Reading challenge 2021
- Thread starter Wendy1985
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Simba's Mom
everything went to "H*** in a handbasket
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For those of you who loved "The Last Year of the War" (that includes me), the author, Susan Meissner, has a new book coming out "The Nature of Fragile Things" on February 2nd
jen7233
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Audiobooks listened to:
3. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. True-ish based story of Ludwig "Lale" Sokolov that was imprisoned and worked at the location and job as the title states.
4. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. Inspired apparently on a true story, have not looked up any other details. Paris born Jew Eva Traube escapes to another location in France, where she meets and collaborates with others in resistance as a document forger. Used a book as an encryption method to not forget the original names of those that were on the run whether Jews, Allie conspirators, etc. and had forged documents done for them to change identities so they can escape or not be rounded up.
3. The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris. True-ish based story of Ludwig "Lale" Sokolov that was imprisoned and worked at the location and job as the title states.
4. The Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel. Inspired apparently on a true story, have not looked up any other details. Paris born Jew Eva Traube escapes to another location in France, where she meets and collaborates with others in resistance as a document forger. Used a book as an encryption method to not forget the original names of those that were on the run whether Jews, Allie conspirators, etc. and had forged documents done for them to change identities so they can escape or not be rounded up.
willowsnn3
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05/60 The Guest List by Lucy Foley
From Goodreads:
The bride ‧ The plus one ‧ The best man ‧ The wedding planner ‧ The bridesmaid ‧ The body On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed. But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast. And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?
I did enjoy this one so would recommend.
From Goodreads:
The bride ‧ The plus one ‧ The best man ‧ The wedding planner ‧ The bridesmaid ‧ The body On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed. But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast. And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?
I did enjoy this one so would recommend.
HiStitch626
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8/100 Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline
This is a sequel to Ready Player One, a book I enjoyed very much. This book has a similar structure where Wade and his friends have to overcome challenges to solve a quest. There are also a lot of references to 80s pop culture, if you enjoy John Hughes and Prince, you will definitely relate to this book. I did not like this one as much as the first, but it was still enjoyable. 4/5 I can also recommend the audiobook of Ready Player One. It is read by Wil Wheaton and he has the perfect voice for it.
This is a sequel to Ready Player One, a book I enjoyed very much. This book has a similar structure where Wade and his friends have to overcome challenges to solve a quest. There are also a lot of references to 80s pop culture, if you enjoy John Hughes and Prince, you will definitely relate to this book. I did not like this one as much as the first, but it was still enjoyable. 4/5 I can also recommend the audiobook of Ready Player One. It is read by Wil Wheaton and he has the perfect voice for it.
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HiStitch626
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9/100 The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison
This book is written in alternating voices by Jodi and Todd who have been together for 20 years. Their relationship is seemingly solid, but maybe it's not. When Todd makes a decision that changes things, Jodi decides how to move forward. Definitely psychological, but I would not describe it as a thriller. The alternating voices are interesting as the couple sometimes views the same event in two completely different ways. The book took some turns that I was not expecting. I really enjoyed this and would have liked to read more from the author. Sadly, she passed away just before the book was published. 4/5
This book is written in alternating voices by Jodi and Todd who have been together for 20 years. Their relationship is seemingly solid, but maybe it's not. When Todd makes a decision that changes things, Jodi decides how to move forward. Definitely psychological, but I would not describe it as a thriller. The alternating voices are interesting as the couple sometimes views the same event in two completely different ways. The book took some turns that I was not expecting. I really enjoyed this and would have liked to read more from the author. Sadly, she passed away just before the book was published. 4/5
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melk
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4/35 Well-Behaved Indian Women by Saumya Dave
Three generations of Indian women struggle with their identities while they deal with the pressure of being the “perfect Indian woman.”
I liked this book. It’s always interesting to read about other cultures and in this case it was fascinating to read about arranged marriages, family pressures and the pressure in particular on Indian women to balance family, in-laws, household duties and career.
Three generations of Indian women struggle with their identities while they deal with the pressure of being the “perfect Indian woman.”
I liked this book. It’s always interesting to read about other cultures and in this case it was fascinating to read about arranged marriages, family pressures and the pressure in particular on Indian women to balance family, in-laws, household duties and career.
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Colleen27
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I'm a fast reader without losing anything in retention/absorption, and I have the ability to read in stolen moments here and there without losing track of where I'm at in the material. Those are my only secrets, and unfortunately, I don't think either of them was learned so I couldn't begin to teach them. I read the way some people do social media - when I'm waiting in the pickup line at my daughter's school, or in the waiting room at an appointment, or doing the less active parts of cooking dinner, I have a book open. I also don't watch TV, not for any philosophical reason but because I have a much harder time with attention to video and because we only have one TV and my husband is a sports addict, which frees up more time for reading.
