Favourite books of the year
- Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham
An amazing book about a jaw dropping catastrophe. Does an excellent job of simultaneously explaining complex nuclear energy concepts; the history of Soviet nuclear ambitions and the details of the disaster itself with its multi generational fallout.
- The Expanse series (books 5 to 8) by James S. A. Corey
The Expanse is a Hugo Award winner for the best series and is easily one of the best science fiction / fantasy series out there. Stunning vision and execution by the author(s) rooted in a believable future of interstellar adventures.
- This Is How They Tell Me the World Ends by Nicole Perlroth
The 2021 Financial Times and McKinsey Business Book of the Year. Every system; be it computers, phones, networks - whether online or offline; is vulnerable. Nothing is secure. It is the wild west and no one has the tools to tame it. A very sobering read. The chapter detailing the unravelling of the 2016 US election itself is worth the price of the entire book! My only grouse - despite all the accolades, I would definitely change the title!
- Remnants of a Separation by Aanchal Malhotra
The Indian Partition is a difficult topic to discuss at the best of times. This book offers er a unique visual approach of recounting the full spectrum of Partition memoirs. It use objects - both mundane and exquisite, which belong to the last surviving generation that witnessed the tragedy first hand providing a subdued, meditative reading experience.
Underwhelming books
- A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles - very pretentious writing style resulting in a long, boring read with a final twist that was too little too late to salvage interest.
- Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann - promised a great deal but frequent digressions into America's political history made it a plodding read. Hopefully, Martin Scorcese will be able to channel his Gangs of New York spirit for an exciting movie adaptation.
- The Midnight Library by Matt Haig - a simplistic little story about the homilies of living well and positive thinking. Would have worked better as a non-fiction, self help book.
Classics reread
- Kitchen Confidential by Anthony Bourdain
- Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari
- Being Mortal by Dr. Atul Gawande
Final read of the year
- Leviathan Falls (the Expanse series) by James S. A. Corey
This is the 9th and final novel of one my favourite science fiction series. Will hope to read slowly and drag it out at least for a couple of weeks - to make it a long goodbye!
Be sure to share your thoughts on the books you read this year and those that you are looking forward to in 2022 - Happy reading!!!
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