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The Year That Was – 2016 Round Up

Maliny Mohan

 

IMG_20161229_195350.JPGI see blog posts on 2016, the year that is soon going to disappear like a wisp of air right in front of our eyes and wonder whether I should be writing one on the topic too. Writing a post at the end of every month recollecting the good and bad things that completed the month was a new year resolution few moons back. When the fact remained so, pangs of guilt reappeared from that dejected, dusty corner of my heart nudging me to at least provide a fulfilling end to the year at the least. Thus arose this decision to write a post on the five incidents that happened over a span of 12 months, bringing with them reasons to smile, rejoice and be proud about.

I don’t know how it affects you, but for me, year-ends have always brought mixed emotions to my mind. I contemplate the influence the best and the worst moments had on my life all through the year, which results in making me sad or happy depending on the nature of the fleet of thoughts. Last year, I happened to write down a few resolutions, inspired by a few fellow bloggers and I am proud to say that I managed to keep up with most of them, albeit the times saw me straying from the decisions on and off. Still, I managed to follow them to the best of my ability and owing to that sole reason, I am tempted to write down a few resolutions for 2017 too. I couldn’t complete the 2016 Goodreads reading challenge, though. I fell short of 8 books when my goal was to devour 50 books. The tide was flowing in my favour during the first half of 2016, but it began to wax and wane in the latter half as I joined for higher studies in my preferred field of medicine. Studies hold the first priority in my life and the realisation succeeds in soothing me every time.

Before I slip into one of those contemplative moods, let me summarise my five life altering moments of 2016 :

  1. The beginning of the year saw me receiving an advice memo to join the Government Health Service as a junior doctor. My parents were exhilarated by the same and I joined in the celebrations, even though I was apprehensive about the choice at first. I had completed two years of my post graduation course in a surgical speciality and I was being made to join a post where I would find it almost impossible a task legally to perform surgeries. I went ahead with my decision nevertheless and I worked for around seven months in the Government sector, looking after general health conditions not completely related to my field of specialisation. The job was good in parts, but had its drawbacks too. All in all, this indeed was a turning point in my life, whether I am ready to accept it or not.
  2. Equally life changing was my decision to prepare for further studies in my area of specialisation, for which I needed to attend another entrance examination. I had written a whole other post on the same and so, I would keep it short this time. I managed to clear the entrance and right now, I am pursuing my higher studies at a hospital ten hours away from my home. img_20161229_195546
  3. After I joined the course, ironically, I started focusing more on my blog. I rediscovered the inexplicable joy that I experienced when I used to blog in the years I started blogging. The thrill of exploring other blogs, sharing my words with them and reading them in times when I would be low found a new meaning altogether. I am happy to have joined Write Tribe, an online blogging community too, where I found a few fellow bloggers in the form of Anamika, Esha, Corinne, Parul, Nabanitha, Sanchie, Shantala whose words pacified the vulnerable soul in me. I would be indebted to them and their writing for opening a whole new world of peace and placidity to me.
  4. I started reading more too after joining the course, which feels inappropriate to me as I hark back how I used to neglect my bond with books during my MBBS years. I used to wait for long vacations to finally at least bring back the yearning to read. Whereas these days, I feel that reading under any given circumstance completes the writer in me as well.best-books-book-youll-ever-read-1
  5.  I started a new feature on my blog termed ‘Author Talk’ where I host authors in the form of their guest posts or interviews, because as a writer I love being offered a peep into the life of an author. I know my readers would love it too and the response I received for my very first column featuring author ‘Preethi Venugopala’ was superlative. Do be on the lookout for the session that is about to be unveiled this Sunday, on the first of January, for I shall be bringing to you a luminous personality who is the author of two novels and an integral part of many an anthology.

There are a few other incidents too regarding my personal life which deserve to be acknowledged more – such as the deepening bond between my parents and me, the enticing moments I spent with my cats at home who elevate my soul in more ways than one, the many good times I spent in the company of my friends and many more. In addition to that, a poetry book which featured ten poems of mine called ‘The Garden of Love’ released in October and the aspiring author in me could never speak less of the achievement.