Colleen27
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#1/156 - Thunder & Roses by Mary Jo Putney
A fun, light historical romance to start the year, this one was a nice, engrossing read that didn't demand too much mental energy... which was perfect, since I was reading it on New Year's Day while DH & DS watched football.
#2 - Once a Soldier by Mary Jo Putney
When I pick up a historical I like through one of my ebook apps, I often look to other titles by the same author for subsequent reads since it can be really hard to sort the good from the bad, especially on Kindle Unlimited where there seems to be a bottomless well of mediocre self-published romances available. Unfortunately, that strategy didn't work out so well with this one. The book was sort of meh throughout, with weak, contrived conflict and forgettable characters.
#3 - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
I downloaded this one to read on a flight and absolutely could not put it down. Heartbreaking and beautiful and topical and timely, it is a masterfully written story centering around themes and events that are inescapable in our current moment, and the fact that as a YA book the whole story is told through the eyes of a teen with all the emotional impact of how street violence and police violence effects young black Americans made it hard to read at times and impossible to forget.
#4 - The Lost Book of the White by Cassandra Clare
Back to the Shadowhunters world with the second story in a trilogy I started reading last year centering around one of my favorite characters from the universe, this one was precisely as expected... which is to say it did not disappoint. The main character is funny and wild and the conflict always over the top and engrossing, and this thread in the bigger series embodies what I liked so much in the original books but found lacking in some of the other spin-off series.
#5 - Crescent City by Sarah J Mass
The first book in a new series by an author I discovered when she was writing YA but who has since moved into adult fiction, I didn't enjoy this one as much as the other new-adult series she authored. The world was less fantastic, though it is still a universe with all manner of mythological beings, and the social/political themes more explicitly laid out in an almost overly direct way. And I didn't find either of the two main characters particularly likeable, which didn't help. I'm not sure I'll bother picking up the next book in the series when it is released.
#6 - Why We're Polarized by Ezra Klein
My first non-fiction read of the year, and man was it a doozy. This book is excellent, insightful and thoroughly researched, going into the psychological, historical, political and cultural reasons American politics have become so much more polarized over the last few decades. It was immensely readable in the way book-length fiction authored by a good journalist can be - written with an economy of words and a directness of meaning that makes complex ideas flow from one point to the next without embellishment or distraction. But it was also a tough subject to wrap my head around, as someone who is involved in political activism on a grassroots level, simply because it presented a case that is deeply disheartening in many ways and which doesn't bode particularly well for the near future of our political climate.
A fun, light historical romance to start the year, this one was a nice, engrossing read that didn't demand too much mental energy... which was perfect, since I was reading it on New Year's Day while DH & DS watched football.
#2 - Once a Soldier by Mary Jo Putney
When I pick up a historical I like through one of my ebook apps, I often look to other titles by the same author for subsequent reads since it can be really hard to sort the good from the bad, especially on Kindle Unlimited where there seems to be a bottomless well of mediocre self-published romances available. Unfortunately, that strategy didn't work out so well with this one. The book was sort of meh throughout, with weak, contrived conflict and forgettable characters.
#3 - The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
I downloaded this one to read on a flight and absolutely could not put it down. Heartbreaking and beautiful and topical and timely, it is a masterfully written story centering around themes and events that are inescapable in our current moment, and the fact that as a YA book the whole story is told through the eyes of a teen with all the emotional impact of how street violence and police violence effects young black Americans made it hard to read at times and impossible to forget.
#4 - The Lost Book of the White by Cassandra Clare
Back to the Shadowhunters world with the second story in a trilogy I started reading last year centering around one of my favorite characters from the universe, this one was precisely as expected... which is to say it did not disappoint. The main character is funny and wild and the conflict always over the top and engrossing, and this thread in the bigger series embodies what I liked so much in the original books but found lacking in some of the other spin-off series.
#5 - Crescent City by Sarah J Mass
The first book in a new series by an author I discovered when she was writing YA but who has since moved into adult fiction, I didn't enjoy this one as much as the other new-adult series she authored. The world was less fantastic, though it is still a universe with all manner of mythological beings, and the social/political themes more explicitly laid out in an almost overly direct way. And I didn't find either of the two main characters particularly likeable, which didn't help. I'm not sure I'll bother picking up the next book in the series when it is released.
