The Mango Book Tag (Original)

Summer is in full swing here and that means mango season has finally arrived! This post was inspired by The Tiger at Midnight series by Swati Teerdhala. The main character, Esha, loves mangoes and that was one of the aspects that helped me relate to the book because the attachment between Indians and mangoes runs very deep. Today I’m bringing you prompts based on mango varieties from South India and some mango dishes that evoke a sense of nostalgia. This is a very personal tag as it represents the culture I grew up in and I hope I can get that sentiment across. Without further ado, let’s dive into the mango book tag!

Rules of the Mango Book Tag

1. Please tag a few friends to spread the mango love
2. Please mention the inspiration behind this tag, The Tiger at Midnight series by Swati Teerdhala, in your post
3. Please link back to this post so I can read your wonderful answers

Raw Mango

Your most anticipated release

I have a mango tree in my backyard and the sight of raw mangoes was always a joy. I was an energetic kid whose favourite pastime was to climb the tree and settle in the crook of its branches. My grandmother used to make raw mango juice from them in my childhood and I used to look forward to that every year. We also prepare raw mango rice for Ugadi, the Kannadiga (and Telugu) new year festival. So, raw mango fills me with a sense of anticipation and this is the connection to the prompt.

The Archer at Dawn by Swati Teerdhala

Banganapalli

Longest book on your TBR

Banganapalli is a popular South Indian variety of mango that is nicknamed the ‘king of mangoes’ and for good reason. It is widely believed to be the most flavoursome and tasty mango available in India. It is also one of the biggest varieties of mangoes, so I picked a prompt that plays on that aspect of it. My answer is not necessarily the book with the most pages on my TBR, but I decided to answer all questions with 2020 ARCs or books I’ve read so far this year. This is another highly anticipated release for me!

The Silvered Serpents by Roshani Chokshi

Alphonso

A hyped book you love

This is a hybrid variety that is popular for its sweet taste and is one of the most expensive varieties available in India. It is one of the most exported varieties as well and is well-known in foreign countries. That’s why I related that to a hyped or well-loved book. My pick is a re-read for me this year and I was blown away by it just as much as I was the first time. The final book is coming out in June and I can’t wait to see how this trilogy ends!

The City of Brass by S. A. Chakraborty

Totapuri

A book with a green or yellow cover

Most mangoes have a green hue when unripe and golden when they are ready to be eaten, so there’s no specific connection with this variety. However, I think this one is notable because it is recognised by its distinct shape. The fruit tapers into a shape that resembles a parrot’s beak and hence the ‘tota’ (Hindi for parrot) in the name. My pick for this prompt needs to get more hype because it sounds so good! It’s an #OwnVoices fantasy inspired by African culture and my next read if all goes to plan.

A Song of Wraiths and Ruin by Rosanne A. Brown

Neelam

A rainy day book recommendation

While mangoes and summer go hand-in-hand, this variety is most abundantly available in June. In South India, June is when the monsoon hits from the south-west, so it has a strong association with rain. The monsoon has a very special place in my heart not only because it’s a very distinct weather pattern unique to the subcontinent but also because I was born during this season. It usually always rains on my birthday and it’s something I look forward to a lot. A good rainy day recommendation, according to me, is a book that pulls you in and you can devour in one sitting with a cup of warm beverage while it’s pouring outside.

The Wolf of Oren-Yaro by K. S. Villoso

Mango Pickle

A book that makes you feel nostalgic

I find that our method of pickling is quite unique and that this word can mean many different things in different cultures. I highly recommend you look up the recipe if you like spicy food and I have it on good authority that mango pickles are the best. Pickles remind me of when my cousins would devour a bottle full of them when they were freshly made, hence the nostalgia. For this one, I had to go with a middle grade book featuring an Indian princess because it captures that feeling perfectly. This is the second book in the series, which I read this year and the third book came out in March.

Game of Stars by Sayantani DasGupta

Mango Kulfi

A feel-good book recommendation

I’m a huge dessert person and ice cream is my favourite thing in the world. However, the desi version is always better and I love kulfi with desi flavours. Since desserts are my comfort food, this was the natural pairing for me. Since we’re all going through a rough time, please do check out this wonderful Thai-inspired retelling of Les Misérables that will definitely make you feel better. Food plays a big role in the book, mainly the durian fruit native to Southeast Asia.

A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat

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I’m tagging some of my favourite bloggers (who I think enjoy mangoes as well) to do the Mango Book Tag –

• Charvi @ Not Just Fiction
• May @ Forever and Everly
• Sahi @ My World of Books
• Shruti @ This is Lit
• Simant @ Flipping Through the Pages

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Have you read The Tiger at Midnight yet? Did you like the prompts in the mango book tag? Which is your favourite fruit? Let me know in the comments section below. Have a stellar weekend, readers from Earth!

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