Bookish Thoughts : Getting ready for 2021!!

Yes, it is that time of the year. I am huffing and puffing with all my reading challenges. I think I bit more than I could chew. Whatever might be the issues with the past challenges, I always keep looking forward for new year challenges - Searching for prompts and preparing my own list of reading challenge.

Last year I had prepared my own list of Reading Challenge and here is what I read for 2021 Quirkysoul Reading Challenge.

1. A book that revolves around another book/bookstore/library -  I loved this one. Yeah yeah!! I know I prepared it but this was my most favorite prompt. Of course it is. I selected 84, Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff. It was a lovely book. It was the easiest to read as it was an epistolary.

2. A book authored by a Man Booker Prize Recipient -  I started with 'Girl,Woman, Other' by Bernardine Evaristo but could not complete it on time.

3. Any book by Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam - An inspiring prompt. 'Wings of Fire' can lift your confidence to a different level. Also it can humble you by many folds.

4. A book that revolves around any US President (Fiction/Non-Fiction) - I chose the fictional version. Had this prompt been for this year I would have had many options. I read The President Is Missing - James Patterson Bill Clinton' 

5. A book set in Japan - The idea behind this prompt was defeated by the pandemic situation. Olympics in Japan was postponed but I still followed the prompt to complete. Convenience Store Woman by Sayaka Murata, Ginny Tapley Takemori was a peculiar book and most recommended. It was a nice one and easy read.

Now for 2021 I have come up with 6 prompts. Unlike the previous year I have not thought many of them with logic.

I have taken up a few other challenges I am planning to clear my TBR shelf as much as possible.

My year in reading for 2020 will be up in my next post.

Hopes and prayers for nice new books to be published and to receive many books as gift in 2021.

Until then,

Happy Reading.

SPB - The soulstirrer

Truly 2020 has been terrible. The death of this legend took time to sink. I was in complete denial of SPB's passing away. I am one among the crores and crores of fans who have found refuge in voice for different situations in life. The name SPB has been synonymous to music for me. Music has been a great aid in my life and SPB has borne the major contribution in that.

I think I have taken his singing for granted. Now that I know his voice will not be heard in any new songs I feel the grief that encloses me. The next 4 days of the news, I was tearing up every time I have been hearing his songs.

SPB has been a familiar voice to me since my childhood. Especially the pathos genre. Even though I didn't know the meaning of lyrics, the songs could evoke the sadness in a five-year old me. 

I have also enjoyed his acting too in many of his movies especially in Manadhil Urudhi Vendum, Kadhalan, Keladi Kanmani, Ullasam.

I just wonder what I like about his singing. The foremost - the clarity of his pronunciation. Be it any language, his words were crystal clear. The next feature I love about his songs is the effortlessness. He makes us believe that his songs are not difficult to sing. Though only trained singers can do justice in recreating his songs. Also, the emotions he imbibes while singing can 

I have not seen him in person though I would have loved to have had an opportunity. He seemed like a very nice person - someone who enjoys life, respects others, taking things easy in life, humble. From what I see from anecdotes his friends and acquaintances quote, he was liked and loved beyond his music, for the human being he was. 

SPB sir's demise has created an incomprehensible void in my life and many other fans.

May his soul rest in peace!