It’s my birthday! Big life milestones completed, planning and execution of the wedding freed up a lot of time in year 29. I enjoyed getting back into watercolor painting, creating some art here and there, and most importantly, finding a system with the blog.
This post is about books. The heart of the blog. If I don’t read, what will I talk to you about?
I tracked how I came upon a book: This year the split was 68/62 Personal/Commitment. I read 25 indie books and reread 7 books. I did a lot of discovering within and outside. Here is a snapshot of the books that filled my journals and thoughts.
Year 29: Reading
There are books through which I discovered Canada.
The Sleeping Car Porter by Suzette Mayr | Scotiabank Giller Prize 2022 Finalist & Winner | Goodreads | Review | I had not pondered the perspective of a queer Black man in Canada before.
Closer by Sea by Perry Chafe | Goodreads | Review | The first book I have read about Newfoundland.
Valley of the Birdtail by Andrew Stobo Sniderman, Douglas Sanderson | Goodreads | Review | A book I can’t rave about enough if you are interested in generational family history intertwined with history, politics and hope.
These are books that helped in my self-work. They have each been a great teacher.
Make Time: How to Focus on What Matters Every Day by Jake Knapp and John Zeratsky | Goodreads
Soundtracks: The Surprising Solution to Overthinking by Jon Acuff | Goodreads
The Gifts of Imperfection by Brené Brown | Goodreads
Feeling Seen: Reconnecting in a Disconnected World by Jody Carrington | Goodreads
Meditations by Marcus Aurelius | Goodreads | Martin Hammond (Translator)
The Book of Boundaries by Melissa Urban | Goodreads | Review
How to Keep House While Drowning: A Gentle Approach to Cleaning and Organizing by K.C. Davis | Goodreads | Review
Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life With the Heart of a Buddha by Tara Brach | Goodreads | Review
Your Writing Matters: 34 Quick Essays to Get Unstuck and Stay Inspired by Keiko O’Leary | Goodreads | Review
The Creative Act: A Way of Being by Rick Rubin | Goodreads | Review
These books were great buddy reads with friends. I found some new friends to read with as well as continued to share books with whom I regularly read.
- Wuthering Heights (with Elizabeth)
- The City of Brass (with Emilie)
- Tuesdays with Morrie (with Varun)
- The Cloisters (with Stephen)
- Dust Child (with Ariel)
- The Mountain in the Sea (with Ariel)
- The Book Eaters (with SK)
- The Last Gifts of the Universe (with SK)
These books connected me to my culture.
I continued to read about India and immigration through these books. I also dived into history from Africa.
- Well-Behaved Indian Women by Saumya Dave | Goodreads | Review
- The Bandit Queens by Parini Shroff | Goodreads
- The Forest of Enchantments by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni | Goodreads | Review
- The Liberation of Sita by Volga | Goodreads
- The Museum of Failure by Thrity Umrigar | Goodreads | Review
- A History of Burning by Janika Oza | Goodreads
Through these books I experienced awe and wonder.
- Tales from the Café by Toshikazu Kawaguchi | Goodreads
- Do You Dream of Terra-Two? by Temi Oh | Goodreads | Review
- The Lies of the Ajungo by Moses Ose Utomi | Goodreads | Review
- Lesser Known Monsters of the 21st Century by Kim Fu | Goodreads | Review
- This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone | Goodreads | Review
- The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton | Goodreads | Review
- Babel: An Arcane History by R.F. Kuang | Goodreads
- The Empress of Time by Kylie Lee Baker | Goodreads | Review
- A Whole Song and Dance by Sarvenaz Tash | Goodreads | Review
These books were masterful writing
If an Egyptian cannot speak English by Noor Naga | Goodreads | Review
Our Wives Under the Sea by Julia Armfield | Goodreads
This is How You Lose the Time War by Amal El-Mohtar & Max Gladstone | Goodreads | Review
The Light Pirate by Lily Brooks-Dalton | Goodreads | Review
Through these books I learned about the world
These books helped me in my grief
As I write this, I realize that Abu will never wish me another happy birthday. I am glad I got to celebrate my 29th with her. Since her passing in December, I have found many books to help me with my grief and remember her.
Grief is Love by Marisa Renee Lee | Goodreads
I borrowed many sentences from this one to help me come to terms with her death.
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano | Goodreads
This book portrays strong family ties and. I was reminded of the fierce love that can exist between an aunt and niece.
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers | Goodread | Review
This book helped me ponder the simplicity of life, to get lost in a world with a monk and robot, discovering what it means to live.
We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzom Lama | Goodreads | Review
This book had a strong aunt-niece as well as sisterly bond. I loved it so much!
These books became my new favorites, added to the books I would stay up till midnight reading
Hello Beautiful by Ann Napolitano | Goodreads
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow by Gabrielle Zevin | Goodreads
A Psalm for the Wild-Built by Becky Chambers | Goodreads | Review
We Measure the Earth with Our Bodies by Tsering Yangzom Lama | Goodreads | Review
Do you see any favorites? What is a memorable book from your 20s? I am officially in my 30s now and I want some wisdom from you. Tell me a life lesson, a way of being or thinking, that has helped you as you get older.
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