Wow. January is nearly done but before it ends, it is time to complete a new book tag. One tradition often associated with the new year is a new year’s resolution so I opted to do the Resolutions Book Tag. Resolutions Book Tag was originally created by Mikaela Reads. This is a good starting point for my 2021 Reading Resolutions which I am still working on (HAHA!).

Without more ado, here is my version of the Resolutions Book Tag.

Exercise More
– Name a book that has made you want to leap up out of your seat (for any reason)

I’ve read Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express over a decade ago but I can still vividly recall how it made me fidgety. The tenterhook kept me at the edge of my seat. I wanted to solve the mystery quickly that I completed the book within a day. It was also memorable because it was my first venture into the prose of the phenomenal queen of suspense. It is even more memorable for it renewed my interest in suspense fiction; I read the book when I was losing interest in the said genre. Ten year thence, I have read more than 20 Christie novels.

Get Organised
– A book with an exceptional plot

There is quite a lot of books I have read that has exceptional and ingenious plotting. I guess this is one of the major factors why I am more of a plot-centric reader rather than a character-centric one. Of my most recent reads, I find Carlos Ruiz Zafon’s The Shadow of the Wind to have such an outstanding plot. It integrated elements of literature, suspense, and history in its labyrinthine narrative. There is an added bonus for I liked most of the characters and the atmosphere as well. It comes as no surprise that The Shadow of the Wind is one of my best and most memorable reads of 2020.

Learn A New Skill
– A book which taught you something

Another fairly recent read is Laura Esquivel’s Like Water for Chocolate. There’s quite a lot of blurb surrounding the book but I have always been hesitant about reading it thinking it was a short story collection. Of course it wasn’t, as I later learned. It is the story of a young woman whose mother refuses to let her marry because she is bound my heritage to take care of the mother. Accentuating the story of Tita de la Garza are ingredients to sumptuous Mexican dishes. It made me want to try and cook them because their smell seduced my olfactory senses. Virtually of course.

Live Life To The Fullest
– A book which inspired you

One of the most memorable books in my reading journey is Mitch Albom’s Tuesdays With Morrie. It is about a series of visits Albom made to his former sociology professor, Morrie Schwartz. Morrie was gradually dying from Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. During these visits, Morrie imparted to Albom his wisdom. It was a moving and powerful read to say the least. It was also filled with tender and nostalgic moments. Professor Morrie imparted many valuable lessons about life and living.

Save more money / spend less money
– The most expensive book you’ve bought and was it worth it?

I have bought so much books in the past few years that I can’t really remember which of is the priciest. However, of my most recent purchases, I think David Mitchell’s Utopia Avenue is the most expensive. It is my fourth Mitchell book and the third that I have read from his literary repertoire. His most recent work, it was my second read for the year. Honestly, it fell below my expectation as it lacked the madcap brilliance of Cloud Atlas or The Bone Clocks. Nevertheless, I still enjoyed the story about the titular band’s journey to fame.

Spend More Time With Family and Friends
– A character you would want to be best mates with

I don’t know. Maybe it would be great having the Little Prince as a friend. 🙂

Travel More
– A book with a location you’d love to visit

I wanted to name Barcelona because I wanted to witness Gaudi’s works. However, I already used The Shadow of the Wind as an answer. I then picked Elif Shafak’s 10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World which was set in another destination I badly want to visit – Istanbul. Ever since I saw a picture of it while I was a kid, it has been my lifelong dream to see in person Hagia Sophia. I am also fascinated by the various structures around the city. It is dream walking down Istanbul’s alleys and exploring the colorful souks.

Read More
– A book you are desperate to read this year

I would not say desperate but I really want to read the most recent Man Booker Prize winner, Douglas Stuart’s Shuggie Bain. I hope I get to obtain a copy of the book soon.

I hope everyone enjoyed my version of this book tag. If you found it a fun tag, and do your own version, please don’t forget to tag me so that I can also check your answers. And, as always, happy reading!

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