TBRChallenge at Blogchatter is a collective celebration of a variety of reads and an affirmation of our love for books. In 2023, the readers added more than 3000 books to their profiles, marking them as read and in many cases reviewed. 

We bring you a roundup of reads that were loved most. You just might like one of these and decide to add it to your TBR for the coming year.

Hot Stage by Anita Nair

A thriller that has a murder to be solved with a political commentary. Written by Anita Nair, one of India’s most acclaimed authors, this book is noir fiction at its best. This is the third book which features Borei Gowda. 

“In ACP Gowda, Nair has created a man of blood and bones, and not just a stereotypical detective character”, says Rahul Vishnoi about the protagonist. 

Nandi’s Charge by Arun Krishnan

For fans of historical fiction, this book explores our rich cultural heritage going back to 7th century! The reader gets to travel from Central Lanka to Ujjain and immerse themselves in battles being fought, and spies ferreting out secrets.

“The grand description of roads, cities, villages, people, forests, and houses makes this book very fascinating and can transfer the reader to ancient times”, says Khushbu Patel in her review of the book. 

Mad Sisters of Esi by Tashan Mehta

Fables, dreams and myths come together in this masterful work of fantasy by acclaimed author Tashan Mehta, sweeping across three landscapes, and featuring a museum of collective memory and a festival of madness, says the book blurb. One of the most enticing fantasy reads.

Mad Sisters of Esi is a truly unique and unforgettable novel… at its core, it’s an invitation to conjure our madness. Tashan Mehta’s writing is exquisite. She creates a world that is both familiar and alien, and her characters are complex and relatable.”, says Preeti Chauhan about her read.

The Yogi Witch by Zorian Cross

An enchanting novel about a witch who has magic powers but still has to navigate the matters of his family and heart. 

And there is so much about food, as Patikshya Mishra tells us, “ loved, loved the tea brewing recipes. Brahmi, lavender, ginkgo leaves, jasmine, star anis and spearmint leaves. Peppermint, ginger, lemongrass, organic honey and saffron. Beautiful description of food – preserves, pickles, tea cakes, charcuterie boards laden with cheeses and cold cuts, and Karah Prashad. A mix cauldron of cultures and religions. “

The Ex Factor by Harini Srinivasan

If you loved the vibes of Bridget Jones’ Diary, this is the book for you. It is about an overthinking obsessed young lady, Oinks and her own ramblings as she stumbles through life.

Aarti Arora says in her blog post, “With its witty narrative, and relatable scenarios, and a generous dose of humor, this romantic comedy is a delightful read that offers a dive into the Bengali family of Oindrilla Roy and her complexity in forming human connections.”

So these were our favourite reads of 2023

If you want to be part of a vibrant reading culture where people read each other, engage on their bookish content, take part in readathons and have a fun, interactive ReaderBoard to check their ranking, register for #TBRChallenge. You can register for it right in your dashboard. Also don’t forget to tell us about your favourite reads of the year. Tag us on socials if you do.

Happy reading in the new year and we hope you find some great reads!