I was fortunate enough to read some extremely well written books in 2016 and before I end this post, I would list the best books I read this year; however, they are listed in no particular order ( I almost cried out in sheer bliss looking at all the wonderful books which kept me company in 2016! I can only imagine how people who read 200-300 books in a year would feel)

Most Favourite Of The Books I Read In 2016:

IMG_20161229_200246.JPG

  1. The Vegetarian by Han Kang, Deborah Smith
  2. Family Life by Akhil Sharma
  3. Landour Days by Ruskin Bond
  4. What we keep by Elizabeth Berg
  5. My Name Is Lucy Barton by Elizabeth Strout
  6. Everything I never told you by Celeste NG
  7. 1984 by George Orwell
  8. Runaway by Alice Munro
  9. The Green Road by Anne Enright
  10. The Cement Garden by Ian Mcewan

The Seven Best Indian Author Books I read in 2016:

  1. Ours Are The Streets by Sunjeev Sahota
  2. Ghachar Ghochar by Vivek Shanbhag, Srinath Perur
  3. One Point Two Billion by Mahesh Rao
  4. Shadow In The Mirror by Deepti Menon
  5. In The Light Of Darkness by Radhika Tabrez
  6. Heart and Hots by Ruchi Singh
  7. Birds Of Prey by Archana Sarat
  8. Ananya by Shilpa Gupta
  9. Knitted Tales by Rubina Ramesh

In a nutshell, 2016 was not a bad year after all and I owe it to my readers, my parents, my friends and to the innumerable experinces I have been gifted with. At this juncture, I can only remain humbled and wish for an equally beautiful, if not better year in 2017.

So, how did 2016 treat you? Do you have any good stories to share with me?

~~~~~

Published by Maliny Mohan

Doctor. Author. Blogger. Free-spirited soul. Piscean.

33 thoughts on “The Year That Was – 2016 Round Up”

  2. It’s so good to know about your year 2016. I am over the moon to see my book in your list along with such esteemed authors. You have made my day or shall I say year!! 🙂
    Wishing you A Very Very Happening year 2017!

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  9. You sure have had a busy year Maliny. Loved knowing about your triumphs and how you’re ending the year with a feeling of fulfillment and cheer.
    Thank you for sharing the list of books you enjoyed reading because am forever on a lookout for book recommendations.
    Wishing you the best in 2017 🙂

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  11. Congratulations on clearing that entrance and pursuing your love!

    There are many ups and downs for all of us every year, I’ve had my share of them too.

    Good that you find bliss in reading and writing. Have a great 2017 😊

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  13. Pingback: Author Talk – Deepti Menon | Maliny Mohan

  14. You’ve had an incredible year…I didn’t realise you were studying while blogging so much! I’m impressed! And you manage to read heaps too! Wow! I hope 2017 is wonderful to you.

    And thanks for the list of books and authors — will be adding a few to my list. Oh and I loved Everything I never told you by Celeste Ng…such a heartbreakingly beautiful book!

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  16. Wow! what an eventful year you had there Malini.. managing your passion along with your calling takes a lot of grit and patience . You managed so much .. reading books , connecting with bloggers and yet focusing on trying to fulfill your dreams.
    That collage is beautiful and it gives a glimpse of the brilliant memories you’ve collected through the year.
    Its great to connect with you and I look forward to explore your blog and the interesting nooks and corners you’ve created here ..

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  17. It’s been a good year for me and honestly. I am happy with what I got. My Goodreads challenge was too high and reached 40 books in comparison to the 100 I wanted to read. This time, I am keeping it at 50.

    Keep believing and following your dreams. Happy and blissful New Year.

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  20. A year well spent with several achievements. Many congratulations dearie 🙂 And thank you for the shout out. It has been a joy getting to know you too. ❤

    Btw, I loved reading your list of favorites. Among them I do have 1984 on my TBR, but have stayed away from it as I found it a little intimidating. Your recommendation surely bumps it up in my list. Thank you for sharing. 🙂

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