All the amazing Books I read in January 2023

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The first month of the year 2023 is already flying by and I can positively say, that reading wise, I’m off to a good start.

My blog analytics and numbers gave me something to look forward to and inspired me to continue on this reading journey, so I read seven awesome books this month. And it was a good mix of fiction, non-fiction and graphic novels.

My majority reads have been 3 and 4 stars, hoping I read some 5 star books in February. But I have a favorite and that is Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi and the Mitford Affair comes a close second. Some excellent reads. Definitely recommend them. 

Many of these books are also available on Kindle Unlimited. Try Kindle Unlimited Free for 30 days!

Recent Reads January 2023

When I Hid My Caste by Baburao Bagul Translated by Jerry Pinto

This collection of short stories translated from Marathi discusses Dalit lives. The reality and the brutality are more than some readers will be able to bare. Imagine living these lives.

Bagul has always been popular for his raw and uncensored writing and he continues to do so in this gut-wrenching book. It discusses prostitution, extra-marital affairs, the killing of animals for sacrifice and so many such themes that may act as triggers for some readers.

But we need to face what cannot be denied anymore. We have to stop judging and compartmentalizing people based on their caste/religion. After reading this book I agree with the author when he says that it is a curse to be born a Dalit in India. This needs to change.

This was my first book of 2023 that was also a part of Kayla’s Buzzword reading challenge – a book title with a verb – Hid.

Lumberjanes Vol I Beware the Kitten Holy by Stevenson Ellis Watters Allen

So we have a sporty group of girls completing tasks.

Jo, April, Mal, Molly, and Ripley are five brave butt—kicking and stylish group of friends who are at a summer camp. But at the camp things are not really what they seem like. The group encounters weird foxes, hidden caves, creepy paranormal monsters and so much more.

The mystery deepens and the camp just keeps getting better and better. Perfect for middle-grade audiences. Just the right amount of mystery and adventure.

The Mitford Affair by Marie Benedict

The Mitford family is one of the elites in England. The six sisters and a brother make up a formidable pack. Youth, beauty, and brilliance, there’s no stopping the sisters. But how do two of these sensible siblings fall for some extremely powerful fascist leaders?

Dominant characters, a fascinating war story and scandalous family dynamics make up for a very original and engaging read.

Read My Full Review here

Transcendent Kingdom by Yaa Gyasi

Transcendent Kingdom is about the dynamics of a Ghanaian family that move to Alabama. Gifty is the central protagonist and also the youngest in the family. Gifty is telling the story about her family while currently she is engaged in Stanford School of Medicine studying neuroscience.

Gifty first loses her father when he moves back to his home country leaving Gifty’s mother alone to tend to their children in Alabama. Next, Gifty loses her beloved elder brother Nana, to drug abuse. A knee injury introduces him to OxyContin and then he cannot stop.  Now she wants to save her mother who is glued to her bed, depressed, by studying the science behind man’s suffering.

An extraordinary piece of writing that simultaneously makes you smile, with its light-hearted humour and makes you sad about Gifty’s state. It questions science, it questions your faith, it questions love and leaves you emotional.

Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates

How does it feel to be born in a Black body in America? How can these black people be free of the perpetual fear they live in? Through Between the World and Me, Ta-Nehisi Coates tries to answers these questions in the form of letters to his young son.

Americans have exploited the blacks bodily through slavery, murder, rape and segregation. American history is tainted with the black blood and now these people want to free themselves from this burden. The author effortlessly blends American history and his personal experiences through his eloquent letter writing. His sincere and ardent concern for his son’s surroundings comes out brilliantly through his writing.

Book by Black author for Booklist queens reading challenge for January.

How to talk to anyone, 92 tricks for big success by Leil Lowndes

Develop your communication skills and stand out from the crowd. That’s what this book teaches us. And communication is not only through spoken language, but body language as well.

Understand not only what to do to achieve big success but also learn how to do it. With these techniques you will come across as a special person to anyone and everyone you meet.

A very practical book with easy to understand examples in every chapter. Very relatable, relevant and easy-going book. Whether you want to improve your personal life or professional, this guide is a must-have.

The Ramayana by R.K.Narayan – A shortened modern prose version of the Indian Epic

The Ramayana, was written by Valmiki in Sanskrit, way back in 1500 B.C or somewhere around that. The whole work ran as long as 24,000 stanzas. Since then many authors and poets have created their interpretations and retelling of this great epic. 

This particular book is based on the Tamil version of the epic written by poet Kamban. Several contiguous section of the poet’s work have been narrated by R.K.Narayan. It is not a translation. Ramayana is known to every Indian in some or the other capacity through some or the other story from the epic. Narayan’s Ramayana is a compilation of these popular stories written chronologically and starts with the birth of Rama and ends with his coronation.

The language is unassuming to follow and is a great work for a reader looking for the overall story of this great epic in simple language.