#6 - Why We're Polarized by Ezra Klein
My first non-fiction read of the year, and man was it a doozy. This book is excellent, insightful and thoroughly researched, going into the psychological, historical, political and cultural reasons American politics have become so much more polarized over the last few decades. It was immensely readable in the way book-length fiction authored by a good journalist can be - written with an economy of words and a directness of meaning that makes complex ideas flow from one point to the next without embellishment or distraction. But it was also a tough subject to wrap my head around, as someone who is involved in political activism on a grassroots level, simply because it presented a case that is deeply disheartening in many ways and which doesn't bode particularly well for the near future of our political climate.
jen7233
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That's a good point, reading in moments here and there. I do have a little trouble following the continuity though if I'm not finishing a chapter. But, I am trying to find more moments to grab the book. I do get distracted with podcasts or YouTube videos, that is time I could be reading or at least listening to audiobooks. I just knocked out two audiobooks doing that, listening while making dinner, or doing chores, rather than podcasts. I also hardly watch any TV or movies, the streaming services we have is definitely for DH an avid movie watcher and also likes sports, and kids!
Tiggerish
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Strawberries and Strangers by Leena Clover. Book 1 of the Pelican Cove Cozy Mystery series. This was a free download and an okay read but feel no need to seek out more in the series.
Songbird -A King's Lake Investigation by Peter Grainger. British police procedural. An interesting read. I have read one other of this series.
Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury. Christian romantic fiction by a big time author. I found it heavy handed in its dealing with a sensitive subject (pro-life) but it did have a happy ending.
6-8 of 104
Songbird -A King's Lake Investigation by Peter Grainger. British police procedural. An interesting read. I have read one other of this series.
Shades of Blue by Karen Kingsbury. Christian romantic fiction by a big time author. I found it heavy handed in its dealing with a sensitive subject (pro-life) but it did have a happy ending.
6-8 of 104
PollyannaMom
I was a click-clack champ!!
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Just came across this on Pinterest, and thought of this group! -
SaintsManiac
Wait for it.
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4/40– Anne of the Island by L.M. Montgomery
My Goodreads rating 4 out of 5 stars.
This series is my escape from reality! Just what I needed this crazy month.
My Goodreads rating 4 out of 5 stars.
This series is my escape from reality! Just what I needed this crazy month.
Allison Joy
DIS Veteran
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So I somehow have three books to add already. Probably because two I had started in 2020 and one was a children's book.
Book 1/15 -- Gatefather by Orson Scott Card -- Last in the "Mither Mages" series. This is a series that takes place on earth and another planet in modern times. Some people have god-like powers. On earth, they have hidden themselves away (much like wizards in Harry Potter) and in the other planet, they are known amont "drowthers" or people without powers. Passing between a "Great gate" enhances these powers, and can even make drowthers aware of powers they didn't know they had. In the first book, Danny, the MC, discovers he can make a great gate. IN the second, he makes one with terrifying and unintended consequences. The third he tries to figure out how to mitigate the problems caued by the passing through the great gate. Very good and satisfying ending, and not the ending I was expecting, either. There are a bunch of religious references, but it wasn't ABOUT religion, if that makes sense.
Book 2/15 -- Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson -- I had been using this book as a "filler" book when I had gaps between library pickups. It's a non-fiction book about Christian artists/creatives and community, how creativity can be used, and also a memoir of Andrew Peterson, as he was writing both books and songs. Not a "how too," but definitely an encouraging book if you're wondering how you as a "creative" can fit into the church.
Book 3/15 -- Henry and the Chalk Dragon, by Jennifer Trafton and illustrated by Benjamin Schipper -- A delightful children's book (long(ish) chapter book) about a boy who draws a dragon on his chalkboard door. He is afraid to show anyone at school his artwork. But one day, his dragon tries to escape. He is forced to stuff it into his backpack along with his other drawings. Once at school, the drawings come to life and wreak havoc all over the school. Although it is written by a Christian author, it's not a Christian book. There is one reference to David and Goliath and one to another Bible story that has also made its way into common culture. It lterally only mentions names/story, and does not go into any depth. Definitely readable by anyone, and could easily be used in a public school.
There's an interesting connection between books 2 and 3 on my list, too. I read book three because it was HIGHLY recommended in a group I'm a member of called "The Rabbit Room" which Andrew Peterson created for Christians in the arts. All I knew is it was recommended reading and a children's book, so I knew I'd like it. I didn't realize until I was reading the acknowledgements that Jennifer is actually Andrew's sister-in-law!
I will NOT keep up this pace for the rest of 2021, I can tell you that.
Book 1/15 -- Gatefather by Orson Scott Card -- Last in the "Mither Mages" series. This is a series that takes place on earth and another planet in modern times. Some people have god-like powers. On earth, they have hidden themselves away (much like wizards in Harry Potter) and in the other planet, they are known amont "drowthers" or people without powers. Passing between a "Great gate" enhances these powers, and can even make drowthers aware of powers they didn't know they had. In the first book, Danny, the MC, discovers he can make a great gate. IN the second, he makes one with terrifying and unintended consequences. The third he tries to figure out how to mitigate the problems caued by the passing through the great gate. Very good and satisfying ending, and not the ending I was expecting, either. There are a bunch of religious references, but it wasn't ABOUT religion, if that makes sense.
