2021: the year the pandemic raged on, I struggled through it like everyone, and read some big, chonky books. Looking back over the year, about 1/3 of what I read was over 500 pages! I did read some good books though and I’ll be catching up on my reviews in 2022. If you missed my last post, my goal this year is to return to weekly postings here on the blog.
HOW MANY BOOKS READ IN 2021?
–35 books
FICTION/NON-FICTION?
– 25 Fiction / 10 Non-Fiction
MALE/FEMALE AUTHORS?
– 12 Male / 12 Female
OLDEST BOOK READ?
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd by Agatha Christie (1926)
NEWEST BOOK READ?
Slushpile Memories: How NOT to Get Rejected by Kevin J. Anderson (August 26th, 2021)
LONGEST BOOK READ?
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry (908 pages)
SHORTEST BOOK READ?
The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman (32 pages)
ANY IN TRANSLATION?
Not this year!
BEST BOOK READ IN 2021?
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
MOST BEAUTIFULLY WRITTEN BOOK IN 2021?
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
MOST SURPRISING (IN A GOOD WAY!) BOOK OF 2021?
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
I would consider myself a fan of Leigh Bardugo, but until this year I’d only read her Six of Crows duology. I had heard some negative things about her first series and thought I might find it lacking after Six of Crows. While it wasn’t as good in my opinion, it did have all the signature aspects of her writing that I enjoyed with the duology: a strong voice, good banter, intriguing worldbuilding, and great pacing.
MOST THRILLING, UNPUTDOWNABLE BOOK IN 2021?
Origin by Dan Brown. In the latest Robert Langdon thriller, I was reminded why Brown is a master of this genre and why The DaVinci Code became a global phenomenon.
BOOK THAT HAD THE GREATEST IMPACT ON ME IN 2021?
The Hill We Climb: An Inaugural Poem for the Country by Amanda Gorman. The delivery of this poem during the inauguration was just phenomenal. I’m excited to see what’s next for Gorman.
BOOK THAT HAD A SCENE IN IT THAT HAD ME REELING?
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. This book has some really tough scenes in the middle. Pretty much every trigger warning you could have is encompassed in this book. Still, it is a stunning book and if you can depictions of physical violence, sexual violence, death, and racism, I would highly recommend the read. It didn’t win the Pulitzer for nothing!
BOOK I MOST ANTICIPATED IN 2021?
Serpent & Dove by Shelby Mahurin. I’ve been wanting to read this book for years and finally got to it.
MOST MEMORABLE CHARACTER IN 2021?
Amos from The Expanse series. I read 3 of these books this year. And then Vataea the vicious mermaid from All the Stars and Teeth.
HOW MANY RE-READS IN 2021?
None!
BOOK I READ IN 2021 I’D BE MOST LIKELY TO REREAD IN 2022?
On Writing by Stephen King
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Clockwork by Mike Michalowicz
BOOK I RECOMMENDED TO PEOPLE MOST IN 2021?
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig and Serpent and Dove by Shelby Mahurin.
FAVORITE NEW AUTHORS I DISCOVERED IN 2021?
James S.A. Corey, Shelby Mahurin, Adalyn Grace, Matt Haig.
MOST BOOKS READ BY ONE AUTHOR THIS YEAR?
A tie: 3 from Leigh Bardugo and 3 from James S.A. Corey
FAVORITE COVER OF A BOOK I READ IN 2021?
FAVORITE PASSAGE/QUOTE FROM A BOOK I READ IN 2021?
“The only way to learn is to live.”
– Matt Haig, The Midnight Library
DID I COMPLETE ANY READING CHALLENGES OR GOALS IN 2021?
No. I read A TON of chunky books this year which slowed me down and kept me from hitting my goal.
BOOK I CAN’T BELIEVE I WAITED UNTIL 2021 TO FINALLY READ?
Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey. I’ve heard a lot of good stuff about The Expanse book series and tv show. Definitely really enjoying this one even though this is probably the most hard sci-fi series I’ve ever read (even if the authors don’t think they’re hard sci-fi themselves lol).
FAVORITE BOOK OF 2021?
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
An early winner from 2021. Short and easy to read, I highly recommend it!
