While I was looking back at my 2021 book journal a few things stood out to me. First, I’d like to acknowledge that while I have kept a yearly list of all the books I have read since the 6th grade, 2021 was the first year that I wrote in a book journal for every single book I read during the year. (Thank you to my daughter for gifting me the book journal!) I found that I rather liked sitting down a day or two after I finished a book to write a few thoughts down about it. I think it helped me retain and form an opinion about what I had read. Sometimes I tend to breeze through a book too quickly for it to make much of an impression.
Second, I found that I enjoy nonfiction. I hadn’t consistently read nonfiction in any purposeful way before, but in 2021, I did try to read at least one nonfiction or spiritual/apologetics type book a month, and that helped me to try out new types of books (14 total). I am going to do my best to continue that trend for 2022.
A third eye-opener for me was that apparently, I really like mysteries. I didn’t realize how much I gravitated towards them until I added them up (31 total). However, “Hard-boiled/Noir” mysteries are not so much to my taste. I discovered this when I read “The Maltese Falcon” by Dashiell Hammett and was mostly lost till the middle of the book. I then re-watched (thinking that it would be easier to follow) the classic Humphrey Bogart movie of the same title and still found myself a bit baffled, although Humphrey Bogart was wonderful to watch.
I knew I tended to read a bit of young adult and junior fiction, but I think I enjoy it more than I realized (28 total).
It seems most books are written in a series these days. While I started several different series with a couple that I intend to read the next book(s), there were also a couple of series that I stopped purposefully not wanting to continue. I did manage to finish one 16 book (so far) series during the year and that was the “Maisie Dobbs” series by Jacqueline Winspear. I do recommend her books for any mystery and history buff. As in all series I enjoyed some of the individual books more than others, but generally I was pulled along by plot and writing very satisfactorily and kept picking the next book up.
Another category that I attempted to read more in was Pulitzer Prize winners for fiction. I’m not sure why that category was something I felt compelled to read more in, but I only managed to increase my total by three books. One was so annoyingly awful I almost didn’t finish it. I suppose even “experts” in literature can make a mistake. (hmmm)
I discovered that a 20 hour a week part time dream job at our local library really cuts into my reading time and my writing energy. I think I must be getting old. Still, I wouldn’t change a thing! My first passion will always be books and reading and I am amazingly blessed, privileged, happy and satisfied to spend part of most days with fellow book people and every day surrounded by books and reading and writing.
Thank you for sharing my journey and Happy Reading in 2022!
The Stats for 2021:
- Total Books Read: 105
- Nonfiction/Spiritual: 14
- Fiction: 63
- Junior/Young Adult Fiction: 28
- Favorite Re-Reads: “Black Beauty” by Anna Sewell, “Sense and Sensibility” by Jane Austen, “Watership Down” by Richard Adams
- Favorite First Time Reads: “Little Paris Bookshop” by Nina George, “The Starless Sea” by Erin Morgenstern, “The Water Dancer” by Ta-Nehisi Coates, “The Meaning of Everything” by Simon Winchester
- Least Favorite Reads: “Call Your Daughter Home” by Deb Spera, “Red Queen” by Victoria Aveyard, “The House on Hope Street” by Danielle Steele, “A Confederacy of Dunces” by John Kennedy Toole
I think it’s great that you include both favorite and least favorite reads – good post!
Thanks Jim!
Yes, you are a bibliophile! I request that you review or do mentions of some of your non-fiction/ spiritual choices, maybe sometime this year.
I have actually a few books sitting in my que in hoopla currently, but am reading Michele O Bama’s famous autobiography now. It’s good and I like her tone. I am only 1/4 through it and from where I am I enjoy her descriptions pf growing up on the South Side of Chicago.
In January I read Jessica Simpson’s “Open Book.” Before making any judgements just know, I know what you might say or think. I stumbled into it with an open mind, and fell into one woman’s life adventure. The book is thoughtful and full of humanity. She is a good writer and, well, despite all of the flaws and flubs she went through in younger days she is….I’m just sayin’.
I decided, partly due to your suggestion, that instead of just a list of the books I read each month, this year (2022) I would include a short review of each book as well.
“Becoming” by Michele Obama is in my “to be read” (TBR) pile. I will get to it some day! I am glad to know you are enjoying it.
I’m not really sure I know who Jessica Simpson is? Should I? Her name sounds familiar, but I can’t attach it to anything other than maybe a celebrity? Anyway, I’m sure she has led an interesting life.
Thank you Cheri! I love seeing what and HOW MUCH you read!! Wow, I am in awe! I will look over your authors again and put some in my queue. Your love of books is inspiring. ❤️
Thank you Lori!