I can’t even imagine the number of books I plowed through during the years I breastfed our eleven babies. Any time I sat down to nurse, I had a book in my hands. Those small ten-minute windows of forced sitting allowed me to read hundreds of books. I am so glad smartphones didn’t exist yet. But once my breastfeeding years were over, I suddenly had to find time to read again.
I love to read and in the last two years, with the help of Goodreads and Instagram, I have kept a record of every book I read. Compiling my 2020 book list at the end of the year was a huge pain, so this year I plan to post now and update throughout the year. Be sure and bookmark this page, so you can reference it as I add more books.
Fiction Books I Read in 2021
Adulthood Rites: Xenogenesis Trilogy Book 2 by Octavia Butler
I enjoyed book two of this series just as much as book one. Throughout the first book, I was unsure of the Oankali’s motives and whether or not they were telling the whole truth to the humans. In short, with no spoilers, the first book, Dawn, shares the story of humans annihilating the earth and the Oankali (aliens) rescuing the survivors, taking them to space, having them sleep (think cryogenics) for hundreds of years. Finally, they begin awakening the humans, and “trading” DNA with them.
Adulthood Rites answered the question of motive for me and follows the life of Akin, the first human-born male from infancy to adulthood. Adulthood Rites is a well-written science fiction book by an African American woman. I am looking forward to reading book three in the trilogy later this year.
Hannibal by Thomas Harris
Hannibal is the third book in the Hannibal Lector series. I have enjoyed these, but if you don’t want to read about gruesome murders and cannibalism, these are not the books for you. Oh, and the ending is wrong, wrong, wrong…my son Judah and I had several discussions and came up with a much more satisfying and believable ending. Just saying.
Hannibal Rising
Finishing this book means I have completed the four book series about Hannibal Lecter. I have enjoyed all of these. Harris has a compelling writing style that draws you in. Hannibal Rising tells the story of how and why Lector became the serial killer and cannibal we see in the other three books. I expected to read a story of Lector being abused as a child, probably with a domineering mother, and definity the trifecta of budding psychopaths; bedwetting, fire starting, and killing animals.
I was 100% wrong about that.
Non-Fiction Books Read in 2021
Move the Needle: Yarns from an Unlikely Entrepreneur by Shelley Brander
A book about business and yarn. I’m not sure it gets any better than that. The only problem is I couldn’t put the book down (yes, it’s that good) but the more I read, the more I wanted to knit…such a dilemma. A fellow knitting friend pointed out I should have just listened to the audiobook while I knit. I fine idea, but too late since I already purchased a hardcover copy of the book.
The More of Less by Joshua Becker
You know I enjoyed a book about minimalism and gettting rid of STUFF. If you haven’t already read this book, you should. And soon.
Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport
This book is so, so good. I think everyone needs to read it. Halfway through the book, I deleted all social media (except for Instagram) off of my phone. I noticed an increase in my attention span immediately. No more mindless scrolling. Now, on my phone, I read books, play Words with Friends, and post on IG. Within days I was no longer grabbing my phone while waiting in line, or during any other 5-second pause in my life. Instead, I found myself looking around, thinking, and letting my mind wander. It is refreshing, and beautiful, and I am so glad I did it.
I dare you to read this book.
True Crime Books I Read This Year
The Spider and the Fly: A Writer, a Murdered and a Story of Obsession by Claudia Rowe
A weird story of a female journalist obsessed with a serial killer. Author Claudia Rowe had a traumatic childhood and a rocky marriage. She seeks an understanding of what happened to the serial killer, Kendall Francois, to turn him into a monster. Drawing on her own life experiences, she wonders what went wrong with Fraciois and if things would be different if he grew up in a stable home. I found this book and Rowe’s obsession really odd…and not insightful at all. I do not recommend this book.
Okay, friends, those are the books I completed so far this year. I will likely update this post once a month or so, reviewing the books as I read them.
What are you reading?
More Posts About Reading:
How to Read More Books This Year
I just read The Nazi Hunters by Neal Bascomb, which is a YA book (7th-9th grade recommendation) about the search for Adolf Eichmann after WWII. It was fascinating! I picked it up from the library randomly since one of my children is obsessed with spies and detectives. I’d recommend it for any kid (5th grade and above) interested in spies/WWII/the Holocaust. The same author wrote Hunting Eichmann for adult readers, and I suspect it’s even better. I’d definitely recommend this.
I am currently reading Mary’s Last Dance. It is the story of the wife of Li Cunxin. I have several library books to plough through. I have looked a t two books that advocate using tinned foods since I have only used tinned tomatoes. There were also two books about urban farming.