Looking Back: Top 15 Books of 2021

Sneha picks her top 15 books, from the 200 books she read in 2021. She looks back with a paroxysm of emotions, talking about her select list of books. An exclusive for Different Truths.

The perks of being a bibliophile are endless, when you have a friend circle full of bibliophile friends, authors and with general people who love that you read, they pass the book suggestions, they will give you the recommendations and favourites are exchanged all year long. And it’s tough to decide which one is on the top of the favourite chart. Honestly speaking, in the beginning of this year, I had decided to choose some selective books to read. And still I managed to read around 200 books, which is not bad!

These are the 15 books I loved most among the rest.

1. If I Could Remember, by Vedant Saxena

The one feeling which was my constant companion all the while I was reading the novel was like someone took out my heart and was continuously squeezing it. This is the kind of story which you will hate to love.

This is my second novel from Vedant. If his first one made me cry, this made me fall in love with his style of writing. First, kudos to the author, I read such novels in Indian English very rarely. This is not an ordinary love story. This is a union of two broken souls, which tries to save each other but at the end whether they would succeed or destroy with whatever little is left of them. You must read the book to know more.

Ananya and Arman, the two main characters of the novels are someone you will find easily in our day-to-day life. Arman, who is an outcast and labelled as crazy for being different. And Ananya, who is a darling of the society one day, is labelled as a ‘slut’ another day, just because some men ra*ed her to prove their manhood.

The book talks about real crap, problems, and issues of real people. It will make you think and cry, alternately. You will be surprised to find broken pieces of someone’s life scattered in pages of this story. You will feel a sense of longing and how extreme it can be. And when you think that you have reached the extreme of feelings in this story, the end will shake you to core.

The story is close knit and the narration is multifold. The story moves at such a pace that you keep flipping the pages. The language is lucid. The quotes of several great writers are aptly used. The two liners and four liners from the author are suitably placed.

 
A must read. For me this is certainly the novel of the year.

2. The book which was a treat to read this year was, Excess Baggage, by Richa S Mukherjee

It’s a heady mix of quirky, humorous, and witty dialogues with strong messages and mixed emotions, as an undercurrent. We all love the goody characters, who always do the right things. And everything is almost perfect about them. But these two Punjabi women will make you fall in love with them despite all their faults and mishaps. They are called Ms. & Mrs. Punjabi but they are proud Sindhis. They have each other’s backs unknowingly. They irritate each other all the time. They love to point out each other’s mistakes.

They fight, they argue, they even ignore each other but they love one another like nothing. If their surname and life choices are not confusing enough, their personality is almost completely opposite. And when they planned a trip together, it was meant to be one of the most humorous journeys ever. But they never knew that by the end of the trip they would end up loving every bit of it and finally find out what they were searching for all their life.

 
I completely loved this book, and this is going to be one of my best reads this year. The emotional content is like icing on the cake. It will make you think and rethink about your life’s choices and decisions.

 
A complete page turner!

This is not only about excess baggage in the sense of luggage but also excess baggage of burden of others opinion, one’s emotions and much more.

3. Then I read a book from my overflowing TBR, Looking for Alaska, authored by John Green.

This is my first book by John Green, and I must say that I was expecting a lot. But this book somehow disappointed me at some level. This is story of Miles and his friend Colonel, Alaska, and Takumi. Most of the story revolves around Alaska and others either smoking and boozing against school rules or playing a prank against their warden and fellow students. The story somehow picks up speed when, suddenly, on one unfortunate night, Alaska dies in a car accident leaving many questions behind. Miles and Colonel try to find answers for her sudden accident or suicide (as they believed she had committed).

What will happen at the end? What will they find out? You must read to know. But it’s a gloomy novel, which will make you gloomier and leave you with many questions unanswered.

Certainly, a one-time read!

4. Then I picked a romantic fiction, Wedding Vows, by Rajeev Pundir.

The author ended the novel with a quote, which is, we can say, sums it up. “Everyone takes wedding vows, but very few honour it.”

This is a story of Kamya and Manav, who tie the knot and take seven vows with all the pomp and vigour, complete with their families’ blessings. But soon their life got entangled in such a way that they not only slowly but gradually forgot their vows but also abused the institution of marriage.

First, Manav in his lust for power and money forget it and soon Kavya too falls in trap of KC, a shrewd politician.

This is a saga of ruthless human nature longing for love and money, come what may.

The story is full of a roller coaster ride of emotions like love, betrayal, enmity and much more. The tussle of power between father and son, in laws and daughter-in-law, and all the family politics. And of course, real politics is also narrated perfectly.

 
The truth of political parties and their vote game and corruption is also revealed in a subtle manner.

The narration is medium paced and well narrated. The language is lucid and flawless. The story is strong with well executed characters.

A must read!

