Another year done. Another year lost(ish) to the plague that never ends. But at least we had books.
Ordinarily, I do a whole breakdown of stats for what I read this year, but all I could muster this time was fiction vs. nonfiction (69 vs. 16) and men vs. women authors (32 vs. 53). I know I read from a diverse population of authors, including a good amount of BIPOC, so that’s exciting. There were also three DNFs (Sophomores, The Promise, Dream Girl). The rest though? Doesn’t matter. Just like the fact that I will have finished 86 books by the end of this year doesn’t matter (I’m still working through one as I’m writing this, but will finish by the end of the year).
Of note: I decided I’m not participating in the Goodreads challenge next year. I think I’m going to still track my books using the app (paper and pen was my next choice but let’s face it, I’m forgetful and I’d lose track) but on a shelf I create rather than the challenge itself. I don’t think I like what that challenge has done.
People seem to feel more focused on hitting an arbitrary target or goal than focusing on the act of reading itself. Which, honestly, is the point. Reading to read. Not to have another metric by which to compare yourself to others. I’ve said it a dozen times – reading is not a competitive sport and I partly blame the Goodreads challenge for turning it into one. So I’m opting out.
I think there are a few other aspects of reading I’m a little disenchanted with, particularly around social media and I’m also considering muting or unfollowing a good amount of bookish IG and Twitter accounts. I miss when reading was just about the books. It’s so focused on pretty pictures and reviews and book hauls and it’s overwhelming at this point. I don’t mind some of the posts; I think I just follow too many accounts and it’s starting to make me unhappy. So it needs to go.
All of that said, here are my lists of yearly favorites. There were a lot of great books I read, but for one reason or another, these resonated with me more than others. Are they the best books I read? Maybe not. But they were my favorites.
OK. Now let’s see what your favorite books of the year were. Bloggers, link up below. Nonbloggers, leave a comment with a couple of your favorites. It’s also important that you visit my co-host Steph and some others joining us. And don’t forget that the Show Us Your Books fun will continue into 2022, with the first one on January 11.
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I hear you on reading challenges/goals. I’m currently trying to finish a book which I am not enjoying so I can complete a reading challenge nobody (but myself) expects me to. Why?!
That said, I enjoy being able to track what I’ve read and add to a TBR list.
I’ve heard so much about The Last Thing He Told Me and Malibu Rising.
Thank you to you and Steph for hosting this link up each month (and this extra one at the end of the year).
A lot of good books here. I can’t wait to go through everyone’s lists.
I always read too much anyway, so I never got too into the Goodreads thing, but I saw a sort of argument about what counts as reading and it made me sad. Reading had brought me so many friends with common interests isn’t that better than worrying about if graphic novels, kids’ books, or audiobooks count as reading? It’s a hobby, not filing taxes or something.
I almost had The Incredible Winston Browne on my list. Still have your copy of Razorblade Tears to read!
Razorblade Tears was a good one! I loved Malibu Rising and The Plot as well. The Last Thing He Told Me is one that I got from the library this summer but didn’t end up getting to it, but I think I may need to try to get it again since it made both of your lists!
I understand what you mean about the competition of it all. I feel bad because I read a lot and people focus on that rather than on my actual thoughts on the books I read!
Dara recently posted…2021 Book Favorites
No link to add – but my favorite books were The Guest List by Lisa Foley, The Storyteller by Dave Grohl, The Book of Longings by Sue Monk Kidd, Clap when You Land by Elizabeth Acevedo, and This Tender Land by William Kent Krueger. I gave up on the Goodreads challenge awhile ago … I mean, I still enter a number so I can pull up that year’s books, but I haven’t hit my goal number since ever. It’s not even a lofty goal (or so I thought) – if I’m not in a reading funk, I seem to pick longer or more challenging books.
Thanks for hosting! I’m hoping to link up tomorrow. I absolutely agree that bookish social media isn’t bringing me as much joy as it used to. I loved finding new authors and new books on instagram, but I’m not looking for pretty pictures or book stacks. I want someone to say “I couldn’t put this book down, read it now” with a normal picture of the book in their lap. I know that’s not how it works, especially if you are sharing ARCs but I’ll keep looking.
I read The Last Thing He Told Me and Malibu Rising this year and I loved them both! I enjoyed Concrete Rose, too. I am trying to read more nonfiction this year. I’m going to stick with the Goodreads challenge because I like the stats at the end of the year (longest book, shortest book, etc.) and the collage of all my books. Also, I am pretty competitive by nature so I like to see how far ahead or behind my goal I am. It doesn’t drive my reading though. The joy I get from reading drives it.
Sarah recently posted…Monthly Musings – 12/30/21
I have read precisely none of your favourites! I really want to read As Good As Dead.
I tend to shy away from reading challenges as well as I like to just focus on the enjoyment of losing myself in a great story.
I was one book away from my goal and even though that’s *so* close, I am way too much of a mood reader to try and force read something just check off that reading goal. Razorblade Tears is high on my list to read next year!
I use Goodreads to keep track, so I end up doing the “challenge” but I don’t worry about the number really. But if it makes you too competitive or unhappy, then definitely just make a shelf and track that way! 🙂
The Plot is one that I still want to read. It looks really good!
-Lauren
So many on your list that have been on my radar but I have not gotten around to – I think that The Plot, Concrete Rose, and Crying in H Mart are all moving up the queue based on this. I loved The Last Thing He Told Me and The Survivors too – just the right kind of satisfying mystery/family secrets kind of stories for me that I am always looking for the next one of. And I soooo wanted to love Razorblade Tears but just couldn’t do it with the violence. The premise and the themes were so interesting to me though, and his writing is great – might have to return to it later.
I have not yet read any of those! Definitely a few to be added to my list for this year. Thanks for sharing, and happy new year!
Becki recently posted…To Love and To Loathe – Book Review
You’re not the first person I’ve seen lately who is walking away from the Goodreads challenge. A lot of my friends love The Storygraph but I’m not sure I have the time/desire to try a whole new app/website for tracking. I like Goodreads but I definitely see where you’re coming from.
I still think about Malibu Rising from time to time these days. Such great characters. H Mart is on my list.
I don’t feel a lot of pressure from the GR challenge, but I’m likely not as immersed in the online book world as you. I definitely understand what you’re saying about Bookstagram, though. I tried creating one over the last few years and it kind of kills my reading vibes. I don’t want to snap a filtered photo of my book… I just wanted to read it. Lol. I only follow other IG book readers on that profile, though, so it IS nice to have that filtered out over there and not on my main feed.
Apparently, I NEED to read The Last Thing He Told Me. It’s on everyone’s lists!
Audrey recently posted…Bring on the New Year – 2021 Recap