Friday, December 31, 2021

The Books of 2021



Gosh the reading was way down. Granted I was quite ill for most of 2021 and well, all of 2020. I try and reach a 100 books a year but fail usually. 2021 saw me reading barely 50.  Here's the list, 5 stars were a super read for me. BC is book club. DNF - did not finish, the agony of terrible writing exploding my brain.

For previous years see 

(1) Unravelling Oliver - Liz Nugent ****


(2) Lying in Wait - Liz Nugent ****


(3) The Abolutist - John Boyne ***


(4) The Brilliant Life of Eudora Honeysett - Annie Lyons ****


(5) Slow Horses - Nicke Heron ***


(6) The Guest Book - Sarah Baker *****


(7) Five Days Gone - Laura Cummings *****


(8) The City of Shadows - Michael Russell *****


(9) Purple Hibiscus - Chimande Ngozi Adiche *****


(10)The Searcher - Tana French **


(11)Eugelia's Daughters - Gerd Brantenberg ***1/2


(12)The Glass Hotel - Emily St.John *****


(13)The Arrangement - Robyn Harding 0


(14)Cruel Acts - Jane Casey ***


(15)Sins of the Mother - Irene Kelly ****


(16)The City in Darkness - Michael Russell ****


(17)The City of Strangers - Michael Russell *****


(18)The Dutch House - Ann Patchett *****


(19)The Old Drift - Nanwel Serpel DNF


(20)A Visit from the Goon Squad - Jennifer Egan DNF


(21)The Night Fire - Michael Connolly ****


(22)The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald (re-read for style) *****


(34)A Ghost in the Throat - Doireann Ni Ghriofa *****


(25)The Last Thing he Told me - Laura Dave ***


(26)The City of Lies - Michael Russell ***1/2


(27)The Midnight Library - Matt Haig **


(28)Moon of the Crusted Snow - Waubgeshig Rice ****


(29)Son of a Trickster - Eden Robinson **


(30)Our Darkest Night - Jennifer Robson ***


(31)God is not Great - Christopher Hitchen *****


(32)Local Woman Missing - Mary Kubica *****


(33)The City in Flames - Michael Russell ****


(34)Working the Rock - Frances Rooney *****


(35)The Best Kind of People - Zoe Whittall *****


(36)Memories of a Catholic Childhood - Mary McCarthy re-read *****


(37) The Springs of Affection - Maeve Brennan - *****


(38)Fight Night - Miriam Toews *****


(39)The Last Bookshop in London - Madeline Martin *


(40)Open-hearted - Ann Ingle *****


(41)The Longwinded Lady - Maeve Brennan *****


(42)Being Mortal - Atul Gavande *****


(43)Hostage - Clare Mackintosh ***


(44)Becoming - Michelle Obama {BC} ****


(45)Wintering - Katherine May *****


(46)Anxious People - Fredrick Backman  ***


(47)Born A Crime - Trevor Noah {BC} DNF


(48)Pluck - Donna Morrissey ***


(49)We Don't know Ourselves - Fintan O'Toole (1/2 way through, massive book)*****


(50)The Push - Ashley Audrain - just started.


22 comments:

  1. Thanks for this! Selected a few and put on my wish list at the library.
    Memories Catholic Childhood might be my first read of 2022!
    Wishing you all the best in 2022!

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    1. It was a re-read for me Jackie from the seventies I'd say. I glean a lot of good books from your blog.

      Backatcha with the 2022 wishes.

      XO
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  2. Happy reading (and a happier, healthier year) for 2022. I will have to explore your list more fully a little later.

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    1. I will explore yours too EC but I need to get through my annual bookflud. Lol.

      XO
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  3. This is a fun list. I think reading 50 or so books is an accomplishment. Before Covid I read about 50 a year and these past two years I am reading a few more, 70 in 2021.



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    1. Impressive Terra, I would like to see your list.

      XO
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  4. You do well to remember all the books you've read, or tried to read. If I go look at my list in my library account online, I bet a good many of them won't even seem familiar. Hmmm. I've read 5 on your list (the Great Gatsby was many years ago, however). - Kate

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    1. I keep a book journal Kate which really helps with the outline of plot and memorable quotes, etc. I do count my re-reads which the GG was. His style in that is superb.

      XO
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  5. I had read three on your list, two of which you gave 4 star ratings. I'm surprised you didn't finish "Born a Crime" by Trevor Noah. I found it very compelling and admired how far he has come from a poor start in life. Might you give it another try?

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    1. It was his writing style Chris, not the content which was compelling. His editorializing in particular. Certain writing styles get up my nose unfortunately and distract me from the story. Curmudgeonly I know. :D Happy New Year!

      XO
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  6. Way back in time I was a reader but then my husband didn't allow me to read (however did I allow that?) and I've never quite got back into the habit. I hope to read a book a month this year, which is comparitively few but a start.
    I might need to read your list for suggestions

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    1. Oh Kylie I am so sorry to read that. How we cede control of our inner selves (I've done it too). We lose our spirits for a while but I am so happy to see yours ignited. What genre of book do you like? I can send you a list maybe?

      XO
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  7. I don't recognise a single one of those on the list. I know the name Tana French and think I have read one of hers before, but possibly an e-book which I read many of, without remembering author or titles. all fiction of course. None literary, that's too deep for me. My e-book count is about 50 since September and real book count is about a dozen. I think I spend too much time on the computer.

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    1. Tana French's first books were compelling but now she is very uneven and perhaps disappointing. I don't go for literature (mostly) but I do re-read Jane Austen and George Elliot some years, like a palate cleanser. And an annual read of Ernest Hemingway.

      XO
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  8. I wish that I could list as many. My inability to stay focussed has meant that I have been able to read much less.

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    1. That's now like you at all my old friend. Was it a gradual or sudden shift? I set aside certain times for reading. Alas I no longer read in bed due to sight issues and sometimes book weight and I can't adapt to any kind of Ereader.

      XO
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  9. I also set a goal for myself to read more books than the previous year. In 2021, I made it to 71 books. My goal for 2022 is 100 books. Liked your list. I only read one of the books on it. "Becoming" by Michele Obama.

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    1. Yes, my target has always been 100 too PHOM but I don't believe I ever made it. Some books are huge. But I love getting wrapped up in them.

      I was pleased at my 50 as I was so distracted by my ill health most of the time.

      XO
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  10. Hooray! have been waiting for this. Enjoy seeing and comparing with what I have read as well. I made a face upon reading one of the commenters say her husband did not allow her to read. I had the same problem, needless to say the relationship did not last.

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    1. Control issues in relationships can be devastating and at times it's hard to leave due to financial pressure and child raising. So many just have to suck it up. At tremendous emotional cost.

      I'm so glad you could bail Marge as did Kylie.

      XO
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  11. I'm impressed! Normally an avid reader I did not finish even one book in 2021. Sigh. And I have not read even one of the books on your list -- so many books so little time!

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  12. Trevor Noah. Really? I liked him. Also, imho you underrate Tana French, but then it's your list ... which is impressive and impressively long. Happy new year of reading!

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