At the beginning of May this year, I was all set to put everything aside and diligently study for my final exams. I had finished all my work deadlines and didn’t have anything lined up. And then we all received the news that the University of Delhi, due to the terrible second wave of the coronavirus, had postponed the exams by almost a month.
I had some free time on my hands. You would think I’d take that as an opportunity to relax or study for my crucial exams, right?
Wrong! I decided to do something I had wanted to do for a very long time—challenge myself to read 30 books in 30 days.
I started a Twitter thread to track my reading. And I actually finished this challenge! It wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. Some days, I didn’t read at all. Some days, I read 5 books. What matters is I completed the challenge and that’s all I’ll hear of it.
Please note that I am in no way a prodigy or superhuman. Most of the books I choose to read were deliberately short in length. Here is the full list:
Book 1 – From Russia With Love by Ian Fleming
Spy thriller. Did not enjoy it much.
2.5/5 stars
Read review here.
Book 2 – Dancing at the Pity Party by Tyler Feder
An autobiographical graphic novel about grief.
Book 3 – Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka
Loved Kafka’s writing style and the realism in this strange book.
4/5 stars
Read review here.
Book 4 – The Roommate Risk by Talia Hibbert
It was an enjoyable friends-to-lovers romance. I definitely like Hibbert’s latest books (The Brown Sisters series) more. Her humorous and witty writing has evolved but there was still a hint of it in this book. It was steamy and there was a lot of pining. Will recommend.
3.5/5 stars
Book 5 – The Good Person of Szechwan by Bertolt Brecht (Play)
Interesting play all about whether there are good people left in the world and how if one is a good person, they just get taken advantage of.
4/5 stars
Read my review here.
Book 6 – Nikola Tesla: Imagination and the Man That Invented the 20th Century by Sean Patrick
Was surprised by this one. I found it quite encouraging. In just a few pages, it did what many long self-help books aim to do. It’s free on Kindle.
4/5 stars
Read my review here.
Book 7 – The Text by Claire Douglas
This story had potential but it wasnt executed well. The ending was very underwhelming. Half the things weren’t resolved. This would’ve worked better as a novella.
2/5 stars
This book doesn’t have new insights for regular readers of self-improvement books but I would still recommend it. It is very well structured. There are brief chapter summaries to remind you of the tips you just read. It is to the point and concise. This book mostly served as a reminder for me to stop aiming low in life just because of lack of self-belief.
4/5 stars
Book 9 – Rhinocéros by Eugène Ionesco
A play where people suddenly start turning into rhinos. Something about conformity and individuality not being accepted in our society.
3/5 stars
Book 10 – Mrs. Dalloway by Virginia Woolf
I liked the drama between the many different characters. I also enjoy the stream of consciousness style of narration but too much was going on here. I didn’t care for most of it and it drove me crazy.
3/5 stars
Book 11 – Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Not crazy about the story but some of the writing was beautiful.
4/5 stars
Book 12 – Basti by Intizar Husain, translated by Frances W. Prachett
A novel set during the Partition turmoil.
4/5 stars
Book 13 – College: Pathways of Possibility by Saikat Majumdar
All about higher education – how it is like in India and how it is like in the west. It compares different college/university educational systems and the author offers his views on what a college degree should be like. The book reads like a research paper. It will keep you hooked if you are interested in this topic. I found many things insightful and interesting. It gave me a clearer perspective on how to navigate my own higher education.
4/5 stars
Book 15 – Felicity by Mary Oliver
It’s certainly a decent poetry collection but except a few lines, it failed to be memorable for me. I would certainly give another work of this author a try since she’s Pulitzer Prize winner.
3.5/5 stars
Book 17 – The Grownup by Gillian Flynn
I had a blast reading this. It has been a while since I read a psychological thriller and I forgot what an EXPERIENCE such stories can be. I feel that the pacing was very good and nothing felt rushed. The twists were incredibly thrilling. Can’t wait to read more by Gillian Flynn.
4/5 stars
Book 18 – Lamb to the Slaughter by Roald Dahl
The first horror and adult piece of work I’ve read by Dahl and I can’t wait to devour more of the goriness.
4/5 stars
Book 19 – Confidence: How to Overcome Your Limiting Beliefs and Achieve Your Goals by Martin Meadows
The author gives impt insights and a much-needed push through these short books of his.
3/5 stars
Book 20 – YOLO Juliet by Brett Wright
Expected this to be much more funny and witty. It was just a retelling of the play through text messages which wasn’t refreshing to read.
2.5/5 stars
Children’s books are extremely important and this book explains why.
4/5 stars
Book 22 – Show Your Work!: 10 Ways to Share Your Creativity and Get Discovered by Austin Kleon
Must read if you are divulge in any creative work. Austin Kleon doesn’t waste words. He either motivates you, quotes from an expert, or gives you actionable advice. Both this book and Steal Like An Artist are gems really help you develop the mindset that an artist needs to have in the 21st century.
Book 23 – Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson
Pick this up if you’re anxious or uncomfortable with a change in your life.
3/5 stars
Book 24 – There Will Come Soft Rains by Ray Bradbury
The imagery in this story and the way a house comes alive and mourns is unlike anything I’ve ever read.
4/5 stars
Book 25 – As a Man Thinketh by James Allen
For me, this was just a basic book about the law of attraction and having a positive mindset.
2.5/5 stars
Book 26 – Tongue-in-Cheek: The Funny Side of Life by Khyrunnisa A.
This book narrates mundane daily events in the life of the author in a funny and witty way. Failed to enthrall me and I didn’t found the mundanity as charming.
3/5 stars
Book 28 – Grit: How to Keep Going When You Want to Give Up by Martin Meadows
Simple, assertive, explains ‘grit’ with science. Liking this author’s books a lot.
3/5 stars
Book 29 – Ice Candy Man by Bapsi Sidhwa
While the narration was very dry and it was hard to continue reading, can’t deny this book’s brilliantly stark portrayal of some happenings during the Partition.
3/5 stars
Book 30 – Holdout by Jacqueline Snowe
A fun roommate forbidden romance with great chemistry with a sassy teasing female MC.
4/5 stars
What an incredible feat! I am also very happy to see the transparency with which you’ve written this post/approached this challenge. However, despite the length of some of the books, I still think it’s such a difficult + brilliant thing to do!
If anyone could do it, it had to be you! And you did <3
I also admire how you've been able to, in a precise way, articulate the reading experience for each book!
Look forward to more of your bookish challenges xx
Thank you so much for this thoughtful comment :)) To more amazing reading experiences!
That’s awesome! I’m finding it hard to read 6 books in a month haha. I want to do 30 books too haha. Congrats on reaching the goal!
haha, I had a lot of time that month but now I’m back to reading 3-6 books.