5. Then comes a completely different book which was, Skyfall, authored by Saba Karim Khan.

This is a story of a girl’s struggle of her identity, her self-respect and survival in the dark streets of Heera Mandi, Lahore’s infamous redlight area. When you read this book, you put it down several times after reading gruesome details of their fight for survival. Raina fought for justice for her mother and sister, although she gathered the strength to do so after it was way too late. But she still did it and won.

The details of their lives and how the reality of the other side of the coin is rather gripping. You must read the story to know more. I have read such a beautifully woven story after a long time. It wrenched my heart. But I was so hooked up, I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.

The narration is medium paced and detailed. The author has done a tremendous job in writing the story in such a way that you will feel like watching a movie.

An amazing read!

Then came the last two books of the series: (6) Rankshetram, Bharatvansh ka Uday, and (7) Dandkaranya Sangram, authored by Utkarsh Srivastava.

This is the fourth book of Rankshetram series and clarifies many mysteries, which were hidden in the earlier versions. And still there are many mysteries which are still left to come out in the open. So, I must say, I am eagerly waiting to read the next part, which is out thankfully. I have been waiting for it. The story is well researched and neatly crafted. The different missing pieces of puzzles finally come together. I must say this book will be named as memorable historical fiction. The language is easy.

A must-read book!

This is the last part of Rankshetram series and it’s the grandest part as well. It will leave you with awe of it, not only because of its detailed narrative, but also that it sums up the story as well. When I started reading this series, I never thought that it would be so grand or informative. This book not only narrates the journey of Sarvdaman to Bharat but also explores the journey of Surjan to Durbheeksha.

It is a well researched book that clears so many misconceptions about history.

The language is flawless and intriguing. Narration is manifold and medium paced. The cover is beautifully designed too.

8. Then I turned again to romance, The Squabble, authored by Shall Thakur Dhillon.

It’s a beautiful love story that revolves around the love and trust of one partner for another. What happens when we unintentionally hurt our loved ones beyond repair. Does an apology suffice, or do we have to pay a hefty price?

This is a heart touching tale of love, trust, betrayal and family bond.

A nice read!

9. Then I re-read my long-time favourite book, by an author whom I deeply admire, A Room of One’s Own, by Virginia Woolf.

Lock up your libraries if you like;
but there is no gate, no lock,
no bolt that you can set
upon the freedom of my mind.

If Shakespeare had a sister as talented as he, would she have got the same opportunities to develop her skills?

Constructed around Woolf’s idea that to write fiction, a woman must have money and a room of her own, this revolutionary work depicts a woman’s predicaments as she struggles deep within for some place of her own, where she can work without restrictions. It brings forth the differences, biases and conventional attitudes that have caused immense suffering to women for centuries.

A thought provoking book by one the most wonderful and revolutionary author. It will make you think and rethink about your writing and the way we are conditioned to accept our situation and at ease with it.

A must-read book.

10. Then I read a horror fiction, Dead People’s Town, by Siddharth Nirwan.

This book is as intriguing as its beautiful cover.

This is my second book from the author. I must say this is a complete page turner. The story is set in a hospital, in a small town of Rajasthan, where a desperate doctor, while trying to save his dying daughter, not only ruins her life but the whole town pays for his one mistake. An unauthorised drug trial, which goes horribly wrong turns the patient into dead, yet undead. The madness went like fire and despite several attempts to stop it, it spread all over the town. There is another conspiracy going on. Does the madness end or whether it continues? You have to read the story to know more.

This is a gripping tale of fiction with lots of gruesome details. This book will repulse you, disgust you with details of the undead and their acts, but at the same time it will keep you hooked to read more. It surely left a strong impact long after I finished it. I read it in one sitting, but it keeps playing in the back of my mind long after.

The plot is well researched and detailed. The narration is medium paced and intriguing. The language is simple.

It’s surely a must read.

11. Then came the book of my all-time favourite author, Anuja Chauhan’s, Club you to Death.

When you pick a book from your favorite author, the expectation is always high. And boy, Anuja Chauhan will never disappoint you! I have read each of her books. With every new book, my expectations from her and her writing skill always rise an octave. Whether it’s her bestseller, The Zoya Factor or my all-time favorite, Battle of Bittora, her writings have some unique features, which completely represent her persona. She is as vocal as her female protagonist.

 
Coming to the current book, I will not call it her masterpiece, but it surely is something else altogether. The story, which seems like a simple murder mystery, is multilayered and have deep meaning. The narrative moves at a slow pace and tries to cover all the socio-political issues and scenarios of New India. She is known for her subtle and humorous satirical style and this time no one escaped from the arrows in her armour.

No one can describe the rich and mighty crowd of Delhi better than her. She covered both the extremes very well, the snobbish, Richie-rich, super privileged service class and the underdog, the working lower class, who apparently have no class.