Book 2/15 -- Adorning the Dark by Andrew Peterson -- I had been using this book as a "filler" book when I had gaps between library pickups. It's a non-fiction book about Christian artists/creatives and community, how creativity can be used, and also a memoir of Andrew Peterson, as he was writing both books and songs. Not a "how too," but definitely an encouraging book if you're wondering how you as a "creative" can fit into the church.
Book 3/15 -- Henry and the Chalk Dragon, by Jennifer Trafton and illustrated by Benjamin Schipper -- A delightful children's book (long(ish) chapter book) about a boy who draws a dragon on his chalkboard door. He is afraid to show anyone at school his artwork. But one day, his dragon tries to escape. He is forced to stuff it into his backpack along with his other drawings. Once at school, the drawings come to life and wreak havoc all over the school. Although it is written by a Christian author, it's not a Christian book. There is one reference to David and Goliath and one to another Bible story that has also made its way into common culture. It lterally only mentions names/story, and does not go into any depth. Definitely readable by anyone, and could easily be used in a public school.
There's an interesting connection between books 2 and 3 on my list, too. I read book three because it was HIGHLY recommended in a group I'm a member of called "The Rabbit Room" which Andrew Peterson created for Christians in the arts. All I knew is it was recommended reading and a children's book, so I knew I'd like it. I didn't realize until I was reading the acknowledgements that Jennifer is actually Andrew's sister-in-law!
I will NOT keep up this pace for the rest of 2021, I can tell you that.
drwitz
Living the dream in Florida!
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When did this come out? I LOVED Ready Player One and didn’t know there was a sequel in progress.
HiStitch626
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I think Ready Player Two was released just before Christmas, but I had to wait a little while from my library to get it.
cruisefortibet
Earning My Ears
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I'll join! I'm on goodreads and have a goal of 36 books for 2021.... already read a couple so I'll share here:
1/36: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
I was really having a hard time letting Christmas go after it ended last year, so I just had to read a cozy Christmas story. A bit of fluff and it made me want a cozy winter cabin getaway.
2/36: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
I actually was really impressed by the writing and the story here. I've not had much luck with YA genre in the last couple of years so was hesitant to give it a go, but this felt quite refreshing to me. Would recommend it if YA fantasy is something you'd enjoy.
1/36: In a Holidaze by Christina Lauren
I was really having a hard time letting Christmas go after it ended last year, so I just had to read a cozy Christmas story. A bit of fluff and it made me want a cozy winter cabin getaway.
2/36: Sorcery of Thorns by Margaret Rogerson
I actually was really impressed by the writing and the story here. I've not had much luck with YA genre in the last couple of years so was hesitant to give it a go, but this felt quite refreshing to me. Would recommend it if YA fantasy is something you'd enjoy.
violina
Mouseketeer
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6. World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments - Aimee Nezhukumatathil
7. Gentle Discipline: Using Emotional Connection--Not Punishment--to Raise Confident, Capable Kids - Sarah Ockwell-Smith
8. The BreakBeat Poets, Vol. 3: Halal If You Hear Me - Fatimah Asghar
9. Trust No Aunty - Maria Qamar
10. Monstress, Vol. 4: The Chosen - Marjorie M. Liu
11. Monstress, Vol. 5: Warchild - Marjorie M. Liu
12. Pepperpot: Best New Stories from the Caribbean by Peekash Press
13. a fire like you - Upile Chisala
14. nectar - Upile Chisala
15. Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way - Mayim Bialik
I got through a lot of comics, poetry, and short stories because kiddo is going through sleep regression.
7. Gentle Discipline: Using Emotional Connection--Not Punishment--to Raise Confident, Capable Kids - Sarah Ockwell-Smith
8. The BreakBeat Poets, Vol. 3: Halal If You Hear Me - Fatimah Asghar
9. Trust No Aunty - Maria Qamar
10. Monstress, Vol. 4: The Chosen - Marjorie M. Liu
11. Monstress, Vol. 5: Warchild - Marjorie M. Liu
12. Pepperpot: Best New Stories from the Caribbean by Peekash Press
13. a fire like you - Upile Chisala
14. nectar - Upile Chisala
15. Beyond the Sling: A Real-Life Guide to Raising Confident, Loving Children the Attachment Parenting Way - Mayim Bialik
I got through a lot of comics, poetry, and short stories because kiddo is going through sleep regression.
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