have. So the current situation is probably the best time to finally read these.
12. The Forest of Enchantment by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni
I have to say I love her writing but what drew me to the book was the beautiful cover. I had started this book quite sometime ago but kept getting distracted with other books. Also the fact that it was a hardbound book and therefore, not easy to carry around was an issue so now is the perfect time to finally get to it.
13. The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri
She is an exquisite writer and I have read almost all of her other books. Her short stories are beautiful. Make sure to read her debut collection, Interpreter of Maladies. Looking forward to this one and I cannot believe its been lying on my bookshelf so long unread.
14. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi
I got this book for my birthday last year and I am really enjoying it. Honestly graphic novels are not my comfort reads but I know I would never have thought of reading this otherwise. I love the ‘normal’ life she describes amidst the historical events. I also like that normal expectations of a graphic novel are that its light and silly (at least my expectations) and this book completely thwarts that – its fun, insightful and such an important read.
15. The Crow Eaters by Bapsi Sidhwa
I have actually read a few books by Bapsi Sidhwa but wasn’t really aware she wrote particularly funny novels. DJ read this and really recommended it as a funny light read so this should be a good palette cleanser between the heavy stuff.
16. The Reader by Bernhard Schlink
The token male writer on this list. I read his short stories collection (Summer Lies: Stories) which is a lighter read. You may remember this book as a movie starring Kate Winslet. Warning: its not a light read.
17. The Ministry of Utmost Happiness by Arundhati Roy
Is there a better time to read Arundhati Roy? The God of Small Things is probably one of my favourite books. I have already started this one and its really enjoying it so far. The lives and scenes she talks about are always so far removed from my own, its a complete revelation. I always wonder how she manages to choose the settings of her books which are also so far removed from her own life.
Click on the books below to read reviews and buy a copy. If you are happy with second hand books check out World of Books which is much cheaper and more sustainable.
Ok – I am totally exhausted after that. I really hope you guys enjoy the post and it gives you some reading ideas. I would love to hear what is on your TBR 2020 pile – comment below or you can always write to me on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. For more of my books have a look at my best books of 2019 books – there were some really amazing ones on that list.
– Anisha
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