But at the end, it will completely leave you wondering whether to be happy or sad with the turn of events. One thing which I love most about her style is that she never judges her characters. She just writes it as a mute spectator and leaves the readers to judge for themselves. So, one thing which is lacking in this book is steaming hot romance, which makes heart flutter in her other work. This time she is there to kill, and she did it thoroughly. She analysed the situations and her character minutely and left us to wonder.

She came, she killed, and she conquered my heart again!

12. Then I read a collection of short stories, The People’s Tree, by Beetashok Chatterjee

When was the last time you read a short story collection, which had such a wide range of themes and narratives that you felt like stopping after each story to catch your breath – before reading the next?

The People’s Tree is one such intense book. This is the second book from this author. I must say that the storytelling is at a completely different level this time. While his first book was all about sailors’ tales from across the globe, this one, as its name suggests, is all about different people, different lives, and different choices.

Some stories are like strolling down the memory lane, some stories talk about life-choices people make knowingly and unknowingly and how they face and deal with the consequences. The author has tried to include some sensitive issues too, like how the police tries to frame an innocent man, as a terrorist and how his lover fights the system, or how a patriotic army officer turns into a militant due to unfortunate circumstances. As each person’s life is different and unique, each story of this collection is different and unique too and complete.

The author has also tried to lighten the serious and somber mood by including some lighthearted stories, which are quite interesting (but might be avoided, not necessary at first hand). The one thing I loved most about this book is the adrenaline rush, wondering what I will find in the next story.

The author has a peculiar style of storytelling, subtle, sarcastic, and humorous elements here and there (I think it’s a typical Bengali thing, which you will find in each story and in his previous collection too, as well as in his blogs.) The language is flawless and easy to read (compared to last time, because I didn’t have to consult a dictionary even once). The narration is medium-paced, and it feels like watching the scenes playing in front of my eyes. You will laugh with the characters, feel sad for them sometimes …. In one word you will feel connected to them in a way which only a few authors can connect you to theirs.

A fabulous read!

13. I picked a highly recommended book, a mythological fiction, Rukmini, by Saiswaroopa Iyer

We all have heard the tale of love of Radha and Krishna umptieth time. But Rukminj is either ignored or just talked in passing. But this book not only beautifully covers all aspects of her life but also gives us a beautiful love story of Rukmini and Krishna. The most beautiful thing about this book is that it portrays Rukmini as an individual and not only as the wife of Krishna. Her childhood, her stand to side with truth no matter what. Everything is beautifully narrated in this book.

It gives us glimpses of Krishna’s life, which is inspiring, swoon-worthy and heartening at same time. The book doesn’t bore us with unnecessary details of the Mahabharata war. I really loved the way the author flawlessly narrated the story and make us feel like the scenes are playing in front of our eyes. The language is flawless, and the narration is gripping and interesting.

A must read!

14. Then I read one of the books from my reading list, UnMarriageable, by Soniah Kamal.

For people like me, who are ardent fans of Jane Austen, even the mention of her name is enough to pick a book. And when it comes from an author from Pakistan and it promised to be a mix of Pride & Prejudice, with a dash of Pakistani culture, it became a must read!

 
This book gives all this and much more. The story of Alys and her sister and their unmarried status brings so much drama and emotions in the novel. This is a roller coaster ride of emotion. It keeps you entertained all through the book. The book, as I have already mentioned, is a retelling of Pride & Prejudice in the backdrop of Pakistan. And it shows that whether it’s Britain, or India or Pakistan, being an unmarried girl is the biggest crime. That too if you are thirty years old. And it’s more of your families’ and relatives’ business than your own.

And God forbid, if you are opinionated, have aspirations, apart from getting married, you are the worst sinner of the world. So, this book gives a peep of life in Pakistan and the challenges women face there. You can change the place and setting, the situation is the same everywhere.
I loved the way the author handled the sensitive issues and presented it in as realistic a way as possible.

 
It will make you fall in love with Mr. Darcy all over again.

15. Then I picked up a book from one of the finest authors, Awais Khan, In the Company of Strangers.

When was the last time you read a book, which gave you sleepless nights?

This book has surely given me a few. The story revolves in and around the elite society of Pakistan. One feeling that’s constant while reading the book is the feeling of déjà vu. It feels like the experiences in India all the time. The glitter of riches, the parties, the boring high-class women, and the fear of terrorist attack. It seems funny that the people on whom we blame all our terrorist attacks fear terror attacks themselves.

 
Anyway, the story revolves around the lives of Mona, Meera, Ali and Bilal. Mona and Bilal were going through rough patches in their lives. When first Mona’s long-lost friend Meera makes a reentry in her life. With her came Ali and how Mona’s life got entangled among the chaos and what consequences they faced. You must read the story to know more.

The language is flawless. The narration is multifold and engaging. The story is strong and so are the characters.

A perfect read!

Visuals sourced by the reviewer