2021 Reads
It is time for my yearly review of the books I read in 2021. This year, I realized I seem to average around 40 titles per year, this year it was 38, sort of, I had 2 books at a half mark. Remember when I mentioned being good to yourself last week? Well, I realized I was torturing myself trying to finish those books to up my yearly number. Who even cares? Seriously, it is not a requirement that determines if I get to continue to call myself a librarian. I also noticed that a guy I follow on TikTok, Jaysen Headley (@ezeekat), had read 400 titles last year, why am I even keeping track? I am never going to break the 400 mark, honestly, it will be a banner year if I break the 50 mark. Why? Well, I also like watching TV, doing puzzles, kayaking, going out to eat, watching TikTok, yep, I am a complex person. 😉
I read 2 titles, because they were part of our Adult Reading Challenge: Vengeful by VA Schwab and On Earth We’re Briefly Gorgeous by Ocean Vuong. I enjoyed both of these reads and was reminded the importance of rescuing books that haven’t circulated. Were they my favorite, nope, not even in my top 10. I read Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe so I could fight with someone over it, not my best moment, but sometimes the pressure cooker needs to release some steam.
My top 10 reads, in no particular order: Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Circle by Dave Eggers, A Long Petal of the Sea by Isabel Allende, In the Wild Light by Jeff Zentner, The Invisible Life of Addie Larue by Victoria Schwab (the same author of Vengeful, don’t ask me why the author is listed differently), The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah, Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck (a reread), The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (also a reread), A Gentleman in Moscow by Amor Towles (a finish from a previous start), and Under the Whispering Door by TJ Kline.
Daisy Jones was a fun read, The Circle makes me despise technology (and like picking a scab I checked out his latest book today), A Long Petal and A Gentleman are beautifully written books to be savored slowly, In the Wild is just another great Zentner (love him!), Under the Whispering was a balm for my dark, worrisome soul, The Invisible Life was a wonderful read, but the three titles I left out, they were the best of 2021. The Four Winds by Kristen Hannah is amazing historical fiction that is about the Dust Bowl and led me to a reread Grapes and Jungle, what a time in the history of our nation. Hannah is right up there with Zentner in my list of favorite authors. If you have not read any of her work, you need to get yourself right with the Lord. I almost inserted another winky face, but I mean it, you will not regret reading: The Nightingale, The Great Alone or The Four Winds, if you feel otherwise, don’t talk to me.
Yep, I am pretty passionate about reading, but I feel like I need to highlight the 2021 “best” of those other things I like doing. My TV favorites include, Yellowstone, Midnight Mass, The Harder They Fall, The Power of the Dog, Old, Pig, True Story, A Boy Called Christmas, Squid Game, I am realizing I probably hit the 400 mark for TV, maybe they should take away my librarian title. I am still working on my favorite puzzle of 2021, which makes me realize, that I love them all and am especially endeared to the hard ones. As far as kayaking goes, when I flipped my canoe, although, not a favorite moment, sure was the funniest. Going out to eat, well, I particular enjoyed visiting La Paloma with Ashlee and David in Springfield, Lauren introducing me to some awesome onion rings at Just Jeff’s and John’s birthday dinner at Jeffrey’s (not to be confused with Jeff), which was more about the company (JT and Michelle) but also about the lobster bisque. The number one place to eat for 2021 is really all about hanging with my husband in “our” booth, sharing our meal and devouring the fried mushrooms, yep, sorry, Jeffrey’s, but Whittle’s has my heart. Tiktoks, hmmm, follow Under the Desk News, Koozebane, Zaen Nakvi, and Kevin James Thornton, they will inform you, make you dance, laugh and sing (Shamala Hamala).
All and all, 2021 wasn’t that bad. 😉
Upcoming Events: 1/12 Story Time at 10am, 1/13 Homeschool Group Activity 1:30pm, 1/13 Board Meeting at 5:15pm, 1/15 Story Time at the Ranch House at 9am. The Young Adult Reading Challenge has started (Adults can participate), swing by the library for more information.