tales of Suchita

I love the recent trend of making mood boards, character sketches, Spotify playlists and book trailers to give the reader an understanding of the vibe a book is going for. It’s such a cool way of engaging all your senses while reading, making it an immersive experience.

Like I just picked up a book because of its “grunge” take on the Arthurian legend where knights were not riding horses but motorcycles.

It got me thinking of myself, obviously. If I was to be a vibe, or if I were to describe myself using just books, what would my mood board look like?

It’ll have Pride and Prejudice to begin with. I mean if I’m not the literal embodiment of Mr. Darcy…

Awkward in social situations – check
Has limited friends – check
Loves sister and will commit crimes to protect her – check and check
Can aid people in need but doesn’t know how to express emotions – LOL

The next book would obviously be The Realm of the Elderlings. At this point, this series of 16 books is in my DNA. If a pathologist did my post mortem, they’d probably find the Fitz and the Fool in my bloodstream instead of toxins or alcohol. I have gone through every emotion possible while reading the books, felt I am different characters from the story on every re-read and completing it always leaves behind this pain in my chest that only certain books make me feel.

Iliad and Macbeth would come next. Iliad because it made me obsessed with Greek mythology. I love how completely chaotic it is. Everyone is marrying everyone, there are zero boundaries or rules following and not to forget, the epic punishments that are doled out just because. Macbeth for the love of Shakespeare, an appreciation of character complexities and the inherent sadness and tragedy of its characters.  

Any and every love story I have ever read because deep inside my outwardly strong heart, I’m basically a ball of emotions. I will cry if a character makes good choices, gets hugs and lives their best life. [I just finished reading Ander and Santi Were Here and swoooooon].

Em and the Big Hoom and Bombay Balchao will be books number six and seven. They appeal bigly to my Indian heart that loves Bombay in all its desperate and decaying glory. Also, just how much joy both books have despite their subject matters.

Last but not the least will be my newfound obsession with the Arthurian legend. Arthur the lovable but noble idiot (me), Merlin the magician (hello, me) and Uther the tyrant who sees only what he wants to see (ugh, also me). And not to forget the melancholy King Arthur feels when he realizes everything he ever wanted to achieve, he has achieved, and now must watch crumble.

I do believe that every book I have read, I have found some resonance in it. Maybe because at the end of the day, books are about the human experience and well I am human, the last time I checked. If it were possible, I would live inside a library.

Tell me a book that will make you squeal in delight if you saw someone else reading it.

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This post is a part of Blogchatter Half Marathon 2023 

Photo by Andrew Ridley on Unsplash